What’s with the mood switch? Commence your Round 4?! This is how fantasy protagonists talk after unlocking a new tier of power—except it’s a spoon-throwing game.

  Okay, Rob being a superhuman is cool and all, but this is supposed to be a Stealth mission. There is a literal crowd on the other end of the hallway watching us right now.

  Anders had already disappeared from sight, and Lena was looking back and forth between Rob and the now-terrified Garvais. Investigator Klemens was saying something in Lena’s ear, and she kept nodding as she listened.

  The gathered nobles and servants, who had been eager to witness the conclusion of the duel, suddenly quieted as a whisper-soft crush of imported wyvern-leather soles meeting marble echoed down the hall.

  A third butler, identical to the first two in every way, stepped forward. “Announcing the arrival of His Excellency, Baron of Luxeny.”

  For someone who had been spewing mockery and theatrics just moments ago, Garvais suddenly looked like he had been dunked in ice water. His pupils shrank, and a drop of sweat trickled down his temple.

  “Honorable Garvais,” the butler continued, “His Excellency wishes to observe the next round of, as quoted, ‘whatever flummery is happening’.”

  Garvais made a noise. It wasn't quite a word. More like the sound of a man realizing he’s made a severe miscalculation.

  The Honorable slammed a fist into his palm as he declared, “The duel is halted! Effective immediately!”

  The butler raised an eyebrow. "On what grounds, Honorable?"

  Garvais turned, waving an extravagant hand. “Unforeseen circumstances, of course! There was thunder outside.”

  "Very well, Honorable. The enchanted latches will be removed,” said the butler as he walked over and placed his palm on the latch. An azure radiance appeared on his palm, and with a click, the latches released.

  Oh, come on! He made up a reason from his buttock! I was THIS close to finishing two quests. TWO!

  Rob, who had been sitting so still he could have been mistaken for a statue, slowly leaned back in his chair. His golden eyes dimmed back to their usual, non-apocalyptic glow.

  [QUEST: Preserve Rob’s Dignity—Null]

  [QUEST: Win the Table Duel—Null]

  Null? What a waste of time!

  Speaking of time… What time is it?

  He chanced a glance at the clock. 19:23.

  What? All that happened and FOUR minutes have passed?

  He casually set his spoon down with a clink. “Guess we’re done here, then.”

  Garvais let out a breath that was one octave away from being a whimper and turned stiffly toward the entrance.

  And that was when the Baron finally stepped inside. “Investigator Klemens! Who poisoned my wife?” He bellowed, as Lena was stuffing the investigator’s mouth with a honeyed tart.

  The moment the Baron’s voice thundered through the hall, the servants reacted as if a bolt of lightning had struck the very foundations of the manor. A footman, who had just been pouring tea, abandoned his task so quickly that the cup toppled, spilling its contents in a widening stain across the tablecloth. A maid carrying a platter of sugared fruits made a strangled noise before vanishing behind a decorative pillar like a mouse retreating into the walls. A Lena stuffed a tart into her mouth.

  Lena, chewing, delicately plucked another honeyed tart from the tray and held it up like an exhibit in a courtroom. “A fine question, Baron,” she said, turning to Klemens, who was still mid-chew, his mouth reluctantly working through the evidence she had so graciously provided. “One that Investigator Klemens has been very thoroughly considering, alongside the impeccable flavor profile of these tarts.”

  This is supposed to be a Stealth mission…

  Klemens glared at Lena, but she just beamed.

  “I suppose you must be wondering, Baron, why I—lowly, humble, innocent Madelina—was present at the scene of the crime.” She clasped her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels. At least she bothered using a better fake name for herself than ‘Bob’. “A fair concern. After all, what would a person of my reputation be doing sneaking into your kitchen at such an ungodly hour?”

  “Who are you? I didn’t know you snuck into my kitchen.” Only then did the Baron come into Blorbo’s view.

  The Baron of Luxeny was a man carved from excess, even moreso than Garvais. His presence alone thickened the air with the scent of expensive colognes and well-aged brandy, the kind that had never known the indignity of a common shelf. His coat had more embroidered brocade than Bimbleton could ever dream of having in his entire existence. Every stitch was a declaration of wealth, and every gemstone a silent scream of status. His cravat was tied so precisely it looked like it had been arranged by a team of dedicated artisans.

