“Jyana, will you teach me in the ways of Lunascopy? Additionally, if you don’t mind - as well, the art of cartomancy.” my eyes widen and I hide, as Gondola genuflects before that exhibitionist maid, I eavesdrop around the corner.

  Wait, what am I doing here? Hovering back. Lurking out of the display - this makes me a creep. A dignified individual should not be stalking around one’s privacy! This is not how a marshal of Kehina should be behaving… But it’s on impulse that I conceal my presence between them. Jeez, what should I do! … ? Damn, I am hopeless, really.

  The maid flashes a smug looking face, retorting: “Eh, Lord Gondola is asking me for what? How unusual.” to implicitly impose superiority towards the newcomer. It makes me gulp just from that assertion.

  “Crappy shit! How can you counter that, Gondola?” as I am peeking, with only one eye sticking to them, my heart beats in a sporadic rhythm.

  “Jyana-...” whereas Lord Gondola is about to speak, his thought is stopped mid-sentence by Jyana.

  The maid interferes, “Mmmm… a bulky gentle lad is asking for aid from me? Lord Gondola, it takes a lot of convincing before I let you tutor you.” then she holds his chin up in a sultry manner. She sits on Lord Gondola’s left knee while she presses her bosom into his face afterwards.

  “My, this exhibitionist is rather bold. And out of the open? If they want to be frisky, they should save their antics behind closed doors.” running into my thoughts, as I want them to stop.

  “Say, benevolent lord Gondola. What do I get in return, hmmmm?” she grins while the smile resonates on her lips, where she gets pushed and fended off by him away from his personal space.

  “Miss Jyana,” Lord Gondola is flustered, “If you are seeking for material compensation. Here…” as he presents a buttload of shimmering coins before her, “... exactly, what you might be inquiring for.” their gazes are steadfast and intense and neither both eyes veer off to one another.

  I shrink back away from the rays of light, pressing myself further into the shadows as Jyana, with an unsettling tranquility all over her poise and her face, undertakes and resumes to assert control over Lord Gondola. He, Lord Gondola, is gritting his teeth and sweat cascading from his forehead. My heart pounds louder in my chest, as I also rather feel the eerie coercion. Hyperventilating. And I cuss myself for not managing to leave before this uncomfortable scene that unveils. I don’t belong here, not in this situation - lurking, spying, sticking around on a private moment between them. This is not my expertise, this is supposed to be Lord Ameniah’s job. A marshal of Queen Anda would never conduct himself this matter. And yet, there I am, too captivated by the spectacle to move. What am I then expecting for? Something contentious?

  “I-...” I am about to emerge from the darkness to initiate an askance between them but, “... shit.” I utter to myself, my heart fails to move and my muscles won’t listen, “Aisla, you require to cease on skulking further. Don’t be a craven, Aisla. You’re a general of your men - a marshal. Not some sissy ass hiding beneath the obscurity of shadows.” my thought says that I can but my heart replies otherwise.

  “Lord Aisla… ! What are you doing out here - leaning against the wall?” inquires Clyden.

  “Are you peeping at someone - some hot chick, naked, or something? Hehehe… let us join, then Lord Aisla!” Durgat concerns and pops.

  “Waaagh!” as I get spooked by my lieutenant and the orc champion, I shriek and jump out in the sight of Lord Gondola and Miss Jyana.

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  “Lord Aisla!” in a heartbeat, both Lord Gondola and Jyana notice my presence, they are staring at me in my languid state.

  I stand up from the pavement. Fix my composure. My trousers, my cravat, my herald livery. Clears my throat. As I then approach them, offer them a bow each one of both.

  “Good high noon,...” directly intends to attract their attention, “Salutations, Miss Jyana.” wink at her, I reach for her hand and give her a chaste kiss, “And likewise to you as well, Lord Gondola.” he initiates the handshake, the only for me to do is to accept it and so I clench mine to his.

  “I was asking Miss Jyana to tutor me with my research. And I would assume that I can be an excellent protegé for her in the ways of Lunascopy and Cartomancy. Well, there are several reasons for this. Perhaps, something that I could also help the military…” Lord Gondola shares about what did happen between the two of them except for the tryst part.

  “Oh, really? That’s a great mindset, Lord Gondola. You are even more fit to join the Kehinan Army!” I just play along, pretending to not know and encountering their sultry engagement recently.

  “And yes, Lord Aisla. Lord Gondola is trying to bribe me with these shining coins. Which, under close inspection, is worthless.” the maid inserts, she then mocks Lord Aisla’s souvenir with him.

  In my observation, those coins have pretty much substantial value. In a fictional world, I guess. Hahaha… I pick one of the those from Lord Gondola’s hand, as I investigate the faces of it - obverse and reverse. Each side contains a face and some either historical site, religious symbol, unknown letter of their alphabet, or a number that upholds. Resembles much like than our coins here with Queen Anda’s face is in the observe and the Royal Castle as the face of the reverse side of the coin. However, I am neither aware of who’s the head that represents and the origins of the domain nor I am just naíve. Upon proximal look, I hope I am wrong.

  I smile, as I return the coin back to Lord Gondola’s palm. The exhibitionist is still imposedly dragging while she berates him. I wish Miss Jyana is correct, as I am rather overthinking it. Meanwhile, under the segue and their appearance from the corner. Clyden and Durgat choose to emerge then meet us three at the crossroad aisle. After a while, the skies outside through the alley are turning dim.

  “Huh? Nothing’s risqué here. What a bummer. So boring.” the orc champion goads, he then groans out of disappointment. It makes me want to give him a chop directly to his forehead for misconduct.

  “So, a marshal needs to discipline his naughty subjects?” I sigh, then I pinch the bridge of my nose.

  And this high achiever lieutenant of mine is also no good, joining: “Don’t worry about that. When you have your own land as promised, you can have all the women in your domain.” he consoles the orc champion, as he suggests. So much for alleviating the situation.

  “Not you as well, Clyden… why are you adding to the muster of my headache? This is a bucket list, then?”

  All of them… the four of them then laugh at my complaint, hereby. This is outright awful. I’m getting laughed at. I groan, struggling with the fact that I was cowering earlier around that fringe for nothing. Jeez! It’s my blunder, it’s my fault.

  “Even my lads are prodding at me. This is straight out bullying - no, even more, threatening an officer.” I rant once more, meanwhile, they still don’t take me in a serious note.

  I add, fixing my tone, “Nevertheless, I do approve about earlier… of what I’ve recently heard about the augmentation of magical arts to the military.” with more power and imposing in my voice.

  Jyana and her smirk get up, imposing: “Oho… ? That means you, General, need my help, I suppose.” invades near my face, as she is not reluctant to lunge in. Oh, Lady in the seven heavens, I wish thee endow me the power to reprimand this gal before my presence.

  “Cardistry is just for display, to be honest. Great for jesters to have. Is that really you could offer, miss Jyana? Are you trying to make a fool out of my army, huh? I am training gallantry, Miss Jyana, not tomfoolery.” I shoot, casting an insidious look on my face. What can you say about that, fraülein?

  “Well, good thing you ask, General,” displaying unknown confidence behind her lips, “... there are things I can be of a great aid to your retinues such as like this.” she sass back in a cheeky response, attempting to caress my stomach.

  She’s not messing around, inn’it? Seducing me while three guys are observing? This woman is dangerous. Does she think that she can shackle my heart? My body and soul already belong to the Queen!

  “I’m sorry, miss Jyana. But I belong to Lady Anda now. You missed your chance.”

  “I know that, General,” she responds to me with a snarky remark, “What are you a doofus?” then all of them collectively titter.