'Something is strange.'
'A battle of thoughts is never simple. If the princess' s skill extended only this far, what right would she have to begin this conversation?'
Victor swallowed.
'She knew even of my demands toward the slavers. She knew I deliberately chose someone from the Republic of Venn, even though those cages should be filled mostly with slaves of strong body.'
He paused.
'Perhaps the steward told her everything—but that isn' t what matters. The fact she brings it up…'
'It is the clear display of power.'
'A deliberate awe imposed. And by placing slaves of the Republic in conspicuous cages, it means that girl…'
Victor cut another piece of meat.
'Good that only Brian and I know the way out of this castle. Otherwise everything would already be extinguished.'
He smiled faintly, setting his fork down.
"Then I gladly accept the Blood Empire' s gift—both the personal slave and the acknowledgment of my requests."
She leaned her elbow on the table, resting her face in her hand as her gaze pierced into Victor.
"As for training, it shall proceed according to your desire. Until the emperor returns, I hope everything here will bring you satisfaction, however great or small."
"From the moment I first set foot on this land, I have been deeply impressed and moved."
"May I ask, Victor—would you like to try archery with me?"
Victor rose, straightening his collar.
"Of course, at your wish, Your Highness."
Beneath the beautiful night, starlight shimmered in a violet sky washed with pale yellow. The heavens above bled into the earth, shifting violet to fragile pink as clouds broke the light into scattered, drifting shards. As though the sky were shards of glass, straining to hold every ray, reaching though powerless. At the highest edge of the atmosphere—
'I too will keep striving.'
The sound of arrows was meticulous, the hiss of air proof of their flight. Shafts sped true toward their targets—and struck. The princess clapped in delight at Victor' s aim, before drawing her own bow and loosing a shot that split the air with a gust of wind.
Victor smiled faintly.
"An excellent shot, Your Highness."
Princess Retina returned the smile, her silver hair swept by the breeze as she turned her elegant gaze toward him.
"Shall we make it a contest?"
Victor' s smile warmed. He bowed, pulling something from beneath his shirt.
"In archery, I could never compare to Your Highness. But in firearms—I never miss a breath."
Bang!
Smoke curled from the muzzle, a casing clinked across the floor, a flash of yellow burned in a heartbeat, thunder rattled the ears, then silence. He closed his eyes, smiling slyly.
'Though the princess excels in her own game, I too have mine. The more she measures me, the deeper she will realize. The more she underestimates, the more she must reflect.'
'Honor. Self. Will. Purpose. None have I ever neglected. The more I hold them, the less I can fall. The miracle of power is a mirror most clear.'
His short black hair lifted in the wind. He looked away from the result, fixing his gaze on the woman, now frozen in thought. Her eyes widened, her lips refusing to suppress a smile. She extended her hand in formal greeting. He bowed, raising her soft hand to his lips for the faintest kiss.
Every act had reason, every word concealed meaning. To misread such measures, his struggle with Oliver would have been impossible. He recalled the published news vividly. Now, every move he made would become Oliver' s result. He had never seen true goodwill in that man—nor in himself. Standing in a world unknown, goals mattered more than attitudes or ideals. Without pressing forward, he would never reach the stars or the truth of this world.
"It has been a most memorable night. Thank you sincerely for your incomparable sincerity. I accept it all as diplomatic favor, and I shall repay it when the Republic of Venn is restored."
"Tomorrow, are you free? I wish to take you south to a place of work—and it is also a special day of the Blood Empire. You will surely enjoy it."
"Yes."
'What is she plotting? Why ask me of such needs within the castle, only to then demand we leave it? A single report could stir resentment among the people outside…'
He shook off the thought. Exhaustion had gnawed at him too long. If he remained in such state, he could not manage what was to come.
"I shall retire now, with your leave."
"May your night be blessed with good dreams."
He walked the hall once more, his steps on the carpet carrying him past countless works of art. What should have been a heavy weight lifted instead with a single sigh. He noticed nothing more—only felt ease.
'A safety I cannot explain… That is the most dangerous of all.'