zero no tsukaima 2
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ChapterOne:ASecretBoat
Louisewaslyingonherbed.Shewasdreamingthatshewasbackinherhomeland,athreedayrideawayfromtheTristainAcademy,whereshewasborn.
TheyoungLouiseinherdreamwasrunningaroundnearthehouse,eventuallyhidinginthebushesofthelabyrinth-likevegetationtohidefromherpursuers.
Louise,whereareyou?Comeoutnow!shoutedhermother.Inherdream,Louisewasbeingreprimandedduetoherpoorresultsinmagicalstudies.Shewasconstantlybeingcomparedwithhersisters,whohadmuchbetterresultsthanher.
Louisesawapairofshoesthatappearedbelowthebushes.
MissLouisereallyishopelessatmagic.
Icompletelyagree.Whycantshebelikehertwooldersisterswhoareverygoodwithmagic?
Louise,uponhearingthosewords,feltsadanddejectedasshebitherlips.Theservantshavestartedlookingforherinthevegetation.Louisetriedherbesttoescape.SheretreatedtotheplaceshecalledtheSecretGardenthecentrallake.
TheSecretGardenwastheonlyplacewhereLouisefeltatease.Itwastranquil,withnooneelsearound.Flowersbloomedeverywhereandbirdsgatheredonthebenchesnearthelake.Andinthemiddleofthelaketherewasasmallislandonwhichasmallhousemadeofwhitemarblerested.
Nexttotheislandwasasmallboatoriginallyusedforleisure,butnowderelictandforgotten.Heroldersistershadgrownup,andwerebusystudyingmagic.Herfather,whohadretiredfromhismilitaryduties,nowspendshistimeminglingwiththenoblesnearby.Herfather'sonlypastimewashuntingwildgame.Hermother'sonlyinterestwastoteachherdaughtersandcouldnotcarelessaboutanythingelse.
Therefore,besidesLouise,nooneevercametotheforgottenlakeanymore,much
lessrememberedthatsmallboat.ThatiswhywheneverLouisewasreprimanded,shewouldcometothisplace.
InLouisesdream,theyoungerversionofherjumpedontotheboatandsnuggledintoablanketthatwaspreparedearlier.
Asshehidinsideherblanket,anoblecladinacloakappearedfromthemist-coveredisland.
Thenoblewasaboutsixteenyearsold.InLouisesdream,shewasonlysixyearsold,atenyeardifferencelaybetweenthem.
Haveyoubeencrying,Louise?Hisfacecouldnotbeseenasitwascoveredbyala
rgehat.
ButLouiseknewexactlywhohewas:hewastheViscount,thenoblewhohadjustinheritedthelandsaroundherhomeland.Louisefeltwarmandfuzzyinside;theViscountwasthemanofherdreams.Theyhadoftenfrequentedbanquetstogetherand,furthermore,theirfathershadalreadymadeanengagement.
Isthatyou,Viscount-sama?
Louisehaphazardlycoveredherface;shedidnotwantthemanofherdreamstos
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eehercrying.Itwouldbeembarrassing.
Iwasinvitedbyyourfathertodayregardingtheengagement.
Hearingthis,Louisewasevenmoreembarrassedtothepointthatshedidnotevendareliftherheadup.
Really?Butthatwouldnotbepossible,Viscount-sama.
Louise,mysmallanddaintyLouise,doyoudislikeme?theViscountsaidinjest.
Louisegentlyshookherheadandsaidabashedly,No,itsnotthat.It'sjustthatImstillyoungandunready...
ThefacehiddenunderneaththehatrevealedasmileandextendedahandouttoLouise.
Viscount-sama.
Lady,pleasetakeholdofmyhand.Quickly,thebanquetisabouttostart.
But
Haveyoubeenscoldedagain?Dontworry.Illtalktoyourfather.theViscountsaid
Louisenodded,stoodupandreachedfortheViscountshand.Whatbighands,aren'tthosethehandsthatshehadalwaysdreamedofholding?
JustasshewasabouttograsptheViscountshand,asuddengustofwindblewthehatfromtheViscountshead.
Eh?!Louiselookedathisface,perplexed.Becauseitwasadream,Louisehadreturnedtohersixteenyearoldself.
What...Whatareyoudoing?
ThepersonunderneaththehatwasnottheViscount,butherfamiliar,Saito.
Louise,comequickly.
ItdoesntmatterwhetherIcomeornot,whyareyouhere?
Dontbesonarrowminded,haventyoufallenformealready?repliedSaito,whowasmpudentlydressedintheViscountsclothes.
Onehastowonderwherehegotthatmuchconfidencefrom.
Dontbestupid,Iwasjustmuddle-headedthattime,youbetterstopdreaming!
Stopmakingupexcuses,myLouise.
Whois'yourLouise'?!
Saitopretendednottohearheratall,andinstead,cameclosertoLouise.
Whatareyoutryingtodo,youidiot?!
Ignoringhercomplaints,SaitoproceededandliftedLouise,whowasintheboat,intohisarms.
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Whyisityou?LouiseaskedinfrustrationwhilepunchingSaito.ButSaitodidnotgetangryatall,insteadhisgrinbecamewider.ThismadeLouiseslowlyturnredfromembarrassment.Shedidnotknowtheexactreason,butshefeltgoodinSaitosarms.ThismadeLouiseevenmoreanxious.
Saito,lyinginhisbed,slowlyopenedhiseyes.Thetwinmoonsinfullcircleshoneontotheroom,lightingitupbrightly.Louise,sleepinginherbed,moanedasthoughshewashavinganightmare.
Saitoprayedthatshewouldcontinuetosleep.HequietlygotupandslowlyapproachedthesleepingLouise.
Whatisitpartner?NotSleeping?DerflingeraskedSaitoquiteabruptly.
Shhhh...Saitoturnedaroundandputhisindexfingerontohislips.
Don'twantmetospeak?Whynot?
Shhhh...Saitoshookhishead,onceagaindrewhismiddlefingeracrosshislipsandstaredathispartner,Derflinger,withannoyance.
Iwontforgiveyouforgivingmethecoldshoulder.Mypartnerwakesupinthemid
dleofthenightwithouttellingmeareason.Thismakesmeangryanddepressed!
Aftersayingthis,Derflingermovedandshookhisbody,likehewasreallyangry.Whatadifficultsword.
Awakenedbytherattlingofthesword,Louiseturnedaroundandopenedhereyes.
Saitosheartskippedabeat.
Sittingup,LouisestartedtoscoldSaito.
Dontbesofullofyourself!Youbetterdosomecleaningup,don'tyouseethedustgatheredeverywhere?Donttellmethatyouhavedoneitalready,youslow-witte
dfool.Youresuchadimwit!
Saitosbodywasfrozensolid,asthoughtheHardenspellhadbeencastedonhim.
ButafterLouisefinishedscoldingSaito,shelaydownoncemoreandslept.Apparently,shewasjusttalkinginhersleep.Eveninhersleep,LouisewasorderingSaitoabout.Saitofeltsimultaneouslyrelievedandsaddened.
Derflinger,whowaswatchingSaitoallthistime,gaveahaplesssigh.
Shestalkinginherdreams,huh?Butitdoesntseemtobemusictoyourears,Saito.
SaitostaredangrilyatDerflinger,whohadalmostspoiledhisplanandquicklywalkedtowardshimandsaid,Youbetterkeepquiet,youidiot!
Yourereallytoomuch,Ishallnotforgiveyou!Ifmypartnerwantsmetobesilent,thenIwilldefinitelybesilent!Butforsuddenlywakingupinthemiddleofthenightandbeingsosneakyaboutit,youlldefinitelysufferretributionevenifyoutellmeyourreasonnow.
Derflingerssenseofcuriosityisthesameashispartner's.ItseemshewantstoknowSaitosreasonforwakingupinthemiddleofthenightnomatterwhatitta
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kes.
Saitosighed,andthenpointedtothesleepingLouise.
WhatabouttheNoblesdaughter?
Whatdoyouthinkpartner?
Saitousedhishandsandmadeagestureresemblingaheart.
Whatdoesthatmean?
Itrepresentslove.
Thatgirllikesyou,partner?
Yes.
Howdoyouknow?
Saitostoodup,anddancedwhilenotmakinganynoise.
Ah...youarereferringtotheball?
YousawLouisesexpressionwhileweweredancing,right?
Yeah,Isawit.
Herfacewassored...Saitosaidwhileinadaze.
Yeah,itwasveryred.
Sheseemedtowanttoholdmyhandsandnotletthemgo.
Areyousure!?
Derf,yourejustapieceofmetal,soyoullneverunderstandagirlsheart.Ifagi
llooksataboylikethat,itmeansshesindirectlytellinghimthatshelikeshim.Saitosaid,whileknockingonthesword.
True,Imbutasword,andIdontunderstandinterpersonalrelationshipsatall.Butsinceyousaysopartner,itmustprobablybetrue.
Saitonoddedhappilyandsaid,Yourereallysensible,Derflinger!
Then,mygoodpartner,sinceyouresurethatshelikesyou,areyougoingtoravishher?
Yes!Imsurethatshelikesme,andIthinkI'mgonnaravishher!...Err,whatdoes'ravish'mean?
Thatsimpossible.IvebeenaroundforalongtimeandthisisthefirsttimeIveherdofafamiliarravishingitsmaster.Youreincredible!
Ah...thatfeelsgood.Come,praisemeagain.
Mypartner,yourefantastic!
Saitostoodupandbuoyantlyasked,Derf,who'sthemosthandsomemanintheworld?
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Ofcourseitsyou,partner.
Whoisthegreatestpersoninthisworldwithoutmagic?
Ofcourseitsyou,partner.
ThepraiseswentstraighttoSaito'shead.Hefeltasifthewholeworldwascheeringforhim.OnehastowonderifhehasaproblemwithhisIQ.
LouiseisreallyfortunatethatIhavetakenalikingtoher.Thegreatandhandsomeme.
Ifthathaughtygirlreallylikesyou,thenwhydidshehavetoscoldyoueveninherdreams?
Derflingerwantedtocontinuevoicinghisopinions,butwasstoppedbySaito.Louiseisinrealityextremelystubborn.Shewouldnotbareherheartthateasily.
Isthatso?
IfIwentoverandaskedher,shewoulddefinitelyreply:'Whatareyousaying?Youstupidfamiliar!'
Likeyousaid,doyoureallyknowherinsideout,partner?
Ofcourse!Althoughshesalwaysdenyingit,inrealityshedesperatelywantsmetoconquerher.Shesalreadydeeplyinlovewithme,butLouiseisaveryheadstronggirl,shewonttellmethatshelikesmedirectlyduetoherpride.
Partner,youmustbeageniustohavededucedthis.
Sonow,ImtorepresentplanetEarthand'ravish'thisBishojofromHalkeginia.Youunderstanddontyou,Derf?Socouldyoudomeafavorandkeepyourmouthshut?
Derflingershookhisbody,signifyingagreement.
Ifthatsthecase,Iwillremainsilentthen.
SaitothankedDerflingerandonceagainapproachedLouise.
Louisewasstillindeepsleep.NomatterfromwhatangleyoulookatthesleepingLouise,shestilllooksasbeautifulasever.Saitotookadeepbreath;theroomwasfilledwithanicefragrance.
Saito,tremblingslowly,liftedLouisesblanket.
MoonlightshoneontoLouisewhowaswearinganightgown.EventhoughLouisewaswearinghernightie,onecouldstillfeelhersmoothandsuppleskinthroughit.Althoughjustslightly,herbreastshaddeveloped.Also,Louisedidnotliketo
wearundergarmentswhensleeping.Saitoknewthisextremelywell-hewastheonewhopreparedherundergarmentseverymorning.ZnTB2C101.jpg
Saitowassotouchedthattearsnearlycameoutofhiseyes.Fromnowonwardsthepetiteandcutegirlwillfinallybemine,hethoughttohimself.Hehasbeenwaitingforthismomentforaweek,eversincetheball.
Rubbinghishandstogether,SaitoapproachedthesleepingLouiseandsaid,Itadakimasusayingthat,hesnuggledunderLouisesblanket.
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Ah,Louise,Louiseyourskinisreallysosmoothandsupple.HahaSaitoyouidiot
Saitodidnotknowwhyhecalledhimselfanidiot,butnonethelesshewasbecomingmoreandmorearoused.
HehuggedLouisewithoutthinkingtwiceandkissedhercheek.Louisedidnotlooklikeshewouldwakeupanytimesoon;shewasquiteasoundsleeper.
Louise,mydearLouise,yourface;youhavethecutestfaceintheworld...Followingthat,justasSaitowasabouttoliftupLouisesnightgown,shesuddenlyawoke.Saitowasinitiallyshocked,butherecoveredquicklyandhuggedLouisetightly.
What...Whatareyoudoing?!
LouiseimmediatelyrealizedwhatwasgoingonandstruggledtobreakfreefromSaitosarms.
Cantyoujuststaystill?
Why...why...areyouhuggingme?
Whatareyousaying?Ithoughtthatyoulikedme!?SaitostaredatLouiseinfrust
ration;Louisefelttheangerandstoppedstruggling.
What?
SaitoplacedhishandsonLouisesshoulderandasked,Arentyouinlovewithme?
What...what...nonsenseareyoublabbering?
ItsallrightLouise,Iunderstandhowyoufeel.Imtheonethatunderstandsyouthemost.Dontbenervous,justrelax.
SaitoslowlymovedhislipstowardsLouises;Louisesfacebecamepalerandpaler.
Me,inlovewithyou??
