"These buildings are so close to each other, yet it feels so far!" G6 complained, the heavy skirt of her gown whispering against the stone path.
"It is because each building is quite wide, Lady Reise," Tina answered patiently.
"Oh, excuse me for not noticing the obvious," G6 shot back, her tone thick with irritation.
"Lady Reise, would you like to rest for a moment on that bench nearby?" Brenda asked with a gentle smile.
"It's fine. Let's just get this over with."
I could walk all day in these heels, but not in this ridiculous, heavy gown. Ugh!
Lilia ran ahead, stopping at the base of the stairs leading to the grand entrance of the Bastion. "Finally, we're here, Lady Reise!" she chirped, her voice bright with excitement.
"It must be nice to be young and so full of energy," G6 remarked, her gaze lingering on the joyful girl.
"Tell me about it, Lady Reise," Edmund agreed with a soft chuckle.
G6 climbed the stairs, and as she reached the top, she found Leo already waiting for her. "Leo?" G6 asked. Then her eyes moved past him.
There, just inside the entrance, stood Prince Dio and Keith, both staring at her with idle curiosity. Eliza stood slightly beside Dio, her expression one of pure confusion.
Ah, I guess I can't avoid them if I want to achieve my objective.
"Good morning, Lady Reise," Leo greeted formally as G6 and her servants stepped inside.
"My, my, Reise! What are you doi—" Keith began, but G6 spoke over him.
"So, Leo. Why are you here?" she asked, completely ignoring Keith.
"Tch. She's really mean," Keith whispered, pouting like a scolded child.
"The Queen instructed me to show you to your office," Leo answered.
"Office?" G6 asked, one eyebrow raised.
"Yes. Her Majesty suggested it would be best if you had your own place here at the Bastion, as she believes you will be spending a great deal of your time here," Leo explained, his words hinting at a deeper, unspoken arrangement. G6 simply nodded, as if they were speaking in a secret code.
Keith could no longer contain himself. He stepped closer to G6. "My Reise! Your new look is dramatically different from before!" he said, smiling widely and clearly hungry for her attention.
G6 stared at him, analyzed him for a second, then smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment," she said, trying to end the conversation.
"What kind of fashion is that? You look… remarkably good," Keith said, seemingly bewitched by the woman before him.
"Ah, this?" G6 said, smoothing the fabric of her gown. "It's called, 'mind your own business fashion'." She gave him a mocking smile and turned away.
"Reise—" Dio cut in, his voice cool. "It seems you are overlooking me. I do not know what you are plotting, but I am the head of this Department. You will tell me why you are here." He stepped closer, which made G6's face twist into a look of pure disgust.
"Oh, good grace… is he trying to pick a fight with the Lady?" Tina murmured under her breath.
"After she tried to break off the engagement, I doubt she will go easy on him," Edmund whispered back.
"I have a feeling this will not end well," Lilia added, covering her mouth with her hand.
The three of them sighed in unison. Brenda simply watched them, utterly confused by their whispering.
"That would be a requirement if I were from the Professional Guild," G6 answered, her tone dangerously level. "But guess what? I'm not. Now, get lost." The command made Dio's eye twitch.
Prince Dio valued rules and order above all, not just as a prince, but as his sworn duty.
"I have no time to deal with you, especially if you are only here to watch me if I'm wooing othe—" G6 suddenly held up two fingers, pressing them lightly against his lips to silence him.
His eyes widened in shock. So did everyone else's. The old Reise would never have dared to silence the prince she so adored let alone touch him in an intimate gesture.
"You know what? I don't care," G6 stated flatly, lowering her hand. "Even if you got naked in front of me with another woman, oh god, I wouldn't care." She emphasized the words, completely shattering Dio's ego.
"Now that is a bold statement," Keith said, a grin spreading across his face that he couldn't suppress.
"I knew it," Tina murmured.
"I know, right?" Edmund and Lilia responded in unison, looking at each other with a sense of pride at correctly predicting their lady's actions.
Dio was utterly stunned. G6 had already moved away, but he still couldn't find his voice.
