Saving the school would have been easier as a cafeteria worker

"This is an interesting cuisine," Alice said with a fragile smile.

Her politeness was being stretched to its limit, and Cal kept anticipating the girl would snap. To his surprise, she held fast. Thankfully, there was someone else in attendance whom he could count on.

"Yeahhhhh…" Lily said, drawing out her words.

Cal waited, literally at the edge of his seat, for her to offer some form of criticism. He was left disappointed when the girl, with great reluctance, lifted a spoon to her mouth.

The way her face turned rigid after swallowing was entertaining—up until he remembered they were still in the same boat.

His hand fiddled with the spoon. He'd been holding his ground, but maybe it wasn't as bad as it looked? Cal resolved to give it the benefit of the doubt and gathered a spoonful of mystery goop.

With his eyes shut, he placed it in his mouth. Its texture was predominantly slimy, interspersed with hard pieces that felt like bone. The taste was an amalgamation of things that ended up offensively fishy. He didn't mind seafood, but he also wouldn't label this food.

"Emily, this is the worst stew I've ever had," Cal bluntly stated after forcing it down.

The room descended into silence. All eyes turned to him, conveying separately relief, indifference, and confusion.

"You did all the cooking, didn't you?" Lily asked, dropping her utensil. He nodded, and she sagged into her chair. "Thank the ancestors. I thought I was going to have to eat that entire thing."

Emily's confusion faded, and with it, her congenial smile. A stern expression more reminiscent of Olivia washed over her.

"A full serving provides your daily nutritional needs while being rich in flavor," she said defensively.

Her attention shifted to Alice, who was holding a napkin to her face in a vain attempt to conceal her grimace.

"Perhaps my taste is not suited to it," the redhead said diplomatically, setting aside her silverware.

Olivia turned to the last member of the table, who was close to finishing. Mia kept eating as if none of this was of concern to her. It took several seconds of silence and all eyes on her before she deemed a response warranted.

"Acceptable," she spoke a blatant lie. "Similar to yesterday."

Cal would have reacted strongly if he hadn't keyed into a critical fact.

Mia was broken.

Her taste buds were irreparably damaged, and she brought shame to their club. It made Cal tempted to look into how he would go about impeaching her.

"Benny would be heartbroken if he could see you now," Cal deadpanned, watching as she uncaringly downed another spoonful.

Emily's gaze turned sharper, and she eyed him with a healthy dose of suspicion.

"That wouldn't be Benjamin Lanius, would it?"

Having never been told Benny's last name, Cal had plausible deniability. However, this wasn't the time or audience to play dumb with.

"Is that a problem?" he questioned, wondering if she had slipped up. It wasn't normal for a commoner to know the name of a random student.

Emily's pleasant smile returned, and she held her serving tray against her chest.

"He's quite the talk among the other staff members. He's considered an inspiration to many."

Was she interacting with other staff members? That was… probably something he should have been doing.

"Also a nightmare," Lily said carelessly, poking at the stew with her spoon. In spite of her words, there was a lack of negativity in her voice. "Depending on who you ask."

Cal imagined there would be no shortage of people who would say the same about her.

Lily's eyes gained a disturbing glint, and his wariness rose.

"So you knew Cal since he was little, right?"

Having been through this once before, Cal was not keen on sitting through it a second time. His mind raced as he thought through the best distraction he could throw out.

"Did you hear a Hand was coming to town?"

Olivia's eyes widened imperceptibly, and he could tell she was doing her best to avoid an overreaction.

Was it the best venue to share that piece of sensitive information? No.

Did it work? Yes.

She also couldn't complain, because it was just him promptly informing her of pertinent information. No ulterior motives at play.

"I don't believe it's been officially stated yet," Alice said contemplatively. "The headmaster alerted us to her visit but withheld any timetable."

Her eyes flicked to Mia, who tilted her head in response.

"The drunk owes me a good word," Lily added, cracking her knuckles eagerly. "I'd be working under her if I make it, so I want to make a good impression."

The words "good impression" worried him more than they should.

"Are you planning on jumping her?" he asked, drawing what he felt were justifiable conclusions.

Lily's eyebrow arched, and she looked him up and down before crossing her arms in a judgmental manner.

"Why? Jealous I'd be stealing one of your moves?" she said with a teasing tilt to her voice. "If you're that desperate for trouble, we can take her together."

Attacking public figures was not one of his moves. He just happened to have done it a handful of times.

"No need to stop there," he retorted, matching her tone. "Might as well make it an open invitation and see how many students we could get to join. Make it a real dogpile."

Or a mass funeral. Definitely one of those.

"We could assemble the entirety of the student body, and it would still be for naught," Alice said, attempting to kill their fun. "We'd have a better chance if it were only the top ten. Anyone else would be a liability."

Shame on him for being too quick to judge her.

"Rolland might be able to hurt her," Cal said, rubbing his chin in thought. "He had some good moves."

