The temptation was there. [Final Silence] to quiet the skills a little.
“Groak.” Bored. Hyacinth complained with the distinct flavor of dislike at being used as a pack animal with a fresh bundle of wooze hair on his back.
It reminded Harmony that it wasn’t just her who would suffer from her impulsive desires. Not that she wanted to implode or explode, or whatever the consequences were of the instability caused by becoming Lady White....
2024-10-18 17:52:57 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Sixteen
“Total gnome shit.”
The Necromancy Guide wasn’t very thick. Expertly edited to get to the point. One Harmony relaxed in the tub, while the other thumbed through the book getting annoyed. [Stride Before the Fall] needed more development. After how painful getting hurt had been, she knew that if she didn’t force herself to use the skill she might get resistant to using it out of fear. It still didn’t last that long, having refused to level ...
2024-10-16 15:16:15 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Fifteen
The guest list for Ma Bell’s table had no surprises in that outside of Prince Adric she didn’t know any of them. No former teammates from Old Bones, no frequent guests from Coodly Manor who knew her better as a maid, no errant princesses with their meddling Handmaidens. That wasn’t to say Harmony wasn’t informed. Sir Maxwell had been thorough in this dossier of tightly written words, and [Recall] would let her use that information to the best of her ab...
2024-10-14 15:23:04 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Fourteen
The rest of Sir Maxwell’s information aligned with what Prince Adric had provided, though maybe not as complete since the prince had both evolved in the capital and cleared the dungeon several times. Breaking down the information on what to expect in Nae’s Garden did take time away from using the ring to train or exercise, which was both an annoyance and a relief as she felt eyes upon their little group.
“If I go over the first floor one more time my h...
2024-10-11 14:11:49 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Thirteen
“You didn’t have to be so mean to Rosie,” Adric complained while walking with one arm around Harmony’s waist to comfort her as they made their way to the inn’s training yard.
Harmony should have guessed the princess would run off to her brother after that disastrous visit. He was ranked moderate in authority one step below her. The first thing she did was check. Adric didn’t have an inspection style skill, so that was his excuse for ...
2024-10-09 17:04:25 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Twelve
Harmony’s armor was her social armor for the first required dinner. Until she found a solution for it eating her other clothes, she couldn’t justify risking one of the few other outfits she had left. There was also the lay of the land of the capitol's current fashions, that could lead to a faux pas, while her unique creation stood out as symbolic. How silly would it be if wearing the wrong color showed she supported some aberrant faction. None of which wer...
2024-10-07 14:58:50 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Eleven
The large tub was exquisite, magic kept the temperature constantly pleasantly warm, meaning any hiccups from [Cold Touch] wouldn’t make the water turn frigid. While cold no longer bothered her as much as it used to, the sudden lack of warmth was damn annoying when her skill misbehaved.
“Scoot over.”
Harmony’s eyes opened, pulling her out of her relaxed state to watch Ambrosia, already naked, step into the tub.
“Hey!”
“You’ve g...
2024-10-04 16:44:20 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Ten
The familiar sounds of Songstress and the Flows greeted them as the carriage train rolled to a stop, Ambrosia's voice strong and clear, finally able to be the one singing the lyrics. Prince Adric slipped out first, shivering enough that his teeth were chattering from how the temperature inside had continued to dip during the ride through the city.
Harmony glided out, her face a controlled mask. [Poise and Bearing] combined with [Style and Grace] to cre...
2024-10-02 17:30:27 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Nine
As they neared the end of their journey, Harmony pieced together through probing questions and simple logic that, no, not every member of Adric’s family adored and cared for him. He was such a ball of excited, happy, sunshine that he never noticed. Negativity was forgiven as a mistake, and every act could be taken in a positive light, even if maybe sarcasm was actually propping it up. She swore not to be the one who broke her pet’s heart by explai...
2024-09-30 15:54:33 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Eight
When the carriage rolled to a stop at the end of the first day Harmony had a growing headache that added to her grumbly annoyance. Apparently, everyone in Adric’s family was so good to him, that he found the lack of contact disturbing. Probing for information she could use was like hunting garden gnomes at night, difficulty annoying, verging on impossible. She had the whole trip to work on her adorably dim pet, easing his burdens and noticing iss...
2024-09-27 20:15:34 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Seven
“You’re what!?”
