Livvi Knottley and Raimond Abram—or rather, ‘Ray Abraham’—were waiting for them when they arrived in the parlor. The two were sitting opposite each other on the room’s couches, partaking in the refreshments and drinks arranged by the staff, and turned to look in unison as Scarlett and Rosa entered.

“Scarlett,” Livvi said, putting down a cup of tea on the table.

“Ah, Baroness Hartford. It’s been some time.” Raimond gave a dashing smile. “I can’t even begin to express my apologies for intruding on this gathering between you fair ladies. And to even be provided these delightful desserts.”

He held a small confection that looked a lot like an alfajor. The blond man had his hair tied up in a long ponytail, wearing a long red coat with the usual sun-crested Follower motif along the sleeves. Livvi, in comparison, only wore a simple blue-white dress, a pair of white-rimmed glasses, and had part of her light-brown hair tied up with a bow.

“There is no need for the pleasantries.” Scarlett walked over to sit down in an armchair that faced the two, gesturing towards Rosa. “This is my retainer. Rosalina Hale.”

The woman gave a small wave. “Hello there.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Livvi Knottley. Scarlett and I have known each other since we were young,” Livvi said.

“Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Hale.” Raimond actually stood up as he greeted Rosa. He bent over and planted a kiss on the woman’s hand, his eyes seeming to study her for a moment. “I am Ray Abraham, a traveling priest spreading the grace of Ittar wherever I can. If you ever are in need of his aid, feel free to just say the word.”

Scarlett felt like rolling her eyes at his theatrics.

“A traveling priest, eh? I’m flattered.” A smirk grew across Rosa’s face. “But you can just call me Rosa. And I appreciate the offer. It’s good to know where to go if I ever need the big guy’s help.”

Raimond flashed an innocent smile to meet hers. “If so, I would be delighted to help.”

“Before we begin,” Scarlett said, as the two sat down on the same couch. “While you are more than welcome, Father Abraham, I am curious as to why you are here. I was not expecting you.”

“Ah, how terribly rude of me.” The man held his hand to his chest. “As you know, fair lady, I am a wanderer. I go where my legs take me. And as it just so happened that my travels this time brought me to these fine parts, it would have been remiss of me not to pay a visit to my dear friend Miss Livvi here. When I heard she had plans to meet with the Baroness—while impolite of me—I could not ignore this opportunity and asked to accompany her. I hope my inconsiderate actions have not caused undue trouble.”

“As I said, there is no issue,” Scarlett repeated. “I was merely perplexed over why you wished to meet with me to such a degree.”

Raimond raised his eyebrows. “Is it that surprising? While the Followers of Ittar have been preoccupied with relief efforts after the terrible events that occurred last month, you were still the person to return one of the Chalices of Canon. Many have been curious about how you accomplished such a feat. It has caught the attention of even some deacons of the Quorum.”

So that was how it was. She’d been wondering why the Followers of Ittar had been relatively quiet on that front. After the Providing Ceremony, they’d promised to record her name in the Hall of Providence, but other than that there had been no contact at all.

Perhaps they really had been busy with everything that had happened. Or they were just considering how to best confront her about the matter. Still, it was amusing that one of the deacons themselves would tell her as much face-to-face like this, while hiding his identity.

Maybe that was part of how they’d decided to approach her in the end. To build good relations, in case she had any more interesting information.

“One could say it was a mixture of good luck and laborious research,” she said.

The small smile on Rosa’s face at her words did not escape her attention.

She was pretty sure most of her companions were convinced she was bullshitting when she said things like that, though she would argue it was at least partly true.

“If I were to find more relics of the sort in the future, I can assure you that the Followers of Ittar would be amongst the first I notified.”

“Of course. I would expect no less from a magnanimous and righteous lady such as you,” Raimond said with admiration. “I happen to consider myself rather learned in studies of doctrine and its related histories, and was actually hoping to discuss the topic with you for a bit, if you have the time to spare.”

“Is that so?” Scarlett nodded along. She had read up some, and knew enough from the game, that she felt she could probably satiate part of his curiosity without revealing too much. “Perhaps we can converse on the topic for a short while, then.”

She also didn’t mind improving her relationship with the man, now that an opportunity showed itself.

Leaning forward, she picked up a cup of tea that had been prepared for her on the table. Using her pyrokinesis, she made it reach the perfect temperature as she took a sip. Her attention then turned to her left, where Livvi was giving her a somewhat intense look.

“…Is there something you wish to say?”

The woman stared at her for a few more seconds, then seemed to realize herself. She pushed up her glasses as she glanced down. “No, never mind.”

Scarlett frowned. “Very well.”

