Caliope finally released Mabel.

  But she kept holding her face with both hands, squeezing her cheeks.

  "My little baby has grown so much! Look at these cheeks! Still so chubby!"

  "Mooooom!" Mabel tried to pull away, without success.

  "And this hair! So white and soft! Just like mine when I was your age!"

  "MOM, STOP!"

  Harven watched, smiling, clearly accustomed to this.

  "Caliope, dear, we have an audience to finish."

  "Just one more minute." She kissed Mabel's forehead, then her cheeks, repeatedly. "Mommy missed your smell so much!"

  "I'M GOING TO DIE OF EMBARRASSMENT!"

  Finally, Caliope released her.

  Still smiling, but then her eyes moved.

  And fixed on me.

  The smile remained.

  But something changed.

  The temperature of the hall dropped, not literally, but I felt it.

  Pressure.

  Not like Mabel's, more subtle, more refined.

  But heavy, very heavy.

  Like a calm ocean, peaceful on the surface, but too deep to see the bottom.

  "And who might this adorable little redhead be, next to my daughter?"

  The voice came out sweet, gentle.

  But there was a hidden blade there.

  This woman is very strong.

  The thought came instinctively, primitively.

  Predator recognition.

  Memories surfaced, unexpected.

  Japan, constitutional monarchy.

  Emperor, imperial family.

  Respect, reverence, protocols.

  I had learned this, at school, in history and culture classes.

  And now, I remembered.

  I straightened up, correct posture.

  I brought my hands together in front, head slightly inclined.

  "Sekire Dawnveil, seven years of age, Your Majesties." Clear voice, firm. "Refugee from the Kingdom of Kitsumi. It is an honor to be in the presence of Their Royal Majesties."

  I paused, looked at Mabel quickly.

  "And I apologize to Her Highness Mabel, and to the young ladies Fuyumi and Hinata. I had my birthday during the journey with Kyusei Feitan and... I concealed it. I'm sorry."

  I bowed, not too deep, but respectful.

  The exact protocol I had learned years ago, in another life.

  Silence.

  Absolute.

  I looked up.

  Caliope was... shocked.

  Mouth slightly open, eyes wide.

  Harven too, eyebrows raised.

  Even Mabel seemed surprised.

  "You had a BIRTHDAY?!" Mabel exploded. "And DIDN'T TELL US?!"

  "...Sorry. It didn't seem important."

  "DIDN'T SEEM—" She took a deep breath. "We'll talk about this later."

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Fuyumi and Hinata whispered among themselves, they seemed slightly offended but also worried.

  Caliope recovered, slowly.

  "What... impeccable manners." She finally spoke, low. "For a seven-year-old child, and a refugee."

  "Interesting," Harven added, studying me. "Very interesting."

  Mabel recovered.

  "Oh, right! About that!" She turned to her parents. "Sekire is a refugee that Feitan brought from a mission. He was investigating the mass immigrations from Kitsumi and discovered... things."

  Her expression became serious.

  "I need to speak with you, urgently, together with Clemearl and the Kyusei, Feitan, Mark and Boine."

  The tone was different, not the playful Mabel.

  But the princess, heir, future queen.

  Caliope and Harven exchanged glances.

  "That serious?" Harven asked.

  "Demons are real, Dad."

  Heavy silence.

  "I'll schedule the meeting," Caliope said, serious tone now, completely different from seconds ago. "But that doesn't explain why she's staying at the castle."

  "Feitan asked me to arrange a place for her to stay, with a noble family." Mabel looked at me, then back at her parents. "She needs proper shelter, and since I'm going to summon Clemearl anyway..."

  "You thought of leaving her with the Netherhearts." Caliope completed.

  "Yes."

  Caliope walked toward me, slowly.

  She circled, like Mabel had done.

  But different, more analytical, more... cruel.

  "Malnourished, obviously." She pointed at my body. "Weak, anti-social judging by the defensive posture, and half-dead in soul by those empty eyes."

  Each word was a knife.

  Precise, accurate.

  "Mother," Mabel began, warning tone.

  "But," Caliope continued, stopping in front of me, "the amount of mana is absurd."

  She tilted her head, eyes narrowing.

  "It's not normal, not for a seven-year-old child, even underfed, this amount..."

  She touched my shoulder, lightly.

  And I felt it.

  A scan, quick, efficient.

  Like Vhorkan had done, but gentler, more controlled.

  "Fascinating, the core is unstable, undeveloped, but the potential..."

  Her eyes gleamed.

  "This is VERY interesting."

  "Caliope."

  Harven's voice cut through, firm, but not aggressive.

  "That's no way to treat a guest."

  He descended the steps, walked toward me.

  And smiled, gentle, genuine.

