Solved stepped into the corridor, the echoes of the council chamber still ringing in his head. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, grumbling under his breath. "Should've smacked that lady in the face."
The frustration simmered, twisting his gut. He tilted his head back, staring at the gilded ceiling. "At least I tried," he muttered, trying—and failing—to convince himself.
"Seems you've met Lady Sera," Roderick's voice came from behind, calm as ever.
"Yeah." Solved didn't bother looking at him.
"You both have something in common," Roderick said, stepping closer.
Solved didn't ask what. His gaze stayed fixed upward, hollow and tired.
"I know you're worried about Elera," Roderick continued, "but don't be. She'll be fine."
"Yeah," Solved scoffed, "she'll be thrilled—being a caged bird and all."
Roderick's hand drifted to his pocket, fingers brushing something small. "Better caged than dead."
The words hung heavy between them.
Solved finally looked at him. "You sound like you're speaking from experience."
Roderick pulled out a hairpin—delicate, silver, worn at the edges. He traced it with his thumb, his expression distant.
[Truth Sight: Emotion Scan]
[Target: Roderick]
[Emotion: Grief]
The air suddenly felt heavier.
"Pretty hairpin for a soldier," Solved said quietly.
Roderick smiled faintly. "Always with the observations." He tucked it back into his pocket. "I've been in your shoes before, Solved. Tried to protect someone from becoming a prisoner." His jaw tightened. "I succeeded. Kept her free."
He paused, eyes distant. "And she died because of it."
Solved said nothing. There was nothing to say.
"That's a story for another day," Roderick added, his voice returning to its usual steadiness. "But understand this—sometimes the cage is what keeps them alive."
Before Solved could respond, a maid hurried out from Lady Sera's chamber, her face pale with concern.
"P-please, sir," she stammered, eyes darting nervously. "Lady Sera requests that you leave her door. I'm just... following orders."
Solved sighed through his nose. "Yeah, figures." He pushed off the wall.
"Come," Roderick said, turning down the corridor. "Elera's father will be arriving soon. You should see her first—you haven't since you collapsed."
"Good. Let's go."
As they moved through the grand halls, Solved let his eyes wander. Massive pillars stretched toward vaulted ceilings, hanging banners bearing noble crests, walls inlaid with veins of gold. The palace radiated excess.
When they finally reached a waiting cart drawn by white horses draped in jeweled harnesses, Solved frowned.
"How far is her chamber?"
"Not too far," Roderick replied. "Still within the palace grounds."
Solved raised an eyebrow as he climbed aboard. *We've been walking this long and still need a cart? How big is this damn palace?*
The ride was slow, hooves echoing softly against marble paths. Solved tried to enjoy the scenery, to quiet his thoughts—until the system chimed.
[5 NEW CASES AVAILABLE]
[+2 MORE CASES AVAILABLE]
"What the..." he muttered. "You don't even pay me well."
He exhaled, rubbing his temples.
I didn't know what I was getting into.
The cases burned at the back of his mind, tempting him to dive in—but for now, he forced restraint. He needed to stay focused.
When they arrived, Solved stepped down and froze.
Another mansion. Fifty—maybe more—royal guards stationed across the grounds, the roofs, even the balconies. They moved in coordinated patterns, watchful and tense.
He shook his head, exasperated. "If she's this heavily guarded inside the royal palace, how the hell do you plan to protect her outside it?"
Roderick's jaw tightened. "Council orders."
That word again—Council. The same nobles he'd just negotiated with. He'd expected to meet a King or Queen by now, but he hadn't seen a crown—only nobles whispering behind their rings and robes.
If the Plasma Vessel is this important, Solved thought, then the Crown has to be involved... somewhere in the shadows.
But he was here for Elera. His obsession could wait.
They moved up the marble stairs toward her quarters.
As they approached, the guards tensed—spears shifted, eyes flicked toward Solved. Out of habit, he activated Truth Sight.
[Truth Sight: Fear—of Failure]
He frowned. Not fear of me. Fear of whoever's inside.
A small smirk tugged at his lips. Even the royal guards are walking on eggshells.
They reached Elera's door. Roderick knocked once before letting them in.
The room was enormous—easily ten times the size of any normal chamber. Gold drapes framed tall windows, the air humming faintly with restrained magic.
And there she was.
Elera sat by the window, sunlight brushing her auburn hair. Still. Silent. As if the world outside no longer existed.
She turned slowly, her eyes widening as if she'd just seen a ghost.
"You... you're alive."
"Yeah." Solved gave a half-smile. "Honestly, I'm surprised myself."
Her lips trembled—then she ran to him, tears glistening. She threw her arms around him.
Solved froze for a moment, caught off guard. *For the first time in a long while, I feel like a hero again.*
But the thought shattered almost as soon as it came. *A hero wouldn't have brought her here like this.*
Elera pulled back, wiping her tears quickly. "Thank you. I—I thought I'd never get to say that."
"I'm just glad I didn't disappoint," Solved said softly, crouching to meet her eyes. "How are you holding up?"
"It's... great." Her voice cracked. "I always wanted to be a princess."
She tried to smile, but tears still clung to her lashes.
Solved's heart ached. She was trying so hard to hide her fear.
"But..." she whispered, her voice breaking, "I want to go home. I want to see my dad."
His head dropped. He glanced at Roderick, then back to her. "You'll see him today," he said quietly.
She shook her head. "Not alone. This place... it's just like that cave. Just fancier."
Solved reached out, wiping her tears with his thumb. He pulled her gently into another hug.
"It's going to be okay," he whispered—though even he didn't believe his own words.
"Your father will arrive soon, okay?" Solved gave her a warm smile, trying to offer comfort he wasn't sure he could deliver.
She wiped her eyes, managing a small nod. "Thank you." Her voice was soft, hesitant. "I... I haven't even asked your name."
"Solved."
This time, the name didn't come out with pride. No smirk, no swagger—just a hollow syllable that felt heavier than it should.
Elera tilted her head slightly, studying him. "That's an unusual name."
"Yeah," he said quietly. "It is."
She didn't press further, sensing the weight behind it. Instead, she smiled—small, fragile, but genuine.
"Thank you, Solved. For everything."
He wanted to tell her she shouldn't thank him. That a real detective would have negotiated better terms, would have kept her free instead of locking her in a gilded prison. That heroes didn't compromise the people they saved.
But the words caught in his throat.
"Just... hang in there," he managed. "Your father's going to be so relieved to see you."
Elera nodded, clutching the fabric of her dress. "I hope he's not too worried."
He's terrified, Solved thought. But at least he'll get to see you're alive.
Roderick cleared his throat softly from the doorway, a gentle reminder that time was limited.
Solved stood, giving Elera's shoulder one last reassuring squeeze before stepping back.
As he moved toward the door, she called out softly.
"Solved?"
He turned.
"You didn't fail me," she said, eyes steady despite the tears. "You saved me. Whatever happens now... that's not on you."
His chest tightened. He wanted to believe her.
Instead, he just nodded and walked out, leaving her in the sunlit cage he'd helped build.