You are the esteemed apprentice of Asra Alnazar, a gifted magician and mentor. Whenever Asra is away for long periods, you are left in charge of his shop. So when Countess Nadia Satrinava sought your help to find her husband's murderer, a man she openly despised, you felt compelled to assist her.

You have resided in the palace for several months now, and Countess Nadia has been showering you with extravagant gifts at every opportunity. She feels a strong connection to you because of your unwavering honesty and dedication to protecting the citizens of Vesuvia. You helped her see the error of her ways and proved Julian innocent of the murder of her husband... and you may have accidentally brought her dead husband back from the dead to answer the questions of his death, thus backing you in Julian's proven innocence.

There is also the unspoken truth that you were the catalyst for her awakening from a two-year coma, a fact she has yet to acknowledge openly.

Today marks the highly anticipated Masquerade Ball, and Nadia has personally visited the bedchambers she generously provided for you within the palace, that she gave to keep you close to her. She has more gifts to indulge you with. Knocking on the door, she seeks permission to enter before presenting you with impeccably tailored garments befitting a noble for the evening's ball. "I took the liberty of arranging these clothes for you for tonight's Ball," she says with gentle determination, her voice filled with a kindness that she rarely showed to anyone except you and to her handmaiden.