The festival at the Mart temple wasn't as bad as Zaniyah imagined it would be. What she loved most were the food stalls. There were whole sides of goat being roasted over large fires, and she didn't understand what that was about, but she wanted that in her mouth. Along with all the candied fruit and nut truffles, deep-fried flatbreads, and meat battered hard-boiled eggs… She wanted all of it in her mouth. At once, if possible.

She and Sybil were currently taking their chances with one of the games. They were tossing hoops over glass bottles in hopes of winning a prize. Zaniyah was hoping for one of the leather charms while Sybil wanted the candy. Their trio or escorts were watching from a short distance away.

“I despise those two,” muttered Shaw.

He didn’t appreciate their help during the core massacre, nor did he appreciate Zaniyah’s attitude when he had offered to improve her life. When their trip ended here, he couldn’t wait to spend zero time with either of them in the future.

Sybil gasped as Zaniyah threw one of the hoops at a blinding speed. It shattered three of the bottles at once. Both of them tossed a panicked glance at each other. Grabbing onto her friend’s hand, Sybil dragged Zaniyah around the corner where they both hid from the booth operator. When he didn’t seem to notice where they went, they put their hands over their mouths in order to disguise their laughter.

A smirk appeared on Duxton’s lips. Participating in trivial games would be a chore, but there was something oddly amusing about watching those two play them. Shaw was left feeling all the more annoyed when he noticed that the prince was having a good time.

He began to mutter under his breath, “You said yourself that she’s boring and incapable of achieving anything.” Along with a very long list of detailed complaints that Duxton had rattled on about whenever Sybil went away each night.

“Yes, but…” Duxton paused for a moment. “She’s certainly cute when she smiles.” He winced when Beat punched him in the shoulder. “Calm down. I’m not planning anything.”

Fighting off the urge to punch him as well, Shaw replied sternly. "We need to finish this by lunch. You are scheduled to have a meeting with Duke Rubire and it wouldn't be good to be late again. He has declared this to be an emergency."

Duxton kept his eyes on the pair of girls as they got in line for food. “I have been late to every meeting that I’ve had with that man and I am not about to let him know that I am capable of showing him respect now. Not after what he’s done. Beat, you’ve gotten all of the reports you need, haven’t you? Rosethorn has gathered everything on his end.”

A nod was given. “Everything will be sorted by the time you are ready to leave for Fogbloom. My mission has been a success, despite your distractions.”

In the shadows of bureaucracy, there were a lot of affairs spinning about due to the core massacre. As the crown prince, Duxton decided to do his job for once and keep his ear open to incoming information. Politics within Carapace was an ill affair, and he felt soiled by participating in it.

None of the games amused is much, and the food was far too greasy for his tastes. Duxton spent his time watching Sybil and Zaniyah have their fun. Eventually, he was able to coax them away and to city hall. Despite it being a holiday, he still had work to do.

“I guess that sort of fun,” stated Zaniyah. Her expression suddenly became cold. “Except for that hoops game. That was rigged! How could they let some jerk fool people like that? Let alone at a temple of all places!”

Sybil shrugged. She couldn't bring herself to care. "I don't think I can ever eat food again." At least the skirts in Carapace were tied above her bosom, so she didn't feel overly uncomfortable. "... I don't even want to see food again. Or smell it… Or even think about it…" She felt the urge to vomit and clasped her hand to her mouth to stop it.

They turned the corner and started to walk down a remote hallway of the building. A grin appeared on Duxton lips. This seemed like as good enough time as any to interrupt.

“What a lovely story, but I’m running out of patience when it comes to eavesdropping. I need to borrow our girl for a few minutes.” Duxton put his arm around Sybil’s shoulder and she shrugged him off. “No need to be defensive. I’ll have those three posted outside the door and you can scream if something happens.”

Or she could kill him. That was a lovely thought that Sybil was eager to put into action. “Only a few minutes,” she grumbled.

The two entered a small meeting room. He closed the door behind them and moved to sit on the edge of the table. His smug expression made her want to hit him all the harder.

“I’m late with this but congratulations on surviving your idiotic plan to save Carapace. After much internal debate, I don’t believe that there was a way for everyone to come out as cleanly as they did without your interference. I mean it when I say that you did a decent job.”

Sybil stayed by the door, folding her arms and looking off to the side. “Thank you,” she spat out.

Duxton grinned at her attitude. “But it’s time to wake up in the real world, gloom girl. Your actions have had some serious consequences. Since Shaw neglected to mention you in any of his reports, I’ve been left to clean up your mess while you remain unseen.”

“There shouldn’t be any mess to clean up.”

After the golems finished with the tainted beasts in Carapace, they retreated into the core for a day of hunting. Edwin then exited the core the next day and Sybil took him to her father’s shop. It was a simple operation and the hunters set to enter the core in spring would be able to handle the remaining tainted beasts.

The prince shook his head and wagged his finger at her. “The public as a whole is incapable of such pragmatic thinking. Lady Larkin’s death has suddenly become fresh in their minds. Having an army of killer machines charge into the city without warning has reawakened their fears of golems and has put Duke Rubire in a spin trying to deal with it.

