Tori Transmigrated

The snowstorm took another night to pass, but, as Tori feared, the road in both directions not only had a substantial amount of snow that needed to be moved, but there were several fallen trees that had to be cleared. To even get to the said fallen trees took time.

They didn’t leave the inn for another four days. In addition, while the snowstorm had subsided, there were still more snowfalls well into reaching Horizon, making them much more cautious when traveling. When they reached the city, it was still dusted in white, but much of the snow that accumulated was now muddy patches of darkened snow piled in awkward corners of streets and beneath stalls, carriages, and wagons that had yet to be moved.

“I think I’ve seen enough snow for a while,” Ewan said as they looked out the window when they passed into his district.

“At least it’s only up to the soles of our shoes and not eye level outside our windows,” Tori said. Ewan let out a groan. It was interesting to see at first, but their situation had grown boring quickly and for someone who was used to being out and physical, Ewan had grown anxious waiting for the snow to subside.

They dropped him off in front of his house and his mother was home. Their knights helped Ewan carry in his bag and box of souvenirs for his family. Ewan’s mother had tried to invite them to eat, but it was getting late in the afternoon and Tori admitted that she just wanted to get back and sleep.

She and Sebastian reached the same rented flat they stayed in last year and Tori went straight to take a nap in her usual room while Sebastian sent his valet to pick up dinner for everyone.

He had to wake her up to eat dinner. Afterwards, Tori promptly returned to sleep. She had three days before they were supposed to move back into the dorms. It was nearly a week less than they initially expected. She missed the Prime Minister’s party, as they had still been on the road when it was happening.

Tori had made sure to give the knights escorting Piers strict instructions on what to watch for in terms of his mannerisms to be able to know when it was time to take him away from a situation. She patiently awaited their calls at the end of the night to give her their mission report.

All-in-all, everything went well. Piers seemed to have continued to make good impressions on the other guests. He was not overwhelmed and when he did start to appear agitated, they led him outside for a change of atmosphere to let him calm down. Gideon did his job in regulating the attention his brother received, which was what Tori worried about the most.

The knights who reported to her didn’t seem to mention any of Gideon’s over enthusiasm nor complain that Gideon stood too close.

Sir Gartner told her that Gideon “remained at a distance of two paces the entire time, only shortening distance to one pace when he was being addressed by his brother.”

She called Piers after breakfast the day after the Prime Minister’s party for his own account and he went through a list of who he spoke to, the topics, and thoughts he had on them.

“The knights told me that you were able to handle the attention well and only had to go outside once to calm down,” Tori had told him. “Was your brother’s presence helpful?”

“He did a good job.”

If Piers said Gideon did a good job, then Gideon did a good job. Not a fantastic job, but he also wasn’t clingy and troublesome. Gideon wasn’t as useless as Tori feared.

She supposed she could give him a proper thanks and commend his efforts in person when they saw each other in their homeroom.

But before she moved back to Lycée and attended her classes, Tori was going to take a personal field trip to the Chamber Hall. The first Joint Chamber session of the year was happening the day before she moved back and since Sebastian was going to present something to the chamber for review, Tori wanted to go with him.

They took a carriage to the Central District, towards a massive t-shaped building that was surrounded by other, smaller government buildings. Just up the road was the imperial palace. Chamber Hall consisted of three meeting spaces, all in what she thought was an Ancient Greek amphitheater style.

The east and west wings were smaller, holding meetings for the Noble Chamber and the Representative Common Chamber, respectively. In the center, beyond the foyer, was the largest of the three halls that would hold all the chamber members. Sebastian parted with her in the foyer, and she was escorted by two Guevera Knights to a mezzanine viewing area.

Henrik and the others had told her that Chamber Hall was a popular place for Horizon schools to bring children, especially in the last few primary school years, when they were learning about Soleil’s government. Apparently, all her local friends had come to Chamber Hall to watch a session at least twice as children.

“It’s boring and you can’t even bring any snacks inside.” Sonia had warned her when she told them she was going. Ilyana, who had never been, wanted to come, but had some work to finish at the guild. The others did not want to go at all and rejected her invitation.

