02.

Shoal hated this - having to attend official events when his illness was acting up. He was aching all over - the kind of ache that bit you down to the bone. His throat tightened and any attempt to talk was like acid.

Solpadia was sunny enough to distract him, and there was this girl who didn't seem to notice, or she didn't seem to care, at least, about his agony. Said girl was currently seated beside him, awestruck by the over the top carpark they just drove into.

"Knew you were some kind of government official..." she mumbled, then cutting herself off "You aren't a member of some royal family are you?" Shoal raised an eyebrow at her. "You are!?" Shoal just shrugged, getting off the car, handing the keys to Tom. The girl practically fell out the car after him.

"I might be wrong - and I heard you laugh before, but are you mute?" she asked. Shoal bit his lips. Tom stepped up "His highness is currently under some medication- " Shoal glared at him. To Shoals relieve, the girl completely misses the point.

"Damn it, did I manage to offend a royal member - please don't severe connections with Solpadia, or stop exporting stuff to us, or whatever it is you do!" Shoal looks at her, bemused. She paused for a bit.

"And are you sick? What medication?" he bit his lip, she didn't miss the point. He just shrugs.

"Right, I speak shrugs. Let's go." She stalks into the main entrance.

Shoal rushes after her. She turns around before she's halfway through the hall, noticing the men in suits" Is this the event you bought bread for?" Shoal nods. She gasps and strides out "Why would you bring me here? I'm a student"

Shoal raised his eyebrow, he had thought she was a baker. She must be about the same age as him, then. He then diverts his attention back to the girl and smiles reassuringly at her.

She huffs "You might be late because of me." she gestures, gesturing at the hall. Shoal noted that the crowd had already dispersed and were probably already waiting in the meeting hall.

Tom chuckles "He's just in time, then."

Shoal smiles at him, gesturing for the girl to come with him. The girl flinched when a couple people they walked passed owed to them

His dramatic entrance worked, as always, like a charm. The meeting hall was silent as he walked in and sat at the head of the table. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tom politely gesturing for the girl to take a seat.

"It's Danny!" he heard her snap. He didn't need to attempt to ask then, he smiled to himself and cleared his throat, which he regretted doing as what felt like acid slid through his throat.

He leaned back, as Tom hurriedly plugged the USB and set up the projector.

This is going to be a long, long meeting.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***