As she walked over the horizon, a large clock counting down came into view over a city covered in a glass-like material. Meera smiled with joy as the kingdom of Leviere was no longer out of her reach. The last few days of walking, fighting, and pain were going to pay off once and for all. The person she came all this way to meet wasn't very far anymore, and the promise she made to her brother felt all the more achievable.

After a prideful chuckle, she continued down the path given to her by the adventurers with a skip and a laugh. This was it.

Once she finally entered the city, she looked around, confused about the strange ominous feeling the empty streets gave off. There wasn't a guard at the gates to stop her entry, there weren't monsters surrounding the fields, and not even a sign of another living creature. She felt uneasy in the presence of nothing while she approached the looming castle in the distance.

Upon knocking on its doors, she was greeted by a rather short brown boy with large black hair and pink clothes. He squinted his eyes and examined her form, completely oblivious to who he was looking at. In contrast, Meera's eyes were wide open, and her face flushed. She knew exactly who was in front of her and didn't want to embarrass herself. She raised her shoulders and stiffened her form.

Ali: [Can I help you?]

Meera panicking: [I'm here to speak to Ruby, sir!]

Ali: [Sir?]

He slid his large hands behind his head.

Ali: [What's your name?]

Meera: [M-M-Meera!]

Ali confused: [Is everything alright, ma'am?]

She eccentrically nodded.

Ali: [Okay... well, she's in the third room, down the hall to your left. Calm down before you talk to her, alright?]

Meera: [Understood, Head Knight Ali!]

Ali watched as she marched passed him with a raised brow.

Meera made her way to the long corridor that led to the castle courtyard. It was tall and wide, decorated with paintings and purple highlight streaks that enchanted the hall. She walked down in awe, looking around and inspecting the various paintings hung on the walls. Portraits of the royal family, and historical monuments so large that they towered over Meera like they were a building.

She walked to the third door on her left and anxiously stared at the doorknob, preparing herself for what she'd been waiting for. On the other end of the door would be the queen of Penn, the woman she admires, and the person that could change her life forever. She was so nervous her entire body began to tremble.

After three simple knocks, she stepped back and clasped her hands behind her, lowering her head anxiously waiting for a response.

Queen Ruby: [Come in!]

Meera raised her head in shock at the speed. She didn't expect one so quickly. Taking another glance down the hall, she placed a hand on the doorknob and pushed it open.

Sitting on the opposite end of the small office space, was the black-haired queen buried behind a stack of documents. With her brows furrowed, she wrote on the various papers without paying any attention to whoever stepped into her room.

Queen Ruby: [You can leave them right on that counter. I'll get to them shortly. Thank you.]

Meera turned to the small counter already covered in papers with a raised eye. She didn't know what she expected from the queen of Penn, but this couldn't have been it.

Meera awkwardly: [I... I didn't bring anything...]

Ruby's writing suddenly came to a stop.

Queen Ruby: [What do you mean? You can't even do your own...]

As soon as she raised her head, she and Meera made eye contact and awkwardly locked eyes for a moment. Her face flashed red the moment she realized.

Queen Ruby: [I... I'm so sorry!]

She split her hands on the table and bowed her head as low as she could.

Queen Ruby: [I am so sorry! I thought you were someone else!]

Meera embarrassingly: [No, it's fine!]

Ruby let out a groan before hiding her face behind her arms.

Meera: [Really! Don't worry about it! I'm sure you're just stressed about everything... you know, because of the waves and all.]

Queen Ruby mumbling: [You're right.]

From under behind her arms she sniffled.

Queen Ruby: [I need a break.]

Meera walked up to the chair in front of Ruby's desk and looked around at the mountains of papers surrounding her.

Meera: [There's so much...]

Queen Ruby: [Right?]

She raised her head and looked around.

Queen Ruby: [Who would've known building up a kingdom would include so much paperwork?]

Meera: [Would you like some help?]

Queen Ruby: [That would be great.]

She sighed in relief.

Queen Ruby: [If you could take care of the papers on the table over there.]

She pointed at the desk beside the door.

Queen Ruby: [They aren't anything that important. I know it's too much, but anything would help.]

With a nod, Meera rushed to the table and took a seat.

