Exactly one week after I'd heard the rumors of a royal investigation team coming they arrived. There was much fuss made about jurisdiction and proper etiquette and so forth from Zafas, not that it didn't any good. The Grand Cathedral was closed off the entire day except for the daily awakening ceremony. They spent most of an entire day looking around in the Cathedral and I was able to avoid them entirely. I'd begged off cleaning that evening by faking a stomach illness. They were more than happy to confine me to my room for the evening after learning of it.

  Six days later we got word that princess Carmen would be arriving that evening. This is the part that had me sweating. She was supposed to arrive shortly after the evening cleaning, not wanting to further disrupt the functions of the church. This should hopefully allow me to avoid her entirely, it was perfect. I really shouldn't have said that, even to myself because I jinxed myself thoroughly.

  We were just finishing up cleaning when the princess came in early. I was doomed immediately, but not for the reason I would've thought. She was perfect. Short at only about 152 centimeters with chestnut brown hair and chocolate brown eyes and the most gorgeous smile I'd ever seen. She had a figure that could only be described as voluptuous and full bodied. I had never seen someone to which I was so immediately and powerfuly attracted.

  I had frozen, staring. I was doomed. I had long ago sworn to fall in love only once due to my father's philandering. I couldn't stand the thought of leaping from woman to woman. It's why I'd never fallen for a girl growing up despite being around some real beauties, including Aurelia. My mother tried to push me toward her for years but I'd only ever been able to see her as a friend. I figured I'd either die alone or when I saw the one, I'd know.

  It not like I was ugly or anything either. I was 188 centimeters tall with an athletic frame and wide shoulders. Brown, close cropped hair and a stong jawline with a face I'd been told repeatedly was quite handsome. I'd just never cared. Vanity had always seemed like a weakness to me so I avoided it.

  Wait! Maybe she'd be a horrible person and I could simply walk away. To determine that though I'd have to speak to her somehow. Her knights didn't look like they'd just let me stroll up and ask "You wouldn't happen to be a terrible person would you?". And I wasnt even supposed to speak to her unless she spoke to me first. All I could do is try and stand nearby and look for an opportunity. So closer I went, drawn like a moth to the flame.

  I looked over and saw Derk as I walked. He was in charge as the senior novitiate here tonight and I gave him a look and a grin. He looked confused. I hoped he'd forgive me. I strode right up next to Zafas and to the lead knight I said confidently "It appears we're done for the evening. You may begin whenever you're ready. I'll stay nearby in case you should need anything." Fortune favors the bold after all.

  The lead knight was taller than me by a scent few centimeters and looked to be around his mid thirties. Powerfuly built with a rough face and stern expression he spoke. "Good. We'll sweep the room before princess Carmen begins. Stand there and dont move." He proceeded to give orders to the dozen other knights with him. Some posted at the entrance while the rest swept through the room, ushering out the rest of the cleaning crew as they went. I caught a look at Derk as he left and he just grinned at me and shook his head.

  All this time I'd been within 2 meters of princess Carmen not daring to even look at her. With her knights away except for the lead knight I looked at her and smiled an honest and hopeful smile. She immediately blushed and looked down for a moment then snapped her head back up. She looked embarrassed more for looking down than having blushed.

  "Your cooperation is most appreciated novitiate...." She left the word hanging, and obvious prompt for me to supply my name.

  "Cidrakas Lasalis your highness, but everyone calls me Cid." Her voice was lovely. Everything about this woman drew me in.

  "Cid then. Would you mind telling me a bit about the Cathedral and the events of the night of the murder?"

  She seemed genuine and willing to help. I'm doomed. "Certainly. We first heard a loud crash and metallic clang. No one heard any yelling. Then there was a rumbling and by the time anyone reached the Cathedral the perpetrator or perpetrators were gone and only the body remained. Has the condition of the body been described to you yet?"

  "In great detail, yes."

  The knights finished their sweep and returned at that moment.

  "All clear commander Gallus." One of the other knights reported.

  Gallus turned to the princess and said "Begin any time you'd like your highness." He gave a slight bow of the head.

  She looked away from him and around the Cathedral, her eyes taking in something the rest of us couldn't see. "I'll be casting a revealing spell now. Everyone remain still and quiet please." She looked around for a moment to ensure we understood. She then began moving her hands almost like she was shaping a ball of bread dough, just with more exaggerated movements. A few seconds later her hands began to glow a pale gold. Over the next several seconds the color changed to match the glow from the device prince Ferdin had with him that night. No one knew this but me and I remained frozen.

