"What did you do!?"
Reina's bellow echoed throughout the room and most certainly the halls of the entire Irelios library.
"Ssh! Do you want to wake Master Sebastian?" Marco said fiercely.
"I don't care about your master! You just ate my last chance!"
Reina went over to Marco and tried to pry his mouth open. He swatted her away.
"It's gone," he said. "But there is another way."
"There is? What?"
'Yeah, what?' Marco asked himself. His eating of the Shaping Potion recipe was a purely spontaneous act. He wanted so badly to have Reina make him a Hero that he just...acted desperately. That recipe was the only bargaining chip he had. Now that he had eaten the only copy…
Wait. That was it!
"I remember the recipe perfectly!" he exclaimed just as much to himself as to Reina.
She grabbed him and threw him against a nearby bookshelf. "No lies!"
"It's not a lie! Look at...that book right there." He pointed to a book on Master Mace's bookshelf. It was another book of potions. "Choose any recipe from that book."
She flashed him a wary look, and then picked up the book. She flipped to a point about halfway through. "Rest Easy."
Marco quickly responded. "One handful of the herb Melina's Embrace, a dash of Old Nanner's, and five river cloves. Mix together for an hour under mild heat. Its effect is to ease pain so that one can sleep."
Reina looked at him for a moment, her eyes still stern, then flipped to a different page. "Hmph, Serpent's Taste."
"An illegal poison, whoever drinks it will become sick within minutes and die vomiting out everything inside them. Venom from the fang of a recently-killed Barren Lands serpent, nectar from a purple rose, and halfway through mixing, throw in Taster's Bane to make it odorless and tasteless."
Reina nodded. "Fine. Last one. Shaping Potion."
Marco gave her a weary look. "Nice try. But as you can see, I have memorized the recipes in all of these books. I am the one who copied them from the original scripts, after all. And before you ask, the originals were destroyed in the palace fire last year. The only place Master Mace's recipes exist now are in this library, and in my memory."
So it was that the terms were set. Marco and Reina looked at one another from across the room, the dim light of the lantern casting long shadows on both of their faces. Each one summing the other up, planning their next move. Finally, Reina spoke.
"So that's your scheme, then. I become your Patron, make you a Hero, and in exchange you give me the recipe. What's to stop me from making you a Hero and then having you killed after I get what I want?"
"Because I know that the Shaping Potion isn't a permanent potion. It requires another dose every few months. I will not give you the recipe. I will make the potion for you. And you will keep me employed as your faithful Hero forevermore because you need me to keep making it."
Marco felt an instant pang of regret when he saw Reina's reaction. She looked utterly defeated, her eyes downcast as she weighed her options. When she looked back up at Marco, her expression was not one of a lady gazing upon her savior. Instead, her brown eyes burned with indignation.
"You have a deal, Marco Flores. Let's go."
"Go? Go where?"
"To the palace, of course. You will make me the Shaping Potion and then we shall sleep. Tomorrow, I will bring you before the king to be named a Hero."
****
It was a mixture of work, guilt, and excitement that kept Marco from sleeping that night.
The work began right away. He didn't even have time to enjoy the fact that he was finally entering the palace, as he was practically dragged in and shoved into a lab by Reina.
Fortunately the Shaping Potion was actually a simple recipe. And Marco had received basic alchemy training at the Dyon Academy. The thing that stopped Shaping Potion from being sold in any old shop was that it required extremely rare ingredients. But since he was working in the royal palace, resources were not a problem. Every herb and liquid was available in abundance, and Marco grabbed handfuls upon handfuls. Most of it was to throw off Reina, who hovered over his shoulder and watched his every move. No doubt she was trying to guess the recipe from his actions. To account for this, Marco prepared a second dummy potion. When the time came for her to drink them, he simply gave her both. The dummy potion had no actual effect. But Reina downed them both, pointed Marco in the direction of a bedroom he could use, and went to her own room without so much as a thank you.