Pulling out a pen and taking the first document out, she began reading and signing the individual papers. They didn't seem too troublesome for her. Most of them were requests from merchants and architects, the fees for the cleanup, messages from dukes and kings sending their regards, as well as various support checks from different kingdoms. Meera didn't want to make any major decisions on her own, so she asked Ruby if any decision was too big.

By nightfall, Meera finished her mountain of papers while Ruby was halfway through her third. As soon as Meera finished, she took a seat in front of Ruby's desk and patiently waited for the queen to take notice. It wasn't until she finished the paper she was on that Ruby looked at Meera.

Queen Ruby: [Thank you so much for your help.]

She said with a smile. She glanced at the now empty table beside the door and sighed.

Queen Ruby: [I don't know what I could've done without you.]

Meera: [It was nothing, your highness. I'm just happy to have helped in some way.]

Queen Ruby: [I'm beat! Would you like some tea?]

With a nod, the two of them made their way to the castle's garden where they sat at the central table and had maids prepare them some tea. As the two sat, Meera couldn't believe where she was. Surrounding her were beautiful flowers of fantastical colors, organized in a way that they formed the Leviere symbol at an aerial view. The smell of the place was unlike anything that had graced her nose. She could feel her insides melt in pleasure from the aroma. Above her was an artificial sky that mimicked a wonderful summer sky, blue and cloudless. It almost felt like they were sitting in a natural flower field.

Meera: [This place is beautiful!]

She marveled.

Ruby: [Right? If you ask me, this is the best place Leviere has to offer.]

Meera: [Do you come here often?]

Ruby chuckles: [When I have the time.]

The maid returned with a plate of decorative tea cups and a matching kettle. She gently poured the two cups and stepped back as they lifted them. Meera had never experienced someone serving her like this, so she thanked the maid before taking a sip. The maid, unsure of how to respond, gently nodded with a smile.

After a single sip, Meera's eyes shot up.

Meera: [So good!]

The queen hadn't taken her sip yet but took pleasure from watching Meera's eccentric reactions.

Ruby: [You aren't from around here, are you?]

After noticing her eyes, Meera flinched back with a blush.

Meera: [N... no. I come from the eastern side of the Southern Empire. I read about you in the papers, so I wanted to talk.]

Ruby: [Southern Empire, huh? I thought everyone there lives in their own headspace.]

Meera: [They do... for the most part. I just wanted the chance to talk to you about something personal.]

She caught Ruby's attention. She lowered her head and wrapped her hands around the warm tea cup.

Meera: [You must know about living in a body that isn't yours... right?]

Ruby: [I knew it when we met eyes. You must be Meera, then!]

Meera surprisingly turned to her. Ruby decided to take a sip of her tea.

Ruby: [I've been waiting for you, you know?]

Meera shocked: [You know of me?!]

Ruby: [You bumped into a few of my friends a few days ago. The elf girl told me about you.]

Somehow Meera had forgotten about the band of adventurers she bumped into on her way here. Suddenly being reminded, an image of the beautiful elf girl and the sorceress came to mind.

Ruby: [You think you're one of the Lost, right?]

Meera: [One of the adventurers said that. I don't know what that is.]

Ruby: [Well, if you have the feeling that you are living a second life of some kind, there's a chance that's the truth. The adventurers you met are one of the Lost as well. Do you remember the sorceress with blue hair?]

Meera nodded.

Ruby: [She goes by two names. Her friends call her Felix, which was her name in her past life. Everyone else calls her Faith.]

Meera: [Now that you mention it...]

Ruby nodded. [Luckily, I remember a Meera from the other world.]

Meera: [Then that means–!]

Meera leaned in from her seat with a bright smile.

Ruby: [Testing whether you are one of the Lost is a gamble, regardless of whether or not we recognize your name.]

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

She suddenly lost her smile and pulled back.

Meera: [What kind of gamble are we talking about?]

Ruby: [On the off chance you aren't one of the Lost, you lose all of your memories with no way of restoring them. If you are, however, I can return your memories and pile them up on the memories of the previous world.]

Meera averted her gaze.

Meera: [That means... I could forget everything?]

Ruby: [You know, you're the first person to come to me wondering if you're one of the Lost. Going off of the fact that the adventurers and I remember your name has to mean something, doesn't it?]

