“Are you sure you are up for this?” Jensen asked again, over breakfast.

  “Yes, it is our first day of the second semester. I am well enough. I slept for weeks.” Auna stretched picking up her fork.

  “I’m just worried. You don’t look great.” Jensen started eating breakfast as well.

  “He is right. Your wrists, and chest have this odd pattern. Your wings and wrists are even still wrapped up.” Chloe pointed her fork at Auna.

  “Fairy wings are difficult to heal. However, it is observed that aside from ripping them off the back of a fairy they do heal. Though it can take years. I am not sure how long it will take. I can’t wait for them to heal before coming back to school. My wrists were mostly healed by the church, and palace doctors. They are still wrapped to prevent strain and infection.” Auna took a deep breath. She could see everyone was listening, not just the ones at her table. She strained to properly use her fork. The miracle healing magic used took a lot of mana, so only her most pressing injuries had been healed. She was still required to heal the rest of the way naturally.

  “As for the marks. The lightning magic caused them. They will never fully heal. I will have them forever.” Auna sighed, her wings also had the burn scars. They were slightly raised, but invisible due to the magic flowing in her wings.

  Her wrists now have lightening burns radiating from the places that had holes punched through. The burns lick her elbows in some spots, wrapping around her fingers in others. The burns on her chest start near her heart covering a part of her torso, up her neck a bit and around her back in some places. They were noticeable red marks on her pale skin, raised slightly.

  “I think they are pretty.” Edgar smiled, though it was small and weak.

  “Thank you. I don’t really mind them though.” Auna shrugged as the triplets took away the dishes. With careful movements she walked to class, no one bothered her aside from the odd bow and praise for protecting the king. The rest of the day went smoothly, with Auna taking breaks to sleep often. Only when she had free time of course, with Jensen or her friends waking her.

  “This weekend, is a tight timeline. I can do it though.” Lacey was fitting Auna, Jensen, and Ciela for new outfits. They had finished classes for the day when an urgent note had been given to Auna. It said this weekend there would be a formal audience with the king. Auna was to bring Ciela, and Jensen with her. That is why in the middle of the night they had woken Lacey, to tell her they would need something formal to wear.

  “It would be most appropriate to wear light brown for Ciela and Auna to show they are not part of a noble house. Jensen you will wear the Pearl colours, sparkle white, and off white.” Lacey rattled on even though her eyes were full of sleep.

  “That sounds right. Sorry my moon.” Jensen looked to the brown cloth Lacey had picked up.

  “It is okay, she is right. I do not want to stand out at a formal audience with the king. It would only cause issues. Technically I could wear the Jade colours, as I hold the name. However, I don’t want to. Thank you for guessing that, Lacey. They don’t have to be perfect, just presentable.” Auna gave her a pat on her shoulder before motioning for Jensen and Ciela to leave with her.

  “Are you going to look over the data tonight?” Jensen was asking about the data they all had gathered while she slept. Mr. Voice had not been very helpful during this time as her mana was always being drained. She had only a basic record of what went on around her during those weeks. Mr. Voice had turned off functions of recording her outside world to allow for her mana to heal her instead.

  “I guess I should.” Auna turned to the main building on the farm land, pushing Ciela to the exit. Ciela was happy to go back to bed. Jensen followed Auna though. He easily curled up on a sofa while she read.

  Ciela had gone through with helping the Wardite territory with their baren soil issues. She had spent nearly the entire time with Rowen taking samples, and testing magics. She had come to Aunas’ bedside a few times for brief periods.

  Her findings had not been shared with the king. Auna had taught her to write in the language of her old world. All confidential data in Ember Moon was now written in the language. It had taken time to teach the residences but now everyone knew it. The only ones of Ember Moon who did not know it were the outsiders like the Bloodwave family.

  Continuing to read Auna learned something very disturbing. The reason Wardite was currently baren was due to magic warfare. It seemed they had been testing weapons similar to the ones on her old world. They would pollute the air, and water making people sick. Sometimes so slowly no one noticed the sickness. How they managed to do these tests without alerting the surrounding territories was beyond her though. Ciela thought the contamination was coming from the ground water, which could mean testing was happening underground. She was not sure if she would tell the king.