Louisesdreamjustnowflashedbeforehereyesagain.Saitowasexactlythesameasinherdream,speakingtoherinthataudaciousmanner.Thankstothat,themoreLouiselookedatSaito,theangriershebecame.BoththeSaitoinherdreamandtheSaitoinrealitymadehermad,reallymad.Youcouldsayitwaspurerage.
Louisewasnowtremblinginanger,butSaitomistookitforshyness,asLouisehadhadnopriorexperience.
Areyoustillnervous,thisismyfirsttimetoo.RelaxwhileItakeoffmypants...
LouisefeltSaitoholdingupherwaist...
Asswiftasaflamesalamandercatchesitsprey,LouiseshotherrightlegupwardandstruckSaitobetweenthelegs.
"Arhhh!"
Saitoimmediatelyfelthisspinecarrytheexcruciatingpainfromhisgroinallthewaytohisbrain.Saito,notabletotakethepain,beganfoamingatthemou
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thandrolledoffofLouisesbed.Louiseslowlygotupandgrabbedthehorsewhipwhichwasplacednexttoherbed.
Saito,seeingthewhip,triedtoescape,butthewhip-bearingLouisealreadyhadherfootonSaitoshead.
Whatdidyouwanttodotomejustnow?!
Saito,slowlyrecoveringfromhispain,managedtospeak,Arentwejustlikeloverswhisperingsweetnothingstoeachotherjustnow?
LouiseusingherfoottoapplymorepressureonSaitosheadreplied,Thatsonlywishfulthinkingonyourpart.
DoesitmeanthatImmistaken?Arentyoufondofme?
Whoisfondofwhom?
Well,dontyoulikeme,MissLouise?
HahaPleasetellmethereasonforyoubelievingthat,butyoudbettermakeitsimpletounderstand,otherwiseIwillnotbeabletotellwhatwillhappentoyou
Well,duringtheball,youlookedatme,yourfamiliarwiththoselovelorneyes.
Louisewithherfaceturningredreplied,SothatswhyyouthoughtthatImfondofyouandclimbedintomybed?
Thatscorrect,MissLouise.Isyourhumblefamiliarreallymistaken?
Youredefinitelymistaken,Ihaveneverheardofafamiliarclimbingintoitsownersbed.
Iwilltakenoteofitthenexttime.
LouisegaveasighandsaidinatonethatseemstopitySaito,Therewontbeanexttime.
Master,Look!Look!Thetwinmoonsareshiningsobeautifullytonight!Saitosaidindesperation.
Anyway,itstoolateLouisesaidinavoicetremblinginanger.Underthetwinmoomoonlight,Saitoscriesofpaincouldbeheardmanymilesaway
ThesametimethatSaitowasbeingbadlybeatenup,FouquetwasstaringidlyattheceilingsomewherefarwayfromtheacademyintheCityofTristainsGenoaprison.Shewasthetriangleearthmage,whowasapprehendedbySaitoandCo.twodaysagoforthetheftoftheStaffofDestruction.Asshewasinfamousforstealin
gvaluabletreasurefromvariousnoblesshewasplacedinGenoaprison,themaximumsecurityprisonlocatedintheCityofTristain.
Shewouldbechargedincourtthefollowingweek.Asshehadcausedagreatdealofshametonoblesalloverthecountry,shewouldmostprobablyeitherbeexiledorbegiventhedeathsentence.Eitherway,shewouldn'tbeallowedinTristainanymore.Atfirst,shethoughtofescaping,butshelatergaveupthatthought.
Insidehercell,therewasnothingexceptforshoddylookingbedandatabletha
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twasmadeofwood.Eventheutensilssheusedweremadeofwood.ThingswouldbequitedifferentiftherewasjustsomethingmadeofmetalLikeaspoon.
Shehadwantedtoturntheprisonwallsandironbarsintosoilusingalchemy.Withoutherwand,whichwasconfiscated,thatwouldnotbepossible.Magicianswerehelplesswithouttheirwands.Furthermore,theprisonwallsandironbarsarespeciallyenchantedtoresistmagic.Evenwiththeuseofalchemy,shewouldnotbeabletoescape.
Itsreallymeanofthemtolockupafeeblefemalelikemyselfhere.Fouquetgrumbledtoherself.Thenshethoughtabouttheyouththathadapprehendedher,Thatboyisquitestrong,cantbelievethathesanordinaryhuman.Whoexactlyishe?Thenagain,itdoesntconcernmeanymore.
Timetosleep...Fouquetclosedhereyesandlaiddown.Justasshehadclosedhereyes,shequicklyopenedthemagain.
Fouquetheardsomeonewalkingdowntothedungeonwhereshewasheld.Sheheardpeculiarnoisesthatsoundedlikeaspur.Shededuceditcouldnotbeawarden,astheydidnotwearspursontheirboots.Fouquetquicklysatup.
Apersonwearingacloakappearednexttohercell,hisfaceunseenasitwascoveredbyawhitemask.Judgingfromthelongwandvisiblebeneathhiscloak,hewasamage.
Inaratherscornfulmanner,FouquetexclaimedImsurprisedtoseeavisitorinthemiddleofthenight!
Themaninthewhitemaskdidnotreply,andinsteadgaveFouquetacoldstare.
Fouquetinstinctivelyknewthatthispersonwashiredtokillher.Somenoblesshehadstolenfrommusthavethoughtthatsentencingherincourtwastoomuchofahassleandhaddecidedtohireanassassintokillher.Someoftheitemsshehadstolenfromtheimperialfamilywerelikelystolengoodstobeginwith,andinordernottoletsuchatruthsurfacetheimperialshadprobablydecidedtosilenceher.
Well,asyoucansee,thisdoesntlooklikeaplacetoentertainsomeone.ButIthinkyourenotherejustforacupoftea,right?Fouquetsaid.
Shebegantothink,ThoughImwithoutmywand,Iwillnoteasilygiveupwithoutafight.Imnotonlywellversedinmagic;Imprettygoodinclosecombattoo.However,Impowerlesstostophimshouldheusemagic.Therefore,Imustsomehowlurehiminsidemycell.
Justthen,themaninthecloakspoke,AreyouFouquetoftheCrumblingEarth?
Hisvoicesoundedstrongandyouthful.
Imnotsurewhogavemethisnickname,butyes,IamFouquetoftheCrumblingEart
h.
Themaninthecloakraisedbothofhishands,implyingthathedidnotintendhostility.
IhavesomethingthatIwouldliketotellyou.
Whatisthat?Fouquetrepliedinarathersurprisedtone.Donttellmethatyourengtospeakonmydefense.Whataweirdo.
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Idbehappytospeakinyourdefense,mydearMathildaofSaxe-Gotha
Fouquetsfacebecamepale.ThatsanameIhadforgotten,orrather,wasforcedtoforget.Thereshouldbenooneinthisworldthatknowsthatnameanymore
Whoexactlyareyou?
Thecloakedmandidnotanswerherquestionandinsteadasked,Mathilda,doyouwishtoserveAlbionagain?
Fouquet,whohadlosthercool,replied,Thatsimpossible!Iwillneverservethosewhohadmurderedmyfatherandannexedmyhome!
Dontbemistaken,nooneisaskingyoutoservetheAlbionroyalfamily.Theyregoingtobeoverthrownsoon.
Whatdoyoumean?
Arevolutionistakingplace.WeregoingtooverthrowtheweakandpowerlessImperialfamily,andsucceedingthemwillbemorecapablenobleslikeourselves.
ButarentyoupartofTristainsnobility?WhathasAlbionsrevolutiongottodowityou?
WeareaconsortiumofnobleswithoutborderswhoareworriedaboutHalkeginiasfuture.WewishtounifyHalkeginiaandregaintheholylandthatfounderBrimirhadoncesetfooton.
Fouquetsmirked,Pleasestoptalkingnonsense.Ifthatsthecase,whydoesyourconsortiumofnobleswithoutbordersneedme?Imjustaprisoner.
Weneedskilledmagiciansnowmorethanever.Willyoulendusyourhelp,FouquetoftheCrumbingEarth?
Fouquetwavedherhandsandreplied,Pleasestopdreaming
YouwishtounifyHalkeginia?TheKingdomsofTristain,Germania,Albion,Gallia,
andanumberofsmallerkingdomswhichareconstantlyatwarwitheachother?Unifyingthemwouldbelikeamidsummernight'sdream.?
Hmm!Gettingtheholylandbackhowwouldyoufightagainsttheall-powerfulelves?
Forhundredsofyears,theholylandhadbeeninthepossessionoftheelveslivingnorthofHalkeginia.Humanshadattemptedcountlesscrusadestogetbacktheholyland,butfailedmiserablyeachtime.
Theelves,distinguishedbytheirdistinctlypointedearsanduniqueculture,hadlonglifespansandwerehighlyproficientwithmagic.Assuch,theywerehighlyeffectivewarriors.Defeatingthemwouldbeanuphillbattle.
IhavenolovefornoblesandIhavenointerestinHalkeginia.AsforregainingtheHolyland,theelvescanstaythereforallIcare!
Themanintheblackcloaktookouthiswandandreplied,Illgiveyouachoice,FouquetoftheCrumblingEarth.
Letshearitout.
Eitheryoubecomeourcomradeor
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Fouquetfinishedthesentenceforhim,OrIwouldimmediatelyperishhere?AmIcorrect?
Thatiscorrect.Sinceyoualreadyknowoursecret,Icannotletyoulive.
Younoblesarereallyaconceitedbunch.Youllneverconsiderotherpeoplesfeelings,Fouquetsaidwithachuckle,Toputitnicely,youreinvitingmetojoinyou,butinrealitythereisnootherchoice,isthere?
Themanintheblackcloaktoorepliedwithachuckle,Thatscorrect.
Letmebeapartofyourconsortiumthen.Ihatepeoplewhodonotknowhowtogiveorders.
Letsgothen.
Fouquetplacedbothherhandsontoherchestandasked,What'sthenameofyourorganization?
Doyoureallywishtojoinus,orareyoujusttoyingwithme?
IjustwanttoknowthenameoftheorganizationIwillworkforfromnowon.
Themanintheblackcloakremovedakeyfromhispocket,unlockedFouquetscellandanswered,TheReconquistadors.
[edit]ChapterTwo:HerMajestysMelancholy
Morning.
Louisesclassmatesstaredwide-eyedatherassheentered,mostlybecauseshetowedbehindherachained,locked,andbadlybrokenbeingwithherintotheclassroom.Herfaceemittedanextremelydangerousaura,andherbeautifulbrowcurvedinanger.
Shequicklyfellintoherchair.
Whoa,Louise.Whatdidyoujustdraginhere?MontmorencytheFragranceaskedLouise,herjawdropping.
Myfamiliar.
OhrightitdoeslooklikethatifIlookcloser.Montmorencynodded.Althoughhugeweltsanddriedbloodplaguedtheface,onecouldstilldefinitelyrecognizethatthisthingusedtobecalledSaito.Hisheadwaslockedupwithhiswrists,andhewasdraggedinlikeasackoftrash.
Whatdidhedo?
Hesnuckintomybed.
OH!Montmorencyexaggerativelyshowedhershock,frayingherbeautifulcurvyhair.Vulgar!Oh,sneakingintothatbedissoOh!Dirty!Unclean!Veryunclean.Shebitonherhandkerchief,whilemumblingaboutreputationandancestorsandthelike.
Rufflingherfieryredhair,KircheenteredtheclassroomstaringatLouise.Itmustbeyourseduction,right,Louise?Dirty,dirtyLouise,youseducedSaitolik
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eawhore,didntyou?
Whosdirtyhere?Isntthatyou?NowayIdseducehim!
Geez...allinjuredlikethat...poorkid...letmehealyou.KirchehuggedSaitoshead.Herhugebreastsnearlysuffocatedhim,butheofferednoresistance,andratherenjoyedthesuddenheaventhatcametohim.
Whoawhoawhoa...
Areyouallright?Wheredoesithurt?Illhealyouwithaspell.
Quitlying.Youcantusewater-typehealingspells,canyou?YourrunicnameisHeat,asinheatstroke.Goandcooldownalittle.Louisesaidindignantly.
ItsArdent.AR-DENT.IneverthoughtyourmemoryisZerotoo.KircheglaredatLouiseschest.LookslikethenameZeroisntjustaboutyourchestandyourmagic!
Louisesfacewentredinaninstant.Despitethat,shelaughedcoldly,bitingherlip.WhydoIhavetotakethisfromawomanwhocanonlyboastofherbreasts?Areyousayingthatallawomansworthisinherbreastsize?Thatsareallymessedupwaytothink.Yourbrainmustbeemptyorsomething...allthenutrientswenttoyourb-breasts...yourbrainmust...m-mustbee-em-empty...Althoughshetriedtoappearcalm,hervoiceshook.Sheseemedtohavetakenaverypersonalo
ffense.
Yourvoiceisshaking,Vallire.AndKirchegentlyheldSaito,hisbodystillfullofbruisesandinjuries,andtouchedhisfacewithherchest.Oh,mydear,doyouthinkthatbig-breastedKircheisstupid?
N...no...y-youreveryintelligent!Saitoappearedinecstasy,buryinghisfaceintoKircheschest.Louisesbrowraisedatthat,andsheforcefullypulledinthechaininherhand.
Youcomeoverhere!Saito,lockedhead,wrists,andentirebody,heavilyfellontheground.Louisesteppedonhisback,andcoldlyspoketohim.Whogaveyoupermissiontospeakinhuman?Youresupposedtosaywoof,dog.
