"..."

I'm troubled.

This began as a morning like all the others, but, as soon as Ancelina delivered me this, I can't seem to make heads or tails of anything.

In front of me is a letter addressed to me from father.

Apparently, that merchant had been caught.

It would be fine if that was all it was, but there's no way I could be at peace when he ends the letter with 'I'll handle this situation from here on out'.

He shouldn't be changing so suddenly.

Something must've happened, and I have no clue about what it could possibly be.

I glance at Ancelina, the maid I'm sure was sent by father. If I prod her, there is a possibility she might know if I did anything wrong, but… based on how it was when she came to me as I left Vallière manor, she is more loyal to him than to me.

I bring my hand up to massage my temple.

I can't help but worry about Cattleya. The thought of anything happening to her fills me with dread.

"…"

For now, I'll send a few letters. Just prodding at what could be possibly happening. I'll decide what to really do after I have more information.

I grab paper and writing utensils and begin penning a few missives.

I'll ask Cattleya and father a few of the same and different things. Comparing the answers should tell me if they are being completely truthful or if they are lying to me.

I chose my words carefully, the questions must be meaningful enough to warrant trickery, but harmless enough not to arouse suspicion.

More than that, it must be something that I can ask both Cattleya and father.

It warrants thought and effort, but it's nothing I can't do. After all, I was trained to be a noble, to do these things, from my childhood.

Once written, I enveloped and sealed them. By all means, I could be telling Ancelina to have these delivered, but there's still something else…

According to the letter Cattleya sent me, mother left the manor with an entourage. For an undisclosed reason, she parted to the Royal Castle.

The trip itself was being kept under wraps, and the number of servants taken with her was the least possible for a duchess that was visiting the royals.

What could be happening in the royal castle?

I don't know, I can't possibly know.

In truth, I came here to perform my ritual summoning, but… since it became something I cannot perform, I merely trapped myself in here.

I had hoped to slowly create a reason until the end of the year so that I could go on without summoning, but if things keep on happening like this, I would probably be better off coming with a quick solution.

Maybe screwing the circle, so that failing it becomes possible… but failing so soon, just after the maneuver I pulled, would absolutely burn my reputation, at the very least in the eyes of the headmaster. Something that should be preferably avoided.

I grab more paper to write a letter.

I wrote to the princess about how I still valued our friendship. I didn't receive an answer, so any gauge into how she reacted is not optimistic.

Sending more letters is a complicated business. If I send the wrong thing, I could be further damaging something that's already broken, but I could possibly be propping myself up.

One thing is for certain, if I don't act, the current relationship will stay as it is, whatever its real state might be.

In this situation, my top priority should be avoiding looking like a leecher trying to get royal favor. Of course, in truth I am doing that, merely trying to gauge what the current situation at the castle is, but… at least in part, I really do care about our friendship.

I begin writing. The best way to do this is to put myself in a vulnerable situation.

It is a bit of a gamble, but by sending compromising information to the princess, and elevating her to the rank of confidant, I can pass the impression that I am, in truth, merely looking for a friend to exchange words with, and I trust her.

I write to her about how I am uncertain about my magical capabilities, about how I am uncertain if I was going to fail the ritual or not, and how 'by the headmaster's suggestion, a loophole was made for me, and I was allowed to take the summoning as a requirement for finishing this school year, so it is something I can do until the end of the year. This was because he was unsure I would succeed in my current state.' I write about how I even planned names for my familiar, but was saddened I couldn't act on them.

Maybe this is technically a lie. Maybe this makes me a bad person.

— —But in the first place, I stopped being a good person a long time ago.

My hand jumps to my head, clenching it in pain, a sudden spike of headache assailing my mind.

"…" This is bothersome. These headaches don't seem to stop. Maybe I should indeed see a doctor.

I focus back on the letter.

Normally, when writing a letter for someone of royalty, one wouldn't send something so crude. They would write and re-write, until they were left with the perfect manuscript. But this was meant to be raw, the thoughts and emotions of 'Louise de La Vallière' sent to her friend, it is much more believable if it is sent as a rambling first draft.

I finish the letter and seal it.

With this I…

With this… what do I do…?

