I think perhaps I've taken this salad thing too far. Sarcea shouldn't be punished for Arccor actions. I worry that if she stopped eating altogether it might cause her to start questioning who she is.

  I wonder how hard it will be to find some chefs. I seem to have gained a bit of whimsy. Two hundred some years and a rather skittish girl has convinced me to start trusting cooks again. Arccor is not here to attempt subterfuge either way. What to have first?

  -----

  This is a daily reminder: You have 384 unallocated stat points

  I’m sitting in a waiting room with a very annoyed inquisitor pushing down on me with her mana aura. I rub my forehead.

  “Have a nice sleep.” The woman growls.

  “Apologies, it's rather boring waiting. And well it was the middle of the night.” My flippancy was answered with a glare. “Sorry.”

  The door opens and Lea comes in. She gives a small smile, “Seems my appointment is to coincide with yours.” She sees my frown, “What's wrong?”

  “Got my first errant memory. If she has any control of what she is going to pass over, it seems guilt trips are par the course to start with.”

  “Are you going to be okay?”

  I look at the inquistor and shrug, “I'm not in a cell and she is holding the lich's aura down for me.”

  “A cell wouldn't hold you and clearly you’re a risk to everyone around you.” The lady says in perfect [Quintarl?ne]. I should have expected that. We both frown at the woman.

  The door opened to a rather dapper attired Drakenoid. We rose and followed him down a hall to a small sitting room. He stood to the side. No one took a seat. We were waiting while standing. It wasn't long. A door on the opposite side opened and in strode the Queen. She had a Tapestry. The most curious part of her Tapestry though was the disorganized portion in the middle of it all. I get a nudge from Lea.

  “C…Sara Maxwell Magdeline.” I said with a curtsy.

  “Leander.” Another curtsy from Lea.

  The queen sits, “Please, relax.”

  We sat as well. Ophelia did not join us, choosing to remain standing.

  “First, Leander. You've reached tier three. Would you be willing to accept an ennoblement? I have the perfect set of lands to assign to you as a stewardship. I understand you are not originally from my domain but I welcome all talented people who would swear to uphold my laws. As it is, I feel adding more to my court that is knowledgeable of the situation up north to be vital.”

  “I would be honored, my [Queen].” Lea says, her head bowed.

  I feel a twinge of annoyance at Lea's supplication at that. I ignore it. Lea proffers a mithril token to her.

  “Ah you came prepared.” She accepts the token, “You are now [Lady] Leander Sanguine, second recognized noble of the Sanguine household.” I wince at that. “You are to be steward over your house's land to the south of Kargnia.” Now Lea winces. The Queen has a rather wry look on her face. She turns to me. “Now than my troublesome [Countess] Sanguine. You have news for me?”

  You have gained the title [Countess-designate of Atlas]

  Countess-designate of Atlas - You are recognized as being part of Katherine's court. As you have not yet come to age, nor sworn fealty you are unable to display this title.

  Not even asking if I want the title. I lean into my etiquette skill,“Your Majesty, I struck a mortal blow against the Elven Empire tyrant but she struggles to continue on as a Lich. I have stripped her of her name and continue to decimate her memory. In time she will lose sense of herself.”

  “And in that time she will march south to kill you.” She looks to Ophilia, “Capture you. Seems she has had the means to kill you since you made her undead.”

  “She would only guarantee her own end.” I replied.

  “A dangerous thing to tell me Sanguine.” She titters. “I've already sacrificed you once.” I say nothing to this. She already knew. She grows bored at my indifference. “The war to the east is coming to an end. Your mothers will be freed soon. They managed to survive the front lines. One has shown a great tenacity towards surviving mortal wounds while the other appears to be far stronger than her tier would suggest.” She looks at me knowingly, “Seeing as you are compromised, you are to be under [Lady] Ophelia's care until Magdeline can come to collect you. Is there anything you wish to say?”

  “Will I still be allowed to pursue my goals?”

  “You have yet to state them.” Another wry grin. Shit, etiquette let that one slip out.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “Apologies, your majesty. I wish to attend Gotsdam and recover cores from dungeons to heal my soul.”

  “Your Gotsdam attendance will be up to you to earn admittance. Ophelia, do allow her time to attempt the trials in the coming days.”

  “As you wish, your majesty.”

  “As for cores, you are incapable of securing any at your level. Tier two and three hundred across the board was it?” She looks at Lea, who nods. I frown at that. “She is being loyal to both you and me, Sanguine. For now, prepare your body to house your cores. I am sure Magdeline will assist your acquisitions when she arrives.” She takes a moment then gazes into my eyes. “I do hope you can once again regain yourself, Sanguine. You have shattered a stabilizing power in our part of the world and my Queendom is over drawn. I will have need of your resources.”

  She waves us off. The three of us bow as she leaves the room. Ophelia looks at me, “Is there anything you need to collect from the West Gate Adventurer Guild Hall?”

  “I have two barrels of blood there. I assume I will not be able to assume clinic duties.”

  “Seeing that you require my aura to survive, you are to stay in close proximity to me. My duties of course take precedence over you sitting in a clinic no one goes to.” I frown at that but she isn't wrong. “You still take too many liberties with your face, [Countess]. Do control yourself better.”

  “Of course, my apologies.” I feel like she is mocking me.

  “Better, worry not about your need to heal. [Lady] Leander has already detailed your needs. There will be plenty of work for your blood in the interrogation room.”