The near empty mezzanine was testament to how boring it must’ve been. After climbing two flights of stairs to get to the viewing area that overlooked the massive chamber below, there were only three people there: Tori and the two knights.

“I’m sure if school was back in session, there would be more school children coming to watch the session,” Sir Alverez tried to assure her.

Tori sighed and tried to figure out where was a good seat that would allow her to have an unobstructed view of the front of the hall and where her brother and Mr. Toledo, her family’s representative, were seated. She had to move around twice to get to a suitable spot.

She then pulled out a piece of paper that Sebastian had drawn her that told her who sat where. On the left side of the center aisle were the nobles and noble representatives. On the right: the elected common representatives. There was one large desk in front of each side. In front of the nobles was the Chamber Lord and on the other, Prime Minister Guthry was already standing and speaking to some colleagues.

At the front, where a speaking area would be, there was what appeared to be three sides of half a hexagonal room.

Tori squinted and looked through the glass window in front of her. The windows appeared reflective. She could easily see a tinted reflection of the chamber in front of it, but couldn’t see inside.

Tori looked down at her brother’s crude map. The room was where the imperial family members attending the meeting would be seated. There were knights inside with them, along with knights stationed on either side of the windows out in the Joint Chamber, and knights in the private walkway behind the wall.

The glowing crystal beam above the reflective windows let the Joint Chamber know when the imperial family had arrived. As soon as it began to pulse violet, it meant that the Emperor, most likely, was inside.

The Chamber Lord and Prime Minister Guthry stood up and then stepped to the aisles on either side of their desk to bend their knees and bow their heads in the direction of the “imperial chamber”, as Sebastian called it. Tori didn’t know if these were official names or ones Sebastian made up.

“My lady, the crystal in front of us is similar to the crystal in front of the imperial chamber below. It is reflective and chamber members cannot see who is in the viewing area,” Sir Alverez told her.

“Can they hear us?” Tori asked. She lowered her eyes to the strip of light blue crystal all along the edge of the balcony wall. If she was right, that was the same crystal Sebastian used to keep noises contained within.

“No, my lady,” the other knight told her. “They cannot hear or see us so that we may not cause a distraction.”

“Makes sense.” She was sure if the viewing area were filled with children, it would be extremely loud and bother the men and women below.

Tori leaned forward as larger blue stones fixed overhead relayed sound from the chamber, similar to how the polo match was announced in the imperial family’s box at the stadium, like speakers.

After the first series of representatives and nobles spoke, Tori completely understood why none of her local friends wanted to come.

When it didn’t have anything to do with something that concerned her, such as crystals or the delta, she was bored out of her mind. Members of the chamber argued out minute details from various policies; even ones she thought were unnecessary. A few policies were pushed back and forth, some were relegated to being re-reviewed by both chambers.

Very few actually seemed complete and when the majority of both chambers agreed, it was then presented to the imperial box.

The first time a policy was ready for imperial review, she thought a knight would come, take the portfolio, and bring it back to give to the imperial family member. Instead, a narrow panel opened in the main window and the documents were handed through like a mail carrier shoving envelopes into a mail slot.

The crystal bar above the imperial chamber would then stay a solid violet as a man’s voice came from the speaker-crystals and gave some opinions of the policy. Then, he would either confirm that it would be approved as is or be further reviewed and resubmitted to the chamber at a later time.

“How long is one session?” Tori asked as the fifth or sixth policy was introduced and beginning to be debated. The policies were mainly dealing with minor details of existing ones. They didn’t seem very major.

“Each session is a full day, my lady, but there are two intermissions, splitting it into three parts.”

Tori pursed her lips. “How much longer until the first intermission?” She made up her mind to tell Sebastian that she had a good idea of what the chamber was like and would go home without him. No, let’s go to the guild. I may be able to get lunch with Ilyana and Henrik.

“In a few more minutes, my lady. We can leave at any time,” Sir Alverez told her.

“I’ll wait until the intermission. Will the chamber members come out? I should let my brother know if I’m leaving.”

