The Calm After the Chaos

The Queen lowered the barrier, and as soon as it fell, the King ordered his men to defend the Kingdom. Guardsmen, soldiers, adventurers, and the Guild Master engaged the remaining stragglers outside the Banquet Hall.

After the chaos settled, healers tended to the wounded while guards counted the dead and escorted captured enemies to the prison. The Kingdom closed its gates, and nobles and guests were promptly sent back to their realms, canceling the rest of the festivities.

The Guild Master and the Kingdom's watch joined forces to investigate those suspected of orchestrating the invasion. Tension lingered as the castle returned to an uneasy silence.

As the hall settled into uneasy silence, King Tristan approached them with a calm yet firm gaze, the Queen following behind him. "Shin, Laverna," he said, "I'd like you both to remain within the Royal Castle for now."

Shin exchanged a glance with Laverna before nodding. "Understood, Your Majesty. Given the circumstances, I believe that would be the wisest course."

They were assigned a room near the King and Queen's chambers, seemingly chosen as bodyguards for the night. An usher guided them through the winding halls, their steps silent upon the plush carpet.

"This way, honored guests," the usherette said, offering a gentle smile. "The suite was personally prepared by the Queen."

She opened the ornate door, revealing a spacious suite filled with warm candlelight. "You'll find a bathing area large enough for a small family, a fully stocked refreshment cabinet, and a veranda overlooking the Bertrand Trail."

Her voice lowered slightly, out of professional courtesy. "Robes have been laid out for your comfort, and a bell is within reach should you require anything."

Shin nodded. "Thank you. We'll take it from here."

The usherette bowed low. "I hope your stay brings you the rest you deserve, Master Shin, Lady Laverna. Goodnight."

With a quiet grace, she stepped out and closed the door behind her. The silence that followed was heavy and still, wrapping around them as they took in the room's elegance.

Their steps echoed faintly on the marble floor, and they stood without speaking.

Still drenched in blood, their clothes stiffened as it began to dry, adding to the discomfort. The once-grand attire now clung to them like a second skin soaked in ruin.

Shin shook his head and sighed. "What a night this has been."

She smiled faintly and yawned. "You're right, though. It was a hell of a night. I hope things calm down, even just a little."

He glanced at the large veranda door, then turned to Laverna. "Go ahead and take a bath first. I'll wait for you," he said as he walked outside to the veranda, letting the moonlight calm his thoughts.

Under the pale glow of the moon, Shin contemplated the events of the day. His mind drifted to their earlier conversation with the Royal Family.

He closed his eyes for a moment, breathing in the cold, fresh air. The tension in his shoulders was slower to unwind tonight.

Behind him, the soft sound of the bathroom door closing echoed faintly. Shin turned his gaze up to the stars, letting his thoughts drift.

Inside the bath, Laverna sank deeper into the warm water. Her body relaxed, but her mind refused to be still.

She found herself replaying Shin's words, his glances, the way he had looked at her before stepping outside. A strange warmth curled in her chest.

She didn't want to name the feeling, brushing it off as residual adrenaline. But the image of him lingered, harder to shake than expected.

Out on the veranda, Shin remained still, but his heart was anything but calm. Every detail about Laverna tonight clawed at his control.

Was it just the closeness from their shared mission? Or something else awakening, quietly and dangerously?

"You're not just a partner anymore, are you..." he murmured under his breath, unaware of the smile that tugged at Laverna's lips through the connection of their crest.

The Queen's Truth Spell had pried into their inner thoughts, compelling them to speak what they held true. He realized then how vulnerable he was to such magic.

He still didn't understand how the spell functioned, making him aware of his lack of magical resistance. During his solo travels in the East, he'd learned that some people could resist or even nullify magic, depending on the type.

Elemental magic could be countered with knowledge of matter, while mental manipulation required mental fortitude. The Truth Spell was another kind of intrusion, one that could erode the mind with prolonged exposure.

Shin concluded that he needed to learn magic that worked without casting or incantation. He hoped the Queen would eventually share her secrets before their ruse ended.

Due to his past, Shin rarely trusted others easily. He never allowed people close enough to predict his next move.

But now, he was gambling with Laverna. She bore his seal, a symbol of trust but also a failsafe if needed.

He suspected she was just as cautious. Her past, riddled with servitude under the Lichtensteins and other masters, mirrored his own hardship.

He knew earning her trust would take time. But he was willing to wait.

Shin had faced life alone before reaching the temple. He silently wished she would one day find peace and happiness beyond the pain.

Meanwhile, Laverna soaked in a massive tub, the lavender-scented steam filling her senses. The warmth eased her sore muscles as she slowly sank into the water.

She had already rinsed off the blood, though its memory still clung to her skin. As she relaxed, memories of her parents surged forward unbidden.

For years, those memories had been sealed off, as if a mental gate had blocked them. Now, the bloodshed had pried that gate open, flooding her mind with fragments.

She curled her legs toward her chest and combed her fingers through her damp hair. And amidst that storm of thought, Shin occupied more space than she liked.

The connection forming between them was unsettling. She yearned for it despite the fear.

She had been cast aside too many times to trust so easily. That closeness was terrifying in its unfamiliarity.

While Laverna was in the bath, Shin wanted to distract himself from his seemingly endless questions and contemplation. He took a look around the room, washed his hands, removed his long flowing top, and dropped the soiled clothes onto the floor.

He found the robes to use after bathing. He also discovered a mini-cold storage that stood as tall as the side drawer by the bed.

He opened it and saw neatly stacked food items, including fruity wine. There were also bottles of wine above the fridge, snacks, and more.

He assumed the King and Queen had prepared it for their own night, hoping for something pleasant despite what had happened. He took a fruity wine from the cold storage and grabbed two glasses, setting them on the table by the veranda.

Just as he finished setting up the wine, the soft creak of the bathroom door echoed behind him.