We stepped back into the house after Erica’s awakening ceremony, the echo of hymns still clinging to me like incense. I kicked off my shoes, shrugged out of my jacket, and sank onto the couch with a sigh. For the first time all day, I just wanted quiet.

  Marlena was just as quick. She sat beside me, tugged my hand onto her lap, and leaned against my shoulder. “Time for a nap.”

  “I agree, love,” I murmured. Her head barely settled before soft snores proved her right.

  I cracked one eye open. Across from me, in a plush chair, Erica sat stiffly, her hands folded in her lap. She looked lost, as though she wasn’t sure if she belonged in the room at all.

  “So, what’s next for you, Erica?” I asked softly, careful not to wake Marlena.

  “I don’t know,” she admitted. “My work as liaison is over. Now I have a class, but I don’t know much about being a Ranger.”

  “It’s a wonderful class,” Allira said, sliding down beside her with a bright smile. “Most Rangers train with bows, some with blades. What makes them special is the nature magic; they’re a hybrid combat class. Not as strong as Marlena in spellwork, but versatile. I’m impressed you got an uncommon class.”

  Erica’s voice went small. “Where do I learn how?”

  “School,” Allira said.

  “I… can’t afford school.”

  “Not a problem,” Allira said, jabbing a thumb in my direction. “That’s what rich nobles are for. You get someone like him to sponsor you.”

  Erica’s eyes darted to me, cheeks coloring. “Sponsor me?”

  “Yes,” Seraphina chimed in, settling across from her. “Vaelthorn has excellent academies. We’ll be heading back soon. It would be a perfect place to study.” She tilted her head at me, mischief glinting in her eyes. “David, wouldn’t you sponsor Erica?”

  “Yes, of course,” I said without hesitation. “But until then, you’ll need some basics first, which would give you a head start.”

  “Not from him,” Allira cut in quickly. “I’ll handle the sword work.”

  “Why?” Erica blinked.

  “Because he’s a monster,” Allira laughed. “He tagged me three times before I could even blink. Trust me, you don’t want that on your first day.”

  “He’s a better lover,” Seraphina said deadpan. Erica flushed crimson, her mouth falling open. Seraphina only grinned wider.

  I groaned. “You had to say that out loud?”

  “Every word,” she purred as she gave me a wink.

  To rescue Erica, I took the lead in the conversation. “So what are these schools like?”

  “My training was a year of study, then three years of army service. Sword drills in the morning, and academics in the afternoon, even after my formal education was over,” Allira said.

  “I had three years of studies. My family sponsored me, or else, I would still be in the army,” Marlena added.

  “I don’t want the army,” Erica whispered.

  “You wouldn’t have to,” Allira reassured. “David’s sponsorship means you’ll have freedom. Most students sponsored by nobles train near their lord’s lands, in your case, Brakenreach. The question is, Erica… what do you want?”

  She hesitated, voice trembling. “I… just want to get away. From my family.”

  Her words hung in the air, heavy and raw. Seraphina reached over, resting a hand on hers. I spoke gently. “Then let’s take it slow. Tonight, we have the princess’s party to go to, and talk again after breakfast. You should take some time with this.”

  I caught Allyson’s movement at the edge of the room, a wooden box in her hands. I already knew what was inside.

  “Allira, still up for training in the morning?” I asked.

  “Always,” she grinned. Her eyes flicked to the box curiously.

  I pulled the board free and set it on the table. “Erica, if you’re interested in training, you’re welcome to join. But for now…” I placed the pieces one by one. “Allyson, this is the game of chess. This game is over fifteen hundred years old, and played everywhere in my world. Tonight, we can start with the basics.”

  The room shifted. My wives leaned in closer, Erica too, curiosity drawing them in. I explained each piece, its movements, and its value. Allyson leaned over the board, examining every detail. Her brow furrowed, then relaxed as understanding dawned.

  We played. She hesitated often, and I guided her hand back, correcting. When Marlena asked how long I’d been playing, I smiled faintly.

