Mimi

I followed down the large alley, which was made by two large fences on either side of a pair of mansions. It was strange, but clearly planned that I would meet this king here. We stopped at the middle, as he leaned against the same fence. The king was a taller dark elf, standing about seven foot tall (2.13 meters). He was an older dark elf, with lines beginning to show on his face. After a few more centuries, he would have faint wrinkles, yet the man appeared to walk with a sense of youth and vigor.

His clothes were completely black, and made of some kind of incredibly durable leather. I could see it was sewn together by a master of some kind, and it made him look every bit a villain. From how the shoulders curled up with a point, and how the dark cape draped against the snow. Even his sharp facial features went to make him seem more cruel and imposing. He carried no weapons on him, as far as I could tell. Though I refused to let my guard down around him.

He smirked once I looked at his eyes again, "Boo!" I adopted a fighting stance as he startled me with perfect timing. The man laughed, before stretching a little. "You won't win if we fought, and I'm not here to fight you." Before I knew it, he had a hand over my fist, gently pushing it down. He was either moving very quickly, or teleporting during the periods of time I blinked.

I relaxed, looking down at him. Even when he looked up at me, it felt he was the more dominant one in this situation. As if I were the one being looked down at. The strength of his personality bearing down on me, with that same self assured smile. He held no doubt that he could best me, and in the face of such certainty I found myself looking away first. "Why did you bring me here?"

He moved back, pacing a little in front of me. "Just to answer some questions, and to give such a promising figure some support. There is a long standing rule that I will give my kingdom to anyone that can fix my Queen." He moved his hands while talking, speaking faster to spend less time talking.

I narrowed my eyes, "What's wrong with her?" I tried to speak faster, but I wasn't used to it.

The king laughed, "Nothing you can fix, as you are right now. The gods won't help her, so fuck it why not a random bug monster? Ah right, you don't like being called a monster." He turned and looked me over, before going back to pacing back and forth.

"That..." He interrupted me.

"Yes, it doesn't answer the question. When you're ready, I'll seek you out. That's the thing though, I can tell you how things will play out ahead of time. Before you even consider it, and you'll still be interested enough to see how you get there. I can tell you that you're going to rule the kingdom, or that you'll end up in a ditch. Maybe the Minotaur will capture you, and turn you into a slave. You'll feel doubts, fear, just about any emotion really. Just understand that nothing is set in stone, and regardless of what you do, you will struggle."

He made hand motions with every word, as I slowly nodded. "I'm starting to understand why I shouldn't talk so much. At least when speaking to another person..."

The king smirked, "Yeah, people generally want to feel like they are part of the conversation. Anyway, I am personally telling you that it will get colder and the snow will actually kill your Hive if you let them touch it. Plus the snow in the future will be actual cold snow, not this magic snow."

I blinked again, "Why are you telling me this exactly? Do you not have better things to do as king?"

He laughed, before doing a twirl. "I'm always doing something, even when right in front of other people. I'm not going to give you support openly, but I do have my reasons for keeping you alive if something happens. If you feel like you're going to die, just send those emotions through the link to the man you saw. A herald will be with you as soon as possible. This is not because of anything you have done, but because of what you will do."

I frowned a little, "I will do something worth all of this, in your eyes?"

"Yep." He clapped his hands, making me feel diminished in some way. "I needed to meet you, to specifically see all the potential conversations we were going to have. To see your future to some extent. Besides, it's better to know I'm supporting you indirectly, versus thinking I'm trying to kill you. Honestly, it wouldn't even be that hard to just off you." He wagged his eyebrows at the last bit.

I let out a small sigh of relief, given he just said he would keep me alive. "Does this support extend to my Hive as well?"

He rolled his eyes, "The hive you spread out across the city? Yes, I have no intention of killing them, but I won't protect them either. Don't do anything stupid, and act as if I'm not supporting you secretly. Also, don't kneel when the others kneel at the ball. The Count will try to force you to kneel, but if you stand your ground I'll give you something nice."

I raised a brow at him, "Something nice? What about giving me the rights of a person?"

He waved it off, "You'll have those rights regardless, but you will still need to keep Richard with you."

I tilted my head towards him, deciding to not ask why. He likely would have told me, and just wants me to figure it out on my own.

The king smiled, and did an exaggerated pose. "Don't disappoint me, and see you at the ball. Also, I am not involved with the Underground." He vanished into nothing, leaving me there with my thoughts.

I needed to go back to Oswald and Richard. They were likely waiting for me at the top of those stairs by now. Still there were so many more questions I wanted answered. At the very least, I didn't have to worry about the king moving to destroy my Hive, or myself. It was such a relief that I ended up smiling the whole way back.

