The limousine glided through the Roman streets. I leaned back in my seat, watching the city's ancient bones blur past the tinted glass. My mind, though, was miles away, stuck on the holographic face of Empress Aurelia Aurea Augustus.
The Outerchat App had been exploding since the arena incident. Outers everywhere were panicking.
"Is the Empress one of us?"
"Does she know about Ceresei?"
"How the hell did she find them this early?"
"The Ceresei are doomed if they attack Rome now."
She had to be one of us. No regular NPC would ever react that way. Her moves were too conscious. If she was an Outer, then things would change. And if she was cleaning house this early, Ceresei's entire plan was finished.
"—aser. Phaser."
A finger snapped right in front of my face. I blinked and turned.
Hinesia was staring at me. She looked unfairly gorgeous tonight. Her dress glimmered faintly under the limo's soft lights.
"You've been staring into nothing for the last ten minutes. You okay?"
"I was thinking."
"Clearly. You had that face you make when you're trying to solve the meaning of life again. So, what's on your mind this time?"
I sighed and rubbed my temples. Why is some Outer stressing me out like this? Sheesh...
"It's not good. The Empress... if she's really an Outer, then Rome's under her control. And if she's this cautious already, introducing the Null Handmaidens to the world is going to be tricky."
Hinesia tilted her head, studying me like a cat pretending not to care.
"Why are you so obsessed with introducing them, anyway?"
"I'm planning something."
"You mean that plan."
I didn't answer, but we both knew. She sighed quietly, shaking her head.
"You really like playing with fire."
"I'm used to getting burned and chocked to death."
"Mm. I can tell," she replied dryly, glancing at my crown of thorns.
That damn thing. It was still there.
It should have vanished after sunset. That's how it always worked. The Crown of Thorns appeared every morning at sunrise and faded by night. But now, for some reason, it glowed faintly above my head.
"I think it likes you too much."
Hinesia snorted. "Maybe it's trying to match your ego."
Before I could shoot back, the limousine slowed down. The driver's voice came through the speaker:
"Signore Argemenes, Signora, we've arrived."
When the driver opened the door, a rush of camera flashes exploded like lightning. I winced instinctively, squinting against the wall of light.
The air outside was warm, scented with champagne and roses. It's the classic smell of power and money. A red carpet stretched all the way to the grand marble staircase of the Hotel Imperiale, and both sides were packed with reporters, photographers and famous influencers livestreaming with lenses, and drones .
As I stepped out, the crowd erupted.
"PHASER ARGEMENES!"
"THE HEIR OF ARGEMENES IS HERE!"
"IS THAT THE CROWN OF THORNS? IS IT REAL?"
Hundreds of flashes reflected off my white suit, turning it into a mirror of chaos. The suit had been custom-made by Norphie herself. It fit perfectly with no creases or flaw. And yeah, I hated wearing suits, but even I had to admit it looked good.
Hinesia stepped out next, and the world actually gasped.
Her dress was deep indigo with silver threads winding through. The slit on the side was elegant. For a moment, the crowd forgot about me entirely. I extended my hand, smirking a little.
"After you, my lady."
She gave me a look that said she wasn't impressed, but took my hand anyway.
"You're lucky you look decent in that suit."
"Decent? That's the best compliment I've ever gotten from you."
We walked together down the carpet as the cameras went insane. Every step was immortalized from a dozen angles. Screens above displayed live feeds of Phaser Argemenes, a mystery guest at Norphie's Grand Design Gala.
Reporters shouted questions.
"Mr. Phasnovterich, why have you appeared with Princess Hinesia Rameses?"
"Is it true you're staying at Hotel Magna?"
"Can you confirm your connection to the Argemenes family?"
I ignored all of them. I wasn't here to make headlines but it was too late. The Crown had made me one. It pulsed faintly with light as if it was feeding off the attention. Some of the photographers even thought it was a special effect.
"Your crown's glowing," Hinesia whispered as we climbed the steps.
"I noticed. Why is it like this?"
The red carpet stretched forever. Every few meters, someone would call out my name, or try to touch the hem of my sleeve. Hinesia, surprisingly, didn't let go of my hand the entire way. Her grip was almost possessive.
Inside, the hotel's massive glass doors opened to a storm of golden chandeliers and string music. The crowd's roar dimmed into soft classical melodies.
