I sincerely hope that Orphelia’s goal wasn’t to keep this quiet because the stampede heading our way is the opposite of that. As the hours passed, more teams exited the Sanctuary and were drawn into the impromptu meet-and-greet. Dozens of curious eyes are paying rapt attention as fourteen people race toward us.

Riding at the helm of the group on a pure black warhorse, judging from its size, is Miss Alyssa, vibrant red hair flowing behind her and a mighty scowl on her face. It’s not an expression of anger. If I had to say, she is annoyed to the point of murder, which I would be too if I had to deal with the fallout of a murdered royal.

She must have rushed here as she’s not wearing her armor. This is only the second time I’ve seen her without it. Instead, she’s wearing one of the simple robes that are popular throughout the Hall, in a shade of red only a bit darker than her hair.

Riding beside her is, to my surprise, my wife. After a moment of thought, my surprise disappears. Of course she’s here. As if she would miss something bound to be, at least to her, entertaining. Me being involved only makes it worse. Saints, I hope she doesn’t make this situation any more complicated for a little amusement.

Behind them are several people dressed in mismatched armor. They give off the same impression as the lackeys Miss Alyssa brought to the house. What were they called? The Grand Watch, I believe it was. Acolytes and instructors that function as the Hall’s security and problem solvers. She must have grabbed them for extra hands.

For a moment, I think Miss Talia isn’t arriving with them when I catch a flash of black behind Kierra. A quick drop of a ‘film’ and my vision is magnified. Enough that I can see the hands around my wife’s waist. Aw, they’re riding together. Well, she did say she would take an active role in Miss Talia’s, hm, relationship with us back when the dorm mother made her intentions clear. Mm, a few wonderful images are coming to mind. I hope this mess with Sebas doesn’t drag on.

As the group comes closer, the whistle of harsh winds draws my attention to the sky. A speck of silver is steadily drawing closer. My lips turn down as it draws close enough for me to recognize it. “Ugh.”

“Is something the matter, Lou?” Orphelia asks, having noticed my shift in attitude with her brazen observation of me.

“Someone annoying decided to get involved.” How did he even know? I doubt Miss Alyssa told him. She’s not the type to go running to anyone for help. Could it be Miss Talia? Pfft. No. She can barely hold a conversation. Besides, she knows I can’t stand the man and his uncomfortable obsession with my wife. That alone would be enough for her to exclude him. That leaves… “Do you know a bald bastard named Aurelius?”

“Aurelius, the master air caster. Specializes in the utility side of casting but can hold his own in a fight. Was talented enough to be tutored by Dunwayne for a short time but was never acknowledged as a disciple. Middling influence throughout the Hall, lesser influence amongst the hunters of Quest, an unknown in the political circles of the kingdom.”

She smiles as I stare at her. Once again, I find myself wondering who she is. Or maybe what may be the better question. She’s more than an initiate and far more than a babysitter. But no. The fact that she even mentioned politics means she’s far too involved in them to be worth the trouble of associating with her. Geneva is handling that.

It hasn’t escaped my notice that a day after I give her permission to meddle with the kingdom to keep political interests away from me, a royal dies. Coincidence? It’s possible.

This could have been an assassination planned for a long time. Maybe Ethor was a hell of a liar and fooled of all my enhanced senses. Maybe it wasn’t him but one of his teammates that did something, also managing to keep calm enough to not draw my attention. Maybe Sebas threw himself in the way of deadly projectiles and his teammates all fainted due to shock and not before the spell was fired, as I swear I saw it happen.

Yeah, and maybe one of the saints will personally descend from the heavens to suck me off.

I know my succubus is involved. I don’t know how far or what her plan is but she’s got her dainty little fingers all in this mess. As the one at the center of it, Geneva must have her sights on Orphelia. It’s almost enough to make me feel sorry for her but I’ve done enough to soothe my conscience by giving the devious elemental restrictions.

Orphelia seems thoroughly entrenched in the ways of court intrigue. Don’t be mad that something’s taken a chunk out of you if you’re mad enough to dive into a monster’s den.

“Do you have enmity with Master Aurelius?”

Ugh. Hearing someone refer to him so respectfully, reminding me that he is something other than a horny bastard who’s shameless enough to target someone else’s wife after repeated rejection, is a little sickening.

Ah. Wait a moment. I’m strong enough to take him on now, aren’t I? What a wonderful thought. The question is, can I catch him? The moment he realizes how powerful I am, he will fly away. If I were to take him down, it would have to be in one decisive blow. Now I simply need a pretext, as suddenly assaulting an instructor is sure to complicate my time here. Can acolytes challenge instructors? Or perhaps I can goad him into doing something stupid so it becomes a matter of self-defense.

