At last, the day had come.

Maria and Katarina both woke up early, careful not to disturb Shana so she'd get a little more sleep. Maria donned her hunter's garb, sliding her weapons and tools into place, while Katarina slipped into her formal armor—blue-painted plates of metal, mantle, waist cape, fauld-skirt, snack pockets and all—her bizarre sword at her hip. While they dressed, Lasciel came in carrying a tray containing breakfast, which had been delivered to their door. On the tray was warm bread, butter, a small selection of jams, and some sausages. A lavish breakfast by commoner standards, but for nobles it was light food to fill them up quickly.

"All right," Mari said, checking over her squire one last time as Anne, Lasciel and Sadako quickly readied the food for them. "Are you ready, my squire? Sword?"

Katarina patted the sword at her hip, which had been peacebonded with a blue ribbon. "Ready!"

"Emergency grasses?"

Katarina patted a discrete pouch at her belt. "Here, with the bandages, distilled alcohol and moss clumps."

Maria nodded. "Be careful today, my squire. While the official talks of the assembly don't begin until tomorrow, today is when the battle begins."

"I know, Dame Campbell," Katarina said. "Fake smiles, lying, and don't give anything away. I'm a duke's daughter, remember? I've done these kind of parties before, I know what to do."

With anyone else, it would have been a pointed rebuke. Her squire said it with a childish pout. Still, Maria winced internally. Yes, she should have remembered. Just because her squire could be a bit simpleminded didn't mean she hadn't done this before. "Very well. Take care then, my squire. Hopefully, I will see you tonight, once I am released from my responsibilities."

"Don't worry, you've got this," Katarina said, giving her a thumbs up. "If anyone can protect the king against anything, you can."

"The wish is that I do not have to, but I appreciate the faith, my squire," Maria said. "Let us eat quickly then." For a moment, she hesitated, but… "Set aside etiquette, for speed is of the essence, but take care not to stain your clothes."

"Yes, Dame Maria…" Katarina said.

Maria could not shake the feeling she was being patronized.

As to be expected, Katarina finished before she did, which gave Anne plenty of time to check that she had not, in fact, managed to stain her clothes. By the time Maria finished with her own breakfast, wiping her mouth clean with a cloth, the maid was finishing her inspection and gave Maria a nod.

"Excellent. Come then, my squire. Onward, into the darkness beyond the bonfire."

Katarina looked confused. "Huh?"

"Out the door, my squire."

"Oh, okay!"


A Katarina Interlude

Katarina tried to remember all the etiquette she'd learned over the week, but they all seemed to just blur together in her head, with a few sticking out like all the ways you're supposed to slap someone. Ack, she wasn't going to forget that any time soon, not after all slaps she gave poor Mary! Katarina hadn't felt particularly villainous in a long time, but repeatedly slapping a nice girl like Mary had certainly done it.

She was very conscious of the notebook hidden in her secret romance novel pocket, which unfortunately didn't secretly have a romance novel in it. Katarina had worried Maria would ask about what else she was carrying, but thankfully it hadn't come up. Technically, there was nothing wrong about having a little cheat sheet… all right, a big cheat sheet… but she didn't want to risk it! This way, if she needed to remind herself about anything, she could just quickly pull it out, check her notes, and slip the little book back in with no one the wiser. It was the perfect plan! What could possibly go wrong?

Outside the room, they met with Mary, Sophia, Keith, Cousins Mashu, Adella and Iosefka, and to Katarina's pleasant surprise, Nicol.

"Nicol!" Katarina exclaimed, impulsively giving the taller Ascart a big hug. She couldn't help it! He'd been so busy lately that she hadn't really see him since she'd arrived! "You're here!" Closing one eyes so she only got half of affected by his looks—it was still a dizzying, heady sight, but she managed to endure it!—she examined his face. While he looked as unreasonably handsome as usual, there were slight traces of makeup under his eyes, and his gaze was a bit more half-lidded than usual. "Ah, you look really tired! Are you all right?" Katarina was so concerned she almost opened her other eye, and just managed to stop herself when she felt a swoon coming on.

