Authors note: I am really, truly, absolutely sorry about making you wait endlessly. This was the longest, most unnecessary break ever. Every time I wanted to upload some kind of drama got in the way. In the process I changed this chapter too many times.
As much as I hate to say it, life is getting really messy over here. I can't say how this will affect my schedule. I just hope I'll get anything done at all. No matter what. Preferably some muscle growth. I have more time to write if I my body lasts longer. ~Insert Roll Safe meme~
Well I tried a balanced schedule. It didn't work at all. So next I'm going to try exactly the same thing hoping real hard something (specifically people) will be different. Call me crazy but I'm not the only one!
Obviously I don't mean you. In case anyone thought that.
Thumbs up
Also I had quite some time to think and learned a few things of what not to do in a story. The downside is, those cannot be changed anymore. They should be considered before starting a story. Oh well. There's always a next.
Chapter 14
Gaining momentum
Louise leans on the door feeling quite silly. She hasn't really paid him back nor offered him an ear as she promised him. Her mind wanders back to her eccentric familiar. Its as though she is torn between her old and new self. She longs for the feeling of security Yuuka provides her with.
A loud bang snaps her back to reality. The door suddenly slams open behind her sending her flying. She can feel the throbbing pain of a fresh bump on the back of her head.
~Seconds earlier~
Now that the weight has been lifted off his shoulders there is only one more question he must know the answer to. Does Louise really know the future? He rushes to the door and shoves the door open with force.
"Loui..se?", he doesn't dare to ask and slowly closes the door again.
Louise turns her face. Pure fury greets Guiche through the slit of his door. For a second he can see the future himself. In the next he relives his entire past. He closes the door praying that by some miracle she will not burst into his room.
…
Siesta is nervous. Yuuka is more agitated than the maid has anticipated. She walks to the counter of an expensive bar feeling the angry stare of a demon on her back all the while. At this rate she won't be able to do what she has intended to. A familiar face seen not too long ago greets her.
"Welcome to our establishment. Siesta?", the barmaid greets her.
"Anne? How did you get here so quickly?"
"I had some connections.", she replies.
A thought comes up. Turning her head around Siesta notices the restaurant being overwhelmingly flooded with people. At this rate she will have to wait quite a while as nobles will most likely be served first. "Say, can I ask a favor of you?", she puts a vial with lack liquid on the counter.
Anne looks at the direction of the demon and pales.
...
The duo is sitting opposite of each other in the most luxurious cafe Siesta has ever seen. Although they don't have much money on them, Louise has given them quite a bit of pocket money so she can afford a drink for both of them. And Tabitha has given her something to pour in Yuuka's drink, given the chance.
The streets are filled with people going about their business and quite many tables are filled already.
"Excuse me for a moment." Siesta says as she gets up to have a little talk with the staff.
She returns after a short talk at the counter and sits on the opposite end of the table.
In spite of all the customers, some of which are wealthy nobles still waiting for their orders, a barmaid comes shortly after with a tray in her hands, food and drinks included. She places it in front of them and leaves in a hurry.
"I guess being a commoner has its perks.", Yuuka breaks the silence.
"I guess you could say that.", is her reply.
They stare at their drinks in an awkward silence for some time, taking a little sip at best.
"You said something suspicious earlier.", Yuuka begins anew. "What makes you think I'm jealous?"
"Actually its more than that. You've been acting like a psychopath for some time now."
It doesn't take long for signs of intoxication to make themselves known. Yuuka's cheeks are flushing red, though one may take them as a sign of anger.
"That's basically what I am. A murderous, psychopath monster.", the demon replies.
"Sometimes. And then again sometimes you act like a lost girl. And then again sometimes you act like you're scheming something. Your character seems all over the place.", the maid retorts boldly.
Offended by this revelation she downs the entire drink in one go and slams the empty glass back on the table. Still at a loss for words though she ponders about something to say, all the while becoming more drunk as a side effect of the potion Siesta has poured into her drink.
"Why don't you give it to me straight?", Siesta offers. "Louise thinks you're irresponsible. Everyone else deems you crazy. It would do you good to have someone to talk to."