  “Since I was very young,” I said. “But I got serious in school. So serious that I even got ranked, and then I met a girl. I stopped playing and started spending every spare minute with her. By the time I graduated, we were married.”

  I made a move that tightened the board. “Allyson, I’ll checkmate you in three.”

  Her eyes flew to me, then back down, searching the patterns. “How? There are so many moves…”

  I showed her. Her eyes widened, and even Marlena leaned forward, baffled.

  “How could you see that?” Marlena asked.

  I shrugged. “I was good once. Masters put me to shame, of course. But for years, this game was my escape.”

  I leaned back, watching everyone bend toward the board, their faces illuminated by the faint glow of the lamps. For a moment, I thought of Elizabeth, her dimpled smile, and the nights we spent drinking coffee and laughing about nearly everything. My chest tightened, but I took a deep breath and let it go.

  “Alright,” I said softly. “Who’s next? We have time for one more before we have to go.”

  We moved slowly down the grand staircase toward the greeting dais. Below, couples floated like bright-colored birds, bowing and smiling as the king and his daughter greeted them. The air was heavy with perfume, polished armor, and too many bodies packed into one space. The crowd’s heat clung to me, and I resisted the urge to tug at my collar.

  The line moved forward slowly. Each step was cautious, a shuffle disguised as elegance. From across the ballroom, a small orchestra played a delicate piece of chamber music, with stringed instruments and flutes creating a soft harmony that hovered above the murmured voices and rustling silk. It was refined, elegant… and dull. I couldn’t help but imagine how the room would feel if someone dropped a wall of guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and a bass line that rattled teeth. That would get people moving. But this wasn’t my world. Here, lyres and lutes ruled, and the crowd swayed politely to music that would never make your blood race.

  Seraphina’s hand was warm in mine, steadying. Behind us, Marlena and Allira moved in sync, gowns whispering against the marble floor. Allyson followed at a precise pace, her eyes never still, cataloging the ballroom with a predator’s focus.

  “Two more,” she murmured, low enough that only I caught it. “Mages. Attempting to probe you.”

  I didn’t even glance at them. My smile remained fixed, a mask polished to civility, as I nodded to passing lords and ladies. Inside, my core was tense. Every bow and curtsy aimed at me was also a calculation, another way to measure the outsider among them.

  When at last we reached the dais, we bowed low before the king and princess. My back tensed under the eyes of the entire hall, though my voice came steady.

  “Your Majesty, thank you for the gracious invitation to this gathering.”

  “Please, please, Earl,” King Theran replied with a genial wave. “Stand.”

  We rose, and the princess dipped her chin with a polite smile. “Thank you, Earl,” she said, the words smooth, practiced, no doubt repeated a hundred times tonight for every guest in attendance.

  With my free hand, I produced a small box. The weight of it shifted the air between us. “Princess Thersea, this is a gift from us, to celebrate your awakening. The necklace we gave you would not be complete without this.”

  At that, Seraphina leaned in, her smile knowing. The princess’s hand unconsciously brushed the chain at her throat, the silver-and-mithril flower we had crafted for her only days earlier.

  A steward stepped forward, took the box, and carefully handed it to the princess. Theresa lifted the lid, and her eyes widened; the polished mask of courtly calm broke into true delight. Two bracelets shimmered inside, their gold filigree intertwined with veins of mithril, matching the same design as her necklace.

  King Theran leaned in closer, his breath catching audibly as he saw the metal. His composure faltered for a brief moment, shock, possibly even disbelief, that we would part with such a treasure so easily.

  “Princess Thersea, King Theran,” I said with another bow, “thank you again for the honor of your invitation.”

  As we stepped away from the dais, blending back into the sea of guests, I caught the faint rumble of Seraphina’s stomach over the murmur of conversation. She gave me a sheepish smile that made me chuckle. My gaze flicked back once, just long enough to see both the king and daughter still staring at the bracelets, their shock evident, their whispers drowned out by the chamber music.

