When Ruena had asked Crystal for advice, the last thing she had expected was an invitation to visit the palace. Especially not this particular invitation. She had heard enough from the nobles to know that it had been years since anyone besides Crystal and Densooth had been invited to meet directly with the Queen. There was also the afterthought invitation for Soral since he would inevitably find out everything anyway.

  During his grand tales during the feast, Soral had revealed his ability to hear the thoughts of others. Luckily the mood had made it into more of a fun game than anything else, but Crystal’s reply made it clear that everyone would consider a secret she knew as a secret he would know also.

  Soral was eager to go, even when Ruena warned there might be a magic contract involved to keep such an important secret. If he had nothing against it, Ruena didn't either. Her mind had already been made up on whose side she would take the moment she reached out to Crystal for advice. That just left the matter of how to deal with Xandus while she went to the palace. The meeting might take all day, or even more than that, so she couldn't risk leaving the Valen king unattended. The majority of the servants still couldn't handle him.

  Come to think of it, hadn't Xandus played a game of chess with Crystal? It couldn't hurt to ask him about his opinion of her, and she could deal with the issue of who to watch over him at the same time. Even if he really was crazy, it would be best to take his opinion into account. Then again, should she really be asking him advice about how to best serve him as a good hostess? Ruena missed Storm more the longer she dealt with Xandus. At least he knew the ins and outs of Valen culture.

  "Ruena," Xandus greeted cheerfully when she approached, "Shall I assume you are not here for a friendly game of chess?"

  "I am not against one, but I was hoping you could give me that report you promised," Ruena replied, "More specifically, what you think of Crystal."

  Xandus beckoned her over to the chess set that had now become a permanent feature on his table. "There will be plenty of time to talk during the game," he assured, "I must admit, you have either incredible luck or a good eye for people of your own. Crystal is an excellent person to have as a friend, but you should be wary should you ever become her enemy."

  "It is a good thing I have no intention of being her enemy, then," Ruena replied, obediently taking a seat and sliding a pawn forward, "Those are just my thoughts, though. I need to know if she considers me an enemy."

  A black knight jumped to the front as Xandus thought over his response. "Seeing into someone's soul is one thing, but relationships with others is more complicated," he warned, "That is why everything I am about to say is merely a guess. I think she wants to trust you, but circumstances make it complicated. Your mother, the fact that you are technically an heir to the throne, and your connection with Densooth are all reasons she would be wary."

  That was somewhat depressing to hear. Those were all perfectly valid reasons Ruena couldn't even argue with, and they were also things she could do nothing about. "I believe I made it clear I have no interest in the throne at the feast," Ruena pointed out.

  "You did. Which is why you must be here now. Crystal has given you a chance, has she not?" Xandus checked. For something he had claimed were just guesses, he seemed very confident in them.

  "Since you already know, what do you suggest?" Ruena asked, not missing the fact that Xandus was already backing her pieces into a corner.

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  "Why ask me when your mind is already made up?" Xandus replied, as confident as ever, "Besides, if you go one a field trip I can finally have some quality time with Jazz. He and I have much to discuss."

  The image of a crazy king and a chubby white cat having a deep conversation was surprisingly easy to imagine. No matter how weird it may seem to outside eyes, it did solver her main dilemma of leaving Xandus unattended. Jazz might be a cat, but he was also a trusted leader and Warrior.

  "That's true. In that case, should I just surrender now? I don't see any way of getting my king out of this mess," Ruena suggested. As if he had been waiting for her to say that, Xandus finished off the game in a heartbeat before chasing her out of the room. Was it impossible for any interaction with the Valen King to be normal?

  With everything decided, it was all too easy to answer Crystal's invitation, and Ruena found herself standing at the palace gates side by side with Soral. Soral was far more relaxed than she was, despite the fact that he had never been to the palace before. While Ruena had been on the palace grounds, she had never been inside the palace itself. It was strange, and a bit comforting, to know this would be a new experience for both of them.

  "The Royal Sorceress has ordered us to guide you inside," one of the gate guards told them when Ruena presented her written invitation.

  As they walked through the halls of the palace, Ruena was increasingly glad Soral had convinced her to dress up for this. Everyone in the palace looked wealthy and fashionable, even the servants. Despite the apparent luxury, there was a tense atmosphere, as if everyone in the palace was on edge.

  The escort stopped in front of a corridor deep within the palace. “This is as far as we can take you. Only those with express permission from the Queen can enter this place.”

  Just as the escort had said, the corridor was completely empty without a servant, or anyone else, in sight. The gloomy atmosphere made Ruena hesitate, but Soral seemed to have no reservations about it whatsoever as he marched right in.

  “Let’s go,” he told Ruena, “We can’t keep Her Majesty waiting after she graciously invited us, right?”

  Ruena let out a small sigh at Soral’s awkward attempt to sound eloquent. “And do you even know exactly where she is waiting for us?” she questioned.

  “Of course I do,” Soral replied as if it were obvious, “Both of them are in that room on the left.”

  “Should you really be using your powers so openly in the palace?” Ruena hissed.

  “Everyone already knows, so it’s fine,” Soral assured, “That is the whole reason I got invited in the first place. They are even thinking about me right now.”

  Ruena still did not approve of everyone knowing Soral could hear thoughts, but it was far too late to stop it now. Word had probably spread all through Altea by this point. At least Soral had enough manners not to talk about what else they might be thinking about. He was actually surprisingly good at keeping secrets, as long as they weren’t his own.

  They approached the door Soral pointed out, and Ruena knocked lightly. It only took a moment for Crystal to answer and beckon them inside. The room was large, much larger than the room Ruena currently lived in as the duchess. Something about the room made it feel less like a luxurious space to live and more like a prison.

  Relaxing at the very edge of this cushy prison was a woman Ruena had never seen before. She had long golden hair that hung loosely down her back, and a slender frame. More than just slender, she looked sickly. Before even a word was said, everything began falling into place. This was why the Queen was in seclusion. It seemed like an incredibly dangerous secret to learn.

  As much as she wanted to demand why she had been invited, Ruena had to remember who she was standing before. “I am honored to have been invited to this place.”

  “There is no need for such pleasantries,” the Queen told her, “I asked Crystal to invite you here so I could meet you myself. Whether or not it was your intention, you have become involved in our battle against Velcorna Alodan. I thought it was only fair that I personally explained the truth of exactly what is going on and why we cannot fight her head-on.”

  Ruena glanced at Soral. What exactly were they getting into?