_____
Tina froze under her mistress's sharp gaze. Her face was placid mask, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of trepidation.
"Well-we do have some other options..." Tina answered, scrambling to buy her lady's favor.
"If the option doesn't include burning these sore colors, I am not open to hearing it," G6 replied, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.
"Please, do listen to me first, Lady Reise... We have another set of designs, but you've hated them for they are not your color..." she explained, cautiously moving to the corner of the room. "And you said they were... 'so not what a noblewoman would wear', as they show so much skin and daring." she continued, unlocking the large wardrobe. "Please forgive me for bringing this. Your cousin insisted I take it when she visited the residence."
G6 suddenly fell silent-as if struck by a spell. There, hanging in the wardrobe, was a garment utterly unlike the pristine pastels of Reise Worthon. It was dark, blood-red, and gloomy. It was a color fit for G6.
Slowly, almost reverently, she approached. Her gingers traced the sleek, black fabric of the dress before she leaned her cheek against its hem, utterly captivated.
Then her head snapped up, eyes harp and piercing as she turned to Tina.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner, Tina?"
Tina's heart was still racing, but she had to be direct. "Because you said to never show them to you again Lady Reise," she said, her voice a calm counterpoint to her frayed nerves. "You said you didn't want to be like your cousin, who used those revealed shoulders to gain attention that she had no self-respect and wanted you to be like her."
G6 eyebrows furrowed, a silent storm brewing on her face. She stood up straight, her posture region and the air in the room grew cold. "Who said I don't have self respect?" She asked, the words sharp and filled with a familiar, dangerous edge. The question was a challenge; a rejection of the past self-Tina had just invoked. It was clear that the style of her cousin—and the clothes in her closet—were a reflection of her own true self, Akira.
Tina's eyes held weariness that went beyond the day's events. She was tired of the constant emotional whiplash from her mistress. "You said those words, my lady," she responded simply.
A moment of silence hung between them. Then a spark of realization flushed in G6's eyes. She understood that she had asked the question not as Reise, the noblewoman, but as Akira, the woman she had to suppress now.
A slow, smug smirk spread across G6's face. She reached into the wardrobe, her hand brushing past the black and gray gowns before settling on the blood-red one. She pulled it from the hanger, a flash of scarlet in the dim light, and handed it to Tina. "I'll wear that," she said, her tone returning to its usual calm, as if the moment of vulnerability had never happened. She turned and walked away, her earlier display of emotion dismissed and locked away.
Tina took the dress, it's fabric soft but heavy in her hands. She let out a deep, trembling sigh, closing her eyes against the sheer, stressful and unpredictability of her mistress. She looked down at the gown. It was indeed a bold red, a scandalous color for a young noblewoman. But it wasn't just the color. The slit on the side ran high, so high it came within an inch away from her buttocks. It wasn't a dress; it was an act of defiance. And G6 was going to wear it.
_____
Lilia skipped down the gilded hallway, her search for Edmund, the villa's butler, an urgent mission. She spotted a cluster of servants huddled in a shadow alcove, their heads bent in a conspiratorial huddle. A whisper factory. Perfect.
"Excuse me," she chirped, her small voice cutting through their low chatter. The gossiping servants flinched ,turning as one to face her.
"What is it, Lilia?" One of them asked, annoyance etched on her face.
"Have you seen Sir Edmund?" Lilia's words tumbled out in a rush, a clear sense of urgency in her expression.
"Edmund?" Another servant frowned. "No, we haven't. He's been missing for almost three days now. Why are you looking for him?"
"Lady Reise needs him to escort her to the Queen's Quarter." Lilia answered, and the air around the servants when still with shock.
"The… Lady? You mean, Lady Reise herself?" Their eyes darted around, as if expecting a trap.
"What do you mean?" Lilia asked, a hint of irritation in her voice. She's the only mistress in this villa. She paused, realizing her words were falling on deaf ears. They don't understand. "If you don't know, I'm leaving."
