The clothes were ready. A week ago, Feléna had taken Dina and a few other newly arrived girls to the local tailor, where they were measured. Dina hadn't asked what they were being made for. It wasn't hard to guess.

After unwrapping the package, Dina found herself in a long grey dress that reached down to her ankles, with long sleeves and a slit at the shoulder. The dress was made entirely of the same simple, patternless fabric, but its cut highlighted the girls' figures while remaining modestly elegant. Dina felt indifferent in it, even rather drab, and she watched the girl next to her twirl gleefully in her new skirt, proudly showing it off.

They all knew they'd soon have to take an oath to the Veiler Party. That was the main reason for the dresses. They'd heard all about the upcoming event, how it was going to be a grand celebration, with the top of the Veiler world in attendance, and how the Party members would be proud of them... But Dina barely listened to any of the anticipation.

Feléna was holding a lesson. Instead of listening, Dina focused on not showing her boredom. She leaned her elbows on the table in her mind, even if she didn't dare to do it openly. Elbowing wasn't forbidden, but Dina suspected Feléna took note of not only tangible evaluations but also such small signals before removing someone from the team. Dina thought it best to always watch her expressions and gestures. The art of deception, she thought wryly, timing a slight smile just right so that Feléna would think she was laughing at a witty comment.

The woman stood beside a wax mannequin, as if it were her eternal partner showing some tricks on it... then suddenly gestured toward the door and, since Dina was sitting on the end, spoke to her. "Fetch a white scarf from the outer storeroom."

Without a word, Dina stood up. Lately, she moved like this, silently, staring into nothingness. She stepped into the outer obsidian chamber, found the white scarf, folded it, and held it close. Just as she closed the storeroom door, she heard the unexpected click of another lock. She turned.

A man descended through the trap door, his clothing a sign of wealth. Dina remained still, watching in surprise as he became fully visible. He was a well-built elf with a pleasing appearance—broad shoulders, a proportional chest, all visible even beneath the layers of clothes and his silver cloak. His hair was silver, tied back neatly, and his features were particularly handsome, the kind that makes girls swoon.

"Sir...! Are you sure you're in the right place? Perhaps it's best if you leave the building immediately!"

Dina had no desire to see anyone die. And if Feléna had to execute a wealthy young man who had stumbled in by accident, it could lead to major trouble in the town. She was certain that no one besides themselves and Feléna had unrestricted access here, especially not men.

The man, however, stepped towards her, laughing lightly at her warning. His voice had a pleasant tone that matched his looks. Confident, but not intrusive—rather, his gaze was curious as he looked at Dina.

"You must be new here. I've never seen you before."

It was then that Dina realised she recognised that voice. Iolthland. A swirl of emotions rose within her—surprise, a hint of fear, and Dina had to admit, a little admiration for his appearance. She didn't reply at first, merely staring at him with her mouth slightly agape before it dawned on her that she was face-to-face with the provincial lord. How she was supposed to greet him, she had no idea.

"Uh... your honour..." She simply bowed.

The man kindly touched her shoulder, then with his other hand lifted her chin.

"There's no need for that," he said reassuringly.

Dina met his eyes. Iolthland had bluish-green irises, yet his gaze wasn't cold. In fact, aside from his eyebrows, the darkest and perhaps the friendliest part of him was his eyes. Dina liked them. And his touch was neither unpleasant.

"What's your name?"

"Dina."

"I assume you've figured out mine by now."

She nodded, lowering her head and nervously fiddling with the scarf. "Lord Iolthland."

He smiled at her. "I'll remember you, Dina. Remember me, too."

Dina didn't respond, only lifting her head to blink at him a few times. It was clear that Iolthland liked her, though she wondered if he'd still feel that way if he realised she was the ragged girl wrapped in a blanket whom he had called Sylvaron's resident fool on her first day.

"Well then, will you lead me inside, Dina?"

She started towards the door to the hall. As she walked, she felt a peculiar sensation, knowing she had to walk in front. She glanced back at him cautiously; he responded with a tilted head and what could only be described as an almost adorable smile. Dina turned forward and hurried into the room.

The moment they entered, the atmosphere changed. Feléna's face showed a flicker of shock that instantly transformed into a gracious, welcoming smile. The girls jumped up and bowed in unison, whispering among themselves, their eyes gleaming at Iolthland. Some smiled slightly, while others bowed their heads with a coy nod.

Feléna approached with a charming smile. Dina had never seen her like this.

