Taste of Magic: Ambassador's Voice

Chapter 183 – Imperial Scrutiny

Four days passed in busy preparations. Alistair was setting things up for the arrival of the Royal Guard. The market exclusive to Sunglowers was just one of the problems on his plate.

Together with Arianne he found a suitable spot for it, away from the usual locations tourists frequented. Some would no doubt wander in, but as long as the majority were locals it was fine.

Elowen had been sent to the Monster Realm to invite drow to the market and explain the situation with the Royal Guard. Lord Eidranis was all for drow attending the market, although he couldn't send too many. He was worried for their safety, not to mention that the monster activity had increased in the Monster Realm.

Lord Eidranis guessed that the brief moment when he was gone did have repercussions on the Monster Realm after although it wasn't instantly visible. The mana levels were unchanged on their side, but apparently some monsters were far too eager to take a look at the new living conditions near Sunglow.

The drow had their hands full trying to keep these curious monsters away from the passageway. The poor guardian couldn't deal with them on his own.

Melina was all too eager to help, wanting to make new pastries for the market, but the Duchess forbade it. Every free moment of her time was used to polish noble etiquette or prepare for the engagement party. Apparently, Melina had to write all the invitation letters by hand.

Unfortunately, the Duchess and Melina did come to a small scuffle when it came to invitations. Melina wanted to invite people from Sunglow to it, but obviously the Duchess was against it. Letting commoners mingle with high-ranking nobles was a recipe for disaster.

In the end, Alistair had to mediate between the two. He offered to set up a separate engagement party for everyone in Sunglow, so they could celebrate as well. This satisfied both women, although they had been a bit tense around each other since then.

Melina also stubbornly insisted that she would work on her distraction plan for the Royal Guard. The Duchess didn't like it in the slightest, and Alistair had to agree that it was a bit extreme. It was rather simple though—she allowed Sienna to practice her flying in full form right above the town.

The first time went about as great as anyone would expect. Tourists screamed in panic and ran for their lives while the local guard tried to calm them down. Even some of the locals less familiar with Sienna's new form were panicking.

Melina did follow up with a demonstration where Sienna landed and acted like her usual harmless self. Although with the ferocious and powerful form she now possessed it was rather difficult to convince people that she was actually harmless.

It did however accomplish what Melina set out to do. It distracted everyone from the drow. After all, drow hardly seemed threatening with a fire-breathing wyvern flying over the town. Yes, Melina did order Sienna to breathe fire. Alistair was wondering if his dearest fiancee was becoming a bit too reckless. Or perhaps his mother's strict teachings made her frustrated.

Unfortunately he never really got the chance to discuss matters properly with her. He returned home only late at night, when Melina was already long asleep. She left in the early morning to do her work in the bakery, so there were day when he wouldn't even see her.

In fact, it had been three days since Alistair saw Melina. Not counting her sleeping form. The Royal Guard were arriving today, but he felt nothing but annoyance at not even being able to talk with his beloved. There were just too many things going on. All he wanted was to spend time with Melina.

"Young Lord, please temper your expression," Mark reprimanded softly as they stood at the port, waiting for the ship carrying the Royal Guard to arrive.

"My apologies, Mark!" Alistair said, and straightened. He just wanted this whole thing to be over already, but at the same time he couldn't treat it lightly. His father was working hard in the capital to prove their case against Heiliger. He had to do his best to support him.

The vessel they sailed on was recognizable even from afar. It was one of the imperial ships, bearing the crest of the King—two headed red dragon spewing golden flames. Alistair could feel his heartbeat increase the closer they got.

But it appeared that he wasn't the only one waiting for their arrival. Just as the ship approached the port, a loud roar echoed through the town and Alistair saw Sienna flying towards him with Melina sitting confidently on her back. Mango was clutched in her hand, yipping excitedly as they flew.

"Y-Y-Young Lord, did you request your fiancee do this?" Mark stammered, looking at wyvern with wide eyes, his face growing increasingly paler the closer Melina flew.

"No… I did not…" Alistair admitted. He knew that Melina said that she would distract the Royal Guard with something even more shocking than a drow, but wasn't this too much…

However, when he saw his mother's familiar carriage pull up nearby, and his mother come out with the help of her guard, his heart calmed somewhat. She regarded Melina's performance with a calm, approving smile.

