Storm casually consumed his high-class food as I led him to the castle. The guards watched him with suspicion but since he was with me he was allowed inside.

“Aren’t your defenses a little lax?” Storm asked, “You know nothing about me, and last time we met you were dealing with the beginnings of a war.”

“Lots of things have happened,” I told him, “We were betrayed by someone on the inside.”

“All the more reason for stricter security… Unless you are afraid they will turn against you.” Storm sent me a meaningful look.

“That isn’t what I want to hire you for,” I assured him as we arrived at my office.

“Tenth princess,” he read, “I am speaking to royalty? You didn’t give that impression. Then again, my views on royals aren’t exactly kind.”

“I am not expecting you to treat me like royalty. Are you ready to hear what I want to hire you for?” I asked.

Storm took a seat, looking as if he were merely relaxing at home. “Go ahead,” he prompted.

“I will be going out on an expedition soon and I need a bodyguard,” I began, “If you accept you will be accompanying me as my obvious bodyguard to ward off the usual. We will be going to investigate the possibility of a disease being mutated by the remnants of Gaia to be used against Tethia. Our best lead was that this disease might have something to do with a disease from a small fishing village.”

“So I will be guarding you in a small fishing village? Are you sure I am necessary. You clearly have hidden guards.”

“No. You would be guarding me in the largest seaport city in Tethia,” I corrected, “The village is nearby and it is easier to hide in a large city than in a small village.”

“And the reason you chose someone you have only met once?” Storm asked.

“I still trust you more than any mercenary I might manage to hire and my only other option was to try and ask for one of the guards here. You can imagine why that would be a bad idea.”

“Your security can’t afford any more holes,” Storm agreed with a smile, “I can’t say much about the mercenaries since I don’t understand your system but that would be risky for royals. So, what is the cover for your visit?”

I grimaced slightly. “Shopping,” I replied.

“Shopping? For what?” Storm prompted.

“I don’t know. Alois suggested it. He said it would make sense for a new princess to shop at the port.”

“Ah, he must mean that,” Storm replied with a smile, “Your image. Royals are always obsessed with individuality. You can’t just copy your predecessor and your best bet of finding something new that you like is at a place where all sorts of rare things appear. Finding the perfect image also takes quite some time, I have been told.”

An image? Now that I thought of it something about finding your image was on the course list that I had never gotten to in Nobility. In my test in the Pavilion I definitely didn’t just mimic Rosalia’s style either. The problem is that the trial started to fade like a dream once I snapped back to reality.

“I might actually have to work on that while we are there,” I realized.

“Which is what makes it the perfect cover,” Storm pointed out, “Covers don’t have to be fake. That just makes them more vulnerable.”

“Will you do it?” I asked.

“Before I agree to anything, let me meet the others who are coming,” he said.

“Alright. I will contact them. Anything else?”

“Not really,” he said, “It seems interesting so I will take it.”

“Shouldn’t we discuss your pay?” I asked.

Storm smiled. “If you insist on paying me why don’t you be my contact in this world? Put me in touch with people, help me exchange my money for currency here. Things like that.”

What he was asking for was reasonable considering the unique situation but it would be a lot more work in the long run than just paying him a large sum.

“I will agree to that on the condition that it works both ways. If I need a favor from you, you will help me.”

He considered it for a moment. “No summoning me except in extreme emergencies and I won’t be worth much if I don’t find it interesting.”

“Alright,” I agreed.

“Oh yes, if you back out on your word do I have the right to take revenge?” Storm asked with a dark smile.

A chill ran down my spine as I met his eyes. “Revenge?” I asked.

He studied me for a moment. “It was a joke,” he replied as if it were nothing, “Bring your comrades.”

I left him in my office still feeling the chills from his gaze. Once again I had a strong feeling that Storm was someone very dangerous. I was very glad I was not on his bad side.

Storm was still waiting in my office when I brought the main part of the group that would be going. Keane, Autumn, Rena, and Alvis along with my other bodyguards.

He surveyed the group and then looked back at me. “I recognize most of these people, but that man there is?” he asked gesturing to Alvis.

“That is Alvis. He is the current and original headmaster.”

“Really?” Storm asked with interest, “He looks just like someone I know. A doppelganger perhaps? That one also runs a school but his hair is much shorter.” He eyed Alvis’s ponytail.

“Is that going to be a problem?” Alvis asked.

“Not really. It just makes me curious if there are more people around who look like people I know,” Storm mused, “That could be an interesting experience.”

“I suppose it could,” Alvis agreed, “Cassandra said you are a summon who managed to make it to Tethia on your own after the first time. You must be quite powerful.”

“Something like that,” Storm replied dismissively, “When do we set off?”

“The sooner the better,” I broke in then turned to Alvis and the others, “Is everything ready on your part?”

“I have prepared some basics and emergency supplies for everyone. As long as you have your research material and personal items in order we could leave as soon as tomorrow morning,” Alvis answered, “Technically it could be ready now but I am against traveling all night.”

“Well then, Miss Tenth Princess, where am I sleeping tonight?” Storm asked.

“I already arranged a guest room for you,” I told him, “I am also against traveling all night.”

“Good. I like people who think ahead,” Storm approved, “This is already much more interesting than I was expecting. I look forward to working with all of you.”