This is a daily reminder: You have 32 unallocated stat points

  I stretch my body, a good sleep. Red is working on some sort of plate. I skitter over to her and look over her shoulder. She turns and smiles.

  “Mother said that a strong enough barrier could create an air bubble for them to traverse the hall. She also felt a strong enough life mage could heal the damage wrought by the suffocating.”

  “So what is your counter measure?”

  She smiles, “[Drain Mana] tiles.”

  Ah of course, mana does have to flow. The vacuum tunnel gets worse. I wrap my arms around her.

  “I'm sorry I wanted to remove our ability to care.”

  She pats my arm, “It would be easier, but we wouldn't be us anymore. I am trying my best to prevent it.” She goes back to chiseling the glyph. I think about that.

  I am in the hall now. I let my body die. It would take too much blood to fight the vacuum. Seems if we are ever pulled into the throne room we will succumb just as we expect the adventurers will. A rather horrific scene to greet our would be slayers. About half way down the hall I begin stringing up invisible webbing. The sticky kind. Far enough for the amateurs to not reach. It will foil the more dogged at least once, making them slower every subsequent attempt. My mental core strains at the effort but I fill the back half. A death trap to prevent us from becoming a death trap…

  I returned to my sister. She looks at me with a sad smile as I cycle my blood mana and warm my body. She hugs me as I drink to slake the ensuing thirst.

  -----

  “The trinket and earring, Sara.”

  I look at Yosef who has a small needle and some rather strong alcohol on hand.

  “Am I not considered too young for such ornaments.”

  He looks embarrassed by my comment.

  “Yes, well we must make allowances for those we serve.”

  I picked up the earring. I push it against my sternum, willing it into my soul core. Yosef is confused. When it is there I shake the bell and feel my very being chime.

  -The hell, Violet?

  Sorry, I didn't think it would affect you as well.

  -Our soul is getting cluttered.

  I smile, “I have placed the earring where I can hear it [Head Attendant] Yosef, there is no need to pierce my ear today.”

  He looks relieved. I take the clapperless bell with me. I catch a scent in the air.

  “The Sdrea's carriage approaches, sir.”

  -----

  We stood behind our mistress as their carriage arrived. It doesn't take long. The first to exit is their head attendant Barbara. She waits at the door as first Jeremy and then Kalidia exit. Delores runs up and greets them.

  “Hello cousins, it would seem my short visit to the capital has resulted in a longer visit to my home.”

  Kalidia is the first to speak, “When we heard House Xavious was to host the tournament of choosing we just had to visit, right brother."

  The boy is staring at both of us, “I see father's letter had resulted in termination of your previous [Attendant] but why did you hire her younger twin sisters?”

  I can feel the dungeon laughing. He really does live in his own story doesn't he.

  -He really does.

  “I hate to be the bearer of bad news but she wasn't fired and those two are my [Attendant] Sara.” Delores bursts his bubble.

  “Nonsense, this is a rather poor joke to pull on our arrival. [Attendant], what is your name?”

  I bow, “My name is Sara, Sir Jeremy Sdrae.”

  He grows more annoyed, “And you, you wish to play this farce to your betters as well?”

  “I have yet to lie to you, sir.”

  His anger grows and he stomps into the estate. He heads to the lord. Delores turns to Kalidia.

  “If it's alright, this Sara, who is nicknamed Violet will be your personal [Attendant] for your stay.”

  Before Barbara can interject, Kalidia says, “I most welcome that. What is the nickname of the other Sara.”

  “I answer to Red, miss.”

  Jeremy reaches the [Viscount]. We start to unload the carriage.

  “Do you plan to ignore the blatant disrespect your employees show?”

  “A good midday to you too, Jeremy. How was the trip?”

  “Do not ig—”

  “Jeremy, I will say this only once. That girl has never lied to you. The only disrespect is that which you have shown her.”

  “You are all mad. She is beneath us.”

  -----

  I finish moving Kalidia clothing into the various drawers and closet as needed. I turn to the girl and give a slight bow.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Are you truly Sara?”

