While Maverick searched for June Benedict, Devereaux had time to explore Luxor. She marveled at the city’s architecture, its aqueducts, enchanted street lamps, and ramparts reinforced with magic. She strolled through the markets, fascinated by their mechanical curiosities. Everywhere she looked, she imagined ways to tinker… and perhaps leave a little chaos behind.

  As the sun dipped toward the horizon, Devereaux made her way to the agreed rendezvous point. On the way, she encountered a group of brigands and neutralized them before continuing to her destination.

  Maverick had found her. Until that moment, they had only known her face from a vision. Now he finally had a name to match it: June Benedict. He was relieved he had reached her before the other contenders could make their move in the coming Succession War.

  Even though he could not reveal much about himself, Maverick said just enough to spark June’s curiosity. They met her again the next day in a more casual setting. Devereaux discovered a woman who was sophisticated yet warm and approachable. She quickly understood the magnetism Maverick had sensed in her.

  Upon their return to Mistralis, a Queen’s announcement had been made public. The rules of the Challenge were simple and deliberately open to interpretation. Each candidate had to present three gifts before the end of the contest: one for the Queen, one for themselves, and one for the people of Mistralis. How those gifts were defined, acquired, or delivered was left entirely to the candidates. An entrance fee of 100,000 gold was required. The contest would begin in a month and would last another.

  The Queen’s Challenge dominated every conversation in Mistralis. Taverns speculated, guild halls argued. Everyone had an opinion, and most of them contradicted each other. Devereaux could tell as well, her small business was receiving more requests than usual for custom artifacts.

  Despite the commotion, the city continued to function. The machinery of Mistralis did not pause for uncertainty. It would be Devereaux’s job to find the 100,000 gold coins. Time to pay a visit to a few friends.

  By sunset, she arrived at the address Maverick had given her, pockets heavy with gold. Maverick and June were already there, both clearly surprised by her newfound fortune. It seemed blackmail solved a lot of problems… fast.

  June was visiting Nuword Bay, and she and Maverick had been talking when Devereaux arrived. They spoke about June’s ambitions, how the endless bureaucracy of her work weighed on her: the negotiations, the expectations of the court, the careful restraint demanded at every turn. Seeing Devereaux secure such a sum in a single day shifted something in June. She realized she was sitting with very capable individuals.

  The silence that followed was different now. When Maverick finally spoke, it was with a smile. When June did, it was with new respect.

  A month had passed, the grand hall of Mistralis buzzed with murmurs and gilded chatter as the launching ceremony was about to begin. Only a handful of nobles had entered the competition, the entrance fee had done its job. All were ambitious, and wary of one another. Most were from Mistralis, but a few represented foreign houses. Korrath and Lumeria had sent their finest.

  At the exception of Sir Henry, the King of Lumeria’s chosen envoy, Devereaux recognized most of them.

  June was there too, but she was no mere escort. Maverick had convinced her that her integrity and skills made her a worthy candidate. Only she and Devereaux knew. Sir Henry blinked at her confident stride, realization dawning that she would not be a passive observer. The court too, whispered in surprise that Lumeria had sent two candidates.

  The Queen watched as the seven candidates gathered. For each, the treasurer collected the gold entrance fee and exchanged it for the jewels that would have to be returned at the end of the trial under risk of disqualification.

  Three gifts. One month. And an audience that would scrutinize every move.

  The candidates were June Benedict, Sir Isaacs Henry, Yamileth kor Agara, Lady Isolde Trémier, Lord Ruben Dawnsire, Lord Jesus Rosemary and Lord Windsor de Parigotte.

  Now that the list of candidates was public, it was time gathering information on each of them. Their strengths, weaknesses and intentions. As per usual, Maverick sent Devereaux on another “pen mission”. She did not like infiltration tasks. They lacked style.

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  Each candidate would stay around Nuword bay for the duration of the Challenge. She went to June’s quarters first. Devereaux couldn’t explain why but asking nicely worked. She even managed to get a pen of Sir Henry’s from her. For the Mistralis candidates, Devereaux could rely on her intimate knowledge of the capital, slipping through secret routes to access their quarters unseen. Yamileth was out of reach, too unpredictable.

  Once all the pens were collected, Maverick put his clairvoyance to work. Lady Trémier planned to steal the jewels from June, Sir Henry, and Yamileth; Lord Parigotte intended to exploit all the Mistralis candidates.

