_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5" style="border:0px solid">Three nights after the border incident, Duke Maximilian stood in his bedchamber as Morris fastened the formal cloak around his shoulders. The dark fabric was embroidered with silver thread depicting the duke's territorial boundaries—a traditional vampire aristocratic garment he typically avoided wearing.

  "The delegates from neighboring territories have arrived, Your Grace," Morris informed him while adjusting the csp. "Count Sebastian and Viscount Gregory are already in the reception hall. Baroness Sylvia sent word she'll be arriving momentarily."

  Maximilian nodded, barely suppressing a grimace as he examined his reflection in the mirror. Formal vampire attire always made him feel like he was pying dress-up in someone else's clothing. "Has Lord Elias been informed of the inquiry panel's arrival?"

  "Lord Elias has been ready for thirty minutes, Your Grace," Morris replied, his tone perfectly neutral despite the implied criticism. "He's currently entertaining the delegates in the west salon."

  Maximilian's head jerked up. "He's what?"

  The mental image of Elias—with his limited experience of Lucius-aligned vampire protocol—attempting to navigate a formal conversation with allied nobles sent a jolt of panic through Maximilian's schorly composure. He abandoned his usual measured pace, nearly blurring with vampire speed as he moved through the corridors toward the west salon.

  He paused at the doorway, straightening his cloak and adjusting his expression to one of dignified calm before entering. The scene that greeted him was unexpected. Elias stood near the firepce, gesturing animatedly as he recounted some tale that had Count Sebastian and Viscount Gregory leaning forward in apparent fascination.

  "—and then the entire collection of ancient ceremonial daggers simply tumbled from the wall, narrowly missing the Archduke's most favored blood-pet," Elias was saying, his voice carrying that subtle musical quality that indicated his illusion abilities were subtly at work. "The poor creature was so startled it shifted forms right there in the middle of the formal reception!"

  Sebastian and Gregory erupted in ughter, with Sebastian actually spping his knee in a most undignified manner. Maximilian stood frozen in the doorway, completely baffled by the scene. These were not men known for their sense of humor.

  Elias gnced up, his violet eyes sparkling with mischief as he spotted Maximilian. "Ah, and here is my distinguished husband! Gentlemen, I was just sharing that delightful anecdote from Viscount Henri's spring reception."

  Maximilian had never attended Henri's spring reception. He approached cautiously, as one might approach an unexploded device. "I trust Lord Elias has been an adequate host in my absence."

  "More than adequate," Count Sebastian said, still chuckling. "Your consort has a remarkable gift for storytelling. I haven't ughed so heartily in decades."

  "Indeed," Gregory agreed, his usually dour face animated with lingering amusement. "I had no idea traditional affairs could be so... entertaining when viewed through fresh eyes."

  Elias glided to Maximilian's side with effortless grace, taking his arm in a gesture that appeared casual but effectively positioned him to whisper, "They arrived early. I've been distracting them from asking about the border incident until you arrived."

  Before Maximilian could respond, the doors opened again to admit Baroness Sylvia, a striking vampire with short silver hair who specialized in supernatural biology. Behind her came the severe figure of Lord Aldric, Helena's brother and a known traditionalist from Orlov's faction. His unexpected presence sent a ripple of tension through the room.

  "Lord Aldric," Maximilian said carefully. "I wasn't aware you would be joining our inquiry panel."

  Aldric's smile didn't reach his eyes. "A st-minute addition, Duke Maximilian. Given that the border incident occurred near territory aligned with my sister's interests, it seemed prudent to include representation from all... concerned parties."

  "How considerate," Elias murmured, his voice pitched for Maximilian's ears alone. "And entirely coincidental, I'm sure."

  The formal inquiry convened in the grand hall thirty minutes ter. The five noble visitors sat in a semicircle facing Maximilian and Elias, who occupied seats at a small table. Captain Richards stood at attention nearby, prepared to offer testimony about the military aspects of the incident.

  "This inquiry is now in session," Count Sebastian announced formally. "We are gathered to review the border incident of three nights past, wherein forces from an unidentified source conducted surveilnce operations at the northeastern boundary of Duke Maximilian's territory, followed by an incursion that was successfully repelled."

  Maximilian had prepared extensively for this moment, organizing his thoughts into precise categories with supporting evidence. He began his account of the events with schorly detachment, detailing the initial alert, response time, tactical decisions, and outcome.

  "What remains unclear," he concluded, "is which faction was responsible for the incursion. The intruders wore no identifying insignia and maintained communications discipline throughout."

  Lord Aldric leaned forward. "Curious that such an organized group would leave no trace of their affiliation."

  "Indeed," Maximilian agreed neutrally. "Almost as if they wished to maintain pusible deniability."

  The barb wasn't lost on Aldric, whose jaw tightened slightly. "What is more curious, Duke Maximilian, is your unconventional tactical response. Captain Richards, I understand standard border defense protocols would dictate mirroring the intruders' positions with equal force."

