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This particular diner was one of several that he had been using, of late. One thing he appreciated about his time in this melting pot of a country was the opportunity to sample all the different types of cuisine that it had to offer, especially here in the heart of its capital city.

But the problem with trying new things, of course, was that they weren’t always to his taste. So perhaps that was another reason for his foul mood, at the moment. He had not enjoyed his lunch, nor even the experimental dessert thereafter. The other meals he’d tried here had been exquisite, but that one...

Maybe Jesbolese food was simply not for him. Or maybe this otherwise excellent restaurant did not know how to prepare it. He supposed he would have to give it at least one more try in order to be sure.

At length, he decided that continuing to wait like this was pointless. The young paralegal that he’d been hoping to talk to had probably forgotten. The kid had seemed a bit airheaded, after all. Or just overwhelmed with work. It was strangely difficult to tell one from the other, sometimes.

He’d already paid, so he gathered up his things, put his coat on slowly, and then finally left.

Out on the street, he had a car waiting for him in order to take him back to the Livingston Grand Castle where he was but one of many resident ambassadors.

Before he even made it three steps to the car, however, a familiar face arrived in his vision--a face which brightened with recognition in return.

“Prince David,” said the young mustachioed man. A friendly smile crossed his lips, though it seemed rather muted when compared to how amicable David remembered this fellow to be. “A pleasure to see you again, sir.”

“Likewise,” said the Prince. This was not the same young man that he had been meant to have lunch with here today, but as David recalled, the two of them were coworkers. “Young Victor Branson the Paralegal. What a coincidence. Do you fancy this place, as well?”

“Ah... yes, sir, I do. I come here all the time. Their Jesbolese meatballs are to die for.”

David had to consciously avoid wincing at that remark, considering he’d just dined on exactly that meal and reached the exact opposite conclusion. “Heh. I see. You know, I was supposed to have lunch with Charlie, but he never showed up. I was hoping to pick his brain on a couple of subjects.”

Victor’s eyes widened. “Ah...”

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Still, the orb remained silent.

Hector just let his words linger, feeling that he had said all he needed to.

Garovel was next to speak. ‘Damn, Hector. That even scared me a little.’

Impulsively, he wanted to apologize, but he caught himself, because he was certain that he had done the right thing. ‘This Mini-Candle here needs to realize that it doesn’t know everything and that we won’t be dancing to its tune. If I wasn’t here, it wouldn’t have attacked you, but instead, it would’ve tried to manipulate you.’

‘Oh? I suppose I’ll just have to trust your judgment on that one,’ said Garovel.

‘Think so?’ said Hector. ‘I’m betting you can at least feel its pull, though, can’t you? I mean, heck, you just admitted to being a power-hungry maniac, so you’re probably feeling pretty tempted to seize its power, aren’t you?’

‘H-hey, I thought we’d moved past that already...’

‘It was like one minute ago, Garovel.’

‘Well, time is not time, right? That means it’s actually ancient history.’

‘That’s not what that means at all.’

‘Also, I never called myself a maniac. I resent you using that term.’

‘Look, the point is, this thing would manipulate you into wielding its power and then probably turn it against you.’

‘Ah... am I to assume that is what happened to Worwal, then?’

‘I think so,’ said Hector. ‘And now we’re going to have this little guy undo what he did.’

‘Uh. What makes you think he even can?’

‘Because I’m gonna be real pissed off if he can’t.’

He felt the orb shudder again.

‘Huh. Well, my little orby friend... I forgive you for attacking me, since you’ve just been born ‘n all, but it would appear you’ve already gotten yourself into some hot water. Best of luck to you.’


Chapter Three Hundred Two: ‘A prince’s position...’
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The heel of David’s shoe tapped rapidly against the marble floor as he eyed his watch for the twentieth time since sitting down at this small table. During his time here in Intar as an Atreyan Ambassador, he’d grown quite accustomed to playing the slow game, to being exceedingly patient, but this particular wait was proving too much even for him. He’d already ordered his meal, finished it, ordered dessert, and finished that, too.

It was hard not to be annoyed.

These “meetings” that he’d been taking of late could hardly be regarded as such. They were always with individuals who were rather low on the political totem pole, but that usually also meant that they didn’t have as much trouble making time for him. In fact, that was the main reason why he’d been pursuing them in the first place.

So it was quite obnoxious whenever one of them was a no-show.

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Hector snickered. ‘I’m just trying to make sure you’re being entirely truthful with me. Because, Garovel, if you DO have some sort of dark ambition, I’m going to find out sooner or later. That’s not something you’ll be able to keep hidden from me forever. So I figure it’d be best if I found out sooner, considering the fact that we’re kinda stuck together.’

‘...Hector. You almost sound like you WANT me to harbor such ambitions.’

‘Eh. “Want” would be a strong word. Let’s just say I’m keeping an open mind.’

‘I’m not sure whether to find that heartwarming or very worrying,’ said Garovel.

‘I think you’ve earned the benefit of the doubt,’ said Hector. ‘I’m not gonna jump to some crazy new conclusions about you, just ‘cuz some judgmental little orb tells me to.’

The orb pulsed again, more violently than ever.

And then it wasn’t just a pulse, anymore. A line of radiant energy lashed out like a great tentacle and snaked toward his intangible form.

Instantly, Hector’s anger returned with equal violence. ‘STOP THAT RIGHT NOW.’

The entire headspace shook with each word, as if caught in a momentary earthquake, and the tentacle retracted back into the orb, which was left shuddering there in his hand.

Hector needed a moment to calm his own fury. He wasn’t mad that the thing had tried to attack him. In fact, for some reason, he felt as though it could not possibly harm him, no matter how hard it tried.

No, he was mad because it had tried to attack Garovel. In that briefest window of assault, he’d sensed its intent. It had wanted to remove the reaper from this place by force, uncaring of the harm it might cause in the process.

‘What’s the matter with you?’ said Hector. ‘What, you think you know everything? That you have full understanding of someone, just because you can sense a few of their secrets? And you think that justifies doing whatever you want to them?’

And Hector left an opening for it to respond, but it had nothing to say, this time.

‘This is my warning to you,’ said Hector. ‘I sense a bit of your hubris now. You think you’re really valuable. Really special. And you are. But don’t for one second think that you’re too valuable and special to destroy. You understand me? You’ve already endangered Abbas. And now you’ve tried to harm my best friend. If you keep behaving like that, then I will make sure you can never harm anyone ever again.’