Early morning—before breakfast is even served in the tower—the chariot gathers to depart. Veil spends a few moments in the kitchen collecting last-minute ingredients, and then we head out the door.

  And I see yet another side of Vellaris.

  This early, before the crowds wake and swarm the streets, the wide stone roads are already alive with merchants. Cartbeasts lumber along in steady lines, hauling goods to and from shops before the clients arrive.

  Our formation today is loose. There’s no need for the usual tight grouping to break through crowds.

  I’m glad for that.

  I walk ahead beside Veil as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, my eyes lingering on the merchant carts, pretending I find them interesting.

  …Well. I do find them interesting, but—

  Damn you, Cinna.

  Why did you lend me those books?

  Why those books?

  I sigh and slump slightly, my backpack creaking as my balance shifts.

  Ulric glances at me with a hint of concern. I return an awkward smile—and can’t help but marvel at his situation.

  His pack is nearly as large as he is, a shield strapped on like an afterthought, his axe still hanging at his hip.

  “Just impressed, Captain,” I say, adjusting my own straps. “Carrying furniture like that is one thing, but… you’re going to be hauling that all day.”

  He blinks in surprise, then breaks into a wide, silly grin.

  “Nah, it’s nothing. If I can make your loads lighter, I’ll take the extra weight,” he says, chuckling heartily.

  “Show-off,” Veil snickers.

  Ulric promptly pulls him into a crushing bear hug.

  My cheeks heat. I tear my gaze away as my heart starts to race.

  …Damn you, Cinna.

  The rest of the way is uneventful. The roads along the noble estates are as barren as ever, and before long we reach the so-called Gate of Ascendancy—a frivolous name for an exclusive gate only a select few are allowed to use.

  Of course, in Vellaris, that selection process is wealth-based.

  The rich people gate.

  We spot one of the Nura’s uncanny maids, the glow of her mask nearly imperceptible in daylight.

  Beside her stands our cart—large, sealed tight. They weren’t kidding when they said they didn’t want anyone touching it. I don’t think we could even open it for inspection.

  In front of it waits a beast as large as the cart itself: an ironback. Powerful legs, dense muscle, cascading layers of brown fur.

  “What a beauty,” Ulric murmurs, stepping closer to stroke its hide with practiced care.

  “Use this to report any issues,” the maid says, producing a communicator far sleeker than Veil’s usual gear.

  Before anyone else can react, Veil snatches it from her hand. She departs without another word.

  “Happy to indulge in the Nuras’ resources now, are you?” Cinna asks dryly as she approaches him.

  “What? Anything I can nick off them’s a win in my book,” Veil replies, stuffing the device into his shirt pocket. “I ain’t givin’ this back.”

  Before I can even chuckle, my periphery is invaded by a familiar presence.

  “Imo looks pretty,” Cattleya says, relaxed smile and posture unchanged.

  My mind, however, is anything but.

  “H-haha… thanks, Cat,” I laugh awkwardly, cheeks flushing. “You look great too.”

  She does, of course. We’re both wearing the new gear we bought yesterday—though I couldn’t bring myself to leave home without a cloak draped over my shoulders, hiding the more exposed parts.

  Her tail flicks, pleased, smile holding even if my praise came out strange.

  “So!” I snap my attention away from her. “Captain!”

  “Are we ready to go, or what?”

  Ulric glances back at me. I feel a brief pang of guilt—he looked so happy petting the ironback.

  “Eager today, are you? Good! That’s what I like!” His laughter booms as he raises a hand to signal the gate guard.

  The massive gates begin to open.

  Gods—they’re wide enough for ten… fifteen carts to pass through side by side, and nearly as tall as the walls themselves.

  Ulric clicks his tongue softly and gives the beast a careful slap on the rump.

  And just like that… our journey begins.

  Leaving Vellaris is slow. Peaceful. We pass a few caravans heading toward the city, Veil and Ulric exchanging nods with mercenary companies guarding them.

  Veil drifts away briefly to greet someone—old friends, maybe. He looks happy and catches up easily enough.

  This is… relaxing.

  Guarding caravans and marching isn’t so bad, especially when the chance of danger is low.

