The royal garden was a sprawling maze of vibrant life, an emerald labyrinth where the air hung heavy with the cloying, sweet scent of crushed jasmine and damp, ancient moss. Tiered waterfalls spilled over polished stone ledges like curtains of liquid diamond, feeding into obsidian-lined ponds where glowing lotus flowers drifted like fallen stars atop the dark water. The paths were framed by waist-high rose bushes and tightly manicured hedges that stood like impenetrable green walls, silent and imposing. Every few yards, a hidden stone fountain or the rhythmic gurgle of a bubbling stream broke the morning silence, making the entire estate feel like a lush, drowning paradise of water and petals.
"Look at those two, something must've happened last night," Rose said, her expression remaining neutral even as her eyes tracked their movement with sharp precision.
"Mmm-hmm," Lucien nodded from the side, his gaze trailing the two figures.
"Are you surprised?" Kaelen asked, his posture as rigid as the garden's stone statuary.
"I will be surprised if I ever manage to get surprised by them again," Rose replied, her mouth curling down on one side in a show of lingering exhaustion.
"True…"
The four, including Elan who stood slightly behind the group, were watching the approaching lovebirds, Noa and Vionette. They seemed happier than ever today, walking with a synchronized rhythm while laughing and smiling with a radiance that could shame the sun. The residual warmth of last night's kiss and that final, quiet hug was clearly enough to send the two flying up to the heavens.
[Reserve]
Walking down the road toward the group, Vionette decided to test Noa's skill—which was now their skill. A solid black crack, looking like a jagged wound in the fabric of reality, formed in the space beside her. It followed her with a silent, predatory grace as she walked. With a flick of her wrist, she slid her sword into the darkness and gave it a slight push, watching the steel vanish into the void.
"Finally, something to store items," she said cheerfully, her crimson eyes bright. "Now I don't have to adjust the hilt every time I want to sit down. It was getting so annoying."
To test the capacity, she proceeded to toss a handful of gold coins into the crack as well, watching them disappear into the 'pocket' dimension.
[Reserve]
"Yea, this is much better than carrying heavy coins around like some common merchant," Noa added, activating the skill to store Acheron safely within the rift.
"Seems like they were waiting for us," Vionette noted, turning her attention to the group as they finally reached the shade of the white gazebo.
She was wearing a tucked ruffled placket white long-bishop sleeved blouse accented by a slim black ribbon bow tie around her collar. Her high-waisted black skater skirt caught the morning breeze, and her usual thigh-high stockings had been replaced with sheer black tights. The only remnant of her earlier attire was the deep red earring Noa had given her, which caught the light with every turn of her head.
"It's your fault Blackie, you made me wear all different kinds of outfits in the middle of the freaking morning," Vionette complained, though the smile on her lips made the words feel like a caress, tucking a strand of white hair behind her ear.
"Don't blame me, you look too gorgeous," Noa rolled his shoulders, stating it as if it were an objective, undeniable law of the universe.
"You… I know that already."
Noa himself wore black tactical cargo pants adorned with hanging straps that swayed as he walked, paired with an oversized white hoodie. A slim silver necklace rested against the fabric, and two small silver hoops glinted in his left ear. His white sneakers featured black laces and trim, completing a perfect 'white-black-white sandwich' color scheme.
Nymara had truly become their personal tailor, bridging the gap between their modern memories and this fantasy world.
"My lord, would you like a tea or a coffee?" Rose asked as the two stepped into the gazebo, her voice carrying her usual 'head maid' tone.
"Tea is fine," Noa said, taking a seat on one of the white chairs with a sigh of content.
"My lady?" Rose turned towards Vionette.
"Ahhh… get me a tea too," Vionette said, sitting in the chair immediately next to Noa, their shoulders almost touching.
In the center of the gazebo stood a round table of polished white quartz, surrounded by five chairs. As soon as the leads were seated, Kaelen and Lucien followed suit with practiced ease. Elan, however, hesitated, looking at the two who had sat without even a nod of permission, before nervously sliding into the final seat.
"Nice outfits, they look good on you guys," Noa said, looking at Elan and then at Lucien.
"As lady Vionette, miss Nymira's shop is the best in the kingdom," Lucien smiled, looking relaxed in his new gear.
He wore a white tunic-jacket hybrid, falling to mid-thigh, its shoulders sharply tailored while the waist eased into a quiet softness, the front drawn in a subtle asymmetry and fastened with small gold clasps that caught the light without demanding it. The collar stood high, parting slightly at the throat to reveal a dark inner layer beneath, simple and unadorned, save for a thin gold chain resting against his collarbone like a whisper of ornament. Black fingerless gloves sheathed his hands, leaving thumb and index bare, a fine line of gold tracing the back of each as though marking something deliberate.
His lower half was clad in slim black trousers, clean in line, accompanied by a long, soft panel of black fabric falling from the waist, shifting with each step in a restrained, fluid motion. At his feet, sleek structured boots, polished to a quiet sheen, grounded the entire silhouette in composed precision.
"Yes, it is high-quality fabric, and the clothes look pretty. Though…" Elan looked down at her outfit, her fingers fidgeting with the hem. "Does this look… too much?"
Elan had her golden hair styled with soft bangs framing her face, the rest drawn back into a braid that began at the middle of her head, the strands falling in a smooth cascade before gathering into a relaxed plait, mirroring the same quiet style she had chosen for the festival.
