Her armor creaked as she knelt before the throne. It was half-covered by a cloak made of ragged old cloth, frayed at the edges.

“…M-my lord. I would offer my services to your court.” Her voice was tinged with the traces of a worn-down innocence.

“And why should I want to accept them, young knight?”

The viscount of the Kaname domain was a well-built man, around forty. His striking golden eyes peered down from on high onto the kneeling figure below. He seemed unimpressed.

“I’m… I’m well-trained with the sword, my lord.” A long, heavy blade was slung across her shoulder. “A-and though I cannot incantate, I have a keen sense for magical resonance.”

She lowered her head. The viscount stared in silence.

“I do not… seek gold, o-or power,” she pleaded. “I only… wish to atone for my past, by pledging my life to you and to your line.”

“…And what is your name?”

“Tomori, my lord.”

She waited outside the throne room for an hour. She was scribbling idly on a piece of parchment when the tall doors swung open and the page called for her.

“Ser Tomori, former servant of the Togawa dynasty.” The viscount’s voice now boomed with authority.

He stepped down towards Tomori and tapped her shoulder with his scepter. “I hereby name thee a knight of the Kaname domain.”

“Y-you have my deepest gratitude. I… I will not disappoint you.”

“Truth be told,” the viscount said, “I was ready to have you sent away. My opinion was swayed.”

Tomori looked up at him, trying to hide her curiosity. “May I… ask by whom, my lord?”

“My daughter. Princess Raana.”

Behind him, a young lady lay on an ornate chaise lounge. Her hair was a perfect angelic white, and her eyes were different colors, both even more striking than her father’s.

Though her appearance and dress were elegant, her posture was not. She was splayed out on the upholstery with an air of boredom about her.

She shot Tomori a look and a smile. Tomori pretended not to notice.

The viscount sat back down. “She says you seem… interesting.”

“P-princess!”

Ser Tomori swung open the door to the carriage. With her other hand, she held her sword by its blade; she was bathed in blood.

The princess looked back at her from her seat. She seemed strangely unfazed by the carnage surrounding her.

“A-are you unharmed?!” Tomori looked over her shoulder. “We… must go. It isn’t safe here.” Her breath was ragged.

“‘Kay.” Raana took Tomori’s hand and stepped outside.

Tomori felt a pang of shame wash over her. Though she had been serving her for months now, this was the first time she had ever laid hands on her.

She scanned the horizon, past the bodies, looking for a path to the village nearby.

“Princess. This wa—”

She immediately covered her eyes as she turned and saw her highness stripping, leaving her priceless dress in the dirt, and stealing the clothes off a dead bandit.

“…W-what… in the Gods’ names a-are you doing, my lady?”

Her old innocence crept back into her voice.

“Changing,” said Raana. “Hate that dress.”

They reached the village as the sun began to set. The market was still bustling with activity.

“…I-if we take a carriage now, we should be back by sunrise. Follow me.” Tomori moved to push past the crowd—when she felt a tug on her wrist.

Raana was holding her back.

“Don’t wanna.”

“…P-pardon…?”

“Tomori.”

“Y-yes, my lady?”

“Let’s go somewhere else. Far away.”

Tomori blinked in disbelief.

“I hate the castle,” Raana continued. “It’s boring. I don’t wanna be a princess. I wanna be… a bard.”

Tomori began to tremble. “You… you would have me break my oath? I-I couldn’t. Not again. My… c-conscience would not bear it.”

Raana shook her head. “Uh-uh. Here. Just swear a new one.”

She held out her pinky finger.

Tomori looked at the princess’s hand. Then she looked into her eyes.

All this time, she had somehow missed the magic hiding behind them.

“…F-fine,” she whispered, and joined her own pinky with Raana’s.

“Then, I offer you my life.”