Jackson was practically carrying Catherine as they sought out Annabelle. Apparently, the magic she used takes a huge toll on the body and the longer she held it for the worse it got. She had surpassed her limits while talking with Jackson and was now struggling to stay standing.

“Perhaps you could have simply asked for a private audience with me? I am about to be a king after all.”

“You’d make a terrible king. Plus, I doubt your harem would let you be alone with a random girl.”

“Probably right. Tell me about his Annabelle character.”

“She’s unique.”

“So she’s a weirdo.”

“She has a nasty habit of forcefully adopting things. Like baby dragons, homicidal Berserkers and strange Lovecraftian cats.”

“I don’t like the sound of that. Is she dangerous?”

“Sanity does not run in her veins. In short, she’s is the third most dangerous person I’ve ever met.”

“Dare I ask who the most dangerous are?”

“My father is second. I don’t really want to remember the first. Spoilers.”

“Great.”

They continued to follow the hallways. The palace was large and in tatters. Apparently, the fighting even spread inside despite Jackson staying quite far from it for most of the night. Picture frames were crooked or the portraits torn. Suits of degenerative armor were smashed on the floor and pieces of glasses were swept neatly to the side. The servants that weren’t imprisoned or hospitalized were working to the bone to return the palace to its former glory. They pointed Jackson in the right direction when he asked. The servants didn’t seem upset with him, but none of them uttered a word about Princess Luna. In fact, Jackson noticed that portraits of the princess seemed to be left in disrepair while the king’s and queen’s were fixed.

As they approached the Demon Hero’s room Jackson spoke in a mocking tone.

“You’re not going to say or do anything weird to her are you?”

“Like what?”

“Grabbing onto her, giving her a big tearful hug or crying aunty on sight.”

“She isn’t my aunty. Not yet anyway. I keep my world and yours separated in my head.”

“Just making sure. It’s going to be difficult enough to convince her to help. Assuming we can even trust a complete stranger.”

“Have faith. Aunty was weird but she was good natured, most of the time.”

“That’s not reassuring.”

Reaching the door, Jackson knocked softly. The girl Jackson saw at the party with purple eyes opened it while rubbing her eyes. She looked even more pale and twice as tiered. She seemed to glare at Jackson for a moment before glancing at Catherine.

Jackson was knocked to the floor as the Demon Heroine burst from the room and hugged Catherine.

“Oh, my god, you are so pretty. And look at that armor, I want it. I want a set of it. You are just too cute. Can I keep you; can I keep you?”

“Ouch!”

Jackson snapped at the woman as he glared at her. She glared back, while keeping Catherine in her arms. She pointed at him.

“You kept me from claiming that cat girl, that Neko. I looked, hunting for you for hours and couldn’t find you. Then midnight hit and I lost my chance. I’ll never forgive you for keeping that Neko from me.”

“What? Are you insane? You think I want that spoiled brat?”

“Hey, don’t insult my future girlfriend. Or maybe pet? I don’t know, I just know I want her. Charles usually sorts out the big picture stuff.”

“I feel sorry for him.”

Catherine could practically see the lighting forming between these two as they yelled at each other.

“P-please let m-me go aunty.”

“Aunty? I’m only slightly older than you. Call me big sister. Big sister. Yeah, I’m your new sister.”

“You can’t just adopt people into your family.”

Jackson struggled to his feet. Catherine felt slight nostalgia watching them. Her heart ached for a moment. Once more she asked to be released. She then gave her big sister an abridged version of what was about to transpire. She left out the parts of being from the future and anything dealing with the Berserker.

“Of course, of course I’ll help my little sister stop a war. That what a hero does. Oh, but we better not tell Charles. He doesn’t like it when I run off and get into fights. It’ll be our secret.”

“So, don’t tell Charles?”

Jackson repeated the condition.

“Don’t tell Charles what?”

Jackson felt a chill run down his spine as a tall man with glasses appeared behind them. Annabelle flinched while Catherine seemed to shrink away from his gaze. Jackson felt this guy was reliable and instantly broke the deal with Annabelle.

“So, the war is starting to night because of some assassins? And you want our help to stop it? Why not ask your Empire friends instead of bothering us.”

“But my new little sister asked for my help.”

Annabelle was giving Charles puppy-dog-eyes as she spoke. If Jackson wasn’t mistaken, she was pouting.

“One, we’re not friends. Two, they’ll drag in my real friends who will most likely die as a result. I don’t want to risk anyone I care about.”

“So, we’re expendable soldiers to you? You degrade m-… me and Annabelle to such lowly positions in your mind. I can’t fault your reasoning, but I got someone I care about to. What makes you think I’ll will allow them to get hurt?”

“You’re heroes, aren’t you? Stopping the war is in your best interest.”

“I don’t care about the war nor about the Demons. There is only one person in this world I care about. Keeping them safe is my number one goal.”

“But I want to help my little sister. Pleases. Pleases!”

“I said no!”

“What if she dies because me and Catherine can’t stop the assassins alone?”

Jackson stepped forwards.

“I’ll protect her.”

“Are you willing to take the risk.”

“The risk is the same if we help you. No, more so. Seeking out a fight is never wise.”

“Really, you think battling people while you have the advantage is worse idea then fighting when they do? In the ballroom, the assassins will have all the cards. You will be defenseless. That is assuming they don’t spike the punch or enchant the room. This will be a slaughter if we let them reach the party.”

Charles seemed to think about Jackson’s words. He rubbed his chin then sighed.

“Fine. We’ll help defeat these assassins. But, if harm comes to her, I’ll take it out on you.”

“Fine with me.”

Annabelle cheered before grabbing Catherine into her arms again.

“So, do you have a plan? Sorry, I don’t know your name.”

“Jackson. I got a plan, but it will take time and a massive gamble.”

“Great.”