217: Request

Walking into the foyer, I saw Luis standing there, wearing his normal clothes, so nothing overly formal about that, but he looked nervous. He was fidgeting, and nothing like you’d expect from the prince of the kingdom, so I was more curious than ever.

“Shall we go to the study?” I asked, smiling to put him at ease.

“Please,” Luis nodded.

Walking into the room, Lily showed herself, appearing behind the desk as I took my seat, looking the prince over again, surprised that someone who was usually so confident and relaxed could look so worried.

“Well, what’s wrong?” I asked.

“I don’t know how to ask, so I’m just going to spit it out. You’re leaving next week, right?” Luis said in a rush.

This was fairly common knowledge, especially to those who visited the house. “Yeah?”

“I’d like to join your group as you travel up north,” Luis blurted out.

I couldn’t help myself and let out a laugh, stopping myself instantly as I saw the look of horror on Luis’s face.

“I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have asked…” Luis added, bowing his head.

“No, no, it’s fine, but why are you asking me? I don’t lead the party. I’m just the cook and support,” I waved it off.

The look on Luis’s face was something. It was a mixture of shock, disbelief, and confusion.

“The one you need to speak to would be Milo or Hari. Technically, Hari is the party leader, but Milo is often the brains behind all the decisions. I just go along for the ride.”

“How’s that possible? With all the events that have happened around you, it’s not like Hari would have been directing you to them, right?” Luis asked.

I blushed a little at that. “That’s true, I suppose, but it’s not me deciding where to go. Same with us heading north. It was just the job that Hari decided on. I have nothing to do with that.”

Luis looked a little crestfallen. “I’ll try to organise a meeting with Hari and ask him then.”

“Just come ask Milo now? He’s in the living room. I’m sure he won’t have an issue with it.” I didn’t wait for a response; instead, just made my way directly to the living room.

As far as I knew, everyone got along with Luis, and the only people disappointed with him going with us would have been Darren and George, since I knew both of them enjoyed training with the prince every other day. So I felt like Milo would be able to decide without Hari being here.

Walking into the room with Luis and Lily trailing behind, I caught both Milo’s and Liane’s attention.

“What did he wa—” Liane’s question was interrupted as Luis entered the room.

“He wants to know if he can join us as we head north,” I said, taking my seat back on the chair, Lily making her way back to the unlit fireplace.

“Sure,” Milo said simply.

Luis stood there, stunned for a moment, just looking at us.

“I told you they’d be okay with it,” I smiled.

Liane seemed less convinced. “Why?”

“My father has sent me on a job up north, and I felt it would be far more enjoyable travelling with your group than going with some guards,” Luis explained, still standing in the doorway.

“This job, it’s not to do with keeping track of Trevor or his companions, is it?” Liane questioned, gesturing at Lily.

“No. I can’t say the exact reason, but it’s nothing to do with your group,” Luis answered.

Liane shrugged. “Fine by me, then. You’re alright for a noble.”

“You’re a noble now too, right?” Luis retorted with confusion, sending both myself and Milo into laughter.

Something that caught my eye, though, was Lily seemed to huff at that, but it was hard to tell, as she was facing the opposite way. Maybe I’d ask about that later.

“Won’t it cause a lot of attention if you’re joining us as we leave?” I asked, looking at Milo, who just nodded.

“We’re already going to have lots of eyes on us anyway,” Liane said.

“I’ll have ways to hide my identity and be going under a different name,” Luis explained.

Milo looked slightly concerned. “You may want to leave the city early and meet us in Farnox or on the road ahead.”

Luis waved it off. “It’s fine. If I can come to the house the day before you leave, I have obscuring relics, so no one should be able to see it’s me, and anyone powerful enough to see it will be able to spot me a town out anyway.”

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“Sounds expensive,” Milo said.

It was Luis’s turn to laugh. “You just had a large fight break out in the middle of the day, in the upper noble district, after a trade that just occurred at this house. Something tells me I will not have the most wealth on me.”

Liane let out a snort, with Milo nodding, saying, “You make a reasonable point.”

“We won’t be heading directly north. We’ll be making some slight detours,” Milo said.

“Perfect. The more towns and villages I see, the better,” Luis smiled.

“Well, we leave in five days,” Milo added finally.

Luis nodded, bowing slightly. “Then I’d better get going. I will be here the day before. Thank you.”

With that, he left, leaving us alone in the room.