Woof.Yes,maam.Saitorepliedquietly.
Stupiddog.Doitagain.Whenyousayyeswhatdoyoudo?
Woof.
Exactly.Yousaywoofonce.ThenwhatdoyoudowithIunderstand,mistress?
Woofwoof!
Riiiiight.Yousaywooftwice.WhataboutIwannagotothebathroom?
Woofwoofwoof!
Eeeeexactly.Yousaywoofthreetimes.Thatsprettygoodvocabularyevenforastupddog,soyoudonthavetosayanythingelse,gotit?
......woof.
A'woof'ingdeariscutetoo!KirchesaidasshecaressedSaitoschin.Awww...youancometomybedtonight.Howsthat?Icanlet'woofwoof'lickalotofplacesyoudlike!
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Saitosuddenlyspranguponhisknees,wagginghistail,whichisabroomthatLouisetiedonhisbehindlastnight.Therewereevenearsmadeofragsonhishead.
Woof!Woof!Woofwoof!
Louisesilentlyandforcefullypulledthechaintight.Youlittle...Andsheangrilysteppedonhim.
DidntIsaywoofthewayyoutoldmeto?!Saitohadenough,stoodupwithaIbetiveyoualessonface,anddovetowardsLouise.Allshehadtodo,though,waspullthechainsonhisfoot,andhefellwithaheavythud.
Youhaveabsolutelynodifferencefromadogatitspassionatephases.NotonlydidyouwagyourtailataZerbstwoman,youevenattackedyourownmistress.Despicable.Very,very,very,veryunbecoming.Louiseretrievedherwhipfromherbag,andbegantovigorouslybeatSaitowithit.
Ouch!Stop!Stop!S-T-O-P!Hisbodylockedup,Saitocouldonlyrollaroundonthefloor.
Ouch?Isntitwoof?ItsWoof!Dontalldogssaywoof?
Soundsofwhippingreverberatedthroughoutthelecturehall.LouiseshairflewaroundasshechasedSaito,whowastryingtocrawlaway,andcontinuouslywhiphim.Saitomadewhimperingwoofswheneverahitconnected.NobodywouldhavethoughtthatthisSaitowasthelegendaryfamiliar.ZnT02-039.jpg
Thestudentsintheclassroomwatchedthisembarrassingscene,wondering:DidthiscommonerreallybeatGuichetheBronze?DidhereallycatchFouquetoftheCrumblingDirt?
CRACK!CRACK!
ThestudentssilentlywatchedherbeatSaito.Sheonlynoticedjustnow,withhe
rfullattentionatbeatingSaito,thateverybodywaslookingather,andherfacegrewred.Shehastilyputawayherwhipandheldherwrists.Di...discipliningendshere!
Weknowitsdisciplining,butgeez...horrifiedbythescene,thestudentsturnedaway.
Arentyoutheonewiththeheat,Vallire?Kirchesaidinboredom.
Louiseviciouslyglaredather.Saito,undercontinuousinjuriesandpain,fainted,andsimplylaidlifelessontheground.Theteachersdooropened,andProfessorKaitaappeared.
Thestudentssatintheirseats.ProfessorKaitawastheonewhoscoldedProfessorChevreuse,whofellasleeponguarddutyduringtheFouquetincident,andwastoldbyOsman'Youreprettyeasytoanger'.Sportinglong,jetblackhair,andapitchblackcape,hiseverymovegaveanunfriendly,uncomfortablefeel.Althoughhewasquiteyoung,hisunfriendlymannerandcoldlookearnedhimillreputefromthestudents.
Let'sstarttheclass.Aseveryoneknows,myrunicnameisgust.KaitatheGust.Hewasenvelopedwithshockedstares,andsatisfiedbythat,hecontinued.Doyouknowwhatthemostpowerfulelementis,Zerbst?
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fromtheclassroom.Tostopthem,Colbertwavedwithbotharms,andcontinued.Ihavesomethingtotelleveryone.Colbertexaggerativelytiltedhisheadback,causinghiswigtoslideofftotheground.ThetensemoodKaitabuiltsuddenlycollapsed,aslaughterenvelopedtheclassroom.
Tabitha,whosatinfront,pointedathisbaldedheadandsuddenlysaid,Shiny.
Thelaughtergrewmoreintense.KirchelaughedwhilerappingTabithasshoulder,Youcanreallytalkwhenyouspeakuponceinawhile!
Colbertblushed,andloudlyyelled.SILENCE!Onlycommonerslaughoutloud!Noblesonlycovertlysnickerwiththeirheadsdowneveniftheyfindsomethingfunny!Otherwise,theroyalcourtwillquestionourschoolseducationalresults!Theclassroomfinallyquietedtothosewords.
Allright.Everyone,todaywouldbethemostimportantdayforTristainMagicalAcademy.ThisisourgreatFounderBrimirsbirthday,averycelebratoryday.Colbertsfacestraightened,andheplacedhisarmsbehindhisback.
ItishighlyprobablethatHisMajestysdaughter,thebeautifulflowerthatweTristainianscanproudlyboasttotherestofHalkeginia,PrincessHenrietta,will,toourgreatfortune,passbytheAcademyonherwaybackfromvisitingGermania.
Whispersandchatterfilledtheroom.
Therefore,wemustnotallowanyslack.Asthisisverysuddennews,wehavebegunpreparationstoreceivehertothebestofourabilities.Duetothis,todaysclassesareherebycancelled.Allstudents,pleaseputonyourformalwear,andassembleatthemainentrance.Thestudentsanxiouslynoddedinunison.Colbertseverelynoddedinreturn,andloudlyannounced,ThisisanexcellentopportunitytoletHerMajestythePrincessknowthateveryonehasmaturedasmodelnobles.EveryonemustpreparetotheirbesttoletHerMajestywitnessthisfact!Dismissed!
***
Fourgolden-helmetedstallionsledacarriagequietlyontheroadtotheMagicAcademy.Thecarriagewasexquisitelyadornedwithgold,silver,andplatinumsculptures.ThosesculpturesaretheRoyalSeals.Ononeofthose,aunicorncrossedwithacrystalstaffsignaledthatthiscarriagebelongstoHerMajestythePrincess.
Onecanfind,uponcloserexamination,thatthestallionsdrawingthecarriagewerenotnormalhorses.TheywereunicornsliketheoneontheRoyalSeal.Unicorns,which,bylegend,wouldonlyallowthepurestgirlsridethem,werethebestforleadingthePrincessscarriage.
Thecarriageswindowshadivybordersandcoverings,asifdisallowingtheoutsidefromlookingin.BehindthePrincessscarriageisCardinalMazarin,whohasheldallTristainpoliticalauthoritywithanirongripsinceHisMajestypassedaway.HiscarriagessplendordoesnotlosetoHerMajestytheQueens.Infact,hiswasevenmoreembellished.ThedifferenceofthesetwocarriagesontheroadclearlyshowswhocurrentlyholdsthetopauthorityinTristain.
AroundthetwocarriageswastheImperialGuard,adivisionofmageguards.Composedofthemostprominentnoblefamilies,theMagicImperialGuardistheprideofallnoblesinthecountry.Everynoblemaledreamsofwearingtheblackcape
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oftheMagicImperialGuard,andeverynoblefemaledreamsofbeingtheirbrides.ThisImperialGuardisTristainssymbolofprosperity.
Theroadispavedwithflowersascommonerscheeredfromtheroadside.Everytimethecarriagespassedthem,onecanhearLongliveTristain!LonglivePrincessHenrietta!andsometimesevenLongliveCardinalMazarin!thoughthatpalesincomparisontothePrincess.Heisnotwell-regardedasheisrumoredtobeofcommonerblood.Somesayitsjealousytohisposition.Asthecarriagescurtainsopened,andasthecrowdsseetheyoungPrincess,thecheersgetevermorepassionate.Shealsoreturnedagenialsmiletothepeople.
***
Henriettaclosedthecurtains,anddeeplysighed,losingtherose-likesmilethatshejustsenttothecrowds.Allthatwasleftwasdistressanddeepmelancholyunbecomingofherage.ThePrincessis17thisyear.Withaslimfigure,lightblueeyes,highnose,sheisaneyecatchingbeauty.Herslenderfingersplayedwithhercrystalstaff.AsofRoyalblood,sheis,ofcourse,amage.
Neitherthecheersalongtheroadnortheflowersflyingintheaircouldcheerherup.Sheseemedtobeholdingdeeppoliticalandromanticanxieties.
Sittingbesideher,Mazarinwatchedherwhileplayingwithhisbeard.Wearingahatlikethatofapriestandagreyformalsuit,hewasaslimandfrailmanofforty-someyearsold.Hishairandbeardhavealreadygrownwhite,andevenhisfingerslookedlikeskinonbones,creatinganappearancefartoooldforhisage.EversinceHisMajestydied,hisirongriponbothforeignrelationsandinternalpoliticshaveconsiderablyagedhim.
HejustlefthiscarriageandenteredthePrincesss.
Hewantedtotalkaboutpolitics,butthePrincessonlysighed,andpaidnoattention.
Thatisyourthirteenthtimetoday,YourMajesty.Mazarinnoted,annoyedandconce
rned.
Hmm?What?
Thatsighing.Thoseofroyaltyshouldntdothatallthetimeinfrontoftheirsubordinates.
Royalty?!What?Henriettawasshocked.ArentyoutheKingofTristain?DoesntYourghnessknowabouthisrumorsonthestreets?
Iamnotaware.Mazarinrepliedindifferently.Hewaslying.HeknewabouteverythinginTristain,andevenHalkeginia,downtotheamountofscalesonthefiredragonslivinginthevolcanoes.Heknewallaboutit.Hejustpretendedthathe
didnt.
Thenletmetellyou.TristainsRoyalfamilyhasbeauty,butnotitsscepter.Cardinal,youretheoneholdingthescepter.Birdsboneswearingagrayhat...
Mazarinblinked.ThewordsbirdsbonescomingoutofthePrincessstung.Pleasedonspeakofcommonersrumorssocarelessly...
Whynot?Theyrejustrumors.IllmarrytheKingofGermaniaasyoutoldmeto.
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Wecanthelpthat.AnalliancewithGermaniaisextremelyimportanttoTristain.saidMazarin.
ThatIknow.
YourMajestyunderstandstherebellionbeingcarriedoutinthatWhiteCountryAlbionunderthoseidiots?ThosepeoplecantseemtotoleratetheexistenceofroyaltyinHalkeginia.Hefrowned.
Impolite,unrefinedimbeciles!Theyretryingtohangthatpoorprince!Eveniftheentireworldcanforgivetheiractions,FounderBrimirshallnotforgivethem.Iwouldntforgivethem.
Indeed.However,Albionsnobilityhasunsurpassedpower.TheAlbionianRoyalFamilymightnotevensurvivetomorrow.OneofFounderBrimirsthreebestowedroyaltiesisgoingtofall,justlikethat.Meh...countriesthatcannotsolvetheirowninternalstrifeshavenorighttoexist.
TheAlbionianRoyalFamilyisnothinglikeGermanias.Theyreallmyrelatives.YouhavenorighttosaythatevenasCardinal.
Ihumblyapologize.IwillaskforforgivenessfromFounderBrimirbeforeIgotobedtonight.However,whatIjustsaidisthetruth,YourMajesty.
Henriettaonlysadlyshookherhead.Eventhatgestureradiatedherbeauty.
WordisthatthosestupidAlbioniannobleshavethegalltodeclarehowtheyregoingtouniteallofHalkeginiaasone.ItcertainlyseemslikethosepeoplewouldsettheirsightsatTristainafterextinguishingtheirroyalty.Ifitreallyturnsoutlikethat,itwouldbetoolateifwedonttakestepstopreparerightnow.MazarinseverelyexplainedtoHenrietta.Shelookedoutthewindow,pretendingtopaynoattention.Readingtheopponentsactionsandcounteringitatthefirstavailableopportunityistruepolitics,YourMajesty.IfwecancreateanalliancewithGermania,thenwecancreateacovenanttocounterAlbionsnewgovernment,andensurethislittlecountryssurvival.
Henriettacontinuedtosigh.Mazarinopenedthecurtainandlookedoutside,and
sawtheshadowofhispride.Ayoung,breathtakinglysharp-lookingnoble,sportingafeather-hatandlongbeard,marchedwiththeconvoyoutside.Amedalofagriffinfastenshisblackcape,andonelookonhismountshowswhy.Ithadaneagleshead,wings,andtalons,andithadalionsbodyandhindlegs.Agriffin.
ThismanistheleaderofoneofthreeMageGuarddivisions,theGriffinKnights,CaptainLordWardes.HisdivisionisthemostmemorableamongsttheentireMageGuard,andespeciallytoMazarin.Wieldingformidablemagicalprowess,theMageGuardisorganizedthroughextremelyselectivetrialsamongstnobles,andeachmemberridesamagicalbeasttohisdivisionsname.TheyaretheTristainiansymbolsoffearandpride.
Yousummonedme,YourHighness?Wardesseyestwinkled,andapproachedthecarriage
windowonhisgriffin.Thewindowslowlyopened.Mazarinlookedout.
Wardes-kun,HerMajestyisfeelingdepressed.Canyougetsomethingforusthatcancheerherup?
Understood.Wardesnodded,andobservedtheroadwiththegazeofaneagle.Hequicklyfoundasmallsectionofthestreet,andhadhisgriffinheadthere.Pullingouthislongstafffromhiswaist,hechantedashortspell,andbrisklywavedit.Asmallgusteruptedfromtheground,collectingallthepetalsstrewnonthegroundintoWardeshands.Hereturnedtothecarriagewiththebouquet,andpr
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esentedittoMazarin.Mazarinstrokedhisbeard,andsuggested,MayCaptainpleasepresentthistoHerMajestyyourself?
