Retrace bxbxb

Decisions

Worrying his lips with his teeth for the tenth time in the last few minutes, Harper made her way up to her master's quarters. The man was very tasteful with the design of his home and had the top floor of the building laid out perfectly for doing business. The windows were draped in bright reds and light browns that matched the red and gold trimmed carpet, and the halls had comfortable dark gold sitting chairs and tables for relaxing discussions. Sir Marksworth's bed chambers were also on the same floor, but those rooms were far off in the back and the hall leading to them was not vibrant and welcoming like the rest of the floor. 

Rubbing at his sore lips with the back of his hand, Harper took a deep breath outside of one of the meeting rooms, then rapped on the door twice. "Come in, lass!" His master called from behind the heavy mahogany door. 

After one more moment of mental preparation, Harper pushed the door open, then turned and quietly slid it shut before walking over to the seat his master always left for him. He calmly sat down, a forced smile on his face as he folded his hands in his lap and kept his eyes on the beautifully carved table before him. The other two lords were present as well, one on either side of his master. He had caught them watching him as he entered and didn't notice any hostility or surprise, so he was truly at a loss as to why he had been called to this meeting. 

"Good afternoon, little Hari. How was your trip with my good friends?" 

Harper knew what answer he had to give. Even if it was a complete lie. "I had quite a pleasant time, my lord. I graciously thank them for allowing me to join them." 

There was silence for a few short moments, drawing his eyes up to glance at each lord before quickly dropping his gaze back to the table. He hadn't noticed any odd looks, but then there was a round of hearty laughter from all three men, making Harper jerk his eyes back up in confusion. 

"M-my lords?" He asked, unsure what was so funny about the situation. 

When the men finally quieted, Rule was wearing a devilish grin while leaning forward on the table in a most ungentlemanly manner. "Little Hari, you truly believe that we would lie and tell your master, our dear and oldest friend, that we weren't anything but cads to you on our trip? He gave us a good tongue lashing for it, but we aren't ones to speak untruths." 

Harper raised his eyebrows, getting another round of laughter from them before his master raised his hand, silencing the room. "Alright, we've all had our fun. I called you here today to speak to you about something important." He said. 

Harper glanced at lord Rule and Arthur, then back to his master, curious as to why they were both present if the matter involved only him and his master. 

"Ah, you are wondering why they are here, too. Well, this meeting has something to do with them. Well, at least whichever you chose." 

Chose? 

Harper couldn't think of a time where he had been asked to pick between them... it hit him right after he stopped trying to remember. They had asked him about who he would rather spend time with on their way back from their outing. 

But what does that have to do with this meeting? Am I to accompany one of them on another outing in the coming days? 

He didn't really mind, as long as they didn't buy him anymore drinks, but if that was all it was, the lords could have simply asked him. He wouldn't have been able to decline. 

"I... have not chosen either?" He stated, still very much confused. 

Lord Marksworth's eyebrows rose in surprise, then he looked at both lords to his sides before bursting out into another fit of laughter.