  A few days later, the press reported the death of Lady Trémier. Maverick’s investigation concluded that Lord Parigotte was not fit for the crown of Mistralis. Devereaux ensured his jewels vanished in a spectacular fire at his home. Without them, he was no longer a candidate.

  Devereaux had arranged to meet June for a guided tour of Nuword Bay. She wanted her to witness what they fought for.

  The visit started with the markets spilling into alleys, merchants shouting over the din while small mechanical curiosities clattered and whirred, catching June’s attention at every turn. Devereaux moved with ease, weaving between carts and crowds, slipping past curious gazes with a nod or a smile. The rhythm of her city in motion. From bustling quays to quiet courtyards, the capital offered a thousand little distractions, glimpses of a life beyond politics and protocols.

  They paused at the docks just as the tide pulled in. Fishermen shouted over the splash of waves, seabirds wheeling overhead, and the wind tugged at coats and hair alike. No words were necessary; the city spoke for itself.

  Their last stop was a quiet terrace overlooking the city. Maverick waited there, seated at a small table with a single envelope before him. June approached it, unaware of the weight it carried. Maverick had taken care of the gift for the Queen, leaving her to find her own for the other two.

  The Gift Ceremony finally arrived. The Queen and the five candidates left were reunited in the capital’s main square, surrounded by a sparkling audience, Maverick and Devereaux watching from a balcony.

  After a short performance, the candidates presented their gifts to the Queen one by one.

  Sir Henry went first. For the Queen, he presented a ceremonial sword with Lumeria’s Royal Crest, as a sign of respect for the crown. For himself, he revealed a painting of Mistralis from a Lumerian artisan, representing his homeland’s devotion to the arts. For the people, he proposed building magic schools throughout the land, sharing Lumeria’s knowledge and prestige in the discipline. From their balcony, Maverick and Devereaux agreed that he had missed the spirit of the ceremony.

  Next came Yamileth. She offered a heavy diamond for the Queen, a rustic bracelet from her friend for herself and more access to Dorakstone for the people. Not sophisticated enough for Maverick, but endearing in Devereaux’s eyes.

  Lord Dawnsire followed, for the Queen he presented a magical map prepared by Adrian, capable of displaying information about places when touched. For himself, he shared that he and his wife were expecting their first child and that simply standing on the stage today was already more than he could have hoped for. For the people, he made a promise: to continue his lifelong work devoted to Mistralis and its citizens. As the hero of the city, Dawnsire’s announcement drew warm applause from the crowd.

  Then came June. She first handed the envelope Maverick had given her. It was a letter. The Queen opened it and read it. She could not contain her tears, shocking the audience. Maverick and Devereaux could hardly hold back their own. Its contents were not revealed and the ceremony continued. For herself, June pointed toward the lighthouse on the horizon. Just as it guided sailors through the night, she felt it guided her here as well. For the people, she revealed an albatross, a symbol of luck and freedom at sea, meaningful to Mistralis. Both Maverick and Devereaux felt quiet satisfaction: their intuition about June had been flawless. Truly, a remarkable person.

  Finally, Lord Rosemary presented his gifts: a religious relic for the Queen, a statue of God for himself, and the expansion of religious institutions across Mistralis for the people.

  The Ceremony concluded with the Queen announcing a banquet, where she would reveal the name of her successor.

  The banquet began a few hours after the Gift Ceremony. Devereaux’s front company was on duty, preparing the fireworks that would crown the night, but she longed to be inside the ballroom. She resisted the urge, knowing how much Maverick wanted to appear composed in front of the Queen. It was his night as well.

  Inside, the grand hall buzzed with conversation. Politics, trade, and noble gossip mingled with laughter, while the candidates circulated, speaking of their lives and ambitions.

  When the Queen finally stepped onto the stage, the room fell silent. All eyes followed as she announced her successor. Lord Ruben Dawnsire, accompanied by his expectant wife, was named. He stepped forward, visibly moved, and addressed the crowd with humility and devotion. He spoke of his love for Mistralis, his commitment to its people, and the responsibilities he would now bear as king.

  After the announcement, the gathering gradually moved toward the terrace. Outside, fireworks erupted, scattering colors across the night sky. The crowd cheered as the display marked the conclusion of the event.

  Devereaux knew Maverick would soon slip away to the hidden room behind the throne as part of the plan, and she watched him go. The meeting with the Queen was important, but there was nothing she could do except enjoy the show. The details would have to wait.

  In the end, June did not take the crown, but she valued the experience enough to remain in Mistralis. And Mistralis gained the kind of leader Maverick and Devereaux had hoped for.

  That night, Mistralis won twice.