A\N: Look who's back! Hehe, sorry for the delay. I've not watched Aldonah Zero for so long that I've forgotten I have a pending story here. Besides, my laptop broke down and I couldn't write anymore. I'm a poor student still dependent on my parents. I couldn't afford to buy another one for the next two years or so. This story would be very slow in updating but I'll do my best to catch up.
I've decided to write every chapter in different PoV's. Last chapter was Slaine's, this one is Eddelritto's (have I spelled that wrong?). It's a little short but it would have to do. I'll try to make the next one longer. Bear with me please.
A shout out to everyone who read/reviewed/followed/faved this story. Thank you so much for your patronage (and patience, if ever you're still waiting for an update after so long).
Disclaimer: All names and places and events you could recognize from the Aldnoah Zero franchise is clearly not mine and I lay no claim to it. I gain no profit or any form of benefit from this except the mere fuzzy feeling of providing entertainment to the few denizens of the internet realm and reading their reviews and constructive criticisms. Please don't sue me.
Edit: I've fixed some of the inconsistencies. Nothing major that would affect the flow of the plot or the gist of the chapter. I just want it to smoothly accommodate the next one.
Chapter II
Eddelritto watched in apprehension as Princess Asseylum walked out towards the open space of the morning earthen blue sky with the Terran boy. She stood a few paces behind them with her hands clasped on her chest.
The boy, Inaho Kaizuka, had asked the conversation to be private, but she refused to leave the princess alone with a lowly Terran. Well, maybe except with Slaine, but that's another case entirely. Her princess had always been very kindhearted and naïve, with the lack of a better word, that most people take advantage of that purity. Eddelritto was young, not even a teen yet, but she knew well her duty and honor as a handmaiden; her mother had engraved the understanding of their lot in life since the day she was born. Besides, Princess Asseylum was more than her charge, she was almost like an older sister she never had.
"You have helped me so many times since I came to earth," Princess Asseylum softly said, her back facing the object of her words. Even though Eddelritto could not see her face, she knew a kind smile accompanied it. She rarely lacked one in the presence of this particular boy. "Thank you very much," she added as she turned, her smile now on the Terran.
It was disappointing to say the least that said Terran did not reciprocate in kind.
"To be fair, your protection was not my primary motivation. It was because they drafted me. If I refused to fight, it would have endangered us all," replied the boy matter-of-factly, his face an emotionless mask.
Eddelritto felt defiance at his arrogance. He should be thinking about the safety of Princess Asseylum first and foremost! How dare he belittle the presence of a Vers royalty! The whole population of this ship should be indebted to her Highness for she had saved them not two days ago!
"Regardless," the princess brushed off his words, her smile unwavering. "You have come to my rescue so many times, and I am grateful."
Silence engulfed them for a minute, the princess smiling at the young Terran and the boy contemplating something. Eddelritto had witnessed him in action only once during the unexpected confrontation with Sir Vlad's Argyre, and even she could not deny his brilliance in strategic plotting. Though he was just a teenager, Eddelritto would no doubt find him a massive threat if she herself was not under his protection. His mind was a dangerous domicile of calculations; calculations of what, she could only guess.
"There was someone I had met in Tanegashima. He was riding a Martian battle craft," he finally said, his expression not shifting at all. "He knew you are still alive and he'd been looking for you. There might be more people who knew your existence so I suggest you stay on your guard. They might come after you and try to finish what they've started."
The princess's face fell, her eyes turning downcast. Eddelritto watched in worry as the girl clasped a chain necklace close to her heart. She looked really sad, an expression she mostly try to hide.
"What is that?" Inaho Kaizuka asked, his eyes trained at her Highness's hands.
Princess Asseylum opened her palms, letting the boy a glimpse of the silver pendant.
"It's from a dear, dear friend of mine. He told me it was a charm that would ward off malicious spirits and keep me safe. He's a son of a scientist that came to Vers to study Aldnoah," she stated, the smile coming full on her lips once again and her cheeks flushing with a fond memory. "He was born here on earth and he taught me so much about its wonders; the seas, the sky, and the wild creatures that inhabit it. I was so enchanted that I wanted to come see it for myself. And I wanted nothing more than lasting peace with Earth."
Princess Asseylum missed the slight shock on the boy's face as she lifted her head towards the blue sky, a little wistful, and then her aquamarine eyes widened at the sight of winged creatures that glided gracefully with the wind. "Is that...?"
"Black-tailed gulls," supplied the boy, his ruddy eyes drifting upwards as well.
"A creature in flight!" the princess exclaimed delightedly, her arms rising up as if to reach them. Eddelritto was more than sure that her spirit soured with them as well as she did so. "It is just as you told me, Slaine."
Eddelritto watched as she twirled, the gusts of wind billowing her elegant gown. With her angelic, genuine smile and golden hair dancing in the wind, she did not at all seem like a part of any world; she was ethereal, even for the people of Vers.
Overwhelmed and joyful, her blissful twirls were interrupted when she stumbled. Fortunately, the Terran boy caught her shoulders instinctively. The princess glanced at him and the flush on her cheeks only deepened, in embarrassment or something else Eddelritto did not care to know. She sternly stepped between them.