  “I am, mistress.”

  She frowns at that, “You are only temporarily in my service. Since you have a nickname, I wish to be called by mine as well. From now on refer to me as Kal.”

  “As you wish, Kal.”

  She smiles, “Excellent, would you please provide me a flower then.”

  “I must refuse, Kal. The lord has given me permission to deny any requests that are outside the necessary scope of my duties.”

  “Is not dressing me a part of your duties?”

  “It is but I am not your florist or tailor, Kal. I will only dress you in the clothes you have brought.”

  She looks at me sourly, “You still provide a flower to Delores.”

  I do not answer the provocation. The mood sours further. She huffs.

  “Would you at least explain how I have wronged you to cause this resistance.”

  “When you provided the flower freely to the alchemist, you inadvertently set both that guild and your own fathers on me. I was escorted by the guard into a cell the morning after you had done so.”

  She starts to pale, “I see…I have indeed wronged you…why did you agree to serve me then…even temporarily.”

  “You did stand up for me in the end. I at least will acknowledge that. Come, tea will be served in Delores' receiving room. Should you have a need for me when I am not present, ring this bell.”

  -----

  “Jasmine Vanumium, these are my cousins, Jeremy Sdrea and Kalidia Xavious.”

  “Greetings my Lord and Lady.”

  “Likewise to you, your Lady”

  “May the day never end while I am in your presence, my Lady.”

  We all look at Jeremy, a little early for courtship. Violet tries her best to not gag. I prepare the tea while Violet places snack plates.

  “Your tea, my mistress.”

  “Thank you, Red.”

  “Ha, so her name isn't Sara at all but Red.”

  I step back behind Delores.

  “That is but a nickname I gave her to differentiate from her sister.”

  “Who is also called Sara, I swear it's the longest prank you ever pulled on me, Delores.” Jasmine rolls her eyes.

  “Prank?” Jeremy asks.

  “For at least a few weeks Delores has had this illusion of a twin [Attendant] playing out this fantasy that they are both Sara. Sometimes it's Red that's the real one and sometimes it's Violet.”

  “How can you tell?”

  “Inevitably the mana runs out and one of them disappears.”

  I sense Sir Ujan entering the conference room. It is Violet who disappears into the dungeon.

  “Ha, so it was Red who was real this time.”

  Kalidia is bewildered, “But I watched Violet unload my luggage, there was never a moment she wasn't there.”

  -----

  “Sir Ujan?”

  “Ah Lady Magdeline, seeing as the adventurer guild has provided you a way to contact them, I too felt it necessary to keep a line of communication open. Gregory will stay here during his off time to run any necessary information. He will also be directing the various carpenters to the noble sections.”

  I quirk an eyebrow, “I did not think the distance between my entrance and your office to be onerous to walk.”

  He coughs, “I will be attending to a few matters outside of the garrison from time to time. Gregory will know my schedule and can apprise you.”

  He hands the instance key to Gregory and leaves.

  “So how did you end up being an adjunct to Sir Ujan?”

  He looks annoyed, “I've been here for a month and that's all you have to say to me?”

  I was taken aback by his emotion, “I don't follow.”

  “You really don't. I thought we had at least a begrudging respect form between us and yet I found out only a day ago that the new dungeon I am guarding is none other than the Spider Priestess herself. That's just cold Sara, I've been here for over a month.”

  Ah, “Sorry, it's been a rather hectic time and you're not exactly the most friendly of people.”

  He grumbles at that.

  “So what happened to your legs?”

  “O, they are still there. I can assume multiple forms.”

  He nods, “Will you be one of the nobles choosing this tournament?”

  He is embarrassed to ask…does he want my house to select him? I feel a knot of disgust in my stomach. He rears back.

  “I truly am hideous then.”

  -Aww, he has a crush on us.

  I laugh, “I fear all thoughts towards that are hideous to me, perhaps my sister will be more open.”

  -What?

  I returned to the tea party. Red looks annoyed at me as she leaves.

  “Wait, are neither of them real?” Jasmine only becomes further confused.

