Standing in front of the palace's large gates, I adjusted the black mask to cover properly as I tried to not scratch the expensive red dress. Luckily, Hain supplied us with some new cloaks so I didn't have to look like a show-off when we walked out.
"That mask won't cover much. Even with magic, why did you get that one?" Alfie wore her usual adventuring clothes with the same mask too. Talk about unfairness... I get peer pressured into dressing up while she just gets to relax in her comfortable combat outfit.
"I just like it. That's all," Even though it only covered the top-right quarter of my face, it was enchanted to nullify face recognition from others. This one doesn't cover my nose and leaves one of my eyes unbothered. In addition, it only covers the edge of my lip. Besides... I liked the phantom resemblance.
"But you'd look so much prettier with a fancy red mask, pity we didn't manage to convince you on that one." Alfie looked disappointed, but managing to get me into a red gown with black frills is quite the feat enough.
"Nonetheless, I believe you both look beautiful," Fay tried to cheer Alfie up. Her white Colombina mask covering only her eyes and her loose curly hair goes so well with her dark blue dress.
"At least we've got one person that looks like they belong here," I fist-bumped Alfie with a thumbs up to Fay.
"Why am I here again?" Shin adjusted his white collar to go underneath his victorian style black cape. A black mask covered his eyes and up, even half of his actual head. Looks weird as hell, but I have no rights to judge do I?
"I'm here as common courtesy. I received a personal invitation so I can't exactly decline after missing the coronation," Alfie rolled her eyes.
"I'm not asking why you're here, I'm asking why I'M here," Shin tilted his head.
"Heh, rude much? YOU are here because wouldn't it be wrong to leave your adventurer friend alone in a room with a bunch of elegant talking people?" Alfie smirked.
Oh... she's lonely...
I thought she'd have some sort of scheme or something...
Forgive me... I overestimated you, Alfie.
We walked through the white gates on a polished road, straight into the palace's main entrance. I can go in legally this time... that's different.
"Seems like a waste of time," Shin stomped along the path. Attracting everyone's attention from his rude demeanour, shout out HEY I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE why don't ya?
Why do I care about second-hand embarrassment anymore?
"Seems like we have free elegant food awaiting us," I distanced myself from Shin. I do not know that man.
The marble gleamed in the bright light of the sun. Every pillar, decorated and seemingly glowing in the light. The palace looked more pristine and proper in the morning, but for some reason, I prefer it at night a lot more. Sunlight only burns my eyes and irritates my skin.
A large navy blue carpet stretched on from the end of the road to the palace's doors. Guards seemed to be positioned together every pillar and my senses are telling me there are guards on the roof as well.
Redhead probably tightened up the security after I came in... too bad this time I'm going through the actual entrance.
"The demon's second in command's coming?!" A loud whisper from one of the guards caught my eyes.
"Shut up. We don't want to make anyone freak out," The other guard scolded.
How...
VERY
Irritating.
Damon became the second in command? He doesn't have an alias too... they'll know the heroes are the enemies. This means... well MY life is harder cause they'll search even harder for us and this time it'll probably be dead or alive!
That's probably that bastard Grail's plan... always making my life so damn HARD. I wish I can kill him already-
"Are you alright?" Fay placed a hand on my shoulder, "You were omitting a scary aura. It seems as if you were upset."
I met her question with a sigh, "Sorry about that, I got too lost in thought,"
Walking into the main hall, there was a line in the midst of the lavishing decor. People at the front gave a letter identical to Alfie's and whispered something to the ear of the guard, making him announce something.
As we move ever closer to the front, I started to hear faintly, "Lord Alex Capaneus of the northern isles,"
So it's an announcement of the name and the land of origins huh? Doesn't seem too hard to fak-
Wait did they say Alex that douchey noble is here?! I can totally electrocute him right now!
"Forge," I formed a thin iron wire under the carpet to attach to Alex's armour.
Twisting my hands for aesthetics, "Shock," a small light blue transmutation circle appeared at the tip of my finger, pointing at the wire.
This spell's activation time is slow, but it'll shock him for sure and of course shock in both meanings. Revenge you son of a-
Grabbing my hand, Fay covered the transmutation circle with her hand. Making the thing activate in her hand.
Crap!
"Are you oka-"
"The guards are waiting for any suspicious behaviours. They might see you, Amber," Fay remained calm, her hand looked burnt, but she showed no reaction to it at all.
Never mind the guards! Your hands are fricking burnt!
"I'm so sorry! That was a pretty strong spell, are you sure you're okay?!" I tried to whisper, but I'm quite sure I was on the verge of shouting. Luckily, just not loud enough for other people to hear.
"It is alright, I am used to it," Fay reassured. Unlike me, her body doesn't seem used to it though... only her mind...
"Just because you're used to it doesn't mean it's good for you okay? Know your limits," I don't know why, but a part of me wanted to say 'I can't lose you too,'.
This sentence keeps repeating inside my head no matter how much I try to drown it out.
"Found you!" Alfie caught up, cutting the line. The person behind us looked like she was going to start throwing hands, but saw Alfie's ears.
"Sorry, we walked ahead without you. I got a bit... distracted,"
"So... where's Shin?" Alfie asked. Oh crap... we lost him...
"What do you mean I can't go inside?!" The voice cracked while shouting. Ah yes, we found him again. That was so difficult. I can't believe it.
"He doesn't have the letter of invitation right?" Let me reconfirm my thought process. I'm quite confident I'm right though.
"No... we gotta cut more lines. I kinda feel bad," Alfie started walked nonchalantly.
Kinda?
Can't go in without Alfie so I grabbed Fay and followed Alfie. Touching my mask, I'm glad I have it. Something about it makes being seen by other people more... comforting.
"My friend has the invitation! So just let me go inside!" Shin tried to break through a single guard with a red mask and run inside, but was immediately grabbed by the neck and smashed down into the ground, knocking the wind out of Shin.
The unique red aura he was emitting was unmistakable. Felix.