Chapter Text
“I have an errand for you.”
“Oh?”
Obi sat up from the space where he’d been lounging against a chaise tucked in the corner. Across the room, Haki was seated at a desk, writing a letter to some noble that Obi was certain he’d have to fetch at some point. Honestly, this particular arrangement was far better than his last job anyway - good food, warm bed, money he earned . He could see why honest employment was a siren’s call for some of his ex-peers.
But, even still… it had the unfortunate side effect of being a bit boring . Every now and again, Obi found himself wanting a bit more adventure than chasing down nobles who thought it wise to slight the queen. He shifted his weight, feeling his body eager for a mission with substance, as his eyes drifting curiously over the queen’s form. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he waited for an explanation. But, Haki simply glanced up from her spot at her desk, not looking towards him, but still gazing out the window. There was a weighted silence and she pressed her lips together, letting thoughts root in her mind before ripping them free.
“It’s a bit more complicated than my usual errands.”
“ Oh? ” Now he was very interested.
Even though errands were usually fun things she gifted him with when he’d been especially well-behaved - complicated requests certainly piqued his interest. Haki was learning (or perhaps she already knew) how to think just like her husband. She knew how to pull invisible strings to make the world turn in a way that suited her goals. And, while Haki didn’t command her presence the same way that Izana had, she was no less imposing when it came to certain situations. She was simply imposing in her own way, and Obi found - more often than not - that he liked his job being her errand boy. She could control a room with open ears and subtle shifts, not unlike her husband, but with a bit more grace and tact.
“Here.” A single sheet of paper with instructions printed on it dangled from her outstretched hand. “A horse will be prepared for you just before dawn. Take care in riding, and use little-traveled routes as much as you can. I’d like to keep your charge safe and comfortable - as much as possible.”
The inflection in her voice did not go unnoticed.
Obi finally slid his form off the chaise and took the paper, reading its instructions carefully. “Tanbarun?”
“Mm.” Haki brushed the underside of her chin with the back of her hand, her stare saying the rest of the mission that was not printed in her neat handwriting. “I’ve received a report of a young woman on the run from a band of pirates.”
“A charity case, Your Highness?” Obi cocked his head to the side and folded the paper and handed it back to Haki, his lips twitching. He could already feel the strings she was pulling tighten and spin. Exactly what did she have in mind? And what did some tart from Tanbarun have to do with it? “That is very unlike you.”
“Certainly not a charity case, Obi.” Her lips pulled to the side in a delicate smile, a soft movement that betrayed her own power behind bright eyes, golden hair and smooth skin. “Think of it like an… investment . She’s one of the most talented physicians of Tanbarun and having her as an asset to the kingdom would be beneficial.”
“Ah, so not a charity case…” Obi grinned and leaned back on his heels, watching Haki as she set the paper on fire and dropped it into a pewter bowl. “A kidnapping?” He hadn’t taken part in a kidnapping since his previous employment, and he honestly didn’t think Izana and Haki were the kind of rulers who would partake in anything like that. But, he’d been wrong about people before, and the scar on his chest simply proved his own mistakes.
“Absolutely not.” Haki at least had the decency to look offended. “This is far more delicate than that… this is…” She paused, her mind searching for the right way to describe the mission. Finally she met his stare, he pale blue eyes almost sparkling . “... persuasion. ”
The low pur in the back of Hai’s throat spoke volumes . Obi lifted an eyebrow, wanting to be sure that he was interpreting Haki right. “ Persuasion? Such as…”
“Shirayuki has been invited to the palace to be under the protection and watchful eye of Clarines while Tanbarun settles this unfortunate matter with the pirates. To make her stay a bit more normal, she will be getting additional training and education from our pharmacy inside the palace.” Haki paused, a twitch in her smile the only indication that something was amiss. “However, she requested that her stay be limited to just a few months.” Haki blew out a soft breath of air and shook her head in a way unbefitting of a queen. “Pirates or not, she is determined to return to her home country. And with a mind as brilliant as hers, I’d rather we keep her as long as we can.”
A brilliant mind? Haki didn’t offer compliments so lightly. Now this was all making sense. “And where does this persuasion mission fall?” Obi cocked his head to the side, staring at her, waiting for clarification. He already knew what he was being asked to do, he just wanted to hear it from Haki’s mouth.
“Oh, Obi, dear -”
Obi smirked. She only called him that when she was being particularly cheeky.
“-I think you can come up with a few thoughts of your own.”
He snorted and stared at her from beneath the shadows on his thick lashes. Ah. That’s what this was about. Well, that was… effective, if nothing else. “So my job is to… seduce her?”
“Seduce her makes it sound so base , and you’re far more talented than simply waving your cock around like a common whore.” Haki waved him off. “As much as you put on the mask of a playful knight, I know better. Your talents lie in a hundred different touches and stares and unsaid moments that get wives of nobles to spill secrets they should have never known in the first place. Use that , Obi. Entice her. Give her a reason to stay longer than a few months.” Haki offered a thin smile, humor crinkling the corners of her eyes. “And if things travel to the bedroom, then don’t leave her dissatisfied.”
He’d never been accused of that . He could say that much at least.
“It takes a fortnight to travel where she is staying in Tanbarun.” Haki’s words turned more transactional, and she turned back to her letters. “The prince there knows that you are coming to protect her - much to his chagrin.”
“You think it’s wise to upset a crown prince of our closest ally?” Obi lifted an eyebrow.
“Oh, he knows when to push back.” Haki glanced up at Obi, her smile reappearing. “And by dearest brother-in-law may or may not have some fascinating knowledge of Prince Raj that we’re able to utilize in our acquisition of Shirayuki.”
Obi smirked. What a clever queen. He gave a short bow and started for the door. “ Ah . Well, then… if it’s all settled then, I will ready my things for tomorrow.”
“Pack lightly, Obi. You might not need all your clothes.”
Obi offered her a rude gesture before disappearing from the queen’s study. He stood in the hallway and felt something strange turn over in his chest, a strange curious flip of his heart. He had been sent on countless mission before. With his previous employers he had been trained to lie, and steal, and kill. With Haki he was used for spying and strong-arming, and the occasional game of ‘fetch the royal’. But seduction? Obi wasn’t sure.
He ran his thumb along his jaw, feeling a scar there. His thoughts were a storm, and it took every ounce of his control to calm them. He had to look at this on a more positive note - he got to travel, and at the very least, it could be fun.