THE WHITE FOX | TWO

  "THOSE ARE THE other three Saian guests," Louis commented, doing a good job of studying them without looking in the three girls' direction. Maximilian did much the same, watching them walk in through the mirror in front of him. All three were dark-haired, dark-eyed, as expected. He'd put all three's ages at around eighteen, though the prettiest one looked a bit younger.

The one who opened the door must be the leader. She walked before the other two, with a comfort the other two lacked. She was pale skinned, with cool eyes that regarded the room, landing on an empty settee in the corner. It took a minute for him to realise who she was.

"Asteria Lu. The Fox's daughter."

"That's her. The Countess of Ice."

"I can see why they call her that." Her gaze was steely. Her movements were elegant but gave off a certain air of arrogance and power. He tore his eyes away from her and landed on the second figure. Black hair was tied up in a tight bun with one of those hair sticks sticking out of it. This girl's skin was a tad darker than the other two, though he couldn't tell if it was because of a tan or if it hinted at the girl's mixed heritage. If Lady Asteria walked like a queen, this girl walked like a predator. Her expression was blank, eyes oddly cynical, mouth twisted slightly upwards as if she knew something no one else did.

The last girl was utterly unfamiliar. She had—

"I know the girl in pink." Louis didn't show his thoughts on his face, but Max could sense his puzzlement.

"Who is she?"

"That's the problem. I don't actually know her in the sense I'm aware of her name. But I've spoken to her before. Two years ago. When my family was in Sai. Caught her spying on us in a tree."

Max's eyes snapped to his. Mutual understanding passed through.

He took a moment to take in the girl's appearance again. She was beautiful, almost unnaturally so. He'd thought she was around seventeen upon first glance, but now that he took a more careful look, she looked far younger. Not her eyes, though, or the way she held herself, as if she'd be under attack any moment.

"Who are we studying with such intensity?"

He tilted his head to face the third—and unwelcomed—member of their entourage. Aleksandr Volkov. Six feet of strength and muscle, with chestnut hair, a hostile smile and calculating eyes. Max didn't trust him at all. But the Intelligence Bureau had assigned him to work with them, so he didn't have much of a choice.

Louis replied, "The newest arrivals."

Aleksandr's eyes flickered to the three girls, not settling comfortably on the settee, momentarily before turning back to them. "The Duke of Shui Xiang's little heir. Do we know who the other two are?"

Both shook their heads, wary and having good reason to feel that way.

With politeness, Aleksandr said, "We could ask."

"Quite suspicious. And since we haven't been introduced, it would be rude to approach them directly. Lady Asteria is known as the Countess of Ice among some circles, one doesn't get a title like that for no reason." Max crossed his arms. Anyone else would see three friends conversing comfortably. Someone careful would notice the tension brewing between them.

"Fair point." Aleksandr conceded the discussion with a tilt of his head.

Louis said, "I'm sure I've seen the third girl before. Keep an eye on that one. Last time I saw her she was dressed in peasant clothings and climbing trees with extreme skill. And only people in the upper class are invited to this event."

"Ah, so that's why you were practically glaring at her." Aleksandr flashed a smile, which was anything but pleasant. It was mocking, all teeth and no cheer. "Well, considering this crowd, you'll know everyone's past and their grandma's within the next hour or so." He shrugged, casual-like. "Just be patient."

"Thank you," Louis deadpanned, "for your excellent advice."

"You're welcome." He sketched a small bow, the sarcasm clear. He knew they didn't trust or like him. He didn't care. Might even enjoy their discomfort, really. It did little to improve Max's opinion of him.

Novokuluga didn't get along with Caershire. Neither the newer Kozlov government nor the older monarchy enjoyed good relations with their country. So it simply made no sense for the Kozlov government to suddenly request to attach one of their agents to their envoy to this house party. There was another reason why he was here, there had to be. None of it made sense, and all his superiors agreed. But they couldn't refuse. Or maybe they decided they might as well say yes and see what happened next.

Max was, truth be told, rather annoyed with that choice. But he could see the merit in it.