“Yes, my lady. We will bring you back to the foyer when this third of the session concludes,” the other knight told her.

“My lady, Lord Sebastian is standing to speak,” Sir Alverez said. Tori sat up.

Finally, something interesting. She scooted to the edge of her seat and peered down. Sebastian, dressed every bit like the young lord he was and with his hair combed back, had gone to stand at the podium on the noble’s side of the aisle.

“Sebastian de Guevera of the Guevera March, Sur,” he said, giving a brief introduction, though Tori was sure everyone knew who her brother was. “I am representing the marches in a request to extend naval patrol and strength in the southeast gulf and corridor, particularly around the coastal region of Osten.”

Tori narrowed her eyes and leaned forward. From her own studies, mainly looking into the safety of the delta, Tori took note that there was one large fortress on the Osten coast that doubled as a naval base, but it was a minor naval base at best. The rocky coastline of the area made it both difficult to invade from the sea and difficult to build additional fortresses.

Two other naval bases were on large island-cities offshore, but there was some distance between them and the Osten naval base. There was an even larger distance between them and Mezzaluna, which was more a merchant port city.

“We would like to send a group of Western Naval surveyors to go through the southeast coast and find a suitable location for a base. The reasons include illegal sea trade coming unchecked through the area and concerns of infiltration from the Duraga Federation over water. Our presence in the area is currently limited,” Sebastian said.

Tori furrowed her brows and thought for a moment. She could think of two suitable spots; one that was closer to Osten’s southern coast about two days' travel from the delta and the other on the edge of the delta itself. Both would be suitable locations.

Sebastian cited those exact locations and Tori congratulated herself on having guessed correctly.

The crystal bar above the imperial chamber lit up once more. “We approve for surveyors to review these locations as they would be closer to Horizon than Mezzaluna and Blauheim Fortress.”

Tori drew her head back. That was Piers’ voice. Was he accompanying his father to the chamber meeting? She nodded in approval. This was a good sign.

After some back and forth between the two chambers in regard to the request, intermission was called, and Tori shot up from her seat. She stretched out her arms and twisted her waist to try to get her blood flowing after being seated for so long.

Downstairs, the four sets of double doors to the Joint Chamber were open and various men and women were already spilling out in the hall. From the grand staircase against the wall, Tori could spot her brother in the crowd below.

“...as we are currently, we’re leaving wide gaps in water trade routes along our southeastern border,” Sebastian was saying with utmost seriousness. “With the Kevaliro Strait scheduled for completion, we expect to see more trade coming into the gulf. They could easily bypass our current land bases, and we don’t have enough of a presence to really secure that swath of sea and shoreline.”

Tori was a bit interested in this, as the delta was part of that shoreline he was talking about. She wanted to keep listening, but her brother saw her, and his earlier, business-like demeanor turned into a bright smile.

“Tori! There you are! How was your first Joint Chamber session?” Her brother raised an arm to call her over and she made her way to him, ignoring the eyes that looked towards her when her brother shouted her name in the crowded foyer. The three older men and two older women standing with her brother looked over.

“It was interesting. Since we’re from Presidio, this is my first time watching any sort of chamber session,” Tori said. She didn’t want to tell him she was bored, and that legislation was not for her.

Sebastian extended his arm and carefully put her hand on it before turning back to the people he was speaking to and introducing her.

“You are the Lycée du Soleil student who is building on the delta,” one woman said with an acknowledging nod. “That’s quite a task.”

“It is manageable for now,” Tori said. Remain vague, Tori. Don’t give more than necessary.

“The Cosora Delta?” Another man - Tori wasn’t sure if he was a noble or a representative, walked towards them and seemed to look her up and down before frowning. He turned towards Sebastian. “Is this why the marches are pushing additional naval strength in the southeast? To protect one of their own’s little projects?”

“Sure, why not,” Tori said, lazily. “After all, following the Cosora River is the fastest way to Horizon. It’s a marshy area and the waters along the mouth of the river are too shallow for most military vessels, but after that, there are no hills or mountains to cross. There are no thick forests or jungles. It gradually turns into flat farmland. Would it not be a promising idea to place a fortification near the delta to monitor who comes in and out?”

