The Royal Road was exactly how I remembered it: wide and immacutely kept. It was paved with golden-colored bricks that glowed iridescent in the sunlight—like glittering gemstones. At the far end, the castle rose out of the morning fog, ancient and majestic, as if it had stood since the beginning of time itself. No wonder this breathtaking view has been the backdrop for so many festivals and parades in the game.

  Normally, the road would be packed—vendors shouting, colorful cloth awnings spilling over the walkway. But today we were early. Only a handful of vendors were at their stalls, busy stacking baskets and arranging their wares. A few made eye contact with us, but they made no attempt to fg us down for a sale. We made it to the castle in good time.

  If it had looked grandiose from afar, the castle was even more amazing up close. I took a step back to take in the sight, while Damien was busy chatting with the guard at the gate in hushed whispers.

  It had been three days and two nights since my summoning. Considering the size of the kingdom, it was an impressive distance to cover in such a short period...

  Betedly, I wondered if Damien was more important than he looked.

  My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the guard ughing and spping Damien on the back. He sheepishly beckoned me over, signaling that we were cleared for entry.

  Damien took his leave with a modest bow. His face and neck seemed flushed, probably from having been in the sun for so long. He should have worn a hat, I mused.

  In his pce, a girl roughly my age, dressed smartly in a maid's uniform, came out to escort me. We walked along the vishly decorated—frankly gaudy—interior, passing maids bustling about their morning tasks. I couldn't help but notice how stony their expressions were. The atmosphere seemed... solemn.

  I felt compelled to ask.

  "Miss Frances. Out of curiosity... what is the test word about the hero party? Ever since I arrived here I've gotten this strange feeling..."

  Her expression hardened for a moment before settling back into a practiced service smile.

  "It's nothing suited for the refined ears of His Lordship's cherished guest, midy."

  "Just Cire. I insist."

  "Then, Miss Cire."

  I sighed.

  "Listen. I have an obligation to your master. But I find myself at a disadvantage—I've only been in the capital for one night, and I'm feeling terribly nervous that I'll slip up and say the wrong thing."

  Grabbing hold of both of her hands, I pleaded, "Any information would put my mind at ease and help me better serve your esteemed master. Anything at all. Please think of this like an extension of your duties."

  "Th-then..."

  She stopped suddenly and looked somewhere far behind me. After some consideration, I pulled her aside into a small alcove.

  In a hushed voice, she began to expin.

  "There's a terrible rumor going around, Miss Cire. I-I'm asking for your discretion, and to please forgive my impropriety for what I'm about to say..."

  She gulped. I gave her hands a reassuring squeeze. A thousand times I had comforted Lumiere this way.

  "It's said that the Saintess has lost the favor of the Goddess..."

  What.

  "...and it was His Lordship who inflicted it on her."

  WHAT.

  Before long, the maid resumed her task of leading me down the hallway; only she had increased our distance by a couple of paces—deliberately just out of arm's reach, as if I could start swinging at any moment.

  Fair. I was fuming.

  "I'm only reporting the rumor, base as it may be. Please don't hold it against this humble servant. And please don't report my indiscretion to His Lordship."

  She got jumpy as soon as she looked up and caught the glint in my eyes. I scoffed. I was not so indiscriminate. In fact, I was being downright reasonable.

  There was only one person I needed to murder.

  "His Lordship will see you now."

  After a minute or so, she emerged from the Hero's office and held the door open for me with a slight bow. I entered, scanning the premises for guardsmen. There were none. Good.

  That green-eyed bastard was sitting upright behind his desk, hands folded. He gestured to dismiss the maid, who bowed and took her leave. No weapons up his sleeve, from what I could observe. The corners of my mouth turned up.

  He had the gall to make eye contact, returning my smile. His crinkled eyes carried a flicker of regret, but I could not be fooled.

  "Miss Cire..."

  "Where are the others? Where's Lumiere?"

  Not only were there no guards, but the other members of the party were nowhere to be seen.

  "Busy. I sent everyone out on errands. Actually, I wanted to speak with you first. In confidence."

  He rose from his seat, and I quietly confirmed he had no weapons on his person either. He extended his hand.

