Since the night, Grant has spent more time waiting for Ellina to wake up.

  I notice her left leg is deformed from the Camity’s stomp.

  Will she be able to walk again?

  I owe her thanks for saving Grant’s life. I remember that day. Camity was aiming for a kill. He had been sparing him specifically, but that shot had no mercy. Did he decide to change the target at the st minute? What did he want from Grant after all?

  And also, what are the demons pnning? Sounds like Uxiospea has had suspicions for a while. Tell Judgment and Apocalypse. That’s what Nanali said.

  If they are pnning something, it’s something in Gustan, not Uxiospea. It means Omenmia is in danger even if Luna doesn’t fail her job. But why would Uxiospea be onto this if it’s not about them?

  I shouldn’t ignore this. I’ll have to look into it more when I have the chance.

  Suddenly, the door opens. Empress Nanali enters. I kneel immediately.

  Grant stands up and vacates the seat for her. She takes over the chair.

  “How have everything been for you?”

  “Acceptable. Your Greats? Your Star? My apologies, I don’t remember your title.”

  This idiot, already blowing off his own pn.

  “Please. Don’t worry about that. I don’t need fttery all the time.” Nanali is forgiving.

  Nanali continues with a calm voice, “You have been visiting her quite more than usual, haven’t you?”

  “Yes, Your Star.”

  GREAT STAR. Why can’t he remember? I suddenly feel so good for choosing Baz’s side.

  “Since Sharon has recovered, I should spend my time with the one I owe my life to. At least, I want to.”

  “Young man, I’ll thank you for the care on her behalf.”

  “There’s no need. I’m just doing what I can.”

  “Of course. I’ll be moving her back to Uxiospea for care soon.”

  This information tenses up both of us. This is actually happening!

  Grant’s face crashes. It’s something deeper than hearing his pn flop.

  Nanali starts giggling.

  What is happening?

  “Sorry, I just want to tease you,” she reveals. “I want to see your face when I say that.”

  She stands up, tapping her hand on Grant’s shoulder.

  “I’m not moving her now. She should wake up anytime soon. I’ll let her decide where she wants to go next.”

  There’s no reason for her to stay if Nanali leaves. The opening window for him is still short.

  “I heard your little scheme st night.”

  We both tighten up. She knows.

  “I’m gd to know my daughter is not just a chip for you, but if asylum is what you are seeking for. You’re not getting one.”

  My heart falls. This is already a dead end.

  Grant clenches his fist.

  “If that’s true, it’s still fine for me. I’ll still wait here.”

  “For what? Your chip is gone?” She smiles at Grant curiously.

  “For I owe her my life. I need to see her wake up. I can always find another way up. I’m the Crown Prince of Omenmia. The Lion Heir.”

  “What a nice collection of words. So if she is not a chip, what is she to you?”

  Grant blushes and mutters.

  “Something I… should… say thank you to.”

  “Something?”

  “Someone.”

  “So if you know she will not provide you asylum, you’re still going out with her?”

  Grant is hit hard on the question. He suddenly cannot mutter any words out.

  “I… yes… I can, no, I will…”

  “What?”

  Grant yells.

  “Yes, I will if that’s what you want!”

  “Nice. Then take her out. Her leg is hurt. Don’t let it get worse.”

  “Really?” Grant’s voice filled with confusion.

  “Yes, that’s what I’m saying.”

  Grant lost his voice entirely, trying to understand what happened.

  For once, Grant had no words. And that scares me more than anything.

  Nanali leans over to Grant’s ear side.

  “Just want you to know.” Nanali’s tone suddenly turns sharper. “If you ever break my daughter’s heart, there’s nowhere you can survive in this world.”

  She then turns to me, smiling. “By the way, Obelius actually has a message for you. Your court has arrived.”

  She walks closer to me and whispers, “If Grant ever reaches the City of Serenity before the next two weeks, I’m happy to arrange an actual asylum for him.”

  She arrives at the doorway, leaving us speechless.

  She smiles in satisfaction. “Well, good luck with your court, Lion Prince. I’ll leave Ellina’s care to you. You guys have fun with each other. I’ll be leaving today.”

  She then leaves the room with our silence and confusion.