Harmony wrestled with her volatile internal state. The guild, dutchess, and her mom had made for a trying day. Adric had come back looking stressed after the aside with his aunt. He was going with to the capital, but wouldn’t say what was bothering him when nudged. Ambrosia she’d trusted to anchor her during all of this chaos.
“Leaving tonight with the band. The head start will allow me to help prepare for your arrival. ...
2024-09-25 15:56:44 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 6
The carriage rumbled back towards the manor. "I think that went well," Adric stated toward a contemplating Harmony.
Getting back to the carriage was not without incident. The crowd of newshounds and fans had swelled outside while they were inside waiting. Using [Stride Before the Fall] to leap ahead and avoid the crowds had been a mistake. Knowing she wasn’t going to stay in the crowd the Harmony left behind had been emboldened. Toes weren’t ste...
2024-09-23 18:50:19 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 5
The professional mask on the woman manning the desk was a picture of obedience and pleasantness. Her response included a slight hesitation before leaving to check with the guild master. Too perfect, and the eyes gave her away. That quick dart between Harmony and Adric. Social skills could do a lot for someone, but they didn't lock your eyes in place. As Harmony's mother would tell her, "Anyone can activate a skill, it took an artist to make it come acros...
2024-09-20 15:42:11 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Four
That night Harmony slept fitfully in her bed, eventually giving up and settling in with Hyacinth in his bed of pillows. The skill gain had affected him as well, he ran off, surprising everyone the moment she fell, only to be found in his pile of pillows later. If only he didn't need to carry her burden. Evolve fast. That had to work.
The scent of a simple breakfast on a tray next to the cuddling pair woke her up. Ravenously she devoured it, as she...
2024-09-18 16:04:45 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Three
Do you wish to learn the skill [Stride Before the Fall]?
The skill stone felt heavy in Harmony’s hand. It was the only one she had, a prize from Ha’zel Ri, the resident dungeon spirit. Did it play a part in that spirit hound’s plans? There were many reasons why she didn’t use it when the latest skill slot opened up. Oh, she could have written Tyler and asked for a different option. That felt wrong. Too encouraging. He...
2024-09-16 15:22:09 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Two
“Har-mon-y!”
The cry as she stepped out of the shadows was all the warning the lady maid had before her over-eager pet was upon her. The muscular prince lifted and spun her around. Chronostasis didn’t even kick in because this happened so frequently.
“Hemlock is back!” The prince added as he set her down.
“I know.”
“This will change everything!”
“I know.”
“Auntie can’t ignore you now!”
... 2024-09-13 18:31:03 +0000 UTC View PostChapter One/Forty-one
“Guild master Hemlock has returned!”
Lady Maid and Necromancer, Harmony White, let the skill synergy she’d been using to smooth and repair the reworked floor drop mid-usage. Weeks had turned into months and she’d hoped the rotter would never return. There had been safety in the unknowns of the deal with the dungeon Haz’el Ri. Protections from reprisals over her and the prince as people waited to discover the details. And n...
2024-09-11 16:34:32 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Forty
Harmony expected Rose to rush out with guards to escort her away or Sir Maxwell, with his oath, taking delayed action to help her, perhaps Lord Tyler or even Ambrosia. That was not the case.
Serena Vale, the head of the commission, walked out, her show face on, a smile beaming as she stepped into the area projected to all. She even waved one of those gentle waves with a soft turn of her wrist.
Serena offered her hand to Harmony to help. T...
2024-09-09 14:52:26 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Thirty-Nine
Harmony was unable to pay attention to the last pet battle before. The announcement and auction pulled at her, setting her skills on edge. Her soul involuntarily readied for conflict, from the desire to kick or dodge every problem to the icy cold numbness that battled with the proper etiquette of the situation. [Manipulate Dead] even flared up as she gripped the bone throne allowing her fingers to create indentations like she’d squeezed soft clay...
2024-09-06 16:54:44 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Thirty-Eight
The champion’s entrance had it all. Shorter lines, fancier doors, and access to specialty areas like the guilds viewing room; other entities had rooms of differing sizes, including the United Gym Alliance, the Hazeldown University Alumnists, and even Lady’s Coodly’s garden party had a small viewing room. All ringside seats, special rooms at ground level, where the masses sat above in the stadium’s seats. Even the competitors didn’t...