  Richards shifted uncomfortably. "Yes, my lord. That would be standard procedure."

  "Yet," Aldric continued, "you ordered a concentrated force at a seemingly arbitrary junction, leaving your eastern approach virtually undefended. A most... unorthodox decision."

  "The eastern approach wasn't undefended," Maximilian replied. "It was simply not defended in the manner the intruders anticipated."

  "And how did you determine their anticipations?" Baroness Sylvia asked, her scientific curiosity evident.

  Maximilian hesitated. Revealing the full extent of their technological countermeasures and Elias's abilities would be strategically unwise, especially with Aldric present. "Various tactical assessments based on their positioning."

  "Both Lord Elias and I recognized their triangution pattern," he added, gncing at his consort. "It suggested they were mapping our response capabilities."

  "Both of you?" Aldric's skepticism was palpable. "How fascinating that a political consort with no military training would recognize complex tactical formations."

  Elias smiled with practiced charm. "One picks up the strangest bits of knowledge at court functions, Lord Aldric. Though I'll admit, I merely noticed the pattern. It was Duke Maximilian who identified its tactical significance."

  Maximilian nodded in agreement, relieved by Elias's diplomatic response.

  "What I find most interesting," Viscount Gregory interjected, "is how effectively you coordinated your countermeasures. Captain Richards reports that your forces moved with unprecedented synchronization, almost as if responding to a single mind rather than separate commands."

  "Efficient leadership," Maximilian said a bit too quickly.

  "Excellent communication," Elias added simultaneously.

  The panel members exchanged gnces at their perfectly synchronized response.

  "We... practiced," Maximilian offered awkwardly.

  "Extensively," Elias added, then winced at the continued synchronization.

  Count Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Practiced? For a surprise border incursion?"

  "For emergencies," Maximilian crified, feeling increasingly cornered. "We've established protocols for various contingencies."

  "How diligent," Aldric said dryly. "Almost as if you anticipated this specific incident."

  The accusation hung in the air. Maximilian opened his mouth to respond, but a sudden commotion from the hallway interrupted. One of Maximilian's cats—a rge orange tabby named Manuscript—had somehow entered the formal hall and was now winding between the inquiry panel members' legs, purring loudly.

  Several of the aristocrats looked down in surprise, unused to interacting with non-wereanimal pets. Baroness Sylvia actually smiled, reaching down to scratch the cat's ears.

  "I do apologize," Maximilian said, mortified. "Manuscript has a tendency to escape his designated areas."

  "Manuscript?" Sebastian repeated, amusement evident in his voice.

  "His Grace has a... schorly naming convention for his companions," Elias expined smoothly, a subtle shimmer in his eyes. "Perhaps we should continue the inquiry after the feline has been removed?"

  As if on cue, three more cats suddenly appeared from different doorways, trotting purposefully into the grand hall. Maximilian blinked in confusion—he only owned four cats total, and one was already present. Then he noticed the slight distortion around the new arrivals and realized they were Elias's illusions, created to cause a diversion.

  "Good heavens," Viscount Gregory excimed as an illusory tabby jumped onto his p. "They're everywhere!"

  The formal atmosphere of the inquiry dissolved into undignified chaos as aristocratic vampires found themselves besieged by affectionate felines—one real, three illusory, but all seemingly intent on disrupting the proceedings. Maximilian's actual cat, Manuscript, appeared delighted by his newfound companions, racing from one illusion to another in pyful confusion.

  During the disruption, Elias leaned closer to Maximilian. "Now would be a good time to redirect the conversation," he murmured. "Perhaps to the successful outcome rather than the tactics?"

  Maximilian nodded slightly, impressed by the strategic diversion. Once the staff had "removed" all the cats (with Elias discreetly dispelling his illusions while Manuscript was carried out), he cleared his throat.

  "While our methods may have been unconventional, the results speak for themselves," he stated confidently. "The intruders were repelled without casualties on either side, and our territorial integrity was maintained. Perhaps we should discuss preventative measures for future incidents?"

  The redirection worked, shifting the inquiry toward forward-looking security arrangements rather than potentially revealing details about their methods. As the session continued, Maximilian noticed Elias occasionally creating small, subtle illusions—a straightened colr when Maximilian tugged his awkwardly, a diplomatic smile overying a schorly frown when Sebastian made a particurly vapid comment, even altering the color of a spilled drop of blood-wine to match the tablecloth.

  Each tiny intervention smoothed over Maximilian's social awkwardness, creating an impression of aristocratic composure he had never actually mastered. The realization that Elias had likely been doing this on many previous occasions suddenly dawned on him, expining why social events had seemed marginally less torturous tely.

  The inquiry continued for another hour, with questions ranging from security protocols to resource allocation. Throughout it all, Maximilian and Elias maintained a united front, their responses complementing each other with increasing naturalness. When they did occasionally speak in unison, their excuses grew progressively more absurd.

