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As the words supporting our undeclared union left King Saulus’s lips, a stunned silence fell upon the room.

Step one is actually wanting to marry a particular someone, right? And to even be in that headspace, you have to feel safe and secure enough in life to be able to share it with another who, in turn, ideally has a similar mindset.

I couldn’t even audibly respond to such an expeditious edict, defaulting to freezing in place with my mouth slightly agape.

Relias, realizing I had temporarily short-circuited, replied calmly. “While our relationship is strong, it is too soon for us to contemplate such a culminating union. Our focus now should be on preparing the Chosen One to fulfill her divine Purpose once again.”

Only a bit too soon for marriage?

He’s just saying that for the king’s sake.

He doesn’t feel that way about me... right?

King Saulus wasn’t deterred by a few vague reassurances. “You will wed soon, will you not? The entire world eagerly awaits such a celebration. You should also consider my condition... I won’t be around for much longer, yet I wish to bear witness to the event!”

How selfish! ‘Get married before I die because I want to be a part of the party!’

“Your Majesty...” Relias sighed softly. “Conversations of such profound import should rightfully involve those most intimately concerned. Alas, the occasion to engage in open discourse on this matter has not yet presented itself to us.”

“Indeed, you both would be blessed with offspring,” the king continued as if Relias hadn’t said anything at all. “And there is no doubt that your child would inherit a high level of sacred amity powers that are, most regrettably, vanishing from this world at an alarming rate.”

Ch-children!? I’m still practically a child myself!

Nora stepped forward spryly. “What was that just now?”

The King’s brows knitted in consternation as he looked between them. “Did you intend for this matter to remain shrouded in confidentiality?” he finally asked of Relias.

Relias’s face, however, mirrored the bewilderment of everyone else’s. “Father Irijah,” he said in a deceptively gentle tone as his frosty gaze located the priest under sudden scrutiny. “I invite you to shed light upon the precise nature of the concerns His Majesty has laid before us.”

“Your Holiness, surely you’ve received the reports of—” He looked at the rest of us pleadingly. “You mean, none of you know?”

Relias folded his arms. “Would I ask for specifics if I already possessed said knowledge?”

Duke Chadwick stepped forward and bowed deeply to Relias. “Your Holiness. The nobility and clergy have been most careful not to cause a panic among the populace; however, it is a dire concern that keeps the former lingering in our nightcaps. No child born since that fateful night almost eight years ago has exhibited the capacity to harness the essence of amity.”

Nora exhaled sharply. “No more priests or holy knights...”

That’s what he was waiting for.

Why waste resources fighting a war you’d win by default in a few decades?

Pass the time by pitting a few factions against each other.

Watch your enemies tear themselves apart from the comfort of your new throne.

All you need to do first is distract the Goddess by discarding her chump of a champion.

Searing agony suddenly shot through my right wrist, up into my neck and jaw, making me feel like my eye socket was on fire. My gauntleted hand clenched tight, sweat pouring from its hinged joints. With my entire body trembling, I focused on relaxing my hand but stopped short, realizing I couldn’t quite make out the intricate patterns etched into the metal glove enclosing it. There was a ringing in my ears and everything around me blurred as if I had opened my eyes underwater.

And then, Aleph was there, holding me upright even as the world whirled around us. “Steady now, Captain. This marble floor is much too cold to take a rest on.”

“Is the Chosen One alright?” I heard King Paulus ask with a voice full of concern. “Reginald! Prepare a room for her! Don’t just stand there!”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” he responded promptly.

“I wish to attend to my companion forthwith,” Relias declared before turning to Nora. “For the sake of propriety, will you accompany Aleph and I?”

Nora most likely murmured something affirmative since she followed Aleph as he escorted me out of the room. Thankfully, he didn’t carry me like a lifeless doll but instead allowed me to use his sturdy frame for support as we moved forward, trying to maintain whatever shred of dignity I had left.

