"Your Grace," I forced through clenched teeth, "I've been... well."
"Why such a feeble answer? Did you starve yourself these past two months?" His voice dripped with mockery, his lion-like gaze dissecting me—not a daughter, but prey.
Liar.
My nails dug into my palms.
You never cared if I ate.
This dance was suffocating.
Enough.
"Did you imprison Mother and Irma?!" The words erupted, raw and jagged. "Where are they?!"
Silence. Thick, venomous. The study's air turned leaden, pressing against my lungs.
Then—
"HAHAHAHA!!" His laughter boomed, cruel and calculated. "A ruse, Alruna. They're unharmed in the north palace. But cross me again, and next time, the threat won't be empty."
Fwoosh!
Wind mana crackled at my fingertips. I vaulted onto his desk, blade of air singeing his throat. "Audeamus!"
He didn't flinch. "Brave little rebel now, are we? That High Elf friend of yours must've spoiled you."
"Hey, old fox, listen up. Even if you are my father or a hero, don't think I'll stay quiet after hearing that." The blade trembled.
"Such theatrics." He waved a ringed hand. "Go. Play heroine elsewhere. Today, I'm feeling generous."
"Tch! If only you weren't my father!"
BANG!
The door shuddered as I slammed it, my pulse roaring.
Bastard. Tyrant. Father.
My business with him was done, so I quickly headed to the parlor to meet Adele and Fleda. I needed to make sure they were comfortable during their stay here.
I planned to take them to meet Mother and Irma. I trusted them and hoped Mother's condition hadn't worsened. I'm sorry, Mother. Your daughter left you with that old fox because she couldn't stand his treatment...
****
"Mmm! These pastries are divine!" I shoved another forkful of custard into my mouth, the creamy sweetness dissolving on my tongue. "What's this called again? Puring?"
"Pudding," Fleda corrected, licking caramel off her thumb. "A noble's dessert, apparently. Never thought I'd taste something this decadent."
"Third plate. Still not full."
"Glutton," Fleda snorted, reaching for a honey-glazed tart. "Save some for me!"
We ate gourmet that was unbelievably delicious, brought by the maid. I'd never seen such an impressive amount when I was a commoner, wondering how the nobles of the royal court ate every day. No wonder many of them have bulging bellies.
"Haa... don't you two have any shame?" Alruna muttered, slamming the parlor door behind her.
I froze mid-bite. Her eyes were red-rimmed. The air shifted—sugar turned to ash on my tongue.
"Whoa, warn a person!" I forced a laugh, crumbs tumbling down my tunic. "You look like you've wrestled a wyvern."
"...Apologies." Her smile was brittle. "Feel free to take more. I'll talk."
She spilled it all—the dead half-brother, the sudden inheritance, the asthma her father had ignored, molding her into a weapon. And the engagement. Words can't fully describe it.
"—to the Crown Prince," she finished, voice cracking. "A political leash. His latest masterstroke."
The tart turned leaden in my gut. I called her "princess" as a joke. She's literally betrothed to royalty.
Fleda put down her fork, her appetite gone. "So... all this time, we traveled with a future queen."
"Are you okay, Alruna?"
She looked like she was going to cry, I hugged her to comfort her.
"Of course not, you stupid..." In my embrace, Alruna began to shed tears before finally crying her heart out.
"There, there."
It was as if I had just gained a new little sister. My hand gently stroked her soft hair, just like Fleda used to do all the time years ago.
The parlor's opulence felt grotesque now—gilded chains masquerading as luxury. For a few minutes, a suffocating silence filled the room.
"—Oh, one more thing. I want the two of you to meet my mother."
"Didn't you say your mother was very ill? Is it okay if we visit her?"
"It's okay." She rubbed her eyes. "I trust you both. It would be good for you to meet my mother. I want to show her I have good friends and a new sister!"
"Sister, you said?" A light chuckle escaped my mouth. "You praise us too much."
"No, really! I already consider the two of you my family. Much better than my own father. I want to introduce you to my mother. So I hope you'll accept my offer to meet her!"
"...Alright then, We'll accept your offer."
"Great!" She stood abruptly. "I can't wait to see Mother!"
***
Creak.
The door swung open, and a blur of black fur and silk launched itself at Alruna.
"M'laaaaaady! You're back!"
Thud!
"H-hey, Irma!" Alruna staggered, cheeks flushing as the girl—a Centuria with sleek cat ears and a swishing tail—nuzzled her face into Alruna's shoulder. "Not in front of guests!"
