Ending the call, I can't help but pinch the bridge of my nose because I really didn't want to do this.

Alice should be in the capital by now. I should send her a letter asking for help, because I don't really have anyone I can trust there. Plus, at least I got to warn her about my situation first. Who knew using her in my story to my brother and Aria would come to bite me in the ass?

With that in mind, I first had to prioritize what I needed to do, which was to tell Emma and Clare about the change of plans.

Going downstairs and telling them to come back to the room we were in, they looked questioningly at me since I had suddenly called them back.

"Sorry, but it seems like our plans have to be scrapped. It seems that I need to go to the Royal capital for something."

Proceeding to show them the phone Athrun gave me, I continued and said,

"Can't really say too much about it, but Athrun gave me this communication artifact and asked me to do something for him."

Hearing what I said, the first person to ask me was Emma.

"Rita, why must you go then? I presume you already know how dangerous it is for you to go?"

"Yeah, I know, but it's a personal reason."

"Personal? Does it have to do with your family?"

Shaking my head, I said. "No, and I can't say, but I want to thank you for all the help you have given me up until now."

Then, turning to Clare, "We're setting off in a couple of days. Please prepare everything for our travels there. In the meantime, I'll write a letter to Alice to give her an advance notice of our situation."

Nodding to confirm my orders, I turned to Emma and noticed a faint, strange reaction flicker across her face. However, I chose to ignore it because, sensing it, it was something that Emma kept secret, like she didn't want anyone to know about it, which wasn't really related to me, just her.

"So Emma, could you prepare the fastest courier for us?"

"Yes, to the Lunslur resident, I presume?"

"Yeah. And make sure they deliver it personally, just so no one tampers with it, since, you know, they're in the middle of a power struggle right now."

For some reason, mentioning the Lunslur family was causing that strange reaction from Emma again, but again, it wasn't really my place to ask.

Walking up to the dresser, I pulled open a drawer filled with blank sheets of paper, then I opened another drawer filled with pens and other writing tools.

Then, going back to the couch, I placed a piece of paper on the coffee table and began writing. And after a couple of minutes, when I finished writing the letter, I gave it to Emma, who was waiting for me to receive it.

"Here, sorry again for the sudden change of plans, and thanks for all your help."

Receiving it, "I'm happy to help."

Leaving to send the letter, I stared blankly inside the now-empty room and took a long, deep sigh.

A couple of days later, by one of the gates, Clare and I boarded a plain-looking private carriage, with Rain and Emma sending us off.

"Alright, we'll be leaving now. Goodbye, Rain," turning my head toward Emma, "and you too, Emma. Thank you for all the help you've given me."

"It's not a problem."

"Yeah, but when are you going to come visit again?"

"Hmm… in a couple of months from now, but I'll send a letter once in a while, whenever I can."

Smiling happily at my answer, I notice Emma was looking at me with something on her mind, similar to when I told her that I was about to send a letter to Alice.

Noticing my gaze, our eyes meet, and I then notice that Emma seems to have made up her mind on something.

"Nyx."

"Yes? Is there something you want me to do?"

"Yeah…" Taking a letter out of her pocket, she then gave it to me. "When you meet up with Lady Alice, could you give this to her?"

Blinking a bit, since that was a little unexpected, I glanced at Rain, who also looked surprised by Emma's action. However, again, I decided not to read her thoughts because it wasn't my place. So instead, I just accepted the letter Emma handed me.

"Umm… okay, I'll get it to her."

Taking the letter and carefully tucking it into my bag, the coachman, who had finished loading our things into the storage compartment, informed us that we were ready to depart.

Leaving Farsbarow behind and watching it fade into the distance once again, we spent the next week traveling from one town or village to another. Thanks to Clare, who planned our route and arranged the carriage, we avoided sleeping outdoors.

It was relatively uneventful, save for a bit of sightseeing when we had some time. And by the end of the week, I finally saw the pearly white walls of the royal capital.

There was quite a long line of wagons and carriages, and another for travelers who walked here on foot.

We waited in line for the wagons and carriages for around an hour, during which I saw some ornate carriages that looked expensive pass by us and toward the gate, skipping the line entirely, to an empty line meant for noblemen or high-ranking officials to pass through.

After the long wait, when we finally entered the capital, I couldn't help but stare through the window because it was a familiar sight to me, since this wasn't the first time I had visited here.

Recognizing the many shops that hadn't changed much since the last time I was here, I couldn't help but look at them a little melancholically. I hadn't expected to return so soon, and I already knew trouble was waiting for me ahead.

I stared through the window with that feeling till the carriage made a turn to a place that was completely new to me, since when I usually come here, it's always toward the noblemen's district where my family manor was, and in the direction of the royal palace.

Clare had already made arrangements at an inn that was in an upper-class district for a commoner, that is, not a nobleman, if we were being specific.

