The king had stated that an important announcement would be made at a ball.

Though it was initially for that reason, it also became a way to ease the minds of the people and to give a status update on

the demon problem.

The ducal houses on the other hand knew exactly what was going to happen.

The king had been feeling unwell as of late and needed to step down.

This would be the announcement of his successor.

Though he had children, none of them were currently able to take his place for one reason or another.

In fact, none of them were even in the city at all.

As a result, the ducal houses fully expected him to name one of them the next royal family.

Now that one less ducal house was in the running, anticipation was high for the future of Foren.

But no one could have guessed the events that would take place that night.

The castle was rife with activity as the ball grew near.

It was the night before the big party and everyone was running around making sure that things would go smoothly.

But there was one person who was moving at their own pace in the castle.

She approached the king’s study and the guards outside saluted to her as she came.

She had on an ornate looking white robe that made one immediately think of the church.

This was true, in fact this girl held a position similar to the king in the church’s hierarchy.

“Your holiness”

A guard said as she stopped in front of the study.

She nodded and knocked on the door.

KNOCK KNOCK

“IT’S ME”

She called out to the king.

“Come in”

“No one will disturb this meeting, is this clear?”

She said sternly to the two guards.

They quickly nodded their heads and she locked the doors behind her.

“You were right, he’s planning something. Though I couldn’t find out what in time. Also, he’s not only interesting character

running around the city”

“Don’t worry about it, just knowing he’s going to try something is enough. But as for the other ruffians, deal with them as

you like. Sorry I have to rely on you like this”

The girl smiled and took off her white hood, letting her long black hair billow out on to her shoulders.

“Even one of the “Holy Crusaders” needs help sometimes”

The king chuckled at this.

“Hahaha, I’m the ONLY Crusader left”

The king walked towards his window and stared off in to the city.

“It seems my dream can only last as long as my life. My friends, your grandfather, soon we’ll be reunited”

“Oh? You actually seem sad to go”

She said, playfully with words dripping of sarcasm.

“Yes, well . . . would you humor an old man by listening to his stories?”

“Of what?”

She asked, curious of the king’s intent behind such an action.

The king walked behind his desk and sat on his chair, he motioned for the girl to sit in the chair of his desk as well.

“Of everything, . . . I think it’s time someone other than the dead knew my story again. The nobles know me as a

conqueror, the church as a crusader, and the people a king. But I was none of these things when I fled my village all those

years ago. I want you to understand why this city is important to me, so listen carefully”

“This is a bad idea”

I had just met up with Aura again after we spent several weeks apart.

She was currently hiding at a resistance controlled inn in another part of the lower quarter.

But more importantly, she just told me her foolhardy plan.

“Didn’t you tell me that you were captured by a duke last time I saw you? This seems ten times worse”

I said in utter disbelief at Aura’s words.

She just brushed me off and said with a determined look.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I got this idea from you”

“WHAT?”

“I . . need to hear the king out, to determine how things got this bad in the city”

“What’s there to think about? Good soldiers don’t make good leaders”

“Yea, well I need to hear it from him”

“If the KING catches you there, finds out WHO you are and WHAT you are. Then things will turn out extremely bad for you.

I’ve had to leave several times when people found out what I was. You, you’re only 16. This is the only home you’ve known;

will you really risk it for this? Later on, you might regret not staying”

Aura lowered her eyes and placed the dress she was holding down.

She then turned her back to me and let out a sigh.

“Well, there is another reason why I must go. It’s personal, it’s a selfish and entirely self-serving reason. And yet, . . I must

go, even if the risk is too great and no matter what”

I was speechless, I knew that she was hiding something.

But I could understand that there were things you had to do.

No matter what and despite everything, my foremost goal is to find a way back home.

Whatever Aura wants may not be as important as my goals but she probably felt like it was.

“Fine, then go”

“Thank you”

“You’re bringing support, at least right?”

“ . . .”

Tch, this girl . . .

“Then I’m coming with you”

“But—“

“You can take care of yourself and I’ll take care of myself then. But I need to do something there too. At least this way, we

won’t step in to each other’s plans”

Aura thought about it for a moment but finally relented.

“Well, to get to the king I had my contact give me a cover. It’s nothing that would normally let me see him. But at the ball, a

concerned citizen like a merchant’s daughter might be able to speak to him. I’ll just say that you’re my maid then. But . . .”

She pointed at my green hair and yellow eyes.

“Don’t worry I already know. But . . . just in case, I’ll dye my hair. Don’t want them to misinterpret my magic for a demon’s.

You can just say I’m the third or fourth child of some noble from a foreign country for my eyes”