My mind is assailed by an even stronger headache that forces me to grit my teeth, a scream lodged in my throat.

I keep the shaking of my body at a minimum, I cannot let my maid see me in such a state.

Why did I write this letter? Surely, I'm worried about all that's going on, but what is knowing it going to change?

Yes, why did I… why am I so fervently trying to know and affect everything?

I don't even have an end goal, do I? All I want is for Cattleya to be safe, whatever it is mother and the royals are planning shouldn't matter to me.

It shouldn't matter, but… I can't help but want to change and affect it.

Why…?

— — —It's obvious. Anyone can tell something is happening, and last time, we all went to war and didn't come back. It's only natural to want to try and affect things, if war is at risk.

"Argh…" I fail to conceal a small gasp of pain, my head almost imploding.

"My Lady?" Ancelina's voice reaches me, filled with that I can only assume is worry.

"No… no, it's nothing…" Taking deep breaths, I deter her notions. The pain disappears as soon as it appeared. "… have these letters all delivered. I have already written names down on them, so don't worry about it."

"…" For an instant, I think she won't come, but— "As you command, My Lady." With those words, she calmly approaches me and grabs the letters.

Soon, I hear her footsteps leaving the room.

Silently, I deflate, tiredness falling over my entire being.

— —When will this all end?

— — — —Is conflict going to assail me to eternity?

— — — — — —Although… perhaps it is what I deserve.

This time, I silently whether the pain.


I focus on the class being held.

Professor Colbert goes on and on about the subject at hand.

It is interesting and his enthusiasm is contagious. Going into great detail about every little part, even something that once looked like a complicated puzzle became simple for the students to grasp.

Of course, however, it isn't very important for me.

Surely, this theory will probably be in the tests, and it is important for further understanding of magical theory, however, I'm more concerned with other things at the moment.

One of them being this very professor.

Jean Colbert. Information on his history is sparse, and few can say much about his noble house. Still, he is one of the friendliest and smartest teachers in the Academy.

With childlike enthusiasm and a passion for teaching, he is always making himself available to help all students who find themselves in need.

I do not know of the skeletons in his closet, if they even exist, that is, but from what I do know about him, he is my best bet at solving my current predicament.

So I keep on watching the lesson, awaiting its end.

It takes a while, in fact, it was so long that even a few students began drooping their eyelids down, but class finishes.

"I'm afraid our time today has ended. Please make sure to study all of this before our next class, everyone." With kind and calm words, he dismisses the group of uninterested students.

After this, we have lunch, so it's even worse in the sense that quite a few students must not only be uninterested, but also hungry.

Ancelina should be waiting for me just outside, so I should go about this as fast as I can, but still, it isn't something that can be done quickly.

After all the students leave, I approach him with small and harmless steps.

"Professor Colbert." I call out to him, bowing my head in respect.

Of course, when it comes to nobility, I'm much higher than him and by all means, he should be the one bowing to me, however, the situation isn't that black and white. He is the teacher and I the student, we are both nobles who pursue magical knowledge, and in such a scenario, he is my superior. Showing such respect is required.

Too busy organizing his papers to realize my approach, or paying attention to who called him, he turns to me nonchalantly. "Hmmm?" Only, as he fully turns and realizes it is, in fact, me, his expression changes. "Ah, Miss Vallière, how can I help you?"

His smile and voice are awkward, as if he himself doesn't know how to properly act around me.

This is weird, never before has he acted like this toward me, and I don't believe we had any unique interactions to warrant such a behavior.

I nod in ascent to his offer. "I reached a wall in my own studies, and came to you in the hopes you could aid me in my predicament."

"A-ah! Yes, of course." Faced with the topic of research, the man in front of me, significantly brightens up. "What troubles you? Criticism of some theory? doubts in the application of a formula? The wish to further your knowledge in an area?"

Barraging me with questions, he gladly tries to help me.

Midway through his questions, I decide it is better to not try and keep up, and simply wait for my cue at the end.

Once he stops speaking, I finally proceed with my own request.

"Well, you see, I was researching about the familiar summoning ritual," On the corner of my eye, his body twitches, an almost unnoticeable movement, but something I catch nonetheless. Of course, I also chose not to comment on it. "And I came across some undetailed information. I tried to get more, but apparently I didn't have access to those books in the library."

