"As per your request, our agents have been keeping tabs on the missives between Solfin and the capital, Crown Princess." It was a cold summer night with an unnatural chill running through the imperial palace. One year had passed since the hunting festival and so much had changed while remaining the same. The Silk Sparrow agent continued his report to Olivia, "Once October began, there was an increase in correspondences being sent out to Solfin with many going unanswered. This changed after December with nearly all letters receiving answers."

"And the contents?" Olivia silently stood looking out her bedroom window at the garden that was bathed in Sailest's soft violet light. An ominous haze obscured the garden as if not wanting the flowers to detract from Sailest's splendor.

"Those from the palace were escorted by imperial knights so we were unable to confirm, and those from Solfin were sent with Hellhound knights." The agent seemed embarrassed as he added, "We attempted to steal from the Hellhounds as we thought they would be easier targets but that only led to the deaths of our agents, so we gave up on learning the contents. We do not know the contents but whatever they were required the protection of elite knights so as not to be discovered."

"I see… Did anything noteworthy happen in spring?" Olivia didn't want sporadic reports filled with speculations, she wanted definitive answers so she asked that the Sparrows only give one final report once the contract ended.

"Once winter ended, and the Helker's waters were free of ice, Solfin began sending larger and larger tithes to the capital. Watching Solfin's docks, we discovered the tithe increase was supposed to be a secret since they disguised many of the offerings in containers meant for commercial goods that never saw their way to the 'intended' destinations. These offerings were never loaded onto Trent ships and instead were vessels of lesser-known merchants. We tried approaching a few of the sailors but they were strangely tight-lipped so we ceased attempting contact to not arouse any suspicion. None but the palace and Solfin likely know of the increase."

"I see." Olivia thought back over the year and, with this new information, realized that James had been spending larger and larger sums on vanity items than he had previously. His room was practically bursting with works of art, furniture of intricate designs, and oddities that would all fetch a high price to the right buyer. "This isn't much information for an entire year of observation."

"…We apologize for our unsatisfactory results, Your Highness." The agent bowed his head lower out of shame. "Infiltrating Solfin has proved nearly an impossible task as all our attempts are swiftly rooted out. The information about the docks was only obtained by observers using spyglasses who were outside the city's walls, or who were out at sea and could see the coastal dockyards." Lucina's shadow knights were so effective at rooting out foreign influences within Solfin that many in the information business believed that Zulm himself was guiding their hands. Considering they served the Harbinger of Zulm, such a claim wasn't as far-fetched as many would like to think. "However, we can say with the utmost certainty that Countess Sanguine is financing the Crown Prince in secret, and has joined his faction."

"…" The agent's words made sense, but Olivia still took them with a grain of salt. The Silk Sparrows were controlled by Duke Mordrist who was the aunt of Empress Stephany, so their reports could be deliberately skewed against James and Lucina to try and endear her to Terence. She would accept undeniable facts like Lucina sending increased tithes to James, but she didn't want to speculate on the reasons without any solid proof. Olivia was exhausted from the conclusions her mind was already coming up with, she didn't need the speculations of others. "What about the other contract?"

"We found a few leads, but they all turned out to be nonsense." The agent shifted uncomfortably as he had to deliver more lackluster news, "The temples have been on the move over something, and anyone who knows anything about why is remaining tight-lipped. Infiltrating R'eldrun is impossible."

"Then our business is concluded."

"Once again, I apologize for the lack of re-" A bag of gold was placed on the table in front of the agent. He looked up at Olivia with a confused expression and asked, "But, we failed the contract and have not fulfilled the second. Would you still pay us?"

"I'm not so petty that I wouldn't pay you for the work I hired you for," Olivia answered before moving back to look out the window. "Though, if I can put a stipulation on it, please make sure the distribution is prioritized to anyone who was close to the agents that died."

