“You’re… WHAT?!”

  Toini’s voice rang through the room. It was so loud that my ears felt like they were going to fall off. She turned to me, her arms crossed in a stance that screamed motherly disapproval. “This is the first time I’m hearing of this, Yvette!”

  Oh, crap. She’s so worked up that she even dropped all honorifics. I don’t like it when she gets like this

  I turned to Yvon who was obviously amused by this whole situation. He didn’t even give me a heads-up or time to hide! He knew she’d freak out!

  “Thanks a lot, now I have to deal with… this,” I said a I alternated my gaze between him and Toini.

  “You’re welcome,” He replied, obviously amused, and blew a kiss.

  He lounged beside me just as though he didn’t just drop a bomb on them. He even swiped my drink so casually.

  “Look Toy, if it makes you feel any better this adorable bride-to-be only found out about her engagement yesterday.”

  I swatted his hand that was ruffling my hair, “Enough, this took about an hour to do.”

  “Really? Then why does it look like *veyren’s nest?” He said, looking at my hair. “You know what? Don’t answer that, I really don’t understand women’s fashion.”

  I turned to Toini and asked, “What is he talking about? Does my hair look weird?”

  “No Firn, you look beautiful,” She replied ever so sweetly but her voice went back to lecture mode in a snap, “But did you honestly think you could get out of this one just like that?”

  “It was worth a shot.”

  Nacht, who was in disbelief, leaned forward.

  “Is this some sort of joke?”

  “Even if it was, it still wouldn’t have been funny. I actually pity the guy that has to endure that chaotic mess. Honestly, I’ve been wracking my brain thinking who I should introduce her to. It’s been a year since I decided to play matchmaker for her. Of course it’s her decision in the end but… let’s be honest here… who in their right mind would want to be tied down to the *Veshka?” Yvon said while looking at me with pitiful eyes as though he didn’t just compare me to the undead hag of folktales that eat travelers' throats.

  “I was actually hoping you’d be the one who’d welcome her with open arms Nacht,” he added.

  Nacht replied, “I’m flattered I was considered an option, but I still have many hopes and dreams, chief.”

  “Honestly, what do you take me for? Not once have I resorted to violence—”

  “Yes,” Nacht cut in, “—not once.”

  “—from the get-go!” I continued in retort, “I would appreciate it if you would let me finish my sentences. You’re going to give our Rookie Doc here the impression I’m a murderer and a cannibal.”

  “Is this how our meetings are usually?” I heard Eugen ask.

  “Oh yeah,” answered Zarina.

  A sniffle cut through the conversation.

  Haetsal, teary-eyed, clutched his chest and then started bawling.

  “The Chief is getting married?! B-But I we were getting married!”

  I blinked a few times until what he said finally registered in my head.

  “What did he just say?” Yvon asked, genuinely confused.

  “Chief!” He said, clinging to my dress, “Why did you get engaged to someone else?! We were going to get married!”

  “That would make her a criminal,” Nacht said, deadpan.

  Haetsal gasped, scandalized.

  “But why?!” He asked. “I’d make a great husband!”

  Vandilo shook his head, “Yeah, it’s not about that.

  “You’re a minor,” Nach shot back.

  “A-Age doesn’t matter!” Haetsal argued.

  “And jail is just a room,” Nacht retorted.

  Sniffling, Haetsal was still determined to win this pointless argument. “I could’ve proposed when I was older, I’m sure other-chief considered me as a candidate as well!”

  “Not really,” Yvon replied, which made Haetsal bawl more. He smirked and turned to Nacht, “Hey look at that, I won.”

  The two of them fistbumped smiling victoriously like they won some grand prize.

  “Are we a guild or a kindergarten?” Nacht whispered.

  “Usually the later, sometimes the former,” I replied, surprising him since he didn’t expect I heard.

  “I’d hate to put a pause on whatever… this is…” said Zarina, referring to Haetsal’s wallowing party. “But I think we’re forgetting to ask an important question here, like, I don’t know, who are you marrying, chief?”

  “The second cub of Niege,” I answered.

  The room fell into silence.

  Then chaos erupted.

  “LEV OF NIEGE?! T-THAT’S WHO YOU’RE MARRYING?!” Toini was screaming on the top of her lungs.

  And hounding me beside her was Zarina, who was practically shrieking. “The youngest vice-captain of the Imperial Valorians?! The Swift Blade of the Battlefield?! Your older sister’s former suitor?! THAT guy?!”

  Vandilo patted Eugen’s back, “So how’s your first day at work?”

