She woke up glowing.
She'd slept better than she had in...ages.
The bed smelled nice.
She hummed as she rolled over in bed and reached out for Kieran.
She found only a pillow.
One eye peeked open, and she pursed her lips in a pout, huffing.
"...Ah...he already woke up..."
'Maybe that's for the best. This was supposed to be a secret, after all...'
She climbed out of bed. The blanket still held traces of body heat. Kieran must have left very recently. She dragged the heavy blanket off the bed with her as she pulled it tight around her shoulders.
The mirror across from her caught her attention, and she found herself blushing as she slowly approached it.
There were light bruises on her neck and breasts from his lips and teeth. She lightly traced over the ones on her neck, shuddering.
"...Kieran left his mark on me..."
A stupid, giddy smile crossed her face as she continued getting ready for the day.
She still didn't understand this whole 'Keybearer' thing, since she'd opted to fall asleep rather than rush through the whole ceremony yesterday, but...but!
There were no sales reports!
No quotas!
No customer feedback or 'suggestions' from her market manager!
No extra hours in the office.
There was a cozy bed she was actually given the time to sleep in, delicious food!
And...
She felt her cheeks flush pink again.
A handsome knight was her boyfriend.
Well...that might be jumping the gun a little. She didn't really know if she was his girlfriend, after all. She certainly liked to think so...
But that aside...
Verilonia seemed like a wonderful place, if she got to stay.
She hummed happily as she continued getting ready. She would go and find Kieran, and get something to eat.
Perhaps this Keybearer thing wasn't so bad at all.
When she headed out of her room, she was greeted by a servant who curtsied to her.
"Good morning, Keybearer. This way, if you would. The prince has requested an audience with you in the great hall."
"Ah-" She nodded quickly. "Right, the prince."
Well...I guess I can't go and neglect my duties...
She hurried down the hall after the woman, and when she entered the Great Hall, she hesitated just outside.
Prince Adrien stood in the center of the room, holding something that glittered in his hand. He turned when she entered.
"Emily."
"Your Highness." She bowed, and he strode forward, taking her hand in his own and smiling at her.
"I hope you rested well."
"I did." She felt a slight blush crawl up her face when he touched her, but tried to will it back down. He was handsome, but...
Is it crass to think first come first serve-?
The smile he gave her seemed strained, but there was a sincere sincerity behind it.
"I am pleased. Come, Emily, please follow me."
He walked with her further into the room.
She noted that the room was lined with nobles and official looking people.
Adrien had a gentle smile. "May I ask? Will you be the Keybearer?"
She paused, staring at him, and then she took a deep breath.
"...Yes."
She didn't get it, but. It's not like she had anything going for her back home. Even if she knew how to get back. And Kieran would be here, too. She...could spend time with him...
"Excellent." The prince looked around the room. "Today we crown Verilonia's new Keybearer."
Murmurs rose up from the crowd of nobles.
A man behind her gently nudged her shoulder so she would bow on one knee before the prince.
She knelt down in front of the prince, nervously casting a glance around the room to make sure she was kneeling correctly.
"Emily. Do you accept the role of Keybearer as entrusted to you by the gods?"
"I do."
"Then, let the water of purification flow over you."
The prince stepped forward, and poured water over her head, drenching her completely.
She yelped.
A little more warning would have been nice...!
"Keybearer." He said seriously, and she looked up at him. "Please look at this jewel."
He held his hand up, and a gem glowed in his hand. It was large. Blue.
She hesitantly reached out to take it.
When she grabbed hold of the gem, it shone with a bright white light, filling the room with its brilliance.
"Oh...!"
The light cleared.
"...I..." She glanced around the room, biting her lip. "I uh...don't see any keys."
Adrien gave a faint smile.
"If you were not the keybearer, nothing would have happened. Worry not." He waved his hand toward her. "This is the 'Keystone', each key must touch this stone to combine their power when it comes time."
"Oh, I see." She nodded.
Then - surprisingly - the prince himself knelt before her, his hand to his chest. The man behind her urged her to her feet as all others knelt.
"Keybearer!" The prince declared. "You honor us with your presence!"
Everyone rose from their bows after only a moment of her...blind confusion...as the prince smiled at her. "I will guide you, personally, Keybearer. Please rely on me."
She wasn't entirely sure what to say to that.
She found herself scanning the room as the prince continued to talk, lips pursed.
Finally, she glanced over at him. "Ah...where is Kieran?"
Prince Adrien stiffened, and then gave a short nod. "Kieran is out hunting orcs, Lady Emily."
"Ah, I see..."
She glanced down at the ground, lips pursed.
Well...I suppose that's what he was doing when we met, too...
"...Do not fret, Lady Emily." Adrien's voice was gentle. "I'm sure you will see him when he returns tonight."
She flushed, embarrassed that the prince had seen through her, and quickly nodded. "Uh-um! Ye...yes! Of course!"
She wouldn't have met Kieran at all if it hadn't been for his work. He had responsibilities. She couldn't get in the way of that. She knew better than most how busy work could leave a person.
And no doubt it was even more for Kieran, since she'd only worked in an office, not run through the woods hunting monsters for a living.
"Yes." She nodded again. "I'll just...have to be patient. Thank you."
Adrien nodded as well. "It is nothing. Please, come with me. We can speak further over a meal. You must be famished."
She blushed slightly.
Well...after last night...I did miss dinner...
"Y...yes. That sounds nice."
He smiled kindly. "Then come. I would love to get to know more of you and your world."