"We should socialise with the others," he said tensely.

Louis surveyed the room. "I haven't been introduced to most of these people. Have you?"

"A few," he replied. Louis had spent a good chunk of his childhood escaping from war torn Vayante. He, on the other hand, had enjoyed a happy childhood in the countryside of Caershire. Life had been a great deal simpler before he became a spy.

"They're not fond of me." Volkov didn't seem disappointed though. "My family is Kozlov-bound, and I've always made my loyalties clear. I know most of these people, but they won't happily talk to me."

"Still counts as something," Max told him. "Pick the person least likely to give you the cut in this room."

Volkov glanced around. "Seve Romero. He's the only Vayantean except Sanchez here, and last I heard, half his family surrendered to the Meliqueans. He won't be particularly picky about company."

"Introduce us," Max commanded.

Volkov's lips twisted upwards. "Don't be demanding, Harlande." He was quiet long enough for it to be annoying. "Fine. Follow me." With a few wide strides, the Novokulugan boy made his way towards said person in question, a dark-haired, brown-skinned gentleman awkwardly standing off in the corner. Seve looked nonplussed as Volkov made a beeline for him, relaxing slightly a moment later.

"Mr Volkov."

"Mr Romero. Pleasure seeing you here. Thought I might introduce my companions to you, if I may? This gentleman is Lieutenant Harlande, and this is Mr Sanchez. He's also from Vayante, so I'm not sure if you've met him before."

"I don't believe so." Romero shook hands with both of them. "Pleasure meeting you both. What brings you here?"

"Well," Max said, deciding to adopt a personality with good humour, "we were invited, quite simply put."

That lured a smile onto his face. "Of course."

Louis asked, "Do you know anyone else here? I don't attend a lot of social events or even travel much, so I'm rather flummoxed."

Seve smiled. "I know most of them. Who do you wish to know?"

Louis pretended to glance around for a long moment before his gaze landed on the three girls, softly conversing on the settee. "Those three? I recognise the one in the light blue dress as Lady Asteria Lu, but I'm not sure about the other two."

Seve frowned. "I don't know the one in pink. I'll assume a friend of theirs. The one in dark blue... Don't know her identity either, but she looks Meliquean, doesn't she? Probably not to you."

That explained her darker skin. Though other than that there was nary a hint of her Meliquean descent, if she was of it. Max blinked. "Ah, I see, I see. The lady there?" Said lady had dark skin the shade of dark copper and a cool, unamused look. Hrishnan, probably.

"A kumari. Her father is a thakur. Can't remember the specific details, but I believe her name is Diksha Sahni, or something of the sort. I've only met her in passing, and haven't been introduced to her. She doesn't seem like the friendly sort."

Aleksandr frowned. "I'm not familiar with the Hrishnan nobility system. A thakur is... like a duke, if I remember correctly?"

Louis nodded. "Equivalent of our dukes. Though, well, not our dukes, I suppose." More than half of Vayante was under Meliquean republic rule, and all nobility living under them had been forced to give up their titles. Caershire didn't have its own nobility.

Aleksandr let out a soft "huh" sound. "I see, I see." Max could really see that he didn't. He didn't say anything about it, though. If it meant Volkov might one day accidentally offend a Hrishnan raja or something along the lines of that, he didn't necessarily mind. The man could use a good bash on the head if you asked him.

『-』

ACROSS THE ROOM, the three girls gossiped and giggled like a bunch of vicious, busybody harpies. A role they all played well, because, well, who didn't act like that once in a while?

Io was the one who shattered the atmosphere they'd created. "We're being watched quite closely." She didn't turn her head. Her body didn't show who she meant. Asteria pretended to comb her long hair to her right shoulder and took the chance to steal a glance of the room.

"The four gentlemen on the other side. They're talking about us."

"Let them," came Danna's nonchalant reply. "They're probably awed by your power."

Suddenly, Io's body stiffened. "Oh holy fuck." The words were softly uttered, and no one except them could hear it. Asteria raised a brow. Io breathed, "It's Louis Sanchez."

