Scarlett reclined against the cabin wall behind her, eyes half-shut as the carriage swayed gently. She tried to ignore the persistent headache that had plagued her since morning. The day had presented her with a whirlwind of thoughts, far more than she cared to entertain.

From the opposite end of the cabin, Allyssa’s voice broke the silence that hung over them. “Is it really alright that we’re coming along?”

Scarlett cracked her eyes open, studying the girl. “You need not worry. This is merely another facet of your duties while under my employ.”

“I get that,” Allyssa said. The young Shielder leaned forward in her seat, peering out one of the windows. “It just feels strange, being granted entry to a place like this so casually. Don’t they have to vet us or something? And it all happened so suddenly. I didn’t even have time to mentally prepare myself.”

Scarlett couldn’t blame her for her concerns. She hadn’t anticipated this course of events either. Her attention shifted from Allyssa to the world outside, where their carriage approached a set of steep stone walls rising from the cobbled streets. Tall, crenelated towers rose beyond the walls, crowned with fluttering banners bearing the crest of a black and gold lion fluttering in the breeze.

Passing through the gatehouse, they entered a sprawling courtyard alive with a medley of activities.

Lordsfort Keep, in many respects, served as the heart of Bridgespell, and despite also being the personal residence of a duke, it embodied many of the values present in the city. Though it lacked the grandeur of the Tyndalls’ Castle in Windgrove, and wasn’t even close to being as large, it buzzed with people bustling from left to right, ranging from servants to traders and guardsmen. The keep was a melting pot of diverse backgrounds and wasn’t restricted only to the duke’s men.

To the side, smaller structures likely housed armories, servants’ quarters, work offices, and more, while the main stronghold stood as the centerpiece overlooking it all. Its imposing facade featured stained glass windows of vivid hues, filtering daylight into a tapestry of colors. It alone was easily double the size of the Hartford mansion in Freybrook, with guards standing before its entrances.

“We’ve still got our job to do, so try to keep those nerves at bay,” Shin said, placing a hand on Allyssa’s shoulder and pulling her back into her seat to stop her from staring too much. “Maybe you should take a page out of Fynn’s book.”

He gestured towards the white-haired youth seated to Scarlett’s left. Fynn wore a stoic expression as he gazed outside.

Allyssa shot Shin a small glare. “I’m sorry that I’m still not used to visiting castles regularly. I’m sure you have lots of experience visiting the home of literally one of the most powerful people in the empire.” She crossed her arms as she leaned back in her seat with a huff. “And don’t compare me to Fynn. That’s hardly fair. I doubt he even knows what anxious means.”

Fynn turned to her. “Actually, I do.”

“Yeah? And when was the last time you felt anxious?”

He fell silent, tilting his head as if considering it. “I don’t think I’m allowed to say.”

Allyssa blinked, and both she and Shin glanced at Scarlett.

Scarlett suppressed a small sigh. She’d thought Fynn had made significant progress in terms of keeping secrets lately, but there were still areas he needed to improve on.

“When was the last time that you can speak about?” Allyssa asked, returning her attention to Fynn.

Now it was Fynn’s turn to look at Scarlett, motioning with his head. “When I first met her.”

Allyssa nodded, her blonde locks swaying as she did. “Okay, yeah. I get that.”

Scarlett frowned slightly. Interacting with her wasn’t that stressful, was it? She thought she had grown pretty relaxed overall, honestly. Relatively speaking.

A lot of that was probably because of Rosa, though. That woman’s presence brooked no solemnity.

Tapping a finger against the windowsill beside her, Scarlett’s thoughts inevitably circled back to the bard and her current situation, frown deepening.

This was exactly what she had been trying not to dwell on.

It irked her that Rosa had chosen to leave by herself. When they met again, Scarlett had some choice words to share with her. Until then, however, she couldn’t do anything other than hope for the best.

That, too, irked her.

