May, 10th, 1007

  —later in the day.

  Robin cleared the tables in the dim, cozy kitchen—the children had just finished their snacks and scattered off to play. She moved to the sink, dirty plates in hand. Technically, she could have told the girls to handle the clean up as that was part of their responsibilities. But Robin wasn’t helpless; she was simply selective over which tasks she bothered with.

  Besides, if she stayed in the kitchen, the girls would avoid the place entirely until she was done. They knew better than to hover around her while busy—one wrong move, one attempt to “help,” and she would verbally flatten them without hesitation.

  They were already on thin ice after proving completely useless in front of one elderly neighbor, after all. It had taken Robin all of two minutes to send that sad excuse of a man scurrying off with his tail tucked between his legs. He immediately forgot about that ‘compensation for the broken window’ nonsense.

  And to have her girls air all that dirty laundry in front of Mr. Aldrick of all people. What an embarrassment.

  Oh, she realized as she circled the sponge over the plate, warm droplets slipping between her fingers. Wasn’t Mr. Aldrick done with that interview with Tamara by now? She checked the time, but realized it had been hours since they spoke. Not only was he done, he must have been back on campus by now.

  She didn’t get to see him off.

  Robin shook her head, as she placed the now scrubbed plate on the dryer, picking up another dirty piece. Since when did she care about seeing a hopeless fool off?

  Well, it was her job, but—

  Robin straightened—not stopping her cleaning, but now aware she had company.

  The door of the kitchen clicked shut as silently as it opened. The man she was so familiar with, she didn’t even have to turn to recognize him, walked up behind her.

  “I’ve heard I missed quite a visitor today.” Trizstan spoke.

  Robin chuckled, scrubbing off a piece of rice stuck to the plate. “See, Trizstan? I told you to skip that assembly. Those ungrateful royals don’t deserve your precious time.”

  Trizstan hovered inches behind her, so close she could feel his chest brushing against her back. He leaned in closer, resting his hands on the countertop on each side of her body, his long white hair draped over her shoulder.

  She released a laugh, as his hair tickled her neck. “I hope you told off that Franciste brat like you promised?”

  He hummed into her left ear “I see you caught the attention of the legendary Colonel...”

  Robin smirked, and rolled her eyes. Trizstan seemed distracted by Mr. Aldrick to even answer her question. She could only assume they were some sort of rivals, or that there was shared history between them she didn’t know about.

  After Robin barged into Mr. Aldrick’s office a few weeks ago, she told Trizstan everything. The Colonel’s reactions, his flattery, his thoughts..…

  And apparently that was all Trizstan could think about. She found it amusing if not cute so she played into it.

  “Jealous, are we?”

  He didn’t respond. Instead, he traced his hands across her lower back. The same spot he had been massaging yesterday.

  Robin sighed, the feel of his slender fingers rubbing that sore spot. Yes, she needed that.

  “Mr. Aldrick was just here for Tamara’s check-in,” she clarified to fill in the silence. “Ms. Solbakken that ungrateful hag—” Trizstan’s hands grasped her hips— “She made such a scene over that check-in, demanding it would be today—” His hands moved to the front of her body, “And after all that she still sends Mr. Aldrick here instead—“

  She gasped as Trizstan clamped her breasts, squeezing at the tissue harshly. Her whole body froze, that wasn’t sensual, it was painful; she held onto that plate as his other hand snaked in between her legs.

  “Trizstan—”

  “I see all those operations I invested in paid off quite well...”

  Robin’s heart sank as his tone registered—cruel and calculating. She dropped the plate into the sink, a loud clank rang across the room, but she knew nobody would come. Trizstan’s hand sneaked through her robes, forcing her to recoil into him.

  She felt it—he was getting off on this.

  An involuntary moan forced its way out of her lips as his fingers jabbed inside of her. She felt heat rush into her face as she fought to steady herself, fingers tightening around the edge of the sink.

  “Trizstan, stop—“

  “Still unable to get wet though. I guess not everything can be changed...”

  He rasped into her ear. She grit her teeth, fighting off the tears threatening to spill from her eyes; her lips shivered.

