Emilia had very conflicting thoughts. She had had those for quite some time, ever since leaving the capital. Her contemplations had been stopped for a while, as she was sleeping through the night, but ever since waking up her mind had been only on the events of the last day — frantic, chaotic, and unexpected. She was glad to have her insignia back, and her face was saved by a strange individual. He was truly an enigma to her. At first, after she got rid of the assumption of him being a street thug, she believed him to be a very odd person. She truly was not someone who judged people properly, but she felt that it wasn't just her this time. He was unpredictable, and she didn't know him well enough to understand what he was going to do next. But the initial impression was that of a joker who nonetheless could stand up for himself in a brawl, and was kind enough to help.

Then, he turned out to be very accepting of her, despite everything. She didn't know if he really was like that, because he had shown many times that he was totally oblivious to what the world was like. So, whether it was ignorance or kindness, she did not know. But it wasn't possible for him to not know things that were so trivial. She was a silver-haired half-elf. She lied about her name being Satella, the very same that the Witch of Envy had. So many pointers were there, and still he had not batted an eyebrow. Either he knew that she was lying and still went through with it, or he was just being ignorant. She wished to believe that it was the former to some extent, because it would mean that he was still that nice of a person.

That's why she felt bad about making him pay for her own mistake. She didn't know why he was doing so much, especially since he got so angry with the obstacle. So many unknowns made her feel blue.

"Are you still worried?"

Emilia perked up at hearing the voice of her ever-present spiritual companion. Puck lay on one of the planks that served as seats, his tiny cat form allowing for its wider use. The half-elf nodded and, when the uncomfortable silence caused by the spirit's desire to hear a more detailed answer, pressed hard, she finally spoke for the first time in a while.

"He was arrested, Puck, and all he did was help us! It is unfair. And while he was there we still chose to run."

"It was necessary, Lia. There could be other assassins, and I wouldn't be there to help."

"Then why couldn't we stay with guards while in the capital?"

"That's what they would have liked us to do," the front-seat knight explained, "or so the captain said."

That still didn't make much sense to her, nor did it help to ease her conscience. Seeing her discomfort, Puck closed his eyes and sighed.

"He was quite destructive. And to be honest, when I saw the other him, something inside me shrank. And I felt so glad that I was snug inside the crystal at the time, because there was nothing that made me more willing to remain there."

"Puck..." Emilia paused, staring at him in shock, "Were you... afraid of him?"

"To be frank, yes," Puck lowered his head in shame, "I don't know what made me feel this way, but it was just surreal. You understand that you are not supposed to fear something, but you still do."

"I didn't feel anything like this, but he was, admittedly, scary."

Phantom was different when he assumed his ghostly persona. His power was so evident, from the very start he did nothing but cruelly mock his enemy. He did leave an impression of someone who could snap your neck if he so desired. It contrasted so much with who he seemed before, leaving a much greater impact. And what he accomplished in the end was only a cherry on top. It was clear why the guards wanted someone so potentially dangerous to be locked up. However, despite everything, Emilia firmly believed that he should not have been thrown behind bars. Maybe all they needed now was a conversation. She had much to understand, and she presumed that he was in a similar position, having similar needs.

Before Puck could make a suggestion, however, the wind picked up speed, and something flew by at an insane speed. Loudly. The hair of Puck's fur stood up. The waggon stopped, and Emilia immediately got up to see what it was. She was stunned at seeing a white haired man floating above them, grinning widely. Emilia was among those who did not instantly recognise him, but eventually that smile, those bleached white hair and green eyes, yet unseen on anyone but one person, made everything clear.

"What's going on?" Emilia asked worriedly, "Danny? Is that you?"

Phantom smirked and began to slowly descend, "Emilia, it's been a whole day. You still owe me 16 dollars."

That greeting was not something she had expected. It was, undoubtedly, the same teen from yesterday. In the flesh. Now, when he wasn't fighting, she got a proper look at him and his strange clothes. He radiated unearthly glow, seen even under the bright sun. And his voice was but an echo that reached the people's ears. And as he remained in that strange, bizarre form, Emilia was surprised to see him acting the same way they first met. He obviously caught her staring, but decided not to comment on it. The awkward staring match lasted until Emilia realised something — he addressed her by her real name.

