Intent on attending tomorrow's Familiar Exhibition, Princess Henrietta arrives at Tristain Academy with her royal host.
Princess Henrietta
It is the dead of night. The world's two moons sit high in the sky, basking Academy grounds in their pale glows.
Princess Henrietta de Tristain's carriage rolls through the Academy's frontmost gate.
The young lady's heart flutters with excitement as her driver pulls to a stop.
"We are here, milady," the Lady's royal attendant informs her.
Henrietta exhales gently, raising a hand to her chest.
"That is good..." she replies as the carriage comes to its final stop.
The night is calm and the winds are low, lending her carriage and attendants an environment far easier to work in.
Henrietta awaits patiently while the footman opens up her door. She steps down the step, careful as she places one foot on the dirt and follows with the other.
She hears the crunching of grass.
The clangour of her guards as their swords are drawn from their scabbards.
But these things don't matter... because in the silence before them, her ears catch the sounds of a trumpet as the trumpeter of the Academy announces her presence.
"Louise..." Henrietta muses as she observes the air. "I do hope you are well..."
Standing beside her as is right and correct, Henrietta's attendant bows her head.
"I sent a messanger ahead and requested a bedchamber be prepared for you prior to your arrival, my lady," the far older woman dressed in elegant royal purple robes informs her. "It is in the central tower, I'm told. We should go there after visiting Old Osmond's office and extending our formal greetings"
"I shall go there glady, it is rather cold," Henrietta replies, hugging her arms around herself for warmth.
A second royal aid steps up behind the Princess and drapes a fine velveteen cloak around her shoulders.
"Here you are, milady," the woman, adorning rainments of the royal household and sporting wavy blonde hair, says.
"Thank you, I am most grateful," Henrietta replies with a gracious smile.
She then turns her gaze back toward her main attendant.
"What of the other matter I spoke with you about, Miranda?"
"Oh!" the attendant stops to bow once more. "Yes! Your ladyship, the letter..."
Henrietta turns on the spot. "Indeed!"
The older woman looks at her and nods politely.
The Royal Guard keeps to her heels, their swords sheathed but at the ready should some unexpected event occur. Henrietta pays them little heed.
"As I said..." Henrietta affixes her gaze on her attendant. "I desired its sending to Lord Wales before our departure. Did you find the time to do so, Miranda?"
Miranda drops to her knee, looking down to her ground. "Of course, my lady. It is in the capable hands of a courier."
"Wonderful. I needn't fret then."
Henrietta spins on a heel, facing the darkness to her fore.
She raises an arm to it, trying to make out a little of its detail despite the cover of darkness and the few flickering braziers illuminating her path.
"Let us not waste our time!" she tells the older woman beside her. "The stewards packed the lanterns... yes?"
Her attendant takes a moment to confirm.
Henrietta hears a tiny series of sounds and a small spark. She squints and realizes that the woman is indeed lighting a lantern.
"Here it is," Henrietta's lady in waiting declares. "Now, let us be on our way, Highness, please. It will do you no good staying out in the cold at this late hour."
"Yes," Henrietta grunts.
She puts her mind to her feet instead.
The Royal Guards take the vanguard of the procession. Henrietta walks at the centre, and a quartet of maids take the rearguard. The procession winds its way from the stables and under the wrought-iron gate.
"It seems quite the night," the girl murmurs as she takes in the air.
A chill blows in from the northwest, filling the sky with nary a single star. The atmosphere smells fresh and somewhat of the wild.
And soon, she walks a small stone road.
The Academy, something of a second home before taking on royal duties, comes to fill her vision.
Miranda pauses her charge before they reach the threshold.
"Now, Milady Henrietta... before we continue, I would ask you hear me out for a moment," the matronly figure warns her, "there are matters of etiquette and decorum with which I would fill you... as I said before we left the palace."
"Uh huh." Henrietta takes the tip and frowns."Well, do speak your mind, then."
Miranda bows her head respectfully.
"As ever, My Princess, I refer to your disposition toward sneaking out unattended in the night. Her Majesty's orders in this case are quite strict..."
Miranda sighs and purses her lips together.
