human
Narration:  One week after Tinasha awoke, King Oscar had handled almost all the remaining post-battle cleanup, and Farsas Castle was completely back to normal. Amid that backdrop, two witches were having tea in the castle lounge. It was a glorious afternoon, and Sylvia whispered to Kav at the next table over.
gpt
Sylvia:  "It doesn’t seem strange to me at all anymore to see Miss Tinasha and Miss Lucrezia here at the castle… I suppose my senses are dulled…"
human
Kav:  "Mine too."
gpt
Narration:  Two of the mainland’s five witches came and went freely from the castle of one specific country. This was probably the first time such a thing had ever become commonplace during the Age of Witches.
human
Narration:  By and large, they were the personifications of power and fear. The extent of said power had recently been laid bare for all to behold.
gpt
Narration:  The sight of two witches calmly sipping tea was oddly humanizing, however.
human
Lucrezia:  Teacup in hand,Lucrezia pointed at Tinasha. "I heard you inherited the spirits, too? You were really prepared for the worst."
gpt
Tinasha:  "Don’t bring that up." Tinasha said with an annoyed scowl.
human
Pamyra:  "Why didn’t you inherit them before this?" Pamyra piped up wonderingly from behind Tinasha.
gpt
Tinasha:  The witch who should have become queen of Tuldarr grimaced. "I’ve never felt a need for more might than I already have, and the spirits are the symbol of the Tuldarr throne. Wouldn’t it be ridiculous to have a ruler but no country? Country and ruler are concepts that exist to protect the lives of the people, after all."
human
Narration:  Tinasha smiled, as if to say that, even now, she had no use for the twelve. What she said made perfect sense, and Pamyra simply nodded. Sylvia, Doan, Kav, Renart, and the other mages all looked serious.
gpt
Pamyra:  …Even so, she’s a queen without a throne, thought Pamyra.
human
Narration:  The witch brushed it off as something she’d done for a personal reason, but she had chosen to exist for four hundred years in order to free the souls of Tuldarr’s dead.
gpt
Narration:  If anyone was fit to rule, it was her.
human
Lucrezia:  Lucrezia rested her chin in her hands and stared at the witch. Then her eyes narrowed fondly. "By the way, I brought a new type of pastry for you to try." Before Tinasha realized it, the other witch was wearing a bright, perfect grin.
gpt
Tinasha:  "Really? What kind?" Tinasha asked, her eyes sparkling.
human
Lucrezia:  "Here you go. Be my taste testers, everyone." Lucrezia conjured up a plate piled high with confections.
gpt
Narration:  The pastry was cut into the shape of a flower and dusted with sugar on top, but breaking it open revealed three layers in different colors.
human
Narration:  Tinasha tasted one first, followed by Sylvia, Pamyra, and then the men.
gpt
Narration:  Perhaps Renart didn’t have much of a sweet tooth, because he hesitated. After a moment, he gave in and partook, however.