Abomination Contract Loving The Enemy

For a moment I think he is talking about getting the city back from the ghouls, but as the shadow of a frown appears on Asher's face as he closes his hands hard below the table, I can tell it is not as simple a matter as I thought at first.

"…Imperial Majesty intents to start a new war?"

"New war? Please, Captain Murray, when did the last one ended? Captain Murray, I'm sure you are very aware that there is no fairness here, a moment of weakness cost the Shinzaki our lands, our freedom, and much more if we do not act. Just because there is no bloody battlefield filled with armies does not mean we are not at war…"

"And yet Your Imperial Majesty intends to use a captain from the enemies army against them. It is not a light matter, to betray a country, especially the Citadel, they do not take this kind of thing lightly. Also… how could you trust a traitor with such an important matter?" Asher says, prompting for the truth behind the boy's words.

"…Well, these are all very valid questions." The boy says, but stops speaking once we hear light footsteps outside as the servants stop behind the door, waiting to be allowed in.

And their presence takes me away slightly from the conversation at hand, and not because of their presence itself, but because of the things they brought with them, which filled the place with a taunting warm smell of freshly cooked meals.

Freshly baked, freshly cooked, freshly killed, even I feel a sour taste in my mouth to see such luxury items being displayed in abundance in front of us, especially after knowing quite well the situation outside, and how even a molded bread is fought for by the many hungry ones outside..

Never thought that a fresh meal would be able to make me lose my appetite. 

I exchange looks with Asher, quickly noticing that we are both in the same line of thought for either of us touch the food.

Also none of the cooked meals display could ever be as appetizing as the man beside me, many apologies for the chef.

And yet the boy gets his chopsticks out and pick a few of all while eating leisurely, not at all bothered by any of this, probably so used to this kind of life that is hard to think living without it, for even in the apocalypse, even if hidden away, the boy did not fall enough to live as the others, still clinging to his status and past glory.

…Were we really friends in the past? The only thing I can relate with what he said up to this point is the fact that I've never bowed down to anyone…

But what can I say, people change, for better, for worse, or only… simply change, and what to expect from such a person that not only lost his country but was forced to live in seclusion when so used to displaying his status?

I guess such small luxuries are nothing in his mind compare to the way he used to live… and still the bitter taste does not leave my mouth.

"I cannot agree to that." Suddenly Asher says, which finally makes the boy stop his chopsticks halfway towards his mouth.

"…We… understand…May you enlighten us with the reason however?" Even if his words are coated in gold, my sharp senses are more than enough to watch the undertone of anger in his demeanor, a little stiffness of the knuckles, a quick frown of his eyebrows.

He was not satisfied with the answer, and even if I wanted to know about myself, I still felt quite content that, even if with apparent courtesy, Asher did not give in either, only that he is doing so in a more subtle way.

"This city is not mine to give or take to anyone, not even towards Your Imperial Majesty. However I can promise you to do my best to keep its citizens safe and get rid of the ghouls threatening us outside."

The boy does not seem amused by his words, and actually acts quite bored, disregarding's his promises, and after a staring contest he gives Asher a dissatisfied narrowing of eyes.

"It seems that you have made your mind then, pointless it is for us to waste our breath, though we are lenient and understand that we have summoned Captain Murray in a hurry, so it must be too much at once, and are willing to let you answer until tomorrow to have time to think things through."

"Thank you Your Imperial Majesty, but that won't be necessary, I've made up my mind already. Sorry to bother Your Imperial Majesty, we may not waste more for your highness time and leave." At that he bows, but if an outsider saw this they would think him to be very polite, only that his words were coated in venom.

That's my boy!

We do not give the boy enough time to say anything, and still refusing to bow I simply turn my back towards him, knowing that such action only increases his distress, but such thing only increases my own happiness. 

Only that, for such sentiment we have paid a very high price, and now we are not to learn how I and the ghouls came to be.

I look at Asher, wondering what is up within that mind of his, but then I start piercing holes at him to get a reaction out and only when we are out and about into the gloomy night streets he sighs while turning towards me.

"Seiji, 'you may speak'." His mistake.

"What the hell Asher? You just went there and lost us the chance to know about his secrets?! Why didn't you just lie to him or something, is just a boy and a few guards, and half of those were already done by you! Why so afraid? Also how did you find me?"

Of course that, after blurring my thoughts out all at once, that the cold captain would not give himself the trouble of answering them, the prick.

However the single answer he gives me makes me wind my eyes and another wave of questions to surge up.

For, to my surprise, he says:

"Because I already know about those secrets."

…Wait, what, seriously?!