“…How is Evelyne?” the woman asked. “You mentioned she was overworked when we last met. I hope she’s better now?”

“She is, yes.” Scarlett took another sip of her tea. “She is currently staying in the capital, dealing with some business ventures we are exploring there. But from the correspondences I have been exchanging with her, there appear to be no further issues.”

Livvi blinked. “You’ve been in regular contact with her?”

“Of course.”

The woman gave her an odd look, as if not entirely believing her words, but soon a light smile appeared on her face.

“I’m glad,” she said, looking down at her lap. “I was actually planning on visiting a few days ago, but you were out then. Your servants wouldn’t tell me where, so I was almost starting to think it was just you avoiding me.”

“No, I was indeed away at the time. Some urgent business arose that I had to deal with personally, although I cannot share any of the details.”

“That’s fine. I understand.” Livvi held up a hand. “It’s been rather chaotic for everyone this last month. I spent almost two weeks working without rest after what happened. Ever since I got back to Freybrook, my father’s been nagging me to quit the guild because he’s so afraid of what’ll happen in the future.”

“I see…” Scarlett didn’t really know what more to say, considering the woman was essentially a complete stranger to her. “And will you?”

Livvi let out a small laugh as she picked up her tea from the table, pausing as she drank some. “No. I love it there. All my colleagues are great, and I actually enjoy the work itself. Besides, I only deal with administrative matters. The only risk to me is being overworked.”

Scarlett eyed the diminutive woman. So Livvi wasn’t a Shielder? Then what sort of position did she have in the Guild? It didn’t feel like a noble lady would be working as a simple clerk, so perhaps she was in charge of one of the branches, or something like that.

“Actually, I visited the Shields Guild’s Freybrook branch the other day,” Livvi said. “I was surprised to learn that you’d been there recently as well. I had heard about that awful affair with those criminals before, and father mentioned it again now that I got back, but apparently you’re currently hiring two Shielders to work for you?”

“I am, yes. They hail from the Elystead branch.”

“I didn’t think you liked Shielders?”

“Whether I liked them or not is irrelevant. I had need of their services. It is as simple as that.” Scarlett motioned towards Rosa. “Miss Hale has also been of great help in these matters.”

Livvi’s eyes turned to the bard.

“I’m curious.” Raimond cut into the conversation, examining Rosa as well. “As one of the Baroness’ retainers, what is it you do?”

“Oh, I do whatever she wants me to. Sing a song. Dance a waltz. Charm some kids…” Rosa showed a sly smile. “Of course, she’s asked none of that from me yet,” the woman added after a glare from Scarlett. “So I improvise a bit. Whatever fits the situation, really.”

“And what sort of situations are these?” Raimond asked. “If you don’t mind me asking.”

The bard glanced at Scarlett.

“For the time being, it involves aiding me with some of my current research,” Scarlett explained. “If you have not heard, I uncovered a set of Zuverian ruins some weeks back. Much of my work goes into finding more sites of similar nature.”

“I heard about that,” Livvi said. “The Guild was involved as well, weren’t they?”

“They were, yes.”

“Zuverian ruins, you say?” Raimond gave Scarlett a curious look, though she doubted he hadn’t heard about it. “That is an interesting find. May I ask how you accomplished such a feat?”

“It is a rather involved matter. I do not think now is the time to explain all the research and events that led up to it.” Scarlett paused to finish her tea. “Perhaps another time,” she said, placing the cup back on the table.

“You appear to be quite the learned lady in general, Baroness. I’m impressed.”

“I believe I have been prudent in choosing what it is I should focus my attention on, and which individuals could prove helpful. That is all.”

“There is no need for modesty. I am sure there are many who would like to be in your position.”

Scarlett let out a huff. “I would gladly invite them to.”

“Excuse me,” Livvi said.

Scarlett turned to the woman, whose eyes passed over Raimond and Rosa as she cradled her teacup in her hands. “I know it’s a bit ridiculous, considering I’m the one who brought Ray along, but would it be ok if we talked by ourselves for a moment, Scarlett?”

Scarlett eyed her. What was this about?

“Miss Rosa,” Raimond said, turning to look at the bard next to him with a smile. “Perhaps we should leave these two fine ladies to themselves for a while. I would love to hear more about what a woman such as yourself has seen of the world.”

Rosa grinned. “I don’t mind trading a few stories. You’ll have to tell me how the life of a traveling priest is.”

“But of course. I shall recount some of my most exciting encounters, providing you do the same.”

“Sounds fun. Maybe I’ll tell you about the time I herded a pack of cockatrices through the streets of Silverborough with nothing but a drum.”

