NOVEL NEXT Chapter 364: An Offer of Diplomacy
Melisa sat across from Queen Aria in the royal gardens, trying very hard not to stare at those pale, elegant legs.
[Gods damn it. Who gave her permission to cross them like that?]
Aria's grey eyes watched Melisa with that calculating look that made it feel like she was three steps ahead of everyone else in the conversation. The queen wore riding pants, those criminally tight ones Margaret had mentioned, and a simple white blouse that still looked regal.
"How have you been?" Aria's voice cut through Melisa's gay panic. "Has Sirah caused any trouble?"
"Well..." Melisa shifted on the stone bench. Her tail curled around her leg. "Define trouble."
"Has she challenged anyone to single combat? Destroyed property? Attempted to claim you in front of witnesses?"
"...No?"
"Then I suppose she's behaving better than expected."
"She shows up naked in my garden every morning to practice sword forms while my mother ogles her."
Aria's lips twitched. Almost a smile.
"That sounds like a personal problem."
"It's very distracting!"
"I imagine it would be." Aria uncrossed her legs only to cross them the other way. Melisa's brain short-circuited. "Tell me about your military service. I've read your reports, but I'd like to hear more of your personal thoughts."
Melisa forced herself to focus. Military service. Right. Not Aria's thighs.
"It was... educational. For how short it was, anyway." She picked looked down at her own skirt. "I knew soldiers dealt with shit, but seeing it firsthand? It was crazy."
"And your capture?"
Heat crept up Melisa's neck.
"That was... Well, I got lucky, in that regard. Sirah's different. Annoying as hell, but different. If anyone else had taken me, I'd probably have ended up dead on the first night. Those darian warriors have, uh... very little regard for life, let's say. As much as I hate to fucking say it, I did get lucky."
"I see." Aria studied her. "Well, I suppose I've stalled enough. I'll tell you why I've brought you here."
[Finally. I was starting to think this was just an excuse to torture me with those pants.]
"Yalmir has been exchanging letters with me for months." Aria pulled a scroll from beside her. "Their leadership appreciates my policies toward non-human races."
"Policies?" Melisa blinked. "What's changed?"
"It's mostly stuff that wouldn't affect you, a completely free nim, but I've... made certain changes. Point being, they've noticed."
"Oh. Well, that's great. Yalmir's been passive-aggressive toward Syux for a while now."
"Exactly. This is the first time in decades they've shown interest in formal diplomatic relations with Syux." Aria's fingers drummed against her thigh. "They want to meet."
Melisa straightened.
"You're going to Yalmir?"
"We are."
"Oh..." Melisa paused. Aria smirked at her. "Wait, WE!?"
"Their letters mention you specifically." Aria unrolled the scroll. "'The nim mage who saved King Aldric.' 'The young woman who bridges two worlds.' 'Lady Blackflame, whose actions speak louder than any treaty.' Though, I feel those last two are a tad dramatic."
[Oh. Oh no.]
"They're interested in me?"
"Very. Apparently, stories of your misadventures have spread." Aria set the scroll aside. "They're rather curious about you. Can't say I blame them."
Melisa's tail lashed back and forth behind her.
"What exactly would you need from me?"
"Your presence. Your insights. Your ability to navigate between human and non-human perspectives." Aria's gaze sharpened. "Yalmir is predominantly kitsune and nim. The only nation where nim can just... be. They'll be watching how we interact, how you're treated, whether my policies are genuine or just pretty words."
"So I'm a prop."
"You're an advisor. There's a difference."
"Is there?"
"Props don't get a voice. Advisors do." Aria stood, pacing to the garden's edge. "I need someone who understands the complexities. Someone who won't just tell me what I want to hear. Besides." Aria turned back. The sunlight behind her created a halo effect that was definitely not helping Melisa's concentration. "You have personal experience with cross-racial dynamics. Your relationship with Isabella alone—"
"Please don't mention Isabella in diplomatic contexts."
"Why not? A nim and a kitsune in a committed—"
"Isabella's committed to whoever's currently naked. Sometimes that's me. Sometimes it's three strangers she met at a tavern."
"And yet she always comes back to you, doesn't she?" Aria smiled like she found this whole thing very amusing. "And I'm sure Yalmir will agree that your relationship says something about the bonds possible between our races."
Melisa looked away.
The garden was honestly beautiful this time of morning. Roses bloomed in neat rows, their scent mixing with jasmine...
It reminded her of Aria's perfume.
[Stop it. Focus.]
"When would we leave?"
"Three days. The journey takes a week by carriage. We'll bring a small delegation. Myself, two guards, and a clerk for documentation."
"That's it?"
"On my end, yes. You, however..." Aria's eyes sparkled. "Bring whoever you need. Your family, your friends, anyone who helps you feel grounded. Yalmir values personal connections."
"Wait, really?"
"The invitation specifically mentions wanting to meet the nim mage 'in her natural context.' They're curious about who you are beyond the titles." Aria returned to the bench but didn't sit. She stood close enough that Melisa could see the faint freckles across her nose. "This won't be easy. Yalmir's court has their own prejudices, their own politics. You'll be scrutinized, possibly tested."
"Tested how?"
"Magical demonstrations. Political debates. Social navigation. They'll want to see if you're genuine or just another person using her powers for personal gain."
[Like that's not exactly what I've been doing since day one.]
"And if I say no?"
Something flickered in Aria's eyes. Disappointment? Resignation?
"Then I go alone and hope for the best. But Melisa..." She paused. "I would..." Aria took a deep breath. "I would like to do this with you."
The admission hung between them. Aria didn't elaborate, didn't soften it with politics or pragmatism. Just that simple truth.
Melisa's chest tightened.
[Jesus Christ, what is with this MOOD!?]
"Three days isn't much time to prepare."
"Is that a yes?"
Melisa met those grey eyes. Saw the hope there, carefully controlled but present.
"Yeah. Yes. I'll come."
Aria's smile bloomed full and genuine. It transformed her face, made her look her age instead of like she carried the world on those small shoulders.
"Thank you." She stood. "I'll have the formal invitation sent this afternoon. You'll need court-appropriate clothing—"
"I have robes."
"You'll need better robes. I'll have the royal tailor contact you." Aria smoothed her pants. "And Melisa? The offer stands. Bring whoever makes you comfortable. Isabella, your family, friends from the academy. Yalmir respects strength in numbers when it comes from genuine bonds."
"You're serious about this."
"Completely."
"I'll... think about who to bring."
"Good. Three days. Don't be late."
Melisa watched her go.
...
... Those pants really were criminal.