Alice walks into the carriage and raises an eyebrow. “Are you crying?” She asks as she looks at the scene in the carriage. Rodrick was laying in Arias’ arms, sniffling.

“Shut up. You're the baby.” Rodrick says before shifting his body to lay on Arias’ lap.

Alice smirks. “I never called you a baby. Anyways, lost the princess. Now I can rest easy.” She says as she sits across the carriage.

“What does she want?” Rodrick asks.

Alice shakes her head. “What does anyone want? I don't know. But she's certainly looking for an in. Should I give it to her?” She asks, looking in Arias’ direction.

Arias smiles. “That’s up to you. But just know, a step closer to you is a step closer to me. I hate giving in to little girls.” He says, caressing Rodrick’s arm.

Rodrick shrugs off Arias’ arms and sits up. “I have a question, Alice. Do you realize the emotions you carry with you?” He asks.

Alice raises an eyebrow. “The what? What emotions?” She asks.

Rodrick frowns and looks to Arias. “Never mind. But be careful. I feel like something is haunting you.” He says before crossing his arms and resting his eyes. The empathy potion had taken a lot out of him.

Alice smiles. “You were acting weird earlier. What happened?” She asks.

Arias lets out a laugh. “He looked through the looking-glass.” He says, amused.

Alice raises an eyebrow. “Why?” She asks.

Arias laughs once more. “Because he’s a baby!” He exclaims, laughter continuing to burst.

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Alice shakes her head. “Whatever you’re teaching him, leave me out of it.” She says.

Arias shakes his head. “Why does everything have to be a lesson? I don’t know. Maybe people can’t help but be curious. It was certainly helpful for me, though. It let me confirm one thing, and now I have a choice to make.” He says, looking out of the window.

Alice looks to Arias. “What’s that?” She asks.

Arias smiles. “Do I raise my own doom?” He says, smirking.

Alice smiles, beaming. “Of course you should. Are you not a man?” She asks, her words sharp.

Arias takes a glance of Alice’s smiling face, then shakes his head and looks out of the window. “Alice, do you deign to be a hero? Or do you just want to win?” He asks, curious.

Alice lets out a chuckle. “I guess it will depend on how much you rub off on me.” She says before laughing out loud.

Arias shakes his head. “A step closer to me, indeed…” He says, not sure if he should be disappointed.

…

…

“Tonight we feast!” A hunter says as he walks to the campground. Behind him, men carried a slender beast with long, pointy ears.

Rodrick laughs. “An elf deer! What a treat!” He says, excited for the meal.

Arias shakes his head. He’d rather fight a troll. He wasn’t in the habit of eating cursed meat. He walks over to examine the body. A single clean shot through the neck. Arias lips quirk up. Shouldn’t be too bad. Almost consensual. He thinks. “I guess I’m eating venison today.” He says before taking a nearby seat. Arias begins to focus. He’s been sensing a presence nearby. After checking, he found it was just Myriam. So when bored, he would sometimes check to see what she was doing.

An image forms in Arias’ mind before he lets out a laugh. Sleeping? What a lazy spy. He thinks, amused.

“Well, actually, I don’t know any body refining techniques. I just wanted to sound cool.” Violet admits, her cheeks blushing.

“Oh? Me neither. Always seemed kind of brutish to me.” Alice says.

Rodrick frowns. “You’re brutish!” He yells.

Alice shakes her head. “See what I mean?” She says. Violet has been pestering her all day, and Alice’s guard was beginning to dwindle.

“But of course you know magic, right?” Violet says.

Alice smiles. “I know a little. But most of my power… Comes elsewhere…” She says.

Violet raises an eyebrow. “What does that mean?” She asks, curious.

Alice looks to Arias and shakes her head. “I’ve been told to tell people it’s forbidden magic, lest I sound heretical. But I think somebody just wants to keep this knowledge to themselves…” She says.

Violet’s eyes widen. “Forbidden magic? You have to be an eighth stage mage to properly handle that!” She exclaims in disbelief.

Alice laughs. “Indeed. But maybe it really does require a person of more control. Sometimes it feels like I’m walking on a tight-rope.” She says with a sigh. I’m in it now… If that bastard only warned me… How overbearing that monster was… She thinks, somewhat in regret.

Violet’s brows furrow. “Who taught you such heinous magic!?” She exclaims, drawing eyes from the crowd.

Alice smirks and covers her mouth, before her finger points to a certain direction while coughing.

Several pairs of eyes are drawn to a young teen with his eyes closed.

Arias opens his eyes and sees the gazes that have been drawn. “Me?” He asks, pointing to himself. “Don’t be silly, Alice. I’m just a child.” He says, his voice sounding mildly cute.

Alice lets out a laugh.

Rashton shakes his head, unsure if he should say something. This is probably something that should be hidden from the Emerald Trident Kingdom.

Rashton simply shrugs. Let the pieces fall where they may. He thinks, letting the matter go.