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[The Omnia Vault]
"Are they nuts?" G6 muttered as they walked away from the Sanctum.
"They must really adore you, Lady Reise," Lilia said with a smile.
"They just have a sister complex," G6 replied, still annoyed.
"What's a sister complex?" Lilia asked.
"It's like a dog that goes crazy every time its owner comes home."
"Dogs are adorable," Lilia responded innocently.
G6 just shook her head.
"We're now proceeding to the Department of Research and Inventory—the Omnia Vault," Brenda announced, guiding them toward the next building.
When they entered, the reception area was quiet. Only one person stood behind the front desk. "Good morning. Welcome to the Omnia. How may I help you?" he asked politely.
"Good morning, Zen. This is Lady Reise. She'll be working with us from now on," Brenda said.
Lilia had let go of G6's hand and was now looking at the maps on the wall with Tina.
"Lady Reise?" Zen stepped out from behind the counter. "Nice to meet you. I'm Zen, from the Nocturne branch family," he introduced himself with a smile.
"Likewise. I am Reise of House Worthon," she said confidently.
Zen's eyes widened. "W-Worthon? Does that mean you're Lady Reise, the fiancée of the Second Prince?" he stammered.
Huh? Addressing me as someone's woman? That doesn't taste good in my ego.
"No," G6 corrected firmly. "I am Reise Worthon. I look forward to working with you, Zen." She turned to Brenda. "Shall we?"
Brenda nodded. "I'll show you around the Omnia, Lady Reise."
They moved on, leaving Zen standing there in disbelief. He had expected the prince's fiancée to be busy learning how to be a proper wife—not walking the halls of the research division—let alone work with them.
Tina and Lilia hurried to keep up with Edmund, who followed closely behind G6. Once again, G6 stayed quiet, absorbing every detail Brenda shared. It wasn't that she had nothing to say—she was gathering intel, mentally mapping the place as if planning to infiltrate it in the near future.
"People are often in the laboratories. The other departments sometimes call them geeks," Brenda explained with a snarky tone, as they walked through a quiet hall.
"Yeah, I can see that. This place is dead empty," G6 remarked, her posture beginning to slip from noble grace into something more relaxed—almost boyish, with a hint of a swagger.
"This is the main laboratory. Allow me to show you," Brenda said, opening a set of double doors.
Inside, people were deeply focused on their work—scanning artifacts, examining old magic tools, and sorting through paperwork. G6 stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room.
They really are geeks.
Then her gaze landed on a man in the corner. He wore an elegant white suit with gold details. His hair was green, and so were his eyes, which sparkled behind his glasses.
Is this what they call tall, damn, and handsome? T.D.H. It's actually dark, G6.
Their eyes met.
WHAT THE FUCK. IT'S EARL!
She immediately looked away, as if caught staring, and quickly left the room.
It wasn't embarrassment—it was Earl. And she wasn't planning to talk to him.
Earl almost didn't recognize her—until he noticed her hair. "Reise?" he murmured, then hurried after her. "Wait! Reise, what are you doing here?"
But G6 didn't stop. She kept walking, forcing him to follow.
Her three servants stayed silent, watching the scene unfold. They didn't dare interfere—not when their lady wore that sharp, don't-talk to me look they'd come to know so well.
Finally, he caught up to her, stepping smoothly into her path.
These damn heels.
"Oh, look who it is. Hi, Earl," G6 said, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she tried to play off the fact that she'd been avoiding him.
He smiled—a knowing, amused smile that showed he wasn't fooled. "Yes, it's me. Why are you avoiding me?" he asked, not giving her any room to pretend otherwise. "Are you looking for something?" He adjusted his glasses, studying her.
"Yes, actually…" G6 paused and offered a sharp smile. "I need you to remove yourself from my way." Her expression shifted instantly to something fierce and unyielding.
"You're still as direct as you were at the tea party," Earl remarked, a teasing glint in his eyes. "But let's set that aside. Why are you really here?"