She had tried reaching out to The Gentleman through Empress to get his help. He was about the only individual she could trust to aid with the matter without her actually having to say anything revealing. He had also admitted to not having much stake in the situation, so she’d hoped he could perform some minor action in exchange for another favor or something of the sort. But since she had asked the cat to relay the message the day before, there had been nothing but radio silence on that end. That could mean anything, which was the annoying part.

Her primary concern centered on what could happen to Rosa in Crowcairn. It wasn’t the safest of places, for a multitude of reasons. Malachi was also a dangerous individual in more ways than one, and cooperation wasn’t her strong suit, but considering what Rosa was, it was unlikely that Malachi would hurt her. The village and its inhabitants, however, were another matter. They could pose a threat to Rosa, depending on how things went.

If Scarlett could intervene in any of it, she would. But she had already explored what options were available to her while constrained by her pact with Anguish. The most efficient avenues came with a host of conditions and complications, and she suspected that Rosa would never accept them if she ever got word of it.

Yet, even setting aside the whole Rosa situation, Scarlett had her own affairs to deal with today. If she had time to worry about these things, then she also had time to consider her present course of action.

The carriage came to a halt at the end of the courtyard. Scarlett exited alongside her entourage, where a well-dressed male servant awaited, bowing as they approached.

“Welcome, Baroness Hartford. The Duke is expecting you in the parlour.”

Scarlett acknowledged the man with a quick nod as they followed him into the manor.

Initially, she had different plans for the day than visiting the Duke of Bridgespell. However, this morning brought a sudden invitation from Duke Valentino to their inn, requesting an urgent meeting. She didn’t have any pressing business with him, and she would have preferred to continue with her affairs for the day, but a duke’s summons wasn’t something you disregarded if you could afford not to.

That said, it was unusual for a duke to bother summoning a mere baroness to his residence, especially one without any holdings near his lands. It did leave her curious about the purpose of the meeting, as the invitation had been vague on the details.

She did find it slightly surprising that he was even aware of her presence in the city. The Kilnstone network was under the crown’s jurisdiction, and information about individuals’ use of it shouldn’t be readily available, even to a duke. She supposed establishments like the Golden Griffin Inn or the Golden Gavel might provide some information to a man of his standing, but it didn’t explain why he was interested in her specifically.

Sure, there were plenty of things that stood out about her, but which of those were relevant to him? She’d never spoken with the man, and she doubted the original Scarlett had much of a relationship with him, either.

Presumably, she would soon have the answer.

As they navigated the manor’s corridors under the servant’s guidance, Scarlett noted that there were an unusually high number of guards around, stationed at the doors and in the corridors they passed. Most bore Duke Valentino’s colors, but some donned more neutral attire that didn't hint at their allegiance.

Had there been some sort of attack, or were they expecting one? Perhaps there was some distinguished guest warranting the heightened security, though the candidates of people fitting that criteria at a duke’s residence were limited.

Eventually, they reached a single ornate door, where the male servant stopped and faced Scarlett’s party. “The Duke is awaiting you inside, Baroness. I will have to ask the remainder of your party to accompany me for the time being.”

Fynn and the others exchanged brief looks with Scarlett. Fynn, in particular, appeared to sense something behind the door, judging by his expression, but Scarlett signaled that it was fine. She doubted she would face any danger in this setting.

As her companions were led away, Scarlett entered the room.

The duke’s parlour was very much a sanctuary of comfort and elegance, with exquisite tapestries depicting pastoral scenes and intricate patterns woven in threads of gold and black adorning the walls. Sunlight streamed in through sizable glass windows, illuminating the room and drawing her attention to its center.

Seated in plush velvet armchairs were two individuals.

The first person was someone Scarlett had only seen a couple of times before, but whose presence she expected. Duke Ingomar Valentino was a somewhat portly but robustly built man in his late fifties, dressed in black attire trimmed with golden embellishments. His neck-length hair, streaked with white on the sides, framed his rumpled face that boasted a thin mustache, and his hand rested on the head of a cane leaning against his chair.

The other seated figure was the one who caused Scarlett’s eyes to widen. Almost instinctively, she lowered herself into a small curtsy. “May the brilliance of dawn greet the empire’s burgeoning sun. Baroness Scarlett Hartford extends her greetings to the crown prince.”