The green haired demon looks at her suspiciously. "Why would I want to talk to you off all people?"
"At least I have some experience dealing with troublemakers. Or is there anyone else you would prefer over me?"
Yuuka grumbles. "If it wasn't for Louise I would pull that cute head off your shoulders right now. Get me a few more drinks."
Another moment later a waitress appears with two new sets of drinks. Siesta throws an apologetic glance at the maid in question. Anne, the girl that left the school only to have to deal with the demon in her new workplace glares angrily at her for having pulled her into this. While Yuuka is busy with her drink the barmaid inconspicuously places an empty vial in front of Siesta while walking past her which she safely tucks away.
Yuuka is now clearly drunk and unable to think straight.
Siesta takes this chance to strike up a new topic. She leans forward resting on her elbows. "You said you haven't seen anyone in a long time. How long has it been?"
Yuuka unsure of how to dodge the question sighs. "Might as well. Probably ten years. Why do you care?"
"Excuse me. Did you say ten years?", the maid repeats unbelieving.
"Yes, ten years." Yuuka replies matter of factly.
The girls mouth hangs open.
"What? Its not a big deal.", Yuuka wakes her from her stupor.
"Not a big deal? People go crazy in just a week of solitary confinement!", her opposite snaps back. "No wonder you're crazy!"
Yuuka taps away at the table angrily. "Thanks for giving it to me straight, doc. But I'm not crazy. I've got it under control."
"Under control? You change persona every time Louise talks to you!", she blinks a moment remembering the actual reason for her being here in the first place. "Come to think of it, Miss Louise underwent quite a change too since you've been with her. How did you do that?"
Yuuka looks away uncomfortably.
Siesta takes a deep breath. According to Tabitha she should be unable to think clearly now and answer everything honestly.
"Answer me!", the maid demands.
While her angry glare would usually be sneered upon at best, Yuuka is too drunk and lets it get to her. "I may have used drugs to get her to relax a bit."
"You did WHAT!", the maid yells causing Yuuka to flinch and some other customers to look their way.
"You wouldn't believe how difficult that girl is.", Yuuka explains to Siesta who just continues her to stare like a custodian chastising her protegee for doing something obviously dangerous.
"She is always nagging about something, always questioning me and so indecisive!", the Youkai continues making excuses.
"You can't imagine what I had to do just to give this girl some confidence. She knows how to act tough but when it really matters she just cries about it.", Yuuka slams her second drink on the table in anger.
"But how do you do that? I haven't once seen her accept a drink or food from you.", Siesta probes further.
Yuuka pokes the spot on her head where Louise wears the clip. "Those are real flowers. Sometimes when she is out of control they release their aroma. She had her first good sleep when I figured out the right mixture. You can't believe how much this girl tosses and turns at night.", Yuuka whispers to her. "That is unless I apply relaxants on her."
"It does not always have the same effect on those standing close to her though.", the drunk woman adds.
Siesta instantly connects the dots. The flower ornament Louise wears on her head constantly, which is what they assume to be a means of mind control, is providing relaxants? She is perplexed by the revelation. Shoving her drink aside she comes even closer to Yuuka.
"If you can do something like that, wouldn't it be easier to just control her mind?", the maid confronts Yuuka.
Yuuka bursts out laughing. "You've got too much fantasy. Those are just flowers."
Siesta pressures her further. "But is it possible?!"
Yuuka is taken aback by the maids sudden attitude toward her. She thinks about her options for some time and finally admits. "It might be possible if you knew how the human brain works and have the right flowers for it. But let me tell you, just figuring out how to relax someone is difficult enough. And a flower able to freely control a brain would be more obvious."
Siesta slides back into her seat satisfied. This little bit of information will be invaluable in deciding if and how to deal with Yuuka when necessary.
"What's the matter with you anyway?", the drunken demon questions Siesta's weird behavior. "Is there someone you want to control?"
Siesta shrugs it off. "Just being cautious. You never know what a noble would do to commoners."
"Mind control isn't an easy feat. Most of the time the drawbacks are greater than the advantages.", Yuuka offers her a piece of advice. "If you really want someone to do your bidding, give them a reason or use violence."