“My lady, having additional resources and a fortress there won’t completely stop invaders,” someone told her with a chuckle. “The unsecured areas of the shoreline are difficult to monitor. They could sneak in from anywhere.”

Tori narrowed her eyes. If someone could sneak into Horizon and try to kill the Emperor, Empress, or the princes, no one was safe. But as Sebastian said, the safety of the empire was an illusion. An illusion that was working.

“Then you propose to leave the shoreline mentioned unsecured because there is no guarantee that it will stop invaders?” Tori asked with a raised brow. “Do you leave your doors and windows open because there is no guarantee that will stop thieves, so why bother to lock them?”

The man shot her a glare and frowned. “Those are two different things.”

“Okay, maybe the analogy isn't applicable, but the purpose of installing additional bases is to minimize vulnerability and expand insurance,” Tori said. “As of right now, there are too many gaps in our southeast shoreline. To my understanding, this means that the navy is spread too far apart and there is a chance that enemies could slip through these large gaps before they are noticed by patrols, yes?” She looked at her brother.

Sebastian nodded. “That’s correct.”

“Therefore, increasing the naval presence in the area would allow for more manpower to patrol the region, shrinking the gaps, or windows of opportunity, for an enemy to come through. It would be like casting a net with a tighter weave to get more fish. The second thing to think about is how additional defenses can ruin invasion timelines. Most armies move following a specific plan and aren’t open ended. Every country has limited resources, so a conflict can’t go on forever...or at least it shouldn’t. Eventually, they’d run out of supplies, weapons, and people. Bearing that in mind, an enemy would need to launch their attack from a specific place for the duration of a specific time in order not to strain themselves and run out of resources prematurely.

“Having additional Soleil naval power in the region would put pressure on any enemies to reconsider their plans. Closer bases would also allow for faster logistics; we can get resources to where they need to be faster as there is less area to cover between them. While this may not stop an invasion, it may be able to disrupt it long enough for Soleil to prepare additional resources and launch a counterattack or prepare themselves to get an advantage. Time is particularly important and may well be worth the investment. What do you think, Sebby?”

She turned back to her brother, who stared at her for a moment and then nodded, as if what she said was obvious. For her, time was incredibly important in both planning and implementation. In order to get a project completed near schedule, it had to be well-tracked and parts needed to meet due dates. A delay early on would delay the entire project.

“What my sister is talking about are the possible advantages to our increased naval presence in the southeast coast. She must’ve thought about it while building a city,” he said, giving the others who surrounded them a smile.

“They could be good economically, as well. You’d need to hire builders and arrange support services in the area. That can help boost local sales for food and textiles....” Tori trailed off. “You should check with some of the professors at Université to see what infrastructure is needed. I know they were of immense help to me in the delta.”

She got discounted labor and professional knowledge in exchange for space and supplies. Really, she felt she was benefiting the most. She also had two talented crystal masters and if these people knew what Master Ramos’ crystal pillars around Anahata Island could do, they’d call her a liar.

The pillars could change currents and turn away boats. She wasn’t sure how strong the boat needed to be to breach the pillars or if they’d be able to breach the barrier if they knocked down a pillar, but so far, their tests had turned away every fishing, supply, and transport ship they tried. For her, Master Ramos, and Instructor Ignatius, this was necessary to keep the important and highly classified work they were doing on the island a secret.

It wasn’t all just air coolers and cooking pads.

“Sebby, I’m going to head over to the guild. I’ll meet you at home this afternoon.”

“All right. Take a half dozen knights with you,” Sebastian told her as he released her to the knights. As Tori walked away, she could hear him shamelessly bragging about her management skills and her progress at the delta.

Tori cringed. Perhaps she should tell Sebastian that they were trying to keep things quiet.

Tori dug through her bag for one of her pencils as Ilyana prepared her new notebook for the semester in front of them. The first day of class after a break always had a certain energy in the room. Everyone was optimistic; not yet crushed by the stress of studying or looming failure. Their homeroom was rather loud with everyone chatting about what they did over winter break.

