My First Trip

That night, I couldn't sleep. I flailed and fought my blankets for hours trying to get comfortable. I couldn't. Eventually, I flopped to my back and stared at the gossamer canopy above me.

I had said that I wanted to handle the Nolanar situation but here I was indebted to this 'Collective'. In the past, I would have had to rely on Thomas, but I had this system now. I'd thought things would be different, but I still needed someone else to solve my problems. This infuriated me.

I sat upright. I didn't have to take this; I wasn't powerless anymore.

Jumping out of bed, I quickly dressed and packed a bag with my letterbox and a change of clothes. I strapped my dagger belt to my waist and threw my cloak over myself.

My gaze then fell on my ring of illusions. With a heavy sigh, I placed it in my trunk. Then, sitting at the desk, I wrote three letters, one to High Lord Volanti, one to Kane, and one to Lord Glade. Then I left. I slipped away silently and unrecognized.

***

Two weeks later, I stood in the shadows of a male's bedroom.

I had learned much in the nine days I'd been in the Night King's palace. I'd learned that the Minister of the Coffers was a shrewd male.

When confronted by the King of his misdeeds, the Minister had produced evidence that his subordinate had removed the records of my payments without his approval. He also, while working in conjunction with the Queen of Viceria, had denied his involvement in the affair.

Even I might have believed him, had he not secretly told me what really happened in an attempt to impress me. I hadn't been introduced as myself when I'd come to court. Instead, Lady Arethusa had introduced me as a distant cousin of hers. She had also spread rumors that I was conniving, manipulative, and loose.

This, of course, attracted the disgusting Minister to me like a bee to a flower.

Now, I was in his room, waiting to make my move.

"Did anyone see you?" He asked coldly as he shut the door. He thought he'd give his guards the night off so he could finally close the deal with me, but I had other plans.

"Of course, not." I replied. He turned to face me an eager light on his rat-like face. He walked farther into room and held his hand out to me.

"Don't be afraid, Nephila. We both know this isn't your first time-"

Activate SKILL Crush lvl 15? Y or N.

"Yes." I thought.

As the Minister's body slammed into the ground in a fountain of blood, I wondered if this made me a bad person. Perhaps to him, I was, but I had to defend myself and my people. He had informed me in an attempt to impress me with his connections, that he was going to blackmail the Minister of Public Welfare to coerce my people into saying that I was harming them and forcing them to break laws.

I wasn't. I was actually good to my people and they liked me quite a bit. I believe that, for some of them, the levels of coercion would have to be quite high for them to say those things. Thinking about what they would have had to suffer, I wanted to kill this Minister again.

Quickly, I searched the room for evidence. I found the incriminating documents relating to the Minister of Public Welfare and pocketed them. I also found an unsent letter to Queen Sephiria of Viceria. I read it and, with a smile, I folded it up and put it into an envelope addressed to the King.

Then taking it with me, I hurriedly left.

The guards were still absent on the Minister's orders so I was able to slip away with being seen. When I saw a passing servant, I handed her the letter to the King.

In the morning or perhaps earlier, the body would be found, but even if I was incriminated, it would be as Lady Arethusa's loose and distant cousin. I Kylara Adamare would be fine.

I vanished into the night.

***

"What do you mean you won't let me in?" I demanded. It was 11 pm on Friday, June 12th. I had been riding from the traveling grounds for the past two days. I was exhausted.

The traveling grounds were a place where a person could take a portal to certain distant locations. There was a size limit on what could be taken through a portal. Because Miss Goldleaf had wanted to come to the Mating Season in the carriage, we were unable use portals and our trip two over twice as long.

I did not see the need to travel in fashion, so I rode and was able to use the portals.

The nearest portal to the capital city of Nolanar, Xonilan, was two days away, hence why I'd been riding for so long.

The guard reiterated that he thought I was an impostor and would not let me enter.

"Go get High Lord Volanti." I snapped loudly, "He will tell you that I am Kylara Adamare."

The jovial group of males that was about to pass into the palace stopped and fell silent. I heard one of them ask "Where are you going?" in a confused voice.

I glared as Prince Blaize walked over to me. His eyes were glassy and his cheeks were red with drink. I cursed inwardly at my loud retort.

"Your Idiotship." I snarled coldly as he leered at me.

He blinked and laughed as if he had a good nature. "I'll give you what you want. Come on in, Kylara." He said with a wink.

I grimaced and a part of me wanted to refuse his assistance, but I was too exhausted. I needed sleep. Slowly, I walked over to him. Prince Blaize slung his arm around my waist and steered me through the gate as his friends made jokes about his manliness.

I allowed Prince Blaize to lead me into the palace, but when he tried to steer me in the direction of the Royal Wing, I stopped him.

Looking up at him, I said, "High Lord Volanti did really ask me to come."

Prince Blaize frowned, "He's just an old Loser who doesn't know how to get a woman. Forget about him and join me. I may even keep you for a while."

"I'm sorry, your Highness, but the High Lord is expecting me. I can't just stand him up." I began to walk away.

"I don't believe you. The High Lord is a monk." He called.

I shrugged and continued walking. I heard footsteps following me but I didn't turn to look.

Eventually I wound up outside the door to High Lord Volanti's study. I sighed in relief as I saw light escape from the crack under the door.

I hurriedly knocked. As I lowered my hand I was pulled backward into a warm embrace.

"I really thought you would have given up by now." Prince Blaize breathed in my ear. His hot breath carried the heavy scent of hops.

The door opened revealing High Lord Volanti. His gaze flicked from me, to Prince Blaize, to Prince Blaize's arms about my waist. I smiled sheepishly at the High Lord and his face slowly descended into fury.