  “Very eventful,” the other one replied.

  I wanted to laugh but Toini’s voice stopped me.

  “Do you find this situation funny, Firn?”

  I shook my head, “N-No, ma’am.”

  “Good,” she said, “Because it’s not funny!”

  Vandilo then popped in the conversation while soothing the crying Haetsal, “Isn’t this like way too sudden? I mean, your evil older sister just got married a month ago. Is your family still feeling the rush of

  “Precisely why things are moving this fast,” Zarina said. “Recently, the alliance between Serebro and Sunglen has been shaky. During your grandparents’ generation the alliance was formed under the agreement that a daughter from Oryx and a son from Niege would marry, becoming the bridge that connects the two families and for as long as both were the governors of their respective territories they would also be the bridge that connects the county and the duchy.”

  She continued, “But then the imperial wedding happened, thus bringing the situation now. They needed a quick solution for it, so…”

  They all collectively turned their heads toward me.

  Toini sighed, understanding what Zarina was trying to say, “They decided to pull out the spare from the box.”

  “I’ll appreciate it if you didn’t refer to me as such in future, thank you,” I replied. “That aside, excellent deduction as usual Z.”

  Toini, still shaking in frustration, slammed her hands on the table. “And what? You just found out about this yesterday? They really didn’t inform you earlier?!”

  Before I could even respond, Yvon sighed dramatically and answered it for me without, of course, sarcasm.

  “Of course, they didn’t! Her opinion doesn’t matter here. The territory comes first before their own daughter Toini. Besides, this was personally approved by—get this—the Empress.”

  “An imperial directive,” Nacht muttered.

  “You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Toini said angrily.

  Zarina was shocked, “They seriously did that?!”

  “Smart move on their part,” said Eugen. “Making it an imperial directive—official or not—will make it much harder to refuse since doing so will add an element of politics into the mix, not to mention high society will talk about how a mere committal family refuses the kindness of the empress.”

  “Can we have him double as my assistant?” Nacht asked, impressed by Eugen’s reasoning. “I’ll gladly give him half my salary.”

  “I will gladly accept that,” Eugen replied.

  Toini butt in, cutting their negotiation “We’ll get back to that later, alright? What I want to know is why is it that Zarina and I are here fuming mad while these two *Seryns here are so freaking calm like we’re just talking about a C-class dungeon raid!”

  I saw Eugen’s head shake and expression become confused, “You… talk casually about C-class dungeons?”

  Vandilo patted his back again, “Oh buddy, there’s a lot we need to brief you on.”

  I plucked my drink out of Yvon’s hand and for some reason, he looks like I stole something from him. The nerve of this one, honestly.

  “I mean, is there a reason I should be upset?” I said. “My fiancé is a well-respected man with a stable job—”

  “Oh please, chief” Zarina cut me off, “We all know that it’s partially because he’s: 1, handsome, and 2, he’s hot.”

  “Yeah, that too,” After admitting it I felt Toini hit my head. “That hurt!”

  “The truth Yvette, out with it,” She demanded.

  I was still rubbing the back of my head, the area she smacked. I grabbed a piece of frites and dipped it in the ice cream Yvon was eating.

  “His looks are part of it like Zarina concluded, but it’s mostly because I’m not really one to turn away precious gifts,” I said. “No… You’re all aware that… I’m the type who uses everything I have to my advantage. So really, there’s no reason for you to fear, if anything you should be glad! Thanks to my fiancé, our dream of a haven is closer than ever before.”

  Haetsal clutched Vandilo’s sleeve, whispering in horror though everyone could hear what he was saying, “S-She’s smirking… I’m scared!”

  “Didn’t you just say you wanted to marry her?!” Vandilo said, shaking Haetsal off.

  “Yeah, but what I wanted to marry was the happy-smiley side of her!” Haetsal retorted.

  “That’s not how that works…” Vandilo replied.

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  Nacht sighed, rubbing his temples.

  “Judging by the look on her face, she’s pleased by how everything is going. It might’ve been unexpected but it’s beneficial to us, isn’t that right chief?”

  “Right you are,” I said with a smile.

  Nacht approached Toini and handed her a glass of water. “Relax, as long as their older sister isn’t the opponent in front of them, the twins are a force to be reckoned with. You know that best.”

  Zarina huffed, eying me warily.

  “Give us a heads up chief, what are you dangerously cooking up in that brain of yours?”

  Yvon, meanwhile, was grinning like an idiot. He lived for moments like this. Watching me get scolded by our friends and having me backed nto a corner. Enjoying this chaos is one of his favorite pastimes.

