Chapter 1
Braev Lee had been gone for some weeks to look for new recruts in Florem and Ancheim. People who could become new members of the Council of Six. Now that he had returned, Edea was eager to know what he had to tell.
"Did you find what you were looking for?", she asked him, shoving a huge bit of her piece of cake into her mouth. Her father who was sitting across from her at the dining room's table, had a horrified look on his face.
"Can't you have a proper dinner? I asked Holly to cook healthy meals, and I don't consider this to be healthy." He furrowed his brows.
"What's wrong with cake?", she said with her mouth still full. There had been a time when she would had never dared to talk to him like this, but knowing she had become as good with the Templar's asterisk as the Grand Marshal changed things.
"You cannot only eat sweets", he sighed. "I thought you were old enough to know that. But to come back to your previous question: In Florem, I found a girl with promising fighting skills, and in the deserts around Ancheim I prevented two orphans from becoming thieves and offered them a new home and place with the sky knights. Maybe one of them will make it to the Council one day, who knows?" He didn't sound unhappy though Edea doubted hardly a handfull of new recrutes were worth the journey.
"Did you meet Agnès?" she asked. His report had brought back memories of a sandy city, the ticking of a huge clock and delicious ice cream.
"I did meet the Vestal", he nodded, watching her through thoughtful eyes.
"Really? What did she say? How is she going?"
"Why don't you ask her yourself?"
"You brought her with you?", she asked, hopes up. The wind vestal was the only friend she had left, and she didn't see her for some time.
"She's not here yet, but she will come to Eternia in a few days to look after the Earth Crystal. You two will have enough time to talk, then."
That's so good to hear, she thought. A smile started to raise up the corners of her mouth, a rare thing to happen after the fight with Ouroboros. Nightmares of really ugly butterflies and crushing worlds were still haunting her.
She took her now empty plate and stood up from the wooden table. In order to finish their conversation, she said: "Do you think those three new sky knights were worth travelling through Luxendarc?"
"Every sky knight is worth it right now. You can get an idea of their potential yourself when you take care of one of their sword fighting lessons next week."
"Me?", she asked, both surprised and honored. "I am not sure I can-"
"You were one of Kamiizumi's best disciplines. I expect you to carry on his legacy."
"It is a great honor", she nodded. The plate in her hands was shaking heavily. Turning towards the dining room's door, she added: "Good night, father."
"Wait, Edea. One last thing. I did not brought three but four new warriors to Eternia. The fourth one certainly is more skilled and trained as the others, and you will not like what I have to tell you. His purpose is being your guard. More dangerous creatures are wandering through the north now that DeRosso's castle is deserted and you cannot walk around unprotected."
"A guard? You've got to be kidding me!" Anger and disappointment crept up her chest. "I am capable of teaching others how to yield a sword, but on the other hand you think I am still a weak little girl who needs protection? Ask your guard to watch over Holly, he can protect her from Barras' sharking, I can take care of myself." Without waiting to her her father's answer, she stomped away, head smoking.
The next morning, Edea was about to get dressed. Before she got in her regular clothes, she tried on the Bravo Bikini. She wanted to see if Sage Yulyana's masterpiece fit her after all the sweets she consumed during the past months. Who needs a scale when you have the Bravo Bikini?, she thought. Seeing her image in the mirror reminded her of Florem, the beauty contest, good old times.
An unwanted knock on the door ripped her out of her thoughts. Before she could protest, the door swung open. Why would someone knock but than open the door, anyways?
"Get out!", she screamed, putting her hands to her hips. A knight she had never seen before entered her room, nevertheless. He wore silverblue armor that covered his whole body; not a single piece of skin could be seen through it. His face was perfectly hidden behind a helmet that matched his armor.
"Let me introduce myself. I will be your loyal guard from now on. Do not fear any danger, never will I leave your side. If you feel unwell, do not hesitate to call me." His voice was muffled and metallic behind the helmet.
"And how am I supposed to call you?" She didn't know where to put her hands to cover her body, so she left them at her hips. Nonetheless she felt uncomfortable because she could feel his intense gaze, even though his eyes were invisible to her.
"Do not bother trying to memorise my name. Calling me Guard will do."
"Fine, Guard. I already told my father I don't need protection. I am about to show you my strengh if you continue staying in my room. It's going to hurt. A lot. In case you haven't notice, I was about to get dressed."
"Oh, good to hear. I was afraid you were going to wear the- this", he abruptly finished his sentence, gesturing at her.
"You don't like the Bravo Bikini?" She narrowed her eyes, well aware of the fact that there was no good answer to her question. He then surprised her by choosing the worst of all possibilities: "I do like it, I only think it does not have the right size ..."
"WHAT?" Enough was enough. She didn't need a guard, especially not one who was calling her fat. Who did he think he was? "Get out before I forget myself." Her eyes were blazing with anger and she was to ready to throw herself against him, but luckily for him he finally decided to go.
"If you need help, just tell me. I will be waiting outside", he promised, sounding amused. Edea slammed the door and decided to climb out of the window in order to escape her watchdog. Hopefully that would get him fired before his watch began. She didn't feel pity. Edea Lee didn't need a guard!