Red Means I love you

Chances were not low (3)

Fredo sipped his tea while feeling cold sweat dripping from his nape. 

  It wasn't like his never been in an uncomfortable situation before. But unlike those times where he was at least was treated as a noble, even if it was for false formality. Here, he was treated as if he was a criminal under interrogation for a Lèse-majesté--

"So, mister...?" 

The scary old human in front of him asked 'politely', tilting his head to the side a bit,

"Bob," Fredo replied, similarly using the smile the old human was using. "And you are?"

  It didn't even took a second for the Human in front of him to seamless answer too, "Hilsman," says he. He then took something out of his pockets and offered it to Fredo, "Do you want some lemon candy? "

"...I would like to politely decline your offer, Mr. Hilsman"

  Fredo doesn't know if... that, was poisoned or not. And he wasn't eager to try and find out for himself if it was or not.

  "Alright then," The old human in front him put back the rest of the candy back to his pocket, but kept one within his hold. Fiddling it back and forth in between his fingers. "Now, can I ask you some questions?"

Can Fredo really decline?

No,

"Sure," Fredo answered,

But can this human stop him from lying?

Also no,

"Wonderful!" The old human in front of him claps the candy in between his hand, crushing it to crisp, "Don't worry, I will make sure to not take up too much of your time, Sir Bob"

"Happy to hear that,"

. 

.

.

  The questions themself on their own wasn't too personal; it was still within the lines of the norms and doesn't seem to be intrusive at all. Some of the questions even seemed to sound as if it was a simple curiosity of an old man wanting to know a youngsters travel and adventures. 

Even the structure of the questions was made to make sure the other party lower their guard considerably enough, making more critical info to probably spill out accidentally.

Fredo wasn't a stranger to this tactic.

Why? Because he also often use this to lower his own enemies guards.

"I still can't believe a young man like you is a seasoned adventurer!" The old Human in front of him laugh, Fredo also laugh along side him;

  "It's not that amazing sir, You are more great than I am. To open up an inn and immediately get this much attention is not a work that anyone can just do" Fredo commented, "It's almost a mystery why you have never tried opening up an inn sooner..."

It was all a lie,

Fredo knew the human was lying, and he knew that the human also know that he was probably also lying.

But they both can't make the first move, well, at least Fredo know he can't.

He doesn't know why this old human seemed to also be guarded, but Fredo himself was glad about that fact. 

It would be bad if this old man instigated a fight,

  In any normal circumstances, he could easily deal with the old man in a fight. Fredo was confident in that. But with the White star's involvement in the variable, he had to hold back. Maybe not entirely, but still a considerable amount.

After all, 

There's a possibility for a bird to listen in from the walls and rats to see them from the cracks.

"It's been a great chat Mr. Bob. I do hope we can meet up and talk to each other again"

"Yes,"

Fredo was also looking forward to it,

It was a bit of dancing in a middle of a tight rope with needles and stakes at the ready to skewer him if he were to fall, but hasn't his life had been like that for hundreds of years now?

"I would also love to hear more of you stories, Mr. Hilsman"

. . .

  Ron had no particular reason to use Hilsman's name as a cover, but that knight was getting on his nerves a bit lately with how bizarre he was acting around the young master. So maybe that had contributed a bit for the reason he had used his name...

Besides, he manage to dig up a bit because of it. So maybe Ron can forgive the knight a bit.

"Sir Ron?" 

The chef greeted Ron when he entered, Ron merely waved them off and let them continue on doing whatever they were doing.

  He was planning on getting back immediately after the regular check up. But after smelling the traces... maybe he should do some small digging first before he can return back home. He was sure even his young master would be delighted to hear about this little info.

. . .

  Fredo had turned back into a bird and flew off back to his castle after he was sure he was out of the old human's radar. He wasn't even sure how he had managed to get a sample of the old man's scent, but he did. And that was all that mattered.

"Solena? are you back yet?" 

Fredo took off the cloak that was covering his head and most part of his upper face, it wasn't the most comfortable garment to use, but does it's job in hiding his identity.

"You're back sir," 

  Fredo saw Solena peaking from around the corner, entering the room with sunken eyes. The task she was handling was perhaps a bit too much for her to handle alone-- Fredo did feel a bit guilty, but she was the only he trust to do it--

  "Yes, can you give this sample to the hounds?" Fredo took out a handkerchief from his breast pocket, inside was a few strands of grey hair. "I need them to track the owner of it and dig up as much info as they can"

Fredo could clearly see the blank stare of Solena, but he was thankful she didn't snapped or rejected his orders.

"...I will give it to them immediately sir,--"

It was obvious she was fearing about more work. Fredo can't help but chuckle-- "What are you laughing about?"

Solena was full on glaring him with those red eyes of hers now,

"Nothing dear..." Fredo nervously laughed, but Solena's dead eyes were still on him, even as she was leaving his office.

...He, He probably should raise her pay a bit huh? maybe also add some additional vacation dates for her...