"So you know it now," she whispered. And yet he heard it.

"Yes, it could have saved me a lot of trouble if you had told me right away," Danny chuckled. "Reinhard told me. We had an interesting talk... after I broke into his home."

"You what?" The knight hissed in shock.

"Relax, pal. Nobody got hurt except his father's pride. Still, there you have it."

Danny approached the girl, who instinctively took a step back. And upon seeing this, he once again did not comment. His lips, however, thinned.

"I am also aware that you live in the mansion of Lord Mathers."

Suddenly, Emilia gave him a very deep bow.

"I'm so sorry! I know I shouldn't have abandoned you like this, but it wasn't my wish!"

Danny shook his head. The girl was apologising to him, maybe too much. Not without reason, mind you, but he himself probably felt uncomfortable with her overzealousness. He raised his hand, and Emilia immediately fell silent. He gave her a smile of reassurance and continued.

"Water under the bridge, as we say back home. Although I am still a bit sore about your telling me a false name."

"Oh... I..."

"Say'sorry' one more time, and I'll toss you right back into that waggon," Danny joked, rubbing the back of his neck and saying, "Relax. No actual harm done."

She smiled slightly. "I am glad," but then a thought occurred to her. "Don't take it the wrong way, but...why are you here?"

"Well, awkward as it is to admit," Phantom looked away, "My financial situation is... not the best. So I've come to beg to tag along. Yeah."

Emilia, Puck, and the knight sweat dropped. After all that power, he immediately degraded himself. What was with that guy? It's not like they had any means of holding him back should he strongly desire it.

The half-elf nodded, "I'm sure that Roswaal will be glad to reward you. As I said, I don't exactly have money of my own. If I did, I would have done it myself."

Danny nodded as well, his gleaming eyes landing on Puck. "Hey there, furball. Missed me?"

"I, eh..." The cat laughed nervously.

Phantom sighed. "Should have figured. A moment."

He once again let those strange, glowing rings change him into human. With the same signature smirk he bowed.

"Daniel James Phantom, a retired hero, a public enemy number one, a nobleman without a penny to his name! Shall we go now?"

Emilia could only think of one word to describe him: eccentric.

To be honest, Danny was not happy with how everyone reacted. It was expected, certainly, but it still rubbed him the wrong way. Phantom had had time to deal with this; if he cried and moaned after each occasion he was looked down at, he would not get out of his bed at all, sucking on his thumb. It was much easier to ignore those, surprisingly enough, to wave them off with a smile and let it wash away the concerns. He was going to be optimistic, he would make them see the true him, given time. And it didn't matter much now, for all he knew, he could never even see those people again. That's why Emilia thought that he didn't care at all about anything — he was just very good at ignoring it, especially since, to his mind, the girl and the tiny spirit were not doing it to spite him. They just didn't know better and he did not complain. No matter.

Puck's reaction was the most expected one, he was not the strongest, at least in this form. And while the tiny cat felt somewhat bizarre, Danny figured as much. He could explain this feeling by comparing the light of the sun with the light of a lightbulb (in terms not of brightness, but the feeling different lights give), the latter being Puck. Danny didn't know the reason for that. The core of the tiny being probably allowed him to sense spirits, but Puck did not address the issue of Phantom coming across as one. However, on the level of instinct, he understood the danger of the most powerful ghost in existence. In short, Puck was not a normal spirit. But just as the little cat did not give away anything, nor was he bringing up anything that could have been offensive.

The road was going to be long, with how slow the waggon was. Danny was a bit disgruntled by this fact as well. The very same distance could be covered by a car in a couple of hours. He could get there in a couple of minutes. But he had to endure. It's not like he could just grab his companions and fly, nor were there any car salons in close proximity. It was boring, to put it bluntly. He didn't know where to start a dialogue, Emilia was obviously too shy for that. All these factors combined made the atmosphere very awkward. The ice needed to be broken or the atmosphere would peel their skins off.

