The buildings were laid out in a precise, symmetrical formation—majestic and utterly inconvenient.
"These places are practically neighbors, but it feels like a damn hike," G6 muttered, the heavy skirt of her gown hissing against the polished stone.
"Each structure is quite expansive, Lady Reise," Tina replied, her tone professionally neutral.
"Oh, forgive me for missing the obvious."
"Would you care to rest a moment, my lady?" Brenda offered, gesturing to a nearby bench.
"No. Let's just get this over with."
I could walk a marathon in these heels, but not in this goddamn curtain.
Lilia reached the base of the Bastion's grand staircase first. "We're here, Lady Reise!" she chirped, vibrating with energy.
"Must be nice to be young and not dressed like a walking drapery shop," G6 remarked, watching the girl bounce.
"Indeed, my lady," Edmund agreed, a soft chuckle in his voice.
G6 ascended the steps. At the top, Leo stood waiting. "Leo?" she said. Then her gaze moved past him.
Inside the grand entrance, Prince Dio and Keith stood watching, their curiosity plain. Eliza hovered just beside Prince Dio, her expression one of bewildered delicacy.
Right. Can't avoid the local wildlife if I want to get anything done.
"Good morning, Lady Reise," Leo greeted with a formal bow as she and her retinue stepped inside.
"My, my, Reise! What are you—" Keith began.
G6 spoke over him. "Leo. Why are you here?"
"Tch. Mean," Keith whispered, his face falling into a pout.
"Her Majesty instructed me to show you to your office."
"Office?" One eyebrow arched.
"Yes. She believed a private workspace within the Bastion would be… prudent, given the amount of time you will be spending here." His words were measured, hinting at the unspoken arrangement between monarch and asset. G6 gave a single, understanding nod.
Keith could no longer contain himself. He moved closer, a bright, hungry smile on his face. "Reise! Your new look is… dramatically different."
G6 stared at him, assessed him for a second, then smirked. "I'll take that."
"What style is this? You look… remarkably striking."
"This?" G6 smoothed the black lace at her shoulder. "It's called 'mind your own business'." She delivered the line with a mocking smile and turned away.
"Reise." Prince Dio's voice cut the air, cool and authoritative. "You seem to be overlooking me. I am the head of this department. You will state your purpose here." He stepped forward.
G6's face twisted into pure, unadulterated disgust.
"Oh, gracious… is he picking a fight?" Tina murmured.
"After she tried to break the engagement? I doubt she'll be gentle," Edmund whispered back.
"This won't end well," Lilia added, covering her mouth.
The three sighed in unison. Brenda merely watched, perplexed.
"That would be a requirement if I were Guild-registered," G6 answered, her voice dangerously calm. "But I'm not. Now get lost."
Prince Dio's eye twitched. Rules and order were not just his duty; they were his foundation.
"I don't have time for this, especially if you're just here to monitor my social engagements—" G6 suddenly raised two fingers, pressing them lightly against his lips.
Silence.
His eyes widened. So did everyone else's. The old Reise would have sooner died than silence her prince with such an intimate, casual gesture.
"You know what? I don't care." She lowered her hand. "Even if you stripped naked in front of me with someone else, I wouldn't care." She let the words hang, shattering his princely ego with surgical precision.
"Now that is a statement," Keith said, a grin breaking through.
"Called it," Tina murmured.
"Indeed," Edmund and Lilia echoed, sharing a look of grim pride.
Prince Dio stood frozen, utterly disarmed.
"Leo. Now," G6 commanded. The butler gave a stiff nod, his face a mask of professional discomfort, and led her upstairs.
❈.❈.❈
Her office was simple, elegant, and mercifully devoid of frills. "You may rest here between obligations," Leo explained. "There is also a private anteroom." He indicated a wall sconce. "Turn this to access it."
"Thanks. It doesn't hurt my eyes." She moved to the large desk, its backdrop a full-wall window overlooking the Capital Town. "Yeah. This'll work."
Her smile wasn't for the décor. It was for the strategic vista—the sprawling city, the distant, enticing silhouette of the Adventurer's Guild.
"Can't wait to put some muscle on this body," she said aloud.
The door burst open. Prince Dio strode in, the others scattering from his path. "This ends now. Explain yourself."
"Did you lose your manners with your composure? Why not just ignore me like you used to?" She weaponized the old Reise's memories with brutal efficiency. "Hurts the ego, doesn't it?"
"Everything in this Bastion falls under my authority. That includes you."
"If you're that curious, go ask my master." A taunting glint lit her eyes. "Your mother."
She moved to the couch and sank into it, leaning back with an air of final exhaustion. "Get out. I'm at my limit." Her expression was deadly serious.
Tina recognized that look—the same cold focus from the hairpin incident. She stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Your Highness, forgive my interruption. Lady Reise rose exceptionally early and is fatigued. I must ask you to grant her peace."
