47 When the pot meets the kettle

"Say, do you believe in chance encounters?" Asked a man while holding a cup of tea.

"I believe in them, but not to the point of faith." Isaac also held a cup of tea as he spoke calmly.

"Huh, then I guess this is one of the few instances that chance encounters are great, wouldn't you say so?" The man sitting at the same table as Isaac smiled softly. "My friend?"

Sip*

Isaac slowly sipped his cup of tea gently, savoring the taste before putting down his cup.

His deep-amber eyes then looked at the person in front of him. "I'm honored to be addressed as a friend by you, really."

"There's no need for any formalities." The man shook his head with a smile. "We're both connoisseurs here, so c'mon, be casual with me here!"

"Hah..." Isaac lightly smirked at the man's words. He then subconsciously sighed softly. "Whatever you say..."

'Man, just how lucky am I to encounter this guy?' Isaac scoffed lightly.

'How absurd of a coincidence.'

* * *

A few hours earlier.

Inside the underwater prison known as the Fortress of Meropide, countless outcasts of society are left here as a form of punishment. In short, a prison.

To the people of Fontaine, the Fortress of Meropide is an inescapable stronghold, and those who try to leave unauthorized would have to face the warden's iron fists. Literally.

"Your grace, are you sure you want to look into this yourself?" Asked a man wearing a gray uniform.

"It's quite alright," Sitting behind the desk, a menacing-looking man spoke. However, contrary to his appearance, he had a gentle calm, and collected expression. "It's an invitation from a friend, so how could I refuse?"

The man had tufted black hair with grey streaks, pale grey eyes, and pale skin, with a scar beneath his right eye.

This man was none other than Wriothesley, the Warden of the Fortress of Meropide. However, the majority of the inmates refer to him as 'Your Grace' due to his 'Duke' title that was given to him by the Palais Mermonia.

After saying this, the man started to get off his chair. He then took his coat from a rack nearby and put it on.

"Going out?" Suddenly, a voice asked from not too far away. "Have you had breakfast yet?"

"I already did, Sigewinne." The man named Wriothesley smiled gently as he looked back.

Sigewinne, a Melusine with the appearance of a human, nodded her head lightly. "Good, you can't get anywhere on an empty stomach, after all."

"Yeah, thank you for the reminder." Wriothesley smiled before turning around and leaving with another person who reported to him.

As the two of them walked down the hall, Wriothesley suddenly thought go something and decided to ask, "Oh right, have there been any news about that thief that stole Lady Furina's painting yet?"

"None at all, your grace." The assistant said with a clear voice. "Though, it is suspected that the Masked Clown appeared in Poisson. But because of Spina Di Rosula, we can't get any accurate information."

"I see," Shaking his head, Wriothesley sighed. "Well, let's just leave it at that. I'm sure my friend— who is a Hunter— can sniff that clown out soon."

"Are you referring to Miss Clorinde, your grace?" The assistant asked curiously.

"Yes," Wriothesley nodded with a smile. "And it just so happens that she is also the one inviting me to go to the Court of Fontaine right now."

"So maybe I'd get to ask if she had made any progress about that Clown case yet," Wriothesley said as both of them walked down the hall.

"If not... Then it won't hurt to lend in a hand."

* * *

The Court of Fontaine.

Departing from an Aquabus, Wriothesley, along with his two aides, looked around.

"Let's go." Wasting no time, Wriothesley solemnly took the lead and started walking.

Their destination was the Palais Mermonia to not only give some following notes to the Iudex Neuvillette but also to meet Clorinde.

Although Wriothesley seldom leaves the Fortress of Meropide, he is able to easily navigate through the city without any problems.

"Ah, would you look at that?" Wriothesley smiled as he looked up at the sky. "Not a single spot of cloud in the sky. It's great weather, don't you think so?"

"The Hydro Dragon in Fontaine must be in a good mood right now." One of Wriothesley's aides joked.

"Come on, you too?" Wriothesley smiled wryly at his aide. "Sugewinne wholeheartedly believes that tale, and I thought only kids believe in that."

"Forgive me, Your grace." The aide quickly apologized. However, he quickly followed up with a question, "Does your grade not believe in that tale?"

Hearing this, Wriothesley's flaccid smile broke into a light smile. He then shook his head as if remembering something. "Not necessarily."

"Alright, men. Follow along." Quickly changing the subject, Wriothesley waved his hand.

"Yes!" The two aides said in unison as they both followed their warden.

"Seriously..." Looking at the Palais Mermonia that was in the distance, Wriothesley mumbled to himself.

The face of Fontaine's Iudex, Neuvillette, soon appeared in his mind.

Truth be told, Wriothesley has some suspicion about Neuvillette's potential true identity. However, he doesn't dare to openly say it or investigate it.

Some things are better off not said, after all.

Taking his eyes off the distance, Wriothesley was just about to move to the elevator to the Palais when he suddenly caught something in the corner of his eye.

It was a café.

"Now that I think about it..." Remembering something, Wriothesley crossed his arms. "I still haven't had my brunch tea..."

He was the respected Warden and Administrator of the Fortress of Meropide, yes, but he was also an avid enjoyer of tea.

"Hold on, let's take a quick stop." He waved back at his aides as he walked over to the cafe.

"By your will, your grace." The two aides said at the same time before following behind him.