Occupying the chair opposite the Duke of Bridgespell was a young man with short, vibrant blond hair cascading to one side, dressed in a red-and-blue uniform accentuated by golden pauldrons and bracers. His gaze shifted to Scarlett as she spoke, regarding her with a casual look.

Behind the crown prince stood two familiar figures, donned in resplendent gold-white armor, helmets held under their arms. Dame Iyana Webb and Dame Leandra Alston stood guard, Second Sword and Third Sword of the Empire. Dame Iyana maintained an impassive mask, briefly assessing Scarlett, while Dame Leandra considered her with an odd expression.

Scarlett suppressed some of the reverence and pride that surged within her upon encountering a member of the imperial family. While the intensity was milder than the first few times she’d experienced this same feeling, she still found it slightly annoying that it happened in the first place. This annoyance, in turn, irritated the Scarlett part of her, which was even more vexing, creating a loop of frustration.

This damn system really made her emotional state thoroughly more complicated than it had to be.

However, this wasn’t the time to think about things like that. Her most immediate concern was understanding why she had been summoned to Duke Valentino’s residence with the crown prince in attendance.

“Baroness Hartford.” Duke Valentino’s tone held a note of authority as he gestured towards a third armchair positioned before the low mahogany table between him and the prince. “Take a seat.”

Scarlett’s gaze lingered briefly on the prince before she offered a slight nod to the Duke, moving over to the armchair and settling in. “This is a…surprise, Your Grace, Your Highness. When I received the invitation this morning, I had not anticipated to be in such illustrious company.”

“The circumstances called for discretion,” the Duke explained. “Although I had intended to meet with you myself after learning of your presence in my city, if I found the time, today was not originally the day for that. Prince Garden and I, however, have been deliberating over some pressing matters, and we concluded that your expertise might be pertinent to our discussions. That is why I had you sent for.”

“I see,” Scarlett replied, her gaze shifting between the duke, the crown prince, and the Royal Guards standing behind the prince. It seemed they weren’t wasting any time getting to the point. “In what capacity do you require my expertise? If it serves the empire and the Imperial Family, I am, of course, committed to providing my assistance to the best of my abilities.”

Leaning back in his seat, arms crossed, the prince scrutinized her closely. Scarlett wasn’t sure what was going through his mind. Despite the prominent role he held within the empire, he appeared so little in the game that she barely knew anything about his character.

“You’ve had the opportunity to meet with my sister before, haven’t you, Baroness?” he asked.

“I assume you are referring to Princess Regina, Your Highness?” Scarlett cast a brief glance in the direction of Dame Leandra. Most of the woman’s pale blonde hair was tied up in a bun, and her sharp eyes met Scarlett’s for a moment. Typically, Leandra would be escorting the first princess, so seeing her with the crown prince like this was strange when he already had Dame Iyana with him.

“Hilde seldom leaves Elystead, so yes, Regina. I have heard that you’re experienced in matters related to Zuverian history and artifacts, and she has been obsessed with that stuff since she was young,” the prince said.

“I do recall the First Princess once inquiring with me about my knowledge on the subject, so that does not surprise me,” Scarlett remarked, her attention returning to the duke and prince. She wasn’t sure she liked where this was heading. “Could this matter, by any chance, be related to that?”

The duke fixed her with a long, serious look. “Whatever is discussed within these walls must remain within them, understood? If this confidentiality is breached, do not assume you and your barony will escape unscathed, Baroness.”

A subtle frown formed on Scarlett’s brow. That boded even worse. “Rest assured, you have my word that I will not divulge the contents of this meeting to anyone outside this room.”

The man thoughtfully moved a thumb over the crown of his cane, his eyes locked on her. After a moment, he nodded. “Very well,” he said, shifting his attention to the crown prince. “Your Highness, if you will.”

The prince began to speak in a measured voice. “My sister has gone missing.”

Scarlett stared at him.

She had been thinking that this all sounded far too familiar to certain events she recognized.