Danna blinked. "The one who somehow caught you spying on them two years ago? You sure it's him."

"A hundred and thousand percent sure. We're in trouble."

"He might not recognise you," Asteria murmured.

"Considering how he's staring at me?" No one in this room but them could see how flustered and anxious Io was. Their little secret. "He recognises me."

"If he asks, pretend he's insane." Danna smoothed her silk gown. "Convince him he accidentally knocked himself on his head with the handle of a sword—the blade if you must—or something and is now having delusional thoughts. Don't blow this."

Io shot back, "I'm not an idiot, I know what to do. But something's wrong with that boy, watch out for him."

"We'll be even more cautious," Asteria assured. "They're not discussing us now." She felt their attention shift elsewhere. To Diksha Sahni, who sat alone in the corner, surveying them all with a look of disdain. Technically speaking, they were of the same rank— Diksha was a daughter of a thakur. She'd never liked the girl too much. Too arrogant, in her opinion, though Diksha was still smart enough to make up for it. If you could stomach a bit of backhanded compliments, you'd get along with her.

A pair of siblings walked in. Asteria spared them a single glance. "Caershireens. You could see it in the way they walk."

Io snickered. "Rather desperately trying to convince people they're rich if you ask me. Look at the size of that gem on her neck. I'm willing to bet it's chipped, though."

Danna shrugged. "Probably. Trouble, I think. People like them like to go out of their way to make anyone they consider inferior miserable. We're at the bottom of the hierarchy here. The guests are ranked by two things. Money and name. We have neither."

"I have both, and I'll somehow find a way to make it up for you. Try to stay invisible, you two."

Io, between gritted teeth, managed, "Stop saying that. We get it. The more you tell us to do that, the more I'm tempted not to do that just to spite you, and that is not what you want to happen."

Asteria blinked. "Are you threatening to actively sabotage the mission just because you think I'm being annoying and repetitive?"

Io, blandly, said, "Yes."

Danna couldn't help it. She threw her head back and laughed. Asteria shot her best friend a glare that promised vengeance and turned her attention back to Io. "I will sic Lady Kuroki on you."

"You think that'll work?" Io asked, incredulous.

"Iolanthe."

Her lips curled into a teasing grin. "I'm kidding. I'll be the perfect agent. Don't worry, I've done this before. Have I ever let you down?"

Slowly, Asteria admitted, "No."

"See?" Io gave her a little nudge on the shoulders. "I feel as if we should talk to some of the other guests."

Danna glanced around the room. "Yeah, and who are we going to approach?" The question was aimed at Asteria, the most well-connected and influential among the three. She tapped her fingers against her chin, thinking.

"It would be polite to say hello to Lady Diksha," she finally said, the words slow and hesitant. "But you'll both need to be very careful with what you say."

"Snobbish, is she?" Io asked, a brow raised.

Asteria tilted her head. "Not exactly. But she's quite arrogant and sure of herself. And she is very powerful, so I wouldn't want to insult her. I've been introduced to her. Have you been, Danna?"

Danna thought for a moment and nodded. "Yeah. We met in Asayama once. Didn't leave much of an impression, though. You might want to reintroduce us anyways."

Asteria smoothed her gown. "That's decided, then." She stood up, crossing the room to approach Diksha, being obvious about it. The Hrishnan girl glanced at her, noticed where she was heading, and straightened.

"Lady Asteria."

"Lady Diksha." Asteria bobbed a small curtsy. "May I introduce you to my companions? My lady, this is Miss Daneira Pang, sister to the Baroness of Xiang Zhou. This is Miss Iolanthe Mi, a cousin of mine."

Both Danna and Io murmured their greetings.

Diksha studied them both for a long moment. Both girls met her gaze, but kept it demure. After the silence, Diksha drawled, "Miss Pang. Miss Mi. Welcome to Carlston Manor." Diksha's Arecian was fluent but accented. They'd mostly be using Arecian here, probably, since the Caershireens spoke it as a mother tongue.

