Parting Swapping With Rin, Chapter 7 (Patreon)

Three days into their two week stint as royalty, Darkness came to Kazuma and Rin with a letter.

“You’re going to want to read this,” she said with a heavy sigh, holding the cheap parchment out.  

Rin looked up from the desk where she’d been hard at work reviewing the palace budget. She took the letter with a grimace. “Which lord is complaining this time? I’ve only been at this a few days and I’m already sick of their games.”

“It’s not that bad,” Darkness said with a sigh. “It’s from, well, ‘Rin.’” 

Kazuma looked over Rin’s shoulder as she read the letter aloud. 

Dear Leonore

Hello, it’s me, your twin! I hope you’re having fun. Don’t ride Pimpernel too hard, she’s a good horse, and I won’t have you lame her. Even if riding is the only remotely interesting thing to do most of the time. You could throw a ball, but frankly, I get tired of all the side-eye and the losers who think I’ll jump into a closet so they can marriage trap me, so I don’t recommend it. 

Anyway, we’re in Arcanretia now. You won’t believe the cutie patootie I just met! She’s one of Aqua’s besties, and she’s taught me SO MUCH about myself. Seriously, you missed out when you didn’t let me have a threesome with you and your boyfriend. Cecily says I’m the best at eating her-

Rin coughed and folded the letter over that part, going bright red. “I don’t think we need to read that part.”

“Well, shit. She met Cecily,” Kazuma groaned, pinching his nose. “Is there any other fantastic news?”

“She’s officially joined the Axis Cult,” Rin sighed, setting the letter to the side. “Is the rest graphic descriptions of her sex life?”

Darkness nodded, flushing bright red. “Um, yes. Not much use, really. Megumin wrote a short letter, but she essentially promised that she and Keith would keep an eye on ‘Rin’ and get her back here on time.” 

“Well that’s a relief. I don’t want to be dealing with this nonsense forever,” Rin groaned, sitting up and cracking her back with a heavy sigh. 

There was a knock at the door, and a moment later, Marie poked her head in, her expression concerned. “Your Highness? Captain Chanticlair has just flown in. He says it’s urgent.”

Rin’s eyes widened, but her look told Kazuma she had no idea who Captain Chanticlair even was. He cleared his throat and said, “For those of us in the room who don’t know who Captain Shanty even is?”

“Captain Chanticlair is the head of the Royal Dragon Preserve! He says it’s about that dragon you requested!” Marie said, urgently beckoning them. 

Kazuma and Rin both started, and Rin hastily got to her feet, picking her skirts up in her hands. “Well, lead the way! What’s happened to Faitfore?!”

They hurried to the formal sitting room, where a tall, thin man in riding leathers with the tabard of a Dragon Knight was waiting. He had salt and pepper hair with a thin waxed mustache, his hair cropped short in a most unfashionable manner that bespoke a man who was more concerned with form than function. Upon seeing Rin, he immediately knelt. “Your Highness. I must beg your forgiveness, for I have failed you.”

“Tell me exactly what’s happened with Faitfore, captain. She is integral to an important treaty,” Rin said, and Kazuma nodded.

The Captain eyed Kauzma and Darkness, his right hand twirling his mustache. “Hmm. Should foreigners be party to this?”

“I trust both Kazuma and Lady Dustiness implicitly. And this matter concerns them as well. You can say whatever you need to in front of them,” Rin told him firmly. 

Chanticlair bowed his head. “Very well. Faitfore was to be transported to the capital today. However, when we went to her cavern early this morning, she was nowhere to be found. Furthermore, my men keep an excellent watch, especially over her cave. They did not see any dragons depart the cavern or the preserve.”

Rin’s brows furrowed. “Surely a dragon cannot simply disappear. Were there any signs of a struggle?” 

“No, Highness. That said…” Chanticlair hesitated, glancing at Kazuma and Darkness again. 

“Speak on, Captain. This is a most urgent matter. We need to find Faitfore immediately, or our opportunity at a favorable treaty with Belzerg may be lost,” Rin urged. 

The captain sighed heavily. “My lady…Faitfore is young, but…there were signs she might have been becoming an Elder Dragon.” 

