For the occasion, Berta pulls one of my finest dresses from the wardrobe. It’s orange—a shade she says suits my skin and brown hair. The truth is, even after months in this world, I still haven’t gotten used to seeing myself dressed like this. I have to admit, I take a few extra seconds in front of the mirror, staring at the final result.

  "You look very beautiful and elegant, my lady. Do not worry, you will not bring shame to your house," Berta assures me, misinterpreting my hesitation.

  "Let’s go," I tell her. "I doubt Their Majesties enjoy waiting."

  I head to the academy’s portal room. When I arrive, the portal guardian informs me that he’s already been notified of my visit.

  "You must first travel to the capital and, from there, take the portal to the palace. They have been informed to let you through. Also, don’t worry about the lessons you’ll miss today—you will be provided with a summary to study on your own."

  Wonderful, I think. That means no sleep for me. Because this weekend, I am going shopping with Mary and visiting the goblin settlement—no matter what.

  I thank him and just as I'm about to step onto the portal—a spacious white marble platform with stones arranged in a perfect enneagon—Vincent enters the room.

  "Bianca? Is that you?" he asks, as if unsure.

  His breathing is a little heavy, like he either walked fast or ran here.

  "Hey, Vincent," I reply, confused.

  What is he doing here?

  "You didn’t come to breakfast, and I thought I saw you walking away down the hall. I tried to catch up to you."

  "Well, I’m in a bit of a hurry. Did you need something?"

  All the while, the portal guardian watches us in silence. You can really tell that Vincent is the prince. If it were any other student, I bet he’d have politely ushered them out by now.

  "I was worried. What are you doing here? And with your maid? Did something happen in your family's county?"

  "No, no, everything’s fine. Actually, your parents summoned me. I’m going to see them."

  "My parents?"

  Did he just pale a little?

  Maybe he thinks they want to marry me off to his brother—though I don’t see why that would concern him.

  "Yes. Sorry, I shouldn’t keep them waiting."

  "I’m coming with you."

  Well… the invitation said I could bring whoever I deemed necessary, but if they want to talk about my powers or try to marry me off to his brother, sorry, but no. I’m not taking Vincent.

  "I'm sorry, you can see your parents whenever you like, but this invitation is for me. I'll see you when I return."

  I smile at him and step into the portal. Berta, who had been curiously watching the prince, follows me. My bodyguard comes in right behind.

  Vincent doesn’t look entirely convinced, but he doesn’t make a move to follow us. Ah, such a gentleman.

  The portal keeper activates it, and the three of us vanish.

  That’s when I realize… maybe I should have brought him along. If the king or queen want to talk to me about my powers and their son is present, they’d have to choose between keeping quiet or bringing him into the loop. It would have been an easy and clean way to stop hiding things from him.

  A perfectly simple way to bypass that confidentiality contract.

  Ah, sorry, Vincent, I think. Next time there’s a meeting with your family—if there ever is—I’ll take you with me.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

  The journey itself is simple. We arrive at the travel station, a building in the capital with a large hall where portals to major destinations are concentrated. From there, we take the one leading to the palace. It is the portal typically used by the royal family and also deposits us inside a room.

  As such, I won’t be able to see the palace from the outside, though if it follows the otome’s design, it’s a vast building with multiple wings that, rather than rising toward the sky, sprawls across a massive expanse of fountains and gardens.

  The moment we teleport into the room, a butler who seems to have been expecting us gestures for us to follow.

  Through several hallways adorned with oil paintings and tapestries, he leads us to what looks like a comfortable waiting room. I sit on a couch while Berta stands behind me. My bodyguard remains near the door. Then, the butler informs me that he will go announce my arrival to the king and queen.

  A maid comes by and offers me something to drink. Since I haven’t had breakfast (which, in hindsight, I probably should have, but Berta told me that under these circumstances, it’s customary to go immediately), I gratefully accept. She brings me tea, pastries, and some fruit.

  I have plenty of time to eat and get bored waiting before the butler returns and tells me that Their Majesties will see me now.