"Please... refrain from walking the grounds without an escort while you are here at the Academy, milady. This applies particularly to those periods during which you visit individuals under cover of night."
The girl drops her jaw, pursing her lips back in a mirror of her guardian's.
Miranda flashes the girl a droll glare.
"...Henrietta," she continues.
Miranda's voice drops to a firm but not quite unkind tone.
"You are an adult, yes, and a future queen," she nods. "Your recent birthday has given you that. And in that regard, you have greater freedom to do and act as you desire in certain manners... But you must also come to accept certain responsibilities."
The princess pouts.
Miranda hardens her gaze, however.
"Anything you do whilst here is a reflection of your mother, Highness. You would do well to remember that."
She lowers her head yet once more.
"...My princess," she concludes.
Henrietta lifts her eyebrows, widening her eyes.
After the slightest moment of silent surprise, her chest heaves into a sigh.
Henrietta smiles down her guardian's way. "...Right. Miranda." She gives a respectful nod. "I shall take your words to heart."
The royal girl lowers her arms. "Shall we then proceed?"
Miranda, in kind, bows her head once again. "At your leisure, Your Highness."
"Very well, then." Henrietta lurches forward. "Onwards we go."
Miranda walks beside her charge. "As ever, I am at your side, Princess."
"Mhm," Henrietta murmurs, making way inside the Academy.
She furrows her brow as the pair proceed from the open entrance and into the building proper.
I turn over in Louise's bed and pull the covers closer to my body.
Thank God Princess brought out the thick quilts. It's freezing tonight!
The fire died not long ago and I'm far too lazy to fix the problem. My ears pick up on a few faint whines of laughter from outside in the hall, but that is about as far as it goes.
Sprawled behind me, Louise lets out a tired whine.
"You fidget too much," she scoffs at me, looping an arm around my middle and pressing her gown-clad chest to my back. "...And after I was generous enough to share my bed, too, idiot..."
"Sorry, sorry..." I murmur, finding myself with a slight headache and feeling awfully tired.
"Just go to sleep already, Michael," my mistress orders.
My only answer is an empty silence.
My heart flutters in my chest, though, when I feel the young woman's fingers trawl through the back of my hair.
An icy breeze blows in through gaps in the closed window and I look over my shoulder at its open maw.
"...Ah," I murmur, realizing that the stars outside are shining as bright as ever. "Bloody chilly, even under the covers."
Louise scoffs against the nape of my neck. "And I wish you'd stop staring outside." She taps a nail on the back of my skull. "Doing so won't change how cold it is."
The bed beneath me sways as Louise throws a leg overtop of my lower back. I blush a bit as I feel the folds of her dress trail over my body.
Thankfully, if somewhat strangely compared to the usual, she's wearing panties underneath her nightgown while we share the bed.
"What am I to you tonight, Louise, a damned hot water bottle?" I mumble, secretly enjoying her warmth on this freezing cold evening.
"Something like that, yes," Louise confirms, her voice sounding just a bit haughty as always.
"At least you're being honest," I mutter, relaxing into her embrace and closing my eyes. "I guess I'll live with it, since it's so cold and all."
"You will, yes," Louise replies, her arm tightening around me somewhat... protectively, I'd like to say. "Because, as my familiar, I expect you to keep me warm."
I let out a little breath of laughter.
"Whatever you say, Louise. Whatever you say," I sigh, feeling a little bit tired and more than a little sleepy.
Louise makes a contented sound.
I smile, feeling pretty calm about the closeness we share right now.
"Goodnight, Michael," she tells me, her voice soft and a bit heavy sounding.
I smile a little wider.
"...Goodnight to you too," I reply, letting my hefty eyes close.
Seconds pass and my body becomes heavier and heavier.
My senses fading, I focus on nothing but Louise's beating heart against my back.
"Hey, Michael," Louise says to me.
I lift my brows, though, and let out a sigh.
"Hm?" I grunt.
Louise makes another one of those contented noises.
"Thanks for keeping me warm," she says.
I let out a little breath of amusement, though it's more a quiet and sleepy chuckle than anything.
"Yeah, well... thanks for sharing your bed, I guess," I answer, my voice soft.
"Heh."