Kazuma blinked at Rin, who pursed her lips, then glanced at Darkness, who grimaced. “So, you think she’s assumed human form, and slipped out that way?”

Chanticlair started. “I…wasn’t aware that Belzerg was aware of the secret of Elder Dragons…”

“The Dustiness family has fought many chromatic dragons in our time, but we have been allies to the prismatic dragons. In fact, my great-great-great grandmother was the elder prismatic dragon Lalagosa. It’s one reason that we have such great physical strength and endurance,” Darkness said with a small shrug. 

Upon hearing that, both Marie and Chanticlair gasped, and both of them bowed slightly to Darkness. “I am sorry, my Lady. I did not realize you were one of the dragon-blooded.”

“It’s not a great secret. Anyone can learn of it by studying my family's official bloodline,” Darkness said with a blush. “Though I will admit, I wouldn’t force anyone who wasn’t required to take upon the memorization of all the noble bloodlines of Belzerg and the surrounding kingdoms. It is rather dry.”

“I knew that,” Rin calmly lied since Kazuma was pretty damn certain she did not, in fact, know that. But it was a very Leonore thing to say, so he let it pass without comment. “And it’s one reason I intend to offer Faitfore to Dust, that is, Rein, to help seal a new treaty with Belzerg and reaffirm our commitment to defend against the Devil King and his armies.”

Both Marie and the Captain looked horrified at that, while Darkness looked rather relieved. At least until Rin added, “In exchange for certain trade concessions.”

“T-trade concessions?!” Darkness gasped. “But, R-really, your Highness, that wasn’t what-”

“I’ve been reviewing the last bargain my father struck with King Melark. They are most disfavorable to Bryndle, and I intend to alter the deal, in exchange for granting your kingdom use of a full-time Dragon Knight,” Rin sniffed. 

Darkness looked slightly poleaxed, but the Captain was now stroking his mustaches in a rather thoughtful manner. “That is…most intriguing. What of Faitfore’s progeny?”

“Obviously, they will have to be returned to Bryndle for training, but they will be free to choose their own riders, as is traditional,” Rin huffed. Darkness turned bright red and looked on the verge of an outburst until Rin added, “But, members of the Dustiness line will, of course, be allowed to stand as potential rider candidates for the hatchlings to choose from. We’ll hammer out the details later.”

“That is…surprisingly cunning and well thought out,” the Captain mused, looking rather pleased. Marie’s jaw was actually hanging open, her eyes bugging out slightly. 

Rin rounded on the captain, her eyes flashing in fury. “And, Captain, do you not think that I am not allowed the occasional good idea when it comes to policy?”

“Well, er, no, I didn’t mean to imply-” Chanticlair stuttered, but Rin raised a hand. 

“It’s fine. Sir Kazuma suggested several of the details to me. I’m going to be proposing it to the Royal Counsel once we have Faitfore in hand. Now. How do we go about finding her?” Rin demanded. 

“Well,” Chanticlaire said slowly, stroking his mustaches again. “If I were a betting man, there are two places I suspect she’d go. The first is the former Cheruka estate. The second is to make for the capital itself if she is aware of where Sir Cheruka is.”

“I take it you have already dispatched searchers to the Cheruka estates?” Rin asked, and Captain Chenticlaire nodded. “Good. Lady Dustiness, where is your fiance at this particular moment in time?”

“Last I checked, in our quarters, though he had mentioned going out on the town for some fresh air,” Darkness said. 

“Very well. Sir Chanticlaire, I believe the best thing to do would be to let Rein wander about on his own for a bit. The man is an oaf and a fool, but he’s nearly as blessed by Eris herself as Kazuma is. Kazuma? You will go looking for Faitfore as well. Marie, you will help me finish reviewing the palace budget. We’re seriously overspending on luxuries and beauty routines. A certain amount of ostentation is reasonable and expected, but this is too much!  It’s a tremendous waste of my time and the people’s taxes to engage in so much frippery!” 

“Er, yes, your Highness,” Marie agreed, and followed Rin back to the bedroom to go over the ever-dry budgets and schedules. 

