Goodbye capital city, I always hated you

Finally I was able to sneak out of the party and go back to my room, maybe it wasn't the most elegant thing to do, but I don't care, I had already talked to everyone I was interested in, the others are worthless.

Upon entering the living room, Aisha was lying on an armchair, completely dejected.

(Aisha) Leo, one more party like that and I'm leaving.

(Leonora) I'm sorry, if it's of any consolation, when you left it got worse.

(Camille) I was helpful and found useful people.

(Aisha) Really? Well done Cami, tomorrow you tell me the whole story, now I'm exhausted.

Look at Aisha, she had only been able to take off her shoes and loosen her corze before lying down on the couch.

(Leonora) Aisha, do you want me to help you back to your bed?

(Aisha) Please, I'm exhausted.

I was about to carry Aisha when Camille got in the way.

(Camille) no, you can't, you're not married yet, ask Irma to do it.

(Aisha) Cami, I'm too tired for this, please, I just want to go to my bed.

(Leonora) I'm just going to take Aisha to her bed.

(Camille) But... But... You will have to change her dress... And you guys shouldn't do that.

(Aisha) it isn't the first time he has done this.

(Camille) it's not the first time...

Again Camille went blank again, god.... I'm really not in the mood for this.

(Leonora) Irma take care of Aisha, I will take care of Camille.

(Irma) as you command young master.

Irma carried Aisha, and took her to her room, I for my part looked at Camille, again she was staring blankly and her brain was fried.

I have no idea what's wrong with her, does it have to do with her time at the Croiss mansion? However it was, she's my younger sister, and I know she must have had a very difficult time.

I carried her and took her to her bedroom, when I got there I got ready to change her, I think she must have been very tired, because at some point she stopped being in shock and fell asleep, so I got ready to undress her in silence, when I took off her dress I could see scars on her back.

I wondered who it was, whether it was my pitiful parents, the scumbags of my sisters, or my brother, whichever it was, I had things prepared for them.

And well, Liz is a separate case... anyway I already sent her letter.

I finished changing her, put her to bed and tucked her in, I still don't know how to deal with her, after all, if I fail she may never exist again.

I have seen my people die many times, I won't lie and say it doesn't affect me anymore, but the consolation is that when I die, they will come back in my next life, but Camille is an anomaly, maybe this is the only time she will exist, if she dies or I fail, I will never see her again.

As soon as I finished tucking her in, she woke up.

(Camille) Mr. Leon?....

(Leonora) shsss, sleep.

(Camille) Mr. Leon, you didn't have to do this.

(Leonora) doesn't matter.

(Camille) I talk about saving me, you didn't had to.

(Leonora) I did that because I wanted to, but you still have to prove to me that you can be useful.

(Camille) my parents also wanted me to be useful to them, but they didn't treat me the way you treat me.

(Leonora) you are just a child Camille, things shouldn't be so difficult for you.

(Camille) I will be useful to you Mr. Leon, I promise.

(Leonora) you don't have to rush, you can take your time, I have plans, but they are very much in the future.

(Camille) You are very kind to me Mr. Leon.

(Leonora) you didn't deserve the life you got.

Camille settled under the covers, and closed her eyes.

(Camille) Mr. Leon, may I ask you a favor?

(Leonora) What do you want Camille?

(Camille) Mr. Leon, I know someone who could help you, but I don't know where he is.

(Leonora) Who are you talking about?

(Camille) I have an older sister, even if I never met her, everyone says she was amazing, and they wanted me to be like her, although I never could.

You already know her.

(Camille) I think she can be more useful to you than I could be, you just have to find her.

Camille, it's not the time yet, I can't tell you the truth now.

(Leonora) I think you will serve me better.

(Camille) but Mr. Leon, if you were to meet my sister.

(Leonora) Camille, do you think I'm wrong?

(Camille) No! I would never believe that.

(Leonora) then trust me, I know that you must have capabilities that you don't even know yourself.

(Camille) are you serious?

(Leonora) I don't make mistakes with people, now sleep, tomorrow we have more places to visit, and another thing, with me, you don't have to order the cheapest on the menu.

