Axel sat beside King Kurtis, his expression unreadable. Ivy stood behind him, draping her arms over his shoulders in a casual but protective manner. Lunar sat next to Axel, her posture composed yet tense as she faced the king.

“This girl… she’s one of them,” Kurtis muttered, his gaze fixed on Lunar.

Axel responded with slow, deliberate claps, “Correct. She believes the Gearworks have been unjustly imprisoned for defending their home from invaders. I’d like them released and relocated to Neverport under my protection.”

Lunar leaned forward, her voice firm, “Please, King Kurtis. The Gearworks only allowed the Lost Brotherhood to stay because they had nowhere else to go—after you destroyed their home. They don’t deserve to suffer for protecting what little they had left. If the roles were reversed, wouldn’t you have done the same?”

Kurtis’s eyes darkened with anger, but he remained silent. Instead, he turned away, feigning sleep.

A sudden wave of heat filled the room. The king’s eyes snapped open, widening in fear as he saw the small ball of fire dancing at Axel’s fingertips.

“You once told me that fear commands loyalty above all,” Axel murmured. “And we both know that making me angry is the last thing you want. Am I right… Light?”

Kurtis swallowed hard, his pride faltering, “I’ll have the Gearworks sent to Neverport tomorrow.”

Lunar blinked in surprise. “That… was easier than I expected.”

Kurtis averted his gaze.

Axel slowly rose to his feet, moving toward the door with Ivy at his side. She slipped her arm around his waist as he glanced back at the king.

“It’s simple, really,” Axel said. “He values his life too much to stand by his decisions. The prince should have been crowned king by now, but the fact that he still clings to the throne tells you everything you need to know.” He smirked slightly, “The Crusaders, huh? A clever way of forcing us into a political alliance where we have no choice but to fight together.”

With that, he left, Ivy and Lunar following close behind, leaving Kurtis alone with his frustration in the dimly lit chamber.

---

As they made their way back to the celebration, Lunar suddenly stopped.

“Hey, Axel.”

Both Axel and Ivy turned to face her.

Lunar’s eyes glistened as she bowed her head, “Thank you. Truly.”

Axel offered her a warm smile, “I keep my promises.” Then, his tone shifted playfully, “By the way, I have a proposal for you.”

Lunar lifted her head curiously, “What is it?”

Ivy, barely containing her excitement, grinned behind Axel.

He laughed, wrapping an arm around Ivy, “Calm down, love. Let me tell her before you ruin the fun.” He turned back to Lunar, “We’ll soon be receiving shipmasters to assist with trade. They’ll need a crew—people to help transport goods, defend shipments, and navigate the seas. I was thinking… you could join Ivy on the crew.”

Lunar’s eyes sparkled. She turned to Ivy, who handed her a note.

"I’ve been talking with Axel about this, and I really want to see the world—with you. He wasn’t too keen on the idea at first, but I persuaded him in my way… and, long story short, he changed his mind."

Lunar was speechless.

Axel chuckled, “So, what’s your answer?”

---

Meanwhile, at the banquet, Becca, Cj, and Philly sat at their table, feeling out of place among the nobility.

“Guys, I’m bored,” Cj muttered.

Becca and Philly, idly picking at their food, barely reacted until Philly nudged Cj, “On your left.”

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Cj turned to see two noblewomen eyeing them from across the room.

His boredom vanished, “I know how to make this night exciting.”

He and Philly stood, ready to make their move—until they noticed Becca’s unimpressed expression.

“Don’t give us that look,” Cj said, “Nobles have always screwed us over. It’s time we return the favor.” He high-fived Philly, both of them grinning.

Becca pinched the bridge of her nose, “You guys are pigs. Fine, go. I’ll stay here.”

The two boys walked off, leaving Becca alone with her drink.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

She turned to see Axel approaching, two glasses in hand. He set one in front of her and took a seat.

“Oh, hey,” she greeted. “Where are the other two?”

Axel took a sip of his drink. “They had to use the bathroom. Enjoying yourself?”

Becca twirled a strand of hair around her finger. “Not really. It’s kinda crazy being in a place like this. My family would disown me if they knew I was at a noble’s party.”

“You give them a hard time, but they’re can be overprotective. You’re old enough to make your own decisions. Don’t let them dictate how you live.”

Becca frowned.

“I know,” she replied slowly, “But that’s not important right now. I need to ask you something.” She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, “Do you remember when we first met in the forest?”

