I move a little trying to get comfortable in my position.

The infirmary bed I'm sitting on is hard and uncomfortable, but I suppose it doesn't matter since I don't plan on a prolonged stay.

I came here because my head was in too much pain after glancing at the most recent of the Academy's guests from afar. It had mostly faded by the time I got here, but a phantom remnant still filled the back of my mind.

Filling about with some medicine by the far counter, the nurse focuses completely on her job, not bothering to turn or even talk to me.

Still, I shouldn't be bothered by this. I came to her to obtain a solution to my problems, it is only correct to let her work on such a thing; demanding attention on this situation would be petty.

Since I'm free, I should use this time to think a little.

"…"

But, every time I even let my mind wander, it inevitably comes back to him.

Wardes, my fiancé.

I don't know when, but at some point in time, my mind completely forgot about him. Not a hint of his existence in my thoughts, not a hint of the fact I was engaged.

It's not even that I avoided such a topic, I actively thought of such things whenever my mind inevitably went back to Cattleya, but that I was also supposed to be married never came to mind.

"I really am a worthless bride." I mutter under my breath.

I had not only forgotten about my fiancé's existence, I still can't remember why I even felt affection for him in the first place.

It's hazy, but I know he comforted me every once in a while. Still, did I fall in love because of that? Can something so easily forgotten, something I can't even feel a thing about, be called affection?

Sure, he comforted me, but that is hardly enough. He didn't remain by my side every day, he didn't overwhelm me with a simple kindness that made me feel like it was worth living, he didn't grace me with his smile and cared for me despite having nothing to gain from it.

— —Although comparing the two of them is unfair, that standard is much too high.

My hand shoots up and clutches my head, a particularly strong headache coming out of nowhere.

"Ugh…" I inevitably groan, my composure failing more and more by the minute.

"Are you fine, Lady Vallière?" Bringing her work to a grinding halt, the nurse turns around to check on me.

"… I am fine, this is merely another headache." I answer after taking a moment to compose myself. Still, I can tell some of my voice was laced with pain and my hand cradled my head with a bit too much force.

The nurse scowls, but otherwise nods and turns her head back around and continues her work.

That was a new expression from her. She mostly had a conflicted expression when using spells to check on my condition.

Still, after this, she seems to put in even more effort into her concoction.

I focus back on my thoughts.

Thinking about Wardes is unpleasant, and truly, there aren't many conclusions I can reach about my relationship with him.

Rather, I'm better directing them at the greater situation at hand.

While it is something that concerns him, he and our relationship are not the main centerpiece.

Why is Viscount Wardes here?

I was in too much pain to properly think about that, before, but now, I can more readily think about it.

He is the captain of Tristain's Griffon Knights, appointed by my very mother.

By all means, he should be in the capital, training his men, organizing his troops, and protecting the castle, especially when the political climate of around Albion wasn't very stable.

But, more than that, one of my mother's assured allies leaves the capital as soon as she secretly goes in. Could it be, someone is trying to isolate her, take advantage of her?

What is truly going on in the royal capital? What is Wardes' true objective?

My only hope is the letter I sent to the princess not long ago. Has it arrived, will I get a response? It is my only 'in' on the goings of the capital, and although it may not contain useful information, I must try all sources.

Because, if something dangerous is going on, I must move. Maybe managing to avoid a fallout, or, more importantly, managing to protect Cattleya, and maybe even reach out to Éléonore with a warning.

"…"

I sigh.

I can't know if something is going wrong, I can't even understand the things happening around me.

"This should be enough." Hearing a mutter from the nurse, I turn my head, she is holding a faintly shining liquid in a glass.

Turning around, she walks up to me.

"Alright, Lady Vallière, my diagnosis is complete." With a calm voice, she begins. "I am a water triangle mage, and as much as I wish to say otherwise, even my magic can't find anything physically wrong with you. Therefore, I can only suppose that you're imagining your pain."

