"Aren't you going to leave?" the Headmaster asked Princess Liora.
The Queen had been sending letter after letter, urging her to return to the kingdom.
"I'm sure they'll find a cure," Liora replied, nonchalant. "She's just using this as an excuse to drag me back to my duties and find me a spouse."
"I had expected you to be anointed before Malachai," the Headmaster said dryly. "But to think you've chosen to linger here, no wonder the Queen is growing desperate."
"If you had just agreed to take me in as your apprentice, none of this would've happened," Liora pouted.
"You are heir to the throne. I cannot take the heir as my apprentice," the Headmaster answered firmly. "Your mother would likely wage war on the dukedom for keeping you here."
"It may not be only knowledge she seeks..." the usher teased, casting a knowing look toward the princess.
Liora flushed crimson. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."
"Master, I'm back," Malachai's voice called from beyond the door.
"Enter," the Headmaster said.
Malachai stepped inside, carrying a small pouch.
"You're back faster this time," Liora said, her face lighting up as she hovered near him.
Malachai pushed her gently back to arm's length.
"Why are you still here?" he asked flatly, already used to her antics.
"Not you too," she huffed, pouting.
"Any problems along the way?" the Headmaster asked.
"Only that I found these lodged inside both human bodies and monsters," Malachai said, handing her the pouch.
"What's that?" Liora leaned closer, curiosity sparking. "What mission has Malachai been doing? I can feel strange mana from this pouch..."
But the Headmaster swiftly pulled the pouch away before she could open it.
"You must return now," she said firmly. "If you delay again, your mother may soon appear on my doorstep."
"Ugh... fine," Liora muttered before leaving.
"Wouldn't it be better if she knew?" Malachai asked once the princess was gone. "We could collect more if she helped."
"Not yet," the Headmaster replied as she drew out three purple shards from the pouch.
"Take a rest. It will be some time before your next task. You can use this chance to visit your hometown. I hear the plague has drawn near."
"I've already sent a letter and a protective crystal to the manor. They'll be safe," Malachai assured her. "I'll use this time to work at the border. The Duke pays well." He bowed.
"I shall take my leave now."
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Lady Ophelia stared at the bag of gold Malachai had sent, her thoughts heavy.
"This is only enough to maintain the manor and pay a few servants. He's well connected and yet he doesn't even know how to use his connections. What is he thinking?" Lady Ophelia sighed to herself.
She caught her reflection in the mirror. "When was the last time I bought a new dress? It's been so long."
"My lady, you have a letter," Ashen's voice called from beyond the door.
She opened the door and she was handed a black envelope.
"A request," she murmured.
Reading the letter, a smile tugged at her lips. She turned to Ashen and said, "Get dressed. It's time to work."
Draped in mourning clothes, their faces hidden by black veils, they made their way to a count's manor.
"Our client today holds far more power than the others we've encountered," Ophelia reminded Ashen, her tone firm. "Do only as you are told. I will handle the talking."
"Yes, my lady," Ashen answered with a small nod.
The manor was heavy with grief. Even the servants wore mourning garb, their faces pale and solemn.
"Welcome to House Halloway," the chamberlain greeted solemnly.
"I will lead you to the count and countess."
Inside the chamber, the couple wept over their lifeless son. At the sight of Lady Ophelia, the count hurried forward.
"Are you the rumored Awakener?" he asked.
"This child is," Lady Ophelia said, gesturing toward Ashen. "I am merely her guide."
"Can she truly bring back my son?" the count asked, voice trembling with doubt.
Ophelia's voice was calm, yet persuasive. "Yes. I heard he died from the plague," she replied smoothly.
"You are not the only one who has lost someone precious, but with the Awakener, your loved ones will live again, and no illness shall ever touch them."
She leaned closer. "Tell me, who knows of his death?"
"Only us and a few trusted servants," the count admitted. "I dismissed the others, so no suspicion would rise."
"How long has he been gone?" Lady Ophelia asked.
"Two days now," the countess whispered through her tears.
Lady Ophelia turned to Ashen. "Will that be possible?"
Ashen nodded.
She climbed onto the bed, laying her hands over the boy's head and chest. A faint glow spread across her palms, then faded.
Moments later, the boy's eyes fluttered open.
"Fa–Father? Mother?" His voice trembled, as though waking from a long sleep.