Lily scoffed derisively, stealing a glance toward Mia before continuing.

"I could do it," Lily said earnestly, earning a series of deadpanned expressions. "Oh, come on. If Rolland can, so can I. Provided, you know…"

"She was standing perfectly still," Cal finished for her. "And did nothing to stop you?"

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

A sheepish expression washed over her, and she laughed awkwardly.

"Maybe if we asked her nicely, she'd let us," Lily pondered seriously before shaking her head. "Ah, who am I kidding? A Hand wouldn't lower themselves that much."

That was true. Even if the woman herself had no issue with it, it was a matter of image. Hands were symbols of the Empire, and they wouldn't be allowed to show weakness.

Silly, really, but that was how things worked.

"Okay," Mia said rather suddenly. "I can ask."

Cal had nothing to say about that. He could not say the same for everyone around the table.

"Oooh," Lily sounded out, standing up with her hand held flat against the table. "I might be starting to like you." Her head swiveled from Mia to Alice. "We can forget the rest of those losers. The two of us can hit her with all we have, and then, when she inevitably tries to retaliate, we throw Cal at her."

"My brother is not a projectile," Alice said good-naturedly, rolling her eyes at the girl.

"Or a Hand's punching bag for your amusement," Cal tacked on, agreeing in spirit with his fake sister.

Lily gasped, holding a hand against her chest in mock outrage.

"Who said anything about letting her beat on him? He might have a chance with how slippery he is."

Cal laughed at the absurdity of it. Even if the Right took a solid hit or two, her augmentation would still be a step above his. He barely surpassed William, and the Finger had been rather annoying to deal with.

"To be clear," Cal said, addressing the taciturn girl. "Lily is kidding. We're not picking a fight with a Hand."

For the good of public safety, Lily should be kept away from Mia. Sadly, that not only fell outside his job's scope, but he also wouldn't be volunteering.

"It's not a fight," Lily agreed too easily. "It's a showcase."

Alice shook her head in exasperation, evidently no longer on board.

"Ah, yes. A great showcase where one side doesn't defend themselves," the girl said sarcastically. "That's certain to win her over. I'm in awe of your foresight."

She clapped slowly for Lily, who took a bow.

"My thanks to the Lady," the blonde said without a trace of irony.

He was tempted to fling a spoonful of goop at her, but the situation didn't warrant biological warfare.

"Permission to toss her out the window?" Cal asked Alice, pushing out his chair in preparation.

Alice's fingers drummed against the table, and she put on a stern face as she pretended to mull over her verdict.

Outrage clouded Lily's face until it morphed into what could only be described as a shit-eating grin. She zipped from her spot, reappearing behind Mia's chair. Her hands rested on the chair's back as she dipped down to be eye level with the girl.

"You wouldn't mind if I used you as a shield against the brute, would you?"

Mia didn't startle at Lily's proximity, tapping her chin in thought. Before she could make a decision, Alice interjected.

"Please don't stoop to his level," she said, eying him.

Foolishly, he'd thought his flank was secure. He should have accounted for traitorous sisters.

"Wait a second," he said, holding a hand up. "Why is this suddenly on me?"

If he had his phone, he would have taken a picture of the flat look she sent him. It was one for the record books.

His eyes strayed to the bowl in front of him. Despite being largely untouched, he felt satiated. Holding onto the sensation, he glanced around the room, stopping at someone he'd forgotten about.

Slunk into a corner, Olivia's steady gaze hovered over him. There was a subtle intensity to it that unnerved him.

Was she still upset about her stew?

Olivia had requested, nay demanded, a meeting. He hadn't denied her, but did make it clear she'd have to wait until the next day. What he failed to tell her was that it would only be after his morning with Benny.

Was it wrong to prioritize ingredient acquisition over a meeting with his handler? Cal would say no, but he harbored no illusions of Olivia agreeing with him. That stew had shown she didn't know the first thing about cooking.

At the reminder, Cal's stomach felt queasy, which was an impressive feat given his constitution. It made him wonder if Olivia had been trained in poisons, which, given her occupation, was a solid maybe.

"Are you feeling ill?" Benny asked, inclining his head toward them while they walked.

They were nearing the grocer, already being in the same neighborhood. Their uniforms had been shed, but it seemed like an unneeded precaution with how empty the streets were.

"It's all in my head," Cal said, tapping his noggin. "I'll be fine, though."

Benny had been rather reserved so far. There was something being left unsaid, but Cal couldn't figure out what. The best he could guess was some unresolved tension related tocheap, the outcome of their trip.

"That's good to hear. I don't mean to disparage you, but your lack of a focus for much of the fighting was worrisome."

Cal kept one foot in front of the other, not wavering in his stride. It was something he hoped no one would point out, but was prepared in case it was.

"It wasn't the first time I had to fight without one. They aren't cheap, and what I could afford tended to break easily." He closed his eyes and raised his hands to preempt any rebuke. "I know, I know, dangerous, but practice makes perfect."

