"Arcane," Demetrius started gently. "My ambivalence towards S16I has never been hidden. Not from you, and certainly not from Command." Which was true. During almost every Assembly of the Royal Court, Demetrius and Command had a strong tendency to clash over many of S16I's doings. Although he had never truly known the extent of S16I's operations, those sorts of details had been stashed in iron-clad files of the highest security clearance in Evelon, he had a correct general understanding that the things they had done were evil and immoral. Demetrius had even called for their disbandment, but as much as he yearned for that he knew deep in his heart that that would never happen. S16I had far too many footholds now.
"Fine. You don't like S16I. I don't care." Arcane responded. "It's not about picking favorites right now. It's about keeping you alive at all costs."
"Arcane, my dear, if you are working yourself up so much over Caligula over some debt you feel that you owe me, I ask you that you please do not waste your time." Demetrius chuckled. "I fear not."
Arcane narrowed her eyes. Of course, there was a small part of this that was for the debt that she had owed him, despite whatever he thought. But there was also a part of Arcane, deep, deep down, that had a deep respect for Demetrius and what he stood for. And it would have been a shame for him to die.
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