“…If I may ask, what precisely do you mean by that?” she asked. “Has something happened to Her Highness?”

The prince shook his head. “No, not as far as I’m aware. Rather, she was the one who did something. She has run away.”

Scarlett’s lips formed a thin line. It was exactly like she thought.

Did this line up with when the princess disappeared in the game? The timeline was a bit messed up because of her and the Cabal’s actions, leaving her uncertain if events were unfolding according to what she knew. While she remembered that the princess could join the player’s party roughly around level 10-30, she wasn’t sure how long that time frame was in this world. It felt as though it should have passed by now.

“What compelled Her Highness to do so?” she asked seriously. “Did she do so on her lonesome?”

Scarlett had previously held some slight concerns that the princess might decide to run away and join her party, given the game’s narrative. Obviously, that hadn’t happened. Nevertheless, the fact remained that the princess had vanished. The question now was whether this meant the princess was always destined to run away, regardless if she had someone to join in her travels, or if there was someone she had run away with.

“My sister is one of the most dedicated and earnest people I know,” the crown prince said. “She approaches her responsibilities seriously and possesses a deeper understanding of imperial administration than most ministers. The exact reason behind her absconding is a mystery to everyone, my father and myself included. According to Dame Leandra, Regina had been increasingly preoccupied with her research on the Zuver lately, so we suspect there may be a connection, but that’s all we know. We don’t know if she acted alone or with assistance. Dame Leandra was the last to speak with Regina, so it would be better to ask her.”

Scarlett turned her attention to the knight in question. “When did the princess disappear?”

“About three weeks ago,” Dame Leandra replied, her expression now revealing no thoughts. “We had just visited one of Her Highness’ acquaintances in Kilsfell when she disappeared during the night, leaving only a note not to worry about her whereabouts.”

Scarlett arched a brow. That would have been right before the Tyndall Ball.

Her eyes moved over to Dame Iyana, who maintained her stoic demeanor, gazing into the non-existent distance while clad in her white plate armor. If Scarlett remembered correctly, during the ball, the knight had mentioned that Dame Leandra couldn’t attend due to ‘prior commitments’. Presumably, this mess was what she had been referring to.

“Someone resembling Her Highness was reportedly sighted in Bridgespell last week,” Duke Valentino added. “Given her interest in Zuverian research, we suspect that she might have visited the city in pursuit of such matters. However, we are uncertain about the specifics. That is why I summoned you, Baroness.”

“If so, would it not have been better to consult the mage towers or the Ustrum Assembly?” Scarlett asked. “They possess extensive knowledge of the Zuver and their history in the empire.”

The man scoffed. “Like I said, this is a matter that demands discretion. It cannot be casually disclosed to the Assembly and their ilk without regard. Furthermore, Baroness, haven’t your recent accomplishments in the field already exceeded those of both the Assembly and the mage towers for the last two decades? It would seem your expertise is at least on par with, if not superior to, theirs. Given that this concerns the Imperial Family, it is best entrusted to those who have pledged their service.”

“The Duke apprised me of your recent performances in the field,” the prince said, studying Scarlett. “That’s why I wanted to inquire whether you possessed any insights into my sister’s activities in Bridgespell or her potential destination.”

“…I understand,” Scarlett replied. It seemed like the duke greatly overestimated her expertise on the Zuver and underestimated the mage towers and the Assembly’s. “Unfortunately, it is difficult to provide a definitive response with the information available.”

What had happened and the princess’ intentions hinged largely on how her actions aligned with the game’s plot. There were plenty of implications here, but what exactly it all meant was something Scarlett herself dearly wanted the answer to.

If the princess had run away just like in the game… If she wasn’t alone… What did that hold for Scarlett? Was it good? Bad? Both? With her knowledge of the princess’ motivations, should she assist her in eluding capture, or support the crown prince in his search? Or maybe avoiding getting involved was the best course of action.

“It’s enough if you provide your thoughts or suggest possibilities,” the prince said. “My sister is in possession of an artifact that renders even the most potent of divinations at our disposal useless. At this point, we can’t afford to stand idle.”

