Chapter EightyThe sun temple guard’s oat gruel was passable with a handful of nuts and dried fruit. As pampered as the Dragonfly Inn’s table was, Harmony had eaten worse. Rose poked hers with her spoon while her uncle ughed with his eyes. Adric ate his gruel with vigor, but he’s always had a good appetite. The food probably brought back memories of happy times banished here where the weight of dealing with his more venomous family members was lifted.

  Len and Tyler came to the meal changed. While they scrubbed off the waste from evolution, they still had that hint of vanil around them. But even without it, the changes were notable. Tyler grew an inch, and while he’d not slimmed down, now his body was wide but repced with denser muscle and a rger frame. If Adric wasn’t around he might even be considered the most handsome man here. There was also an undertone of red to his hair that had been cking before. Len’s robes hid any physical changes but his eye color changed to a pale purple.

  The guards passed off congratutions to the pair as well as pats on the back.

  Harmony used her newly improved sight to check Tyler’s status. Evolution had affected the bond, rather than fixed in his system at multiple yers, it now swayed in and out of them. The bond was still merged throughout, but now with movement, not to say it was unmoored the connections were more estic. The spark near his ears revealed there was still some communication going on.

  Tyler cleared his throat. “Harmony, thank you for the advice earlier. It was appreciated.” He started to lean in a little close but managed to catch himself and hop back some.

  Len gave Tyler the exact same advice she had and had a book to back it up. He didn't need to single her out. “Happy to be there for you. I have the feeling we’ll all be relying on each other during the Ascendant Games.” Harmony responded politically.

  Thorne pulled Tyler away, clearly interested in a discussion about his new css and profession.

  Len leaned in, “After some thought, I followed your professional advice, Lady White.” Then slipped off after Tyler knowing Thorne would have questions for him too.

  Great, if conspiracy theorist turns into a dead end, then she’ll get bmed. This is why she didn’t ask them for advice on her skill selection. Though the way Len walked with a new confidence seemed a step in the right direction.

  Harmony refilled her bowl. That lingering hunger. If this is what [Cim] caused she’ll be gaining weight. The extra bites of food did help. Rose was still poking hers having not managed to take a bite. Harmony drifted that way. “Looks like it is just you and me left to evolve, princess.”

  “And now I have an undead servant that could be changing my path.” She said with a little bit of bitterness.

  “Both Tyler and Len have managed their evolution with such bonds without issues. I’d be more worried about why people wanted to stop it.”

  “And you think I know!? Uncle Bennji grilled me on it. Adric welcomed me to his little club. I never wanted this.”

  Harmony understood. [Poise and Bearing] kept her face calm. Did people think she’d asked or wanted to become Lady White? And the feelings? There were multiple nights of trying to keep herself together. There was one thing she’d received that helped. Hargreaves didn’t seem like the type to do it.

  Harmony stepped forward and embraced Princess Rosaline in a hug. The way Adric and Ambrosia had done many times. The princess stiffened in surprise. Soon she’ll rex into it and let go, Harmony reflected. The shove that sent Harmony to the ground was so unexpected, that she fell butt-first into the dirt. All the mealtime conversation ended to stare.

  “Rose!” Adric yelled.

  The princess was vibrating in rage. Hargreaves appeared by her side. “Do you wish me to take care of this one?” The undead servant asked coldly.

  Having seen what Hargreaves could do, Harmony abandoned her shock and rejected feelings. Chronostasis slid into action. Necromantic senses poked out. She also evaluated the servant as both a dy and a maid. Damn, the spirit was powerful, maybe even too powerful for the games? What tier was he?

  That didn’t matter as Harmony analyzed the threat. The weak point would be to sever his bond on the side it was attached to Rosaline. Attacking Hargreaves directly would take effort and shouldn’t be done directly. There was a sturdiness that put some of the floor guardians she’d faced to shame. The first step was to get up off of her ass. [Style and Grace] with [Poise and Bearing] would allow her to rise gracefully at least.

  Would Rose order Hargreaves to attack? This wasn’t a fight she could do now. The hunger from [Cim], cold detachment of [Cold Touch], and action of [High Kick] urged her to strike first. That malicious authority fanned those skills' erratic overreactions. Not this again!

  Upon standing, Harmony bowed low. Perception returned to normal. “Apologies for my presumptiveness Princess Rosaline. I was out of pce and hope you can forgive me. I only meant to be of service to you.”

  It was the right thing to do. But with it, she felt some of her authority be gifted to the princess. This wasn’t the sharing of a burden she had with Max or Hyacinth. It was different, while it lessened the pressure some, she could feel the destabilizing of how it was contained. No, giving away authority this way would not make her feel better, it only made things worse. She was gd she didn't try this earlier to help. Authority naturally didn't want to be given away.

  “Everything is fine, Hargreaves. Lady White is a valuable ally. I was merely overcome.” Rose turned away. Adric moved to intercept his sister as she moved away.

  [Dust] peeled off the dirt the fall had collected. Rose can be Adric’s problem now. She’d tried. Part of her still wanted to kick the princess’s ass. With [Recall], she made a mental note to do that if a safe opportunity presented itself. An entirely inappropriate use of that skill, but it felt good to do something when actual action wouldn’t help.

  Harmony approached Uncle Benji. “Rose is going through a tough time right now.” He started.

  Harmony waived that off. “Hyacinth is hungry. I was wondering if I could go hunting with him this evening and get some fresh air myself if you feel like it is safe enough?” Hyacinth was always hungry, but this time she had something else to feed.

  Ben shifted uncomfortably. It was soon after the attack and stress was high in the camp. “If you stay within eyesight of the fort and don’t cross the spirit wall you should be fine. But, Lady White, if you’re asking if I think that is the wisest…”

  “Thank you, Benji. I’ll be sure to py it safe.”

  There was no safety. But if she could complete [Cim the Remains of Power] then maybe she would settle down some. It would be best if it could be leveled so that filling the st skill stone slot would be easier. That would help stability too. Harmony marched off towards her familiar. He wouldn’t reject her hugs.