This was a game for the [Princess]. Cara tilted her head from side to side. In any other situation she would have loved to play. But today? Now? She looked past Seraphel at the horde. The [Princess]

followed her gaze and her slight smile slipped away.

“Apologies. It seems now’s not the time. Rest assured, if we survive this, I will investigate your past at my leisure. I doubt very much whatever secret you’re hiding could be worse than being eaten by zombies.”

Cara’s lips twitched. She looked at Seraphel. Strange what a few minutes of conversation did. But then—

that was at the heart of acting. Getting to know and falling in love with a character you might only know for a few hours at most was good acting.

But this was no stage. So—Cara hesitated. And decided to be honest. Seraphel was the first person she couldn’t trick in any way. It was—almost welcome.

“I don’t hate you. I’m sorry about judging you. But I do think rulers aren’t necessary. We don’t need

[Kings].”

“You say that. But in my experience, Humans turn to someone to lead them. Even in most democracies, there is an elected leader. We need someone to follow. In dark times, we crave someone to inspire, to be our very best. Like him.”

Seraphel pointed. Cara followed her finger and saw him on the walls.

Lord Lantal. He wasn’t fighting. He was resting, clearly tired. But where he stood, the people around him fought harder. They seemed to take something from him. It might have been a Skill—but maybe not.

“Look at him.”

The [Princess] watched Lantal too. Cara glanced at Seraphel.

“That is what a good [Lord] is. A leader, a champion of the battlefield, and a just ruler in times of peace.

There are too few of Lantal’s like in any land. But do you hate that?”

Seraphel and Cara watched the [Lord]. A good man. He had defended Violetta’s village. He didn’t overtax them. He had spared Cara for her grave errors. He seemed to love his family, his children. Cara looked for any fault and had trouble finding anything egregious. But even so—she shook her head.

“I don’t. I just wish there was no need for people like that.”

“Why?”

Seraphel’s question made Cara close her eyes. Oh, why? There was a story. But it would have taken too long; the basket was nearly empty and the line heavy. Cara replied slowly.

“Rulers. Lords. Kings and leaders. They all let you down. One person can’t be a—hero. We’re too flawed for that. We shouldn’t expect one person to carry the world.”

The reply made Seraphel frown. Thoughtfully, the [Princess] shook her head. Not in straight denial, but puzzled.

“Maybe you just haven’t met one yet. In my experience—one person can change the world. Perhaps it is not one person—but levels mean there is always someone who is better than others. Is it not natural to single them out, regardless of whether they do good or evil?”