  “I do not wish to be part of any execution.”

  She looks at me with dispassionate eyes. “While your ability to ensure whether justice was rendered fairly or not would be a boon, her majesty suggested that filling you with the memories of traitors, murderers, rapists and thieves would be.” A pause, “Counter productive. I simply require you to ensure our prisoners survive till the Queendom can determine what justice they require.”

  With that she starts walking. I follow.

  -----

  Glindinal started to run towards me when I gave her a look. She seems to have understood when she stopped. I look at Lea.

  “I'll explain the situation for you.” She said.

  “Thank you [Lady] Leander, I assume you will be returning to Kargnia after.” I was still under the eyes of Ophilia. Lea nods at me. I go to pick up my barrels. “Sorry for the commotion earlier.”

  Stone wasn't there. Had he already left? Started his way north? I walked towards the room's exit when Ophelia spoke.

  “Miss Glindinal, as an adventurer in good standing. May I request your services to procure Lady Sara her meal needs. I am certain she will be able to provide proper compensation.”

  “Yes, I can do that. My [Lady].” She stammers.

  “Excellent, come along. We will need to discuss particulars.” I frown, what happened to Lea explaining things. I see her fox jump into Glindinal. Much to the Elf's annoyance.

  -----

  Her estate was similar to the Sdrae. She had attendants, a twelve year old human named Jessica was assigned to me. “No feasting or turning any of the staff.” She chided me. A husband, the [Marques] Abramna. “No feasting or advances on the girl.” She chided her husband. Two sons. Jiklra, fourteen and Gastinrav, twelve. “Should you choose one to feast or turn, I expect you to accept him into your house.” I do my best to not give her a frown she obviously was attempting to elicit. “Good. Your room will need to be next to mine. Torltin,” Another attendant, “Prepare it for our guest. Jessica, you are to have her ready when I awaken. Glindinal, follow us to the sitting room.”

  She doesn't ask me. I had no choice. She really didn't ask Glindinal either. She takes a seat and gestures to the couch for us. I sit and am followed by Glindinal after. Ophelia pulls a ribbon from her hair, releasing her severe bun. A set of tea and snacks are brought in immediately. They are passed out before Ophelia speaks.

  “Right, Glindinal seeing as you have relations with my temporary ward, I would ask you postpone your courtship until she is outside my care.” Glindinal chokes as she sips her tea. I rub her back to help her through it. “Teenager infatuation is rather fraught and since she will be attached to my hip I doubt you wish to engage under my watchful eye.” She watches us both shudder with a grin, “Is three small silver per barrel enough for your services?” Glindinal nods, “Good. I don't presume to tell you your business but Gadvak goblin and axen population should serve you well.” She looks at me. “How much blood do you need on a daily basis?”

  “I go through about half a barrel a day.” She raises an eyebrow at that, “I have to drink for my [Junior Priestess] as well as myself.”

  “I see, I suggest procuring two more containers then. Glindinal, simply bring your barrels to the guard at the gate and he will provide your compensation and any barrels that need filling.”

  Ophelia looks at me. I put two small gold forward. “For the additional containers.” Is all I say.

  Ophelia gives a sigh, “I understand this to be difficult on the both of you, but the circumstances don't allow for much latitude. I ask you both to be patient. I'll be in the next room.”

  She leaves us alone. I go to speak when Glindinal grabs my face and pulls me into a passionate kiss. When she let me go, her face was pure misery. I hugged her.

  “I thought you were walking north, that I had damned you to her.”

  “I'm just glad I hadn't harmed anyone.” I said morosely.

  “Tell that to Stone's hand.” She smiled, her mood not quite repaired.

  “How long?”

  “Until Magdeline returns.”

  “Who?”

  “Good question. My mother.”

  She nods at that. “Good to know but I was asking about how long until you're overwhelmed by Cea's memories.”

  By my…no the Lich's memories. “Best to refer to her by anything but her name.”

  “Why?” She glares at me.

  I mince my hands and scrunch down, “I ripped it out of her and made it a part of myself. I've been having a hard time keeping myself separate."

  She blinks at that, “You're literally doing what she wants, you're replacing yourself with her.”

  I wince, “I'm hoping she loses herself before I lose myself. Then I should be able to sever the tether between us.” Glindinal gives me a skeptical eye. “I know…I'm going to attempt to gain admittance to Gotsdam.” A diversion.

  “Which is?” Right, she wouldn't know.

  “The Queendom's mage college.”

  “Ah, I suppose that would be a good place to attend myself given that my girlfriend appears to be on a fast track to ennoblement.”

  It was nice to hear her say that. ”Speaking of.” I pop the notification out for her.

  “Seriously?”

  “I'm rather valuable to the Queendom. The [Queen] stopped asking.”

  “But they literally executed you.”

  “I got better.” She glared at me. “Look, I confessed to those crimes knowing the result. I deserved it.” I murmured.

  “Still the martyr. So how many drops of blood per barrel do I need to include for you to enjoy it.” I frown at her question. “Look, I noticed you don't get all swoony unless the bleeder is still alive, you glutton. So how many?”

  “A drop per bloodskin.”

  “So about twenty drops, easily managed. I would have spiked your current set but the [Lady]’s staff has already taken them.”

  “You know, I much prefer it delivered personally.”

  I steal my kiss back.