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The Stray Girl and the Incompetent Mage
Chapter 29: La Vallière
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It takes Louis fifteen minutes between returning to his room and dress his wound to go back out to the courtyard. When he arrives, everyone is already seated and waiting for him. He feels embarrassment when he sees his father's face, for making him wait so much, but he needed the time to cool down.
He bows his head as soon as he makes it to the table.
"I apologize for my tardiness, father. It's good to see you again" he says as courteously as he has done with his mother the night before.
The Duke de La Vallière purses his lips. He's a big man, past his fifties, with blond hair the same color as Eleonore's, and a beard that's becoming white. On his left eye he has a monocle, with eyes shining strongly in his displeasure. "It took you long enough. Your sisters and mother had been waiting for over half an hour" he chides. Louis winces.
"There was something I had to take care of before coming here" he closes his injured hand in a fist, and his father's eyes lower towards it, but he doesn't ask anything. "I apologize again, father, mother, Eleonore, Cattleya" he says, turning to where the women are seated. His mother is sitting next to her husband, Eleonore by her side, and next to her, Cattleya. He can see irritation on Eleonore's face, but Cattleya's smiling softly, without a care in the world, and his mother remains as stoic-faced as always, though she does give him a nod.
"Take a seat, then, Louis" his father instructs, offering the chair to his right. When he does, the servants that had been waiting by the side start moving, and like this, the La Vallière family has their first breakfast together in a long time.
Conversation starts, the usual subject being the state of their lands as well as the comings and goings of the castle. However, it doesn't take long for the topic that Louis was waiting for to come up.
"Damn that bird-brained idiot!" the duke complains strongly, surprising everyone except his wife.
"Is this about the Cardinal?" she asks in a calm tone. Her husband nods.
"He called me all the way to Tristania to tell me to levy an army. Really, I retired from the military years ago, he should ask the new recruits and let me stay with my family" he scoffs, sipping from his glass. "Besides, I'm against this war."
"That's true" the duchess replies, still with the same calm tone from before, "but the Cardinal has stated that the country needs to unite in order to defeat Albion. If we refuse, the consequences would be dreadful. They could accuse us of treason, are you aware of that?" she asks, looking at him seriously. The duke shakes his head.
"Of course I know that, but we cannot take part in any of this. This war is wrong to begin with, there are better ways to solve this problem" then he snorts, a really surprising gesture coming from a noble like him. "And you shouldn't call a bird-brained idiot like that Cardinal. Idiot is more than enough. Moreover, to take advantage of such a young queen to make the country participate in this war…"
When Louis hears that, he can't keep quiet anymore. It's one thing to be against the war, but to put in doubt Henrietta's ability to govern on her own…
He clears his throat, catching his father's attention. "Even though I was of the same opinion a few months ago, hadn't the fact that Henrietta is now queen just proved he's not after any kind of power? Furthermore, he was the one to suggest she be made queen. I also know this happened after the battle of Tarbes, the one she herself leaded and won" he looks at his father, trying to get his point across. "I know for a fact that Queen Henrietta is not being taken advantage of. She has made the conscious decision of entering this war. Cardinal Mazarin is simply being a counselor. Besides, I think this has been the correct decision. Reconquista is advancing with its breached ideals, and it's our duty to stop them before they can cause more damage to our home."
After he's finished, the table falls into complete silence. Duke de La Vallière simply stares at his son, before smiling widely.
"I'm glad you can make arguments like this. That just proves you're becoming the kind of man necessary to hold these lands. However, I beg to disagree. Not with the part about the queen being the one in charge" he rapidly says, seeing his son opening his mouth to argue, "but about this war not being a mistake."
Hearing this, Louis frowns.
"I don't see how. Albion attacked us first, an ambush…"
"Is only effective if our army has at least three times the number of the enemy's" the duke interrupts in a level tone. "See, our forces combined with Germania's make only sixty thousand men. Albion has fifty thousand."
"We still have ten thousand more men" he tries to argue, but the duke shakes his head.
"The probability of victory is pretty low. When you're attacking you're at a disadvantage. We'll need to get there by ships, while their army will already be in land, waiting for us. The best option is a siege. We're in a perfect position. We just have to blockade their supplies, and they'll eventually come asking for peace without making a war or causing unnecessary death" he says, his tone firm. Louis bites his lips, glancing down, knowing his father was making a really good point.
"Because of the battle at Tarbes we've grown overconfident" he continues, taking the time to eat a bit more and drink from his glass. "Overconfidence leads to negligence. To make matters worse, they're recruiting the academy students as officers. That's completely stupid. What can kids do? In war, you can't say you are strong enough just because you have greater numbers. Ambushing is an act that means you have absolute confidence that you will achieve victory from the first attempt. There is no way I'd let my son enter such a war" he lets his fork and knife down, looking at him sternly.
Louis tries once again. "Still, I need to go. Her Majesty herself asked me. She trusts me, and…"
"Trusts you?" his father asks, blinking in surprise. "Louis" he says in that condescending tone he knows so well from his childhood. He feels his skin crawl just hearing it again. "I don't mean to offend, but your ability with magic…"
"It's different now!" he quickly replies, not wanting to hear his father saying it. "It's not like before. Now, I can actually…!"
"Different in what sense?" Eleonore scoffs. "You heard father already, Louis. You cannot possibly…!"
"Eleonore, as I said yesterday at dinner, do not meddle in my conversations" the young boy scolds with a firm, and final tone. His sister becomes red in the face, and she's about to yell when the duke raises a hand, stopping her. Like this, she has no option but to close her mouth, irritation flowing from her in waves.
Louis is thankful for his father's intervention. He takes a deep breath before continuing. "I have always been treated like a failure. I always felt regret when I was being compared to my sisters, or when I was told I have no talent in magic, but now is different."
"In what sense, Louis?" his father asks.
"I was clearly told by Her Majesty that I am necessary to her. That my power is necessary for our victory. That's why I have to go."
He looks at his father, trying to convey the truth, or as close to it, with only his eyes. It seems to work, as his father's face changes, suddenly understanding what he's talking about. With soft eyes and a small, proud smile, he asks; "which one of the four?"
"It is fire" he answers without missing a beat. He had thought a lot about this. He didn't want to lie to his father, but he knows the secret of the void is more important, regardless of anything.
At the exchange, Eleonore looks up, astounded, while Cattleya and the duchess blink, also surprised.
The duke nods. "Fire… I see, like your grandfather. Now I get why you're so attracted to the idea of going to war. Fire is a sinful element" he hangs his head feebly. "You were told by Her Majesty that you're necessary to her" he whispers.
"Yes" Louis nods, his heart starting to beat faster. Maybe his father would finally give him permission? However, his answer is different from what he expected.
"She probably told you that when nobody else was around, no? I understand you two are still friends, so it's obvious that she, being alone and conflicted, chose to tell you that so it would give her confidence. Unfortunately, I cannot allow that."