She turned to go, but a servant grabbed her arm.
"Wait. Did Miss Tina look for him?"
"No." Lilia answered with a small, defiant lift of her chin. "I offered it myself to the Lady."
A stunned silence. "You? To the Lady herself? And she didn't… yell at you?"
"I'm in a hurry," Lilia insisted, already pulling away. "And for your information, my lady did not yell. She gave me a whole lemon cake." Lilia's face split into a wide grin, the memory of the treat clearly a victorious one.
She was about to leave when a thought—a wonderful, triumphant thought—made her stop and turn back. She gave them a mischievous wink. "And… I'm her new assistant personal maid now."
Then, she twirled on her heel and continued her walk, her steps now a joyful dance. She was a peasant who had won the lottery, her heat swelling with an unspeakable, new kind of joy.
The servants in the alcove remained frozen, their faces a mix of this belief and sheer terror. They remembered the few days ago, when someone had tried to wake Lady Reise, and ended up pinned to the bed by a terrifying, cold-eyed monster—little did they know, it was already G6.
___ ___
Lilia stood at the back of Annex-Unus, a forgotten corner of the sprawling palace grounds. She remembered the old layout, the one before the entire villa was occupied, and a certain memory surfaced. This was where Edmund used to hide when he wanted to escape the royal bustle.
"I'm pretty sure he's here," she muttered to herself, peering through the crack of a door into the liquor storage.
The air inside was cool and heavy with the scent of aged spirits. She carefully stepped inside, navigating a treacherous path between shelves laden with bottles more valuable than she was. One wrong move and should be bathing in a cascade of liquid gold and a mountain of shattered glass.
"Edmund…?" she called out, her head scanning the towering shelves. "Edmund, I know you're here."
She clicked her tongue and irritation, crossing her arms in silence.
"What is brat doing here? Didn't I tell you this room is off -limits?" A voice boomed from behind her. It was the voice of a middle-aged man, with the hint of dramatic flair.
Lilia turned around, a slow smile spreading across the surface. "Edmund! Hurry, you need to get to the main building—"
She couldn't finish her words. Edmund took a step closer, his expression a theatrical mask of despair. "You're wasting your time. I wasn't needed there," he said, dramatically pressing the back of his hand to his forehead.
"The Lady… she hates me," he declared in a wounded, almost sobbing voice.
Lilia cracked a wry grin. "You haven't even talked to her after the greeting when she arrived."
"That's because I don't have a chance!" he protested, the theatricality fading into genuine distress. "I was so happy to learn I'm going to be the butler of the youngest Worthon—just like I used to take care of her two brothers when they first arrived here. But after she went savage with the servants, she locked herself in her room…never wanting me."
Lilia sighed, a wave of irritation washing over her. She knew better than anyone that exhausting drama that came with dealing with Edmund. "Old man—"
"What's your mouth, you brat!"
"Lady Reise is going to kill you with her gaze if you don't move," she stated plainly. "She was asking for your attendance."
"Be—"
"Let's go! Our lady is waiting for me!" He interrupted, already turning and pulling her along.
He practically dragged her out of the liquor storage, his usual elegant gait replaced by a frantic scramble. This pain in the neck, dramatic old man, Lilia thought, a sense of weary affection mixed with her frustration.
_____
[The Royal Collegium of Sorcery and Steel]
Prince Dio strode purposefully through the arched stone entrance of the Royal Collegium, on his way to his duties. The air was cool inside, and the only sound was the gentle trickle of water from a grand fountain at the center. In the fountain, a statue of the God Eldrin—a figure of serene power and compassion—stood as a silent witness. Beside it, Eliza, the perfect picture of grace, stood with her head bowed, as if in prayer.
Dio give her only a brief glance, already planning to pass her by. But before he could, her voice, sweet and clear, called out to him.
"Good morning, Your Highness."
Her words halted his momentum, forcing him to stop and turn. He offered a polite, practiced smile. "Likewise. And please, just Prince Dio will do."