  Toini turned her fiery glare back at me with her hands on her hips.

  “Firn, this plan of yours better not be something that in dangers your life—”

  “I get it, Toy,” I straightened in my seat, suddenly sweating. “I won’t do anything reckless without informing all of you—”

  “So you ARE going to do something reckless!”

  “Wait—”

  Before I could continue to defend my self from Toini’s angry mom mode, Yvon—the absolute menace—laughed so hard he fell from his chair!

  “HAHAHA! Ah, ‘Angry Mom Toy featuring Yvette’ is one of the most beautiful forms of entertainment.”

  “Shut up!” I snapped, but he just continued to laugh.

  Vandilo asked, “Seriously though, what are you planning, chief?”

  I flashed them all a mischievous smile.

  “I wouldn’t want to spoil my surprise but I can tell you this, when phase 1 starts everything will flow smoothly like a seamless river.”

  The room tensed.

  Vandilo gulped. “Oh no… she’s plotting.”

  Haetsal gasped. “My love rival is helping us achieve our goal?! This is a tragedy!”

  Nacht sighed, shaking his head. “We need to get this kid’s head out of the clouds, and wasn’t he just saying how he only wanted to marry her happy-smiley side? That isn’t happy and smiley, that’s smirky and deadly.

  Nacht turned his head towards me, “Cheifs, whatever it is you’re up to it better not make my life harder.”

  I gasped dramatically, channeling my inner Yvon—the thought of which disgusts me.

  “Us? Make your lives harder? When?”

  Toini groaned. “Since the day we all met you.”

  Yvon chuckled, looking delighted.

  “This is going to be so much fun”

  ?

  As we were finishing cleaning up the dining room I glanced at the clock and sighed.

  “The appointment is in an hour,” I muttered.

  Yvon, who lounged around like a useless bum, barely looked up and reacted with sarcasm. “Oh no, how tragic.”

  Toini arched a brow, “I understand that you’re on a time constraint but it’s the first I’ve heard that you picked a gown design quickly.”

  “...”

  Yvon and I just looked at each other, the room filled with awkward silence.

  “You have picked out a design, right?” Toini said, realizing that we were holding our tongues. “Right?”

  “Firn,” She called but I looked away, not wanting to meet her eyes. We just managed to calm her down, I didn’t want to light up her fuse again.

  “Firn,” She repeated.

  Seriously she usually doesn’t get mad often, it’s just one of the things that makes her go off in flames easily just happens to be matters concerning me and Yvon.

  “Yvon, talk.”

  Annoyed I wasn’t responding she turned to my brother who of course was ready to sell me out.

  “Oh you don’t need to worry about that Toy! Our beloved Mother and Father already handled that. It’s so touching that they went the extra mile for their sweet youngest. Her radiance’s spare gowns! What a privilege, right? Wearing another woman’s spare wedding gowns on your wedding!”

  Zarina, Vandilo, and Nacht, all turned in surprise then after a glance at Toini, took three synchronized steps back. They knew what was coming.

  Toini’s eye twitched. She turned to me, an eerie smile present on her face. “They—what? Yvette. Start. Talking.”

  Yvon, you rat, I’m going to get you for this.

  I turned to Haetsal and patted his shoulder. “This is going to take a while so, you know what to do.”

  He beamed and ran off to do exactly as Yvon had instructed him earlier while I put a safe distance between me and Toini as she began her inevitable tirade.

  “Those terrible parents—! Did Sunglen lose all its money overnight that you have to use HER gowns for YOUR wedding?! Are they setting you up for humiliation?!”

  Yvon—ever the instigator—leaned against the wall with a smirk.

  “Oh, of course not! They are doing this because they love her and know what she wants—to be a copycat of their brilliant and ever-so-charming eldest daughter. You know Yvie you really should write them a thank-you letter. ‘Dear Father and Mother, thank you for ensuring that I am mocked to the moons and back on what should be one of my happiest days. Truly, your love for me knows no bounds.’ Feel free to quote me.”

  “It’s like your day isn’t complete without making my blood boil to a certain level,” I said crunching up my fists.

  Eugen, seeing the time and clearly having seen enough, stepped in with confidence after probably deciding that he didn’t want to witness me punch the living daylights out of my brother.

  “I believe that is enough, Young Miss, Young Master. Otherwise, we will be late for your parents’ appointment. That goes for you too, Toini. We understand your frustrations but you know that there’s nothing much our bosses can do.”

  “Sensible too,” Nacht evaluated. “You really should be my assistant.”