  _____________________

  I moved away from my wives as they admired the food table, weaving through silks and cloaks until I found an unclaimed table tucked away from the main flow of nobles and servants. It wasn’t isolated, but it provided a clear line of sight across the ballroom and, more importantly, space. Claiming it seemed the most brilliant move, but we ended up standing with plates in our hands, like ordinary travelers.

  I settled into a chair, noticing the sharp glares from a few nobles circling nearby. They didn’t bother hiding their irritation. Seating was limited, and they knew exactly what I had done. Too bad. Rank had its privileges.

  Marlena was the first to join me. I pushed her chair out, earning a quiet, “Thank you, sweetie,” before she smoothed her skirts and sat with her usual poise. Allira and Seraphina arrived next, balancing their plates with a focus that seemed more suited to hunters than noblewomen. Seraphina slid an extra plate toward me, filled with meats, breads, and fruit.

  “I got you some items, David,” she said warmly. I rose and helped her and Allira to their chairs before returning to my own.

  The remaining seats didn’t stay empty for long. Two couples arrived, their attire shining under the chandeliers. One woman wore a crimson dress with a high collar, her dark hair styled in twisted rope braids that framed her pale face. Beside her sat her partner, likely her husband, unmistakably a mage. His red robe shimmered with gold thread, and a heavy necklace glittered with medals like trophies of arcane achievement.

  The other pair were women dressed in matching blue robes. Their brunette hair was styled into Viking knot waves, and for a moment, I thought they were twins until their expressions revealed subtle differences: one was reserved, the other quick to smile.

  Servants moved between tables, refilling goblets with deep red wine and pitchers of fruit water. The aroma of roasted lamb and spiced bread mingled with the waxy scent of candle smoke, thickening the air with a sense of indulgence.

  “Isn’t it wonderful that Princess Thersea gained such a rare class?” one of the blue-robed mages remarked to her companion, her voice pitched just loud enough to catch the surrounding tables.

  I raised my eyebrows, leaning forward. “I’m sorry I missed it when the Bishop announced it. What class did she wake up to?”

  The mage smiled as though she enjoyed being the bearer of news. “Divine Healer.”

  “Thank you.” I nodded, though I was at a loss as to what that truly meant. Was it a mage class? Or tied to the church? I turned to Marlena and asked, “What is a Divine Healer?”

  “From what I know, it’s not a mage class but a divine class,” she replied, eyeing the fruit tart on my plate. I slid the plate toward her, and she accepted it without hesitation.

  “So… she belongs to the church now?” I asked, perhaps a little too loudly. The four across the table immediately fixed me with sharp looks.

  “No, not necessarily,” said the woman in the crimson dress, her tone clipped. “She can choose which sphere to devote herself to.”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “Oh,” I said, feigning thoughtfulness. “I see. What happens if she chooses not to go into either?”

  The woman’s brows shot up. “That’s absurd. She’s the Princess. Of course she’ll choose.” Her voice carried an edge of frustration, as though my question itself was offensive.

  “I was just asking. She doesn’t seem the type to walk the same path as others. I thought she might be different.” I sipped my wine, meeting their glares without flinching.

  “What do you know of the Princess?” the mage in red pressed. It sounded less like a question and more like an accusation.

  I shrugged. “She’s a young woman. She has the same loves and fears as anyone else.”

  Their silence was heavy, their eyes narrowing in unison. Seraphina, sensing the rising tension, patted my arm. “I can’t wait for you to show them your training method, dear.”

  “It’s nothing complicated,” I said easily. “A method we used in schools back home. With the right packaging, it could be sold in Vaelthorn or even your father’s shop.”

  That was when a servant placed another chair at my side. All of us looked at it. “Expecting someone?” I asked my wives. They only shrugged.

  A commotion stirred at the edge of the ballroom. People shifted aside, parting like waves. Princess Thersea walked toward us, light flashing off her necklace. We all stood and bowed slightly as she reached the table.

  “Princess,” I said, stepping out to pull the chair for her. She thanked me with a smile and sat, staff rushing to set down cakes and more wine. Around us, nobles stared, aghast that she had chosen our table.