"That reminds me, why do you feel lonely when you're constantly surrounded by people?", Siesta directs the conversation back to its original subject.
Yuuka sighs. "Being with people and being among them are two different things."
Siesta mulls it over. "I guess it makes sense. But what about Louise?"
"As far as she is concerned I'm just an object. A thing. She has no faith in me at all. Whenever someone says something she takes their side.", the demon whines.
"What about yesterday? It looks to me that she preferred you over the Viscount.", the maid objects.
The green haired woman downs the third glass of wine. "That was his own fault. We had a little quarrel about him before that. And I'm sure it wasn't the last."
Siesta can't help but smile awkwardly at what the demon is saying. Yuuka would have kept all those emotions bottled up until eventually she would burst. Siesta has had to trick her to get her to open up about anything. Even so she has been reluctant until the wine finally arrived. Including a most likely illegal potion she has had to add to them.
"What exactly did you do to give this girl some confidence?", Siesta directs the conversation back to something other than ranting.
Yuuka takes a good moment to think about all she's accomplished. "For one I showed her how to make good use of her apparent failing in magic."
Siesta nods.
"I put her bullies in her place continuously. Do you know how little respect those kids have for her? She just shrinks back every time they talk.", she puffs a little cloud.
It is getting dark now and her breath shows in every word she says, though the alcohol keeps her slightly warm.
She smiles now. "But you should have seen her face when I did put them in their place. She was so happy."
Siesta chuckles. Nobody would believe her if she told them what Yuuka is saying. If it weren't for the potion, neither would she.
"Is that why you lose to her on the school grounds?", Siesta wonders.
Yuuka's expression changes. "No. That is entirely her doing.", Yuuka replies in all seriousness. "Those pesky humans make fun of her all the time when she is the only thing standing between them and me."
Siesta feels a chill run down her spine. "What about yourself? Why don't you just go around making friends?", she decides the previous topic to be preferable over this one.
The demon turns her face away uncomfortably. "I don't really want to talk about it."
"Come on. You can tell me." The maid eggs her on.
"You know, if you were anyone else I would have killed you just for asking. But I'll let you live." Yuuka attempts to divert the maids attention.
The maid feels another cold drop of sweat run down her back. "To what do I owe this honor?", the maid falls for her trap.
"Somehow you remind me of home. Its as if you were not from this world."
This sparks some interest in herself rather than the demons past.
"I remember my mother telling me that my great-grandfather was from a different world.", Siesta admits.
Yuuka raises an eyebrow.
Realizing she is wasting valuable time she gets back on topic. "Are you trying to hide something from me?"
Yuuka checks left and right if anyone is paying attention before leaning in. "Promise to keep this between us?"
Siesta nods once and leans closer.
"Promise to take it to the grave with you?", Yuuka urges her.
"I promise already!", Siesta rushes her to reveal her secret.
"I'm not immune to the drugs effects.", Yuuka whispers to her.
Siesta eyes Yuuka closely. The effect on herself is rather obvious. The effect of solitary confinement alone should be enough to drive her insane. Adding random drugs could make their effects worse.
"I admit. It felt really good to tell someone about it.", Yuuka adds quietly.
"But what about you? Are you afraid of me or not? Make up your mind.."
"Does it bother you that much?", the maid dodges the question.
The demon glares in response, which doesn't look threatening at all with her cheeks red and looking as if she would fall asleep any moment now.
Siesta decides to answer. "I don't think I'm afraid anymore. You are just in desperate need of counseling."
"Counseling you say?", the demon questions in disbelief.
"It looks to me you have deep psychological issues. I could help but..."
"But..?", Yuuka beckons her to continue.
"First I must know who you are. Who are you Yuuka? What is your story?"
"You're really persistent.", the demon remarks annoyed.
And so they continue some mindless drunk chatter a little longer.
...
"Why don't we take the opportunity to strike her in Albion?", the Viscount asks the trio tasked with Yuuka's surveillance.
Kirche is the one to answer. "Siesta is with them. She will assess Yuuka's mental stability. We will wait for her approval first."
"Isn't that too dangerous? She will die. If we take too long Louise may fall with her." he objects to their decision.