  We have to tell Baz that his trip to his master is much more important than pursuing Ellina’s love.

  Wait, is that true? Then why did she insist on him asking Ellina out?

  Which one is more important? Both? Can we?

  I grab Grant by the arm, dragging him out of the room.

  No matter which one, the team needs to know.

  “Where are we going?” Grant yells.

  We’re almost there, our rooms are just across the garden…

  Then we can…

  Stop.

  I see Baz and Sharon standing in the garden, facing no one other than her.

  My sister, Vivi.

  Ovivica Sibelius.

  The Inspector Commander.

  She shares a gnce with us. Silent.

  “Are we done with this circus yet?”

  ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

  The grand hall of the pace is silent, save for the quiet rustling of merchants’ robes and the shuffling of armored legionnaires positioned at the edges of the chamber. The weight of the proceedings is palpable.

  We stand on one side of the chamber, positioned opposite Vivi.

  At the center, Gustaff and his inspectors are brought forth for their second trial.

  “Commander,” Gustaff speaks, his voice subdued with shame.

  Vivi does not acknowledge him. Her gaze remains sharp and unwavering, a quiet force that dominates the space.

  I almost forgot that I used to send her to handle matters in Bareniss myself. I suppose Luna has followed my precedent.

  Seated at the high bench, Obelius Uda, the presiding official of the court, speaks with measured authority.

  “Vivi, these men engaged in unauthorized combat within the city. This matter is beyond negotiation.”

  Vivi remains indifferent. “I did not request for their presence. We may address their case at a ter time. I am here for the fugitive prince.”

  Gustaff’s demeanor falters further as he is led from the chamber.

  Obelius adjusts his cloak, his expression unreadable as he turns to Vivi.

  “Very well. Let us proceed. What evidence does the Inner Court present against Prince Grant?”

  Vivi’s response is swift and unyielding.

  “The evidence is before you.” She raises a hand and points to Grant.

  A murmur ripples through the chamber.

  Sharon furrows her brows. “What exactly does that mean?”

  Grant straightens, his voice defiant. “You cannot simply decre evidence without crifying.”

  Obelius strikes his gavel. “Order. Order. The court will proceed in accordance with due process. Commander Sibelius, eborate on the charges.”

  The court goes back to silence.

  Vivi’s voice remains composed, and calcuted.

  “The crime in question is not the assassination of the te emperor. It is the escape from wful imprisonment.”

  A hush settles over our side. I see Grant’s hands tighten into fists.

  Grant scoffs, his frustration swelling. “So the empress sent you all this way—not to address her father’s murder, but to prosecute a prison break?”

  Obelius studies Vivi, his tone measured. “That is an unexpected focus. The severity of the emperor’s assassination outweighs that of an escape charge. Why pursue the tter first?”

  Vivi does not waver. “I was under the impression that Bareniss holds the rule of w in the highest regard. Is it not the responsibility of this court to uphold justice, regardless of the scale of the crime?”

  “You’re going to sentence Grant to death!” Sharon’s voice rises.

  Vivi turns to her, cold. “Do you have proof that Omenmia’s legal system has formally convicted Prince Grant of regicide?”

  Sharon falters, “No…”

  Baz interjects, his tone sharper. “Gustaff called for a trial to death.”

  Vivi’s expression does not shift. “Personal sentiment does not equate to judicial decree. The weight of grief over a fallen emperor is understandable, but the w does not operate on emotions. You should have pced your faith in due process. Instead, you have compounded the prince’s offenses by aiding in his escape, Librarian.”

  She turns back to Obelius.

  “Commander Uda, I formally request that the city of Bareniss relinquish custody of the escapees, not the accused murderer. The case concerning the emperor’s death will be tried in Omenmia’s courts, as is our jurisdiction.”

  Obelius studies her carefully.

  “And does the Inner Court have justification for Prince Grant’s initial imprisonment?”

  Vivi delivers her answer without hesitation.

  “He was apprehended with the murder weapon in his hand. The dagger in question is a personal possession of Prince Grant, gifted to him at the age of twelve.”

  A heavier silence follows.

  Grant’s breath catches. “I have not used that dagger in years!”

