Ruggiero hurriedly rushed the group inside and sat them in a quaint living room full of potted plants and dangling flowers, similar to the ones Lucius had seen outside. They were of fascinating appearance: red and green in color, but unlike ordinary flora, had ribbon-like petals that curved into a spiral. Lucius busied himself with studying the blooms while the good Ruggiero prepared a pot of tea.

"I am thankful for your visit…" he began, steeping a bag of herbs and spices into the liquid. "But this is much too dangerous. Sir Ganelon has my home under constant watch: What if someone had seen you?"

Bradamante stood up from her chair and gently approached the man, before wrapping her arms around his waist. "Do you really think I'd be that careless? Relax, love. I already inspected the surroundings; any rogues trailing you have already been dealt with. They'll wake up from a nice little nap in about an hour."

Lucius did notice a few unsavory sorts skulking about, but when exactly the lady had the chance to 'handle' them, he knew not. Bradamante was with their company the whole time.

"... May I remind you we are in the presence of others?" Ruggiero said, embarrassed by her clear display of affection.

"What's the point in keeping it a secret to them? The otherworlders don't care, right you lot?" The others nodded and gestured for her to continue. Who were they to stop young love? Well, not exactly young. The Peers appeared to be in their early forties, but their courtship was as innocent as any budding couple. "Besides, we don't get many chances to be honest like this together. At least among other people."

Ruggiero winced and turned his head away, distracting himself over preparing the tea. "You know what the public would do to us should they discover our fondness for each other. I do not wish to see them cast their eyes upon you with the same prejudice as they do me."

Bradamante let out a sigh and nestled her head on his shoulder. "You know I don't care about such things. Let them judge me all they want."

"And that is why I must care in your stead." Ruggiero finished with his arrangements and brought out a humble clay teapot to the party. Everything, from the cups to the cutlery, seemed to have been hand made, and Ruggiero dutifully set the table as Bradamante watched him with a frustrated concern. "I am not worth sullying the respect and admiration you've amassed over the years. The paladins look up to you; the people treasure you. What kind of scoundrel would I be if I were to let the one I love willingly forsake all her prestige for the sake of one insignificant man?"

Bradamante scowled and grabbed his hand. "Please don't talk about yourself like this, as if you're a burden weighing me down."

"Sometimes I cannot help but think so. How much happier would you have been had I not attracted your affection? You would not need to risk your reputation, nor sneak around the city like some unsavory night-walker. The fault lies with me for lowering you to such a life."

Now, Lucius wasn't opposed to watching a good drama unfold before him, but the mood was admittedly becoming rather uncomfortable. His companions squirmed in their seats and did their best to politely ignore the couple's fight. Whether they did so inconspicuously… well, that was debatable.

"Let us postpone this discussion for a later date," Ruggiero said, motioning to the gentleman's party. "Please?"

Bradamante rubbed her face in annoyance, but eventually relented and sat herself with an irate 'harrumph' next to Lucius. "You're not running away from this again. I hope you know that."

Ruggiero chuckled and poured drinks for everyone. Interestingly enough, the liquid was a soft blue despite the brown spices used in the tincture. Lucius took a sip and let warmth overtake him as a refreshing taste traveled down his throat: sweet, fruity, with a tartness similar to a well-picked raspberry.

"Oh-hoh, would you be so kind as to enlighten me with the name of this drink?" Lucius asked him, giving the man an opportunity to change the topic.

Ruggiero quickly took it and beamed with pride. "It honors me that a man with your refined taste would praise it so. This blend is a local delicacy from my homeland: We call it Azuredew, after the rich color dyed like the ocean waters."

The Peer waved at the decor around them. "This very house is actually styled in the Moorish fashion. The plants, the furniture, even my mementos—I thought that by surrounding myself in my culture it would lead me to never forget my roots. But…"

He closed his eyes and sucked in a breath. "Perhaps I should have done away with it, and committed myself fully to the Frankish ways. There is no benefit in reminding others that I am different from them."

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Bradamante tried to speak up, but she stopped at the last second. The lady knew there was nothing else she could say to change his mind now—the man was too stubborn for his own good.

Too entrenched in his false identity to realize what it was he truly desired.

"... I do not believe you are here merely to share a drink with me," Ruggiero said, donning a stern expression. "Why have you come?"

Mili fiddled with her fingers, wondering if this was the right thing to do after witnessing the Peer's apathy, but she gathered the courage to speak up anyway. "We wanted to break you out of here. Or, well, at least find a way to end this stupid house arrest. You didn't do anything wrong in the first place—why should you be punished just because that eyeball thing suddenly ambushed us?"

