Location: Her Highness, Princess Elodie’s Office

Time: 5:49 PM, February 14th 2108

Her Highness was not nearly as concerned as I had been. At first, I thought that maybe I was overreacting, but that would be a foolish assumption to make. Her Highness is just on a completely different strata than I am. It would be beyond presumptuous to base my reactions off of her.

It didn’t take much effort for me to convince Oliver to come pick me up from that training city. I’m aware of how he comes across to others, but he has always been one of the few people who has honestly seemed to care about my wellbeing. Even going so far as to learn some sign language.

And it should go without saying, but considering Oliver came to get me, he also made sure to pick up Olivia. Maybe it would actually be more accurate to say he came to pick up Olivia, and I was the tagalong.

And on the topic of tagalongs, for some reason, Emily Evret Evans rode back with us as well.

Apparently, she was with Olivia when Oliver called. I asked them what they had been doing, and after seeing Kathrin attack Karen, the two of them ran away together. That made enough sense. The two of them were sent back to Karen with Kathrin, so they probably had a front row seat to what happened.

I don’t want to think about her, but I suppose I should mention what happened to Emelia as well. After I initially sent Hana away Vier showed up, as if taking her place. His sudden appearance almost killed me from shock, but it would seem that he didn’t even care that I was there. Vier's presence made my glasses stop functioning entirely, so I can’t be certain of what he wanted, but there was a woman wearing a princess style dress with him. The two of them said something to Emelia before taking her away.

I was curious about what happened, but ending an encounter with Vier feeling only curious should be considered an extremely positive outcome.

And as for everyone else, Oliver contacted the police and had them send a few vehicles to pick them up. By that point Acht and Nuen, along with Hana, would have made short work of any of Eren’s traitors, so there wasn’t any need to rush.

I also asked Oliver about what he had been up to. He wasn’t overly specific, but he did say that with Karen still suspended (he hadn’t yet been informed of her death), he didn’t have much work to do for the ARA, so he was doing an odd job for Her Highness.

A good answer.

And I think I have a pretty good idea of what his odd job entailed. Obviously, I couldn’t hear anything, but the occasional rumbling coming from his trunk was a dead giveaway.

After arriving back at home, I immediately reported to Her Highness’s office. I gave her a tablet that I typed out a description of the day’s events on. I could have just sent that document to her at any point, but Her Highness doesn’t like to leave any kind of digital trail.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

After handing me back my tablet her reaction, like I already said, was fairly muted. She didn’t really seem that interested at all in my warning.

[You’re concerned. Don’t be. Your Number is perfectly under control.] The text scrolling across my glasses obviously couldn’t show me the inflection in Her Highness’s voice, but I can only imagine her confidence would have sounded incredibly reassuring.

[That so?]

Her Highness didn’t react as Hana forced a knife through her chest. I hadn’t realized she was even there until it was too late.

Perhaps I should have been more concerned, but based on the injuries I’d seen Henry sustain during ATC lessons, I assumed Her Highness would be fine.

[Now,] Her Highness paused to get a drink of her tea. She only resumed talking after gracefully putting her tea cup back down on the saucer. Even as blood was pouring out of her chest, she didn’t spill a drop from her cup. [Are you ready to discuss this like the sentient beings we are? I’m sure you didn’t actually think that you would kill me with a little stab like that?]

[I figured it wouldn’t, but I bet if I conducted enough electricity through the knife it would kill you for good.]

[Probably. I doubt it would even take your full strength.]

Her Highness was obviously underestimating herself.

[You sure you should be telling me that?]

[It doesn't matter. You won’t kill me.]

[That’s a bold assumption to make about the person who currently has a knife stabbed through your heart. What makes you think I’ll stop at that?]

[This.]

Her Highness looked directly into my eyes. My thoughts started to slow and I could feel the room losing any semblance of life. It was an odd sensation, but I didn’t try to look away.

After that, I don’t know. I was definitely still in the room with the two of them, but it felt more like I was watching everything from a screen that was too far away to get a clear look at.

I suppose I could go back and check the log from their talking that my glasses would have transcribed. Why bother though? If it was anything important, Her Highness would have told me.

Some time later, maybe ten minutes, maybe an hour, I really don’t know, Her Highness looked back into my eyes and I felt the process go in reverse.

When I was fully back to my senses, I noticed Hana was gone. I quickly scrawled out a note asking what happened to her.

[She left. I just had to let her know that forcibly trying to remove my control would only make the effect permanent. She won’t be a problem. Well, she might be a little more flippant with you than she previously was, but she’ll stay under control.]

Coming from anyone else, I would have found that hard to believe. I’m not sure what they were talking about, but Hana wasn’t one to listen to anyone else.

Perhaps detecting concern on my face, Her Highness moved to address my doubts.

[I suppose you’re correct. I’ll still continue to use her, but I shouldn’t be so sure she’ll remain obedient. I hadn’t been expecting her to go for the kill right off the bat this time either. It’s a good thing I was prepared.]

Prepared?

Her Highness started to melt into a pool of blood, which itself quickly started to sizzle and evaporate away. Before the process was complete I noticed Her Highness stand up from a chair in the corner of the room.

Hmm? Had she been there the whole time?

The new(?) Princess Elodie walked over and pushed the melting version of herself away from her desk and took a seat herself.

[It’s a shame we’re not all as sturdy as Henry.]

I was curious as to what I just witnessed, but it wasn’t my place to ask.

[You’re done here, you can leave.]