She was dressed in an amber-yellow long-sleeved shirt with, the torso tailored close while the sleeves softened into a fuller shape, the structured collar set with a black tie and marked by two or three small gold buttons that served as subtle accents. A black jacket rested over her shoulders without being worn, draping naturally with only the faintest trace of gold along its edges.
Her lower half was composed of slim, high-waisted black trousers, fitted cleanly, a barely-there red stitch tracing the side seams. At her waist lay a thin belt with a simple gold buckle, understated and precise, while short black gloves, fitted and ending at the wrist, completed her hands. On her feet, heeled boots carried a hidden detail—a small red underside that revealed itself only in motion, like a fleeting secret.
"Yes, it fits you well," Vionette said with a smile, resting her chin on her hands atop the table.
It fits her tsundere vibes too, Noa thought, making a soft skirk.
"Thank you, Lady Vionette. I will try to get used to it then." Elan said, a bit embarrassed.
"Ouch!"
Suddenly, Vionette's fist came descending upon Noa's head with practiced accuracy.
"I can guess exactly what you're thinking right now," she said with a teasing smile.
Her expression wasn't one of anger, but rather an amused confirmation, as if she were already mentally agreeing to play along with whatever 'fashion show' he had in mind for later.
"Here's the tea, my lady," Rose said, her words sounding like they were heavily infused with the irritation of someone who had been dealing with 'lovebirds' since dawn. "You too, lord Noa."
"Ah—y-yes."
"T-the tea… right."
Noa and Vionette, feeling the sharp emotions behind her polite words, straightened their backs and looked straight ahead, small beads of sweat forming on their faces. Elan looked at the strange group, her gaze drifting from Rose to Kaelen and then back to the monarchs.
I still don't get what's wrong with these people. Or… am I the weird one here? Why was I even invited to this meeting anyway? She thought, feeling out of place amidst the chaos.
"Okay, let's start our talk with Elan too while we're on her topic," Vionette said, taking a slow, measured sip of the fragrant tea.
"Me…?" Elan asked, her face morphing into a mask of confusion.
"Elan, from now on, you're the archduke of Aurelyth," Vionette smiled, delivering the news as casually as if she were suggesting a walk in the park.
"Yes, Lady Vio—wait… what?!"
"I heard that you have the intelligence for that position from Lucien, so try to do your best," Vionette lazily extended a hand towards Lucien.
"W-wait, lady Vionette… I can't take this position. I'm not ready to become a duke yet, not to mention an archd—"
"Elan, that title doesn't really matter inside Crimvane right now, it only matters to the outside world," Vionette's carefree voice changed instantly, turning cold and heavy with the weight of a monarch. "Do you think just you being an 'archduke' will make people fear you more than Elina, who doesn't even have a formal status here?"
"…No… your majesty," Elan calmed down immediately, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "My apologies for thinking too much."
"Listen, I don't care if you're a dragon, a demon, a god, a king, a duke, or anything else. What I want is the outcome of your actions. Not your strength, and certainly not your title," she placed her tea down with a soft click and leaned forward, her eyes locking onto Elan's. "And all I ask you to do is to protect the people inside Crimvane. Now, can you do it?"
Elan, who had been looking down in fear, slowly raised her head. Her face was no longer filled with doubt, but with an ambitious, flickering confidence. Below the table, she clenched her fist, finally making a decision.
"Yes I can, please leave it to me," she said.
Whatever, let's just try it. Lucien is here to help me anyway.
Unlike [Thought Communication], which required Noa or Vionette to act as a bridge, the [Crown of Accumulation] had evolved their network, allowing the group to speak freely within the tether of the soul-link.
"Good, now onto the next part," Vionette's tone snapped back to her carefree attitude in an instant. "Who should we give Caldris to?"
"Those two rasca—I mean, Lady Lina and Lady Elina are already out of the question. Kaelen and Elan are occupied now, leaving…" She turned her gaze towards Lucien.
"No, nope. I will be staying with Elan," he instantly rejected the unspoken offer, his hands waving frantically in the air.
"Yea, I thought as much," Rose sighed, shaking her head.
"Mmm… then, Kaelen, you assign Numael to temporary control Caldris," Vionette leaned back onto her chair. "I have someone in mind for that permanent position, so just tell him to manage it for now."
"I will tell him, lady Vionette," Kaelen bowed his head slightly.
"Next, we need a specialist for magical affairs. Our current strongest magic user is a literal dumb lizard, so she's useless for administration."
"Ah—don't worry about that," Noa interrupted, raising a finger. "I already have someone in my mind for that."
"Someone in mind?" Vionette asked, turning her head towards him.
"Yes, someone very important to me," Noa looked up, closing his eyes as he leaned against the back of the chair, a nostalgic shadow passing over his face.
"Okay then, next," Vionette turned back to Kaelen, "have you got the people I asked for? The spies?"
"Yes, we've trained the soldiers and selected the best few, lady Vionette," Kaelen nodded.
"Perfect. Assign them to Viselle. She's reliable, even if she acts like a complete lunatic most of the time."
"I will."
Numael's voice echoed through the minds of Noa and Vionette, sharp and pressing. The two lovers immediately locked eyes, the playful atmosphere of the morning vanishing.
...
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[Illustrations]