  Lena paused, then leaned in. “Well, I’ll tell you what I wasn’t doing: poisoning your wife.”

  The crowd gasped.

  Lena ignored them, her expression shifting to one of solemn gravity. “I was simply stealing some tarts while I witnessed an extremely suspicious figure carrying a crate of xanthan gum with him.”

  Garvais jolted.

  Klemens, who had already chewed and swallowed the honeyed tart Lena had stuffed into her mouth, coughed into her fist and straightened. "Ahem. Yes. While I was attempting to conduct my investigation—" She shot a glare at Lena, who only smiled wider. "—I was presented with rather compelling testimony."

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  The baron spoke, “Speak.”

  “According to this so-called Madelina, she witnessed an individual behaving in a highly suspicious manner in the vicinity of the poisoned tarts. And conveniently enough…” She pulled a small, ornate glass vial from his coat pocket, shaking it so the shimmering residue inside caught the light. “We found traces of this very same substance near the dessert trays. And after going through the books, I have found out who’s been importing questionable quantities of xanthan gum into the estate. It is Honorable Garvais.”

  The Baron’s steely gaze snapped toward Klemens, who was still holding up the vial of shimmering residue. His voice, icy with authority, cut through the tension that had gripped the room.

  “You cannot make accusations without proof, Investigator Klemens,” the Baron intoned, his voice smooth but carrying a dangerous edge. “Before you continue, Garvais deserves a chance to defend himself.”

  He turned slowly, fixing his gaze on where Garvais, who had been standing just moments before, was.

  “Garvais. Please—”

  Garvais had vanished.

  Klemens raised an eyebrow. “Seems he’s taken his leave.”

  The Baron immediately waved at the servants and butlers. “Lock all exits! Find him!”

  I have no idea how you managed all that, but good job, Lena!

  The servants, still frozen in terror, scrambled into action, their footsteps hurried as they dispersed to search for the missing Honorable.

  It didn’t take long before Garvais was caught and dragged back into the hall by two burly guards, his once-pristine coat now rumpled and askew. He was kicking and sputtering, but his fate had already been sealed.

  At the same time, the Lady of Luxeny, who had been on the brink of death just moments ago, was already carried inside the private hallway, sitting upright, sipping water from a crystal goblet. The guests stared in awe.

  “The antidote,” the court physician declared, barely able to contain his shock, “was in the very same vial of mysterious medicine this young lady was carrying. A most fortunate coincidence!”

  Blorbo squinted. That isn’t mysterious medicine. That’s Rob’s lung fever medicine!

  The realization spread quickly. Lena wasn’t just a witness, nor a common thief sneaking tarts. No. She was the one who had exposed the culprit and saved the Lady’s life.

  She was a hero.

  “Miss Madelina. As a token of my gratitude,” he declared, his heavy rings glinting under the chandelier’s glow, “I shall grant you a reward of your choice.”

  Lena’s eyes sparkled. “Anything?”

  The Baron gave a confident nod. “Anything, so long as it is within my capabilities.”

  Blorbo’s metaphorical heart started pounding.

  He could already see it—mountains of gold, endless luxury, an easy life without the constant worry of where their next meal would come from. His mind filled with extravagant dreams: lounging on silk cushions, sipping the finest wine, throwing money at problems until they disappeared. Such would be the worthy life for a furniture of his stature.

  ASK FOR MILLIONS OF COINS! he practically screamed in his head. HE SURELY HAS THAT MUCH! YOU WILL NEVER BE POOR AGAIN! YOU WILL LIVE—

  But just as Lena opened her mouth, Anders jumped from who-knows-where and cut in without hesitation.

  “Grant us this wish,” he said in an angry tone. “Tell me what you know about Adrien Silverleaf.”

  “What?” Lena turned to her dad. Even Rob stared at him.

  “Very well. Wish granted,” the Baron accepted immediately.

  Blorbo felt something inside him snap.

  YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO ASK FOR A LIFETIME OF RICHES, AND YOU ASK THAT?!