Their eyes met briefly, and Scarlett detected a hint of irritation in the prince’s expression. It would be strange if he were happy with the current situation.

“…In that case, there are certain locations that come to mind. While I have yet to confirm their existence, my research suggests the possible presence of some undiscovered Zuverian ruins to the east of Bridgespell. While I do not know how Her Highness would have learned of them, these ruins would undoubtedly be of interest to someone like her. However, if she was spotted in the city a week ago, it is improbable that she remains here.”

Those particular ruins were pretty low-level from what Scarlett remembered. Not to mention that they were probably a day or two’s journey from Bridgespell. She hadn’t deemed them worth exploring, given that she didn’t need anything from them and that there was always the uncertainty of finding the entrance to begin with.

“We’ll explore the possibility, even if it’s unlikely.” The prince leaned forward in his seat. “If you were in her place, where else would you go? Are there other locations within the empire that would be of special significance to her?”

Scarlett considered his question.

He seemed to be overlooking the gravity of what he was asking. He was essentially requesting her to hand over rare and valuable information, just like that. Perhaps he intended to compensate her later, but it was still a bit audacious of him. Even as the empire’s future ruler, he lacked the authority to demand whatever he wished from nobles. There were laws and conventions that governed the obligations between sovereign and subject.

Nevertheless, there was also a certain level of compliance expected from a minor noble like Scarlett in a situation like this. The prince’s expectations weren’t entirely unreasonable, especially considering the seriousness of the circumstances. Still, it didn’t leave her with the most favorable impression of him. She preferred his sister.

A fact that made it all the more annoying that she wanted to answer his question, just because of some idiosyncratic fixation the original Scarlett seemingly had for the imperial family.

“I would recommend that you begin by investigating other prominent ruins and sites associated with the Zuver,” she answered after a brief pause. “Based on my limited interactions with Her Highness, I have gathered that she is an inquisitive and astute individual. It would not surprise me if she chose to investigate established sites in pursuit of her own research on the Zuver, if that is indeed what she is doing. Unfortunately, that is the extent of what advice I can provide.”

For now, Scarlett wanted to remain as neutral as she could in this situation. It was unlikely that they would locate the princess through this approach at this point, so she didn’t mind contributing this much. The princess may well have explored existing ruins if she had the chance, but if she had already located the ruins east of Bridgespell, the young woman was already ahead of that point in her research. Scarlett wouldn’t be surprised if the princess turned out to be more adept at discovering new ruins than she was in the near future. In the game, one of the easiest ways to find new ruins was to have the princess in one’s party.

The crown prince seemed somewhat dissatisfied with her response, but after exchanging a glance with the duke, he shook his head as if indicating that it would suffice for now. “I’ll have someone compile a list of notable Zuverian sites to be investigated. As for the possible ruins you mentioned here near Bridgespell, you can discuss that in more detail with Dame Leandra. She has assumed responsibility for tracking my sister’s whereabouts and ensuring her safety. Any assistance you provide in this matter will be duly rewarded later.” He stood from his seat, straightening his clothes. “I would stay longer, but I’m only passing through Bridgespell and have other pressing affairs to tend to. Duke Valentino, I appreciate your contribution to the issue, and I shall convey your insights regarding the other matter to my father. Farewell.”

With those words, the prince left, and Dame Iyana followed. However, before her exit, the knight cast a final look at Scarlett and nodded slightly. Scarlett returned the nod, which earned her a slightly intrigued look from Dame Leandra, who stayed behind.

A moment of silence enveloped the room after the two’s departure. Eventually, Duke Valentino leveraged his cane to push himself up from his armchair, wincing as he supported his weight with a noticeable limp. “I will return after tending to my own workload, Baroness. The servants will bring any implements and maps that you require while you provide Dame Leandra with any information you have. After that, I would like to ask that you meet with me again since I have another matter I wish to discuss with you.”

With that, the duke also exited the room, leaving Scarlett alone in the company of Dame Leandra. The knight gave her a long, appraising gaze before raising an amused eyebrow. “Well, Baroness. Let’s get to it, then.”