Nashia clings to Ruouh as he steps fully into the corridor, refusing each gentle attempt to loosen her arms. The blue-robed councillor watches in silence, while the ashy-faced medic remains near the sealed doors, visibly shaken.
Ruouh Falren
Nashia, please. You are safe here. Let me stand on my own.
Ruouh catches Tau’s glance over Nashia’s shoulder. Their silent exchange lasts only a moment, but Nashia notices it; her tears stop, hardening into watchful suspicion.
The Tearful Court Suitor
There. That is the influence you claim over him. You look at each other, and suddenly he forgets who stayed beside him when everyone else was kept outside.
Nashia releases Ruouh only to step between him and Tau, placing herself squarely in the passage. Her fine green dress brushes the stone as she lifts her chin.
The Tearful Court Suitor
I will not leave Ruouh while this palace is unsafe. If you mean to claim his attention, Guard, you will have to explain yourself first.
Ruouh Falren
Nashia, you are mistaken about him. Tau is here because I summoned him. Now, will you let him pass?
“I look at Ruouh with confused eyes, silently asking why she is making a scene. However, this only seems to make things. Nashia grabs Ruouh’s arm and accusingly points towards me saying how I was trying to make her look bad in front of the one she loves. I take a step back, startled and raise my hands slightly to try and calm her down when I notice that the blue-robed councilor has donned a smirk. A shiver of suspicion runs up my back at the sight of this, but when I look at him again, his face is neutral as he stares at me. I put on a neutral face too as I explain how I am only following orders to accompany the Prince.”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Persuasion, rolled -1)
Tau looks to Ruouh with confused eyes, silently asking why Nashia has made a scene. Nashia catches the exchange, seizes Ruouh’s arm, and points accusingly toward Tau.
The Tearful Court Suitor
You were trying to make me look foolish in front of the one I love! Do not pretend that look was innocent.
Tau steps back, startled, and raises both hands to calm her. A smirk briefly touches the blue-robed councillor’s face, then vanishes beneath a neutral stare. Suspicion shivers up Tau’s back.
Deep-seated Phobia constricts Tau’s breath beneath their scrutiny, but Knightly Etiquette steadies his raised hands and keeps his posture respectful. Courtly Insight catches the danger of sounding possessive, while Royal Guard Armor lends his uniform quiet authority.
Tau Heathsburough
I am only following orders. The prince summoned me to accompany him, and I am here to carry out that duty.
The Tearful Court Suitor
Following orders, then. Very well. I will not, however, retract my suspicion you of courting his attention, but I will remember that you arrived at his command.
Nashia releases Ruouh’s arm and steps aside, allowing Tau to pass. Her suspicion remains a fresh mark against him, while the blue-robed councillor watches with unreadable approval.
✓ Quest Accepted
Preserve Ruouh's trust despite Nashia's accusations
✓ Quest Accepted
Determine whether the blue-robed councillor is exploiting Nashia against Tau
“I bow my head towards Nashia as she narrows her eyes and huffs, turning her head away from me and walks away. I then fully bow towards the Prince and asked for his orders. He orders me to follow him and we make our way to the kitchens. Once inside, I look around. No one is there. Ruouh explains that the cooks are being questioned and that no one should be in here for a few minutes. He then explains that the doctor quoted a rare disease brought on my fungal spores had infected the King and Queen and gave them only 2 months to live. The doctor said that a request for the cure had been immediately sent, but it was highly unlikely that it would reach them in time since it was coming from a far away kingdom overseas. I then start to question the timing of the illness, the messages being diverted, and the blue-robed councilors smirk.”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled +3)
Tau bows his head as Nashia narrows her eyes, huffs, and turns away. She walks down the corridor, leaving Ruouh, the blue-robed councillor, and the ashy-faced medic behind.
Tau Heathsburough
My prince, what are your orders?
Ruouh Falren
Follow me. The kitchens are empty for now. The cooks are being questioned, and no one should enter for several minutes.
Ruouh leads Tau into the silent kitchens. Copper pots hang untouched above cold hearths, while the prince explains that the physician diagnosed rare fungal spores in the king and queen, leaving them two months to live.
Ruouh Falren
A request for the cure was sent at once, but it must cross the sea from a distant kingdom. The physician considers its arrival in time unlikely.
Tau compares the timing against the Copied Route Ledgers. Courtly Insight links the diverted messages to the illness, while his Deep-seated Phobia constricts his focus in the empty kitchen. The pattern resolves: the blue-robed councillor had advance knowledge and redirected the cure request, while his smirk confirmed involvement. Ruouh sees the conclusion settle.
Ruouh Falren
Then we know where the first thread leads. The diverted request passed through Orren’s authority, and I have the physician’s original note. We can expose the alteration before the council destroys the trail.
Quest Complete
Find the source of the palace message diversions
Attribute Upgrade: Reasoning Good→Great
New gift: Reads Hidden Messages
Quest Complete
Preserve Ruouh's trust despite Nashia's accusations