Talia

Eventually, the ship pulled into a port in Traditsye. Aside from the seasickness incident at the start, it had been smooth sailing from that point on. That said, Ami did run out of potions, but refused to retreat below deck to make more, probably so we could enjoy the sights properly. I guess despite her personality, she really does have heart. Think she'll be remaining number 2 on my heroes chart.

"So, uh, where exactly is my office supposed to be?" Piposhka mumbled as her head darted in every direction.

"I'm unfamiliar with the street names, but we'll find it," Sascha shrugged as he adjusted his glasses.

"The knights said they'd escort us, you hairless idiot," Deborah scoffed.

"I am NOT hairless. I keep it a fine trim away from bald."

"A shaved head's a shaved head."

"No Deborah, I have hair, which is shortly trimmed, but still hair."

"Then why'd you dye it white? It practically blends into your skin."

Sascha chuckled as he adjusted his glasses. "To blend in better with the ice and snow, unlike you who refuses to dye her black hair a lighter color."

As the two began bantering some more, I decided to shift my attention over to Tal, who was getting a sack placed over her head. I guess it's for the best since we can't risk anyone recognizing her if we want to protect the perfume's reputation.

Once the gangplank was down, Piposhka and her retainers were the first to descend, followed by Duke Ober and Duke Praha. Apparently it was a customary thing for the foreign diplomats to be first off the ship.

Me and Ami filed out next along with Mariamne and co, while Tal was last to be marched out.

"We won't follow directly. Don't want rumors to spread," Ami whispered as she began leading me through the streets.

We eventually reached a large marble building, where we waited until the knights arrived with Tal.

"So this is Traditsye's largest house of worship. They really went all-out with building it," I nodded as I stared at the building. "So the grand priest here is the only one who can dispel the curse."

"Yeah, curses can range between effortless and impossible when it comes to dispelling them, and with Tal's looking to be powerful, best to go with the grand priest himself, since he's the most powerful white magic user in the nation," Ami grumbled.

As we heard the sound of clanking armor, we turned to see the knights approaching with Tal, however, the captain was now leading the group.

"Captain!? You're here!?" I gasped as I noticed the captain had joined the bunch.

"Yes, as this is my jurisdiction, I was told to take custody of the prisoner as she was to be escorted here to the house of worship. I know not the details on her, yet was informed that she was to come here on your orders, Ami," the captain nodded.

"Don't word it like that. I ain't a knight," Ami scoffed as she began heading inside.

We all followed and were soon greeted by an old man with a long white beard clad in a blue robe, a turban with a gold headband, and a gold breastplate. "Ah, welcome to the house of worship," the man smiled.

"Grand priest, we request your services in dispelling a curse," Ami nodded as the knights removed Tal's sack and gag.

The grand priest slowly approached Tal and held his hand before her. "Hmm, I do sense a powerful curse, as well as another..."

"That one's from me. It's just to keep her from revealing sensitive information."

"Hmm, a vow of silence. Very well. I can see that it bares her body no harm, unlike the first one. I shall begin."

The grand priest then began an incantation as we all stood and watched. Slowly, a black mist rose out of Tal's head before dissipating into gold light.

"The curse has been lifted," the grand priest nodded.

"Time to test it then. Tal, how do you feel about what you've been doing all these years?" Ami smirked.

Tal began to frown. "I regret it. I wish I never- ...! I- I can..." Slowly, Tal crumpled to her knees as tears began to pour out of her eyes. "I can actually speak my thoughts, I can cry... Wa- Wahhhhh!"

"And I think that resolves it all. Now, as decreed by me, her punishment shall not be death, or imprisonment, but confinement to Traditsye, where she reside and go about her days under the watchful eyes of the knights! However, she is to be stripped of all noble titles and never be referred to as a former noble in the public space!" Ami smiled as she waved her hand.

The captain and the knights saluted, leaving me confused, but before I could join them in saluting, Ami stopped me.