  "We share a schedule," Maximilian expined after one such moment.

  "And a mutual appreciation for precision," Elias added.

  Later, after another synchronized response:

  "It's the acoustics in this room," Maximilian suggested unconvincingly.

  "Creates echoes," Elias agreed, straight-faced.

  And finally, after a third instance:

  "Blood type compatibility," Maximilian stated, grasping at expnations.

  "Causes thought alignment," Elias improvised with academic seriousness.

  Baroness Sylvia actually took notes at this st cim, her scientific curiosity piqued by the pseudo-biological expnation.

  By the time the inquiry concluded, even Lord Aldric seemed to have abandoned his aggressive questioning, watching the duo with calcuting interest rather than overt suspicion.

  "This panel has documented Duke Maximilian's handling of the border incident," Count Sebastian announced formally. "We will submit our observations to Archduke Lucius, noting the effectiveness of the response despite its unconventional nature."

  "Furthermore," he continued, "we recommend increased security coordination between allied territories to prevent future incidents of this nature."

  Lord Aldric rose from his seat, straightening his formal robes. "I will, of course, be submitting a supplementary report to Archduke Orlov regarding the... interesting tactical innovations dispyed during this incident."

  "Of course," Maximilian replied neutrally. "We would expect nothing less."

  As the inquiry panel members filed out of the grand hall, Baroness Sylvia lingered behind. When the others had departed, she approached Maximilian and Elias with an expression of scientific fascination.

  "That blood type compatibility theory is intriguing," she said, her eyes alight with academic interest. "I've never documented such a phenomenon between bonded vampires before. Perhaps you would allow me to study it further?"

  Maximilian froze, suddenly realizing the absurd excuse might have unexpected consequences. Beside him, Elias maintained a perfect composure that barely disguised the amusement dancing in his violet eyes.

  "We would be delighted to assist your research, Baroness," Elias replied before Maximilian could formute a response. "Unfortunately, our schedule is quite full for the foreseeable future. Perhaps in a decade or two?"

  Sylvia looked momentarily disappointed but nodded in understanding. "Science can wait for worthy subjects," she said, then lowered her voice. "And may I say, it's refreshing to see a political arrangement evolving so... naturally."

  After she departed, Elias and Maximilian stood alone in the grand hall, silence stretching between them until Maximilian finally spoke.

  "Blood type compatibility causes thought alignment?" he asked incredulously.

  Elias's composure cracked, a genuine ugh escaping him. "It was the best I could improvise! You started it with that ridiculous 'blood type compatibility' cim."

  "I panicked," Maximilian admitted, adjusting his formal cloak with schorly discomfort. "Social falsehoods have never been my strong suit."

  "I noticed," Elias said, his voice warm with affection rather than mockery. "Fortunately, social falsehoods are among my few marketable skills."

  Maximilian studied his consort with new appreciation. "Your illusions during the inquiry... have you been doing that all along? Making me appear more... socially adept?"

  "Only small adjustments," Elias admitted. "A diplomatic smile here, a confident posture there. Nothing that fundamentally changes you." His expression grew more serious. "I wouldn't want to do that."

  The sincerity in his voice created a moment of unexpected vulnerability between them. Maximilian found himself at a loss for words—a rare occurrence for someone with his extensive vocabury.

  "The cats were a masterful distraction," he said finally, retreating to safer conversational ground.

  "Manuscript deserves most of the credit," Elias replied with a smile. "I merely provided him with pymates."

  As they walked from the grand hall toward Maximilian's study, Morris appeared with a formal message scroll. "From Count Sebastian, Your Grace. Delivered after his departure."

  Maximilian unrolled the parchment, reading it quickly before passing it to Elias.

  "He's invited us to his seasonal gathering next week," Maximilian expined. "Historically, I've avoided such functions."

  "Historically, you didn't have a consort with illusion abilities and court experience," Elias pointed out. "We made quite an effective team today, didn't we?"

  "Indeed," Maximilian agreed, a rare smile softening his schorly features. "Though perhaps we should develop less absurd expnations for our synchronized responses."

  "Where would be the fun in that?" Elias asked innocently. "Besides, I'm now scientifically obligated to maintain the blood type compatibility theory. Baroness Sylvia took notes."

  As they reached the study door, Manuscript appeared again, weaving between their legs and looking expectantly up at Elias as if hoping for the return of his illusory pymates.

  "I think you've made a friend," Maximilian observed.

  "A schorly one, at that," Elias replied, bending to scratch the cat's ears. "Perhaps there's hope for me yet."

  The look that passed between them contained more warmth than either would have thought possible when their political marriage began. Something had shifted during the inquiry—the awareness that they had defended each other instinctively, complemented each other's weaknesses, and somehow managed to convince a panel of aristocratic vampires that they were a unified front.

  Whether that unity was political, practical, or something deeper remained unspoken as they entered the study together, but the question lingered in the air between them, impossible to ignore and increasingly difficult to deny.