Only two days after my trip to Arthur’s with Cynthia, the official, public announcement of the banquet was made, and I was swiftly reminded of my mandatory attendance via a call from Helena. One week later, on what should have been a calm Friday evening, I found myself staring at my tuxedo-clad reflection in my room. I was done preparing for the gods forsaken event and had nothing else to do but wait for Cynthia to pick me up.

I hid in my room for as long as I could, hoping to get a break from the collective squealing of my parents. Ever since I had shared the news about the banquet with them, they worked themselves up, getting all excited to return to the castle and meet the royals from other kingdoms, only to be disappointed when I told them I couldn’t bring any guests. So, they made it clear they would live vicariously through me, and I was instructed to share every minute detail with them when I returned home. If only I shared their enthusiasm.

Eventually, I received a text from Cynthia alerting me she was a mere five minutes from my apartment, which meant it was time to exit my hiding hole. I stepped out into the living room and was greeted with the abrupt flash of a phone camera.

“Look at my handsome son!” dad doted.

Mom approached me and fulfilled her motherly duty of fluffing my hair and picking at my face to ensure I was truly ready. “You look very nice, Shinsuke.”

“Thanks, you two.”

“Oh, how I wish your mother and I could come along!” dad cried. “I’ve been dreaming of the incredible food they served us the last time we were there!”

“Me too,” mom added. “And I’ve always wanted to see the other royals in person. The sight of them all together at a single table would make for an amazing painting. I wish I could be you right now, Shinsuke.”

You really, really don’t.

I peered out the curtain and noticed an unmistakable vehicle pulling into the parking lot. My phone rumbled in my pocket, and I didn’t have to check the message to know what it said. It was time to leave.

“Cynthia’s here, I better go now,” I explained.

Dad got up from the couch and hugged me tightly. “Good luck, son. Enjoy the night!”

Mom joined in on the affection and said, “and keep in touch when you can, okay? We’ll be watching all the coverage on TV tonight, so maybe we’ll get to see you.”

“Maybe.”

In unison, they kissed each side of my face and out the door I went. In the outdoor corridor, Mizuki was waiting in front of her door. Her eyes lit up when she saw me.

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“You look beautiful,” she stated, her words catching me off guard.

I felt my cheeks tickle a bit, and responded, “thank you. I like the suit, but it feels weird being so overdressed.”

“It shouldn’t feel weird at all, you look perfect.”

“Thank you, Mizuki. Honestly, I wish I could bring you with me.”

“I wish I could come with you too,” she sighed. A serene smile formed on her features, and she stepped closer to me, wrapping her arms around me tightly. “But I know you’ll be fine. And I’ll be with you in spirit.” She punctuated her last point by poking the choker she bought for me, which hadn’t left my neck since she had given it to me.

I hugged her back and said, “of course, you always are.”

We parted and shared a warm smile. “Text me whenever you can,” was the last thing I heard her say before I made my way down the stairs and to the parking lot. The driver of the royal car was waiting outside the door to the seat I would be taking in the vehicle, and he held it open for me as I stepped inside and buckled up.

Sitting beside me was Cynthia Rose von Eisenhardt, outfitted in a strapless, crimson dress. The trim of the dress around her chest was a darker red, and her legs were encased in black tights. Red high heels matched her dress, and a choker comprised of hearts encircled her neck.

“I’m surprised you bothered coming out here tonight,” I said as I settled into my seat. “Why didn’t you just send a car to get me?”

“That was what my mother intended to do, but I insisted on picking you up myself,” Cynthia clarified. “I needed to get out of the castle for a while anyway. This entire day has been insufferable.”

“I can imagine.”

The vehicle began to move, and we started our journey to the castle. Cynthia studied me up and down, as if she had just fully noticed my appearance.

“Hey, it still looks good on you,” she remarked.

Was it supposed to magically stop looking good on me?

“Thanks,” I replied, allowing my eyes to look over her form as well. “Red is a good color on you.”

“That’s why I chose it,” she bragged. “But enough flattery. Tonight will be your first introduction to those you will face in combat.”

“Yeah, I couldn’t possibly be any more excited to meet them.”

“Remember what I said the other day. I’m with you—we’re in this together,” she asserted.

I nodded, and the car fell quiet. Cynthia turned her green gaze out the window, watching as the night lights of Valport passed us by. The look on her face was not unlike the one she wore on the trip back from Arthur’s. Her mind was clearly not in the seat where her body rested, and I couldn’t blame her at all. I myself was hypnotized by swirling thoughts of what life altering trouble the evening would bring me. A directionless thousand-yard stare occupied my vacant eyes for who knows how long, until the rumbling of my phone in my pocket buzzed me back to reality.

It was a text from none other than Eva.

Good luck tonight! Lolz, I bet you feel like a super spy going to a fancy dinner all dressed up in a suit with a pretty girl on your arm~

You have quite the imagination, I replied.

I wish I could have been the girl on your arm tonight, I could go for a fancy meal.

I snickered and texted take it up with Cynthia. Maybe she’ll let you come along for the next stupid event if I can bring guests.

Maybe I will… she replied. That message ended the conversation.

Outside the windows of the car, the skyline of Valport faded into the distant stars above. We were beginning to enter Freywich, and, soon enough, we would reach Alofast. Knowing that, I opted to dissociate and shut my eyes. In my head, I was back at home, curled up in bed. That fantasy would have to serve as a final respite before showtime.