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The crown prince sighed and sank into his seat, slinging an arm across his eyes in an appropriately dramatic pose "You are as thick headed as a rock"

Severin returned his attention to his papers

Lucien lowered his ar knife out of his belt He stabbed it into the table and started carving out shavings, occasionally glancing at Severin "One of encer from Arcainia," he said

Severin set his papers down "What"

Lucien’s handsoer Forty Five was conducting a survey of Lord Le Masile’s lands--Father suspects he’s cheating on his taxes While Ranger Forty Five was there he intercepted an Arcainia agent"

"Where are you holding the spy?"

"Nowhere Ranger Forty Five intercepted him, he didn’t catch him He crossed paths with the spy soht the fellow looked too couise--and rifled through the spy’s belongings when he had the chance He found codedhe could understand The Arcainia spy realized Ranger Forty Five was on to hier Forty Five is an intelligencer, not a Ranger combat operative Pursuit is beyond his abilities"

"I see," Severin said

"So noe have a reason for invading Arcainia," Lucien said

"No, we do not Neighboring countries all spy on one another, it is not anything worthto war for"

Lucien folded his arms across his chest "Who cares, it’s a sht be small, but the country’s princes botherAll of them are obsessed with their passions, and they’re about as interesting to talk to as dead mice"

"No, they remind me of myself," Severin said "Which does not sit ith ht"

"And yet their agent outmaneuvered ours"

"That is hardly a reflection on their shared coer Forty Five did not coe was coded, but the spy had maps with hi al"

"Yes, but in this case theThey were all of Noyers, the palace, and the land around Chanceux Chateau," Lucien said

"Noyers and the palace are not unexpected, but er Forty Five swears he saw at least twoits location"

Severin rubbed his whiskers "We need ht froation you have him on and send him to Arcainia He’s the best we have at castle infiltration"