"…I will convey your words, Crown Princess," the agent was humbled as he accepted the bag. It wasn't unheard of for nobles to cheat out information guilds when the results were so unsatisfactory, and the agent fully expected Olivia not to pay considering how little they were able to obtain over an entire year about either contract. He wouldn't question such generosity and quickly made his exit to return to the guild, leaving Olivia alone to her thoughts.

"…" Olivia continued to stare in silence out the window with her eyes continuously being drawn to Sailest as it loomed over her. She had always thought the gas giant was beautiful with its soft light gently bathing the night in its glow, but as she spent more time in the palace, Olivia was growing uncomfortable with the planet. No longer did its light bring a calming aura, but one of apprehension. Its constant presence in the night sky which Olivia had always taken for granted now seemed more…threatening. "It's just a planet…" The imperial palace was surrounded and protected by magic crystals from the wizard's tower that deterred demons from approaching which made it one of the safest places in the capital, so why would a planet in the sky make her feel threatened? "I should get some sleep." There was too much on her mind to focus on, so Olivia decided to go to bed so she could approach her problems tomorrow with a refreshed mind. And as she drifted off to sleep to once more dream of things she wouldn't remember the next morning, Sailest silently watched her through the window; its gaze unwavering upon the sacrilege Olivia lived in.

***

"It's far too cold for July!" Cassandra complained as she hugged her fluffy pink scarf tighter around her neck. Clouds blanketed the capital to block the afternoon sun and keep the previous night's chill lingering while the group of girls enjoyed tea in the imperial palace's garden. Cassandra sipped some more tea before mumbling, "Honestly, this past week has been nothing but gloomy weather."

Margaret shuffled through some work papers as she commented, "Luckily, at least, it hasn't been raining. Peltaira has been hit with three days of rain and it's caused major flooding in their farmlands."

"…" Olivia idly traced her finger around the handle of her teacup, completely lost in thought. She was still weary of Lucina but was trying, and failing, to not let it show.

"…" Lucina also silently sat without touching her drink. Since Olivia's odd behavior started the day she revealed her inner feelings, Lucina believed Olivia was uncomfortable with her for liking girls so she gave Olivia plenty of space so as not to make her any more uncomfortable. Both girls were misunderstanding each other, and the awkward atmosphere it created at the tea party was putting Cassandra and Margaret in a delicate spot.

Cassandra cleared her throat to try and get them talking by changing the conversation, "I just hope that the weather clears up soon so our first day attending the academy can be a bright one, don't you think?"

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Olivia was the first to break her silence, "Classes start mid-August, right?" She remembered that that's when the game started.

"Yes! I already have my uniform perfectly tailored so my academic début will be flawless!" Cassandra proudly declared before giving a confident laugh that jostled her hair drills. One of her silent friends was talking, so now it was time to hook in the other one. "What about you, Lucina? Is our Countess ready for the royal academy?"

"…I'd say so," Lucina said while giving a nod to herself. "There were more classes than I thought there'd be, but I managed to pick ones that would be the most useful to help me govern Solfin."

"Classes…" Olivia muttered as she too had to pick her courses for the first year. While many were already determined for her as the crown princess, Olivia still held some control over the electives she would be taking. "It honestly feels a little strange." She felt like she was back on earth choosing high school electives. There were clubs and sports teams students could join that further cemented the 'fantasy high school' trope; even if normal things like baseball were replaced by things like jousting.

"It does?" Cassandra tilted her head to the side, egging Olivia on to keep talking.

"I'm surprised an institution like the academy exists instead of nobles opting for hiring private tutors for their children." She'd never given it much thought as an otome game enjoyer, but now that she was living it Olivia realized how strange the royal academy was as a part of the setting.

Margaret spoke up to clarify, "That's because the academy's creation was ordained by Lord Zulm."

"…It was?" None of the in-game lore books ever mentioned that fact, and her history lessons avoided mentioning the gods as much as they could. "I thought the gods didn't get too involved in the running of the kingdom." While the gods did manifest their presence and granted boons and banes to the people, they rarely interfered with the ruling of nations outside of a few rare exceptions.