I scowl. "Are you perhaps claiming that I am lying about my condition?"

"N-no, nothing like that, Lady Vallière." She quickly added. "Rather, I'm claiming that due to some issue in the mind, you ended up with a headache, feeling pain over something that's not really there, akin to feeling pain when you think too hard."

I nod apprehensively. "Are there any possible causes?"

She sighed and scratched the back of her head. "That's complicated to say, it could be many things, or maybe something I'm entirely unaware of. Though, the main culprit is normally stress, so I feel obliged to ask if maybe the Academy's been pushing you too hard."

I shake my head in denial. "No, it's just the same as always."

While my studies are not few, I doubt they were so many they would have me kneeling over in the exhaustion of thinking about them.

More than that, the headaches hardly seemed related to those studies. If we are talking about stressful things, that germanian and my lack of power are much higher on the list.

The nurse sighed. "Well, it was worth a shot." Saying that, she handed me the closed glass bottle. "In any case, there's not much I can do for you. The best I can give you is this potion, only a few drops of it will be enough to put you into a deep dreamless sleep. Take it if your headaches get too much and use the opportunity to rest. Other than that, do try to figure out what is affecting your mind and deal with it."

"I see, thank you." With a nod, I hop off the bed. "Will that be all?"

The nurse seemed to agree, but quickly turned pensive. "You do have a personal maid, don't you?"

"… Indeed." To say the truth, I'm quite surprised she had that bit of knowledge memorized. After all, even though I came here with her in tow, there was no reason to assume she was my personal maid, and not a normal maid that accompanied me here.

But, I suppose she paid attention to all the faculty warnings… or maybe she was just well aware of the rumor mill.

"Then call her here, please. A few explanations on what to do to better care for you wouldn't be a bad idea."

I nod.

"Ancelina, come."

With those words, my maid, who had been patiently waiting on the far side of the room, comes to me, her face and posture as impassive as ever.

And, with incredible diligence, that nurse tells her about dozens and dozens of ways to better care for me, down to the way my pillows should be arranged, as it was apparently a good way to avoid stress.

Then, and only then, I'm allowed to go, my business with her completed.

It is a true shame that I was unable to immediately get a cure, but I suppose this sleep-potion is better than nothing.

Still, that begs the question of what is even affecting me in the first place.

I shake my head as I open the infirmary's doors, that question can be left for later.

Right now, I should solely focus on going about my day and continuing my studies. Especially now that the books I requested to Professor Colbert have arrived.

I walk through the corridors at a brisk pace—

"Ah, I've finally found you!"

—And a cheerfully gentlemanly voice reaches my ears.

A well-dressed man with long hair and a large hat comes from around the corner.

— —He is the kind of middle-aged man me and my siblings usually ignored.

I hold back any display of pain and look plainly onto his face, standing still in the corridor.

Ah… this was something I wanted to avoid thinking about, something I wished was wrong.

But, as much as it shames me, I can't help but feel disgust whenever I look at my Fiancé.

"Wardes?" I ask, and whether I'm giving out the impression of surprise at him being in the Academy, or curiosity as to why he sought me, I don't know.

"Yes, it is me, little Louise." He answered, a coy expression in his face. "I heard that you were seen heading into the infirmary, and couldn't help but be worried."

With a sweet voice he tries to approach me.

"You needn't worry, Viscount." I keep my body posture stiff, and my gaze clearly tells him it was better not to approach. "I was merely feeling under the weather due to Academic stress; nothing that should concern you."

His expression, however, remains unwavering in face of my coldness.

"Is that all? Ah, then I am relieved." He posed a sigh. "Truly, you were always doing your best to perform well, so this kind of thing was expected. But I suppose I am glad that part of you hasn't changed."

I hold back a sigh. "Still, that begs the question, why is someone as well regarded as the captain of the Griffon Knights in this place?" I look straight into his eyes. "Surely, you didn't rush here from the capital because some rumor I went to the infirmary reached you that fast?"