“Yes, I remem—” Axel started, but Becca had already tuned him out.

Her suspicion was confirmed. This wasn't Axel...just another noble ruining her day.

He eagerly wanted her to drink the oddly pink drink, he subtly moved his chair closer, he constantly would take secret gaze on her chest and ass.

She had seen this before. Nobles who treated commoners as disposable. Saying whatever would make them seem kind, only to manipulate later.

Yet, Axel wasn’t like that. He could be arrogant, but there was kindness beneath his walls.

Maybe… just maybe… not all royals were bad.

She smiled sweetly, “Close your eyes for a second. I have a surprise for you.”

The fake blushed slightly before obeying, “Oh? I wonder wha—”

Becca’s fist collided with his face, sending him sprawling to the ground.

The room fell silent.

Becca pulled the druid ring from around her neck and slipped it onto her finger. Magic coursed through her arm as the transformation shattered.

The nobleman who had sat next to Axel now lay groaning on the floor.

Becca crouched beside him, her voice low and dangerous, “I’ll say this once. If you ever impersonate my friends like that ever again, I will make sure you regret it.”

She stood, turning toward the door, “YOU TWO! WE’RE LEAVING!”

Philly and Cj scrambled after her.

---

Becca stormed down the hallway, Cj and Philly struggling to keep up.

Around the corner, they nearly ran into Axel and the others.

“Something wrong?” Axel asked.

Becca didn’t answer, brushing past him.

Cj sighed, “She’s in a bad mood. Wants to leave.”

Before Becca could go any further, a gust of wind lifted her into the air.

“Hey! Put me down!” she yelled.

Axel floated up beside her, flying them through an open window and into the afternoon sky.

“Are you insane?!” Becca shouted.

Axel remained calm, “Did something happen?”

She hesitated, looking away, “It’s not important.”

Axel smirked, “Then why are you still wearing your ring?”

Becca glanced down and realized she’d forgotten to take it off.

She sighed, “Some noble tried to impersonate you. I got mad and punched him.”

Axel chuckled, “I see. So you made a potential enemy tonight.”

Becca crossed her arms, “So what? Even if the whole world hates me, I won’t let anyone pretend to be my friends.”

Axel froze for a brief moment before smiling.

“Now please put me down. Feels like someone’s staring up my dress.”

He laughed and gently lowered them onto a tower rooftop, where they sat in silence, watching the horizon.

Then, Becca spoke, “A royal family was responsible for my parents’ deaths.”

As they sat in silence, watching the last rays of sunlight stretch across the horizon, Becca spoke suddenly, her voice calm but weighted.

"A royal family was responsible for my parents' deaths."

Axel turned to her, his full attention now on her.

She exhaled slowly, "My parents were farmers. My sister and I grew up working the land in Neverport when it was still just a farmstead, providing crops for a royal family that owned the territory. My father was sick, but he worked himself to the bone trying to keep up with their demands. No matter how hard he pushed himself, it was barely enough for the three of us to survive." She paused, her fingers clenching slightly against the stone railing, "Eventually, he died from overwork."

Axel remained silent, letting her continue.

"My mother took over. But when she couldn’t meet their increasing demands, they sent thugs to make an example of her." Becca’s voice hardened, "They beat her to death. I was fifteen. My sister was nineteen."

Axel’s gaze darkened, "What happened to the family?"

Becca's lips curled into a bitter smile, "My sister made sure they paid for it. One night, she and her friends raided their estate. They didn’t just take revenge—they took back everything that had been stolen from us. Food, money, hope."

Axel watched as the last sliver of the sun dipped below the horizon. After a moment, he spoke, "I was hated by everyone. Not because I hurt anyone. Not because I deserved it. Just for existing." His voice was quiet, distant, "For being powerful. For holding a high rank. For being gifted in ways others weren’t. No matter what I did, I was resented for it. The only person who ever genuinely cared for me was Ivy." He chuckled slightly, "There were others, but I could always see through their intentions."

Becca turned toward him, "Have you ever had real friends? Besides Ivy?"

Axel shook his head, the wind catching in his hair.

Becca rolled her eyes and stepped in front of him, sitting down on the railing with a smirk, "Dummy. I’m your friend. Just like you’re my royal friend."

Axel blinked, caught off guard, before his expression softened. Slowly, he extended his hand toward her.

"I feel the same way, Becca."

She took his hand, shaking it with a warm smile.