Rumia couldn’t sleep.

  She got two hours at best, and she was dead tired. She laid in bed, she closed her eyes, but she didn’t sleep. Why? The woman looking over her bed probably had something to do with it. She didn’t want to get up, because she felt like Yuzu would have an issue with that, so she just simply waited. The only things that kept her company were Anise’s snores and her own thoughts.

  This single event altered her common time really badly. She eventually managed to fall asleep, but she was forced to wake up so soon after that her body felt miserable. Regardless, she had responsibilities to take care of, so she wasn’t able to complain.

  Yuzu was the one who forced her up, of course. Rumia groaned and wiped the bags out of her eyes, with Anise waking up next to her. That girl was still cheerful despite the nightguard assigned to them, and Rumia couldn’t understand why.

  “Did you get any sleep?” Rumia asked Yuzu, while she got out of bed.

  “Yes. I sleep in brief intervals while standing up. It helps me stay alert at the times I need to be,” Yuzu explained.

  “What? How does that make sense? Isn’t it awful for a guard like you to get so little sleep?”

  “I’d like to see anyone try and attack me while I’m sleeping. They’ll have hell to pay,” Yuzu responded, bluntly. Rumia backed off after that statement. It’s not like she was going to be the one to find out.

  “That seems interesting. I never studied the clock like that, but maybe I can put that on my bucket list,” Anise said, before heading into the bathroom. Rumia followed behind her, and closed the door. It seemed like this was the one place that Yuzu wouldn’t follow her into, which was fortunate.

  “Anise… Aniiise…” Rumia shook Anise’s shoulders while she was brushing her teeth.

  “What. I don’t think I need to experiment on you today. I’m still processing some data and I have school work so—”

  “Can you do something about her? If she’s going to do that every day then my life is going to be miserable…”

  Rumia was complaining both from the heart, but also she had something she wanted to do today. She wanted to meet with Amethyst again, because it has been a while since her last visit. The issue is, if her guard had no sleep schedule, then there was absolutely no way she could sneak out at night.

  “Yuzu?” Anise blinked. “I guess her being in the room might be a bit of a hassle for you. Yeah, I suppose I could… think of something. I’ll need until tonight though, probably.”

  “Thank you…” Rumia said, with a sigh of relief.

  “You need to promise me that tomorrow we’ll be hanging out, though! I think you probably have a free day tomorrow, so…” Anise suddenly interjected. “You could spend that time with an awesome roommate!”

  “Really?” Rumia was hoping she could focus on her escape plans whenever she could. She didn’t know if she had enough time to spend entertaining herself around the capital. But, with both Yuzu’s everlasting gaze and Anise’s enthusiasm, what kind of a person would she be to deny that request. “Sure. I suppose we could hang out.”

  “Sweet!” Anise seemed happy at that agreement. “I’ll think of something by tonight.”

  Anise finished brushing her teeth and went outside. Rumia sighed. She had to go to work today after classes, and she wasn’t looking forward to it at all.

  Rumia found herself in Rebecca’s office once again, sorting paperwork. Her brain was beginning to return to mush once again. This task wasn’t braindead enough that she could think about other things, but it was numbing enough that her mind was tuning everything out.

  “You’re doing well. I had some other duties to take care of today,” Rebecca said. Yuzu was leaning against the wall on the other side of the room.

  “Is it something more interesting?” Rumia asked.

  “I wanted to install some upgrades onto PASCAL,” Rebecca said.

  That snapped Rumia out of her stupor. A mention of something she might be able to use, finally! “How are we going to do that?”

  “We?” Rebecca tilted her head. “I’m not quite sure you have the authorization to help me with that.”

  Rumia paused at that. Her hope was immediately crushed by the simple bureaucratic response. She shook her head, and decided to try anyway. “Are you sure? I’m your assistant now. Plus, I’ve picked up some things for Anise… maybe I could teach you a few things—”

  “A no is a no,” Yuzu said. “You’ll only know what you need to know.”

  Yuzu’s glare shut Rumia up instantly. The executioner girl seemed to have instinctively grabbed her axe, which made her stare even worse.

  “I appreciate your enthusiasm, Rumia, I really do. But sometimes ambition needs to be tempered for a bit,” Rebecca said. “In the meantime, can you two deliver some of that paperwork to Jaelin for me? He needs it for his next broadcast. Yuzu should be able to guide you to his workplace.”

  And that fetch quest made Rumia deflate even more. It was so frustrating how slowly everything was progressing. The smallest, tiniest crumb on how to shut off PASCAL would do so much for her.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  But it wasn’t meant to be. Not yet, at least. She would have to keep on waiting. With a groan, the girl grabbed some economic paperwork and began to head out of the office. Yuzu followed her shortly after, to keep her on that path.

  The two had to walk quite a fair distance to get to Jaelin’s workplace. It wasn’t in the castle, but in a tall building that stood fairly close to it. It was less of the fancy architecture that she was used to with the castle, but more standard and functional.

  Walking inside, Yuzu moved past the guards, being let past as a result of her own authority and headed towards a room in the back. After entering, they saw a room with multiple people interfacing with various screens. There, they saw Jaelin walking around, examining his subordinates.

  “Your turn,” Yuzu pushed Rumia towards Jaelin, who seemed to just notice the two.

