The bright lights from below were close to blinding, flashing up and across the various booths and spectating windows along the opera house. Eliza sat mesmerised, with a drone pouring an entire cocktail for the four people present.

"I was told news spread fast." Kazuki seemed to be getting down to business, as Eliza was watching the first of the many dramatic scenes of the operatic musical down below, showing the death of the Foreign Minister's family during a failed coup. "The Gystrian Tragedy..." Kazuki's face soured slightly.

Eliza spoke softly, "It's hard to believe that if it worked, so many would have lived to see today." She frowned slightly, unable to fathom the true gravity that the Imperial foreign minister had.

"It has," replied Kantos. Eliza turned back to the group, in a dimly lit opera booth, with deep blue soothing lights illuminating out from the corners of the ceiling. "First of all, are you two okay?"

"Yeah... Security was on high alert and all, more Knights posted around and such," said Irya. "I doubt there'll be another large scale issue like that, at least not for a while."

Eliza answered first, "I'm... we're fine." Her face turned back to the opera. Kantos and Irya noticed.

The younger brother shuffled over, glancing down. "Ondaria Wu... Slimy cunt..."

Glancing up, Eliza saw the three Trasians share in a hatred for this one singular individual. "Hmm?" Eliza tilted her head again.

"Scum," Kazuki commented. "Traitor twice over..." Eliza saw Kazuki's hands clench tightly around the air.

Kantos elaborate slightly, "Wu was an intelligence specialist for the Empire, courtesy of the Trasian State, but..."

Sticking his head into the conversation, Kazuki's voice tore through. "He chose Kasté over Lautrasia, betraying Gystrian, whom my grand uncle supported, and betraying my aunt... After the war, he went incognito... He avoided justice, for now at least." A bout of surprise blanketed Eliza's face as she saw Kazuki's eyes vibrate with rage at the mere topic.

The twins noticed as well. "The Imperial State survived, though..." Kantos sighed. "I guess that's good for you, right?"

Kazuki calmed slightly. "Hmm." He weakly nodded. "My grandfather and father spent many years fighting rebellions. They were never meant for the throne. We were a cadet branch... But the Belsarans changed everything." Kazuki grunted, taking a small sip of a weird drink.

Probably alcohol. Definitely, Eliza thought. He was giving off some steam. Irya nodded. "And my father betrayed you for them..." He held his head low. Kazuki did not like the sight. "They fought for something old... something that no longer mattered."

Eliza's eyes gleamed slightly with curiosity. "Trasian history isn't exactly taught in the national curriculum, so what happened?" she asked. "Well, I know some things... Kaz has told me a little, but not alot." She rolled her eyes.

Kazuki gazed back. "You never asked...?" Kazuki tilted his head curiously. "My grandfather helped revolutionise the nation from the old Imperial feudalism to... modern day Trasia. Those that did not make the jump from old to new rebelled. It's not the first time such turbulence rippled through Trasia before."

"What was it..." Irya started. "Trasian spirit, modern learning? Pah, I guess my gramps was apart of the old class that didn't want to learn."

"But you are different." Kazuki's statement of genuine affirmation shocked the three. He gazed between the three of them, Eliza, Irya and Kantos glanced at each other. "You learnt, and your Prince is... pleased. I do not hold him to you. And I expect you not to hold the deeds of my forefathers on me."

It seemed Eliza was being given a pretty nice lesson about everything Trasian, which... Eliza did find rather intriguing. "What... was life before your grandfather?" Eliza asked. She scratched anxiously, realising that the three of them were rather young, none of them would have had a good understanding of the old way of life."

Kantos sighed. "My father and mother were lords of Trasia... They held some lands, but they weren't that big. Lordship became ceremonial by the time my father led his rebellion. We were... fish in a barrel, so to speak, but... my mother spoke of the old times, of the times before Emperor Tadaharu. She once told us that we were... lords, with lands to tend to, and that we had soldiers, men to send to war."

It was incredibly... foreign. The idea of such feudalism was not exactly the most amicable thought to Eliza. "Sounds... interesting," she said, rather miffed.

Kazuki moved slightly, grunting as he placed a hand across one of the bandages. "Now, we have governors. The diet and court. A constitution of all things... I grew up on Anagora. These are not strange sights to me."

Glancing at the wound, Irya cleared his throat. "How about you, then?" The younger twin gestured towards a few visible bandages across Kaz's torso.

"Same here," said Kazuki, crossing his arms. He grabbed a cup of alcohol and poured some water into it, before drinking. It humoured Eliza, there mere fact that Kazuki really couldn't hold his alcohol. "Minor injuries."

"You really call those minor?" asked Eliza. She's seen how bad Kazuki's been injured before. The Loyalists dealt some damage to him when he distracted them... And even now, he didn't seem all too bothered about his own near-death experiences. "You took a beating from them."

"I lived."

Shaking her head, Eliza found herself worrying all over again about Kazuki. After all, she had the role of fixing up his exospine whenever it starts to show some wear and tear. "That's not the point, Kaz," she said.

"Uh," Irya interjected. "Not to interrupt your quarrelling, but... we're here." He gestured to both himself and Kantos.