Thatwouldtrulybeagreathonor.Wardessaluted,andturnedtotheothersideofthecarriage.Thewindowslowlyopened,Henriettaextendedahandtoreceiveit,andshowedherlefthandtohim.Wardesemotionallyheldherlefthand,andlightlykissedit.ZnT02-053.jpg
Stillquiteupset,Henriettaasked,Whatisyourname?
YourMajestysMageGuard,GriffinKnightsleader,LordWardes.Hegratefullyloweredhisheadandreplied.
Amodelofnobility.Howveryfineofyou.
IammerelyalowlyservantforYourMajesty.
Therehavebeenfewernobleswhowouldsaythislately.WhenGrandfatherwasstillalive,ohmy...underthegreatPhilippeIIIsreign,thewholenobilitysharedthatkindofmarvelouschivalry.
Sadtimesnowadays,YourMajesty.
MayIexpectyoursinceritywhenIgetinsuchupsettingtimesagain?
Whenthathappens,nomatterwhereIam,inbattleorintheskies,nomatterwhatImustleavebehind,IwillrunovertoserveYourMajesty.
Henriettanodded.Wardessalutedonceagain,andleftthecarriagesside.
Isthatnoblequitecapable?sheaskedMazarin.
LordWardes.HisrunicnameisLightning.EventheWhiteCountrycanonlyboastofwpeoplewhocanprovetobeamatchagainsthim.
Wardes...IthinkIveheardofthatplacebefore.
IthinkthatisclosetoLordValliresterritory.
Vallire?Henriettasmemorycametobeing,andshenodded.Thatnameisnowintheirdestination,theMagicAcademy.
Cardinal,doyourememberthenameofthenoblethatcaughtFouquettheCrumblingDirt?
Imafraidnot.
Arentyouabouttoknightthemsoon?Henriettawasshocked.
Mazarinwasuninterested.Ithinkitshightimeforknightingrulestochange.Oneneedstoserveinthemilitarytodeservethat.Howcanthetitleofaknightbesoeasilygivenawayforarrestingathief?Eitherway,itseemswewouldbefightingAlbionwithGermaniasoon,anditwillnotbeagoodideatoloseournoblesloyaltyduetojealousy.
Youmadealotofdecisionswithoutmeknowing.
Mazarindidnotreply.Continuingtomumble,HenriettarememberedthatthenameVallirewasamongthenobleswhocaughtFouquet.Itwillallworkout,Henrietta
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thought,andcalmeddown.
MazarinlookedatthePrincess.YourMajesty,itseemsthatthereissome...instabilitybetweentheRoyalCourtandpartofthenobility.
Henriettashook.
SomethingaboutinterveninginthePrincesssmarriage,anddestroyingouralliancewithGermania.
ColdsweatdrippedfromHenriettasforehead.
Youhavenotbeenexposedtothem,haveyou,YourMajesty?
Afteralengthofsilence,Henriettarepliedannoyingly,...No.
IlltakeYourMajestyswordforitthen.
IamthePrincess.Idonotlie.Henriettabreathedasighofrelief.
...yourfourteenthtime,YourMajesty.
Justsomethinginmymind.AllIcandoissighnow.
Asroyalty,yourcountrysstabilitycomesbeforeyourfeelings.
Imlikethatallthetime.Henriettarepliedapathetically.Shelookedattheflowersinherhands,andsaiddejectedly,...areflowersontheroadnotablessing,Cardinal?
AllIknowisaflowerpickedtoapersonshandsistheflowersblessing.
***
AsthePrincesswentthroughtheAcademygates,rowsofstudentsraisedtheirst
affsinunison,silentandserious.Afterthemaingateswerethedoorstothecentraltower.OsmanstoodatattentiontheretoreceivethePrincess.Asthecarriagesstopped,servantsrushedtolaydownredcarpettoitsdoor.Guardstenselyannouncedherarrival.
HerRoyalHighnessoftheKingdomofTristain,PrincessHenriettahasarrived.
Thefirstoutthedoor,however,wasCardinalMazarin.
Thestudentsgrunted,butMazarinpaidnoattention,standingatthesideofthecarriage,holdingthePrincessshandasshealighted.Thestudentsfinallyapplauded.Ayouthful,flowerysmileemergedfromthePrincesssfaceassheelegantlywaved.
ThatsthePrincessofTristain?Heh...Imbetterlookingthanthat.Kirchemumbledhmydear,whodoyouthinkisprettier?SheturnedtoSaito,lockedtightandlyingflatontheground.
Woof.
Icantunderstandyouifyoujustwoof!Whoisit?
SaitolookedtowardsLouise,whowasattentivelylookingatthePrincess.Ifonl
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yshecouldstayquietlikethat,sheisaverypure,moving,andquitebeautiful.Nomatterhowmadshegets,howcoldshetreatshim,andevenifheistreatedlikeadog,thissoftlookandsuchastunningappearancecanputSaitoinatrance.
Louisesuddenlyblushed,whichSaitosaw.Whatisthisabout?Heturnedtowardswhatevershewasfacing.Ahat-wearing,rathercool-lookingnoble,ridingonamagicalbeastwithaneaglesheadandalionsbody.Louisewaswatchinghimenthralled.
Saitofounditweird.Thatnobleseemslikeaniceguy,butthatsnoreasontolookathimsodeeplyandevenblushlikethat.AmIbeingjealous?Hethought.No,thatcantbe.IdonthavethatkindofrelationshipwithLouise.Herebuttedhimself.
Nomatter,Saitothought.IstillhaveKirche.Abrunettewithawell-endowedcleavage.Apassionatebeauty.Ifitturnsoutlikethat,ImightaswellgoforperfectKirche.Hethoughtratherexcitedly.ButKirchewasblushingandwatchingthatnobleaswell.Saitoloweredhishead,suddenlyfeelingtheheavinessofallthechainsonhim,weighinghimtotheground.TabithasimplyreadherbookasifthePrincesssarrivalmeantnothingtoher.
Andyoujuststaylikethat.HesaidtoTabitha.SheraisedherheadandlookedatwhatLouiseandKirchesaw,lookedatSaitoagain,andsimplymumbled,Justthre
edays.
***
Thatnight...
Saitolaidinhisstrawbed,watchingLouise.Itseemslikeshecouldntcalmdown.Shewouldstanduponemoment,andsitdownthenext,worryingaboutsomethingwhilehuggingherpillow,eversinceshesawthatnoblethatday.Afterthat,shesaidnothing,returnedtoherroomlikeaghost,andsincethensatonherbedjustlikethat.
Youre...actingweird.Saitostarted,butLouisemadenoanswer.
Hestoodup,andwavedinfrontofhereyes.Shedidntmove.
Abittooweird.Hethenpulledonherhair.Louiseshairwasverydelicate,verysoft,asifevenpullingthemslightlywouldbreakthemoff,thatkindofsoft.Heputinsomeforcetothepull,andshestillmadenoreaction.Sameforwhenhepulledonherface.
Timetochangetoyourpajamas.HegrandlysalutedtoLouise,andreachedforherblouse,slowlyunbuttoningit.Nowshehadonlyherunderwearleft.Still,shedidnotmove,asifinaspell.Boring...whatswrongwithher?Geez...Saitocoug
hed.
Louise-sama.Frommyworldtheresthisartcalledbreast-expandingmassage.
Hemadethatup,ofcourse.Saitoblushed.
Yourubitlikethis,andthenitllslowlygetbigger.Youcansayitsakindofmagic.Saitoextendedhishands,reachedaroundasiftohugher,andstartedrubbingherback.Whatsthis?Wherearethey?Whyarenttheythere?Oh...thisistheback.Andthenheshookhisheadonpurpose.Geez...Igotitwrong.Theyrebothflat
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,thatswhy.
Louisestilldidntmove,noteventothisratherdisgustingactfromSaito.
I...whatamI...IDIOT!WHATDIDIJUSTDO?!Afterrealizingthat,heforcefullyshookhishead,andbeatitwithhisownhandsonthebed.Hewasvisiblyembarrassedthatheactuallydidthat.Andthenhewasdepressed.Heknowsthatasaperson,beingscoldedandyelledatissometimesglory.Butifitonlyhurtsifsomeonesayssomething,thenheisntworthbeingnoticed.
Justashewasthrashingabout,somebodyknockedonthedoor.
Whocoulditbe?SaitoaskedLouise.
Theknockswereveryorderly.Itstartedwithtwolongknocks,andthenthreeshortones...
Louisesuddenlywokeupfromhertrance.Sheputonherclothes,stoodup,andopenedthedoor.
Standingtherewasagirl,coveredentirelyinablackveil.
Shelookedaround,andthenwalkedin,closingthedoorbehindher.
...youare?AshockedLouisebarelymanagedtovoice.
Theveiledgirlmadeashhgesturewithafingeronhermouth,andtookoutastafffromherblackcape,lightlywavingitwhilechantingashortspell.Glowingpowderfilledtheroom.
Asilencingspell?Louiseasked.Theveiledgirlnodded.
Theremightbeextraearsandeyesaround.
Aftermakingsuretheroomhadnomagicalearsandnopeepingholes,sheslowlyremovedherveil.
InfrontofthemisreallyPrincessHenrietta.Saitoheldhisbreath.Louiseisalreadyverycute,butthisPrincesscanmatchherincuteness,andstillhavethisadmirableelegance.
Louisefranticallywentdownonherknees.Saitodidntknowwhattodo,andjuststoodthere,withnoideawhatwasgoingon.
Henriettacoolly,andgentlyspoke.Ithasbeenawhile,Vallire.
[edit]ChapterThree:AChildhoodFriend'sRequest
PrincessHenrietta,whohadjustappearedinLouise'sroom,lookedlikeshehad
beenovercomewithemotion,andhuggedthekneelinggirl.
"Oh,Louise,Louise,mydearLouise!"
"Thiswon'tdo,YourHighness.Comingtoahumbleplacelikethis......."
Louisesaidceremoniously.
"Oh!Louise!LouiseFranoise!Pleasestopactingsoformally!YouandIarefriends!Wearefriends,arewenot?"
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"Iamnotworthyofsuchkindwords.YourHighness."
Louiserepliedwithasteely,strainedvoice.Saito,stupefied,juststaredasthepairofbeautifulgirlsembraced.
"Stopthat,please!NeithertheCardinal,myMother,orthosegreedycourtaristocratswhobuzzaroundwearingfriendlyfacesarehere!Oh,don'tIhaveanyfriendswhowillopenuptome?IfevenLouiseFranoise,myoldfriendwhomI'vemisseddearly,actssodistant,Iwouldjustdie!"
"YourHighness......"
Louiseliftedherface.
"Whenwewerelittlechildren,didn'twegettogetherandchasebutterfliesatthepalacecourtyard?Andgotallmuddy?"
Withashyface,Louiseanswered.
"......Yes,andLaPorte-samathechamberlaintoldusoffforgettingourclothessodirty."
"Yes!That'sright,Louise!Wewerearguingoverthosepuffycreamcakes,anden
deduphavingarealscuffle!Oh,wheneverwefought,itwasmewhoalwayslost.Youwouldgrabmyhair,andI'djuststartcrying."
"Notatall,princessachievedvictoryonatleastoneoccasion."
Louisesaid,lookingsentimental.
"Youremembered!Lookingatthetwoofus,onecouldcallthatbattletheSiegeofAmiens!"
"Thatwaswhenwewerefightingoveradressinprincess'bedroom,wasn'tit?"
"Yes,inthemiddleofour'Make-BelieveRoyalCourt',weendedupfightingover
whowouldplayprincess!Anditwasmyblowtoyourstomach,LouiseFranoise,thatsuccessfullydecidedit."
"I'dfaintedinthepresenceofprincess."
Afterthat,thetwoofthemexchangedglancesandbrokeoutinlaughter.Saito,amazed,justkeptwatchingtheminthatstate.Theprincessmayhavelookedlikealady,butshewasactuallyatomboy.
"That'smorelikeit.Louise.Ah,I'mgettingsonostalgic,tearsarecomingout."
"Sohowdoyouguysknoweachother?"
Saitoasked,asLouiseclosedhereyesinreminiscencebeforeanswering.
"Ihadthepleasureofservingasprincess'playmatebackwhenwewerechildren."
Afterthat,LouiseturnedbacktoHenrietta.
"But,Iamdeeplymovedthatprincesswouldremembersuchthings.......Ithoughtyou'dalreadyforgottenaboutme."
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Theprincessgaveadeepsighandsatdownonthebed.
"HowcouldIforget?Duringthosetimes,everydaywasfun.Therewasnothingatalltoworryabout."
Therewasaprofoundsadnessinhervoice.
"Princess?"
LouiselookedworriedasshepeeredintoHenrietta'sface.
"HowIenvyyou.Freedomissuchawonderfulthing,LouiseFranoise."
"Whatareyousaying?You'retheroyalprincess,areyounot?"
"Aprincessborninherkingdomislikeabirdbeingraisedinacage.Yougohereandthereonyourmaster'severywhim......."
Henriettasaid,lookinglonelyasshegazedatthemoonoutsidethewindow.ShethenheldLouise'shandsandgaveasweetsmilebeforespeaking.
"I...I'mgettingmarried."
"......Youhavemycongratulations."
Louise,whosomehowfeltthesadnessinthattone,spokeinasubduedvoice.
