Level 5 + Miracles In The Making
Sublevel 3 + Parchment And Posies



"Lady Nova. Lady Nova!"

Nova snapped out of her reverie, blinking. "Y-yes?"

Aska, the youngest of her High Council, stood before her. "Lady Nova, I have a message for you from the White Lady." The small girl held out a little packet.

With a smile, Nova accepted the packet. "Thank you, Aska-san. Now you'd better hurry, or you'll miss tea with Lady Fuu."

"Oh, that's right!" Aska turned, running off, calling back over her shoulder, "Thank you, Lady Nova!"

Still smiling, Nova opened the packet. It contained a folded piece of parchment and a tiny bunde of posies. Nova smiled. Emeraude always remembered her favorite flowers.

Setting the posies on the table next to her, Nova unfolded the parchment, beginning to read the regal, swooping black letters.

Dearest Nova,

I do hope life as the Owner of the Light is suiting you well. I apologize for not visiting --- I haven't been well lately. Don't worry, though. Hikaru is taking good care of me.

Fuu brings me daily reports from the High Council. She says you're doing a splendid job. Are the problems with the Heiat people worked out yet? I do hope that is resolved soon. I trust you with the matter.

I've been told that you're the only one who doesn't know yet of the blossoming relationship of Lady Fuu and Councilor Ferio. How can you not notice? Silly girl, you must stop taking your work so seriously. You need not devote every waking hour to it. That was my mistake, and that is why we reformed the system, remember? Keep up on the gossip, dear, it's quite interesting.

Speaking of blossoming relationships, Umi came to me recently with a bit of a dilemma. It seems that Councilor Ascot has developed quite an affection for her --- something which I was already aware of. Poor Umi. She's so distressed. I think she's rather taken with him, though. She just doesn't know it yet.

Yes, our newest additions to the castle are all doing well. As I said, Fuu visits me often, and she is quite well, as is Umi, who is making a marvelous guard. Perhaps she'll be Captain soon! And Hikaru is getting along wonderfully. She spends most of her time away from me with Lantis, Eagle, Fuu, and Umi, and Ferio as well. She is adapting very well. I am quite glad she decided to stay here.

And we are all infinitely thankful to you, Nova. If you had not chosen to accept the burden placed upon you, this country would have crumbled. We owe you our very lives.

Now, I'm afraid, I must end this letter. I'm joining Lady Fuu and Aska for tea this afternoon, and I'll have to change and wash up beforehand. I'll try to visit you soon, Nova.


Eternal gratitude and love,
Emeraude


Nova folded the letter up again, placing it on the corner of the table. She picked up the posies, sniffing them briefly, then tucking them into her dress pocket as she rose to her feet. She went to the huge window, sitting on the wide sill and gazing out.

The country was so beautiful now. The warmth of the Light filled every chasm, every corner. With the reformed system, Nova didn't have to devote her every hour to controlling the Light and the world; now, the Light was stronger and more stable, and it didn't need its Owner to hold it every moment. Nova was free to live a very normal life, though, despite the long hours she spent in with the Council or in private control of the Light. She had freedom that Emeraude had not had, and she knew how fortunate she was.

She was so glad that Fuu had decided to stay. Not only had Hikaru and Umi lived, but they had decided to stay, as well. It hadn't been easy for them, but they were all so much happier this way. Nova sighed softly. She would have missed them so if they had left.

Rising to her feet slowly, Nova slipped her hand inside her pocket, touching the petals of the posies briefly. She headed for the door, hoping Emeraude, Fuu, and Aska would be willing to welcome another for tea.