Soon, the three of them reached the cafe's doors. Wriothesley extended his hand and opened it.

Ding~*

When Wriothesley entered the cafe, he expected that it would be quite crowded as the establishment was situated in the capital of the nation.

Contrary to his expectations, however, not only were there few customers, but the atmosphere was also tranquil.

'Not bad.' Wriothesley made a mental note as he looked around.

Just then, he caught sight of four people on a table. It was two adults and two children.

"No, no, caffeine is not allowed for you." A man with brown hair and deep-amber eyes said to a little girl. "You're still too young."

"Hehe, how about just giving her one cup? Surely it wouldn't destroy your humble cafe?" A woman with pink hair said with an amused smile as she held a cup of tea.

"She's right, Mister Isaac!" A little girl wearing red said. "I won't go overboard— I proooomiseee!"

"...what are your thoughts, Nahida?" The man, who was wearing a barista uniform, turned to another child.

"I think finding out through trial and error would be the best solution." A little girl with white hair said before giggling.

"...Not helping..." The man wearing the barista uniform sighed and mumbled under his breath. "...But suggestion noted."

Suddenly, the man noticed Wriothesley enter the cafe and, for a fraction of a second, it was as if a glint shined in his deep-amber eyes.

'The tea addict!' Isaac mentally pointed at Wriothesley.

"Welcome." Leaving the table where the three ladies were, Isaac went behind the counter and greeted Wriothesley. "What can I get for you?"

Wriothesley, who observed their interaction, smiled. He then looked at Isaac in the eye, "Do you serve tea here?"

"Why, of course," If Isaac had his glasses right now, he would have surely adjusted them. "We've got Green Tea, Lemon Tea, Mint Tea, Earl Gray Tea, Black Tea, and Chamomile Tea. What do you prefer?"

"Oh? Quite a wide variety." Hearing all the tea available, Wriothesley crossed his arms as he looked at Isaac with interest. "Well then, what do you recommend?"

"Earl Gray," Isaac said without hesitation. Without waiting for Wriothesley to respond, he explained, "Its bergamot-infused aroma and distinct flavor might just be the perfect interlude after breakfast but before lunch."

Wriothesley actually liked Isaac's suggestion and wanted him to explain why, but the latter already went ahead of himself.

Hearing Isaac's explanation, a small smile started to form on Wriothesley's face. "A perfect explanation. Only a true connoisseur can define such words."

"Thank you," Isaac smiled softly. "Would that be one order then?"

"Yes, please." Wriothesley nodded gently as he continued to look at Isaac with a smile.

"No problem." Isaac nodded his head before heading into the kitchen and brewing the Earl Gray tea.

It didn't take long for Isaac to return with his cup of coffee. Soon, he came back carrying a small porcelain plate.

"Enjoy," Isaac said as he handed the cup to him. On the side, he also brewed himself a cup.

Wriothesley held the cup of tea, observed it for a few moments, and cradled it, before smelling it. After doing all this, he took a sip.

Tasting the distinct taste of the brew, a warm smile couldn't help but form on Wriothesley's face. "Now that's some good tea."

"I'm honored," Isaac sighed softly as he decided to be straightforward. However, he still decided to be a bit vague.

"Oh? So you know me?" Wriothesley, who was enjoying his tea, instantly understood Isaac's words.

"I've read some newspapers," Isaac nonchalantly shrugged lightly, not explaining further.

"And despite that, you still treat me as a normal customer..." Wriothesley smiled as he put down his cup.

"In here, I treat all my customers equally," Isaac said while quietly moving his eye to the three ladies at a certain table.

"Haha, is that so?" Wriothesley chuckled lightly. "Your principles remind me of my place."

After saying this, he drank his tea fully. After finishing his cup, he took out some money and looked at Isaac, "The tea was great."

"Thank you," Isaac replied with a smile as he collected the cup and Mora that were given to him. "If your grace wishes to, my cafe's doors always open... Aside Sunday."

"I'd keep that in mind," Wriothesley said before standing up. He then walked towards the door.

But not before raising his hand and declaring without looking back, "I'll be back later."

"Alright." Isaac sighed lightly after saying this. Not loud enough for Wriothesley to hear, of course.

Ding~*

Soon, one of the most important people in Fontaine left Isaac's humble cafe. To others, this might have been a blessing. This was the same for Isaac, as he had been keeping his true emotions secret the whole time.

'Finally...' Sitting down and picking up his cup of tea, Isaac smiled. 'With this... I'm now acquainted with another major character.'

Isaac felt like he had won the lottery.

Taking a sip of his tea, he smiled gently. 'I see this as an absolute win.'

He then looked over to the lady's table to see what they were up to. He then noticed something off. "Hm?"

'Why is Miko smiling mischievously... And Nahida...' He looked at the little cabbage she adored. 'Why does she look guilty?'

He then noticed it.

Klee wasn't on the table.

Immediately, a bad feeling crept up behind Isaac. 'Where... Did the terrorist go?'

He then turned around and fiscally caught the sight of the said pyromaniac.

She was in the kitchen.

She sneaked in.

She got her hands on a cup of coffee.

Seeing this scene, Isaac's mind went numb for a few seconds before his body pulsed intensely. 'Nooo!'

It was just another day in Isaac's cafe.