  He leads us to another room, guarded by two soldiers, and announces me before letting me in.

  I step forward, followed by my maid, while my bodyguard remains outside in the hallway.

  I walk a few steps into the room, approaching the king and queen, and give them a curtsy.

  And how do I even know how to curtsy?

  I’m not entirely sure I do know how, but while getting dressed, I asked Berta to give me a quick rundown of what was expected of me in an audience with the king and queen. She gave me a slightly puzzled look, but I told her I was so nervous that my mind was going completely blank. We even practiced the curtsy a little.

  So, I delicately grasp the skirt of my dress with two fingers, place one foot behind the other, bend my knees slightly, and lower my head.

  Well, let’s just say I wasn’t bad at dancing back on Earth, and I picked up new steps pretty quickly. Hopefully, I managed a decent curtsy.

  "Come closer, Bianca," the queen says.

  I take a few more steps across the luxurious carpet covering the floor.

  This isn’t the throne room, but rather a space similar to the waiting room where I was just sitting—only larger, with more furniture and ornate vases. The monarchs are seated in the central area, where there’s a low wooden table, delicately carved, with details that almost look hand-painted. They’re sitting on a floral-upholstered sofa, and a few chairs are arranged in front of them. They don't wear crowns, but their clothes seem to have been designed to, following the trends of the current fashion, show that their house holds the highest status in the kingdom. Both are blonde with light-colored eyes. The queen's features have a lot in common with her son's, while the king's, on the other hand, are more austere, as if they had been carved from granite.

  I approach one of the chairs, hesitating slightly, and the queen smiles at me.

  "Please, have a seat. Don’t worry, Bianca, this is an informal meeting. In truth, we’ve heard a lot about you—the brilliant student with all four basic affinities, who has also developed a new one never seen before. Not even in legends. And of course, our dear children, Vincent and Lily, are your friends, and you’ve helped them on multiple occasions in dungeons. As parents, we wanted to meet you and personally thank you."

  "Your Majesties, that’s not necessary. I take no credit for the affinities I was given, and it is your young who welcomed me into their group and helped me," I reply.

  My cheeks burn a little. I’m not used to this much praise—especially not from someone so important.

  As for Berta, she remains standing near the entrance, keeping to the background as discreetly as possible.

  "The Royal Academy was founded centuries ago, back when wars still ravaged the world. When they finally ended, it was transformed into what it is today: an institution that educates our most promising young people and trains them to participate in the games. But when I think back to my own time as a student, what I cherish most are the friendships I made there," the queen says with a gentle smile, her gaze drifting slightly as if lost in thought. "They are the ones who later helped me support my husband in ruling this kingdom. Even our eldest son, the crown prince, met his future wife there. Faith Vassilea."

  Since I have no idea what to say to that, I simply nod.

  Please, please don’t try to break off that engagement.

  The king, for his part, remains calm, listening to his wife speak and letting her take the lead in the conversation.

  "You see," the queen continues, "some believe that a talent like yours—especially with that sword—should come with great responsibilities. I know what it’s like to be young and want to marry for love." She glances at her husband, her lips curving into a warm smile. "In fact, I had to fight quite a bit for it myself. That’s why I wouldn’t want to impose a marriage on either you or my son, Sigfrig."

  "Thank you, Your Majesty. I’m far too young to marry, and I certainly wouldn’t want to be the reason Faith and Sigfrig’s engagement is broken. They make a wonderful couple," I reply, relief washing over me.

  Good thing.

  "There are other ways," the king interjects.

  His voice is firm, his tone noticeably stronger than his wife’s.

  "Is this about the sword?" I ask. "Honestly, if it weren’t bound to me, I’d give it to you."

  "No, if it were just about the sword, we could grant you an honorary title where you wouldn’t have to do anything. My wife and I would swear loyalty to you, and that way, the entire kingdom would benefit from the bonus. But no, this is more about your potential. The four basic elements, a new one never seen before, and light as well. Without a doubt, Miss L’Crom, you are currently one of the most valuable assets in this kingdom."