  Ciela had only told the king it would be unlikely for her to fix the issue at this time. That the land needed rest. The king seemed to accept this at the time. She continued onto what the others had been doing. Edgar had spent his time with his father, looking into the church as best as he could. From his work he had concluded it was not the church that attacked. The church was planning on using unfair increases in the money need to gain her freedom to capture her. Though they internally did not use the word capture, they merely wanted her to join the church.

  Chloe had explored more deeply the commoners of the capital. She had hoped she might be able to gain information from the seedier parts of the capital. She had learnt the current information guild has no involvement. They had invited Auna and her group to have a proper conversation in the future. They had been monitoring her and Ember Moon merchants carefully. They were known to take contract killing jobs, though never against the kingdom apparently. They did take out nobles they found were not helpful to the kingdom. They had said they were curious about Ember Moon since they could not find the location of the entrance to the dungeon. They also confirmed the king also could not find it. Though many rumors it belonged to the little fairy girl that claimed the great monster forest her home.

  They had found Chloe themselves after noticing her travel with some of the merchants from Ember Moon. Her parents had left back to their farm, so she was left to the merchants’ care. Not many followed her where abouts, as she was a true commoner. The information guild did though, not letting a single one of Aunas’ friends escape monitoring. Chloe had let slip their language though, having pulled out a few papers of it. She had been attempting to foster good peace with them, by sharing some information from Ember Moon. She had needed the papers as a guide to said information. Auna thought the information guild would be able to decipher the language given enough time now. Though currently she was not worried, the guild seemed truly loyal to the kingdom. As she and Ember Moon were also truly loyal to the kingdom, she had no fear.

  Next Jensen had mostly spent the time working on the new city by the shore. The walls were nearly done, the flower cases all created. There were many products for monster deflection already on the walls. There had been a few monster attacks during the nearly two months she slept. The adults from the dungeon were able to kill them. The different tools, weapons, and weakening of the monsters due to the different products on the walls helped greatly in their battles.

  Jensens’ report continued to explain how the city would be safer than originally thought. He had taken command of the dungeon to put all effort into the building of the city. He had let their merchants focus on information gathering. Everyone wanted to find out who hurt Auna and why they had targeted the king and Auna. The rest of the dungeon wanted to work on Aunas’ ‘pet project’ so she was happy when she came home.

  Jensen and the team worked hard enough that there were was a bustling but small working district with in the completed areas. It housed the workshops for the construction of the town currently with a few odd buildings. One being a full-blown restaurant, it having been the first built. The other oddity was a three-story work of art, it was a cottage like building. Made of brick, and mortar with pretty windows and crawling plants. It was surrounded by Aunas’ favourite flowers, and plants, with a tree of blue apples in the front yard. The entrance was a round turret three stories high. The entrance was the just the first level. The blue prints were in his report.

  The top of the turret, just below the roof lay a wide bay window, and a cozy bedroom. It included a washroom which led to the closet. The walls were covered in book cases, and a bed lay in the middle of the room. Over the bed was shown to have a huge metal chandelier that held stones of light, heat, and fabric fasteners. It would make a beautiful full canopy around the bed.

  The rest of the third floor was only bedrooms, and a few more washrooms. The bedrooms could easily hold two big beds each, though right now only had one each. There were twelve rooms, six on each side of the corridor with six washrooms total. The end of the corridor had a staircase leading to the second level and main level.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  The second level had a large kitchen, library, and washroom near the stairs. The library had a false wall leading into an inner room. This room was said to be a relay point for our information of the highest security level. As we grew there would need to be more of these spots to move items and information to the dungeon main hall. Further in was a large living area with soft sofas for resting. It also had tables, games, and other entertainment items of this world. Connected to the side was a storage area. This storage area was currently empty. On the other side of the hall were two classrooms that were noted for studying and meetings. The turret held an intimate meeting room, similar to a small classroom.

  The second floor was the ground level floor. The turret was the main entrance which held storage, mainly for shoes and coats. The doors were brilliantly made from glass and wood. When one walked in there was a slanted wall which led to a proper meeting hall for guests. There was also two public multi stall washrooms, making a near rectangle that took up a third of one half of the floor. The other half had display cases, empty, and an open lounge area.

