"So, you're telling me this kingdom was created to protect something from a guy named Peter, who's a completely new type of being? Known as an Betwixt-and-Between? And you came here because of that?" Sabo asked, seeking confirmation.
"I know we started off on the wrong foot…" Cavendish paused, making a face of disgust. "And it may have been your fault. No, it was definitely your fault."
Sabo rolled his eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time.
"But if you're being honest about your intentions with my kingdom, then we're on the same boat." Cavendish extended his hand, trying not to look at him. He couldn't believe he was actually offering something like this to someone so insufferable. "So, what do you say we form an alliance? There might be more to all of this than we realize, and the only way to figure it out is by wor-king… to-ge-ther." He muttered the last part through gritted teeth.
"What I mean is, as the exile prince of the Kingdom of Bourgeois, I'm your best chance at gathering information. If anyone knows this place better than anyone else, it's me." He pointed to himself proudly, striking an odd pose.
"Fine, I'll do it, but you've got to be less rude, or I'll kick your ass." Sabo replied with a smirk.
And thus, an alliance was formed between a pirate and a revolutionary.
"Alright, now we need to gather information about what's been happening in the kingdom over the past few weeks," Cavendish said, only to see Sabo rummaging through his belongings.
"Got it. I've been here for a few days and managed to gather some information. It's all here in these papers, including the dates of the events!" Sabo showed off his findings proudly.
"It's a bit convenient, but fine. So, what do we know?" Cavendish asked, watching as Sabo grabbed his notes and prepared to read them aloud.
"From people complaining that their hair changes color in the middle of the night, to strange spontaneous weather changes," Sabo read, handing the information over to Cavendish.
"The date of the first event isn't far from the day I received the letter," Cavendish noted, glancing at Sabo with a worried expression.
"Could it have something to do with your Betwixt-and-Between?" Sabo asked, thoughtful.
"As far as I know, there's no record of it being able to do any of that. Hate to say it, but we're practically lost here." Cavendish admitted.
"And the letter? Someone had to have sent it, right?" Sabo questioned.
The letter! Cavendish felt like a complete fool for not thinking of it sooner.
"I hadn't thought of that, but a letter like that could only come from someone who knows about the Betwixt-and-Between. I don't think it was anyone from my family. This information is exclusive to the heir and ruler of the kingdom. And it definitely wasn't my father, he'd never do something like that," Cavendish explained as everything began to make sense.
"So, who?" Sabo asked eagerly.
"The people I've been searching for all this time." Cavendish's eyes lit up with excitement. "I didn't go to the ball just for appearances—I went to try and reach those women, not because I thought they might be the ones who sent the letter. The real reason is that if anyone can help us fight an Intermediate, it's them. They're the only people outside the royal family who know the foundations of this kingdom." Cavendish recalled the first time he saw them fight. He never thought anyone could be so sophisticated, elegant, vicious, strong, and agile all at once.
"I have no doubt, one of them sent the letter. And now, more than ever, I think it's time to seek them out as I was doing before."
They were the reason he dressed in white. He became a swordsman because of them.
"So, are you going to tell me who they are or not?" added an impatient Sabo.
"Oh, right. They're known as the Three Musketeers, the finest swordswomen in the entire kingdom," he declared with arms raised in admiration.
"Wait! Weren't they the ones who organized the entire ball?" Sabo realized instantly.
"Exactly! Hiroko, the birthday girl, is actually one of them. It makes sense that she would organize something like that," Cavendish explained.
"Then it's settled. We have to find a way to contact them," Sabo declared.
The two men decided to leave it at that and begin their mission in the morning.
As they slept, in the gardens outside the masquerade ball, a certain dancing couple enjoyed the night so much that they both decided to meet again the next day in Kensington Gardens.