And that was where the guilt came from. Marco knew he was taking advantage of Reina. He also knew that he was just abandoning his old life and the people that depended on him. Before going to his new bedroom, he found his way to the post tower and had owls deliver two letters. One to Sebastian, announcing his immediate resignation from the library. The second letter went to his parents, sharing news of his new job and promises to send money home when he had it.
That gave him excitement. He knew his parents would ultimately be happy for him. They were always wary of his dreams of being a Hero, arguing that his path was to be a laborer like his father. But really they just wanted him to make money and raise his own family. Now that he had a Patron, he'd soon be swimming in gold. And once he gained a reputation, he would have no trouble finding a wife.
First thing, however, was to meet the king. Become a real Hero. Then whatever happened in the past wouldn't matter. Marco the Coward, his selfish deal with Reina, all of it could be forgiven once he proved himself a noble and just Hero. When those thoughts came to mind, Marco was finally able to drift off into a short slumber.
****
The next morning, servants woke him up right as the sun rose and practically pushed him into a tub.
As he bathed, a servant cut his hair. His long, messy black mop was transformed into a short and stylish hairdo. Any facial stubble he had was shaven clean, leaving only a dashing mustache and goatee. After he put on the new clothes prepared for him, a smart red doublet and black pants tied with a black belt that had a huge buckle, he took the time to inspect himself in the mirror.
Staring back was a neat, clean, and even handsome young man. He reminded himself of the way he looked when he saved the orphans in the past. Fresh-faced and ready to take on the world. It did wonders for his mood. Now the guilt and fatigue were gone, and only excitement remained. The old Marco was back!
"Look at you," Reina exclaimed when he joined her in the palace hallway. "You can actually look decent. We might just make this work after all."
Reina herself was a vision of elegance and beauty. Marco was actually taken aback. Sure he could tell that she was pretty when they first met. But her constant death threats and attitude didn't exactly give off that royal charm. Today, however, she seemed to effuse grace in an ornate red gown that matched his doublet. Her blonde hair practically gleamed as it flowed down her back, the top parts braided intricately. She looked exactly like the royals as Marco remembered them from parades he had watched as a child. Perfect gleaming smiles, untouchable as they sat above the commoners and passed them by. Only this time, the princess extended an arm to Marco. He took it and escorted her towards the throne room.
Now that the sun was out and there was nothing to do but walk, Marco could finally take in the palace. The walls were towering and white, with many spots that opened up directly outside. These were not windows, for windows could close. These holes were always open, always drinking in the warm sunlight. It made the palace always feel fresh, warm, and welcoming. Or at least it did for the few hours Marco had spent in it.
"Eyes forward," Reina commanded. "If you're going to sell yourself as a Hero, you have to look like you belong. That means no gazing around wide-eyed like a visiting commoner."
Marco focused his gaze ahead as they reached the end of the hallway and turned a corner. Here was the central hall of the palace, where the open airiness gave way to regal flair. A great chandelier hung above the circular room that had yellow-armored guards stationed all around the walls. In between each pair of guards was a huge portrait of a previous king. There were many doors, but Marco and Reina stopped in front of the biggest of all. A behemoth of a door made out of solid gold.
As they waited for a guard to go in and announce their arrival, Marco asked Reina, "Is there anything I should know before we go in?"
"Three things: follow my lead, do your best to sound intelligent, and your name is now Claude Virtue."
"Wait, what?"
The door opened, and Marco heard a loud voice shout: "Her Highness, the Second Princess Reina Irelios, and Claude Virtue!"
Reina gave him a slight tug and they went forward. They followed a long yellow carpet that lead to the throne, where the king and many lords and ladies awaited them. All eyes were on Marco and Reina, but Marco couldn't be bothered with that.
"Who is Claude Virtue?" he whispered to her.
Reina replied through her smile, "You. It's your new name."
"That's a stupid name."
"It's better than Marco Flores, known coward and disgrace of the kingdom. We can discuss this later."