  But he wasn’t stopping. This wasn’t the man she knew, but no matter her protests—

  His hand snagged below her robe to grab at her bare breast, squeezing the nipple until it stung. She wrapped fingers around his wrist, not pushing him away—just an appeal to the man she knew was hiding behind this sudden burst of cruelty.

  “Trizstan—I don’t deserve this from you…”

  She couldn’t control the whimper in her voice—still in that uncomfortable position between him and the sink.

  But thankfully, he paused.

  Robin waited, still not pushing him away. Instead, she caressed his hand that was still holding onto her chest.

  Finally, Trizstan retracted his hand and rested his chin on her shoulder. She could feel his breath on her skin as she remained rooted in place, his arms wrapped around her.

  “You’re right. I apologize…”

  Robin swallowed her protest; something was wrong, and she couldn’t risk provoking him. She loosened his grip with careful fingers and turned to face him, looking straight into those brown eyes.

  Those kind eyes she didn’t know if she could trust right now.

  She cupped his sharp face, her thumbs brushing over soft skin as she leaned in, stopping just a breath away.

  “What got into you?” she whispered.

  He looked down—it was uncommon for him not to meet her eyes. A solemn smile appeared on his face, as he tugged at her kimono, fixing it back in place.

  She didn’t comment on it.

  Instead, she tried to figure out what just happened. But she couldn’t use her ability—she promised never to use it on him a long time ago.

  “You don’t actually think I’m interested in Mr. Aldrick, do you?”

  “Of course, not…” It sounded sure, yet somehow defeated.

  “Then?” she asked.

  Trizstan wrapped his palms around hers, lifted her hand, and pressed a soft kiss onto it before guiding them back to rest over her chest.

  He stepped back, arms crossed, giving her space. His long hair—pale like his face—fell over his beige suit, the black shirt beneath breaking the otherwise muted palette.

  “I guess I just know Mr. Aldrick too well to assume he is here for nothing but business.”

  With him now further from her, Robin allowed herself to massage her neck. She kept a straight face, but inside, she was furious.

  So all of this was for what then? If not jealousy, then… and with everything he said…

  Was it to punish her? To make her feel small? Even more indebted than she already was?

  Why did he feel the need to remind her of her surgeries?

  “I…” Trizstan continued, shaking his head—not meeting her gaze still. “Again, I don’t know what got into me. I promise it won’t happen again.”

  Robin glared at him, her hands gripping the sink behind her. She didn’t say ‘it’s alright’—It wasn’t.

  He knew what she had been through. If he was actually sorry then he deserved to sit with that.

  “So…” he smiled, presumably trying to lighten the mood. “Mr. Aldrick. How did his check-in with Tamara go?”

  Robin grit her teeth, but played off her fury with a nonchalant shrug. “I wouldn’t know. I wasn’t in the room. I merely showed him to the building and he—I assume—finished the interview. I was busy with other matters, so I didn’t get a chance to see him off.”

  Her tone was pointed; she couldn’t control that.

  But Trizstan smiled, either immune to her annoyance or choosing not to comment on it. This time, however, she could see real amusement from his body language—the way his shoulders relaxed. “And did he try to flirt again?”

  Robin didn’t find the humor in it, even if they were joking about that gentleman for the past few weeks. Still, she knew she had to be honest here…

  Trizstan was still her boss…

  “Well, it is true that Mr. Aldrick seems smitten by me…”

  Not like that excuses you from treating me like a possession.

  “And he did just suggest a date so—“

  “Did he?” Trizstan enquired, now meeting her eyes. Like the idea alone brought up his mood.

  What the—

  What was wrong with him? Not jealous, not angry, amused! Then why did he just—

  But her mind kept spiraling to that one glaring question.

  What the hell happened between those two?

  Trizstan was waiting for an explanation… The audacity of him expecting business to move on as usual. She decided, at least, he didn’t need to know that she was the one who suggested the date in the first place.

  “Well, I told him I’d think about it…”

  Not like she was considering it beyond superficial benefitting for both her and Trizstan at the time.

  But now, she would much rather be on that spontaneous date with Mr. Aldrick than this kitchen with Trizstan.

