Lizzy paced back and forth, wringing her hands as she replayed the conversation with the King in her mind.
"She is a boy?"
The thought made her halt mid-step. It couldn't be right.
Kun had looked like a girl—her delicate features, her wide, impassive eyes, the dress she wore at the time—it all screamed Lady. A lady. And yet…
Lizzy groaned, burying her face in her hands as her cheeks burned.
"I was so rude, wasn't I?!"
She had called Kun improper, had dismissed her—him—without a second thought. If she had known, she never would have embarrassed herself so badly in front of Alice.
Not again.
Lizzy sighed, sinking onto the edge of her bed, uncertain of what to do. How was she supposed to apologize? Just thinking about it made her heart thump uncomfortably.
And then—
A knock on the door.
"My Lady."
Lizzy straightened. "Come in."
Her attendant stepped inside, bowing slightly. "You've been summoned by the King."
Lizzy froze.
"...What?"
Had the King seen her failures? Had he noticed her mistakes?
"Why? I didn't do anything to anger him, did I?" she blurted out.
Her attendant smiled faintly and sat beside her, taking Lizzy's trembling hands in her own.
"You didn't do anything, My Lady."
Lizzy swallowed. She wanted to believe that. She needed to.
But deep down, she wasn't sure.
She stared at her hands, gripping her skirts tightly. "Ever since I was sent here as a hostage, the King and Alice have made a game of humiliating me. I've tried my best to avoid his notice, but Alice—Alice keeps…" She inhaled sharply.
"...He keeps getting me involved in his schemes."
Her attendant stroked her head gently. "And yet, here you are. Stronger than they think."
Lizzy let out a slow breath, steadying herself.
Stronger.
She had to be.
Even if it meant wearing another mask.
Even if it meant playing their game.
- - -
Summoned to the Lion's Den
The King's study was nothing like the grand halls Lizzy was used to. It was darker, lined with ancient tomes and relics of forgotten wars. Candles flickered along the walls, casting long, stretching shadows.
The King sat at his desk, fingers steepled. His golden eyes, so much like Alice's but colder, studied her.
"Lizbeth Delacroix." His voice was smooth, but it held an edge.
Lizzy curtsied perfectly. "Your Majesty."
The King exhaled, leaning back. "Tell me, child. What do you think of the boy?"
Lizzy didn't even need to ask who he meant.
Her posture stiffened. "Kun? He is… dangerous."
The King hummed. "Go on."
She clasped her hands tightly. "He has no noble blood. No history. And yet, he casts Artes with no incantation. That is unnatural, Your Majesty."
The King raised an eyebrow. "You sound quite concerned."
Lizzy's lips pressed together. "It is only natural to be wary."
The King let out a low chuckle. "Wary? Or jealous?"
Lizzy froze.
She looked up—straight into his golden gaze.
It was like staring into the sun. Blinding. Overpowering. Merciless.
For the first time in a long while—
Lizzy felt small.
She forced herself to keep her voice level. "I only wish to serve Evergloam, Your Majesty."
The King smiled. It was not comforting.
"Good," he said. "Then serve me."
Lizzy swallowed. "Your Majesty?"
He stood, walking toward the balcony. "The boy is an anomaly. One I intend to unravel. But unraveling requires patience."
His gaze flickered toward her.
"And a… gentle hand."
Lizzy's breath hitched.
"You want me to—?"
The King's smirk deepened. "Get close to him. Gain his trust. Learn what makes him tick." He turned fully, tilting his head. "You are skilled at masks, are you not?"
Lizzy gritted her teeth behind a practiced smile. "Of course, Your Majesty."
The King chuckled. "Good girl."
Lizzy curtsied and exited.
But the moment the door closed behind her—
Her hands were shaking.
- - -
Operation: Befriend the Stray
The next day, Lizzy found Kun.
He was sitting in the garden, absolutely devouring a plate of pastries. Alice was beside him, half-asleep, a book resting on his lap.
Lizzy inhaled. Time to begin.
"Kun!" she called out sweetly.
Alice flinched awake.
Kun?
Didn't even look up.
Lizzy's eye twitched.
She sat gracefully across from him, hands folded. "I never properly introduced myself."
Kun finally looked at her.
Chewing.
Slow.
Unbothered.
Lizzy smiled harder. "Lady Lizbeth Delacroix. A pleasure."
Kun swallowed. "Mm."
Silence.
Alice rubbed his temple like he had a headache.
Lizzy cleared her throat. "I wanted to apologize."
Kun raised an eyebrow.
Lizzy sighed dramatically. "I may have overreacted before. It was improper of me."
Alice looked like he was physically biting his tongue.
Kun wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "Okay."
Lizzy blinked.
He just… accepted it? No arguments? No theatrics?
This was too easy.
She smiled again. "Then I hope we can be friends."
Kun tilted his head. "Why?"
Lizzy stalled.
"Well," Lizzy recovered, masking her irritation, "I believe we got off on the wrong foot."
Kun stared.
And stared.
And stared.
Then—
Kun pushed his plate toward her.
"Here," he said.
Lizzy blinked at the plate.
"…What is this?"
"Pastry."
"I can see that."
"Then why'd you ask?"
Alice choked on his drink.
Lizzy clenched her jaw so hard it hurt.
Kun watched her like she was a mildly interesting rock. "Friends share food, right?"
Lizzy inhaled deeply.
Then, slowly—delicately—she picked up a pastry and took a bite.
Kun nodded approvingly. "Not bad."
Lizzy forced a sweet smile. "I'm glad you think so."
Kun grinned. "Wanna fight?"
Lizzy nearly choked.
Alice wheezed.
Kun stretched. "Sparring helps build trust."
Lizzy stared at him, processing.
She had trained in swordplay, etiquette, magic, manipulation—but never had she encountered a boy who treated friendship like a wrestling match.
She exhaled through her teeth.
This was going to be harder than she thought.
Kun took another bite. "You're staring."
Lizzy smiled. "I'm just… appreciating the moment."
Kun squinted. "That's weird."
Lizzy's eye twitched.
This boy.
Alice groaned, rubbing his temple harder.