When we arrived at the inn, I saw that it was a big red brick building with blue tiles, taking up roughly half of the block. Its exterior appearance was very clean despite how big it was, where I couldn't even see a single smudge on it, like it was completely new, similar to the buildings in this district.

My honest impression of it was that it looked kind of plain, like there was nothing really wrong with it, nor anything that makes it stand out when you compare it to the ones I see in the noblemen's district that is next to the royal academy and close to the royal castle at the center of the capital.

Clare opened the carriage door and stepped out first. Then, holding it open for me, she helped me down while the coachman handed a letter, which was a reservation document Clare had given him before we left Farsbarow, to a well-dressed doorman holding a clipboard.

After confirming the reservation, the doorman turned to us and bowed before signaling a baggage porter and instructing him to unload our belongings and take them to our room.

Handing Clare the key to our room, the baggage porter led us inside. Once we reached our room and stepped in, he gently set our luggage by the door and bowed, politely informing us that if we needed anything, we could ask any member of the staff.

Seeing him leave, I examined the room we were given to make sure things were safe, and when I was done, I sat on a couch by the window and rested after the tiring journey here.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"My lady, you seem tired. Shall I prepare a bath for you?"

Hearing her suggestion, one of the criteria for choosing this inn was that it had a nice, big bath, but the other reason was the security.

This inn is one of the few inns in the capital to use magical devices for security, and the fact that it was the closest to the noblemen's district means that if something similar to the incident in Acton happens, the imperial guard and knights would immediately swarm this place.

"Yeah, but after I meet up with Athrun."

Getting up after resting for a bit on the comfy sofa that wasn't rocking constantly like the carriage I was on for a whole week.

Walking toward the door and placing my hand on the handle, I turned to Clare and told her, "I'll probably be back before the sun sets, so ready a bath before then, please."

Tilting her back forward in a maid-like bow, "As you wish, my lady."

Nodding, I opened the door and stepped out. Walking down the hallway, I took out my phone, opened the phone app, and tapped Athrun's number.

I had already called him when we arrived in the capital, but now I was calling again to let him know we'd reached our inn and that I was on my way to meet him.

Hearing it ring a couple of times, Athrun picked up my call and said, "Ah, Rita. You're done unpacking?"

Saying that in his usual aloof voice, I responded, saying, "No, I'm having Clare do that."

"Oh, I see."

"So, where are we going to meet up?"

"A water fountain is close by to your inn. It's a couple of blocks away if you make a right turn from the main entrance."

Giving me some more instructions on where we were going to meet, since I'm not familiar with the capital, as I never actually had to navigate the capital before on foot, I followed his instructions. I eventually saw our meeting spot with Athrun and… Aria, Edwen, and my brother talking to him.

I stopped walking and stood there still, because you've got to be kidding me. Seeing Athrun hand over something wrapped in cloth to Edwen, to my misfortune, Aria spotted me.

Realizing she had seen me, I immediately turned my eyes blue as I saw her make a shocked reaction.

"Blake?... Blake!!!"

Running up toward me, which got me some stares from the people walking by, she then said.

"What are you doing here?"

Seeing her bright and happy expression, I answer her, already giving her a premade answer Clare and I came up with for just this scenario.

"Oh, it's about Rita."

"Really? Then do you know where she is?"

Shaking my head in response to her question, I responded. "No, that is why I am here in the capital. You remember the Lunslur family, right?"

Nodding her head up and down, but before I could say anything, my brother and Edwen caught up with Aria, with Athrun slowly walking up from behind.

They asked the same question as Aria did, in which Aria told them why I'm here, and I told them that I was about to tell her about the Lunslur family.

Hearing all that, Eric, who was in a really depressed mood for some reason, suddenly had a desperate look and spoke a bit forcefully.

"Where is she?! Tell me!"

Pretending to be taken aback, given my expressionless face, which caused an awkward atmosphere between us, Aria scolded my brother a bit, though it seemed more gentle than anything else.

"Eric. Please don't raise your voice against Blake. I'm sure Blake would find your sister before you know it."

Putting his head down, I sensed a mix of emotions in him, but compared to the last few times I was sensing his emotions, this time it felt much darker and more volatile.

"Right… I'm sorry…"

Saying that, Eric turned around and ran off.

"Huh? Eric, stop! Where are you going!"

Quickly turning back to look at me, she said. "Sorry, Blake, I have to go."

Running off to catch Eric, I turn to Athrun, who was taking his time, walking toward us, and Edwen to get an idea of what is going on.

"Hi there, Blake."

"Hi, Athrun. What was that all about?"

Shrugging his shoulders, like he didn't know, Edwen answered instead.

"Quite a lot during the last two weeks."

Saying that in a sullen voice, then asking, now in a less dreary one.

"So, what was it about the Lunslur family you were going to tell us about?"

"Oh, that. I came into contact with Alice Lunslur somehow, and I am planning to meet with her in a couple of days."

"Somehow?"

"Yeah, Lady Alice was the one who contacted me when I was having some acquaintances snooping around, gathering information on her."

