Emperor Argos XII, probably the only person in the world in more despair than Monica herself. As the platinum-haired maiden knelt in front of the throne in her Meister Robe, she gazed up to her child-ruler with a concerned frown. The boy looked like a tiny doll sitting in his oversized throne, and he stared at the carpeted floor in front of him in guilt. Monica could only imagine the stresses he was facing after losing his father and countless other loved ones as a result of previous Otome battles, on top of now being told the fate of the kingdom rested on his shoulders after the rules of the bloodline legally made him the new emperor. Her own plight of being hastily promoted to Meister rank and forced into a war against her peers paled in comparison.
In reality, Argos had no real power. His age and inexperience made him just as much as a pawn in man's quest for power as the Otome who served him. It was a truly tragic scenario, Monica thought to herself. Boys his age should be out playing and having fun, not being left in such a helpless situation.
"I'm sorry, Lady Julen. I don't want to make you fight your friends, but they said Cardair would collapse if I didn't do this..."
The lad's words were spoken in barely above a whisper. In response, Monica quietly reached to his chin while she continued to kneel. She lifted his sulking head so his eyes met her caring gaze. She spoke to him as if she were an older sister comforting her weaker sibling. Bonding with her frightened Master in this manner was a natural ability for her; one that had surfaced during her years of training and helped her become the lead Trias in her class.
"You have nothing to apologize for, my lord. None of this is your fault."
A small sign of relief appeared on the child's face. Monica smiled and spoke in a more cheerful manner.
"Please don't worry yourself so much. When we win this war and this is all over, you won't have to lead the country on your own. I promise I'll always support you."
Argos finally replied in a more confident, but still very shy, tone. His youthful innocence made him just as concerned for Monica as she was for him.
"Just do your best out there, okay? I miss papa, but I don't think I want to join him already."
He was referring to the stipulations of their impromptu contract. As long as Monica was his Otome, the two shared the same life force. If she fell in battle, his life would end in the same instant.
Monica closed her eyes and bowed respectfully to her Master's request.
"Yes, your majesty."
As she rose to her feet, the boy's grief-stricken mother approached her from the side of the throne. An elderly advisor walking with a cane closely accompanied her.
"You'll keep my Arry safe, won't you?" his mother asked. Her eyes were trying so hard to look dignified, but nothing could hide her misery. She was really saying "Protect my son in my place so I don't lose the only thing I have left."
"Please fight well for the Young Master. I adore the lad like my own grandson," the advisor whispered though his snowy white beard. He was really saying "Please keep the only hope left for our kingdom alive."
"I pray for your speedy victory, Lady Julen," the child-emperor murmured below her on his throne. What else could he possibly say?
The mother, the advisor, and the emperor all silently crossed their hands in worship. The family's de facto guardian angel responded only with a small nod, hiding all her terror and sadness so it wouldn't make theirs even worse.
The 17-year-old trainee housemaid known for her elegance and friendly compassion had to be the one who showed any sort of confidence. She'd only been pulled out of Pearl class last week, not even allowed the brief joy of a proper graduation, so she could fight for these three innocent people caught in an interkingdom crossfire. The only role she could play was their loyal contract killer, but maybe that's all she needed to be to rescue them from the brink of disaster.
She turned toward the throne room's entrance. Her mind was constantly haunted by the prospect of slaying her classmates, who'd all been unexpectedly rushed into fighting for their own countries just as she was. However, this meeting made her realize the love and concern she felt toward her unlikely Master was stronger than any of her other relationships. She held nothing but respect for the emperor who always ruled fairly when she was growing up, but now that man was dead, along with the older and much more experienced Meister Otome who preceded her. Only this tiny remnant of the previous emperor was left sitting on the throne, and it was her responsibility to ensure the helpless son survived into adulthood.
She was committed to fulfilling her duty. In solemn silence, she walked away from the throne and began her journey toward the battlefield.