They entered Annex-Unus. G6’s eyes, like robot sensors, scanned the interior. Every detail, every corner saved for later.

Edmund stepped forward to offer his hand for the grand staircase. “No need, Edmund,” she said, voice clear. “A woman who can’t walk on her own is useless.” She descended effortlessly.

Edmund looked at Tina, who gave a small, knowing nod. Don’t argue. You’ll never win.

On the ground floor, G6’s eyes continued scanning. They walked toward a path to a lush garden, the well-worn flagstones a common route. She glanced at Edmund; he gave an approving smile and nod.

“Why is this place full of greenery? It’s like the whole palace is a garden.”

“It produces natural mana, Lady Reise,” Lilia answered, humming happily.

“Mana?” G6 asked, a curious cat’s look.

“Yes, lady,” Edmund said. “The entire palace is encircled by gardens. It acts as an energizer for all mages here.”

“Your body absorbs it unconsciously, as it recognizes mana,” Tina added, voice full of pride.

“Ah… so that’s why I feel a strange sensation when I’m closer to nature?” G6 asked, confused.

“Sensation?” Edmund repeated, brow furrowed. He clasped hands behind his back. “The only common effect is a general feeling of wellness. As if mana improves blood circulation. Soothes muscles. More a result than a specific feeling.”

G6’s eyebrows knit further.

“Perhaps it was simply hunger, Lady Reise,” Tina suggested lightly.

G6’s sharp, annoyed gaze snapped to her. Is she trying to be funny?

“Lady Reise, are you hungry?” Lilia asked, innocent concern.

“I am not,” G6 stated flatly, eyes pinned on Tina. “And Tina, do not make it sound as if I’m hearing or feeling things that aren’t there.” A clear warning.

Tina looked away, feigning nonchalance.

“Lady Reise, did you know?” Lilia chirped, expertly diverting attention. “Only noble and royal families have an affinity for the four major magics!”

“Really?” G6 said, genuinely surprised. “I assumed everyone could use magic.”

“Oh no!” Lilia fell into step beside her as if they were old friends. “Most commoners use Physical Enhancement or Utility Magic.”

“Physical Enhancements sounds…” G6 cut her own words short. Freaking cool. Incredibly useful in my line of work. “…very practical,” she said aloud.

“Yes! You can learn it with physical training! I don’t have it yet because I’m only eight,” Lilia explained. Suddenly, her eyes caught sight of something ahead and she darted forward.

“Lilia—!” Tina began to reprimand, but G6 raised a hand to stop her.

“Let her be.” G6 turned back to her other servants as they walked. “What about you two?”

“I am proficient in both PhyEn and Utility magic,” Edmund answered.

I could have guessed that. You move like someone who knows how to handle themselves.

“I only have Utility magic,” Tina added.

“So those are the common magics for commoners?” G6 clarified.

“Indeed, Lady Reise,” Edmund nodded. “Though they can become quite powerful with dedicated practice… like the Adventurers.”

G6 halted as Lilia reappeared, gently tugging her dress. “Lady Reise,” the girl beamed. “I wanted to thank you again for today.”

She held out a single, pretty purple flower.

G6 accepted it with a faint smile, tucking it behind her ear. “Do you know what this flower is called, Lilia?”

Lilia shook her head, eyes wide.

G6 bent down to her level. She gently cupped Lilia’s cheek. “This is Belladonna. Some call it Nightshade. In an old language, its name means ‘beautiful lady’.” She paused, her smile fading into seriousness as she stood. “But it is also highly poisonous. It could make you sick… or worse.”

“Lilia! Why would you pick something dangerous for the lady!” Edmund scolded, stepping forward. Tina moved closer, face etched with worry.

“It’s alright,” G6 said, tone leaving no argument. “She didn’t know.” She looked directly at Lilia, gaze firm but not unkind. “I told this to someone before: not everything beautiful or interesting is meant to be touched.”

“I’m sorry, Lady Reise,” Lilia whispered, bowing her head.