"Really? Are you sure that is fine? That just sounds like a trap."

"Yeah, I know. That is why I have you and other precautions if that were the case."

"Heh?"

Listening to our conversation, I heard Athrun let out a small chuckle, which I guess can't be helped because I just told Edwen that I used his name without his knowledge or permission.

I looked at his reaction, and he had an expression of not really knowing what to say, so taking advantage of that, I changed the conversation by asking him and Athrun.

"Anyway, why are you all with Athrun?"

Edwen's taken-aback expression suddenly looked flustered, hearing my question, in which he quickly looked away.

Seeing that, I turn to Athrun for an answer, but he says, "That's a secret," with a finger over his lip, with an aloof, almost playful expression.

"Yeah, that's a secret. If you would excuse me, I have to go."

Immediately running in the direction my brother and Aria had gone, I turned back to Athrun after seeing Edwen sprint off and asked,

"You're really not going to tell me?"

Athrun, still having an aloof smile, thought for a second, and he unfortunately said, "No, but let's go somewhere more private to talk about our thing."

Walking toward a nearby back alley, which was surprisingly clean, given that this was part of the better places in the capital, he then led me to a bar, for which the only indicator that it was a bar was a wooden sign hung up showing a pair of clinking wine glasses.

"Hi there, Phil, I'm going to borrow a room for a minute. Is room 3 fine?"

Strolling like he knows the place, what seems like the bar owner or the bartender responds, equally as familiar.

"Yeah, that's fine…," spotting me following Athrun, "heh, no kids allowed."

"It's fine; he's with me."

"Really? Is it about the thing?"

"Yeah, potentially."

Following Athrun, who led me to a private room, I glanced at the bartender, who was watching me closely.

Our eyes locked, and we stared at each other closely for a good couple of seconds before we stopped.

Entering the private room and seating myself, I asked him who the guy was.

"He's an acquaintance of mine."

"By acquaintance, do you mean part of some sort of secret organization you want me to join, or at the very least testing me to see if I reach the requirements to do so?"

Hearing that, Athrun's aloof smile grew big, and he said, "My, how observant of you."

"So it's true then? If so, am I going to have to join after this quest?"

"Yep."

A pause settled between us till I said, "Damn," because this was going to be troublesome.

"Rita, out of curiosity, what gave it away?"

Answering him plainly, I said, "It's from what I could sense from your intentions mainly. In combination with the fact that I don't know a thing about you, even though you are royalty, and you're sending me to an unexplored, I presume, dungeon near the royal capital of all places, I piece it together."

"Interesting."

Sighing, I then ask, "Is it true, then, what exactly do you want me to do there?"

"It's like I said, your job is to explore it and conduct reconnaissance. It's a completely new dungeon that very few have entered, so this is meant to test your abilities. I suppose I should tell you a little about our organization. Let's just say we handle dungeons that could disrupt the current balance of power."

"Balance of power? Do you mean your organization deals with dungeons that could either benefit or harm the Selendrai Kingdom if they were discovered, whether inside or outside our borders?"

"No, it's just not this kingdom. And, also as a warning, when you're entering the dungeon, the dungeons we deal with are particularly dangerous, so be careful."

"I see." Taking a moment to take all that in, I then ask, going on to the next subject since I'm already waist-deep and can't go back now, even if I wanted to, since there are too many unknowns, meaning I can't really make a plan for me to get out of.

"So, where is this dungeon?"

"Ah, that. Could you give me your phone?"

"Okay, but why do you need it?"

Handing it over and asking that question toward him, he answered back, saying, "Didn't I say I would unlock some of the features in this artifact for you the next time we meet in person?"

"Oh, right. I forgot about that. So, what are you unlocking exactly?"

"One second." Watching Athrun continue to tap through the phone, he then presented the screen of my phone. "I've unlocked this icon right here, and these two as well."

Showing me the three apps he had unlocked, he showed me the map, weather, and files apps, followed by explaining to me what I already know about how to use them.

Pretending to ask some questions like this was the first time I saw them. He handed it over to me to explore the unlocked apps.

In doing so, I was surprised to see that the Maps app had a map of this world and the weather app had a forecast of it as well. Then, looking in the files app, I looked through the only document in it, which was information about the dungeon I would be exploring. From looking through the document, I can safely say that the dungeon was a base from my world, but I can't really make out what base it was, because the images are from the entrance, where everything is nearly covered in greenery.

"So then, I believe that is all. Are there any more questions you want to ask?"

"No, that is all for now."

"Great."

Getting up, Athrun was about to lead us both out before he remembered something.

"Oh, right…" Curious, I asked what was wrong, and he responded by saying, "I forgot to tell you, the bartender here, Phil, go to him when you need some help."

"Really, how so?"

"Since I'm not going to be physically here, he's here in my stead if your situation gets out of hand."

"I see."

Leaving the bar, I breathed in a big sigh and proceeded to make my way back to my inn, where Clare and a nice bath are waiting for me.

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