"Tanya, can we talk about something, later?"

"Of course. Whatever you desire, my lady."

We went inside and Tanya helps me change into my nightgown. I take out the object Yuan gave me from the folds of my skirt, hoping Tanya (or any other maid) wouldn't find it later. Tanya lifts the gown over my head, removes it (oh-so carefully), and places it back inside the second wardrobe. Once she finished, Tanya asked me to sit down at the desk and started to take all of the decorations out of my hair. As Tanya was just finishing taking out the ornamental hair pins, she started the conversation.

"Now, then, my lady. What did you want to talk about?"

"Mmmph. Well, I was just thinking..."

"Yes?"

"Since we don't have anything to do, why don't we just conquer a dungeon?"

[(Part of this exerpt is taken from episode 3, 'Recalling the Lore'.) Dungeons. There are these "labrynths" around this word called "dungeons". They are scattered around the world that host many different systems, tunnels, and creatures (monsters and rarely, udugs) towards the treasure room depending on the biome it's within. Many people (ususally with little to no wealth), adventurers, merchants, [etc.], test out their luck within these dungeons. If you capture one, many hidden riches and treasures, and even power, await those who are willing to explore such dangerous places. It's very dangerous because these dungeons are teeming to the brim with man-eating creatures. If you overcome these trials, then many great things will await you. From what I remember, only around 20 people have captured a dungeon, 5 of them being influential people from other countries (besides this one). If you clear a dungeon, the "voice of the worlds" will ring out and announce the people that have cleared that dungeon.]

Tanya suddenly became very quiet and dropped the pin she was just taking out on to the floor. (I heard the pin drop to the floor.)  

"What did you just- I'm sorry, my lady?" She sounds very shocked. Tanya notices that she droppped a pin and quickly picks the pin off the floor and puts it back into it's designated container (a velvet plated, dark oak wood jewelry box with a thoroughly polished mirror inside).

"How about we conquer a dungeon, together?"

Tanya just goes back to taking to pins out of my hair. "Why so suddenly?"

"Since I have nothing to do (now that I'm kicked out of the academy), and you're the person I trust the most (to come along with me)..."

"Ohhhh, my lady," Tanya [so suddenly] said and dramatically collapses onto the ground. "You have finally lost your mind due to grief, haven't you?"

There is a heavy silence that filled the space around us. Tanya got back up off the floor and started to take out the ornamental hair pieces out of my hair. Once she finished, Tanya started to brush my hair. I feel [and hear] the brush run through the long, and lusterous hair. As Tanya is brushing my hair, she spoke up, again.

"I appologize for my rather... distasteful... actions."

"No, no. I made such a brazen remark, so I must appologize."

Tanya just sighed and said, "Well, if 'we' want to clear up a dungeon, we must see if we are fit and able to clear it." 

"Are you going to appeal to the king and ask him summon the court magicians and the imperial knights to train us, Tanya?"

Tanya stops brushing my hair and places her hand under her chin (making a thinking pose). "Hmmm... That certainly isn't a bad idea, but would that rigorous training help 'us' clear the dungeon? Think about all of the resources, man power, and funding we need in order to just clear a dungeon."

I started to fidget with my nightgown. "And... If we fail?"

"Once the news is leaked [that we failed to clear the dungeon], we'll become the laughing stock of this country, especially amongst the nobility. And to the lives lost [within the dungeon], we would have to use even more funds to compensate their families."

We both just sighed. I crumbled my nightgown and just said, "So... It's just a lovely dream that we just want to happen, huh?"

Tanya nodded and went back to brushing my hair. "Yes, my lady."

Two minutes have passed and Tanya had finished brushing my hair. She reached on my left side, opened a drawer, and took out a hand held mirror.

"Please feel free to take a look, my lady."

I took the mirror from Tanya's hand. As I grabbed it, it is cool to the touch and there is some heft to the mirror. (It must be made out of silver.) I held the mirror up to my face and observed to see if there was any hair decoration that Tanya had missed. Nothing seemed wrong.

"Thank you, Tanya."

"It is nothing, my lady. I am just fufilling my basic duties."

I started to fiddle with a few strands of my hand. I run my hands throught it. Priscilla's hair is definitely silky smooth. I pat the object (that Yuan gave me earlier) within my lap. I am careful with my legs to try and not have the object fall onto the floor. I glanced back at Tanya. She is deep in thought when suddenly, she caught my gaze and returned it.

"Yes?"

"Ah-! I'm sorry Tanya. Continue your train of thoughts."

Tanya just glances towards the window and starts to stare off. I turn back towards the desk and pull out the diary from its spot within the designated drawer. I murmur, "Orion" to open the diary. I started to flip through and skim the contents of the diary, hoping I would find something remotely useful for our wanted conquest. 

After a bit of skimming through the diary (and Tanya thinking), I just sigh and shut the diary in disapointment. A few moments have passed when Tanya suddenly exclaimed, "... Aha!"

