Chapter 5

Servants and nobles alike bowed as Rika passed them in the halls of the palace, but she couldn't help but overhear their whispers. Some had hoped she'd save them, while others questioned if she was a true saint or an imposter.

I'd go with unwilling imposter, but apparently, this body has powers.

They made their way upstairs in the east wing, where Alric's office was. Wolfe knocked on his door.

"Come in," Alric answered.

Wolfe opened the door, waited for Rika to enter, and followed her in, leaving Celeste in the hallway.

"Good morning, Miss Rika. I hope you had a good night's rest." Alric motioned to the couches surrounding the coffee table as he stood from his desk. "Please have a seat."

Her eyes trailed up to the white rose icon above his head as she nodded and sat on the couch. "I can't say I slept much; this is still a lot to take in," Rika said.

"Your Highness, I found this in her room." Wolfe held up the black rose. "I've been assured this wasn't there beforehand."

Alric stared at the rose with a raised eyebrow. "Is that so?" Alric sat on the couch across from her. "Do we know how it got there?"

"She claims to have no idea, but I suspect she's hiding something."

"Hiding what? I just got here!" Rika said, unable to hold back.

Wolfe narrowed his eyes, glaring at her. "She's been quite defensive. I think she might be in cahoots with Aeuro."

"Aeuro? What's that?" I assume he's not talking about a euro as in the currency.

"A neighbouring country that's... not exactly on the friendly side," Alric explained. "And based on her reaction, I'd say she's not. Besides, she is right when she says she just got here. Remember, Wolfe, we summoned her."

"Then explain this rose." Wolfe held it up to him again. "It can't appear out of thin air."

Alric took the rose from him and glanced at Rika, who frowned as she gazed at it.

I don't have an out here. But if I tell him someone popped into my room in the middle of the night, will that make things worse or better? Wolfe sounds like he wants to blame me and throw me in a dungeon now. What part of 'they summoned me' doesn't he get?

He set the rose on the table and leaned back on the couch. "You said you didn't sleep much. Was something bothering you? Or maybe someone?"

Rika shifted around in her seat, gripping her hands tightly in her lap. Oh geez. He's sharp. I'm going to have to be careful here. If he's figured that much out, maybe it's best to tell him the truth.

"See, she looks suspicious!" Wolfe stepped closer to her, and Alric held his hand up.

"Wolfe, would you mind stepping out for a moment?" Alric asked.

"What? Are you kicking me out? That's not safe. We don't know what she might try to do to—"

"I'll be fine, Wolfe. I assure you I can take care of myself, and I don't think she means any harm."

"But she might—"

"Go, Wolfe."

"Tch, fine. I'll be right outside the door, waiting." Wolfe glared at her and left to join Celeste in the hallway, who smirked at him.

"He really seems to hate me." Rika sighed, shoulders slouched. I know it's a video game, but it's getting to be a bit much.

"He doesn't hate you. He's protective of the kingdom and me, and refuses to let any harm be done under his watch. Now, is there something you'd like to tell me, that you couldn't say with Wolfe around? I know he can be intimidating between his height, gruff attitude, and constant glaring, but he won't hurt you unless you harm someone."

I'm not so sure about that, but at least it's a bit more peaceful now. She took a deep breath and sat up straight. "There..." How do I say this?

"Don't worry, Rika; you're not in trouble. I just want to know what happened, so we can work towards fixing it."

"Someone showed up in the middle of the night." She lightly touched her cheek, remembering the kiss. "But I don't know who he was. I don't know anyone here outside of the five of you, other than seeing a few faces in passing."

"So it was a man you didn't recognize?"

Rika nodded.

"Did he do anything to you?"

A kiss on the cheek is about it. "No."

"He didn't tell you what he wanted? He broke in, gave you the rose, and left?"

"He said we'd meet officially soon," Rika said.

"I don't want to alarm you with my suspicions, but I think that was Kael, Prince of Aeuro. I can't say for certain, but he is set to arrive at the palace today. It wouldn't surprise me if he took it upon himself to introduce himself to you."

A foreign prince broke into my room in the middle of the night? Am I going to be kidnapped soon? "Does that mean others know about you summoning a saint?"

"I suspect there are spies in the palace giving him information, but yes, my kingdom is known to have the power to summon saints, though only once in a generation."

"And you knew I'd be female? With all the dresses ready..."

"According to our records, they always have been, so we assumed so."

"I have to ask." Rika took a deep breath. "What's the deal with the Aeuro place? You said you're not on friendly terms."

Alric took a deep breath. "Aeuro has had a history of... absorbing other countries into their own when they need something the other country has. It's a massive country, several times our size, but we're more abundant. They've been threatening to take us over for a decade, but there hasn't been more than a few small skirmishes yet."

"You think they're preparing for war to take your land and resources?"

"They are a military country that takes what they want, so yes."

"Then what's stopped them so far?" Rika asked.

Alric gave her a sad smile.

"Are you saying there was a previous saint you all summoned that staved them off? Is that why I'm here?" Afraid to ask what happened to the last one.

"That's not the only reason. There has been an uptick in demons and diseases plaguing our most vulnerable people since our previous saint passed away from old age..."

Was it really from old age? "You guys summoned a saint and kept her here?" That doesn't bode well for me. And demons? A threat of human war wasn't bad enough? There had to be demons...

"She chose to stay, but it was right after her passing that they started getting more aggressive." Alric sighed and knelt down in front of her, taking her hand. "Thornburg needs your help. I need your help. I know it's a lot to ask, especially when you're not a saint in your world, but will you help us? Will you lend us your extraordinary divine powers?"

I probably need to progress the game to get home... if I can get home. "Well, since I'm already here, I might as well help. Not sure how to, though."

"Thank you." He kissed the back of her hand. "This means more to me than you'll ever know. And if you need anything, don't be afraid to ask for it. I'll do my best to accommodate you."

Rika nodded. Except the one thing I want, but that conflicts with what he wants. "I want to get this straight, though; I'm not in trouble over the rose, right?"

Alric chuckled and shook his head. "No, of course not. While I'm not well acquainted with the Prince of Aeuro, seeing as it was always his father who dealt with politics, he is known for his ability to infiltrate any fortress. I will be upping security to make sure this doesn't happen again. I want you to feel safe in your new home."

He just had to call it home, didn't he?

"We will have an official welcoming ceremony for you soon," Alric said.

"Is that what he was supposed to come for? The other prince."

"Yes, actually, since everyone knew we'd summon you soon. It's quite odd, but in recent months, he's been showing up unannounced and showing himself around my kingdom. It's quite unsettling." Alric shook his head. "Please try to relax for now. Ferran will assist you in learning about your powers soon. Wolfe," Alric called out to him, and the door opened. "Please escort Miss Rika back to her room for now."

"Are we ignoring the rose?" Wolfe asked.

"As far as I'm concerned, that matter has been settled. We can talk about it when we have time. For now, guard Rika, but don't restrict her too much."

"Sir." Wolfe gritted his teeth and saluted. His eyes moved to Rika, and he nudged his head at the door.

Rika gave a small bow to Alric.

A screen popped up.

'Quest: Alleviate Suspicious Successfully Completed.'

'Reward: Reputation Up.'

The rose above Alric's head glowed.

Guess it's not going to show me a number to know how each one is doing.