The private suite we were led to seemed to be meant for an entire family, decorated with ornate furnishings we had to navigate around as Aleph led me to the grand canopy bed against the back wall. He eased me to the side of the bed, where I sat, holding my head in my hands.

“I’m okay now,” I mumbled in embarrassment. “I just... got a little dizzy. It’s been a while since I last ate, that’s all.”

Reginald excused himself. “I’ll return with a small repast.”

Guilt enough, and ye shall receive, I guess.

Aleph squeezed my shoulder reassuringly as Relias sat on the bed to my right. “I’m going to take your hand, Rae,” he said softly, his long fingers pulling at my right gauntlet. “Just relax.”

Uh-huh. I would if I could.

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He gripped my palm in one hand as he pressed against a spot on my arm about two inches past my inner wrist, his fingers aglow. Gradually, the constricted muscles eased, alleviating the searing pain emanating from their depths.

“Do you feel sufficient relief?” he asked after about half a minute.

“Yes...” I immediately wiped my hand on the linen sheets after he released his grip. “It’s just...” I paused to rub my temples.

Not all my symptoms were physical.

He waited until I stopped to glance at him once more. “Rae. I vow that together... we shall stop his malevolent plans. We shall employ all measures within our sacred power to prevent him from wreaking destruction upon this world.”

Am I really that obvious?

“I didn’t even tell you what was bothering me...”

He reached out for my hand again to gently squeeze it. “Believe me when I tell you that I share your concerns, even if they are unspoken. Your regard for the safety of this world mirrors the same feelings in my heart. It is only natural for our savior—”

“I can’t be a savior, even if you declare it a million times daily!” I shouted, pulling my hand away from him. “I’m only...”

Human.

Relias’s usual soft smile crumbled into a look of confusion. “I feel I must gently remind you that you already are quite an accomplished one. So can you hold me in contempt for stating the truth?”

I caught Nora’s narrowed gaze, urging me to say what was on my mind. She was right. Now wasn’t the time to mince words.

“Sure I can. Hearing it makes me feel very uncomfortable,” I affirmed with a grunt, unable to look at any of them. “Don’t... saviors usually die in the end?”

A long, awkward moment of silence passed. “It was not my intention to allude to such a dark fate...” Relias replied, his head held low. “Please forgive me for causing you more distress. “

“Could you just not... say it again? Please?”

“That term has been expunged from my lexicon!” Relias proclaimed immediately, crossing his arms in resolve.

“Thanks...”

“Ah... I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity you’ve granted me to commence the process of atonement for my previous insensitivity. Had I but known that epithet was upsetting earlier, I...”

I winced. “You’re right. I should have said something earlier.”

“Since we are both reflecting upon prior matters... It dawns upon me that I ought to have inquired whether you would extend your benevolence to this world anew. It seems I may have simply assumed your readiness to assist solely based on your return...”

It was nice to be asked for once, even if I didn’t have the ability to say no.

“I’ll help make things right,” I agreed, mirroring Euphridia’s charge. “I’ve actually been meaning to talk to you about some ideas I have for what we can look into after we straighten out the council in Chairo.”

Like locating Paradise. Fixing NAUGHT. And making this whole mess the boss’s problem.

“I’d be happy to engage in a brainstorming session with you,” Relias agreed with a smile. “Your perspective is most—”

Both doors to the chamber swung open. Instead of Reginald bringing my anticipated antipasto, Tetora and Vernie stormed in.

Vernie cleared the span of the room in seconds. “Are you alright now? You looked awful!” she said, coming right to the bedside, nearly pushing Relias out of the way.

“I’m better now,” I agreed with a reassuring smile.

“Hmph. She was worried over nothing...” Tetora scratched at his ear, his face full of relief.

“Did His Majesty impart any other earth-shattering revelations to share after our departure?” Relias asked in slight exasperation.