“See that you are. Now, raise your head.” G6 gave a small, reassuring nod before continuing.

As she led, she could hear frantic, hushed whispering and dramatic gestures behind her. Without breaking stride, G6 threw a single, sharp look over her shoulder.

The bickering ceased instantly. They straightened, falling back into line—perfect professionalism.

❈.❈.❈

The long, immaculate pavement led not to a chamber, but to an extravagant villa. Smaller than the western wing, but its sophisticated architecture—elegant arches, delicate spires—left no doubt: the private sanctuary of the highest authority.

“I thought we were going to a chamber?” G6 muttered, brow furrowed.

Edmund offered an awkward, resigned smile. “Well, Her Majesty refers to this residence as her ‘chamber’.”

“Right. Of course she does,” G6 said flatly. “Let’s continue.”

As if on cue, the grand doors swung open, revealing a butler whose poised expectation collapsed into a visible jolt of surprise. His eyes widened, scanning G6’s daring dress before he schooled his features.

G6 met his stare with cool indifference.

“N-nice to meet you, Lady Reise Worthon,” he stammered, subtly adjusting his suddenly-too-tight collar. “The Queen has been expecting you.”

G6 shot a glance at Tina. “I sent a letter ahead,” Tina explained softly.

“The pleasure is mine,” G6 replied, tone brisk. “Please, lead the way. I wouldn’t want to keep Her Majesty waiting.” She didn’t wait for a response, her decisive stride forcing the flustered butler to scramble beside her.

They ascended a grand staircase to wide, ornate doors.

The butler knocked gently. “Lady Worthon has arrived, Your Majesty.” He opened the door.

The room was tasteful opulence. And there, seated regally on a central couch, was the Queen. Pristine, sophisticated, beautiful. Her eyes swept over G6, a faint flicker of surprise before melting into a warm, practiced smile.

“My dear Reise. You’ve finally freed yourself from your bechamber. A relief to see you.”

So this is the Queen.

G6 approached and offered a perfectly measured, slight bow of her head. “Thank you for sparing the time for my sudden visit, Your Majesty.”

“I was delighted to hear you wished to see me. Please, sit.” The Queen gestured to the plush chair opposite.

G6 sat, gracefully crossing her legs. The slit fell away to reveal a long, elegant line.

The butler, Leo, found something of intense interest on the far wall.

Then, small hands appeared, deftly laying a soft, embroidered blanket across G6’s lap. “To keep warm, Lady Reise,” Lilia whispered with a quick, nervous smile before scurrying back.

Ah, right. Noble decorum. G6 almost smirked.

“So,” the Queen began, gaze lingering on the dress, “I see you are in a… new stage of expression.”

“I prefer to think of it as finding my comfort, Your Majesty. This feels more like me,” G6 replied, smoothing the blanket with a grace that made rebellion look like high fashion.

“It is daring. The cut reminds me of your cousin from the Elora Kingdom, in the North.”

Oh, the one Tina mentioned? I should visit the North—they have good fashion sense.

“A gift from her, years ago,” G6 confirmed smoothly, layering her lie with nostalgia.

“It looks outrageous. However, at the same time… ridiculously good on you,” the Queen conceded, seemingly disarmed by the audacity.

“You are too kind. I will delay no longer. I am here to request a Professional Card.”

The Queen’s expression shifted to genuine curiosity. “Well… that is unexpected. I was anticipating a question about Prince Dio.”

Dio? Oh. Right. The Prince.

A new, thrillingly reckless idea shot into G6’s mind. Why not?

“Would you allow me to dissolve the engagement, then?” she asked, casual as inquiring about the weather.

The air vanished. Tina’s breath hitched. Edmund stiffened. Lilia looked ready to faint. The Queen’s composure cracked for a full second.

“Oh, my dear,” the Queen finally said, a light, uneasy laugh escaping. “You must be jests. You have been promised to my dearest son for ten years. The official announcement is mere months away.”

G6’s eyes instantly lost their sparkle. Boring.

