We dance a few pieces. At some point, I tear my eyes away from my prince to look at what surrounds us. I notice Judith is still dancing with Marco. They look relaxed—they don't seem uncomfortable.

I also see Karina spinning across the floor in Darius's arms. Looks like the guy managed to get her to dance, though she's staring at Vincent and me with a scowl. I lose sight of them, and when I catch them again a while later, they're looking at each other. She seems interested in something Darius is telling her while they dance.

Who I don't see on the floor is Sol. She's sitting near one of the low tables with drinks, surrounded by her usual two admirers and several other students who've approached her, both guys and girls.

Let her enjoy her fleeting fame as the second queen of the ball while she can.

"I love dancing with you," Vincent tells me as a laltz finishes, "but any more dances without being engaged is going to come off as disrespectful to our respective dance partners. What do you say we head back to our friends?"

Etiquette.

He's right. Dancing together any longer would be breaking it.

Using the excuse of fixing my hair, I tell him to go ahead. That way, I can step away and talk to Ronan without being disturbed.

Once I'm out of the ballroom, I move farther away and find a quiet spot from which to contact the necromancer.

Ronan, can you talk or is this a bad time? I ask him.

I just got in the carriage and we are relatively quiet, so it is a good time, my lady.

Hearing him, I feel calmer. In the end, he never told me why he wasn't answering before.

Do you know where you're going?

Their church, or sect, is somewhere in the capital, hidden in plain sight from what they have said.

I see. Could you contact me every day in the morning and after dinner? So I know you're all right.

Or I'll find myself asking for help to go rescue him. Probably from Vincent, because the undead Ronan has in the goblin village… better not.

Of course, my lady.

By the way, why weren't you answering before?

Two of Count Bloodwynne's allies used a seal spell to block communications. It is curious—I had already observed that the silence spell does not prevent our vassal-lord communication, but I did not know the seal spell did.

Given the mana maintaining it must consume, I don't think they'll use it much more. I imagine I won't have trouble contacting my friend again.

Do not worry, my lady, he continues telling me. The count treats me with much respect. I think it is because of my high affinity for darkness. He is the first priest of his church, and he wants me to be the high priest, which I understand to be a rank above.

Ronan, listen, this is important. That thing you said about recruiting them… I really don't see it. Above all, don't even think about bringing them to me, because you know I'm obligated to accept if they ask, and I don't want them, for now. I also don't want them to know who I am.

Of course, my lady. I was not planning to tell them.

Then, if that point is clear, why are you going?

My invisible friend has told me it is interesting for me to go investigate. I will tell you what I find out.

His invisible friend. Of course. Who else would be behind a sect seeking the return of the dark god…

And was that even allowed? Weren't the gods the ones who had forbidden it?

I shake my head.

Ronan, I say, changing the subject. Can you tell me what this assistant to Duskmere thing is about?

Ah, that. Nothing, my lady. Duskmere has realized how valuable I can be as a necromancer who can bind the soul of the recently dead to their body. Since undead are obligated to obey their master, and having the soul means they have their memories from when they were alive, solving crimes becomes much simpler.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

And are you going to accept?

No. It could be interesting, but I do not have free time. Studying, training, my magical experiments, and your future kingdom already take up everything.

Magical experiments? I've seen him jotting things down on a scroll a few times, like a scientific journal, but I haven't paid much attention.

That "future kingdom" thing… I'd settle for the goblins living without being hunted.

As you wish, my lady. You have to start somewhere.

This Ronan… did he misunderstand me when I asked him to help me manage the village or when I appointed him vassal sergeant?

Maybe I should stop kidding myself. If I'm accepting the management system that lets me create a hierarchy among my vassals and, on top of that, helping the goblins, it's clear I'm building something. Whether it's a village or a kingdom, I'm not going to abandon my vassals.

This reminds me, my lady, could you get me some portal stones? I had an appointment tomorrow with Catrina and was going to ask her for them, but I will not be able to attend.

Don't drag me into this, I had enough trouble getting her to let you come with me. There's no plausible excuse I could give her for you to get some. Or were you going to accept the exceptional student thing they offered you?

No. The dark magic professor does not seem to have much to teach or offer me.

Then?

I was going to tell her it was so I could train with my friends without upsetting the students in the gym. A little bird told me they are filing complaints.