Ilyana had done a combination of riding lessons and more work at the guild, which she felt gave her valuable experience on how to run her embroidery business. She and Henrik went to the delta twice to check on their respective projects, and the foundations and frame of Henrik’s seaside restaurant was taking shape.

“He kept staring at it,” Ilyana said with a shake of her head. “As if trying to burn it into his mind.”

Tori let out a chuckle and finally took out her pen. “He’s excited. That’s good! He worked really hard on the menu and designs with the lead cooks, Architect Ebbadottir-”

“Oh! Oh!” Ilyana grabbed her arm and looked at her with wide eyes. “I haven’t told you, yet! Architect Ebbadottir is pregnant!”

Tori froze and turned to look at her. “She told you?”

Ilyana shook her head, her eyes still large. “I had gone to the medical tent to get some disinfectant salve for cuts for the embroidery team and overheard Dr. Copper-Fontaine talking to her and Mr. Sima.”

“It is Mr. Sima’s!” Tori slapped her hand on the table, squinting ahead of her. “I knew it! I knew they were together!” She looked at Ilyana once more. “What did his family say?”

Ilyana shook her head. “I don’t know that much. I don’t know what happened afterwards. I got the salve and had to go.”

Tori tapped her foot impatiently. “She didn’t tell me the last time I talked to her. Now I want to know....”

“I’m sure they’ll tell you the next time we go,” Ilyana said. “After all, it’s not like she can keep it a secret forever. Everyone in Viclya knows everyone’s business.”

“Small towns are like that.”

Another conversation caught their attention and they turned towards the front of the class. “...then, does this mean you’re done with your project?” Several people surrounded Dimitri as he sat at his seat behind Alessa.

Dimitri gave their classmates a winning smile and shook his head. “Not yet. The school is built, and we have instructors and have just started to get a few students, but it won’t be complete until the craftsmen are able to go out and build something once they have been taught.”

“That’s still further than I am,” one student said with envy.

“Finding a site was easy. The difficult part was finding suitable carpenters and masons,” Dimitri said.

Tori almost wanted to snort and roll her eyes. I wonder why that is.

“However, Alessa was kind enough to help me find experienced craftsmen to teach students.” Dimitri smiled and looked down at the seat in front of him. Alessa smiled softly, appearing sheepish at his praise.

Ilyana leaned closer to Tori. “I guess this means he didn’t go through the guild.”

“I don’t think the guild would’ve agreed so easily,” Tori whispered back. She frowned. “I wish I could’ve gone to the Prime Minister’s party. Madam Guthry would’ve told me.” It wasn’t as if she could ask Piers to ask Madam Guthry for her son’s project status. She knew Piers would ask if she asked him to, but she didn’t want to make it awkward for Madam Guthry.

“Once they’ve gotten the basics down, they will move off-site to gain experience building. When they do, then an inspector of the building committee must check the building before the students can be considered proper craftsmen in the trade," Dimitri said to the other students.

“I bet he’s going to send them to Hart’s orphanage....” Ilyana muttered.

“I understand the need for a classroom, but priority should be made on finding suitable instructors, which I hope they’ve found,” Tori said. “Besides, they need more than just a few days, even a few weeks, to have some competence in the basics. It only comes with time and practice. Ideally, those students should aim to join a guild. If they apply, they’d need to have their skills assessed and then be sorted by skill level.”

“I still don’t know where he got his instructors if they’re not registered with the guilds.” Ilyana shook her head.

Instructor Rosemund arrived and welcomed the class back after their break. They immediately dove into the class, and for Tori, it seemed like a regular school day.

“Lady Guevera.” Gideon appeared in front of her as class ended and she narrowed her eyes as she looked down at her desk.

Of course, no regular school day for her would go without having to deal with Alessa and, or, one of her love interests.

Tori took a deep breath as Ilyana frowned beside her. Tori lifted her head and put on a pleasant smile. “Good afternoon, Your Highness.”

“Good afternoon. I heard the snowstorm hindered your return by a few days,” he said. Tori narrowed her eyes. He sounded too nice. Too normal. “It’s good to see you arrived safely.”