  He still seemed ignorant of her inner fury, his tone downright playful. “And what did his mind say?”

  Robin couldn’t help herself. It was petty but she looked the other way. Her eyes fixed on a photo of the children on the fridge, hanging askew and barely clinging to its magnet.

  He closed in to brush his fingers against her cheeks. “Aww, come now, Robin. Don’t tease me like that.”

  Her nails clawed into her skin.

  In fact, she remembered exactly what Mr. Aldrick was thinking—it had been egging at her this whole time. He was suspicious of Trzistan’s involvement in her skipping Spirit Academy.

  Most likely suspicious of his other business affairs and shady deals too.

  Just a few minutes ago, Robin would have defended Trizstan with her life too.

  But like hell did he deserve that information now.

  “I didn’t check.” She shrugged her shoulders.

  “Why not?” he asked. He didn’t sound angry—he never was.

  Robin looked into his eyes now. “His intentions seemed as clear as glass. I didn’t feel the need to.” That came off more defensive than she meant, but she didn’t care.

  Trizstan stood there, rubbing his chin in thought. The same pose as Mr. Aldrick earlier. Then his gaze wandered to her body. Solely, precisely, eying her up and down, sending a chill down her spine.

  How could she have ever found this man attractive?

  Then that same confident smile appeared.

  “I think you should go on that date.”

  Robin wasn’t particularly surprised by Trizstan’s suggestion. This was a common exchange between them, after all. Trizstan’s business partners, allies, enemies… He would bring them in and with Robin’s help, put them into compromised situations—for intelligence, leverage, blackmail…

  She didn’t mind it; she would do anything for him. Plus, it wasn’t like he ever held her at gun point; she always had a say in the matter. And many times when she said no, he respected it, never pushing her onto anyone.

  But now—after what he did, after what he said—she couldn’t even feel like she was anything more than a useful tool.

  Despite this, Robin swallowed her pride. After all, she would genuinely prefer speaking with Mr. Aldrick right about now. So it only made sense she would agree. She just had to do so in a way that Trizstan felt it was his brilliant idea.

  “Hm. Is this just about his veteran status or your personal history with him?”

  Trizstan considered it, quirking his lips. “Well, I couldn’t really care any less about our shared history if I’m being honest.” He shrugged for extra effect, but to Robin it felt like overcompensating.

  “It is quite ironic though. Especially since after Mr. Aldrick returned from Volnyr, he has refused to acknowledge my existence. Much less visit the Spiriter Home, even for school-related matters.” He chuckled to himself. “And now that he’s met you—look at him crawling into our orphanage like a desperate fool. The power you have over men is truly mesmerizing.”

  Robin leaned against the counter. So Trizstan was accusing Mr. Aldrick of being petty, of clinging to some old grudge—all while caring enough himself to track his movement

  God, what a spineless hypocrite.

  “Then what are you planning to gain out of this?” she asked, again.

  Trizstan cocked his head as he crossed his arms, like it was the most obvious thing. “Come now, Robin. I know you don’t care much about my political ramblings, but this is Gerald Aldrick we’re talking about.”

  He gestured with his right hand as he spoke, “There are countless ways to use a man who returned from war a legend. Did you know that the Francistes themselves offered him the position of Principal? He stepped aside to become a teacher, yet he is still more respected than the head of the academy.”

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  Robin perked up at that—now a new image forming about that man. “I didn’t know he was offered the position of Principal.”

  Trizstan grinned in response. “Neither did I. The things you learn from royal assemblies...”

  Robin nodded—but why would Mr. Aldrick refuse that?

  Trizstan continued, “I’ll admit, I was annoyed today when Theodore Franciste asked about Mr. Aldrick and our history together before ever addressing my business—but alas, I did learn something new.”

  He played it off as a joke, but it was obvious this got under his skin.

  That explained it all now.

  So in other words, Trizstan got his ego bruised by the northern King and came back to the orphanage to release his frustration onto Robin.

  She didn’t emote, simply accepted the explanation for what it was—or else she would drown in her frustration. “It’s not a problem. Lord knows you’ve asked me for worse favours.”