Kazuma changed from his fancy-pants clothes into his plain old adventurer’s garb and headed out into the capital of Bryndle. It was rather different from the Belzergian Capital, probably because there weren’t as many isekais corrupting the local culture. The dress was slightly different, and the buildings very much so, while the roads were multicolored cobbles instead of a uniform pavement. 

Kazuma was about a block from the palace when he realized he had no earthly idea what Faitfore even looked like. She was apparently a giant dragon that could turn into a human. He immediately pictured a sexy, curvaceous woman with pointed ears, horns, and a tail, like Tohru from Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid. If that were the case, Dust was going to be a lucky man with his own harem, and Kazuma was going to have to seethe with jealousy. 

With a shrug, Kazuma decided to do what he usually did in these situations: trust in sheer, dumb luck. It had worked for him so far. So, he wandered blindly, picking his direction at random and playing tourist. After several hours, his stomach started to grumble, so he found a street food stall. They were selling flat bread, slathered in melted goat's cheese and covered with tomatoes, corn, and garlic sauce. He was so hungry he bought two, happily munching on one piece as he wandered away. 

Just as he was about to take a second bite, when he noticed someone staring at him from an alleyway. It was a young girl, perhaps 10 years old, with pale white hair, yellow eyes, and a raggedy dress. She was thin and filthy looking, a street urchin if he’d ever seen one. Her eyes were locked on Kazuma and his snack, and a bit of drool was leaking out of her mouth as she pressed both of her hands to her obviously empty belly. 

Sighing, Kazuma wandered over and crouched in front of the girl, as she was sitting with her arms wrapped around her legs. “Hey. Want some?”

“Hungry,” the girl said, extending a hand. Kazuma gave her one of his flatbread pseudo-pizzas, and the girl grabbed it and proceeded to shove it into her mouth with both hands, devouring it with no concern for manners. She then licked her lands clean, despite them having been filthy earlier, and Kazuma grimaced. 

“Hey, you’re making a mess,” he said, pulling out a handkerchief and wiping her mouth. “What are you doing in this alley all alone, anyway? You got any parents?”

“I am looking for my master,” the girl said, her tone rather cool and emotionless. “He is near. I can smell him.”

“Oh really?” Kazuma said, making a face. “And who’s the loli-bait lover?”

The girl cocked her head to one side. “What is loli-bait? Can you eat it?”

“Never mind. I suppose you’re still hungry?” Kazuma asked, and the girl nodded. He held up the other half of his flatbread. “Tell me your name first.” 

“Faitfore,” the dragon-girl said. 

Kazuma sighed. It seemed she was a Kanna type instead of a Tohru. Kazuma was going to have to kill Dust if he had any lewd designs on this child. Or just tell Darkness. She’d probably take care of the matter for him, no problem. “Well, let’s go look for your ‘master.’ Dust is probably drunk in a tavern somewhere.”

“No Dust. Rein,” Faitfore insisted as Kazuma cleaned the mess of her gorging herself off of her face. 

“Sure. Just, uh, do me a favor. Don’t call him master. That sounds perverted, and he gets himself in enough trouble,” Kazuma told Faitfore. He extended his hand to her, and she eyed it for a moment, before slipping her small hand into his. 

“But he is my master,” Faitfore said as they headed off down the street. Kazuma winced. 

“Yeah, just call him Dust. Or Rein, if you have to. And call me onii-chan,” Kazuma insisted. 

Faitfore gave him a quizzical look, and Kazuma added, “If you do, I’ll buy you more food.” 

“Onii-chan,” Faitfore said dutifully.

Kazuma decided he would die before he let anyone hurt this precious child. He bought Faitfore two more flatbreads, a kebab, and three honey cakes. She eagerly ate it all, then nodded to him. “Thank you, onii-chan.”

They didn’t find Rein on the way back to the palace, but the guards did stop Kazuma, running up and leveling their halberds at him as he approached. “Sir! Unhand that dragon!” 

Before Kazuma could respond, Faitfore stepped in front of him, spreading her arms wide. “Do not threaten onii-chan!” 

Such an adorable little sister!

He patted Faitfore on the head, smiling down at her. “Relax, let your big brother handle this. Look, guys. I’m taking her to the Princess. It’s me: Kazuma Sato, her personal adviser?  I’m handling a very delicate matter here. Keep it quiet: the princess wants to see Faitfore personally.”

