Well, she's playing a dangerous game though...

"Just wait a second." You say, holding your hands up like you didn't want her to interrupt what you will say. "So you want to tell me that you are playing that kind of game ? I mean... I can see the potential in this, considering your background and all..." You added, before being cut by Shirayuki anyway, who put a single finger before her mouth, making you shut up at once, and letting her say.

"I don't think that talking about this in public like that is a good idea, you see. But yes, I am playing 'that kind of game', since informations are precious. Let's not dive further into this subject as of now though, or it will be detrimental for all of us."

You wanted to say something, but quickly found yourself unable to find a good argument against hers, since she was absolutely right. Shirayuki was your only help in this castle, and because you had no idea what the queen was capable of, you didn't really want to have that help suddenly disappear.

You took a deep breath, sorting quickly your thoughts as you did so, remembering to ask one question that you had in mind, which was also kind of the reason you came to Noldrin in the first place.

"What happened to our friends ?" You asked, Rei and Fuyu getting closer to Shirayuki and you when they heard the question, being curious about your friends too.

"They are alright, don't worry." Shirayuki answered kind of softly, with a little smile. "The Ladies are very respected in Noldrin, and the queen couldn't just send them in jail or execute them like that, or else she would have most of Noldrin turn their backs on her, a scenario that no one would want to see happen, for the sake of the Elder Land. That is also why you will have to be careful, Adam."

The end of her reply sounded very ominous, yet this time, you didn't need to know why she said that. You already had a feeling that the queen wasn't the only power working there. You also had a bad feeling about Shirayuki saying that no one would want Noldrin to turn their backs on the queen, and you suspected that this would lead to a war of some kind... That's why you don't like politics.

"And us ?" Asked Rei. "What would happen to Fuyu and I ? We were caught travelling with him, and we don't have the Ladies by our side to help us."

"The queen isn't interested in the two of you." Replied Shirayuki. "Although she seemed to find strange your relationship with Adam, Rei."

It's been a while since you've seen Rei blushing, and this time her whole faec was red, so much so that you almost thought that her foxy ears would redden too, something that didn't happen.

Shirayki then clapped once, taking back your attention, before concluding.

"So, the queen will let you see her in a short while. Adam, Don't make a fool of yourself, or this time you will only be able to regret it. As for the two of you, Rei and Fuyu, it is likely that she won't do anything to you, firstly because she's afraid that I would leave her if she did anything to the two of you, and also because you weren't specified when the queen was first told about Adam."

"Great, so I'm the only one with a target in the back." You muttered to yourself.

"Exactly." Shirayuki playfully answered, before turning around to walk away.

Before she could disappear from your sights though, Fuyu yelled.

"Shirayuki ! It's been a while !"

You quickly noticed how Fuyu's tails were swishing, her smile shining through the mostly empty hall. She seemed happy to have seen Shirayuki, and you couldn't help but assume that they at least saw each other at some point.

Shirayuki would quickly bring your assumption to an end though, as she waved goodbye to Fuyu, right before saying.

"It has been a while indeed, little sister. I hope we will see each other again soon."

"Me too !" Yelled back Fuyu, before watching with a smile as her older sister left the room, all the while both you and Rei were looking at Fuyu in a mix of shock and awe. As time passed without any of you speaking, you finally noticed the similarities in their ear and tails shapes. You won't even speak about the white hair, ears and tails.

You wanted to ask Fuyu if Shirayuki was really her sister, but since the world seemed to like cutting you before you could speak, the large double door behind you suddenly started to open, with a strong voice rising.

"Now come, criminals."