Ilyana grabbed the desk in front of her as her jaw dropped. She stared at Gideon, as if she’d seen a ghost. Tori’s eyes crinkled up as she drew her head back.

“What do you want?” He would not approach her without reason.

Gideon let out a little cough and glanced to the side. “Regarding the Prime Minister’s party...did my brother...say...anything?” He seemed to hesitate to ask, but at the same time, had a look of eagerness in his eyes that almost made Tori cringe.

Tori opened her mouth, but wasn’t sure what to say. She looked at Ilyana, who had a similar expression of loss. “He told me it went smoothly. He was able to talk to several ministers regarding various things, from luxury taxes to recent flooding south of Trautingen....”

Gideon nodded, his eager look not fading in the least. He seemed to expect her to say more. “And?”

Tori thought for a moment and gave him a weak smile. “He said...you did a good job.”

Gideon’s face filled with joy and a wide smile spread across his face. He was beaming as he stepped back and looked so utterly pleased, Tori could almost see him floating away in joy.

“He said that?” Gideon asked. Tori looked away, almost blinded by his beaming smile.

She nodded. “He told me himself.”

Gideon chuckled as he nodded. He stepped back and headed towards the door, his bag in hand. “I did a good job....” he kept whispering under his breath as he left the classroom.

Tori looked at Ilyana, who looked both confused and disgusted. “Did His Highness really say that?”

Tori nodded. “He did.” She patted Ilyana’s shoulder before they parted ways. Tori went to the sword practice grounds. Ewan was already there, and she joined him for a jog around the grounds before going to work on her strikes.

“Connor!” Both Tori and Ewan deflated at the sound of Fabian’s voice.

“Why did you let him into the association?” Ewan whispered in an almost pained voice.

“I already have regrets about it. Don’t remind me,” Tori hissed back. Ewan turned around and Tori glanced past him. Fabian approached them with what appeared to be a new training sword.

“When are you ready for that match?” Fabian asked, looking directly at Ewan.

“Sorry, Sir von Dorn, but I have a regimen I’m following to train. I’m not allowed to take part in any matches or spar with partners unapproved by one of my masters,” Ewan said. It was something new that Sebastian told him, as he was concerned Ewan would get in over his head or end up being targeted by Fabian.

Tori had told him and Axton that Fabian had been wanting a ‘match’ with Ewan. So far, aside from the imperial guards he normally sparred with at the delta and Axton, Sebastian had approved for Sir Navarro after inviting him to the Fortress to review his level. Sir Navarro had been nervous, but relieved he met Sebastian’s skill requirements.

If Sir Navarro could get more sparring partners for Ewan, then Axton would have to screen them before they started.

Fabian narrowed his eyes. “Your masters have to approve?”

Ewan nodded. “They wish to assess the ability of my sparring partners, as well as their temperament and conduct. They said it is important.”

It wasn’t all just bashing each other with sticks. Sebastian wanted Ewan to be exposed to the best, so he knew what to learn and emulate. It was also extremely easy for someone in Ewan’s position, with his privileged masters guiding him, to become arrogant. Sebastian and Tori didn’t want that.

“Don’t you want to try your skill against someone new?” Fabian frowned. “You’ll never get anywhere sparring with the same people and doing the same routine.”

Tori frowned. “Why are you so obsessed with fighting Ewan? Is it because Ewan accidentally punched you in the face? We already agreed that it was an accident.”

Fabian glared at her, as if telling her to keep out of it. “I just want to see what this pupil of Lord Sebastian and Sir Nassaun has learned.”

Tori narrowed her eyes. “Do you think you’ve improved under your instructor, Sir von Dorn?”

He lifted his chin and looked proud. “Like Sir Nassaun, I also spent my winter break training. I stayed with Master Pete and worked every day.”

Tori raised a brow. “Master Pete? Is that his first name or surname?”

Fabian ignored her and turned back to Ewan. “When will you be ready for a match with me, Connor?”

Ewan lowered his waster. “Why don’t we have a match once we enter La Garda?”