Despite her enthusiasm, Ruggiero shook his head and made a surprising declaration. "I appreciate your concern, but I do not wish to leave until my time is served."

Harper stammered and abruptly stood up. "Why? If you're afraid of Ganelon, I'm sure the other Peers would find a way to help you."

"It is partially true that the High Tribunal holds sway over me, but even more than my freedom, I desire not to cause a commotion—not in these times when our unity is already close to fracturing. This imprisonment is actually quite mild compared to what he could have done. If staying here will satisfy Sir Ganelon's mood, then I will lay myself down for however long is needed to ensure the continued peace of the Order."

Marco grunted and tried to make the man see reason. "I get that ya feel responsible, I really do, but givin' up and rollin' with the punches… It ain't gonna make anythin' better. For God's sake, man, stand up for yourself, or else those priest fellas are only gonna keep takin' advantage of your goodwill."

"They are free to take advantage as much as they wish. I will not give Ganelon any more justification to demean Sir Roland's authority."

The group let out a collective groan. Ruggiero had entirely resolved himself to be a sacrifice: to willingly suffer for the good of the people.

Lucius's companions just couldn't understand. Why go to such lengths for those who refused to acknowledge him as one of their own? No matter how much Ruggiero groveled, or stepped aside, or gave himself away… the Frankishmen were never going to thank him.

Ruggiero knew this. Lucius saw, deep in his heart, that the man realized this was all meaningless. And yet, he persisted nonetheless out of a misguided responsibility.

Lies, under lies, under even more lies. Lucius had to suppress himself from shuddering in bliss: How could such a man wrapped in such falsehoods possibly exist in this world and still hold onto his sanity?

Although, perhaps that thought was wrong. Perhaps Ruggiero had already been broken since long, long ago.

"If you have nothing else to say, then I suggest you make your return," Ruggiero said, standing up and clearing the table. Lucius helped him, much to his surprise, but he made no effort to stop the gentleman.

The others remained silent for an uncomfortable period. They tried to come up with ways to cheer Ruggiero up, to ignite his rebellious spirit and boldly stand against the despicable Ganelon; however, he already made his choice.

Not even his beloved, Lady Bradamante, could change his mind now.

"... I have never regretted being with you, Ruggiero," she said to him one last time before walking toward the door. "And no matter how much you try to distance yourself from me, I will always be there. By your side. I'm a stubborn woman, love. I just hope one day you learn that it's okay to chase after your own happiness."

With that, she left, and so too did the players after an awkward farewell. Ruggiero shut the door tight, leaving them all alone out amidst the hushed night.

"I'll lead you to the exit," Bradamante said, rubbing her eyes and grimacing. "Sorry about that. I thought that maybe this time would be different—that he would listen to you. Ah, curses… why do all the men in my life have to be such fools?"

She grumbled and practically stomped her way back as the others silently followed.

It was a shame that the day had to end on a sour note, but Lucius thought the encounter most informative. Sir Ruggiero was a masterpiece waiting to be bloomed. His time was near—Lucius could feel it. It was so close.

But the Peer was missing one last thing. The problem was… Lucius couldn't quite figure out what.

As he was ruminating over this conundrum, a series of screens popped up for his viewing. The others didn't react: These messages were solely for him.

>[Sinister Interdimensional Bureaucrat wishes to assign you a mission separate from the system. Their employers desire to see the Frankish citizens turn against Ruggiero and call for his public execution. If you succeed in manipulating the public into rioting, then you will be granted 1000 Cosmic Coins]<

>[Virtual Goddess of the Wired pleads for you to help Ruggiero by spreading the truth about his deeds at the fortress. Once the people learn of his devotion and bravery against the demons, then they will finally welcome him as a hero. If you succeed in encouraging the public into supporting him, then you will be granted a personal treasure from the Star's vault]<

>[Number 1 Rated Salesman 1997 says they ain't got any stake in this competition, but a big shot doesn't shy away from an opportunity to make a profit. If you succeed in swindling one of the Stars and betray them right after receiving your reward, then you will be granted a special skill any competent go-getter should have: free of charge]<

Now this was a curious proposition, one that began to set the gentleman's mind in motion. Yes, yes! The public: that was the key. In order for Ruggiero to bloom at his most beautiful, he needed to be forced into action by the very people he swore to protect.

Each mission had their pros and cons, but why limit himself to only one? If his plan worked out well, perhaps he could complete all three at the same time.

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