  “David, I would like to thank you and your wives for that elegant gift,” she said, taking a bite of cake. Her eyes went wide. “Mmm. This is the best cake. You must try it.”

  Seraphina slid a plate to herself and tasted it. “Yes. You’re right… It’s delicious.”

  “See? The best,” the princess agreed. Allira and Marlena eagerly joined in. Across from us, the four nobles sat frozen, scandal etched on their faces, as if watching us eat cake together was some kind of heresy.

  “David, did you make these?” the princess asked suddenly, lifting her arm. The bracelets jingled with a clear tone that drew all eyes to them.

  “Yes, he did,” Allira said between bites.

  “And all our necklaces too,” Seraphina added proudly.

  I shifted uncomfortably, aware of every pair of eyes fixed on me. “Yes, Princess. I crafted them a few days ago.”

  “I told my father it was mithril. He denied it until Arch Mage Veralt confirmed.” Her gaze sharpened. “David… you can forge mithril?”

  I took a long sip of wine before answering. “Yes.”

  Gasps rippled around the table. Whispers began to spread outward through the ballroom like wildfire.

  “So it’s true,” the princess pressed. “You are a master smith. And yet… your class isn’t blacksmith?”

  I smirked. “This feels like a job interview, Princess.”

  She smiled, but her eyes stayed fixed on me. Those brown eyes seem to drill down into me. “My father said you were a paradox. A mathematician, a smith, a noble. Nothing easily named.”

  “I haven’t been called a paradox in a very long time.” Seraphina giggled at my words, while Allira and Marlena bit their lips to stifle their laughter.

  “I seem to be outnumbered here,” I said, lifting my hands in mock surrender. All four women laughed together, their joy easing the tension.

  The princess leaned forward, her bracelets chiming softly. “So, Earl Robertson, will you be ready to host us in three days?”

  Around us, nearby nobles stiffened as if she’d just tossed oil on the fire. Whispers rose again at the mention of my title, sharp as knives carried on the music drifting through the hall.

  “Yes, Princess,” I said casually, meeting her gaze as if I hadn’t noticed the daggers pointed my way. “I’ll make sure there’s plenty of cake. Do you know who will be attending? I’d like to ensure everything is proper and nothing is overlooked.”

  Her smile warmed, and her eyes flicked down to the last slice of cake between us. I slid the plate toward her without hesitation, and she accepted it with a little laugh, the kind that belonged to a girl rather than a princess.

  “Let’s see… besides myself and my two attendants, the Queen of Karethunn, and the King. Likely a few royal guards as well, though they’ll remain outside. Elsie would like to see what you call home, Father, well… he is being protective.”

  I nodded, my mind already organizing the numbers. Seven at minimum. Food, seating, wine, security… backup cake for Seraphina.

  “So at least seven,” I murmured, leaning toward Seraphina. She smirked knowingly, fingers brushing mine beneath the table. “Earlier, Princess,” I added, “before you joined us, we speculated where you might go with your new class. The mages? The church? Do you have any ideas yet?”

  Her lips curved mischievously. “Not really. Too bad I can’t join you in your journey. I suppose my math isn’t good enough for you.”

  The nobles inhaled sharply, but I chuckled. “Well, there is a lot of math in my class, but you already have a class, Princess. My path was… different. It took me three days to even wake up from my awakening alone.”

  Seraphina’s smile dimmed slightly. “It’s true, healers came every day to check he was alive. It was awful.”

  The princess tilted her head, concern softening her eyes. “I’m glad you’re well now.”

  “Excuse me,” the mage in red interrupted stiffly, “but what class do you hold, Earl Robertson?”

  The ballroom seemed to hush, the music fading beneath the swell of expectation. I couldn’t avoid it forever.

  “I’m an Engineer,” I said plainly.

  The word cracked through the air like thunder. Shock rippled outward, whispers hissing across the room like dry grass catching flame. I turned back to the princess, ignoring the stares. “So, what’s next for you, Princess? Vacation? A chance to see the world outside these walls?”

