The halls of Lan Dov Palace stretched ahead, dark and quiet. Kitsune moved like a mouse, silent and alert. Calia followed, her silver fur glowing in the candlelight.
A soft clink caught Calia's ear, barely audible over the creaking floors and distant voices. She followed it into a dimly lit study.
"Calia, don't go running off-"
Kitsune was about to scold her, but he quickly choked on his words as he peered into the room.
At the far end of the room, seated in an ornate chair, was a man Kitsune had never seen before, not on the news, or around the palace.
Brown smooth skin, white curls falling freely over his right eye, and long, pointed ears that twitched slightly as if sensing Kitsune's presence. His posture relaxed, yet he admitted an air of silent authority.
He lifted a porcelain cup, steam rising as he took a slow sip, then set it down with a soft clink.
"I was wondering how long you'd skulk in the shadows before finally stepping inside."
The man muttered, his voice edged with impatience.
"I'd offer you tea, but I have a feeling you'd be too busy playing the charming rogue to accept it."
Kitsune smirked, stepping further into the room, his fan twirling idly in his hand. "And who might you be?"
The man exhaled, as if Kitsune's very presence was already a test of his patience. "Lafayette."
Kitsune tilted his head. "Lafayette?"
"Yes. I assume you have ears." Lafayette finally looked up, his white eyes locking onto Kitsune's. They were sharp, cutting, as if already dissecting him for all his worth. "Now, tell me why you're slinking around the palace like a common thief."
Kitsune chuckled, leaning lazily against the doorframe. "You assume too much. Maybe I'm just here for the atmosphere. Lovely place, really."
Lafayette clicked his tongue, his fingers tapping against his teacup. "Spare me the theatrics. I don't have the patience for your games."
Calia, still lingering near the door, let out a quiet chuff of amusement. Kitsune glanced at her before shifting his gaze back to Lafayette, noting the way his fingers twitched slightly, as if resisting the urge to throw his cup at him.
"Fine," Kitsune relented, his voice dropping its playful lilt just slightly. "I'm looking for a name."
Lafayette raised a brow. "A name?"
"A name tied to something that happened in this palace a long time ago. Something… personal."
Lafayette studied him for a long moment before sighing, "And why, exactly, should I care?"
Kitsune grinned, his sharp teeth flashing. "Because you don't strike me as the type to sit quietly while secrets rot away in the dark."
Lafayette narrowed his eyes but said nothing. The tension in the air thickened, each man measuring the other, weighing words left unspoken.
Finally, Lafayette leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "You're a fool," he muttered. "But perhaps… an interesting one."
Kitsune's grin widened. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Kitsune's gaze fell on Lafeyette's desk, his view was filled with documents and useless information.
"I assume you know your way around this palace," Kitsune said, stepping closer.
Lafayette scoffed. "I wouldn't be sitting here if I didn't." He leaned back slightly, his gaze unwavering. "But you, some masked thief sneaking around like a stray, what exactly do you expect to find here?"
Kitsune twirled his fan between his fingers, the flickering candlelight catching the polished wood. "That depends. Are you the type to hoard secrets, or do you enjoy spilling them?"
Kitsune flicked his fan, toppling the teacup with a sharp snap. A loud crash echoed through the study as porcelain shattered against the floor, spilling tea across Lafayette's desk in a dark, steaming stain.
Lafayette glared at Kitsune, gritting his teeth, as if retraining himself from throwing the whole desk at his face. "You're persistent. Annoying, too."
Kitsune grinned. "Flatterer."
Calia padded forward, her amber eyes locked onto Lafayette with an almost knowing glint. She sat beside Kitsune, curling her tail around her paws.
Lafayette stared at the fox for a moment before shifting his attention back to Kitsune. "You said you're looking for a name. Whose?"
Kitsune's playful expression faltered just slightly. He glanced around the room as if the very walls might be listening before finally speaking. "I don't know."
Lafayette raised a brow. "You don't know?"
Kitsune let out a mocking laugh as he covered his mouth with his sleeve. He was clearly enjoying the teasing with Lafeyette, which only fueled his amusement.
He smirked before adding, "How about we talk more privately?"
Lafayette showed a spark of irritation. "Privately? Is this not private enough?"
Kitsune placed his fan onto the desk, his hand slid up to his hips to emphasise his point, "You're quite clever, aren't you, you think I'm going to tell you what my true motive here is, to someone unknown around the palace?"
Lafayette's fingers drummed against the table. For a long moment, he said nothing, simply watching Kitsune with unreadable eyes.
Then, with an exasperated sigh, he said, "I may be unknown for a reason. I'm the Duke, and I keep a low profile for rodents like you."
Kitsune stilled for half a second, watching him carefully. Then, his smirk returned.
"A Duke, huh?" He let the words roll off his tongue, slow and amused. "Now that… is rather interesting."