  “Fine,” Toini said in defeat.

  “Let’s get this dress appointment over with,” Yvon said, scratching his head.

  As I fixed my dress, taking out some of the dirt it caught, I realized I forgot to mention something to took the time now to say it.

  “Right, I almost forgot. If none of you have anything urgent on your to-do lists I suggest you take the time to get some sleep. Nagisa and I will be back later tonight and we’re going to be busy, I doubt we’ll finish what I have lined up quickly so get some rest. That’s all for now.”

  I waved to them goodbye before entering the secret passageway. “Take care of HQ while we’re gone.”

  ?

  It took us half an hour to get to the boutique from Savodure. If you look at the two places side-by-side you’d think they were on opposite sides of the capital from how different the aesthetics of their locations were when on reality they were just 5 *kelm away from each other.

  When we arrived the streets were busy, filled with couples on dates, friends getting together, and families on shopping sprees. And at the heart of it all was the very place we were going into—L' habillement, the most famous boutique in Vreqiseon that—unlike most well-known boutiques—isn’t a franchise.

  The boutique’s staff welcomed us warmly, though some couldn’t hide their eyes that flickered over me and Yvon with barely concealed judgement.

  The manager plastered on a professional smile.

  “Welcome to L' habillement! We greet the third and fourth cygnets of Oryx! We have been eagerly waiting your arrival! My name is Ophélie and I will be assisting you today. We have prepared everything as per the Countess’ instructions. Please, follow me to the private room.”

  The moment we stepped into the room, Toini and Eugen’s eyes widened with horror.

  “You’ve got to be kidding,” Eugen whispered just loud enough for the three of us to hear. “Of all the spare gowns, why did the Countess pick those three?!”

  “Please take a seat!” The manager cheerfully said and behind her, three staff members who were so bluntly observing—more like judging—how we, more so me specifically, would react.

  “Please have a seat while I get our stylist!” Ophélie said before leaving the room.

  I forced a smile suppressing the unease creeping up my spine.

  It wasn’t just me who felt this way. Toini, Eugen, and even the boutique’s staff looked uncomfortable and rightly so because they all knew exactly what kind of talk would bring if I wore any one of those gowns.

  I could already see Toini warming up for another explosion. Today was really testing the barriers of her temper.

  I nufged Yvon, “Do something. She’s about to explode.”

  He nodded slightly and tapped Toini’s shoulder.

  “This is going to bore me,” Yvon said loudly. He turned to me and pinched my cheeks, “You’re a big girl, right? You can handle this without your big brother, can’t you?”

  "Big brother? We're only 25 minutes and 11 seconds apart," I argued.

  "And I stand corrected, I'm 25 minutes and 11 seconds older than you. Hence 'big brother'. Now, Toy and I are going to bounce. Enjoy your dress fitting!"

  “Wait, Young Master!” Toini may not have wanted to go but because of Yvon’s pushiness she didn;t have a choice but to cool her head off.

  Meanwhile, it was just Eugen and me left with the boutique’s professionally judgey staff. The room was quiet, no one spoke and the only thing I could hear was the sound of the tea Eugen was pouring into my cup with elegant movement.

  After a while, the manager came back with a fierce looking woman in tow.

  “I’m sure you are already well acquainted but allow me to introduce her anyway,” said Ophélie. “This is Fabienne, our talented stylist and the one in charge of your gown.”

  “Well then, I’m in your care,” I said with a professional smile to which she only responded with a slight nod that exuded an air of superiority.

  “Upon the announcement of the imperial wedding, many friends, acquaintances, and neighboring countries have sent wedding gowns as a gift to Her Radiance,” Fabienne began greatly emphasizing that last bit.

  “The first is ‘The Fairytale Dream’. A grand ballgown gifted by your maternal grandfather, reminiscent of Her Radiance’s favorite storybook.”

  Fabienne kept on talking about the gown but all I heard after that was Eugen’s comments about it. “Whose designer is currently embroiled in a scandal for not only stealing other people’s designs but has been exploiting workers and using children for labor.”

  She snapped her fingers and the other staff members pushed the fist gown back and put the second center.

  “The next one is the ‘Bridging of East and West’. This one is a gift from your paternal side of the family, commissioning it from a friend in Yingying, the fashion capital of Goujia.”

  Once again she was explaining more about the dress but what only stuck to my mind was Eugen’s comments.

  “Beautiful… Yet wearing it would be a political nightmare given what is happening between Vreqiseon and Goujia.”

