Even though I expected it, the dense air of the Magichariot Port hit me with a sudden gust of wind. The bitter scent of hide, salty dampness, and burning metal filled the air. The warmth pressed against me—too much for my feverish body.

  "Saint Leonard!" Legatus Argus's voice boomed from down the stairs of the port. Pythia, standing beside him, rolled her eyes and nudged him sharply with an elbow.

  His voice fought its way through the port's murmur—lively as always, crowded with people, animals, and trade goods. The private line where the delegation stood contrasted sharply with the chaos. Two Holy Knights flanked the group. In the shadows stood Pythia and Argus.

  I didn't hurry. Each step down the stairs ached, demanding balance to keep from stumbling. When my feet finally planted in front of the crowd, the Legatus loomed over me.

  "You decided to grace us with your presence," he whispered. "I know training is hard, but neglecting my niece like that?"

  I had to look up to meet his gaze. A bear in human skin.

  *Interesting—does he even realize he's intimidating?*

  My voice matched his tone. "My neck hurts," I paused deliberately, "looking up at you like that, Legatus Argus."

  "Oh, I—" His words faded when he glanced behind—at the knights, guards, and Pythia, who were either observing him or at least stealing curious glances.

  When he hesitated, I just watched.

  "Legatus, something wrong?" Pythia jumped in, her voice flat. The words were a question, but the tone was commanding.

  Legatus Argus looked... flustered. He cleared his throat into his fist, stepped back, and looked like he was trying to make himself smaller.

  *So there's a human in that body after all.*

  "We hadn't had time to talk in private," I smiled like nothing happened. "I'm sorry, Legatus, could we continue this another time?"

  "N-naturally," he blurted.

  Evadne's eyes laughed though her lips remained flat. That made it harder to keep my own composure. The Legatus Argus I'd remembered from his office was a confident commander, strategist, and political player. Seeing him now was oddly satisfying.

  "We're running out of time," Pythia broke the growing silence. "We have two hours at most to start your training. Let's make haste."

  Our "haste" turned out to be a senior's pace—mostly due to me. The good thing was I could catch up with Pythia and the Legatus. Evadne was oddly silent. I had to look back from time to time to make sure she was still with us.

  When we passed the "restless sentinels", the strange tunnel-like security scanners, Legatus matched my pace. A few heavy steps later the Legatus spoke again.

  "What I meant, Saint Leonard," his voice was surprisingly polite, "is that you could at least write her a letter."

  I looked up at him. My neck hurt. I lowered my head.

  *Did he shrink, or did I grow taller? I feel roughly the same though.*

  The Inquisitor was already waiting to check our seals near the ramp to the Magichariot, thirty or forty steps ahead.

  "You mean the Princess?" I asked rhetorically. "I thought you knew I had other stuff on my plate," I said, rubbing my neck.

  He kept his head high, focused on the Magichariot waiting in front of us. Evadne moved closer, taking my arm. The Legatus spoke after a long moment, just when the Inquisitor began verifying everybody's seals.

  "She..." He started but seemed conflicted, his face shifting from stoic to tight-lipped and back again. "She's just a human, Saint Leonard. I don't know what impression she left on you, but..."

  He finally rested his eyes on me. What I found there was disarming honesty.

  "She can be hurt, like anybody."

  *What am I supposed to do with this information?*

  *Did he mean my absence could hurt her? Literally or politically? Both?*

  *She didn't seem vulnerable to me.*

  I smoothed the rough sleeve of my robes, where Althea's mark pulsed faintly underneath. She was quiet, the same as the last time I visited the Princess.

  *Althea doesn't like Evadne but is oddly quiet about the Princess. Odd.*

  Pythia, reading the silence, explained: "Your support—or lack thereof—impacts the Royal Family greatly."

  Argus nodded in agreement. Quick, decisive movement.

  "We all know it wasn't intentional, but for the nobles, it looks like an invitation to challenge them," Argus said.

  I remained silent, absorbing the weight of it.

  *Oh, he means my last absence. That time I ignored the meeting.*

  *Well, I was a wreck. If the Princess doesn't understand this, then she's not as smart as I thought. We'll see how she'll react. Not that I care.*

  *I don't even have to think about it.*

  *I'm not.*

  *There is only one path I intend to take.*

  *Victory.*

  *Home.*

  The conversation died out with my stubborn silence. We boarded the Magichariot.

  It took me a moment to force my legs across the door—the boundary between the lively port and the grim interior. The seat welcomed me with its broad, comfortable space. I reached for the clasp, but froze when I saw Evadne standing close to me.

  As she leaned in to help me buckle up, her hair brushed against my face, tickling.

  "You smell different." The words slipped out.

  "Lavender soap... you like it?" She asked through a bashful smile.

  My body betrayed me—I nodded approvingly.

