Fanilly wank into the warm, deep blue water, until only her head and neck were above it. For a few moments, she was taken by how comforting it felt, like a warm embrace.

But it didn't ease her mind.

Dame Maritza was right. She couldn't let herself dwell on past mistakes. But when a knight had died because of them... She didn't know what to think. She had to be the perfect Captain, the shining figure that lead the Iron Rose Knights. She had to do everything she could to make sure no-one among their number ever perished again.

She had to.

That was the role the captain had to play, wasn't it? Fanilly couldn't call herself Knight-Captain of the Iron Roses if she failed. The words of some of the nobility would be fully warranted.

And then another set of words cut through her mind.

"A... a ball? Tomorrow night?"

Ah, she... this was kind of sudden! It was another duty of the Captain of the Iron Rose knights, though. It was something she should have expected. Maybe not so soon but still...

"E-er, yes, er... a ball, I'll... I'll have to prepare as soon as possible, er, and accompanying knights as well..."

The blonde girl fidgeted in the water. It wasn't as if she had never been to a party before. Far from it, as a noble's daughter it was pretty much expected. But this... was different.

[@FlappyTheSpybot][@Raineh Daze]

[hr]

The brunette clapped her hands over her mouth, eyes wide with shock the moment she realized what Sir Indrau had done.

The blue-haired maid, on the other hand, placed one hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle. As far as she was concerned, Alaree could use a bit of a lesson...

After a few moments, the door rattled.

"... Eh?" came Alaree's voice from the other side, "It's not opening? Hey, er, is something on the other side of the door?"

When the brunette went to respond, the blue-haired maid stopped her.

"H-hey, I got the meat! ... Er... Let me out? Seriously!" Alaree was getting somewhat more panicked, now, attempting to force the door open, "Hey! This isn't funny at all!"

At this point, the blue-haired maid chose to speak up.

"So it was funny when you stole all of my undergarments and claimed it was the work of the Witch-Queen?" she asked.

"... Y-yes?"

The blue-haired maid folded her arms.

"No, no it wasn't. Serves you right for causing so much mischief and slacking off!"

[@TheFake]