Dear Risa,

  I’m not a liar. Officially. People came today, checked my math, double-checked with Maki that I hadn't adjusted anything, and arrested the mayor.

  He’s probably going to be executed. Which a part of me kinda thinks I should feel bad about, but it’s not like anyone forced him to steal all that money. I just did math.

  Anyhow, after checking my math, arresting the mayor, and setting up a replacement, the group from Default asked if we wanted to travel with them. We don't have any new orders on where to go, sooo we agreed. We are currently camping on the side of the road with six guards and a Royal Auditor.

  Her name is Poppy, she’s pretty awesome. We were able to talk a lot this afternoon. She gave me some advice on how to handle rude people in a way that doesn't involve threatening them.

  Maki is making friends with the guards. He started telling a story, looked at me, and asked one of them to put a silence spell around them. Apparently the story is absolutely hilarious. I’ll need to find an appropriate punishment for him for doing that.

  Cali went to sleep after making sure the horses were all happy.

  And Luke… was talking to Poppy, but she went to sleep. I don't know where he is.

  We still haven't spoken about that one subject. I should go find him and do that, it’s driving me crazy.

  Investigative Regards,

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Maeve Zee

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  *****

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  Luke sat against a tree just out of sight of the campfire, reading through his book of runes. He’d been working on combining them for years. It was a hobby most Runesmiths had, even if no combinations ever worked. He hadn't focused on the problem for at least two weeks, so he was looking at the drawings with fresh eyes.

  “Practicing forbidden magic?”

  He twitched, lowering the book to find Maeve watching him with a smile. “Something like that,” he said, smiling back.

  She sat down facing him, tail curling around her feet. “Luke, I… need to know how you feel about me.”

  Luke had been avoiding this subject all week, and still wasn't brave enough to talk about it. He put the book away. “I-” think you’re gorgeous. “You-” deserve so much better than me. “It’s-” amazing how much of a disaster I’m making this.

  “Ok, I get it,” Maeve said softly, moving to stand. Her ears were drooping, tail limp. “I won't bring it up again.”

  “No, wait,” Luke said, scrambling up. He tripped over his own feet, crashing into her. They fell back to the ground, Luke landing on top of her. “Sorry!” He backed off, helping her to her feet.

  Deciding there was no possible way this situation could get worse, he bravely moved closer, putting his hands on her waist. And panicked at the last moment. He wrapped her in an awkward hug and froze, not sure what to do next. He wondered how hard it would be to dissolve into motes of light and float away, never to be seen again.

  Maeve started shaking. She leaned against him, bursting into uncontrollable laughter. Luke let go, not sure what she found funny, but she put her arms around his neck and pulled him down to press her lips against his.

  Luke’s mind finally stopped racing. She moved away, smiling, and he pulled her in for another kiss.