Chapter 4

Melody was quite pleased with the progress she had made over the past three years. She placed her hand on her chest, bobbing her head in self-congratulatory pride. Finally, it was time to taste the fruits of her labor.

She cheerfully wrote “Izen” next to Rose’s name. “Sorry, Rose, but this spot is all yours.”

Empress Roche had already sent her own eldest daughter overseas, and since Rose was older than Daisy, it was clear who would be next in line. “Now the only issue is my marriage.”

Avoiding marriage altogether wasn’t an option. There likely wouldn’t be another royal marriage arrangement any time soon, meaning she or Daisy would be married off to one of the empire’s nobles. But Melody wasn’t willing to settle for just anyone. She didn’t have a full list of Emperor Urubasi’s candidates for future son-in-law, but she was certain about one name—Caisar Bethel.

Caisar was twenty-five, the sole heir to the seat of House Bethel, and the youngest man to ever have been made captain of the Imperial Guard. He was also the youngest swordmaster to come out of the royal academy, graduating at the top of his class, and it was widely agreed that he was the most handsome man in the empire. His list of merits was so long that it made an exhausting feat to hear them all.

“That last point, that’s the best,” Melody mused as she counted his virtues on her fingers. She finished her sandwich, washing it down with a long swig of milk. “And the odds are in my favor.”

“What odds, Your Highness?” Claire leaned forward curiously.

Melody smiled coyly, the corners of her eyes gently curling upward. “The odds that Caisar marries me, not Daisy. Nigel would definitely protest his sister marrying Caisar. He’d never stand for their family becoming in-laws with House Bethel. Even if I had been married off to Izen, Caisar would have ended up with Rose—never Daisy.”

* * *

Caisar Bethel was flipping through the pages of a book with slender, elegant fingers, appreciating a break to enjoy his reading. The afternoon sun bathed him in warm light, highlighting his tranquil presence. The scene was like a painting brought to life.

A maid brought in a tray of refreshments, silently rejoicing at finally being able to witness such a picturesque moment. She understood why there was so much competition for this shift.

“You have to look out. Sometimes Sir Robel is with him, those days you’re out of luck.”

“Why?”

“It’s impossible to concentrate and enjoy the view.”

“Huh... What’s the problem with Sir Robel?”

Today was not a lucky day. “What happens now? There’s talk that an Izen envoy is already on their way, and that they’re dead-set on taking a princess back with them. Who do you think the emperor will choose?” Robel asked.

Caisar continued to read without a reply.

“Princess Rose, Princess Daisy? Not Melody, that’s for certain. I still can’t figure out how she heard me, I was nearly silent. I know my thoughts sometimes escape my mouth by accident, but I make sure they’re never louder than a whisper. I had to make that a habit, you know, for survival... But even from that distance she heard me. She walks unusually quickly, too. Is that a side effect of her condition? Anyway...”

The maid immediately understood why her colleague had warned her. Robel’s mouth ran like a roaring river, and his voice was so grating that one found it difficult to properly appreciate Caisar’s devilishly handsome good looks.

She found herself inadvertently listening in on Robel’s verbal stream of consciousness. Curses! Why won’t he stop his yapping? He ought to watch what he says... He’s risking his neck talking like that. She quietly withdrew from the room, deciding it was dangerous to stay and overhear anything else.

Once she had left, Caisar turned his attention to the vice-captain. “Robel...”

“Yes, Captain?”

“Be mindful of what you say. This is the Imperial Palace, there are ears all around us.”

Robel was stunned, realizing he had slipped up. Caisar set aside his book and stood up, unfurling a map of the palace and spreading it on the table.

Robel gestured at the map. “The passage we discovered in the sewer channel has been reinforced with double grating. I patrol it daily. So far there have been no issues.”

“Be sure to check the most remote areas thoroughly. There may be more channels or drains like that one. And here, at the northern wall near the gate... You’ve increased the guard, I trust?”

“Yes, just as you ordered. To tighten security we’ve assigned extra guards, not only along the wall but also inside the grounds.” Robel responded with the rapt discipline of a freshly trained soldier. “But why the northern gate, Captain? It’s secluded. The only residence building nearby is... this one.” He tapped a box shown on the map. “Those are Princess Melody’s quarters. Why are we guarding her?”

Caisar also had doubts about the decision. The northern gate wasn’t frequented by anyone of significant status, and if assassins or thieves tried to enter the palace grounds, they usually targeted the east or south gates. “We found traces of someone sneaking over the north wall, the same as the evidence we discovered in the sewer channels. More importantly, I sensed Oddness.”

“Oddness?”

Caisar nodded. “It was there.”

Why was such a power present in such an unimportant place? Robel’s gaze sharpened as Caisar spoke. He trusted his captain’s words more than anyone else’s. “Oddness, on the palace grounds? You’re sure?”

“Certainly. There were clear traces of its presence.”

“Understood. I’ll pay special attention during patrol.”

“I’ll join you to check myself.”

“Yes, Captain.”

* * *

In the bustling heart of the empire’s capital stood a small store nestled among upscale shops. It had been a fixture on the street for twenty years, and its name was as straightforward as it could get: the Mercenary Guild. Known as a den of skilled soldiers for hire, it was a landmark in its own right.