"Yes, I'm fine, Lady Katarina," he said with a slight smile that seemed to pierce her eyelid and make her knees shaky, such that he almost seemed to get heavier. Behind her, she heard a thump as her cousins had to lean against the wall, and Mary started muttering to something. Reminding herself how much she loved Alan, no doubt. "Fortunately, I should be able to get a bit more rest starting today."

"Yes, yes… now, kiss…!" Sophia muttered for some reason.

Only Maria was completely immune to Nicol's good looks. "A pleasure to see you again, Lord Ascart," Maria said. "May I offer you some Light Magic to refresh your constitution, brief as the effect may be?"

"Ah, if you please, Lady Maria, that would be wonderful," Nicol said. "That should be enough to at least get me through the opening ceremony. Also, Rafael bid me to pass on his regards."

Katarina nearly jumped when she suddenly found Maria right next to her, staring at Nicol intently. W-wait, were those yandere eyes? "Please relay his words exactly, Lord Ascart, Leave nothing out."

In her arms, she felt Nicol shiver. "Ah, exact words… his exact words were, 'Oh, and if you should happen to see Maria before I do, please give her my regards and tell when I look forward to seeing her'."

Maria listened to this with a hungry look on her face, and twitched when Nicol stopped speaking. "I see. Thank you for relaying his message, Lord Ascart. When next you see him, please tell give him my regards as well and that I also look forward to seeing him."

Katarina felt Nicol's breath, blow against her, although his face didn't change at all. "I will pass on your message, Lady Maria." His stance shifted, and the weight that Katarina had been holding up lessened considerably. Ah, good, her knees finally stopped being so shaky! "Good luck in the course of your duties."

Maria nodded. "Thank you. Well, I will be going. Take care, my squire. Remember your lessons and you should be fine." She turned away and started walking as Katarina looked after her, befuddled. After a few feet however, Maria paused, turned around and made her way back. "Your lessons on etiquette, not the ones on weapons usage."

Oohh! That made more sense! "Yes, Dame Maria!"

Maria gave her one last look that reminded Katarina very strongly of mother before turning away, her boots striking the ground in a steady rhythm.

"Sister, how much longer are you going to keep hugging Nicol?" Keith said with the same bright, happy smile that he usually used when talking to the Third Prince.

Ah, right! She was still hugging Nicol! How embarrassing! "Ah, sorry Keith! You know I have a hug for you too!" she said, letting Nicol go and giving her little brother his own 'good morning hello' hug. Keith stiffened against her, no doubt embarrassed to be getting a hug in front of all their friends, but she'd checked and there was no rule in THE BOOK against good morning hugs, so there!

"L-lady Katarina, I want to greet you good morning too!"

"Me too Lady Katarina!"

After Katarina gave hugs all around, they all headed down to the castle's entrance hall for the opening ceremony, meant to greet the arriving delegates from the other nations and officially open the International Assembly's proceedings. It seemed weird, since all the delegates had already arrived, with some having been there for several days and had no doubt already gone around the city doing tourist things, but she supposed it was like the opening ceremony in school? They just needed to sit around and listen to speeches and things?

That… would actually be pretty perfect! She could review all her notes and things!

They encountered more and more people as they approached their destination. Of course, when people saw them, they parted to let them through, which made Katarina kind of embarrassed. Still, it couldn't be helped. After all, Keith, her cousins Adella and Iosefka, and herself were all the children on Dukes, and so outranked everyone, and while Sophia and Nicol's dad was technically only a count, he was still the Prime Minister. And Mary… well, she was Mary Hunt, the famously talented socialite. As the daughter of a Marquis, she outranked everyone short of Katarina, and being Alan's fiancée gave her that little bit of social edge to stand above others of her rank. People made way for them, and Matthew followed after them, letting them get to their destination.

Even though they had woken up early, it seemed everyone else had done the same, so despite the fact people made way for them as soon as they recognized Keith—as father's heir, Katarina liked to think he was the more recognizable of the two of them, and people weren't making way because they saw her villainous eyes and were scared off—it was a bit slow going. And of course, there were people greeting them, and it would be impolite not to reply.