  I’ve done this so many times before. Groups of four to eight, mostly just making sure no one gets strange ideas. Most of the time, a proper escort is enough to dissuade bandits.

  We did that a lot.

  Me and—

  Til.

  I draw in a slow breath and let it out, as if the memory itself might leave with it.

  I didn’t even get a chance to say I was taking this job…

  Well. He’s a captain now. He probably knows, right?

  But if he knows—and he didn’t even say goodbye—

  I clench my jaw, squeezing my eyes shut.

  No. Stop.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  I exhale again, heavier this time.

  He just took over a squad. Knowing him, he’s making sure they’re all getting along… teaching them how to tie their boots, or something equally obvious that he loves explaining.

  I scoff. A small sense of vindication settles in.

  Still… I probably won’t see him for a while.

  That’s… for the better, I guess.

  As we walk, I feel that familiar hum resonate through my mind, echoing in my bones.

  A hum I’ve grown accustomed to.

  Before I realize it, I’m humming along with her.

  Veil walks down the line, handing each of us a strip of jerky without slowing our pace. As we pass a stream, we drain our canteens and pass them back to him to be refilled, the escort never stopping.

  “Just something light for lunch,” Ulric says. “We’ll get a decent dinner at the waystation. After that—no more beds or taverns for days.”

  I keep humming.

  The waystation Til mentioned before… between Faros and Vellaris.

  No. Stop. That topic is forbidden.

  I hum louder, forcing the thought aside.

  The sun is still high when we reach the waystation. Ulric seems to know some of the mercs on duty; they laugh together before the gates are opened and we’re waved inside.

  It’s a small fortress, really—reinforced walls of wood and stone enclosing a simple compound. A large, roofed stable for carts and beasts to rest overnight, guards pacing the perimeter… and an inn.

  I glance at the prices posted near the entrance and flinch.

  Ten times more expensive than Vellaris.

  But… I suppose that’s natural. We’re far out here, after all.

  “I’m going to get our rooms,” Ulric says, jerking a thumb toward the inn. “We’re leaving at first light. I want to cover as much ground as possible before the sun’s fully up.”

  He pauses, gaze sweeping over us.

  “Do whatever you want, just don’t leave the walls—and go to bed early.”

  With that, he heads inside.

  Cattleya immediately drifts into my periphery again, an excited smile on her face.

  “I think they have big beds here, Imo,” she says innocently.

  “Big—” My face heats instantly, the comment throwing me off balance.

  I chuckle awkwardly and glance toward the others.

  “Have you stayed here before?” I ask, seizing the distraction.

  “Yes. A couple of times,” Cinna replies, studying my expression with quiet curiosity. “There isn’t much reason to avoid it. It’s placed exactly a day’s march from Vellaris, after all.”

  …Right. Obvious.

  If I keep asking strange questions, she’ll notice something’s off.

  And it’s her fault to begin with.

  Ulric returns a few minutes later, a ring of keys dangling from his fingers—and a faintly disappointed look on his face.

  “Could only get two rooms,” he says as his shoulders drop. “They’re expecting a large group from Faros tonight and wanted to upsell the third.”

  He doesn’t dwell on it. Instead, he scoops Veil in close like it’s already settled.

  Veil reaches for Cinna—

  —and I take her other hand before he can reach her, my free hand already clutching Cattleya’s.

  Ulric arches a brow, then scoffs.

  “Looks like it’s settled. Come on, let’s unpack.”

  Cinna looks at me, surprised—but she doesn’t protest. She only offers a gentle smile as we head toward the inn.

  The place is sparse. No staff milling about, just one older man working the kitchen. It’s not a place for merriment—just somewhere to enjoy a real bed after days on the road.

  To my surprise, Ulric tosses the keys toward me, then unlocks the other room and disappears inside with Veil.

  I unlock our door.

  Before I can say a word, Cattleya slips past me and throws herself face-first onto the bed, pack and sword clattering behind her.

  “Big bed,” she announces, sprawling out. Her arms can’t quite stretch from one side to the other, no matter how hard she tries.

  …Yeah. Big bed.

  I set my pack down on the table, relieved to be free of its weight.

  “Hey… Ci,” I say quietly. “Sorry—did you want to sleep with them?”

  She looks up from organizing her things, surprise flickering before her smile softens.