"So..." Danny clasped his hands, sprawled on the bottom of the wagon. "I guess we turn over a new leaf by these introductions."

Emilia chuckled, "I guess we do. Are you comfortable down there? It doesn't look like it."

Phantom shrugged, "I am fine with that. I'm not picky."

"Are you really a noble?" Puck tilted his head. He was way too accepting of everything thrown his way.

"I won't be surprised that I am no longer a knight, Dorothea didn't like what happened before my departure," Danny looked at the ceiling, "We had a bit of a falling out. Still, I used to be a commoner before it all. Such conditions are not something foreign. My turn, are you an actual lady, Emilia?"

The girl put a strand of her hair behind her ear and said, "What makes you say this?"

"You have no money either."

She blinked. It did make sense. "No, I am not. Everyone just calls me this because I became a candidate. Roswaal decided to aid me in this goal."

Danny nodded. That Roswaal guy seemed interesting. He didn't know if it was genuine sympathy towards her or a desire to make political gains. The latter seemed more probable, but the teen didn't care much. Emilia seemed satisfied with the arrangement and the support for her candidacy. And it wasn't his intention to interfere. Political affairs were the exact opposite of what he sought, which didn't stop him from having his own opinion on the situation. He knew firsthand what being a king was. To him, Emilia was not fit for that role.

It should not have been taken as an insult. Same way as one would think that a scholar is unfit to be a blacksmith, Emilia should not have been subjected to this job. It took cunning, lack of compassion and principles. Emilia was a naive and kind girl, and, for all he knew, she could end up becoming a tool in someone's hand. Yet that insignia decided that the half-elf was a proper candidate, so obviously keen on ruining her innocence. It was a cruel joke this world had in store for her. The train of thoughts made Danny even more sympathetic. Phantom wondered what made Emilia actually want to assume the post. Was she that naive not to know the implications? Was she not the one who he took her for? Or maybe everything was due to some other, unknown reason? Danny went back to how he became a king. He didn't know what killing the last monarch meant, everything he wanted was to protect his home. And yet, nobody asked him, everyone seemed accepting...

His fist clenched. Those two-faced bastards, let them rot in oblivion.

Despite the tension in his body, Danny smiled and said, "Let's talk about something simpler."

"About what?" Asked the half-elf.

"Anything. Well, for instance, what's your favourite colour?"

"It's purple, I think," Emilia put a finger on her lip in thought. "And yours?"

"I'd say it's red and white equally. I mean, my whole wardrobe was made up of shirts that had those. I could actually find something like this here. That would be good. Do you have hobbies?"

"Hobbies?"

Danny sighed dramatically. The locals were not the most advanced people. "Well, it's something you enjoy doing in your free time. Like gardening, making models or playing checkers with old people to brighten their last years of life."

"I can't say that I do. I read occasionally, or practise with magic. You probably do have one."

"I've always liked stars," Phantom said as he sat with an excited, childish gleam in his eyes.It almost felt like he had been looking for a reason to talk about this particular thing. "And space in general. I learned the names of all constellations, planets, and space objects in close enough proximity to identify them. Although I believe that constellations will be difficult to find here," he gasped, "Does that mean I get first crack at naming them?"

His ramblings were met by confusion and amusement on the part of Puck. Despite still being a bit shaken by a strange, frightening smell that was now gone without a trace, he had calmed down. Danny was a strange guy, who could both scare and attract people with how open and cheerful he was.

"I'm afraid someone has already done that," the spirit pointed out.

Danny quickly shrugged it off, "Oh well, not everyone gets to be Copernicus. What I would give for a good telescope, I'm certain that there are things to be uncovered in that vastness. Once I get enough money, it will be the first thing I make by myself!" He loudly declared.

"You are very passionate about it," Emilia smiled.

