The candle on the desk had melted halfway down, its wax pooling around the base, a testament to the late hour and the prolonged focus of its user. A sudden gust of wind extinguished the fragile flame, plunging the room into brief darkness before the figure relit it with practiced ease.
The flickering light revealed Ramune, still in her knight's uniform, seated at her desk. Papers, maps, and scattered notes lay in disarray before her as she meticulously tried to piece together the fragments of a mystery she was determined to solve.
"So if it's here… and here…" she muttered to herself, her sharp green eyes narrowing in thought as she traced a path across the map. Her voice was low, almost lost in the quiet hum of the night. Her focus was unyielding, as though the answers she sought lay just beyond her grasp.
It was clear she was lost in her own world, completely oblivious to the passage of time—or the fact that it was well past bedtime.
Just as she leaned closer to her notes, ready to dive deeper into her thoughts, a voice broke through the silence.
"Hey, our head knight! What are you, a vampire?"
Startled but composed, Ramune turned toward the door. Standing there, with his characteristic grin and easy demeanor, was Lionel.
"Ah, Lionel," her tone calm and steady, as if she'd been expecting him.
Lionel stepped into the room, arms crossed casually as he surveyed the chaos of papers strewn across her desk. "You've been at this for hours, haven't you? I can smell the candle wax all the way down the hall. You're gonna scare the squires if you keep this up."
Ramune ignored his teasing and returned her attention to her work. "I'm close to something," her voice laced with determination. "There's a pattern here—I just need to find it."
Lionel approached, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the map. "You've been staring at that thing all night, haven't you? Come on, even knights need to sleep."
"I'll rest when I've made progress," she replied firmly, her eyes not leaving the map.
Lionel sighed dramatically, pulling up a chair and sitting across from her. "Alright, if you're so set on working, at least let me help. What's this about, anyway?"
She hesitated for a moment before pointing to a marked area on the map. "There's something… off about the southern forest. Someone mentioned it earlier, but I can't make sense of it. If the former king really did frequent this place, why hasn't anyone spoken about it openly? What's there to hide?"
Lionel frowned, leaning in closer. "The southern forest, huh? That place gives me the creeps. You think it's connected to… you know, him?"
"It has to be," she said firmly, her voice tinged with frustration. "The villagers know something, but they're too scared to talk. And this person… he knows more than he's letting on."
Lionel raised an eyebrow. "This guy.. You think he's hiding something from us?"
Ramune shook her head. "Not hiding. Just… holding back. He gave me this information for a reason, and I'm going to figure out why."
Lionel leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Alright, but don't let this obsession burn you out, Ramune. We need you sharp, not sleep-deprived."
Ramune allowed a small, rare smile to escape. "I'll be fine, Lionel. But thank you."
Lionel grinned, standing up and stretching. "Well, if you're not going to bed, at least let me get you some tea. Can't have you turning into an actual vampire, can we?"
As he left the room, Ramune turned back to her desk, her expression softening slightly. At least someone cares enough to keep me grounded, she thought.
The candlelight flickered again, casting long shadows across the room as Ramune resumed her work, her determination unwavering.
---
After a long night of preparation—and no sleep at all—Ramune straightened herself up, ensuring her appearance was as immaculate as ever. Her sharp gaze scanned her reflection briefly, smoothing out the creases on her uniform before making her way toward the king's office.
"I wonder if this is enough," she thought, her mind replaying every detail she planned to discuss. Oddly, the thought eased her nerves, giving her a renewed sense of determination. Her steps quickened, echoing in the grand corridor, as if her resolve pushed her forward.
When she reached the door, she gave a firm knock. Before she could step back to wait, the door swung open with surprising haste.
The king stood there, his regal figure illuminated by the soft glow of morning light filtering into the room. His warm, beaming smile greeted her, softening the air of authority surrounding him. He recognized her immediately, his expression brightening further.
"Dame Ramune! I've been waiting for you!" he said enthusiastically, gesturing her to enter. "Please, come in."
For a moment, Ramune hesitated, unused to being met with such warmth, but she quickly regained her composure. She stepped into the office, bowing slightly as the king closed the door behind her.
"Your Majesty," she began, her tone measured and respectful, "I've come to seek your permission to proceed with the investigation regarding the reports from the northern region. I believe it's critical to address the matter without further delay."
The king's expression turned thoughtful as he moved to his desk, gesturing for her to continue. "I trust your judgment, Dame Ramune. Tell me, what's your plan?"
Ramune explained her strategy in detail, her tone unwavering and her posture firm, though the dark circles beneath her eyes betrayed her exhaustion. The king nodded along, his trust in her evident.
"And this plan of yours," he said after a moment of silence, "it seems thorough. But I trust you've considered every possible risk?"
"Of course, Your Majesty," Ramune replied confidently. "I wouldn't bring it to you otherwise."
The king smiled again, his pride in her shining through. "Very well. You have my permission. Proceed as you see fit, Dame Ramune."
As she bowed once more, Ramune couldn't help but feel a flicker of satisfaction. Despite the exhaustion clawing at her, she knew her work had only just begun. The weight of responsibility pressed against her shoulders, but she welcomed it—this was her duty, and she would see it through.
Or so she thought.