  “Oh. I was just surprised,” she admits. “But if you’d like me to stay with you two, then…” She tilts her head, smiling sweetly.

  Even if I’m mad at her… I still kind of want to pat her head.

  I sigh and rummage through my pack for my pajamas. After tonight, I probably won’t get many chances to change out of armor.

  My fingers brush against a book.

  That book.

  Why did I bring it with me?

  I shove it deeper into my pack and set my pajamas on the table.

  A bath would be nice… but clean water feels like a luxury out here.

  I glance back at the bed. Cattleya is still sprawled out in pure bliss, not a single worry in her head—able to enjoy every little moment without overthinking it.

  …I think I admire that about her.

  “Food’s ready,” Ulric calls from the hall.

  Cattleya finally sits up, quickly setting her pack and sword aside before padding over to me.

  I smile, a little tired, resignation settling over me like a mantle.

  “Let’s go,” I say.

  Cat follows close behind, Cinna right after.

  Back in the inn, it feels strange being the only ones eating. Even the cook leaves once the stew is served.

  We each take our fill, ladling in rice as needed—Ulric, predictably, makes sure nothing is left behind.

  Soon enough, we return to our rooms.

  I change quietly in the corner, undoing my braid. When I glance back at the bed, Cattleya is already asleep, clutching a pillow, her tail wrapped snugly around herself.

  …I guess I was overthinking things again.

  Feeling a little foolish, I reach into my pack and pull out the book.

  A chapter or two before bed won’t hurt.

  I settle into the center of the wide bed, back resting against the wall, the book balanced on my lap as I shuffle around to get comfortable.

  That’s when I notice Cinna approaching.

  She leans in just enough to read the title—and immediately looks up at me with an expression I’ve never seen on her face before.

  A mischievous little snicker.

  It makes me want to pinch her.

  I narrow my eyes. She knows exactly what she did.

  “…Why did you only lend me books like these, Ci?” I ask at last, utterly defeated.

  Surprise flickers across her face.

  “Oh. You don’t like them?” she asks, all innocence. “I thought you’d enjoy those stories.”

  The look is gone.

  …Is she faking it?

  “I do like them,” I shrug. “I like romance. I just… noticed a pattern.”

  Ah.

  There it is.

  That snicker again.

  Damn that little imp. She absolutely knows what she did.

  “Sorry to disappoint you, but no,” I continue quickly. “There’s nothing like that going on. My life’s a mess—I’m only just starting to stand on my own two feet without wobbling, and…”

  My voice trails off.

  I turn my head, resting my chin against my shoulder as I watch Cattleya sleep. My expression softens into an easy smile.

  I’m here worrying over silly things, and she’s just—

  I reach out, brushing my fingers lightly through her hair.

  Her tail flicks up… then settles again.

  I can’t help but chuckle.

  “She used to be pretty popular, you know,” Cinna says quietly, leaning closer. Her shoulder brushes mine as she looks toward Cattleya.

  I glance at her, curious.

  “Veil told me about it,” she says. “They worked around the same corners of the city. He said she was a lot more serious back then. Less carefree.” She scoffs softly, rolling her eyes. “Apparently, his friends used to… fantasize about her.”

  “I don’t know what made her change,” Cinna adds. “I never asked.”

  I fall silent, gaze lingering on Cinna before drifting back to Cattleya.

  All this time, I’d assumed she was immune to doubt. To worry. How else could she always be so… light?

  My hand lifts toward her hair again.

  Then my chest tightens.

  That night flashes through my mind—pain, fear, the raw hurt in her eyes.

  I’m being unfair to you, aren’t I?

  My hand finishes the motion, gently combing through her hair.

  She shifts, still asleep, but somehow manages to catch my hand and press it against her cheek.

  I laugh softly.

  In resignation, I prop the book against my leg and open it with my free hand.

  Cinna watches us with a fond smile. She leans in and rests a hand on my shoulder.

  “Night,” she whispers.

  “Night,” I reply, flipping to the chapter I left off on.

  I glance at Cattleya, sleeping with my hand tucked under her cheek.

  Then at Cinna on my other side, wrapped up in her frilly pajamas.

  …I guess that’s just how things are now.