"Thank you, my lady." Io offered a small, unsure smile. Clever. She played vulnerable, showing off her lower social status and younger age. Danna was a step behind her, discomfort on display. Asteria was Diksha's equal, and didn't bother hiding it.

"We will be spending quite some time together," Asteria murmured, "Thought I might as well introduce you all. Sorry if we are bothering you." It was quite clear they hadn't been interrupting anything, so Diksha's answer was expected.

"You did not." Her head tilted by a slight fraction. "Did you just arrive, Lady Asteria?"

"We had just arrived and settled down, yes. Do you mind if we sit?" Asteria asked, gesturing to the empty chairs besides Lady Diksha. When she got a nod as a reply, she motioned for Danna and Io to sit as well. "How does your family fare?"

"Wonderfully, thank you for asking." Diksha managed a small smile. "Yours?"

"The same."

"Why are your companions travelling with you?" Diksha turned puzzled eyes towards the two girls, who offered a weak smile in return.

"We are schoolmates," Asteria replied. "Lady Kuroki, our esteemed schoolmistress, is our chaperone for this trip. Lady Kuroki's School for Girls is very popular for Saian girls."

"But Miss Pang is not exactly Saian from what I've heard, is she?" A brow raised, the lady studied Danna with a scrutinising gaze. "Half Meliquean, is she not?"

Danna replied, voice soft, "Saian where it matters, I assure you." Hrishna wasn't a part of the war against Melique, but the two countries didn't get along too well. Besides, Diksha had been educated in Arecia, which was strictly anti-Melique. Not the person they're searching for, but a potential ally in this house full of powers.

"We shall see about that." The words were haughty, Diksha turned away and glanced at Iolanthe. "A cousin, is she?"

"On my father's side. Quite distant, but proximity due to school has kept us close."

"I've never heard of you." Diksha lifted her shoulders and dropped them.

"My father is a reclusive," Io murmured quietly. "Mother died quite early on, so I didn't have a lot of... social connections. My family isn't of much importance either, so it's natural that someone of your status and power has never heard of a lowly being such as me."

Laying it on a bit thick, probably, but it was doing its job. Diksha relaxed, a vain smile tugging on her lips. "That explains it."

Io lowered her head. Danna was amused, though no one else would see it. They were a well-oiled machine, the three of them. Years working together had done that. Asteria said, "She's not very... polished. She is young, after all, and has only been under Lady Kuroki's care for so long, so I apologise in advance for any blunders she may make."

Diksha waved her hand dismissively. "Bah, it doesn't matter. I can overlook a mistake or two, as long as it's not too bad." She smoothed her dark red sari, the jewels adorning her head twinkling in the sunlight.

"Thank you for your generosity," Io beamed, momentarily looking at her age. "I shall try my best not to disappoint, my lady."

"She's sweet enough," Diksha said with grave politeness, as if those words pained her to say. "The party has been boring so far, isn't it? I do hope the Carlstons have something better planned." A sniffle. "It would have been quite a waste of time otherwise, and I'll be extremely displeased."

"With such esteemed guests, they wouldn't dare," Asteria replied with a relaxed expression. "I wouldn't worry if I was you. I'm sure they're simply busy handling all the guests' arrival. It can be quite a hassle, hosting so many people."

"They have servants." Diksha's eyes flashed with annoyance.

"I believe it speaks volumes of their generosity that our hosts are lowering themselves to deal with such matters themselves." Asteria kept her voice firm but courteous. Diksha rolled her eyes and shook her head, but didn't argue.

A silence descended over them, none of them sure what to say. Diksha didn't want Asteria as an enemy, and neither did Asteria. They'd reached an impasse, and both chose to slowly edge backwards.

Io said, voice alight with wonder, "Lady Diksha, are you familiar with all of the guests?"

Diksha looked up, dark brow arched. "Some of them, yes, Miss Mi. Do you wish for me to introduce you to some of them?"

Io blushed. "It would be wonderful if you could simply tell me who some of these people are. I feel rather overwhelmed. I'm rarely around so many strangers."