"T-That!" Louis tries to reply, but his father shakes his head, standing up.
"People can certainly make mistakes for this thing called loyalty, but I won't allow you to do that. From here on out, you are under house arrest. You won't be allowed to leave this castle until the war is over" he declares. Louis stands up as well, eyes big and desperate.
"Father, you can't do this! I'm sixteen already, almost seventeen! I can make my own choices, and…!"
"Do not raise your voice to me" his father warns, shutting him up instantly. "I will report this to Her Majesty myself. Jerome" he calls for the head butler, who appears immediately by his side. "Prepare paper and a pen."
The butler bows. "At once, my lord."
When he dashes off, the duke returns his attention to his son.
"And concerning you, you are right. You're almost seventeen, already in your second year at the academy. I believe it is time for you to choose me a daughter-in-law."
Louis almost chokes on air hearing this. "A… a daughter-in-law? Why?"
"Because you are my heir, and the continuity of the La Vallière line depends solely on you" he states sternly. It is an indirect jab at Eleonore, who stiffens at their side but says nothing out of respect for her father. "You don't have to get married until after you're done with your studies, but I do expect you to do so, and soon. I'll leave the choice of bride to you. And don't disobey my orders."
With that said, he turns around, leaving the table and Louis at the verge of fainting.
Marry? Continuing his line? With whom would he marry? He doesn't want to get married. He doesn't want to have children. To marry and sire a son… he's too young, he can't do that, he can't…
His breathing is becoming shallow.
"Calm down" the voice is his mother's, as well as the hand on his back. At some point he had not noticed, the three women had stood up and surrounded him.
He wants them to leave, to give him space.
Despite that, he nods, regulating his breathing until he no longer sees black dotes on his vision. He can feel his mother's hand soothing small circles on his back, and it helps him relax even more.
"Really, what were you expecting?" Eleonore asks once it seems he has calm down enough. Her hands are on her hips, and her brow is furrowed, but there is worry in her eyes. "It was obvious from the beginning father would not allow you to go. On top of that, now you have to choose a wife. Why can't you stop worrying us?"
Louis purses his lips, holding back a scoff of derision. He straightens his spine, sending his mother a grateful look before confronting his older sister. "I don't have to choose anything, because I refuse to get engaged with anybody yet. I'm still sixteen. I won't get married" he declares firmly.
His mother sighs. "Your father has spoken truly, Louis. You are the heir, and you need at least a betrothed, if not a wife still. Marriage can come later" he glances away, his hands fisting at his sides.
"I don't want to…" he mutters, earning a stern look from his mother.
"Please don't make things so difficult. You know it is your duty."
"I understand that, but…" but the thought of marrying anyone is just too much. Moreover, this feels more like a punishment than anything else. Not only is he under house arrest, like a freaking child, he's also expected to find a woman to marry? Even if he can choose, according to his father, even if it doesn't have to be soon, it still feels like he's being restricted. It feels like he actually has no choice.
Sachiko's face appears in his mind, as it was bound to happen, and it only makes him feel worse. It's impossible from the very beginning, but never had it felt more real than now, with his father's order and what happened earlier this morning still fresh in his memory.
"There you go again!" Eleonore's voice cuts through his self-pitying thoughts. "Wanting to go to war, refusing to find a wife… when did you become so irresponsible?"
"Excuse me?" he can't help the snarl forming on his lips. Eleonore huffs, lifting her chin.
"This isn't the little brother of my memories that so diligently worked on his studies. That always obeyed whatever father and mother, or I, said. I mean, look at you! Just what happened to your hand? Did you pick a fight with someone?" she gestures at the bandages with distaste.
Louis covers his hand with the other. "I had an accident" he grits out. It's a lie, but it's better than admitting he picked a fight with the wall.
Eleonore's eyebrow twitches. "Do you expect me to believe that?"
"Eleonore, that's enough" the duchess cuts through the argument quickly forming between the two siblings. Her eldest purses her lips, but backs out. Then, her attention returns to her son. "Why are you so against choosing a wife, Louis? Eleonore is right in that this isn't like you."
He bits his lip, glancing away. Out of the corner of his eye, he can see Cattleya fidgeting with her hands. She was never the best at keeping secrets, and so the situation must be making her quite uncomfortable.
When he doesn't answer, his mother sighs. "I see… could it be then, that you have someone you want already?" she asks, her tone surprisingly kind.
This takes him aback. "Mother…?"
"Who is she? Is she a classmate? Someone of lower status? Is that the reason you're refusing this so much? Because you think your father and I wouldn't approve?" she asks, one question after the other. Louis doesn't really know how to answer that.
"She…" he starts, hating himself when he feels the heat on his face.
Eleonore gasps. "Is it true then? Little Louis is in love with someone?" she asks in disbelief. However, her face soon becomes serious, a stubborn frown forming. "What's her family name? If she's from the academy, then her status shouldn't be so low that it would be impossible to…"
"Eleonore" Cattleya speaks for the first time, a hand on her arm. "Give Louis a moment to breathe, alright?"
With that, all three women turn to him, and the young boy can't help but gulp.
"I… it's not like I'm in love with her…" he tries. He winces when he sees his mother and Eleonore's eyes go wide.
"So there is someone" the duchess comments softly. Louis quickly scrambles to say something.
"No…! That is, she's already taken, so it can't be…"
"You got your eye on a lady already betrothed?"
At the surprise in her tone, he blushes profusely. He can't possibly tell them that the only woman he would want to marry someday is Sachiko, because on top of her being a commoner, she's also his familiar, and she already has someone else in her life. He's afraid they'll notice, and then a new reprimand will take place over a subject he already knows can't possibly happen, ever.
But the thought doesn't seem to even register in their minds. His mother sighs, eyes despondent. "If you fell in love with an engaged lady, it can't be helped, but like that it's impossible to even think of courting her. Now I understand your qualms about finding a wife."
"A forbidden love…" Eleonore whispers, her eyes shining. Despite her character, she's still a woman who loves romance. However, this is no moment to daydream, and so she shakes her head, her expression turning serious again. "Well, in that case then with more reason you need to find another woman to wed. Love can be cultivated. I assure you in no time you will forget all about that other girl."
Something in her words tickles Louis the wrong way. He looks at his older sister, no longer flustered, but annoyed. "Now, what does that mean?"
"That while being in love is nice and all, you need to think about the future of our family. You can't let this unrequited love get in your way. Forget about this lady and seek out another. It's not that difficult, is it?"
"I don't want to hear this from a woman who's had not one or two, but four engagements annulled" he spats with venom. Eleonore's face becomes extremely red.
"What did you say, shrimp?!"
"Louis, that is no way to speak to your older sister" his mother admonishes. "And while it might not have been the way to say it, Eleonore is right. While it's regrettable that you can't pursue the woman you want, you still have a duty to this family. La Vallière house is one of the most powerful in the Kingdom, second only to the royal. To ensure the continuity of the line, you will have to marry, and the sooner you choose a bride, the better it will be."