“No! No princess! I want my master!” Faitfore huffed, turning around and ignoring the weapons pointed at her to pout at Kazuma. 

“We can escort you to the princess,” one of the guards said, raising his weapon. The others copied him, and Kazuma grinned. “By all means! Escort me and my lil sis to the princess!” 

Faitfore’s brow knit, and she frowned as they started off towards Leonore’s chambers. “But, you are not my elder brother. You are a human. I am a dragon.”

“Dust is like a brother to me. And thus, I’m basically your big brother, since he’s like, your dad or something,” Kazuma said to Faitfore.

She considered this. “Do elder brothers give their little sisters snacks?”

“It’s their duty,” Kazuma told her seriously.

“I see, Elder Brother Onii-Chan.”

Tears filled Kazuma’s eyes. Truly, he had made it in this world.

They found Rin hard at work amidst a pile of documents. “Hey, honey, I’m home! And guess what I found!” 

The guards looked scandalized until Rin looked up and grinned when she saw Kazuma. “I knew your luck would win out! Excellent, and- oh my gods, she’s darling! Kazuma, is that really Dust’s dragon!?”

“I am Faitfore. Where is my master?” the dragon said seriously, looking absolutely adorable as she did so. 

“Sweetie…that’s problematic. Why don’t you call him Dust like everyone else,” Rin said, crouching in front of Faitfore so they were on eye level. The girl nodded seriously, and Rin turned to Marie. “Draw a bath for her! And send for the royal tailors! I’m paying them enough, and they are definitely making some cute dresses for Faitfore!” 

“Y-your majesty! She’s an elder dragon! Is that really appropriate?!” Marie asked, more than half scandalized. 

“You can’t tell me she wouldn’t be just precious in a sundress. With a little hat too!” Rin said, grinning impishly. 

“Well, um, I…” Marie flushed and cleared her throat. “...I’ll send for the royal tailor immediately.”

Kazuma was shooed outside, with the now apologetic guards. 

“Sorry, sir. Can’t be too careful with security,” the lead guard said. 

“Don’t worry about it. You did your job, no hard feelings. Keeping that woman safe is more important to me than anything in the world,” Kazuma told him, clapping the man on the shoulder. “Now, back to your post. Oh, and don’t tell Dust or Lady Dustiness we found Faitfore when they come back. I want this to be a surprise.”

After about an hour, Darkness and Dust reappeared, looking out of breath. Dust ran up to Kazuma, grabbing his coat. “We can’t find her anywhere, Kazuma! Please, you have to tell R-Leonore to send out a search party!? What if Faitfore is lost, or hurt!? Someone has to find her! She’s only a young dragon!” 

“Relax. We’re working on it. Why don’t you come in and have some tea?” Kazuma told him. 

“Kazuma, now is hardly the time for tea!” Darkness protested, looking distraught. “Dust is quite concerned about Faitfore, as he should be! Dragons are not mere beasts, and she was closer to being his family than his mount!” 

“Duly noted. One sec,” Kazuma rapped on Rin’s door and called, “Hey, are you ready for us? Dust and Darkness just showed up.”

Tiana poked her head out, then grinned when she spied them. “They’re in the garden! The tailor’s just left. Come in!”

“Taylor’s here?” Dust asked in confusion, but Kazuma shoved him inside. 

They found Rin sitting with Marie and Faitfore at a small table, with high tea set out. Maids were cooing over Faitfore, who was now dressed in a frilly mint-colored dress, with a wide hat on her head and a pair of daffodils in the band. She was absolutely adorable, with her cool kuudere looks and a bit of strawberry jam on her cheeks from the scones. 

Upon seeing Dust, Faitfore lept from her seat, putting one hand to the hat on her head as she dashed over, crying, “Master!” 

Tears filled Dust’s eyes, and he croaked out, “Faitfore?” as he knelt, scooping her up in his arms and hugging her tightly. 

“Master!” Faitfore said the first real emotion in her voice Kazuma had heard as she closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around Dust’s neck. “I have found you.”

