Xio and a Fors?
It must be Fors——Lorne understood in his heart. When he'd been in the detention center, Xio had come especially to see him; now that she'd heard he was released, checking up on him was only natural.
"Ladies, I have guests. Could you two give us a moment?" Lorne smiled at Marich and Sharon.
"Mm." Marich said nothing more, simply nodded, rose, and walked to the door. Before leaving he paused, casting a curious glance at Sharon, who still sat motionless as if she'd heard nothing.
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"Teacher Sharon, could you step out for a bit?" Seeing she hadn't moved, Lorne had no choice but to ask.
"I have business to discuss."
"Understood." At that, Sharon gave a slight nod, her body turning translucent before vanishing without a sound.
What a handy ability, Lorne mused.
Moments later the office door was knocked and pushed open. He looked up to see a petite woman in a Squire's training uniform and a lady novelist in a white dress, flesh-toned coat, and delicate soft hat standing in the doorway.
"Long time no see, ladies." Lorne rose with a smile, bowing in a perfect gentleman's salute.
"Didn't we just see each other?" Xio ruffled her slightly messy hair, uncomfortable with his formality.
"That was different." Lorne shrugged. "Back then I was in prison—every day felt like a year. To me it's been ages."
"Still, thank you for your concern, Xio." He dipped slightly, sincere.
"Having friends visit while you're locked up makes you happy."
"Mm—we're friends." Xio nodded, looking a bit shy.
Ahem." Fors coughed twice to remind them she existed; the two seemed to have left her entirely on the sidelines.
"And you, Madam Fors." Lorne turned, smiling. "Did you come especially to see me too?"
"Madam Fors——" Fors pressed her lips, displeased. "I only came with Xio——"
"Is that so~" Lorne scratched his cheek.
"Actually, Fors was worried about you too." Seeing their awkward standoff, Xio couldn't help speaking up.
"I knew Lady Fors must care deeply for her friends." Lorne took the cue.
Gulp." Fors swallowed, cheeks warming; she whipped her head and shot her friend a fierce glare.
Huh?
Meeting Xio's bewildered eyes made her even more anxious.
Say it, Xio! Weren't we going to demand why he lied to us? How come after two compliments you've gone silent?
"You——why did you deceive Xio back then?" Seeing her friend useless, Fors planted her hands on her hips, feigning anger.
"Deceive?" Lorne blinked, then understood. "The situation was unclear; I didn't want to drag Xio in."
He looked at Xio gently. "I think Xio understands my concerns, right?"
"Mm," Xio nodded at once. "If it were me, I wouldn't want to involve friends either."
"Ah——" Watching her friend switch sides in a heartbeat, Fors rubbed her brow in defeat.
Moments later she pulled out her ever-present notebook, letting the writer in her take over again.
"So, Mr. Scott, could you share the full story—especially the part where you leapt from 'Prisoner' to 'Hero'? It's perfect material!"
"If anything's inconvenient—" Though she said that, curiosity filled Xio's face.
Meeting their inquisitive stares, Lorne nodded slightly. "Nothing to hide; of course I can tell you."
Then he gave them a concise retelling of the whole affair.
"So that's how it was—didn't expect such inside story——" Fors's pen flew over her notebook, eyes shining.
Seeing her lost in creative excitement, Lorne was glad she was a story-chasing novelist and not a relentless investigative reporter.
"By the way, Scott, did you see a ghost at the scene?" Xio asked the real business.
"A ghost?"
"Mm." Xio nodded and told him about the bounty on the "Black Emperor ghost" circulating at the gatherings.
A ghost——of course I saw one. Most likely he's the one who caused the Gas Blast that knocked me flat, got me injured and jailed for days——
Still, anyone hunting him is probably official. He and I were partners in saving people, in a way.
After some thought Lorne described what he'd seen that day, though he deliberately left out certain details.
"Have you heard of an organization connected to tarot cards?" Xio asked next.
tarot cards? If it were poker I'd know. Tarot—wait! Lorne suddenly recalled the Black Emperor ghost flinging a tarot card at him before leaving.
Could there be a link?
After hesitation he still shook his head. Partly he wasn't sure the two things were related; partly he had enough troubles and wanted no part of new ones.
