THE MONTH OF STRONG HEAT (JULY), 5TH DAY, YEAR 506 OF THE IMPERIAL CALENDAR.

I decided not to go to school today, and stayed held up in my room. I was still angry about yesterday, and would not return to school until I had properly paid that man back for what he did.

Not only that, but I am sure that word has spread of my outburst. I don’t feeling dealing with the rumors right now, because when one rumor starts, by the time it has come around full circle, it comes out completely different.

I would not leave the room until Wilheim returned. Of course, I allowed servants to come and bring me food, but otherwise I ordered them that I did not want to be bothered.

At some point, my knights came to my door, in particular Felice came.

“Your Majesty, please! Let me inside! I cannot bear this crushing shame! I allowed you to almost be injured, and I wasn’t by your side, fulfilling my oath to serve and protect you! Please punish me accordingly for my failure!”

I had no intention of punishing Felice, as it would have been awkward to walk around the school with adults in loud, clanking all the time. Everyone would be nervous for no reason. Luckily, Wilheim was trained in whatever he was to catch the punch and down the attacker.

Ultimately, after 30 minutes, Felice still ashamed left my door be and walked off and sulked.

Inevitably, the day was pretty boring, because I sat, only wanting Wilheim to hurry up and get back. I ended up dozing off, almost sleeping into the next day, but I was awoken by a knocking.

“Go away, I already told you I am not leaving!” I snapped from being awoken from my sleep.

“I’m sorry Your Grace, I just wanted to tell you myself that I have returned, and everything is set.” responded Wilheim’s voice from the other side of the door.

A soft smile crept onto my face, it was almost time.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

THE MONTH OF STRONG HEAT (JULY), 5TH DAY, YEAR 506 OF THE IMPERIAL CALENDAR.

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Wilheim had completed all of the preparations for his assignment the night before. It had taken a few hours past the time he normally slept, but with extra persistence and a sense of purpose he finished.

When he woke up the next morning, he got straight to work. He went back to the academy, and asked other students about a student or potential teacher, who was tall and somewhat buff, had hooves, bull horns and and a bull ring.

The first few responses he got were either “Sorry, I have never seen him” or some remained silent and only looked down or away. Finally a few tries later, he obtained information from a student who was short, had beady eyes, spiky hair, and some tusks coming out of his mouth finally gave Wilheim the answer.

“His name… is Rar’Shan Serance. He’s the heir to a major merchant family with plenty of influence.” said the obviously nervous and resentful student.

He didn’t need to say the rest; Wilheim already knew the rest, so then he asked another question.

“Where is his family estate?”

“I-I don’t know specifically, all I know is that it’s somewhere in the upper class, somewhere in the west part of the city, and of course that the family name is Serance.”

“Thank you, that will be all.”

Wilheim knew all he needed to know, now he just needed to ask some of the locals of the western part of the city where the House of Serance was located.

It was already around midday when he finally left the academy; it was taking him longer than he wanted. He began his journey to the western part of the city.

It proved useful to go to the middle class area instead of the upper class, as Wilheim got his answer from one of the first people he asked. They told him his house was located on a hill between the lower part of the upper class, and the palace.

With that, Wilheim had everything he needed to begin his plot. He returned to the palace, but told the servants not to tell the Empress that he had returned yet. He ordered a spy, with the permission of Dralden who was still oblivious, to go and watch the house to see if Rar’Shan leaves or enters the residence.

While the spy went on his assignment to keep lookout, Wilheim gathered some of the knights, including Felice who was still extremely depressed.

He then explained his plan to them.

First, they would arrive menacingly  at the residence of Rar’Shan. The knights would hang back, hidden behind the walls of the residence near the gate, and would only appear by Wilheims side when given the signal. Assuming that Rar’Shan was at the residence, Wilheim would then give the signal, pull out a royal insignia, and present it to whomever opens the door and tell them that Rar’Shan is currently under arrest for violent acts against the Empress. They would then drag him back to the palace, and lock him in the dungeon until further notice.

After the plan was given, Felice changed from being mopey and depressed, to feeling energized and was filled with a sense of purpose. Wilheim decided it would be best to act now and immediately capture Rar’Shan.

About an hour and a half later with the knights in tow, Wilheim met up with the agent who had been left on lookout. He reported that the target had entered the residence roughly an hour ago.

“Perfect…” muttered Wilheim, with a smile plastered upon his face.

With this, Wilheim walked to the entrance of the residence and up to the door and knocked.

About a minute later, a servant answered. Wilheim asked if the house’s head was in, and she replied, “Yes.” and went to get him.

Almost five minutes later, a minotaur, even bigger that Rar’Shan appeared in the doorway.

“Are you the head of this house?”

“Yes, I am Keef’Shan. What do you want?” he asked angrily.

“I am here to see your son” Wilheim replied.

“On whose authority?” He asked huffing and tauntingly.

Wilheim ignored him and simply pulled out the Royal Insignia, the knights slowly filling behind him.

This caused Keef’Shan’s jaw to drop.