This made me jump in my seat a little... I turned towards Tanya and asked her, "What is it, Tanya? Is there any solution to this predicament?"

"Well," Tanya said, still making that thinking pose of hers. "I could ask- er- appeal to your father to have him summon a clergy persons (that is specialized in magic) from the church or a magician from the magic tower..."

Ah! Why didn't I even think about that before?! The church and the magic tower have many resources on measuring magical power! (Apparently, they lend out these tools for adventurer guilds.)

"Tanya..." 

"Yes, my lady?"

"You're a genius! Why didn't I even bother to think of this before?!"

"Aha- You've been praising me a lot recently, my lady! (Even too much, some may say...)"

"Alright, if there is nopthing else to do, please go to my father and apeal to him!"

"Yes, yes, my lady."

Tanya started to leave the room, but she suddenly stopped. I noticed this and asked her, "Tanya, is there something wrong? Why did you stop?"

"My lady," Tanya started and turned back towards me and locked her eyes on mine. "Are you sure you're going to stay dedicated to training?"

"Yes, Tanya, I'm fully aware of the tasks and dangers up ahead on this treacherous road."

"If you have any doubts, voice them sooner than later."

"Yes."

Tanya turns back around and leaves the rooms. I sigh and stare at the ceiling.

"I wonder if this is the right choice..."

I look back down, grab the object that I am keeping in my lap, and place it ontop of the desk. (I should take advantage of the alone time I have right now.) I unravel the hankerchief and observe it. It is a cleanly cut, clear, light blue crystal. I held it up in the light and a pink-ish purple light shone through the jewel. I started at it for a few moments and then said, "Wait.. This is a magi-crystal, right?"

I tapped it and flicked the crystal with my middle finger.

"Hmm, I guess I was mista-"

All of a sudden, a holographic projection flashed in front of me.

"Ack-," I suddenly said, but quickly drew my hand and clamped my mouth shut. (I hope no one was passing by my room as I yelped.)

I looked towards the large doors of my room and then back at the magi-crystal and the projector... 

Upon closer inspection, it shows Gray and Yuan together in a hallway (perhaps it seems to be the academy's school dormitories). They seemed to be happy together. A few moments pass and they stop in front of a door (it was probably either Gray's or Yuan's dorm room). Gray suddenly pulls something out of his pocket; he holds it up to show Yuan. Yuan stares at the object for a few moments, and then holds up her hands and shrinks away from Gray. Gray keeps on bringing his arm closer to Yuan's face. Yuan kept on shaking her hands and head. This goes on until Yuan and Gray are on the verge of falling onto the floor. Gray backs away and they go back to their original positions. They both bow their heads slightly (apologizing to each other?). Gray just sulks and then brings the object over his head. Yuan seemed shocked and lunged foward to stop him, but she was a second too late. A sudden surge of light and matter (probably magic or mana?) started to surround Gray. Gray falls to the ground during that ordeal. Once the matter had subsided, a few silent moments have passed. Yuan rushes up to try and help Gray, but he only pushes Yuan away from him. Gray gets up and runs away from Yuan. Yuan brings up her hand to her chest and walks into the room they stopped in front of earlier. 

The crystal stops its projection and "shuts off". I just stare at the crystal. I lean back in my chair and stare at the ceiling. If my guess is correct, Gray is possessed by an evil necklace. If Yuan is showing me this, she must need my help to dispell the spirit from Gray's body. (What a pickle she's in, that Yuan.) Well, I'll decide to help her when I feel like it's best.

I look back out the window. It's pitch black outside.

"Maybe... I should go to bed."

I re-wrap the crystal in the handkerchief, open the drawer, place the magi-crystal right and the diary (right next to each other) within it's designated drawer. Afterwards, I walk over to the light switch near the enterance to my room and flick it off. I run over to the bed and jump ontop of all the pillows and comforter. I casually sink right into the bed. It engulfs my body in such a softness I didn't know was possible. (Yes, I absolutely adore this softness of the bed.) I clumsily push and shove away all of the throw pillows on the bed. My consiousness fades away, wondering how I would spend the rest of my days. 

I had awaken to the sunlight hitting my face, some light shaking, and Tanya's voice. 

"... My lady, please wake up."

I woke up, turned over slightly, and see Tanya looming over me.

"Please wake up quickly. Later, there is a guest that is here to see you."

I turn away from her and just mutter, "Five more minutes."

As I said this, I felt Tanya was going to stare holes in my body. 

"My l-a-d-y~, please, get up," Tanya said, with a demanding tone.

I lazily roll back towards to where Tanya is standing and sit up in the bed. "Fine, I'll get ready."

                                                                           ◤Author's note◢

Hey everyone! I'm really sorry about this unsaid hiatus I had taken this past month! To be honest, I was doing other things and forgot to write another chapter... I'll try to work a bit harder to push out more chapters, but the school year is right around to corner... It'll depend on how busy I am with school work... Please be patient with me! And, as always, thank you for sticking around to read this story!

- Author