Start putting together the party.

As the crisp fresh air and scent of flowers wafts beneath your nose, you place your hands in your pockets and stare down the cobblestone road snaking around the bend from the shop you just departed. The breeze picks up, blowing over your blue tunic as if to announce the presence of fall, though thankfully your clothing is warmer than one might think. Soon you'll be travelling back to the capital city, regardless of your bounty. An appropriate party will be required. Combat will not only be limited, but hopefully not an occurrence at all considering where you'll be, and it might be nice to give other adventurers amongst your numbers a chance to flex what they can do.

I could bring Niki, Eva, and Amara, but I think they're better suited for more traditional quests, not sneaking into a kingdom to unravel the mystery of a missing queen and a mysterious king. I have a few different spies, though thankfully I do have connections now with the criminal underbelly, at least a little bit, so I have leeway here. Hmm, there's no right answer here. Anyone could probably bring something to the table.

While pondering, you wander down the streets. You occasionally spot others around, like the guards Mipa and Bek marching towards the walls, or Koblix chatting with Stax a distance away.

Poof! Suddenly from a cloud of black smoke appears your trusty maid, Yin. She pinches the hem of her skirt and curtsies politely. "Greetings, Master. I hope I'm not interrupting you, but I have news on the arrival of some unexpected guests."

"Oh? Who are they?" you reply.

"I'm uncertain. They arrived a little bit ago, though you were uhm... busy, from what I could hear, so they're currently waiting in the Great Hall. They were cold and seemed not at all dangerous, but we're keeping a watchful eye on them regardless. Would you like me to escort you to them now?" She offers out a hand in gesture and smiles.

You reach out and take it firmly. "Are we holding hands on the way there?" you ask with a chuckle.

Yin freezes up. Her red face turns darker, though regardless, the grip around your hand tightens. "Th-That was not my intention, Master. But I wouldn't mind that."

"Then let's go." Walking side-by-side, the two of you head towards the castle in a method more romantic than she expected, though you can't help but tease these girls a little bit more as things become more comfortable, and you all grow closer. She's so happy, just walking with my like this. Really cute. Whenever I look at her now, she glances away shyly. "Your hand is so warm. It feels nice, with the temperature dropping."

"P-Please," she mumbles. "Saying things like that is embarrassing."

"Do you want me to let go?"

She shakes her head. Then she leans in closer while the two of you approach the castle doors--leaning her hand softly against your shoulder.

Though your little date comes to an end as you pass through the entrance, and into the throne room to see the guests in question. Yin release her grip and curtsies once more before she moves to stand nearby with both hands crossed over her waist. There are others present as well, just as she said. Lynx is laying lazily back sideways over your throne across the room, while Taiga and Thomas stand beneath the shadow of the closest column, not in a threatening manner to the guests, but they're vigilante in case of foul play. It's wise, given the type of things that have happened so far.