The lesson seems to end faster than usual. Kierra even sends me off with a kiss, getting me a few glares from the other initiates. I glare right back at them. They’re either Kierra’s admirers or idiots who are seeing me clean and relaxed from not doing anything and forgetting the pain I go through daily.

You want to swap places? Of course you do, but you can’t. So, haha!

Alana drags me off before the staring match can become too intense. “Come on. We’re wasting time we could be spending eating.”

“Ah, I’ll have to skip. I’m headed back to the Gold Dorm.”

She gives me a look over her shoulder. “After what happened yesterday? You are a glutton for punishment.”

Only a little bit. “It’s necessary. I have to do something. If it finishes early, I’ll see you at the Bronze Dorm.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“Ah, don’t do that.”

“You shouldn’t get into trouble on your own.”

Aw, I’m going to swoon. But hey, why are you assuming I’m going to get into trouble? Starting to worry about her opinion of me. She doesn’t mean it when she calls me things like devil and degenerate right? I’ve behaved myself around her perfectly.

“Coo coo?” [Would you like to know, Master Lou?]

…no. I feel like I’ll learn something I don’t want to. “I won’t get into trouble. I’m simply going to ask a friend for some advice on staying out of trouble. Promise.”

“Hmph. If you’re sure?”

“Completely. Trust me.”

She still escorts me to the Gold Dorm and leaves reluctantly. Girl is too responsible for her own good. Hey, the doormen are the same as yesterday. They scowl at me but we don’t have to waste time determining my legitimacy, though one of them gives Bell a curious glance.

Inside, I pause in the main room. “Bell, reach out to Miss Talia. Ask her if she has time to talk to us.” If there’s anyone who will know anything about the prince, it will be her. He lives under her roof and she has a highly developed mental affinity. The woman was practically born to be a spy.

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[She has agreed. Up the stairs, Master Lou.]

That was fast, though not surprising. I follow Bell’s directions absentmindedly, preoccupied with examining the decorations. There is an abundance of banners and portraits, the different families paying homage to the notable casters they have produced.

Saints, everything they do is a pissing contest. Of course, I could care less about the stern faces staring back at me. I care about the frames holding them. Their gleam suggest they are made of precious metals and those are literal gems embedded within. Incredible. Just how much wealth is on display here? Would they notice if I nab one?

Before my greed can get me in trouble, Bell points out that we’ve arrived. After the parade of gold I just walked through, the simple wooden door is both underwhelming and unusual. I raise a hand to knock but the door is opened before I have the chance.

Miss Talia stands in the doorway. I want to say she’s happy to see me but her expressions are muted as always. “Come in.”

She holds it open for me as I walk in, watching me with that intensity that makes me so uncomfortable. Seems she invited me to her study. The space is sparse, with only a single desk and several bookcases along the walls. Plain beige walls, no pictures, no rugs, and white shades on the window. Minimalist and completely at odds with the building. Is she trying to make a statement here? Cause I can’t imagine a space looking like this if someone spends anytime in it.

“You’ll have to forgive me, I only have the one seat. You’re welcome to it.”

“I’m not going to take your chair.”

We stare at each other for a long moment until she realizes I would rather we both stand than doing something as uncouth as taking a lady’s seat and she sits down, knitting her fingers in her lap. “What do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

“I’d love to say that I came just for you but I have a bit of an issue. Yesterday—”

“You were accosted by Prince Samuel and his retinue.”

“…you really are watching me, aren’t you?”

“I was before but Geo warned me against doing so. Apparently, it is not conducive to forming friendships. That said, it happened within this dorm. It’s my job to be aware of everything that happens here and I am especially sensitive to the use of your name.”

“That’s fine, I guess.”

“You are wanting my help in dealing with the prince? Even for you, that would be—”

“No, no, no!” Murdering a prince. Ugh, just the thought makes me feel sick. Not until I am strong enough to slay dragons. One-handed and blind. Then I might feel comfortable doing something so crazy. “The thing is, I have a reason to believe that someone close to the prince is planning to kill him.”

That got a reaction, though only the tiniest twitch of an eyebrow. “An assassination plot. Hm. My protection of the students only extends within this building. Since I’ve heard nothing of it, I doubt they plan to attempt such here, removing it from my concerns. You wish to intervene?”

“No. Getting involved is the last thing I want to do, but I need to know that ignoring it won’t bring bigger pains down the road. I don’t know nearly enough about the situation. So, I was hoping you could tell me about him, why someone would want him dead, and pleeeease tell me it’s okay to let the stones fall where they may. I’d like that.”

Miss Talia tilts her head for a moment. “I’ve just asked a servant to bring tea and a chair. I will be sure to tell you everything I know.”