  Her blush deepened. “I would like that. My station rarely allows it…”

  And then the crowd parted once more. King Theran himself strode forward, his large hands resting protectively on his daughter’s shoulders. At his side trailed a hawk-eyed baron, his face pinched with thinly veiled fury. His gaze never left me. Ah, nice, another jealous noble.

  “Ahh, Earl Robertson. So you’re the one entertaining my daughter.”

  “Yes, Majesty. Just sharing cake and conversation.” I said as I pushed a napkin toward the princess.

  “Good.” His eyes softened as he looked down at Theresa. “Speaking of celebration… would you care to dance with your father?”

  Her whole face lit up. She rose, smiling at me, and putting down the napkin. “It was a pleasure, Earl and your wives.”

  “Princess,” I said quickly, “if I may, might I ask for the next dance?”

  Her cheeks flushed crimson. She glanced down, then nodded. “Yes.”

  The King chuckled, pleased. But beside him, a man’s jaw tightened, his knuckles whitening on his cane. His eyes burned with naked jealousy as they lingered on me before he smoothed his expression back into courtly calm. It wasn’t the usual disdain I’d grown used to since my class was revealed. No, this was personal. Something raw was burning in him, and I had no idea what I’d stepped into.

  I leaned slightly toward the others at the table. “Excuse me… who’s the man shadowing the King?”

  The fire mage answered first, her voice dropping even though gossip had already spread across nearby tables. “That was Baron Winsket. His family owns the largest parcel of land in the kingdom.”

  All four of them looked at me, as though waiting for my reaction.

  “Alright,” I said. “So what’s his deal? Always that sour, or did I win some prize I didn’t know about? Because he definitely gave me the stink-eye when I sat down next to Thersea.”

  A water mage leaned closer, lowering her voice even more. “No… no. Rumor says he courted the princess a few times.”

  “Ah. A suitor.” I leaned back in my chair, the picture falling into place. “That explains it. Though from what I saw, she didn’t seem to have the faintest clue.”

  “Clue?” Marlena asked, brows raised.

  “Sorry. I meant she didn’t give off the… feelings, the awareness, you’d expect.”

  “True,” Seraphina said smoothly, licking a bit of frosting from her fork. “She seemed much more interested in us. And the cake.”

  The others chuckled, though their eyes kept flicking toward where the baron stood. His calm face might have fooled others, but I’d already seen the heat burning beneath.

  _____________________

  King Theron led his daughter to the center of the dance floor. As the orchestra swelled, they began the opening steps of the waltz, their movements rehearsed and graceful. Other couples followed, but space opened around the King and his daughter, the crowd content to watch.

  “It seems, my dear,” the King said lightly, his voice pitched for her ears alone, “you might fancy the young Earl.”

  “Father!” Her cheeks flushed, and she nearly missed a step. “That is an embarrassing question to ask me in public.”

  “By that tone,” he chuckled, steering her smoothly through the turn, “I would say you already find him… interesting.”

  She hesitated, then admitted softly, “Yes. He is interesting. Also smart, kind… and handsome.” The last word nearly tripped her again, though this time from embarrassment rather than the dance.

  As her father guided her through another turn, Theresa’s eyes flicked toward the far side of the ballroom. David sat with his wives, their heads close in quiet conversation. Seraphina’s hand rested on his arm, Allira leaned forward with her usual intensity, and Marlena laughed softly at something he had said. The sight drew a strange warmth to Theresa’s chest, and she quickly looked away before her father noticed.

  The King’s smile deepened. “And his wives?”

  “They protect him,” she said firmly. “While we spoke, they never relaxed. Always watching. Especially, Allira, I believe that’s her name.”

  “Yes,” Theron confirmed. “Allira is no simple wife. She is his general. Holds the rank of Lieutenant General in Vaelthorn’s army. From the reports I’ve read, she commands the Earl’s own soldiers. The other, Marlena, is his high mage.”

  “Father, you seem to know more about the Earl and his family than you let on.” Theron chuckled.