Omitting I already knew of his presence, I try to milk out as much as I can from this exchange.

Perhaps expectedly, he laughs in good cheer at my question. "Not quite so, little Louise." He shook his head, trying to rid himself of that laugh. "I am here in an official mission"

"… And what would this mission entail?"

The Viscount smiles.

"Eager, are we?" He tried to jest, but seeing no response he continued. "Well, the details are a bit confidential, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to tell my fiancée."

Saying such an outrageous thing, he completely ignores the fact my maid is standing just behind us.

"It was a last-hour decision, but due to some new reports, a few talks were held at the palace, and I was assigned to capture Fouquet, who seems to be approaching the Academy." He smiled comfortingly. "You don't need to worry, little Louise, I will be sure to capture the thief."

I mull over what he just told me.

It's one thing to be aware of it through rumors, but if the crown itself has reports indicating Fouquet is coming, then I suppose the thief really is coming for this place's treasures.

Either that, or political maneuvers that he isn't telling me of are happening in the background.

"While knowing that someone as reliable as the captain of our Griffon Knights will be taking that thief down relieves me, I cannot help but wonder if it is fine to let you be, when the situation around Albion is so fickle."

— —It happens on the corner of my eyes, something I almost can't realize.

— —His smile, for a second, freezes. His gaze sharpens.

— —"…"

He smiles kindly, as if my worries were moot.

"Always worrying about the kingdom, are you? Well, you shouldn't be worried, little Louise. If anything happens, we can fly right back to the capital and prepare for conflict. But I truly doubt that will happen." He tries to give me a confident smile, but if his expressions hadn't disgusted me enough before, they surely do now.

"…"

Well, this is about all I really needed from him.

There's more to extract, there will always be.

But if there's truly something deeper going on, something about him and Albion, there's no way I will be able to collect it from him right here and now. It will take time.

No, more than time…

— —It will be dangerous to extract from him what I now know he holds. This isn't something I can do thoughtlessly. And more importantly, right now, his words are far from trustworthy.

"Then do not let me take time from your task." I say with a curtsy. "If it is your duty to pursue The Crumbling Earth, then feel free to make use of this place's facilities and dedicate all your focus. Have a good day, Viscount."

With that, I move to take my leave.

"Ah, please, do not hurry so." He calls out to me, stopping me in my tracks. "My men are still preparing their barracks and getting ready, and this was hardly enough for a conversation with my fiancée." With soft movements, he approaches me. "Come have a stroll with me, I am sure there's a lot for us to talk about. Ah," turning to Ancelina, he finishes. "your presence will be unneeded in the meanwhile, I must add."

"…"

— —Few are the people that can pull that sort of thing on me and succeed. You, Wardes, are not one of them.

"Apologies, Viscount, but it is hardly appropriate for me to overindulge and monopolize your presence." I don't bother turning to him, it would betray the true reach of my rage. "Surely, one as dignified as yourself would comprehend that you possess an important duty that must be upheld at all times, and that includes all your barracks and preparations are up to standard."

I begin walking.

"I too, have very important duties to my family and realm, and as such, I must dedicate myself to my studies." This should suffice as a denial. "Come, Ancelina, I am afraid your presence is required."

"As you request, My Lady." With those emotionless words, she walks past Wardes without giving him a second glance and gracefully falls back in stride with me.

Ah, his whole being disgusts me and the mere thought of giving myself to that man is disturbing.

— —And did you know, Wardes? This Academy's hallways are almost always pointing to an area outside, and as a result, it is littered with windows. It may be imperfect, but I can clearly see that pathetic scowl of yours in the reflection.

"…"

I almost stagger.

I do know I claimed to be going to my studies, but if this pain does not subside, I suppose I will be having to give this potion a test run.


For a moment, the young girl stopped to take in the golden sunset coloring the luscious and dangerous forest.

Even that harshly aggressive scenario felt small and beautiful when seen from that height.

