Mary's first intention upon returning to the academy was to talk to Ronan. But she couldn’t find him.

“He’s gone to a dungeon with Bianca,” Vincent told her during dinner.

The table, where they usually ate together, felt a little emptier. Only she, Prince Vincent, and his two childhood friends, Theodore and Alistair, were there.

“They went just the two of them? Without Joe or Bob? That’s insane.”

“Insane? I’d give anything to join them. You saw that zombie bear, didn’t you? Ronan could clear a dungeon all on his own.”

“Then why didn’t you go?”

The prince made a face, one of mild annoyance, though he didn’t seem truly upset.

“They didn’t let me. They said they wanted to train Bianca’s archery and were going to take it slow.”

“Speaking of which, why were you looking for him?” Theodore interjected as he tore a piece of bread. They were eating a fish stew. “Do you need help? And what are you doing with Joe and Bob?”

“Well, they’ve been helping me with my mission, and to be honest, yes, your help would be really great.”

“And mine wouldn’t?” the prince asked, and Mary couldn’t tell if he was joking.

“Uh… It’s just that I need to go to a city in his father’s marquisate,” she replied, a little flustered.

“If that’s all, fine. But next time, ask me for help,” he said with a smile. “If you don’t, I’ll feel rejected.”

The blend of his smile and the way the light streaming through the windows caught the blonde strands of his hair was devastating. Mary felt herself blushing and didn’t quite understand why.

Theodore observed the two of them with his usual inscrutable expression. Then, as if remembering something, his shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly.

“And Tom? Is he here? I’d love to ask him some questions.”

“No, Ronan must’ve taken him,” the prince answered. “Though I don’t know how you expect him to answer you.”

“If he knew how to write when he was alive, I could give him a quill.”

They continued chatting until the meal was over. Afterward, Mary left the dining hall with Theodore to explain to him what she needed and why.

On her journey back to the academy, Mary had decided that asking Theodore for help was the best way to approach the baronet and see if she could find any evidence to incriminate him. Truthfully, it had taken her some time to accept this conclusion. A part of her still remembered she’d be attending the end-of-term ball with him, and she worried he might misinterpret her request as having an ulterior motive she would never intend to imply.

So, she explained everything to him, and Theodore seemed delighted to help. He told her not to worry—that’s what friends were for. Mary made sure to tell him everything she knew about the mission so he would understand why she specifically needed his help and not misinterpret her intentions as flirting.

Before going to bed, she crossed paths with Bianca in the women’s dormitory area. The dungeon, it seemed, had gone very well, and Bianca had gained mastery with the bow. Mary didn’t ask about Ronan, since it was too late to go to the men’s quarters. She decided she’d speak to him after her trip.

“Are you riding with Theodore in his carriage?” Bianca inquired upon hearing the plan.

“Yes.”

“Alone?”

“Uh… yes.”

“You can’t. I know you’re a commoner and don’t have a maid to accompany you, but this is basic etiquette. Didn’t you notice how, on the way to and from the dungeon, you and I always shared a carriage?”

Mary nodded, a bit confused. Back home with her parents, she’d never traveled by carriage or cart. And truthfully, she’d rarely been out alone. When she went to the market to buy food, it was usually with her mother or one of her brothers. But she hadn’t considered that this might be because she was an unmarried young woman. In any case, after a little over two months at the academy, she still hadn’t fully adapted to the nobles’ etiquette and social norms.

“Don’t worry, I’ll lend you my maid to act as a chaperone.”

“You have a maid?”

“Yes, she lives in the servants’ quarters. I’d say she’s living well, too, because with all my studying and training, I hardly ever call on her or give her work. I have her more for status than anything else. My mother would’ve had a fit if Berta weren’t here with me. Oh, that reminds me, when I first arrived at the academy… Sol’s carriage was ahead of mine, and I saw her arguing with the guard so she could bring two maids with her.”

