“Archmage Vera.” Lucian began by simply stating her name.

“Yes?”

“The title you hold can only be given by the king himself. In the roughly seven years since your departure, only one other has achieved the rank.” Lucian held his hand out. “Emilia. Archmage Keld’s file, please.”

“Certainly.” Emilia handed him the paperwork without delay.

“Thank you.” He set the stack down on the table. “Let’s be honest, Vera. The Archmage title exists for two reasons. First, it’s to tie powerful magic users to the kingdom. The title comes with a sizable salary for you, along with access to noble and royal gatherings that would be off-limits to most others. As a result, the Archmage often remains loyal as long as those benefits persist.”

Lucian thumbed through the first few pages. “The second reason is to boost morale for the soldiers and citizens. Only the most powerful magic users can obtain the rank of Archmage, so simply the act of choosing one gives the people someone to rely on during dangerous times.”

He stopped on a particular page. “Archmage Keld served that purpose a few years after you left. Only a few weeks ago, I fought alongside him during the battles against the Esgares Empire. He has more than proven himself, and his loyalty to the crown hasn’t changed, despite the recent turmoil in my kingdom.”

Lucian held the well-drawn portrait of Archmage Keld so that Vera could see him. “The Almekian Kingdom already has its Archmage. I don’t see why we would need another, especially one that may disappear at any moment, carrying many secrets and details of our kingdom to distant lands, like the Danao Dynasty.”

Vera sat through his long opening arguments in complete silence, her eyes ending up on the artistic depiction of the man who held the same title as her.

When she became an Archmage, she agreed to be paraded around from time to time for the very reasons Lucian had mentioned. It was good for morale and signaled that she was still loyal to the crown.

While Vera was never pleased to be an ornament, she did dress and act her part. So when she looked at the man in the portrait, she understood why he was chosen as an Archmage.

The chiseled face and confident expression staring at her was an exceptionally rare sight, even for someone as well-traveled as Vera. She had met several royal families and countless nobles, yet none could exude the same aura that the man in the portrait was giving off.

Lucian could see her mind making all of those connections. It was why he absolutely had to show her that well-painted portrait of Archmage Keld. Even if the artist took some liberties to enhance the aura, Keld was no fraud. He truly was a powerful wizard with a charismatic personality.

Facing such an opponent, he was sure Vera would be on the defensive. She’d have to argue why she should be allowed to keep her title, despite providing no value to the kingdom.

And it would be during her most desperate moments that the truth would emerge. The truth about why she returned soon after Lucian took the throne.

I’m getting the truth out of you here and now, Vera. Lucian continued staring at her without backing down.

“I…” Archmage Vera began, still looking at the portrait.

“You?”

“I…” She finally met Lucian’s eyes. “I can’t lose my title! Archmages are elevated for life, right!? None of the others have had their titles taken, right!?”

Lucian faltered a bit at the sudden outburst. Even if he wanted to push her into a desperate spot, he imagined it would take some cornering as he slowly destroyed one argument after another.

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“No,” Lucian said a heartbeat later than usual. “There are no records of Archmages having their titles taken. But what the king gives, the king can take away.”

“I can’t be the first, then! Especially not now!”

“Why now?”

“Because do you know how much coin it takes to travel all over the world!? On my trip back here, I spent more than one night sleeping in a farmer’s barn, you know! I’m broke! Flat broke!”

Lucian finally understood a few pieces that had seemed off to him when preparing for the meeting. “You sold all your belongings before you left, including your estate. Are you telling me you spent all that money on traveling and never reinvested it into property or valuables?”

“How could I? I never stayed anywhere long enough to buy anything! And I had to impress all the royals and nobles I met along the way! That’s not a cheap task, you know!”

Lucian almost didn’t know how to respond. He wanted her desperate, but he didn’t expect her to crumble at the first sign of resistance.