  -----

  “Why did you disappear only to appear in different clothing?”

  I roll my eyes at Gregory, “Look I am sure you heard the rumors that there are two dungeon core bosses, well there are. I'm one, my sister the other. When you met us we were still just one body. Now we are two.”

  “You swapped emotions on me…which was the one who offered me the ladies handkerchief?"

  “The one who is repulsed by the idea of physical intimacy.”

  -...

  It's the truth. Don't think I am going to do all the work for making our children.

  -Not like we need another for that…

  I give her a mental eye roll. He looks sad.

  “Sorry, if it's any consolation, it wasn't your interactions that spurred such feelings. It was actually my fault.” I murmur at the end.

  “I had thought you were giving me your favor.”

  My mind blanks at that…what? He looks at me confused.

  “Did you not know providing such is considered an act of courtship?”

  He has the handkerchief in his hand. The one Violet gave him. Did he offer it to Qorth that one time to show he had my favor?

  -You might be over thinking it.

  “I was bleeding ten at the time, weren't you teasing Qorth about mating too soon.”

  “Wait, are you really only eleven? You do look shorter than before…”

  I just glare at him as the realization makes him start to clutch his head.

  “Thats just great, I get an innocent handkerchief from a child. Now I've volunteered to see said child every day.”

  I sigh, “Look, if no other house picks you up, I'll talk to mother about finding you a place in our house.”

  “I don't need your pity, [Priestess].”

  “That’s the spirit, go show those houses what a knight that isn't as awesome as Qorth can be.”

  “Speaking of riddles for names, is she here as well?”

  I direct a thought to her.

  He will only slander you further.

  And you will get to intimidate him for it.

  She gives her assent and I will her to the room.

  “I was only joking about the mating before…”

  “‘Definitely desires a beating’, I believe I have warned you of this before.”

  He blanches, I giggle.

  -----

  Jeremy seems to have opted out of having Trious be his attendant. Barbara is standing behind him at the dinner table.

  “I wish to go inspect this new dungeon of your’s, uncle.” Jeremy's demands began early into the meal.

  “I would like to try it myself as well.” Kalidia who is in front of me joins in.

  “Ah yes, the Bandit's Suicide…are you sure? It may not kill you, but the mental effects can linger.” The viscount doesn't want this conversation.

  “As if such would trifle us, Jasmine has already offered us the services of her knight for protection. If that makes you feel any better, uncle.”

  He looks to me, “To be honest I only will be assured if one of the Sara accompanies you as well.”

  Jeremy looks annoyed at that when I speak up, “My duties to Kal are only in the morning and evening, Sir.”

  The lord winces at that, Jeremy interjects, “What sort of a personal [Attendant] dictates their own schedule.”

  I look to the lord, he answers, “I understood there to be some friction between Sara and the house Sdrae, she has other responsibilities and so I have limited her time to be as she stated. That said.” He turns to Delores and Red, “I believe if Delores went, you will ensure their safety?”

  “So long as they listen to what I say, my Lord.”

  The grousing from Jeremy makes me think he will not.

  -----

  I set instance eleven's labyrinth. A duplicate of one. For now. Best to slow down would be slayers. I return to my smithy and sigh.

  Mags gives me a side hug, “Want to talk about it?”

  “Just worried about losing myself. I don't want to get to the point where I want to kill adventurers and yet I am setting up dungeons to do exactly that.”

  “You've always been a bit shy about slaying.”

  I try to give her a smile at that, given that she squeezed me tighter I don't think I succeeded.

  “Planning on skipping another night?”

  Of sleep, “At least another night…the last set of lives was rather harrowing. Its only two more lives until its monsters again. I have the option to not devour their soul now but I feel it would be wrong to kill and not at least witness their life.”

  “You mean you could be like the rest of us.”

  My glare at her makes her laugh. She stares up at the ceiling of the instance. An illusion of a galaxy.

  “I think it is beautiful in a way, that those that die by your hands are not forgotten. There are so many that I have ended. They will never be remembered.”

  It is my turn to give her a hug.