━─━────༺༻────━─━
  [04.5]
 NASCENT SOUL
 ━─━────༺༻────━─━

G6 remained in the center of the dressing room, staring at the rows of pastel gowns she had just threatened to burn.

Tina, apparently deciding the threat had been sincere, folded her arms.

“Lady Reise, these are your clothes. Most of them were chosen according to your own preferences.”

“That only makes this worse.”

“You once said such garments properly suited a noble lady destined to become Grand Duchess.”

G6 looked at her.

“Are you not a servant? You have got some nerve to keep talking back.”

Tina frowned. Lady Reise had always possessed a temper, but the old Reise’s moods had at least followed rules Tina understood. This version seemed determined to invent new ones by the hour.

“I beg your pardon, Lady Reise. Please forgive my impertinence.”

She immediately lowered her head.

For some reason, that irritated G6 more than the argument had.

Fucking stupid. She really does act like a doormat. Tsk. This world is sickening.

“Forget that.” Some of the edge left G6’s voice. “Starting now, I don’t like these kinds of clothes.”

Tina hesitated before lifting her head.

“In that case… there may be something you would prefer.”

G6 glanced over.

Tina crossed past the main clothing racks toward a tall storage armoire built into the far end of the dressing room. Unlike the open displays holding Reise’s current wardrobe, its doors had remained closed and nearly hidden behind a folding screen.

“I brought these from the Worthon Estate,” Tina explained as she reached for the handles. “You ordered me to discard them some time ago, but Duchess Worthon refused. They were gifts from your cousin in the Elora Kingdom.”

That caught G6’s attention.

“Show me.”

Tina opened the armoire.

The contrast was immediate.

Instead of pale silk, ruffles and restrained court fashion, the hidden garments were dominated by black, charcoal, deep crimson and dark velvet. Their cuts were bolder by Eiston standards—exposed shoulders, lower necklines, fitted silhouettes and skirts designed with enough openings to move without fighting layers of fabric.

G6 stepped closer.

Now this looked familiar.

Not because Reise had ever worn them willingly, but because Akira Gemstone would have.

“Perfect.”

Her fingers brushed across a black gown before moving to another in deep grey.

“Why the hell were these hidden?”

“Because you told me to throw them away,” Tina reminded her. “You also forbade me from showing them to you again.”

G6 glanced at her.

“You said you did not wish to resemble your cousin. According to you, she dressed that way only to attract attention, and a woman who exposed herself so openly had no self-respect.”

G6’s posture stiffened.

“Who said that trash?”

Tina gave her the exhausted look of someone already regretting the conversation.

“You did, Lady Reise.”

G6 went silent.

Right.

She had answered as Akira again.

The opinions currently coming out of her mouth belonged to a completely different woman than the one Tina remembered.

Rather than linger on the mistake, G6 turned back to the clothes.

Her hand passed over several black and charcoal pieces before stopping on a gown of rich crimson.

She pulled it free.

The fabric had enough weight to fall cleanly against the body, but the cut allowed far more movement than anything hanging on the main racks.

G6 handed it to Tina.

“I will wear that.”

Her tone had already returned to its usual calm.

Tina accepted the gown with a long breath.

The fabric was soft beneath her fingers but heavy enough to fall cleanly against the body. Its deep crimson alone would draw attention, while the exposed shoulders, daring neckline and high side slit made it unlike anything Reise had willingly worn within the palace before.

Tina looked toward G6.

This would not merely be a change of clothing.

The entire palace would notice.

❈.❈.❈

Lilia hurried through the gilded corridors with the determination of someone entrusted with her first important mission.

Finding Butler Edmund should have been simple.

Unfortunately, Edmund had apparently spent nearly three days perfecting the art of disappearance.

A cluster of servants stood within a recessed alcove ahead, whispering among themselves with the focused enthusiasm of people who had discovered fresh gossip.

Lilia slowed.

They might know something.

“Excuse me!”

Several heads turned.

“What is it, Lilia?” one servant asked.

“Have any of you seen Butler Edmund?”

“Edmund?” another repeated. “Not since yesterday. Why?”

“Lady Reise needs him to escort her to Her Majesty.”

The murmuring stopped.

“The Lady?”