Phantom blushed a bit, "True,I guess you can say this. Just imagine: we see the sun each day, the way it was minutes ago. Because before light reaches us, it will take almost 500 seconds for it to cover the distance. We are separated by a distance of 93 million miles. And all in between is a vacuum, a space filled with absolutely nothing, so dangerous and so beautiful. And the sun is just the closest star. The ones we see at night may as well be dead, and we won't know of it until centuries have passed and the last ray of light they sent reached us. It makes you feel so small, and yet fills you with a sense that you are a part of something so great."

"How do you know all this stuff?"

"I loved reading everything on the topic I could find. You see, princess? Everyone has something that makes them happy. You should find a hobby, too."

"You make it sound appealing," Emilia continued to smile, "but there are just so many things to do right now."

Danny grinned, "Don't worry, as long as I am near, you are free to ask for help."

Her eyes widened, "But this is really trivial, you don't have to."

Phantom raised his hand and said, "I need money, sure, but it doesn't mean that I charge it for everything I do. Especially something so small, as you say. But I guess we will see what happens next."

"I can't believe that you are the one getting assigned this job."

The conversations between ghosts were not uncommon. It was true that many desired nothing but seclusion, but every once in a while they break out of their shells. Some ghosts, who were very open in life, also did not change and still sought company and conversation. This wish always leads to the formation of a circle of acquaintances, as it was with the mortals. The circle in question was no different. It consisted of four people, and like all ghosts, they were all unique in their own little ways. A greasy haired, blonde punk in a leather jacket, a pale, red-eyed girl in a black-cropped black top were among them. It was the former who voiced the surprise that they all, even the spectre in question, shared. And the said spectre was the most imposing of all, dressed in a metal suit reminiscent of a human body. The suit even went as far as to replicate the hair by spurring the emerald flames in the shape of a mohawk.

"I am not happy with this arrangement, Johnny," the armour-clad ghost crossed his hands.

"Admit it, Skulker, you are scared shitless," he was nudged by a teenage-looking ghost, pale as a list of paper, with her blue hair seemingly made of fire as well. Her rocker getup heavily implied her vocation.

"I am NOT. I never feared the whelp and I will hang his pelt on the wall!"

Everyone grimaced. "Dude. You are gross," responded Johnny.

"And how exactly would you do that?" The green-haired girl asked the giant, rubbing her hands. "Phantom is a monster, Skulker. You saw what he did. We ALL saw. He killed CLOCKWORK. The FUCKING Time Lord. You hope you still have a chance?"

"I..."

"Admit it, tin can," huffed the rocker, "we're all a joke. Dipstick hasn't offed you yet because he was a goody-two-shoes then, and you have been too scared to face him after he took over the world. And that makes me wonder why the Observants chose you. There are ghosts who will be able to at least say a sentence before being vaporised."

Skulker sighed, sitting on a rock. His metal joints whined and screeched, "I am not going there to fight, actually."

"Goodness gracious, they are even more insane than we thought," the rocker muttered, "The Observants are surprisingly open now, though."

Johnny huffed, "Of course they are. They can't hide behind the King or the Time Lord while making all the decisions. They have to contact us themselves. Well, contact you. I wonder why, though, Phantom kid must hate you more than any one of us."

Skulker shook his head. The rocker spoke before he could say something stupid.

"No, it is not because you are on the tougher side to chew, Skulker."

"You are the most loving girlfriend there is, Ember," the man grumbled, "I have no clue why me. But I can't decline the will of the Observants. To do so one will have to be..."

"Phantom. Yes. I have an idea, actually," Ember shrugged, "Yes, you come close second to Box Ghost on the scale of pestering Dipstick when he was in hero business. But he also spared you each time. Perhaps he enjoyed beating you more so than us."

"He never killed back then, so it doesn't say anything. And was that supposed to reassure me?"

"Well, it stinks to be you, dude," Johnny snorted, "I can't imagine what he's like right now. Nobody saw Phantom ever since he hid inside his castle."

"Why should I care what he looks like? It doesn't matter."