Upon her face, a peaceful smile etched itself, and she allowed herself to relax.

"Well, that's another assignment complete." She muttered contently.

It was a perfectly peaceful atmosphere, and truly, the moment would be perfect to share with the target of one's affections.

She opened her mouth to say something almost whisper-like, a wistful desire—

"It is, but it sure isn't because of you." A rough and equally young voice complained, his face stuck in a bothered scowl that didn't carry much venom.

but someone beat her to it, reminding her that she was, indeed, far from alone.

Immediately, her face scrunched up, filled with indignation.

"Excuse me?!" She screeched, crossing her arms. "Regardless of what you say, I was a fully appreciated member of this team!"

"Ouch…" He staggered, rubbing his ears. "Couldn't you scream a little bit just a little higher? I don't think the entirety of the gusto tribe heard you just yet."

She ground her teeth together, looking at him with the glare and behavior people normally associated her with.

Of course, slightly moved by his statement, her eyes quickly darted down below, to where the rest of the Gusto tribe was.

Thankfully, no one seemed to be paying much attention to her; she wouldn't be able to bear it if she had ashamed herself that much.

Still, she chided herself to be a little calmer, after all, standing from atop of the Gusto's stone temples was a sure way of being visible to all.

Huffing, her brother turned away from her, showing his interest in ending that conversation.

Grounding her teeth even more, she kept on glaring at him.

"Yeah, you guys still have the best of all relationships!" A cheerful voice that would brighten even the darkest night called out.

Slowly, the siblings turned their heads towards the red-head that said such words.

"Never!"
"You are imagining things, Emi."

The two said at the same time, their bothered scowls showing just how much they liked that thought.

"Hehe." But in response to their overwhelming pessimism, the young girl simply smiled.

And, without a warning, she moved, appearing right in front of the pink-haired girl.

"You should be kinder to Avance, Louise." With such simple words, she pressed her finger against the pink-haired girl's nose, performing a small flick. "After all, haven't I always told you about how you need to be kinder to others?"

"Y-yeah!" With a voice filled by desperation, the pink-haired girl agreed with her sibling and quickly turned around, clutching her face with a vice-like grip.

Her face had a concerning amount of red, and she could barely contain her trembling. In fact, if she felt around her face enough, she would realize the dumb smile etched upon it.

Silently, she cursed the world.

She missed the times when her life was simpler. When her sister would simply show her unflagging kindness, even in face of all her insults, and make her a happier person. Back then, she was content in just smiling happily by her side, but now…

"U-ugh, y-yeah, sure!" She heard Avance's voice breaking through her mind.

Turning around discreetly, she saw his face as red as hers. It seemed that despite all his aloofness, he fell as easily as her.

With a nod, their sister turned back to the sunset, putting her hands in her hips and letting out a satisfied huff, fully believing that she had successfully stopped yet another sibling quarrel.

Meanwhile, behind her back, the two of them glared at each other, their rivalry reignited.

"Hey, Emilia's right! Besides, if your apparent success was someone's doing, it sure isn't any of you three's." A young boy, sitting with his back to one of the giant pyramid steps and a falcon standing on his head, said, relaxed.

"Don't say that sort of thing to our guests, Kamui!" A girl, wearing the same green color scheme as the boy, said, slapping her hand behind the young boy's head.

"Ouch!" The young boy groaned, soon after bringing his back to massage the sore back of his head. "That was mean, Reese…" He muttered under his breath.

She attempted to truly silence him with a glare, but it had little effect on the young boy of the Gusto.

"Besides, what I said wasn't wrong." He said, completely shameless. "Most of them were completely useless."

"Hey, you—!" With an angry scowl, the pink haired girl glared at him, crossing her arms.

The boy answered back with a smug smile.

The more the others spoke, the more she wished only she and her sister were high up in the temple. Just the two of them, without any annoyances…

"Enough, Louise, it's not like he is wrong, in the first place." A mature voice, belonging to someone that hadn't been in that place before, reaches out.