"That's not fair. Why does the family name fall only on me?" Louis complains, feeling like a small kid throwing a tantrum. He doesn't like the sensation, but he can't stop the words from spilling out. "Eleonore is the one that failed to maintain at least one engagement. I shouldn't have to get engaged and marry as soon as I'm done with the academy to make up for her mistakes."
Eleonore looks about ready to explode at this, but the duchess raises a hand, stopping whatever she was going to yell. "Eleonore's children wouldn't carry her last name, and for that reason they wouldn't be heirs for the title of duke" she says calmly. Louis snorts, a gesture that takes everyone aback, as it's a disrespectful one he previously would have never done in front of his mother.
"They could still content for it in case I died without progeny, you know that. A second or a third son… wouldn't that have been good enough?"
"You're missing the point here, Louis" his mother says more sternly, narrowing her eyes.
"The point here is that I can't marry the person I want, and instead of naturally getting over her and choosing someone else with time, now I'm forced to do it quick, all because Eleonore can't keep her character in check!"
"Stop making this about me!" Eleonore shouts before their mother can stop her, eyebrows twitching and body trembling. "Don't use me as an excuse to skirt your responsibilities! You are the one that suddenly got it in his head to go to a stupid war, all because you found your elemental affinity! You want to push the attention on me just so you can do whatever you like!"
"Am I wrong, then? About your horrid personality being the reason I'm being pushed to look for a wife now?" he counters, equally angry.
"Louis, Eleonore, stop!" the duchess says in an imperious voice. She turns to her son. "This isn't a punishment Louis. Stop acting as if it is. You knew that sooner or later, you would have…"
"And yet it's coming sooner, because I wanted to fulfill my duty to our Kingdom and go to the front lines?" he interrupts, too worked up to realize what he has done. "I'm not a child! I should be able to do whatever I want, without any of you breathing down my neck, and…!"
He's cut short as he feels the heel of a hand against his cheek. He blinks, at first not feeling the sting, before slowly turning back to his mother, who is staring at him with fury, her hand still raised in the air.
"You are a child, not because of your age, but because of the way you're behaving right now. If you want to be able to do what you want, then you first need to grow up and be responsible for yourself, mindful of your duty. You need to think more deeply about the consequences your acts can bring, not only to you, but your whole family" she hisses, pulling down her hand and glaring.
Louis doesn't say anything, too stunned by the slap. He brings his injured hand to his cheek, wincing slightly when he touches it, and then looking down at it, as if he could see the evidence of it on his fingers.
Without another word, he turns around and leaves. Eleonore yells his name, but her mother stops her with a gesture of the hand, allowing her son to go and calm down first.
On the side, Cattleya watches everything with a heavy heart, hands in front of her chest in what appears a small prayer.
Sachiko groans, her head hurting.
She struggles to remember what happened last night, as she fumbles around the cot, sheets tangling in her legs that she tries to kick out, in vain. Her mind and body feel sluggish, and it's a good thing sunlight has not yet made its way to her, because then she would be in even more agony.
Yesterday, they arrived at the La Vallière state. After an awkward family dinner, she was guided to her room, a broom closet with no windows –no wonder there wasn't any sunlight– and then…
Another groan is heard at the same time she kicks something that feels warm and pliant. She frowns, slowly opening her eyes, finding a dark room and cleaning supplies organized on a shelf on the other side. She blinks, moving to sit up very carefully, holding her head with one hand as she moans pathetically.
That's when she sees Shiro, lying next to her, bare-chested.
She blushes.
Right, at one point last night, Shiro had arrived with some wine, and they had drunk all night. They had laughed and joked and had fun like they hadn't in a long while, the alcohol lowering their inhibitions and making them forget all about the usual awkwardness ever present between them since a few months ago.
Complaining about it being too hot, he had taken off his shirt, and she had unabashedly ogled him though nothing truly happened between them. Heck, they hadn't even kissed, now that she thinks about it. So much for lowered inhibitions…
"You awake, partner?" Derflinger's voice pulls her out of her thoughts. She looks over at him, raising her hand and passing it through her hair, combing the wild tresses as best she can without a mirror.
"Yeah… what time is it now?" she asks, fixing her dress that was a bit skewed and wrinkled from sleeping on it.
"How should I know? There's no windows here to tell the time."
"Ah…" she sighs, rubbing at her eyes. "I feel like shit. My head hurts" she rubs her forehead while closing her eyes. Derflinger laughs.
"I told you not to drink last night, remember?"
"Shut up. Ugh, I need some water…" there should be some around here, right? Ah, maybe in her backpack…
She's about to look for the canteen she usually carries around when someone knocks on the door. She freezes, staring at it with a feeling of trepidation as whoever is on the other side knocks again when she doesn't answer immediately.
Fuck, it is not that late, right? She didn't have anything to do today, as far as she could remember… ah, but what if they found out Shiro had stolen a bottle of wine? That would surely bring them a lot of trouble. Would they be kicked out of the castle? No, surely as Louis' familiar they couldn't do that… but what about Shiro? What would happen to him?
"Hello?" a sweet female voice calls while Sachiko panics. The voice sounds familiar, soft and calming, enough to bring her out of the state of desperation she had inadvertently threw herself into, but she can't quite place it. "So weird…" the woman murmurs after receiving no answer, "I could have sworn this was the correct room…"
Sachiko stands up slowly, lifting a finger and shushing Derflinger just in case. She approaches the door and places a hand on the wood just as the woman knocks again, louder.
"Is someone in there? I'm Cattleya, your master's older sister. I want to talk to you."
Her eyes go wide, and, without thinking, she takes a step back, her hands automatically going to her hair and dress again, trying to fix them despite having done so only minutes ago. Sachiko doesn't know what Louis' sister is doing here, but she figures it will be bad for her if she doesn't open the door. She can only thank the heavens that it's not the more volatile sister that came to look for her. God knows what she might have done with the scene inside the room.
Of course, just because it's Cattleya and not Eleonore, it doesn't mean she plans to let her see Shiro sleeping half-naked on her cot, and so, as fast as she can, she opens the door and steps outside, causing Cattleya to gasp as she backs away to prevent a collision, and just as fast closes it behind her.
The two stare at each other for a second.
"Ehm, I… Sorry for not answering sooner" Sachiko says with a small, nervous laugh. Cattleya tilts her head.
"Did you just wake up?" she asks, blinking slowly. The girl stiffens, giving the older woman the answer to her question. "Oh… well, it's not like you need to wake up early, but it's past noon already, so it's a bit surprising to know that is the case."
"Wait, past noon?" Sachiko's eyes bulge out in surprise. The expression must be funny, because Cattleya giggles, covering her mouth daintily with a hand.
"Yes, it's closer to one in the afternoon now" she confirms. Sachiko feels herself blushing in mortification. "You missed lunch, but you're not the only one that did so" she comments mysteriously.