“Yes. Yes, I do. One day, he’s going to get what’s coming to him.”

“I have no doubt that you will be a caster to rival his power one day.”

“Heh. One day sooner than you think.”

I ignore her pointed stare as she tries to decipher that comment.

Miss Alyssa and her retinue arrive, the horses slowing to a trot and spreading out. The redheaded instructor approaches with my wife and two of her lackeys. They dismount, Kierra giving Miss Talia a helping hand.

At the same time, Aurelius drifts down, his outstretched arms and his billowing robe giving the impression of a bird throwing out its wings. I hear a few initiates gasp in awe and the word ‘majestic’ is whispered. I would have gone with pretentious but I’m very much biased on the matter.

I motion for the others to separate from the crowd as Miss Alyssa scans the surroundings. She settles on me, scowl worsening as she takes in my nakedness before she zeroes in on the blanket on my shoulder. She stomps over to me, the rest following.

Miss Talia nods in my direction, this not being the occasion to break her usually reserved nature. I understand but I can’t say I’m not disappointed. One of the things I like most about her is her voice. If someone could take Geneva’s cooking and transmute it to sound, that’s what she sounds like. I still don’t fully believe it’s not magical. Wait, is it magical? Something to consider.

Miss Alyssa motions for us to move further off to the side before she asks curtly, “Is that him?”

I nod. Her experience with me shows as she doesn’t comment on the state of my undress.

“Set him down and form a wall. I want to confirm.”

My group forms a half circle as I unceremoniously drop the corpse, ignoring Robert’s sharp intake of breath and subsequent curse. I pull down the material closest to the face, exposing Sebas and his gruesome wound.

Robert’s curses a few more times and Marthe turns away but everyone else is largely unaffected. Miss Alyssa kneels beside him expressionlessly. “Saints damn it all.”

“Would you like me to check if someone has altered the face to fake his death?” Kierra offers, but her eyes are on me, her gaze full of amusement. I wink at her. She licks her lips. Saints, we’re flirting over a dead body. I love this woman.

“No, dammit. I’m pretty sure his minder would have noticed someone swapping him out with a body double. This is a shitstorm we can’t outrun.” Miss Alyssa pushes to her feet with a sigh. “Alright, here’s what’s going to happen. Aurelius, make an announcement that a monster caused several casualties, including him.” She gestured to Sebas. “That is the official story and I expect all of you to stick to it. If I hear even a whisper of anything else, I don’t care who you are, I will burn off the lips that can’t stay shut. Am I clear?”

“As glass,” I reply nonchalantly while the others nod with varying degrees of urgency. Poor William looks a little pale.

“After, retrieve the bodies of the attackers. Hopefully, nothing has snacked on them yet. In the meantime, all of you will be coming with me for a full debrief.”

To my surprise, Aurelius simply nods. I thought he was far too enamored with himself to accept a fellow instructor giving him orders. “Where should I send the bodies?”

“To the guardhouse.”

“Um?” Both instructors turn to me. “Would it be too much for me to make a quick stop home? To freshen up?” My words remind everyone of my nakedness, which draws a multitude of reactions. Miss Alyssa has to slap the back of her lackeys’ heads to get them to stop staring and looks ready to curse me to my nth ancestor but Kierra intervenes.

“You could all come to the house. I’m sure it has been a trying morning. I doubt your guardhouse will be more hospitable.” She grins. “And I’m sure several of us can use a drink.”

“…you’re right about that.” Miss Alyssa rubs her forehead. “I sincerely doubt either of you had anything to do with this. Fuck it, it’s closer anyway. Aurelius, I’m sure you know where her house is.”

He frowns. “I escorted her on her arrival to the Hall.” Don’t want people to assume you stalked her to her place of residence? Please, I have no doubt you would have done so if you hadn’t been the one to escort her. Bet he fought hard for the privilege.

“Good.” Miss Alyssa covers Sebas’ face and lifts the blanket with a solemness that makes me self-conscious of my earlier disregard. “We’ve brought enough horses for everyone so let’s get a move on. Where’s the guide for your team?”

“Over there,” Alana points out helpfully.

“Oh, the puppy,” Kierra coos as she spots Cloud, drawing a few strange looks. Miss Alyssa ignores it as she sends one of her lackeys to fetch her. Guess it’s not goodbye after all.

Wow. Soon, all the women I am presently courting will be under the same roof. I’m a little excited.