The carriage descended the smooth serpentine roads from the hills and onto the main cobblestone of the city.

Below them, the sprawling capital of Eldoria hummed with the energy of a city shaking off a storm. Inside the cabin, the atmosphere was a mix of Hope’s childhood wonder and Yuna’s rigid professionalism.

"Master Rossana," Yuna began. "Where are we headed to first?"

Kurt leaned back, folding his arms. "Hmm. I was thinking we could go to Hope’s place first but... are we even allowed in. Don’t they usually clear out the houses of the deceased?"

"Huh? But I’m not dead." Hope said with her hand on her chin.

"Thank God. And here I thought my only remaining eye was starting to fail me."

"Hehehe~"

"Since Peter was a priest and had no immediate legal heirs, I believe the Bureau of Civil Affairs would have moved in to possess the belongings," Yuna explained.

"If there is a will, or if we want to reclaim Hope’s personal effects, we should head to the Bureau first. It will save us the trouble of being arrested for trespassing later."

"Mmhm. Yep." "Kurt nodded. "Driver! To the Bureau of Civil Affairs."

"Yes, Master Rossana!"

As the carriage lurched forward, Hope pressed her nose against the glass, pointing out a street performer juggling colorful balls. Whereas Yuna, however, closed her eyes as her hands rested perfectly on her lap.

Kurt watched Yuna for a moment. To him, her stoicism was... fascinating. Quite the stark contrast to the chaotic energy of Sadie or the nervous fluttering of Isabel. So he decided to break the ice.

"Yuna," he called softly.

Her eyes snapped open. She saw him smiling at her, but her expression didn’t waver. "Yes, Master Rossana?"

"How far away are we from the bureau?"

"Quite the ways."

"So we’ve got a bit of a drive ahead of us, huh? Well then, why don’t we use this time to get to know each other? It’s going to be a long day, and we’re going to be working together a lot I imagine."

Yuna’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. "I am simply here to serve, Master. My personal history is of little consequence."

"Come on. Don’t be like that. No need to hold back when you’re with me. Tell you what, you can start. Ask me anything you want, and I promise to answer truthfully."

Yuna breathed in and out slowly, considering the proposal.

"Very well. Since you insist. Where are you from? You don’t have the accent of a city born."

"Whoa, what a start, haha. I’m from... Riverton. But, not from the main capital. I’m actually from a secret village that I cannot disclose. Sorry."

Yuna narrowed her eyes but quickly let it go. "I understand, Master."

"Now, it’s my turn. Where are you from? Your facial features suggest that you too are not from Eldoria."

Before Yuna could answer, Hope raised her hand high like a student in a classroom.

"I know! I know!"

Kurt acted surprised, leaning toward the girl. "Whaaat? You know Yuna’s secret origin?"

"She’s from Myria!" Hope announced proudly.

Kurt looked at Yuna, waiting for her to confirm.

"... Yes, it’s true."

"Hehehe~ Yuna told me during our sleepover! Sadie and Isabel came over too! We had so much fun."

Kurt whistled. "A sleepover? Man, I’m jealous. You should have called me over, Hope."

Hope’s face lit up. "I wanted to! I even went to your–"

"Ahem!" Yuna suddenly cleared her throat loudly as a faint pink blush crept onto her ears.

"I told you, Hope, he was focused on his work. We couldn’t disturb him." She gave Kurt a sharp, meaningful eye.

Kurt took the hint immediately as his own face heated up slightly. "Ah, right. Yes. Very important work. Lots of... tactical manoeuvring. It’s a good thing you didn’t come in, Hope. It was very serious. But hey, invite me next time, okay?"

"Okay!" Hope cheered, turning back to the window.

Kurt looked at Yuna and mouthed, "Sorry, and thank you".

Yuna gave a stiff nod of acknowledgement.

"Now, it’s your turn to ask," he prompted the maid.

Yuna’s expression turned deathly serious as she leaned forward to ask, "Are you serious about your relationship with Ms. Valentine?"

Kurt blinked, his playful demeanor softening into something genuine. "What led you to asking that question?"

"Because," Yuna said quietly. "I have served her for years. I have seen her at her most lethal and her most distant. But I have never seen her the way she is with you. She is happy. Genuinely, vulnerably happy. And quite frankly, Master Rossana, it scares me. If you are merely playing a game, the fallout would be... catastrophic."

"... I see. I hope this answer will ease your worries, if not only slightly. I’ve never been as happy with anyone as I am with her. We complete each other in ways I can’t even describe. I am one hundred percent committed to her."

He looked out the window and whispered to himself as a blank, possessive smile crossed his lips. "And nobody – not her father, not the cult, and certainly not a bunch of random entitled pricks – will ever drag us apart. I’ll burn the world down before I let her go."