“Mercenary Guild? More like the Hunks-for-Hire.”

“The men there are all so handsome that it makes you wonder if they hire based on looks.”

“And their bodies. Whew, talk about muscles! They’re all tall and lean, too. After one visit, you can’t help but raise your standards.”

“Right. When you see what’s waiting for you at home, you can’t help but sigh in disappointment.”

Among the local merchants, the guild was famed for their handsome personnel. Every member of the establishment, from the guild master to the barkeep, was remarkably good-looking. Their hiring process was shrouded in mystery, as nobody had ever seen a “now hiring” sign posted on the building’s door.

As the sun began to set, a figure wearing a hooded cloak slipped through the front door of the Guild and purposefully ascended the stairs.

“You’re back!” a man standing near the entrance exclaimed.

Only upon reaching the building’s third floor did the figure remove her hood, revealing blue eyes and a head of short, golden-brown curls. It was Melody. She knocked on the same door she had knocked on many times before.

“Come in!” A man with eyes as bright and blue as Melody’s greeted her with a smile. “Where on earth have you been, Melody?”

“I’ve been busy. Too busy, perhaps. Have you been well?” She pulled off her heavy cloak and sat down at a table. The man, who bore an uncanny resemblance to her, sat opposite.

“It’s been so long since I’ve last seen you... Looking at you with fresh eyes, it’s even more striking.”

“What is?”

“You’re the spitting image of my sister.”

“Really? Well, sometimes I’m shocked as well. Every time I see your face, Uncle, it’s like I’m looking in a mirror.”

Melody picked up a large cookie from the table. Her uncle always made sure to have a stack of cookies ready for her when she visited.

She closed her eyes in delight as she took a bite. Delicious. Nothing could beat the cookies made by the people of the Avive Mountains. She was willing to bet that even the imperial chefs would find it impossible to replicate the taste.

“Do you want me to wrap some up for you? The guys brought nearly a cartload back from Avive.”

“Really? Then I’ll take as many as I can carry!” Melody’s face lit up, but then she quickly shook her head. “On second thought, I should probably just eat here and go. Palace security has been tight and I don’t need anything else weighing me down. I’ll get straight to the point, Uncle. My plan was a success. Princess Rose is now the most likely candidate for the royal marriage arrangement.”

Melody’s uncle Gerald chuckled warmly. It was a crazy idea, but she somehow managed to pull it off. “That’s excellent news.”

“Indeed. I don’t want to leave our land, you know.” She paused. “How are things out there? Have Orsen or Zerocs made any moves?”

“It’s still quiet for now.” Gerald took a sip of his tea and then followed up bluntly. “No one else cares, Melody. Why do you?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve been acting as wild as you could manage for a year now, all to avoid being shipped off to a foreign country in a royal marriage. Although strictly speaking, it’s not that your father doesn’t want to ship you off, but rather that he can’t. The people of Corbella... Well, they expect nothing of you. Why do you still care about affairs at the border and the welfare of war orphans? You’re even burning through the gold your mother left you, all for your cause.”

Melody crunched the cookie and swallowed, brushing the crumbs off her fingertips before giving her usual reply. “It’s for the everlasting peace and glory of the empire, Uncle.”

“Come again?”

“I love this land and the Avive Mountains. I wish for the people living here to have better lives.”

Gerald’s eyes narrowed skeptically.

“I’m serious, Uncle. I really feel that way, even if you never believe me. Anyway, you know I’m always grateful to you. I hope you’ve been collecting the interest on the gold.”

Melody stood to leave. She had come all this way for a visit of only five minutes, but she had said all that she needed to. Gerald, knowing she could have just as easily sent someone to deliver her message for her, was touched that she had come to see him in person.

Melody pulled her cloak over her shoulders. “I’ll be off.”

“Melody...”

“Yes, Uncle?”

“I’ll do my best to take care of the interest. Be careful on your way back. And... How is Claire? I trust she’s doing well?”

“Of course. Is there anything you want me to tell her?”

“No, nothing.”

She smiled gently, then pulled her hood over her head and left the room. Gerald’s eyes followed as the door closed behind her, then he stood and walked to the window. He watched as Melody stepped out of the Guild’s front entrance and onto the pavement. Walking alone in the darkened street, his niece bore an undeniable resemblance to his sister.

“Tell me what you want, Gerald, and I’ll get it for you. You know I’d stake anything to secure our clan’s well-being.”

He remembered what his sister had said to him, her bright blue eyes flashing as she prepared to descend the mountain. She had indeed secured the clan’s well-being, just as she had sought to.

In exchange for Gabrielle, Emperor Urubasi had assisted in erasing their clans’s records. It was a significant victory for the people of the Avive Mountains. Now no one on the continent could find them. Their existence had become unknown. Thanks to Gabrielle’s sacrifice, her people had gained their freedom.

“Protect Melody. You must guard her as you did me, Gerald. I’ve left her no hatred, only the lesson to love our land and every part of the Avive Mountains. We cannot survive by turning our backs on the empire. We have no choice but to coexist, Gerald.”

Gerald exhaled deeply. Yes, Sister. Melody is smart as a whip, just like you, and she’s doing fine. Don’t worry, I’ll ensure her safety.