"Urm... does anyone know what this orb is all about?" Celestia asked.

She held up the dimmed orb resting in her palm.

It was no larger than an apple. Beneath its crystal-like surface, silver-blue light swirled lazily, like moonlight trapped inside glass.

Nobody answered.

"And why does the authorization seem to be declined?" she muttered.

After a moment of thought, she decided to...

Poke it.

Nothing happened.

Drazeil stared at her. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"...Did you just poke it?"

"I was testing something."

"Oh, yes. Because obviously poking it would magically authorize you."

"So then, what suggestion do you have, Zeil?"

For reasons he refused to examine, hearing her call him that always stirred something low in his stomach.

"What we need is a key to unlock it," he said. "What that key is, however, I don’t know."

Celestia sighed and glanced around.

Her eyes landed on Tristan.

The young man was staring at the orb with unusual focus, as though trying to recall a distant memory.

Slowly, he stepped forward.

His face was still streaked with tears, but his expression had changed.

Thoughtful.

Determined.

"The orb’s rejection reminds me of something Elder Theai told me years ago," he said quietly.

Everyone turned toward him.

"I learned that this orb requires a key before anyone can access what’s inside."

"What kind of key?" Celestia asked.

"A Spirit Witch’s magic."

The words immediately captured everyone’s attention.

Celestia’s eyes narrowed.

"A Spirit Witch?"

Tristan nodded.

"That’s what Elder Theai called her. She said a Spirit Witch possesses the power to unlock any lock, no matter what seals it."

Drazeil folded his arms.

"Thought as much."

His expression darkened.

"The problem is that, according to legend, a Spirit Witch only helps people she likes."

"That’s correct," Tristan confirmed.

Celestia nudged Drazeil with her elbow.

"Have you forgotten what Elder Theai told us when she revealed that I’m the Moon Seraph?" she whispered. "I’m sure the Spirit Witch will like me."

Drazeil looked convinced.

"The real problem isn’t getting her help. It’s finding her in the first place."

Celestia nodded.

"I have a feeling she won’t reveal herself so easily. If anything, she’ll probably expect us to find her."

"Mmm."

Drazeil’s quiet response was enough.

Celestia looked down at the orb before raising her head again.

"Then that settles it."

A determined smile appeared on her face.

"Our next mission is finding the Spirit Witch."

Her expression softened slightly.

"But first, we fulfill Elder Theai’s final request."

Drazeil’s gaze swept across the crowd.

Eventually, he spotted the coachman standing nearby and motioned for him to approach.

The man hurried forward.

"Coachman," Drazeil said, "you’ll be leaving for the capital immediately."

The coachman’s eyes widened.

"Alone?"

His voice trembled.

"Just me? To the capital?"

Drazeil rolled his eyes.

The meaning was clear enough.

Go.

Do your job.

The coachman swallowed nervously.

"What if they don’t believe me? The kingdom is strict. The palace gates are heavily guarded. They won’t simply allow anyone through."

He hesitated.

"And what exactly am I supposed to report to the King?"

Drazeil stepped closer.

For a brief moment, his eyes glowed brighter.

"The Quiet Taking."

The temperature around them seemed to drop.

"Elder Theai’s death. The evacuation. Everything."

His gaze sharpened.

"Everything except the Memory Orb."

The coachman nodded.

Drazeil reached into his coat and produced a small golden token.

A royal crest was engraved into its center.

The symbol of the Kingdom of Thaloria.

"Take this."

The coachman accepted it carefully.

His fingers tightened around the metal.

"They’ll allow you through the palace gates."

Relief washed over his face.

"Thank you."

Dawn finally broke across the horizon.

Golden light spilled over the landscape, painting the sky in shades of amber and gold.

The carriage stood ready.

Harnesses secured.

Supplies packed.

Waiting.

The coachman climbed into the driver’s seat.

Before he could leave, Tristan approached carrying a cloth-wrapped bundle.

"Take this."

The coachman looked down.

Inside were dried medicinal herbs and food.

"For your injuries," Tristan explained. "And for the journey."

The coachman’s expression softened.

"Thank you."

He secured the bundle beside him before taking hold of the reins.

With a crack of leather, the carriage lurched forward.

The wheels rolled across the dirt road.

Slowly at first.

Then faster.

Tristan watched it disappear into the growing light of dawn.

Eventually, it became nothing more than a distant silhouette.

Then it vanished entirely.

"Do you think he’ll make it?" Tristan asked.

"Yes," Celestia replied confidently.

"He will."

Drazeil stood behind them with his arms crossed.

"The capital is only a few hours away. He’ll arrive without issue."

"Good."

Celestia turned to head back inside.

Her legs were aching from standing for so long.

Then suddenly—

The orb vibrated.

Silver-blue light burst from its surface.

A beam of shimmering light stretched across the ground, tracing the exact road the carriage had taken.

Everyone froze.

The beam pointed toward a single destination.

The capital.

Drazeil’s eyes narrowed.

"This can only mean one thing."

Celestia stared at the glowing path.

"The Spirit Witch..."

A grin slowly appeared on her face.

"...is in the capital."

_________________________________

A carriage arrived at the royal palace just as dawn painted the horizon gold.

It had traveled for three days across rough roads and unforgiving terrain.

The journey had been long, exhausting, and uncomfortable.

Inside were twenty-five recruits selected from various towns and villages throughout the kingdom.

