Snippet #2816223

Dvořák shrugged, the motion rippling across his broad shoulders. "I've learned never to forget a face, especially not one of a foreign head of state." It was one of only a few things he'd ever learned from the old woman and put to practice. "But it begs the question ... Why is Shimizu still on the throne? And I have to ask... who did you tell him you were?" Dvořák glanced at Minamino with curiosity. "Some princely cousin or something?"

"Your highness," said Þorgerður, as recovered as she was going to be, clearing her throat. "I'm assuming that you personally have an interest in this case that your minister mentioned. May I ask why? Was this person a Taiyou citizen, or..." She looked at Dvořák. "Oh."

"A relative or a friend," Dvořák said, leaning forward and folding his hands together. "My money's on 'relative.' Refused to reveal her identity, he said. So. Could have been a spy, could have been a friend, but, my guess is, family. It's personal, and you came all the way here, before doing anything else that could potentially be on the bucket list of a ruler-thought-dead-back-from-dead." He looked at Nobuo, his gaze intent but overall quite neutral. "Am I right?"

"Can I get Minister Minamino something to drink? Can I help you up?" Þorgerður stood and reached toward Shuichi.