The palace audience hall barely settles before every silver ornament rings at once. Elliot remains with the princess and two castle guards beneath the royal banners, while Veyra is left behind in her secured painting at the tower.
Above the throne, the royal seal darkens. A hairline shadow crawls across its surface, branching in the same angular pattern Elliot saw beneath the ruined tower.
Royal Court
Bring the Dawnblade forward! Let its light test the seal before the shadow spreads.
The Princess
No. The barrier is weakening from within. The blade may reveal the breach, but it cannot mend what is already inside.
The bells outside fall silent. The silver ornaments continue trembling, and a faint black line seeps downward from the seal toward the throne’s carved foundation.
Castle Guards
Your Highness, should we clear the hall?
The Princess
Keep everyone here. If the weakness is within the barrier, we must see what answers it. Elliot, the Dawnblade is needed now.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reinforce Vaelor’s prison
✓ Quest Accepted
Discover what is weakening the royal seal
“*I was back to living life, although, I attempt to flirt with the princess*”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
After the court’s urgent examination ends, palace life resumes around Elliot in cautious fragments: meals, repaired halls, and quiet walks beneath the royal banners. In a sunlit gallery, the princess pauses beside an open window.
Elliot approaches and makes his attempt to flirt, offering the princess a deliberately admiring look and a light, courtly compliment. Courage keeps his posture steady despite the danger-bound pull that still urges him toward darker work.
The effort succeeds, but his legendary composure catches for one visible instant. His voice falters at the end, and the hesitation leaves his ears warm before he can recover.
The Princess
Was that a compliment, Elliot, or are you simply practicing for the next great danger?
Her smile turns teasing rather than offended. She steps closer, studying him with bright amusement, and the quiet gallery feels gentler than the sealed chambers he has survived.
The Princess
Either way, I will allow it. You may continue, if you can keep your courage from abandoning your words.
“Ask her to the ball”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
The princess’s teasing leaves the gallery warm with sunlight and quiet laughter. Elliot straightens, and the curse’s inward pull toward distant danger tugs against this peaceful moment.
Elliot
Princess, will you attend the next ball with me?
The question leaves him plainly and deliberately. Divine Blessing steadies his posture and voice, letting him continue despite the fear of making himself vulnerable.
The Princess
Yes, Elliot. I will attend the ball with you.
The princess’s answer settles between them with bright certainty. She offers her hand, her smile gentler now, and the invitation becomes an accepted promise rather than another rehearsal.
The Princess
You may even practice your compliments beforehand, if courage permits it.
Beyond the open window, palace bells begin announcing the evening feast. For this brief hour, Elliot has won something the sword could never claim: the princess’s company by choice.