Effie glared at her silently, as if wanting to say:
«Princess! Take a hint!»
What was the hint Nephis was supposed to take, Sunny did not know.
The huntress took a deep breath.
«Well, anyway, that guy seems to be hiding a lot. Unlike Master Sunless, who is like an open book. An honest and sincere man like Master Sunless doesn't need to hide behind a mask… not to mention that hiding that face behind a mask would be a crime…»
She seemed to get distracted for a moment, and then laughed.
«In any case, it seems that we are going to be arriving soon. Shall we change the topic?« Nephis shrugged, seemingly confused by the whole conversation.
«You're the one who asked.»
Effie smiled, then looked at Sunny apologetically.
«Oh, by the way… have you heard the news about the House of Night?»
It seemed that she really didn't want to talk about the Lord of Shadows anymore.
Sunny, who had been excited before, was now unsure how he felt about it. It was nice to hear Nephis praise him… but also made him angry, for some reason? What was going on with him today?
He spaced out for a few moments, listening to Nephis and Effie, with one ear.
«…Have they conquered another Citadel?»
Effie nodded.
«Yes. It's the seventh one in two years — quite remarkable, actually.
Their leadership has been making one miracle happen after another recently. I guess the descent of the Dream Gates really lit a fire under them. The House of Night has never been that active, that daring, or that successful before.«
Nephis sighed.
«It still won't help them maintain their position. They are at too great a disadvantage without a Supreme. Not only in terms of raw power, but also in terms of relevance and population, both mundane and Awakened. I'm afraid that the House of Night is damned to lose its status.»
That was true…. but although the third Great Clan was now miles behind the other two, without any hope of catching up, it was still vitally important. Both because of the role its ships played in the waking world, and because of how they could break the balance of power in the upcoming war.
An alliance with the House of Night could very well be the linchpin of the entire clash between the two Domains. Not even due to their Saints, but because the Twilight Sea bordered both the Sword Domain and the Song Domain in the south.
Song and Valor were only clamoring to conquer Godgrave because the House of Night was stubbornly maintaining neutrality. If either of the Great Clans managed to lure the Nightwalkers to their side, they would be able to launch swift attacks into the enemy territory while bypassing the barrier of the Death Zones separating their territories.
Effie grimaced.
«At least they are trying… and by the look of it, the House of Night is dead set on staying away from both Valor and Song. Well, I can understand why. Even if they join the winning side, there will be no future for them but to be absorbed and assimilated after the whole mess is over.»
Sunny sighed quietly.
He wondered how Naeve was doing somewhere out there, in the Twilight Sea… the friendly Nightwalker must be having it hard, considering how swiftly the fortunes of his clan had changed.
Nephis, meanwhile, gave Effie a guarded look and then silently gestured to Sunny.
«You guys finally remembered that I'm not supposed to know anything about the war? Good for you!»
Effie blinked a couple of times, then shook her head.
«By the way, Master Sunless. Did you know that all the Legacy Clans are about to go to war?»
Nephis' eyes widened.
«Effie!»
The huntress smiled with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
«…A war for this beautiful, but dense princess right here! Now that she has shown interest in you, every Legacy Clan will probably scramble to get her hitched to one of their scions before it's too late The elders of Clan Valor might put pressure on her, too. So, that talk about safety I gave you?»
Effie grinned.
«Forget everything said! As a former soldier, you must know the value of a preemptive strike, so… aim well and get her pregnant as soon as possible! That will show them…»
The wine glass cracked in Nephis' hand.
Sunny did not move, but somewhere far away, the Lord of Shadows gracelessly fell off his throne.
…The ferry docked at the Castle, the silence broken only by the bright sound of Effie laughing uncontrollably.