Meera: [What do you think I should do?]

Meera turned to the queen.

The queen smiled back, her long hair flowing with the artificial winds.

Ruby: [You're a smart girl. I trust you'll make the right decision.]

Meera nervously: [Let's say that I am one of the Lost... what then?]

Ruby: [Well, I'll give you the offer of becoming my right hand... an assistant of some kind. You're really smart, kind, and the adventurers tell me that you're quite strong as well. It would be a disservice not to have you on my side.]

Meera: [... and If I'm not?]

Ruby: [I'm not going to throw you out in the wild if that's what you have in mind. I owe you for your help earlier, regardless if you remember it or not. I'll give you two options: Either I get you back home safely, or I give you a comfortable place in the new kingdom of Penn.]

Meera: [You're too kind, your highness.]

Ruby: [Please, just call me Ruby.]

She sat up and nodded toward the maid.

Ruby: [Take as long as you'd like on the decision. It isn't an easy one, so there's no point in rushing you. In the meantime, I've got a meeting with King Didus. Would you like to accompany me, Meera? Maybe It'll help you come to a decision.]

Meera: [You wouldn't mind?]

Ruby: [Not at all!]

Meera: [Then, sure!]

The two walked down the long halls until they arrived at the council room, which was empty and bright. All of the lights had been on despite no one being in the room which confused Ruby for a bit. While she investigated, Meera marveled at the beautiful ceiling and unique U-shaped tables. She rushed to the center podium and looked around the room with a smile.

Ruby chuckles: [Don't let King Didus catch you there. He's way too serious about keeping it clean.]

Meera immediately lifted her hands away and laughed.

Meera: [What's the meeting going to be about?]

Ruby: [Something involving the Penn kingdom. He never explains anything on paper.]

Meera: [Do you think Leviere is going to lend their hand in rebuilding?]

Ruby: [If that's the news, I'm going to have to reject their support. They are too busy with rebuilding to help me.]

She took a seat at the table across from the podium.

Ruby: [My best guess would be money.]

Meera: [Oooh, some money would be good, but it would be funny if he offered his son's hand in marriage.]

Meera sat beside Ruby and laughed.

Ruby chuckles: [What?! Ew! He's too young!]

Meera: [He'll grow up to be a handsome man! I can see it!]

Ruby: [Even then, the royal family is too self-centered! I'd never marry into a family like that.]

Meera: [It would be funny though, wouldn't it?]

The two laughed from the top of their lungs, listening as their voices echoed around the room over and over again.

The moment they heard a noise other than theirs, they instantly stopped and fixed their posture in fear that it was the king. The door creaked and silence ensued.

???: [You two are so loud!]

A feminine voice shouted from the door.

???: [The walls aren't soundproofed, you know?]

Turning to the voice, Ruby narrowed her eyes upon laying eyes on the person who entered. Short, blonde, and full of attitude, Madelyn Eqinza threw her hair back and sighed.

Ruby through her teeth: [What are you doing here?]

Madelyn: [Trust me, I don't want to be here. However, Zack's sudden turn against the kingdom leaves me no other choice.]

Meera to Ruby: [Who is this?]

Ruby to Meera: [Her name's Madelyn Eqinza. A woman so thirsty for knowledge she's willing to do anything for it, unless it's with someone younger than a teenager.]

King Didus: [Please behave yourselves.]

Didus walked in from behind Madelyn with his arms crossed and furrowed brows.

King Didus: [In order to move forward, I'll need you two to get along.]

He quickly noticed Meera sitting beside Ruby, but before he could ask Ruby answered.

Madelyn: [To think a child hired an assistant. Anything can happen nowadays, couldn't it?]

Ruby frustrated: [I thought this was going to be a meeting about my kingdom!]

King Didus: [It is.]

As he stepped toward the podium, he requested Madelyn take a seat.

King Didus: [You two need to come to an agreement.]

Ruby: [Sorry, but she refuses to cooperate with me.]

Madelyn: [I'm willing to put aside our differences as long as there's an elder around to convey your messages.]

Ruby: [What's the point in that?! You're just adding another step to the problem!]

Madelyn: [Who do you think you are shouting at, child?! Behave yourself!]

