Six months passed more slowly than all of Janusz’s years in Nyarlea. Hanna grew distant with Ceres’s absence, and finding an equal replacement for Celestia proved challenging. It was by complete luck that Jaqulin had found them in Sorentina one foggy day. She was a Ni Island expat and a skilled [Hunter].

  However, even with their new companion, Hanna didn’t have the same fight in her. She was distracted, oftentimes in perilous situations; however, he was hesitant to leave her behind and seek out a new healer. Hanna was an excellent [Celestrope], and their time together had blossomed into a relationship akin to that of husband and wife.

  She may still call him ‘Master’ in the presence of others, but Hanna was kind to him behind closed doors. She was the one who kept his bed warm at night and set his mind at ease. More than seven years she’d spent at his side; more than any woman had in Olsztyn.

  The strange blue-haired girl in the iPaw device he’d been charged with was quick to remind him of the laws they would break should he ever consider an exclusive bond. There were physicians on the mainland dedicated to ‘curing’ such feelings. The thought pierced his chest like a dagger.

  Now, in an effort to cheer up Hanna, they stood together in Venicia at the doors of the School of Etiquette that Celestia had so desperately wanted to foster.

  “Master Janusz! It is an honor to see you again.” Celestia cradled her hands over her apron and bowed deeply at the waist.

  “Celestia,” Janusz replied. “This is Jaqulin, and I expect you remember Hanna.”

  “Of course! And it is a pleasure to meet you, Jaqulin.” Celestia offered a second bow to the violet-haired [Hunter] at Janusz’s left.

  “I assure you, the pleasure is mine.” Jaqulin returned Celestia’s bow with a smile.

  Celestia straightened and smoothed her apron over her skirts. “Please accept my deepest apologies. I did not expect your visit, or I would have been more adequately prepared.”

  “Don’t worry yourself over us. We can manage.” Janusz glanced to his right and caught Hanna’s wandering gaze. He sighed and crossed his arms. “Is Ceres around?”

  A tiny smile twitched at Celestia’s mouth, and she adjusted her glasses on her nose. “She is. Allow me to fetch her.” She stepped aside in the doorway and gestured for Janusz to enter. “I shall have Ceci make you tea.”

  She moved gracefully toward a side table where she lifted a small bell and jingled it from side to side. A few heartbeats later, a young dark-haired girl in a similar black and white uniform emerged with a silver tray. Celestia nodded in approval and vanished down one of the many hallways branching from the main room.

  “Goodness, how kind! I’d heard stories about this place, but it’s far more elegant than I could have ever imagined,” Jaqulin remarked. She took a seat in one of the plush chairs around Ceci and the tea set, then lifted the porcelain cup and studied it. “I don’t think there’s anything like this on Ni.”

  “That may be for the best,” Hanna murmured. She wandered toward a series of small paintings along the far wall and traced the frame’s edges with her fingertips. “Manners and elegance aren’t what keep us alive.”

  Ceci hummed as she poured three cups of tea. “Perhaps it is not my place to say, but Mistress Celestia and her teachings give many of us hope.”

  “Is that so?” Janusz asked as he took the seat next to Jaqulin. The craftsmanship in the designs of the small table and all four chairs was impressive. He recognized many of the techniques from his prior life and lamented that he’d never had a chance to pass them on to his children.

  “Yes. She says that if all we do is fight, then we lose ourselves and who we truly are.” Ceci placed a sugar cube in each cup. “Knowing nothing but battle would make us no better than Encroachers and Defiled.”

  A strained word of disagreement sounded from Hanna, and Janusz caught her chewing her lip just as she turned to look at the paintings once more. Her tail flickered behind her in furious ticks.

  Dobry bo?e, woman. You are your daughter’s mother.

  “That’s an interesting view,” Jaqulin said. She carefully lifted her saucer and teacup, then took a sip. “Oh! This is delightful. Hanna, you should come try it!”

  Hanna shook her head and waved her hand in dismissal. Janusz opened his mouth to encourage her to do the same but was interrupted by a high-pitched squeak of excitement. Ceci excused herself from the room.

  “Mother! Father!” Ceres squealed when she entered the room and skipped forward. Celestia clicked her tongue, and Ceres froze, her eyes searching between Hanna and Janusz. “A-ah. Right.” Ceres lifted her silk skirt in both hands and slid one foot behind the other before bowing forward and performing an awkward curtsy. “W-welcome to the Venicia School of Etiquette.”

  “Remember, do not bend your back, Ceres. Only bend at the knees,” Celestia instructed.

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  “Sorry, Madame Celestia.” Ceres straightened her shoulders and realigned her balance before bending at the knees. “Like this?”

  “Good. Much improved.”

  It was odd to see Ceres in the finer silks of Shi Island. While many of Janusz’s daughters treasured their wardrobes, Ceres had torn and ripped her clothing so often that Hanna had purchased a full series of lower-quality dresses from the merchant ships. But, so far as he could tell, this one was finely pressed and still intact.

  Ceres nodded and released her skirt. She looked at Janusz, then at Jaqulin. “Are you Father’s new Party member?”

  “Yes. My name is Jaqulin.”

  Ceres’s sapphire eyes went wide, her ears twitched with excitement, and she bounded forward, tail and skirt fluttering behind her.

