imperial_stage | Party time and more [Action]

[In a ballroom at Central City.]

The auction was done and a hefty pile of wealth had been gathered to help pay for the reconstruction of Amestris in the wake of the devastating undead invasion. All that was left at this point was the after party, and EVERYONE has been invited. The majority of the party has moved to a huge ballroom, complete with an in house orchestra, several tables of light snacks and drinks, a large dancing area, tables around the edges of the room, and servants with trays of drinks making sure no one goes long without a glass. Brag about your newest acquisition, seeth with jealousy at the guy who bid more on the piece you wanted, enjoy fine food and drinks from across the empire, get drunk, dance, have fun. Mr. Wayne is footing the bill tonight.

[Elsewhere, later that evening...]

A dark figure edges close to the tall wall surrounding the manor belonging to the mysterious man known only as The Major. It produces a grappling hook from under its cloak, and is perched atop the wall in short order to get a better look at what it has to contend with here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ms. Archer? How does she factor into this?

"Don't tell me you've already forgotten about her! Hayate's new tutor! I thought you two were... involved. I know it's normal to keep these kind of relationships discreet until an official engagement is made, but everyone was giving each other significant looks that night at dinner! I may not look it, but I'm very perceptive."

"I...

WHAT!?"

"Hayate's going to be crushed, I just know it..."

Light is trembling. Or perhaps seething. Yes, definitely seething.

"My lord, there is nothing between Ms. Archer and me. She is Hayate's tutor and caretaker. That is all."

Light had always been the cool and composed one, in direct contrast to Mitsunari's more hotblooded personality, but this... this was cold!

"Nothing!?" But what about all the awkward silences and meaningful glances that night? There had to be something going on - even Hayate had been aware of it.

"No, nothing like that anyway. That woman... there's something odd about her. I never had a chance to vet her, apparently Hayate's original instructor had a family emergency and chose her to take over, but that was the first time I had met her. Something feels off, but I haven't had a chance to look more closely at the issue."

Well.

That was embarrassing.

"I... I see." Flustered, Mitsunari took a sip from his overly warm champagne, but it did nothing to clear his head. He'd been captivated by the thought of a relationship between his court advisor and a simple teacher - in Dagaria's upper classes, where politically-motivated arranged marriages were the norm, actual romance was rare. Mitsunari had only managed to avoid his duty to provide a royal heir by refusing kingship over Sawa.

"But... then... you left Hayate in the care of a suspicious woman without even checking her references? She could be... er... an Amestris spy!" Just a moment before he'd been defending Archer's honor, and now she was a potential enemy operative. Sometimes Mitsunari's unorthodox thinking lead to brilliance, and sometimes his wild leaps of logic took him straight off the edge of a cliff. "Not that Amestris has the skill or subtlety to pull off covert operations..."

No, it's definitely not Amestris. Ms. Archer seems genuinely dedicated to Hayate, and Hayate is not so foolish as to immediately trust a sinister operative - not to mention I don't keep any official documents at home.

There's something strange about her, but I can't put my finger on what it is, exactly.

Mitsunari nodded, willing to take Hayate's trust in this Archer woman at face value. "Perhaps I've been overly suspicious since having that vision. Whatever the story behind this Miss Archer, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with mysterious books. Forgive me, Yagami. I'll leave you to Miss Crystal and Miss Sarah..."

But the women were already gone, chatting with a different courtier. Mitsunari huffed under his breath. "Why do I always have this effect on women?"

"Perhaps we should arrange you a nice marriage, my lord," Light replied sagely. "Maybe that will keep you out of trouble."

Mitsunari made a strangled noise in the back of his throat. "An arranged marriage? Don't be ridiculous. I've already been appointed to one position that I'm ill suited to, and I'd probably be even worse of a husband than I am a ruler."

"A nice Zeon girl, I think," Light said, ignoring Mitsunari's protestations. "One who will keep you in line and put some starch in your diet so you can stand up to Bradley more."

"Zeon!?" he sputtered, as if Light had just suggested he marry a girl from another planet. "Wait, doesn't Prince Char have a younger sister? You can't possibly be thinking I would... no, that's out of the question! And too much starch gives me indigestion," he finished petulantly. "I have a very sensitive stomach!"

"He does have a younger sister, doesn't he? An excellent idea, my lord! I shall make arrangements immediately."

Mitsunari, who had never met the Prince's sister, simply visualized Char with pigtails and a dress. Carrying a bushel of potatoes.

It was utterly horrifying.

"I... I think I'm going to need another drink," he croaked. "Something stronger than champagne this time. Preferably poison."

Light laughs and passes his liege a particularly strong brandy.

Party time and more [Action]

You wouldn't dare!

The loli army will have your head!

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