The tension crystallized. Prince Dio finally stepped back, perhaps recognizing his own unseemly loss of control.
Was he angry at her secrecy? Or was it the chill of fear—the realization that Reise, the constant he'd always taken for granted, was now someone entirely beyond his reach?
This might be what they call 'I hate you, don't leave me.' Her thoughts as she watched his retreating back.
The storm passed. G6 decided to postpone the full Bastion tour. Leo departed. Brenda returned to the library, but not without a promise to visit—a promise made with a slight, flustered dip of her chin.
Tell me she's not smitten. Unbelievable.
Now, in the quiet office, G6 sat centered on the couch. Lilia peered out the window. Tina and Edmund stood sentinel behind their lady, both staring at the man sprawled shamelessly across the opposite couch.
"So." G6 crossed her arms, fixing him with a flat look. "Why are you still here?"
"What? I'm hanging out."
"I don't want to hang out with you."
Keith frowned and sat up. "Don't be mean. Tell me why you're really here." He leaned in, prying.
"Not your business."
"Just a clue. I know it's not because of Prince Dio." He whined, putting on a pitiful act.
I swear I'll punch that look off your face.
G6 sighed, defeated. "Fine. I'm here to get stronger. Physically."
"Oh?" His eyes lit up. He rested his chin on his hand. "Want my help?"
"No. Get lost."
"But I want to help." A hint of arrogance returned.
"Not a chance."
"I'll do anything. Let me in on the game." His expression turned uncharacteristically serious.
He's annoying… but potentially useful.
"Then…" A sly note entered her voice. "Come closer. I'll whisper it."
Keith brightened and scooted over eagerly. "Show me how people here use a sword," she whispered.
"That's it?" He looked almost disappointed.
"That's it."
"Well…" He leaned back, pretending to consider. "Deal." He smiled cheerfully.
Idiot.
"Great. Nice doing business, Keith. Now get out."
His face fell. "I thought we were—"
"It starts tomorrow. So leave." Her voice held no room for argument.
Reluctantly, he stood and slunk to the door. "See you tomorrow, partner!" he called before disappearing.
"Partner? Who does he think he is?" G6 muttered. She turned to Tina and Edmund as if the interruption had never occurred. "So. What's for lunch?"
Prince Dio sat at his desk, head in his hands, staring at the grain of the wood.
What is wrong with me? That was too far. Why did I react like that?
If Mother issued a gag order, I shouldn't have pressed…
She must despise me now.
"Reflecting on your stellar performance?" Keith's voice sliced through the silence.
"Don't you have a trainee to torment?" Prince Dio didn't look up.
"Passed Eliza off to some mid-ranks." Keith dropped onto the couch. "It bothers you, doesn't it?"
Prince Dio lifted his head. "What?"
"You know what." Keith leaned back, smug. "Instead of yelling, you should learn to bargain."
"Explain."
"It's simple. Reise has changed. And not just the hair or the clothes." Keith's gaze turned thoughtful. "She doesn't love you anymore. And she won't engage with anyone who doesn't offer something in return."
Prince Dio's expression tightened.
"You keep treating her like the girl who followed you around. That girl is gone." Keith gestured toward the hall. "The woman in that office is practical. She's here for a reason—one even you aren't cleared to know. If you want her to even glance your way, you have to offer her something she actually wants."
He's not wrong. She looked straight through me. As if I were a stranger.
"And what," Prince Dio said, frustration simmering beneath the words, "could I possibly offer?"
Keith grinned. "How should I know? But I'd start by not acting like her superior. She made it pretty clear who she considers her real boss." He stood and stretched. "Just a thought. You can keep sulking if you want."
He strolled out, leaving Prince Dio alone with thoughts far louder and more troubling than before.
Start with what she wants? I used to know her every thought. Now… nothing.
How do you bargain with someone who has become a complete stranger?
He leaned back, the stress a tight coil in his chest. Her words, her sharp gaze, her confident, alien movements played on a loop in his mind.
✎﹏﹏﹏﹏
He must have drifted off, for when he stirred, the afternoon light had softened. He was still in the same chair. He turned it toward the window—and saw her.
The very subject of his turmoil walked below, moving with a relaxed, almost swaggering confidence. All traces of practiced noble grace were gone. She was different.
Her three servants walked beside her, not behind her. They were close, comfortable.
Then Lilia ran ahead and took G6's hand freely, easily. G6 didn't smile, but the girl's face was radiant with trust—proof that this woman, whom Prince Dio had labeled wicked and cold, showed a side of gentleness he'd never been permitted to see.
There was a calm in her expression with them, an unguarded peace.
Unknowingly, a faint smile touched Prince Dio's lips. He watched until she and her little cadre disappeared from view.
He couldn't tell if he was witnessing a genuine transformation—or being expertly drawn into a trap.
—To Be Continued…—