"I know. No rush." Kiss.

They can snuggle until they get to Windvale.

When they ask for a two day stay in Shelling Point at a travel agency, the agency takes their identifications and says the travel visa should take only a few minutes to get approved.

"Really? A few minutes? That's kinda surprising."

"Travel visas to Shelling Point are rather perfunctory. Our organization has a direct line to both countries' tourism offices, too."

...That said, they're gone for at least twenty minutes while Terel and Sadde go over pamphlets of Shelling Point's events and attractions.

Twenty minutes is way less than the several hours visas can take on Earth, and definitely within Sadde's credibility interval for what was meant by "a few minutes."

Sadde might be able to tell that all the office staff here seem a bit nervous. And she probably hears the tromping of a lot of boots up stairs before Terel does.

Nothing to worry about?

...she wouldn't expect it to be, it's not like they've done anything, but she keeps an ear out nonetheless.

The boots get out on their floor. "No reason to think they're violent, but one is fair folk. Be careful."

Quick scan of the crowd—

"Er, I think there's some government guys after us," she murmurs to Terel.

"What would they- Call your lawyer."

The government guys take up positions by all the exits. Two, in intimidating uniforms, start to approach them.

She does.

She picks up immediately. "Hello, Sadde. Need me again already?"

"I might need you in a minute—it would appear there are people from the government interested in me and my mate for some reason—"

"Right, standing by. I would activate the recording function if your crystal has one."

"Right." If it does, she does it.

It does. 

"Terel Kaland and Sadde Woods? I am Captain Herold Dreys of the royal enforcers. I regret to inform you that you are under penalty by Royal order."

"What? Since when?"

Since Julep 27th. We're getting your IDs back and then you're coming with us."

"..Yes sir."

And during this, "Ask him what the reason listed is, and the order number! Go with them without arguing. You don't have to admit anything. They can't separate you or take your stuff if you reference declaration, um, 3367, unless you're acting hostile or it's a weapon. They can make you hang up. I'm arranging someone to come represent you."

"Might I inquire what the listed reason is, and the order number?" asks Sadde, who does not have the phone close to her ear—does not indicate she's using it at all. Superhearing and such.

The police guy gives a little sigh. Difficult customer. "Order number 19 of the year 9410. An attempt to avoid lawful taxation through schemes. I'm going to have to ask you to deactivate any active magical items that are not critical to your health."

She hangs up. "What schemes, and what taxation?"

"We can discuss that at the station."

Terel has apparently decided not to say anything. Lest he break down in panic or something.

"Okay," she says agreeably, and takes Terel's hand.

Terel grabs her hand and nods and stays quiet.

And so they get their identifications back, and they're read the local equivalent of the Miranda Rights and escorted into a very magical vehicle.

When they arrive at the station they are both led into the same room as that sales executive guy from Empire Imports and his lawyer. Sadde's lawyer is also waiting. Everyone ends up arranged on two sides of a long table, with a couple of officers watchful for escape. Nobody talks.

An important looking woman - highly decorated uniform, if nothing else - clears her throat. "Let's get this over with. Empire Imports colluding with Sadde Woods to get around tarrifs. We've been investigating you both for a while. A few days ago we got a Royal Order approving us to shut down this whole tax evasion scheme. I have several packets prepared for each of your legal teams. Terel Kaland, you're here because you're Sadde Woods' sponsor into the kingdom. So you're punishable if she evades her punishment. Nobody's leaving until we sort it out, one way or another. I'm interested in enforcing the spirit of the law. That's why Royal Orders exist, for situations like this when it's the spirit and not the letter being broken. We're not going to grill and pressure you like in cheap detective novels... But, again, nobody's leaving. Any questions before I give everyone twenty minutes to go over the accusation packets?"

Nope, no questions from these quarters.

(Spirit of the law? Bullshit.)

This guy is definitely not saying anything. Nope. Nope. He's not crying either.

"Alright, you can go over the packets now."

Sadde's lawyer takes it and demands a private room to consult with her clients. One is provided. Empire Imports' lawyer wants to talk privately to Sadde's lawyer. This is very definitely forbidden.

"Okay," the lawyer says, "They're probably listening to us but if they are can't use any of it in court. This is a clusterfuck. The wording on an obscure tariff ordinance changed about a week after your arrangement - not sure if that's a coincidence or an opportunity - and apparently nobody at Empire Imports noticed. Now, probationary citizens are only exempt from various tariffs if they are salaried by a company owned by a full citizen. You weren't salaried, and Empire Imports is owned by a Kavan. It would have been a whole lot of misdemeanors except for the Royal Order which lets them basically do whatever the hell they want."

"...what a delight. What do we have to actually do? Can we just pay the King back with some interest and call it quits? I'm not particularly attached to any of my money, it's just a means to an end."