“I…I’m sorry, Faitfore. Sorry I left you alone. I promise to never leave you again,” Dust said hoarsely, his eyes squeezed shut as he hugged her tightly. 

Darkness knelt beside them, her own eyes damp as she smiled. “Dust, I did not realize…she’s so young! She’s practically your daughter.”

“No, he is my master,” Faitfore corrected. 

Darkness winced. “Ah, Dust…”

“What?” he asked, frowning. “Don’t you like her?”

“Yes, but, ah…maybe she should call you something else…like… elder brother?”

“Kazuma is Elder Brother Onii-Chan,” Faitfore said seriously.

Everyone in the room turned looks of disgust and/or death glares on Kazuma. “What? What?!”

“Uh, maybe just call me papa,” Dust told Faitifore. 

She considered that, then nodded. “Papa! Do you like my dress? The princess says I am cute.”

“You’re the cutest dragon in the world,” Dust said, kissing Faitfore on the forehead. She smiled happily at the gesture, and separated from him so she could twirl about in her dress to show it off to everyone. 

“Can I have more dresses, papa, princess? I like them,” Faitfore said seriously. 

“You can have as many dresses as you want, darling,” Dust promised. He pointed to Darkness. “This, um, this is Darkness. She’ll be your new mama.” 

“H-hello,” Darkness said, crouching down in front of Faitfore and smiling at her shyly. “I, ah…I intend to wed your father, Dust. You…you don’t mind, do you?”

Faitfore considered that. “Will you give me dresses and snacks if you are my mama?”

“Of course! And we’ll battle lots of strong monsters together,” Darkness promised. 

That produced a grin with far too many sharp teeth for such an adorable little girl. “Mama! I hope papa gives you lots of eggs.”

“I…I do too,” Darkness agreed, and gave Faitfore a hug, which she returned happily enough. 

“Man, she’s cute as a button. But what are the other dragons and riders going to say when they find out I’m letting mine dress up?” Dust muttered to Kazuma.

“Screw ‘em. You’re moving to Belzerg. She can wear as many dresses as you want, no matter what the other dragons say,” Kazuma said with a shrug. 

“Yeah! Screw ‘em!” Dust agreed, and beamed at Faitfore as she devoured another dozen scones, Darkness matching her bite for a bite to the awe of all the surrounding servants. Rin wasn’t doing half bad for herself either, though, despite her best efforts, she could only manage four. 

“Dust, why don’t you and Kazuma take Faitfore for a walk,” Rin said, turning to Darkness. “Lady Dustiness and I have a treaty to sign. Marie, send for Minister Damien and have him bring the draft I’ve been working on.”

“Your Highness, I don’t really know if-” Darkness began.

“You have been charged as a royal envoy, yes? And if you are to leave with your adorable new daughter…well. Certain trade concessions will be required,” Rin said with a wicked grin. 

Kazuma and Dust departed with Faitfore for a walk of the castle grounds, Faitfore eagerly running ahead of them and telling everyone that she was “adorable.” Nearly everyone couldn’t resist giving her a pat on the head, and several of them even gave Faitfore some sweets, saying she was “darling.”

Captain Chanticlair was less than impressed, turning to Dust and shaking his head when he encountered them. “Dressing your dragon up like some sort of doll? The very idea. She is a noble fighting beast, not a pampered pet.”

“Papa says I’m his and mama’s daughter now,” Faitfore piped up. “And I can have all the dresses I want!” 

“You’ll spoil her rotten,” Chanticlair sighed. “It seems the Belzergian madness has infected you. Well, at least we won’t be losing a proper fighting dragon.”

“Hey! Faitfore can still fight!” Dust protested. 

“Not dressed like that,” Chanticlaire said dryly. “Good day to you.”

Faitfore examined her dress as he strode away, then looked up at Dust, frowning. “Can I not be adorable and fight with you, papa?”

“Of course you can. I’ll make sure to put ribbons on your horns whenever we fight,” Dust promised. 

“Yes. Then I can be adorable and fight monsters,” Faitfore agreed. 

As they toured, Kazuma noted that all the dragons were eyeing Faitfore, and felt bad for the girl. He resolved to kick the ass of any dragon that bullied her. Or at least have Darkness do it for him. 

