-HER-

In the early mornings, before sunrise, the four of us left the shrine in the manner robbers would leave after a grand robbery. I could feel their anxiousness. It was after a long time they left the shrine.

We went to the abandoned harbour where a familiar ship was awaiting us. The three looked unsure of the ship, but I knew who it was. I led them through the abandoned harbour towards the boat. I was surprised to find Viscount, but I didn't show it. The ship turned towards the mainland after we boarded it.

On the journey, Nuncia fell asleep while Arke fell seasick midway, and Doria got busy looking after her. Meanwhile, I stayed awake, thinking...

Should I talk to Viscount? I couldn't stop thinking about it. But what would I speak to him? I didn't know. I just wanted to talk to him because he was the only part of my past that seemed somewhat intact. The only difference remained— he wouldn't recognise me.

Gently, I removed Nuncia's head from my shoulder and laid her down. After making sure that she was fast asleep, I left the cabin. The sea wind slapped me on the face, making me taste salt.

My eyes fell on Arke bending down the railing and puking her guts out while Doria supported her. Either way, none of them were paying any attention to me.

I rounded the cabins and went to the back of the ship. Although I wasn't sure if Viscount would be there, it felt most likely. I knew this ship belonged to him because the ship bore his family's crest. He must have a private cabin at the back.

Anxiously, I went to the back of the ship with my fingers crossed. I was relieved when I spotted him standing by the stern with his back to me. I contemplated what I was going to do next. Though the rational part of my brain told me not to get involved, I couldn't help myself.

I walked up to him quietly. He didn't notice me until I was almost beside him, startling him a bit.

"Can I help you?" He asked, stepping away slightly to look at me.

"I was wondering how far the journey extends when we reach the mainland,"

"It's quite far from there," He answered, turning back to the sea, "It'd be sunset when we reach there. You don't have to worry about it. I've everything arranged," He assured.

"Thank you," I smiled, "Vittoria told me they're an old Nobel family. I was wondering which one,"

"I'm not sure you'd recognise them," He smiled at me politely, "The commoners have mostly forgotten them since they aren't active in the court,"

"Hmmm... is it the Nelbrooks?" I guessed. His head snapped at me in surprise, "Or the Northmakers. Or the Larmalets. I've heard they have a lot of daughters. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them has been chosen,"

"I'm sorry, how do you know their names? We haven't been formally introduced even though I met you before," He said, visibly amazed.

"I'm sorry, I should have—" I smiled apologetically, about to burst into tears, "My name is Theora. I recently graduated as a priestess,"

"I'm Viscount Godfree, the first in the line of the Godfree house and an active member of the Guild," He spoke, extending his hand but stopped suddenly. I could see a bit of hesitation on his face.

"I do know about your family," I smiled widely at him as I shook his hand freely. Meanwhile, he watched me with puzzlement and shock.

"You seem to know an awful lot of Nobels," He noted.

"You can say I grew up at the court," I told him, and it wasn't a complete lie. I did grow up at the court...with him. He raised his eyebrow and stared at me for a moment.

"I'm sorry... I don't recognise you then. I grew up there as well," He told me, tilting his head to a side and studying me intently.

"My mother was a Royal Culinarian," I explained. His eyebrows shot to his hairline, and he nodded, burying into my lie.

"Her greatness did tell me that one of you had good knowledge of the court and its working," He stated.

"She must have been hinting at me," I told him, staring at the empty sea.

"Given the kind of work you'd be required to do, you should know about the court," He told me.

"I understand that," I nodded.

"I don't like what that puppet is doing," His tone changed suddenly. I could see hints of rage in his eyes as he talked about my brother. He wasn't fond of Theoron from the beginning. He must have his blood boiling to see my brother sit on the throne.

No wonder why he refused to work for the court.

"I mean, how could he make another girl play the princess? No one could ever be her," He spoke darkly, glaring at the sea as if it was my brother.

"You sound unhappy," I noted.

"I am not merely unhappy. I feel rage at the state of matters. What have things come to these days? What that puppet is doing is completely unacceptable," He gritted, not trying to hide the anger in his voice anymore. I stared at the side of his face in wonder. His eyes were focused in the distance, and his jaw was set.

Out of habit, I almost reached out and touched his arm to calm him down. I snapped out of my daze and schooled my features again. I was lucky to have no one around us.

"You seem to feel strongly about this. Is it something personal?" I asked him cautiously. My question took him off guard for a second. He glanced at me and looked away, sighing deeply.

"I was a close friend of the dead princess," His whisper almost got lost among the sound of the waves. "I feel insulted by the things they're doing in her name because I know they couldn't care less. It's all a facade. They never really cared about her; otherwise, she'd have been alive and—" He stopped abruptly. His voice broke slightly, unable to withstand the weight of all his emotions.

I looked away, overwhelmed with my feelings, blinking tears. I wasn't expecting him to hold onto this. I thought he must have forgotten everything and moved on... just like I've accepted that I would never be alive to the world again.

"So, which house is it?" I cleaned my throat, pushing down my emotions. I tried to sound normal even though a lump was forming in my throat.

"The Northmakers," He answered quietly.

"Bless us," I remarked, making him chuckle.

~

It was just before the sunset when we entered the Northmakers' estate. It wasn't as grand as it used to be in the older days, but still, it was enough to be called an estate. As we entered their property, we were first met with a few furious women walking away with scorns on their faces.

As they passed me, I heard them cursing the Northmakers. Nuncia, Arke and Doria looked surprised, but I wasn't. I knew the Northmakers and their daughters growing up. They weren't popular among the commoners. Judging by the reaction of the leaving women, it seemed like nothing had changed in all these years.

The servant seeing the last few women off, scorned us when she saw us arriving.

"We're done for today," she told us, about to shut the door on our faces until Viscount stepped in front of me and held the door open.

"They've come with me," He stated. The servant hesitantly opened the door. Viscount strolled in as if he owned the place while the four of us followed him, unsure and anxious.

"Have they found someone?" He asked the servant.

"Not yet, sir, but they will continue tomorrow. Miss Northmaker is tired for today," The servant informed us.

"If she sees them, then she wouldn't need to continue tomorrow," Viscount informed the servant, nodding at me. "Tell her I'm here," Viscount ordered, and the servant hurried away.

"Which one of their daughters is it?" I asked him.

"Fiona," He answered.

Instantly, I wanted to burst out laughing. I knew Fiona while growing up. Both of us were taught by the same governess. I was surprised that she'd want to be me, given that she used to loathe me the most. It further proved my brother's stupidity.

"Do you know her?" He asked me, studying me pensively.

"I've heard quite a lot about her," I giggled, unable to control myself. He was about to ask me something when the servant arrived.

"Please, come this way," she said and led the way. Viscount followed her immediately while I glanced back at the three of them to find them pensively debating something.

"We're going to see her," I announced, interrupting them. We followed the servant to their living room. Viscount walked in first when the servant opened the door.

"Viscount!" A familiar voice chirped. "What are you doing here?" That voice asked until I walked in, and her eyes fell on me. Instantly, I was transported back to my childhood days when Fiona and I made each other's lives harder.

"Fiona, I've brought some girls you'll fancy as your ladies in waiting," Viscount told her, strolling in while I stood at the door with others. Fiona gave me a sharp look before snapping at Viscount, "Call me Theresa from now on,"

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