Honor

The next afternoon, me and Ami met with the captain at the guild.

"So how'd it go?" Ami asked.

"We have a lot of work to do," the captain sighed. "Duke Ararat did regain consciousness, and confessed to allowing Pompi to posses him in order to strengthen Ararat's relations with Ova Sfongia. However, he was unable to tell us exactly what occurred when he was possessed. He also stated that while he considered a rebellion to join Ova Sfongia, he never took any steps to implement it."

"So he's Dalphon 2.0. Lovely. At least Pompi's gone."

"True that may be, the bigger issue though is Gabriel. He was completely clean."

"You serious? Tons of his subordinates were listed as colluding with Ova Sfongia, along with the duke he's loyal to, yet he's somehow clean!?"

"We went at him with every question we could think of, yet nothing incriminating. Still, we'll keep him in custody as long as we can. As for other matters, House Ararat is likely to be disbanded due to both my refusal to take up its mantle, and the bill from the boutique putting a huge dent in its finances. It's still up for debate as to who will take over governing Ararat province, but at the very least, it will be someone who wasn't plotting secession or to undermine the kingdom."

"What happens to the trade with Ova Sfongia?" I asked.

"I know not. It appears to be continuing normally though, perhaps as Mannelig's form of getting in our good graces."

"Why?"

"Though the inquisitors are generally viewed positively in Ova Sfongia, dybbuks in their natural forms are viewed as demonic, so if word got out the inquisitors were turning themselves into demons, it would lead to a huge scandal as public opinion would turn against them and Mannelig who openly collaborated with one."

"So we hold all the cards," Ami nodded.

"Correct."

"Speaking of, you officially change your name?"

"Yes, so if asked to refer to me by name, it's Shaina from now on. Though what of my old identity?"

"What do you think the homunculus is for?"

Disappointment consumed the captain before she shook her head and returned to the main issue. "Duke Ararat... My father, always had an affinity for Ova Sfongia, believing the key to peace was establishing good relations with them. My grandfather was the opposite, hence why he cursed my father to only bare a single heir. And the irony was that once I ran away to join the knights, my father met Pompi and agreed to let him posses him. It makes a mess of my heart and mind, and makes me wonder if perhaps I stayed, maybe I'd have prevented Pompi from gaining such a foothold in Ararat."

"Captain," I frowned.

"Don't pity me, Miss LaNorne. The matter has been settled and the kingdom remains ever strong. So long as the kingdom stands, my heart and mind remain strong. Ah, and there's one other matter to discuss. Miss LaNorne, you are summoned to the castle the day after tomorrow."

"Huh!?"

"Do not fret. It is to honor you for saving the kingdom."

"Wait, huh!? What did I do to save the kingdom? I've just been adventuring with Ami, doing normal stuff. I'm just a regular girl."

"You humble yourself. You've thwarted now 2 attempts by Ova Sfongian agents to destabilize the kingdom, and slayed the ringleader of it all, not to mention your successful subjugation of Blinish mercenaries and the rogue Captain LaNorne. You've also wooed the public and become a beloved figure known far and wide for the helping hand you lend. If that isn't worthy of honoring, I don't know what else is."

"Ami?"

"For once, I agree with her. LaNorne, no, Aya, you earned it," Ami smiled.

I slowly leaned back in my seat. I thought becoming a knight was the only way I'd become a hero, yet now I'm about to be honored by the king himself...

Slowly, I smiled. "I'll be there bright n' early."

"Ahem, as a courtesy, you shouldn't linger around waiting by the castle gates, so as thanks for your assistance, I shall personally escort you to and from so as that you arrive on time," the captain nodded.

"That's it? Think we should get something more for all that shit we did for you," Ami scoffed.

"I already gave you the necklace. That's all you're getting."

"Ugh, fine. I ain't gonna ruin Aya's moment, so I'll suck it up," Ami sighed.

"Then I'll return here at 9 in the morning sharp. Miss LaNorne, as this will be a formal event, proper dress will be required. Rest assured, the outfit you wore to the ball in Ararat is permissible. Your hair and makeup are fine as is though," the captain nodded as she rose and took her leave. 

Once she was gone, Ami turned and smiled to me. "Took busting an inquisitor, but she finally delivered the news I've been expecting since we returned from Bisochos." 

"You knew about this?" I asked. 

"I didn't just recommend Mary in my letter. I also said you should be granted the title of hero." 

I was at a loss for words. 

"Aya, you really did earn this. If I wasn't inspired by you, I'd still be a cowering wreck before the inquisitors and never have been able to outwit Pompi like I did. Heck, you even shaved your damn head for me just so Mariamne would agree to fight you for a chance to reverse my curse. Aya, you're a true hero, my top hero, and my best friend," Ami smiled as she gave me a pat on the back. 

Hearing all that, I just couldn't help let a tear slide down my face. "I think with that, you're going to overtake the captain on my hero's list, but on my friend's list, you're undeniably my number one now." 

"As it should be," Ami chuckled as she headed for the door. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get some rest. I wanna be up nice and early for your ceremony." 

I couldn't help but chuckle as I got up and followed her out.