[8]

I walked at a quick pace down the noble section hallway, watching every door like it might harbor an ambush. For all I knew, Elmont could be in on whatever plan Florence had to enchant me and Angelina. I had heard stories about nobles getting kicks off by fabricating situations to murder commoners in duels. Abyss, they did that kind of thing to each other too. I had little doubt that someone that was skilled enough with a sword to be offered the [Knight] class could slaughter me. Elmont had to have been at least a C ranked expert in sword; he had probably swung a blade since he could walk.

Angelina and Florence’s rooms, which were opposite one another, were the hardest part of the walkway to cross. A servant came out of Angelina’s room right as I scurried past, but I did not dare peek inside. And it might have been my imagination, but I could have sworn that I heard a yelling sound coming from Florence’s room. With her still under the effect of Haunt, she would surely have an interesting, sleepless night.

Once I was clear, I burst through the double doors to jog through the common area, only to crash into someone as soon as I flung past the doors. My speed and mass were greater, and the unfortunate person crashed to the floor with me on top. My reckless sprint also sent a book flying from their hand into a nearby chair.

“Ow!” yelped a feminine voice from beneath.

I struggled backward to get off the unlucky girl, stammering, “Oh gods, I am so s-sor…”

Panic set in when I saw the purple hair. Given the hair and petite size of the girl, it could only mean one thing: Florence. I was now easily within reach of a girl that could turn me into a drool sex monkey with only a touch.

I backed away on my hands and knees, and she sat up.

Time froze.

Purple hair parted around a heart-shaped dainty face, revealing eyes the color of the sky.

It wasn’t her. It was her.

Lady Elaine Highrow, the girl from the carriage. The noble who had stolen my breath and dignity that day. Who had unintentionally set me on the path to ascension.

I stared into the blue, unable to look away, as thoughts tumbled through my head. Had it really only been two days? It seemed like a lifetime ago, since Sabine. Since I had set out into the world, alone and responsible for only myself. Since, I found the love of a Goddess. Since the change.

Of course she would be here, I realized. This rail was the only way a noble would ever go to Ashmere. Was there ever a question that she would ascend, the daughter of a Duke? I had thought the girl mad a few days ago, but since having heard about her I believed that Erzaal probably had a unique class set just aside for her.

A red blush crept into her porcelain skin, and Elaine turned her face from me, breaking the spell.

“I-I am so sorry, M’lady,” I apologized, jumping to my feet. I reached out for a second to help her up, but after making a creep of myself thought better of it and pulled my hand back. Besides, she seemed to have no issue standing up by herself. Instead, I picked up the book that she had dropped and returned it to her just as she got to her feet.

“It’s okay, really,” Elaine said, taking the book and brushing off her dress. “Or at least it will be, just as soon as you tell me why you were suspiciously running like the Abyss itself was chasing you in the middle of the night.”

“Uh…” I stumbled, looking back at the now closed double doors. When I turned back to look at her, she had a slight smile turning at the corner of her lips.

“This way to my office, Mr…?” She stopped.

“Harald. My name is Harald,” I reaffirmed.

“Are you sure?”

I couldn’t help myself, I laughed from deep in my gut. It was all so absurd, the emotional tornado.

Elaine did not laugh with me, but she smiled as though pleased to watch me be happy. “Now, Mr. Harald, if you would step into my office,” She said, pointing at the little library off to the side of the nobles common room.

We sat at a table. But not across from each other; like every other time I’d had an interaction with her. She sat with me. Only a corner separated us.

“What do you want to know, Lady…?” I asked.

“You don’t know who I am?” She asked, playing at being smug.

“I do, but I thought it was only polite that I give you the chance to make up a name. After all, you did not know who I am at a glance.”

“So, Harald isn’t your actual name?”

“It is, but you only have my word for it.”

She laughed at that. It sounded like the music of tinkling bells to my ears. Practiced, but also carefree.

“Very well, you are graced in the company of Lady Mistlewink Fingerbutters,” She said, with a haughty voice.