  “Ceres!” Celestia snapped.

  Janusz covered his mouth with one hand, hiding the smile that threatened to split his lips. It seemed even the Great Celestia couldn’t get his kitten under control.

  “You’re so pretty!” Ceres remarked. She touched Jaqulin’s knee and pinched the folds of fabric that made up her flowing pants. “I’ve never seen clothes like this before!”

  Jaqulin giggled. “This is my [Combat Mode]. This is called a ‘Hakama,’” she explained, pointing to her pants. “My mother was from San Island.”

  “Ha-ka-ma…” Ceres repeated slowly. Another hiss from Celestia made Ceres snap to attention, and her cheeks burned furiously red. “M-my name is Ceres. It is an honor to meet your aquintsense.”

  “Acquaintance,” Celestia corrected behind her. “You must never impede on a stranger’s personal space, Ceres. We have spoken of this before.”

  “I know.” Ceres squirmed beneath Celestia’s glare. “But just look at her purple hair! And her beautiful armor! And—”

  Celestia clicked her tongue. “No excuses. You—”

  “Perhaps Ceres can give us a tour of the school, Celestia?” Hanna interrupted. Her expression was dark, and her hands were balled into fists.

  “Yes, I believe this would be an excellent teaching opportunity for Ceres—”

  Hanna raised her hand and shook her head. “Alone.”

  Celestia opened her mouth to retort, and Janusz stood. She and Hanna still went together like an ox and a cart. “Let Ceres show us around, Celestia. You’ll still have her at the end of the day.”

  “O-of course, Master Janusz. As you wish.” Celestia bowed again, her twin braids dangling from her shoulders. “Simply ring one of the bells should you require an attendant.” She left the room, and they remained silent until her footsteps could no longer be heard.

  Ceres rushed to Hanna and leaped into her arms. “Mother! I’ve missed you so much!”

  “Goddess above, I’ve missed you, too.” Hanna laughed and held her daughter tight. Janusz couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen her genuinely smile. “Have you been a good girl?”

  “Yes. Only the best!” Ceres leaned back and looked between Hanna and Janusz. “Want to see my room?”

  “Of course, kitten.” Hanna set Ceres down and held out her hand.

  “You too, Lady Jaqulin?” Ceres beamed up at the [Hunter].

  “I would be honored.” Jaqulin smiled and stood.

  “Yay! This way!”

  Ceres led them all down a hallway, pointing to various doorways as they passed. “I learn sewing in there with Mistress Edith, and cooking in there with Mistress Ishna. Oh! And Mistress Catherine teaches us all about Saoirse in there!”

  Hanna was an attentive listener, asking Ceres about her various lessons and schedules. Janusz lagged a few steps behind and Jaqulin with him.

  “Might I ask you a question?” Jaqulin murmured.

  “You just did.”

  She exhaled through her nostrils, then continued. “I’m sure you have many kittens by now. Do you grant them all such quality time?”

  “No.”

  “Then—?”

  “For her.” Janusz gestured to Hanna. “It’s the least I can do for her.”

  “Hm.” Jaqulin’s lips spread into a wry smile. “You’re sweeter than you look.”

  Janusz grunted.

  “Here we are!” Ceres opened a door and hopped inside. Janusz and Jaqulin followed behind Hanna as they entered the small, tidy dorm room. “I share a room with Molly! She’s from Catania. She’s really nice.”

  “You’ve kept it nice and clean,” Hanna remarked. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so organized.”

  “Yes! I’ve worked very hard!” Ceres clapped her hands together. “That means you’ve come to take me home, right?”

  Hanna’s smile faltered and Janusz shook his head. “No, Ceres. This is the best place for you.”

  Ceres puffed her cheeks out and her ears drooped flat against her head. “That’s not true.”

  “It is, sweet,” Hanna murmured, to Janusz’s surprise. She knelt and swept the stray hairs away from Ceres’s eyes. “You’re learning all the things that I could not. And look! Not one hole in your skirts.”

  Ceres lowered her gaze. “I’ve taken really good care of it. And everything else. Really. I promise.” She clasped her hands and her shoulders slumped. “I promise I’ll be good…”

  “I know you will. And I promise that we’ll visit as often as we can.” Hanna touched Ceres’s face and looked at Janusz. “Right?”

  Janusz frowned. Still, Hanna insisted on spoiling this girl. And yet… “Yes. As often as we can.”

  Hanna’s face lit up, and Janusz looked away. “I’ll keep writing to you, too, sweet,” she said to Ceres. “I’m never very far away.”

  Ceres stared at her polished shoes for a long time and then nodded. “Okay.”

  Jaqulin stepped forward and touched Ceres’s shoulder. “Why don’t we all have dinner together at the inn? My treat.”

  “Really?” Ceres brightened, and her ears perked up. “That would be wonderful! Thank you, Lady Jaqulin!” She took Jaqulin’s hand and steered her out of the room. “Are you from San Island, too?”

  “No. I was born on Ni, actually. My mother moved there when—” Her voice faded with Ceres’s as they made their way down the hall.

  Hanna joined Janusz’s side and slid her hand into his. She perched on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, my sweet.”

  He nodded and squeezed her hand. “You’re welcome, kochanie.”

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