Yuna, with her keen hearing, heard his whispers and sensed the sudden shift in his aura. She gulped, her posture fixing itself even more rigidly. However, just as suddenly his dark aura appeared, it disappeared.

Kurt noticed her reaction and immediately dialed back the intensity, smiling gently again. "Was that answer satisfactory?"

"It was... passable."

"Cool. Now, it’s your turn. Go on. Ask away."

"... Okay, how about this: How strong are you, Master Rossana? I want to know the true extent of the man Ms. Valentine chose."

Kurt rubbed his chin. "Hmm, to be honest, I’m still getting a feel for your power system. A security guard I know said I’m A-rank but... Oh! I can do this."

He raised his hand and concentrated. Blue mana began to swirl around his palm, thickening until it formed a shimmering, translucent glove that hummed with power.

Both Hope and Yuna leaned in, mesmerized.

"It’s so pretty up close." Hope whispered.

Yuna’s jaw practically dropped on the floor as she stared at his hand. "Mana coating? How... how did you do that?"

"I just put a lot of focus and effort into strengthening magic," Kurt explained. "I kept pushing the mana further and further until it just... hardened into this. You know, you basically had the same reaction as the bodyguard I spoke about. Not to mention everyone else that saw this."

"Master Rossana," Yuna’s voice trembled. "That is not how strengthening magic works. If ’focus and effort’ were all it took, every soldier in Eldoria would be walking around with mana armor. That is a high-level technique. I have only ever seen Ms. Valentine use it with such clarity... The power to use raw mana as a weapon... that’s amazing."

Kurt shrugged and let the mana dissipate, much to Hope’s disappointment. "I just did what felt natural. I guess I’m just a quick learner."

’I definitely has something to do with my skill.’

"Alright, my turn," Kurt said as he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. He then put on a terrifyingly serious face. "Answer me truthfully, Yuna."

"Y-Yes."

"What... is your favorite color?"

Yuna deflated so fast she nearly fell off the seat. "What?"

"What do you mean ’what?’ That’s a very important question for team building, y’know!"

"I know the answer!" Hope shouted. "It’s red! Because Ms. Valentine’s eyes are red and Yuna thinks she’s the coolest person ever!"

"W-What?! I am going to increase your chores ten-fold, Hope." Yuna snapped her head toward the window, refusing to make eye contact.

Kurt and Hope shared a loud giggle as the carriage travelled through the city. Yuna and Kurt continued their back-and-forth Q&A, with Kurt primarily focusing on light-hearted questions, hoping to elicit a reaction from the serious maid.

Sometime after, they finally arrived at the grand, marble steps of the Bureau of Civil Affairs. The carriage door opened, and Hope, full of morning energy, hopped out first.

"Hope, wait! Don’t be hasty!" Yuna called out, stepping out after her.

But the sidewalk was crowded. A tall young man wearing a black kimono with a golden dragon printed on the back, was walking briskly toward the entrance. Hope, not looking where she was going, slammed right into his side. The impact sent the small girl stumbling back until she fell onto the hard stone, scraping her knees.

"Hope!"

Yuna rushed to her side. She knelt down, checking the girl over. Hope’s white stockings were torn, and blood was beginning to bead on her scraped knees.

"Ugh! Watch where you’re going, you little rat! I swear, the people of this shithole... Do you have any idea how much these robes cost? You filthy twat!"

Yuna’s eyes flashed with anger, but she kept her composure. She stood up and bowed deeply, her voice low. "I apologise for the child’s clumsiness, sir. She did not mean to–"

"I don’t care what she meant!" the young man spat. Then he noticed their uniforms.

"Ah, a maid. Since your master clearly didn’t teach you how to watch the road, I suppose I’ll have to do it for him."

He sneered, raising a hand to strike the bowing maid.

Suddenly, a black blade appeared in the air, blocking the man’s path inches from Yuna’s face.

Kurt stood on the carriage step, one hand casually holding the door frame, the other wielding his black sword with effortless precision. His expression was no longer friendly.

"Who the hell do you think you are, blocking my way like this?" the young man yelled.

"It’s usually considered polite to introduce yourself before you start demanding so from someone else."

The young man smirked, regaining his arrogance. "Where are my manners? My name is Yamada Ryuuji. My family practically owns the northern regions of Myria. And I am its heir. Now, put that toy away before I have you executed."

Kurt, not putting his weapon away, smiled that same blank, dangerous smile he had shown in the carriage. "My name is–"

"Dead!" Ryuuji interrupted.

With a sudden, violent motion, Ryuuji thrust his hand forward. A massive, dragon-shaped flame erupted from his fist. The heat was so intense it singed the air.

"Master Rossana, watch out–!"

BOOM!