“It is an honor, Princess Fingerbutters,” I said, dropping to one knee. She offered a gloved hand to me, but looked away while I kissed it, like she was bored.

When I sat back in the chair, we both fell into giggling.

The double doors to the nobles section opened again, and I stiffened. A second later, a servant walked past carrying a hamper of clothes. I let out a breath I did not know I had been holding.

Elaine’s smile had vanished. “So, you don’t have to say anything, but I would like to hear about what has you so spooked. It might help to talk to someone.”

There was no foul smell, no spite. To the contrary, she smelled like a sweet, mysterious fruit that one might experience in a dream.

I hesitated, but only for a second.

I told her how excited I had been to ride an airship, and the lunch I had with the other nobles. Elaine’s enthusiasm mirrored mine, as my joy of traveling on an airship went from one of excitement, then annoyance, and finally outright fear.

My eyes watched her every expression as I spoke of Elmont’s derision, Florence seeming “off” somehow, and Angelina being drugged. I waited for a hint of spite to escape her, as I disparaged her peers. And when I speculated on their motives, she only frowned.

“Your first theory is the most probable,” Elaine said after a moment. “The Claybrooks are new money aristocracy; only two generations old. Elmont is a proud, stubborn man, and the second son of Duke Whitby. If Florence is ascended like you believe, then all she would have to do is end the betrothal between those two and seduce Elmont with her power. Knowing him, he would marry her for taking his virginity. Florence doesn’t even realize that she could skip the step of making Angelina betray him. He would be too guilty to go through with it after that.”

Elaine continued, “But the question I really want an answer to is, how did you know she used an enchantment?”

I had tried to skim over any mention of my abilities and explained the part about Angelina using magic as my intuition. But the spells I cast earlier had left me mentally exhausted, and I slipped up and said something about Amorous Touch.

“I’m an ascended,” I finally admitted. It felt like a lie to my ears, like it had happened to someone else. “So, uh, I guess we will see each other running around Ashmere.” I said, smiling wanly.

It might have been my imagination, but I swore I saw a slight blush from Elaine. Gods know I wanted it to be true.

The door burst open, and a very wide eyed unkempt Florence stalked into the common room. Her frizzy hair whipped around, searching the area like a hunting wolf. When her eyes caught sight of me at the table, they narrowed.

“You!” Florence screamed, marching over to stop at our table.

“What have you done to me!?” Florence screamed, then slapped at an imaginary bug on her leg.

“Florence Clayborn,” Elaine said in an imperious voice, standing up to her full height. For such a petite woman, she had a domineering aura. Florence’s eyes widened when she realized who addressed her.

“I assure you,” Elaine continued, “that Master Harald has done nothing to you. He has been here with me in the library all evening.”

“B-but that’s not…” Florence said, stopping abruptly when Elaine turned her head, as if daring her to contradict her.

“I see,” Florence said. “You have my apologies Harald.”

I spread out my hands magnanimously, and said, “No need for all of that Flo. We are all friends, right? We are all ascended, after all.”

Florence looked me in the eye, searching for the lie. When she did not find it, a gulp came out of her. She bowed to Elaine and me, then said, “As you say Harald.”

Florence turned to leave, took two steps, then turned back around.

“I’m sorry about what I did. I-it’s just I have a quest. And I think it’s important. They all are, o-of course,” She said.

“A quest?” Elaine said, looking incredulous.

Florence nodded, then sighed. “I serve Marvaya.”

That rocked me on my heels. Marvaya was the goddess of love, marriage, and family. But it explained why she had an ability called Amorous Touch.

“Marvaya tasked me with ending a betrothal that would ruin two lives. It would make both of them miserable and ultimately hurt the realm.” Florence said. “A-and, I think I just flunked my first quest permanently. I tried to keep her in my room, but she snuck out when I went to the restroom. If she’s not here with you, then that means she's with… Elmont.”

“Well, can’t you end the spell?” I asked.

“No, it lasts for three hours no matter what.” Florence admitted, crestfallen.

I laughed.

“Well, looks like we better get moving. It won’t take her long to make a man out of him.” I said.