  Theresa’s gaze slid back, unbidden, toward David’s table. This time, she caught him smiling as he poured wine for Seraphina, his touch casual and unthinking, as if affection were as natural to him as breathing. A pang of something unfamiliar struck her, envy, admiration, she couldn’t tell. She looked away again, cheeks coloring.

  But she wasn’t the only one who noticed.

  From the edge of the dance floor, Baron Winsket stood stiff-backed, his cane clenched in one hand. His sharp eyes tracked both the princess’s glances and the King’s subtle approval. His jaw tightened, lips pressing into a thin line as he watched her blush at the mention of the Earl. A pulse of anger colored his cheeks before he smoothed his face into practiced nobility, but the hatred burning in his eyes remained.

  “Father… are you trying to arrange a marriage between me and the Earl?”

  “I am looking out for my little girl,” the King said, though there was steel beneath the warmth. “What I’ve learned is that his household is strong, loyal, and protective, qualities rare enough, even among nobility.”

  She exhaled, her voice soft. “And what of Baron Winsket?”

  His face darkened, if only briefly. “That is the question, isn’t it?”

  Her eyes betrayed her one final time, drifting back to David. He was laughing now, his wives laughing with him, their closeness effortless. Theresa swallowed and refocused her attention on her father.

  “I don’t know,” she admitted. “But in two days, when we visit the Earl, I’ll decide for myself.”

  Across the floor, Baron Winsket’s hand whitened against the grip of his cane.

  _____________________

  I looked up as the waltz drew to a close, the final notes lingering like perfume in the air. My pulse quickened; I suspected it was time for me to step onto the dance floor. Rising, I turned to my wives.

  “Who’s next after the Princess?” I asked with a smile.

  “Me,” Marlena said, eyes bright. I tipped my head slightly in acknowledgment, earning a smirk from Allira and Seraphina, before weaving through the crowd toward the edge of the floor.

  The King guided his daughter toward me, his large hand wrapped protectively around hers. When they reached me, Theresa extended her hand with surprising poise. I bowed slightly, brushing her fingers with mine. To my right, I caught the flicker of movement. Seraphina, radiant and confident, was already taking the King’s hand to lead him back into the dance.

  Theresa and I followed them into a freshly cleared space, the polished marble beneath us shining under chandelier light. The orchestra started again, with strings swelling to the graceful rhythm of another waltz.

  “I’ll try not to embarrass you,” I said with a crooked grin.

  She giggled, the sound light as bells. “I was about to say that to you, David.”

  The music pushed us forward, and we moved together with remarkable ease, swinging, turning, spinning. She was a natural partner, slipping effortlessly into my rhythm. With each spin, I glimpsed Marlena and Allira standing at the edge, cheering us on with smiles and quiet gestures.

  “You are an excellent dancer, Earl Robertson,” she said, breath a touch unsteady from the turns.

  “Please, call me David. Every time I hear ‘Earl,’ I find myself looking around for someone else,” I laughed, letting the music guide our steps.

  “David,” she repeated softly, almost testing the sound. “I never asked… what brings you to Eldros?”

  “Well…” I guided her into another turn, her gown flaring in a swirl of blue silk. “Originally, I came to meet with the alliance. But since then, I’ve been asked to seek out the vaults.”

  Her eyes widened. “A quest. How wonderful. And what are your plans?”

  “To take my airship and search for it,” I said. “And when I find it, to explore.”

  She tilted her chin up, mischief sparking in her eyes. “An airship, that would be wonderful. Could you take me along?”

  That pleading look could have toppled a lesser man. I chuckled, steadying her through a tighter spin. “I could make a stateroom ready for you, with space for you and an attendant… but only if your father and all three of my wives say it’s all right.”

  Her laughter bubbled out, genuine and bright. For a moment, it was only her voice, the music, and the soft glide of our steps.

  But beyond her shoulder, I caught sight of Baron Winsket, standing rigid at the ballroom’s edge. His stare was sharp as a blade, his knuckles white on his cane. Every glance the Princess gave me seemed to stoke his fury hotter, though his face smoothed whenever anyone looked his way.

