When they arrived at the Graceful Doe, Kavisha’s gaze drifted to the wall beside the entrance looking for the sign she knew was going to be there. And it was mounted right at eye level, hung a neatly painted sign.

  That plainly stated: NO DOGS NO ORCS.

  Kavisha’s jaw tightened a fraction even though she knew it was coming.

  Already as they had walked though upper old town they had gotten looks from everyone and people had crossed the street to avoid lucien. It was only because Lucien had an adventures guild id that they had been allowed in Upper Old Town.

  She glanced sideways at Lucien, already knowing that he had noticed it too.

  Lucien stopped short, shoulders sagging just a fraction.

  For a moment, his large hands curled into fists at his sides, then relaxed. He forced his breathing even, the way he always did when this happened. Kavisha exhaled sharply. “I’m sorry,” she said, irritation bleeding through despite her attempt at calm.

  “I hate places like this.” Lucien gave her a small, practiced smile.

  “It’s fine,” he said, voice gentle. “I already expected it after you told me where the noble girl was staying”He then reached into his satchel and pulled out his spellbook and said, “I’ll find somewhere nearby.”

  “Lucien...” Kavisha started, then stopped herself. She hated that there was nothing she could say to make him feel better. He chuckled softly. “I’ll be fine. I always am.” He turned and walked down the street, heavy steps measured and careful, trying futilely to take up less space.

  Conversations dipped as he passed. Eyes always followed him that were curious, wary, and disdainful.

  A child tugged at his mother’s sleeve and whispered something; the woman pulled the boy closer, casting Lucien a sharp look as if he were a stray animal that might bite.Lucien rounded the corner and disappeared from sight.

  Kavisha lingered a moment longer, jaw clenched, before squaring her shoulders and facing the inn again. She slipped her charm back into place, smoothing her expression into something polite and harmless.

  It was exactly the kind of place Kavisha hated to be in. She knew it the moment she crossed the threshold with a quiet, instinctive certainty that she did not belong here and never would.

  Unlike Eleonora, who had the social awareness of a puppy, Kavisha was painfully aware of her own station. Every step she took felt measured, every breath borrowed, as though the polished floor itself might reject her if she faltered.

  She tried to hold on to her usual detached calm as she moved further into the dining space of the inn, and maintain the practiced indifference she had learned to have.

  But despite everything she facade began to crack a bit, as the low hum of genteel conversation faltered, then collapsed into a brittle silence the instant she was noticed.

  It felt to her as if dozens of eyes had turned toward her and then for a heartbeat she felt as though every gaze in the room was fixed solely on her.

  She knew, rationally, that it wasn’t true, that some of them would already be losing interest, but the sensation lingered all the same. Worse, she felt dirty, too. Though not with actual grime, but with the invisible stain nobles liked to imagine clung to people like her. As if her very presence were an unsavory blemish on their world.

  Kavisha lifted her chin anyway and forced her feet to keep moving as she forced her expression into a mask of indifference once more. She swept her gaze across the hall looking for the blonde girl.

  Finally she spotted Lady Eleonora who was seated alone at a corner table, fussing with a pink frilly handkerchief while humming a cheerful little tune to herself. She poked happily at a towering plate of sugared pastries, her fancy dress already dotted with smears of frosting.

  Her golden braid bounced as she swayed side to side, utterly lost in her own bubbly world. Kavisha’s lips curled into a sly smirk at the sight. This would be far too easy, she thought. She started forward only to freeze mid-step as a woman glided over to block her path.

  She was tall with a ramrod straight posture and she wore the Duke’s livery. But it was the woman's face that shocked Kavisha the most. The woman's face carried the calm certainty of someone who could kill Kavisha without batting an eye.

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  It was not a look she expected out of a noble servant and one she had only seen on the most hardened of criminals. Kavisha’s throat tightened as she swallowed hard.

  Isadora said nothing at first. She simply stood there, coiled and immovable, pinning her with a stare that bored straight into her soul. Kavisha shifted her weight as discomfort crawled under her skin like a tomb beetle.

  She managed to plaster on her most charming smile and dipped into an exaggerated bow. “Good evening, esteemed lady’s maid,” she purred, voice honeyed and smooth despite the knot in her gut. “I am Kavisha, a humble Adventurer.

  I come bearing a most intriguing business proposition for your lady.” Isadora’s eyes narrowed fractionally, her disapproval radiating like frost. She didn’t move, didn’t speak, just let the silence stretch until Kavisha’s smile felt like it was plastered on too tight.

  Finally, the maid’s voice cut through the awkward silence.

  “I am Lady Eleonora’s personal attendant, Isadora.” Each word dripped with disdain, as if merely addressing Kavisha soiled her tongue. “Please, present your Adventurers Guild identification,” she said politely.

  Kavisha’s fingers trembled faintly as she fished the token from her pocket, handing it over with another ingratiating smile. “Of course, of course. Here you are, my good woman, ” she said as Isadora grabbed it from her hand.

  She examined it with meticulous scrutiny before handing it back.