"That may be the case. However, we fear that she is far too powerful for all of us to take on. Just look at her history. Creating matter out of thin air, knowledge of dangerous artifacts. She can also gift magic as if its nothing.", Fouquet objects to his rushing.
The blue haired girl turns to speak. "But the most important thing is, we don't know her intentions. If she can truly control Louise, then why does she take on this mission? She proved that she doesn't care much about harming the princess. So why is she here? There is still hope that she's obedient to her master."
The Viscount can't provide any meaningful answer to that question.
"Just because we don't know her reasoning doesn't mean she's trustworthy. Look at her actions. Look at you." the Viscount points at Fouquet as he speaks, "was there any reason to go that far? Maybe she wants to kill the prince just to boast about it to the princess."
The other three share a glance. While it may be possible, it seems uncharacteristic for her to go to such great lengths to do something so simple. Her methods so far are more straightforward. Punching Guiche, Crippling Fouquet, harming the princess, they are all immediate and violent. Even during her fights with Louise she doesn't move away unless forced to. Other than manipulating Louise and withholding her powers, that is.
"I'm not so sure about it.", Kirche replies first.
In the end he can't convince them to help him take down Yuuka.
They split up each doing their assigned roles while they wait for Siesta to report back to them. Tabitha and Kirche go back to watching Yuuka's every move while Wardes is off to try and protect Louise. Fouquet is the only one taking a break for she must continue at night where she is less likely to be found out due to her being wanted all over the place.
However while Wardes does indeed follow according to their plans, he adds some altercations that benefit himself.
His main goal is not the familiar herself but to regain what he has lost because of her.
The search doesn't take long as the ruckus coming from his own room, which he shares with the blonde boy, leaves little room for imagination of what may have happened. His assumption turns out to be correct as he finds an angry Louise stomp out of his room.
It is the first time since their arrival in the port town since she has shown any emotion at all. Other than the cold shoulder he is getting she is not usual self. He smiles reminiscing about the past when things were so much easier.
Although she clearly intends to ignore him again she is stopped by his hand firmly blocking the way.
"Let me pass.", she demands but is met only with his stern gaze.
"Its time we stop this childish nonsense and talk things out. Or do you intend to treat me like this forever?", he demands right back.
His sternness eventually causes her to falter and look away. It shows in her voice as she attempts to talk her way out. "I have nothing to discuss with you."
With the same hand blocking her way he gently pulls her chin to face him. "Have I ever mistreated you, my dear Louise? Have I done anything to earn your loathing?"
Thinking back she has a lot of anger for him about something she has almost forgotten. Before his arrival in the academy the betrothal has been no more than a distant memory of childhood days. They may not be close enough to get married, but are they close enough for such enmity?
Louise is highly confused. She feels as though the world is spinning as soon as Yuuka takes a step off of her side.
"Fine. Lets have a talk.", she gives in reluctantly.
The first sight that greets them as they enter his room is Guiche's battered and swollen face.
"Let's go somewhere else.", they both agree for once.
…
Louise regrets her behavior in front of the man she has once had a crush on. As the evening breeze gets colder he simply puts his mantle around her without a second thought. All the while he does respect her wishes not to come too close to her. Upon finding a nice restaurant to dine in he invites her for a bite. Overall he behaves like a gentleman, like he always has. She feels her cheeks get warm from embarrassment. Maybe she shouldn't have been so cold toward him.
He orders some warm drinks along with their specialty for them.
The Viscount can't help but smile again. "Is that really you, Louise? I was afraid I had mistakenly taken out the wrong girl for dinner. You have grown so much."
"Stop teasing me.", she says while blushing.
If only he knew all those changes in her demeanor were the result of a few weeks.
"I'm thankful for this opportunity to talk to you, my little Louise. There is so much we need to talk about."
Louise, unsure of how to feel right now, looks down on the table to avoid looking at him.
"We may not be that close, my dear Louise, but we are still close, aren't we? Please relax." he soothes her with his gentle voice.
It reminds her of an old memory. In that memory it is him that comforts her and gives her the strength to go on.
Finally she relaxes too. "You are right, Wardes. Pardon me. I'm not myself lately."