(Camille) You are very good to me Mr. Leon.

(Leonora) rest Camille, see you tomorrow.

(Camille) Good evening Mr. Leon.

Camille closed her eyes, and in a few moments she was asleep.

I watched her sleep for a few minutes, then finally returned to my own bedroom.

As I went to bed I evaluated the events of the day, and I think I just made the biggest mistake of my life.

I have grown fond of Camille.

----------------------

In the end, we dismissed the idea of leaving the castle, after all, we had free housing, so the following days things finally went normal, Johan spent a whole day planning the next few days, and had created a perfect itinerary that will allow us to see the capital in its entirety, obviously Aisha was in charge of ruining it.

But oddly enough, although we didn't visit the sites he wanted us to, we really enjoyed ourselves. Which I doubt we would have done if we had followed the very precise itinerary he had made.

In the end, he scrapped his itinerary himself, and we just went to the places we were in the mood for at the time, and I think that's what Aisha really wanted.

It wasn't until the morning of our last days that something finally happened.

We were having breakfast, when there was a knock at the door, Irma went to open it and a castle guard came in.

(Guard) I apologize for disturbing Count Lazaruz, but there is a certain situation at the castle gates.

(Leonora) What's going on?

(Guard) A special... Individual... declares to want to see you Count.

(Leonora) has he a ridiculous hairstyle and speaks in an exaggerated way?

(Guard) eh yes... In fact...

(Leonora) Let him in, he's coming with me, in fact, I was waiting for him.

(Guard) Okay sir...

Finally, I was afraid that he wouldn't make it in time, and have to go back to the capital again, but if he's here it means he did it.

(Leonora) Aisha, I have some business to attend to, would you mind taking Camille with you for a while?

(Aisha) Don't worry Leo, we'll see you later.

Aisha took Camille out of the room, and I was left alone with Irma.

(Leonora) Irma, make sure that no one, truly no one, overhears our conversation, especially Eris and her henchmen.

(Irma) as you command young master.

Irma also left the room, a short time later there was a knock on the door, and Luztukru came in.

(Luztukru) may the light of the eternal sun guide your paths my young apprentice, is a great pleasure for me to see you again.

(Leonora) Nice to see you too Luztukru, did you have problems with the sea dragon?

(Luztukru) nothing I can't fix myself, his death was a great relief, that beast terrorized the fishermen, I had fought with it in the past, but it always ran away, it was thanks to your instructions that I was finally able to kill that cruel monster.

(Leonora) don't thank me, it was thanks to you that I was able to discover his weak point, I only trusted you what you discovered.

(Luztukru) I am sure it was his great attention to detail what allowed my dear aprentice to see his weakness, if it were only for me, I would have continued to let the beast escape.

(Leonora) it doesn't matter from who is the merit, you brought what I asked for?

(Luztukru) that's right my young apprentice, it was a bit complicated to remove something so fragile, but here it is.

Luztukru, showed me a bag he had with him, in it there were small blue gems, these gems are the main ingredient of a potion capable of curing any disease, whether physical, mental or even spiritual, but to make it you need the skills of the protagonist, so I rarely have access to it, but still the gems alone have a very strong healing effect, and are perfect for what I need to do now.

(Leonora) thank you very much Luztukru, you have done a great job, tell me, do you want to stay in the capital and come back to Quarel with us?

(Luztukru) theres no need for that my young apprentice, but what I do want is for you to tell me the location of another of the great beasts.

(Leonora) I would preferably ask you to wait until I can help you, the sea dragon was the weakest of all, the other big beasts are much more complicated.

(Luztukru) nothing would make me happier than to fight again by your side my young apprentice, so if that is the case I will retire, I will return to Quarel and I will dedicate myself to hunt bandits on the road.

Luztukru made an exaggerated bow and left the room, when he left I called Irma.

(Leonora) nobody listened to us?

(Irma) not even myself, young master.

(Leonora) Well, now I need you to arrange a private audience with His Majesty.

----------------------

(Aisha) Are you sure about this Leo?

(Leonora) Yes, I need to take Eris out of the game for a couple of hours, so make sure it looks like an accident.

(Aisha) very well.