She must be talking about Shiro. What must the servants be saying about them? What must the ducal family think? Oh God, what is Louis going to do?!
"I-I'm sorry! I stayed up late last night, and I must have been more tired than I thought because…!"
"Don't worry about it" Cattleya reassures, interrupting her meltdown before it can properly form. "As I said, there's no reason for you to wake up early unless it is expected of you. I imagine if Louis didn't tell you to, then it's alright. Please don't be so nervous" she asks with a kind smile.
She nods, face flushed. Seeing her calmer, the older woman continues. "As I was saying, you're not the only one that missed lunch today… but let's talk about that later. Tell me… Sachiko, right?" she nods, surprised she remembers her name. "How do you feel about my brother?"
"Ex… excuse me?" she asks, eyes getting wide.
"Ah, sorry, that question is open to misinterpretation, right?" Cattleya giggles, soft and nice like bells in the wind. "What I meant to say is… do you like him as a master? Are you loyal to him? Do you want to see him happy?"
The questions take Sachiko aback. She tilts her head, thinking about them and pondering the meaning behind, how she should answer. After a while, she says, slowly and carefully. "My master… I like him. He's a good person, and I believe we are friends. He takes care of me and worries about me when I need it, and I want to do the same for him. I… I want him to be happy" she confesses, glancing away and feeling suddenly exposed, though she doesn't understand why.
Cattleya hums, nodding softly. "I understand. I'm glad you feel that way. I know he can have a bit of a temper sometimes, but Louis is truly kind deep inside. He's just troubled by a lot of things, by all the responsibilities thrust upon him since birth" she explains, eyes becoming a little sad. She hesitates for a moment, before placing a hand on her shoulder. Sachiko blinks, staring at her in confusion. "Louis' talk with father didn't go well. He forbid him from leaving for Albion, and ordered him to find a wife."
"W-What?" Sachiko asks, feeling her stomach suddenly dropping to her feet. Louis… Louis has to… find a wife…?
"Yes, but that's not the worst part" she sighs, pulling her hand down. "Afterwards, he had a big fight with mother and Eleonore because he kept refusing to do as father said. Things… didn't end well. He ran away, and although mother wanted to give him time to calm down, he hadn't shown up at all since then, even missing lunch" so it wasn't Shiro she was talking about then. "Everyone's looking for him, but they won't find him… because no one ever thinks of searching that place."
Then, her eyes become determined, and she grabs Sachiko's hands, making the girl gasp at the passion behind her gaze. "I can see you've been taking good care of him, and for that I'm grateful, so even though I don't want him to go to war… I think I can leave him in your hands."
Sachiko's jaw falls open in astonishment and disbelief. "W-Wait, my lady, what are you talking about…?"
"He told me there's a reason he has to go, and I trust him, therefore, I will prepare a carriage so you can all leave. Can you tell me where the servant that came with you is? I tried to find him earlier, but no one has seen him, and…"
"S-Shiro?" she blushes, before glancing behind her. Cattleya follows her gaze, and her face gets a little bit red when she understands. "N-Nothing happened! We just… the two of us…!"
"It's alright" she finally releases her hands, standing straight with an expression of mischief on her features. "I'm twenty-four already. I know how these things work."
"That's why I said it's not…"
"You have to go" she interrupts, her face becoming serious. "Now that everyone's distracted. Go look for Louis and find him before they do."
"I-I understand…" she gulps. "My sword…"
"I'll pack it along with all your other things. Hurry. He's in the inner courtyard" she closes her eyes, as if reminiscing. "There's a pond there, and in that pond there's a small boat. He's inside it. Ever since he was young, whenever there were bad times he'd go there and hide. After you take Louis from there, leave the castle grounds" she opens her eyes and stares at her firmly.
Sachiko nods, not wasting another second as she turns around and runs.
He's not curled up in a ball or hiding under a cover like when he was a little kid. He's simply sitting there, staring off into space, his mind blank.
How long has he been here? Minutes? Hours? It must be hours, as he's seen the sunlight travelling from one edge of the courtyard to the other, with it now over him, burning his head and making him sweat in the fancy clothes he had chosen to eat breakfast with his family today.
He wants to be alone, and since young this has been the ideal place for it. From here, he can hear the servants going about the castle, searching for him after hours of calm, but they won't find him. Nobody ever thinks about the long abandoned boat in the pond.
But then he hears footsteps, and he stiffens. He curses aloud, don't caring about the person hearing. He wants to be alone and now he can't.
"Who is it?" he asks, tone acid. The person stops just behind him, before giving a big sigh. He blinks, recognizing that voice immediately.
"Really, I leave you alone for five minutes and you become like this. I thought you were stronger than this" he turns around, glaring at Sachiko, but the moment his eyes land on her figure, illuminated by the sunlight, forming a halo around her, any biting words that were about to leave his mouth become stuck in his throat.
But then, he looks at her more attentively, taking notice of her slightly messy hair, her dress, that seemed to be accommodated in a hurry, and any warmth he felt at her presence completely evaporates.
Right. This morning.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he demands, looking away. With his peripheral vision, he sees her just standing there for a second, as if taken aback by his tone. Then, she slowly approaches, and he grits his teeth, completely turning from her so he won't do anything impulsive.
"Now, what is that tone for? I understand that you're angry for what happened today, but that's no reason to take it out on me" she says, sounding as if she's pouting.
He scoffs. "What do you know about what happened today? You weren't there."
"Your sister, Cattleya, told me. In fact, she came looking for me, asking me to retrieve you. She's prepared a carriage for us so we can go back to the academy" she touches his arm and he recoils on instinct. This makes her frown. "Louis?"
"I can't go" he says, surprising her. "My family has not allowed it."
"Huh?" she looks at him as if he's gone insane, and honestly, he feels like it a little as well. Cattleya has just prepared an incredible opportunity for him to return to the academy and continue with what he has to do, but he's rejecting it? "Why? You were so determined before…"
"I told you I can't!" he shouts, running out of patience. With everything that has been going on today, he just can't bring himself to care.
He hears Sachiko sigh, and, before he knows what's going on, he feels the boat rocking a little. He looks up, finding Sachiko had stepped inside it. "H-Hey, what are you…?"
"I want you to tell me exactly what happened" she says, her face serious. She sits down, pulling her legs to the side and smoothing her dress when it rides up a little. He glances away immediately.
"Didn't Cattleya tell you everything already?"
"She didn't go into details, she only told me your father forbid you from going to Albion and then you had a big fight with your mother and Eleonore. So" she looks at him, hands clasped on her lap, "what exactly happened?" she glances down at his hand, frowning. "And what happened to your hand?"
"Accident" he answers immediately. She narrows her eyes. "How else would I have gotten hurt, tell me?" he challenges because he's in no mood for this.
Sachiko bites her lips, thinking, before deciding to let it go and shaking her head. "Alright, but you still need to tell me what happened with your family this morning."