“You mean Lady Reise herself?”

Lilia’s expression tightened.

She is the only mistress in this villa, Lilia thought indignantly.

“If none of you know where he is, I need to keep looking.”

She turned, but one of the servants caught her lightly by the arm.

“Wait. Did Miss Tina send you?”

“No.”

Lilia lifted her chin.

“I offered it myself. To the Lady.”

That earned genuine silence.

“You volunteered?”

“And Lady Reise allowed it?”

“She did not become angry?”

“I am in a hurry,” Lilia insisted, slipping free. “And for your information, my lady did not yell.”

Her entire face brightened.

“She gave me her scone.”

The triumph in her voice made the announcement sound considerably more important than a pastry had any right to be.

Lilia took two steps before another thought struck her. She turned around again.

“And… I am her new assistant personal maid now.”

She gave them a mischievous little smile and hurried away before anyone could question her further.

The servants remained where they were.

Only days earlier, another maid had attempted to wake Lady Reise and ended up pinned beneath someone whose eyes carried all the warmth of a drawn blade.

Yet somehow, little Lilia had walked into that same woman’s chambers and emerged with a scone, a new position and all of her limbs intact.

The rumor would not remain inside that alcove for long.

Lilia eventually reached the rear service corridors, where the elaborate halls narrowed into less-traveled passages used mostly by staff.

She knew this part of the West Villa.

More importantly, she knew Edmund.

Whenever the bustle of the residence became unbearable, there was one place the dramatic butler was suspiciously fond of disappearing into.

The liquor storage.

Lilia pushed the door open.

Cool air carried the scent of old wood and aged spirits. Shelves climbed from floor to ceiling, crowded with bottles worth amounts Lilia preferred not to imagine.

“I am pretty sure he is here,” she muttered.

She stepped farther inside.

“Edmund? Edmund, I know you are here.”

“What is the brat doing here? Did I not tell you this room is off-limits?”

The booming voice came from behind her.

Lilia turned and smiled.

“Edmund! Hurry, you need to get to the main building—”

“You are wasting your time.”

Edmund stepped into view with one hand pressed dramatically against his forehead.

“The Lady… she hates me.”

Lilia stared at him.

“You have barely spoken to her since she arrived.”

“That is precisely the tragedy!”

His theatrical despair faltered just enough to expose genuine frustration beneath it.

“I was delighted when Her Majesty appointed me Butler of the West Villa, particularly after spending so many years around Lady Reise’s elder brothers. Then the youngest Worthon finally arrives under my care, frightens half the servants, locks herself away and never once summons me.”

Lilia sighed.

There were days when dealing with Edmund required the patience of a saint.

“Old man—”

“Watch your mouth, you brat!”

“Lady Reise is going to kill you with her gaze if you do not move. She was asking for your attendance.”

Edmund froze.

“She—”

The despair vanished.

“Let us go! Our lady is waiting!”

He turned so quickly that Lilia nearly stumbled trying to follow.

For approximately three steps, Edmund maintained the dignified stride expected of a palace butler.

Then he began walking considerably faster.

Lilia rolled her eyes and hurried after him.

This pain-in-the-neck, dramatic old man, Lilia thought.

The irritation was familiar.

So was the affection beneath it.

❈.❈.❈

Prince Dio crossed beneath the arched stone entrance of the Royal Collegium of Sorcery and Steel.

The courtyard beyond was cool and quiet, broken only by water spilling steadily from a grand fountain. At its center stood a statue of God Eldrin, the deity’s stone hands extended in blessing over the basin below.

Miss Eliza stood nearby with her head lowered.

For a moment, she appeared to be praying.

Prince Dio intended to pass without interruption.

“Good morning, Your Highness.”

He stopped.

A practiced smile settled over his face.

“Likewise. Prince Dio will suffice.”

Miss Eliza approached, accompanied by two attendants several paces behind her.

“Are you headed to the Bastion, Prince Dio?”

“Indeed. Now, if you will excu—”

“I heard there was a commotion at Lady Reise’s villa last night.”

Prince Dio’s expression changed.

“How did such news reach you? Surely the disturbance was not loud enough to carry across the grounds.”

His politeness remained intact.

The sarcasm beneath it did not.