Raimond chuckled. “Now I’m quite intrigued.”

Scarlett watched on as the two hit it off and left the room, leaving the space oddly silent. She turned towards Livvi. “What was it you wished to speak about?”

The woman gazed at her quietly for several seconds.

“…What’s wrong with you?”

“Pardon?”

“You’ve been acting weird ever since we met back in Elystead. Then you’ve also participated in the Providing Ceremony, started doing these strange things with the Guild, and I even heard you did something ridiculous at the Elysian Proclamation. Father couldn’t stop raving about it when I asked him for details.”

Scarlett stared at the woman for a moment. The sudden change in behavior was surprising.

“…While I will not deny that my actions may appear unusual, they are all a consequence of extenuating events and circumstances that forced me to act as I did. That my conduct comes off as strange is merely an unfortunate byproduct of that.”

“That’s what I thought as well. I thought there had to be another explanation for it all.” Livvi looked at her like one might a classmate you hadn’t seen since high school. “But then I saw you now.”

Scarlett creased her forehead. “What is it you are trying to say?”

“I almost want to ask you who you are.”

“…What?”

“You’re so different from the Scarlett I used to know. What happened?”

Not even Evelyne had seemed to notice something was off about her this quickly, and most people didn’t even notice much of a difference at all when Scarlett spoke with them. But this woman had realized it after they’d only had two brief conversations with each other?

“I am afraid I do not understand what you mean.”

This could be bad.

Livvi readjusted her glasses, some of the light coming in from the windows reflecting in them as she locked eyes with Scarlett. “But you do, don’t you? It’s like you’re an entirely different person.”

Scarlett stilled.

“…I fail to see the relevance of that assertion, or why my apparent change would be of any interest to you.”

First, she would have to try and convince her. Otherwise, she might have to kick her out. But she was the daughter of Count Knottley, so that could cause even more—

“It’s because I’m relieved.”

Scarlett paused. “You are…relieved?”

A somber smile grew on Livvi’s face. “Did you know that, even since we were kids, I’ve almost never seen you speak more than a few sentences to your sister?” she asked. “I used to feel so uncomfortable when your father told us to play with her, and never knew how to act, not to make you mad. I don’t think I ever saw you two in the same room after his death.”

She let out a short, sentimental laugh. “You just grew so cold to everyone after that. It hurt to watch. I used to believe you hated me as well, and I’m still not sure you didn’t. I always hoped that would change, but eventually, I think I just started avoiding you instead. But I’ve always regretted that. So hearing you like this, and that you’re talking with Evelyne, even if it’s only by letter, it genuinely makes me happy.”

Livvi went quiet, her eyes turning towards the door. “Rosalina, was it? I’ve never seen you let someone act like that around you before. It almost feels like a miracle.”

“…I was unaware these were your thoughts.”

She turned back with a bittersweet expression. “That doesn’t surprise me. I think I’ve always known you better than you’ve known me.”

“And what did you hope to gain by admitting all of this?” Scarlett asked. “I presume you were prepared for a negative response?”

“That’s why I wanted to talk alone. I also didn’t want to ruin Ray’s relationship with you just because of my own problems.”

“I see…” Scarlett considered the woman for a time.

“I suppose there is no denying that I have indeed changed. The reasons behind it are not something I will share, but I can tell you they have caused me to reconsider my priorities, and the manner in which I approach things.”

“I’m glad.”

“How fortunate for you. But was that all you wished to say?”

“No, but…” Livvi turned quiet. “Never mind. That’s enough for now.”

“Then perhaps we should invite the others inside once again,” Scarlett said. “Your companion appeared quite eager to discuss certain topics.”

“Yes…you’re right. Let’s not waste more time on this.”

That night, Scarlett’s eyes shot open as a loud thump sounded out outside her room. She sat up in her bed, scanning the dark room in front of her. The light coming through the curtains was just enough to see the outline of the furniture, but there seemed to be nothing out of place.

Another crash rang out in the hallway.

She shot to her feet and snatched the [Depraved Solitude’s Choker] from the bedstand, hurrying to put it on. Her rings were already on her hand, and she’d activated [Sidhe’s Flowing Garbs] the moment she’d heard the noise.

Dressed in a flowing white nightgown, she also picked up the [Pouch of Holding], clasping it in her left hand as she crept towards the door. Taking a deep breath, she tore the door open and peered out into the hallway.

There was Fynn, standing over four still bodies, all dressed in black. The young man was shirtless, with a large gash running across his right arm.

He looked up at her. “Intruders.”

She stared at the bodies. All of them had gold masks covering their faces.

The Hallowed Cabal was back.