He clicks his tongue, not wanting to, but her eyes are so firm on him, he can't help but fidget under her stare. He's not strong enough to resist her, especially when she gives her full attention to him as she's doing at that moment, and so, he ends up sighing and spilling the truth.
When he's done, he looks at her, and is surprised to see a conflicted expression on her face. She bits her lip, making him look away because it's a too tempting sight, before hearing her take a breath.
"So, to be short, you're upset because everyone keeps treating you like a child, and yet they expect you to take decisions like an adult" she concludes in an even tone. Louis shakes his head, closing his eyes.
"No… I mean, yes, kind of, but it's not just that…"
"Then, what is it? Why do you suddenly say that you can't leave anymore?"
"Because…" he sighs, resisting the temptation to bury his head on his knees, "I've come to realize something. Why do I want to go to Albion? Why am I trying so hard to fulfill my duty? It's because, for the first time in my life, I feel like I have value" he leans his head back against the side of the boat, letting the sun of early afternoon beat down on him as he closes his eyes. "It is for my country, yes, but, deep down, the most important thing for me it's that it makes me feel seen, like all these years of being made fun of finally amount to something. I thought it would be fine even if my family was against my decision, but now… now I'm not so sure…"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean…" he sighs again, unable to believe he's actually telling her all this, when, just a few months ago, he had so decisively tried to hide it from her. His insecurities, as well as his hidden selfishness. "If I go to Albion, win battles and get recognized… what if even then my family doesn't acknowledge me? In the end, it's their opinion of me I care the most about, but what if, even if I go against their wishes and join this war, and make a name for myself, they still think of me as a failure? As someone that left everything for a selfish goal? Someone who neglected his duty to them and got himself killed while looking for glory?"
He pulls away from the ledge and buries his faces in his hands, his fingers travelling to his bangs and pulling slightly. "What if they're right and I'm just acting like a child now? Maybe what I should do is step back, find a woman to marry, and continue my line, as they said…"
"Is that what you want to do?" she asks, voice low. He frowns, lifting his face to look at her. Her expression is soft, and something about it makes his heart hurt.
"What I want to do?" he repeats dully.
"Yes… I mean, do you really want to just stay here for the rest of the war, look for a bride, and then after you're done with the academy marry her and have children?"
He takes a moment to think about it, or, at least he would like to say he does. In reality, the question is barely out of Sachiko's mouth before he spits out a firm; "no. Definitely not."
"Then the answer should be simple" she says as if it really is.
"It's not" he counters stubbornly. She rolls her eyes.
"Yes, it is. If what you want is to go to Albion, then do it. But do it because of you. Not because of Henrietta, or your country… but because of what that will make you feel. On the other hand, if obeying your father's wishes is causing you so much pain… then I don't think you should do that at all. Regardless if you decide to participate in the war or not, I don't believe staying here and finding a wife will be good for you. Not if it's making you so unhappy" she says with a kind tone. It makes him feel weird, hearing Sachiko saying all this while looking at him so softly.
"But…" he continues, already feeling his resolution weakening; "if I leave now, my family will never forgive me… I'll never get their recognition."
"You don't know that."
"Yes, I do!" he snaps, angry. "I… I want them to recognize me, and my efforts. What's the point otherwise?"
She says nothing for a while, as if she's thinking carefully about his words. Louis sulks, though he'd never admit it if asked. Then, with a small sigh that makes him look at her, she finally says; "if you want somebody to recognize you, then don't worry. I'll do it."
"…what?"
"I'll recognize you" she repeats. "In fact, I already do, because I know better than anyone just how hard you work for things" she smiles at him, managing to, once again, steal the breath from his lungs.
But then he remembers this morning, and her words, though cute, right now only make him feel worse.
And so he huffs, turning away and crossing his arms. "Why would I want you to recognize me? You're just a stupid familiar, don't even start comparing yourself to my own family."
"Huh?" she says, frowning. He nods.
"Better than anyone, you say… yeah right. I wonder if you say that to everyone, like that servant, for example…"
"What does Shiro have to do with any of this?" she questions, angry at both his tone and words. He gives a dry laugh.
"What does he not, you probably mean."
Sachiko clenches her fists, her anger rising though she tries to control it. "Louis, I have no idea what you're doing now, but I'll like you to stop, because this is highly offensive."
"What is offensive is doing such l-l-lewd things in your master's home!" he spits, venom dripping from his words. At her clueless expression, he turns to her fully and gets into her personal space. "Don't make that face as if you don't know what I'm talking about!"
"Don't yell at me!" she pushes him away, and he relents just a little. "Really, what's your problem? What did I say to make you so angry all of a sudden?"
"You really have no idea, don't you?" he's boiling at the edges, just waiting to explode completely. When she still looks completely lost, he can't help himself anymore and basically shouts; "you had sex with that servant last night, no?!"
"W-What?!" she sputters, eyes going wide and face becoming completely red. "W-W-Why do you think…?"
"Don't try to deny it! I saw it when I went to look for you this morning. He opened the door, and… and he was half-naked…" he closes his eyes, breathing through his nose, his whole body shaking, "and he said you couldn't talk to me because you were tired after last night… I'm not a child you know! I know perfectly well what that means!"
"I… I had no idea you came this morning!" she talks back, still in shock. "And we didn't do anything last night! He just came to my room, and… and we drank and… but we didn't have s-sex!" she shouts too, as she trembles due to a combination of embarrassment and indignation. "But even if we did, what about it? Shiro and I are dating! It's a perfectly normal thing to do when you're together with someone!"
"Then that means you've already done it before, that this wasn't the first time?!"
"No! And who would have their first time in a broom closet?!"
"But you did it before! You had sex with him before, and now…!"
"Are you even listening to me?! I'm still a virgin, you idiot!"
Silence falls around them as soon as those damning words come out of her mouth. Sachiko hides her face behind her hands, feeling mortified beyond reason. "God, are you happy now?" she practically sobs.
Louis feels pretty embarrassed as well. He clears his throat, pulling away from her and looking around as if hoping for something that will get him out of this situation. Nothing comes. "I… h-happy is not the word I would use…" he tries, completely clueless as to what he should say.
Sachiko scoffs. "Why do you insist so much with Shiro? Why do you hate that I'm with him?"
"I don't hate it…!" he bites his tongue when she looks up at him, incredulous. "I'm… not really thrilled, but I don't hate it…"
"Liar" she accuses, and he winces. "But you shouldn't worry so much, you know? It's not like things between Shiro and I are great now…"
"Huh? Really?"
She nods, placing her hands on her lap and fidgeting with her fingers. She's still blushed, and, with the sun hitting the surface of the pond and sending lights dancing across her figure, she looks beautiful and breathtaking. "I don't really know what's going on, but… there's a distance between us. We're both working on it, but honestly, I don't know if we will be able to fix whatever's happening before…"
"Before…?" Louis prompts, gulping around the lump in his throat, against the wild beat of his heart.
