Dinner was being served now while Dad was rubbing the bridge of his nose as he processed that I was going to argue for Fresri staying here on Tenebrae. Part of me disliked being in another game like this, but looking at the reward made it much more palatable. Dha did spring it on me out of literal nowhere; maybe I could have fought participating a bit more than I did. Stupid Lord really knew how to sell me on the blasted game he wanted me to play on his behalf.

  Once the food was on the table Fresri began eating gleefully, looking over the moon to be eating such a nice meal. Everyone ate slowly, all shooting glances occasionally to Fresri who completely ignored the glances at him. Krahinn sat there crankily with one of his crimson eyes locked onto each person almost challenging someone to comment on the sitting next to him beaming. Nil was about the only being that seemed to be exempt from Krahinn’s glaring because he was completely checked out of what was happening at the dinner table. Should I tease Nil and tell him to look more alert?

  I checked while the silence continued at the dinner table.

  Nil teased me. His face might have looked like he was barely engaged, but his eyes had their usual mischievous glint despite that.

  I deflected, seeing Nil’s smug little smile.

  Nil added on. It was impressive how smug he could look while he looked seconds from passing out.

  I pointed out as I was trying to gauge his reaction.

  Nil replied, maintaining his smug expression surprisingly well.

  I retorted. I knew by Nil’s expression he was not buying what I was selling whatsoever.

  Nil asked me jokingly.

  I laughed. Nil chuckled a little, clearly agreeing with my assessment.

  Nil told me bluntly. I wished he was a tad more supportive and little less realistic about the current situation but it was difficult to blame him.

  I admitted which garnered a deadpan look from Nil.

  Nil inquired, sounding truly thrilled at the thought of needing to try and calm the wrathful Krahinn.

  I explained to Nil with a confirming nod.

  Nil stated while maintaining that signature smile of his.

  I informed him, smiling back at him.

  Nil teased me.

  I admitted because I knew Nil wanted to hear it.

  Nil agreed. That was a completely fair condition given how that crotchety bird would react.

  I assured Nil. He looked consigned to the fact that Krahinn would react violently and with little reason so I could only promise to limit his outburst to an extent.

  Nil replied while the tense standoff at the dinner table was clearly escalating as no one wanted to break the silence. There may have been a little initial chatter, but after the food hit no one wanted to probe into what Fresri was doing here more.

  I asked Nil, reveling in the tension that was choking the dinner table.

  Nil suggested. It was a fair guess, and I was not going to tempt fate.

  I told Nil, wondering who was going to end the silence.

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  The two of us sat staring at the table, wondering what was going to happen. Everyone remained sitting in their seats while exchanging glances. Despite Nil being between Krahinn and I, I could feel how much Krahinn was seething. His crimson eyes were locked on everyone still not even blinking to make sure he didn’t miss a thing. There were a few head bobs as a few mental conversations went back and forth which were more than likely to address the current situation. What even got him to be this angry to begin with? I understood Fresri’s presence was not something he originally planned, but the current anger radiating out of every pore seemed disproportionate.

  “Why are you so tense?” Fresri chimed after a few more moments, finally breaking the silence. All nine eyes of Krahinn shot to him.

  “Because everyone is staring and making wildly inaccurate assumptions.” Krahinn growled, his voice distorted with .

  “I think they’re staring more from how tense you are.” Fresri quipped. The room was lightly twisting from Krahinn’s now.

  “I am not tense.” Krahinn snarled at Fresri.

  “You are twisting the room with your .” Fresri pointed out which made Krahinn twist the room more.

  “You all are imagining things; you are being ridiculous.” Krahinn spat at him. Fresri seemed undeterred or even to be enjoying Krahinn’s reaction.

  “We can talk about it if you’d like.” Fresri offered. Even from here I could see his tail feathers bobbing happily.

  “Stop acting so happy!” Krahinn roared, raising his voice.

  “But I am happy.” Fresri replied with a smile. Krahinn’s anger only seemed to be rising.

  “Krahinn, none of us are making assumptions. They are curious as to who Fresri is.” Nez interjected tactfully.

  “An insect that tagged along and everyone is getting some wildly incorrect ideas about.” Krahinn grumbled in an irritated tone.