The other knights certainly looked at Dust with disgust, but considering his general reputation before, that wasn’t much of a change, even as they whispered about him “playing dress up with his dragon.”

Faitfore spent the night in Darkness and Dust’s quarters, after showing off an adorable nightie that came with a little dragon hoodie made by the royal tailor, who was perhaps the most enthusiastic convert to what he was calling “Dragon High Fashion.” 

The next morning, after breakfast, Rin sat to hear petitions once more. Kazuma took a peek outside, seeing the usual line of nobles, merchants, and a few commoners in line. He was just about to report back when a stunning woman with long silver hair, amber eyes, dressed in a burlap sack that very nearly broke the bounds of modesty strode up, cutting in front of the line. The guards very nearly tried to block her, but she snarled at them, “Out of my way! I, Hoyin, Imperial Matriarch of the High Dragons, DEMAND to see the Princess!” 

The guards looked uncertain, but Kazuma drew Chunchumaru. “If you mean any harm to the princess, I cannot let you pass.” 

Hoyin snorted as the petitioners cringed away from her, folding her arms over her chest, emphasizing her very feminine figure. “I would like to see you stop me, human. But do not fear. I am not here to harm the princess. I am here to petition her, not harm her.”

“Very well,” Kazuma said. He turned to the line. “Any objections if she cuts to the head?”

After hasty assurances from even the snootier nobles that they did not mind if Hoyin preceded them, Kazuma led her inside. 

Hoyin immediately strode to the center of the audience chamber, even as Rin sat up in surprise on her throne. Dropping to one knee, Hoyin bowed her head. “Your Highness, I am Hoyin, Imperial Matriarch of the High Dragons. I have come with a petition!” 

“If this is about Faitfore, she has chosen to accompany Dust, and I have reached an agreement with Belzerg that will allow her to do so. I will not keep her from being with her chosen family,” Rin said firmly. 

Hoyin looked up, scowling fiercely. “As is good and proper! But this IS about Faitfore. Why does she get to wear adorable dresses, when the rest of us do not!? As Matriarch, I demand that I be provided with cute outfits to show off to my master!” 

There were gasps of shock and buzzes of conversation. While Rin was still formulating her reply, there were the sounds of boots and spurs ringing off the stones, and a moment later, Captain Chanticlair appeared, red faced and out of breath. “Hoyin!? What are you doing, petitioning her Highness! This should go through me!”

“You said you didn’t like cute outfits,” Hoyin sniffed. “So I am bypassing you, master. If you will not give me an adorable dress and a lovely hat like Faitfore has, then I will go straight to the source!”

Chanticlaire’s jaw dropped, and he turned to Rin, looking rather abashed. 

“Oh please, captain. Do explain to your dragon why she isn’t allowed to have a dress like Faitfore. Faitfore, honey? Why don’t you come over here and show everyone how cute your dress is.”

Faitfore, who had been off to the side with Dust, scurried over. This time, she was wearing a yellow sun dress, along with a tan cloche hat with a yellow ribbon on it. She happily spun about, showing off her style to everyone present. 

Hoyin gasped and clasped her hands together. “So cute!” Then she rounded on Captain Chanticlair, drawing herself up and bellowing, “I DEMAND CUTE DRESSES LIKE THAT! AND SHOES! I WANT CUTE SHOES TO MATCH MY DRESSES!” 

“I, er, well, I um…” Chanticlaire gulped, then turned and bowed to Rin. “...I will address this matter personally. I will ensure that Hoyin has all the clothes she wants, from my own personal funds.”

“Tell me, Chanticlaire, do dragons draw a salary?” Rin asked in amusement. 

The captain blushed. “Er, no, your highness. Not as such…”

“Well, as it happens, thanks to certain budget cuts and a new and very favorable trade treaty with Belzerg, there is currently a surplus in the royal budget. As such, from this day forward, all dragons who are in our service shall be paid a stipend for living expenses, such as clothing, treats, and other items. And Sir Kazuma has proposed plans to open a royal hotsprings spa and resort. All dragons will be granted a yearly three day stay at the spa, to be paid from the royal budget.”