Danna placed her hands on her lap. "Truth be told, I'm a bit worried as well, my lady. Is there anyone I should... avoid?" Seeking a common enemy. That's what Danna was doing. Asteria had to suppress a smile.

Diksha glanced around the room. "Well... Oh, that... gentleman there in the corner. Two of them, really. You should avoid two of them." Asteria looked in the direction she was looking at, eyes landing on the four they had caught talking about them. Her gaze lingered on Louis Sanchez for a moment.

"Who are they?" she asked. Their research had yielded a large number of guests, but not all of them.

Diksha's eyes narrowed. "Can't remember the name of the gentlemen with dark blonde hair. I believe he's Caershireen, though, and a close friend of our host, the younger Mr George Carlston. I've encountered him before. A soldier, I think." Asteria exchanged a glance with Danna. That made him something they'd want to avoid.

"Who should we avoid?" Io prodded, eyes wide with curiosity.

Diksha said, "The one with brown hair. The tallest one. With gray eyes." Asteria studied the man, remembering his profile. He was strikingly handsome, but in a way that made someone rather uncomfortable. He reminded her of Danna at her bare core. He looked Novokulugan. Diksha's next words confirmed her suspicions, "Mr Aleksandr Volkov." She wrinkled her nose. "His family is a staunch supporter of the Kozlov regime."

Diksha's father was a thakar. The Hrishnans still had a powerful aristocratic class, so it made sense Diksha would consider someone of the Kozlov government untrustworthy. In truth, the same applied for the Saians. While the Bone Court had never explicitly spoken out against the Kovlov government, Irina and Ryan had always instructed them to be wary.

But they didn't support the older monarchy either. Novokuluga was a country torn in half, and Asteria often wondered if the plan was to let them rip each other into pieces without outside interference. Whichever government came out would come out weakened. Easy to handle.

Io blinked. "Oh, I see. I'll keep that in mind. Who's the other?"

Diksha's mouth twisted into a sneer. "Mr Seve Romero. A mess of a man, that one. I heard one of his cousins is a minister in the Meliquean government now. I'd stay away if I were you, though I suppose I don't need to remind you of that. My country's not the one fighting a war against his, anyways."

There hadn't been any Meliquean guests. "He's Meliquean?" Asteria asked in surprise.

"Vayantean." Diksha casted Danna a look. "But he's practically a Meliquean these days from what I've heard." Could it be that easy? Was this Mr Romero the one spreading Meliquean propaganda? Asteria didn't think it would be that simple.

"Ah." Io crossed her arms. "That explains it. And who's the other gentlemen standing with them?"

Diksha looked for a bit before shaking her head. "No idea, really. Never seen him around before. Looks Vayantean. You should probably avoid him as well."

And that was already an entire clique of friends written off by Lady Diksha Sahni. Asteria didn't know if she should be impressed.

"A shame," Diksha suddenly continued, tipping her head at an angle. "They're all quite handsome. Rather unsavoury backgrounds, though." Asteria wasn't sure about that. The Carlstons wouldn't have invited idiots. These men would all be from rich, powerful families. The only person she knew two shits about, for example, was Louis Sanchez, whose father was a baron and wealthy. But Diksha wasn't taking that into consideration, was she? She was considering their political leanings, their allegiances.

Anyone who dismissed Diksha Sahni as a frivolous, fancy fool was in for a surprise. The girl had a shrewd political mind. Shallow, but still clever in all the right ways.

Danna said, with a chill in her voice, "Looks are deceiving."

Diksha flashed a cheerless smile. "Yes they are." She combed her long, dark hair to the side. "Only an idiot would fall for such facades, of course, but the world is full of them, is it not?"

"Very cynical of you," Asteria commented.

"I like to think of myself as honest. You agree, I can see it in your eyes. You're not one of these brainless twats I speak of, don't look so constipated."

Dryly, Asteria replied, "Well played, my lady. I thank you for that compliment."

