Cassmira was lying on a sunbed enjoying the warm weather. The large and private embassy garden was one of her favourite resting places. Sunbathing as an activity that she picked up from the Empresses of Avalon seemed counterintuitive but she couldn't deny that she enjoyed it. The beauty standards she grew up with did not seem to apply to Arcadia. Previously, her unblemished pale white skin was the peak of aristocratic beauty. However... It was funny to see how Theon was concerned about her health and he seemed flabbergasted when she explained to him her reasons. Her mother was right: he made the rules obey his desires, not the other way around.

"Hello?" Rose's voice came from behind the hedge.

"I'm here!" She replied.

The Half-Elf quickly emerged from behind the decorative plants and smiled. "Hello, Princess!"

"Oh, please, Rose..." Cassmira rolled her eyes. "I'm your sister-in-law."

"It's still awkward... Cass." She sighed and stiffly sat on the nearby sunbed. "It's still some kind of dream if I have to be honest... A dream that I don't want to wake up from, but a dream nonetheless."

Rose played with her simple but elegant wedding ring. Cassmira sighed quietly, appreciating the irony. Rose was the Duchess of Arcadia, an adopted member of the Royal Family and she was concerned about the protocol... Cassmira tried, on many occasions, to explain to Rose that her manners were flawless and she shouldn't be worried about anything else. After all, she was the highest-ranking noble, a step-daughter to Emperor Theon Avalon and beloved friend of all of his wives. It wasn't Rose who should be worried about upsetting anyone but quite the opposite. Especially, considering the military might of Arcadia. Rose would always stay like that...

"Well... I guess." Cassmira couldn't blame Rose. From a slave to the Imperial Princess in less than a year. "Has my brother traveled with you or, by some impossible chance, let you go alone?"

"No." She sighed, slightly depressed. "He is busy forming military regiments for the Eastern Province. Our situation isn't as bad as Lord General Blair's in Westwood or even Queen Elisabeth's in Everlight province, but the wild monsters are a problem everywhere."

Rose sighed heavily while Cassmira could only nod in understanding and compassion. "Fortunately, you don't have bandits..."

"There will always be bandits..." Rose shook her head in disgust. "Not as many as previously and far less than in other countries, but they are even in Arcadia. Various criminals and brigands... We get rid of them in one place and, a few weeks later, a new group shows up elsewhere. I would be disappointed and hurt by the thought that sane people choose to be criminals over living a peaceful life but Fath... The Emperor told me that, as long as there are people, there will be those who choose the allure of crime."

"He is right..." Cassmira smirked. Rose was still more than a little embarrassed to call Theon her father. "It seems that no punishment discourages some people from being bandits."

Rose continued her heavy sighs. Cassmira sat on the sunbed and looked at her sister-in-law - she needed some good cheer.

"You told me that you wanted to talk about something but you were very unspecific in your letter. What did you want to talk about?" Cassmira finally asked with curiosity in her voice.

"Well... Leo was supposed to be helping me but, for now, he is taking charge of everything... It's so embarrassing! The University classes I attended gave me a general idea of what to do, but they were so frustratingly unspecific!" Rose blushed and buried her face in her hands in shame. "I wanted you to give me a crash course on how to... you know? Be a proper noble?"

Cassmira gave Rose a flat stare and, herself, sighed heavily. She had attended the same classes at the University and honestly doubted there was anything more to say. The sped-up courses were only for the best and brightest students or for those who already knew the basics. Rose and Aoi, who were incredibly talented, were also blessed by all the Gods of Arcadia, to the point where it was unfair to watch them excel in the course. Cassmira, who didn't want to stay behind her friends, powered herself by the sheer force of resolve and, despite knowing what Rose was learning for the first time, she scored just a single point better on the final exam than her sister-in-law. Rose's problem wasn't a lack of knowledge but rather a lack of self-confidence. Unfortunately, that wasn't something you could easily learn at the University...

"Rose... You are brilliant and I don't-" Cassmira hesitated in the middle of the sentence. The Metakan Princess tilted her head under the sudden thought. "Yes! I think I know exactly what you need!"

"Really?!" Rose brightened and jumped to her feet.

"Yes!" Cassmira picked up her towel and wiped the sweat from her body. "But... I have to ask Theon for permission."

"Why do you need Faaaa... The Emperor's permission for?" Rose blinked a few times, stunned.