  “You could say a potential for Luna.” Fresri pouted. He was correct in that being a possibility.

  “That is not why you came here originally and you have stated that you do not possess immense interest in the subject.” Krahinn snapped with zero hesitation.

  “I am keeping an open mind. Luna is an ‘child’ to say the least.” Fresri defended himself calmly. There were a few surprised looks as everyone present realized what he meant.

  “What?” Krahinn challenged him, making sure he heard Fresri correctly.

  “Do the others not know? Both Luna and Nil are quite interesting.” Fresri checked in a tone like he was surprised that it was something that was unknown.

  “How do

  “I have ; it’s pretty easy.” Fresri answered like the answer was obvious. Nil looked at me like he wanted some clarification. There were a few rapid mental conversations as Fresri finally realized it was not something he should be saying so casually.

  “It is not common knowledge out of this room, is it?” Fresri inquired while it was clearly dawning on him.

  “Everyone in the know is in the room, and no one extras thankfully.” Empress Senna informed Fresri, also staring at him warily.

  “Ah. I am sorry, that was out of place of me. That was my bad. I apologize.” Fresri apologized genuinely.

  “Do not mention it ever

  “I won’t.” Fresri quipped, looking a bit embarrassed.

  “He did figure it out all on his own. I was unaware was capable of such a thing.” I admitted sheepishly. Krahinn projected one of his eyes at me, putting it less than an inch from my face.

  “That it because you are nearly completely in-“ Krahinn began with serious venom dripping from his voice.

  “Krahinn. Do not take you foul mood out on a child.” Dad interjected before he finished his sentence.

  “You all ridiculous.” Krahinn spat before vanishing with his .

  “Did I do something wrong?” Fresri checked, drooping a bit.

  “No, that’s Krahinn.” Nil answered with little hesitation.

  “Is he normally that… temperamental?” Fresri asked.

  “Relatively.” Nil replied like Krahinn was always that irritable.

  I assured Fresri.

  Fresri chimed with a massive smile on his face.

  “What did Luna tell you?” Helga asked while giving me an apprehensive stare.

  “Krahinn is scared of meeting new people, indirectly.” Fresri explained with his smile back.

  “Are ya tryin’ t’ die grublin?” Nautilus inquired, looking at me concerned.

  “That was not my exact phrasing.” I defended myself. Granted, it was not that far off from what I implied.

  “I think her point was Krahinn tends to be immensely abrasive when meeting new beings.” Dad clarified, flashing back to when we all originally met him.

  “Wha’ a nice way o’ sayin’ he a massi’e buknarl.” Nautilus chuckled at that.

  “Language.” Helga lectured Nautilus half-heartedly. Nautilus gave her a raised eyebrow in response.

  “How t’ nicely say how Krahinn ac’s then?” Nautilus challenged Helga.

  “I never said you were wrong.” Helga said weakly. We all laughed a little at that.

  “He is such a grouchy gentleman.” Fresri cooed cheerfully.

  “Ya really on’y see what ya wan’, I’ll give ya dat.” Nautilus taunted Fresri.

  “I have no idea what you are talking about.” Fresri stated, feigning ignorance.

  “Are you actually considering being a for my daughter?” Dad asked Fresri directly.

  “Originally no, now it is kind of a possibility. She is an immensely unique individual.” Fresri replied with a shrug.

  “Is that a yes? Could you please be a bit more direct with your answering?” Dad requested. I noticed everyone was looking intently at Fresri.

  “Tentative yes. Would be awkward if Krahinn does not want me to be within a certain distance of him.” Fresri explained. I was irritated thinking part of my acquisition was dependent on Krahinn being a pleasant individual.

  “I’ll take that for now.” I chimed in. I got multiple inquisitive glances when I voiced my opinion.

  “Not to mention whatever this one happens to be scheming.” Fresri tacked on. Sheesh, just some minor scheming due to a Lord.

  “I would like to point out, I am innocent in this matter.” Nil made sure to tell the table. Everyone gave him such a deadpan reaction I nearly bust out laughing.

  “Are you feeling left out? Or is the novelty something you admire?” Empress Senna teased her son.

  “That’s not it.” Nil grumbled as everyone was chuckling.

  I assured Nil as I was fighting for my life not to laugh along as well.