"My son!" The countess threw herself upon him, sobbing in joy.
"Thank you... thank you," the count said, his voice cracking with gratitude. He presented two ornate boxes filled with gold and jewels.
"I've added more as a sign of gratitude."
Beneath her veil, Lady Ophelia smiled. "Thank you, my lord. And remember the rule?"
"Of course. No one will ever know of this. How could we betray our saviors?"
As they ride back to their manor, Lady Ophelia looked at the box of jewels.
"Just as I thought, nobles of higher rank is better than some measly barons and merchants. They even added some extra," she happily thought.
"Uhm... my lady," Ashen fidgeted her fingers. "Will this be able to pay my brother's expenses at the Lyceum?"
Lady Ophelia paused for a moment and closed the box.
"Of course. But we'll still need more to sustain our household. You've done well today. Rest now, you must be tired."
"Thank you for caring for me and my brother, my lady. I'll work even harder to repay your kindness," Ashen said with a bright, hopeful smile before leaving the carriage.
"I thought she'd be nothing but dead weight yet she's proven useful. Keeping her was the right choice. And as long as the plague spreads, so will our fortune." Lady Ophelia thought as she follows Ashen from behind.
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When she finally reached the palace, she was greeted by a delighted voice.
"Sister!"
Young Princess Elery ran to embrace her.
"Oh my! You've grown so much. It feels like yesterday you were just learning to walk," Princess Liora said warmly.
"You should have visited more often!" Elery pouted.
"Welcome back, Your Highness," Lucian greeted, bowing with composure.
"I heard you were training to be a knight," Liora said, embracing him. "You're becoming a man now."
"He doesn't play with me anymore," Elery muttered, glancing at Lucian.
"That's enough," Liora laughed. "Let's go see Mother."
In the Queen's study, her mother's sharp gaze met hers.
"If I hadn't insisted to the Headmaster, would you still be away?" the Queen asked sternly.
Nervously, Liora softened her expression and slipped to her mother's side like a child seeking forgiveness.
"I was just caught up in my studies, but I planned to return."
The Queen sighed. She can't keep being mad at her daughter.
"How far did the plague reach?" Princess Liora asked.
"Luckily, we managed to contain it before it reached the major cities, but the towns and outskirts were greatly affected," the Queen said, showing the report to her daughter.
Liora scanned the parchment and quickly noticed something unusual.
"It says here that Count Halloway's son was infected, yet now he's well? Did they already find a cure?"
"No." The Queen's tone was grim. "The healers and alchemists are still struggling. The plague isn't ordinary. It keeps evolving, becoming deadlier. They can only slow it, not stop it."
"Then there's a chance he wasn't truly healed," Liora said carefully.
"The healers checked. His symptoms vanished. The Count tried to pass it off as a misdiagnosed flu, but they confirmed it was the plague. I might have dismissed it as one odd case, except there have been similar reports among certain nobles and merchant families. Wealthy families."
Liora's brow creased. "So someone is healing these people in exchange of wealth. It isn't that bad."
"If only it were that simple." The Queen's voice sharpened. "Once infected, victims rarely last more than a few hours. The Count's son should have perished before the day was done, yet he lives as though nothing happened."
Liora's hands tightened around the parchment. "Are you saying... he died and returned?" Her voice trembled, betraying the unease curling in her chest.
The Queen's eyes, steady and cold, met hers. "Yes. There is a necromancer out there."
"But you said they were exterminated!" Liora's voice cracked, the memory of burned homes and slaughtered families flashing before her.
"I believed so too," the Queen admitted. "But it seems some survived."
"Can't we just let them go? It's not like they're causing any trouble," Princess Liora pleaded.
She remembered the executions of families burned and beheaded, children dragged screaming from their homes.
"I would allow them to live, if they lived without using their ability. But to resurrect the dead is to defy the natural balance. It distorts the boundary between life and death. This plague itself may be a consequence of their meddling," the Queen said, her tone firm, yet not without sorrow.
"What would you have me do?" Liora asked, her voice heavy with dread.
"Track them and kill them. You're the only one that can find them."
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"You've done well again today. Here is your payment," Duke Kouzlo leaned back with a smile as a servant set a box of gold before Malachai.
"Have you reconsidered my offer? If you work for me, you'll earn far more than this little reward."
"My answer remains the same, my lord," Malachai replied with a bow before departing.
