Maribel leaned closer immediately. "What is it?"
Liora followed. "You stopped walking."
"Nothing," I said calmly, continuing down the corridor.
They exchanged a look but did not press further. They had both learned that if I intended to explain, I would do so without prompting.
Inside, however, I spoke.
Nero.
A pause.
[Yes, illustrious villainess host?]
What was that quest?
Silence lingered for a suspiciously long moment.
Nero answered with exaggerated innocence.
[Whatever do you mean?]
Cut the nonsense.
He sighed dramatically.
[Very well. There is nothing wrong with that quest.]
I continued walking at an even pace while servants bowed as we passed.
[You are to be a villainess. Villainesses do not shy away from dramatic declarations unless they are a tsundere archetype.]
I am not a tsundere.
[Good. Because those require emotional repression and shouting.]
I considered the panel again in my mind.