"What a peculiar thing to say. I was having the same impression.", he is interrupted by the servants bringing one of their most expensive wine.
With their glasses now filled the Viscount raises his glass. "For now lets forget about the past few days. Lets just enjoy finally being reunited."
Louise chinks glasses with him and finally finds the courage to smile too.
"I know it was rash of me to ask for your hand after we have been apart for so long. Originally I took this mission in hope to rekindle the feelings we once had. But it looks to me that we are no longer the same people we once were."
"I believe you are still as admirable as you used to be. I am the one who changed.", Louise admits after some thought.
"I have to confess, it scared me to see you like that. What would I do if my adorable Louise does no longer need me..", he trails off.
"Don't be absurd. I may have let my recent successes go to my head. That doesn't mean I don't value your person, Wardes.", she replies.
The wine helps her get a better hold of her emotions. Its fuzzy warmth reminds her of home.
"It is understandable. To defeat Fouquet who has made a fool of many nobles is no small feat.", The Viscount directs the conversation to another topic smoothly.
Louise leans on her hands. "You know it was not me who did it. The princess surely told you what really transpired?"
He too leans forward. "Indeed. The princess ordered me to be especially wary around that familiar. Though I believe her to be special, I don't perceive her to be all that dangerous."
Louise's lowers her voice. "The princess really said that?"
He replies in the same hushed voice. "Indeed. Your familiar is quite audacious to attack her majesty so openly. Were it anyone else's familiar we would have killed her along with her master."
Louise balls her fist. "Attacked her? What are you talking about?"
Wardes looks genuinely surprised for once. "Weren't you there when she did it? Princess Henrietta said it happened next to your door. Surely you have heard about it?"
She remembers the conversation with the princess and being furious for some reason. A faint memory of a sound that has triggered her anger, but no more.
She shakes her head.
He leans even closer looking directly at her. "My dear Louise. What do you remember about that night?"
She relays to him her recollection of the evenings events in as much detail as she can muster. He listens to her intently, taking a bite off his meal or sipping wine every now and then.
"I'm afraid we can't afford to enjoy our trip to albion after all.", Wardes picks up after her account of that evening.
"What do you mean? Is something the matter?", she asks unaware of what is to come.
"I fear that familiar is brainwashing you.", he breaks the grave news to her with a serious expression.
Louise stops with her mouth hanging wide open and a fork full of meat hanging in the air unable to reach its destination.
She lets her fork crash on the plate. "What? You must be joking."
"Think about it. You can't remember things that would inconvenience her. You are overly emotional at times and apathetic at others. I didn't want to believe it at first but it seems it is true."
Louise frowns. "You didn't want to believe what? What are you talking about?"
He takes out the letter with the princess's signature and slides it across the table for her to see.
She picks it up and reads its words out quietly.
On account of Chevalier Tabitha this and that
...have reason to assume this and that…
creation of matter…
brainwashing…
She eyes her beloved princess's signature as if just looking hard enough would turn it into an obvious forgery, but there is no doubt it is authentic.
She drops back in her seat defeated.
He takes the opportunity to put the letter back where he produced it from.
"What about yesterday? She helped beat Guiche. How do you explain that?", she demands.
She wants to believe in Yuuka. It has been difficult but she has always held her word. She has shared her own magic with her, taught her how to better utilize what she has and has given her emotional support too.
"What you applied was basic military tactics."
"Basic military tactics?", she asks.
He nods once. "Being of the Gramont family, the boy Guiche should have known better than to fall for your tricks."
"Fall for my tricks?", she repeats offended.
He takes a deep breath, "Forgive my poor choice of words. However do you know anything about the subject?"
He recalls his own lessons many years ago when he was younger. "Be extremely subtle to the point of formlessness. All warfare is based on deception. Do those sound familiar to you?"
She ponders his words for a bit. He doesn't know the full extent of her lessons as he has just arrived when they were finished. Still he can see the her growth and put it to words.
Irritating Guiche and thereby leading him by the nose is only possible because he has the personality of an arrogant rich kid who thinks himself too high above Louise to take her seriously, adding to his irritation as soon as anything at all goes wrong.