Irma sprang back, her cat ears flattening. "Oops! Sorry, m'lady!"
I stared. Centuria were rare in the northern provinces—humanoid hybrids with animal traits. Irma's ears twitched atop her head, paired with a tail that curled like a question mark.
Her eyes glowed amber, slit-pupiled and sharp, but her face remained unmistakably human, framed by raven hair. A maid's uniform draped her petite frame, the apron clashing absurdly with her feline grace.
"Irma Cat, at your service!" She curtsied, tail flicking playfully. "Lady Alruna's personal attendant!"
"Adele Ercangaud." I bowed. "She is my sibling, Ermenfleda."
Fleda nodded politely, but couldn't hold back her curiosity. "Do you... purr?"
Irma's ears twitched. "Only when bribed with salmon."
"Alright, introductions are done. Irma." Alruna massaged her temples. "Mother. How is she?"
The levity vanished. Irma's tail stilled. "Rest assured, Madam Fiora's condition has been stable while you were gone. However, she did feel a bit lonely after you left."
"Thank goodness." Alruna exhaled. "Is Mother still in her room?"
"Yes, milady."
"Alright. Then please lead us, Irma."
"With pleasure!" Irma's tail twitched.
***
Knock knock!
"Excuse me, Madam," a voice announced. "Lady Alruna and her friends are here to see you."
A soft voice responded, "...Let them in..."
"Understood."
The door clicked shut, sealing us in a tomb of velvet and silence. Madam Fiora's chambers were opulent yet suffocating—gilded mirrors reflecting hollow grandeur, tapestries depicting battles no one alive remembered.
Her bed, a fortress of silk and down, dwarfed her frail form. Even ill, she radiate an ethereal beauty, her golden hair spilling across pillows like molten sunlight. But her eyes—pale blue, clouded yet piercing—held a desperation that made my skin prickle.
I had never seen anyone as stunning as her. Compared to Marcia, it was like contrasting a pristine white swan against a dazzling peacock.
"—Alruna... you're back...?" Her voice was gentle, laced with a hint of surprise.
"...Yes, Mother..."
"I hear you've brought friends. I never imagined Alruna, who's always been so solitary, would bring back three new friends."
Alruna chuckled softly. "They're my most trusted friends."
"Fufufu, that's lovely to hear." Her mother's voice warm. "Alruna's friends, would you mind introducing yourselves? I'm very curious to meet these new companions of my daughter."
"—Ah, yes, madam. My name is Adele Ercangaud. And she is my little sister, Ermenfleda Ercangaud."
"Come closer, all of you," Alruna's mother requested. "Let me get a better look."
From the bed's edge, she gently took my hand. Her fingers traced my face before her eyes slowly opened, focusing on me with a slightly blurry gaze.
"Aah... a High Elf...?"
Her blue eyes, the color of a deep ocean, gazed intently into mine. It seemed that her eyesight wasn't completely gone, but definitely weak.
She continued to explore my face with her delicate hand. It felt a little uncomfortable, but I stayed still out of respect for her.
"Fufufu... I hope you'll take good care of Alruna," she said, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "She's such a sweet child, always standing up for me, even though she's so frail herself. Ever since she was little, all she's wanted is friends to share adventures with, despite her weak constitution."
She smiled at me—a smile that truly could melt anyone's heart. I felt like I'd do anything just to keep seeing that smile.
"You too, come closer as well."
She didn't just touch my face, she did the same to Fleda. It was a strange sensation, but not unpleasant.
"...You seem like wonderful friends for Alruna," she declared, her voice filled with relief. "It eases my heart to see you with my own eyes."
"...Yes, Mother..." Alruna replied quietly. "Would you like to hear how I met them?"
"Of course. Tell me everything, dear."
Alruna chatted with her mother while Fleda and I relaxed at a tea table. Madam Fiora's room was spacious, and her bed was far from our tea table. Irma, the Centuria maid who had served us, said Alruna's talks with her mother rarely lasted. We were advised to relax and let Alruna enjoy her time.
"—And that's how, the four of us finally made it to Gaede!"
"Fufufu, it sounds like you've had quite the adventures together, Alruna," her mother chuckled warmly.
"...Yes, Mother... That's why, I hope they'll stay my friends forever."
Alruna, seemingly satisfied with her visit, walked back and gestured for us to join her at bedside once more.
"Come, come," Madam Fiora beckoned. "Alruna and Irma, could you please excuse us for a moment? I wish to speak privately with Alruna's friends."
We sat down, a little bewildered. Alruna and her maid left the room as instructed.
