The past week, Ais found herself occupied with going to the Dungeon. It was a tedious task to bring everyone their luggage and collect the magic stones after her seniors killed the monsters.
Speaking of seniors, Ais' reception in the Familia had been great, in her opinion. Everybody liked how cute she was, and the ones who hated children liked how quiet she was. With this, she could focus on strengthening herself instead of playing intra-Familia politics.
Currently, it was the end of the week, and she had no shift to accompany her seniors.
"Hmm, my first free time," Ais murmured to herself after waking up. "I think I should visit Yuri and Ryulu. It's been a long time, after all."
She had asked Gareth about them. According to Gareth, Ryulu's name this time was Ryuu, and she was a member of Astraea Familia. Meanwhile, Yuri's name this time was Bete, and he was a member of Vidar Familia. When she asked him why they weren't with him, he only laughed and answered that they were too late.
Ais finished her breakfast quietly and went outside for her daily training. Usually, another member who had free time would help her train, but today there had been none, so Ais only repeated the movements she remembered from her previous life instead of incorporating things that people taught her.
Being younger than her previous life actually made learning sword style easier. She also didn't need to study how to manage a kingdom this time! If she knew that being a commoner was easier than being royalty, she would've dumped the responsibility of managing Lakrios to Orna instead.
In no time, she finished training and decided it was time to visit. Near the gate of Familia's mansion, she saw Riveria walking in front of her. She quickened her pace and arrived at her side. The High Elf princess had been a big help in helping her acclimatize to the new era. She missed so many things in the thousand years gap. Finn and Gareth were really busy, and Ais had no doubt that Riveria was too. However, she still spared her time helping her, and Ais really appreciated it.
"Lady Riveria," she greeted. Looking at her again, she had no doubt that the Elven woman was royalty. She happened to be acquaintanced with Celdia and Rishena, the Elven royalties, one thousand years ago, and she could see them in her face. It wasn't a like-for-like resemblance, though. Like how children look like their parents, Riveria's facial characteristics resemble her ancestors. More Rishena's than Celdia's, but that was because apparently, Celdia died along with her father and his allies.
"I've said it before, Ais Wallenstein. Just call me Riveria." They also decided on the last name for her. Wallenstein was similar to Waldstein but without rousing suspicions.
"Please excuse my decorum; it is a habit from my previous life. Where are you going, if I may ask?"
The only one who knew her previous life was Loki, Gareth, Finn, and Riveria. The top three of Loki Familia.
"I'm visiting a magic item shop. Where are you going this morning, Ais? Not supporting anyone today?"
Ais shook her head. "I have some free time. So I'm going to rekindle my friendship with Ryuu."
In the corner of her eyes, Ais saw the older woman grimacing. "Riveria?"
"Ah, nothing," Riveria tried to divert.
Ais frowned, seeing the older Elf's grimace. "Do you have a problem with Ryuu?"
"She's... outspoken," was Riveria's quick reply. "It's not a problem, per se. I'm just not comfortable around her. I don't think she hates me, and I don't hate her. We just don't mesh well."
"How old are you?"
"What does it have to do with anything?"
She knew Ryuu's well. Or rather, her past incarnation. If Ryulu really made someone uncomfortable, there had to be a basis for it. Ryulu was never unfair for the time Ais became close with them. At first, she thought it was about the maturity of the Elves. Maybe Riveria slighted her somehow. But she discarded that train of thought because something else caught her attention.
"...right, you're a High Elf royalty," Ais nodded, coming to the correct conclusion.
Riveria sighed and muttered. "Sometimes, I forget you're not a little child but a wise queen. Ryuu Lion did say that my ancestor's sins weren't my own, but I still feel ashamed that we, as a race, didn't do more in ancient times. Do you resent me for it, Queen Ariadne?"
She was asking Queen Ariadne and not Ais Wallenstein. So Ais would answer as Queen Ariadne instead of as Ais Wallenstein.
"Ryuu is right. Your ancestor's sins weren't your own. I don't resent you, Riveria Alf Ljos." Sure, the High Elves didn't do much in her time. But the other Elves made up for them, in her opinion.
Hearing that, The Elven Princess smiled. "Thank you."
They continued talking about simpler things after that. Soon, they parted way; Riveria to her shop and Ais to the Stardust Garden. On the way there, nothing caught her interest, so Ais just strolled leisurely, letting out the tension in her body.
Finally, she arrived at the entrance of Astraea Familia's home. Ais rang the doorbell and waited for someone to receive her.
"Yes~" An angelic voice answered and opened the gate. "Oh my, may I help you, little girl?"
She didn't really expect to be greeted by the Goddess herself, Ais thought. The elegant brown-haired woman in front of her gave off the unmistakable aura of a Goddess. There was also her otherworldly beauty and motherly aura, but that was secondary to her divine aura.
Ais bowed. This was her first meeting with another Goddess besides her own. "Good morning. My name is Ais Wallenstein. Is Miss Ryuu Lion available?"
The Goddess, who could only be Astraea, frowned. "I'm afraid that Ryuu is not to be disturbed. Her own request."
Now wasn't that a familiar scene? Locking themselves in their room all day to write a piece of a song. It seemed that Ryulu hadn't changed even in their new life.
"Tell her it's an order from her Queen," Ais stated calmly. If what Loki said was true and patron deities saw the past life when inscribing Falna, she trusted the Goddess of Justice in front of her to understand.
Astraea gasped but quickly covered her mouth. "Oh my, I didn't expect this. Very well, please enter our home."
And so Ais entered the Stardust Garden, home of the Astraea Familia. She really could not wait to reunite with someone so dear to her.
A/N: Next time, a meeting with Astraea Familia!