ItwasatthatmomentthatHenriettanoticedSaito,whohadbeensittingonhisbundleofstraw.
"Oh,forgiveme.WasIintruding?"
"Intruding?Howwouldthatbe?"
"Well,isn'theyourlover?Ohno!ItseemsIwassocaughtupreminiscingthatIdidn'trealizemyblunder!"
"Huh?Lover?Thatcreature?"
"Stopcallingmethat."
Saitosaidwithadisappointedvoice.
"Princess!That'sjustmyfamiliar!Don'tevenjokeaboutitbeingmylover!"
Louiseshookherheadwildly,denyingHenrietta'swords.
"Familiar?"
HenriettalookedatSaitowithablankexpressiononherface.
"Buthelookslikeahuman......"
"Iamahuman,Princess."
SaitogaveastrainedgreetingtoHenrietta.
AndhewasevenmorehurtbyhowhardLouisehaddeniedtheywerelovers.Eventhoughthatreallywasthecase,ithurtallthesame.
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HerecalledLouise'sprofileasshegazedattheotheryoungnobleduringtheday.
Atanyrate......I'mafamiliar.Anearthling.Notanoble.
AndIwanttogohome.Iwanttoeatateriyakiburger.Yeah,andImightevenreceiveananswerattheonlinedatingservice.Painfulthoughtslikethesewereswirlingtogetherintoachain.
Feelingagreatweightuponhim,heputhishandonthewall.AsfastasSaitohadbecomeelated,hisfeelingsfelljustassoon.Whatahecticpersonality.
"True,true.Oh,LouiseFranoise,youmayhavechangedsinceouryoungerdays,butyouarestillquitethesame."
"Ididn'tmakeitmyfamiliarbecauseIwantedto."
Louiselookeddisappointed.Henriettagaveoffanothersigh.
"Princess,whathappened?"
"No,it'snothing.Forgiveme,oh,I'msoashamedofmyself.It'snotsomethingIshouldtellyou......butIamjustso......"
"Pleasetellme.Whattroublesaretheythatcauseprincess,ascheerfulassheis,tosighlikethis?"
"......No,Icannottellyou.PleaseforgetIsaidanything.Louise."
"Iwillnot!Didn'tweusetotalkabouteverything?Princesswastheonewhohadcalledmeafriend.Won'tyoushareyourworrieswithyourfriend?"
AfterLouisespoke,Henriettagaveoffacheerful-lookingsmile.
"You'vecalledmeafriend,LouiseFranoise.Thatmakesmesohappy."
Henriettanoddedherheadindetermination,andbegantotalk.
"YoumustnotspeaktoanyoneaboutwhatIamabouttotellyounow."
Afterthat,shegaveaquickglanceinSaito'sdirection.
"ShouldIstepoutside?"
Henriettashookherhead.
"Amageandherfamiliarareasone.Iseenoreasonforyoutoleave."
Andwithasadtone,Henriettastartedtalking.
"IamtomarrytheEmperorofGermania......."
"Germania,yousay?!"
Louise,whohatedGermania,spokeoutinastonishment.
"Thatcountryofbarbaricupstarts?!"
"Yes.Butitcan'tbehelped.Itmustbedonetosolidifyouralliance."
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HenriettaexplainedthepoliticalclimateofHalkeginiatoLouise.
TherewasaninsurrectionamongthenoblesofAlbion,anditlookedliketheRoyalFamilywouldsoonbeoverthrown.Iftherebelswon,thenthenextthingwouldbetheinvasionofTristain.Todefendagainstthis,TristainwaslookingtoformanalliancewithGermania.Forthealliance'ssake,itwasdecidedthatPrincessHenriettawouldbemarriedintotheGermanianImperialFamily.......
"Sothat'swhy......"
Louisesaidwithadepressedvoice.ItwasclearfromHenrietta'stonethatshedidnotdesirethiswedding.
"Itisalright.Louise,IhavelongsinceabandonedthenotionofmarryingtheonewhomIlove."
"Princess......"
"Thosetwo-facedAlbionnoblesdonotwantTristainandGermaniatobecomeallies.Twoarrowsareeasiertobreakwhentheyarenottiedtogether."
Henriettamurmured.
"......Therefore,theyhavebeensearchingfranticallyforanythingthatwouldinterferewiththemarriage.
"Andthey'vefoundsomething......"
Saitodidn'tknowanythingabouttheallianceorAlbion,butinanycase,itseemedlikeitwassomethingserious.Yup,asbigasanotherYagoto,Saitothoughtwithanod.
"Thenthisisaboutthatthingthatcouldgetinthewayofprincess'wedding?"
Louiseasked,herfacelookingpale,andHenriettagavearegretfulnod.
"Oh,FounderBrimir...pleasesavethisunfortunateprincess......"
Henriettacoveredherfacewithherhands,andcrumbledonthefloor.Saitowasalittleshockedatthedramaticgesture.He'dneverseenanythingsograndioseinhislife.
"Tellme,please!Princess!Justwhatisitthatcouldinterferewiththeprincess'wedding?"
Louise,likeshehadalsobeeninfected,rattledoffwithanagitatedlook.Withbothhandsstillonherface,Henriettalookedlikeshewasinpainasshebeganmuttering.
"......ItisaletterthatIhadwrittensometimeago."
"Aletter?"
"Yes.IfthoseAlbionnoblesgettheirhandsonit......theywouldprobablysenditforwardtotheGermanianImperialFamilyassoonastheycould."
"Whatkindoflettercouldthatbe?"
"......ThatIcannottellyou.ButiftheGermanianImperialFamilyweretoread
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it......theywouldneverforgiveme.Themarriagewillfallthrough,andwithit,thealliancewithTristain.ThenTristainwouldstandaloneagainstthestrengthofAlbion."
LouisegaveagaspandseizedHenrietta'shands.
"Wherewouldthatletterbe?TheletterthatwouldbringcrisistoTristain!"
Henriettashookherhead.
"Itisnotwithus.Thetruthofthematteris,itisalreadyinAlbion."
"Albion!Butthen...!Isitalreadyintheenemy'shands?"
"No......theonewhoholdstheletterisnotwiththerebelsofAlbion.Astheconflictbetweentherebelsandhiskinsmenunfolded,PrinceWalesoftheRoyalFamily......"
"ThePrinceWales?ThePrinceValiant?"
Henriettabentbackandlaiddownonthebed.
"Oh,it'sadisaster!Soonerorlater,PrinceWaleswillfallcaptivetotherebels!!Andwhenthathappens,theletterwillcometolight!Andeverythingwould
beruined!Ruined!Withoutanalliance,TristainwouldhavetotakeonAlbionbyitself!"
Louiseheldherbreath.
"Then,Princess,thefavorthatyou'reaskingofme......"
"Impossible!It'simpossible,Louise!HowcouldIbesoterrible?It'sallconfusing!WhenIthinkaboutit,Icouldn'taskyoutodosuchadangerousthingastogotoAlbionwhilethisconflictbetweenthenoblesandtheroyalistsisunfolding!"
"Whatareyousaying?Beitthekettlesofhell,orintothejawsofadragon,i
fit'sforprincess'sake,I'llgoanywhere!ThereisnowaythethirddaughteroftheHouseoflaVallire,LouiseFranoise,couldoverlooksuchacrisisforprincessandTristain!"
Louisekneeleddownandloweredherheadreverently.
"Pleaseleavethismattertome,theonewhohascapturedFouquetthe[CrumblingEarth]."
Saito,whohadbeenleaningonhisarmagainstthewall,turnedtolookatLouiseandspoke.
"Hey,wasn'tthatme?"
"You'remyfamiliar."
"Woof."
"Afamiliar'sachievement,isitsmaster'sachievement."
Louisesaidwithperfectconfidence.
"Andafamiliar'smistake?"
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"Thatwouldbeyourmistake,wouldn'tit?"
Thoughhefeltsomewhatcheated,itwasuselesstoobjectwhenLouisegotintoherusualthreateningattitude,soSaitojustnoddedhalf-heartedly.
"Soyouwillhelpme?LouiseFranoise!Youareadearfriend!"
"Ofcourse!Princess!"
LouisegraspedHenrietta'shands,andastheformerspokeheatedly,thelattergaveinandstartedcrying.
"Princess!I,Louise,foreverfriendofthePrincess,willbeyourconfidante!Haveyouforgottenmyvowofeternalloyalty?"
"Ah,theloyalty.Thisloyaltyandsincerefriendship!I'mdeeplymoved.Iwillneverforgetthroughlifeyourloyaltyandfriendship!LouiseFranoise!"
Saitoopenedhismouthgaping,andstaredhalfamazedatthetwo.Itwaslikeaconversationbetweentwopeoplewhoweregettingdrunkwiththeirownwords.Ah,sothisishowit'slikefornoblesandprincesses,it'stroublesome,Saitowasstrangelyconvincedashewatched.
"Louise.Sorrytobotheryouwhileyou'rereaffirmingyourfriendshipandeverything."
"What?"
"GoingtoAlbioninthemiddleofawarisfine,butwhatuseamIgonnabe?"
"I'veboughtyouasword.Youcanusethat,atleast."
"Yeah.I'lldomybest......"
Saitoloweredhisheadgloomily.Cometothinkofit,theyhaven'ttalkedabouttheLegendaryFamiliarGandlfr'srunethathadappearedonthebackofhislefth
andyet.ButevenifIsayit,it'sjustgoingtobeawaste,Saitothought.
Legendaryornot,shestilltreatsmelikeadog.
"ThenshallwegotoAlbion,findtheCrownPrinceofWales,andgettheletterback,princess?"
"Yes,thatiscorrect.Ifeelconfidentthatyou,theoneswhohavecaughtFouquetthe[CrumblingEarth],shouldbeabletoaccomplishthisdifficultmission."
"Asyouwish.Howurgentisthistask?"
"I'veheardthatthenoblesofAlbionhavemanagedtodrivetheroyalistsintoa
cornerofthecountry.Itwilljustbeamatteroftimebeforetheyaredefeated."
Louise'sfacelookedseriousasshebowedtoHenrietta.
"Thentomorrow,weshalldepart."
Afterwards,HenriettaturnedhergazetowardsSaito.Saito'sheartskippedabeat.ThoughLouisewasalsofoolishlylovelyandneat,PrincessHenriettawassobeautifulthathealmostgasped.Hermillet-coloredhair,trimmedrightaboveher
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eyebrows,wasswimminggracefully.Herblueeyesshonebrilliantlylikethesouthernseas.
Whiteskin,onwhichfloatedafeelingofpurity,anoselikeapricelessandfinelyshapedsculpture.......
SaitostaredatHenriettaasifhewasinatrance.Louiselookedatthiswithachillygaze.Itdidn'tseemlikeshewasinagoodmood.
Whyareyoulookingatmelikethat,Louise?Ah,isitbecauseI'mstaringattheprincesswithadmiration?Couldyoupossiblybegettingjealous?Butweren'tyoublushingwhenyousawthatnoblewiththefeatheredhat?Andweren'tyoucompletelyoutofitafterthat?
It'sfunnyhowjealousyou'regetting,Louise.Saitoshookhishead.
Ratherthanyourlover,aren'tIjustyourfamiliar?
WillIneverbemorethanadogforyou?
I'mjustyourdog,sowhyareyoulookingatmelikethat,Louise?Ah,isitbecauseIamadog?Isitbecausesomeonelikeme,who'sjustatthelevelofadog,islookingather?Myapologies.Pleaseforgivemeforeverbeingborn.Woof.
Saito'sheadspunforameretwoseconds.
LouiselookedawayfromSaitowitha"Hmph".Saitoturnedawayaswell.
Henriettadidn'tnoticethesubtleexchangebetweenSaitoandLouise,andshebeganspeakinginacheerfulvoice.
"Dependablefamiliar-san."
"Yes?Youmeanme?"
AfterHenriettacalledhimdependable,theslumpingSaitobecamehappier.
"Naw,that'stoomuch.Justtreatmelikeadog."
"Pleasekeeptakingcareofmymostpreciousfriend."
Andthenshegentlyheldoutherhand.Ahandshake?hethought,butthebackofherhandwasturnedupwards.Whatsortofgesturewasthis?
Louisespokeupwithanastonishedvoice.
"Thatwon'tdo!Princess!Toofferyourhandtoafamiliar!"
"Itisalright.Thispersonwillbeactingformysake,andwithoutareward,Iwon'thavehisloyalty."
"Ah......"
"Offeringahand?Thewaysomeonedoestoadog?Isthathowyoutreatyourdogs?"
Saitostoopedandloweredhishead.
"That'snotit.Ooh,thisiswhyyou'readog......,acommonerdogwhodoesn'tknowanything.Whensheoffersherhand,itmeansyoucankissher.That'ssayin
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gitplainly."
"That's...howaggressive......"
Saito'smouthopenedwidely.He'dneverthoughtthathe'dbeallowedtokissaprincessfromanotherworld.
HenriettasmiledsweetlyatSaito.Hissmileappearedbusiness-liketootherpeople,butSaitowasthinking?I'dloveto?.Tobelikedbysuchaprincesswouldn'tbehalfbad,hethought.
SaitogrinneddeliberatelyatLouise.Louisemutteredunderherbreathandturnedherfaceaway.
Ah,what,soyou*are*gettingjealous.Justlookatyourself.Thisiswhatyougetforgettingcharmedbythatnoblewiththeplumedhatandblushing,Saitothought.
SaitocaughtHenrietta'shand,andthenfirmlypulledhertohim.
"Eh?"