From the entrance of the temple, high above, came out two figures.

One was the owner of the voice, someone the same age as her siblings, but with a distinctively mature edge, and soft blue hair.

The other was an older girl that had a mystical air around her.

"A-Ariel…." Louise muttered, defeated now that even her sister had taken a stance against her.

Silently, Louise wondered if her stance on the subject was because Ariel was, in fact, the only reason they had succeeded.

"Heya, Winda!" Completely ignoring her sister's plight, Emilia cheerfully waved towards the newly appeared member of the Gusto.

"Hello, Lady Emilia." The girl named Winda said. "It pleases me to see you in good health."

Although she was hardly much older than the others standing on that temple, she had a definite air of divinity to her.

Ariel nodded. "Again, Winda, thank you very much for helping us in the process and allowing us to perform this search in your territory."

"It is nothing, especially when it is a favor for Lady Noellia, who did so much for us during the fallout of the Ice Barrier."

Silently, Louise wondered back to that time.

It was soon after she first met Noellia, the wake of Trishula's last attack.

Noellia had dedicated hours helping with all the children that lost their families in the war, even adopting some of her own. And that was just the beginning of all she did to the Gusto in that turbulent time.

It was also when she had adopted Louise herself.

"Very well then," Ariel said, turning to her siblings. "I believe it is time we depart."

"Ah, you guys are already going?" Kamui, asked.

"Yes, with our duties done, there's no real reason not to return to Gishki castle." Louise said, well aware of the growing conflicts between the Gishki and their neighbors, all clans constantly attempting to grow; and the possibility of a war that would call on them becoming greater each day.

In other words, their presence was quite missed back at their home.

"Alright, then, let's make sure to go through Naturia Forest, it's been a while since I last went there!" Emilia said excitedly.

"Alright then, I see no issue."
"It's a bother, but if you insist like that."

Louise and Avance both said at the same time, before quickly turning to glare at each other.

On the corner of her eyes, Louise saw Ariel grin at them with a knowing look.

From the look in her brother's face, she supposed he saw the same thing.

"Well, then, have safe travels." Winda said. "Come on, you two, say your partings as well."

"Do come back again!"
"Good luck trying not to get eaten on the way out."

Kamui and Reese said, delivering their goodbyes.

Soon, the Gishki siblings said their own, and soon after departed, walking down the giant staircases of the temple.

"Hehe, there's this one fruit I've been wanting to find in Naturia Forest, will you help me find it, Ariel?" The only trueborn daughter of Noellia asked.

"Sure, we're going there anyway." Ariel answered.

Under the strong winds of the Mist Valley, Louise and her siblings left with their eternal animated chatter.

Their friends in the Gusto tribe left behind, only their duties back at Gishki castle awaited.

Silently, she tried to remember again just what it was their mother wanted them to find.

The best her mind could come up with was that it was a barrier for something, but what it was, she couldn't remember. If she squinted down memory lane, she could remember that the name maybe started with 'Steel', but she could be wrong.

Shrugging, she decided to keep on walking with a smile.

The relationship between the Gusto and the Gishki kept on improving, and their future was bright—


"Ugh…"

Quietly, I wake up.

My hazy mind can't remember a thing, but I feel as if I just had a terribly peaceful dream.

My faintly blurred vision slowly clears out to reveal a room bathed by the melted gold of the setting sun.

I bring my hand to massage my head, mental cobwebs slowly coming apart.

"I see you're awake, My Lady." From a corner of the room, Ancelina, standing just as elegantly and still as she always did, calls out to me. "Have you had a good sleep, do you require anything?"

"… No, I'm just fine." With such words, I shake my head, getting up from the bed.

My memories are clear.

After getting to my room, I took a few drops of the potion and went to sleep.

The nurse said rest and going about my days more lightly could help, but the results of that remain to be seen.