She walked toward him, her movements fluid and elegant, her two handmaidens trailing a respectful distance behind her.
"Are you headed to the Bastion now?" she asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"Yes. Now if you'll excuse—" His words were cut short as Eliza continued, undeterred.
"I heard there was a commotion at Lady Reise's villa last night," she said, her tone casual, as if she were simply making conversation.
Dio's expression shifted, his polite smile replaced by a furrowed brow. "How did you know that? Was it that loud enough to reach your place?" he asked, his voice laced with a subtle sarcastic edge.
Eliza scoffed lightly, "Fortunately, no. My servant told me." She turned her head slightly to the two women behind her, a signal that wasn't lost on Dio.
One of the handmaids stepped forward and spoke with practiced difference. "Excuse me, your highness. We just accidentally overheard something on our way to the annex."
Do you remain silent, a private thought confirming what he already suspected. I was right. It hasn't even been a week, and she's already back to her old ways.
The other handmaiden chimed in. "It sounded like… she was looking for something. The sounds were as if her room was being turned upside down."
Eliza's eyes narrowed slightly, a glimmer of satisfaction in them. "What do you mean?" she prodded, her voice low.
"I forgot to mention, Miss Eliza, that she wasn't engaged with anyone. In fact, she had locked herself in her room. Perhaps that's why Miss Tina seemed a bit… distressed in the kitchen earlier."
A small spark of concern ignited in Dio's eyes. "Is something going on with your Lady?"
"We… don't know, Your Highness." The servant answered honestly. "Miss Tina never speaks about the Lady's private affairs, except to Sir Alistair. All we know is that she's distant… to everyone."
Dio's gaze hardened, turning cold and sharp. "Next time, do not speak about the mistress of your villa. Especially not to a woman who is far higher in station than your own employer." The command was a sharp cut through the air. "Now, if you'll excuse me."
He turned and continued on his way, leaving Eliza and her servants in his wake. Eliza's shoulders slumped, a look of discouragement on her face. Determined not to be left behind, she sped up, her quick steps turning into a small run to catch up with him.
"Your Highness, I'll walk with you." She pleaded, "since we have the same destination."
Dio didn't answer. He simply continued his silent, unhurried walk, his stride a clear sign of his unspoken disapproval.
___
They reached the Bastion building. At the entrance, Eliza began to speak, but Prince Dio had already turned his back and ascended the grand staircase to the second floor, leaving her behind.
He pushed open the door to his office, his patience already thin. Standing behind his desk, staring out the full-wall window, was a man with an utterly and savory lack of manners. He was idly juggling droplets of water in the air, a lazy smile on his face.
"Get out," Dio said, walking straight for the room.
The man turned, a teasing grin spreading across his face. He popped the water droplets in a burst of mist. "Getting chummy with that commoner early in the morning?" he said, circling the desk as Dio approached it.
"As always, you're still as low-mannered as you are," Dio said, collapsing into his chair. "Can you give me a break? We share a damn house, let's at least be strangers here."
"That's so mean!" Keith said, plopping onto the couch with a childlike, grumpy pout.
"What do you want, Keith?" Dio asked, his irritation mounting.
"Give me a new toy. I don't want to be chummy with the Prince's girl," he said, his tone laced with teasing.
"There is nothing going on between me and Eliza," Dio declared.
"Really? Why can't you ignore her the way you used to ignore dear Reise?" Keith asked, a jab that hit its mark.
"She's a prospect for this kingdom," Dio said, defending himself. "And you know that her magic is the kingdom's signature."
"And Reise isn't?" Keith said with a mocking laugh. "You've got to be kidding me with that excuse. We both know we don't need that signature anymore."
"Don't be absurd. That magic is what this kingdom is made of. It was a direct blessing of the God Eldrin to our ancestors," Dio snapped, his voice tight.