  *Evadne. She's becoming a problem. I have to keep my distance.*

  Thankfully the doors were already closing. There was a chance growing darkness hid my face from her. And hers from me as she sat in her chair, which made the lavender scent only stronger.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  Glaring eyes came back during the sense-depriving journey, but among them, cat eyes measured me.

  *Funny how perception can play with you.*

  When I focused on the lone pair of cat-like pupils, they calmed me. They made other eyes vanish into the darkness.

  *How silly.*

  My muscles relaxed and I leaned back in the armchair, more comfortably. The journey didn't last long. Just like before. I guessed it was a few minutes before deceleration shot me into the straps holding me in place. It was hard to tell how much exactly.

  "Althea, how long did we ride?" I whispered when we stopped.

  "Eight minutes and thirty-two seconds," she replied quietly.

  *Odd how precisely she answered, when she can be so vague sometimes.*

  As we disembarked from the Magichariot, I welcomed the change of scenery. The Hellhounds—or 'puppies' as I'd started calling them—were just as ugly and scary as before. Mostly due to their size and jaws that were just waiting to bite something. Or someone.

  *The puppies are harmless when the Holy Knights are with me—their backs are the safest place I know.*

  Evadne took my arm again, which felt dangerously natural at that point. Her presence, like a safety net, kept me from falling.

  Her warmth, tempting before the Crucible, was now repulsive—adding to my own fever. Still, all I could do was shift my arm so that there was a small distance between us.

  *I can't let her go completely. Not yet.*

  *After the crucible—then. I keep her close only because of training. Only because of that.*

  We went past the guards and crossed the exit of the Magichariot Port. A large archway led to the Royal Palace's underground tunnels, painted in red and gold. It was strange how the paint glimmered with the light of the torches on the walls.

  *Torches, like medieval times, but walls... so smooth, only these tiny holes...*

  I glanced at Evadne. She walked seemingly calmly, but her body was tense.

  *The First Men built this, huh?*

  We climbed up the spiraling steps. Pythia and Legatus were chatting about something, almost like a pair of lovers.

  *Now that I look at them, they seem close. They walk close. If they held hands, they would look like a couple. Huh.*

  The steps of the Holy Knight in front were both heavy and light. Heavy, because there was a muffled thud with each step. Light, because his movement seemed effortless. The Sacred Armor gave the strangest mix of sounds. Like brushing rubber against rubber. Something close to a cat's hiss, but not quite. That quiet hum of fire behind a fireplace's glass. Or like unfastening velcro straps.

  *Hm...*

  A few minutes later, we were navigating the palace corridors. Bright from the sun and chilly from the stone.

  Curiosity about who exactly was guarding me today grew within me. Yet I found it difficult to articulate the question.

  *There's just a person, a normal person inside. Just ask.*

  When we passed by the patio with the fountain, I mustered my courage.

  "Excuse me, Knight?"

  He glanced over his shoulder. "Yes, Saint Leonard?" His voice came out... cold and precise. Stripped of emotions.

  Like he was addressing an object, not a human.

  "W-who are you?"

  "Linus Tiberius, First Holy Knight Order, Designation Alpha 11," he recited like a death sentence and turned his head away.

  *Linus.* I searched my memory.

  *Linus.* That rang a bell.

  *I met him. When? Where?*

  Something finally clicked, and I matched the name with a person. After the attack, in the mess hall when we talked about Diomedes' death. He was the one who couldn't sit in one place, bouncing on the chair like a ball. His voice had been as lively as his body.

  Now... Emotionless. Narrowed down to goal and duty.

  Legatus Argus spoke to me, shifting my focus.

  "Saint Leonard, training is harsh, and you have only a few hours of..." he trailed off, looking for the proper word, "of relative peace. Despite your state, war continues." He let his words hang in the air. "Perhaps you could join me in my office tomorrow, just a small briefing."

  "Yes," I replied instantly, which made him look like he forgot how to breathe.

  A briefing was exactly what I needed to understand the situation better. That is, if I could actually remember and process it all...

  *Actually... maybe I could use Althea? She is so proud of the 'fact' that she never forgets. She is supposed to be my parallel mind, after all. I just need to be functional enough to ask.*

  "If my state allows, that is. Today is a good day, but I'm not sure if tomorrow will be. I was a mess yesterday."

  "Excellent!" He said with vigor, but quickly corrected himself, "I mean, I'm glad to hear you're willing to engage in military matters."

  *Maybe he sees me as a weapon, like the Princess said. But that doesn't mean he can't be useful to me. For better or worse, he helped orchestrate the Crucible—my painful, gruesome, exhausting shortcut to strength. He will likely remain an asset if I play my cards right.*

  "Don't worry, I know what you meant. I may be difficult sometimes, but that's when I'm... fatigued."

  "Even a cornered cat fights back." He let it slip, his eyes widening as he inhaled sharply. Probably worried he crossed a line.

  In a sense he did, but I didn't feel malice from him. More like companionship that's a bit rough around the edges. Maybe even growing respect?

  Either way, I decided to shrug it off and laughed instead. He followed with a chuckle, relieved.