Vernie shook her head. “It seems he overexerted himself earlier. He’s resting now, although he did ask a servant to fetch his son.”

Relias grimaced before standing up. “I may have to come to terms with Prince Mito as our newest companion... but first, I believe I should see if there are any ailments I may alleviate for His Majesty... With any luck, perhaps he could be travel-ready...”

Tetora’s ears drooped. “Don’t expect too much from him. He’s well past his eightieth year.”

“Eightieth? ... Yet I remember reassigning his Purpose as if it was last week...” Relias sighed.

Nora perked up. “Reassignment?”

Relias nodded. “King Saulus was not always destined to be a King. He was a commoner with no ties to nobility but a holy knight with such skill and devotion... It was my honor to perform such a rare ceremony.”

I couldn’t help but ask. “What happened to the previous king?”

Aleph, who had observed everything in silence from an oversized couch, looked up. “There was an accident most unfortunate.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t an accident,” Tetora disagreed flatly, his tail twitching in anticipation.

“Neither of us were there,” Aleph pointed out. “So, we are only left with speculation.”

Vernie shook her head. “At least answer the question before finding a topic to argue about.”

Aleph cleared his throat. “Ah... there was a fire here about thirty years ago that wiped out the royal family and most of those who served them. Most of the castle had to be rebuilt.”

No wonder he thought of what happened earlier as an assassination attempt.

“Did he say where his other children are?” Nora asked. “Shouldn’t they be helping out around here?”

“Diplomatic missions?” Vernie shrugged. “He didn’t mention it, but that’s what I’d assume they’re doing.”

“Even the Crown Prince?” I asked. “Aren’t they usually, you know... a big part of succession planning?”

“I would not begin to speculate on family dynamics...” Aleph hesitated. “But King Saulus casts a very long shadow. Perhaps the Crown Prince wishes to distance himself from his father.”

“In any case, I shall pay my respects privately to His Majesty,” Relias murmured almost absently as he walked toward the door.

“We’ll try to save you some dinner,” Vernie agreed, glancing directly at Tetora.

“Just what are you insinuating?” Tetora responded with a growl.

Vernie smirked wickedly. “Your stomach is almost as loud as you are. It betrays your future gluttony!”

Obviously enjoying himself, he howled in reply. “Gluttony!? That’s going too far!”

Relias paused, looking over us with an unreadable expression. He then locked eyes with me in an almost apologetic way. “I would say to get some rest, but given the rabble we’ve cast our lot with, it would be utterly futile.”

“Hey!” the trio shouted indignantly as he grinned and exited the chambers.

The ‘repast’ Reginald brought into the room came in short waves, each cart filled to the brim with assorted cheeses, meats, and slices of bread. Later courses consisted of fruit tarts and small apple pies. As soon as the food had been presented, he quickly excused himself from the makeshift buffet to let us eat in peace.

“We should probably pace ourselves...” Nora advised even as she filled her plate past overflowing.

“Uh-huh...” I wasn’t agreeing, just acknowledging that she had spoken.

She stared at a small roast hen. “But it would be rude not to eat our fill, right?” I knew there was a second part to her train of thought.

“It might even compromise our relationship with the royal family,” I advised sagely.

“Well then, for the mission’s sake...”

As promised, we saved some food for Relias. I recalled that he wasn’t terribly fond of sweets, opting for simpler, less processed foods. Or maybe that was because he always gave me the desserts. Unsure which was the truth, I also saved him a fruit tart. It was getting late, yet Relias had not yet returned.

“Should we check on him?” I asked as we lounged indolently. “What if something’s wrong? What if—”

The chamber doors burst open with an ear-splitting bang, revealing a furious Prince Mito in all his regal glory. His unadorned face was flushed an angry shade of crimson, radiating waves of hostility. “How dare you manipulate my father into thinking you’re the hero! Mark my words. You shall deeply regret the moment you presumed to exploit his good nature!”

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