After spending last night with Lexia in his arms, Axis felt revived and ready to conquer the empire. Which meant dressing down to blend in at the train depots. The spiraling tracks twirled around buildings only ten years in their infancy, but designed to look two hundred years old with turrets, parapets, and verandas. It was a stark contrast compared to the pristine, brick offices at Flicker’s Factories.

Here, at the train stations, people filed in and out, all in higher spirits thanks to the Founding Season. Mandatory vacation sent shoppers on their way to stimulate the economy throughout Winter’s capital city. With gifts to share and balls to attend, there was no shortage of intellectual property to barter and exchange.

In his hand-woven sweater and tailored slacks, Axis still stood out. He was already taller than most of the citizens at six feet, four inches, but there was little he could do to change his skin and eye color—a trademark of his family’s genes. Most people politely ignored him, but some stared and whispered.

Axis smiled for everyone, searching the crowd for a familiar face—

There.

Mrs. Tenz stepped off the train and noticed Axis immediately. He was sad to see her smile lessen as he approached. He hoped it had more to do with her leaving the factory after six years rather than something to do with him personally.

“Good morning, Mrs. Tenz.”

She blushed a little as she took the hand Axis offered. “Good morning, Master Flicker.”

He almost gagged before saying, “Just ‘Axis’ will do.” He hated being associated with his father. “Do you mind if I ask you some questions about why you left the factory for mining in the crater?”

Mrs. Tenz’s resolve hardened in her brown eyes, and she led Axis to a bench, saying, “I think you should take a seat.” He did, and she sat beside him. “You’re a hero to us, Axis. The way you fought for our benefits increases last term gave me the means to send my son to Dr. Tempest’s university for medicine. I bartered an entire year of leave for that privilege, but I only had it because of you.”

In such a public setting, Axis swallowed and tried to maintain eye contact despite the emotion coming from the older woman.

“But the machine managers and shift enforcers are… handsy.”

Axis’ brows shot up as Mrs. Tenz continued, “I’ve been working the looms for six years now. I don’t need a lineman showing me how to do it, especially not by pressing the length of his body against me.”

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This was an outrage. Axis’ skin felt hot as he said, “I’ll challenge him to a duel today. Which one was it?”

Mrs. Tenz shook her head. “No, young man. The People’s Prince. I won’t have you dying for my honor. I left, and that was enough.”

Axis frowned and ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. “Would you at least tell me who it was so I can begin the removal process?”

“Your father knows. I filed a complaint with him.”

Axis didn’t bother hiding his wince. His father knew. Of course the tyrant knew. He said, “I appreciate your honesty, Mrs. Tenz. Now can you please tell me what else my father knows that I don’t?”

Axis spoke to three other former employees to complete the full picture. Trusted and long-term professionals complained of sexual harassment, verbal abuse, and even beatings on more than one occasion. It was enough to turn his stomach, especially since every one of them had filed a complaint with the Factory Master’s office.

How did this fall off of Axis’ radar? And why in Winter would these people, with such esteemed positions, start behaving this way after a decade of compliance?

Something smelled foul.

Axis was too conspicuous to investigate on the factory floors where the managers would spy and report back to Valve. He’d need to hire a few spies of his own to gather concrete evidence before taking this to his father. It plagued his thoughts the entire car ride home. Only after he arrived at the brick mansion and received a butterfly-gilded letter did his mind stray to Lexia.

She was Axis’ angel, his guiding light. Lexia was all that was right in the world. If she wanted to live in her father’s manor after the two wed, he would gladly do so. If only he could bear Dr. Tempest’s sole condition to asking her.

Wait.

The letter.

My loving Axis,

I know this is sudden, but would you escort me to the Founding Ball? Gauge Snow invited me, and I would love to dance the night away with you. In a dress. I’ll consider it practice for our someday wedding.

Sincerely yours,

Lexia.

Axis’ chest felt tight, and he clutched the collar of his sweater. By planting both hands on his desk and drawing slow deep breaths, he managed to beat back the worst of the panic.

There was no place more public than the Founding Ball, and Axis’ brain just tried to short circuit because he knew.

This was it.

This was the best opportunity to ask Lexia in front of hundreds, in front of their friends and families. In front of the officiator, Snow, himself. This was it.

Axis breathed deep until he fell calm and imagined the gorgeous smile on Lexia’s face after he’d given her his timepiece for all of Winter and her father to see. And Dr. Tempest’s pride in Axis, after all these years of tending his injuries, would only elevate the moment to the most unforgettable engagement in Winter’s history.

The hard brown glass of Mrs. Tenz’s eyes flashed in Axis’ mind. It wasn’t really the appropriate time to imagine his betrothal with the factories losing good laborers and Snow benefiting from the misfortune. But before Axis could confront his father, he’d need evidence. So Axis picked up the phone and called in a few favors.

First, settle this business on the factory floors.

Then, ask Lexia for her hand in marriage.

Given enough determination, nothing was insurmountable.