  She held her hands over her head and broght the down in front of her quickly, like she was throwing something on the ground. At the end of this movement she brought her hands together in a sort of clap. At this point the events of that night replayed in a way.

  A ghostly beam of light appeared right where the device had been. It shot forth into the skill stone, without making it flash this time. It continued on and passed through where the victim had been, flaring brighter for a fraction of a second, until it looked like it struck the wall, but I knew it didn't. It had hit me. I was briefly lit by the same color, albeit much dimmer than the rest of this light show.

  My eyes widened and I stifled a gasp. I looked around, praying that no one else noticed. Thankfully everyone seemed to be looking at where the beam had apparently struck the wall. Everyone except the princess. She had her head turned and was looking directly at me.

  Welp! I guess I die now. I had hoped to accomplish a great deal more. Shockingly the princess looked away after a moment and the energy of the spell dissipated completely. It had felt like there was a pressure that had gradually built in the room that I was only noticing now that it was gone.

  A few more seconds went by until the princess finally spoke, looking toward Zafas. "There was indeed soul magic used here though it felt off. Like something twisted it into knots then tried to rip it apart. I've never felt its like before. I'll have to discuss this with my family and do some research, but this corrupt soul magic could've been perpetrated by a foreign agent."

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  "What were they trying to do? Not to be impertinent, but it is my sacred duty to defend the church so I must know what happened and why." Zafas sounded as calm and conciliatory as I'd ever heard him.

  "You do not get to make demands of the princess Templar! Know your place." Commander Gallus sounded angry.

  "He meant no disrespect and is only trying to do his duty Gallus. Please be slient. As for the purpose of the magic, I must confess I have no clue. This is why I must seek council with my family for more answers. You have my word that as soon as we discover any answers you'll be the first one contacted High Templar Zafas." She bowed her head fractionally toward him in a show of respect.

  Zafas looked surprised. "You have my deepest thanks and the respect of the church of Halcis then your highness." He performed a formal bow, going a full 90 degrees at the waist.

  "There is little else to discover here I'm afraid and if the soul magic used hadn't been so powerful then there would have been nothing at all to find. We'll take our leave and interrupt you no further. I do have one final request however."

  "Whatever your highness needs." Zafas told her.

  She looked and pointed at me. "I need to speak with Cid in private for a moment to clarify some things."

  My heart stopped. I'd been waiting to hear the guillotine fall and here it came.

  "Certainly your highness. Cid go with the princess and answer all her questions to the best of your ability."

  "Yes sir." It wasn't like I could run surrounded by a full squad of knights and Zafas's men.

  "We'll speak in my carriage. It is warded and we will not be overheard." She turned to walk out, and sad look on her face.

  I followed along wondering what my life could have been. I'd never get the chance to know now it seemed.

  At her carriage, parked directly in front of the Grand Cathedral, she waited for one of the knights to open her door before saying "Gallus, you will wait here while I speak with Cid."

  "Your highness, that is hardly proper decorum. And..."

  She cut him off. "Outside Gallus. I won't be long and Cid seems like a trustworthy man."

  "Yes your highness."

  She stepped in with me right behind her and commander Gallus staring death my way the entire time.

  Once inside and seated with the door closed princess Carmen waited a few seconds and asked "Why did that soul magic resonate with you. You clearly are no mage. You were there that night correct? Please do not lie to me." She had a pleading, almost pained look on her face.

  I knew there was no point in lying and she seemed so caring and genuine. "Yes I was your highness."

  "Tell me everything you know or saw of the events of that night."

  So I did. I told her about the device, her brother, my acquiring the Mimic skill, and already having the Advancement skill. I told her all of it and held nothing back. If I was walking into the angel of death's embrace then at least it was an embrace I wouldn't mind.

  "You're sure it was my brother the crown prince? And you really have a way past the lock on Advancement?"

  "I'm afraid so. As far as I can tell, he used his device to blast the skill out of his victim and into me, though he was aiming for himself. As far as I can tell I can use Mimic to borrow skills then Advance those skills to keep them. I even get the target's perks. I haven't been able to use it fully yet because I need the capstone for Advancement's perk first but it should work."

  "I am both glad and disappointed at this news. Disappointed because my brother killed a man to steal his skill, and glad that you weren't involved. I felt drawn to you the moment our eyes met." Her face flushed and she smiled that heartbreaking smile at me.