"Oh, Lord Iolthland! Why didn't you tell us you were coming? We could have prepared a much warmer welcome for you!" Feléna offered a polite bow herself. Dina watched with an empty gaze as the woman and the other girls lowered their heads, while she remained standing straight beside Iolthland.

"What need was there for that, Feléna? Besides, I couldn't have informed you; my visit was a spur-of-the-moment decision. As you can see, I came alone; it's good to leave the court behind every now and then."

Feléna nodded obligingly.

"And anyway, I received a warm welcome from Dina here. You should be proud of her—she immediately pointed out that strangers aren't allowed in."

At that moment, time seemed to freeze for Dina, Feléna, the girls—everyone except for Iolthland, who still wore a faint smile. He didn't care about the spy's internal rules, nor about their anonymity. Feléna cast a sharp glance at Dina, who looked away in embarrassment.

Now everyone knew she hadn't recognised Iolthland at first. Whether Feléna would consider this a fatal mistake was anyone's guess. But now they also knew that the lord had enjoyed the situation, and Dina's presence in it, which stirred feelings of envy or wonder in them all—it didn't matter much. Dina was now at the centre.

And they knew her name. The spy 's anonymity was not only to prevent close bonds but also to ensure equality, so they couldn't speak ill or well of each other behind their backs. Yet Iolthland had rewritten the rules in an instant.

Feléna adopted a flattering expression once more. "And to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, my honour?"

"I thought it was time to have a look around here."

Almost every girl on the bench blushed.

"But please, don't let my presence interrupt the lesson. Dina will show me around."

The girl looked up suddenly, realising that she should have returned to her seat long ago. She didn't even know why she was still standing beside Iolthland.

"My honour, the one you've chosen is still a newcomer."

"Yes, I know. It's alright." Iolthland turned to Dina. "You know the place, don't you?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"Then let's go." He smiled at Feléna. "I'll gladly discuss some interesting matters with you afterward. But for now, I want to see the results of the renovations and take a closer look at the great hall."

There was no room for argument. Dina handed Feléna the scarf and led the way. The girls had no choice but to accept the lord's wish with a jealous bow. Feléna watched them leave with narrowed eyes.

Once alone, Dina opened the doors, avoiding the lord's gaze on purpose, moving through halls, and down cold, torch-lit underground corridors.

"This is... the living quarters. Their rooms are down there. This is the practice room... for those who feel an affinity for magic."

"Are you one of them?" Iolthland interrupted.

"No. No, my lord. I mean your honour." Dina shook her head, flustered, and quickly moved on. "And here is the great hall. This is where the renovations were made. You honour might be interested in seeing these."

The girl pushed open the heavy, massive double door. Inside, complete darkness reigned. Dina took up a torch, entered, and raised it high. They had entered a vast room with obsidian walls, adorned with intricately carved black columns and reliefs. A dais stood at the front. The lord entered, stopped in the centre, and stood in silence for a while, gazing at the ceiling.

"Beautiful," he commented briefly, his voice devoid of particular tone. Then, Iolthland looked at Dina, stepped towards her, and smiled. She met his gaze, the torchlight surrounding them. "Do you like it?"

Dina found it odd that her opinion was sought. But she had no idea what response Iolthland might expect.

"Your honour, I cannot compare the refurbished hall to its previous state. This is all I've seen."

The man in the silver cloak nodded, then sighed, clasped his hands behind his back, and strutted on. Dina had no choice but to follow him, holding the light.

"This is where newcomers usually take the oath. This year, you will be among them, won't you?"

Dina nodded.

The man stepped closer to her. "Are you looking forward to it?"

What else could she say? "Yes."

Iolthland took a deep breath.

"Tell me, Dina. Do you like this place? Do you enjoy the spy profession?"

The girl nodded. She didn't think there could be any other acceptable answers in this situation.

Iolthland seemed lost in thought. "You probably can't imagine how many times I've thought about what I would do if I weren't the provincial king. But this is a duty I inherited. My father gave it to me on his deathbed." He sighed, his face reflecting reluctance.

"I'm sorry," Dina said, then immediately realised it was inappropriate. "I mean..."

Iolthland smiled at her peacefully and took a step closer.

"And you? Can you imagine yourself in a different position?"

For a brief moment, Dina might have even felt pity for the man, who seemed to want a meaningful conversation with her—a perhaps pretty girl. But from everyone, he only received predictable, diplomatic answers. Hers was no exception.

"Certainly, many of us can imagine ourselves differently. But the spy profession cannot be abandoned."

Iolthland nodded approvingly, then stepped forward again. "Hmm. Yes. Or, at least, not for much."