"And? It's been lost for two centuries, and the kingdom didn't fall. Thanks to what? To the Three Pillars." Keith's voice grew offended, his playful demeanor dropping.
"Why are you being such a jerk this morning, Keith?" Dio's irritation now had an edge of genuine confusion.
"I just don't want you hurting Reise with another woman," Keith said, his stone completely serious. "Reise maybe a handful, but that doesn't change the fact that we all grew up together. You didn't even notice her when you got chummy with that peasant in the garden of Annex-Duo."
Dio's expression hardened, a new realization dawning on him. He saw now that this was not the usual clown he bantered with. This was a side of Keith he hadn't seen in a long time.
"What do you mean?" Dio asked.
"You must have been too distracted to notice. Reise was lurking around the bashes that night," Keith said, his tone laced with a surprising amount of pity. "That could be why she didn't even bother with you at the tea party." He paused, a cruel truth hanging in the air. "Maybe she finally realized you are not worth chasing."
He started to walk toward the door. Just before he left, he stopped and looked back. "I don't mind you ignoring Reise, but don't make her see you flirting with another woman. That's not manly." then he walked out, leaving the room silent.
When the door shut, Dio let out a long sigh. He turned his chair to face the window, staring out at the view. Keith, the jester of their group, had been dead serious. Dio was left speechless, the weight of his best friend's words settling in. Was he finally realizing that he was the reason the glimmering rose had become so wicked?
_____
[West Villa, G6's Room]
G6 stood before the gilded mirror, captivated by her own reflection. The dress was a masterpiece of rebellion, a stark contrast to the stiff, high-collared gowns of noble society. The thin straps on her shoulders and expense of her bareback and decolletage felt both scandalous and exhilarating.
Behind her, Tina could only stare, caught between silent admiration and the sheer terror of what her lady's mother would say. She could already hear the lecture, the dramatic accusation that the sole daughter of the House of Worthon is rebelling against them.
G6 turned her face as she's in a mask of joy that made the emotional whiplash of the day all the more jarring. Tina had to admit it, the garment transformed her mistress. It was a beautiful, living temptation, her exposed skin as untouchable as a masterpiece in a museum. The challenge was not to stare but to simply breathe and not drown in her grace.
"What do you think, Tina? Do I look stunning?" G6 asked, a hint of genuine excitement in her voice.
Tina was pulled from her thoughts. "I hate to admit it, but yes, Lady… truly stunning."
G6's smile widened, this one genuine. It was the smile of a cunning devil who had completely taken over someone's life, and now reveled in her new body and freedom.
Just then, a gentle knock came at the door. "Excuse me, I'm coming in." It was Lilia, her voice small and hesitant.
Lilia froze at the threshold, her eyes wide in awe. All her earlier fears vanish, replaced by a pure sense of wonder. "You… You are so beautiful, Lady Reise!" she gasped, clasping her hands together in delight. It was a reaction G6 head anticipated, her appealing fashion winning over everyone's initial fear.
G6 blushed, her smile now warm and truly her own. "Thank you," she said, genuinely pleased.
A gasp from behind Lilia broke the moment. "It looks so… rebellious!" An older man's voice exclaimed. G6'S face fell, waiting for the lecture. Boomer? "But you're like a goddess descended from heaven, a picture of pure elegance."
G6's smile returned, even brighter. "You know your style. Who are you?" She asked, a playful glint in her eyes.
He stood up straight, placing a hand on his chest. "Let me reintroduce myself, my lady. I am Edmund, your butler." He gave her a perfect graceful bow.
"I like you, Edmund," G6 said, turning back to the mirror. "Keep praising my style, and we'll have no problems." She paused. "And drop the 'my'. I don't like the sound of it."
"As you wish, Lady Reise," replied with a soft, warm smile. "Whenever you are ready, we will proceed to the Queen's chambers."
G6 turned to them, hand on her hip. "I'm ready," she said, her voice brimming with a thrilling excitement. "Let's go." She walked out of the room with a confident stride, as if heading to a delightful negotiation rather than a tense meeting with the Queen.
