Development Sneak Peek: CH10 LI Previews

We're a little under 2 weeks away from the first Patreon early access drop for CH10, and since I've been busy with the editing/beta reader process I haven't been able to plan a lore post for this month.

Sooo, have some more previews instead! 

These are from high relationship routes ✨

For A:

“There’s something else I need to tell you,” $aname starts, “but I didn’t want to speak of it in front of $rname.” 

This surprises you. In the time you’ve spent with both of them, you got the impression that $aname and $rname get along very well together. “Why not?” 

The water spirits still circle around $aname’s hand as $athey twists $atheir wrist, streaks of blue in the air trailing around and between $atheir spread fingers. “It’s a personal matter.” 

You arch your brows at this, staring at the side of $aname’s face as $athey does not meet your eyes. “I don’t understand. You’ve known $rname a lot longer than you’ve known me, $aname.” 

“I have,” $aname agrees, a rare hint of hesitance in $atheir words as $athey stretches $atheir hand back out to the pool again. “But…” 

$cathey trails off as the water spirits float back to the pool, $atheir attention shifting back to you.

$catheir face is set in a calm expression, but there’s something in $atheir eyes that gives you pause. They’re tinted a darker brown in the dimness of the temple than you usually see, brows above furrowed with the slightest wrinkle.

“I thought you would understand me better,” $athey answers at length, words spoken more quietly than they need to be.

You feel as if a hand has been extended to you, cautiously but willingly. $aname is giving you $atheir trust on a matter where $athey has not given it to others before, and you realize at once how important this is. 

For R:

“Exactly how dangerous will that be?” you ask, and $rname seems to be able to read the worry from your face as $rthey gives you a smile.

“Master Zîn and Perjin will accompany me,” $rthey replies. “If anything goes wrong, they’ll be there to help me.” 

That does make you feel better about it, but it’s still a risk $rname will be taking. “Maybe $aname should go with you as well, just in case? I’m sure we could convince $athem.” 

“Even if $athey agreed, $aname has $atheir hands full with investigating the missing citizens,” $rname insists, though you see $rtheir resolve faltering somewhat. The determination on $rtheir face dims to something pleading. “I can do this.” 

“Of course you can,” you say, so caught up in your urge to reassure $rthem that your hand moves on its own, taking $rname’s in yours. “That was never in doubt, $rname. I only want to ensure your safety.”

Your thumb rubs across the peaks and valleys of smooth brown skin stretched over $rtheir knuckles. $crtheir fingers twitch in your grip, but $rthey doesn’t pull away.

$rname’s hands are soft, but not as soft as you would’ve thought for someone who spent so many years living in palaces. The small callouses on $rtheir hands and fingers are a lingering reminder of $rtheir past, of how hard $rthey has worked to get here.

When you look back up at $rname’s face, $rthey looks a little flustered, looking down at your linked fingers. As $rthey gathers $rthemselves and meets your gaze, $rtheir expression gradually softens with fondness. $crthey squeezes your hand, making your pulse stutter.

For X:

“Chief!” Heval strides towards $xthem from between the Blades that are carrying and pulling the bodies of the bandits out of the way, a roll of parchment in their hand. “Letter for you.” 

They hand it over, and $xname instantly recognizes whose it is from the magic signature seeped into it.

A smile widens on $xtheir face before $xthey catches $xthemselves, quickly erasing it from $xtheir lips.

$cxthey ignores Heval’s gaze burning a hole through $xtheir face as $xthey tucks the letter away in a pocket, keeping $xtheir features carefully placid. “Thank you.” 

It speaks to $xtheir self-restraint that $xthey doesn’t open the letter and read it until the bodies have been burned and the Blades have returned to camp. 

$cxthey feels it radiating with [the Crown's] warmth in $xtheir pocket as $xthey heads straight for $xtheir tent for some privacy. Though, evidently, Heval does not approve; they hoped that $xname would separate $xthemselves completely from the Royal Palace, but it’s not that simple.

Not that easy, either.

For D:

Glancing down at the contents of the letter, $dname intends merely to skim over its last lines, yet—for what must be the sixth or seventh time already—ends up rereading it in its entirety.

[...]

$cdtheir thumb traces the parchment in an absentminded motion, along the ink where $name’s name is written.

[The Crown's] magic signature is sealed within it, to ensure its authenticity. As $dname brushes over the letters, $dthey feels its heat radiate against the pad of $dtheir finger. 

Its warmth feels unexpectedly pleasant, like it did right after [the Crown's] affinity was first revealed. Perhaps it’s due to the nature of $dname’s own magic, but [the Crown's] light feels soothing, invigorating—inviting.

[...]

$cdthey closes $dtheir eyes, quickly rolling the parchment back up, restraining $dthemselves from squeezing it between a fist as $dthey puts it back down onto the desk. This is not the time to be distracted by something as meaningless as word choice, let alone read into it for motives that don’t exist—or worse, motives that do exist. It will only hurt them both.

Yet, despite the best efforts of $dtheir mind to talk sense into $dtheir heart, its attempts have not been entirely successful.

Hope these previews will be enough to tide you over until the chapter release 💖