  Robin felt her skin crawl as Trizstan leaned in towards her, cradling her cheek with those skeletal fingers—the same ones he used to assault her. He looked into her eyes with that captivated look on his face which now seemed more like a pervert’s leer.

  “You know that you’re the most wonderful thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  She couldn’t stop herself from leaning into his cold palm. It made her sick to her stomach but she knew there was truth to his words.

  Even if she did what she could for him, she knew the balance between them was far from equal.

  She helped him maintain a business and influence.

  He saved her from living a life of servitude in a brothel across the world.

  But even if she felt some gratitude from him saying that… She knew they were empty words.

  He proved the opposite earlier.

  “I do…” she relented, but the words came out hollow.

  Trizstan leaned in for a kiss—apparently missing her dishonesty. Robin stopped him by placing her hand over his lips. Thankfully, he got the message, retracting with a sheepish smile.

  “I say you at least owe me an explanation about what happened between you two…” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  It was partly information gathering, but also her own curiosity of the legendary Colonel. She knew bits and pieces since he returned from war, but what about before it?

  She never cared enough to dig deeper.

  Trizstan took a moment to consider his response, looking off into the ceiling, like he could find the answer written somewhere on that white base.

  “Well, we were classmates at Spirit Academy,” he started, tone chipper. “We were in our fourth year at the academy when the war broke out. And just like that—the monarchy ordered all men from the academy, eighteen years or older to go to the front lines.”

  Robin knew this part—or at least Trizstan’s political stance on the war. The conflict had subsided in recent years, but it was ongoing. Spiriter students were still being conscripted after graduation.

  Robin wasn’t an expert on the politics or the historical nuances, but what she knew was that there were talks of Volnyr joining New Baymort as the 21st region, but Tsarnia attempted to siege the region first. Regardless of the details, in her eyes: New Baymort soldiers, Tsarnian soldiers… They were all the same. Fighting for a territory that didn’t belong to either of them.

  The only people she had any sympathy for were those from Volnyr.

  Robin listened intently as Trizstan continued, “Our class consisted of thirteen people. Twelve men, and one woman…” He turned to Robin and smiled again, showing his teeth as he gave that familiar, almost careless shrug. “I simply didn’t want to get involved in any of that. And I happened to have the means to make it happen."

  Robin nodded—that part she wholeheartedly agreed with.

  Shaking his head, Trizstan let out a long sigh, as though the memory itself was laughable. “But Mr. Aldrick is a bitter man. I tried to explain it to him—many times. If he had the money, he would have done the same.”

  As Robin listened, she realized something crucial…

  Mr. Aldrick’s thoughts from earlier…

  ‘Was it Trizstan’s doing too?’

  This had to be what Mr. Aldrick was alluding to earlier, right? He knew Trizstan had the money and influence to avoid a draft—so of course he would assume he could pull strings to help Robin avoid the academy too.

  And he would be right…

  Robin released a quiet sigh, finally able to put a lid over that particular mystery. And here she was worrying how deep Mr. Aldrick’s knowledge went when he most likely had no clue about Trizstan’s business, her immigration, or their agenda…

  Sheesh, she almost overreacted over nothing.

  “There was only one woman in your class?” She didn’t know why she asked really, but it caught her attention.

  “Hah—you get curious about the strangest things,” he commented lightly, "But I always liked that about you.”

  Robin feigned a smile. “I'm just wondering…” But truthfully, she didn’t know where she was going with that train of thought.

  Thankfully, Trizstan liked nothing more than the sound of his own voice, so of course, that was enough for him to start explaining, “Well, women weren’t forced into the draft the same way men were. Women in general don’t awaken spirit that often anyways. Or if they do, they’re hardly ever as powerful as male spiriters.”

  Robin nodded—about to agree, but then Trizstan bumped her shoulder with his.

  “I mean biological women, of course.”

  Robin glared at him.

  He seemed to realize his mistake instantly.

  “Ah—wait. That sounded much worse than I meant to.” His eyes widened like he mistakenly used the wrong key, until he waved his hand dismissively. “Pretend I said nothing.”

