Reidier

19: Mella

The Serpent stares down at everyone, grey eyes glittering. 

But most of all, he sneers down at Mella. Mella just leans further back, resisting the urge to make a childish, vulgar gesture. 

It's not easy to work out who is more disliked in this room- herself or this Serpent. 

"You have something to do with Lorvenice, don't you?" 

Mella stares back, unblinking. "I have no idea who you're referring to." 

"Stop pretending, assassin." 

"Enough," the woman in black and red says. "We shall all discuss this in a calm," she shoots Serpent a glare, "and mature manner." 

Enrias takes another paper from the scribe, Renault. "There may be a connection between the appearance of the prisoner, known as 'Iceshard', and the disappearance of our respected Leader of Geraldine, Lorvenice Rayne." 

"Rayne?" she asks. "Is that not the Archduchess' name?" 

"You will not speak unless spoken to," Serpent snaps.

Mella raises an eyebrow in reply. She really needs that vulgar gesture for that condescending bastard.

Enrias and the rest of the room, however, ignore her question. 

"Leader Thelevylan," Enrias intones. Though sharp, the name flows on his tongue. Thel-evi-lan. Evi stands. 

 "To the assembly of the Incognita, I confirm that the prisoner has left my house twice without my approval." 

Enrias looks at Mella. "Do you confess, Iceshard?" 

She glares at him. "Yes, whatever." 

"Confess," he repeats. His left eyelid twitches once. 

"Right, fine. I confess that I've been out of the house twice without Evi's approving." 

"And what have you been doing on those excursions?" the ugly one beside Evi demands. 

Mella gives him a withering glare. 

"That," she says, "is none of your concern." 

Serpent stands. "How is it none of our concern? We have a Leader missing." 

"Yes, but I have absolutely nothing to do with that." 

The corner of Serpent's lip stretches upward, just slightly. "So prove it. By telling us what you have been up to." 

Mella is trapped. She has been lured into a corner by this Serpent, and she fell for it. She surveys the room and takes in all the hostile expressions. 

Lie? 

"I was searching for a person," she answers. 

The room is quiet. The scribe puts his head down and scribbles and Enrias nods. 

"Continue." 

"This person is Keris Lydia. A Baron." 

"Why?" the black clad woman asks. 

"He has something of mine. It was taken from me, and I have tracked it down to him." 

She looks around the room, gauging their reactions. They believe her, because she is adhering to the golden rule of deception. Always have truth in lies.  

Enrias holds up his hand. "Does she speak truly?" 

A chorus of affirmatives. 

"What further action do any of you propose?"