His expression became pensive "I do believe there may be such things in the more restricted sections of the library. If you could tell me more about it, I would be better able to help you."

Internally, I smile.

This was one of the few things Éléonore was unable to properly grasp in her journals. Although she managed quite a bit of information based on rumors and legends, it was never truly completed and studied.

So, of course, I tell him about the information I'm looking for.

His face scrunches up, but alas—

"Yes, I believe there is such a thing…" He looks ahead at me, as if pondering something. "I should be able to get you access to the book detailing such findings, if you desire to research it."

I nod, a well-practiced smile on my face. "Thank you very much, professor." With a curtsy, I say my partings. "Very well then, I would hate to keep you from your duties."

With those words I turn and leave, but—

"Wait, miss Vallière." His voice calls out to me.

"…" I turn without hurry. "What is it, professor?"

"…" He looks at me for a moment before resolving himself. "I should apologize to you, Miss Vallière." With those words, he bowed.

I hold a gasp back. "For what reason?" I suspect it is for the very same reason as to why he acted awkwardly to me, but what it actually is remains a mystery.

"This Academy… no, I, failed you as a professor." He said solemnly.

"You…" I realize what it is he is talking about.

"We failed to properly instruct you through your difficulties, and as a result, you ended up feeling unable to even perform the ritual summon." He speaks from the bottom of his heart. "I should have acted more as your teacher… so, if you need any help in your studies, please, do not hesitate in coming to me."

The instant he finishes saying those things… I'm struck by overwhelming guilt.

The reason why he helped me so eagerly in finding these books was because… he felt he failed me.

I… it is no fault of his own, or the academy. Surely, they never went above and beyond, but in the first place, the fault is mine for being born as a failure when it comes to magic. And now, this simple excuse I used to have my way ended up affecting a good person.

— — —I suppose this is just what I always do.

— — — —Too focused on myself, I never stop to realize the pain I cause.

— — — — —Not… not until it is too late.

"…Raise your head, professor." Ignoring my headache, I command him with a firm voice, as a noble should.

He looked back at me with apprehension.

"While it is true that this institution failed to properly instruct me, by no means should you punish yourself over it, as I myself failed in seeking proper help, leading us to this undesirable situation. That you feel the need to aid me now, truly gladdens me."

It isn't much, but… if these few artificial words can lessen the impact of my actions, I will be truly glad. After all, I can't make up for my wrongdoings, I don't even know where to being when it comes to that, but I can try and help others through their pain, just a little bit.

He smiles again. "Well, then, let's both do our best, so you can summon a great familiar!" With the kindness of a caring instructor, he does his best so we can both move forward.

"I would be pleased." With a curtsy, I smile and leave the room.


The calm breeze of the afternoon caresses my skin.

Sitting under a parasol, I freely look into the Academy's courtyard.

Ancelina is standing just behind me, tending to my tea and snacks. Although she might be pleasant company for such occasions, I could never publicly engage in such leisure with her.

It's been a rather peaceful day. No headaches, no annoyances, no sudden news. Although it leaves me a bit uneasy and anxious, I suppose I can't complain about such a day.

The peace is calming, after all. It feels… like I can finally rest. It is shameful to feel the same things a lazy commoner would, but I wish to close my eyes and lay here, merely feeling the peaceful nature.

Truly, this is a most pleasant—

"Hey, Flame! There's no need to be so startled, nothing's gonna hurt you here!" An annoying and unwelcome voice reaches my ears.

I hold back a sigh. It is only obvious, if something's going well, I can always count on the germanian to ruin it.

"Scared." A monotone voice said, not a word more or less. I swear I can feel her pointing her staff at me.

I would turn around and greet Tabitha, she is a possible prospect as an ally of the Vallière, after all, but… I don't feel in the mood to deal with the germanian.

"Yeah, but like I said, there's no reason to be like that, Zero couldn't hurt anyone if she tried." Trying to argue for her point, she claims such a thing.

For a second, I stiffen, headache stinging the back of my head. It was only momentary, and I doubt anyone truly noticed, but it happened regardless. With it, came a weird feeling of desolation, something much too unwelcome, something I shouldn't be feeling over what amounts to nothing.