Eliza cleared her throat, her face turning a little red from embarrassment. "My apologies, it's nothing..."

Kantos shrugged. "It makes sense, I'm told that being close to any member of the Heptagia is a... stressful experience."

Kazuki nodded. He kept his eyes off Eliza... Just what might he be thinking, Eliza pondered. She would like to believe that the Jara-Jins will be worth the necessary sacrifice of her... morality... It felt rotten to the core, dealing like this. Though the cold, logical side of her heart screamed at her brain to understand its necessity - and that it was simply how things were done here.

Even still, she found herself muddled in this situation of Kazuki's making. She'll trust him in this, what else could she do? Last time, she led the key to destroy the gateway... Following Kazuki's lead might be better. After all, they have a contract to be behind each other's backs.

"Well... You two wanted to speak with us?" She slowly picked up a glass of wine, taking a small sip... Fruity...

Rather flavourful, Eliza thought.

"We wanted to question you directly about our own suspicions... did anything happen?" asked Kantos. "Before the attack. The person after you two must have some large ego to attempt this."

Kazuki remained silent, merely shifting his head to Eliza. Huh? Oh... "Obadiah approached me earlier," said Eliza.

Instantly, Kazuki's golden eyes thinned. "Why didn't you tell me?" he spoke before anyone else could reply.

"I just... didn't think it was that important," said Eliza. Well... They have the twins on their side, so Eliza felt somewhat comfortable with letting Obadiah's offer simply wither away without much thought.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Well, look where we are now," said Kantos. He downed his drink. "He's guilty as fuck, isn't he? Obadiah?"

Eliza wasn't so sure... Was Obadiah truly willing to silence their investigation just like that? Then, it hit her... "He wanted to silence us?"

Irya nodded. "He tried silencing the two of us before... long story, but we know he can't be trusted."

"Plus, he also has a history of alluded connections to unsolved murders and 'freak accidents', but I didn't think he was this stupid," Kantos continued, placing a hand on his chin.

Kazuki turned to the opera below. "I'll call my grandfather. We'll expect his head on the news by the end of the week."

"What?!" Eliza raised her voice. Remembering back to his grandfather, Eliza couldn't see someone like him to even consider such a thing... Even then, Kazuki's own words praised his grandfather for his generosity and care for the people... "Why would someone like that do such a thing?!"

Kazuki rolled his eyes.

"You haven't been paying attention, have you?" sneered Kazuki, before taking a deep breath. "I... Never... I just think you're not understanding what exactly Obadiah has done."

"He wants you dead," Kantos elaborated. "Therefore, we must counter, show him that we're not going be pushed around."

"But how?" asked Eliza, just what can they even do? Obadiah's hostilities towards them unsettled Eliza far more than what she expected... For once, an enemy that Kazuki couldn't just simply eliminate has reared its head again. Glancing across the opera booth, Eliza realised that this time: she had allies. Kazuki's finally divulging information to help...

Chloé and Archius are here, the Marquis and the Twins.

The door opened, with a tall slender figure entering into the booth. All eyes dashed towards her. Both Kantos and Irya twisted towards her, whilst Kazuki merely gave the woman a dismissive glance. "Through the Marquis," said the woman. She bowed to Eliza and the twins.

"And you... are?" Irya started.

"My... Kazuki, you really do keep your lips shut," said the woman. "Senator Iana Nimitz-Delia. At your service."

She wore an extravagantly designed dress, with two jade earrings hanging from her eyes, matching her green eyes and hair.

"She's my ally," Kazuki said begrudgingly. "Why are you here?"

"To assist you all..." said Delia, smiling. Just who was this person to Kazuki, Eliza wondered. Her rose-red eyes pierced through Delia's sunglasses. To which, the woman merely smiled at her. "You must be the Genius of Sarimba, are you not?"

Eliza gave a cautious nod, glancing at Kazuki to see if there was any threat in her. He remained sat still, that must mean something for that, right? "Elizabeth Mary Celeste-Delmara, at your service as well..."

"My! Annabelle's daughter?!" Delia raised her voice in surprise.

Kazuki gave the Senator a glance before she cleared her throat.

"That was... exactly our response to it," said Irya.

Delia stepped into the booth. Just how many of these people knew her mum?

"Yes... I am... her daughter," Eliza trailed off, finding some level of solemn within the topic of her mother. "I'm not familiar with you."

Delia nodded. "Of course you wouldn't, I am willing to answer any and all questions! After all, it seems my allies are under pressure."

"Allies?" Kantos asked.

The senator gestured to all in the room. "A friend of Kazuki is a friend of mine."

Kazuki grunted. "Get on with it."

Smiling, Delia responded, "You need assistance, I can offer that... The Marquis is very much an ally of my own, I believe we can all help each other, especially since I myself have a bone to pick with that brute Obadiah!"

"And what would that be?" asked Eliza.

"His arrogance. Many of his business practices have damaged my own enterprises. As a member of the Competitive Markets Authority, I wish to assist you four in your endeavours."

Eliza wasn't too convinced on the matter, watching as Delia sat down beside Kazuki. "Who are you?" Eliza asked with firm determination.