"Oh, hey Lady Berelain! Have you read the new Night Fall yet? Ah, it's awesome, you'll love it!"

"Ah, Lady Sandry, how are your parents?"

"Lord Cyril, nice to see you! And you too, Lady Evetta!"

Most people would be attending the opening ceremony would be watching from the galleries, balconies, and the crowd lining the room, which was where Nicol and Sophia would be with their mother. Those of the rank of duke and their heirs would be up front because of their rank. Katarina tried not to be nervous about that. After all, she only needed to stand there and look pretty and not mess up, and she could do that! Plus mother and father would be there with Keith, and her cousins, her uncle and aunties, and her good friend Selena would be there next to them, with her own family… who Katarina hadn't actually met yet. Huh. Well, maybe she will now!

She and her friends split up, and Katarina made her way to the front where her parents already stood next to the big door that led deeper into the castle, which was still closed and flanked on either side by black-clad knights of the Royal Guard. More of the Royal Guard stood as a guard of honor along the aisle leading towards the door at the opposite end of the castle's formal entrance hall leading outside, their various weapons held respectfully. In front of the big door, , seemingly in the middle of the aisle, was a large stone bowl, wide and shallow. It was filled with pale wood that had been carved to look like bones, including a very lifelike pale wooden skull.

As Katarina looked at the bowl curiously, Father smiled widely when he saw the two of them, giving her a quick fond kiss on the cheek, and Keith an approving nod. Mother, for her part, looked Katarina up and down, scrutinizing her appearance. Katarina tried not to sweat as this happened, reminding herself that mother was a tsundere, and finally breathed a sigh of relief as Mother gave her own nod of approval.

"Katarina," Mother said quietly Katarina moved to stand by her side. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, Mother," Katarina said just as quietly, even as she sighed inside. Argh! With this many people, she wouldn't be able to pull out her notes and review! There were too many watching! She was in despair! Her being exposed like this and not being able to check her notes has left her in despair! "I won't let you down. Hello, Uncle, Aunties!" She leaned a little and looked past them. "Hello, Lady Selena!" Oh wow, Selena had siblings! She hadn't known that.

"Good morning, Katarina," her Uncle Henryk said with a smile as aunts Eileen and Viola greeted their daughters. Huh, come to think of it, Katarina wasn't really sure whose daughter was whose…

"Hello, Lady Katarina," Selena Berg greeted from his other side, her voice barely audible if it weren't for a little Wind Magic.

"I didn't see you at the lectures," Katarina said. "We really missed you! Were you sick or something?"

Selena shook her head. "Ah, no, I was merely busy helping my prince with his duties." She glanced at the man and woman beside her. "Lady Katarina, may I introduce my parents, his grace Duke Kenneth Berg, and her grace Duchess Mathilde Berg."

Duke Berg inclined his head towards Katarina. "Greetings, Lady Katarina," he said. "A pleasure to finally meet you. I am Duke Kenneth Berg, My daughter has quite happily written much about you since that awful business."

Katarina blinked at him. "Awful business? What awful business?"

He stared at her for some reason.

"I kidnapped you, remember, Katarina?" Selena said.

Uncle Henryk, Aunts Eileen and Viola, and Cousins Iosefka and Adella all blinked and turned to stare at Selena.

"Oh, right," Katarina said, slapping her fist down into her palm. "I was kidnapped! I completely forgot because of how fun everything was."

They turned back to stare at her. So did Selena's parents, and the young men and women with her who were probably her siblings. Next to her, Mother just sighed, while father gave her a fond smile.

"Is that how you remember it, sister?" Keith said, sounding like he was in pain. Ah, Keith, did you forget to go to the bathroom this morning? Don't worry, you should be able to go after the opening ceremony, just hand in there and don't let anything out!