The three followed her, a mix of awe and bewilderment on their faces. As she strode down the hall, a few servants they passed froze, other eyes widening at the side of the mistress's new appearance. They weren't sure if it was right to be so starstruck by such rebellious beauty.
Their old lady had been a creature of light, pastels colors—a walking saint who was wicked from within. But this version was different. It was as if she had finally found a way to let her result burst into the open.
The echo of G6's red heels was the only sound in the silent, awe-struck hallway. She moved like a walking goddess. "Goddess Nyxoria," a servant whispered, referring to the deity of temptation.
G6 paid them no mind, her stride confident and unbothered. "Edmund, how far is the Queen's chamber?" she asked, her voice calm as she continued walking.
Edmond quickened his pace to take his place one step behind her. "Just passed the garden in front of Annex-Unus, Lady Reise. Probably a ten-minute walk."
G6 gave him a quick glance, a silent sign that she understood. Edmund immediately falls back into line with Tina and Lilia, walking a respectful distance behind her.
I can't wait to see her, and trick he—I mean to talk to her giving me a professional card.
Her thoughts, full of mischievousness again. Oh no she's a queen…that's like dealing with the first lady. I must play my cards properly to avoid suspicion, and maybe to gain her…trust.
Then a ghost of smile touched her lips.
Ugh! This villa is more like a mall. It's so big, she mused.
A gentle breeze swept through the open hallway, fluttering the hem of her dress. The slit in the gown swayed, exposing a daring length of her legs. The three servants behind her tensed, their faces a mix of alarm and embarrassment at the sight.
G6 didn't flinch. She didn't look back or even bother to adjust her dress. She simply kept walking as if it was the most natural thing in the world. In her old life, G6 was a master of fashion, she was often called "baddie" for her style, which really suits her inside-out. She hated anything that felt suffocating and loved clothes that reflected her inner nature: a cunning, beautiful wildflower. Here, in a world where such outfits were practically non-existent in noble circles, G6 was the embodiment of a fashion crasher.
They stopped into the Annex-Unus, and G6's eyes, like a robot's sensors, scanned the interior. She took in every detail, every corner, her mind acting like a camera saving each image for later.
Edmund stepped forward to offer his hand, a silent gesture to help her down the grand staircase. "No need for it, Edmund," she said, her voice clear. "A woman who can't walk on her own is useless." She then proceeded to descend on her own, her walk effortless.
Edmund looked at Tina, and Tina gave him a small knowing nod. It was a silent agreement: don't argue with her. You'll never win.
Once on the ground floor, G6's eyes continued their work, scanning the surroundings without a single flicker of her gaze. They walked toward a path that led to a lush garden, the well-worn flagstones telling her it was a common route. She glanced at Edmund, and he gave her a smile and nod.
"Why is this place full of greenery?" she asked, breaking the comfortable silence. "It's like the whole palace is surrounded by a garden."
"It produces mana, Lady Reise," Lilia answered, humming happily.
"Mana?" G6 asked, a curious cat's look on her face.
"Yes, lady," Edmund said. "The entire palace is encircled by gardens and trees. It acts as an energizer for all the mages around here."
"Your body absorbs it unconsciously, as it recognizes the presence of mana," Tina continued, voice full of pride.
"Ah… so that's why as we go closer every time with nature my body's somehow reacting to it? The strange sensation?" G6 asked, a hint of confusion in her tone.
"Sensation?" Edmund repeated the word, his brow furrowed in thought. He clasped his hands behind his back, falling into his butler's posture.
"The only common effect I know of is the general feeling of wellness, Lady Reise. As if the mana improves the circulation of one's blood. And soothes the muscles. It is more a result than a specific feeling." He explained, which only made G6's eyebrows knit together in further confusion.
"Perhaps, it was simply hunger, Lady Reise," Tina suggested lightly.