I can't help but laugh at how absurd his phrase is. That it really is going to be a little bird, what I don't know is whether zombie or skeletal.

Are they really complaining? From how they moved away from you, I thought they wouldn't have the guts to do it.

I do not understand why they are complaining either. I always use courts that are free.

You mean you've booked.

No, that are free. Do you have to reserve?

Yes, there's a schedule board.

That clears up the complaints. All the more reason to ask Catrina for some stones.

Good luck with that when you get back!

Thank you. Why would you not lend me yours when you are not using them?

No. I'm in good standing with the combat professor—I'm not pissing her off. In any case, don't worry, I'm planning to go to the village tomorrow.

Will you be able to make more stone bricks?

He can't see me, but I roll my eyes.

Yes, I'll be able to. And I'll handle the town hall thing if the female goblins have already given birth.

I would ask you to see if you can include me on the pedestal, so I can also manage the village.

I take a while to answer. One thing is for him to be handling the physical constructions they're doing in different caves, and another thing entirely is giving him access to the control interface. I think I'd rather take a good look at it first. Ronan takes his job as my head vassal very seriously and could mess things up without realizing it.

Images flash through my mind like Ronan selecting a +50% goblin breeding option so we'd have more labor, or choosing bonuses to army damage, or some curse against nearby human cities.

It's wild speculation, since none of this was in the otome game and I don't know what I'll find in the control interface.

I'll look into it, Ronan, I finally tell him. I'll let you know.

I ask him again to be careful, we say goodbye, and before going back to the great hall, I quickly touch up my hair to support my alibi.

When I return, Vincent isn't there.

Vincent.

Although the prince had been worried when he saw that Bianca had to open the ball with Sol, he relaxed once he danced with her. Bianca didn't seem upset or angry, even though Sol had surely thrown one of her usual sarcastic remarks at her.

The young man really enjoyed the three pieces they danced together, and afterward, he rejoined his friends alone. He was glad to see that Darius was still dancing with Karina, since she had been a bit more clingy than usual. Even though he'd made it clear to her that they were only partners for the ball—that he was inviting her as a friend, not as anything more. She'd said yes but then acted pretty possessive. So, aside from the fact that he had found out late that Darius had also invited her to the ball, he liked the idea of them staying together. The truth was they seemed to be deep in a heated discussion while they spun across the floor—so much so that she hadn't even noticed he was no longer with Bianca.

Bianca… he hoped she'd come back soon.

In any case, he was chatting with Theodore and Mary when he noticed Berta, the maid, approaching him.

"Excuse me, Your Highness. Would you be so kind as to accompany me for a moment?"

Thinking it would be something related to his beloved, he answered affirmatively. Once they were in the gardens, safe from prying ears—something he ensured with his air magic—Berta said:

"Your Highness, I wanted to warn you. I imagine you remember what I told you about your brother Sigfrig. I've recently discovered that he's going to try something today. He'll undoubtedly inform Miss Bianca of his intentions and attempt to coerce her."

Vincent felt as if the air had just been knocked out of him and an infinite weight had sunk into his stomach. It couldn't be. He'd been trying to accelerate his engagement to Bianca—it couldn't be that she'd be taken from him when there was barely anything left, just a couple of days, before making it official. He believed even his mother had spoken with the Lacor barons at the end of last week.

"Are you sure of what you're saying? It must be a mistake."

"No, it isn't. You already know there was a leak of information to him through the young lady's bodyguard. I've continued investigating, and this time I'm the one with privileged information from your brother's servants."

His brother… He had everything: the court flattering him, the future crown, and the fiancée he'd wanted. Why was he now trying to take away the woman he loved? Because she was strong and had a legendary sword?

But what questions was he asking himself... Sigfrig didn't need a reason. He always took what he wanted or considered his.

And Vincent, however, had always supported his brother in everything important. Like inheriting the kingdom.

He clenched his fists.

But on this, he couldn't agree.

"Thank you for the warning, Berta."

"Happy to help my lady, Your Highness."

Vincent was left alone. His first impulse was to go confront his brother. The second, to warn Bianca. But he knew he couldn't follow the impulses of his heart in something so important. That's why he went to see the queen, his mother.

He had no time to waste.

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