Esmer looked at the broom closet that was masquerading as a room and balled her fists. The royal family was going to pay. They hadn’t dared to this to her and Theanore didn’t see the problem, but Esmer did.

There was a commotion outside and a chubby woman entered. She saw Theanore and clapped her hands.

“Little Highness, your Prince made you a ball. Come along now, to the park.” Said the friendly tavern owner, and she extended a hand towards Theanore. Theanore let go of Esmer and ran to the tavern owner.

“A ball? With countless friends?” Asked Theanore, excited.

“The whole village will be there, little Highness.” Said the tavern owner. Then she looked at Esmer for permission. Esmer nodded. She had something else to do, anyway.

When the tavern owner took Theanore with her, Esmer went to find Empress Orlena. This felt like it was her plan. Esmer found her panicking in her son’s room.

“You!” Said the Empress, and she pointed a finger at Esmer. “Did you take my son?”

“Young Cassius is the only not rotten apple in your whole family tree.” Said Esmer, closing the door behind her. “Look, Empress, you will listen to me now. One parent to another. Or there will be Hell to pay.”

“Guards!” Screamed the Empress. Esmer mirrored her, no one came.

“They are all under an illusion.” Said Esmer. “You forget, Orlena, that I am a dungeon core.”

“Don’t get familiar with me, wench!” Esmer had to give it to Orlena. She was brave. Or perhaps stupid. Probably the latter.

“Orlena, do you know any adventurers who have exited my dungeon? Ever?” Asked Esmer. Orlena paled.

“No, you kill them all.” Said Orlena, backing towards the still open window. Esmer closed and locked it with a flick of her wrist.

“Orlena, Theanore, is my daughter. My only and most precious child. You will treat her like your daughter from now on, or I will hurt you worse than you can imagine. It will be a pity if young Cassius needs to get hurt, wouldn’t it?” Asked Esmer.

Orlena’s legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed on the floor. She wailed and yet no one came.

“Quit imitating a cow.” Said Esmer without a drop of mercy. “Don’t you remember we have dragons, foolish woman? That Marferik the Dread himself is on my daughter’s side? Do you know what she calls him? Marferik the Cuddly. She makes friends with everything and everyone she meets. Your son already adores her. You will arrange her a new room, and you will go to the ball. You will smile during the event, and you will give to charity in her name. Or so help me…”

Orlena was nodding. Dungeon cores, monsters! This is what Casimir had let in their family. She stood up and brushed dust off her dress.

“Where is the ball?” She asked as she fought to regain her composure.

“Get her a better room first.” Said Esmer. “Guards.”

This time two guards came. Orlena thought about having them try to imprison Esmer, but then she remembered the threat to Cassius, and she gulped.

“Call the inn owner. Princess Theanore needs a new room.” Said Orlena in a weak voice.

The guards left and Esmer smiled.

“It is good that we came to an agreement. Come, we have a ball to attend to.”

Esmer extended her elbow and Orlena placed a hand over it. They went to the park to see a chaotic party. People were dancing jigs and Theanore was simply jumping in place. No one had told her she wasn’t dancing. She was simply having fun.

Esmer smiled at the sight and left Orlena to go and teach her daughter how to dance a simple jig. Orlena searched the crowd for her son and when she saw him, she headed to him.

She hugged him as he danced and pulled him away from the crowd. She kissed his hair and looked at him. He was clean and unharmed.

“Cassius, you don’t need to run away, sweetie. I will treat Thea better from now on. Just don’t put this stunt again. Mommy was worried.”

Cassius felt guilty for worrying his mother, and so he turned around to hug her.

“Mom, do you like the ball I made for Thea? We opened it with the first dance. I think Thea only knows how to waltz. Can you teach her how to dance other dances too? You are the best dancer in the whole Empire.” Said Cassius. Orlena chuckled at the praise.

“She is my daughter now, is she not? I’ll teach her. I’ll teach you both. Don’t think I don’t know that you have been neglecting your dancing lessons, son.” Said Orlena. Theanore ran to them. Orlena nearly glared, but she held herself back at the last minute.

“Cassy, dance with me!” Said Theanore, tugging Cassius towards the crowd. Orlena didn’t want to let her son go, but a look at Esmer made her release her grip.

They looked happy, these two children. As long as Cassius was happy and unharmed, Orlena made peace with the fact that Theanore was here to stay. Then she saw something red in the crowd. It was the duke, Marinus.

He was making his way towards the nymph. Orlena scrunched up her nose as he took Theanore’s other hand and began to dance in circle with her son’s wife and her son.

But maybe it was for the best. If the Princess passed over her son for the duke, then Orlena could call off the marriages. It hadn’t been her desire to allow them at all. It had been all part of Casimir’s schemes.

The Empress saw that her son was going towards one of the tables ladened with food and drinks while the merman and the nymph kept on jumping around. No grace whatsoever. Just two children having fun.

Then Orlena reflected on her actions. She had been cruel to a child. Had been complicit with the breaking of a puppy love. She felt like the dirt under a beggar’s soles suddenly. Casimir was to blame for all of this, Orlena was sure.