Ilina gives a dazzling smile to the elven vendor, then shakes her head politely.
"I'm very touched by your generous offer, but I'll insist on us paying you. All the elves in this city work so hard to help the kingdom prosper, and pay their taxes without complaint, so I'm not about to take your goods for free when I can afford them. What kind of Princess would that make me, hmm? It simply won't do. I'll be happy if you could just prepare a few kur'kes and any other local favorites for my friend and me." (Ilina)
The elf vendor smiles and his eyes sparkle with admiration, and he begins collecting several baked goods into a box. As he does, he looks at me for the first time, presumably since Ilina referred to me as her 'friend'.
Seeing me, his eyes go wide in surprise, then his expression transitions to one of concern and confusion. He glances between me and Ilina a few times, but he doesn't say anything. I decide that's a good cue.
"You're correct…I'm human, and my name is Mizuki. I apologize if my presence is concerning. My aim wasn't to frighten you, I just wanted to try these kur'kes that Princess Ilina spoke so highly of." (Mizuki)
I try to give the man a very reassuring and empathetic smile. His expression changes to one of embarrassment, but I still see hints of suspicion and confusion.
"Ah, yes, I'm just not used to seeing humans around, Mizuki, and I wasn't sure why you would be in our kingdom with the princess. I wasn't afraid that you were going to harm me or anything, I just…" (Kudra)
He trails off and glances between Ilina and me again nervously. I nod sympathetically.
"You're worried that I'll make trouble for the princess, right? You were nervous about a human being allowed so close to her, whether she was safe, and how people might act towards her with me around?" (Mizuki)
Kudra looks surprised, and then once again embarrassed. To my surprise, however, he responds.
"Yes, that's correct. I'm sorry if I caused any offense, but it wasn't personal, Mizuki." (Kudra)
I can't help but chuckle at his honesty. Ilina and Kudra both give me puzzled looks.
"Fufufu…Kudra, I'm not offended in the slightest. In fact, I am grateful and humbled that you were so honest with me despite your suspicion. I really appreciate it. This may seem rather sudden…but…could I ask you for a favor? I wouldn't do so without providing something in return, of course." (Mizuki)
Kudra looks practically bewildered, but Ilina is just shaking her head with an amused smile.
"Err…a favor, Mizuki? What could you want from me?" (Kudra)
"Well, could I ask you a few questions, just the two of us, while you finish preparing our order? You should feel free to say 'no', and you should know that this is a personal request from me, not a favor to the princess. In return, I'll answer your questions, too, if I can. If there's anything I'm not allowed to tell you, I'll just say so instead of lying. If Princess Ilina and Klaus are fine with it, is that a conversation you'd be interested in?" (Mizuki)
Ilina and Kudra widen their eyes at me in surprise. Ilina looks nervous but remains silent. Kudra looks at me hesitantly, but I see curiosity in his expression as well.
"I'm…not scared to talk alone with you briefly here, and I admit that I'm a little curious about you, but…I don't think I'm as informed as you believe. I doubt I can answer any questions that you'd have. Even if I could, I can't promise that they're things I'd feel comfortable telling a human." (Kudra)
"I think you could, but if I'm wrong that's okay. Of course, I would never make you answer a question that you're uncomfortable with. So long as you try to answer my question to the best of your ability, or tell me honestly why you're uncomfortable doing so, I'll answer your questions in return." (Mizuki)
Kudra looks thoughtful, and glances at Ilina. She shrugs and nods her consent to him, then Kudra turns back to face me with a curious expression.
"Okay, sure Mizuki. I'm happy to have a chat with you briefly while I finish filling this order." (Kudra)
Ilina nods and walks with Klaus over to a nearby group of people staring at her. Once we're alone I smile at Kudra.
"I appreciate it. As a token of that, I'll let you ask the first question, whatever you want. Unless it affects Princess Ilina negatively, I won't repeat it if you don't want me to." (Mizuki)
"Okay…can I know why there is a human in our country as a royal guest, walking around with our princess like their friends?" (Kudra)
Now that Ilina is gone, Kudra is a little less polite, and his suspicion is a lot clearer. Good. I nod at him with a smile.
"Essentially, I freed several elves from the humans' slave trade and wished to return them home safely. I'm also an advisor to the Elder Dragon Nedonera, who Princess Ilina secretly visited in the human country to request aid from. Since I wanted to see the elves home safely, and Lady Nedonera wanted to visit your country before offering aid, we both came here as Princess Ilina's royal guests." (Mizuki)
Kudra's face goes pale, and his eyes become mostly white with surprise. Not unreasonable, since I just dropped a lot of information on him as part of that answer. In fact, I'm hoping it hooks him enough to answer my questions honestly and earn his trust.
"M-Mizuki…that's…why…I have questions about every one of those statements. I promised to answer your questions as well, though, so please go ahead with your first question before I ask my own." (Kudra)
"Sure. How does it make you feel that Princess Ilina referred to me as her friend?" (Mizuki)
"I'm not sure why my opinion should matter, but…it primarily just confused me. I couldn't decide if it was just royal politeness or genuine familiarity. My beliefs that humans are dangerous, and that Princess Ilina is an excellent judge of character and devoted to her people, were clashing. I also feared you having access to our royal family, and whether it foreboded more humans around our peaceful country." (Kudra)
I smile at him appreciatively.
"Thank you very much for your honesty, Kudra. I can assure you, free of charge, that my being here is not a sign of more humans soon to come. In fact, if I was consulted by the royal family, I would strongly advise against them allowing other humans into this country for the foreseeable future. Also, I'll answer your next question now." (Mizuki)
Kudra looks confused by my statement, but just proceeds with his next question.
"I'm conflicted about what to ask first, but…what was this about a secret visit to the human kingdom by Princess Ilina? Can you explain the circumstances surrounding that? Such a thing would be very dangerous for her. I can't imagine anyone allowing it, nor would the people have wanted her to do such a thing." (Kudra)
"I'd recommend not repeating this, but I'll answer you. First, are you aware of the rumors that your kingdom may soon be invaded by the demons and go to war with them?" (Mizuki)
Kudra nods expectantly.
"What about that the Elder Dragon Veyron was believed to have sided with the demons for the war?" (Mizuki)
Pure fear and surprise flash across Kudra's face.