  “This way,” she commanded icily, stepping aside and leading the way to the table. Kavisha trailed behind, her smarmy confidence now fraying as she felt like a mouse being marched toward a very elegant trap.

  Isadora halted beside the young noblewoman and executed a flawless curtsey.

  “My lady,” she said evenly, “this is Mistress Kavisha, a C-rank adventurer. She wishes to speak with you regarding a business proposition.”

  Eleonora looked up, eyes sparkling with unbridled curiosity, cheeks bulging like a chipmunk’s from a massive bite of pastry and crumbs tumbled down her chin as she beamed. “Hiii, Isadora!” she chirped brightly, voice muffled and utterly carefree.

  She swallowed with an exaggerated gulp, then giggled. “Ooh, is this the visitor you mentioned? She looks so mysterious and cool!” she said as noticed her. Kavisha blinked as she was completely thrown off balance.

  She’d expected haughty indifference or maybe polite boredom. She had not this… effervescent explosion of cheer.

  Then Eleonora’s face lit up as she finally processed Isadora's words and her hands clapped together in delight and sending a puff of powdered sugar into the air. “Eeeee! An adventurer? Really really? That’s so exciting!” She bounced up and down in her seat.

  “Please please sit down! Oh, and Isadora, could we get some more tarts? The chocolate ones with the little swirly tops? They’re super duper yummy today!”

  Kavisha hesitated, then lowered herself into the chair with forced grace, her discomfort spiking.

  This wasn’t right, she thought, nobles didn’t beam at people like her.

  “My lady,” she managed, injecting extra warmth into her voice to cover the unease. “Your generosity is most kind, but I must humbly decline refreshments. As I’ve already eaten this morning.”

  Eleonora pouted adorably, lower lip jutting out.

  “Awww, but they’re the bestest! And you're totally missing out!” Meanwhile, Isadora’s stare seem to bore even more into the back of Kavisha’s skull making her feel even more disoriented.

  “Sooo!” Eleonora bubbled on, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. “What kinda adventuring stuff? Tell me everything! Do you fight dragons? Or find hidden treasure? Ooh, or delve dungeons?” Kavisha cleared her throat, flashing another smile as she leaned in just a touch.

  “Unfortunately not my lady. However, i wanted to ask if you would willing to help me and my partner with a quest as My partner and I seek a skilled frontline fighter. Our last one… met an unfortunate end.”

  Eleonora gasped theatrically, hands flying to her cheeks. “Oh nooo! That’s super sad! Was it a big epic battle? With explosions and everything?” she asked. “Heroic to the very end,” Kavisha lied. She then spun the quest details as vague as she could though making sure to embellish just enough to make it sound like a grand adventure.

  But nothing prepared her for Eleonora’s reaction despite her earlier shock at the girl's disposition.

  The young knight let out a squeal of pure, ear-piercing joy that made nearby patrons wince. Even Isadora’s composed facade cracked with the faintest twitch of exasperation.

  “YES YES YES!” Eleonora shrieked, clapping frantically.

  “I wanna join! Pretty please? It sounds like the funnest adventure ever! I can totally be your super strong knight and smash all the baddies!” Kavisha stared, her mask slipping for a heartbeat.

  She’s… serious, she realized. Eleonora's smile then beamed even wider.

  “And no worries about the reward money! Knights aren’t supposed to take payment, since it’d be all greedy and stuff. I just wanna help and have fun!” Kavisha recovered quickly, her grin widening with genuine happiness.

  “Such selflessness, my lady. Truly inspiring.”

  “But first I gotta register properly!” Eleonora added with a nod.

  “I unfortunately wasn't able to do so yesterday.” she said bashfully.

  “Well, I can help with that,” Kavisha said smoothly, still reeling from how effortlessly her scheme was falling into place. Eleonora’s eyes somehow sparkled even brighter.

  “Yay! Where’s your partner? We should all meet and be friends right away!” Kavisha hesitated, smile faltering.

  “He… waits outside, my lady since he's an orc. ”she said, pain visible on her face.

  Eleonora’s expression crumpled into genuine heartbreak.

  “They won’t let him in? That’s so unfair and meanie-like! He must feel all lonely out there…” She turned big, pleading eyes on Isadora. “Can’t we do something?” Isadora replied evenly, though her gaze flicked to Kavisha with sympathy.

  “You could write to your father or better yet your brother,” she told Eleonora.

  She didn't like that thought but then she huffed dramatically.

  “Let’s go outside then! We can meet him and go register. Ohhhh.... maybe i should bring pastries for everyone!

  Ooh, do orcs like chocolate?” Before Kavisha could respond, Eleonora was already half out of her chair. Isadora interjected swiftly.

  “My lady, your tea,” she cried out. “ Right right!” Eleonora chugged it in one massive unladylike gulp, then sprang up with boundless energy.

  “All done! Adventure time!” Kavisha rose too, feeling swept along by this whirlwind of unrelenting cheer.

  Her discomfort gnawed deeper at her; this noble was nothing like the spoiled idiots she knew most nobles were even if she was an idiot.

  Isadora sighed deeply, the sound laced with long-suffering resignation and fell in behind them as they left.