Luna watched as Victoria begged both of them for aid. She stayed as quiet as she could while Victoria pleaded until, eventually, Luna could no longer hold her tongue. 

Luna began to tell Victoria they’d help when Raiza cut her off. 

“No way, Victoria.” Raiza stared intensely at the blond and green-haired girl. 

“What do you mean ‘no way?’” Luna shouted before realizing her tone and quieting her voice. “We have to help her, Lady Raiza.” 

Raiza looked at Luna and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Richard was a fine Magic Knight and a skilled negotiator. He’ll be fine on his own, I’m sure.” 

Raiza crossed her arms and stared at Victoria as coldly as she could before continuing, “Also, Victoria isn’t telling us the whole story. There’s a reason no one has alerted the other Houses yet.” 

Victoria stared at her drink and flinched ever so slightly. 

She’s young, so she definitely has a while to go before she can master the House’s signature poker face, Raiza thought. Raiza looked at Luna and smiled. “Besides, we’re already on a mission. I’ll alert the other houses to be on the look-”

“You can’t!” Victoria lunged forward, pressing her hands onto the table. “You absolutely cannot alert the other Houses!” Victoria’s eyes pleaded desperately. “I wasn’t even supposed to tell you about it!” 

“Oh? So are you finally willing to tell me why the Almini House is quiet about it?” Raiza prodded Victoria coldly before continuing, “I’m not a mercenary. If you want me to help, I need to know everything.” 

Victoria flinched again but bit down on her lip and gripped her dress tightly. Luna’s heart ached while watching this. She wanted to help the girl but knew Raiza would only shoot her down immediately again. Raiza waited for a response from Victoria, but none came. 

“I see. Let me know when you’re ready to talk.” Raiza stood up from the table and motioned for Luna to follow. As the two returned to the large mansion, Luna half expected Victoria to call them to wait.

However, only the silence around them continued. 

Luna walked into the large guest room that the maid guided her to. Raiza had already entered her guest room and was most likely getting comfortable. Luna looked around the room and took in her surroundings. While it wasn’t as extravagant as the room she had stayed in as a kid in Duke Solei’s manor, it was far beyond her little room at the Monastery. 

Like the rest of the mansion, the room had tall windows that let in a copious amount of light, bathing everything in a soft and warm summer glow. Various furnishings and an ornate coffee table sat in the middle of the room. Luna noticed that her simple leather bag had been placed on her bed and plopped beside it.