CHAPTER FIVE
Thirty minutes after arrival in Japan, Simon watched in amusement as Jake and Robin began to get into an argument.
It started when Jake refused to get inside a portal to jump to the destination where they needed to go. Simon was used to this aspect of Jake, as the twenty-three-year-old often took any other modes of public transportation except magical ones. His aversion was a mystery, but no one contested it until he was actually going to be active on missions.
Like right now.
Naturally, Robin didn’t take it kindly. She took one laser-eyed look at Jake and boldly told him that the portal was needed for haste—something that wasn’t exactly true because the three-day travel they’d been given meant they could take their time. Jake called Robin out on it and told her that maybe they should stick to the traditional method of traveling, while Robin shot back that maybe Jake needed to calm down and actually be brave enough to try something new.
If there was one thing you shouldn’t do to a young wolf, it was insult their pride.
Thankfully, the argument didn’t escalate as both parties chose to settle down into some kind of weird animosity, with Simon right in between. Amusement turned to exasperation as they refused to speak to each other, but he wasn’t necessarily fazed. This was a test in itself if Jake could hold out and still be professional, as was needed in missions despite not getting along with their partners.
They got to Nagasaki in no time via a portal, then the public train. They then decided to use the remaining time to iron out the cover that Dylan provided for them—an invitation to a local village’s grand ball, held for that place’s ruler who was having his fifty-second birthday. The ruler’s son, Jin Hiroshi, was the one they needed to check over, so they discussed their options before finally deciding the following: that Robin needed to play a royal figure, Simon her bodyguard, and Jake the watch from afar.
A few days later, Simon found himself standing in what had to be the grandest party he’d ever attended in his life. The little town wasn’t as little as they thought, and the ruler’s old-style Japanese mansion could pretty much give Buckingham Palace a run for its money. Everything was decorated in subtle gold and grand lights, and Simon was glad he decided for the tuxedo he was wearing, as it seemed everyone ditched their traditional clothing for more formal, modern ones.
“I’m here,” Robin whispered in his earpiece—a magical one that she enhanced for the three of them, to make it invisible and reach wider ranges. “Where are you?”
“Entrance,” Simon murmured, taking a sip of champagne. “Hurry up. The bodyguard can’t be without his charge.”
“I’m coming,” she muttered.
Robin hadn’t brought a dress with her and had gone on to shop for one, insisting that Simon and Jake go first. She wasn’t late, exactly, but Simon really needed her as soon as possible.
There were many new guests streaming in slowly through the double doors, and Simon watched out for her. Flashes of red and yellow caught his eyes, as it was the general color of this particular ruler.
Then came a flash of blue—royal blue, to be exact. Simon looked up.
The last time he’d seen Robin in a dress was when they were doing their first covert mission in Brazil for a panther clan, and he’d been blown away then.
He realized it was nothing compared to now.
Robin walked in slower than the rest, allowing him time to observe her. She was the only one wearing a blue dress, one that hugged her curves in a heart-shaped corset before flaring at the bottom. Her hair was braided lightly, with tendrils curling down her ears and a pair of diamonds winking at her ears. She didn’t change a damn thing on her face, but she did put on something that made her lips extra glossy and her green eyes smoky and greener than ever.
Just like before, the world stopped.
Simon felt a jolt in his stomach—one that shocked him and turned into heat quickly before he banked it down. She was beautiful, yes—but he was reacting to her cover and not the actual Robin, and he’d better stop before she socked him in the jaw. Simon waited for her to finally meet his eyes. They widened when they did, and he felt his pride swell as he smirked and approached her.
“You clean up good,” he murmured, giving her another once-over and appreciating what he was seeing.
Her eyes narrowed. “You, too. Now act all respectful to your charge.”
A scoff came to their ears, and both pretended they didn’t hear Jake. Instead, Robin lifted her chin and walked ahead, with Jake close behind her as they navigated the party area as casually as they could. While they did that, Jake spoke into the earpiece every now and then, giving them an update of what he could see from his spot. Simon was aware he was situated in one of the trees somewhere near the entrance. Then he finally announced what they’d been waiting for.
“The boy’s here.”
“Got it,” Simon replied.
“I’ll check out the last few arrivals, then scope the area out.”
Then Jake was gone, and Simon and Robin—along with everyone else—watched the double doors as Jin Hiroshi made his grand entrance.
He was wearing a tuxedo like everyone else, and he looked particularly regal in it. Research indicated he was half-Japanese and half-French, but the Japanese roots were pretty strong on his almond-shaped eyes and strong jawline. He was tall, but not taller than Simon. Simon watched him covertly as the man smiled serenely at the welcome given to him. He then announced that his father would be here soon.
“Let me do the talking,” Robin murmured. Simon nodded.
To his surprise, Robin didn’t approach the man. Instead, she made rounds around the room, her whole persona changing from the Robin he knew to a more cheerful and poised one as she engaged in conversation with other invited royalties. Simon waited for some free time where no one could overhear before stepping forward to tell her to go approach the man now—but a male voice interrupted her before he could say anything.
“I don’t believe you’re wearing the official colors.”
Robin turned around at the fluent English. So did Simon. Jin stood in front of her, eyeing her with a curious gleam in his black eyes. He glanced at Simon once before dismissing him as nobody and turning his focus back to her.
In response, Robin’s cheeks heated. Then she fluttered her lashes and affected a polite and sheepish smile.
“I’m sorry, your highness. I’m afraid my secretary missed the memo, and I was told the official color was blue.” She sighed softly, the tone melodious and sweet. “If I had known…”
It worked. Jin’s curious stare turned to one of appreciation, and she fluttered her lashes again.
“Don’t be sorry. You stood out. And you look beautiful.”
Robin accepted the compliment like she was used to it. She boldly held out her hand, and Jin stared at it for a few seconds before finally taking it and lowering his head to kiss it. She smiled sweetly.
“May I know who you are?”
She curtsied. “I’m Princess Ana Lisbeth.” She then began to name out a royal family from a remote area in Russia. “But I went to America for the last few years, and I’m afraid my accent isn’t very accurate. I came to wish your father a happy birthday. I have to admit…I’m very curious about him as I’ve heard he’s a great man.” Simon inwardly snorted, because her Russian accent was flawless.
Jin glanced at Simon one more time, then turned to her. “Would you like a tour of the place while my father isn’t here yet?”
Her eyes warmed. “Of course. I would love that.” She glanced at Simon without really looking at him. “Stay here,” she clipped out in a dismissive tone.
Jin took her arm and directed her slightly to the left. Both of them did not give a backward glance towards Simon, and Simon watched as the two lowered their heads and murmured to each other. It was obvious the ruler’s son was taken by her charms, and that was the leeway they needed to gain a welcome entrance here.
So why was he bothered?
Trying to get it out of his mind, Simon looked in their direction one more time until they disappeared. Robin could take care of herself, so he had nothing to worry about in that department. He decided to check on Jake instead.
“Anything new, Jake?”
There was silence on the other line.
He tried again, but no response came.
With a sigh, Simon stayed where he was and waited for things to fall into place.