For a second Karisviel didn't respond to my words, but she then spoke, "Hmm, that is at least understandable. It would be satisfactory to hear a more complete answer from you, while there's still a chance in this War for negotiation... but I acknowledge this would not be a binary yes/no matter for you. Either way, take caution". Uh, thanks I guess?
"You too," I said in return, though so instinctively that on second thoughts I wasn't really sure why I did.
She and Archer in spirit turned to depart, but on the way out they briefly ran into that professorial pipe-smoker I think I saw before, thought part of me vaguely recalled his face from elsewhere still. "Shame about the state of this church. Ah, negotiations with our foe I take it? Good good, combat has inflicted enough strife on our Earth's poor soul" I heard him say. His voice started warm but ended with a sudden bitter tone. Karisviel only nodded in response.
This newcomer certainly wasn't dressed as elaborately as an Einzbern, nor did he have the look of a mere butler, so that made me assume he was a fellow Master, or at least a Servant with strong enough cloaking ability. I vaguely heard Karisviel quickly whisper something into his ear, though nothing I could make out, to which I could hear him reply "Well now, that does sound familiar indeed. Perhaps better to discuss this back at base though, after all you can never tell who'll be listening".
As they left, a muffled "So, uh..." courtesy of Trevor caught my attention. "Mind fillin' us in on what all that was about?"
"Now Trevor," Quinton quickly stepped in "I believe Lady Blossom is entitled to her privacy".
"Well yeah, 'course she is, but who's to say we ain't involved in this too? I mean, 's not like they cared if we weren't in their crossfire back there or not, right?" Trevor had to cut back with.
"Ahem, first to Wisteria Manor, I believe my arrival there has been delayed enough," I raised my voice at the two of them.
"Good, off ya go, bloody tourists," I could catch the priest here grumbling.
It was something of a trudge up to Wisteria Manor, since we were now entering the mountains I suppose, but at long last I was able to set my sights on my husband's childhood home, ornate and elegant as it was. Oh, and also where my in-laws lived, their political affiliations aside.
This is the Castle of your husband's family? I heard Avenger speaking from in spirit. Well 'castle' was still an utter exaggeration, but yes. I see, it certainly makes a fair winter retreat for a Princess! she added. Wait, just 'winter retreat'?
As expected my father and mother in law had not shown up at the door to greet me in person. Instead, I was met with the sight of a scruffy short-haired maid, carrying a seamstress' needle and looking at me with wide, spaced-out eyes. This girl muttered "So, Jarvis' wife then. You were delayed, no? A most curious misfortune indeed, perhaps you were visited with a bad omen...?"
"Oi Ally, easy on her will ya, Lady Blossom's just got here!" Trevor then stepped in, "Yeah, don't mind Alicia here, she can get a bit, er, 'peculiar' at times, some folks'd say".
"Simply wondering, that's all," this Alicia kept muttering, "I sense a spiritual presence all around you, I suppose it's a quality that led to your arranged marriage with Jarvis. Ah, I also notice no package, was what I said about an ill omen truer than I could predict?"
"What, the package? Oh blast!" Quinton hissed, before he took a deep breath and said, "No matter, easily enough explained, aha..."
"Psst, ya got a cover story, don'tcha?" Trevor whispered in my ear. Er, but of course, yes:
[ ] "Must've been delayed. Such is to be expected, what with the War on".
[ ] "It was... stolen from us. It was obviously quite a valuable artifact" This might get my in-laws off my tail.
[ ] "Sadly seems it broke on the train ride here. Must've been quite a fragile thing".
[ ] Write-in.
Why do you fret so much over this mere worker girl? Avenger had to have her say. What excuses do the company of Heroes need to make?
"Quite a few, if I don't want potential Nazis on my tail," I gritted my teeth.
"Huh, ya say something?" Trevor just had to say, I almost could've froze. Luckily I was able to calm his suspicions with a mere shake of my head.
"My oh my, we do have strange tidings. Ah, I have also been told to inform you that Lord and Lady Wisteria expect an early night of you, they have guests they've scheduled to entertain tonight," Alicia then said, "Hmm, two events on the same date, can this be any longer called 'coincidence'?"
'Expect an early night', they do know I'm officially a grown woman, don't they?! My in-laws also said nothing of guests until now, I wonder...
[ ] I'll take the risk. I'll sneak out my bedroom and eavesdrop on these 'guests' they're entertaining.
[ ] I'll stay in my room while those guests of theirs are around, but later at night I'll be out of bed sneaking around the manor for secrets.
[ ] I'll be getting a good night's sleep then, it's been the quite the day. Yes, I'll likely find out nothing, but it's the least risky option.
[ ] I'll just interrogate Quinton in private, I only hope he doesn't rat me out.
[ ] Write-in.
