The Iudex's day off

Chapter 49 - The elephant in the room

 "Your Grace, please."

 "No nickname again?"

 I put on the most pitiful expression I could manage and sure enough...

 "Wrio, please. It's distracting."

  This is about the nth time I've pulled this and he continues to fall for it.

 Hah...

 But that's about all the conversation I get.

 Stupid dragon!

 Hmph!

 Whatever!

 If you don't want to talk just-

 Just-

 "Bite me." 

 "Tempting offer, but no. A human couldn't possibly bear a dragon's-"

 We both froze and I could hear it as Neuvillette's pen clattered on the floor, having fallen out of the dragon's hand.

 "Neuv-"

 "Don't. Not another word." He growled.

 You can't just say something like that and expect me not to question it.

 Okay!

 That's enough!

 That's where I'm drawing the line!

 "Neuv, you can't just avoid it forever."

 "I have no idea what you're talking about."

 "I'm talking about how we ki-"

 "Gods! Neuvillette! I need your help! Right now!" Lady Furina appeared in the middle of my office out of nowhere.

 And Neuvillette had never been happier to see her.

 "What can I do for you, Lady Furina?"

 "The Knave is back again! She wants to talk some more over tea!" She whined.

 Oh?

 While it does piss me off that she's giving Neuvillette a chance to escape the conversation we were just having, the new subject seemed interesting.

 "When?" Neuvillette asked just a bit too eagerly.

 "Now. Like, right now! I know you don't like having sudden-"

 "Let's go." He said as he stood up.

 "Huh?"

 "Did you not say that it was right now, Lady Furina? If it is, then we should go."

 The archon stared at the dragon blankly for a moment before asking:

 "Are you ill?"

 Pfft!

 Ahahahahah!

While I was holding back my laughter, Neuvillette wasn't nearly as amused.

 "Lady Furina-"

 "I didn't mean it as an insult. You're just acting weird. You look like you want to esca-"

 She slowly turned away from Neuvillette, locking eyes with me.

 "Did I interrupt something?"

 "Yes."

 "No." We both answered at the same time.

 Hearing the blunt truth from me as well as Neuvillette's denial she started smirking.

 It was an ominous smirk and for once I did not mind it.

 "Just what did you do to have one of the Seven Sovereigns trying to escape, Your Grace."

 I looked at Neuvillette, meeting his almost pleading eyes and-

 I smirked as well.

 "I kissed him." I told the archon bluntly.

 I've had just about enough of having Neuvillette avoiding the topic.

 If he won't talk about it I will.

 And it seems I found the perfect partner for this conversation.

 "You- You kissed- Oh. Oh, wow! Tell me all about it!"

 I was just about to open my mouth when Neuvillette interrupted.

 "We should go, Lady Furina."

 "Come on! She can wait a bit! This is far more important!"

 "Furina."

 "No."

 "Furina, if you don't want to go alone we shall leave at once."

 This was a clear threat and for once it looked like she wouldn't have it.

 Her smirk faded and was instead replaced by a bright smile.

 That smile had shivers running down my spine.

 "Sure, sure, let us go. But..."

 What is she up to?

 What is she planning?

 "By us, I mean all of us. All three of us will go."

 "Wha-"

 "Since I was coming to pick you up from Meropide anyway, she asked if I could invite Duke Wriothesely as well." Her smile brightened up even more.

 "That-"

 "That's so nice of her, isn't it?"

 Seeing no way out with Lady Furina, Neuvillette turned to look at me, now straight up pleadingly.

 'Please deny the invitation.' was written all over his face.

 No.

 That's an understatement.

 It wasn't just written on his face.

 His thoughts were like a glowing billboard.

 But...

 I returned his please with a smile.

 "Oh my! That's indeed a wonderful idea on her part. I've been wanting to talk to her since the incident with the children."

 Neuvillette pretty much crumbled.

 He probably knew.

 He had to know that he had no way of escaping this meeting now.

 Hmph!

 You deserve it!

 Stupid dragon in denial!

 Hmm...

 Maybe after today, I'll overlook a fatui or two down here.

 I'll also have to treat Lady Furina to tea later.

 Hmm...

 Maybe I'll talk to Sigewinne as well.