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

Oswald Manfred

By this point, there was no reason to look the lass over with my talent. Any new information I got, would change by the end of the week. She was clever, smart, and strong. I could only hope that she would protect Richard. Even if it was only a promise that kept them together. There was no doubt in my mind, that she could only be forced to take actions during the Winter. If she leaves this city, I needed her to take Richard with her. There was no telling who might be sent to end the lad.

My breath hung in the air, as she dropped us off at the base of the stairs. I realized fully, how this was my last private conversation with the lad. I let out a small breath, shaping the mist that escaped my lips. Richard noticed, and tried to do the same. I smiled as we took a few seconds to form our very breath into different shapes. It was a silly thing to do, but I enjoyed it because it was the last time we could do such. "Alright, that's enough lad. We should be walking up these stairs, not standing around like children."

Richard took the first step, as I grabbed onto the railing. He offered me his hand with a smile. "Sure thing old man. Want some help?"

I looked at him with a smile. I handed him my cane, before taking his other hand. The stairs themselves were thankfully cleaned and free of snow. There was no danger of slipping. "Thank you lad." I could feel the fire I started in my estate growing by the second. I allowed it to burn cleanly, destroying everything while no body was close enough to see. All the trophies of monsters I slew, nothing more than ash by this point.

"Not a problem, I just hope everything works out well this time. Do you think if I ask nicely enough, they'll let me take some of the food home to reheat?" He took a step ahead of me, letting me use his grip and the railing to walk after him.

My poor lad wasn't aware that the estate was burning while we were here. "I'm sure they'll let you take as much as you can carry lad. If Mimi doesn't eat it all first." We both had a small laugh at that, before climbing another step. "Tell me lad, what do you plan on doing with the estate when I'm gone?"

He tilted his head a little, and lowered his voice. "I've been thinking about that..." He looked down at my feet, before smiling bitterly. "I don't feel like I deserve it honestly. Besides the family you have here would probably want it more. I won't have the coin to keep it safe or anything either, so I'd just give it to them."

My eyes went wide at this, as I looked him over. "You... you wouldn't even sell it to them?" I was shocked, because it was something I never considered for a second. I could never just give my estate to those parasites.

Richard let out a nervous laugh, "Yeah, I mean you might not like them, but they are related to you. If you passed, I'd want to try and make things better. To have someone to grieve with after you were gone."

I softly shook my head while taking another step, "No lad, they wouldn't miss me. I'd prefer if you never got involved with them. Promise me, that you'll stay away from them." It hurt to hear him say he'd forgive them. Though I understood it wasn't my place to decide who he should forgive. He just didn't understand how terrible they were. How they would use him, and toss him aside, like they did to me.

Richard laughed it off, "Well by that point you'll be dead old man." The bastard smiled at me, and I couldn't help but smile back.

"Right you are lad. I still have a few years left in me, and I'll whip you into a decent alchemist yet." It truly was a shame that I couldn't even tell him he'd be homeless by the end of the night. That these were our final moments alone together. There was just so much I wanted to tell him. Far too many things to chastise him over. Many times more things to tell him I was proud of.

We climbed a few more steps in silence, before the lad spoke up again. "You know... I really don't like talking about how much time you have left. Instead of worrying about when, or how much time we have. Maybe we should try to just enjoy what we can? I mean this past week has been the most time I actually got to spend with you. Sure the training was rough, but you're finally spending time with me. Think we can take a break and just mix some potions or something?"

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

I paused for a moment, as Richard looked worried he might have asked for too much. The truth was that his words hurt me. I swallowed hard, after that moment had passed. "If you can control one of your limbs, then yes. I'm not talking about you having to focus to control it either, but just doing it unconsciously." The fire at the estate burned hotter, reaching the second floor. It spread through the carpets into the building on the right. I kept the outer walls from catching on fire, so even if someone were to look at the estate, they would not see what was going on inside.

Richard let out a sigh, "Fine. It'll take years before I get that good. Guess you'll just have to keep living until then. I'll whittle you down yet old man." He smirked, as we went up a few more stairs.

All that, just to make me promise to stay alive for years to come. I smiled at him, nodding. "We'll see about that lad, I'm stubborn, but Charon can be even more stubborn. I'll consider it, if I start seeing the bastard in my dreams."

Richard smiled back, helping me climb more stairs. "Hey, better than nothing. At least you aren't rejecting me outright on the idea. Do you think anything will happen at the Ball this year?"