Sixteen young women.

Four young men.

Two cooks.

Three guards.

All hoping for a chance at a better future.

The palace was constantly in need of workers.

Maids.

Guards.

Cooks.

Servants.

Some would earn positions within the palace itself.

Those who weren’t chosen would be assigned—or sold—to noble households throughout the kingdom.

The massive gates loomed ahead.

Tall.

Imposing.

Beautiful.

For many of the recruits, this was the opportunity of a lifetime.

The carriage finally came to a stop.

The door opened.

Morning light flooded inside.

Most of the young women immediately sat up straighter.

Excitement buzzed through the carriage.

Whispers spread from seat to seat.

"I heard the eastern wing is the most beautiful part of the palace."

"They say it has the largest windows in the entire kingdom."

"Isn’t that where the princes live?"

"I heard Prince Thaddeus lives there."

The speaker was a tall young woman with brown hair and sharp features.

She leaned forward with a smug smile.

"Prince Thaddeus?"

She laughed lightly.

"He’s barely a prince in anything but name."

Several girls looked toward her curiously.

Encouraged by the attention, she continued.

"They say he handles the Crown’s dirty work helping the Crown’s Monster."

"I’ve even heard he has no chance of becoming Crown Prince."

A few girls giggled.

Others exchanged uncertain looks.

Rumors about the royal family were always entertaining.

In the corner of the carriage, Elysia sat quietly.

Blue hair tied neatly behind her head.

Blue eyes fixed on the passing scenery.

She hadn’t spoken once during the entire three-day journey.

Not a word.

Not a smile.

Not even a complaint.

But as the rumors continued, her expression shifted ever so slightly.

Then she spoke.

"On what grounds are your words based?"

Her calm voice cut through the chatter like a blade.

The carriage instantly fell silent.

Every eye turned toward her.

The brown-haired girl blinked.

Clearly, she hadn’t expected anyone to challenge her.

"And who are you?" she demanded.

"Elysia."

The answer was simple.

The girl scoffed.

"You’re just another servant candidate. You have no right questioning me."

Elysia’s expression remained unchanged.

"I know exactly what I am."

Her voice stayed calm.

"But I suppose I possess a little more common sense."

The girl’s face reddened.

"What I said is true," The brown-haired girl wanted to defend herself.

"Perhaps."

Elysia folded her hands neatly in her lap.

"But whether it’s true or not, you don’t know him."

Her gaze remained steady.

"So don’t speak as though you do."

The girl opened her mouth.

Then closed it.

Then opened it again.

"You—"

The carriage door suddenly swung open.

Bright sunlight poured inside.

Beyond it stood the royal palace.

Its marble towers rose toward the heavens, shining beneath the morning sun.

The sight stole the breath from several recruits.

At the entrance stood a woman.

Tall.

Elegant.

Severe.

The Head Maid.

Her dark uniform was immaculate.

Her sharp eyes swept across the carriage.

She had clearly heard the conversation.

The brown-haired girl’s confidence evaporated instantly.

The Head Maid’s gaze lingered on Elysia.

For a moment, her stern expression softened.

Just slightly.

Interesting.

That was the word written in her eyes.

"Well," she said slowly.

Her gaze never left Elysia.

"You certainly seem to be an interesting young lady."

Elysia offered no response.

The Head Maid didn’t appear bothered by the silence.

She simply stepped aside.

"Everyone will be staying in the guest quarters for now."

Her voice regained its authority.

"Training begins later. Room assignments and work allocations will follow."

Then she looked directly at the brown-haired girl.

"And you."

The girl stiffened.

"Learn to watch your words."

The warning was simple.

Yet somehow more intimidating than punishment.

The girl’s face flushed bright red.

"Yes, ma’am."

The Head Maid nodded.

"Surviving within these walls is not about what you say."

Her eyes drifted briefly toward Elysia.

"It’s about what you know."

The recruits were led through the palace grounds and into the guest quarters.

The accommodations were simple but comfortable.

Stone walls.

Wooden floors.

Small windows that allowed pale sunlight to spill inside.

The recruits settled into their seats while the Head Maid remained standing.

Watching.

Observing.

Measuring.

Her gaze passed over each person one by one.

"You are here because you were selected."

Her voice echoed throughout the room.

"Not because you begged for the opportunity."

She began pacing slowly.

"The palace is not a place for mistakes."

Her footsteps were soft against the floor.

"It is a place of discipline."

A pause.

"Of silence."

Another step.

"And of service."

Her gaze found Elysia once more.

"You will learn."

"You will obey."

"You will speak only when spoken to."

The room remained silent.

Then the Head Maid added:

"Unless you have something worth saying."

Several recruits exchanged confused glances.

Elysia simply met the woman’s gaze.

Neither looked away.

For a brief moment, an unspoken understanding passed between them.

Then the Head Maid turned.

"You may rest."

She headed for the door.

"Further instructions will be given at noon."

The room slowly relaxed once she left.

Whispers returned.

Some recruits excitedly discussed the palace.

Others collapsed onto beds.

A few immediately fell asleep.

Elysia sat alone near the window.

Her hands rested neatly in her lap.

Her expression remained calm.

Unreadable.

She wasn’t resting.

She wasn’t admiring the palace.

She wasn’t thinking about her training.

She was waiting.

Waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Waiting to begin the first step of her plan.

To catch Prince Thaddeus’s attention.