"You will see!" Cassmira grinned.

•••

After a quick refreshing shower, she picked a light, informal dress before they made their way toward the Palace. The Metakan carriage that originally brought her to Avalon was upgraded by the greatest Engineers and Artificers of Arcadia. While it kept its familiar layout, it had been outfitted with impressive runes. More durable, comfortable, and reinforced by a shield, Cassmira's carriage was pulled by two large and fierce horses. It quickly navigated the wide streets of Avalon, undisturbed by anyone as it moved past Triskelion and briefly stopped before the mighty Upper Castle Gates that were usually closed by a single portcullis. Cassmira and Rose were among the very few people in Arcadia who could freely cross the gatehouse to the Palace whenever they wanted. The carriage stopped in the impressive courtyard and the Praetorians who acted as her guards and coachmen helped them exit. The two ladies were welcomed by one of the Slime Butlers who bowed to them deeply.

"Princess Cassmira! Princess Rose! It's a pleasure to see you. We informed our Lord of your visit and he is waiting for you in the tea room by the greenhouse." The human-looking Butler smiled brightly at them.

"Thank you." Rose smiled in reply.

They followed the Slime in silence. Cassmira was still overwhelmed by the Palace's interior and lavish but tasteful decorations. Wide and bright corridors were always pleasant, keeping the perfect temperature. It wasn't impressive for Rose who only knew Avalon and its miraculous technology and magic. But for Cassmira, something so seemingly trivial for Rose was one of the most breathtaking magitech achievements she knew. Applying magitech to improve their quality of life was brilliant and the scope of application was staggering. Metakan traders were returning home with new tales while the Scholars and Artificers back in the Empire tried to copy Arcadian tech. Their effects varied but, nonetheless, the progress achieved had already changed the Empire of Metaka for the better.

The tea room was a half-official room where the Empresses and, rarely, the Emperor had meetings with the people they considered friends. It was a state-of-the-art blend of a library and a relaxation space with an amazing view of the huge greenhouse. Through another technical achievement, a window spanning the entire length of the wall revealed a truly amazing view. The trees blossomed and fruited the entire year while the carpets of wonderful flowers never faded. It was a place Cassmira considered visiting often once snow covered Arcadia. The pieces of furniture were as unusual as the room they were made for. With rich decorations and base-reliefs of various animals or plants, complex scenes combined the environment and setting into a nobel but comfortable living space. Theon was sitting on the large sofa with Mia and Tia at his sides. Their arrival interrupted the discussion the three were having as they stood and welcomed Cassmira and Rose.

"Hello, Cassmira! It's good to see you Rose!" Theon smiled brightly at them. "I wasn't aware you were in Avalon."

"Oh, I arrived just a few hours ago, Fa... Father." She stuttered and blushed but Theon smiled even wider. "I took the magi-train instead of Dungeon Jumping. It's just as incredibly convenient for quick travel as everyone says."

"I'll have to find a moment and check it for myself." Mia sighed.

"So what brought you today?" Theon asked while looking at Cassmira with curiosity. "I was informed that you wanted to ask me something..."

"Yes! I would like to visit my brother in Twilight Dungeon City and then, after a day or two, I would like to visit my mum in the Sleeping Dungeon." Cassmira said calmly.

As far as she knew, it should be safe for her to travel to Metaka. However, she knew that Theon wasn't telling her everything, mainly to not upset her. She was more than sure that his agents had found and uncovered most of the nobles who might try to kidnap her. Theon brought evidence of their plots to Guad who swiftly executed the fools who thought they could use her.

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

"I see..." He scratched the back of his head as he looked at the ceiling. "Going to the Twilight Dungeon City shouldn't be a problem or staying in the Sleeping Dungeon if you just want to meet with Matilda. As long as you just stay hidden, I could use Dungeon Move to get you there. But I don't think you would like to stay put?"

"Yes. I would like to take Rose with me." Cassmira smiled.

"Rose?" Theon gave her a shocked stare but he quickly nodded as if he recalled something. "Well, I shouldn't be so surprised that you would want to visit your mother-in-law, Rose. As long as you take Praetorians with you, and perhaps a company of the Mobile Infantry, I won't object. Now... How to get you there..."

"I think the first two corvettes will be ready in two days." Tia winked at Cassmira who smiled back. "That would free a destroyer from the Home Fleet and allow you to use it as a transport."