The fire reached the third floor, moving to the building on the left. All my samples burning, notes, research equipment. Everything burned in the fire, as it climbed ever higher. I nodded my head, my eyes started to glow as I focused on controlling it still. Compressing the fire, so that it would explode without a sound by the time we reached the top of the stairs. "With Mimi coming, I'd be surprised if something didn't happen lad. We have dwarves from the Northern Kingdom, and a few diplomats from the Fire Kingdom."

Richard helped me when I started to stumble from focusing on the fire too much. "Hey, are you alright?" My eyes were glowing dimly by this point, and I looked down.

"Yes, I'm alright lad. Just lost in thought, there might even be a few elves this time." The fire exploded upwards, catching on everything as it spread to the walls outside. By this time, it was too late for it to be stopped. I only focused on making certain it didn't catch or touch any other buildings. As well as making sure it only burned the structure in such a way that it would collapse in on itself. It was a boon, that I used the walk to retrieve the rings, as an excuse for Richard to put his savings back in a safe hiding place. He would not lose anything over this.

Richard gripped my arm a little more firmly, "Just don't hurt yourself, alright?"

I blinked, my eyes no longer glowing as I smiled back at him. "Of course lad, I'll be fine." We finally reached the top, as the estate burned and collapsed in on itself. I burned the embers up in the air, but the snow would protect from anything I might miss. People were trying to put out the fire, and the deed was done. There was no going back, we could only move forward after tonight.

For what it's worth, I am sorry I couldn't warn you about tonight lad. That I have taken away so much from you, after you gave me hope. That while we stand here waiting for Mimi to return, I don't even have the guts to tell you about the book I grafted to my chest. Please forgive this coward for using you in such a terrible way. Please stop trying to make me feel better, stop trying to make me smile. It hurts my heart, but I deserve it.

"Hey lad." I looked him over, as he rubbed his hands together.

"Yeah?" He smiled at me, before looking back at the view before us.

We could see the small hills the mansions were built on. The rolling slopes that all went down towards the entrance. How many blind spots there would be for invaders, while we could see it all from here. "Thank you for all you've done for me. I'm happy to have you as my brother." I lowered my voice, so that no one might hear us."

Richard shrugged, "It's nothing, but I know you said not to call you that in front of others. Don't go soft on me now old man." He handed my cane back to me before pointing out Mimi. She had snow clinging to the bottom of her wings, and even her legs as she walked. She waved back to Richard as he waved to her.

I smiled, lowering my head. It was foolish to say such a thing, but no one heard it. I couldn't call him that in front of the other nobles. I couldn't put that target on the lad's back. I may never forgive myself for using him, not unless he revealed this was all a lie. I truly am sorry for being such a coward lad. Please do your best, after I am gone.

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

Mimi

Richard waved at me from the top of the stairs. I waved back, catching the faintest glimmer of Oswald wiping at his eye. He took his goggles off, raising his cane at me, "Took you long enough lass!" He laughed a little, as I climbed the stairs. I looked back, to see others were slowly starting to trickle in themselves. I met the two, lowering myself, so that Oswald could climb on my shoulders once again. I was pleased with the fact that the doors here were almost as tall as the hallways past them. It was as if this palace was made for large figures to traverse, with each hall hanging a golden framed painting along it's walls.

What surprised me most, was that as I crossed the threshold into the castle properly, runes lit up. These runes removed any dirt or debris from us, as we walked past. The inside of the palace itself was pleasantly warm, with it's own controlled climate. Oswald pointed where to go, as Richard guided me by my hand once more. Richard was excited and in high spirits, while Oswald slumped a little. It was not my place to speak about what was to happen.

I busied myself by enjoying all the different pictures, sculptures, standing suits of armor, and anything else on display. The best of Eclipse truly on display as we moved past rooms, and other branching hallways. It was like walking through a maze, if you didn't know where to go. With multiple paths to get to the same spot. Likely for a last stand of sorts, if anyone were to breach the castle itself. Attackers would disperse into easier to deal with groups, only to be picked off by those that knew the layout better. The riches to distract those that might try to pillage, or watch out only for themselves. An impressive trap since the wealth itself might be cursed.

We stopped before to rooms on opposite sides of each other. Richard smiled, as he let go of my hand. I set Oswald down gently as he lightly tapped my stingers. Oswald pointed to one room with his cane. "Go in there, and say that you are associated with me. They will give you the proper clothes for tonight lass. The lad and myself will be in this room getting our own set. We'll either wait out here for you, or you will wait for us, understood?"

"I shall see you shortly then." I opened the door, walking into the room with many other rooms inside it. The room was entirely red, from the carpet, to the curtains that separated the smaller rooms where I could hear different people be dressed. There was some kind of magic that made their words distorted, which meant I couldn't hear a word. What truly made me nervous was the ghost standing behind a post with a ledger on it.

