Chapter Text
The castle is bigger than Dahlia expected. He’s seen it from far away when he was going to the market or doing work, but he's never been this close. The gates tower over them, but Rita unlocks it with two of her hairpins and they walk inside.
It’s beautiful, way nicer than any other building Dahlia has been in. Like everything else about the castle, the ceilings are huge and paintings cover every wall. They go into a few rooms, all dusty and some looted. Rita looks in a room while Dahlia goes to one of the two grand staircases. He stares at the mural on the wall, more specifically the twins, who are both smiling.
“Boss, I can’t believe we’re actually inside the castle! It’s so pretty! ” Rita says, holding a necklace with intricate carvings and jewels on it.
“Rita, come on. We’re looking for a thief, not some ghost who doesn't want people touching its jewelry.” Dahlia says, looking down from the side of the staircase into a large ballroom area.
“But Mistah Dahlia, thieves like jewelry,” Rita cuts herself off, gasping, “Unless it's like in this stream I watched, where a girl thought she was looking for a prince, but it was actually a dragon! Do you think this nameless thief whateva is a dragon?”
Dahlia walks over to the top of the staircase and looks at the large mural painted of the royal family. “Probably not, no.” He says as he turns and walks down the stairs.
Rita follows behind, skipping down the steps. She grins at Dahlia and takes his hands, leading him in a dance.
“Rita, we can’t just-”
“Yeah, yeah boss, we gotta look for the dragon-thief, but we can dance around for a little bit! Besides it’s not like the Queen is going to appear and tell us we can’t!” Rita says as she spins him around.
“Hello? Is someone down there?” A voice calls out from the opposite end of the ballroom.
“Do you think that’s him?” Rita whispers to Dahlia, letting go of his hands.
“Well, there’s only one way to find out,” Dahlia says, before shouting, “Are you the, uh, nameless thief? We were told you were the one to come to about a passport?”
Dahlia walks to the other staircase, with Rita following behind him. They approach the end of the steps and see two people standing, both smiling down at them. One is taller than the other, lanky, wearing glasses and a nice suit. The other had flame-red hair that covered half of her face, with a fancy dress that seemed too nice for an outing at an abandoned palace, but hey, who was Dahlia to say.
The taller one smiles and says, “I suppose so, yes. And who might you be?”
They walk to the top of the steps, where Dahlia sees a second mural of the royal family. “This is Rita, and I’m Dahlia. We’re trying to get to Hyperion City which apparently you need a passport for, who would’ve known.”
“That is quite a predicament you’ve found yourselves in. Fortunately for you, we might be able to help.” The red-haired woman says.
“My name is Peter Ransom, and this is my colleague, Buddy Arinko. Funny enough, we are going to Hyperion City too. We also just so happen to have extra tickets,” Dahlia and Rita look at each other.
“So you’re gonna help us?” Rita says, grinning at Ransom and Buddy.
“Oh, trust me darlings, we would, but we are looking for someone specific to come with us. We are reuniting the Princess and his brother,” Buddy says, pointing to the mural.
“Juno Steel? The Princess ?” Dahlia asks while Rita looks at the painting, then Buddy and Ransom, then Dahlia.
“Dahlia, you have a beautiful name. Commitment, strength, control. Have you had a lot of that throughout your life?” Ransom says, looking Dahlia straight in the eyes.
“What are you, my therapist? Why does it matter to you?” Ransom is staring at him more intently now, and Dahlia realizes he’s not getting out of his question that easy. “Okay, I was found wandering around when I was eight, I was taken in by an orphanage and I met Rita.”
“And before then? Before you we’re eight, I mean.” Buddy asks.
Dahlia groans, “Look, I don’t remember then. I only know my name is Dahlia because the nurses told me and-” He hesitates, knowing what they’re really asking. “No. Just because I don’t remember my past doesn’t mean I’m gonna be some Princess who’s probably dead. Not happening.”
“Mistah Dahlia!” Rita says, looking up at him, her jaw dropped.
“Suit yourself. Though if you do change your mind on that darling, be sure to let us know.” Buddy says before she and Ransom walk around the corner, towards one of the castle's exits.
“Boss, this is one of those once in a lifetime opportunities that people talk about! We gotta go with them!” Rita lightly tugs on Dahlia's hand, urging him to come.
“I don’t know Rita, they’re trying to bring me to the Prince. One who will probably see right through this and have us arrested, or something,” Dahlia says, glancing at Benzaiten in the mural. He had heard stories from people who used to work with the royal family, saying how the Prince was able to get people into trouble.
“But, if you are really him, you’ll find your family! And even if you’re not, we can say it was a mistake. Come on, Mistah Dahlia, it can’t hurt to try.”
“I- I guess so,”
“YAY! Okay let's go, we gotta catch up!”
They run the way that Buddy and Ransom went, looking on each side of the hall to make sure no doors are open. When they get outside, Buddy and Ransom are standing there.
“I assume you’ve changed your mind?” Buddy asks, but she’s not looking for an answer.
“Yeah, I did,” Dahlia mutters, but Ransom hears it and grins.
“Excellent! I assure you, you won’t regret this.” Ransom says to Dahlia and Rita, then he turns to talk with Buddy as they exit the gates and start their journey towards Hyperion.
In a crevasse at the top of the ballroom, a bottle and a soul stir to life.
Target Juno Steel is alive.
Target Juno Steel is in New Kinshasa.
Target Benzaiten Steel is alive.
Target Benzaiten Steel has left New Kinshasa.
Targets Juno and Benzaiten Steel will be eliminated.
And with that, the bottle releases an evil force out into the universe.