Since he was the one who had drawn a hard line in the sand to begin the discussion, it would be strange for him to give in and allow her to keep the title of Archmage. However, he never actually intended to take her title. He only wanted to use the threat as a way to attack what he thought could be a weakness for her.

It seemed to him that he was correct.

“Can you fight?” Aelia came to Lucian’s rescue while he was considering where to go next in the conversation.

Vera turned to the dark elf. “I’m more of a … theoretical mage. I’d rather spend my days researching my theories than training for battle. But I can hold my own.”

“That doesn’t sound very promising. But I’d have to see for myself before I really know how useful you’d be.” Aelia’s eyes flicked to Lucian’s.

He understood her intent, as her discussion could lead directly into the true desire Lucian had when he entered the meeting.

“Archmage Vera,” Lucian said with confidence. “From what I remember, you can do more than ‘hold your own’ in battle. Yet despite being one of the best mages in our kingdom, you never tutored anyone. Why is that?”

“I’m too busy studying magic to spend any time teaching it.”

“We have Archmage Keld to fight and stand as a beacon for our kingdom. We don’t need another competing with him for that role. However, the kingdom is always in need of magic teachers to help foster the next generation. If you wish to keep your title, and the salary that comes with it, then you can give up some of your studies to teach.”

Vera openly groans. “I have to deal with some runts? Don’t tell me you have an annoying cousin or needy noble who’s been begging for tutoring. I’m not good at dealing with people like that.”

“The ones I have in mind won’t be difficult to deal with.” Lucian thought about a certain, horned oni. “Well, not in the way you’re likely imagining.”

“What’s that mean?”

“Don’t worry about it. You’ll understand quickly, if you accept the offer.”

Vera sighed. “An hour a day.”

“Make it two. Every morning.”

“Argh.” She rubbed her head. “Okay, okay. Two hours in the morning. But I get to stay in the castle! I can’t afford anything else…”

Lucian nodded. “I’ll make accommodations for you. It’s been quite busy here lately, so I’ll provide a room somewhere a bit quieter. The back rooms on the third floor would likely be a good place for you.”

“Sure, as long as I don’t get disturbed while I’m doing my research.”

“If I need you for any other purpose, I’ll be sure to inform you well in advance, if possible.”

Vera frowned. “Other purposes?”

“If I’m going to announce your return, then of course people are going to want to see you. Expect to be called upon to show your face a few times.”

“Not that again…”

“Yes, that again. It comes with the title, like it or not.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll do it. But that’s it, right!? There’s nothing else!?”

Lucian stood from his chair. “No, there’s nothing else. As long as you perform those two functions, I will pay your salary.”

Vera stood, as well. “So, about the first payment…”

“Emilia, would you?”

“Certainly, Prince Lucian.”

The fox-eared white hair pulled a pouch from a pocket. Within, the jingle of coins could be heard as she set it down on the table, just in front of Archmage Vera.

“That’s about half your monthly salary. The rest I will have for you tomorrow morning, when you show up to the training arena for your first session.”

Vera scooped up the pouch. “Great! Sure, yeah, I’ll be there!”

“I’ll have the students there an hour after sunrise. Don’t be late.”

The meeting complete, Lucian, Vera, and the girls filed through the only exit and back into the hallway outside.

He was met with a soldier at the far end, his armor looking to have been recently bloodied from battle.

“Is there a problem?” Lucian asked before the soldier could even get a word out.

“Your Majesty, Princess Mia’s carriage was attacked on our way back from the orphanage.”

“What!? Where’s Mia!? Is she hurt!?” Lucian rushed forward, forcefully turning the soldier and pulling him into lockstep. “Give me all the details!”

“Princess Mia was unhurt.” The soldier spoke as he kept pace. “Lady Teflyn fought in the battle, but she wasn’t injured.”

Hearing that his sister was okay lifted a huge weight in him. But he didn’t slow his steps. He wouldn’t, not until he could verify that fact with his own eyes.