Emmaline says what he wants to hear

Emmaline took another sip of her wine as she considered not only the bishop's question, but his entire demeanor. Her instinct was to answer honestly, but he seemed like a dangerous man. Perhaps it would be for the best if he heard what he expected--while he might be a powerful ally, he would also make for a horrible enemy.

She let her gaze flicker downward, savoring the brief moment of respite she allowed herself from his daunting sight before forcing herself to look at him again. She had always enjoyed gossip more than she knew she should, and this question seemed like it might lead her to some particularly useful information if she played her cards right. The Bishop might even have some sort of useful lead in regards to who had the Diadem!

"I'm afraid the nature of my work recently has been more... immediate. I haven't often had the time to consider the station or other outside factors of my enemies. When acting to protect the people, I do not imagine one often finds room to make exceptions. Though I'm sure it would pain me, I feel that I would be **** to act against the heir." Emmaline took another sip of her wine, doing her best to stare down the Bishop, trying to get some semblance of a read on his response to her answer. She was confident that the agreement and flowery language would be to his liking. "I'm certain you would agree? When doing what is best, we can hardly make exceptions."

"I fear you have put your finger on the crux of the problem," the Bishop said, his smile showing the regrets of his duty. "As you say, we can hardly make exceptions, regardless of the position of the accused, or whatever sympathy one might feel for them. In the cause of righteousness, one must make hard, even cruel decisions at times." He took another sip of wine, savoring it on his palate for a moment before swallowing.

"In this case, the heir would be brought before a panel of inquisitors. Men such as my companions here. They are skilled and diligent at getting to the essence of the question, regardless of how long it takes, and how....unpleasant....the methods that may be necessary. They can strip all pretense and lies away, leaving only the truth, and of course, a confession. After that, a trial before an ecclesiastical court, and sentence duly rendered. Another heretic exposed, and the realm and the Church made more secure from evil. I'm so glad you agree."

"I-I certainly do." Emmaline swallowed, raising her wine glass instinctively, as a sort of defense. The hardness in his eyes was beginning to look more like cruelty "I regret to say that I find the methods of the Church somewhat... unpalatable, though I suppose justice needn't always be pleasant to look at. I'm thankful for men like you... I'm uncertain whether I would be able to take it upon myself to do the things you and your associates do."

Emmaline tried her best to smile, but the conversation was certainly getting to her, making her more and more uncomfortable with every passing moment.

"I... I don't mean to sound rude, and I promise every moment in your presence has been a delight, but I wonder if there was a specific matter you wished to discuss with me? I certainly don't wish to hasten the conversation, but if we are discussing matters of duty, then if there is an important matter you wish me to know about, it seems best that it is brought up for discussion sooner rather than later." Emmaline spoke somewhat quickly, hoping to bring the discussion back around to lighter topics, or, that failing, bring it to a close before too much longer.

***

This chapter was co-authored by Shandy (https://chyoa.com/user/Shandy) through a Roleplay! Shandy is the author of Fox in the Henhouse and The Peril's of Lisa-- please check out his stuff! :)