Delia paused and then grinned. "I provided Kazuki with the political support necessary to legalise his actions," she said. "You're welcome..."

"I see..." Maybe she's not as bad as she initially thought. Kazuki shimmied closer to Eliza. "I'm sure you already know of our plight... But how did you find us?"

Irya and Kantos looked to Kazuki. He shot back a confused look. "No," he stated, rolling his eyes.

"Oh, me?" Delia inquired. "You're not the only one with spies in these halls... I presume, of course. I came here directly in person to ensure your safety. Who knows what Obadiah might do next?"

Quite prudent, Eliza thought. "Why... thank you?"

Delia nodded. "Now... I must get this off my chest," she started. "Many of my peers do not see Kazuki in the same light that I do... After all, we're all human, but did he actually carry you when you sprained your leg after the 4923 Sarimba Festival?"

Kazuki groaned. "How the fuck do you know that?"

Eliza's rose-red eyes slowly turned up to Delia, then to Kazuki... Oh... Her face went immediately red. "Uh..."

"Did you come here all to ask that question?" Irya chuckled. "Here I thought I'd have to become the next Galactic Emperor to get Kazu to do anything kind!?"

Kazuki placed a hand up to his face. "Just... shut the fuck up," he said. Eliza awkwardly glanced at Kazuki, seeing his lips curl slightly beneath his hand. Her eyes widened slightly. Did... Kazuki like the joke?

Kantos let off a muffled laugh, as Delia smiled at both her and Kazuki. She just had to really bring up some embarrassing memories... thought Eliza. She placed her hands together on her lap. "Well... It made the most logical sense, he knew where the infirmary was."

"Wait... Kazuki, your exospine... You know who made it, right?" asked Kantos, seemingly distracted by this entire sub-conversation.

He shook his head.

"Well, it must have some replenishable vials for sprained ankles, right?" he asked.

Kazuki paused. "No," he stated. "My leg braces keep my movement steady, there's no reason for those injectors to be placed into it."

Kantos shrugged. Delia nodded to Eliza. "I also heard of your accomplishments, this generation's youngest member in the Kallender Group!"

Eliza slouched slightly, feeling quite warmed by her acknowledgements of her own accomplishments. "Well... It was just... I was simply just lucky," she said.

Delia shook her head violently. "Nonsense! Dawidiek Kallender does not add those into the fold without careful thought!" Delia shouted. "You understate your own worth... Much like your mother did... Your father must be proud of you."

Kazuki clenched his fists, yet remained arms crossed. Eliza nodded, chuckling away at the awkwardness of the question... Her Dad was never proud of her, Eliza thought. No matter what she does... He'll never be proud. Still, Eliza had to prove herself to him... Just for a spout of even a singular second of his praise.

Eliza had the completely wrong idea bout this senator, it seems. And or that, Eliza smiled. "Why thank you."

Kantos spoke up, "So, when are we meeting the Marquis?"

"No idea, he's still busy investigating the incident... Hopefully, we don't need his assistance, but I doubt he'll find any conclusive leads." Delia regretfully sighed. "In three days, the private training grounds of the Imperial Knights, no one will threaten us there, not without incurring immense... repercussions."

And with that, Delia shook Eliza's hand and turned to leave. Kantos and Irya had their eyes on her as she left. "I'll be seeing you all by then."

With that, Senator Iana left the opera room. Eliza peered back down at the play, having completely missed one of its best scenes. Her eyebrows moved down, sighing. Well, there's always a next time, Eliza supposed.

Kazuki stood up. "Eliza, you must be tired, we better get going, then."

Eliza nodded, slowly standing up and stretching her legs. Irya stood up as well.

"Hmm, see you all there, then?" He gave the two-finger guns. Eliza gave one finger gun back, mimicking the sound quietly.

Kazuki, on the other hand... Didn't... Eliza was just about to nudge Kazuki to answer, but his hands moved first. For a second, Eliza thought she saw steel protrude from Kazuki's hand, as he aimed his finger directly at Irya...

Both Kantos and Irya jolted back into their seats for a moment, suspecting a real gun had just been drawn. Kazuki then said, "Bang."

Irya snickered at the display. "Fucking hell... that was a perfect imitation!"

"Yeah, I wonder why?" Kazuki sarcastically responded. Eliza walked past him, towards the door. She hid a smile, feeling happy for Kaz that he was getting along with the twins.

Kantos waved at the two, with both of them waving back.

However, a look at Kazuki's face would not portray that one bit, with an emotionless glare, was all he gave to Irya and Kantos. He nodded, turning, and left with Eliza. Elizabeth placed her hands behind her back, now that they were out in the hall, almost empty. She dusted the edges of her dress.

"I suppose it was about time, then?" Eliza asked.

"Huh?" Kazuki gave a confused response. "What?"

Eliza waited for Kazuki to catch up, walking side by side. "You're finally getting along with the twins, I see."

Kazuki didn't respond. Not his face nor his limbs or mouth responded to her remark. Eliza's rose-red eyes stared into his from the side, but with a blink, he responded: "I... am?"

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