  There was a huge ballroom, with double doors by the staircase. It could be closed off by shutting the doors. Between the ballroom and lounge was an open eating area filled with tables, which could be changed to one table. It had a half wall separating from the lounge. The kitchen was on the other side of the hall. It was closed off by a half wall and glass, to keep sound down. It had a closed storage area closer to the ballroom. The floor did not have a hallway instead there was a support beam, and a column in-between the kitchen and dinning area. This column facilitated a circular path between the two.

  The basement held the same open concept design. Near the stairs on either side were washroom and locker areas separated by biology. The turret held a comfortable observation area. There was a small room to maintain the heating, cooling, and plumbing of the building. This building was a marvel as it used no fire places. Instead, it used magic, and what Auna considered green energy. Though other energy had not been invented. The rest of the training area would be configured as needed.

  It was named as ‘Ember Moon; capital home’ Which was odd. It had been a very busy nearly two months for Jensen. Though she could assume the plans had been happening in secret longer.

  Meredith had spent her time with her family, and taking extra lessons at home. The triplets had split their time, and locations between Jensen, Ciela, and Chloe. They had taken turns protecting and following the three. Mateo always sticking to Chloe, while the other two switched off. Their reports were similar, and did not pose anything new.

  The dungeon reports were very interesting. With the recent presence of Ciela in Wardite caused more people to be brought into Ember Moon. Being made possible by the grandmother elf and a few others gaining a Moon Door adjuster job. It had been a newly created skill by grandmother elf as she tried to allow more people to use the doors after the attack. She had tried previously as she had a skill maker class. Her breakthrough was made in desperation as Auna slept. She could allow others temporary access, a one-way trip only. She could make a doorway that would last for twenty-four hours, then disappear. It was a plan looking door, but would do the job. It took a lot of mana though, and she could only make one door every three days.

  She coordinated with Ciela, and a triplet to bring in refugees. These refugees were mostly children who had lost their parents, and were currently in the slums of once prosperous farm land. Once they were brought to the dungeon, they were only allowed access to the main floor as Jensen, who had been given access to the dungeon after the dungeon grew enough to allow a secondary admin, said no. He was still having them vetted to ensure they were not a threat to Ember Moon. Auna would be taking control of that soon. With the increase of former farmers and their children the fields had begun producing higher quality and quantity of goods. This was helping to stabilize the consumption needs in Ember Moon.

  Auna stretched shaking Jensen. It was time to get back to their rooms. Jensen woke easily enough, carrying her to her bedroom, Ciela was already in her bed.

  “Is she okay?” Meredith asked as Jensen tugged Auna in.

  “Yeah, tired. She is always over compensating, you know? She feels bad we were all working toward her freedom while she slept.” Jensen gently tugged off her mantle and jewelry.

  “I’ll change her.” Meredith got up, grabbing her some fresh clothes.

  “Thank you.” Jensen left them to it. They all knew Jensen had special permission to use the doors always. Auna never actually blocked him, he only followed the rules out of respect. The girls had grown to trust and understand he would not abuse the power.

  The next week went well. During the day Auna attended classes, and slept as she could. She had done no study sessions, resting instead. She had began taking back control of the dungeon, and port city as well. Lacey had easily finished the formal wear for the three. They all slept in the dungeon the last night before the audience. They did not want to take the chance of an attack the night before the audience. With luck nothing of such happened while they slept safely in their fields, though that could have been because of another visit from the blue hair boy.

  “Are you sure we have to do this?” Ciela asked again as they walked through the castle. The guards walking them to the audience hall chuckled. Ciela ignored them groaning.

  “Yes. Please have more manners in front of the king.” Auna tucked the girl slightly behind her as they neared the doors to the hall.

  “We announce young lord Jensen Pearl, A, Jade, and Ciela the little farmer.” The guards yelled loudly once the doors were fully open. Ciela jumped a little putting herself further behind Auna. “Go on now walk to the king, and kneel.” The closet guard spoke softly.

  The hall was filled with people on either side of an aisle, all standing facing them currently. Slowly Auna moved forward first, Jensen putting himself behind Ciela. They reached the king quickly kneeling at the foot of the stairs to the main throne. It was a throne made of simple metal, encrusted with all the jewels of the families, both present and past. The ones that had fallen had been moved to the legs of the throne, as the new ones (families) stood on what they built. The most important families’ jewels were at the head of the tall throne above the kings’ own head. It represented how they were to advise, and help lead the king and kingdom. Currently Wardite, Bloodwave, Pearl, and Sapphire in that order were placed at the top.