"Mother," Alistair walked up to her, offering his hand for her to hold onto.

"Good day, my dearest son. I'm sorry for our sudden visit, but we figured out you could use some help while dealing with the Royal Guard," she said.

"You approved of this?" Alistair asked in surprise.

"Of course. I intend to take advantage of every talent your wonderful fiancee has. She needs to gain a powerful reputation, so I'm doing everything within my power to do just that."

"But won't they attack?" He asked nervously, looking at the Royal Guard on the ship.

Anyone else probably would have panicked at the display, but not them. They all remained at their stations and watched the show impassively as if it was perfectly normal. Of course, Alistair knew that their outer appearance was merely a result of extreme discipline.

"Not if she is with us," The Duchess assured. "Let's go, son. We'll meet our guests."

Alistair nodded, throwing another glance at Melina as she and Sienna circled around the port, drawing the eyes of many curious onlookers. Tourists obviously looked frightened, but something odd was going on with the locals.

"It's Melina and Sienna!"

"Mango is with them too!"

The locals began cheering. Looking around Alistair saw that there was a considerable number of elves around the port, and even a few drow. However, the wyvern circling the skies was by far the most impressive thing.

When the Royal Guard got off the ship in a perfect formation with their commander at the front, Alistair could see that they had difficulty keeping their off Melina. They didn't move their heads and didn't do any unnecessary movements, but occasionally their irises would move in the wyvern's direction.

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"Good day, Duchess Sinclair," the Royal Guard Commander greeted her with a polite bow, and the rest of the guard also bowed in perfect unison.

"Good day, Royal Guard Commander Connell. It is a pleasure to greet you here. Let me introduce you to my son and the current warden of Sunglow, Alistair Sinclair," the Duchess said politely.

"A new warden for Sunglow? It was about time. This place has been neglected for too long. It is a pleasure to meet you," the commander said.

"Likewise. It is an honor to receive you here," Alistair replied.

"I do have to ask about…" Commander Connell began, pointing at the wyvern in the sky.

The Duchess smiled graciously. "Yes, I imagine you can't help but be curious. But it is in fact my future daughter-in-law."

Even the commander couldn't help but show a moment of surprise. Especially since Sienna instantly began her descent down towards them at full speed. The Royal Guard put their hands on their swords, ready to jump into action at any moment.

Sienna landed right behind Alistair, reaching out her head towards him to nuzzle against him.

"Hello, Sienna," he said, gently patting her snout, then walked to the side and reached up for Melina.

She was smiling brilliantly, her hair tousled by the wind in naturally attractive fashion, while she wore riding clothes noblewomen usually used for horse riding.

"Hello, dear," she greeted him, and Mango yipped in her arms.

"Hello, love," Alistair replied warmly. He really wanted to kiss her at that moment, but perhaps that was pushing it a little in front of all the Royal Guard.

He grabbed her gently, lifting her off Sienna's back and next to himself. The moment she was on the ground, Sienna instantly took her small form, earning a quiet wave of surprised gasps from the Royal Guard.

"I apologize for my abrupt appearance. I'm Melina Dufour, Alistair's fiance," she introduced herself gracefully after entrusting Mango to Alistair.

"I-It is a pleasure," the commander replied awkwardly. "Sunglowers sure know how to make an entrance."

"This kind of thing is quite normal here. People here have been living together with monsters for generations. A small wyvern like that is nothing unusual," the Duchess explained.

As if they had orchestrated this, the people cheered and waved at Melina, who waved back at them as Sienna let out an excited chitter. Alistair had no clue that Melina had such a strong talent for showmanship.

"Yes, that's what we have come here to investigate. As you are likely aware, Bishop Heiliger along with several System users under Church's command are suspected of instigating war between Human and Monster Realms. We have come to confirm the testimony of the citizens of Sunglow, and also to talk to the one person who appears to be in the center of all these events. Miss Melina Dufour, if you would be so kind," Commander Connell said sternly.

"Of course. I'll answer all your questions," Melina said with a gracious smile.

Alistair could see that his mother's lessons were already doing their work in spades. With the way Melina was acting there was no way of telling that she was a commoner. The Duchess herself looked rather proud of her, watching with a satisfied nod.

"I shall accompany my fiancee. It would be improper for an engaged woman to remain alone with another man," Alistair with a smile of his own.