G6's sharp, annoyed gaze immediately snapped to her. Is she trying to be funny right now?
"Lady Reise, are you hungry?" Lilia asked, her voice full of innocent concern.
"I am not," G6 stated flatly, her eyes still pinned on Tina. "And Tina, do not make it sound as if I am hearing things or feeling things that are not there. "Her tone is a clear warning.
Tina simply looked away, feigning nonchalance
"Lady Reise did you know?" Lilia chirped, expertly diverting G6's attention and saving Tina from further scrutiny. "Only the noble and royalty families have an affinity for the four major magics!"
"Really?" G6 said, genuinely surprised. "I assumed everyone in this world could use magic."
"Oh no!" Lilia said, falling into step beside G6 as if they were old friends. "Most of us commoners use Kinetic Augmentation or Utility Magic."
"Kinetic Augmentation sounds…"
G6 cut her own words short. Freaking cool. That would have been incredibly useful in my line of work.
"...it sounds very practical," she said aloud.
"Yes! You can learn it too with physical training, Lady Reise! I don't have it yet because I'm still only eight," Lilia explained. Suddenly, her eyes caught in sight of something ahead and she darted forward with a child's impulsivity.
"Lilia—!" Tina began to call out, a reprimand for her informal behavior on the tip of her tongue, but G6 raised a hand to stop her.
"Let her be," G6 said. She turned her attention back to her other servants as they walked. "What about you two?"
"I am proficient in both Kinetic and Utility magic." Edmund answered.
I could have guessed that, G6 thought. You move like someone who knows how to handle themselves.
"I only have Utility magic," Tina added.
"So those are the common magics for commoners?" G6 clarified.
"Indeed, Lady Reise." Edmund nodded. "Though they can become quite powerful with dedicated practiced… like the Adventurers."
G6 suddenly halted as Lilia reappeared, gently tugging on the hem of her dress. "Lady Reise," the little girl said, beaming. "I wanted to thank you again for today."
She held out a single, pretty purple flower she had picked.
G6 accepted it with a faint smile and tucked it behind her ear. "Do you know what this flower is called, Lilia?"
Lilia shook her head, her eyes wide.
G6 bent down so their eyes were level. She gently cupped Lilia's cheek. "This is called Belladonna," she explained, her voice soft. "Some call it Nightshade. In an old language, its name means 'beautiful lady'." She paused, letting her smile fade into something more serious as she stood up. "But it is also highly poisonous. It could make you sick…or worse."
"Lilia! Why would you pick something dangerous for the lady!" Edmund scolded, stepping forward. Tina moved closer, her face etched with worry.
"It's alright," G6 said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "She didn't know." She looked directly at Lilia, her gaze firm but not unkind. "I told this to someone before, not everything that is beautiful or interesting is something to be touched."
"I'm sorry, lady Reise," Lilia whispered, bowing her head in shame. "I'll be more careful next time."
"See that you are. Now, raise your head." G6 gave her a small reassuring nod before continuing her walk.
As she led the way, she could hear the frantic, hushed whispering and dramatic gestures of the three servants behind her. Without breaking her stride, G6 threw a single, sharp look over her shoulder.
The bickering ceased instantly. They straightened their postures and quickly fell back into line, the picture of perfect professionalism once more.
_____
The long, immaculate pavement finally led not to a simple chamber, but to an extravagant villa. Though smaller than the sprawling western wing, its sophisticated architecture—all elegant arches and delicate spires—left no doubt it was the private sanctuary of someone of the highest authority.
"I thought we were going to a chamber?" G6 muttered, her brow furrowed in confusion. This was a standalone mansion.
Edmund offered an awkward, resigned smile. "Well, Her Majesty referred to this residence as her 'chamber'."
"Right. Of course she does," G6 said flatly. "Let's continue."
As if on cue, the grand doors swung open, revealing a butler whose posture of poised expectation instantly collapsed into a visibility jolt of surprise. His eyes widened imperceptibly, scanning G6's daring red dress from shoulder to hem before he quickly schooled his features.
