Noble had little to lose by asking directly. Maelys was already trying to kill her.
So she wanted to see the woman's reaction when the advisor was mentioned.
"Oh!" Maelys gasped.
At the most opportune moment, the lieutenant beside her bumped her arm, knocking her cup and the wine inside directly over Syrce and towards Noble's face.
It was a masterful stroke, and Noble would have blamed Maelys entirely if not for the man's emotional spike and then complete emotional disappearance a split second before the jab.
Noble had read about ladies in old books throwing drinks on each other when they were angry or trying to covertly sabotage a rival, but in the waking world, resources were far too precious to use for such petty gains.
So Noble was a little amused to see the conversation take such a classic turn.
She smiled, letting her violet eyes swirl slightly. The liquid stopped, floating in the air in a nebulous ball.
"My Lady, you seem to have lost something. Allow me to return it to you." Noble offered politely.
Rather than soaking Noble and interrupting the conversation, the wine drifted lazily through the air and back into Maelys's glass.
It had taken a bit of focus, but for the casual observer, it looked as easy as breathing.
Thankfully, before dinner, Noble had let Flint help her circulate her essence to replenish it more quickly. Without him, she would have still been very depleted.
As the last drop of liquid returned to the cup, Noble grinned lazily and passed the cup back to its owner. "There, all better. Now..."
"Quintos, you fool!" Syrce stood from her seat and hoisted the man beside Maelys up by his collar. "How dare you try to embarrass Lady Bel!"
"Indeed," Quintos choked. "It was a most egregious error!"
"It was an intentional slight. There was no reason for your arm and body to move in such a way except to cause a ruckus." Syrce pressed her face against the soldiers. "I ought to take you to the ruins and feed you to the Remnant!"
"B-but..." Sweat formed on Quintos's brow.
"Don't be too hard on him," Maelys pleaded softly. "No one is hurt, and thanks to Bel's amazing reflexes, my drink is not even spilled."
Syrce shook her head.
"This cannot stand. Apologize!"
Quintos's legs flew in the air as he was forcefully spun around to face the blonde Master.
"I am sorry!" The lieutenant spoke quickly.
"You should apologize to Syrce as well," Noble pointed out. "You could have ruined her lovely gown."
The lieutenant's eyes went wide with fear. He was an Awakened at the mercy of a Saint, and now Syrce had a new reason to hate him.
"I would never! I was careful…" Quintos caught himself. "I mean, I didn't want to…"
Syrce gripped around his neck tightly as she turned him toward her once more.
"You were careful? Careful to what?"
The soldier sputtered and gasped, his throat on the verge of collapsing.
While Noble did not want Maelys's men to hurt her, she didn't like the idea of someone being killed for something as small as a spilled drink.
"Lady Syrce," Noble sent a small amount of calm to her friend.
The commander held on to the man a moment longer before releasing him. He fell to the ground, gasping for breath.
Syrce looked down on him with contempt.
"Get out of my sight. If I see you again, it will be too soon."
Quintos needed no more encouragement. He scrambled to his feet and fled the area.
"I will take care of his punishment," Maelys promised her sister.
"See that you do. I cannot stand that he wanted to frame you!" Syrce returned to her seat. "My sweet Bel, you must feel like everyone is out to get you today!"
"Not everyone." Noble appreciated the Saint's concern. "But there does seem to be an abnormal amount of hatred coming my way."
"You aren't kidding: first, the Imperialists hiding somewhere in our midst try to harm you, and now someone at my table wants to insult you. What's next?"
"Indeed, it is most curious. Especially that first part. I assumed you chose who got to come into this part of the world since you left the Nightmare Creatures behind. Or am I mistaken?" Noble's question caused Maelys to stiffen slightly.
"I pulled all humans through to this world. I could have picked and chosen, but I didn't see the point. Maybe I should have been more selective..." Syrce looked down for a moment.
"You don't suppose Quintos is an Imperialist, too, do you? He does seem to support their cause at the very least." Child of Promise could see the wheel's turning in the commander's head.
"How dare you!" Maelys banged her hand on the table.
"It is a fair question, Mae, and one I intend to investigate. We will find all the culprits soon enough and get some answers. I am sure of it. But enough of this unpleasantness for now." Syce clapped her hands and laughed. "Lady Bel, I will say that was an impressive display. Those levitation skills of yours are very handy. Your clothing must never get dirty!"
"It is a skill I am still learning. I don't have an advisor to help me." Noble shrugged.
"Ah, yes, Advisors. I figured we would get back to that question sooner or later. Relax, Mae!" Syrce patted her sister's leg. "I know I said I would introduce you, but I am afraid I underestimated his shyness. Please give me a little time to coax him."
"I thought you said we had already met." Noble furrowed her brow.
"So you have. I am confused by his reluctance myself. I spent a lot of my afternoon trying to get an answer." Syrce frowned as if reviewing the conversation in her head. "Yes, yes. We will find a way."
"We will find a way to meet him?" Noble clarified.
"Ah, yes. That too. I will make it happen." Syrce laid her hand on her heart, much to Maelys's dismay.
"You should not make promises that you may not be able to keep," Mae pursed her lips.
"Then it is good I am the one who has to keep it, not you, isn't it?" Syrce clicked her tongue.
The sisters exchanged glances before Syrce clapped her hands. "We need some entertainment around here. Who has an instrument? Play it now!"
Music filled the air, releasing some of the tension that had built up among the diners. Things had gotten very quiet when Quintos was nearly strangled to death. Even now, there was an uneasiness within the soldiers as they avoided catching Syrce's eye.
"Syrce, may I speak with you for a moment?" Maelys stood slowly.
"Of course!" Oblivious to her sister's grave tone, Syrce stood and followed the elder Saint to the edge of the courtyard.
Without a word, the soldiers from the table followed them and blocked the Masters' view of the two women's conversation. All Noble could see now was the tops of their heads. The music grew louder, drowning out any hope of hearing the two ladies and their private discussion.
Left alone, the cohort exchanged curious glances.
"Should I get closer?" Flint's voice was a tad too loud.
Noble winced. "No."
Aether tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "I do not mean to think poorly of those I barely know, but Lady Mae does not do herself any favors with the company she keeps."
Noble wasn't sure if the young man meant the strange advisor or her cronies, but either way, he was right.
Helie finished her drink and sighed. "Syrce must be struggling with who she can trust. I know I would be if I were in her shoes. If I thought someone close to me was a traitor to my cause, I am not sure what I would do!"
Noble nodded slowly. Unlike Syrce, the floating Master could trust her family. There was indescribable comfort in that fact. If only Maelys were that reliable.
Abruptly, the Saint in question threw up her hands and fled between the buildings.
Syrce watched her go but didn't follow.
"What do you think that means?" Roan whispered as he watched the scene.
Feeling their emotions, Noble frowned. "Nothing good..."