  “Welcome. I have gathered you here today to reward you for act of loyalty.” The king paused as everyone started to whisper. “I called Jensen, and Ciela here as I knew you would not travel without them.” More whispers could be heard. “Silent. Rise children.”

  The children rose their heads to meet the gaze of the king. His eyes looked tired. He had not left Aunas’ side often, that she knew.

  “Auna come.” The kings’ voice was like a call from the deep, she did not hesitate to walk to him. Kneeling again once at the throne. “From today you will be known as AunaLuna Sage Jasper. Ciela, the child you take responsibility for, will be Ciela Silvia Jasper from this day on. You may go back now.” The king handed Auna a black polished stone. It was black Jasper, looking at it reminded one of the stars, a perfect fit. A very rare stone.

  Auna went back to her place.

  “King Jules you can’t!” Mother of the church, was present and loud.

  “I can, and have.” The king moved his body showing the black Jasper inlaid beside the Coral, and Lapis stones on his throne.

  “How could you? A family name? What next, land?” Mother of the church continued to ramble as nobles for the most part were quiet.

  “How could he not? The child protected the king with her own body, became his shield. It would be an afront to exclude her from the nobility!” Samantha spoke over the church mother. Many nobles agreeing with her. They may not like commoners but they were never against rewarding one for such acts of loyalty and bravery.

  “Our deal though.” The church mother pleaded.

  “I will be giving the Jaspers control of the inner parts of the currently unclaimed great monster forest. They will be allowed to do with it as they please. If she can create enough money from it to met the deals requirements so, be it. I will not be known as a king who does not fairly reward his subjects. I will not be known as a king who gives impossible bargains, and deals. I feel the deal made has been adjusted to favor you, the church, twice now, is not only fair to slightly give my subject a fair chance once?” The king smiled.

  “Does that mean the great monster forest will now be split between the three noble houses of Jade, Bloodwave, and now Jasper?” Count Jade asked the king calmly.

  “Yes.” The king was to the point.

  “I would like to propose one of our sons for engagement.” Samantha spoke up.

  “I believe I told you before, no?” The king looked annoyed.

  “No Bloodwave was to marry A Jade, this girl is AunaLuna Jasper. She is also fourteen noble tradition is to have a proposed partner selected at ten. She is much too late; she will need to follow this tradition to fit into the noble families. Not every engagement is fulfilled, there should be no problems.” Samantha threw a grin to Auna. “Though most are.”

  “AunaLuna Jasper would you object to me, in place of a father, selecting who you are to be engaged to?” The king asked.

  Auna looked to the shadow guard only a few select people could see. He was grinning like a mad fool shaking his head and winking. “I do not object, it would honor me further my king.” Auna gave a bow as well as she spoke.

  “Alright. Then it shall be.” The king paused as Samantha grinned wider looking to her daughter with a superior air about her. “Jensen Pearl shall be your engaged. May your relationship continue to strengthen. I am sure his father will also give his blessing. A proper engagement party shall be held, in tradition, once you both are sixteen. If I remember correctly, you both are born on the same day so it should make it easier to schedule.” The king smiled warmly; it was obvious he planned this.

  “My king that is not fair.” Samantha tried.

  “I believe the Duke Pearl has a slightly lower station than yours not higher, how is it unfair?” The king entertained the disagreement.

  “Bloodwaves found her, raised her, schooled her. —” Samantha was cut off by a wave of the kings’ hand.

  “Are you telling me the Bloodwave family helped the children for gain only? As I am aware all monetary spending has been given back to you by the Pearl family. I also believe your daughter is a team member and has gain reputation and prizes by not just her efforts but Aunas’. Besides if you truly see the child as yours, wouldn’t it be inappropriate to marry her to a son of Bloodwave?” The king stopped talking. Samantha never rose her head; she had conceded the argument.

  After a few more arguments the children were sent back to school. They gathered their friends and headed to the dungeon. They filled in everyone on what had happened, Seth and others would be filled in later. Everyone celebrated the huge step towards freedom Auna had gained.