G6 glanced pointedly at Brenda, silently telling her to explain. She wasn't about to waste her breath on someone she clearly saw as beneath her attention.
"Lady Reise will be working here from now on, Sir Earl," Brenda explained politely.
"Working? You, Reise?" Earl looked genuinely surprised, then broke into a warm, almost proud smile. "You really have changed—quite dramatically."
"Whatever. Move," G6 said flatly.
Earl just laughed. "Don't be like that. You're going to be seeing a lot of me around here."
"Huh? Sorry to disappoint, but I have Open Access privileges," she shot back with a smirk. "I won't be stuck anywhere—especially not with you."
"You do?" Earl asked, his confusion evident. G6 didn't bother answering. She looked away and crossed her arms, radiating annoyance.
Tina gently cleared her throat. "The Queen herself arranged it, Sir Earl."
"The Queen?" Earl's eyes lingered on G6 before he smiled again, this time with a hint of mischief. "Well then, come by anytime, Reise. I'll be waiting."
What's with this geek? He's seriously creeping me out.
"I'd rather die again than spend another minute in the same room as you," she said coldly, then brushed past him without another word.
"Please forgive our lady," Edmund said quickly with a respectful bow. "She's… actually nice." Then he and Tina hurried after her, with Lilia already scampering ahead to catch up.
Earl watched them disappear, a thoughtful look on his face. "Die again?" he repeated softly to himself. His smile returned, softer this time. "She does look more beautiful like this… It suits her new… vigor."
Shaking his head lightly, he turned and walked back into the laboratory, a faint smile still playing on his lips.
___
[The Royal Collegium Library]
Their next stop was the massive, elegant library of the Royal Collegium. The space was breathtaking, with ceiling-high bookshelves stretching in every direction. A second-floor balcony offered access to the highest levels, making the entire room feel both grand and intimate.
"This is… big," G6 said, genuinely impressed.
Lilia ran into the center of the room and twirled, her small form dwarfed by the towering shelves. "It's even larger than the library in the Main Palace!"
"Of course it is," Brenda replied with a hint of pride. "Compared to the Palace's collection, the Collegium holds everything. Even the forbidden books."
G6's eyes lit up at the word forbidden—it sounded like a personal invitation. "Can anyone access the books?" she asked, her tone casual but her interest clearly piqued.
"Yes, Lady Reise. However, those considered forbidden are kept on the highest shelves," Brenda explained, pointing toward the topmost sections nearly brushing the ornate ceiling. "Even our tallest ladders cannot quite reach them."
Perfect, G6 thought, a slow smirk forming in her face. If they think putting something up high will keep it safe, they've clearly never met someone who knows how to climb.
"She's got something… wicked in mind," Tina whispered to Edmund as they watched G6's smirk.
"I can see that," Edmund agreed quietly.
In the short time they had served this new version of Reise, they had already learned to read her moods. The slight tilt of her head, the sharpness in her gaze, the way her silence felt more dangerous than shouting—it all meant she was either killing you in her mind or plotting something.
"We shall now proceed to the extension room of the library, where the Integrated Wardrobe and Armory System is located. In short, the I.W.A.S.," Brenda announced, leading the way.
G6's eyes lit up. "Is that a place for custom utility clothing?" she asked, a spark of interest cutting through her earlier irritation.
"Yes, Lady Reise. Her Majesty specifically instructed me in her letter to bring you here," Brenda replied.
She did? G6's mind raced. This feels like we're finally getting somewhere.
"I was told to show you some… training wear," Brenda added.
"How much farther?" G6 asked, her impatience barely hidden.
"We're here." Brenda tapped her card against a nearly invisible panel on the wall. A soft click sounded, and a hidden door slid open. "However, beyond this point, only those who are officially employed can enter.
G6 looked at the three, and nodded at them. And they just stay still, a sign that the message is received.