Ruby: [If you had even an ounce of a brain, you'd understand that getting the information from me is no different from anyone else! I'm not a fucking baby!]

King Didus: [Ladies, that's enough!]

His thunderous voice silenced the argument.

King Didus: [You two bring this incessant arguing to an end. It's pointless, for god's sake.]

Madelyn turned a cheek at Ruby.

Madelyn: [I've given my demand, have I not? I will not do any negotiating with a child.]

Meera: [If age is your only concern, I could be the middle ground.]

Silently raising her hand, she caught the attention of everyone in the room.

Meera: [I'm turning fourteen this year.]

Madelyn: [What exactly are your assistant's qualifications?]

Ruby: [That doesn't matter. Your demand has been met.]

Didus: [Then that settles that. Let us begin with the news. I believe Madelyn has some very important information regarding the attack on the kingdom of Penn.]

Ruby: [What more could there have been to discover?]

The three turned to the short blonde, waiting for her to respond, however, she sat in silence.

Ruby: [You can't be serious.]

Meera stepped in and repeated Ruby's question, getting Madelyn's attention.

Madelyn: [Nothing.]

Ruby furrowed her brows.

Madelyn: [There is nothing more to discover from the scene. Any evidence is nonexistent, and no living soul on sight.]

Meera repeating after Ruby: [Then what is there for you to tell us?]

Madelyn: [The leader of Hydra didn't go out of his way to search for those who weren't in the capital city during the day of the attack.]

Ruby: [You don't mean-]

Madelyn interrupting: [A few days after the attack, a member of the royal family returned and witnessed what had happened.]

Meera repeating: [Where did you get this information?]

Madelyn: [I know anything and everything this world has to offer. Nothing ever goes over my head.]

King Didus: [If you'd known this information for so long, why are you telling us this now? Don't you think it would've been better to know a lot sooner?]

Madelyn: [Information regarding the North-Eastern Alliance is harder to come by than the rest of the world. I didn't get this information until after the second wave. Thank your father for that, Didus.]

Meera: [So you're saying Ruby's sister may be alive?]

Not repeating her words, Meera turned to the queen as she sat petrified with her eyes wide open.

Madelyn: [It isn't a possibility. That is flat-out guaranteed. There is no doubt that Princess Penny lives and is roaming this planet as we speak.]

King Didus: [Do you happen to know what she is planning?]

Madelyn: [All I can say for certain is that she believes her family has been killed. Whether she is in search of clues pertaining to the attack, her eldest sister, or support from the Southern Empire, I'm not entirely sure. As I've stated, news regarding the North-Eastern Alliance is scarce outside of the borders.]

Ruby silently: [Then we have to find her.]

Meera worryingly turned to the Queen.

Madelyn: [I'm afraid that isn't possible, child.]

Ruby turned to her.

Madelyn: [Your best course of action would be to focus on the rebuilding of your kingdom.]

Ruby: [Why don't you want me searching for my sister?]

Madelyn: [If you focus your attention on rebuilding the kingdom, she could hear about it and come searching for you instead. You shouldn't let your emotions overcome your sense of reason.]

Ruby frustratingly: [But if she's out there, anything could happen! She isn't safe!]

Madelyn: [Your sister is a far more capable fighter than you have ever been.]

Ruby clenched her teeth.

Madelyn: [She isn't alone either. Do your best to revive what you've lost, and she'll come not long after.]

Didus: [She is right, Queen Ly. It is pointless to blindly send ourselves on a search for your sister.]

Ruby: [Rebuilding a kingdom could take years.]

Madelyn: [Now, you must tell me everything there is to know about your world.]

Kicking her feet on top of the table, Madelyn let herself get comfortable.

Madelyn: [As per our agreement, of course.]

Meera: [Give her highness some time to think over this information.]

Madelyn furrowed her brows.

Meera: [Surely you understand how big a deal this is.]

Madelyn: [She mustn't let her emotions overcome her. As a Queen, that will quickly lead to her downfall. However, I have time.]

She slid her feet off the table and stood up.

Madelyn: [You have until next week to adhere to our deal. If you refuse, you can kiss any updates goodbye.]

