Page 47 of By Mistake
"Yes, that's what we were talking about when his mother found us hiding in the garden."
The king laughed."Indeed.Ask him.I'm sure he'd be happy to visit all on his own, and whether you meant it as request or command, his mother will make it an order to be sure, and you'll have even more social capital with her."
"I see," Andrus said, because unfortunately he did.If he was going to be Oresti's lover, then these political games were a fact of life.He could not be a hermit and be with Oresti.He had not been trained on these things, but he did know people to a certain measure after a lifetime of enduring the worst aspects of them.He could learn this, after all Oresti had done for him.For Oresti, period.
"You're smart, which I knew, but it's good to see it for myself.I'm happy Oresti has you."
"So I have the approval of his father?"
"You had my approval when you threw him out for lying to you, as you should," the king replied."That meant you saw him as a person, when most of the people I know would have seen a prince, an opportunity, and taken full advantage.You asked for nothing, save that he leave.You have my full support, Lord Bothwell."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Oranti smiled."I'll see you, and hopefully Oresti, for dinner.Enjoy the palace.Should anyone be stupid enough to give you trouble, let me know at once."
As though he would ever run to the king to whine about a little bit of bullying.No, the only person he genuinely needed to worry about was Farthing, who wouldn't do something to him right here in the royal palace.Reckless as he was proving to be, he wasn't that stupid.
"I look forward to dinner, Your Majesty," he said with a smile Oranti returned before following the servant who had appeared to escort him out, even though it was all of ten paces to the door.
Back in the hallway, Shimari waited for him as promised, dressed even more beautifully than usual."How did your meeting go?"
"As though you weren't somehow eavesdropping the whole time."
Shimari grinned."I couldn't, actually.The space is spelled extremely well against such things.Many parts of the palace are, in fact."
"Didn't think anything could possibly thwart you.It went well.Learn anything interesting in all your forays?"
"That people will tolerate a cat most anywhere.I already knew that, but I've been strongly reminded of it today.Exceedingly useful.I've discovered three minor demons living as private servants.Extremely minor, barely above brownie.Also a few brownies, but they're hardly worth my attention."
Andrus sighed."Somehow that doesn't surprise me at all.At least there are no more of your ilk around."
Shimari's smile was sharp as a blade, and his eyes gleamed with mischief."No, the only way someone could manage to summon me was entirely by accident.Doing it the way you did on purpose would have gotten them killed."
"I am never going to live this down, am I?"
"In all the countless years of my existence, little human, only one person has summoned me byaccident.It's the most delightful thing to ever happen to me, utterly charming and endlessly entertaining."
"Turn back into a cat and fluff off."
"Not a chance.So what are we doing now?"
"I was going to ask Coret if he wanted to spend time with me while I'm here.I thought if you and Ori approved, I could tell him a bit about what's really going on.He seems like he could be useful, and another ally couldn't hurt, surely."
"I will discuss it with your beloved while you go write your note."Then he was gone, and with a roll of his eyes, Andrus headed off.
By the time he reached Oresti's chamber, Shimari was waiting for him."Oresti and Greivs should be back soon, and they agree that having Coret on the team would be a good idea.Oresti and I could find nothing amiss in our thorough checks of him."
"Of course."Andrus finished writing his note and had one of the servants who seemed to be permanently assigned to Oresti's chambers take it away to be couriered into the city.
Now there was nothing to do but wait.
To pass the time, he explored Oresti's chambers, though it still felt wrong for him to be here.On the other hand, this was far easier than securing rooms of his own, sorting out payment and all of that.He could request it be furnished for him at additional cost, if he recalled, or get his own furniture but either way, it was a great deal of additional work for what would likely be a stay of not more than a week, perhaps two if a whole lot went wrong.
On the…other other hand?Foot?Whatever.He would be here a great deal if—
Ugh, he was giving himself a headache.Oresti's chambers made the most sense, was the short of it.
They were beautifully appointed, of course, in cool tones with splashes of brighter color, and a lingering scent of some faintly sweet incense.A handful of servants were bustling about now tidying, preparing for lunch, which was still some time away, and more.