"Of course. I have questions for you as well, Lord Sinclair," Commanded Connell agreed, although he appeared somewhat reluctant. No doubt he had wanted to talk to Melina alone, perhaps push her into a corner during the interrogation.

Alistair wouldn't allow that to happen.

While Melina kept her face calm and her movements graceful, she was anything but calm on the inside. The drilling she had gone through during the last few days had been so intense, she was afraid of having even her pinky finger be out of place. Especially under the Duchess's watchful eye.

Thankfully, Alistair was with her. She was seeing him for the first time in three days, so her hold on his elbow might have been a bit tighter than appropriate. But the way he was beaming at her, she felt it didn't really matter. It was just nice to be by his side again with Sienna and Mango following after them.

The most important thing was that their plan worked. The Royal Guard hadn't even paid any attention to the elves and drow that were walking around the town. Even when the commander told them to scatter and begin gathering intel, many eyes still lingered on Sienna and Mango. Success!

Now Melina just had to survive the interrogation with the commander. She wished that the Duchess could come with them, but obviously the commander wouldn't accept that. Having Alistair with her was already pushing it.

They escorted him to the Town Hall where one mages at Sinclair employ had prepared a special sound proof room. Melina could have done that too, but she was forbidden from undertaking any more tasks than she already had.

Once they were in the room, and the servants had prepared the refreshment which had a few of Melina's pastries mixed in, the commander prepared for interrogation. He withdrew a rather thick folder and pulled some paper and pen out of it, ready to write.

"I believe it's best if I get to the heart of the matter, so as not to waste anyone's time. I suspect you are busy with your wedding preparations," Commander Connell said.

"It's an engagement party, but yes," Melina confirmed.

He nodded in acknowledgement. "Then we'll make this short. To my understanding and from the testimony I've received, the Church reached out to you for assistance. But you never went through their training program when you turned eighteen. In fact, you came to Sunglow three days after you turned eighteen on a vessel named 'Searay'."

Melina barely managed to keep a straight face. They even knew the name of the ship she sailed on? Where did they get that information? How did they know that Melina arrived in Sunglow exactly three days after her birthday? It almost felt like they had been stalking her from the very start.

Alistair didn't appear too pleased either, his eyes furrowing in scowl. "How do you know so much? Even I didn't know these facts."

"The Royal Guard has its way of obtaining information. We must be able to find anything about anyone, so don't hold it against us. It is our job," Commanded Connel explained.

This didn't seem to please Alistair who kept glowering on the man. Melina put her hand on his, making him calm down a little.

"No, I didn't go through Church training. I've never set foot in the Monastery," Melina answered. She figured that lying would do her no good anyway.

"So you deliberately avoided the Church's training although it is mandatory," the commander asked sternly.

Damn… If they decide to punish me for it, then there will be nothing I could do short of fleeing to the Monster Realm.

But lying certainly wouldn't do her any favors either. So Melina answered, "That's right."

"Why?"

"Because I had no desire to fight monsters."

"Is it not honorable to protect those you love from dangerous threats?" Commander Connel pushed.

"I don't believe they are threats," Melina said, patting Mango who was napping in her lap.

"Yes… I suppose after today I can understand why you would believe that," the man nodded, then turned to Alistair. "Am I to understand that your fiancee is under House Sinclair protection?"

"Absolutely," Alistair confirmed.

"I suppose there is nothing I can do about that matter then. So let's return to my original question. Why did the Church ask for your help anyway?"

"They believed that magical abilities could help them," Melina replied calmly.

"Interesting. And how did you acquire these abilities? You've had the System for barely five months, yet the Church deemed it that your abilities could contribute to the expedition? Without prior training? I find it very suspicious to know you could learn so quickly, especially with all the feats that you can accomplish."

"Melina is very talented and hard-working. Nobody else works more than her," Alistair interjected.

But the commander ignored him and pulled out another paper out of the bag, reading from it. "Calmed a raging ember wyvern, created healing pastries whose quality is easily comparable to high-grade potions and most unbelievably of all—calmed a passageway to the Monster Realm. This is something even the current [Archmage] would struggle with, yet you did it while not even using your own mana."

Melina paled. They knew everything she had done in Sunglow. This was bad. If they knew so much, there was no logical explanation for all the things that she had done.

"Miss Melina, who are you exactly?"