"Nobody said anything about his looks. I mean, his sanity, dude. He may be burning that other world as we speak. And why are you even going to talk to him?"

"Because they want him back," Skulker rubbed his temple.

"WHAT?!" Everyone yelled.

"Bring HIM back?! Pariah reincarnated is supposed to return and rule us again?! Isn't it a good thing that he is gone?"

"Quiet, you idiots!" Skulker snapped, "The very fact of his absence is supposed to be a secret. I'm telling only you three. The Observants were satisfied with the deal he made. They need to keep that whelp on the leash."

"Oh, I am sure he will come and lick your hand like a good puppy," Ember mocked her boyfriend. "He will waste you the second your eyes meet, moron."

"The Observants fear that he will be gathering forces there."

"Aren't they supposed to know these things for sure? They see the future."

"Ever since he killed Clockwork, Phantom's future became unclear. They have no clue about what will happen, they see only the present. And even that made Observants run around like headless chickens."

"Even more reasons for you to decline. You are not their errand boy."

"Well, let's go over the list, shall we? Undergrowth? Killed. Walker? His head is still on the spike decorating Phantom's front yard like he is a bloody Vlad Zeppesch. Vortex? Nocturne? Puddles of ectoplasm. The previous errand boys are in oblivion now. That's probably why they asked me. There is just no better alternative."

"You will be joining them soon enough," Johnny muttered, "You aren't going to change your mind, are you?"

Skulker shook his head, "No. I will never run from the whelp. He is still one, no matter how powerful he is."

Johnny's red-eyed girlfriend put in: "When did he turn into this, I wonder. He was a righteous prick all that time."

"Power changes people. The first thing he did after he got the crown was to ignore the Ancients and try to grab absolute authority. Clockwork was correct; he was on his way to destroying several worlds.I really wish I could waste that white devil while he was still weak," Skulker whispered in rage. "I will try to at least somewhat amend my failure."

"We all failed, Skulker. You just did so much more than us. This is no reason to go and die. What do you even want to achieve?"

"Just give him what he wants. Still better than him coming back and killing everyone again."

"I don't see why he even did it," Johnny scratched his hair. "He had the whole world in his grasp, didn't he?"

"I heard Ghostwriter talk about it. He had a theory," Ember answered. "There was a human king about five hundred years ago. He left the capital, took with him the entire treasury of the country. The capital was in chaos without the ruler and money. The people begged for him to come back, and then he made a demand for the people to kill those who had wronged him. His enemies died and he received no repercussions."

"So you think that he is pulling the same stunt?" Skulker snorted at her suggestion, "As if, we've lived without a king for centuries, there won't be chaos. Have you got anything else to say? I have to prepare. If he attacks, I'd like to have an escape route."

"Nah, see ya, dude. I hope."

Johnny and his companion soon left, leaving the hunter and his lover alone on a piece of rock floating in the space of the Ghost Zone. When Skulker got up, he felt someone preventing him from leaving. The hunter's expression darkened.

"Ember..."

"You are not going anywhere," she responded with a shake in her melodious voice.

"I am, Ember. And no matter how you try to stop me. I am doing it for all of us."

"Just like this? You will just leave me again out of your stupid pride?!"

"I know what you truly think of me, Ember. That I am a buffoon who can't even find a TV remote. I'll show you that, unlike you people, I will face the whelp upfront."

"You are a buffoon, you moron! A sane man will never go after him!"

"I will go and I will come back. Go back to your home, woman. I have things to do."

He phased out of her grip, flying in the direction of his own lair. He could hear the yells behind him, and with the corner of his eye, he saw the tongues of fire ravaging the tiny island.

Danny should have suspected that someone having the title of a lord would not be living in a wooden shack. What he did not expect to see was an enormous piece of land with the main building looking like a world-class hotel. The gardens around the building were so huge that a herd of cows could feed off the luscious grass for months. The stone paths made the waggon move as if on a slab of butter, so smooth they were. The trees lining the path were obviously taken care of and had similar shapes. It really felt like a mansion, and it reminded Phantom of only other house of a rich guy in a middle of nowhere. The memory of the frootloop made him drop a smile for a moment, but he pushed such thoughts away. Danny peeked out of the transport to get a better look at the building itself.