He doesn't honor the first rule of fighting subtly either. His movements are telling, his tactics easily figured out whereas Louise didn't move at all or act in any way betraying her skill set. Her magic is also free of incantations making it that much more difficult to figure them out unless you already do know them.
"That would only work on him.", Louise concludes.
"Precisely.", he affirms.
"Still isn't that a good first step?", she holds onto what little hope she has.
Her instincts scream at her to distrust the Viscount but if her mind is being controlled she cannot even trust herself. Her mind wanders back to the night before. Yuuka's words were ominous. If you had to pick between him and me..
Does Yuuka know something she doesn't?
The Viscount takes a sip of his wine unperturbed. He has invited her knowing she is not as easily swayed anymore. The night is still young.
…
Back in the cafe…
Yuuka takes the last sip of her umpteenth drink looking more sober than before. She laughs silently to herself. "Did you put something in my drink?" she asks her opposite calmly.
Siesta begins fumbling around her drink nervously. "Why would you think that?"
The demon smirks victoriously. "It just seems weird that I'd open up to you about things I didn't even tell my best of friends."
Siesta is frantically searching for anything to divert the demons attention to but the agonizing stare of a demon sends her into a panic.
"How come you're not drunk? You've had more than five drinks!", the maid yells in her panic.
Yuuka chuckles at the situation. It is the maid who is drunk now and Yuuka has her where she wants her.
"Demons aren't affected by alcohol as much as humans, so I usually drink enough to counter the effects of anything weird in my drinks." She throws another knowing smile at the panicking woman in front of her, then down to where she has tucked away her empty vial before.
The girl quickly grabs for the vial trying to hide it better only to find it gone.
The Demon holds it between her fingers already inspecting it closely. "Tell your little friends I know they're sneaking around.", she adds to the girls dismay.
"Who is sneaking around?", Siesta asks.
"Well the little girl with her dragon.", the only partly drunk demon blurts out.
Siesta starts sweating. "Are you referring to miss Tabitha? How do you know its her?"
Yuuka smirks victoriously. "Did you think I wouldn't notice?."
The maid gulps. "So you knew all along?"
"I know that you wouldn't do something like this on your own and I know she is smarter than the rest of her peers.."
"So you told Miss Louise to act like a maniac because you didn't want anyone else to learn your secrets?", her opposite concludes.
"Oh that? You missed her lesson entirely. That was not supposed to teach her anything at all. It had a different purpose."
"What if something happened to her?", the maid worries.
"The boy is barely a threat to her. I made sure of that.", is her reply.
Feeling bad for putting something in her drink now, Siesta gets up. "I think I've heard enough. Lets head back."
"Already? Don't you want to know what I have planned for us? Or you?.", the demon chuckles entertained.
"I know enough. You need some rest before we get aboard.", Siesta interjects as if her life depended on it, which would normally be the case.
Yuuka gets up and throws one threatening look at the maid. "You know some things you aren't meant to know."
The maid ignores her threat and walks ahead.
"You've got guts stabbing me in the back.", Yuuka adds to emphasize her displeasure.
The maid feels cold sweat running down her back, but for once not for the fear of death. The truth serum has made her give away some of her innermost thoughts already. She knows Yuuka won't kill her.
She turns deciding to smile as warmly as she can while feeling the demons threatening glare, throwing Yuuka off.
"We will have a talk about this once we're back.", Yuuka grumbles still a bit drunk as they make their way back to the inn.
…
Back in her room Louise ponders about the letter with the princess's signature, Wardes warning and Yuuka ominous words. Many conflicting emotions plague her. But looking at the sleeping face of her new familiar her worries let up. The maid is unexpectedly close to Yuuka. Both are most likely somewhat drunk going by the smell.
She shakes her head. It is not as though it was ever different. But now she has an unshakable pillar to lean on. A new emotion makes itself known to her. Her body starts shaking with anticipation. She decides it is time to take fate into her own hands and figure out for herself who to keep close. She plots her own little scheme to test both Yuuka and Wardes.
...
The day has arrived. The group of five board the vessel that is supposed to bring them to Albion.