Miss Eliza gave a small scoff.

“Fortunately, no. My servants heard of it.”

She glanced toward the two women behind her.

One stepped forward and bowed.

“Forgive me, Your Highness. We happened to overhear something while returning to Annex-Duo.”

Prince Dio’s gaze cooled.

I was right, Prince Dio thought. It has scarcely been a week, and already she is returning to her old ways.

The second servant continued.

“It sounded as though Lady Reise were searching for something, Your Highness. Her chamber was being turned entirely upside down.”

Miss Eliza’s attention sharpened.

“What do you mean?”

“She had locked herself inside and was not receiving anyone. Miss Tina also appeared distressed when she visited the kitchen this morning.”

A small spark of concern entered Prince Dio’s expression.

“Is something amiss with your lady?”

“We do not know, Your Highness. Miss Tina does not discuss Lady Reise’s private affairs with us. We only know that she has been distant from everyone.”

Prince Dio’s face hardened.

“Then I suggest you follow Miss Tina’s example.”

Both servants stiffened.

“You serve Lady Reise. Whatever occurs within her private chamber is not material for idle conversation, regardless of the rank of the person listening.”

His gaze shifted briefly toward Miss Eliza.

“Now, excuse me.”

He walked away.

Miss Eliza remained still for only a moment before gathering her skirts and hurrying after him.

“Prince Dio, if you do not mind, I shall accompany you. We are going in the same direction.”

Prince Dio offered no response.

He simply continued toward the Bastion.

By the time they reached the building, he had already turned toward the staircase and ascended to the second floor before Miss Eliza could begin another conversation.

He opened the door to his office.

Lord Keith stood behind a desk that absolutely did not belong to him, lazily manipulating several suspended droplets of water over one hand.

“Get out,” Prince Dio said as he entered.

Lord Keith grinned, and the droplets burst into a fine mist.

“Getting rather friendly with that commoner this early in the morning, are we?”

Prince Dio dropped into his chair.

“As ever, your manners remain appalling. We already share a residence. Must you also invade my office?”

Lord Keith collapsed onto the couch.

“How cruel.”

Prince Dio looked at him.

“What do you want, Keith?”

“A new toy.”

Lord Keith crossed one leg over the other.

“I require compensation for sharing a household with your newest fascination.”

“There is nothing going on between Miss Eliza and me.”

“Truly?”

Lord Keith’s grin widened.

“Then why can you not ignore her with the same astonishing dedication you have shown Reise?”

Prince Dio’s expression hardened.

“Miss Eliza is a prospect for this kingdom. Her magic is the kingdom’s lost signature.”

“And Reise is not?”

Lord Keith laughed, though very little humor remained in it.

“We have survived two centuries without Benedictio.”

“Do not be absurd. That blessing helped shape this kingdom. It is regarded as a direct gift of God Eldrin.”

“And yet it disappeared for two hundred years.”

Lord Keith leaned forward.

“The kingdom did not collapse because the Three Pillars ensured that it did not.”

Prince Dio frowned.

“Why are you determined to be insufferable this morning?”

The teasing disappeared from Lord Keith’s face.

“I just do not want you hurting Reise with another woman.”

Prince Dio looked at him properly.

Lord Keith rested his elbows against his knees.

“Reise may be difficult, but we grew up together. You did not even notice her standing on the balcony the night Miss Eliza arrived.”

Prince Dio’s eyes sharpened.

“What do you mean?”

“You were too occupied to notice.”

Something close to pity entered Lord Keith’s voice.

“Reise saw you.”

Silence settled between them.

“Perhaps that is why she could barely be bothered with you at the tea gathering,” Lord Keith continued. “Perhaps she finally realized you are not worth chasing.”

He stood and walked toward the door.

Before leaving, he glanced over his shoulder.

“I do not care if you continue ignoring Reise. But do not force her to stand there while you openly entertain another woman.”

His expression remained unusually serious.

“That is hardly becoming of a man, Dio.”

Then he left.

The door shut behind him.

Prince Dio leaned back and turned toward the window.

Lord Keith—the jester of their group, the man who could turn almost anything into a joke—had spoken without a trace of amusement.

His words should have been easy to dismiss.

For some reason, they were not.