It was shaped like half of a hexagon. Danny counted four floors, not counting the five towers dotted all along the structure. The mansion was built out of white stones and had purple tiles on the ceiling. There was something fairy-tale like about the mansion. It probably had something to do with the design. Glancing at Emilia, he smirked. A fitting place for someone like her.

The waggon stopped near the entrance. Emilia exited first, as Danny decided to wait just a bit.

The half-elf was immediately greeted by two bowing servants.

"Greetings, Lady Emilia."

"How did your journey go?"

Emilia smiled, "Good morning, Ram, Rem. Thank you for asking. The trip was... interesting. I will explain everything later, but please take care of our guest while he is here. He helped me a lot."

At this Danny jumped out of the waggon, straightening his clothes that were not in their best condition after a long road. He put hands on his belt and looked towards the greeting party. It was an interesting sight. Before him stood two girl, and only a moron would not understand that those were twins. However, they had some differences still. One had pink hair and crimson eyes, while the other sister had blue hair and eyes of a darker shade of the same colour. They regarded the guest with similar looks of calm neutrality, like servants would. Although, with how the two were dressed in frilly French maid outfits, he would expect to be treated like those weebs at maid caffe.

"Sister, he has been eyeing you for too long."

"Yes, Rem, he must have something dirty on his mind."

"You know I can hear you, right?" Danny hunched. Although he now understood who each one of them was. Rem — blue hair, Ram was the pink one. Easy to remember. "I am just an adolescent, let me be one for a moment and admire something. Didn't know they use these clothes here."

Emilia coughed, "Is Roswaal in the mansion?"

Rem nodded, "Yes, Lady Emilia. Will you be joining him for breakfast?"

"That would be wonderful. Follow me, Danny."

"That's a silly name," The pink-haired maid commented as the teen passed her.

"I am not from around here," he shrugged. "Just to clarify, am I the only one getting such treatment or do you insult everyone?"

"Just you," they both responded.

'They are really short,' Phantom thought now that they stood near each other. The girls barely reached his chest. 'It's cute, actually.'

He was led deeper inside the mansion. The place looked regal, if one was to be unimaginative with epithets. Like Danny was. He could also compare it with the interiors of one castle in Wisconsin. The only thing absent was 'Packers' merchandise and the obscene amount of golden and green colours. Each wealthy guy had their own interests. Danny wondered what the owner's were, and he doubted it was a mere croquet. Soon enough they ended up in a spacious room that had a large table in its middle. It was actually painted in green, funnily enough. The owner was nowhere in sight, however. The little maids bowed and excused themselves to bring the food. Danny took this momentary pause to explore the dining room. He saw a couple of paintings and chandeliers, flowers in vases, but the efforts of whoever designed the place were obviously not directed at this particular part of the mansion. Perhaps there were rooms more lavish than this one.

"Oh, dear. Who is our guest?"

Without turning around, Danny could understand the nature of the man from his tone alone. He was hardly a serious person, at least at first glance, Danny soon spared him. Phantom's first impression was that the obvious master of the house was a clown. Perhaps it was due to the gargantuan amount of makeup he had. Danny wasn't sure if it was the man's skin that was ghastly pale or just powder. Perhaps a combination of both. He had heterochromic eyes, with one being blue and the other gleaming with yellow. The former had some purple eyeshadow, while the latter eye was a part of an elaborate pattern going from the eyebrow to the cheekbone. His indigo-coloured hair was long and straight.

'What's with the getup?' Danny thought.

The man's clothes, which consisted of a black hat, a top and bottom with different shades of purple, along with red and black boots and a cape, added to the impression made by a made-up face. He really looked like a clown.

"Daniel Phantom," Danny decided to be polite for now. That man was his key to a better life. "And you are Roswaal, I take it?"

"Why yes, I am the owner of this fiiine place."