  There wasn’t a single shred of amusement in this for Robin.

  He wrapped his hand around her shoulder, shaking her forearm lightly. “Come now, Robin. You know you can’t take everything I say seriously.“

  Robin looked away. It was such a stupid and unnecessary comment too.

  Through gritted teeth, she said, “The only reason men awaken spirit more often is due to your irrational emotions. Women tend to control themselves better. It has nothing to do with your perceived physical excellence.”

  If Robin were honest, the truth was somewhere in the middle. But she wasn’t in the mood for semantics, and lord have mercy on Trizstan if he dared disagree now.

  “Of course, of course. You are a much greater master of spirit, after all. I am nothing more than a wandering traveller beside you.” It was said in that light tone of his, but she knew if nothing else Trizstan was humble about his own lacking spirit abilities.

  Robin crossed her arms, ready to drop the subject and return to her earlier enquiry. “I assume she wasn’t drafted then?”

  “Who?”

  Robin met Trizstan’s confused look with her own annoyed glare. Finally, it seemed to have clicked.

  “Ahh—you mean my classmate. Haha, right, right.” Now he crossed his arms, considering it like he was solving a complex mathematics problem.

  “Honeslty, I don’t know… I can’t even remember her name, really… It might have been “Lisa” or something like that…” he shrugged, pursing his lips.

  Now she knew he had lied. Trizstan never forgot a name, no matter how insignificant it seemed. Remembering faces, keeping track of every interaction, building networks, and turning connections to his advantage. It was what he did best.

  But she dropped it.

  He leaned in again—looking into her eyes. He held up her hand and placed a soft kiss on it.

  “Most importantly, were I to go to that mindless war—I would have never travelled out across the world and found you.”

  Robin didn’t retract her hand.

  He was a flawed man—but she knew more than anything she would have been nothing if it weren’t for him.

  “Not every man is a fool willing to sacrifice themselves in war,” she said—a true belief.

  Men romanticised war and considered it a noble death. But it took strength to put value on one’s own existence, not mindlessly fight for royalty or a government that never even bothered to learn their names.

  “Precisely. I am so glad we see eye to eye on this.”

  He stroked her shoulder and Robin leaned into him—allowing herself to take comfort in his presence.

  She was disgusted with herself. Every touch from him, every breath, every sound it brought her back to the way he treated her moments ago. But she tried to think about anything else.

  Anything.

  Anything…

  That man…

  Inevitably, it all came back to him…

  Gerald Aldrick.

  His kind smile.

  His chivalry towards her.

  His composure around children.

  Perhaps it was feigned to an extent, but for now, she allowed herself to use it as a lifeline.

  A decorated officer—a legendary Colonel like Mr. Aldrick…

  …Was sure to have a lot of money, right?

  She relaxed into Trizstan’s chest, but her mind was fleeing him with every passing second.

  Could she get more out of this ‘date’ than mere information and leverage for the sake of Trizstan?

  After all…

  The way he just disrespected her identity—not once, but twice.

  The way he assaulted her and acted like nothing happened.

  If Trizstan could flip a switch like that, who said he wouldn’t repeat it? Who said it wouldn’t be worse next time?

  Could she stop him?

  If she had the option, she should take it…

  But could she just… leave like that?

  Well, no, she couldn’t. Not on her own anyways. She depended on Trizstan financially, socially, and professionally… He facilitated her entire life in New Baymort, after all.

  But could she use Mr. Aldrick’s influence to facilitate her escape?

  A new life…

  A new start…

  A new man…

  Of course, she wasn’t naive; she wouldn’t jump into Gerald Aldrick’s arms blindly.

  Not like she did with Trizstan Attila…

  No, this wasn’t the same situation as in Akashima. This time she had agency—she had a choice.

  She would stake Mr. Aldrick out on that date. See through every crack behind that polished exterior, every lie leaving his lips. Until she was certain he was useful—not another trap she could fall into.

  With her mind reading ability, it would be a walk in the park. He couldn’t escape her scrutiny even if he tried.

  But then what?