  "First of all, proper introductions." He looked at Caliope, disapproving. "Since my wife forgot her manners."

  Caliope pouted, but didn't protest.

  Harven bowed, slightly, respectful.

  "Harven Abyciss, King of Axoland. And this," he gestured to Caliope, "is my wife, Caliope Abyciss, Queen, overprotective mother, and occasionally tactless."

  "Hey!"

  He ignored her.

  "Welcome to Axoland, Sekire Dawnveil, and I deeply regret what you suffered in Kitsumi."

  The sincerity in his voice.

  The warmth in his eyes.

  Something tightened in my chest.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty."

  "And," Harven looked at Mabel, "I trust my daughter's foresight, if she believes you should stay here, then you should."

  Mabel smiled, small but genuine.

  Caliope was thoughtful for a moment.

  Then decided.

  "Mabel."

  "Yes?"

  "Go personally to Netherheart Mansion, together with your personal knight, try to convince Clemearl."

  Mabel froze.

  "M-MY KNIGHT?"

  Her face turned red, instantly.

  "Yes, Ferme, your personal knight." Caliope smiled, mischievous. "Any problem?"

  "N-NO! NONE! ABSOLUTELY NONE!"

  Fuyumi leaned in, whispered in my ear:

  "Her personal knight is Ferme, the boy she likes."

  Ah.

  That explains the reaction.

  Harven sighed.

  "Are you sure, dear? Mabel is still young for diplomatic missions."

  "She needs to learn, and Clemearl likes her." Caliope looked at Mabel. "You can do it, I trust you."

  Mabel swallowed, nervous, but nodded.

  "I... I'll go."

  "Perfect." Caliope turned her attention back to me. "Can you read and write?"

  I blinked.

  "Yes, Your Majesty."

  They probably installed automatic translation when they transferred me to this world, or my memories include basic literacy.

  "Perfect." Caliope smiled, but there was something dangerous there. "Then starting tomorrow, I'll train you personally."

  What?

  "Mother," Mabel began, "are you sure that—"

  "Yes, she has absurd potential, it would be a waste not to develop it." Caliope's eyes gleamed. "I'll transform her into an incredible magic knight."

  Fuyumi and Hinata exchanged glances.

  Then whispered, in unison:

  "Our condolences."

  Rest of the Day

  The audience ended shortly after.

  Harven and Caliope had other matters to attend to.

  But before leaving, Caliope looked at me.

  "Tomorrow, training courtyard, at dawn, don't be late."

  And left, Harven behind her, smiling apologetically.

  I stayed with Mabel, Fuyumi and Hinata.

  "Your training is going to be hell," Hinata commented, matter-of-fact tone.

  "The Queen has no mercy when she trains," Fuyumi added, gentle but honest.

  "She trained me when I was younger." Mabel shuddered. "It was... traumatic."

  "Great," I murmured, without emotion. "Can't wait."

  All three laughed.

  Then Mabel poked me.

  "And you, why didn't you tell us about your birthday?"

  "...Didn't think it was important."

  "HOW IS IT NOT IMPORTANT?!" She almost shouted. "Birthdays ARE important!"

  "In Kitsumi, no one celebrated my birthday, so I forgot it was relevant."

  Uncomfortable silence.

  Fuyumi touched my shoulder, gentle.

  "Here it's different, birthdays matter."

  "We'll have to celebrate late then!" Mabel decided. "After I return from Netherheart Mansion!"

  "You don't need to—"

  "YES WE DO!"

  I sighed.

  But something warm rose in my chest.

  "...Okay."

  We spent the rest of the day together.

  We had lunch, walked through the gardens, talked about nothing and everything.

  Mabel told stories about Ferme, turning red with each one.

  Fuyumi and Hinata shared about how they arrived at the castle, orphans taken in by the royal family.

  And I... just listened.

  Participating when they asked something.

  But mainly observing.

  The way they interacted, the ease, the trust.

  Friendship.

  Real, genuine.

  Something I never had, in any life.

  But maybe.

  Just maybe.

  I was starting to have it now.

  Night

  Fuyumi and Hinata took me back to my room.

  "Rest well," Fuyumi said. "You'll need energy."

  "The Queen wakes up early, very early." Hinata added.

  "We'll wake you before dawn."

  "Great," I repeated, without emotion.

  They laughed, again.

  And left.

  Closing the door softly.

  I was alone.

  I changed, put on the pajamas they had left.

  I lay in bed.

  Looked at the ceiling.

  Tomorrow training begins.

  With the queen.

  Who apparently was relentless.

  I should be terrified.

  But I wasn't.

  Just... tired.

  I closed my eyes.

  And for the first time in days, I had no nightmares.

  Just darkness.

  Calm.

  Peaceful.

  I slept.