Grand Bank, Duchess Agustria's Estate, a Few Days Before the Queen's Voyage Would Meet Athius


@Donut Look Now, @Click This



“Please allow us to escort you to her grace. It wouldn’t do if her esteemed guests were to get lost. It is, after all, a very large house.”
A Smiling Maid


Mene stepped out of the carriage with his ‘sister’, greeting the staff with a polite smile. He hoped it was convincing enough to hide the squeamishness that caused his skin to feel itchy and palms to clam up.

It seemed Her Grace was very, very entrusting, due to what she saw at Duke Rhinecliff's estate. Mene should have seen this coming. He should have gotten off the carriage and walked the last ten minutes himself. That we he would have had a chance to slip through a crack and enter the estate in secret?

Now?

Now they were flying by the seat of their pants. One of them had to be free to look through correspondence or pick up whispered secrets. But how?

“If possible, could you lead my brother to a lavatory? The journey here was long, after all.”
’Asteria’


Ah, his sister. Quick thinking as always. It truly made him admire her more, and he shot a relieved glance in her direction. Perhaps he could slip away on the way or in the lavatory.

He pretended to squirm, an embaressed flush growing over his cheeks. ”Ah, yes. It is somewhat of an emergency…”

Meanwhile, his ring glimmered. He set his intention to be able to slip away in a momentary lapse in attention, and wished for it terribly. If there was even a hint, even a possibility it could happen - he, and his ring, would take advantage of it.