  Even assuming Mr. Aldrick turned out to be the saving grace she needed, could he even keep her safe against the likes of Trizstan Attila? He was the owner of the Spiriter Home, a pivotal benefactor in the Spirit Academy sphere—since the orphanage prepared displaced or otherwise mistreated spiriters for the academy. Not to mention he surrounded himself with allies far more prominent than himself. He had just been invited as a guest of honor to an assembly with Theodore Franciste, the King of Northern New Baymort, after all.

  As a Colonel, Robin just realized, Mr. Aldrick perhaps had a disadvantage. Sure, he was revered and apparently legendary, but all that time he wasted in Volnyr, Trizstan systematically built himself up in New Baymort.

  Contrary to him, Mr. Aldrick turned down the one token of authority within this nation granted to him on a silver platter—the position of Principal at the Spirit Academy.

  So what could Mr. Aldrick have that Trizstan lacked?

  And that was when it dawned on her.

  As a soldier, he…

  She decided to risk the question.

  “How strong is he?”

  Truthfully, Mr. Aldrick didn’t seem that intimidating to her. Not only was he entranced by her presence, he was agreeable to a fault. Not just with Robin, he had even taken the blame for Ms. Solbakken’s irrational behavior on two occasions now. Once to dampen the issue of a scheduling conflict—and before that, he literally took the blame for abusing a child.

  But that could have been a double-edged sword. That kind of composure, such a polite exterior—that took a certain kind of confidence.

  Needless to say, she was curious.

  “Ah—well… I don’t have first hand experience,” Trizstan spoke, and as Robin rested against his chest, she felt his breath reverberate beneath her cheek. “After all, Mr. Aldrick didn’t use his ability lightly even while at the academy. I believe it had something to do with bending the earth, but I could be downplaying it with such a simple explanation.”

  Robin nodded—a common ability. Could be superficial or powerful, depending on his level of mastery. She assumed it had to be on the stronger end of the spectrum considering his prior position in the army.

  “But there is this rumour I’ve heard from veterans returning from Volnyr,” Trizstan continued—Robin perked up.

  “They say that once he lost his mind; with the sheer intensity of his spirit, he sent down a meteorite from the sky and killed thousands of soldiers and civilians alike.”

  Robin’s head snapped to attention—eyes zeroed in on Trizstan who looked as relaxed as ever.

  “You can’t be serious?” she sputtered, mouth hanging open.

  What– How even—

  That was the furthest thing from a common ability, not even a master of elements could perform a feat of that magnitude.

  That transcended beyond divine.

  “Before you ask—Mr. Aldrick most certainly doesn’t have a divine ability like you.” Trizstan must have noticed her shock, and somehow read her mind while he was at it. “I’ve looked into it but as far as I can tell, no God quite fits the description.”

  “I—I know that,” she sputtered but it came off as defensive.

  Divine abilities existed—granted to individuals who would hold that unique ability until they passed, only then would the power move onto someone else. These weren’t abilities that any spiriter could learn no matter how hard they trained. They were innate techniques that existed within them before they could even walk.

  Like Robin’s mind reading ability.

  The true method by which these abilities were bestowed came down to legends. Some people thought they were gifts granted by the Gods; others thought the spirit of divine ability holders never truly died—that they merely rebirthed with their new host.

  But none of that mattered, especially not in New Baymort, where the Dragovich family shut down the education of these special abilities. The royals of the East believed in true power that came from strength, talent, and training, and didn’t want any innate power holders to shake their iron grip on the throne.

  They were, after all, the only royal family to become so thanks to their strength—not through influence or money.

  But if what Trizstan just revealed—Mr. Aldrick dropping a meteorite from the sky—if that wasn’t a divine ability, then perhaps that was far more menacing. To think that a simple spiriter with a common ability could achieve that kind of power…

  “Well, it’s what the rumours say.” Trizstan shrugged his shoulders like he was doing nothing more than retelling a bad joke. How could he take this so lightly?

  Robin couldn’t get the picture out of her head. If Trizstan’s description was accurate… she could only imagine the devastation, the victims, the horror…

  She remembered how that man lifted Corey off of her back…

  How he played along with Tamara’s ghost fantasies…

  Could such a kind man be capable of something like that?

