Five years ago I had to make the most important decision I would have to face after waking up as Gerda. I set out to change the story– but chose to keep myself separate from it.

I was not supposed to be in the story, and I was not going to be in the story. If I could help it. That meant no daring adventures with my favorite characters, no fixing things by my own hand, and acting purely as an outside guide towards that happily ever after I wished for everyone.

Julian and his stupidly handsome face had made me overstep further than I should have, and here we were.

“If you look at it objectively," the object of my desire said, offering a small silver lining. "You can see your own future now.”

I reached up and swept my stray lock of hair over my shoulder. “Not unless one of the gods’ chosen or a capture– or other important people are going to be standing around staring at me while I’m patrolling.”

His brow knit together in thought but before he could continue, there was a knock on the door.

The grand duchess called in a familiar elf knight dressed in red and silver. “The prisoner is secure, Your Grace.”

“Thank you Commander Karl.” Calisto walked to the door and looked over her shoulder at me and her son. “Why don’t you two enjoy the rest of your evening while I handle Alice?”

"Have you recaptured Alice already?” I asked, shocked and impressed.

“If only,” Calisto replied, “No, we’ve captured your assassin and I’m going to go and review his paperwork.”

“Ah… how is Lady Amy?” I made a note to make time for the elf saintess before I left… a note I’d made many times already and utterly failed to follow through with.

Why was it so hard juggling the future and friendship?

“She was curled up with Slake Drakeford in a resting room last I checked.” The duchess frowned and then sighed, “Her father isn’t going to approve.”

With that she bid them farewell, leaving me alone in a room with Julian.

“So…the night is still young.” He broached, shortening the distance between them suddenly. I caught my breath but stayed where I was. His voice spoke with a casual air I didn’t think was quite right for their current situation. “Where would you like me to escort you next?”

The night was barely that, with sunset only now colouring the sky outside a soft orange glow.

Julian raised an eyebrow waiting for my decision. I wondered what he would do if I grabbed him by the collar and stole a kiss - something for all the trouble he was putting me through.

Instead I reached out and wrapped my arms around his, surprising him. Good. Against my wishes, I told the Duke of the North, “Why don’t you drop me off with Lady Amy and you follow the grand duchess? I might have been the target, but you suffered the assassin’s final blow - I’m sure you have questions.”

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"Are you sure?" He smiled.

Yep. The Duke of the North was stupidly kissable. I nodded, not trusting my voice.

It was a short walk to find Lady Amy - Duke Julian asked one of the royal guards stationed in the hall and they pointed out three doors down, closer to the ballroom.

When we were outside Amy's door, Julian leaned down so close I could feel his breath on my ear. “I’ll be waiting right here. You promised me the first and last dance, Miss Gerda, and I am going to hold you to it.”

“You–”

He reached out and knocked twice on the door, opening it when a muffled sound called out. I found myself standing in a room with Lady Amy sitting on a chair with a grimalcat on her lap, Julian closing the door behind me.

Amy looked apologetic that she couldn’t stand to greet me. “Miss Gerda.”

Slake rolled over in the elf’s lap, showing Amy his tummy while eying me. “Madame Potts.”

Lady Amy momentarily bit her lip before tentatively resting a hand on the soft tummy.

She held her breath. I held my breath. She let out a sigh when he didn't immediately maul her.

“I just came to check in and see how you were handling things.” I said, walking over to take the seat across from them.

Lady Amy moved her hand up into the tuft of fluff between Slakes front legs, scratching as he purred happily.

The elf's shoulders dropped and she didn't look up from Slake's belly as she said, “I'm sorry. I should have warned you– but I thought… I don't know what I thought.”

“I mean, can't say I blame him – I've been around long enough to know that life and death in this world are a bit more… casual than I'm used to.” I leaned back in my chair, showing my lack of very real concern. “I'll just have to get used to it, I suppose.”

“Do you forgive me?” Lady Amy looked up at me with anxious eyes, but at least she was looking at me.

“Of course– do you forgive me?” I tapped my fingers lightly on the arm of my chair. At her confused look I added. “This is your first foray into society and I don't think Henrietta or I were very helpful friends. We should have been there for you; to offer advice and keep you out of trouble.”

“What, no! You've been– owch!” The grimalcat bit her hand hard enough to draw blood. “Slake!”

“Ask for a favor.” Slake leaned forward and licked the blood off of the elf girl's hand, his eyes glowing a soft green. “From the nice bridge troll.”

As expected from an intelligent grimalcat… the soul-eating feline creature of darkness was an expert in the proper way of things.

“Gerda is my friend, Slake, and we are both apologizing. She could just as quickly ask me for a favor. And then where would we be?” Lady Amy turned her hand over and scratched under his chin, seemingly unaffected by the fact that he'd just consumed her blood.

I was concerned, but I didn't really know enough about grimalcats to voice those concerns. Maybe he just imparted power to the elf, or maybe he nibbled only a tiny piece of her soul, or maybe he was just a cat whose eyes glowed.

Grimalcat lore wasn't a focus on my play through.

“You would be two powerful Nilheim Elite who owe each other a favor.” Slake stood up, balancing on Amy's lap perfectly. He reached up one paw and lightly swatted her on the cheek before hopping down. His tail was high in the air. He looked over his shoulder at the pair of us, and then licked a paw. “Think on it.”

With that, the door opened for him and Slake walked out, not looking back.

“You know,” I stated. “It wouldn't be the end of the world if you asked me for a favor?”

Amy's eyes snapped to mine, then she straightened in her chair and rushed to say, “Really? Then could you use the Fortell Fate Perk you used on Cassandra to tell me who my fated mate is?”

Those bright shining eyes stabbed at me as my own hubris proved my undoing.