Wirith’s purring was a comforting sound. She was back home where she wanted to be. How had things changed so much in such a short amount of time? The door to the room opened and Angelica looked up to see the Dominion enter.

“Dominion huh?” Dusty said immediately. “I figured you for a Principality at most.”

“I’d like to know what you were thinking, challenging the Choir like that.”

“You already know I don’t follow the Choir.”

“Putting on that display…”

“I finally got to fight you, Ken.” Dusty grinned.

Ken? Why was Dusty referring to a member of the Choir without a proper title?

The angel walked toward Angelica. “Princess Angelica, the way your father spoke to you was entirely out of line.”

Compassion from an angel? And why had he not berated Dusty for speaking to him that way?

“You have my sympathies for your sister.”

“My sister…can you tell me what happened to her?”

“After three days of searching for you and discovering no leads, we were forced to assume you had met an unfortunate end. The Princess Penelope refused to believe that could be the case, and slipped out to look for you. She too disappeared after reaching the city of Baystep, which is not known for its safety.”

“Did Jasper go with her?”

“Pardon?”

“One of her personal guard, Jasper.”

“A guard did go with her. I don’t believe I heard a name. He disappeared the same time that she did.”

“She’s alive.” Angelica smiled.

“I don’t-”

“She’s alive because Jasper is with her.” The young woman stood.

“I don’t see how you can claim that with such conviction.”

“If you knew how Jasper feels about my sister you’d understand. He’ll protect her until his last breath, your Method.”

“Well I suppose the Choir doesn’t know much about protecting that which you hold dear.” Dusty shrugged.

“Am I to assume Princess Angelica was with you all this time?”

“That would be a fair assumption.”

“I’m not a princess anymore, Your Method.”

“Technically you are.” Dusty replied. “At least until the ceremony to announce me as the One King. Until then I’m still just the Heir, and your father is King.”

“And the ceremony won’t happen until he’s met with the Seraph,” the Dominion stated.

Dusty looked over at Angelica. “Did you trust any of your father’s advisors?”

“Jeffery Kowelen.”

The angel went to the door, “Summon Jeffery Kowelen here immediately.” He said to a servant who then rushed off.

“Hm, I suppose this means I’ll be having more servants, doesn’t it?”

Angelica chuckled.

“I’m not used to them!” he defended himself.

“No, it’s just.” She glanced at the angel. “The One King is always discussed with such reverence. A human chosen by Lucinia and Terranok to rule over Ryall. The stories always made him sound like a Legend, and now it’s going to be the guy I taught to use a sword.”

“It’s a bit odder for me.” Dusty admitted. “Oh and Ken, you might want to stay out of the conversation with the Seraph.”

“That would not be wise…”

“Why are you calling him Ken?” Angelica asked.

“Because it is his name.”

“But he is a Dominion, a member of the Choir.”

“We’ve been friends for a while now.” Dusty said. “He calls me Dusty on occasion when he’s not being too stuffy.”

Friends…with an angel?

“I really don’t think you should be telling her that…” the angel protested.

“I’m not about to hide something like that from her. Seeing as she came back in my company, she is going to be tied up in a lot of questions and accusations and I won’t keep her in the dark through that.”

“Wait, what did we do wrong?”

“You mean besides my using magic in front of the royal guard? I figured it would intimidate them a bit, show them just how I “had” the princess for so long where the Choir couldn’t find me. I never expected to be staying, much less be labeled as the Heir. So now I’m a human who uses magic and happened to come back with Princess Angelica.”

“We’ll just explain what happened,” Angelica said. “The Choir will understand.”

Dusty sighed. “Well, we’ll hope so. I assume he’ll be here soon?”

“I sent my two subordinates with utmost urgency. It’s not every day the Heir is found.”

There was a knock on the door, and Dominion Kendall opened it to reveal Jeffery standing just outside.

“You are Jeffery Kowelen I assume.”

“Yes. I came as fast as I could, Your Method.” Jeffery bowed. “What is it that you need?”

“Your presence was requested by the Heir.”

Angelica had known Jeffery for all of her life. He had been raised for court, and all of the procedures and mannerisms that went along with it. In all of his time spent in court, at parties, and even in their private conversations, she had never seen him lose his composure.

The King’s advisor opened his mouth several times, looking past the angel now to Dusty, who was sitting on the couch.

“Would you like to come in, Advisor Kowelen?” The Dominion prodded.

“I…uh…yes of course.” His composure was back and he walked into the room. He paused by the couch and bowed. “I am Jeffery Kowelen, Your Majesty, and I am at your service.”

“Well met.” Dusty nodded. “As I am going to be assuming the throne, and as such I will need to know more about the current state of things, as well as advice that I can trust.”

“I am humbled that you would choose me, Your Majesty.”

“You came highly recommended by the princess.”

Jeffery turned. “I was delighted to hear you returned safely, Princess Angelica.”

“I thank you for your concern.” Such proper language all of the sudden. She had never heard Dusty speak like this before, but it seemed to fit him somehow. Even in his well-worn tunic, and unkempt hair, he was exuding a sort of regal presence that she had never even felt from her father. Was this some sort of ability of the One King, to command respect no matter his circumstance?

“What is it that you wish of me, Your Majesty?”

“I want to know everything that you can tell me about the politics of Ryall in the next half hour.”

“I will need to paraphrase, if that is okay?”

“That will be fine. Please begin.”

Jeffery folded his hands in front of him and began speaking: “Elder Scott Millian is currently holding the throne as King in the absence of an Heir. His wife is Lady Lindsey Millian, formerly of House Falles. Their marriage brought together two large provinces…”