My mistress snorts.
"Idiot," she mumbles, cuddling me closer.
And, in that instant, a peaceful darkness falls over-
A hand raps against the door, interrupting the stillness of the air.
"Huh?!" Louise's grip tightens on my shoulder.
I blink, a bit startled, and raise a hand to my brow.
"W-who's there?" the pinkette asks from her place in the bed.
Not a word in reply comes.
Louise, clearly annoyed by having her sleep ruined, lets out a groan.
"I said who's there?" she shouts at the door.
This time, a voice does come.
"Louise, it's me."
I blink, surprised by the feminine sound. A voice I've never heard before.
"Wh-... What?!" Louise asks, sitting up. "Henrietta...?"
I raise a brow, confused.
"Um, who?" I ask, my voice hoarse. "That's the princess, right? Your friend."
My eyes widen a touch.
Why would a princess be walking the halls at night, and unguarded, too?
Louise shakes her head, ignoring me. She then gets out of bed and totters over to the door on two heavy, wobbly legs.
I turn over in bed and watch as the petite girl pulls open the door.
A hooded individual with a somewhat feminine figure stands in the open doorway. Their cloak is a deep crimson, almost scarlet in nature.
"Louise..." the young woman says with a gentle smile on her face.
My mistress welcomes the girl inside, shuts the door, and steps back a few paces. She wears a pretty noticeable look of surprise across her face.
The hooded girl's voice takes on a slightly shy note.
"Uh, it has certainly been a while. How have you been?"
Louise blinks a couple of times, and then rubs the backs of her hands against her eyes. "F-fine. Yes."
The young woman, seemingly satisfied with Louise's response, brings down her hood and then casts aside her cloak onto a chair beside the door.
I nearly do a double-take when I see what lays beneath.
The girl who stands at the centre of the room is a peerlessly beautiful, willowy teenage girl dressed in a simple white nightgown with animal fur slippers. Her short and glossy purple hair frames her face, complementing the faint smile on her lips. The girl's pale, immaculately soft and smooth skin shines gently.
Damn! What is it with so many of the girls in Tristain being absolutely gorgeous?
When watched 18th century period dramas with Anna - both the French and British ones, I saw plenty of crooked teeth, poor hygiene, and hard living in crowded urban slums! But I'm not seeing a single flaw as far as this 'Henrietta' girl goes.
Louise notices my open-mouthed gawking and blushes a furious red.
"W-What are you doing?!" she demands of me, storming toward the bed where I am currently resting.
I raise my hands in surrender.
"Nothing, Louise... It's all good," I reassure the pinkette with an awkward smile.
Growling at me, Louise returns her gaze to Henrietta, and bows her head.
"Your highness..."
The beautiful girl standing at the centre of Louise's room lets out a polite and refined giggle.
"Now, now, Louise... you needn't be so formal," she reminds my mistress with a warm grin.
Louise sighs in seeming embarrassment and gestures down toward me.
"Let me first introduce to you my new familiar, Your Highness."
I realize she's motioning towards me. So, I get out from under the bed sheets, bring an arm around my waist, and bow.
"Pleased to meet you, Your Highness. Michael DeSilva."
Henrietta steps forward a pace or two, observing my features in what appears to be a mix of surprise and shock. "You're actually... a little older than I had initially heard."
I crank a brow upward, legitimately surprised.
"You've heard about me already...?" I wonder, bowing again, still holding the pose.
Henrietta closes the gap between us. Clutching a palm to her bust, she nods.
"I have yes," she answers. "Word of your duel against Count Mott reached the royal court not yesterday, just before my departure."
"Y-Your Highness..." I manage to utter, a bit astonished.
Note to self, word around these parts travels surprisingly fast. Well, considering they don't have social media or email.
Henrietta steps forward another two paces, smiling in curiosity.
"Do you happen to hail from Albion?"
Best I be straight with her as far as my origins go.
I shake my head.
"As it so happens-"
"He doesn't, Your Highness," Louise interjects, cutting me off. "...I summoned him from a faraway place. A land without magic or any kinds of magical creatures."
"So, you are born of another world and can still conjure magic...? Interesting," the young princess replies, putting the back of her hand to her chin and pursing her lips.