“Which is precisely why I am asking you, not him. I refuse to be simply ‘the woman of your son’. I refuse to be a bird with clipped wings,” she stated bluntly.

A shadow passed over the Queen’s face. “Have you grown tired of my son’s… cold behavior?”

“This is about maturity, not pettiness. Ten years ago, I was eight with no right to object. I was vulnerable, made to believe I liked someone.”

Heavy silence. The three servants stood rigid, awaiting the storm.

Then, the Queen smiled. Not warm. Sharp understanding. She stood and moved to sit beside G6, taking her hands. “I understand you, dear. Truly. It makes me happy to see you find your voice and purpose.”

Her grip tightened suddenly, vicelike. G6’s eyes widened at the surprising, painful strength in the Queen’s delicate hands. “But,” the Queen continued, voice dropping to a whisper, eyes flicking to the red dress, “I will not tolerate a scandal.” The ring on her finger glowed faintly, and the pain vanished. “Your parents would never forgive me if I let their prized daughter ‘run free’.”

Intriguing.

“It is my lifeline,” G6 defended, mind racing, deciphering the magic and motives.

The Queen released her and returned to her seat, signaling Leo for tea as if nothing happened. “So, you wish to join the Royal Collegium?”

G6’s eyes lit up, tension forgotten. “Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Hmm… very well. I can grant your card, but protocol demands an appraisal first. Leo, fetch the orb after we’re done.”

G6 had to consciously stop her foot from tapping with excitement.

“I heard about the tea party, by the way,” the Queen added casually, sipping tea. “Keith came to see me that night. He would not stop talking about it.”

G6 remembered what she’d said to the Prince and awkwardly rubbed her neck. “I… may have woken on the wrong side of the bed.”

The Queen let out a genuine, melodic laugh. “Oh, don’t you dare apologize! Keith and I were in stitches. It was the most entertainment we’ve had in weeks.”

Wow, her attitude… It’s exactly like that water guy. She’s far more easygoing than I expected.

“If only the King’s brother had an heir,” the Queen sighed, sudden weariness in her voice. “Then Prince Dio would not need to be a Duke, and you… you would perhaps be free.” She set her cup down. “I am sorry, my dear, for placing you in a gilded room with no visible exit.”

The King’s brother? G6 filed that away. New information. Absent from the book and diary.

“The Three Pillars already balance so much power. To place another major title upon them… it is delicate.” The Queen’s face softened with a mother’s worry. “Please try to understand Prince Dio. He’s not cold. He’s drowning under the weight of the Upper House’s expectations.”

Before G6 could process this, Leo returned, carefully carrying a luminous crystal orb on a velvet pillow.

“Ah, here we are.” The Queen gestured. “Now, my dear, place your palms flat on the orb.”

G6 obeyed. The orb responded instantly, glowing with soft, sparkling white light—the hue of her mana. But it didn’t stop. The light intensified, brighter and brighter, filling the room with blinding radiance. A searing heat built beneath her palms.

“Fuck! That’s fucking hot!” she yelped, yanking her hands back with a hiss of pain. Decorum shattered.

The three servants rushed forward. Tina dabbed at her reddening hands with a napkin. Edmund and Lilia hovered, faces etched with concern.

“Dear child, are you quite alright?” the Queen asked, genuine alarm.

“It burned me!” G6 snapped, cradling her hands. Controlled fury, real pain.

The Queen quickly took G6’s hands again. Her ring glowed, and a wave of cool relief washed over the burns, soothing them instantly.

“How very strange,” the Queen murmured, staring at the now-dormant orb. “It has never reacted so violently before.”

“Your Majesty…” Leo’s voice was a hushed, awed whisper. He stared, transfixed, at runes shimmering on the orb’s surface. “The appraisal… it reads: ‘Mana Reserve: Immeasurable’.”

A dead silence swallowed the room. Every head turned to stare at Leo, then the orb, then their wide, disbelieving eyes landed on G6.

Shock and utter confusion hung heavy in the air.

(2/2)

—To Be Continued…—