"It was what he wished for," Lucina clarified and finally spoke to Olivia directly. Recalling what she learned from Elise's lessons, Lucina continued, "Lord Zulm didn't want the nobility of his people to hide themselves away with private tutors. The royal academy serves as both a place to learn as well as an opportunity to mingle with our peers for when we graduate." Lucina gave a chuckle as she added, "Though, in recent years, it's more leaned toward being a social gathering place than an academic one."

"…Right." Olivia's awkwardness still shined through, much to Cassandra's chagrin.

This time, Margaret tried to help Cassandra out, "Speaking of, I've been meaning to confirm something with you, Countess."

"Hm?" Lucina glanced over to Margaret while Cassandra and Olivia sipped their tea.

"Rumors have been coming in from my merchants in Relsh about the temples making hasty movements in the duchy. It's said that paladins were seen despite them never leaving R'eldrun." The paladins of R'eldrun were the military arm of the temples who only moved when Arbiter Hoxton commanded it. While they were small in number, their skill in battle and mastery of magic were legendary among the populous. "It's making them nervous and disrupting their work. Have you heard anything about why they're there?"

"I heard about that, too!" Cassandra joined in and expectantly looked at Lucina. "The temple's being quiet about it, despite how many people saw them. Since you're the Harbinger of Zulm, you must know what's going on, right!?"

"…" Lucina swore she could see Cassandra's hair drills jingling in anticipation. "I mostly stay in Solfin, but Elise goes to R'eldrun often and told me something interesting…" Her words trailed off as she realized what she was about to say and stopped herself.

"…Well?" Cassandra's drills demanded an answer.

Lucina gave a sigh as she figured what was about to happen, and she answered, "She said it was because a potential Saintess of Alm was discovered."

"!?!" Olivia spat out her tea and started violently coughing.

"O-Olivia!?" Cassandra quickly went to Olivia's side to help her control her coughing while Margaret motioned for the maids to approach.

"My Lady!?" Mary rushed to Olivia and moved the spilled cup away while handing Olivia a handkerchief to cough into. "You mu-"

"I-Is it…confirmed?" Olivia forced herself to speak through her coughs. Her eyes held a hint of fear as they stared at Lucina awaiting an answer.

"…No," Lucina admitted before adding, "But I also don't think the paladins would move without evidence."

"…" Olivia clenched her teeth. The fact that the Saintess was appearing during this year was the clearest indication of what route Olivia was currently on, and she could already feel the weight of the slave collar clasping around her neck.

***

"Hmm… Another dreary day?" an elderly woman mumbled as she swept the stone steps of an old church while the many orphans played in the yard. She was thankful that it wasn't raining since that would mean cooping up the children inside and would make them even rowdier than they already were. A cold wind blew across the plains of Relsh and smacked against the old church with an almost expectant vigor. "May we be relieved of the Storm's cloak soon."

"Matron!?" a younger woman came running up the dirt path toward the church. "Matron!?"

"I'm old, not deaf!" the elderly matron yelled as she set her broom aside and walked around the side of the building to where her young apprentice was. "What's got you so…?" As she rounded the corner, the matron was met with knights armored in ornate steel and flowing cloaks that rippled like flags in the wind. A large carriage also accompanied them, but there was no one inside. The knights' tabards were adorned with Alm's flame insignia making them instantly recognizable to the elderly matron.

"Greetings, Matron," one of the knights said as he dismounted his horse and approached the church. "I am Andre, Paladin of Hearth."

"I-I greet you, Paladin!" the matron gave a bow of respect. She turned to her apprentice and ordered, "Take the children inside, we shouldn't trouble the paladins who-"

"Please, Matron, it is quite alright," Andre reassured while giving a kind laugh. "We won't be long as we are only here to check on someone for our Arbiter, and potentially bring back said someone to R'eldrun."