  "I'm sorry about your brother as well but does this mean I'm not going to die?" I was confused and hopeful. And my heart was still fluttering like and idiotic bird.

  "Why would you die? No. I intend to talk to the king and confront my brother. He needs to be punished. I hope you'll be rewarded, preferably with a title. Then you could court a noble. Or royalty." She grinned at me. It was an inviting and hopeful grin and I knew then and there I'd never feel for another woman the way I felt for Carmen right now.

  "I have never been attracted to a woman as immediately or powerfully as I am toward you. If this is a trick or a trap I don't care. To have a chance to be with you is now my heart's greatest desire. And even if it means I die, I shall pursue your hand with all my might for all the days of my life." I was breathing heavy. She the world, and I was held to it by her. I no longer cared about consequences.

  "I've been nothing but honest with you as it seems you have been with me. And if you mean what you say then I can promise to give you a chance. We still need to get you a title first for it to be official or even possible though." She was leaning towards me now. Her breath also coming fast.

  I reached out, silently asking to hold her hand. She gave it and it felt like I'd been struck by lightning at her touch. Not in pain but my whole body felt alive. We were both grinning like idiots.

  "Are you sure the king will side with you? I'd rather die than see you come to harm over me."

  "More sure than anything I've ever done. If the king refuses to punish my brother then I'll renounce my title. I want no part of a family that kills its subjects to gain power." She looked angry at that, and a bit skeptical.

  "I'll trust you but can you delay telling him as long as possible? I'll cap Advancement in 8 more days, then I'll start gathering other skill quickly. If I could become powerful enough I wouldn't have as much to fear." Also I'd feel like I could protect the new most important thing in my life.

  "Not for long. I can maybe buy 3 days doing research first on obscure soul magic before I approach father. Beyond that I'll just have to hope that he upholds justice in private as much as he claims to in public."

  "I'll be ready. Even if I have to flee, I'll return for you." I gave her hand a squeeze in reassurance.

  "Let's hope it doesn't come to that. I'll try to find a reason to return to see you, or maybe sneak out." She said with mischief in her eyes.

  My heart leapt. "I can't wait to see you again." I Ieaned forward and she met me halfway. Our lips met and I knew my life was complete. With her by my side I'd conquer the world. It was a timid and gentle kiss and it was bliss.

  Bang bang bang! "Princess, are you nearly finished?" Gallus bellowed.

  We separated quickly, both flushed and panting. "Yes Gallus. One more moment." She said through a window she opened a crack to respond.

  "Be safe and know that I'll think of you til we meet again." I pulled her in for another kiss.

  "You better careful. Stay quiet and wait for my return." She told me. We both took a moment to get ourselves under control. I opened the door trying to look afraid as I did so.

  Gallus eyed me suspiciously then got in and closed the door as soon as I was out of the way.

  I stood there for a moment and watched them drive off before going inside to see a smiling Derk and an annoyed Zafas.

  "How did the questioning go newly self appointed royal ambassador? Just bugger right on off shall I since you seem to have this handled." His face was red and the vein in his forehead was puffed up and pulsing.

  "I'm so sorry. I took one look at her and my brains flew out my ear. I had to be closer to her, speak to her. I'll accept any punishment you deem necessary but I'd do it again."

  Zafas looked like he was going to explode for a second efore he took a long, slow breath. "I've been young before too and know how much of an idiot youth makes of us all. That being said you will report to the training grounds tomorrow after your morning chores. It's time to beat some sense into you. Now get to bed. Your day is going to be long and painful tomorrow." He turned and stormed off at that.

  I watched him go quietly for a moment before Derk spoke up. "You got more balls than brains, that's for sure. Not that you have enough blood to operate either right now." He chuckled.

  "Yeah maybe. Worth it though. I got to speak with the princess."

  "JUST speak to her?"

  "Yes you ass! We just met and she is a lady burn it."

  "Calm down there hot shot. I didnt mean anything by it. We do need to get you in bed though. Zafas won't kill you tomorrow, he'll just make you wish you were dead. Haha!"

  "Yeah. Totally worth it though." We walked off to our rooms.

  In my room I thought I need 8 days and she can buy me 3. I'll need to learn as much as I can tomorrow. Zafas may be trying to kill me, but I might be able to turn this into training I sorely needed now. Yesterday I ranked up Advancement again and put the 2 stats into strength. I'd be weak compared to most but I'd be as prepared as I could be.