The ghost smiled at me warmly, "Greetings darling. I take it you are one of the tamed ones to be shown off this year. I used to live in Dark Fall myself, but I've never seen a monster like you."

I was thrown off a little by how welcoming this spirit was to me. I approached her small table, figuring it might be best to act harmless. "I am not from Dark Fall, Oswald asked for you to give me proper clothing." I reached out to poke the female ghost, my hand simply going through them.

She placed her hands on her hips with a slight huff, "Don't go touching strangers like that darling." I pulled back, pretending to be slightly afraid. Then she smiled with a light giggle, "We'll get you dressed up proper in no time. Go into that room there." She pointed towards one of the back curtains. "Feel free to ask any questions, and your clothes will be returned after you leave."

I nodded, moving into the room as directed. Other ghosts came from the floor as the curtain closed behind me. They took my measurements and began to move together to strip my warming blanket and silk. They did not have much to say to a monster, and merely went about their business with professionalism. They asked a few questions about my armor, and after being given proper answers they set to work once more.

It all happened incredibly fast, and I was left wearing a dark purple sweater that fell just above my knees. There were gray hearts stitched along the sides and down the middle. It gave a sense of modesty, while hiding my figure. I took notes on how it was made, and resolved to make my own version of it at a later date. Especially with the open back design for my wings. It offered a full range of movement, without catching anything. The best part, was that I still didn't have to wear pants since my elastic chitin covered up anything too scandalous.

I walked out of the room, to see Oswald wearing a plush cap on his head, with hair filtering into his beard properly. He wore glasses instead of goggles, with skull buttons on his sleeves. It was a warmer suit, that was enchanted to make sure he would only be struck in one spot. The space between the ribs, where his heart and lungs would not be punctured. It appeared Oswald was going to be stabbed, and that was how he was to die today. Likely some kind of poison will be involved. His beard was tucked in under his black suit.

We both looked at each other for a moment before looking away. It was clear he didn't like his suit as much, and I covered myself with my wings. Somehow it felt more embarrassing to be clothed and looked at by others, than using my own silk to cover myself. A part of me feeling what I wore didn't count unless I made it myself.

Richard stepped out a few minutes later, wearing a suit similar to Oswald's with black heart buttons on the cuffs. It was strange to see Richard dressed well, given that he usually had a disheveled look about him. Even as he stood there, he pulled at the collar, and kicked his legs out a little. "I swear, they never make the suits quite right for me."

Oswald laughed a little, "It's just because you're more used to wearing the same set of clothes for months and stretching them out lad. You just aren't used to stuff made to fit only you. You get used to it after a week, but we only wear this during the Ball."

Richard rubbed the back of his head, "Sure, sure. How about you Mimi?" He smiled at me, causing me to blush a little.

Other people filtered into the rooms behind us as we started to walk away. I picked Oswald up, showing Richard the sweater they made for me. I promptly covered myself with my wings again after he gawked a little. He smiled, taking my hand and leading me down some more halls. Thankfully he had the presence of mind not to say anything. Even if I felt it made him happy to see a slightly embarrassed side of myself. It was more comforting still, to detect the faintest hint of desire he had towards myself. There was hope that Spring would be rather fulfilling.

We walked into the largest room I had ever been in. It was an open area with multiple tables on either side. The aroma of food filling the air. The space was so large, that it would take me five minutes to run from one side to the other. I saw a set of stairs that led to the floor above, spiraling from the back of the wall to the platform at the halfway point, then going straight back. There were banners draped along the walls, with the symbol of Eclipse. I could make out ghosts carrying platters of tiny little bits of food and different drinks. There were already a few others in the area. Then there was the spatial magic that seemed to teleport people to a balcony on the left side of the room.

Richard had to tug my hand a few times, before I followed after him. I flicked my ears, listening to the conversations the others were having. Oswald spoke quietly to me, "The minor nobles typically come first, with lower nobles filtering in after. This is where they start to make connections and alliances with each other. We usually don't come this early, but I felt it would be better for you since you'll need to know what's going to happen in the near future. More powerful nobles will start showing up in the afternoon, and the King will make his appearance at night."

I saw more then a few looks thrown our way, as Oswald tapped my stingers again. I slowly set him down, piecing together the abundance of information that was being spilled from their lips. The most interesting group belonged to those that surrounded Raul, as he spoke of how his daughter unfortunately passed. How he was seeking to right the wrongs of the nobles that killed her, and how he would support anyone that might help him find the culprit for this cold case. The business between Oswald and Richard aside, this was going to be a very interesting event.