"Check someone?" At first, the matron wasn't sure what Andre was talking about, but then a thought came to her mind and she asked, "Are you here for-"

"Beatrice!?" the young apprentice called out as a fourteen-year-old girl confidently walked out of the church wearing her cleanest clothes and holding a small bag filled with her belongings. Beatrice's hair flowed freely to her lower back and was a gentle green like the grass-filled plains that surrounded their church, and her irises were a shimmering mixture of reds, oranges, and yellows as if a setting sun was trapped within her eyes. With confidence unbefitting such a young girl, Beatrice walked up to Andre and gave a respectful bow.

"Hello, Sir Andre." Her voice was like a gentle breeze on a summer's day and she gave a smile filled with the warmth of the sun to the paladins.

"You are as our Arbiter described you," Andre admitted while taken aback by how beautiful Beatrice looked. "If it doesn't trouble you, may we see your gift?"

"Of course," Beatrice answered with a nod.

"Then…" Andre drew his sword and cut his own hand to the point it was bleeding profusely.

"P-P-Paladin!?!" the elderly matron was completely distraught at the sight of Andre's actions.

"…" Beatrice, however, was eerily calm as she reached out her hand to gently hold Andre's wound. With a soft prayer spoken under her breath, a dazzling light engulfed Andre's hand and the sword wound instantly closed shut without leaving so much as a scar behind. Beatrice looked up at Andre and gave him a sad smile before saying, "Even if you have to test me, please don't hurt yourself in the future, Sir Andre."

"Very well…Saintess." Andre and all the paladins present instantly dropped to one knee as they prostrated themselves before Beatrice. "By the decree of our Arbiter and the wishes of the Voice of Alm, we are here to escort Saintess Beatrice to R'eldrun." Andre rose and offered a hand to Beatrice. "Your new life awaits you, Saintess."

"Really?" Beatrice looked up at Andre with childlike wonder as she gently took his hand. "Oh!" Quickly remembering something, Beatrice turned and bowed to the matron and apprentice. "Thank you for all the years you looked after me. May our Hearth Mother's warmth never leave you."

"…And you as well, child," the matron replied before returning the bow.

The apprentice silently watched Beatrice enter the carriage and only spoke after it was riding off into the distance, "I always knew she was a special child."

"Indeed," the matron laughed. "She was always mature for her age and never fussed over peeling potatoes like the other children. To think, she was our Hearth Mother's chosen?"

"It must be a blessing of changing times!" the apprentice excitedly declared.

"True… Though how it will change remains to be seen." The matron silently let the wind blow over her as she continued to watch the carriage disappear into the horizon. Then, a thought crossed her mind, "By the way, how did you know to tell Beatrice to get ready to leave?"

"Huh?" The apprentice tilted their head to the side in confusion and clarified, "I didn't. I called out to her since I saw her heading for the door with her bag already packed."

"Already packed?" A cold breeze whipped the side of the old church.

"Yes, almost like she already knew the paladins were coming for her."

***

"…" Beatrice sat silently and stared out the window of the carriage as it made its way across the Relsh duchy and toward R'eldrun; though she knew the grand temple wouldn't be her final destination. She opened her bag and took out an old, worn-out journal that was little more than loose pieces of paper she'd collected over the past year that was filled with strange writings in the same unknowable language that adorned the various temples of worship that she had bound together with string. Each page was written by her hand about events that never happened. She was thankful that she only had to send a few of them to R'eldrun to get Hoxton's attention so he would send the paladins for her earlier than he normally would have. She needed all the time she could if she wanted things to change. "…?" A light caught her eye, and Beatrice looked away from the window to see a familiar semitransparent blue square hovering in front of her eyes.

(Despite suffering four terrible fates, you once more brave the world in the search for love!)

(There will be no more tutorials going forward, so use all you've learned and confidently blaze your path!)

(Since you will be starting your academy life earlier than before, why not try new things?)

(Find love, overcome adversity, and enjoy the world with a new perspective!)

(May you be blessed on your journey in Finding Arlexia's Light!)