Sol was the daughter of a duke, while Bianca was the daughter of a count. Mary nodded, understanding how the former could have more privileges even within an academic institution.

“Well, I’ll let you sleep, Mary. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day, and I’m exhausted from the dungeon.”

“Of course. Goodnight, Bianca. Rest well.”

The two friends said their goodbyes, and once Mary was in bed, she had trouble falling asleep. She hadn’t known it was inappropriate for an unmarried girl to travel alone in a carriage with a male friend. Did Theodore know? Would he have a servant prepared in case she didn’t bring one?

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

----------------------------------------

The next day, Mary, Berta, and the marquis’ heir traveled together in his carriage to the city of Tharion, a journey of just over three hours.

They had left early, and Theodore kept up polite conversation the entire way, his deep green eyes—which reminded her of his high affinity with water—fixed on her. When he asked if she’d already chosen her dress for the ball, Mary blushed.

Oh, it was all so complicated!

Mary liked Theodore—possibly more than liked him. But she also liked the prince. The poor girl had no idea, unlike Bianca, that she was one of the potential protagonists in an otome game. It was perfectly normal for her to feel attracted to any of the romantic interests.

Ronan, of course, wasn’t one of them. The necromancer didn’t even appear in the game.

“Don’t worry, Mary. If you’re having trouble choosing a dress, I can have my valet assist you. He’ll take care of everything, and you’ll just need to receive it as a gift the next day.”

Mary sighed. She knew the young man meant well, likely thinking she might have financial difficulties as a scholarship student, admitted thanks to her high light affinity. The fact that he’d invited her to be his partner at the ball meant she’d have to wear a dress suitable for someone accompanying a future marquis, no less. But after the division of the loot from the desert dungeon they’d explored together, money was no longer an issue.

“Thank you so much, Theodore, but it won’t be necessary. Bianca already helped me pick out a dress. It matches the ribbon you gave me.”

“Then I can’t wait for the day to come so I can dance with the most beautiful lady,” he said softly, his words like a gentle caress as he gazed at her with admiration.

Mary couldn’t help blushing again. Berta cleared her throat. The atmosphere had become too intense, and the maid reminded Theodore that they weren’t alone.

The young man blinked and kept his eyes closed for a beat longer than usual. He composed himself and, without looking away from Mary with those inscrutable green eyes, changed the subject.

“Then we’ll be staying at Cedric’s mansion. Officially, I’m visiting the city with a fellow student because it’s on the way for my academy mission. One day and one night. And one morning more. We’ll leave the next day before lunch—I hope that’s enough time.”

Mary nodded.

“It will have to be. Honestly, I don’t know how to thank you enough,” she began, speaking with the pure innocence only someone with her light affinity could have.

Theodore smiled gently.

“There’s no need to thank me. I enjoy spending time with you.”

Berta cleared her throat again. Theodore, who had been reaching for Mary’s hand, withdrew his with a resigned expression.

“Are you feeling alright? Does your throat hurt? If you want, I can cast a healing spell,” Mary offered, her concern genuine.

Berta struggled to maintain a neutral expression but didn’t quite succeed.

“No, miss. I’m perfectly fine.”

“Berta, you don’t need to worry,” Theodore reassured before turning his attention back to Mary.

They continued discussing their plan to investigate the baronet’s mansion until they reached their destination.

----------------------------------------

Mary struggled to greet that criminal without betraying the deep disgust his mere presence evoked in her. It wasn’t his affinity for darkness—which she could sense was much weaker than Ronan’s—but rather the knowledge of his actions. Ordering the murder of innocent men, attempting (or succeeding) to assault women, kidnapping little girls… and who knew how much longer his list of crimes truly was.

She couldn’t hide her feelings, especially when Cedric seemed to relish her reaction, as if imagining all the terrible, unspeakable things he could do to her.

The baronet was young, only two or three years older than her, but his mere presence made Mary imagine him as an ancient, corrupt leech, ready to drain the life and joy from anyone who crossed his path.