There is not a doubt in my mind that he will once again demand that the residents of the core be removed permanently. He will turn the core into nothing more than a water processing facility. Your precious culture will be exiled from this city and forced to remain in Outcore.”

“The duke can’t expect to remove thousands of people from their homes, let alone keep them out,” argued Sybil.

“The forced evacuation has already done that for him. Your stunt has given the Duke the support of his court and they have already settled on an agreement.” She opened her mouth to argue back but he held up his hand to silence her. “I agree with you. There is nothing wrong with the core as it was. Mayor Rhoades has already put forth a plan to ensure it will remain safe.”

Sybil let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good.” Everyone will be allowed to go home.

Duxton clicked his tongue. "Don't view it as that easy." He paused, tapping a finger against the table for a moment. "What are you willing to give me to keep your father out of jail? And jail is the optimal punishment. It is quite likely they will arrange for his accidental death during his internment and wash their hands clear of the incident."

The air around Sybil suddenly felt chilled. “... What?”

“Your father was the one who designed those golems. Mayor Rhoades, who no doubt ordered him to do so, is claiming he had no knowledge of their existence. Since no one seems willing to announce where Stallis Twist is, they are claiming he has gone rogue. This golem show of his was only the beginning of the war that he will start with the outerland.”

“My father is neither planning a rebellion or missing. He’s-” Sybil didn’t want to say where he was. She didn’t trust Duxton to be on her side. Her father was so caught up in his work that he likely had forgotten to tell anyone in Outcore where he was.

The prince continued to speak firmly. “It doesn’t matter where he. People still believe he’s the one who murdered Lady Larkin. It’s going to be quite easy for them to label him as a threat and find a way to get rid of him. Even if you manage to smuggle him out of this region, there isn’t a duke or duchess in Lustro who wouldn’t be willing to hand him right back. Bickering between the regions must be prevented. Peace at all costs.”

“You told me yourself that you saw Lydia in Fogbloom after she had died.” Her tone was cold and threatening.

"Yes, but telling everyone that will cause so much more trouble than I'm willing to deal with." Duxton let out a sad sigh at the thought. "I am supposed to be in a meeting with Duke Rubire to discuss this very subject. My time here is very limited, so you should be quick to tell me exactly what it is you're willing to offer me to keep your father alive."

Sybil took a step towards Duxton and slapped him across the face. “I’m not going to give you anything! You should already be willing to speak up when an innocent man is about to be condemned. That is what a good prince, or any decent sort of human, should be willing to do!”

Duxton’s head slowly turned towards her as he gave her a stunned look. “... You struck me.” He licked the corner of his lip where a spot of blood had appeared.

“And I’ll do it again!” Sybil bared her teeth at him as she raised her hand once more.

“And you… Talked back to me.” Duxton put his hand to his mouth, muffling a part of his voice. “... You had threatened to kill me before as well.”

“If anything happens to my father, I will go through on that threat on you and everyone else who is to blame for it.” She was furious that her father was once more taking the blame for another’s mistakes.

Duxton couldn’t bring himself to feel angry. He bent forward, clutching at his mouth and stomach as he started to laugh uncontrollably. “I don’t understand you at all! Why are you so difficult to work with? I try to compromise and yet you have refused nearly everything I have ever offered... Why are you like this?”

“Promise me that you will let nothing happen to my father.”

“Promise me that you will never put yourself in that sort of danger again!” Now Sybil was the one who was started. “There was no need for you to have risked your life!” Duxton’s amusement had fallen and had been replaced by the anger he should have felt before. “This comes as a command from your future king. My word is law and I don’t want to hear about you risking your life without a plan or backup again!”

She took a step away from him and shook her head. His face was a mix of rage and concern and she didn’t know how to feel about that. “... I am a squire who is training to be a knight. Danger isn’t a risk. It’s a reality.”

“You have the support of many powerful people. This is your one and only chance to walk away from a life of danger, Sybil. Take the authority that is being offered to you and create the Carapace you desire with your own two hands. I will not offer you this opportunity again if you choose to back down now. Please. Take it.”

Once again did he plead with her, and she couldn't understand why. "... I can't do that." Sybil looked away from him. "I can't trust myself to do any good in this world if all I have was given freely to me. I have to earn it through my own strengths and merits. If I am unable to earn my way on my own, I will be forced to survive on handouts my entire life."

“Is that your honest resolve?”

“It’s the choice I had to make before I applied to Braytons. Though it’s been difficult, I have decided that I am going to stand by that choice until the very end.”

Duxton didn't reply right away. He spent a few moments in deep thought. "... I wasn't actually going to let your father go to jail. I only wanted to see if I could receive some praise or a nice reward before I did any work. It isn't ideal for me unless I get my fun. All this time together, and it seems like you haven't learned anything about me."

“You’re only saying that in hopes that I will feel sorry for you and make you an offer.” He nodded sadly at her remark. “I’m not going to reward you for doing something as simple as properly doing your job.”