Danna smirked. "I don't think anyone has ever told Asteria she looks constipated before."

Diksha feigned surprise. "Have they not? I'm surprised. I've only met her a few times, but whenever she's annoyed or irritated by something, she gets that particular expression. It's rather amusing, wouldn't you agree?"

"Very." Io snickered before her hand. "Extremely true, though. Sorry, Ast."

"Traitors," Asteria grumbled, though there was no heat in the complaint. She twirled her braid around her finger, round and round, until a strand got trapped around the jade ring and she had to tug it free.

Diksha's eyes were calculating as she surveyed the room. "An interesting crowd. Very international."

"I believe that was the purpose of the house party," Asteria murmured.

"Do not cheek me." Diksha let out a huff. "I'm simply trying to find something we can discuss, that's all."

"There's a little someone from everywhere," Io marvelled. "It's like someone was plucked out of every country and dropped here."

"It's more like someone played a game of darts with a map of the world and picked someone from every country it landed upon," Diksha snorted, flicking her fingers upwards. "With magnets on Caershire, obviously. And no, Lady Asteria—can I just call you Asteria?— I do realise that there's an overwhelming amount of Caershireens because we are in Caershire."

"I was not about to say that. And of course, call me Asteria."

Diksha shot an annoyed look. "Yes you were. Call me Diksha, then. Even you two."

Danna didn't bother hiding her grin this time. "Haven't seen someone take on Asteria like that for so long."

"Well then," Diksha said, the words accented with a carefree shrug, "it was about time." Bangles jiggled as she shook her wrist, inspecting some mark a too-tight bracelet had left on her arm.

At the sound of footsteps, the entire room looked up just in time as George Carlston walked in. Following him was a similar looking boy, though slightly younger, with a peeved expression.

Diksha said, "Our gracious host and his younger brother, Mr Jaime Carlston." From the tone of her voice, Asteria deduced that Diksha did not view either in a very nice light. But then again, Diksha was as harsh as she was observant.

"Apologies," George Carlston began, "for leaving you all to your own devices for so long. I certainly hope everyone took this time to be acquainted." Faint murmurs arose across the room. Asteria watched with an uninterested expression. "Some of the guests had a few issues regarding their rooms, so I had to deal with that quickly. Once again, welcome to Carlston Manor."

Polite applause and smiles from the guests, but it was muted.

Carlston continued. "This is my younger brother Jaime, who has finally returned from his studies abroad. In a way, this is a celebration for his homecoming." More clapping. Mr Jaime Carlston gave a polite bow and a gentle smile. His features were softer than his older brother's, more childish, more naive. "If you face any issues in your stay, do come and approach me. Now, we were considering some activities— how do you all feel about hunting tomorrow?"

The suggestion was met with murmurs of approval. Carlston's smile widened. "Fantastic. I'll inform you all of the finer details later. The entire manor and the land surrounding it is free for your use if you so wish. The servants are at your service."

Io leaned into Asteria, voice soft, "If you're hunting tomorrow, you go with Danna. I'll stay behind." Asteria gave a quick nod in reply. If everyone went hunting, the manor would be mostly emptied of its guests, clearing the way for some preliminary searching.

"Dinner is in two hours," Carlston announced. "Until then, we don't really have anything planned. You're all free to do as you wish, really. The gardens are particularly lovely at this time of day, if any of you are interested in that. Or perhaps you could return to your rooms to unpack. All up to you, really. This house party is for socialisation, for us all to broaden our horizons." With a wide smile on his face, he regarded the room. "Really, you can do whatever you want. I don't mind, as long as you don't cause any vandalisation."

Some weak chuckles came as a reply, but he didn't seem dissuaded. "I'll be taking my leave now, I'm afraid. I have some work to finish that I was unfortunately unable to complete before you all arrived. If you need any help the servants are unable to provide, my brother is more than willing to step in for me." Jaime Carlston didn't look happy about that plan, though. What was it Diksha said? A particularly constipated expression. Yes, that was it.

Asteria fought a grin. Well, this was going to be interesting.