"Leo, show me now," G6 commanded. Leo simply nodded, his face a mask of discomfort, and led her upstairs to the second floor.
He opened the door to her new office. It was not the lavish suite one might expect for a high-ranking noble; it was simple, yet elegant. "You may rest here after training or working," Leo said, showing her around. "There is also a secret door leading to a small private room, perfect for resting or should you work late." He pointed to a lamp on the wall. "You need only turn this, and it will open."
"Thank you. This is a nice room. It doesn't hurt my eyes," she said, walking toward the large desk at the center. Behind it was a full-wall window. "This is indeed a very nice room," she added.
But it wasn't a compliment about the decor. Her voice held a mischievous edge as she stared out at the geographic layout of the Capital Town spread out below.
The Adventurer's Guild. I can't wait to get there.
"I can't wait to put some muscle on this body," she added aloud.
But her smile vanished as Dio barged into her office without warning, causing the others to startle and scramble out of his way. "This ends now. I do not know what is happening with you, but you will explain yourself," he demanded, his voice cold. Keith trailed in behind him, looking intrigued.
"Have you lost your manners along with your composure? Why don't you just ignore me the way you used to?" G6 retorted, weaponizing the old Reise's painful memories.
"Ah… It must hurt your ego," she added, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Everything in this Bastion falls under my authority. That includes you, whether you are registered with the Guild or not," Dio stated firmly.
"If you are that curious, why don't you talk to my master?" G6 said, a taunting glint in her eye. "I mean… to your mother."
Then she moved away and sank onto the couch, leaning back against the pillows with an air of utter exhaustion. "Please get out. I'm reaching my limit," she said, her expression deadly serious.
Tina recognized that sharp look—it was the same one G6 had given her when she'd instinctively held a hairpin to her neck. "Please forgive my intervention, Your Highness," Tina said, bowing her head deeply. "Lady Reise woke very early and is quite tired now. I humbly ask you to leave."
The tension was palpable, but Dio finally backed down. He left the room, perhaps realizing he was losing his temper in a most unprincely way.
Was Dio truly angry that G6 wouldn't tell him why she was in the Bastion? Or was his heart telling him something he himself could not yet understand? Was the reason for his outburst not anger, but a fear that G6—that Reise—was slipping completely from his grasp?
Hmm… this might be what they call 'I hate you, don't leave me.'
_____
Things had finally calmed down. G6 decided to save the full tour of the Bastion for another day, since she'd be spending most of her time here anyway. Leo had already left, his duty done. Brenda had also returned to the Royal Collegium library, her own task complete—though not before promising to visit G6 from time to time. Oh, tell me she's smitten with her…
Now, in the quiet of the office, G6 sat centered on the couch. Lilia was peering curiously out the window, while Tina and Edmund stood silently behind their lady, both staring at the man stretched shamelessly across the opposite couch.
"So," G6 began, arms crossed as she fixed him with a flat look. "Why are you here?"
"What do you mean? I'm here to hang out," Keith replied, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
"I don't want to hang out with you," G6 said, her tone cold and final.
Keith frowned and sat up straight. "Don't be mean, my Reise." He leaned forward slightly. "Tell me, why are you here?" he pressed, trying to pry the truth from her.
"I'm not obligated to tell you anything," G6 replied, shutting him down again.
"Just a clue… I know it isn't because of Dio," he whined, sounding like a child begging for a treat.
"Leave."
"Pleeease… pretty please?" Keith pouted, putting on his most pitiful face.
I swear, I'm gonna punch that look off your face one day.
G6 sighed in defeat of his annoyance. "Fine. I'm here to improve my physical strength," she relented.
"Oh, really?" Keith's eyes lit up, and he rested his chin on his hand. "Want me to help you?" he offered.
"I don't need your help. Get lost."
"But I want to help," he insisted, a hint of arrogance returning.
"Not a chance."
"I'll do anything. Just let me in on your game," he pleaded, his expression turning uncharacteristically serious.
He's seriously annoying… but he might actually be useful.
"Then…" G6 said, a hint of slyness entering her voice. "Come closer. I'll whisper it."