“... Maybe you do understand me.” He clicked his tongue in annoyance and fiddled with something in his pocket. “And you won’t be around tomorrow or the day after that either?”

Iofea was very specific that Sybil absolutely needed to take the next two days off. Whatever her reasons for those demands, Sybil was happy to do so as long as it meant not being anywhere near Duxton. “If I had it my way, I would never see you again.”

“We both know that isn’t going to happen. Do me a favor and close your eyes.” His reassuring smile made her shake her head. “... Well. This is awkward.” Duxton approached and reached towards her face, which made Sybil recoil. “I’m not going to do anything rash. Calm down.”

She frowned all the harder as he pulled a small ceramic jar out from his pocket. He opened it up to show her that there was a tinted lip salve inside. “You want to put that on me?” He nodded. “... I’m not letting you do that.”

Duxton closed the jar and held it out for her to take. “I still want you to have it.”

“... Is it poisoned?” This had to be a trap to make her sick.

"You think I would try to hurt you like that?" He scoffed as she nodded. Opening the jar again, he dipped his pinky in and smeared a small bit of it on his bottom lip. It had the same color as heather blossoms. "Happy?"

Sybil held out her hand and Duxton placed the jar within it. It was a bone-colored ceramic with hollyhocks painted around her name. "Am I allowed to leave now?"

“Yes, you m-” Duxton frowned as she didn’t bother to wait for him to finish his sentence. He followed her out of the room and nodded at the three that were waiting for them. “... How late are we for our meeting?”

Shaw pulled out his watch. “Over forty minutes.” He tilted his head as he noticed Duxton’s lips. “What is on your face?”

“Kiss me.” Duxton violently grasped Shaw’s cheeks and the paladin shoved him away. “But I worked so hard to be pretty for you!” He reached for Shaw again and the two began to push and grab at each other.

Hooking her arm into Zaniyah’s, Sybil flashed a smile. “I am so happy you came with me today.” She gave her friend a squeeze. “We can go home and meet up with everyone else now.”

“Hold on, I want to see how this plays out,” replied Zaniyah quietly. Her eyes widened as she watched Duxton and Shaw fight. She then let out a whimper as Sybil yanked on her arm.

“Bye, Beat!” Sybil waved at Beat and he gave half a wave back as she started to drag Zaniyah down the hall. “The streets are still overcrowded so we can’t take a carriage. Do you want to take our time and have a core kid afternoon out? We can go kidnap Chickadee and find something fun to do.”

That did sound like something Zaniyah wanted to do. “We’re supposed to have that girl’s night out tonight with Iofea. I don’t want to make her wait, you know?”

Iofea had ordered them to go out tonight so they could cheer Philomena up. Sybil worried it was something dreadful, but Iofea was the type of woman who knew how to enjoy herself. Then again, Iofea and Sybil had different opinions on entertainment.

“... You’re right,” she muttered. “We’ll head back to my room and pretend to be outlanders. I’ll let you try on some of my clothes and we’ll do the other’s makeup while gossiping terrible things behind people’s backs.”

“Oh! But we have to invite Chi to that. He always has the best gossip. Like, did you hear about Anais and Naiov?” Zaniyah let out a whistle. “Chi gave her some advice on how to ask him out and wow, did she come back with some results!”

“I don’t know if we’re supposed to be gossiping about people that are our friends.” Sybil frowned at the idea.

Zaniyah shrugged. "Or you can tell me how Alton is in bed. I bet he's the dominating type, right? The kind that yanks at your hair and growls because he can't stand how much he wants you so he turns into this carnal beast of desire."

Sybil’s face turned a bright red. “Why would you even want to know that?! I thought you viewed him as a brother!”

“I mean, Alton… Well, he’s a bit scrawny for me. Not to mention that he’s really pretty, like, really, really pretty. I don’t even know how you do it. I can’t be the ugly one in a relationship.” She puffed out her cheeks and let out a long exhale. “Wow. You’re seriously brave… But I still want to know what he’s like in bed, you know?”

“Please stop.”

Zaniyah laughed. “Fiiiine. Anyways, what was up with Shaw trying to see if I was a man this morning? I mean, come on. You and I would be dating if I had a penis. Everyone knows that.”

Sybil let out a single laugh. “Of course I’d be desperately in love with you, but you’d be all over Chickadee. We both know it. Then you’d complain about not being the pretty one in the relationship while cuddling with him like he’s a little doll.”

“I don’t know. I think I’d be worried about breaking him... Does that make sense?” She tilted her head as she looked down at Sybil.

“And I’m not fragile?!” She was shocked at the implication.

Zaniyah shrugged. “You seem to be walking fine each morning... It might be rough at first, but we’d get by, girl.”

Sybil clasped a hand over her mouth in horror. “Don’t even joke about that! Alton and I haven’t even had sex!” She exclaimed in a muffled manner. But Zaniyah shrugged. “I’m not talking to you until we get back! Stop being so disgusting, Zani!” She stormed ahead of Zaniyah, with her friend cackling loudly as she trailed behind.