"Ah, it's just some customary thing. Don't salute along with them, LaNorne."

I wearily nodded my head.

"Thank you... Great witch of the amethyst, I thank you with all my being," Tal sniffled as she slowly rose from the floor.

"You wanna thank anyone, thank my partner, here. Seeing her moping around when thinking about you made me decide to give you another chance, and after hearing what you said when forced to tell the truth, I was able to put two and two together that you'd been cursed by the inquisitors. Doesn't mean you can just go back to being a noble, but hey, better than getting executed."

Tal smiled as she wiped away her tears. "Then I kindly request that we form a vow swearing that I'll never betray you, Aya, or Blintz itself ever again."

"Then as high priest, I shall officiate the vow," the grand priest nodded as he stepped forth.

...

The following day, it was officially announced that Duchess Twin D' Tal had perished in a skirmish with inquisitors, but her perfume line would survive though thanks to "a servant" having been taught the formula. In reality, Tal was now living in a mid-sized home with a garden terrace in Traditsye, where she would be watched over by the knights.

"Ah, welcome to the abode," Tal smiled as she greeted me at the door in full maid attire.

"Wow, this place was all dusty last night, but now its sparkling clean," I whistled as I stepped inside.

"Well, I did have all those years of doing everything on my own, so I guess it's fitting I become a maid," Tal chuckled as she began twirling her hair around her finger.

"Hmm? You twirl your hair?"

"Ah, it was a habit I never displayed publicly due to the curse, but when alone, I'd often play with my drilltail, though since my hair's been cut, and I'm forbidden from growing it out, I have to make do with the little hair I do have left."

"You look good with short hair."

"I thank you for the compliment."

"So how's the perfume coming?" I asked as I plopped down on the sofa.

"Very good. As this place has a garden, I'm able to grow the red tals here which is all I could really ask for. Their smell alone... It brings back such sweet memories for me," Tal smiled as she spun an ear of corn on her finger before chomping into it.

"Wow, you're really letting loose."

"Oh, even in private I'd gorge like this. Believe it or not, I was never great with etiquette."

"You weren't!?"

"Not at all. Why, there were times I'd even go around with food stuck to my face without a care, ah, but now I do like to take care of my skin, so I make sure to clean my face," Tal chuckled as she dabbed her lips with a handkerchief.

"You really are more lively."

"After so many long years... When I was staring down the inquisitors, I was terrified. I was nothing but a meek girl who couldn't do anything, but that very status was what gave me the idea to pitch myself as a perfect agent. I was surprised they accepted, and even though I had to be cursed to lock my emotions and honesty away, I accepted the secluded life in that little manor as at the very least, I was living. Then, I created that perfume as part of my plan to kidnap Ami, and all that had been locked away suddenly came back in force. Yet, there was nothing I could do to reverse course... Aya, I thank you and Ami dearly for giving me this second chance."

"I know Ami says it was thanks to me, but I didn't really say or do much to really push her to try and give you another chance. Heck, all I really did was just get somber when thinking about how you had such an earnest goal of wanting to restore your house after the inquisitors wiped it out, only to then join forces with them."

"And as Ami stated, it was that very subtlety that moved her. Aya, once again, I thank you."

Wow, I'm actually at a loss for words. No one's ever gotten this emotional before over thanking me.

"Just keep on being good, Tal," I smiled as I got up.

"Oh no, it's just Talia now. Talia Rosen, to be exact. Twin D' Tal is gone, and shall only remain as the name upon the red perfume bottles, which, you can now find in the boutiques here in Traditsye."

"They stocked them!? But I thought you said they rejected it!"

"Twas a lie I told to justify my push to head to Sto, but now, I'm free from the lies. And now, the profits of my perfume will go to improving the livelihood of Blintz. I may not be able to build a domain, but that doesn't mean towns still can't be built."

"I'm glad to hear it. Well, nice seeing you, Talia," I waved as I headed out the door.

"The same to you, Aya," Talia waved back.