Dina suddenly lifted her head and hurried after him with the torch. She didn't fully understand his last sentence, but surely Iolthland, as the highest-ranking Veiler in the county, knew a way to leave—alive. Dina's lips parted, watching the man examining the wall, just a hair's breadth away from asking outright what it was. But she wasn't ready to risk reckless words and commit to an act of voluntary suicide. So she simply watched Iolthland's handsome profile.

The man seemed to see right through her, smiled, and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "You're curious, aren't you?"

Dina nodded.

"Come, I'll show you."

It was just a feeling, but a voice inside Dina cried out, calling the name of a beloved man, urging him. Now, now, you must come and save me. But Zevran was not there, Iolthland, however, perhaps knew something that could put her fate in her own hands.

The man unexpectedly took the torch from her, placed an arm around her shoulder, and led her a little further away. Dina felt it wasn't absolutely necessary for Iolthland to touch her, but for some reason, his touch was still neither threatening nor unpleasant. She stole a glance at her own shoulder: the long fingers rested next to the slit in her grey dress and could easily have touched her bare skin. But Iolthland placed his hand gently on the covered part of her shoulder, tenderly, cautiously. Dina turned her head slightly toward him. She watched his face from the corner of her eye while he scanned the reliefs.

"There. Can you see it?" He guided the torch along the intricately carved tiles one by one. Shadows crept over the ridges of the reliefs like the rising sun over the valleys. "This is the spy's path. The skilled artist dedicated an entire series to it. Here is the oath-taking... the trials... and finally, the worthy reward as she gains the respect of her faction. See?" he glanced at her.

Dina nodded, though she wasn't truly looking at the reliefs. She was watching Iolthland and didn't quite know what to think of him.

The man directed the torchlight toward another series of tiles. "And here is the path of the provincial lord. He is born... grows up, receives a proper education. Then, here at the coronation, he receives the power due to him. Here, his reign is fulfilled, and he reaches his prime."

In the last tile, the lord was seated on a throne with a sceptre in his hand, while beside him, on an identical throne, was an elegant female figure—the county's first lady. Dina quietly gazed at the black, protruding image from the wall.

Finally, she looked up at Iolthland, who still rested his hand on her shoulder.

"Is your honour actually looking for something? Is that why he came here today?"

The man's beautifully curved lips curled into a handsome smile, and a mysterious kindness settled in his gaze. "Yes. I've been searching for a while," he admitted honestly. "You see, I'm not as fortunate as you. Though we are similar in that my position is also bound. As the king of the county, I have obligations that last a lifetime, and I will never be able to shed them. But maybe I can surround myself with the right people. And in this way, I can make my position more pleasant."

He smiled gently, though there was a hint of sadness in his smile. He glanced at the last tile. "I am looking for a companion who thinks like me. Someone who knows that we cannot really escape our destiny, but we can make it better."

Dina had a sense that any of the girls seated in the room below would gladly choose this path.

Then Iolthland sighed, released her shoulder with a gentle pat, and handed back the torch.

"Let's go back. I've seen enough of this dark, gloomy hall to decide that, unlike my father, I certainly won't hold the oath-taking here."

Dina obediently led the way with the light, watching as Iolthland grimaced, surveying the hall, then stepped after her with a troubled sigh.

Upon returning to the others, the man conversed with Feléna, pulling her aside while the girls, as soon as the woman left, surrounded Dina with jealous questions. She sat on the bench, slouched, trying to make herself smaller than small.

"Nothing. He didn't even speak to me... I just held the torch for him. Yes, he was watching those... No, he didn't say... He didn't say that either... I told you, he barely noticed me, we didn't talk... You? Why not? You're all beautiful... any of you could have a chance. No, no, he would have noticed me by now... But you're still... Of course..."

*

Dina knew full well that she would have to pass the hardest test of her life in deception at the dinner table that night. For Feléna wouldn't believe the same excuses.

The woman sat back, swinging her crossed leg rhythmically over the other, while resting her other elbow on the armrest. Her fingers rubbed together beside her face.

Dina didn't look up, knowing that Feléna's eyes never left her. Gaelin sat between them, eating quietly.

"What did you discuss with Lord Iolthland?"

Finally, the question was asked—the beginning of the imaginary exam. Dina almost looked forward, just to be done with it. She couldn't afford to make a mistake, and the thought had weighed on her the entire journey home. But by now, a lighthearted thought had taken over: I don't need to know how I do it, I just need to do it well. It felt similar to Zevran's advice: it didn't matter if the attacker's hand left your waist or not; you had to know you would survive. Dina would survive too. And she would deceive Feléna.

