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Nora plucked the paper out of my hand and shouted a barrage of questions into it, her eyes blazing. “How do dark mages get stronger? If there’s animus overload, is there such a thing as amity overload? Why haven’t you answered the rest of my questions in my journal?”

Strangely enough, the document flickered with a bright light for a few moments but then dimmed, its surface calm and still. Nora shook it a few times, then sighed.

“Maybe all gods are just capricious,” I sniped as I folded my arms tight.

Clare was supposed to be a hard-working peon, like me! Not an all-powerful god!

“I don’t think she’s being capricious,” Nora disagreed. “I bet it’s some sort of transmission failure. She did tell us earlier our communication method wasn’t reliable.”

Well, I suppose if she were all-powerful, she wouldn’t have the problems she was having. Certainly, she wouldn’t be wearing so many hats. Maybe she was a hard-working peon-god, a patron deity of the frontline.

“I guess…”

Nora handed the letter back to me. “You know, her recommendations align with what Relias had been working on with you earlier…”

“It wasn’t just him,” I objected, not wanting him to get full credit. “Aleph and Tetora and even Vernie tried, too.”

“True, true. I’m just saying it’s good we got a second opinion… er, on those recommendations.”

I made a rueful face, knowing I was being not only diagnosed but also marked as non-compliant with treatment. “Alright, alright. I’ll try to be more consistent with them.”

“Maybe we all should. A consistent breakfast and meditation session with me, starting now?”

I considered it for a few moments, my last show of stubbornness. “Alright, but not too early. I need my beauty sleep.”

Even though I set her up for a snarky response, she skirted around it, knowing I was trying to distract her from something I didn’t want to discuss. “Understood.”

After summoning Mother Liora, we asked for breakfast and some undisturbed time afterward for meditation. Though she was disappointed that I had declined part two of the temple tour, she took our order to the kitchen. A few minutes later, the aroma of freshly baked bread filled the room as we spread creamy butter and sweet, tangy jams onto warm slices, pushing deep into brunch territory due to the lateness of the morning. Our meditation session afterward, however, was cut short by a commotion out in the hallway.

“I demand to speak to Captain Lightbringer!” Prince Mito’s shout pierced my first moment of zen emptiness.

Dang it.

A loud scuffle ensued, complete with the grating metal clanking of armor.

Prince Mito shouted again. “I order you to let me—”

“The Captain is not to be disturbed at this time!” a guard interjected.

Too late for that.

With a defeated groan, I unfolded my legs and stood up. “I better see what’s going on.” I stepped outside and found His Highness being suspended in midair by the two guards who had set up shop in the hallway.

“Captain Lightbringer,” he cried, hauled up by both arms. “It is of the utmost importance that I speak with you!”

“Set him down carefully,” I instructed, trying not to laugh at how ridiculous he looked. “And give him back my… er, his, sword.”

“Chosen One,” one of the guards addressed me with a nervous tone. “I would not dare question your judgment, but… are you sure?”

“Yes, yes,” I said with a dismissive wave. “Prince Mito is my friend; I’m sure whatever he wants to talk about is important.”

As soon as they let him down, Prince Mito shrugged himself violently out of their grip. “I’ll be having a talk with your superiors about this!”

The guards glanced at each other, let out a derisive laugh, and abruptly turned their backs on him.

Prince Mito will need to build some reputation around here to be taken seriously…

“Um, would you like to come inside? Lady Nora’s here.”

His Highness paused. “You two… have worked out your differences?”

Differences?

“Huh? What—oh! In the castle courtyard gardens? Hahaha! It was all a misunderstanding.”

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

I guess I had forgotten to close the loop with him.

He looked unconvinced. “If you say so.”

I shrugged and led the way back into my quarters. “Have a seat and tell me what the problem is.”

Prince Mito sat and clasped his hands on the wooden table. “Holy Sage Relias has asked me to ensure comfortable, closely watched quarters for my brother in the outer part of the city…”

I jumped up, sensing an opportunity. “Does that mean I can go househunting with you? Maybe I could blend in with your guards. There are a few things I need to…” I trailed off, watching strife form on his face.

“I…”

He’s not going to do it. “You’re conflicted about his instructions, aren’t you? Why don’t we talk it out.”

Prince Mito sighed heavily. “My brother…”

“He’s an idiot, isn’t he?” Nora asked impudently.

I groaned, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping up my neck. “Nora!”

Prince Mito, however, let out a relieved laugh. “Better you to say it than I.” He sighed again, drumming his fingers slowly. “Crown Prince Victor… his Purpose was known long before Relias assigned it. Perhaps the circumstances of his royal birth served as the catalyst for his sheltered upbringing. Everything he ever even conceived of needing was given to him without delay.”

Nora wrinkled her nose. “Let me guess, he had an easy childhood, free of strife?”

