“The problem remains. I appreciate the offers to help, but we must have more than offers,” the king said, crossing his arms. He crossed them high, over his new chest, then frowned and shifted them lower, underneath it.

“I, too, pledge to help in any way I can,” Leaa offered.

“Me as well,” a blond, winged man added, shaking his curly hair out of his eyes.

Toni, Mouse recognized instantly. Slender and soft, her male form barely looked different than her female.

“Naturally, I will do all I can,” an attractive man with tall horns curling back over his head said, somehow pulling off the tight purple dress he wore. He noticed Mouse looking and winked.

Lilith? But why would she… no, right, she and Sabelyn have plans at the hot spring. Do those plans require them to be their original sex? That… can’t be, right? Mouse furrowed his brows, then shrugged. Perhaps this has nothing to do with their plot, and she’s merely attached to her sex. I know I am… was. He glanced down, lips pursing into a sour expression.

“And all of us,” Brittany chimed in, crossing her arms over her open jacket.

“Bring us a solution, as soon as possible. Until we are all our original sexes, no one is to leave the palace grounds,” the king decreed.

“But…” Felix started. The hot springs, he mouthed, crestfallen.

The king threw his hand out. “I have decreed! Even the Mage-Emperor is not above the King when it comes to the human kingdom.”

Felix bowed. “I hear and obey.”

When he stood, resolve glinted in his eyes. Again, his lips moved. For the hot springs!

Mouse resisted the urge to put his face in his hands. Your Majesty, your motivations are a mess.

“Dismissed,” the king declared.

As everyone filed out, Sabelyn moved to the king’s side. Mouse loitered, ears twitching to narrow in on her voice.

“Father, if I could?”

The king waved for her to continue, hefting himself off the throne.

Sabelyn nodded, voice hushed but excited. “Is this not an excellent opportunity to rethink our line of ascension? Now that I am male, nothing bars me from taking the throne. And Reginald… everyone knows your opinion of him. You, too, see that I am a much better choice for the kingdom.”

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“Sabelyn, we have had this conversation before. The rules of ascension were set well before my time, and will continue long afterwards. Even if I were to elevate you above your brother, no one would see you as the legitimate heir. You would fail to hold onto the kingdom.”

“Father, that’s not true. There are times when—”

“When the eldest son was infirm, or near death, and even then, their sibling ruled from the shadows. There are some traditions that even the king cannot overturn.”

Sabelyn’s expression hardened. “If we never change back, what then?”

“Then we will have to make an exception. Reginald has already been set as my heir. There is nothing that can be done.”

“You’d make an exception for Reginald, but not me?” Sabelyn asked, dumbstruck.

“Reginald is a male, at heart, and yourself, female. It’s simply the truth, Sabelyn. You can never overcome it.”

Sabelyn bit her lip, her face pale. Despite himself, Mouse’s heart twinged. Even I can see Sabelyn is much more suited for the throne than her brother. But because of her sex, she doesn’t even stand a chance? That’s ridiculously unfair.

“No funny business, either,” the king continued, waddling away. “Remember, you have cousins and nephews who stand before you in the line of ascension. Even with Reginald out of the way, you would not take the throne. The male line takes precedence.”

“I know,” Sabelyn grit. She spun on her heel and stomped away, ponytail lashing after her.

Mouse glanced back, pity in his eyes. I’ll never understand humans.

Sabelyn caught him looking and scowled. Lip curled, she snapped, “Enjoy it while you can.”

“Not at all, Sabelyn, I—”

“I’m not in the mood for your fake platitudes. Farewell.” Waving vaguely, she marched away.

Felix stared after her. “I feel for her.”

Mouse nodded. “I as well.”

“Is it like that for you?” Felix asked quietly.

“Not at all. We heirs all fight amongst one another, and the one recognized by the current ruler… or the last one standing, takes the throne. Gender plays no role. For example, my mother is Queen, and my father, the Queen’s Consort.”

Felix put a hand on Mouse’s. “That sounds… lonely.”

“It doesn’t have to be. I was very good friends with my sister. I’m sure she would have betrayed me someday, but…” He shrugged.

“Your sister?”

Mouse nodded. “Yes, Mo—” Holy shit! What am I saying? “M…my sister, Iyaenna.”

“I thought you only had brothers?” Felix asked, tilting his head.

“Two brothers, but an elder sister,” Mouse corrected.

Felix nodded. “I had a younger sister, myself.”

“Oh? I bet she’s adorable,” Mouse said, grinning. A younger, cuter, female Felix? Face framed in golden curls, puppy dog eyes… she’d make all the boys’ hearts melt.

“Ah… had. She passed of illness before my powers awakened.”

“Felix, I’m so sorry,” Mouse said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Felix stared at the floor, then looked up, a smile on his face, but not in his eyes. “It’s okay. It’s been a long time.”

Uncertain what else to say, Mouse nodded. He smiled back and patted Felix on the shoulder comfortingly.

Felix grabbed onto Mouse and held him tight. Startled, Mouse went stiff, then let Felix hug him. Ah, whatever. He’ll feel a female body now, so it’s to my advantage, if anything.

After a few moments, Felix let go. He held Mouse at arm’s length for a few seconds, frowning, then looked up, almost startled. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I understand.” He nodded at Felix. “Let’s both fix this as soon as possible, okay? And then we can go to those hot springs and take a well-deserved break.”

Felix nodded. “Yeah.”