Henriettaabsentmindedlyopenedhermouthinsurprise.Thenbeforetheycouldblink,SaitopushedhislipsagainstHenrietta's.
"Mmph......"
Whattender,tinylipstheywere.Henrietta'seyesopenedwidelyintocircles.
Thecircleswentwhite.ThestrengthleftHenrietta'sbody,and,slippingthroughSaito'shands,shefelltothebed.
"Shefainted?Wh-why'sthat?"
"Whatareyoudoingtoherhighness?!Youd-d-d-dog!"
"Woof?"
WhenSaitoturnedaround,thebottomofLouise'sshoewasflyingtowardshim.
SaitotookLouise'sjumpkickinthefaceandtumbledtothefloor.
"Whatwasthatfor?!"
WhenSaitosaidthat,Louisestampedangrilyonhisface.
"Itwasonherhandshegaveyoupermission,thebackofherhand!Akissonthebackofthehand!Why'dyougiveheranall-outkissonthelips?!"
Louisewassomad,itlookedlikeshewasgoingtocatchfire.
"HowshouldIknow!Idon'tknowanythingaboutyourruleshere."
Ashisfacewasgettingtrampled,Saitospreadhishandsandspokeplainly.GettingsteppedonwassomethingSaitohadexperiencewith.
"Y-y-y-you,you,youdog......"
Louise'svoicebegantremblinginfury.
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Henriettarosefromthebedwhileshakingherhead.Louiserushedtokneelbesideher.ShethengrabbedSaito'sheadandpusheditdowntothebed.
"I-I'msorry!Myfamiliar'smisconduct,ismyownmisconduct!Andyousayit,too!Apologize!"
Theever-pridefulLouisewasapologizingtosomeone.Ontopofthat,shewasshakingallover.IfIdon'tdowhatshesays,she'llprobablygivemehellforitlater.
"Sorry.IonlydiditsinceyoutoldmeIcouldkissyou."
"Andwherecanyoufindsomeonewhowouldgoforthelipswhentheyhearthat?!"
"Righthere."
LouisestruckSaitowithherfist.
"Howforgetful.Whogaveyoupermissiontousehumanlanguage?Justbark.Dog.Comeon,bark,Isay.Everyonelookatthedoggie.Stupiddog."
ThenshestampedstampedonSaito'sheadandgrounditagainstthefloor.
"I-it'salright.Loyaltymustberewarded,afterall."
Henriettabowedherhead,givingrealefforttoappearcalm.
Atthattime,thedoorslammedopenandsomeonecameflyingin.
"You!Theprincess!Whatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?!"
ItwastheonewhohaddueledwithSaitobefore,GuichedeGramont.
Withanever-presentimitationroseinhishand.
"Whatdoyouwant?"
SaitosaidfromwherehelayonthefloorasLouisecontinuedsteppingonhisface.
"Guiche!You!Wereyoueavesdropping?Didyouhearourconversationjustnow?!"
Guiche,however,didn'tanswerthepair'squestionsandjuststoodinadaze.
"Formyhuntoftherose-like,lovelyprincessbringingmetothisplace......andthenseeingatheft,sotospeak,occurthroughthedoor'skeyhole......thatidiotcommonertakingakiss......."
Guicheflourishedhisimitationroseandcried.
"Duelwithme!Youscoundrel!"
SaitosprangupanddrovehisfistintoGuiche'sface.
"Agah!"
"Duelawaythen,stupid!Istillrememberhowyoubrokemyarm!Let'sgo!"
SaitogaveGuiche,whohadfallentothefloor,ahardkick,thenhesatonhimandstartedwringinghisneck.
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"Th-that'snotfair!You!Gah!"
"So,whatnow?Thisguyoverheardprincess'story.Shallwehavehimhanged?"
Iftheopponentwasaguy,Saitocouldbeveryserious.
"Thatmightbebest......it'sreallytoobadhehadtohearourconversationjustnow......"
GuichecaughtSaitooff-guard,andstoodup.
"YourHighness!Byallmeans,pleaseappointme,GuichedeGramont,tothisdifficultmission."
"Oh?You?"
"Yougotosleep."
SaitosweptGuiche'slegs.Guichefelldowngaudily.
"Letmejoinyourgroup!"
Guicheyelpedashecollapsed.
"Why?"
Guiche'sfacereddened.
"IwishtobeofusetoHerHighness......"
SaitowassensingsomethingfromGuiche'sappearencerightthen.
"You,areyouinlove?Withtheprincess?!"
"Don'tsaysuchrudethings.Iam,absolutely,justwantingtobeofusetoHerHighness."
However,Guiche'sfacewasburningintenselyashesaidthis.TellingbythepassionatelookhewasgivingHenrietta,hewascertainlyunderhercharm.
"Butyouhaveagirlfriend.Whowasthatagain?Uh,Monmon-something......"
"It'sMontmorency."
"Sowhat'sgoingon?"
ButGuichewassilent.Ah,Isee,Saitothought.
"Didyougetdumped?Shecompletelydumpedyou,Ibet?"
"Q-quiet!Itwasallyourfault!"
Itwasthematteroftheperfumeinthedininghall.Whenhewascaughttwo-timing,GuichewasdrippingwithwinefromthetopofhisheadcourtesyofMontmorency.
"Gramont?Ah,ofGeneralGramont?"
HenriettafixedhereyesonGuiche'svacantlylookingface.
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"Iamhisson,YourHighness."
Guichestoodupandgaveareverentbow.
"Areyoualsosayingthatyouwishtohelpme?"
"ItwouldbeanunexpectedblessingformeifIweretobecomeapartofthatmission."
HenriettasmiledatGuiche'senthusiasticexpression.
"Thankyou.Yourfatherisagreat,bravenoble,anditseemsyouhaveinheritedhisblood.Then,please.Wouldyouhelpthisunfortunateprincess,SirGuiche?"
"HerHighnesshascalledmyname!HerHighness!Tristain'slovelyflower,hassmiledherrosysmileatme!"
Guiche,havingfelttoomuchexcitement,fellonhisbackinafaint.
"Ishealright?"
SaitopokedatGuiche.Louisepaidnomindtothedisturbanceandspokeinaseriousvoice.
"Wellthen,tomorrowmorning,weshalldepartforAlbion."
"WehaveheardthatPrinceWaleshassetupcampsomewherearoundNewcastleinAlbion."
"Understood.I'vetravelledthroughAlbionwithmysistersbefore,soI'mfamiliarwiththegeography."
"Itwillbeaperilousjourney.IfthenoblesofAlbiondiscoveryourmission,theywilldoeverythingintheirpowertogetinyourway."
Henriettasatatthedeskand,withLouise'sfeatherquillandsomeparchment,w
rotealetterout.
Henriettaquietlygazedatthelettershehadwrittenherself,beforeshebeganshakingherheadsadly.
"Princess?What'sthematter?"
Louise,thinkingsomethingwasup,calledout.
"I-it'snothing."
Henriettablushed,gaveanodasifshehadsettledonsomething,thenaddedanotherlineattheend.Afterthat,shemurmuredinasoftvoice.
ZnT02-087.jpg
"FounderBrimir.......Pleaseforgivethisselfishprincess.Eventhoughmycountryisindistress,Icannothelpbutwritethisonesentence.......Icannotlieaboutmyownfeelings......."
Henrietta'sfacialexpressionmadeitseemlikeshehadwrittenalove-letterratherthanasecretmessage.Louisecouldn'tsayanythingmore,andjustlookedatHenriettaquietly.
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Henriettarolledupthelettershehadwritten.Shewavedherstaff.Outofnowhere,sealingwaxappearedontherolled-upletter,andasealpresseddownonit.ThenshehandedtheletterovertoLouise.
"WhenyoumeettheCrownPrinceWales,pleasepassthislettertohim.Heshouldthenreturntheletterinquestionimmediately."
Afterthat,Henriettaremovedaringfromtheringfingeronherrighthand,andgaveittoLouise.
"Thisisa?WaterRuby?thatIhadreceivedfrommymother.Itshouldworkasagood-luckcharm,atleast.Ifyouhaveanymoneyconcerns,pleasesellthistogetsometravelfunds."
Louisebowedherheadinsilence.
"ThismissionisforthefutureofTristain.Forthat,mymother'sringwillprotectyoufromtheharshwindsblowinginAlbion."
[edit]ChapterFour:PortCityLaRochelle
Althoughdawnhadjustbroken,Saito,GuicheandLouisehadalreadystartedpreparingthesaddlesfortheirhorses.SlungoverSaito'sbackwasDerflinger.Beca
useofitslength,itcouldnotbeattachedtothewaist.
Louisewasdressedinheracademyuniform,theonlydifferencewasthatshenowworehorseridingbootsinsteadofshoes.Judgingfromthat,itlookedlikeagreatdealoftimewouldbespentridingthehorse.
HowfarwouldAlbionbefromhere?I'mstillnotusedtoridingahorse...Mostprobablymywaistwillachefromtheriding...hethoughttohimself.
Justbeforesettingoff,Guichespokeratherawkwardly.
"Ihavearequest..."
"Whatisitthatyouwant?"Saitorespondedwithhostilitywhileputtinghisbelongingsontothesaddle.HestillcouldnotforgiveGuicheforhurtinghimthatbadlyduringtheirfightsometimeback.
"Iwishtobringmyfamiliaralong."
"Doyouhaveafamiliarinthefirstplace?"
"OfcourseIdo.Allmagicianshaveone."
LouiseandSaitolookedateachother,thenlookedatGuicheagain.
"Where'syourfamiliarnow?"
"Here."Guicherepliedwhilepointingtotheground.
"Butthere'snothingontheground,"Louisesaid.
Guicherespondedbytappinghisfeetontheground.Justthen,agiantbrowncreaturepoppedoutoftheground.
"Verdandi!Oh,mycuteVerdandi!"
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Saito,dumbfounded,asked,"Whatintheworldisthatcreature?"
"Whatdoyoumeancreature?ThisismycutelittlefamiliarVerdandi."
"Youmeanthatyourfamiliaristhatbigthingoverthere?"
Uponcloserinspection,thatgiantbrowncreaturewasactuallyamolewithasizeequivalenttoasmallbear.
"Yes.Ahh...MyVerdandi,youlooksocutefromanyangleIlook.Haveyoueatenyourmealofearthwormsbeforeyouarrivedhere?"
Thegiganticmolehemmedhappilyinresponse.
"Really?That'swonderful!"Guichesaidwhilerubbingcheektocheekwithhisfamiliar.
"Actually...Idon'tthinkthatyoucouldbringitalongwithus..."Saitosaidindisgust.
That'srightGuiche.Thatcreaturemovesundergroundright?
That'sright.Eventhoughit'sslightlybiggerthatusual,Verdandiisstillamoleallright.
Howarewegoingtobringitalong?We'reallridingonhorses.Louisesaidinperturbedfashion.
That'sallright.Verdandimovesalongquicklyunderground.AmIright,Verdandi?
Thegiganticmolenoddedinagreement.
Butwe'regoingtoAlbion!Wecan'tbringcreaturesthatmoveunderground!.Louiseexplained.
Guiche,uponhearingthat,kneltontothegroundandreplied,IcannotbeartheseparationwithmydearVerdandi...Oh!Thepain...
Atthesametime,thegiantmoleseemedtopickupsomescentfromitsnoseanddrewnearerandnearertoLouise.
Whatisthisstupidmoletryingtodo!?
Likemaster,likefamiliar.Theybothsharethesameinterestgirls.Saitosaid.
Stop!Stopthisrightnow!
ThegiantmoleknockedLouiseoffherfeetandstartedsniffingalloverher.
Ah!!!Watchwhereyou'resniffing!Stopit!
Louisebeingconstantlypokedbythegiantmole'snose,startedtorollallovertheground.Allthatrollingdisheveledherclothesandexposedherunderwear.Louisewasstartingtogetveryannoyed...
SaitounconsciouslystartedtobeimmersedinwatchingVerdandiandLouisejustasifhewasadmiringabeautifulpicture...
Ah...Howbeautifulisthesceneofagiantmoleteasingadamsel.
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Itotallyagree.
BothSaitoandGuichenoddedinunison.
Stopblabberingnonsenseoverthere,youoafs!Comeoverandhelpmequickly!Ahh!!!
ThegiantmolesawtheringatLouise'srighthandandstartedpeckingitwithitsnose.
Youinsolentmole!Don'tuseyournosetosniffattheringthehighnesshasbestowedtome!.
Iseenow.It'sthering.Verdandilovesjewels.
Suchanirritatingpest!
Pleasedon'tcallVerdandianirritatingpest.It'sbecauseofmethatVerdandisearchesforpreciousstonesandjewels.ForanEarthmagician,there'snothingmorehelpfulthanthis.
JustasLouisewaspreparingtoblowhertop,asuddengustofwindcameoutofnowhereandblewawayVerdandi.
Whoisthat!?Guicheshoutedagitatedly.
Aratherstoutlookingnoblewearingafeatheredcapappearedoutofthefaintdaylightbehindhim.Saitolookedrathersurprised.
That...Thatpersonis...
WhathaveyoudonetomyVerdandi!?
Guichehastilytookouthisroseshapedwandbutthenoblewearingthefeatheredcapwasfaster.BeforeGuichecouldcastanyspell,hiswandwasalreadyoutofhishand.
I'mnotyourenemy.I'mundertheordersofthehighnesstoaccompanyyouonyourjourney.TheprincessisworriedaboutjusthavingyoufewgoingtoAlbion,butthenagainsendingawholetroopofsoldierswithyouwillbetooconspicuous.Therefore,Iwasappointedtoaccompanyyouallonthisjourney.Thenoblesaidwhiletakingoffhisfeathercapandbowing.