Xio was a little disappointed, but still voiced her thanks.
"Xio, and Miss Audrey's matter," Fors reminded softly from the side.
"Miss Audrey?" Lorne was puzzled.
"It's like this—back then, to help you, we went to ask Miss Audrey—"
Listening to the two of them, Lorne got the gist. To help him, they'd sought out Count Hall's daughter, Audrey Hall, for assistance, and a few days later he was released—
Hiss—although he'd never actually met this Miss Hall, it—well, at least it sounded connected to her. Perhaps she really had spoken up for him in high places, letting him out so quickly, and this time the official had even thrown in quite a few perks.
He seemed to recall catching a glimpse of her once in that luxury boutique—Lorne sank into memory. "I see. Then what do you think I should give her as thanks? A noble young lady of that level probably wouldn't care for ordinary valuables, right?" He looked at the two of them.
"We've thought about that—" Xio and Fors exchanged glances. "Miss Audrey seems to be a newcomer to the mystical field and is quite interested in such knowledge; maybe we can start there."
A noble lady enamored with mysticism—hmm, why does this setup feel so familiar; I've got someone almost identical right beside me.
"All right, noted." Lorne thought he could give her some flashy but not-too-dangerous Talismans, or perhaps teach her the basic mystical knowledge the captain once taught him.
"By the way, can either of you dance?"
"Dance?" Both women were startled.
"Yeah, I'm about to attend a charity gala and might need to dance," Lorne shrugged. "But I've never had any interest in dancing, so I need a crash course."
"What kind of gala?"
Lorne briefly explained the charity foundation.
A foundation dedicated to helping those victimized girls—the official had finally done something good—Xio and Fors both thought.
"A gala—"
As an Author, Fors had attended plenty of literary salons hosted by nobles and was fairly familiar with such social etiquette. But—she turned to her friend.
Compared with Xio, who had once been a genuine noble young lady, her own experience was small potatoes.
"I know these things fairly well. If you need, I can teach you," Xio said suddenly. Just as Fors thought, she might not help in other matters, but etiquette was no problem. Though usually a bit careless, she had once been a real noble young lady.
"Hmm—how about you come with me?" Lorne gave Xio a quick once-over and said suddenly.
"Huh?" Both women froze on the spot.
"I've no experience with such occasions. With you beside me giving pointers, I won't mess up," Lorne said matter-of-factly. That way he could spare the precious time otherwise wasted on learning all those random protocols.
"No! Do you know what happens when you take a lady to a public event without thinking?!" Before Xio could speak, Fors shot back excitedly.
"People will misunderstand?"
"Of course!" Fors planted her hands on her hips, anxious. "You're both unmarried youths; appearing together in public will easily be read the wrong way!"
"Plus, there'll be loads of reporters at that gala! Xio can't show up in public right now!"
"Just pure friendship between a man and a woman—still, if Xio can't appear in public—" Lorne curled his lip at Fors's fierceness.
"If Xio can't, how about—you come with me?"
Wha—" The words struck Fors dumb; a blush crept visibly across her cheeks.
"You're an Author, public appearances should be routine. With so many reporters on site, it'll double as publicity for your new book—killing two birds with one stone."
"Hiss—" Fors lowered her head, wringing her hands nervously.
"I—it's not impossible—"
Huh? Seriously, sis—Xio stared at her suddenly introspective friend, feelings mixed. You'd argued so hard for me a moment ago; I was touched—but the moment it's your turn your stance melts just like that?
Knock, knock, knock.
"Mr. Scott, someone else is here—it's Miss Mahert."
Miss Mahert?!
Both women instantly sobered.
What special day is this? Why's everyone looking for me? Is Hazel here now to talk investment?
Lorne glanced at the two women beside him, their expressions varied, and called to the door, "Please show her in."
Moments later, under the slightly tense and curious gazes of Xio and Fors, the office door opened and Hazel Mahert appeared in the doorway.
"James Scott! Do you need a dance partner for that gala? Of course, I'm mainly worried that on your first time you won't find anyone suitable, so I—"
Before Hazel could finish, she saw three pairs of eyes inside the office fixed on her.
Stare—