With Princess Maya's departure, one of the knights escorting her handed me a small, ornate key.
"It's for the chest in the storage room on the first floor," he explained.
"Thank you," I replied, although I had no idea what storage room he was talking about.
Storage room?
I didn't even know there was one.
I guess I'll look for it later.
As I stood there, Lily walked up behind me, practically bouncing with excitement.
"A real princess! She's so beautiful, brother! Do you think we can be friends?"
I chuckled and turned to her.
"I think you should ask her that instead of me."
Turning back toward Mom and Dad, I said,
"I guess we'll be staying here for a while."
Mom stepped closer, eyeing the key in my hand.
"What's that key for?"
"Not sure," I said, handing it over. "There's supposed to be a storage room on the first floor. You guys can check it out if you want."
She took the key but didn't let the topic shift so easily.
"And what about your eyes... and your veins? They glowed earlier."
I scratched the back of my head.
"It should calm down eventually. I think the mana I absorbed into my body reacted when we got summoned here again."
Although... a bigger question gnawed at me:
How exactly were we summoned this time?
And not just me—my entire family was brought along too.
I doubted it was Lily again like last time, but I needed to find answers soon.
Dad chimed in, pulling me from my thoughts.
"What will you be doing now, Alve?"
"I'm heading to the Central Church," I answered. "Hoping to find something with the help of the Oracle, Lady Saya. I'll be back in a while."
"Very well," Dad nodded. "We'll stay here and explore a little in the meantime. Let's talk more when you get back."
I placed the letter Princess Maya had given me carefully on the table.
There's no rush to read it... but it's definitely something I need to look at soon.
With that, I stepped out of the mansion, feeling the familiar pull of the city's fresh air around me.
I should also stop by and visit Miss Sera while I'm out.
It was time to start searching for some answers.