Reach the guard's destination.

"Here," says the guard. Then with his empty hand, he turns the knob of the door beside him and pushes his way inside. His wide silhouette looms through the doorway, and from what you can see, an old man is present on the other side. He doesn't seem started by this intrusion, however. Instead, the guard moves inside, and stares through his helmet with a piercing glare as if to demand you to follow post-haste, which you do. Once your party is inside, he closes it tight.

The man is familiar. It's the proper gentleman who helped you dress into the outfit you wear now--Vaddund, one of the servants here, though clearly more of a butler. He's a merfolk like all the rest, though his body is wrinkled, with some of his chest covered in fine fabrics and jewellery of sea shells, and his hair is short and grey. There he floats beside his bed with hands behind his back. His eyes feel as if they're inspecting every last detail of your presence, from your body to what's on your mind. Though he has a strangely comforting visage regardless--like a kind and patient grandfather waiting for his turn to speak.

"They said it, sir," says the guard before removing his helmet. Beneath it is long, red hair and tired eyes. "So they must know."

"Yes. I had a feeling," replies Vaddund.

"Oh thank god I don't have to go around saying that code to everyone here," you say.

He continues. "My name is Vaddund, and I've served here for over thirty years. The coming of Queen Iri wasn't unusual at first. She wasn't King Agam's first wife after all. Though I know these halls better than any, and I could tell something was strange. Over time, I began to realize the truth. After some research, I discovered her true identity. Irirangi the Aquatic Scourge, now here in our city, and worse, on the throne."

The guard nods. "This is not the palace I would gladly die to protect. Corruption like this I'd say is even worse than that of the Witch of Decay. Also, my name's Zag."

"Woow, he can actually speak full sentences," Candy mocks.

"But what can we do?" you ask.

Vaddund lowers his gaze in deep contemplation. "To say Irirangi could be devastating. The people have no idea who she truly is. But if we were somehow able to get King Agam on our side, perhaps with some kind of proof, the people would likely believe him. Us two, as well as a couple others here in the Royal Palace, have been trying to find the best way to take her down for some time now. I can't believe I'd resort to Gwynevere's help, but I'd do anything for this city."

You cross your arms. "All right. So what do you know about King Agam?"

"He's a kind, competent ruler who has done supremely well at leading Nureteru. However, no man is without flaw. His taste in women has been questionable, so perhaps I shouldn't be surprised he would one day bring home a sea witch. He prefers them to be beautiful, but... a little on the dimmer side. Not only that, but he absolutely loves when others ogle them. It doesn't seem to be about his ego or his pride, however. Moreso that he just enjoys when people undress his wife with their eyes for one reason or another. As you've seen, Irirangi has him around her finger. She knew the kind of women he adores, and took full advantage."

So he wants a ditzy bimbo all the citizens probably jerk it to. Gotcha. Well, that's not so harmful I guess, but between that and the passcode, I'm starting to see a theme here.

"What if she were to dump him?" Candy asks. "And would he move on pretty fast if the right girl came along?"

"That would be rather difficult to accomplish, ma'am, though naturally that would be an outstanding result. And I hate to say it, but yes. It's likely he would. The man is full of love, for his citizens, his servants, but also for a bountiful wife."

She grins. "Good. So all we gotta do is get her to dump his ass, and bring in a saucy new mermaid for him to fall in love with. Then we turn it all against this Aquatic Scourge, and either she leaves besides everyone is against her, or she attacks and we kick her ass."

"You make that sound way too easy," Snow says. "Why would she dump him? Being with him is a crucial part of her plan."

Just then, Candy rises up to float in the center of the room. She claps her hands together, and magic suddenly twirls around her like a whirlpool. Colour stares to fade in from the water around her, and suddenly, a tall mermaid manifests itself before everybody in awe. Her deep aqua hair rolls down her back like a waterfall, and jewelled seashells barely restrain her absolutely massive bazongas. Pristine green skin shines like the surface of an emerald, though especially the scales of her long fish-like tail. Queen Iri herself is now present in the room with Candy nowhere to be seen. She brings her hands back behind her neck, and peers down towards everybody else with a seductive stare. She moves in just a way to purposely bounce her tits up, nearly popping them free from the purple and blue shells which cover them.

"Goodness--!" Vaddund's eyes widen. "That looks near identical to the real woman. You must be an exceptionally powerful mage."

"That's right," says the fake Queen Iri, even with her voice. "And that's how you get a seat as Chairman of the Circle. Not just a cute face."

"You could break up with him like that!" Kailani shouts before quickly covering up her mouth. She then speaks quieter. "But who do we get to seduce him after?"

Nobody speaks, though plenty of eyes shift to staring right at her.

Suddenly, colour appears in her cheeks. "No, no. I can't. I don't know know--Like, I've never even done something like that. And I'm not nearly pretty enough."

"Kailani," you say. "You're gorgeous. Don't say that."

Vaddund nods. "Indeed. And with my help, you will dress to impress, ma'am."

Her face lights up completely. With hands on her cheeks, she shakes her head back and forth. "S-Stop it... But thank you."

Snow places a comforting hand on her shoulder. "They're right. You're very pretty, Kailani. And you may not have to do much."

"Yeah!" Candy shouts as her entire illusion bursts. Like a painting thrown into water, the colour of Queen Iri disperses, and the figure before them falls apart and fades away into nothingness. Instead, a tiny clown girl darts out, and she stops right in front of the mermaid. "I mean, you're a little shorter, but I doubt he cares about that. You're not as huge, if you know what I mean, but only an idiot would care about that. They're still pretty great anyway."

"Can you not talk about my boobs? It's embarrassing," Kailani asks.

With a spark in his eye, Vaddund holds a mirror up in one hand as well as a jewellery box in the other. "I support this plan, and I'll do all I can do to help! You'll be my canvas, dear Kailani. Fret not. It'll be an honour to dress one who actually cares about this city of ours."

You point at yourself. "You dressed me, and I care," you mutter.

Candy laughs. "Everyone knows only girls can be dressed up."

"That's a bad stereotype. I looked hella good last time I dressed up all fancy."

Snow nods. "You do look very handsome in a suit, Kyle."

"Thanks, Snow." You reach over and pat her on the head.

She makes a tiny noise of joy she does her best to hide.