G6 met his stare with a mask of cool indifference, not a flicker of shame in her clothes.
"N-nice to meet you, Lady Reise Worthon," he stammered, subtly adjusting his suddenly-too-tight collar. "The Queen has been expecting your visit."
G6 shot a glance at Tina. "I sent a letter ahead to the Queen's servant." Tina explained softly.
"The pleasure is mine," G6 replied, her tone brisk and businesslike. "Plesse, lead the way. I wouldn't want to keep Her Majesty waiting." She didn't response, her decisive stride forcing the flustered butler to a scramble and fall into step beside her.
___
They ascended a grand staircase and were led to a set of wide, ornate doors at the end of a silent hallway.
The butler knocked gently. "Lady Worthon has arrived, Your Majesty." He opened the door and ushered them inside.
The room was a masterpiece of tasteful opulence. And there, seated regally on a central couch, was the Queen. She was pristine, sophisticated, and beautiful. Her eyes swept over G6, a faint, almost imperceptible flicker of surprise in her raised eyebrows before it melted into a warm, practiced smile.
"My dear Reise," she said, her voice like honeyed silk. "You've finally freed yourself from your room. It is a relief to see you."
So, this is the Queen.
G6 approached and offered a perfectly measured, slight bow of her head. "Thank you for sparing the time for my sudden visit, Your Majesty."
"I was delighted to hear you wished to see me. Please, sit." The Queen gestured to the plush chair opposite her.
G6 sat, gracefully crossing her legs. The slit in her dress fell away to reveal a long, elegant line of her leg.
The butler, Leo, immediately found something of intense interest on the far wall to stare at.
Then, small hands appeared, deftly laying a soft, embroidered blanket across G6's lap. "To keep warm, Lady Reise," Lilia whispered with a quick, nervous smile before scurrying back to stand with Edmund and Tina.
Ah, right. Noble decorum. G6 almost smirked.
"So," the Queen began, her gaze lingering on the dress, "I see you are in a… new stage of expression."
"I prefer to think of it as finding my comfort, Your Majesty. This feels more like me," G6 replied, smoothing the blanket over her lap with a grace that somehow made the rebellious outfit look like the height of fashion.
"It was very daring. The cut reminds me of your cousin from the neighboring kingdom, the north. " The Queen mused, and sipped her tea.
Oh, the one that Tina said? I should visit North—they have a good fashion sense.
"A gift from her, years ago," G6 confirmed smoothly, layering her lie with a hint of nostalgia.
"That looks outrageous, however, at the same time… it looks ridiculously good on you." the Queen conceded, seemingly disarmed by the sheer audacity of it.
"You are too kind, Your Majesty." G6 inclined her head. "I will delay no longer. I am here because I wish to request a Professional Card."
The Queen's pleasant expression shifted into one of genuine curiosity. "Well… that is unexpected. I was anticipating a question about Dio."
Dio? Oh. Right. The Prince.
A new, thrillingly reckless idea shot into G6's mind. Why not?
"Would you allow me to dissolve the engagement, then?" she asked, as casually as if inquiring about the weather.
The air in the room vanished. Tina's breath hitched. Edmund stiffened. Lilia looked ready to faint. Even the Queen's perfect composure cracked for a full second.
"Oh, my dear," the Queen finally said, a light, uneasy laugh escaping her. "You must be kidding. You have been promised to my son for ten years. The official announcement is mere months away."
G6's eyes instantly lost their sparkle. Boring.
"Which is precisely why I am asking you, instead of him. I don't wish to be simply 'the woman of your son'. I refuse to be a bird with clipped wings,"she stated bluntly.
A shadow passed over the Queen's face. "Have you grown tired of my son's… cold behavior toward you?"
"This is about maturity, not pettiness. Ten years ago, I was just an 8-years-old with no right to object. I was vulnerable to make myself believe that I like someone."