Sachiko shrugs. "I don't know what I feel anymore, if I'm being honest. Especially since these past few months, we…" she closes her mouth abruptly, as if only now realizing what she's saying. Louis blinks, staring at her with confusion.
"These past few months, you…"
"No, not us… I mean, yes us… um…" she glances away, and something in her expression suddenly clicks.
"You're not talking about you and that servant… but about you and me…?"
"What? N-No, of course not!" she sputters, but it's too late. Louis has caught on, and he doesn't plan on letting this go.
"Yes, you're talking about us" he tries very hard to keep a smile from forming, but it's difficult. "What happened these past few months between us, Sachiko?"
"Nothing! Why do you think it has anything to do with you?" she asks, trying to act indignant, but she isn't fooling him. Not anymore.
"It's so obvious. Look at yourself, blushing like that" he teases, unable to help himself. She glares but he doesn't care. "Do I have anything to do with this new distance between you and that servant?" he shouldn't sound so full of himself, but he can't help it, nor does he care to. For the first time in months, he finally feels something other than heartache when around Sachiko.
She gasps, but her face only becomes redder, if that's possible. "How… how dare you even think something like that? What happens between Shiro and I… no, actually, why would you even…? Just because I'm in love with you doesn't mean…!"
A deafening silence envelopes them. Sachiko's eyes are big, her mouth hanging open, in complete disbelief of what she just said. Louis is also astounded, his own eyes almost bulging out in his surprise. He had been teasing her, yes, but he never would have thought that…
She talks again, words falling one after the other. "That's…! I don't know where that came from! I'm not in love with…! That is…" she fumbles, her hands coming up and gesticulating wildly. She glances to the side, a small furrow between her brows as she seems to be thinking deeper about it. "But… that actually makes sense… it would explain why my heart beats so hard when I'm with you… or why I think about you all the time. Maybe… maybe Shiro was right all along…?" she doesn't sound like she's speaking to him anymore, instead talking to herself, as if she's trying to figure a mystery out.
Louis doesn't care, because, with every word out of her mouth, his heart beats faster and faster, until it's practically the only thing he can hear, that he can feel. Could it be…? After all this time, could it be that Sachiko really is…?
"Sachiko" he pronounces then, causing her to go stiff. She stops mumbling, but in exchange, it's like her whole body closes off. She seems to become smaller, and she actually looks down, allowing her hair to form a curtain around her. Now, that would not do. "You're serious, aren't you?" he asks.
Sachiko doesn't answer.
"Hey" he crawls closer to her, noticing how she starts trembling with his proximity. Something about it makes him feel powerful and bold. When he's close enough, he gently grabs her chin with his fingers and lifts her face to him. Her eyes are teary and face rosy and flushed, and the mere sight of it makes something sharp tug at his lower belly. He ignores that. "Tell me Sachiko, are you serious?"
"S-Serious about…?" she plays dumb, but he won't let her.
"You're in love with me" she flinches, and he smiles at that. "Come on, say it again."
"I… why should I?" she challenges, her lips setting into a stubborn pout. He looks at her mouth for a moment, before glancing back at her.
"Because I want to reward you" at her shocked expression, he quickly adds; "declaring your love for your master… isn't it practically like an oath of loyalty? I think that deserves a reward."
"Huh?" she blinks, confused.
"One part of your body… I'll kiss one part of your body" he finally releases her, turning his face slightly so she doesn't see him gulp. Although he still feels invigorated by her love confession, he can't really look at her face while saying this. "But only if you say it again" he reminds her.
For a moment Sachiko doesn't say anything, and Louis feels his resolution crumbling a little with each second that passes without her repeating the words. Maybe he should have said that he feels the same… but that would leave him vulnerable, when it's obvious she has just now come to terms with her feelings for him. He doesn't want to say anything unless she's completely sure herself.
However, the silence is painful, and he's just about to tell her to forget everything he said when she finally, finally, whispers, voice low and tremulous; "I… I'm in love with you…" and she fists her hands on her dress, her head falling forward and her hair covering her face again.
Louis nods, raising his hand, hoping she won't notice the way it shakes, and pulling her hair away to see just how red she has become. "Good girl" he compliments, placing the lock of hair behind her ear. "Now, tell me where…"
He can't finish the sentence because then, suddenly, Sachiko lurches forward and kisses him herself, on the mouth, taking him completely by surprise.
The kiss is soft, a little shaky, but incredibly sweet. It lasts just a few seconds before she separates, still avoiding his gaze.
"That… you said one part of my body but… I, I can't think of another place I would rather…"
"Shut up" Louis practically growls, and with that, he lounges at her.
Sachiko suddenly finds herself lying on the bottom of the boat, her head colliding with the hard wood, but the pain barely registers in her mind. Instead, she's staring wide-eyed at Louis, who is kissing her as if the world is about to end. The kiss is rough, hard, and passionate. The passion, in fact, is so overwhelming Sachiko actually takes a few seconds to comprehend the situation.
Everything had happened so fast… from finding Louis in this boat, to their talk about why he suddenly didn't want to leave anymore, to him, for some reason, accusing her of having sex with Shiro and getting angry at her because of it, to her confessing how she wasn't secure in their relationship anymore, to… to finally understanding what those strange feelings she always had when around her master actually meant…
And now he was kissing her. Kissing her and completely stealing her breath away.
Louis leans back, his breathing hard and shallow just like hers, and brings his mouth to her ear, making her shudder.
"Kiss me back" he orders in a whisper, low and enticing. Sachiko has never heard him sound like that. She smacks her mouth shut when his lips skim over the rim of her ear, leaving a trail of kisses down her neck before going back to her mouth. This time, she reciprocates without doubt.
He's just as rough as before, something that surprises Sachiko. In all of those fantasies and dreams that she would have of him kissing her –that she would fiercely deny to anyone she had, especially herself– she always imagined he would be soft and caring, taking his time with her. He looked like the type of person that would do everything carefully.
In contrast to that, he kisses her as if there's a fire urging his every move. It's different to the way Shiro kisses her, the slow and sensual rhythm she had grown used to, but it takes nothing for her to decide she much prefers this type of kiss. More so because of whom is doing it.
She wraps her arms around his back, tugging at his shirt, and one of her hands skirts its way towards his hair, caressing the soft locks with her now burning passion.
Louis sighs a little into the kiss. Sachiko's lips taste of wine. They're soft and pliable under his, and when she finally returns his kiss and embraces him, her hands on his scalp making him shudder, he feels like he wants more. He bites her lower lip, softly, feeling more than hearing the small noise deep in her throat. She opens her mouth and their tongues meet, and this time he's the one that shudders. The mere pleasure of just having her here, under him and only for him is so overwhelming, he fears the moment he comes up for air it will all dissipate.
Without thinking, because he really isn't anyway, his right hand travels to her thigh, touching her above the hem of her dress. He pulls it down a little until he can feel her skin, and then travels back up, this time under the fabric, but without going far. Sachiko gasps into their kiss, but he doesn't notice, and, with his other hand, he follows the curve of her waist until he's found the soft mound of her chest, which he caresses slowly.
