The Violet Captain

Upon hearing that Lina had been charged with treason against the Royal Family, Skayla sprinted across the capital toward the Royal Castle.

By the time she reached the castle gates, she was exhausted and gasping for air.

“I NEED TO SPEAK TO THE KING!” Skayla pleaded with the castle guards. “Tell His Majesty that Skayla is here!”

The guards crossed their halberds and blocked the gates.

“The King and Queen are attending to an important matter and have asked not to be disturbed,” one guard explained. “Please return another time, Lady Skayla.”

“I know that!” Skayla shouted, trying to push past them. “I’m the reason Lina blew her top! If she’s standing trial, I need to be there and testify about what happened at my shop!”

The guards shoved her back, and she fell onto the cobblestones, scraping her knees and elbows.

“We’re truly sorry,” one guard said. “But we can’t let you inside without permission.”

Skayla slowly stood back up, biting her lip as her out-of-control mana sent shivers down the guards’ spines. They knew Skayla fully intended to brute-force her way inside, so they hesitantly aimed their halberds toward her. For the guards, this was the hardest choice they’d ever made as they treated her like one of their daughters or granddaughters, but their duty to the King and Queen came first.

“AT EASE, EVERYONE!” a woman shouted as the castle gate creaked open. The guards lowered their halberds and stepped aside.

A young woman with long blonde hair stepped through, wearing a pristine white officer’s uniform and a violet mantle bearing the rose insignia of the Order of the Violet Rose.

“Your Highness, Princess Leonora!” the guards announced.

“Princess Leonora!” Skayla exclaimed, rushing forward and embracing her.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Skayla?” Leonora (27) said, gently stroking Skayla’s hair. “Come on. I’ll take you to Father and Mother.”

Leonora led Skayla through the castle gates as they talked.

“Princess Leonora, can you stop poking my cheeks?” Skayla requested.

“Come on, Skayla! You know you don’t have to call me Princess,” Leonora said, playfully poking her soft, plump cheek. “We spent so much time together as children whenever Master Asclepius visited the palace that formalities feel a bit odd, don’t you think?”

“I know...” Skayla replied, pushing Leonora’s finger away. “But we’re inside the castle now, so we should at least maintain some formality in public.”

As they walked down the main hallway, maids bowed and guards saluted Leonora, but she paid them no mind and kept poking Skayla’s cheek.

“I wonder what would happen if your mother found out you were acting unprofessionally,” Skayla casually threatened. “There are plenty of people around here with loose lips who might consider telling her.”

Leonora immediately stopped poking Skayla and straightened up as an awkward silence fell between them.

AHEM! “So, about Lina,” Leonora said. “At the Courthouse of Commons this morning, she accused Prince Edgar of setting fire to your home. She demanded compensation to rebuild the shop and cover your lost income.”

“I can already guess that didn’t go well,” Skayla said with a light chuckle, then sighed. “What did Prince Edgar say?”

“Naturally, he denied everything,” Leonora said, shrugging. “He claimed he hadn’t been near the Slum District in years because someone of his status had no reason to go there. He also said he wouldn’t set foot in such a filthy store, even if Father or Mother ordered him to.”

“Oh? That bastard called my shop ‘filthy’?” Skayla muttered as the air around her began to tremble. “Did they finish analyzing the charred cigar butt Lina pulled from the fire? I was there when she turned it in to the Court’s Investigation Department last night.”

“The Head Investigation Magistrate claims no cigar butt was turned in for analysis,” Leonora said with a sigh. “According to their records, neither of you was there last night.”

“I knew that fucker was up to something,” Skayla muttered, remembering how the employee’s expression had changed when Lina turned in the charred cigar butt.

“Lina found out the evidence was missing,” Leonora said. “In a moment of rage, she accused Edgar of working with someone at the Courthouse to get rid of it. That’s a serious accusation against a court that’s supposed to remain neutral, and it calls the Courthouse’s integrity into question. Since the case began with the fire at your shop, you could be charged alongside her if the Court finds no wrongdoing by Edgar or anyone at the Courthouse.”

“What the hell are you doing, Lina?” Skayla grumbled, struggling to understand why Lina had acted so rashly.

“Lina knew what her accusation could cost you both, and Edgar knew she’d do anything to keep you out of it,” Leonora said with a sigh. “So he generously offered to forgive everything... if she agreed to become his wife.”

“Is he stupid or something?” Skayla asked. “You know Lina’s way too proud to give in to blackmail.”

“Beats me really~” Leonora chuckled, shrugging. “Naturally, Lina retaliated by striking him in the stomach, stomping on his groin several dozen times, and berating him with words I didn’t even know could be put together in one sentence. She also injured a dozen knights who tried to pull her away.”

“Well, when you have a Master who’s always drunk and picking fights, you tend to pick up a few bad words... along with some bad habits,” Skayla said with an awkward chuckle. “How is Prince Edgar? Is he okay?”

“That foolish little brother of mine is fine,” Leonora replied. “Although I’m not entirely sure he’ll ever be able to have children. But that’s what he gets for not being straightforward with Lina.”

“That’s true,” Skayla agreed as the two quietly giggled.

They stopped before the majestic white doors leading into the Royal Chamber. A Royal Guard stepped forward to announce their arrival.

“PRESENTING PRINCESS LEONORA PHILOTIMOS ELDORIA AND LADY SKAYLA!”

The massive doors swung open, then slammed shut once they stepped inside.

Skayla immediately felt the hostility coming from the two people seated at the far end of the chamber.

“The King and Queen, huh?” Skayla muttered as a mischievous smile spread across her face. “If you’re looking for a fight, I’ll be more than happy to give you one.”