It was simple in concept but complicated in practice. Most people didn't like playing with their sanity on the line. Those who did were questionable to begin with.

"We do what we must," Benny said, his voice carrying a somber note. "Risks have to be taken in order to reach the heights required of us."

Cal didn't offer a response, watching as a group of kids dashed out of an alley. They stuck close together, whispering with smiles on their faces. One of them broke from the group, setting up bottles on the ground. In a matter of seconds, they were in the midst of a game Cal wasn't familiar with, running around without a care in the world.

"Tempting, isn't it?" Cal asked, gesturing toward the group.

Benny's eyes traced over to them, holding them in his sight briefly before breaking off.

"Maybe once," Benny rumbled, his tone dropping. "Now I have a higher calling."

Serving the future ruler of the empire qualified as that. However, Rolland wasn't guaranteed that position. Cal was leery of broaching the subject, but he couldn't help his curiosity.

"The royal babysitter," Cal joked, earning a narrowing of Benny's eyes. "Cleaning up their messes and praying they don't drink your cleaning supplies while your back is turned."

It was a crude comparison, but Rolland had charged off with little regard for his own safety. Benny didn't seem to disagree, sighing and rubbing his forehead.

"If not for recent events, I might have fought you on that," Benny said in a defeated tone. "Ancestor willing, the worst of that behavior has passed."

Cal snorted, not at all believing that.

"His Highness understands his error," Benny continued. "His lapse of judgment could have cost us everything. The conclusion we reached was a near miracle."

As long as they pretended the old capital was like that when they got there.

"You don't think the success will go to his head?"

His question lingered as Benny took his time to respond. The boy's brow furrowed in worry before he released a slow breath.

"I would hope not," he groused. "And if so, I'll have to become more forceful in my methods. Such is my duty."

There was pride in his voice, and it was enough to force Cal forward.

"I couldn't imagine dedicating myself like that. Have you ever considered what you would do if it didn't work out?"

Benny's gaze turned sharper, and his movements slowed. Cal matched the new pace while keeping any apprehension off his face.

"How so?"

The question was cold, devoid of proper emotion.

"Rolland not getting the throne," Cal said, hoping his forced casualness would ease things. "I'm as ignorant as they come with these types of things, but I know the benefit of having a backup plan."

Yelling broke out up ahead, and Cal spied an open window. There was a woman hanging out the side, berating the children below. The group scattered, leaving one in their wake who trudged up the steps and entered the home.

"That's not a thought worth entertaining," Benny stated. "The future of the Empire hinges on His Highness's leadership."

They were alone on the street now, causing Cal's caution to rise. His augmentation subtly ramped up, but he couldn't sense anything off.

"The Empire has been around a while."

The implication was that it was fine before Rolland was at the helm, and it would survive without him.

"In what kind of state?" Benny didn't wait for an answer, forging ahead. "We claim to embrace the glory of the Empire of old, yet all we can do is wage the same war our forefathers did. Worse still, our people grow more divided by the day. His Highness seeks to change that. He may be brash, but we have need of that." Cal shot him a look, and Benny coughed into his fist. "At times."

There was that war talk again. He'd have to trust Millie and the rest to keep their side honest. It was the Empire's side he'd have to take a more proactive approach with.

"Do me a favor and give me a heads-up if we're marching to war," Cal said flippantly, attempting to downplay the seriousness of it. "I don't want to be woken up, have a spear shoved in my hands, and be told I've been drafted."

Or was it levied? Cal wasn't clear on the correct terminology here, but Benny didn't seem to mind, his posture growing laxer.

"I'd not worry on that front." Benny's words were a relief, but it was short-lived. "The privileges of nobles are strong, even during war. Only the royal family may call a specific person to arms, and you've earned an ally in His Highness."

Nobles were largely exempt then? Cal doubted it was as simple as that. Societal pressure likely forced many to fight.

"And everyone else?" Cal said, reaching the end of the street.

He turned the corner and spotted the familiar grocer. It was open, and while there were some customers, they didn't seem to be loitering like last time.

"They will suffer," Benny said morbidly. "That is how war is. For every noble that falls, hundreds, if not thousands, of commoners will perish. Many not even in direct battle."

A frown came over Cal's face, matched soon by Benny.

"If not for His Highness, I could have been among the helpless," Benny said softly, his fists clenched at his sides. "I regret not spending more time with my mother, but I do not… no. I'm certain she would not see it the same way. The opportunity I've been given is one millions dream of. For her, for them, I won't squander it. My life may be lived in the shadow of the one I serve, but I will be the light for those who come after."

There was a gravity to his words. It gave Cal pause, wondering what he could possibly say to that.

Words felt lacking, and so he clasped the man on the shoulder. Meeting his steely eyes, Cal offered him a firm nod.

It was returned, and despite the silence, both knew where the other stood.

Together