Armed with a soft smile from this thought, she looked back at the woman.

"About what? I'm not sure... The lord's gaze is quite captivating."

Feléna laughed carelessly.

Gaelin raised his eyebrows, looking from one to the other.

"Well, yes, the lord is the dream of every apprentice of mine, I know. And I don't blame them for it one bit."

Gaelin sighed deeply and stabbed the meat on his fork with a firm thrust.

"So? What did he say to you?"

"He talked about the reliefs."

"Did they appeal to him?"

Dina glanced at the woman, assuming Feléna had asked Iolthland the same question.

"I got the impression that he might like the artwork, yes. But he mentioned that he wants to hold the oath elsewhere. He found the hall too dark."

Feléna looked aside, her jaw jutted forward in dissatisfaction.

Gaelin muttered sarcastically, "Stupid fool. He'll probably gather everyone and throw a grand ball, I'd bet my neck on it."

"But isn't the oath supposed to be a secret?" Dina asked.

"Well, that's exactly it. Iolthland can't resist flaunting, not even on occasions like this."

Feléna didn't move, seeming to agree with Gaelin this time. Then she leaned forward, resting her elbow on the table and questioning Dina instead.

"And what else did he say? Did he show interest in you?"

The girl summoned the image of Zevran's mischievous face, as if about to utter something poetically scandalous. She needed the man to make her smile sincere.

"Well... I don't know. Maybe it was interest. I hope it was..."

Feléna scrutinised her face closely. Dina held onto the mental image of Zevran's and didn't let go, even as she leaned back over her plate and resumed eating. Soon enough, Feléna's soft chuckle could be heard.

"If you get hurt during training, I'll heal you, just as I would heal any other girl, even at the cost of my own life. But if Iolthland has set his sights on you and he's serious, then you're beyond my authority. I won't be able to protect you from him, though I suppose... I wouldn't really want to, either."

Feléna and Dina both smiled quietly, sharing a conspiratorial look. Dina felt like she had passed the test.

Gaelin, sitting between them, just hummed. "First Zevran, now Iolthland. Do you intentionally surround yourself with men like that?"

"Why, what sort of man do you think the lord is?"

"You know my opinion of him."

"And what do we know of his life so far? It seemed to me that he's really looking for a partner."

Feléna nodded. "He is."

"Then why hasn't he found one yet? He certainly has everything he needs to get one."

The two women exchanged glances. Finally, Feléna answered. "He's a bit... selective, perhaps."

Gaelin shook his head. "That's a delicate way of putting it."

"Well, it's only natural. He's a provincial king; he can't just choose anyone. The women he's met so far haven't been suitable enough."

"And... what did he do with them?"

"Him? Nothing. They didn't meet my standards, either."

Dina swallowed her bite. "Does the lord usually choose from among the spy trainees?"

"He doesn't really have much choice. There aren't any noble families nearby, and those who are have only sons or daughters who are far too young. The few noble ladies around, well, I imagine he already knows them. He can't pick from the common folk. But here, everyone remains anonymous, and I provide excellent training for you in manners and refinement. Iolthland must see it that way too, as he's been visiting us regularly for some time now."

Gaelin made no effort to hide his opinion. "He's still just a foolish dandy..."

Feléna snapped at him, eyes narrowed. "If anyone, Iolthland is the best possible choice! He's handsome, powerful, wealthy, and, not to mention, he has a very important quality: by virtue of his rank, he can't afford to be promiscuous!"

The warrior woman grimaced, her temper flaring. "Oh, sure. He's the picture of virtue, the very statue of innocence! Don't think he doesn't invite women of questionable repute to those flamboyant artist parties of his!"

"That, I don't know. Nor is it my concern how he amuses himself. But among my girls, he isn't looking for a plaything; he's looking for a bride. I'm certain of that. And I'm equally sure that he will find one, sooner or later."

Feléna's voice was proud, demanding respect. Gaelin didn't reply, only kept pulling faces in silence. Dina watched them without saying a word.

Though Gaelin was defeated, his opinion remained unchanged. After a while, he quietly muttered, "In my eyes, Iolthland is still nothing but a pompous ass."

"You think that way about every man in the entire Euthorian Empire."

Feléna's final retort thoroughly crushed Gaelin. Dina, for her part, had no doubt that Feléna was right with that last comment.

Gaelin wiped his mouth and left the table.

Feléna continued eating, her face relaxed and unbothered.