Being put on parade like this has me feeling hot under the collar."
Laughing nervously, I break the bow I'm holding and scratch the back of my neck.
"I hope I didn't upset the court somehow," I tell the princess. "I mean, all I did was stand up for Siesta. Mott ordering her to act as his household servant... Well, it just didn't sit right with me."
Henrietta simply smiles and shakes her head.
"Worry not, you were quite within your right to challenge him as far as I am concerned," she informs me, letting her arms hang idly at her side. "Mott is well known for overstepping his station, and his doing so whilst in service to the crown does not right with me."
"A-... Thank you," I reply with a courteous bow.
"With all due respect, Henrietta, why have you troubled yourself coming here at this hour?" asks Louise with a hint of concern to her voice. "And especially when it is so terribly cold outside, tonight."
Henrietta's smile deepens and the girl turns to face the pinkette.
"Do not fret," she informs Louise, crossing her arms. "My intentions are nothing if not purely honourable. In truth, Louise, I simply wanted to see you again. And, I wanted to meet this familiar of yours, also."
Louise's expression lights up when she hears the first half of Henrietta's explanation. When the latter comes up, her expression twists itself something slightly grumpy.
"You aren't missing much as far as my familiar's concerned, Princess," Louise mumbles, folding her arms and huffing. "Really, he's a fool."
"Wow, thanks," I mutter a little too loudly and absolutely on purpose, frowning.
Henrietta, though, just raises a hand to her mouth and chuckles.
"You are the same as ever, Louise," she laughs. "Still finding it difficult to make friends with anyone another than myself."
Louise blushes furiously at the royal's comment. "P-Princess... That's mean...!" she whines. "You aren't supposed to say stuff like that."
"But I find it refreshing to be able to speak my mind like this," Henrietta responds with a warm look at Louise and me. "In a way that I cannot around most."
The Princess turns to regard me with a delicate expression.
"Do take care of her for me, Mister Familiar. I know she can be... somewhat of a handful, sometimes."
I can't help but chuckle at what she said there.
"Hey, I'm doing my best, Highness, I swear,"
"Of course you are. Your duel against the Count proves that my Louise is in good hands," Henrietta asserts.
Then, with an audible clap, Henrietta turns on a heel.
The girl motions with an open hand, pointing.
"I ought to leave now. If I'm out and about much longer than Miranda will no doubt notice."
"Miranda...?" I ask, raising a brow.
Louise nudges a hand at Henrietta.
"She has a very... stern attendant," the dainty mage explains. "The woman is older than dirt."
The princess, though, winces and looks back our way.
"That isn't kind, Louise," she says with a soft frown. "While... difficult at times, Miranda does have my best interests at heart. Even if she shows it in a rather strict manner."
I watch Louise approach Henrietta, a wry smile appearing on my mistress's lips.
"It's a relief to hear you haven't changed at all since we last talked, Henrietta," Louise comments, a hint of relief colouring her tone.
Henrietta, though, pushes up the bridge of her nose and flicks back her long purple hair.
"...I have my burdens as the future Queen," she tells Louise. "But thankfully I am able to leave those behind while in your company, as ever."
"I-It's my pleasure, Henrietta," Louise tells the other young woman with a shy little smile.
Henrietta reaches out, clasping her arms around Louise.
"It is my pleasure also, Louise." the Princess's eyes wander over to me, a smirk lining her lips. "Mr. DeSilva, please take good care of my Louise for me, alright?"
"You have my word," I promise Henrietta, bringing an arm to my heart.
"Hmm," Henrietta giggles, hugging Louise's shoulders a little bit tighter.
I give a sharp and military-style salute, throwing the princess a bit of a playful wink to go with it. "That is... unless she keeps yelling at me. Then I might just excuse myself from her service."
Louise squawks. "You jerk!"
I just grin.
"You'd best return to your room now, Princess. I wouldn't want Miranda to catch you sneaking about and report it back to your mother," Louise whispers to her friend.
"Y-Yes. You are right, Louise," the royal girl replies, giving Louise a tight squeeze and then pulling away. "I'll not tarry any further. Especially when I am sure you would rather be warm in bed."