I'mthecaptainoftheGriffinKnights,ViscountWardes.
ThegrumblingGuichequicklyshuthismouth.Formostofthenobles,Guicheincluded,beingabletojointheGriffinKnightsmeantgreatprestige.
WardeslookedatGuicheandspokeapologetically.SorryforwhatIdidtoyourfamiliar.Icouldn'tstandwatchingmyfiancebeingharassed.
What!?
Saitowasshocked.
Fiance?
ThismajesticlookingnobleisLouise'fianc???
Wardes-sama...Louisespokeinatremblingvoiceafterstandingup.
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It'sbeensuchalongtime.MyLouise,mydearLouise.
MyLouise???Whatkindofjokeisthat?Saitothoughttohimself.
WardesapproachedLouiseandwithabeamingsmileonhisface,carriedLouiseup.
It'sreallybeensuchalongtime.Louisesaidwithherfaceturningredwithembarrassment.
Stillaslightasever.Justlikeafeather.
Viscount...pleasedon'tbelikethis...Therearepeopleoverhere...
Wardes,whoplacedLouisebackdownandreplacedhishatsaid,Caretointroduceyourcompanionstome?
Erm...ThatisGuichedeGramontandmyfamiliar,Saito.saidLouisewhilepointingatthemwhileshewasintroducingthemtoWardes.GuichewhodidnotdarelookatWardesdirectly,loweredhishead.Saitofollowedsuitthoughabitunwillingly.
Wardessaidwitharathersurprisedlookonhisface,AreyouLouise'familiar?T
hisisthefirsttimeI'veseenahumanbeingafamiliar.
Thankyoufortakingsuchgoodcareofmyfiance.
"You'rewelcome."
SaitotooktheopportunitytosizeupWardes.Hewasindeedhandsome.EventhoughGuichecouldalsobeconsideredabishonenhimself,hewasalwaysmakingafooloutofhimselfandmakingirrationaldecisions.Hecouldevenrubhisowncheekwithagiantmole.
HoweverforWardes,notonlyhehadthelooks.Hiseyeswerelikethatofaneaglekeenandsharp.Thatmustachehehadfurtherenhancedhissuaveness.
Inadditionhehadamuscularandwellbuiltbody.SaitohadoriginallythoughtthatallmalemagicianswouldhaveabodylikeGuiche,buthewasprovenwrong.EveninhandtohandcombatwithWardeswithouttheuseofmagic,Saitocouldbesubduedinseconds.
Thinkingaboutallthat,Saitogaveadeepandlongsigh.Wardesseeingthat,approachedSaitoandgaveapatonhisshoulders.
What'swrong?Areyouhavingdoubtsaboutthistrip?There'snothingtobeafraidof!Aren'tyoutheonewhocaughtFouquetoftheCrumblingEarth?Withyourcouragealone,nothingisimpossible.
Wardeswhohadfinishedsayingthat,gaveabroadsmile.Withthat,Saitofeltatingeofremorsefulness.
Ishereallythatgoodofaperson?Idon'tthinkthatIcancomparewithhiminanyaspect.That'sright.IthinkLouisewouldbemarriedtohimsoon...Justthinkingofthathasmademealoneandempty...
Louise,notabletocalmdownduetoWardes'appearance,wasfeelingrestlesswithanxiety.Saitohadtoturnhisheadaway,hedidnotwanttoseeLouisethatway.
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Wardesgaveawhistle,andagriffinappearedoutfromthemorningclouds.Itwasamythicalbeastwiththeheadofaeagleandabodyofalion.Andonitsbackwerewingsthatweremadeupofbeautifulwhitefeathers.
Wardeshadclimbedtothebackofthegriffinwithgrace,andthenextendedahandtoLouise.
Comeover,myLouise.
Louiseloweredherheadinhesitationandbashfulness,justlikeagirlwhoisinlove.ThismadeSaitoevenmorejealous.
Whatdoeshethinkhe'sdoing?Comeover,myLouise?YourLouise!?YourLouise!?Whatanobnoxiousfreak!
Saitobeingamale,hadtokeepthosethoughtstohimselfandwentuptothehorseinsilenceintheend.
Louise,whowasstillhesitating,wassuddenlycarriedupthegriffinbyWardes.
Withonehandonthereinsandhiswandintheother,Wardesshouted,Welleverybody,onwards!
Thegriffinmovedforward.FollowingbehinditwereGuiche,lookingfullofadmirationforWardes;andSaito,feelingverydownanddejected.
Saitothoughttohimselfwhilestaringattheblanksky.
HowfarwoulditbetoAlbion?
Fromtheheadmaster'sofficewindow,HenriettawaswatchingSaitoandgroupdepartingforAlbion.Closinghereyes,shestartingpraying...
FounderBrimir,pleasegrantthemprotectionthroughouttheirjourney...
NexttoherwasHeadmasterOsmantrimminghisnasalhair.
Youaren'tgoingtoseethemoff,headmasterOsman?
No,asyoucansee,I'mbusytrimmingmynasalhair,yourhighness.
Henriettashookherheadindisapproval.
Justthen,someoneknockedatthedoor.
Enter,saidtheheadmaster.
Mr.Colbertenteredroomwithananxiouslookonhisface.
Badnews!Headmaster!
Yousaythatquiteoften.Whatseemstobetheproblemnow?
FromthenewsthatI'veheardfromthecastleguards,Fouquethasescaped!
Hmm...saidOsmanwhilestrokinghisbeard.
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Accordingtotheguardwhowasondutythattime,somenobleknockedhimoutusingwindmagic.ThepersonusedtheopportunitythatmostofthemanpowerwasdivertedtoprotecttheprincesstohelpFouquetescape!Thismeansthatsomeoneinsideisaspy!Isn'tthatbadnews?
Henrietta'sfaceturnedpaleuponhearingthenews.
HeadmasterOsmanmadeagesturetoMr.Colbertaskinghimtoleave.
Okay.Okay.We'llhearfurtherdetailsfromyoulater.
AfterMr.Colbertleft,Henriettaplacedherhandsonthetableandsigheddeeply.
Wehaveaspyinourmidst.ThismustbethedoingsoftheAlbionnobility!
Maybeitis...OUCH!saidtheheadmasterwhiletrimminghisnasalhair.Henriettalookedathimhelplessly.
Howcanyoustillbesorelaxed?ThefutureofTristainisatstake!
Theopponenthasalreadymadehismove.Allwecandonowistowait,isn'tit?
Evenso...
It'sallright.Ifit'shim,he'llbeabletocopewithanyproblemsthey'llfaceduringtheirjourney.
Thepersonyou'respeakingofisGuiche?OrViscountWardes?
Theheadmastershookhishead.
Don'ttellmethatpersonisLouise'sfamiliar.Howcouldthatbepossible?!Isn'thejustacommoner?
Yourhighness,haveyouheardofthestoryofFounderBrimirbefore?
Ihavereadmostofthestory...
Theheadmastersmiledandreplied,Then,doyouknowaboutGandlfr?
Isn'tthatFounderBrimir'sstrongestfamiliar?Don'ttellme...
Atthispointoftime,HeadmasterOsmanfeltthathehadalreadydivulgedtoomuch.RegardingthesecretofGandlfrhealwayswantedtokeepthattohimself.AlthoughhetrustedHenrietta,hedidnotwanttheRoyalfamilytoknowaboutityet.
Yes,he'sasstrongandcapableasGandlfrandfurthermore,hecomesfromanotherworlddifferentfromours.
Anotherworld?
That'sright.HecomesfromaworlddifferentfromHalkeginia.OrIshouldsay,fromaplacenotonHalkeginia.Ihavealwaysbelievedthatthisyouthfromanotherworldwillsucceed.That'salsothereasonthatI'msocarefreeevenduringtheseperiloustimes.
AnotherworlddifferentfromHalkeginiareallyexists...
Henriettagazedfaraway.Thesensationoftheyouth'slipstilllingeredonHen
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rietta'slips.Touchingherlipswithherfingertips,sheclosedhereyes,smiledandsaid,
Letmepraythen,forthebreezethatcomesfromanotherworld.
ItwouldtaketwodaystoreachPortCityLaRochellebyhorsefromTristain.Theportcityissituatedonadeepandnarrowgorgeandbecauseofthis,ithasasmallpopulationofthreehundred.AsLaRochelleisthegatewaytoAlbion,thenumberoftravelersistentimesmorethanthelocalpopulation.
Boulderscouldbeseenonbothsidesofthenarrowmountainpathway.Peoplehadcarvedholesintheboulders,turningthemintotavernsandshops.Althoughthebuildingslookordinary,uponcloserinspectiononecanrealizethatallofthemarecarvedoutofasinglerock,afeatdonebySquarerankedearthmages.
Onthenarrowstreet,itappearedtobedarkeventhoughitwasafternoonduetothegorgesblockingthesunlight.Ifonemadeaturnonthestreet,theycouldseeanevennarrowerstreetleadingtoabar.
Onthesignboardresemblingakegofwine,theshop'snamewaswrittenGoldenWineBarrelBar.However,nothingintheshopresembleditsname;theshopwasdilapidatedlikeanabandonedhouse.Pilesofruinedchairscouldbeseenpilingnext
tothedoor.
Mostofthepatronsweregangstersandmercenaries.Whendrunk,theywouldoftenfightoverthesmallestofthingslikestaringincidentsorminorsquabbles.
Wheneverthey'dfight,theywouldfightwiththeirweapons.Therefore,itwascommontoseepeopledeadorseriouslyinjuredinsidethebar.Theshopkeeper,notwantingtoseeanymoreinjuriesanddeaths,putupanoticeinsidetheshop.
Pleaseusethechairswhenyoufightinhere.
Fromthenotice,thecustomerscouldfeeltheshopkeeper'shelplessness.Sotheystartedtousethechairsinsteadoftheirweaponswhenfightingeachother.Ev
enthoughtherewerestillinjuries,noonewaskilledanymore.Fromthenon,chairsthatweredestroyedduringfightsgotpilednexttothedoor.
Today,GoldenWineBarrelBarisfilledwithpatronsasusual.AlmostallthepatronsaremercenariesreturningfromAlbionwhichwasinaninternalstrife.
ThekingofAlbionisfinished!
Don'tthatmeansthatthey'regoingtostartarepublicsoon?
Ifso,letusofferatoasttotherepublic!
Thepeopleofferingtoaststothemselveswereformerlymercenarieshiredbythe
royalisttofightalongsidewiththem.However,facedwiththeimminentdefeatoftheirclients,theyalldecidedtoretreatbackhere.Thiswasnotconsideredtobeadishonorableact.Asmercenaries,theyvaluetheirlivesmorethantheirbeliefs,andsotheyarenotobligedtofighttotheirdeathfortheirclients.
Astheyweredrinking,thebar'sdooropened.Arathertallladyhadenteredthebar.Thehoodtheladyhadworncoveredmostofherfaceexceptthelowerpartofherface.However,fromjustthelowerpartofherfaceonecanalreadybesureaboutherbeauty.Asitwasrareforsuchanattractiveladytocometosuch
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aplacealone,alleyesonthebarwerealreadyonher.
Thelady,unfazedbyalltheeyesstaringather,orderedsomewineandfoodandsatonatableinacornerofthebar.Afterthefoodwasserved,shepromptlypaidup.
That...That'salotofmoney.Isitreallyallright?
Thatincludeslodging.Doyouhaveanyemptyrooms?
Anelegantvoicereplied.Theshopkeepernoddedhisheadandlefthertable.Severalofthemalepatronslookedateachotherandapproachedhertable.
Excusememiss,it'sdangerousforyoutobeherealone.
That'sright!Therearelotsofdangerouscharactersaround.Don'tworrythough,we'llbeheretoprotectyou.
Withavilesmileonhisface,oneofthemliftedupthelady'shood.Whistlesandcatcallscouldbeheardoncethehoodwasremoved.Theladywasquiteabeauty,withherbeautifuleyesandelegantnose.
ThisbeautifulladyisnoneotherthanFouquetofthecrumblingearth.
She'sreallytopnotch!Lookatherskin!It'saswhiteasivory!
Anotherpatronattemptedtoliftupherchinwithhisarm,buthishandwaspushedawaybyFouquet.Fouquetgaveafaintsmile.Anothermalepatronimmediatelystoodup,tookouthisdaggerandplaceditonFouquet'sface.
Aren'tchairssupposedtobeusedinsteadofweaponsatthisjoint?
Thisisonlytofrightenyou.Chairscan'tintimidateanybodyright?Don'tactsoinnocentanymore,aren'tyouheretolookforcompany?We'llkeepyoucompanythen.
Evenwiththedaggerpointedonherface,Fouquetshowednofear.Withaslight
movement,shereachedforawand.
Inainstant,shechantedherincantations.Withthat,thedaggerthatthemanheldturnedintoearthandsettledontothetable.
She's..she'sanoble!
Themenimmediatelybackedawayfromher.AsFouquetwasnotwearingacloak,noneofthemknewthatshewasamagician.
EventhoughI'mamagician,I'mnotanoble,Fouquetsaidnonchalantly.
Mostofyouaremercenariesright?
Themalepatronslookedateachother.Ifshewasnotanoble,theirliveswouldnotbeendangered.Iftheyhaddonethattoanoble,theywouldbekilledwithoutanyqualms.
Yes...Andyouare...?aveteranofthegroupreplied.
Itdoesn'tmatter.Inshort,I'mheretohireallofyou.