But still, it consumes me from the inside.

"My Lady," Ancelina asks softly, her face ever closer to my ears. "Should I dispose of those two?"

"…" For an instant, words are stuck in my throat. I don't know why, maybe it was the suddenness of the question, but it takes a while for me to properly answer. "Plea—"

"Hey, Zero, whatever did you do to my lizard? He's usually so well behaved!" The germanian's annoying voice reaches my ears.

'Please do.' I had tried to say, but I suppose it is now too late for that. It is one thing to rid myself of her when she pushes me too far, or when she's being obnoxious from afar, but right now she talked to me directly, I have to follow a minimum level of decorum and answer her. What's more, I can't just keep on having Ancelina face off nobles, I will protect her if trouble comes, but it's better not to put her at risk, in the first place.

"…" I open my mouth to insult her, but nothing comes out of it.

No, rather, the longer I stare at that lizard, the greater the feeling of desolation in me becomes.

I turn my eyes away, I don't want to gaze into it deeply, not any more than I have to.

"What do you think I could even have done? I never even had time alone with him."

"…" She stares at me and sighs. "Well, that's true." Putting her hands on her hips, she seems completely exasperated.

Whether she naively believed my words, or whether she was aware enough of her familiar knew them to be true, I will never know.

On the contrary to his casual master, Flame clings to her back with all his might, trying to remain away from me.

— —I… don't want to continue this.

— — —It hurts both it and me.

— — — —Can't she see it?

I don't let the pain from my headache show.

Glancing to the side, I try to see just what it is that those two are doing here.

Tabitha is without her dragon, and there's nothing particular about either of their expressions, not that anyone would be able to notice a change in Tabitha's.

"What is it that you want here, germanian?" I finally ask. As far as I remember, she had been mad at me for not performing the ritual summon.

"Oh me?" She smirks. "Besides seeing if Flame had already warmed up to you, I wanted to check up on whatever it is you're planning."

"Whatever do you mean by that?"

"Don't pretend you don't know. There's no way you'd skip on the summoning ritual, not without reason at least." She smiled knowingly. "And whatever it is you're planning, I'll figure it out! It is the only thing I can do, as your rival!"

"…" What an annoyance.

It seems she is still stuck on that.

— —I can't blame her.

— — —Louise de La Vallière was always a defiant one.

— — — —For her to become desolate and lost without explanation, with no cause…

— — — — —Surely, it must make others think it was all a farce.

A white noise fills my mind, a headache assails my mind as if blood was bursting out of my brain as needles.

"…" I fail to control myself quite as well, this burst. My hand shakes slightly, my features slightly pale, and my face twitches.

I can feel Ancelina's gaze at the back of my head, but pay it no mind.

"What's with that reaction?" She smirks. "Did I figure out your little secret? Don't worry, though, I'll make sure to keep it hidden. I'm not Fouquet, after all."

Seeing a change in the subject, the desperate chance to avert my mind from this pain, I pursue the topic.

"Fouquet? While I'm sure an uncivilized germanian like you wouldn't be unfit for the role, what's that thief have to do with anything?"

"Oh, you didn't know? It's been all the buzz in the Academy, today." She takes a more relaxed stance and begins retelling the tale. "Apparently Fouquet stole from a big shot nearby, and it was quite a valuable treasure, at that. They say his path seems to be leading him closer and closer to the Academy, or at least, the palace."

"…" For an instant, I wonder, is this why mother has been summoned? To help deal with the Fouquet situation? It would make sense… but still, it is too early to draw any conclusions.

Rather, I focus more on what's tangible about what this germanian said. If it is true that the thief is heading into the capital, the princess could be in danger.

Or friendship may be old, and we may not have been in very active contact, but at the very least, it is my duty to protect her.

Fouquet, the daring thief that steals from nobles in ridiculous displays. A fool that uses earth magic to try and humiliate us.

Theories into his existence vary. From a disgraced noble, to a revengeful bastard, and even an agent from another nation, many theorized why this earth mage was a thief, and how to use that knowledge to catch him.

I wonder, if that man will spark some manner of conflict…

— —I can only hope he doesn't.

