“Your Majesty,” Han stepped forward. “Why do you need him to participate? You already have me and my party. If you’re asking him to represent the guild, we’d be more than glad to do so.”

  “Wait, is that what this is? You want me to represent the guild in the tournament?”

  “No,” he shook his head. “Han and his party will represent the guild. They’re the strongest adventurers, after all.”

  “Fair enough. Then why do you need me?”

  “I just want to witness those abilities of yours, is all. That, and I wish to see why Sabrina chose you as her Successor.” He looked at her. “I thought she’d never choose one.”

  “I didn’t either,” Sabrina blushed softly. “But…he’s different than everyone else. They wanted to be a Successor, but he didn’t.”

  “I just asked if she wanted some sucky sucky. It seemed like she did.”

  “No, I didn’t!” Sabrina lost her composure as her face flushed.

  “I dunno,” I shrugged. “I saw you eyeing my neck when we first met. You wanted a taste. Just admit it.”

  “Y-You want a taste of me!?”

  “There’s no way that’s what you heard!”

  “Admit it. That’s what you said.”

  “I see what you’re doing here, you sly little imp!”

  “Don’t call me an imp, you curr!”

  “Don’t call me a curr, you blood-sucking, sadistic, bug-eyed-EEEK!” I cried as she pulled out her whip.

  “What did you just call me!?” I dodged as she began chasing me around the throne room.

  “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I shit talk, I know! I’ll control it from now on! Please don’t-YAAA!” The whip got my back. “Nia!” I cried as I hid behind her. “Protect me!”

  “Why should I?” She puffed.

  “Stop using her as a human shield and face your punishment!” Sabrina hissed as I turned Nia to keep her from hitting me.

  “Please, Nia! I-I’ll do whatever you want! For a whole day! YA!” I lifted my foot where Sabrina nearly hit me.

  “A whole day?” Nia’s ears perked. “Whatever I want?”

  “Yes! Yes! Whatever you want! Just protect me from her!” The whip wrapped around my foot, and Sabrina began dragging me toward her. “Please, Nia!” My fingers scratched against the tiled floor as I begged.

  “You promise?”

  “YES! I PROMISE!” The watch on my wrist glowed briefly.

  “Okyay!”

  “Learn your pl-HEY!” Sabrina shouted as Nia pounced on her. “What do you think you’re doing!?”

  “Getting whatever I want.” Nia purred. “From my Myaster, nya!”

  “I'll kill you both dead!” Sabrina and Nia began to struggle as they rolled around on the floor.

  “Oh, thank God.” I sighed in relief. The King's boisterous laughter caught my attention as he spoke.

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  “I’ve never seen Sabrina like that,” he smiled kindly at me.

  “Neither have I…” Han grumbled.

  “She’s usually refined and serious, but it seems you dull that edge of hers.”

  “D-Do I?” I scratched my cheek.

  “You do.” He leaned back on his throne. “So? Will you do it? Participate, I mean.”

  Well…I don’t want Sabrina to be out of a job. It looked like I had no choice.

  “Sure,” I replied. “I’ll participate.”

  I can lose on purpose and reenter wearing the cloak and mask. That was the original plan, and I planned on sticking to it.

  “Great! Oh, and if you plan on losing on purpose, I’d think otherwise. If you don’t win, I’m cutting funding to the guild.”

  “wHaT!?” My voice cracked.

  “Your Majesty,” Han interjected. “That’s not fair. There’s no way he can win against me. I’m one of the heroes. Are you expecting me to lose to him on purpose if we get matched against each other?”

  “No. I expect you to try your best.”

  “Why do you sound like he’s going to win?” Han frowned.

  “I have high hopes for the lad; what can I say?” He shrugged. “I’m rooting for you, Sion.” He grinned.

  “Are you done now, daddy?” I had forgotten Star was still there. I guess being raised in royalty gave kids better manners. She hadn’t said a word after he dad said she’d have to wait.

  “I am.” He replied. “You can take him to your room now.”

  “Yay!”

  “Eh?” She pulled my arm. “Wait! How can you trust me not to defile your daughter?”

  “Egh!” Sora looked at me in disgust.

  Look at me however you want, but I’ll say whatever it takes to get out of this!

  “Then I’d expect you to take responsibility.”

  “eXcUsE mE!?”

  “Come on, Sion!” Star tugged on me harder. “I want to ask you about…the south where you came from.”

  DON’T MAKE IT SOUND LIKE YOU’RE HIDING SOMETHING. It looked like I had to go with her, if only to try and silence her.

  She was a child, and I knew how hard it was for them to keep their mouths shut, especially regarding secrets. Even more so when it came to a secret like mine. I didn’t know how she found out I wasn’t from this world, but I wanted to find out. If I had done something to give it away, I needed to know so I could avoid it in the future.

  “Hurry!” Star grunted as she pulled harder. I looked over at Nia and Sabrina. They were still rolling around on the ground, hissing and threatening each other.

  “All right,” I sighed. “Let’s go.”

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