Phantom glanced at Emilia. She smiled sheepishly, telling him that the man's habit of prolonging occasional vowels was an ordinary thing. Everyone sat at the table, with Roswaal assuming the head position. Soon after Ram and Rem entered with several food trolleys. The maids then began to put the many dishes on the table. The breakfast looked and smelled delicious, making Danny's mouth water. He had been on a diet the entire road. But Phantom still waited until Roswaal himself tried the omelette. The man, who Danny had learned was an actual margrave, glanced at the teen, but then turned to the maids.

"Wonderful food as always, giirls," he commented and smiled.

"Thank you, Master," the maids bowed, while Danny looked confused.

"Wait, you do the cooking as well?" He asked.

"We perform multiple duties."

"We are the only staff left."

Phantom's eyes widened, his mind going back to the well-tended garden and halls as clean as a baby's soul. Those two were insane if they did it all alone.

"Well, compliments are due then," Danny said.

"Danny, you haven't touched the food yet," Pointed out Emilia.

"It is bad tone to eat before the master of the house does. Or, at least, that's what I've been taught. I guess I will dig in, too."

And boy, was it delicious. Phantom had to stop himself once again from eating it whole while he was at it. To his aid came Roswaal himself, who chuckled and clasped his hands, thus getting the undivided attention.

"So-o-o, Daniel. Could you tell us about yourself and what brought you heeere?"

At this moment, Danny's entire mind was occupied with how he would be delivering the information, "Well, I am seventeen. I was born in a tiny town away from any sign of civilisation, so I know nothing about what is happening around me."

Emilia perked up at his tale. He hadn't told her anything on their way here.

"I left my home because I was hated and ostracised. They didn't like my magic and my contacts with spirits. Spirits, in turn, didn't like me because many of them were vile, destructive, and I eventually forced a deal upon them. So I had nothing to gain from staying there."

"Your family must be worried, though," Emilia said, before noticing his darkened expression. "Oh no, I didn't mean to..."

"Emilia," Danny shook his head, "Don't think that I will get insulted by something so small. You ditched me and I still hold no grudge," he snorted and gave a tiny smile, which slid off rather soon, "My family and I have not been on speaking terms for a while. And as of late, they have been too busy being dead. So nothing was holding me back when I left," he leaned back in his seat, "Nice place you got here, Roz. Reminds me of my godfather."

"Godfather?" Roswaal tilted his head.

"Ah, yeah. You probably don't have those here. Well, it's basically a family friend who helps raise a child and swears to bring them up if the parents meet an untimely death. A tradition, to be blunt. Funny thing about my own frootloopish godfather is that he didn't know about my existence up until I was fourteen. My parents gave him this title without having seen him for almost a decade at the moment of my birth."

"So he should have taken you in," Emilia pointed out.

"Yeah, but he was a rare bastard. My parents' ignorance made him this vile, I think. He made a fortune selling inventions and dairy products. He built himself a castle and began to act all high and mighty. And even though he promised to help me master my power, I still refused his offer to take me in. I like it more on that prison bunk I slept on yesterday."

"You were in prison?"

Danny really could not understand the pattern behind the man's speech. He and Emilia began explaining the events that brought them together and what happened afterwards. The half-elf was surprised to find out that Danny had gone out of his way to help Rom, reaffirming her belief that he was a kind-hearted individual. The kind-hearted individual who let her do the talking as he was wolfing the free food. Roswaal did not react up until they were finishing their tale.

"And how did you catch up with her in such ti-i-ime, hm?" He asked.

Danny rubbed the back of his neck, gulping down what was in his mouth, "I... well, I flew there."

For the first time Roswaal seemed impressed, "Did you now? I too can do that, you kno-o-ow?"

It was Phantom's turn to act surprised, "Really? And how do YOU do that?"

"It is a combination of wind, fire, and earth magic."

"The former lifts, the middle accelerates, and the latter launches."

"Inde-e-ed. You do it this way as well?"

"Not exactly. But I know multiple elements."