Click! The door closed behind them.
"Thank you," she began, her voice a fragile whisper, "for being Alruna's first true friends. For giving her... joy."
Fleda fidgeted, her fingers twisting the lace trim of her sleeve. I sat statue-still, eyes locked on Fiora.
"But I must ask more of you." Madam Fiora's skeletal fingers tightened on the bedspread, veins stark against paper-thin skin. "Take her. Far from this house. Far from him."
I nearly dropped my mouth. "...What? Are you ma—"
Fleda kicked my shin under the bed.
"Free her." Madam Fiora's clouded eyes sharpened. "The Gustav vaults hold treasures beyond counting. Gold. Gems. All yours, if you—"
"No." The refusal tore out of me. "We're not thieves. And Alruna's not some damsel to be dragged off."
Ouch!
Fleda's boot connected with my ankle again, harder.
Madam Fiora's laugh was a dry rattle. "You think she chooses this cage? The betrothal? The throne?"
"Doesn't matter." I glared to her with blazing eyes. "If we steal Alruna, your husband's hounds will hunt us to the ends of Alacritas. She'll spend every breath looking over her shoulder—wondering if you paid for her escape with your life."
The bedridden elf recoiled as if struck.
"She's stronger than you think," I pressed, leaning forward. "Let her fight."
"Fight?" Madam Fiora's whisper cracked. "You've seen his training—the scars, the nights she coughed blood into her pillow. He'll grind her into a weapon, then sell her to a stranger's bed!"
"And if we run? What then? You think guilt won't devour her? That she'll dance through fields while you rot here?"
Silence pooled, thick and venomous.
"Sis's... not wrong. I was helpless once." Fleda nodded, her voice uncharacteristically soft. "Guilt cuts deeper than steel."
Madam Fiora's composure shattered. Tears streaked her parchment cheeks. "You'd leave her to this... abattoir?"
"No." I stood, the stool screeching against marble. "We'll stand with her. Here. Tear the damn abattoir down."
"...Alright. I'll listen to your proposal. So, what exactly will you do to support Alruna?"
"I'll speak directly to Karl."
"Pffft!! Ahahaha!!!"
Madam Fiora burst into laughter, a jarring contrast to her elegant, refined appearance.
"Oh, wonderful! I admire your dedication as Alruna's friend! I thought you'd reject my offer outright and flee this place. Seems Alruna has surrounded herself with the right people after all."
Her tone sharpened. "If you had refused, I would never recognize your status as her friend. I'll make your stay safe and comfortable. Oh, and take the gold and jewels. A bedridden elf like me has no use for such things."
"...Huh?" I blinked, stunned. The whiplash of her generosity left me speechless.
"Hmm? Why the long faces? Is my offer still lacking?" she teased, tilting her head.
"N-no, madam! We're just... overwhelmed!" Fleda stammered, nudging me subtly.
"Don't be shy. You ought to learn greed when faced with opportunities like this."
"Right... Ahaha..." I forced a laugh, avoiding her gaze.
Internally, my greedy soul was doing cartwheels. But the shock of her casually tossing wealth at us—wealth beyond anything I'd ever touched—left me numb.
"Well, madam, if we're done here, we'll take our leave," Fleda said, bowing politely.
"Fufufu... Very well. Irma will escort you to your rooms. Oh, and Adele?" Her voice softened, yet carried an edge. "I'll await the results of your dedication. I trust you'll deliver an outcome... beneficial to everyone in the Gustav family."
"Y-yes... We'll excuse ourselves now."
The door to Madam Fiora's room closed shut.
Crap, crap, CRAP!!
My mind spiraled as we stepped out, screaming silently through my thoughts.
I was just trying to act confident in there! How did this turn into me meddling in their family drama!?
Why did I volunteer to talk to Karl!? I've basically signed up to fix a mess I don't even understand! Aghhhh!!
"Hey, what took you so long?" Alruna's voice snapped me back. She and Irma stood waiting outside, curiosity plastered on their faces.
"S-secret girl talk!" I chimed, looping my arm through Fleda. "Your mother's orders~!"
"Ugh! You're making me curious!" Alruna pouted, though relief flickered in her eyes. "If Mother said so, fine... But you owe me details later!"
Irma, ever the energetic maid, gestured down the hall. "Let's go! Your rooms are ready!"
As we walked, Alruna lingered close, her whispers tinged with worry. "You're not... agreeing to something dangerous, are you?"
"Of course not!" I lied, my smile strained. Just casually negotiating with your tyrannical father. No big deal!
***