☀️ Arselia and Akonia

- Yes, you really need to work on your willpower, or you'll end up spilling important information to spies or other enemies. So, what about the payment?

Even at this moment, Am could have pretended that it was some kind of glitch or error, or that Erefir had indeed said it aloud without realizing it – and he would have been believed...

The redhead approached Amamius and stared intently into his eyes without blinking; she felt bitter.

"So, that's how it is?" she immediately switched to a mental monologue, since it would be read anyway. "I didn't think you offered this kind of free service, not taking money but collecting personal data? And this is just a few minutes after I said I trusted you and could be more open than before, so if something bothers you, you can just ask... Indeed, I foolishly lost my defenses, but I couldn't have imagined that I would need them from you of all people."

"I even... I even tried to tell you something so that you would be convinced of my sincerity, I thought maybe you would be interested in hearing about the dragon, but you remained silent. And it turns out you were listening very carefully, but the words didn't interest you; now it's clear."

She closed her eyes and rubbed her nose. She could calmly deal with spies, but this was beyond her comprehension.

"This spell is used against enemies or dangerous prisoners under a special warrant, or am I wrong? At worst, it's for quick information exchange within a group, with mutual consent. In my old world, this is considered an aggressive act, like theft. What else have you found out?"

-- Regarding your question," she finally managed to control the emotions that had overwhelmed her, sharing a few more revelations with Am, deliberately so that he wouldn't think she was being unfair or playing secrets with him. "There are probably several reasons. The Carnelian is currently being restructured, and legally, everyone except me needs to be rehired. Also, Her Highness Lady Naera oversaw that quest, but she soon had to switch to other tasks, such as treating the patriarch. Such setbacks happen, unfortunately. I feel a little ashamed in front of my own people, but I'm going to deal with this no later than tomorrow.