In any case, I'm not feeling anything right now, so I should begin working on my studies. I spent most of the afternoon asleep, so I should work double to make up for it.

I ignore the voice in the back of my head that tells me this is contradictory to the goal of resting and set out to do what I am wont to.

I don't bother with changing out of my sleepwear, I merely walk up to my table and pull the chair.

"Would some tea please you, my Lady?" Ancelina's soft voice reaches my ears.

"I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea." I say absentmindedly. "And it would be better for you than to stand around doing nothing all day, wouldn't it?" I nod to myself. "Yes, please fetch some tea, and feel free to sip on it as well while I study."

"… As my lady commands." I don't even need to turn to know she bowed before setting out to accomplish the given task.

I smile on the corner of my lips. This time, she didn't even mention the impropriety of having tea with her master.

Quietly, I grab the books that professor Colbert collected for me.

Their leather is old and damaged, and their pages have yellowed out despite the care from the Academy.

Handling them with as much care as I can muster, I open and begin leafing through the first pages, my eyes quickly skimming through the text.

This is it, what I have been looking for.

The knowledge even Éléonore was unable to research.

Throughout history and myth, throughout the entire history of the familiar summoning ritual, there has been a collection of runes scarcely mentioned, but often rumored about.

The four legendary runes of the Founder, spawned from the lost power of the Void.

Gandálfr, Lifbrasir, Windalfr, and Myozunitonirun.

This is an old book, and obviously, the standards through which study and records were held back then are clearly inferior to today's. But even so, even if it is far from perfect and methodological, I must absorb as much as I can.

Why do I want to know these runes so much, when I forbid myself from performing the ritual? What is the meaning behind my research, why do I seek to comprehend?

To be honest, I would love to know about it myself.

"…"

But… I don't.

All I remember is that whenever the names were mentioned, a faint headache brushed the corners of my mind.

It's unlike the normal one, where it feels my mind is imploding and twisting around itself, trying to burst out. That headache felt akin to… a hazy memory, as if being bothered by my incapability of remembering, an echo crying out in familiarity from deep inside.

Maybe these are worthless in succeeding in not performing the ritual, maybe they won't help me with the current political situation, but… this feeling of familiarity over something I never saw, I wish to pursue it.

After all, although many things are in my mind recently, one of my most important goals still hasn't changed. I must prove I am worthy of being myself, that I am more than a burden carrying the name of my family.

For that, I must first cast spells. What better lead than pursuing a piece of magical knowledge that seems to weirdly resonate with me?

And maybe, just maybe, I feel compelled by that brush of memory, as if it guided me to that knowledge.

"Your tea, My Lady." Interrupting me from my thoughts, Ancelina lays a porcelain cup of tea by my table.

"Ah, thank you." Taking a moment of break, I sip on the tea.

Amazingly, she has gotten even better at making it.

"Do remember to enjoy some yourself." I call out to her form behind me, before going back to my studies.

Slowly, I lose myself in the written words.

Minutes turn into hours, and before I even realize I have drank from the tea cup many times and it now rests empty.

Absentmindedly, a corner of my mind wanders if I should write for Éléonore. While I wouldn't betray Cattleya by telling our eldest sister about her secretly taking the journals out, reporting these findings could be very useful.

The Afternoon passes by without incident.

Before I realize, the melting gold sun turns into the comfortable and dark night.

I blink away my sleepiness.

Despite how much I slept, or maybe because of it, tiredness grips me with even stronger claws than normal.

Silently, I close one of the books I had been reading, its fascinating contents stored away for another day.

For now, I'll—

Knock, knock

My decision is taken away from me by a sudden knock in the door.

"…" I look down at myself, still garbed in sleepwear.

I think of telling Ancelina to pick up the door, but I doubt that someone coming to my room at night would be looking to say something unimportant or not meant for my ears directly.

"Ancelina, grab my cloak." With those words I rise from my seat.

Deftly, my maid drapes the concealing and dark cloth over my body.

