It was common knowledge, of course, that the Duke of the Fortress of Meropide rarely had the luxury of leaving the prison.

Which meant he was often out of touch with the shifting pulse of the city of Fontaine, despite his best efforts to stay.

But then there was you. A sharp-eyed reporter from The Steambird, and a close friend of Neuvillette, you were always well-versed in the city's happenings—down to the nitty-gritty details.

With how often he invited you for tea it almost felt like he was courting you.

At least, that’s what little Miss Sigewinne insisted.

Wriothesley shook his head and took a slow sip of his tea, the steam curling around his face as he listened to your animated retelling of the trial.

“Wait, wait, wait,” he said, raising a brow. “You’re telling me the Oratrice still declared the Harbinger guilty despite the real murderer being caught?”

You nodded frantically, eyes wide with disbelief.

His tea cup paused midair. “And then he almost started a fight?”