"Especially since Victory should return in one month." Mia added briefly. "We can't let you travel without a proper escort outside Arcadia, Cassmira, Rose."

"It's not Victory, but a destroyer is a bare minimum, I guess." Theon nodded. "Since things in Metaka are finally heading towards a better future and Guad is our friend, I don't have to be overly paranoid. Normal levels of paranoia should suffice."

It was true that he was paranoid but, on the other hand, it served him far better than being overly optimistic. Nilmerthis was rough for people who weren't cautious enough and deadly for rulers who trusted people too much.

"Thank you." Cassmira curtsied with a warm smile. "I wanted to show Rose the difference between the administration of both empires. That should help her... Put things into perspective."

"I never asked what the reason was for your visit to the Sleeping Dungeon but thank you for telling me." Theon nodded and looked as if he wanted to say something but, ultimately, he simply shrugged. "Anyway, most dangers in Metaka were removed. Guad knows that my Praetorians won't be shy in using deadly force, if necessary, so they should take care of any nuisance we don't know about."

"I don't think that's necessary..." Cassmira blushed slightly.

"You are still betrothed to Theon, Cassmira. If you show up anywhere without proper guards and travel in common carriages, no matter how lavish, many people will think you either ran away or your engagement was cancelled." Tia shook her head. "While you are free to move and do as you wish while you are in Arcadia and no one would jump to any conclusion, Metaka is still a wild land. Emperor Guad and Prime Minister Vettalia are still fighting with older nobles who have realised that their position is in jeopardy and their carefully built status quo has crumbled. It is not the familiar place you left a few months ago. The fight for influence and power has turned brutal since Guad assumed the throne."

"Besides, you should realise by now that you won't be able to return to life as it was before you came to Avalon, Cassmira." Mia smiled warmly. "For better or worse, your life changed forever, unless you want to cancel the engagement-"

"No!" Cassmira, whose face slowly turned red, interrupting the Nekomi. "I'm certain about the choice I made."

"Girls, please stop teasing her..." Theon sighed and the twins giggled.

"Sorry, Cass." They replied in unison.

"Hmmm... I don't know what exactly you want to show Rose but why not use that time and look at the departments run by Mia and Tia? That should help... I hope."

"Oh, that's an excellent idea, Theon!" Cassmira clapped her hands with a big smile.

"So..." Theon nodded and smiled. "How do you like your castle, Rose?"

•••

After they chatted about various subjects for nearly an hour, Theon had to return to his work. He still had to familiarise himself with the newest reports from the front line and address some issues with the Dungeons' hunting grounds. The last issue seemed to occupy his mind more than the war. Cassmira and Rose used the remaining day to follow Tia and take a better look at her duties. Tia's office was in the same portion of Triskelion as Theon's and Aoi's offices. She was responsible for the civil defence and had most of the Guardsmen Corps under her command.

"What exactly would you like to see, Cassmira?" Tia asked as they entered her office. A few high-ranked officers saluted her immediately.

"Nothing particular." The young Human woman smiled and raised her hands in a calming manner. "Just how things work in your department."

"Well... In that case, you can just watch... I guess?" Tia replied and tilted her head. "But currently, there is not much work because most of the war issues are taken care of directly by Theon."

"It's fine, Tia!" Cassmira smiled. "That's even better!"

Rose looked at Cassmira with the most puzzled expression the Metakan Princess had ever seen but stayed silent. While it was incredibly amusing, that wasn't Cassmira's goal. The Nekomi Empress watched the two Princesses for a moment but soon enough, she resumed her work. Cassmira pulled Rose behind her and made sure that the Half-Elf understood everything. They spent the next few hours watching how Tia calmly resolved every issue presented to her by her secretaries and helpers. The work progressed smoothly and there was nothing that couldn't be solved by the Empress.

The next day they spent in a far more hectic environment of the Imperial Revenue Service Department. While Mia's office wasn't filled with bustling activity, her aides and secretaries were reviewing new policies before bringing them to their Empress who had the power to turn them into law. Mia was supervising the work and was rarely disturbed. The two Princesses soon left her office and visited the other offices of the Imperial Revenue Service Department. Cassmira watched in awe at the efficiency and how simple their work looked. Rose was blissfully ignorant of how most of the governing work looked outside Arcadia. Cassmira cherished the thoughtful silence interrupted by the animated discussions or, at least by the most important subject for everyone who ever worked in an office, what was going to be for lunch? Even the lower floors, where the most numerous but also most trivial tasks were taken care of, were calm and full of focused and, inexplicably happy people. Theon's Talent Gauge skill was no joke. He was always able to find the best occupation and everyone was very happy with what they were doing.

