Why do you hate me?

Elysium

“Why do you hate me?”

“Hate is a very strong word, cousin in law" Elysium answered placing a coffee mug on his table.

Erich Von Degurechaff stared at the copper haired girl for a few seconds, taking a sip of the hot drink. Perfect, as always. His wife's opinion of the drinks and cooking of her lover were difficult to contradict. But this situation hardly had anything to do with food or the best dark roast. It had to do with a specific investigation he was trying to do.

“Why do you dislike me? I don't have much patience for nonsense"

“That would be my first reason,”  Elysium sighed as she sat in front of him. “You and my husband are very different in that aspect"

“And yet you are cheating on him"

“No, your wife has an arrangement with him as well. Ethical non monogamy they call it" Enrich huffed, trying to fight the urge to roll his eyes. “I do not understand why you are judging only me and not my husband and Tanya, your lawful wife. After all, my husband is sleeping with one of her concubines as well.”

“Males have needs…”

“Second reason why you are so hard to tolerate. Really, my uncle and you are basically of the same opinion. And yet, Tanya as well as I have shown you that women can also have needs…”Elysium then paused with a frown “I forgot, you wouldn't know"

It was no secret to the in laws that Enrich and Tanya had never consummated their marriage. It was, after all, a marriage for political reasons. It was the only way for him to erase the stigma of a traitor without affecting anyone else. And also the way to legitimize Tanya and her many lovers, who later became her wives. Of course Elysium, being the only one of them with a husband, didn't join.

“I need a hint.”

“So, the girls have been playing pranks on you… What was it this time?”

“Invisible ink instead of black ink. Wet shoes, shrunken clothing"

“Childish" Elysium giggled.

“Its been months.”

“Enrich, you really don't understand much, do you?”

“At least tell me why you, of all people, thought it a good idea to give me bitter tea"

“You drink coffee, and Tanya wanted something different that day, you didn't ask for anything to drink that day so I served you the very same green tea I gave her that day. It was made according to what she wanted, its not really on me that you hated it. Next time, say what you want"

“This is what I mean, why are you so petty?” he asked with slight irritation. Pushing his glasses up, watching how she clenched her fists.

“Because so are you! Do you really not remember or you’re so blind that not even those glasses let you see anything clearly!”

“Enlighten me" He was trying hard to keep calm, normally he would be mirroring her expressions.

“You were so petty you sent Tanya pasta… IN THE DESERT! What kind of person would send a water based supply to people who don't have enough water for even themselves?!”

Enrich winced, recalling that time… yes, it was is fault that mission pasta happened “But it worked, Argent was able to find more supplies and attack the enemy more swiftly"

“Due to necessity that shouldn’t have existed in the first place! You sent it, and might I add, if  hadn't managed to send more water supply, they would still have to be measuring it! What would you have done in their situation Enrich?! Did you forget, my husband, your cousin, was part of the squad? Also, I know what you said to the soldier who brought the documents for your approval that day… Mayor Degurechaff and her team will be very happy"