Chapter 12 Preview, Part 5: Dealing with Kham and D Romance (Patreon)

Finalllyyyyy I've made some headway into the other major story branch for this chapter, the one where the Crown has gone to Kham and asked her to arrange a meeting with the peri trader.

This preview also includes a snippet for folks romancing D, since they're the only one so far that hasn't gotten anything yet, and one that is unique to this specific branch with Kham:

“There is one thing I have been wondering, princess,” you say as you stare back into her eyes, watching the way the orange orbs of light flicker like flames. “When you first arrived here, you were accompanied by a retinue of guards. Whatever happened to them?”

Kham does not raise her brows at you, exactly, but something similar to the motion as the wood above her eyes arches upwards with a stiff creaking sound. “They are not merely my guards, they are my servants first and foremost. Naturally, they run errands for me.”

“What kinds of errands?”

“Surely you do not think I would fetch all I require by myself?” She appears amused by the line of questioning rather than offended. “They trade with the peri merchants in your city on my behalf. Although, calling it trade is perhaps not accurate, as I hold the right to lay claim on their supplies whenever I so please. They are representatives of my mother, after all.”

You consider the explanation, but nothing about it seems notable or inconsistent so far. “So you have never dealt with this peri trader I wish to meet with yourself?”

“Of course not.” She smiles, her wooden mouth briefly pressing together. “That would be beneath me.”

“A shame,” X muses casually from beside you, contrasting the sharp look in their eyes. “We had hoped you might have some insight to share.”

“As much insight as you are willing to offer me regarding this flower you seek,” Kham returns, her smile still in place. “The blue siren, yes? A rather strange fixation…”

You feel the urge to tense, but withhold yourself from it by taking a slow, relaxed breath. All the rigorous physical training you have underwent over the course of the past month is already showing its benefits: you feel more aware and in control over your body, able to maintain your composure. A necessary skill when dealing with someone like Kham, as conversing with her feels like a dance of sorts. The two of you are watching each other’s steps, waiting for the other to slip.

The conversation quiets for a short while, neither you nor X willing to divulge anything regarding your interest in the blue siren to Kham until it’s absolutely necessary. [[If your Crown trusts Kham]] Regardless of how much you’re personally inclined to trust her, she is still a foreign dignitary, and one you cannot carelessly spill secrets to.

Not long after, the silence is broken by a knocking on the door. You call them inside, and find D entering the room first, followed by a stranger—in human form—you presume to be the peri trader. From behind the both them, you catch a glimpse of A standing guard in the hallway, watching the peri trader closely.

IF ROMANCING D

“General, what a delight!” Kham perks up at the sight of them, and you suddenly recall what D told you about her before. How she sees them as nothing more than an amusing novelty. “I did not know you would be joining our discussion.”

Now that D has clarified how Kham truly sees them, you can detect the hint of condescension to her tone. The exaggerated cheer, the way her eyes narrow. Like how a noble might condescend to a farmer, D said to you.

“Is that a problem?” you interject before D can even speak, the remark escaping you before you can help it. From beside you, you feel X subtly grip your wrist underneath the table, as if to warn you, and you realize you need to tread very carefully so as to not betray anything of your feelings for D to the princess.

“Not at all,” Kham says, looking back towards you, her smile somehow seeming sharper. “In fact, I should thank you for allowing me to spend more time with them. They always try to escape me whenever they see me!”

You try to control your face, keeping yourself from scowling like you wish to, what with the way she speaks of D as if they were a pet. Luckily, X chimes in to cover for you, no doubt able to sense your rising indignation.

“I wonder why,” they say, words dripping with mocking sarcasm, and Kham’s brows lower as the smile disappears from her face. At once, you are thankful for X’s presence: their antagonism with Kham has come in useful.

“Shall we return to the matter at hand?” you say before Kham can reply.

Kham gives you a long look, and you worry if she has noticed after all. You can feel D’s eyes on you as well, but you know that if you met their gaze now, you would all but betray the tension between the two of you to Kham.

You wonder if D will scold you for your defense of them once the meeting is over. Somehow, the thought almost makes you smile.

“Of course,” Kham finally says, straightening a little in her seat. “Onto business then, shall we? Allow me to make introductions.”

People who want to be friends with Kham while romancing D will probably find it a more difficult task, considering the way she treats them 🙈

I'm still working on the beginning scene with all the friendship variants as well, but I'm making pretty good progress!! It helps that I can switch gears to a different scene whenever I get tired of working on a specific branch haha.