The flight back to Tabitha's was peaceful.
Mikoto felt completely at ease with the wind brushing against her face, she loved flying and the feeling of freedom it brought.
"We're here" announced Kirche all too soon as Sylphid started her decent.
Mikoto watched as they approached Tabitha's manor.
Gently touching down Sylphid lowered herself enabling her passengers to climb off.
"Come" said Tabitha walking to the door.
After quickly petting Sylphid, Mikoto followed behind Kirche.
"Welcome back Lady Charlotte, Miss Zerbst, I take it the mission was a success" bowed an elderly man.
Tabitha nodded.
Mikoto could clearly see the relief in his eyes, he obviously cared a lot about Tabitha.
Those same eyes quickly locked onto hers.
"Are you another of Lady Charlotte's friends?" he asked tilting his head slightly.
"Yes, my name is Mikoto Misaka it's a pleasure to meet you" she bowed slightly.
"I am Peruculan the butler of the Orleans family, it's nice to see Lady Charlotte has such reliable friends" he smiled, "please continue taking care of her."
Following Peruculan into a reception room with two sofa's and coffee table, Tabitha quickly excused herself whilst Kirche sat down with a sad sigh.
Sitting opposite her Mikoto waited acutely aware of how quiet it was.
It was almost as if they were the only ones here but Tabitha had definitely gone to see someone.
It wasn't long until Peruculan came back with tea.
"Thank you" she muttered taking a sip.
"Darjeeling" she muttered smiling slightly in nostalgia.
Both Kirche and Peruculan looked surprised.
"Indeed that is Darjeeling tea imported from Albion" said Peruculan.
"I didn't know Gallia imported tea" said Kirche taking a sip of her own.
"Amazing, I've never tasted such a delicious tea before."
"Only the best for Lady Charlotte's friends" smiled Peruculan.
"I take it Charlotte is Tabitha's real name" Mikoto asked Kirche.
She placed her tea down, "yes."
Mikoto nodded and internally debated what to say next.
To pry or not to pry.
"Tabitha's a member of Gallia's royal family" started Kirche before hesitating.
Mikoto nodded to show she was following.
Kirche sighed and looked to Peruculan pleadingly.
He nodded.
"Lady Charlotte's studying abroad was ordered by her uncle, the king."
Mikoto's eyes narrowed in suspicion, "why does Tabitha's uncle want her dead?"
Kirche looked to the ground whilst Peruculan stared at a painting of a man above the mantelpiece.
"Please allow me to start at the beginning."
Mikoto nodded.
"When the previous king, Lady Charlotte's grandfather passed away one of his two sons was to succeed the throne, normally it would be the older brother however Count Orleans despite being the second son was a more adept mage than his older brother Lord Joseph, furthermore he was full of charisma and talent. The palace was split over who was more worthy of the throne."
"A battle huh" Mikoto muttered.
Peruculan nodded "and in the midst of it Count Orleans was murdered in conspiracy."
Mikoto bowed her head.
"It didn't stop there, in order to rid themselves of hassle in the future those that put Joseph on the throne next went after his daughter."
Mikoto turned sharply, someone had tried to murder Tabitha.
"One evening Lady Orleans and Mistress Charlotte were invited to a banquet where Mistress Charlotte was offered a glass of water, that glass was laced with a water-magic poison that induced insanity our Lady somehow realised this and drank the potion herself."
Peruculan let out a shaky breath, "it became public knowledge and the noble responsible was convicted but..." he turned towards the door Tabitha had left from.
Mikoto nodded sadly.
Just because the noble was convicted didn't mean the Tabitha's mother was cured.
"I take it finding a cure isn't going very well."
Peruculan's downcast expression was all the answer she needed.
"Ever since that day the active and bright Lady Charlotte became someone else, she seemed to seal words and expressions within herself, also since then nobody has dared an attempt on the Mistresses life in return the palace use her potent magical powers as reason to force her into difficult tasks of which many said the chances of survival were slim."
Kirche gulped, she could practically see the anger rolling off Mikoto.
"However our Mistress was able to complete each and every unjust mission, putting her own life at risk in order to protect herself and the Lady."
"And seeing that wasn't working sent her to study in another country to essentially get rid of her whilst they decide what to do" finished Mikoto.
"Indeed" answered Peruculan.
Sighing Mikoto took another sip of tea, there was something in that story that bothered her but she'd have to ask Tabitha for confirmation.
A few minutes of silence later Tabitha reentered the room.
"Well I don't know about you but all this talking has tired me out" said Kirche standing up.
Mikoto nodded understanding what Kirche was trying to do.
"My apologies I wasn't aware we would be having an extra visitor and haven't prepared the guest room" bowed Peruculan.
"That's alright" waved off Kirche, "we can all sleep in Tabitha's room, it'll be like a sleepover."
Mikoto looked to Tabitha silently asking for permission which she gave.
"Very well then I bid you goodnight Lady Charlotte, Miss Zerbst, Miss Misaka."
Tabitha nodded whilst Kirche and Mikoto wished him goodnight and followed Tabitha out of the room.
Entering Tabitha's room both Kirche and Tabitha quickly got changed whilst Mikoto just stared at a wall.
"Mikoto are you not going to change?" asked Kirche.
"Into what?"
Kirche rummaged around in her suitcase and tossed her a white nightgown.
"You can wear that until we get you some more clothes."
Mikoto stared at it and nodded, it wasn't something she'd usually wear but it would do.
"Thanks."
After changing Kirche got into one side of Tabitha's bed and Tabitha was about to get in the other when Mikoto called her attention.
"Tabitha can I ask you something?"
She turned and nodded.
"It's about what we were talking about the night of the party" she glanced at Kirche.
"It's fine" she whispered.
"Your uncle, he's a void mage isn't he."
Kirche's eyes widened, "w-what are you saying Mikoto, there's no possible way that..." Tabitha held her hand up to silence her.
"Yes."
"And he summoned two human familiars."
Tabitha nodded.
"One had strange runes and the other an even stranger ability."
She clenched her fists and nodded again.
"The one with the strange ability what do they look like?"
"Woman, tall, long red-brown hair, shoots green beams that pierce anything..."
Mikoto rubbed her temple, "Meltdowner."
"You know her?" asked Kirche.
Mikoto nodded, "she's a level 5 esper who hates mages and me."
"Level 5 was the power of a 1 man army right?"
Mikoto nodded.
"And she hates you?"
"Wants me dead is more like it."
"Fight?" asked Tabitha.
"Yeah I'll fight her, it'll be to the death mind you."
Tabitha grabbed Mikoto's sleeve and looked into her eyes.
"Live."
"I'll do my best."
Tabitha shook her head and tightened her grip.
"Don't die."