“Hot springs?” Hoyin asked, frowning slightly. “To bathe in? But I already bathe in volcanic springs.”

“Not with beauty treatments, hot drinks, and cute dresses to relax in,” Rin told her. “It’s the least we can do for the dragons who defend our country.”

Hoyin brightened at that. “I accept! I will let all the other dragons know they may also have cute clothes! Parinthrax was saying he wanted a hat and a nice suit!”

With that, Hoyin happily strode off, an embarrassed Chanticlair following after her. 

By the end of the week, High Dragons in High Fashion could be seen strutting about the palace, resplendent in evening gowns, fancy suits and trousers, and sporting the most magnificent of headwear. It quickly became something of a rivalry amongst the Dragon Rider Corps to see who could outfit their dragons most splendidly, and the tailors of the city experienced a huge boom in business. Of course, they had to pay a new tax on all high fashion items that Kazuma had quickly proposed and Rin had run through. There would have been more grumbling, but all the clothiers and haberdashers were making so much money they were too busy to whine. 

Faitfore turned out to be the trendsetter of high fashion, with the royal tailor providing her with multiple new outfits daily, much to her delight. Darkness was so pleased with her cute new daughter that she almost forgot that she’d signed a less than favorable treaty in her capacity as Royal Envoy, and was waiting to hear back from Iris to have it ratified. 

It was in that semi-carnival air that Rin and Kazuma were rudely interrupted one evening. Fortunately, they were only half naked at that point, but the door still burst open right as Kazuma was kissing Rin on her nipple. 

“Your highness!” Minister Damien cried, rushing into the room. 

Rin screamed, covering herself, while Kazuma swore and would have killed Damien if he hadn’t been so busy trying to pull up his pants.

“Damien! Why on Earth are you bursting into my private chambers!?” Rin demanded.

Damien shook his head. “I’m supposed to have known you since you were in swaddling, your Highness. Look. We’ve just received this.”

Reluctantly, Rin took a letter from Damien. The seal was broken, but he recognized the golden falcon of Elroad. 

Rin began to read and soon forgot about her nudity. She looked up, having gone pale. “This…this is a ransom demand! They’re threatening to execute the king and the princes if we don’t pay them one hundred billion eris!” 

Damien nodded grimly. “Yes, Your Highness. The King and the Princes incurred a great debt, and somehow insulted the Sultan of Elroad. Minister Ragecraft sent this demand, stating that if the sum was not paid in a fortnight, he would execute one of your brothers each week, starting with the youngest and working his way up to your father.”

Rin snarled, her bushy tail standing on end. “This insult will not stand! Summon Captain Chanticlair and the Dragon Knights!”

“Kazuma! Rin! I, oh!” Darkness and Dust skidded to a halt, Faitfore hot on their heels. Both of them immediately covered up Faitfore’s eyes, much to her confusion.

“Mama, papa, what’s wrong?” 

“Nothing, sweetie,” Darkness soothed, before looking up. “Your Highness, the King of Bryndle is in grave danger! We’ve just received word from Princess Iris that a general of the Devil King is known to be active in Elroad!”

“Oh really,” Rin said, her eyes narrowing. She shrugged on her nightgown, then turned to Damien. “ I’ll meet the Knights in the formal council chamber in half an hour.”

“Yes, your Highness,” Damien said with a hasty bow, and ran off as fast as his pudgy legs could carry him. 

“What do we do?! Leonore isn’t due back from Arcanretia for three days!” Dust cried, half panicked. 

“I’ll tell you what we do. We fix this mess,” Rin said. “I’m not letting all my hard work keeping the kingdom in good order for her go to waste! We rescue the King, and we stomp out this General. Do you know who it is?”

“. Not by name, and Iris learned from the Fortune Teller of the Crimson Demon Clan that the infiltrator is a shapeshifter, so they could be impersonating anyone” Darkness reported.  

“Great,” Rin muttered. She turned around. “Help me get dressed, Kazuma! And not one of those frilly things. Get me something suitable for war!”

Kazuma swallowed and shared a look with Darkness, who nodded firmly. 

“Right. I’ve got your back, Rin.”

It looked like their playing at being royalty had just turned deadly serious.