  Vivi tilts her head slightly. “Can you prove it?”

  The words hang in the air, suffocating.

  Grant opens his mouth but hesitates.

  “I… I…”

  The chamber is still.

  The court is not in Grant’s favor.

  Baz steps up, “I request a week for us to gather the evidence for the Omenmian court’s bias against Prince Grant.”

  Obelius remains silent for a long moment, the weight of the decision pressing on the chamber.

  Finally, he speaks.

  “I shall grant the request—on the condition that Prince Grant remains confined within the pace for the duration of the investigation.”

  A murmur ripples through the court.

  Obelius turns his gaze to Vivi. His voice remains steady, but the shift in power is undeniable.

  “Do you accept this arrangement, Vivi?”

  Vivi holds his gaze, emotionless. Then, with deliberate composure, she inclines her head.

  “As your wish, Commander.”

  A final pause.

  Obelius lifts his gavel.

  “Then the court is adjourned.”

  The gavel strikes. The session is over.

  ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

  “So Empress de Nova actually wants you to date Princess Ellina?” Baz exhales.

  We were back in our chamber.

  It’s already nighttime.

  Grant and I both nod to him.

  “And she is willing to take your asylum?”

  “No, she said…”

  I block Grant’s mouth and try to sign to Baz what she said to me secretly.

  Dominic and Baz exchange a look.

  “So what should we do now?” Baz rubs between his fingers. “We don’t have time to find any evidence. And it’s impossible to escape from Bareniss without a ship. Even if my master agrees to take us in, Obelius won’t let us go.”

  I sign to Baz: Transte. Me.

  He nods.

  I start signing. Baz follows, “Baz. To. Master. City of Serenity. Go.”

  “Dominic. Felicia. Help. Grant. Ellina.”

  “Benica. Sharon. Mop. Bck. Market. Find. Way. Out.”

  “All. Agree?”

  I look at every one.

  They all nod to me.

  This might be our end game in Gustan.

  Grant suddenly freaks out, “Who’s talking?”

  Nobody hears anything.

  Grant’s eyes go wide open.

  He dashes out.

  I sign them to rest, I’ll go.

  Then I follow him down the path.

  He arrives at Ellina’s room.

  Door open.

  “Grant?”

  Ellina is already up, looking at us.

  She smiles at him with a thumbs up, “Nice shot.”

  Grant’s head is down. I can hear him sobbing.

  “I promise. This… will… never happen… again.”

  Ellina sees that and tries to get up to comfort him.

  However, she falls immediately.

  She realizes her left leg is not moving.

  Her eyes open up. Her expression stops.

  Shin healing is not an elixir.

  Her leg is already too te to be fixed.

  Grant rushes to pick her up.

  “What happened to my…”

  A thought comes to her and shuts her up.

  She starts ughing. Harder and harder.

  Then—

  She bursts into tears.

  “I’m sorry.”

  That’s all he can say.

  He holds her in his arms while both of them sob in her broken ughter. Their tears drip down to the floor below.

  “Grant, put me down.”

  Grant puts her back on the bed.

  I move over to help tidy her position neatly.

  Grant’s face is still in sorrow.

  She’s not ughing now.

  She turns against us.

  “Don’t look at me with that face. I don’t need your pity.” Her voice sounds upset.

  “Ellina,” Grant tries to expin.

  “Not you, too. Stop seeing me like that.”

  “Like what?” Grant wants to calm her but stops his hand.

  “Like something to cherish.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Yes, you are. You’re treating me like a flower. I’m not that fragile!”

  “Ellina.”

  She turns back with a face full of tears. Her emerald eyes reflect the moonlight on the water, glowing extravagantly. The gem-like pupils glitter.

  “You should have been the one who treated everyone as an equal! Treat me as an equal!”

  Grant hugs her without any other words, and she just cries on his shoulder.

  I stay quiet by the door. Watching. Hoping the night will take a little of the sorrow with it.

  Bonus Stories Avaible (Free)

  Two short companion stories are avaible for free on Patreon:

  The Comet Prophecies - A Story about Baz the Adviser

  What Is Left for Me - A Story about Ovivica Sibeliushttps://patreon.com/VantasiaArchive?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink