Sylvia de Floresca sat behind her desk, elegantly writing on a sheet of parchment. It was about the Sorceress's Knight Tournament. Five Year's ago, the tournament had taken place in Midgard Academy, the second highest ranked knight school in Terraria. This would be 25th tournament held at Arcadia's Knight Academy since its founding.

Standing beside her, one hand lightly resting on the hilt of his sword, faithfully keeping his silent vigil, was her knight. D'artagnan el Melloi was a middle-aged man with angular features. His face appeared to have been chiseled from stone, further hardened by his intense demeanor. Long bangs framed his face, and a light fringe hovered over eyes of burnished steel.

He wore light armor. His leather jerkin rustled whenever he shifted, dark brown and freshly polished. The shoulder pauldrons, greaves, and vambraces that he'd donned were made of steel, and they shone brightly underneath the light of the afternoon sun, which streamed in through a window at their backs.

She didn't have any duties for him to attend, so she let him stay with her while she worked. One of the things that she appreciated about D'artagnan was his ability to remain silent. Unlike her previous knight, who'd died of old age half a century ago, her current one only spoke when necessary, and he only said as much as was required to get his point across. He was an exemplary knight.

I hope Caspian can eventually become like him.

Thinking of the young man made her wonder what he was up to. Last she'd heard, he had returned home, back to Arcadia's Knight Academy. This pleased her. She didn't enjoy the thought of Caspian being with that wretched woman, Erica, any longer than necessary. She couldn't afford to have the loquacious sorceress sink her claws into him. Caspian belonged to another.

Speaking of which, I should call for Elincia and make sure she has packed everything. We'll be leaving in a few days.

Pressing a button on her intelecom—a new device created by Karen Hildegard—she spoke into the small speaker box.

"Lacy, can you please fetch Elincia for me?"

"Right away, My Lady," came a voice from the other end.

Sylvia leaned back in her chair. While she waited for Elincia to arrive, she returned to her work. Putting aside the report on the Sorceress's Knight Tournament, along with the addendum report about the Sorceress Festival and Parade, she grabbed another paper from the stack on her desk. Glancing at it, she frowned.

Another group of peasants have gone missing in the east. If I am not mistaken, that is near the city of Du'ugton, a rural town located in the mountains.

While missing people were reported in daily, the number of groups who randomly vanished was increasing. She'd had the Sorceress Council send someone to investigate, but they hadn't heard back yet.

Perhaps it would be wise to send another sorceress, but with the tournament fast approaching, I haven't the personnel necessary to designate someone for this task.

"My Lady Sylvia, Duke De'Faclo Genitore is here to see you," a male voice said from her intelecom.

Staring at the object with a frown, Sylvia eventually sighed and pressed the communication button. "Very well. Please send him in."

"Yes, My Lady."

As she waited for the count's arrival, Sylvia turned her attention to D'artagnan. "Tell me about this Duke De'Falco Genitore, please."

Being over one-thousand years old, Silvia could scarcely remember the names of nobles anymore. In truth, she didn't particularly care to. The time of the nobles had ended. Now it was time for the people of Terraria to rule over themselves, and it was the sorceresses job to help oversee the continued peace and prosperity of this continent.

D'artagnan didn't speak at first, but Sylvia had grown used to this. Knowing him, her knight was reviewing all of the information he possessed about the duke before he spoke. It was another reason that she appreciated this knight in particular.

"Duke Callisto De'Falco Genitore is currently one of the highest ranking members of the nobility; a duke who was given his own dukedom two years ago. However, his family originally belonged to the lower-class nobility. After the untimely death of his parents, Duke De'Falco swiftly rose through the ranks, using a combination of ruthless cunning, inspired political tactics, and accruing favors from other nobles. He is not to be underestimated."

Lacing her fingers together, Sylvia silently contemplated what she'd been told. She would admit to being impressed by his history, though she'd make her own estimation of the man when they met.

He sounds like a person to be wary of, but he could also prove to be a powerful ally. The doors opened, and a figure walked in. I suppose I shall see where this man stands with my own two eyes.

Callisto De'Falco Genitore looked every bit the immaculate prince. Short wavy hair shimmered as if freshly washed, and his matching trimmed goatee lent him a certain roguish air. Keen eyes of the brightest blue shone with a sharp intellect, and his smile was almost deceptively friendly.

Trousers made from the finest fabrics rustled as he confidently strode up to her desk. His tabard ended below his knees, and it was colored a dark crimson. It complimented his black mantle, trimmed with chinchilla fur and pinned at the shoulders with a silver brooch that had a blood red gem in the center. A sword hung from scabbard at his side, lazily swinging back and forth.

Sylvia sensed no hostility from the man, so she let him approach. Beside her, D'artagnan studied the duke with eyes that were sharper than any blade.

"Duke De'Falco Genitore," Sylvia greeted in a polite, if detached, tone of voice. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"I have heard that you were not one for small talk," the duke said with an amiable smile. "I can see that the rumors were true, as were the rumors of your unparalleled beauty."

So, flattery, is it?

Sylvia recognized her physical features for what they were. Indeed, many men throughout every era had complimented her appearance. She didn't understand why. Unlike Erica and her salacious ways, Sylvia did not require the company of a man to make her feel whole, nor would she ever. Sex, love, attachment. These were distractions that all sorceresses should avoid, lest they end up like that loquacious witch.

"As the head of the Sorceress Council, I am a very busy woman. Pleasantries and banter are for those who have the time and desire necessary to devote toward something so banal."

"And your tongue is quite sharp as well." If the duke was bothered by her words, then he did not show it. "Very well. As you are no doubt strapped for time, I shall get straight to the point. This year is the twenty-fifth Sorceress's Knight Tournament to be held in Arcadia. It is a momentous occasion, where all five nations of Terraria come together. There will be many foreign dignitaries coming to support their candidates, who are striving to prove themselves worthy of being a Sorceress's Knight. This means that Arcadia is in the unique position to increase our economic growth."

This man... he is quite ambitious.

Sylvia narrowed her eyes, thoughtfully studying the man before her. Behind that handsome face and affable smile, there definitely existed a keen mind. She would, indeed, have to be wary around him. For now, however, she would hear him out.

"I am listening."

"As you know, MagiTech originated with Karen Hildegarde, who resides in Helheim. It was this technological advancement that allowed Helheim to gain a seat on the Sorceress Council, and it also made their standing as a country rival ours. While Sorceress Hildegarde only seems interested in her own devices, we have continued to churn out invention after invention to keep our economy stronger than all of the others."

Such was the way of the nobility. They were always worried about the standing of their country among other countries, each one vying to raise their countries banner and expand their power base, while cementing their own power within their country. She supposed it was the way of the ambitious and platitudinous. They strove for something greater than themselves, perhaps as a means to ensure that their names lived on after they were gone.

Sylvia didn't understand it, but having lived for so long, she found the thoughts of those whose lives were far shorter than hers were incomprehensible.

"I take it you have an idea?"

Smiling what Sylvia imagined was supposed to be a charming smile, the duke spread his arms wide in a grand gesture, his cloak flaring out behind him.

"Of course. My company, Harmonix, has created several new inventions, which I would like to showcase at the Sorceress's Knight Tournament. Particularly, I would love to show them off during the Sorceress Festival that begins one month before the tournament. With so many nobles from other nations coming, it would be the most quintessential opportunity for our country."

"I understand. You are seeking my permission to open stalls and display your inventions during the festival," Sylvia said.

"I am."

Pondering his request for only a moment, Sylvia made her decision. "I do not see the harm in this. You may do as you please."

The duke swept into a low bow with a flourish. "You have my most sincere gratitude, My Lady Sylvia."

Sylvia nodded at the proper showing of gratitude. This man was a bit over the top, but he clearly knew how to show respect, and he did so impeccably. He was a frightening man indeed.

"I assume that you have already written up a business proposal?"

"You have assumed correctly."

From within his cloak, the duke produced a scroll, which he set on the table. Sylvia took the scroll—a beautifully made thing composed of pure white parchment. It was clearly the new processed parchment that had been created by magical technology. Keeping it from unfurling was a wax seal bearing the Genitore coat of arms.

The Genitore family had once been in charge of sanitization. Their job had been to ensure the continued cleanliness of the Casadina, and their coat of arms reflected that. It was a pipe cleaner surrounded by a kite shield. Below the shield was the family motto: Rester propre. Stay clean.

"I shall read this over when I have the time," Sylvia said, setting the scroll to the side. "Expect to have it signed sometime within the coming week."

"Your promptness is appreciated, My Lady," the duke said, bowing once more.

Just then, the door to Sylvia's office burst open, and a flustered blond woman with her hair wrapped in a tight bun, wearing glasses and a maid outfit, hurried in.

"M-My Lady... Sylvia..."

Sylvia's frown was the only sign of her displeasure. "Lacy, what is the meaning of barging in here like this?"

"I-it's Elincia, My Lady," Lacy gasped. "She's gone!"

Sylvia actually needed several seconds before she could form a proper response. "I'm sorry. I must have heard you incorrectly. Did you just say that Elincia is gone?"

"Y-yes, My Lady. I went in search for her just like you bade me to, yet she was nowhere to be found. When I went to her room, to see if she might have decided to rest there instead of in the gardens, I found it empty. The only thing I found there was a note."

Another pause.

"Please hand me the note," Sylvia said.

"Yes, My Lady."

Receiving the note from her maid, Sylvia saw that it was folded into the shape of a flower. The only reason her maid had even determined that it was, indeed, a note, was likely due to Sylvia's name being written on one of its petals.

"Is that origami?" the duke asked.

"It is. Elincia is rather fond of creating origami," Sylvia absently replied as she unfolded the flower.

"Hm, she is quite impressive. That's a very complicated pattern."

"Indeed."

After unfolding the note, Sylvia held it up so that no one but her could read it. The note was quite short. It only contained four words:

Gone to see Caspian.

Below the note was a rather cute drawing of a chibi Elincia, holding up her left hand and creating a v-shape with her index and middle finger.

Sylvia resisted the urge to sigh.

That girl...

She could already tell, this girl was going to be giving her another headache.

***

Smiling as she sat in a small train compartment, Elincia hummed a soft tune to herself.

Several people passing by stopped upon hearing her voice and stared at her through the window. She would've normally been embarrassed at being gawked at by so many people, but at the moment, she hardly noticed them. Her joy was such that, even if someone had come in and sat down beside her, she wouldn't have minded.

I'm finally going to see Caspian.

The thought made her heart swell. It had been so long since she'd last seen her most precious friend, so long since she'd last heard his voice—too long. So many years had passed that she wasn't even sure of what he looked like anymore.

He's probably all grown up.

She conjured an image in her mind—of a man with messy red hair that lent him a dashing air. Eyes like jade peered beneath a set of bangs. She tried to picture how his body would have matured, but the very thought made her heart race like a frightened mare, so she gave up halfway through. It would have ruined the surprise anyway.

I hope he remembers me.

She pressed a hand against the glass. Staring out at the passing scenery, which moved by in streaks of green, Elincia thought fondly of the boy that she had known from so long ago, and of the promise that they had made.

"Caspian..."