By this point they were about halfway down the carpet. Marco could begin to make out the faces of the people that stared at them. He could almost sense their eyes boring into him, as if penetrating his mind to find out everything they could about this newcomer.
"Reina, my daughter!" called the king. "It warms my heart to hear that you've finally chosen a Hero."
The king, like his palace, was big, sunny, and welcoming. He stood up from his throne and held his arms out to welcome his daughter. He was probably a foot taller than Marco, with a healthy brown beard and a very large frame that was packed tightly into golden armor with the kingdom's sun crest on his chest. But as Reina ran up to hug him, anything imposing about him seemed to melt away.
"Yes, father. I know I refused to name a Hero and partake in the game but this man…" she turned to Marco. "He presented me with something that I could not refuse."
The king's gaze fell upon Marco. "You must be quite the man to change Reina's mind so. Do you know she's been eligible to take the throne for five years? Five years! And yet she refused to enter the contest with her brothers and sisters. Always said she abhorred conflict. But in this past year, she seems to have undergone a transformation of sorts. And now she brings you before me. How wonderful!"
There was silence for a few moments until Marco noticed several gazes fixed upon him. Clearly he was meant to speak.
He coughed before saying, "I am but a simple man, your highness. But...it was actually Princess Reina who has caused a transformation within me. Yes, she is quite inspiring. I look forward to doing great deeds in her name. And the kingdom's, of course."
"Well said," The king gave Marco a curious look but nodded in approval.
"Indeed," agreed Reina. But as Marco caught her eye, she looked unimpressed. "Well, father, I know you are busy so I shall not keep you. Shall we officially name Lord Virtue my Hero and be done with it?"
The king waved his hand. "No need to be in such a rush. I want to know more about your first Hero. Claude...Virtue was it?"
Marco said nothing.
"Lord Virtue!" Reina said loudly but sweetly.
"Oh!" Marco jumped. "Yes, your highness?"
"Where exactly do you hail from, my boy?" asked the king.
Marco's heart was thumping, as if a hammer was perpetually striking his chest. This was where he had always wanted to be, amongst the nobility, being named a Hero. But if Reina had her way, it would be Claude Virtue that would be named a Hero. Then again, if he got to live his dream, did it really matter what he was called?
"Your highness…" he began.
But before he could continue, a clear and haughty voice rang out. "Father, you called us here for something exciting, so why am I being subjected to this nobody and Reina's idle chit-chat?"
Everyone turned to see the owner of the voice as he stepped forward. It was a handsome young man with blonde hair and sharp blue eyes like Reina's. He wore a yellow doublet and a small golden crown of his own.
"As the Second Prince of this land," the handsome youth said, "I picked my first Hero years ago. And many others after. Now we travel the land and achieve glory, something I would very much like to get back to. It's very cute that Reina has finally decided to join us, but I see no point in standing here pretending that I care. We all know that I'm going to win the throne anyway."
"Ha!"
Everyone turned around to face this other new voice, a beautiful young woman in a blue dress that looked like an older, more refined Reina. She spoke with a voice that sounded songlike.
"You are quite the joker, little brother. But we all know whose name is the most renowned throughout our beloved kingdom. It is I, First Princess Julia!"
The prince scoffed. "Renowned for the way you flirt maybe. But charming men alone cannot win a crown, my sister."
"Do you even know the meaning of charm?"
"Enough!"
Gone was the sunny disposition that the king greeted Reina with. Replacing it was a ferocity that matched that of a roaring lion. "The battle for the throne is meant to be an honorable competition. You respect your opponents as much as you compete with them. They are, after all, still your blood! But since you cannot be bothered to put aside your petty squabbles, let us finish this. Lord Virtue, are you ready to be named Princess Reina's Hero?"
All eyes in the room were all too happy to turn to Marco and away from the prince and princess.
"I am, your highness. But, one thing."
The king raised an eyebrow. "What would that be?"
"I will become Princess Reina's hero, but not as Claude Virtue. My name is Marco Flores."