Solved's hand snapped away from the talisman. His vision flickered—white threads fading, reality bleeding back in. He staggered a step, breath uneven.
What was that…?
"Um… excuse me—"
He turned sharply. The same maid from before stood there, hands clasped, eyes full of concern.
"You froze there for a moment," she said softly. "Are you alright?"
Solved exhaled, forcing a half-smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just admiring the décor. Didn't know the palace walls came with jump scares."
She tilted her head, confused but amused.
His eyes narrowed slightly, tone turning playful.
"Tell me something—why do I keep running into you? You following me, or is this just fate trying to be cute?"
She gave a polite smile. "My apologies if I startled you. I was only following my assignment."
"Assignment?" Solved raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," she said, bowing slightly. "I was appointed as your personal attendant. To ensure you're... comfortable."
He smirked. "Comfortable? That what they're calling surveillance these days?"
Her lips parted, caught between protest and laughter. "I—I only follow orders, my lord."
"Sure," Solved said, stepping past her, tone dropping to something teasing. "Just make sure you don't start following me into the bath. That's where I draw the line."
Her ears turned pink as he walked off, smirking faintly to himself.
"What should I call you?" he asked, stopping halfway down the hall. He turned, hands slipping into his robe pockets, his tone light. "Or should I call you mine?" he said with practiced ease.
Fake it till you make it, he thought. Better than brooding.
Solved smirked. She probably hasn't heard that one before.
Man, I'm crazy. He exhaled quietly, trying to keep his composure.
Her cheeks deepened to a shade of red. She avoided his gaze. "M–Maid Ariel…"
"Lady Ariel," Solved corrected smoothly, before walking off in his usual lazy, confident stride. "Oh, and one last thing—get me real clothes. I've been wearing a bathrobe for far too long. No wonder Henrik looked at me like that." He grumbled under his breath.
"Yes… as you wish, my lord," she said softly, bowing, still flustered.
Then she led Solved back to his quarters. He barely made it to the bed before sleep claimed him—it had been a long, strange day.
---
Sunrise painted the hall in gold. Through the arched windows, a cool breeze drifted in as Solved arrived with Ariel.
The training hall was vast and echoing—floors of dark stone glowing faintly with silver runes.
Weapon racks lined the walls, the air thick with the sharp tang of steel—and something else. A faint hum, almost electric, like the descriptions of mana he'd once read about.
Royal guards stood in neat formations along the hall's edges, their presence multiplying like swarms, every eye sharp and trained.
Thanks to Ariel, he'd finally ditched the robe. Now in a fitted black tunic and a long navy coat trimmed with silver cuffs, he looked less like a noble, more like someone who belonged in chaos. Solved liked the fit—but the guilt of yesterday still lingered. He needed to apologize to Elera.
He spotted her across the hall. Elera wore a white training outfit reinforced with light armor, a slim belt with pouches, and a short blue cape over one shoulder. Her braid swung as she turned—focused, sharp—but her eyes widened when she saw him.
The training can't be that serious, he thought. It's just day one, and she's dressed like she's off to war.
He walked up to her. No instructor yet.
They stood face to face. Solved frowned first—silent, unreadable. Elera froze, then stepped back slightly, unsure.
And then Solved smiled.
"About yesterday," Solved started, voice calm but quieter than usual.
"I said things I shouldn't have. To your father… and to you. I don't take them back because they weren't lies, but—" he paused, looking away, "—the way I said them was wrong. I was angry. Not at you."
Elera blinked, a little surprised by the honesty.
"I know," she said softly.
"Good," Solved muttered, scratching his neck. "Because I'm bad at apologies. This one's costing me brain cells."
She smiled a little. "Then I'll take it before you change your mind."
"Smart girl," Solved said with a faint smirk, eyes scanning the hall.
"Where's your trainer?"
"I don't know," Elera replied. "He should be here soon."
"Ariel."
"My lord?"
"Find whoever's supposed to train her. They can't keep—"
"No need," a voice cut through the hall — smooth, teasing.
She stepped through the golden light spilling from the sunset, her boots echoing against the rune-lit floor. Solved's expression fell the instant he saw her.
"Oh, for the love of—" he muttered.
Lady Sera — this time dressed for battle — wore tight, layered leather armor threaded with gold veins. Her coat split at the sides for movement, two focus daggers glinting at her hips.
"Your assigned instructor had a terrible headache," she said, feigning concern. "Don't know why. But not to worry — I'll be your humble teacher today."
Solved folded his arms. "When you say headache, you mean you enchanted him with one."
Sera gasped dramatically, a hand to her chest.
"You still accuse me, Mr. Solved? I'm hurt."
Sera smiled, that knowing calm never leaving her face.
"Let's just say we share a common friend."
Solved's brows drew together. A flicker of memory—Roderick mentioning something strange weeks ago. Tokyo.
A word that didn't belong in this world.
His pulse hitched. That can't be coincidence.
He studied her face again, the faint Asian features, the way she said baka back then—
No.
Too many dots connecting themselves.
"Roderick," he said finally, his tone flat but edged like glass.
Sera's smile didn't falter. If anything, it deepened.
"You really do notice everything, Detective."
Their eyes locked — sparks between two people barely holding back chaos.
"Ahem… what am I learning today?" Elera broke in, her voice small but firm.
Sera turned to her with a dazzling smile.
"Swordsmanship, darling. You'll learn how to handle a blade."
"You're supposed to start her with basic like mana control," Solved said, jaw tightening.
"I know, grumpy," Sera said lightly, flashing him a sly grin.
"Who are you call—"
"We need her to defend herself," Sera interrupted, stepping closer, her eyes narrowing just slightly. "So when danger comes, she won't need a nanny."
She held his gaze, challenge glittering in her tone.
Solved exhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm.
This woman was going to kill him—if he didn't kill her first.