  _____________________

  Theresa let David guide her through another turn, his hand steady and sure. She was surprised by how easily she trusted him with the lead. Baron Winsket was also strong, but his grip always seemed to trap her, to claim her. David’s touch, though firm, felt more like an invitation than a demand.

  She expected him to be awkward, an outsider who somehow stumbled into her father’s court, a man with too many wives and too many whispers chasing him. But he was nothing like that. His laugh was unguarded, his steps smooth, his gaze bright with humor rather than calculation. When he smiled at her, it wasn’t the hollow smile of a man checking a box in his ledger; it was genuine, almost boyish.

  The orchestra’s violins swelled, and she glimpsed her father waltzing with Seraphina, the woman’s red hair catching the light. Beyond them, Baron Winsket stood stiff as stone. His eyes tracked her, burning with that same possessive anger she had grown used to ignoring. He never truly saw her. To Winsket, she was an ornament, a prize to claim.

  But David… David spoke to her as if she mattered. He teased her gently, explained things without condescension, and listened as if every word she spoke deserved space. Even now, he was laughing at his own awkwardness, admitting how strange it felt to be called “Earl.” Winsket would never admit such a thing. Winsket would only remind her of his barony, his lands, his power.

  Theresa felt her cheeks warm as she looked up at David. Kind. Intelligent. Strong… and handsome, too, she admitted to herself. The thought unsettled her, yet thrilled her all the same. She knew the court was watching, whispering, judging. She knew Winsket’s jealousy was thick enough to choke the air.

  But another thought tugged at her, sharp as a hook. Engineer. That word alone made her pulse race. The Bishop had dismissed it with contempt, but Theresa knew better. The stories whispered about Engineers as builders, inventors, wielders of knowledge no priest or mage could rival. And here he was, in the flesh, a man who forged mithril, commanded loyalty, and smiled at her as if she were not just a princess, but a person.

  She wanted to ask him everything. What did he know that others didn’t? What secrets of the world did his eyes see when that strange blue panel appeared before him? What was it like to hold a class that did not bow to church or crown?

  And deeper still, a quieter question whispered where she barely dared to look: What would it be like… to walk beside a man like that? She needs to talk to his wives.

  _____________________

  I spent the rest of the night on the dancefloor, taking each of my wives in turn. The hours blurred together with music and movement, Seraphina’s sharp grace, Allira’s infectious laughter, and Marlena’s soft smile as I spun her beneath the chandeliers. By the time the last song ended, we were all flushed and breathless, collapsing back at our table with goblets of wine and a plate of pastries to share.

  “Earl Robertson, I’m so happy to finally catch you,” came a familiar voice from just behind my shoulder. I looked up from Seraphina’s easy smile to see Arch Mage Veralt standing beside the water mages, staff in hand, his expression warm.

  “Arch Mage,” I greeted, rising slightly and pulling out the empty chair at my right. “Please, sit.”

  He lowered himself with surprising ease for his age, robes flowing as he leaned closer. “It’s been a few days since I last saw you. How are you feeling since we arrived?”

  “Better. Much better,” I said, reaching for my goblet. “Nursed back to health by my sweet wives.”

  Veralt chuckled at that, eyes crinkling with amusement.

  “I hear you’re interested in seeing one of our airships?”

  “Yes,” I said, leaning forward. “My assistant Erica tried to check on it, but she couldn’t pin down a firm date.”

  His brows lifted slightly. “Wasn’t she a liaison? Interesting, now your assistant. Well, in any case, your timing is fortunate. There’s one scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning.”

  “You wouldn’t mind if my family and I came by to see it?”

  “Mind? Not at all. Ask for me when you arrive.”

  I poured wine into his cup before filling my wives’ goblets. Together, we raised them in a relaxed toast, drinking without concern for the four mages across the table who were still staring at us as if they couldn’t quite figure out what to make of me. For once, I didn’t care. The night belonged to us.