The dining hall of Helena Katrine's residence had a tall ceiling, with high ceiling-to-floor windows made of stained glass, and was dimly lit by candles on the brick walls. Carlana and I sat facing each other, sitting at a long, oblong table with a white lace covering, large enough for at least ten people.

It had been two days, but being served food as I simply sat, was still something that made me fidget in my seat. After serving us the appetiser of pumpkin soup and bread, the five maids planted themselves at various sides of the dining hall.

I cleared my throat. "Um. Thank you but...could the Empress and I have some privacy?"

When we were left alone, Carlana spoke, a little tentatively. "I heard about what happened with your lady-in-waiting. I offer my sympathies, Lady Helena. It must have been quite a shock to you." She seemed pretty sincere and sounded like she was carefully choosing her words.

"Thank you....Your Highness." I couldn't help but cringe still every time such addresses had to leave my lips.

She nodded awkwardly, and we cleared our plates in silence. When the main course of steak with wine was served and we were left alone again, I added, "His Majesty was planning on joining us. It seems he is occupied with other work."

"...Work. Yes." Carlana's hands, holding the knife and fork, stopped. She looked down at the steak, and then nodded, repeating, as if to convince herself, "Yes. Work." Then, she looked up at me with a thin smile. "He is receiving an unexpected visitor and offers his regret that he will not be joining us."

"A visitor?"

"The Princess of Lesalita has come as ambassador."

I'd just heard of Khodan from Hanes. Exactly how many kingdoms were there? "Oh...I see."

Carlana's voice was of effortful cheerfulness and nonchalance. "His Majesty is always very busy with work- the signs of a true monarch. My hope is that he will not sacrifice his health at the expense of working for the common people."

Oh. She was clearly displeased by the visit from Lesalita. Mentioned the ambassador not as an ambassador, but as the princess. She was displeased by the visit of a woman.

Always busy with work. Sacrifice his health. For the common people.

The few days I'd met Hanes, I'd seen him through the lenses coloured by rumours. Ruthless. Brutal. Killer of his own brother. What really was his true side?

"You must really love His Majesty, Your Highness." I smiled slightly, slicing my steak.

A pink flush came over Carlana's eyes. Even under the dim light, I was certain she was blushing.

"Pardon?" she let out, tangibly flustered.

Perhaps I was mistaken about Carlana, just as I was mistaken about Regica for having been my ally. But fearing to be mistaken wasn't going to get me anywhere.

Whether I was going to plan an escape out of the palace for good, whether I was focusing on staying alive till I could get back to my body, I needed people I could trust. Hyle seemed decent, but he was Hanes's man, and didn't have much power or access to resources.

Carlana could be an excellent choice.

"Forgive me if I was a little intrusive," I smiled. "Were we...on irreparably bad terms? If not, is it possible for us to start afresh? Perhaps I could be a good tea friend to you, Your Highness."

"Tea...friend." Carlana swallowed her mouthful of steak, mulling over the words like they were a foreign language."

Carlana hesitated, and then, nodded, smiling a little awkwardly. "That doesn't sound too bad. You and I weren't on irreparably poor terms. We didn't speak at all, save for greetings. But I felt you didn't like me."

"Well, if you wish, we could all put it in the past now. And be friends. How does that sound, Your Highness?"

Her eyes, which were moments ago guarded, were slowly softening. "...Not bad," she said, her lips forming a shy, awkward smile.

I raised my glass. "Cheers, Your Highness. Toast to our friendship."

"Friendship..." Carlana glanced at her own wine glass. "I've never really had friends before..."

"Everything has its first, Your Highness."

The first few lines I'd spoken with the help of negotiation, coercing skills I'd picked up at the interrogation table. But now, I couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for this young woman who had nothing but innocent infatuation- or love- for a man whose sincerity and thoughts were hard to read. 

She raised her glass, nodding eagerly. "To many more firsts!"

~ * ~

Hanes looked across the dining table at Princess Harine of Lesalita, his hands folded on his lap, resisting the urge to glance at his pocket watch.

The currently ninety-six year old Emperor of Lesalita was blessed- or, depending on perspective, - cursed- with ten grown daughters and a two year old son born from his lowest ranking concubine.

Lesalita, unlike Irennia, was not rich in natural resources, nor did it have large land. It had excellent infrastructure and bustled with sea trade, but that very sea it depended on, was precariously near that of Khodan. It was armed with many well-trained soldiers and brave, experienced generals and leaders- who were, like the Emperor, getting old.

In other words, Lesalita was a tiger that was losing its teeth and claws.

That is why the Emperor had decided to take advantage of the fact that he had many daughters. He had chosen the most beautiful of them all- Princess Harine in dress and accessories evidently chosen with painstaking effort- for a reason.

"I believe you have understood our position." Harine inclined her head, and gently raised her hand.

Her manservant, who had been standing by her side, handed Hanes a roll of parchment paper. It was a peace treaty, the proposal to be in alliance. And invitation to visit Lesalita.

Peace treaty. Hanes looked at the ink writing of the Emperor of Lesalita, thinking. The Emperor, Emperor Carlylica. Carlylica.

Hanes picked up the quill, and signed on the paper. The manservant took it, and Harine dismissed him with a hand. Then, she stretched her hand across the table and put her hand over his.

From her eyes, she did not even know what piece on the chess board she was. Of course. A puppeteer did not bother talking to his puppets. Hanes smiled a little, and so did Harine. With her cold, small hand over his, she raised her glass.

"To the peace and prosperity of Catrinsa and Lesalita."

Carlylica. Hanes raised his glass. "To you, a beautiful ambassador." A tiger losing its teeth was still a tiger. And Carlylica was not only an old tiger, but a snake.

The wine warmed his belly, and Hanes could see Harine's eyelids, already heavy, half closing. He glanced at his pocket watch, wondering what the two women in the other dining hall were having for dinner.