  "It's... regrettable that we should meet again under these circumstances."

  My arms hung loosely at my sides, not sparing him a single courtesy. With ice in my voice, I moved straight to the point.

  "Are they true? The rumors, I mean."

  He startled, then retracted his hand to rub the back of his neck.

  "Depends on which version you've heard. I seem to hear a new one every day. Let's just say it's a mixed bag—truths, half-truths, and fabrications."

  He chuckled awkwardly. Really, though, I wasn't interested in what paltry excuse he would offer. I had already made up my mind.

  "Then, pray tell—which version would you choose to have me believe?"

  I heard him gulp. With caution in his voice, he responded.

  "...The Saintess has indeed lost her power. And I am indeed to bme."

  I inhaled sharply. Wasn't that the same as confessing to everything?

  He had never once broken eye contact with me. How shameless. How brazen.

  I grit my teeth.

  "I'm going to hurt you now."

  "And you would be well justified to. But Miss Cire. First I want you to promise me something."

  I scoffed. I didn't owe this scumbag a single thing. But I decided to humor the thought.

  "Promise that you'll listen to what I have to say afterwards."

  Rocher looked at me with eyes full of sincerity. For a moment, he seemed like the Hero he was purported to be.

  I nodded, slowly. His shoulders seemed to rex a bit.

  Sensing the pse in his guard, I faked a swing at his face. He flinched and threw his arms up to defend himself.

  Then I delivered a swift kick to his gonads. With every ounce of strength in my little body.

  I hoped I'd sent them straight to his stupid mouth.

  The door swung open to our most excellent moment.

  The Hero, keeled over the divan, groaning. Me, poised to execute nine generations of the royal bloodline.

  A familiar scent of lic filled the room. The sharp ctter of something dropping drew my attention towards the door.

  Lumiere stood frozen, mouth agape. She was fnked by a petite red-haired elf girl, expression indifferent, and a tall golden-eyed beast-woman, desperately trying not to ugh.

  I immediately forgot my surroundings and rushed to embrace Lumiere. It had been too long since we had st seen each other.

  "My poor baby. I've got you now. There, there."

  I brushed the hair at the back of her head; she squeezed me in return. To my surprise, she hadn't broken down as I had expected. Was this her strength? Instead she raised her voice.

  "Rocher. You said you would properly expin."

  From behind me, I heard the scum suck air through his teeth.

  "Well. Oof. You see, I was just in the middle of doing that."

  "Oh, were you now? Looked to me like our illustrious Hero had his ass handed to him by a little girl."

  The woman could no longer hold back her ughter; her feline ears twitched. The Rogue swaggered to the center of the room, still holding her stomach.

  The Hero had dragged himself onto the divan, wincing the entire time. I narrowed my eyes. If he was still able to move, I hadn't dealt nearly enough damage.

  From the corner of my eye I spotted the red-haired Mage quietly gathering up the ptter of fallen snacks. She neatly pced the confections on the end table and found herself an empty seat on the opposite sofa.

  "Sigh. Then I'll expin. Come, Sister, sit."

  I hadn't let go of Lumiere yet. She led me by the hand to the same sofa, and the Mage scooched aside to make space.

  "First, introductions."

  "Yo. Fearsome dy."

  The Rogue saluted confidently with two fingers, fshing a toothy grin.

  "Evelyn Malta. Friends just call me Evie."

  A cute name that didn't suit her wild look. I nodded and lifted the corner of my skirt.

  "Cire de Lune. Lumiere's sister back at the Ashenwood convent."

  "Oh, Lumi's told us a whole lot about you. Oy, Sera. Quit stuffing your face."

  She gestured to the girl sitting on the other side of Lumiere, who was busying herself with the pte of confections. With her cheeks still full, the girl relented.

  "Seraphine Maxwell."

  "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Maxwell."

  I bowed my head a little. I couldn't help but be more deferential towards the elven Mage. Of the three main heroines in the game, she had been my favorite.

  "And well, you've already met our Hero."

  My warm feeling dissipated as I gred daggers at the man sprawled out on the divan. He had his head tilted back with his forearm over his eyes, trying to steady his breathing.