"I still don't know what I am supposed to see. It seems normal..." Rose sighed heavily after they left Triskelion. "I won't be able to match the Empress's skill so-"

"Oh, no... You don't have to. I just wanted you to take a good look." Cassmira gave her a flat and unamused stare. She sighed heavily and looked with a dead stare into the distance. "Cherish that memory. You will need it..."

Two days later, they were in the Sleeping Dungeon.

The officials and scholars who worked in the large office were under the watchful gaze of many supervisors. Rose was sickly pale as she tried to comprehend what she was observing. Even shopkeepers and street stall vendors they saw enroute were quiet and stoic compared to the closest advisors of Empress Matilda. As far as Rose knew, they were only in charge of a single Dungeon City but the commotion they made caused her to question that understanding. The officials responsible for the affairs of the entire Empire of Arcadia were serene in comparison. Rose sent a terrified look at Cassmira who just flatly stared at the closet wall. The Half-Elf wanted to desperately ask something but, as her lips parted, the nearby officials erupted with a fierce argument.

"You can't just allow the Baron to claim that building!" One of them exclaimed.

"Why not? He is willing to pay its full price instantly!"

"But the stores on the ground level are already rented to free merchants and they are paying their installment rates on time!"

"So what?" The older of the two looked at his peer with disdain. "The Baron has the right to appeal to the Senate. Do you think they would look kindly at us for thwarting his plans?!"

"But the law..."

"Yes, but also no." The older man interrupted. "You can take it to Her Highness and she will judge. But remember that, in the end, the Baron will find it was your fault if the judgement isn't to his liking."

Rose looked at Cassmira, terrified, but then felt a soft touch on her shoulders.

"Rose..." The former Empress raised her voice and terrified the nearby officials who were unaware of her presence. "How would that case be taken care of in Arcadia?"

"The Baron in question could buy-out the leases or continue the contracted rent for the occupied part of the building," Rose answered as if that was the most obvious answer in the world.

"But what about disappointing the noble?" Matilda asked with a neutral tone.

"With all due respect, someone so petty to hold a grudge over something like that, and incompetent to ignore the Empire's law, shouldn't be a noble in the first place." She answered with a voice that went gradually colder. "Someone who causes civil unrest by their unfairness or makes other people act in the same manner are beneath nobility. Nobles have no right to act like that. They are tasked with protecting the people, not extorting them."

The silence spread in the room as the people looked at her in shocked silence.

"What about the Noble Senate?" Someone asked, making Rose simply clench her fists.

"What's the point of allowing servants to the crown to create an institution that works against the country?" She answered with a question. Not even looking at the man who asked. "A Noble Senate that only erodes the power of the country's ruler or creates unfair divisions between the people should not continue."

"But Noblesse are exceptionally skilled people chosen by the Gods!" The same man disagreed.

"The Gods have nothing to do with it. Nobles are appointed by their ruler and they serve them. If they start gathering independent power of their own, they have exceeded their usefulness and should be relieved of their duty and, if they disobey, they should be immediately prosecuted as traitors." Rose answered. "Nobles exist to serve the Royal Family. They serve to uphold and execute the law. If the law and order are threatened by those appointed to safeguard them, the Royal Family should hold them accountable for their actions against the crown and country. That's how it works in Arcadia."

"So you see how it is. How can Metaka call itself the country of law if its nobles extort the common people? Lady Rose is correct." Everyone looked at the man speaking and even greater commotion erupted in the room.

"Hello, Brother Guad." Cassmira smiled faintly. "Seriously, are you going to finally take care of this mess?"

"Indeed..." Guad Darius Metaka smiled.

Rose looked flatly at Cassmira, who smiled faintly, making the Half-Elf sigh heavily.

"You see Rose? All my life I was being prepared to deal with this... Mess." The Princess slightly trembled as she voiced the last word. "And you're concerned with Arcadian procedures?"

"I guess, I should thank you, Cassmira. I think I have a little more faith in myself, after this trip..."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.