  Remarkable what a good night's sleep can do to a man. The itching in my bones and joints was irritating, but manageable. *If only the fever could take a break too...*

  We soon entered a familiar hallway that I knew joined with the one leading to the garden entrance. It was wide enough for all of us to walk comfortably in a formation where guards literally surrounded us. The walls were rather plain—just something resembling plaster in warm beige.

  Behind one of the vases, studying a painting on the wall, stood a woman. Dressed in a long, red dress with an open neckline. The fabric wrapped tightly around her torso, but was loose and wide around her legs. Flowery, white embroidery covered her dress. Her brown hair was tied in a bun.

  *Hm, she's pretty, but what is she doing here? Doesn't seem lost, quite the opposite.*

  She had a tall knight as her companion. His hand rested idly on the hilt of his sword, his face hidden behind a helmet. Full armor plate clinked softly when he turned toward us.

  The woman reacted instantly. She moved slowly but deliberately, fixed on us like a snake on prey. She blocked our path and beamed, "Oh my, Legatus Argus, what a coincidence!"

  *Fucking coincidence, yeah, right.*

  I heard Legatus sigh. I followed with my own. Guards dispersed, both ours and hers, encircling us.

  *Crap, I have a bad feeling about this.*

  "Highest Priestess, High Priestess." She bowed deeply, then her eyes ignored everybody and landed on me. "And what is this company!" she chirped. "Argus! Please introduce me to your new friend."

  *I fucking knew it.*

  "Good morning, Lady Sophia." Legatus spoke, courtly giving her a shallow bow.

  Evadne remained frozen beside me, still holding my arm.

  "This is Saint Leonard," he said, pointing at me. "Saint Leonard, this is Lady Sophia. She is Apollo's sister," he said, as if that explained everything.

  *And who is Apollo?* I glanced at Evadne. She observed Sophia carefully.

  "Althea, Apollo?" I whispered.

  "Apollo is your rival for the throne," Althea whispered.

  *You must be joking, Althea. What throne? Not interested.*

  Sophia passed Legatus and came to stand in front of me.

  *Alright, so now she either says hi or—*

  She extended her arm to me. Delicate fingers were gently spread, taking a different position, like she was trying to cast a charm.

  "Sophia Alexandria Giorgos, pleasure to meet you."

  She kept smiling. I kept looking.

  *So now you've forced me to kiss it. I can't refuse without breaking etiquette.*

  With a not-so-well-hidden deep breath through my nose, I took Sophia's hand with my left, since my right was occupied with Evadne. Her smooth, sun-kissed skin smelled like lime and honey.

  *She smells nice, but these eyes... they say trouble.*

  The quickest, faintest peck and I straightened quickly.

  Sophia beamed like I'd just proposed to her. "This world has much to offer, Saint Leonard. I could introd—"

  "Lady Sophia," I cut her off, trying to sound apologetic. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I wish to talk more, but now's not the time."

  *Wow, that went stiff.*

  "You're so smoooth," Althea said ironically.

  *Whatever.*

  Sophia's face twitched for just a moment, but her innocent smile returned. She didn't say a word. Legatus, Evadne, escort-they all joined her in a staring contest against me.

  *Huh.*

  "Lady Sophia, we have a meeting." Pythia said. Sophia graced her with a gentle nod, but quickly returned to me. And waited for what I'd say.

  *Trying to help Pythia? Let's just end this farce. Zero fucks given.*

  "I'm deeply sorry, another time, surely," I said with shallow bow, as deep as my sore neck allowed. "Farewell, Lady Sophia."

  "Of course, I didn't mean to interrupt. I'll hold you to that promise to talk more, once you're..." she glanced at Evadne, "...free. Farewell."

  She gave a deep bow to Pythia, then a less enthusiastic one to the High Priestess, a smile to me and Legatus. Finally, she went in the opposite direction from where we were headed. When she passed me, the fabric on her arm brushed mine gently. Intentionally. She stole a glance at me over her shoulder with her dark-brown eyes - like a promise "see you later".

  "She can give you leverage against the Princess, Leonard," Althea chimed in.

  "Yeah, yeah, let's go," I whispered.

  *One more woman to handle? No thank you, go away.*

  Legatus gave me a tired smile, like he shared my thoughts about these meaningless political mini-games. Pythia just said, "She won't let go, but we can ignore her. For now."

  And Evadne? She remained by my side, silent. Lost in her own thoughts.

  "Future Leonard will worry. Let's go," I said, trying to smile politely. Judging by Argus's face, without much success.

  A few steps later we moved around the corner and reached the entrance to the garden.

  Standing between the guards, bathed in the sharp light of the greenery beyond the windows, was a flash of green and gold. The Princess turned, her emerald eyes locking onto mine instantly.

  There she was. And she didn't look hurt. She looked ready.

  *Alright Leonard, no big deal, just a chat with a Princess. Future Queen.*