The room fell into a heavy silence. The three servants stood rigid, awaiting the storm.
And then, the Queen smiled. It wasn't a warm smile, but one of a sharp understanding. She stood and moved to sit beside G6, taking her hands in her own. "I understand you, dear. Truly, I do. It makes me happy to see you finally find your voice and purpose."
Her grip tightened suddenly, becoming vicelike. G6's eyes widened at the surprising, painful strength in the Queen's delicate hands. "But" the Queen continued, her voice dropping to a whisper that only G6 could hear, her eyes flicking to the red dress, "I will not tolerate a scandal." The ring on her finger glowed with a faint, warm light and the pain in G6 hands vanished as quickly as it came. "Your parents would never forgive me if I let their prized daughter 'run free'."
Intriguing.
"It is my lifeline," G6 defended, her mind raising, trying to decipher the Queen's magic and her motives.
The Queen released her and returned her seat, signaling to Leo for tea as if nothing had happened. "So, you wish to join the Royal Collegium?" She asked, her tone light again.
G6's eyes lit up, the previous tension momentarily forgotten. "Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Hmm… very well. I can grant your card, but protocol demands and appraisal first. Leo, fetch the orb after we're done," she commanded.
G6 had to consciously stop her foot from tapping with excited energy.
"I heard about the tea party, by the way," the Queen added casually, sipping the tea Leo presented. "Keith came to see me that very night. He would not stop talking about it."
G6 remembered what she said to the Prince and awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck. "I… may have woken on the wrong side of the bed that day."
The Queen let out a genuine, melodic laugh. "Oh, don't you dare apologize! Keith and I were in stitches listening to his retelling. It was the most entertainment we've had in weeks."
Wow, her personality… It was exactly like that water guy. She's far more easygoing than I expected.
"If only the King's brother had an heir," the Queen sighed, a sudden, unexpected weariness in her voice. "Then Dio not need to be a Duke and you…you would perhaps be free." She said her cup down with a soft clink. "I am sorry, my dear for placing you in a gilded room with no visible exit"
The King's brother? G6 filed that away for later. This new information is absent from the book and diary.
"The Three Pillars already balanced so much power. To place another major title upon them… it is a delicate matter." The Queen's face softened with the mother's worry. "Please try to understand Dio. He's not cold, he's simply drowning under the weight of the Upper House's expectations."
Before G6 could process this, Leo returned, carefully carrying a luminous crystal spear on a velvet pillow.
"Ah, here we are." The Queen gestured. "Now, my dear, place your palms flat on the orb."
G6 obeyed. The spear responded instantly glowing with the soft, sparkling white light—design of her mana. But then, it didn't stop. The light intensified, growing brighter and brighter, filling the entire room with a blinding, brilliant radiance. A searing heat began to build beneath G6's palms.
"Fuck! That's fucking hot!" She yelped, yanking her hands back with a hiss of pain, her carefully maintained decorum shattered.
The three servants rushed forward. Tina immediately dabbed at her reddening hands with a napkin, while Edmund and Lilia hovered, their faces etched with concern.
"Dear child, are you quite alright?" the Queen asked, her voice laced with genuine alarm.
"It burned me!" G6 snapped, cradling her hands. Though her face was a mask of controlled fury, the pain in her voice was very real.
The Queen quickly took G6's hands again. Her ring glowed once more, and a wave of cool relief washed over the burn, soothing the pain and redness away instantly.
"How very strange," the Queen murmured, staring at the now-dormant orb. "It has never reacted so violently before."
"Your Majesty…" Leo's voice was a hushed, awed whisper. He was staring, transfixed, at the runes now shimmering on the orb's surface. "The appraisal... it reads: 'Mana Reserve: Immeasurable'."
A dead silence swallowed the room. Every head turned to stare at Leo, then at the orb, and finally, their wide, disbelieving eyes landed on G6. Shock and utter confusion hung heavy in the air.