And there she was, Norphie Phoenicia herself, dressed in crimson silk with her iconic diamond choker, smiling like a queen.
"Here comes trouble."
Hinesia shot me a side-eye. "You think?"
"Phaser!" She sang out, spreading her arms.
I didn't even get to reply before Norphie wrapped me in a tight hug. And the crowd loved it. Cameras flashed.
"Oh, is that Norphie Phoenicia hugging him?"
"They know each other?"
"The Argemenes know Lady Norphie?"
It took me a white to get used to the hug before she let me go.
"Wow, Norphie. You still hug like you're trying to snap my spine."
"It's been too long, darling Argemenes. Do you know what this means?"
"That you missed me?"
She rolled her eyes. "That this is the first time in history an Argemenes has shown themselves in public willingly. You all hide like mythical creatures."
I shrugged. "My mother started it. Once she became one of the World Commanders, the veil was kind of pointless."
"Right, the great Lady Argemenes herself. I always did admire her. Speaking of family, how's my favorite goth empress of shadows?"
"She's back at the estate training with Verdamona. And thanks for helping her with her wardrobe, by the way."
Norphie smiled softly and for the first time, it wasn't her usual smile.
"I didn't want her to lose the aesthetic. I just wanted her to grow into it better. I… felt bad about how she treated you before."
Well this is surprising.
"Really?"
She nodded, her gaze drifting briefly to an indoor fountain.
"She was awful to you. To everyone, really. Treated people like tools, even me at some times. I don't know what she was trying to prove. I just… wanted to change that."
Norphie was a close member to the Argemenes twins but I didn't expect her to feel this way.
"Well, she's changed too."
Norphie tilted her head. "Oh? What made her suddenly drop the whole 'angsty angry queen' act?"
"I stopped putting up with her bullshit."
That earned a sharp laugh. "Harsh, Phaser."
"Honestly, she pushed me too far one night. I stopped entertaining it. Next morning she was apologizing until I finally forgave her a few weeks later."
Norphie shook her head in disbelief.
"You Argemenes really do things differently. But she needed that. She had it coming."
Then she glanced toward Hinesia who, to put it mildly, looked like she was one second away from turning Norphie into a statue. Norphie smiled sweetly.
"If you'll excuse me a moment, I'm going to borrow your date."
Before I could even react, she slid her hand into mine and pulled me away.
"Wait—"
I started, glancing back helplessly at Hinesia. Hinesia's smile was… serene. Too serene, actually. I mouthed, 'I'll explain' but I wasn't sure she saw. Norphie meanwhile, looped her arm through mine like she owned the patent to it.
"Relax, I'm not stealing you. Just borrowing you. Temporarily."
"That's not reassuring," I muttered, trying to look casual as every camera followed us.
"Phaser, you being here is a miracle. I've been trying to get an Argemenes to appear publicly for years. And you show up looking divine, crown and all. Do you know how many people are losing their minds online right now?"
"Probably too many."
"Oh, millions. You've got the internet admiring you so hard I might start selling 'Argemenes-approved' suits next week."
I groaned. "Please don't turn me into a brand."
"Too late, darling. You are going to be my model this summer. You can't refuse and you know that. I got your message about the Null Handmaidens. If you want my help, do this for me."
"Fine..."
We stopped near the grand staircase, where more celebrities were taking pictures. Norphie adjusted my collar like a mother hen disguised as a supermodel. Cameras snapped. She leaned in to whisper something but I could practically feel Hinesia's glare drilling through my skull from across the hall.
"You're going to get me killed."
Norphie smirked. "Oh please. That woman looks like she could melt steel with one look but I like her. She's got good taste."
"Good taste?"
"In men, obviously."
I sighed. "You're enjoying this too much."
"Of course I am. It's fashion season, and I'm escorting a mystery man with a crown that glows in the dark. You're practically a runway show. Also, don't tell her I'm married. The world isn't supposed to know. Remember that."
"Sure, but can you stop holding my arm like that?"
"Relax. You're mine for just the evening. I promise I'll give you back in one piece."
"That's not the problem. It's the giving me back alive part that worries me."
She laughed genuinely this time.
"Oh Phaser, you really haven't changed."
"Neither have you. You're causing chaos wherever you go."
"Darling, chaos is fashion. Now then, shall we go to the Empress?"