The Duke scowled after him. "What is it about that Headmaster that makes mages refuse power and fortune?"
Outside, Malachai weighed the pouch of gold. "I earned more this time," he thought smiling as he looks at his payment.
His mind wandered. "I've been exterminating monsters nonstop, yet their numbers seem only to grow. Well, it's better for me, I can earn more and send it home. I hope Ashen and Lady Ophelia can use this to ease their burdens."
As he walked through town, he noticed clusters of townsfolk engrossed in the newspapers.
"Is something important happening?" he muttered. Curiosity stirred, and he purchased a copy.
The headline struck him like a blade to the chest.
Speculation arises that a necromancer may have caused the plague in Dostani... The First Princess has been tasked with uncovering the truth.
Malachai's heartbeat quickened, his breath growing shallow.
"No... this must be coincidence. There could be other necromancers besides Ashen. I told her countless times never to use her powers. And with her ladyship by her side, surely she would have noticed something."
Despite trying to convince himself, he cannot shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen.
"I must return to Dostani."
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In a quiet chamber, Lady Ophelia's hands shook as she read the same article.
"The princess is coming here..." Fear carved its way into her chest.
"No. She won't discover us. We were always careful. We wore masks. No one knows." Her mind raced through every memory, searching for cracks in their secrecy.
"But this is the princess... What if she learns the truth? What if they find out I've been protecting Ashen? What then becomes of me?"
Her thoughts spiraled, panic seizing her throat.
Her trembling ceased as a cold decision took hold.
"I have to get rid of her. This was always the plan. She will only drag Malachai down if they learn of their blood ties. I cannot let my years of sacrifice be undone."
Steeling herself, she went to Ashen's chamber.
"Yes, my lady? How may I serve you?" Ashen asked as she opened the door, her face lit with innocence.
"Get dressed. We have work to do," Ophelia ordered firmly.
Ashen obeyed quickly, slipping into her clothes before following Ophelia to the waiting carriage.
"Will you not be joining me, my lady?"
"This will be your last job, and the client asked for you alone."
"Is my brother coming home now?" Ashen asked eagerly, her eyes bright. She hadn't seen her brother since he entered the Lyceum.
Lady Ophelia gave a faint smile. "Yes. But remember what I told you..."
"No one must know about this," Ashen finished for her.
"You understand what will happen to us and to your brother if they find out, don't you?" Lady Ophelia said firmly.
Ashen nodded. "Don't worry, my lady. I won't speak a word."
"Good. Go now." Lady Ophelia closed the door and watched the carriage disappear down the road.
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"Speak, my lord. Or do you wish to see your son die a second time?" Princess Liora demanded, a spear of fire poised inches from Count Halloway's son.
"W-we truly don't know who they are!" the Count stammered, trembling on his knees. "Only that they call themselves the Awakener."
"Then I'll make certain your son does not rise again," Liora raised her arm, the burning spear aimed for the boy's heart-
"W-wait!" the Countess cried out. "I heard... I heard the rumors began with a servant!"
"Continue," Liora said, the flame spear dissolving in her hand.
"They said the servant's child died yet later, they saw the child alive and well."
"When did this happen?"
"Years ago."
"Where is this servant now?"
"We don't know. But she was last seen in a town near Greyfen. That is all I know. Please, spare us, Your Highness!" the Countess begged, clutching her son.
Liora's gaze lingered on the boy. "When the necromancer dies, so will he. As will all the others who have been dragged back from the grave."
"You may leave."
"Th-thank you, Your Highness!" The Count and Countess bowed deeply before fleeing with their son.
Sir Darian approached and bowed. "Your Highness, I bring my report."
"How is it on your end?" Liora asked.
"There were six recorded cases of the dead being revived before the plague, though none were included in the official reports. All were common folks. Four in Greyfen and two in the nearby towns."
"The necromancer is most likely in one of those areas. We'll split up to cover more ground," Liora ordered.
"Understood."
"Greyfen... wasn't that where House Ambrose resided?" Liora's lips curved faintly. "An excellent chance to meet Malachai's little sister. She might help me in gaining her brother's favor later."
"I'll take Greyfen. You handle the nearby towns," she ordered.
"Yes, Your Highness." Darian bowed again and departed.
Liora turned her eyes toward the horizon. "I should finish this quickly, then pay House Ambrose a visit."