When G6 and Brenda entered the room, the wall closed again. "This is more of a secured storage facility. I oversee it, as I am also the Head Caretaker of the library," Brenda explained, guiding her inside.
The room was spacious and well-organized, with tall racks holding everything from practical training gear to elegant formal wear. One entire wall was lined with glass cases displaying polished knight armor, gleaming under softly enchanted light.
Jackpot, G6 thought, her eyes scanning the room with the focus of a strategist entering an armory. This is what I've been looking for. No more frills. No more pastels. Just function.
She walked slowly between the racks, her fingers lightly brushing against the fabrics—sturdy linens, reinforced leather, dark woolens meant for movement and endurance, not just appearance.
"Over here," Brenda said, gesturing toward a section where the clothing was designed for women's combat and mages clothing. "These are often used by those training in kinetic magic or combat arts. Her Majesty thought they might… suit your needs."
Those she saw earlier, are not meant for a woman but for a man—
G6 faced the rack with a whole new level of displeasure. "This looks like clothes to go to the market. This is practically a dress in plain design," she complained, giving the combat dresses a disgusted look.
"However, Lady Reise, that is how women's attire is made here. Even the Adventurers' Guild in the capital follows this style, though theirs are slightly more… daring," Brenda explained.
"Well, there's no way I'm wearing that," G6 stated firmly and turned away. Her eyes were caught by another section to the side.
She walked over and saw simpler, more practical garments. "Those are neither combat clothes nor mage robes," Brenda said. "They were rejected for looking inappropriate and lacking noble decorum."
G6 wasn't listening. This is… this looks just like clothes from my world. This is more like our style in the organization.
She grabbed a black long-sleeved, high-collared top, then circled around to another rack and found a pair of black pants in her size. "Lady Reise, I told you it was not—" Brenda began.
G6 cut her off. "I am taking these, Brenda," she said with authority. She then picked out a pair of black boots and handed them to Brenda. "Please have these delivered to my quarters," she said with a slight smile.
It reminded her of her operative days back home.
She slowly walked towards Brenda, and stopped just one-step away from her. "Keep it a secret from the Queen," she whispered, "and we're good." Then she winked.
Brenda blushed. G6's vibe gave off a confident, almost roguish charm—more like a typical bad boy than a noble lady.
"I could simply keep them here, and you may change whenever you come to train, Lady Reise," Brenda suggested, as if bewitched.
G6 smiled and lightly touched Brenda's chin. "That's what I want to her," her voice still soft and almost a whisper.
Brenda's heart beat faster. But G6 was already turning away, heading toward the door as though she had accomplished exactly what she came for. Perfect that the other three aren't here to butt in, she thought.
Then her eyes landed on a belt hanging on a nearby rack. She grabbed it and turned back to Brenda. "Keep this along with the rest, Bre—" she said, using a casual nickname with another charming smile.
Oh my grace, did she just call me by a nickname? Ah, this is strange… she's oddly attractive for a woman, Brenda thought, flustered.
Mental manipulation—easy as always.. Thanks to my two idiot brothers. I noticed how she acted around them, like a high school teen around their crush. And since the three of us look almost identical, it wasn't hard to mess with her—mentally and emotionally. G6's thoughts would sound creepy if spoken aloud. She might act open or kind, but every move still had a purpose.
Once she was sure Brenda's mind was successfully swayed, G6 broke the silence. "Shall we leave?" she said, pulling Brenda from her thoughts.
Brenda shook her head slightly and walked toward her. "Allow me to place these in the secure cabinet first," she said, opening a vacant glass display and carefully storing G6's chosen outfit inside.
With that done, she rejoined G6 at the doorway, her demeanor now noticeably more attentive.
_____
[The Bastion of Phalanx]
Prince Dio and Keith were walking through the hallway on the second floor of the Bastion, on their way to Dio's office. Keith tagged along, likely just looking for a chance to annoy him.
When they reached the office door, they paused. They noticed the Queen's butler, Leo, stepping out of the room across from Dio's—a space that had been empty until now.
