It's only when the King of Ariant contacts her again about the theft of his stupid treasures does she actually realise she doesn't only not like the man, she in fact loathes him.
"Doesn't he have anything better to do?" Aria looks across the table at Elena as she tears the toast bread into pieces. She dips a piece in her broth as Elena speaks.
"Phantom made away with the Rose Jewel, one of his most prized possessions."
"I don't know, Phantom seems kind of cool. I like him already." Aria shoves the bread into her mouth and dusts her fingers carefully over her plate.
"He's a thief through and through, Empress." Elena reminds her caustically.
"I'll like to meet him one day, actually." Aria dips another bit of bread into her broth.
"Your Highness -"
"I wish to speak with him, perhaps. Get to know him better."
"He's nothing more than a thief. A very skilled thief, regardless. But a thief."
"Maybe we can even talk over tea, like this." Aria grins. Elena is annoyed and Aria knows it.
Elena grunts. "Let us talk about other matters, then. The King of El Nath has requested an audience next week. It's about his land."
"I'll meet him." Aria nods. At least he's not the King of Ariant.
As Elena blabbers on about Aria's schedule for the week, Aria can't help but wonder how she can actually meet Phantom. The thought of tea and lunching with him briefly crosses her mind before she pushes it away. He's still a thief, after all, going after Maple World's most valuable treasures. She sighs softly as she leans back in her chair, and her eyes catch on the necklace she wears, on the gleaming blue and purple gem decorated with gold filigree. And suddenly, she has an idea...
"Gaston, tell me. What is this 'Skaia' I've been hearing so much of lately?" Phantom, sprawled on the sofa like a lazy cat, looks across to where Gaston is dusting the mantelpiece. He flips idly through the book on his lap.
"The Skaia is a treasure of Ereve, sir."
"Ereve?" Phantom raises an eyebrow and scoffs. "There's nothing there but trees and grass."
"There's the Skaia, now. It's the country's most precious treasure, passed down from Empress to Empress."
"'Now'? And why haven't we heard about this treasure of theirs before?" Phantom sits up slightly and pushes the book off.
"They've probably been keeping it secret, for fear -" Gaston trails off.
"For fear what?"
"That you'll steal it, Master Phantom. Your skills are legendary."
Phantom sits up slightly. "Treasure, eh? Gaston, help me find out more about this...Skaia. If this treasure is as valuable as they claim, then this will be my greatest achievement yet."
The letter arrives on Aria's balcony several evenings later, sealed in a plain white envelope embossed with gold trimmings, a motif of a mask on it.
Aria swallows as she nears the mysterious letter, unaware of how it could have gotten there, or who could have sent it. She has a clue, of course, when she picks it up and smells the slight scent of roses and studies the mask motif.
She's almost running back into her room to her dresser, yanking out the drawer so fast it nearly comes right off. She reaches for the card Phantom had given the King of Ariant, and holds them side by side.
The same silhouette of a mask in gold. The motifs match, and Aria lets out an involuntary gasp. With trembling fingers she picks up her letter opener from her desk and slices the envelope, careful to avoid damaging its contents.
She retrieves a plain letter, and at first glance sees that it's from fine stock, with cursive penmanship. Her eyes widen as she reads it.
Dear Empress Aria,
It has come to my knowledge of your possession of an extremely valuable treasure known as the 'Skaia'. This letter is a notice to inform you that it will be in my possession soon.
Sincerest regards,
Master Thief Phantom
Her plan had worked. She folds the letter and shoves it back into its envelope. She feels guilty as she hides the letter at the far back of the drawer in her dresser. No, she wrings her hands as she paces about. She has every right to be guilty, for she had just lured Phantom the Master Thief to Ereve.