The Noble Queen-A Shadow Slave Fanfic

Chapter 857: A Dreaded Conversation

"You plan to rot them from the inside?" Noble stared at him in disbelief. Of the three options, that was certainly the most dangerous.

"Rot? Hm, I suppose that is a word that could be used. I certainly don't plan to place Lord Anvil and any throne. That would be very irresponsible." Sunny leaned back in his chair.

"And your allegiance to Lady Nephis?" The lady furrowed her brow.

Sunny frowned. "Is unrelated to my hatred for the Sovereigns."

"I see…"

'Lord Shadow is…a sellsword?'

Noble wasn't sure what to make of it. It was a strange plan, but it made some sense.

That status as a weapon for hire would grant him access to places inside the war room but also instill a level of distrust. In a Clan where a twisted sense of honor was paramount, a purchased ally could easily be a destabilizing force.

Seeing Noble's serious expression, Sunny couldn't help but chuckle. "I did warn you not to ask."

He had, and part of Noble wished she didn't know. There was nothing she could do with the information except hold onto it and let it burn in her chest.

Telling what she knew would mean telling how she knew it. That would expose Sunny, causing Rain to lose her protector and the tutor who was trying to help her naturally awaken.

It would also hurt Sunny's effort to save people, destroy it even. Finally, the entire situation could blow back on her family if she revealed it.

If Sunny were to be considered a traitor to Anvil, then Ki Song would consider him an ally, at least in the short term. However, Noble doubted that the queen would appreciate being kept in the dark about not one, but two Saints hiding themselves in her Domain.

'For not wanting to participate in a senseless war, I am having to pick a side before it begins!'

Even abstaining from acting was a choice. It was unfair! Noble rubbed her forehead.

"There has to be a different way! The government can—"

"The government is doing all it can. While its efforts are admirable, it's spread too thin and lacks the power to effect the change that is needed." Sunny shook his head.

"And you possess the power that it lacks?" Noble pursed her lips.

Was Sunny really claiming to have more power than an entire organization of Awakened, Masters, and multiple Saints?

"The government's goals are many, while mine is singular. So yes, in that regard, my power is infinitely greater."

'He…he's serious!'

Every time Noble thought the man couldn't sound crazier, he found a way.

"I see." Noble wasn't sure what else to say.

Sunny was right about one thing. The government was spread very thin. It was powerful, surely, but against the great clans? It was always on the defensive.

'If there was a way to change that…'

Noble came to a decision.

Crazy or not, she would trust Sunny. He had an odd way of trying to help humanity, but these were odd times.

The woman nodded firmly.

"I will keep your secret."

Sunny smiled. "I knew you would. You offered to help me with my plan, remember?"

"I remember." The woman had thought about that moment many times since making the promise.

"Good. When the time comes, I believe I will need all the help I can get." Sunny nodded.

Noble was strangely comforted by his words. Sunny didn't plan to do this all on his own. That was good. Even though Noble had no desire to fight in the war—that would not change—she still wanted to do anything she could to preserve human lives.

"It's settled then." Sunny smiled, placing his hands behind his head as he leaned back in his seat. "The amount of mutually assured destruction between us just keeps growing, doesn't it?"

The man chuckled as he looked up at the ceiling.

"I suppose I should be upset that you discovered the identity of my broody third self sooner than I intended, but I am the one who steered you in the right direction, wasn't I? What was I thinking?"

Noble didn't think the question was directed at her, but she answered anyway. "I think you wanted me to know. Or at least wanted someone to."

Sunny continued to stare upward, an unreadable expression on his handsome face. "To be known? That would be nice. I haven't felt that in quite some time."

The sullen Saint seemed like he might dissolve into shadows.

"Sunny?" Noble reached out to touch his shoulder gently.

Blinking, Sunny came back from whatever far-off dream had been occupying his mind.

"Don't mind me. I was just thinking." He waved her concern away. "What a strange few days! You know you are the second person to discover my multiple identities recently. I don't recommend you ask who the other person is, though."

This time, Noble knew he meant it. Her lips remained closed. Her brow, however, betrayed her concern.

"Don't worry. That individual seems even more motivated than you to keep things to themselves." Sunny smiled sadly.

Noble nodded.

"I understand."

If Sunny trusted this person, that was good enough.

The man's face relaxed.

"You know, I was dreading this conversation, but I have found myself quite enjoying it. I would say we should do this more often, but most of our talks involve life-changing revelations or end-of-the-world scenarios, so we should probably keep them to a minimum."

"I like talking to you, too." Noble couldn't help but feel motherly affection for the younger Saint.

Underneath the carefree exterior, he cared quite a lot. His feelings were intense at times, and for that reason, she had no trouble telling where he stood on most issues.

Sunny nodded.

"You are much nicer to talk to than the Dark Lord. Not only is he a sellsword, but he has the nerve to fight a woman for fun!" The handsome Saint clicked his tongue. "And don't get me started on that one called Master Sunless. Lately, he's been so worried about perfecting his pancake recipe that he speaks of little else."

'Yes, he's crazy. But at least it's an endearing kind of crazy…' Noble shook her head.

"It's good Rain has the best one for her teacher, then."

Sunny shrugged. "I have my moments."

His chair scraped back on the floor.

"Thank you for the tea and the hospitality. It seems our time has come to an end. I will return to the shade of the sill."

"Saint Sunny, I meant what I said. You are welcome here. I hope someday we can sit down and have a family meal."

"Someday." Sunny nodded, though whether it was a wish or a promise, Noble couldn't tell.

Before she could ask, the mysterious Saint was gone.

The front door flew open, and Blaze tumbled in, heaving.

"Mom, come quick! You have to see this."

Noble turned her head. "What's going on? Did you win?"

"We held our own, but they called in extra reinforcements. Now, Dad is planning a counteroffensive. It's time to bring out the big guns, and that's you!"

"I see. I suppose I'll have to come, or your father is going to throw out his shoulder again." Noble chuckled softly.

"Blaze, get out here! We need you!" Brock called from outside.

Blaze hesitated. "Are you coming?"

"I'll be there in a moment. I just need my coat." Noble promised.

Blaze shut the door and returned to the front lines.

The floating Saint spared one last look toward the kitchen. Already the teacups were in the sink, ready to be washed. Noble smiled and glanced at the windowsill. "Someday, Sunny. It will be more than just tea. I won't forget. We will have a meal together, all of us."

The shadows by the window stirred but did not answer.

Satisfied, Noble grabbed her coat and headed outside.

The rest of her family needed her.