"It's rare to see Leo around here," Keith remarked.
Leo noticed them and bowed. "Good morning, Your Highness. Good morning, Sir Keith."
"Good morning, Leo," Dio replied.
"Hey, likewise," Keith said casually, exactly like himself.
"It's unusual to find you in this wing, Leo," Dio said. "What brings you to that empty room?"
"Her Majesty instructed me to prepare it. Someone will be using it soon," Leo explained.
"Someone?" Dio asked. "Who exactly? I haven't heard of any new nobles arriving. The Guild didn't send any report."
Leo noticed them and bowed. "Good morning, Your Highness. Good morning, Sir Keith."
"Good morning, Leo," Dio replied.
"Hey, likewise," Keith said casually, exactly like himself.
"It's unusual to find you in this wing, Leo," Dio said. "What brings you to that empty room?"
"Her Majesty instructed me to prepare it. Someone will be using it soon," Leo explained.
"Someone?" Dio asked. "Who exactly? I haven't heard of any new nobles arriving. The Guild didn't send any report."
Leo hesitated. After all, Reise—or rather, G6—wasn't registered with the Guild. "Her Majesty may not have filed the report yet. However, Lady Reise has already begun her tour. I was just on my way to meet her on the first floor."
"Reise?" Dio asked, confused.
"Wait—do you mean Reise? The Reise we know?" Keith cut in.
"Yes," Leo answered politely.
"Why is Reise suddenly here? Is this another attempt to get closer to me?" Dio said, his tone serious.
Keith shot him a quick, annoyed look.
"You misunderstand, Your Highness. She isn't even aware she'll be stationed here in the Bastion," Leo clarified. "Her purpose here is a matter solely between her and the Queen."
A gag order? Dio thought.
"Well, I'll come down with you. I kinda miss Reise…" Keith said, grinning like the toy he ordered has finally being delivered.
"Shall we, sir?" Leo said politely
"I'll join as well. As the head of this department, I should greet newcomers personally," Dio added. Though he wouldn't admit it, he was also curious to see Reise—or rather, G6—again.
"Yeah, yeah… whatever," Keith replied, and the three made their way back down to the ground floor.
___
Prince Dio and Keith stood just a few paces away at the entrance to the Bastion, a few steps behind Leo, who waited with the steady patience of someone anticipating a storm. He knew G6 would not be pleased after everything that had transpired in the Queen's chambers.
Then Eliza approached, spotting Prince Dio and Keith standing together. "Good morning, Prince Dio. Sir Keith," she greeted.
Dio offered a brief nod in return, and Keith gave a distracted wave. Their attention was clearly elsewhere—fixed on the doorway where a certain figure was expected to appear.
Just then, a bright, youthful voice cut through the air. "Finally, we're here at the Bastion, Lady Reise!" Lilia emerged first, beaming with excitement.
A moment later, she appeared.
The woman in black stood framed in the vast doorway, the morning sun spilling light around her like a halo. It was Reise, yet not the Reise they knew. She had always been beautiful—compared by many to a goddess—but something was different now. It wasn't just the dark elegance of her dress or the subtle confidence in her posture. It was something deeper, something untamed and quietly powerful, as though her very presence had been remade.
For Prince Dio, time seemed to slow. This was not the jealous, wicked rose he was used to dismissing. This was someone… else. Someone whose energy felt ancient and new all at once. His breath caught somewhere between memory and wonder. It wasn't just Reise standing there—it was her, yet more. As if for the first time, he was truly seeing her.
Nearby, Keith stood uncharacteristically quiet. The usual teasing glint in his eyes had softened into something deeper, something tender and unmistakably captivated. For once, no joke left his lips. He could only watch, silent and utterly disarmed, as the woman he'd always known stepped into the light—changed, dazzling, and completely herself yet felt like a stranger.
And there, under the morning sun at the entrance of the Bastion, two men who had known her all her life fell in love with her—without even knowing her at all.