Sachiko pulls away from his kiss. "L-Louis…?"
"Say it again" he orders, kissing her neck and finding a spot under her ear that makes her squirm. He sucks, gaining a moan from her, and then kisses her ear, biting the lobe playfully. "Say you're in love with me" he repeats, whispering close enough that another tremor wrecks through her body.
"I… I'm in love… ah!" she gasps as he squeezes her breast, and with a thumb kneads the nipple that had stiffened enough that it can be felt through the fabric of the dress. She writhes under him, trying to close her thighs but finding it impossible as he's between them. With his other hand he draws small circles on her skin, going higher and higher, causing Sachiko to moan helplessly.
This is too much, she thinks. Not even with Shiro… but then his mouth returns to hers and his tongue caresses hers, and she's completely lost, her mind going blank and her body taking over. Her hands fall from his hair and back towards his front, and slowly, she places them on his stomach, pulling at his shirt so she can feel the skin beneath.
The sweet moment, however, is abruptly interrupted when they hear someone clear their throat, loudly. They halt immediately, their capacity to think returning with a vengeance.
Louis is the first to pull away, his eyes quickly going to the source of the sound, and his face, previously flushed due to arousal, becomes pale when he sees not only his father and mother, but Eleonore, as well as a multitude of servants standing there, looking at them with expressions that range from shock to anger.
He hears a squeak, and he turns to look at Sachiko, who is furiously accommodating her dress that had ridden up quite a bit. Her face is red, and as she sits up, causing him to pull back further to give her space, she hugs herself with one arm, covering the breast that he had…
He gulps, glancing away, finding the sight of her too much as he adjusts himself, the previous minutes returning to him and making him almost feel like dying.
"Louis" his father speaks, catching his attention again. He looks at him with dread building in his chest. His face is completely serious, a frown deeply marking his features. At his side, his mother is pale, but it's Eleonore who looks the angriest of them all, her body trembling and her eyebrow twitching uncontrollably. "What is the meaning of this? Who is this woman?"
Before he can answer, Eleonore jumps forward, pointing an accusing finger at them.
"He's kissing with a commoner! And not any commoner, but his familiar! Father, you have to do something about this!" she demands, sounding really altered.
His father clicks his tongue, his serious face changing to one of disgust as he eyes Sachiko briefly. "A mistress is not something unusual, especially at your age when those wants are… stronger than normal" he shakes his head, sighing disappointedly. "But as a member of the La Vallière family, you should know better than to choose a simple harlot like this. We do have a certain pride, and something like this tarnishes our social image."
Hearing those words, Louis goes from fearful to angry pretty fast. Even if it's his father, he won't allow him to treat Sachiko like that. He stands up, ready to retort something, but Sachiko's faster. She jumps out of the boat and runs away, covering her face with her hands. Louis goes after her immediately, ignoring his father's calls or the surprised gasps from the servants.
When they are far away enough, she stops, hanging her head sadly. Louis puts a hand on her shoulder.
"Sachiko… what my father said, he didn't…" he tries to say, but she shakes her head, turning to him and drying her tears with the back of her hand.
"It's alright, I know what he meant" she sniffs. "You're from an important family. You can't be seen with someone like me. I mean" she laughs drily, "he even told you to find a wife, but instead he finds you with me… it must have been quite a shock…"
Watching her so sad was pulling at his heartstrings in a horribly painful way. He wants to comfort her, to hold her and assure her everything will be alright, but before he can even think of doing anything, they hear footsteps approaching.
Sachiko gasps, her sad expression changing to one of horror. "The carriage Cattleya prepared! I totally forgot!" she grabs his hand, turning and running, dragging him with her with desperation.
Louis doesn't have time to say anything, or to even think as he allows himself to be pulled towards the exit. They run like there's no tomorrow, bypassing the whole castle and going through the gardens to the front, but when they arrive, they find the gates closed.
"Damn it!" Sachiko curses. Louis also groans, his brow furrowing as he thinks about what to do to get out.
Then, the drawbridge suddenly falls, the wood making a loud sound and splintering a little when it crashes with the ground. Sachiko gapes, unable to understand what just happened, and it's not until Louis starts dragging her that she returns her gaze to him, confusion clear on her features.
"It's alchemy. Someone… Cattleya likely used it to turn the chains into sand" he explains as they pass, staring briefly at the proof of it scattered where metal chains used to be. Sachiko gasps in awe, but Louis just curses in his mind. His sister shouldn't be using magic so recklessly…
And yet she did. For him. Because she believes in him and that he has an important purpose to fulfill by going to Albion. With that, his doubts and second-thoughts completely vanish, and his resolution strengthens. He might never have the approval or recognition of his family… but if Cattleya is willing to believe in him, then he definitely won't look back.
Outside, there is a carriage waiting by the shadow of a tree. When they appear, the carriage draws closer, its shape becoming clearer. Much to Sachiko's shock, she realizes the carriage is actually on top of a dragon. In the coachman's seat there's Shiro, looking a bit nervous as he maneuvers next to them.
"There you are! What took you so long?" he asks, eyeing them strangely. Neither of them answer, instead jumping inside the carriage without a word.
"There's no time for that! Let's go now!" Louis urges. Confused, Shiro looks at him, but a glare from not only the boy, but Sachiko as well, makes him immediately go back to the reins. The carriage ascends just in time for them to see an assortment of servants running to the outer courtyard, desperately trying to catch up with them. When they're high enough they can't reach them, the master and familiar duo lean back, releasing sighs of relief.
"Great, we're finally leaving" Sachiko says, feeling her whole body go soft. She eyes Derflinger in a corner of the carriage, and grabs him just to make her heartbeat return to normal.
"Go faster" Louis tells Shiro, leaning forward. "It might take them some time to fetch another dragon, but my mother has a manticore as her familiar. She can still catch us if she hurries."
"I'm trying, but I've never ridden a dragon before… it's more difficult than controlling a horse" the older man admits reluctantly. Louis frowns, and before a fight can start, Sachiko quickly changes seats, sitting next to Shiro as she holds Derflinger.
"Let me do it, if I hold Derflinger I'd know how to" she explains. Shiro doesn't look convinced, but he gives the reins to her anyway. To his relief and astonishment, they actually start going faster, the carriage wobbling less under her more expert driving.
"Thanks. This was much more difficult than expected" Shiro laughs, receiving a small smile from Sachiko.
"If you never rode a dragon before, it ought to be. But I'm curious, why not a normal carriage?"
"Miss Cattleya said it would be faster…" he blushes a little. "I'm actually a little embarrassed, you know…"
"Ah, yeah, sorry for that" Sachiko says with an apologetic smile, knowing what he's talking about. Cattleya probably found Shiro bare-chested and a bit hangover too. She can only imagine how that must have felt for someone usually as professional as him.