Once again we found ourselves at the top of the walls that divide the 2 sectors, we told Johan that we wanted to come back here on the last day to see the city one last time.

At the top, again Aisha was bothering Johan, while Eris seemed more interested in bothering me.

(Eris) and tell me honey, have you enjoyed your days in the capital?

(Leonora) It wasn't bad, but I still hate the city.

(Eris) so honey, have you thought about moving here, we could even be neighbors.

(Leonora) haven't you heard that I hate the city?

(Eris) What do you say honey, do you like the idea?

(Leonora) I hate the idea, what makes you believe otherwise? and shouldn't you keep a better eye on your son?

On his side Johan had climbed to the top of the wall, and was walking along it, it seems that Aisha had challenged him to do so.

(Eris) He'll be fine, he's already....

As he said these words Johan stumbled.

Well, so it seemed for a second, because the next second, Eris who used to be next to me, was already at the edge of the wall with Johan in her arms.

(Eris) my baby, my little baby, mommy is here.

(Johan) Mom, I'm fine, let me go, you're embarrassing me.

(Eris) my babyyyyyyyyy, my babyyyyyyyyy !!!!

Johan was struggling to free himself from Eris' deadly embrace, which threatens his life more than the fall itself, he was never really in danger, as he also had Irma on guard against anything that might happen, but she needed to get Eris out of combat, and by the way teach her a lesson to stop worrying about me and better watch out for her children.

Eris kept hugging her son and would not let him go, while Johan was red with embarrassment, as both Aisha and Camille were staring at him. Aisha could barely contain her laughter. I'm very sorry for Johan, but I have to add fuel to the fire.

(Leonora) Are you sure he's okay? He may need medical attention.

(Eris) medical attention? Yes you are right, bandages, casts, and a complete check-up, and a magic treatment, don't worry Johan, my baby, mommy is here.

It was at that moment that Eris, still with Johan in her arms, stood up and jumped over the wall, to which only Johan's scream of terror could be heard.

I peeked out slightly, but only caught a glimpse of a plume of smoke traveling at full speed on the way to the hospital, well that should keep her busy all afternoon.

(Camille) eh what did just happen? Are they ok?

(Leonora) You'll get used to it Camille, for now Aisha, you can go ahead for lunch, I'll go after I finish some business.

(Aisha) Sure Leo, no problem.

They got ready to go down from the wall and get into the carriage, I have to take Irma with me, Eris will no longer be with them so they will be alone for a while, I don't like to leave them alone, but Aisha can defend herself, and the capital is very safe, as long as they don't do anything stupid they will be fine.

As for me, I go with Irma back to the castle, I had already asked her to prepare everything, so for this day there were fewer guards than usual.

For this meeting, I dressed as a woman, so if the person I am going to visit happens to talk about this with someone, it is vital that he mentions that he saw a woman.

Once there, it was just a matter of sneaking in through a window, and in the meantime I asked Irma to buy me as much time as possible.

As I entered the room, the occupant of the room stared at me, but didn't seem to care that someone was coming in through the window.

(King) ohhh what brings you before me? Do you wish to duel for my throne? HAHAHAHA, you are not prepared.

(Leonora) no my king, I have come to bring you your tea.

(King) ah yes?

(Leonora) Yes, my king.

(King) Really?

(Leonora) Yes, my king.

(King) oh, I was waiting for you, one more minute of delay and your whole town would have suffered the consequences.

The king laughed loudly again, I for my part saw that there was already a kettle of hot water in the room.

From my pocket I took out two things, one of the gems that Luztukru brought me, and an envelope with coffee, I'm still working on the soluble coffee, but this prototype is not bad at all.

I make the king a cup of coffee, and drop the gem that dissolves in a second.

It's effect won't last long, if I had how to refine it myself, I would do it, but I know that Eris has gotten too close to the main character, and anyway I don't like to depend on her abilities, even so I still have 4 of them left, maybe in the future I can use them in another way.

I present the cup to the king and sit down in front of him, in turn, the king takes the cup and takes a sip.

(King) hmm, interesting tea today

(Leonora) is not tea, it is something much better.