Allofus?
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ThemercenarieslookedatFouquetwithapuzzledlookontheirface.
What'swiththeexpression?Isitreallythatweirdformetoemploymercenaries?
No.That'snotwhatImeant.Youhavegold,don'tyou?
Fouquetplacedabagfullofgoldontothetable.Afterinspectingthecontentsofthebag,theveteransaid,"Wow...Isn'tthiscugold?
Thebar'sdooropenedagain.Thistime,amanwearingawhitemaskhadenteredthebar.HewasthesamemanwhohadhelpedFouquetescapefromprison.
Well,aren'tyouearly.
Fouquetseeingthatman,gavealowHmmasareply.Themercenaries,seeingthatman'speculiardressing,wereallquitesurprised.Theyhavestartedontheirjourney,themaskedmansaid.
Ihavedonewhatyouhadtoldmetoandhiredallthesemen.
ThemaninthewhitemaskgaveaonceoveratthemercenariesthatFouquethadhired.
AllofyouwereformerlyemployedbytheAlbionroyalist.AmIright?
Thatwasuntillastmonth,oneofthemercenariesrepliedwithglee.
Butthesoontobedefeatedroyalistaren'touremployersanymore.
Themercenarieslaughedinunison.Themaninthewhitemasklaughedaswell.
I'llfulfillallyourmonetarydesires.However,I'mnotlikethesoontobedefeatedroyalists,ifanyonedarestorunawayfrombattle,I'llkillhimmyself.
Sincedepartingfromthemagicalacademy,Wardes'griffinhadbeenendlesslymovingtowardstheirdestination.Eventhoughtherestofthegrouphadalreadychangedtheirmounttwice,Wardes'griffinjustlikeitsmaster,appearedtobetireless.
Holdon,isn'tthepacetoofastforus?Louise,whowasonWardes'griffin,asked.Overthedurationofthejourney,LouisespokeinamoreinformalmannertoWardesthanwhentheywerereunited.ButthatwasalsopartlyduetotheViscount'srequest.
GuicheandSaitoarealreadyonthebrinkofexhaustion.
WardesturnedbackandlookedatGuicheandSaito.JustlikeLouisehadsaid,bo
thofthemwereholdingtheirreinstightlyinfearoffallingoff.Fromthelooksofit,bothofthemwouldcollapsefromexhaustionbeforethehorseswould.
ButIhadoriginallyplannedtojourneytoportcityLaRochellewithoutstopping...
Thatwouldbedifficult,itwouldtaketwodaystoreachbyhorse.
Ifthat'sthecase,whydon'twejustleavethembehind?
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Wecan'tdothat!
Why?
Aren'tweinthistogether?Furthermore,amagicianshouldnotabandonherfamiliar...
Youseemprotectiveofthemboth.Whichoneisyoursweetheart?
Louise'sfaceimmediatelyturnedredandreplied,What...Whatsweetheart!?
Thatsetsmyheartatease.Ifmyfiancetellsmethatshealreadyhasasweetheart,Iwoulddieofabrokenheart,repliedWardeswithasmile.
Butthatwasonlysomethingthatourparentshadagreedon.
Then,doyoudislikeme,mysmallanddaintyLouise?
Please,I'mnotyounganymore,Louisereplied,pouting.
Butinmyeyes,you'reforeverthatsmallanddaintyLouise.
Louiserememberedthatdreamthatshe'dhadafewdaysback,whereshewasbackinthecourtyardofherhome,laVallire.
Thesecretboatontheforgottenlake...
Whenevershewasthrowingatantrumthere,Wardeswouldalwaysbetheretopacifyher.
Themarriagethatwasdecidedbyherparents.
Thebetrothalthatwasdecidedsinceyouth.Theonethatshewouldbemarriedto.Herfianc.
Atthattime,shestilldidnotfullyunderstandwhatwasgoingon.Sheonlyknewthat,solongasshewaswiththemanshehadadmired,shewouldbehappy.
Butnow,shefinallyunderstoodeverything.ShewouldbemarriedtoWardes.
Idon'tdislikeyou,Louiserepliedwithatingeofembarrassment.
That'swonderful,inotherwords,youlikeme?
WardesgentlyhuggedLouise'sshoulders.
Ihaveneverforgottenaboutyouevenafterallthistime.Doyoustillremember?Aftermyfather'sdeathduringthelancercampaign?
Louisenoddedherhead.
WardesbegantoreminisceandnarratedtoLouiseaboutthepast.
Mymotherhadpassedawayearlier,Iinheritedmyfather'sestateandtitle.Wantingtomakeanameformyself,Iwenttothecapital.Fortunately,thehighnesshadadeepimpressionofmyfatherwhohadperishedinthebattlefield,IwasincorporatedintotheGriffinKnights.IhadenteredtheGriffinKnightsasatrainee,trainingwastoughthen.
Fromthenon,youseldomwentbacktoyourestateagain,repliedLouisewhileclos
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inghereyes.Shetooseemedtobeimmersedinhermemories.
MyhouseandestatewerecaredforbybutlerGalgannwhileIputallmyeffortservingthenation.Aftersolong,Ifinallymadeanameformyself,accomplishingwhatIhaddecideduponleavingmyhomeland.
Whatwasthatyouhavedecidedupon?
ToaskyourhandformarriageonceIhavemadeanameformyself.
You'rekiddingright,Viscount?You'resopopularamongthegirls,youhavenoneedtohonoryourpromisetosuchaninsignificantme.
AboutWardes'betrothal.Louisehadcleanlyforgottenituntilshehadthatdreamafewdaysback.ThebridalpacttoWardeswasallbutafleetingdream.Inheropinion,itwasonlyaagreementmadeonawhim.
AfterWardeshadlefthisestatetenyearsago,Louisehadneverseenhimagain.Wardeshadalreadybecomepartofherdistantmemory.Distantmemorieshadsuddenlybecomereality.
Thisjourneyisagoodchanceforustoregainthosefeelingswehadwhenyouwereyoung,Wardessaidwithagentleandcalmtone.
Louisethoughttoherself,doIreallyloveWardes?
Eventhoughshedidnotdislikehimandshedidadmirehimwhenshewasyoung,thatwasallinthepast.
Suddenlyfacedwithafiancandprobablymarriage,shedidnotknowwhattodo.Furthermore,theyhadbeenapartforsomanyyears,shedidnotreallyknowwhetherifshestillhadanyfeelingsforhim.
Louiseturnedherheadandlookedbehind.
ShesawSaitoprostratingonthehorse,itlookedlikehehadnearlyreachedhislimit.Louisepoutedherlips.Goodfornothing!Assoonasshethoughtofthat
,shebecameanxiousandherheartpoundedfuriously.
Wehavealreadybeenonthesehorsesfornearlyawholeday,doesn'thegettired?Arethosegriffinknightsmonsters?Guiche,whowasalsolifelesslyslouchingonthehorse,asked.
Whoknows?Saitorepliedlethargically.HefeltembitteredeachtimeWardestouchedLouise.Hetouchedheragain...thistimehuggingherbytheshoulder...Whatisthatguyupto...Eventhoughyou'reLouise'sfianc,eventhoughIhavenorighttostopyou,youshouldhaveatleastdoneitsomewhereelsewhereIcouldnotsee...
EachtimeSaitothoughtofthat,hebecamemoretiredandhisheartbecameheavi
er.
Guiche,lookingatSaitoinsuchastate,beganteasinghim.Hehheh...Don'ttellmeyou'rejealous?Guichesaidwithasnicker.
Ah!Whatareyouimplying?
Iguesseditcorrectly,didn'tI?Guichelaughedevenharder.
Shutyourmouth,moleboy!
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Mwahaha...Youactuallycarriedaloveforyourmasterthatwouldneverflower?Totellyouhonestly,lovebetweenpeopleofdifferentstatuswillonlyresultintragedy.
Stoptalkingnonsense!HowcouldIeverlikesuchapersonlikeher?Iadmitthatshe'scute.However,shehasanextremelybadcharacter.
Guichesuddenlylookedtothefrontandexclaimed,Look!They'rekissing!
Saito,shocked,immediatelyturnedtothefront.However,WardesandLouisedidnotkiss.
HethenlookedagainatGuiche.Guichewasbarelycontrollinghislaughter.
Arggh!SaitoshoutedandpouncedonGuiche.Bothofthefellofftheirhorsesandbeganfightingeachotherontheground.
Hey!Ifyouguyscontinuefighting,I'llhavetoleaveyoubothbehind!Wardesshouted.
Guichequicklygotbackonthehorse.Meanwhile,Saito,realizingthatLouisewaslookingathim,turnedhisheadaway.
Astheyhadbeentravelingatfullspeedandexchangedtheirtiredhorsesforfreshonesseveraltimes,theyreachedtheoutskirtsofLaRochellebynightfall.
Saitolookedaroundinastonishment.Aren'tweapproachingaport?WhydoIstillseemountainseverywhere?Maybeoncewecrossthismountainweshouldbeabletoseetheocean.
Travelingunderthemoonlight,Saitoandthegroupfinallysawanarrowmountainpathway.Buildingswhichwerecarvedfromboulderscouldbeseenonbothsidesofthepathway.
Whyisaportbuiltontopofamountain?
HearingSaitoasking,GuicherepliedsarcasticallyDon'ttellmethatyoudon'tevenknowwhereAlbionis?
AlthoughSaitoandGuichewerenearlyreachingtheirphysicallimits,thethoughtof'Oncewereachtownwecanfinallyrest'gavethemthestrengthtoengageinsmalltalk.
Yeah,Idon'tknow.
Really?Guicherepliedwithlaughter.ButSaitodidnotlaugh.
Ihavenocommonknowledgeofthisworldandpleasedon'tassumethatIdo.
Suddenly,fromtopofthecliff,torcheswerethrownatthetheirhorses.Theburningtorchesilluminatedtheravinetheywereabouttocross.
What's...What'shappening!?Guichecried.
Thehorses,frightenedbytheburningtorches,threwSaitoandGuicheofftheirbacks.
Astheyfell,ahailofarrowsshowereduponthem.
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It'sanambush!Guicheshouted.
Saitobegantopanic,justashewantedtounsheatheDerflingerwhichwasslungbehindhisback,twomorearrowsflewtowardshim.
Whoa!
Justastheythoughttheywereabouttomeettheirdoom,astronggustofwindblewtowardsthem,changingintoasmallhurricane.
Thatsamehurricanecaughtallthearrowsandsentthemaway.
Wardesraisedhiswand.
Areyouguysallright?Wardesshouted.
I'mallright...repliedSaito.
Damnit!Louise'sfiancjustsavedmylife.Thatsenseofdismalkeptexpanding,causingSaitotofeelinferior.HeunsheathedDerflinger.Therunesonhislefthandstartedglowingagain,relivinghimoftheexhaustionthathehadbeensuffering.ZntB2C401.jpg
I'msolonely,partner.It'stoomuchofyoutokeepputtingmeinsidethescabbard.
Saitolookedatthetopofthecliff,butnoarrowscouldbeseen.
Itwasmostlikelythievesorbandits.Wardessaid.
Louise,suddenlyrealizingsomethingexclaimed,CoulditbethenoblesfromAlbion?
Nobleswouldnotusearrows.
Justthen,thesoundofflappingwingscouldbeheard.Itwasasoundthatthey
werequitefamiliarwith...
Screamscouldbeheardfromthecliffs.
Arrowscouldbeseenshootingtowardsthenightsky.However,allthearrowswereparriedawaybywindmagic.
Afterthat,asmallhurricanecreatedbymagicblewawayallthearchers.
Hmm...Aren'tthosewindincantations?Wardesmumbledtohimself.
Thearchers,attemptingtoambushthem,rolleddownthecliffsafterbeingblownawaybythemagicaltornado.Theylandedhardontotheground,givingoutmoans
ofpain.
Withthemoonasthebackground,afamiliarsightappeared.It'sSylphid!Louiseshoutedconfoundedly.
ItwasTabitha'swinddragon.Afteritlanded,ared-hairedgirljumpeddownfromthedragonandflickedherhair.
Sorrytokeepyouwaiting.
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LouisetoojumpeddownfromWardes'griffinandreplied,Whatdoyoumeansorrytokeepyouwaiting!?Whyareyouhereinthefirstplace?
Nottohelpyouinanycase.WhenIsawyouleavingtheacademyonthehorseinthemorning,IquicklywokeupTabithaandfollowedyouallthewayhere.
KirchepointedatTabitha,fromthelooksofitshewaswokenupfromhersleep;shewasstillwearingherpajamas.Butshedidn'tseemtomindatall,andwasstillreadingabook.
Zerbst!Listentome,we'reonasecretmissiongiventousbyherhighness!
Secretmission?Youshouldhavesaidsoearlier!HowwouldIknowifyoudidnottellmeaboutit?Anyways,bethankfultome,forIhaveapprehendedthepeoplewhowantedtoambushyou!
Kirchesaidwhilepointedtothepeoplewhowerelyingontheground.ThoseambusherswereunabletomoveduetotheirinjuriesandhurledabusestowardsLouiseandthegroup.Guicheapproachedthemandbeganinterrogatingthem.
Louise,crossingherarms,gaveaviciousstareatKirche.
Don'tbemistaken!I'mnotheretoassistyou.AmIright?
Kircheposedsuggestively,andthenleanedonWardes,whowasonthegriffin,andsaid,"Yourbeardmakesyouverymanly.Doyouknowwhatpassionlookslike?
WardesglancedatKircheandproceededtopushherawayusinghislef
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