I huff. "If that's all that you wanted from me, then take your leave, Germanian." My mind sufficiently away from the pain, I urge her to return things as to how they should be.

My mind can focus on other things. Such as why, even though I hadn't sent Ancelina to collect information, I only discovered of this Fouquet situation through her.

"Man, you sure are sour." She says, sighing. "What, you afraid he's going to steal from your house, next?"

I huff. "As if there's any way that thief could ever succeed in stealing from Valliere manor." I say this with utmost confidence, because I'm sure it won't ever happen.

Because if I do so much as hear he is going in that general direction, I will collect Cattleya and mount an assault, aiming to take his very life.

The germanian smiles. "Now that's the Zero I like." Seemingly satisfied with herself, she scoops Flame from her back, and cradling it, she turns around from me. "Well, that's that. See ya later, Zero."

With a sway on her hips as she walks away to Tabitha, she parts with me.

Slowly, I feel my strength sapping, all my bravado and distractions fading. I'm left alone in my desolation and worry, only Ancelina watching over me.


I walk through the halls of the Academy.

Ancelina quietly trailing behind me.

The day has been rather peaceful.

Professor Colbert has finally managed to fetch me the books delving into the runes I wished to study.

Comprehending magical theory is all I can do right now. Unable to act as a noble and help in ruling the land, unable to take a stand, unable to prove myself.

I'll do what I can, for now, as I await further developments and answers from my father.

The daylight streams through the windows into the academy's halls, bathing them in brightness.

On rare occasion, the windows are open and the soft breeze of the young spring caresses my skin.

It is still early in the morning, and the sun isn't very strong right now.

Classes are already over for the day, though. So, I will spend my day peacefully studying by myself, maybe I'll even share a tea with my maid.

But, just as I think everything will be just fine—

A gale of wind rushes in through the window.

It isn't strong enough to swipe me off my feet, but not only do my clothes and hair sway, the force pressures against my skin.

— —I recognize this.

— — —This sudden burst of air.

— — — —A flyer coming in from above.

— — — — —Medium sized beast, powerful muscles, close by.

"Argh—!" The gales do not hurt me, but the instant I realize my consciousness begins wandering, I am assailed by a terrible headache, and I can't help but stagger.

My feet tremble, and my whole-body shakes.

This terrible pain, it feels as though my brain has been compressed into a single strip of meat and then was twisted.

"My Lady…!" Ancelina rushes to my side, holding my body, my hands desperately clinging to my own head.

"Ugh… I'm… fine." Just like always, it is only a single spike of pain, not sustained for any longer period, its source vanishing.

"… Even if you say so, should I call for a nurse?"

"…" A nurse would be good… yes… I have been postponing going to the infirmary for a while now.

It wasn't on purpose, it's just that the pain was never there constantly to remind me, and my mind constantly flagged other subjects as more important, so…

"Ye—"

But before I can answer, I hear a commotion outside.

My head snaps in that direction, and with Ancelina still holding onto my body, I stagger there.

"My Lady, this could be dangerous…"

"Its fine, besides, I need to know if we're in any danger before anything else." I manage to say through heavy breaths.

"…" She says nothing else, but I can feel her gaze on me.

When we reach the window, I finally manage to take a proper look at the courtyard.

"…" Immediately, my breath is taken out of me.

A group of students is agglomerating outside.

There wasn't much distinction between them, students of all grades trying to catch a sight. The only special thing was that the majority of them were girls, and the majority of them were swooning.

They were swooning at him.

A griffon was standing proudly on the courtyard, its rider, an armed man, shaking hands with headmaster Osmond while Longueville watched from afar.

"…" My heart thunders in my ears.

I know that man.

His presence is something I had forgotten up until now.

I don't know why, I don't know how… I just… forgot.

Why is he here?

That man… why did he come here?

"My Lady, are you fine?" A distant voice asks, but it all echoes in my mind.

That man…

What was my fiancé, Viscount Wardes, doing here?

My heart thunders, and sweat dribbles down my skin.

The world— is saturated in colors…

There is no doubt, this feeling— most certainly, I can't help but feel— — —

Disgust and apprehension.


Alright, that's this chapter done.

Thank you very much for everyone who's been reading, and see you on the next one.