(King) hmm.

The king continues to drink, and sip by sip his skin regains a little color.

(King) my head, it... hurts...

(Leonora) keep drinking my king, the pain will pass when it's over.

The king finishes his coffee, and touches his head, then looks at me, he seemed lost, but curiously, he also seemed more focused.

(King) ...Who are you? what are you doing here? I... I don't know what I'm supposed to... Where are we?

(Leonora) good afternoon my king, welcome back, you have been away for a long time.

(King) absent? But how? Where? The last thing I remember... Eris... That woman, I must stop that woman.

(Leonora) that woman is your trusted advisor, and you are just a senile old man babbling about secret plans and conspiracies, I'm sorry, but she has already won.

(King) no... But I have recovered my mind, I can recover all that is mine.

(Leonora) I'm sorry, but the effect won't last long.

(King) How long?

(Leonora) one hour, two hours maximum.

(King) is not enough...

(Leonora) I'm sorry again, but that's the way it is, but if you want I can collect all your debts.

(King) You... You haven't answered me, who are you?

(Leonora) the only person who can help you, if you make a deal with me I promise I will do what is best for the kingdom.

(King) ....what do you want?

(Leonora) the treasure of the throne chamber.

(King) How did you know of its existence?

(Leonora) I know many things, the "how" isn't relevant.

(King) answer who are you?

(Leonora) I am Leonora, the witch, and also the only person who can help you.

(King) you... You ask me to make a deal with the devil to save my kingdom?

(Leonora) which option do you have?

The king lowered his head and began to think.

(King) you... promise me that you will do what is best for the kingdom.

(Leonora) Yes, I will.

(King) I... I have another son, moreover I want you to find him and bring him before me.

(Leonora) I have already done it, Bruno is now in the castle, and Maxwell too, if you want to talk to them it is perhaps your only chance.

(King) You said your name is Leonora, didn't you? Just by looking at you, and knowing what you have achieved at your age, I can see that you are not someone normal, but if I have to sell my soul to the devil to save my kingdom, I will do it with pleasure, I will give you what you ask for, but I have conditions.

(Leonora) Which ones?

(King) First, I know that woman did horrible things to my kingdom, I want you to fix it.

(Leonora) I have already started, I am working on social inequality, and undoing the monopoly of magic.

(King) second, make that that woman never ascends to the throne.

(Leonora) she's also my enemy, and I wasn't going to allow that either.

(King) And lastly, I... I... I don't want to go on living like this, if there is no cure for my condition, please kill me, I have failed my people, I have failed my children, I have failed everyone, I don't deserve to be alive.

(Leonora) Okay, but I won't do it now, besides, both Maxwell and Bruno are only 13 years old, neither is ready to be king, and if they were to ascend to the throne they would only become puppets of Eris.

(King) well, I leave it up to you, but don't forget your promises.

(Leonora) I will not, my king.

The king proceeded to stand up, put his thumb and forefinger together, and the wall behind him moved, revealing a safe which he prepared to open.

(King) the treasure in the throne chamber is fake, I hid the real one in my office, besides, this safe can only be opened with my magic, and my senile self would never be able to remember the password.

The king manipulated the safe, and when it opened there was only a small wooden box, he took it, and handed it to me.

(King) I hope... I'm doing the right thing, and I hope you give it back to my children when you're done with her.

(Leonora) I will do so.

----------------------

It was finally the day to return to Quarel, so Johan and Eris had come to see us off.

(Johan) bye Leon, son I-I'll go to visit you.

By the way, Johan was completely blindfolded and Aisha was doing her best to contain her laughter.

(Aisha) pufff, and tell me Mrs. Eris, how long will he have to wear those bandages?

(Eris) at least one month to be sure.

(Johan) mooom but, everybody said that I'm fine and I can take the bandage off!

(Eris) Johan honey, I already told you that the doctors, the priests, and the court magicians, are a bunch of incompetents, a mother knows when her little child needs attention.

(Johan) But mooooom.

Aisha finally couldn't contain herself and began to laugh, I for my part took one more look at the capital, I have lived too many lives here, and very few have ended well.

I will definitely not miss this city.