2024-09-04 15:15:55 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Thirty-Seven
Harmony woke up on the day of her auction, her bed as cold as ice. Nothing was under her control. Ambrosia dashing out for the band after every shift hasn’t helped. Someone was buying her, and her best friend was out with her new friends rather than hanging out with her for the last few days they had left. The rest of the staff only made skills-supported comments, but it felt like all the eyes were on her. That pressure made her soul feel tender...
2024-09-02 14:31:57 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Thirty-Six
“I’m so jealous, Harm. The semi-finals. The semi-finals! Big Blue is going up against the Three-Clawed Beast.” Stu exclaimed excitedly.
Harmony was only three bites into her dinner.
“I’d be more excited about the bonus coin if some lord dumps more than pocket change for her contract.” Fel cooed.
“And if our visiting duke buys me and has me shoveling stables for the rest of my contract as revenge?” ...
2024-08-30 13:53:54 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Thirty-Five
Harmony dreamed she was big. Her disappointment at waking up in her extra-small body was quickly replaced by the fresh disappointment of today being a work day. As exciting as final exams, shopping, pet playdates, and music shows, it was back to the everyday grind. With spring approaching, the extra push to clean out the winter cobwebs was upon them. Climbing out of bed, she did her morning refreshment routine, controlling how much [Cold Touch] influen...
2024-08-28 14:25:48 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Thirty-Four
The dance master, who introduced himself as Silas, worked her so hard that she could swear she could feel some of her skills advancing, but she didn’t have the attention to spare to check. Hyacinth joined in with a hopping dance before bowing out for a long nap in a shaded corner.
The dance master lamented that his student would be restricted to the square mark on the stage for the projection to work. He taught her ‘going down...
2024-08-26 15:26:17 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Thirty-Three
Tension eased out of the group as the meal progressed. Ambrosia’s birds took turns feeding her grapes while rotating their patrol over the park. Prince Adric fed Harmony grapes too, but there was an awkward eagerness of someone who’s never served someone before but really wanted to. Like he was mimicking the birds, trying to model them for his role. Harmony accepted it with her own version of awkwardness in her lack of being served. Hyacinth would...
2024-08-23 14:48:29 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Thirty-two
Harmony found herself shaken awake with a weight on top of her.
“Rise and shine. I’ve got a busy day planned for us.”
Ambrosia sat straddling her, doing a wiggling dance.
“Wha…”
“I poked Hyacinth awake too. I can’t let both of you sleepy heads take all morning.”
The familiar croaked apprehensively next to the bed.
“Fine. Fine. Get off, and I’ll be at your command for the day.”...
2024-08-21 15:37:53 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Thirty One
Harmony purchased two meat pies outside the university campus with the sun high. The beef, carrot, and gravy stuffed pastries steamed in her hand. Witnessing Len's exam had taken the morning away, but with the information she gleaned, it wasn't a total loss.
Street urchins selling news sheets were still at it. Usually, it was a morning or night gig, capturing the day's events for people before they go to sleep or summarizing it in the morning for thos...
2024-08-19 14:44:12 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Thirty
One thing Harmony learned as a maid was when to summarily extract herself from a situation, either by being as invisible as a five-hundred-year-old credenza whose only use was to look nice and be dusted or find somewhere better to be. The latter would be best since she lacked the social armor of her position here. If only the room wasn’t so tight as to make it difficult for her to slip out. Two more short steps in by the professor, and she calculated bein...
2024-08-16 14:49:59 +0000 UTC View PostChapter Twenty-Nine
“It was mortifying. They all were staring at me as I walked away.” Harmony screamed into the pillow she’d been sleeping on for dramatic effect as she re-told the events to Ambrosia. “My masquerade outfit was shredded when I exchanged it for my armor. Bates pulled me aside to assure me the royal’s presence was temporary but that there would be consequences after the break. I’m lucky I still have the next two days off.”
“Most of...
2024-08-14 15:54:22 +0000 UTC View PostChapter twenty-eight
Harmony adjusted Hyacinth’s bow tie. The extra-large toad squirmed uncomfortably in his fitted suit, as Harmony had opted for revenge, working her plans in with the masquerade set up. Matching genderless outfits of marble patterned pants and shirts for the staff and their companions if they had them. A few soft suggestions about the servants being statues and the matriarch went running with them. The maid felt good having a successful plan, even...
2024-08-12 15:26:22 +0000 UTC View Post