While they had been on the road, Danny had managed to make Emilia and Puck talk about magic in more details. They told him that there were six elements, and they were quite stereotypical.

"I mostly use water and light, as Emilia has mentioned. Fire is something more rare, and even that thing is ice cold for some reason."

In fact, he knew why it was like this. His ice core would not produce heat other than that of ectoblasts. But it was to remain confidential.

"As for the rest... our way of categorising magic is different from the local one, so I can't say for sure. I mean, fire is not about temperature but about, well... fire."

"He also combined elements," Emilia said a bit excitedly, "That snowball exploded like a bomb."

Roswaal's interest was piqued.

"Quiite imaginative, Daniel. Are you self-taught?"

Danny looked thoughtful as he reached for a teacup. "Well, probably everything except water. I had a trainer for that one — a spirit named Frostbite. He looked scary at first, but we found a common language. That's why I use water, I have the biggest affinity for it, or so Frostbite told me."

"What a wonderful story to begiiin a day with. You have done me a greaaat favour by helping Emilia."

Danny prepared himself. This was what he had come for. He needed to pay extra attention.

"And?" He asked expectantly.

"You may ask what you want, and I will do eeeverything to make it come true. Within reason, of course."

Phantom hadn't expected such generosity. He really could ask for anything, and he was quite lost. There existed such a paradox called 'Buridan's ass'. It referred to a situation when an ass who is both hungry and thirsty is also unsure of what to pick, hay or water, eventually dying because of his indecisiveness. Aristotle had thought of a similar example before said ass and applied it to a human being. To be simple, Danny was an ass, and he wasn't sure what to choose. He had expected a monetary reward, but now it didn't look so absolute. After several minutes of silence, Danny's look became one of determination.

"I ask to stay here until I decide what to do next. I don't wish to freeload and I'm ready to work my stay."

Needless to say, everyone was surprised by his decision.

"Are... are you sure, Danny?" Emilia asked. "You could ask for something better."

Phantom grinned toothily. "Who said that it was my wish? That's why I am ready to work, because it is just a request that has nothing to do with the actual reward."

Roswaal chuckled, "So you wish to be given time to thiiink, Daniel? You don't have to work, you are free to simply remain for as long as you need."

"Thank you."

Soon after, when the breakfast was finished, Roswaal left to do his own important margrave things. Emilia soon followed, wishing Danny to get acquainted with the mansion. She didn't tell where she was going either, and Phantom didn't ask, sitting in his chair, eyes closed and himself deep in thought. He was snapped out of it by the clanking sounds of dishes and silverware. Phantom popped one eye open and saw the small maids putting everything from the table on a trolley. Smiling, he got up and picked his plate. Then he just put it on the trolley, and before long, he was helping the sisters to clean up the table.

"Sir, Master just said that you don't have to work," Rem sounded almost accusing.

"You don't have to," Danny smirked as several plates glowed green and flew in a stack, landing softly in a common pile. "Still, those are good manners."

"Sister, I think he is trying to impress us."

"Rem, he certainly has an ulterior motive."

"I stand. Right here," Danny sighed, waving his arm and putting the cups next to one another. "Look, just let me. I am trying to be a nice guy, that's all."

"Then what do you gain from this?"

"Apart from feeling like a nice champ? Well," Danny shrugged, "You two have enough responsibilities as it is, so I want to help as I can."

"So it is pity, then," Ram roughly took a platter of fruits from his hands.

"What? No, it is not. Some genuine willingness to help won't hurt you."

The girl regarded him with apathetic looks and continued working. Despite their rudeness, unbecoming of maids, Danny still continued to help. His intentions were sincere, so condescending behaviour would not discourage him. Phantom put a final spoon on the trolley and sighed. He turned around and began walking off.

"I am still willing to help, you two. If I am not busy, don't hesitate to ask."

Phantom exited the dining room, unsure of what to do next. But his ghost sense began acting up. And the feeling was coming from one door at the end of the corridor.

A.N. I cringe each time I write Roswaal's phrases. I hope I've done his habit properly. If not, point it out, please.