"Halt there, Terran!" she angrily inveighed. She removed his filthy hands off the princess and glared at his unperturbed face with passion. "This is where I draw the line. Keep your hands away from her Highness!"
The boy's composed stare only stroke her rage. It was mostly his impassivity that invoked such wrath from Eddelritto because she could not gauge what was his intention at all.
Her attention was suddenly diverted to the princess when she heard her giggle.
"'Tis alright, Eddelritto," she said, her eyes twinkling and the corners of her lips in an amused curve.
"But your Highness..."
"It is alright," she reassured.
"There is something I wanted to discuss with you, Seylum," Inaho said, a serious tone slightly more obvious in his voice. Eddelritto fought the overwhelming urge to correct his insolence for calling the princess without the proper titles but held her tongue. "The friend you mentioned, you called him Slaine. Is his full name Slaine Troyard?"
"How, how did you know?" Princess Asseylum asked in shock, Eddelritto narrowing her eyes in suspicion at the brunette Terran.
"It is inconsequential at the moment," he replied. "Do you trust him? Is Slaine Troyard truly your friend?"
"Yes," the usually soft spoken girl asserted without a second beat, her voice filled with conviction. "I trust him with my life."
The boy lowered his head in thought. "I see."
"How did you know his name, Inaho? Please, I beseech you to tell me, inconsequential or not," she pleaded.
The boy hesitated to answer. The princess's wide teal eyes must have compelled him to do otherwise for Eddelritto knew more than anyone that few could resist her innocent charm.
"The pilot of the aircraft that helped us fight that metal octopus a couple of days ago, his name is Slaine Troyard," he answered. He did not even blink when both Eddelritto and the princess gasped.
"Is he alright? Where is he?" Princess Asseylum asked in earnest.
"He is in the custody of this ship. He was injured and was unconscious until this morning."
Eddelritto was relieved and elated. She should have known that the princess's friend and faux mentor would follow her anywhere. After all, she knew that Princess Asseylum had the young Terran wrapped around her little finger. Something bothered her though, and Eddelritto pinned the red-eyed boy in front of them with a glare.
"Why was her Highness not informed of this development immediately?" Eddelritto demanded. When the princess did not reprimand her for being presumptuous, she took a step closer with a harsh scowl.
Inaho Kaizuka did not look the least bit intimidated and answered articulately, now addressing both people with him. "His intention is unclear, and until acknowledged otherwise, his existence in this ship will remain kept secret. I only informed you of this for a viable conformation of his identity though Captain Magbaredge was against it.
"He pursued the princess although the news of her death had reached the emperor himself, therefore, his objective could be narrowed down to two possibilities; either he is in league with the assassins and is a spy," he paused to take note of the princess's change in countenance, "or he is driven by personal reasons, most likely his attachment to you. How he found out you're still alive could vary between both conclusions as well, but I am almost sure that he is the pilot of the same flying carrier from during our first encounter with one of the Martian kataphrakts."
Silence hung in the air for a moment as Eddelritto and Princess Asseylum processed his words.
Eddelritto was young and she did not understand quite a lot of things outside her duty as a handmaiden. As long as the princess's every need was catered and satisfied, she had done her job. This Terran implied battles and military protocols she could not grasp and she did not know if she could trust his words. Slaine and her were not close, but her princess would surely be saddened if the Terran soldiers mistreated him in any way.
"I understand, Inaho," the princess conceded. "May I be allowed to see him?"
"Of course," was the flat reply. He lifted an arm and glanced at his watch. "I will visit him at lunch, you can come with me then. Thanks for giving me a moment of your time, Seylum."
The princess tilted her head, her face softening at Inaho Kaizuka's minuscule smile. "Your company's always a pleasure, Inaho."
The boy only grunted in acknowledgement. Seriously, getting a hint of emotion from this Terran was like pulling a tooth. He stood there beside the princess as she continued to watch the black-tailed gulls, answering her inquisitive questions with an even tone every now and then. When the morning had gone away and the heat of the sun started becoming uncomfortable, he suggested that they head inside.
"Wait."
Inaho paused at the princess's call.
"Slaine, you saved him, did you not, Inaho? That is why he is your responsibility," she stated. "Even though you knew he could be a spy, you saved him. Thank you so very much."
Eddelritto snapped her head at the brown-haired boy, anticipating his reaction.
"I shot him down, Seylum," he replied, one ruddy eye watching them from a sideways glance. "We are at war; sentiments mean so little and life is cheap. Slaine Troyard was spared because he could be a tactical advantage," he paused and said in a softer voice, "You don't have to be grateful."
With that, Inaho Kaizuka left the open deck, not once sparing either of the girls a glance as the iron door closed behind him. Eddelritto felt indignation bubbling in her gut at the blatant gall of the lowly Terran. How dare he disrespect Her Majesty so, turning his back when the Princess had not yet dismissed him? Apprehensive, she glanced at Princess Asseylum and found none of the contempt she expected on her face, but a solemn smile at the direction the boy took. As to why and what for was the Princess smiling sadly, Eddelritto had no clue.
Thank you for reading!