----------------------------------------

The meeting came to a close and all of the participants returned to their domains without another word to one another. The Queen and Meera returned to the room covered in papers and collapsed onto the piles waiting for her.

Ruby: [It must've slipped my mind. I can't believe I'd forget something like that!]

Meera took a seat on the ground beside the pile.

Meera: [What exactly happened before the attack?]

Ruby: [It was a day just like any other.]

She raised her head from the documents.

Ruby: [My older sister went off to visit my eldest sister in the west, so I was left alone with my parents.]

Meera: [You have two older sisters?]

Ruby nodded.

Meera: [Why haven't you contacted them yet?]

Ruby: [The moment I got my memories back, so much was going on. The war with Hydra led to the first wave all in a single day. After everything, I guess I forgot. I hope they're okay.]

Meera: [I'm sure they are. How long has it been since your wipe?]

Ruby: [One month, and I've only felt whole for a few days. I can't believe it's already been so long. [murmur: I miss them.]

The room fell silent as Meera tried thinking of a response to the queen. Part of her wanted to apologize for an event she had no part in, just to put Ruby's mind at ease.

Ruby: [Have you made a decision?]

Finally standing from the pile, Ruby made her way to her desk and sat back.

Meera silently: [Yeah... I think so. I just have one last question to ask.]

She raised her head and looked at Ruby's curious eyes.

Meera: [What do you remember about the girl with my name?]

Ruby: [Sadly, not a lot. She was an upperclassman who was a part of the school's soccer team. Apart from practices and games, we didn't talk.]

Meera lowered her eyes in disappointment.

Ruby: [She was a good person, though. That I can confirm.]

Meera: [Then... I'd like to tell you my decision, Your Highness.]

Ruby sat forward and crossed her fingers, patiently waiting for the girl in front of her to make a life-changing decision. Meera tightened her hands on her skirt and her shoulders.

She thought back to everything she had gone through to get to this point. The reason she made the voyage and left her family. Everything came down to her next answer. A fifty-fifty split on whether or not she was going to do what she set out to do. Find herself for the first time in her life. A soft golden aura formed around her body, flowing like a flame and warming her up.

Meera: [I...]

The aura slowly faded away.

Meera: [I don't want to take the risk.]

Ruby pulled away.

Meera: [Or at least... not right now.]

Ruby curiously: [How come?]

Meera: [I have too much to lose, your highness. I don't want to forget about my family.]

Ruby: [That is completely understandable. That being said would–]

Meera: [PLEASE!]

Quickly bowing down to her knees, Meera shouted with a whimper, interrupting the queen.

Meera: [I know I can be of some use!]

Ruby chuckled.

Meera: [I came here to learn about myself and what I really am! I may have turned down your offer, but I know there is much to learn!]

Ruby nervously: [Meera–,]

Meera continued: [I promised my brother I wouldn't return without the power to give my family a better life.]

She raised her head and looked at the nervous queen staring back at her.

Meera: [It would be an honor if you could offer me a position of power alongside you on the rebuilding of Penn, so, please. Give me a chance.]

Queen Ruby: [Are you done?]

She asked with a smile. Meera hesitantly nodded her head as she looked at the queen with a worried eye. The queen stood from her seat and approached Meera with a short pen in hand.

Queen Ruby: [I was trying to say that since you rejected the offer, you're technically the same person that helped me out earlier today. The position of my right hand is still up for grabs if you'd like.]

Meera looked up at the queen standing in front of her. Ruby's bright smile was elevated by the orange hue that came from the window. Meera felt her eyes begin to water and her heart start racing. She raised her cheeks in an attempt to suppress the tears, but they strolled down her face as she smiled at the queen. With a little exhale, she brushed the rolling tears and nodded.

Meera: [It would mean everything!]

Queen Ruby: [Then it's official!]

She raised the pen in the air.

Queen Ruby: [You, Meera Gurung, are now officially the queen of Penn's right hand! You will serve beside me from now on, and we will work to rebuild Penn until your last breath. Do you accept?]

After a nod, Ruby lowered her pen and gently tapped Meera's shoulders.

Queen Ruby:[ Congratulations, Meera. I look forward to working with you.]

They both looked at each other with smiles as the sun set behind them, leading to the end of their first day together and a greeting to their bright future.

Or so they thought.