Lunch with nobility.

Through torchlit stone rooms, no hint of dust or decay could be found.

The place wasn’t furnished like it would have been as an operational keep, the center of power and faith for a whole populace sheltered in the wider castle town. Many of the doors were blocked off, and rooms were bare stone chambers.

Yet, Kotone’s mind could fill in the blanks as they walked, as well as quietly note that this place would still be a decent fallback point, were the town threatened. The group reached a central stairwell that took them through the upper levels, until they arrived at the dining hall.

A vast space that took up an entire floor, and the tables here were laid out. Banners of some long-forgotten monastic order, restored and resewn by modern seamstresses, adorned the high beams.

“I was going to order something from the local bakeries,” The princess said, her beautiful voice a song. “You’ve saved me a great deal of trouble, Admiral Watanabe.”

“That’s a little strong, Highness.” Kotone laughed nervously. “Intervention made it all. Without her, we'd fall to pieces.”

Intervention said nothing, but her prideful smile was impossible to hide.

They set up on an open-air balcony, for today was, if not clear of grey clouds, at least not threatening to dump more on the foggy, rocky shoreline until tonight. It afforded a commanding view of the town, out towards where it interfaced with crashing ocean waves. Far Harbor’s harbor was near to empty. The fishing armada had departed well before first light, and wouldn’t be back for many hours.

“Farming has never been our strong suit, though the outlying settlements supply us well enough to sustain the diet,” The Lady Uchiyama was definitely eating well herself. She settled onto a wooding dining chair that immediately groaned beneath the immense, crushing weight of her ass. “The bounty of the sea has always been our salvation.”

“I noticed all the seafood places,” Sovereign said, nose crinkling. “And the particularly lovely smells.”

The princess giggled, seemingly careless about the way her red kimono fell off soft, bare shoulders. She rested her chest, which was an easy rival for the enormous cruiser girls, up onto the table. Had to be doing it on purpose. She certainly didn’t look offended at Kotone’s helpless virginal-adjacent staring.

Though the drakken bodyguard near the door was another story.

“It’s not much, compared to other places, but that has always been our greatest advantage.” The Lady Uchiyama was a careless eater, and grains of white rice tumbled down semi-frequently, to be lost within the endless void of her cleavage. “As my people are fond of saying, ‘who would be stupid enough to invade us?’ Other, richer territories can be fought over, and trade hands over and over. Stable rule is what my family has always valued.”

“No doubt why your clan signed up with the Empire early, Highness,” Kotone offered, hoping to prove she wasn’t completely lost in the woods here. “An autocratic alliance sounds like a contradiction in terms.”

“It’s amazing what we will do, when push comes to shove, to preserve our power.”

Kitsune princesses didn’t get to grow all nine of their potential tails by being trusting, or by having terribly many scruples. The point was well-taken, though the noble Lady twisted the knife with a breezy aside.

“One of the books you purchased today is an annoyingly-complete version of this realm’s history. I hope it proves entertaining and enlightening.”

Kotone’s blood ran cold, and she dropped her fork into the plate of by-now-cold fish-laced lasagna on her tray.

“That’s three lethal errors in as many days, Kotone Watanabe.” The Lady Uchiyama leaned back in her chair, which did wonderful things to her massive breasts, though Kotone wasn’t even looking there anymore. Her gaze traveled down to her own feet like a child being lectured by a vice-principal. “The first was accepting Sovereign, though that’s by far the most understandable. The second was those books, for you put your trust in a person you’ve never met in your life. The third was reacting in such an obvious way just now.”

Any of those could have, and might still, result in Kotone’s neck being stretched out. The Unity innovated quick and humane methods of execution for their world revolution, but over in the Empire, authorities enjoyed the classics.

Given the circumstances, the princess’ lunch guests decided not to say anything, and wait for her response.

The looks on their faces was enough to provoke another spasm of regal laughter. “Ohohoho. Come, now. This isn’t your last supper, chin up! If anything, my youngest, and simultaneously oldest, special agent just did you a great favor. Consider it a lesson well-learned for next time.”

Next time?

Kotone said, “My lady, could it be possible that even you aren’t… always a fan of the Empire?”

The princess leaned forward, which, in the rush of adrenaline and relief, was a view Kotone appreciated quite a lot. Quite too much, in fact, but at least the black-haired beanpole was sitting down. Hopefully the thunk beneath the table wasn’t too audible. “I shall let you in on a state secret, Admiral. Just to make us even. Nobody hates the Empire more than its ruling nobles. Most of us just hate the other options more. Much like you, I don’t fancy dancing on the end of a rope, so the Unity’s out. However, my views on the Alliance are more complicated.”

It only made sense. While the Unity abolished the nobility in the name of overzealous egalitarianism, the Alliance still had plenty of nobles kicking around their newly-democratic territories. They didn’t always call the shots anymore, but they weren’t being divested of lands, titles, or lives at nearly the same rate.

“I’m, uh, not sure where my views are yet,” Kotone admitted. “That probably seems odd for an Imperial Admiral to admit, but I know nothing of the world yet. As you just proved most ably, my Lady.”

The silent bodyguard moved to take a seat beside Kotone, ruffling her hair like this grown adult was a little child. Compared to the keep beneath their feet, the princess across from her, or the towering slab of muscle to her right, she was.

“Well, now that you’ve been let in on my secret, you’re a part of this world whether you like it or not,” The Lady assured Kotone, while attacking a great big fishburger with a fox’s vigor for fresh meats. “Nom nom. Not to worry! Just take care in the future. You’re no use to me dead, if I’m to join your fleet!”

Kotone wasn’t very hungry anymore, but she knew what would happen if she failed to clean out a meal set by Intervention, so she went back to it. Until this grown woman spat some of it back out in a stunning display of impropriety.

“M-My Lady, what did you just say?”

Lady Uchiyama humored her, clapping jovially. “I’d like to join your fleet! I have spent so much time seeing conflict from afar. This battle brewing is quite unlike any moment in Autumnal history. Utterly unique, and thrilling. So won’t you have me along to get a firsthand view?”

Kotone was rendered speechless.

Unable to bear this, Intervention stepped in. “Highness, you are aware that we don’t recruit ships like the other factions.”

“I don’t want to be in front, darling. I’d like to join your staff! I’ve already arranged for a false identity. Becoming your fleet’s secretary, I believe. All that is required is your assent.”

Kotone cleared her throat.

“My Lady, frontlines or no, we sail to battle. If the enemy were to capture you…”

“I’ll leave the enemy to your capable hands, Admiral. That is rather the point. If all else fails, well. I am but a mere lowly ensign. No threat to anyone.” The word ‘mere’ had no business being around this massive, busty kitsune. Her aura alone dominated the hall. “Come now. Won’t you indulge a lady’s earnest request?”

Uchiyama leaned further forward, her robe slipped further in the most calculated of careless manners, and through the enormity of her soft, pale cleavage, made clear what Kotone had suspected all along.

She really couldn’t say no to women.