Keith's face brightened, and he immediately scooted toward her. "Will you show me how people here use a sword?" she whispered.
Maybe they have a signature moved... I need to enjoy my time in a dungeon.
"That's it?" Keith asked, looking almost disappointed.
"Yes. That's it."
"Well…" He leaned back, pretending to consider it. "You've got a deal," he said cheerfully.
Idiot.
"Alright. Good to make your acquaintance, Keith. Now get out," G6 said flatly.
His face fell. "I thought we were acquain—"
"It starts tomorrow. So leave," she cut him off, her voice leaving no room for argument.
Though clearly reluctant, he stood and made his way to the door. "See you tomorrow, partner!" he called out before finally exiting.
"What is he, nuts? Who does he think he's calling 'partner'?" G6 muttered. She turned to Tina and Edmund as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
"So… what's for lunch?"
_____
Dio sat at his desk, his head resting in his hands as he stared blankly at the polished wood below him.
What has gotten into me? Did I go too far? Why was I so agitated?
If Mother issued a gag order, I should not have pressed Reise like that…
She must despise me now…
"Are you reflecting on what you did?" Keith's voice cut through Dio's brooding.
"Don't you have a training session with Eliza?" Dio asked, not bothering to look up.
"I passed Eliza off to some Mid-Knights," Keith said casually, dropping onto the couch across from the desk. "It bothers you, doesn't it?" he added, a snarky tone in his voice.
Dio finally lifted his head and stared at him. "Bothers what?"
"You know what," Keith replied, leaning back comfortably. "Instead of being so aggressive with her… you should learn how to bargain."
"What do you mean?" Dio asked, his voice guarded.
"I can tell you plainly—Reise has changed. And not just her looks, or her clothes, or the sharp way she speaks." Keith's gaze drifted thoughtfully. "She doesn't love you anymore." He let the words hang in the air. "And she won't bother engaging with anyone who doesn't offer her something in return."
Dio's expression tightened, but he didn't interrupt.
Keith continued, his tone losing some of its teasing edge. "You keep treating her like the girl who used to follow you around, hanging on your every word. That girl is gone. The woman sitting in that office…" He gestured vaguely down the hall. "…she's practical. She's here for a reason—a reason even you aren't privy to. If you want her to even look your way, you have to offer her something she actually wants."
He's not entirely wrong… She did look straight through me. As if I were a stranger.
"And what," Dio said slowly, a hint of frustration returning, "could I possibly offer her?"
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 up and stretched. "Just a thought. You can keep sulking if you prefer."
With that, Keith strolled out, leaving Dio alone once more—his thoughts louder, and far more troubled, than before.
Dio was lost in thought, turning over Keith's words in his mind.
Start with what she wants? I used to be able to tell what she was thinking. But now… not at all.
How could I possibly know what a woman who has changed so completely truly wants?
He leaned back, stressed. G6's words, her sharp looks, her confident movements—they replayed in his mind like a broken wheel that wouldn't stop turning.
It was already late afternoon when he woke, still in the same chair and position. He had fallen asleep dwelling on his guilt and on the image of G6, who now acted as if he were barely worth her notice.
He turned his chair to gaze out the window—and then he saw her. The very woman who had been straining his thoughts.
She walked with a relaxed, almost swaggering confidence. All those years of practiced noble decorum seemed to have vanished. She wasn't just carefree—she was different.
She moved alongside her three servants, who no longer kept a respectful distance but walked close beside her, as though they were companions.
Then, one simple action made Dio's heart skip a beat.
Lilia ran forward and took G6's hand freely, as if they were friends. G6 didn't smile, but Lilia's face was bright and happy—proof that this woman, whom Dio had always believed to be wicked, ruthless, and annoying, showed nothing but gentleness to those close to her.
There was something different in her expression, something calm and unguarded when she was with them.
Unknowingly, a faint smile touched Dio's lips. He watched G6 until she and her little group disappeared from view.
Was this a sign of something real… or was he falling under the spell of G6's clever words and deceiving charms?
He couldn't tell yet whether he was witnessing a true change of heart—or being drawn into a carefully laid trap.
— To be continued… —