"A little warning would have been nice."
"I couldn't, the situation was urgent, and I had to leave quickly to look for Louis" she explains shyly. At the mention of his name, Shiro glances back, his eyes meeting the boy's for only a second, before the two turn away at the same time, annoyed.
Louis gets over it fast though, as the memory of their kiss just a few minutes ago, as well as of Sachiko's confession, resurfaces in his mind. He leans back, smiling smugly to himself. In the end, she chose him, and so whatever happens with that servant is no longer his concern.
However, that did open the question of what happens now. He assumes Sachiko will break up with the servant, as even she had said that things were not great between them. With this new development, it's obvious the two can no longer be together… but then, what? Do they get together? As much as he would like that, the complications are still there. A relationship between people of different statuses is difficult at best. He had already seen what his family thinks of it, and he knows it will be a fight uphill if they ever decide to take it. On top of that, they're still master and familiar. They have to think carefully about what they want, and what risks they are willing to take.
As he's thinking that, he hears a small gasp coming from the front, followed by a surprised; "S-Sachiko, is that a hickey?"
He looks up in time to see Sachiko instinctively covering her neck with a hand, a blush spreading on her pale skin. He feels both embarrassment and pride when he sees that hand in the same spot where, only minutes before, he sucked and kissed her.
"T-That's…! I mean…!" again, Sachiko looks unsure and shy, glancing anywhere but at them. Shiro sighs.
"I'm so sorry… I can't remember a lot, but I should still have known better than to leave a mark…" the man apologizes. This makes Louis bristle.
He thinks he's the one that left her that hickey?! The nerve of…! He's about to open his mouth to correct him, as well as to gloat about the new developments, but before he can, Sachiko does it first, and what she says leaves him completely frozen.
"It's alright! I think the two of us were a little drunk… it will disappear on its own, so you don't have to worry!" she laughs nervously, her whole body turned away from him, her hair falling around her shoulders, covering her neck as well as her face.
Louis sees red.
"How interesting" he says, voice clipped and low. He sees Sachiko stiffen, her body shrinking as if she knows what's coming. At her side, Shiro glances at him in confusion.
"…what's interesting, Mr. Vallière?" he asks when he doesn't continue, although it looks like he doesn't care at all and is just doing it out of courtesy. Louis feels a malicious smile forming.
"The two of you… drinking and fooling around while at work… you know you didn't come here to have a good time, right?"
Shiro narrows his eyes. "We weren't told we were needed the next day."
"Is that an excuse? And where did you get the wine, anyway? I can't imagine you bought it somewhere on the way, as we didn't stop by any town that would sell it."
"I brought it from the academy, and I don't like what you're implicating" Shiro grits out. Sachiko is a bit surprised that he's lying, but then again, what is the other option? Telling the truth? The two of them would get in trouble.
Louis clicks his tongue, but before he can say anything else, Sachiko speaks up. "Now, now, Louis" she soothes, the grip she has on the reigns augmenting. "Shiro and I are really sorry that we were not up on time today, and that we drank and…"
"I'm not talking to you, familiar" he spits with such venom, it completely takes her aback, especially because of the use of that last word. She understands his anger though, but doesn't he realize that she needs to talk to Shiro in private first? Despite the fact she has just found out about her feelings for him, she's still dating the other man, and so, what they did on the boat is basically cheating on her part. This is not something that can be handled lightly.
Hearing him talking to her like that, Shiro turns around, not bothering in hiding his glare. "Don't use that tone with her. Just because she's your familiar it doesn't mean…"
"And just because she's your girlfriend" he says it mockingly, sourly, "doesn't mean you can interfere with a conversation between master and familiar, especially when the master is dispensing discipline."
"She already said she was sorry. And so am I! What else do you want?"
"What about not doing l-lewd things in other people's houses? And don't you dare speak to me like that, servant! Know your place!"
"Shiro, Louis, please…!" Sachiko tries, but it's too late.
"Why shouldn't I? Kids should be talked to like kids! You're making a big deal out of nothing!"
"Who are you calling a kid?!"
"The noble brat that has never had a relationship before, yet wants to constantly meddle in his familiar's! Why can't you just leave us alone?"
"Never had a-! Don't talk about me as if you know me!"
"And don't talk about me as if you have any authority over me!"
"Quite a pair, no?" Derflinger says as the fight continues to escalate. Sachiko closes her eyes, unable to decide what to do.
"And just so you know" Louis says, voice haughty and full of disdain, "that hickey you gave her…"
Sachiko screams. The two men are shaken by this, looking at her as if she's gone crazy. She turns around and looks Louis dead in the eye, hoping beyond hope to convey what she actually wants to say without saying it. "Louis! Please, let's… let's talk about that later, ok? I'm sorry about our behavior and about the hickey, but this isn't the moment. We're still too close to your house, and… and there's no reason to bring it up anyway! If you want to p-punish me… then do so when we're no longer running away!"
The boy frowns, staring at her hard, while Shiro opens his mouth to tell her she doesn't need to apologize or receive a punishment for something that's completely natural with a couple, but before he can do so, Louis scoffs, crossing his arms and looking away.
"Whatever, I don't even care about what two commoners do in their i-intimacy…" he grits his teeth, feeling a vein throbbing at just the mention of the word when in reference to Sachiko and that servant.
Shiro laughs drily. "Of course, so uninterested you are…" he mentions ironically. Louis' eyes snap towards him, and with that, a new round of verbal fighting starts between the two.
Sachiko can only sag in relief that, for the time being, there's no danger of Louis telling Shiro anything about their kiss. She'll have time later to figure out what to do and how to feel about what happened between them, but in the meantime, the most important thing is escaping.
Hours pass like this, with the fight between Shiro and Louis continuing, much to Sachiko's chagrin and Derflinger's amusement.
A/N: This is an answer to my guest reviewer: I won't lie, I'm more interested in the love polygon hahaha, but I'm also interested in the matter of the succession, which is the reason I created the whole Cattleya wanting to be a mother subplot, as well as why I'm mentioning it in more detail here in this chapter. In this story, the La Vallière has some hope, because of Louis being male and so his children can continue the line more directly than Eleonore's would, but this doesn't mean that in the original story their house would cease existing.
We have two options, depending on if you take the anime vs. the novel endings as the one you want. In the anime, Louise's children with Saito could still inherit the title of duke. If they have at least two sons, one could inherit Saito's title while the other could become duke. In the novel's ending, as there's probably no hope for Louise and Saito to return to Halkeginia once the void stops existing, La Vallière are likely truly fucked, unless Eleonore can keep an engagement and marriage long enough to produce children, or Cattleya takes the route I depicted here. Otherwise, as their house seems to be one very important, the royal family could search for the closest relative to inherit the title if none of the daughters have issue (or, in Louise's case, she's trapped forever in our world).
That's what I have to say about this subject for now, but I do want to return to it at some point, so you're not alone in your curiosity.