  Trizstan’s voice came off as an echo amidst her spiraling thoughts…

  “Personally, though, I think it’s an urban legend designed to conceal that they used a nuclear weapon on a civilian target." His tone was as nonchalant as ever.

  Trizstan’s clarification did little to ease her mind, but at least it offered her a plausible explanation for the clash of imagery surrounding that man.

  She tried to believe this theory, but…

  “But who am I to say? I certainly wasn’t there…” Trizstan added, shrugging like it was the least of his worries.

  Robin was torn.

  Either Gerald Aldrick was a man wrongfully accused of mass murder as part of a military cover-up.

  Or Gerald Aldrick was a monster.

  The first was precisely the kind of man she could use to her advantage. His presence alone, and the fear it inspired, would keep people away from her without ever having to lift a finger.

  The second, however…

  “Oh, but I wouldn’t worry if I were you, haha.” Trizstan must have noticed her discomfort as he added lightly, “I can guarantee he won’t be dropping anything but his common sense for you.”

  Robin perked up at that, a small smile cracking through her facade despite the situation. She suspected what Trizstan was alluding to—certainly having seen it with her own two eyes a few weeks ago. Still, she asked for clarification, “What do you mean?”

  “Mr. Aldrick…” Trizstan chucked at a distant memory. “Let’s just say he has always been rather … simplistic around pretty women.”

  Robin shot him that curious glance. “Do tell…”

  He shook his head, chuckling. “Did you know we were both in Thalondor? The blue faction was designed for students working up to leadership positions. But part of our mandatory education subjects were social studies—politics, basically. We had these weekly discussion circles…”

  That amused smile lingered on his face as he no doubt remembered something from his student years. “Mr. Aldrick had some peculiar political opinions. Narrow-sighted if I’m honest. But he liked to argue his points—a lot.” He chuckled at that, but it sounded pointed, not natural. “If we weren’t saved by the grace of the bell ringing, we would be listening to him for hours no doubt.”

  He motioned towards Robin.

  “And yet—it would take any pretty woman asking him for a favour for him to drop everything, even a lifelong belief.”

  He smiled from cheek to cheek, Robin smirked too. Though she mentally rolled her eyes at the political aspect. She sure as hell hoped Mr. Aldrick wouldn’t start monologuing about politics during that date.

  She already had enough of that with Trizstan.

  “Which is again—why I believe this will be a walk in the park for you,” he added with certainty.

  They laughed together, but Robin doubted they were amused by the same thing.

  If what Trizstan said was true, then Mr. Aldrick was perhaps the perfect target—especially for her personal scheme. He was powerful, influential, and easily manipulatable.

  Potentially all hers.

  She tugged that rumour from the war to the back of her mind for now.

  After all, if Mr. Aldrick was truly as malleable around women—then it was true regardless if he was a scapegoat for that tragedy or the orchestrator.

  Trizstan should enjoy himself while he can.

  “Hm, perhaps…” Robin mused out loud, “I guess I’ll have to let him know that I accept his offer.”Not like she hadn't decided that twenty minutes ago…

  Trizstan nodded, clearly eager to hear her acceptance. “Do it in your own free time. There’s no rush, of course. But I certainly can’t wait to hear the updates on this.”

  Trizstan had the confidence of a man who believed all his chess pieces moved at his command.

  He had no idea of the storm brewing from the front lines…

  Robin grabbed his sharp chin, pulling him in for a quick but sensual kiss. Every fiber in her being protested, but it wasn’t like she was unused to ignoring her wants around despicable men.

  And now Trizstan dropped to that level—just like everyone else.

  Every man… Every single one…

  That had been her experience her entire life. She had thought Trizstan would be the exception. She was wrong. He was never anything more than a clever actor, tugging at her weaknesses until she lowered her guard.

  Never again.

  Only time would tell if Mr. Aldrick could climb out of the very bottom of her expectations where he rightfully belonged.

  “Anything for you, my dear Trizstan,” she cooed, pulling him into her.

  Like nothing ever happened.