Foundation of Smoke and Steel

Volume 2 Start Chapter 37

Chapter 37 Daniel

“Ethan,” Daniel said, his voice flat, his expression unreadable, “I know you think you’re funny, but you’re going to have to explain this one.”

He paused, just long enough to let the weight settle.

“First—why, exactly, would I need to seduce an imperial princess? And second—and more importantly—what makes you think I can seduce an imperial princess?”

Ethan didn’t miss a beat. If he still had a body, he would’ve shrugged with his whole spine.

he said.

Daniel rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Are you sure this isn’t a dream and you’re one of my frat buddies messing with me? Never mind. Don’t answer that.”

He exhaled sharply. “Ignore the seduction part for a second. Why would I even need to get close to the princess?”

Ethan’s tone shifted—still casual, but laced with something sharper.

Daniel nodded slowly. “Yeah. Not exactly the kind of thing you forget.”

Ethan said, around

Daniel’s eyes narrowed. “You think it was an inside job.”

Ethan said slowly,

Daniel ran a hand through his hair. “So we need her help.”

“And your plan to get her to help us,” Daniel said, voice rising slightly, “is for me to seduce her?”

Daniel stared at the ceiling. “What are we, protagonists in a scandalous romance drama?”

Ethan didn’t answer.

Daniel sighed. “Okay. Let’s pretend this isn’t completely insane. How exactly do you expect me to meet with an imperial princess? She’s not exactly on the local palace tour.”

Ethan’s scoff echoed in his mind. the

Daniel blinked. “You’re serious.”

Daniel rubbed his temples. “And how exactly do I do that without looking like I’m trying to infiltrate the imperial inner circle with ulterior motives? Because that definitely won’t backfire.”

Ethan was unhelpfully calm.

Daniel looked up again. “So that's it. That’s your plan?”

“‘Seduce the imperial princess and charm the secrets out of her.’ No backup? No contingencies? Just wing it and hope she falls into our lap?”

Daniel snorted. “That’s a really stupid plan.”

Ethan said,

Daniel was quiet for a moment.

Then he muttered, “So go to the capital, find the imperial princess, and somehow earn her trust—possibly through charm, political finesse, or god forbid, actual romance—while making sure I don’t get assassinated in the process.”

Daniel let out a long, slow breath.

“Fantastic. I’m starting to see why you died in your last life.”