  “And last but not least,” Fabienne began, “The famous ‘Battlefield Princess’. A beautifully stunning dress rich with golden accents, designed to resemble Her Radiance’s battle armor a tribute to her achievements and nickname that the dress was named after.”

  Eugen’s face looked like it was drained of blood.

  “Wearing that would make you look like you’re very desperately trying to become her… Please tell me that you didn’t really say that you wanted to wear any one of these gowns, Young Miss…”

  “Do I look so eager to jump into a blazing furnace, Eugen?” I whispered. “Obviously I don’t want to wear any of these. I wasn’t even aware that I supposedly said so up until this morning. I want to crawl into a hole. Wearing anyone of them would be political and social suicide.”

  Fabienne smiled—sweetly, falsely—and folded her hands.

  “I was told by the Countess that Her Radiance gave these to you for your wedding after seeing just how much you liked the gowns when she got them. You must look up to her a lot, Young Miss. Copying what she does, wearing what she wears, and even getting married soon after she does!”

  “Hey!” Another staff member whispered, but she ignored them.

  “It’s truly unfortunate that Her Radiance won’t be abble to attend. News travels slowly to the western part of Aewratis and judging by intercontinental gossip, she probably won’t even know about your wedding until weeks later,” she continued with an almost mocking sigh acting clueless as though her words weren’t dripping with poison.

  “How lucky you are to have such a kind and accomplished older sister. It must be so difficult, trying to measure up to her. Nearly impossible! But, I’m sure you understand that better than anyone, Young Miss.”

  “That is enough Fabienne!” Ophélie exclaimed, “You are being extremely rude to the Young Miss! Apologize this instant!”

  I could tell that Eugen was about to speak up but I held him back because if he did, it would cause confusion. The loyal attendant of my sister, getting angry on my behalf? That would raise eyebrows and we wouldn’t want that.

  I stood up and looked at Fabienne in the eye. She was taller than I was but I most certainly had more of a presence than her.

  Honestly I want nothing more than to just pick a random dress and be through with this but this was Yvonne’s territory and one wrong move from me could jeopardize our plans.

  “What a bold thing to say directly to my face. But yes, I do know better than anyone that measuring up to her is a nearly impossible task, however, if I recall correctly, you are familiar with that as well. Or did it perhaps slip your mind that you once tried to copy her in an effort to seduce the crown prince which by the way failed hilariously and gave me a good laugh for days!”

  I caressed her face that was red from shame.

  “Oh, sweetie. You shouldn’t play this game with me when you have more to lose than I.”

  I turned to the manager who was as pale as the walls, “Would you mind if I take a few days to decide? They’re all so beautiful it’s hard to choose.”

  “O-Of course! But we will need your decision by the end of the week.”

  “Thank you for your consideration,” I said politely, patting Fabienne’s face. “I look forward to seeing you all again soon.”

  Not wanting to stay there longer, Eugen and I left that wretched place and started making our way to the cafe Yvon and Toini were.

  While walking I noticed Eugen’s fists shake with rage but the expression on his face was confused and concerned.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “How… could you stay calm when she was insulting you to your face? How could you just take all that lying down?” He asked.

  “Except I didn’t. She wanted to see the brat she pictured me to be and I gave it to her.”

  “You did that because it’s what they expect you to act like, not because you wanted to,” Eugen looked at me with pity.

  I smirked, “Just a few hours ago you viewed me the same way as them.”

  “Perception’s a powerful thing, isn’t it?” I added. “It can conceal the things one wants to keep hidden under the carefully constructed distraction established.”

  “After failing to seduce the crown prince, Fabienne has been one of Yvonne’s personal stylists who like you would’ve heard plenty of things about me. Had I not acted the way she expected me to, it could cause us problems.”

  Eugen began to reach for my hand but stopped himself from doing so, “I’m sorry… All this time I’ve seen you only through the lens she’s wanted me to see you, never once before today as the person you really were. I’m sorry… I truly am.”

  I grabbed his hand and handed it the parasol I’ve been dragging around.

  “Apology unnecessary but accepted,” I smiled. “Now let’s go find Yvon and Toini before they do something stupid or create a mess we’d have to clean up.”

  ACE IN THE HOLE GLOSSARY

  Creature

  a small, fast-moving avian species resembling a robin, with a compact, lightweight body built for endurance flight.

  Folklore and Legends

  Veshka - a gaunt, long-limbed crone-like entity that roams the deep forests and desolate landscapes of the world.

  Food and Drinks

  Measurements

  Kelm - a unit of measurement used for long distances, approximately 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) in length.