Fabian sneered and gave him a mocking laugh. “Sure. If you’re accepted.” His expression hardened as he took his sword and turned away. “I know you’re afraid. Coward.”

Tori could see Ewan shaking from the corner of her eye and reached down to grab his hand. Ewan grit his teeth as his hands clenched. The one gripping his sword was pale and trembling as Tori tried to squeeze it to calm him.

“I’m not afraid of him....” he said in a faint voice.

“I know.”

“I want to fight him. I have some confidence in my ability,” Ewan said. His eyes crinkled up. “But I can’t risk getting injured.”

“It’s not worth the trouble right now, Ewan. It’s important for you to stay healthy. You apply in four months. A major injury could keep you from the physical and skill exams.” Tori reminded him in a firm voice. She felt his hands relax and she let him go. “You’re not a coward, Ewan.” She looked into his eyes. “You’re buying time. You’ve been over this in strategy.”

Ewan nodded. “Time is important.”

“Good.” Tori patted the side of his head in approval. “Put on your helmet. You can spar with me.”

The next few days, Tori made a point of watching Fabian carefully, worried that he’d get impatient and try to goad Ewan into fighting.

Once Axton returned, she eased her vigilance. As one of Ewan’s masters, Axton could do a better job of keeping Ewan focused and away from Fabian.

“I don’t know if he’s targeting Ewan because he’s your friend and you broke his ribs or if he’s targeting Ewan because Ewan broke his nose,” Ilyana said as they walked to Cafe Fortuna for dinner.

“I nearly broke his ribs.”

“You gave them a fracture, which counts.”

Tori sighed. “It could also be both. And his pride. Think about it: Sir von Dorn was this lauded child swordsman prodigy. He’s the personal knight of the second prince. Suddenly, his ability is questioned by the imperial couple and the General Marquis.”

“Where does Ewan fall into this?”

“Ewan is being personally trained by Axton and Sebby, both of whom are pupils of the General Marquis,” Tori said. “Sir von Dorn may see Ewan as competition because they’re invested in him and think Ewan has a lot of promise to become an imperial knight.”

Ilyana nodded slowly. “So... he’s jealous?”

“Yeah, that too.”

They reached the cafe and as they entered, Tori noticed the one other customer there. While Tori and her friends were often the only customers, every so often, there would be one or two others. This time, Tori recognized her.

“Miss James.” Tori smiled as she approached the copper-haired young woman she’d met a few times already. Claire James was the young woman who’d contemplated wanting to take Tori home as a little sister the first time they met. “Good evening. I didn’t expect to see you in this area. Are you still attending St. Germaine’s?”

Claire looked surprised to see her, but smiled in return as she lowered her coffee. “I am. It’s my final year,” she said. “I heard good things about this cafe and came to give it a try.”

Tori and Ilyana both looked around the otherwise empty cafe. They thought the food and coffee were amazing, but it was in such an out of the way location that it didn’t often get foot traffic. This world didn’t have social media, so it was difficult to believe that the cafe’s reputation had spread that far. Still, Tori accepted it.

“Is that so? Well, I’m glad the cafe is finally getting some attention. The food here is delicious, as well.” She stepped back as Claire gave her a weak smile and kept looking out the window, as if waiting for someone. “It was nice to see you again, Miss James.”

“You, as well, Lady Guevera. I look forward to attending your next Lions Gate event.”

They politely separated and Ilyana told the middle of Mama J’s sons, who was at the back counter, what they wanted for dinner before they went up the stairs.

“Isn’t St. Germaine’s in the fifth district? I could’ve sworn Albert said one of his cousins went there,” Ilyana said as they reached the room at the end of the hall. “This is quite a way to come for coffee.”

Tori nodded and opened the door. She froze before stepping in as she saw Nanny Rey seated by the window with a frown.

“Nanny?” she asked. “What are you doing here?”

“My angels, is the red-haired young lady still downstairs?” Nanny Rey asked. Tori and Ilyana both nodded.

“You mean Miss James?”

Nanny Rey narrowed her eyes. “She is the one who has been following Sonia.”