  “Ahh, the governor’s subordinates. How are you two doing?” Jaelin smiled and walked towards them. He stuck his hand out for a handshake, with Yuzu quickly returning the favor. Rumia reluctantly shook his hand too.

  “I have some… papers from Rebecca,” Rumia said. “They’re for you.”

  “Ahh, thank you very much. Rebecca is putting you to good work, it seems,” Jaelin said. He took the papers and then glanced over them. “Very good, I see. This should keep people happy for a while.”

  “Is it something that stabilizes the economy?”

  “Rebecca has already done a good job at that. We could survive longer under this lockdown. I just need to convince the people that it’s still necessary.”

  Rumia just quietly waited as the two older people discussed. There could be some useful information, but she wasn’t actually looking to start a revolution.

  She just wanted to get home.

  “I’ll do my broadcast later today. Thank you. PASCAL!” Jaelin called.

  PASCAL suddenly appeared right next to the three of them. The glowing girl spoke in her usual polite neutral term. “Yes?”

  “Add this to your database. Prepare my recording booth, as well.”

  “Understood. It shall be ready in a few minutes.”

  With their task done, Rumia just wanted to leave. She wondered if the sewers led here, though she didn’t remember marking this down on the map. Maybe that would be a good thing to check on with Amethyst later.

  Regardless, Rumia began to walk out. Yuzu followed. Soon, she’ll be done for today.

  The rest of the day was horrifically uneventful, to Rumia’s dismay. Rebecca just had her do some work and then sent her home. Yuzu was breathing down her back every step of the way.

  Rumia sighed as she headed back to her dorm. Another night of this woman watching her in her sleep. Yuzu didn’t even give her an inch to think. This girl occupied her space and her brain, and it was so frustrating.

  Walking down the hallway. Rumia was about to enter her dorm, before suddenly, Anise jumped in front of her.

  “Woah! Hold on there, partner!”

  “Huh? Anise?”

  Anise fully body-blocked the doorway to the dorm. She stood with her arms spread out, blocking both Rumia and Yuzu entry.

  “There shall be no entry into this room until I am done with my top-secret ultra-classified school project! I can’t have any risks of leaks from any running mouths.”

  “Anise, what are you doing?”

  Rumia stared at her, a little bit confused. She didn’t know what this girl was talking about, and she normally wasn’t so secretive about her projects.

  However, Anise stared at Rumia. She seemed to be trying to convey something to her without speaking. One of her hands moved and tapped the doorway. That was when Rumia finally understood.

  “I’m sorry but this room can only be known or else I’m afraid some thieves will take my idea if they so much as hear about it!” Anise continued her dramatic spiel.

  “I do need to sleep, Anise. You can’t kick me out or else curfew will ruin me. How else are we supposed to hang out if I’m getting an earful from the headmaster?” Rumia responded. That caused Anise to pause to think for a moment.

  “How do I know I can trust you?” Anise said, suspiciously.

  “I’m your friend! You can trust me,” Rumia answered with a cheerful smile.

  “Yes but…” Anise then pointed behind Rumia, towards Yuzu. “What about her?”

  “This is ridiculous,” Yuzu rolled her eyes. “The government has a more important asset to secure. I can’t let my eyes off of her.”

  “You’re not making a very convincing argument for yourself. If my assignment gets ruined because of you, then you’re in big trouble missy!”

  “I wouldn’t speak, nor do I care to. Step aside and let us in.”

  “Only her. Because she’s my roommate. Two people double the risk! It’s basic mathematics.”

  “Tch.”

  Rumia looked back at Yuzu, and saw her reaching for her axe once more. Anise definitely saw that too, considering the sweat dripping down her forehead. She wasn’t sure if this plan was going to work with someone as rigid as Yuzu was.

  “My parents provide funding for this school as well! You could ruin my assignment and they won’t be happy, and how does that reflect on you to the Governor?”

  “You petulant child…” Yuzu cursed. Rumia nervously watched the girl keep her hand on her axe. But… the executioner eventually stopped it. “Fine. You’re only getting away with this because of your academic status.”

  “Thank you. People are always looking to copy off of me,” Anise said. “I’m sorry it has to be this way, Miss Yuzu.”

  Yuzu rolled her eyes, before walking back towards a wall and leaning against it. “I will be out here for the entire night then. Do not cause trouble.”

  The woman’s glare pierced through the back of their heads. Rumia and Anise quickly escaped by closing the door and entering into the room. A sanctuary of privacy once more.

  “Jeez… I really do owe you one, Anise,” Rumia said.

  “It’s no problem. I’m always working on something so it’s not suspicious. Plus, you have to keep your end of the promise as well,” Anise said.

  “For sure. We’ll hang out tomorrow then. I dunno how long this will last but… it really means a lot.”

  Anise seemed to be happy, and so was Rumia. Her mind was allowed to be put at ease, for a short amount of time at least.

  “Are you planning on doing anything tonight?” Anise asked.

  “Going to meet someone post-curfew. I just need you to cover for me when I’m gone,” Rumia answered.

  “You got it. As long as she doesn’t enter the room, we should be good. But, anything now?”

  “No… no. I just want time… to think.”

  She hadn’t had that in a while, after all.