Prince Mito shook his head. “No… I don’t believe that exists for any of us, but perhaps it looks that way from the outside. Victor was the target of many an assassination attempt. Of course, no one spoke of them publicly; there were no trials, just quiet investigations and executions. As the attempts increased, his inner circle became more and more controlled, mostly consisting of priests who could identify poisons before ingestion, as well as holy knights who could sense ill intent. Had he been born with powers like our Father, I think he would have become more capable of protecting himself. But he realized early on he would need people stronger and smarter than him to protect him, so he invested heavily in those who would keep him safe. The very same people who convinced him to speak at Relias’s trial.”

Nora blinked several times, looking somewhat embarrassed. “Oh…”

Prince Mito looked down at the table somewhat guiltily. “Growing up, I was quite the spiteful little brother. I saw him as a stupid, spoiled prince who got everything on a silver platter: our father’s respect and pride and the envy of others, myself included.” He coughed delicately. “The constant stream of marriage proposals he received didn’t help my jealousy, either.”

“I can see why you might have seen it that way,” I admitted.

Prince Mito sat back in his chair. “My other brothers, of course, found comparing the two of us quite hilarious. You’ve seen his blonde hair, correct? All my other brothers look like younger versions of him, except they were also born with the powers of Amity. It was that one thing they could wound us both with. I just happened to have my appearance as a second target.”

What was wrong with his appearance? “…You’re talking about your brown hair and brown eyes?”

“Among other things,” Prince Mito muttered.

Nora unabashedly looked him up and down for a moment and then shrugged. “I’m not seeing what you’re talking about. You have a surly sneer, but I don’t think it’s permanent.”

Prince Mito rubbed his reddened cheek. “I… lack the physical strength of my brothers. They made sure I was aware of this fact almost daily during my early years.” He shook his head firmly. “But we’re getting off track. I am concerned that if I leave my brother in the outer city, even with appropriate protection, something untoward will most likely happen to him, whether it be self-inflicted or not.”

“What do you want to do instead?” I asked.

“I would send him home to Father,” Prince Mito replied. “But more importantly, back to Reginald and Duke Chadwick. I believe they have his best interests at heart and would continue to serve him well once he becomes king.”

Nora stared intently at me, but I couldn’t quite parse whatever mental transmission was behind her glare. She finally gave up, rolling her eyes. “Prince Mito, do you think he will be a good king?”

“No king is good by themselves,” he responded. “But there are many in the castle who would help him. I also wish for him to see Father… before…”

I briefly considered telling him to listen to Relias as an expert on the matter. Intentional or not, Prince Victor had caused trouble, and I certainly didn’t want him to step into a decisive role where several corrupt church officials could easily influence him to do the wrong thing. My advice to do what he was told would also earn me some street credit with Relias himself. However… It wouldn’t be right. It would also ensure Prince Mito wouldn’t seek my advice again after opening up and talking about such a dilemma with his honest insight.

“I assume you’ve weighed the pros and cons of the situation?” I inquired.

Prince Mito nodded. “I realize I would be placing him into a position of power. But stability is most important now; the last thing you, let alone anyone else, needs is a bloody succession in Amantia.”

I sighed. “I wish you could go with him. But we need you here even more than there.”

His Highness’s eyes lit up as he realized I was on board with him. “Then… will you speak to Relias on my behalf? I have tried a few times already, but it seems I am getting nowhere.”

Why me?!

I tried my best to keep my face neutral. “I am not sure my counsel on the matter would be taken at face value now.”

“I thought you said you settled your differences?” Prince Mito asked with a frown.

I threw my hands up in the air. “This is a different difference!”

Nora cleared her throat. “Prince Mito. Do you think you could delay executing your decision? Until we work some small things out internally. Maybe just by a few days? No more than two weeks?”

Prince Mito glanced up at the ceiling for a moment. “I suppose I could if I go through the motions of looking for lodging without success. Can I ask the reason as to why—”

“Wonderful!” Nora exclaimed as she jumped out of her chair and gestured to the door. “I’m so glad we could help. But if you’ll excuse us, we really are busy at the moment.”

Prince Mito’s eyes narrowed, but his suspicious glance fell more on me than her.

Hey, I don’t know what’s going on either!

“I’ll take my leave then,” he said with a cold bow. “Thank you for considering my quandary, Captain.”

I bowed back awkwardly. “Uh, sure… We’ll talk more soon, I promise.”

He left my room on silent feet, closing the door quietly behind him.

“Okay, what’d I forget about this time?”

Nora sighed. “You have to give him Holy Celestia. But you had better do it before everyone's eyes as King Saulus said, including Prince Victor.”

Oh, I didn’t forget that. I just can’t let him know I’m going to do it beforehand, either. Except… “What’s that got to do with anything?”

Nora smacked her forehead. “It’s everything! Put it together!”

I folded my arms and tilted my gaze to the upward, focusing on the same spot Prince Mito had. “I guess it would send a message that Prince Mito is to be respected… and Prince Victor should listen to… wait, not just Prince Victor. Everyone! His father wants him to be the next…!”

Nora shook her head. “You’re a little late to the party, but at least you’ve finally arrived!”

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