Knock, knock

I can hear some slight shifting behind the door. Whomever it is, they must be either impatient or incredibly nervous.

Without any more tardiness, I grab the handle of the door, bringing a power to the edge of my mind, capable of dealing with whomever stood at the other side, should they be dangerous.

I open it just enough to glance at the other side—

It is a maid.

She has a slightly foreign complexity and is clearly nervous, her expression akin to that of a running deer.

"How can I help you?" I ask, making sure my clothes are still covered by the cloak.

"Ummmm… hello, L-lady Vallíère." The nervous maid says, clearly afraid of my very existence. "I was sent here with a message to you."

"From whom, why?"

"Ah—!" Suddenly realizing her blunder, the maid takes to steps back and bows desperately. "Sorry, I forgot to present myself!" She says, looking at my eyes with a renewed mix of confidence and despair. "I-I am Siesta of Tarbes, I was assigned as the Captain of the Griffon Guards, Viscount Wardes' personal maid. A-and he asked to tell you some things."

"So it's my fiancé, I see." I mutter, figuring out the culprit behind this maid's appearance. "So, what is it he wanted with me?"

"Ah…!" She nodded her head fervently. "He wished to ask you for a walk late at night while he awaited his lunch." She stopped, thinking for a bit. "He also mentioned that he would like seeing the familiar you summoned."

She nodded one final time, indicating the end of her declarations.

I sigh internally.

"I deny." With those words, I lose no more time displaying my emotions and try to close the door.

But—

"W-wait!" Desperate, the maid reaches out, preventing me from closing the door, and, probably before even she can realize her actions, she fearfully blurts out. "Ah… ummm… W-what should I t-tell him?"

Perhaps because she is afraid of punishment if she goes back with that answer, she looks at me as if lacking that information would end her life.

I level her a glare that tells her just what I think of her most recent action.

Under my gaze, her body stiffens. It seems she has finally realized just what she has done.

Her face goes utterly pale and her mouth is left hanging open.

The message I wished to impart passed, I proceed to tell her just what she had asked for.

"Tell the Viscount that I could not bear to steal his attention when he should be on guard, for such a thing would be most selfish and disgraceful. Also, do let the Viscount know I haven't summoned a familiar, yet." With those words, I look back at her still catatonic expression. "Did you hear all that?"

Without a word, she nods.

"Good. Now, don't be afraid to specifically say those were my words." With that, I begin pushing the door closed once more. "Now, do get along with it."

With a final order I close the door. The maid still looked pale, probably still fearing for her life.

I sigh, finally alone in my room once more.

Well, with the exception of my own maid, of course.

I wonder, Viscount Wardes… what are your true intentions?

"Ancelina." I call out to her.

"What is it you require, my lady?" Without moving from her place, she makes herself available.

"Do you send any reports about me to the one that sent you to care for me?"

"…" A pregnant silence follows my question, until finally— "Yes, My Lady."

"I take you won't tell me what's in them or for who they are?"

"… Unfortunately not, My Lady."

I don't even bother sighing, this was already the expected result.

In any case, this is good.

"Do you send those reports through the usual mail or through a more secure transportation?"

"A more secure transportation, My Lady."

I smile.

I don't know what my father may do in this situation, but at least some knowledge may prove useful.

"Very well, then I shall be taking use of them as well."

"… My Lady?"

After all, there's nothing better than a safe and secret route for especially confidential letters to go to-and-fro.

Especially when said secret letter was an accusation towards the realm's Griffon Knight's Captain.


Alright, that's the seventh chapter!

This time, we get to see Wardes' first propper appearance and actions, as well as Louise's research deepening itself.
And let's not forget about my favorite section this chapter; a proper glimpse into Louise's time in Duel Terminal, this time with full on narration and many characters having a conversation. Ahhh, aren't they so good, peaceful times?

Next up, we'll be having another interlude!

Thank you everyone for reading this story, see you next time!