She felt relieved when the formalities of welcoming Theodore were over and they could retire to their rooms. The downside was that they’d be dining with him later. The upside? It was the perfect opportunity to try to extract information from him.

“Are you alright?” Theodore asked, his concern evident once they were alone.

“Yes, I’m just easily affected. Sorry.”

“It’s also your high light magic affinity, isn’t it? That allows you to sense dark auras and affinities?”

Mary placed her hand on the door to her room. They were standing in front of the two guest rooms, where one of the baronet’s servants had left them. She stayed thoughtful for a few seconds before finally replying:

“I don’t think his dark affinity is more than low, but I can sense that his soul is entirely corrupted by it. It’s very different from Ronan. Despite his strong affinity and the potential harm he could cause with his dark magic if he wanted to, I don’t feel any of that rot around him that I sense with the baronet.”

“It must be difficult to have an affinity for light. You know I have a high affinity for water, but I can’t perceive anything like that in others. Not even in those with fire magic. Light and darkness seem to be something else entirely.”

Mary smiled at his words.

“Maybe, but I can see water in your eyes. They’re like deep, mysterious pools—a green that sometimes looks clear and sometimes darker. Water is strong, flexible, and steady, but it can also change and wreak havoc in destructive floods. You remind me of water. You’re calm, mysterious, like those pools. But sometimes I think there’s a storm brewing upstream, and you might surprise us all.”

Theodore looked startled, caught off guard for a moment and unsure how to respond.

“Do you fear a flood?” he asked, misinterpreting her words. “You don’t need to fear anything from me.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I just…” She suddenly blushed as she realized that, while she’d only intended to associate his personality with his element, she’d essentially been calling him strong, flexible, and steady.

Was that considered a compliment?

“My lady, you must be tired from the journey. We should go in,” Berta interjected.

“Yes, of course,” Mary replied, grateful for the interruption.

Theodore stepped aside to let them open the door and enter without being in the way. He didn’t stop watching Mary.

“I’ll see you in half an hour, and we’ll head into town,” he said as a parting remark. “I’m glad your words describing me weren’t motivated by fear.”

“Better make it forty-five minutes. See you later, and thank you for your help,” she answered nervously before practically shutting the door in his face.

She leaned against the door from inside the room. Berta looked at her, amused, as she began unpacking Mary’s things.

“Thank you, Bianca,” Mary whispered so softly it was barely audible, speaking to herself. “I don’t know what I’d have done without Berta.”

Because no, it hadn’t been a brilliant idea to travel alone with someone who she now had no doubt was a suitor. Sure, he’d invited her to the ball, but she was a commoner. The idea of a humble girl marrying a marquis sounded like something out of a fairy tale.

She blushed at the thought.

Or a prince.

She threw herself onto the bed, burying her face in the pillow. What a mess. What would Berta tell Bianca?

Tell Bianca?

But hadn’t Bianca herself said it was fine if Mary wanted to go on dates with both of them?

----------------------------------------

The morning proved quite disheartening. They walked through the city, pretending to shop, while subtly engaging with people to see if anyone had noticed missing girls—or a young woman asking questions about her daughter.

Nothing. Every answer was negative.

As they were heading back toward Cedric’s mansion, a water vendor called out to them.

“My water’s the freshest! Would you like to try it?” she said loudly.

Once they got closer, she began filling a cup made of baked clay.

“Two cups?” she asked aloud before lowering her voice to a whisper. “Those questions you’re asking are dangerous. My cousin’s daughter disappeared, and my cousin vanished while trying to find her. They’re not the only ones. The woman you’re asking about…” She raised her voice again. “Try it, my lady! It’s very good and only costs a copper coin!”

“Another for him, thank you,” Mary said.

“That woman came by, and I don’t know if they did something to her or if she learned to be more discreet. Go to the tavern in the lower district. Ask for Mason.”

“Thank you,” Mary whispered as the water vendor handed the second cup to Theodore.

It seemed that, after all, they had a lead.