"Well, that was when I first met Sella, and Larna, and Sora, and Lalatina, and I had a lot of fun that day…"

A bell began to ring, and Katarina only had a moment to be confused before her mother's elbow in her side reminded her that was the signal to be quiet, since the opening ceremony was starting. Mother adopted a tall, dignified pose, and Katarina copied her for a moment, before remembering and shifting to stand at attention like Maria had taught her. Out of the corner of her, she saw the two Royal Guard—she thought they were Murphy and John, but she wasn't really sure, since there were too many people to make out the differences in their armor—doing the same.

When the bell finished ringing, there was a brief pause, and silence had descended over the entrance hall.

Then the doors swung open.

The first ones through the doors were Dame Maria and General Solcrista. They marched in step with each other, and made a show of looking around at the gathered crowd. At some unspoken signal, they both nodded, turned as if to face each other, and bowed, their arms gesturing out into the carpet.

Through the door came the four princes, walking in a line with Prince Ian on the right side of the door and Alan at the other end. Each of them was dressed in a suit, a sword at their hip. Prince Ian turned and smiled briefly at Selena, and while the Third Prince gave her a flirty wave to keep up their image of being engaged so that she could shield him, Alan just gave her a nod before turning to look forward again.

Behind them came the King of Sorcier, his Majesty King Artorias Stuart. Despite his height, which was barely an inch taller than Sophia, the way he walked made him seem far taller. Clad in rich silk in the royal black and formal armor that had a sheen Katarina had learned to associate with Titanite-reinforced metal, the king wore a simple black ring on his brow as a crown. The formal plate of armor on his chest that the circle of the royal Darksign outlined in white. At his side was Queen Arianna, clad in a wine-colored dress. Dame Maria and the General both turned and fell into step with them as the two royals passed, Dame Maria next to the king and the General by the queen. The princes spread out to either side, facing the door at the far end.

The king stared straight at the doors opposite him as he raised his hand. The bell began to toll again, and at their signal, the doors of the entrance hall began to open.

Through the doors came knights clad in what looked like golden armor, with crimson capes and waist capes. The metal had a dull shine instead of a brilliant, reflective gleam, but it looked very golden. From her lessons, Katarina recognized the armor of Hallig's equivalent of the Royal Knights, the Golden Order.

And standing between them was a small figure. At first, Katarina thought a child had gotten lost or something. They had long blonde hair pulled back in a tail, and wore what looked like flowing white robes. But the figure walked forward, and the knights marched with them. At their side was a lone knight who didn't look all the different from the other golden knights, except for how they followed the little figure and held a strange sword in both hands. The group of knights and the person at their center crossed the length of the entrance hall until they stood some distance from the royal family, where they halted.

At the King's side, Dame Maria took a small step forward. "Who opens the door?" she said, and her voice carried across the chamber, carried by Wind Magic.

At her words, the golden knight next to the figure stepped forward and answered. Some kind of Wind Magic was also being used there, before Maria heard them just fine. "We are friends from a distant land."

When the echoes of the response faded away, Dame Maria asked again, "From what land do you hail?"

"We hail from Hallig, the Kingdom at the Ends of the World."

"What do you seek?"

"We seek the bonfire, where no harm may come, to rest our weariness and be among friends."

One last time, Dame Maria asked, "Show your humanity."

At this, the small figure stepped forward. This close, Katarina was able to judge that they were about the same height as the king. They had long, golden hair that partially obscured their face from where Katarina was standing, decorated with a few long braids at seemingly random, and they had a crown that looked like braided gold. Really, at this distance she couldn't tell if they were a man or woman. Their voice did not help at all as they said, "Greetings, Cousin. We are Miquella, King of Hallig. Friend of Sorcier."

Next to Maria, the King stepped forward. "Greetings, Cousin. We are Artorias, King of Sorcier. You are welcome to share our bonfire."

At King Miquella's side, the knight with the sword handed it to the small king. Looking closer, it was also made of wood, carved so that the blade looked like two spirals. It kinda looked like pictures of DNA. The king took the sword and approached the bowl. After examining it for a moment, he held the sword point down in a reverse grip and plunged it down into the center of the bowl at an angle.

From the place he had driven the sword, flames suddenly rose, dancing in the center of the bowl.

Behind the royal family, the doors leading into the rest of the castle opened.