Henrietta walks over to where her cloak is, draped across a chair beside the door. She then pulls it over her shoulders and fixes the garment.
"Farewell, Louise." Henrietta says, turning her back and facing the door. "Until next we meet."
"Till we meet again, Princess," Louise bids Henrietta farewell.
Henrietta throws open the door, and, casting a quick glance behind herself, walks out into the hall.
"Goodnight, Your Highness," I say with a final bow.
Henrietta simply nods. She then lifts her hood over her head and rushes off. Louise shuts the door after her.
"And, with that, it's back to bed for us, Master," I comment with a wry smirk.
Turning back around, Louise's jaw drops and she glares daggers my way.
"Oh, I'll show you back to bed alright..." my mistress growls, stomping her way across the floorboards and taking a firm hold of my ear.
"Ah, ow!"
"Idiot..." Louise snaps at me, dragging me to the bed and shoving me down onto it.
I let out a groan, my back landing on the mattress and my head hitting the pillow.
"Ugh," Louise mutters.
I turn over, looking at the pinkette in the dim bedside candle.
Louise has a very disgruntled expression on her face.
"Go to sleep and don't say a word, otherwise it's back on the floor with you," she commands of me in a low, sharp tone.
I raise my hands.
"Alright, alright. You've got it."
"Hmph!"
Louise crawls in beside me, and the bed sways as she lies down.
"Don't fidget, and stay on your side," she demands.
I roll my eyes.
"Yeah, yeah..." I grumble, shifting onto my left side.
"You'd better..."
The girl sighs after a short time.
"And, if keep your mouth shut, I might just let you hold me again. So, we are both warm," she adds.
I can't help but snort in amusement at her offer.
"I'll take what I can get, Louise," I chuckle.
Louise makes a huffing sound.
"Y-You'd better, idiot," she stutters.
I close my eyes and, after a little while, I hear Louise's breathing start to slow and calm.
Smiling to myself, I let out a relaxed sigh.
So, that's Princess Henrietta.
As far as royals go... she's actually pretty nice.
Well, from our brief chat, at least
But, for now, though...
Time for sleep.
Breathing outward, I try unplugging my thoughts.
"A-Actually, Michael, I was wondering something..."
Louise's voice sounds a bit timid.
I turn over, glancing at her.
"Hm?"
Louise blushes and bites her lip, hesitating.
"Remember how you warmed my bath with your hands the other day...?"
I raise my brows.
"You're going to make me draw you another bath, are you? It's freezing...!"
Louise huffs. "No, no, of course not," she tells me, looking embarrassed.
"What is it, then?" I wonder.
Louise fixes her eyes on mine, a nervous, but not unhappy, expression on her face.
"Do you think that you could do it to me? I-It's just that I'm awfully cold and-"
"Louise," I cut the pinkette off.
She jumps a little and lets out a breath.
"Yes?"
I can't help but chuckle.
Girl's being too damned precious right now.
"I can give it a shot, yep," I agree, smiling gently.
Louise's eyes brighten. "R-Really?"
I nod.
"Yep. I'm happy to lend a hand... or two, as it happens."
Louise's smile broadens. "Oh, thank you! I really appreciate it..."
"Yeah, yeah," I chuckle. "I try, I really do."
Louise rolls her eyes, but smiles, nonetheless.
"Whatever you say..."
"Is that another Jab I'm hearing?" I question, grinning.
Louise makes an innocent sounding noise and then, to my surprise, presses herself up against me.
She looks into my eyes and smiles.
"It might be."
I laugh.
"Well, just be careful. Pick on me too much and I'm not helping," I caution.
Louise scoffs, and then giggles.
"...Alright, I'll be good," she says, crossing her fingers in plain view.
Best I check how to best go about this with Louise. As close as me and her are becoming, the idea of touching her up still has me feeling pretty uncomfortable.
"Good girl. Now, how would you prefer I try this out?"
My mistress averts her eyes, blushing a lot.
"M-Maybe you could just link your fingers with mine and we could cuddle close again," the dainty mage suggests, sounding every-so-slightly unsure of herself.
My eyes widen a little.
Louise starts talking much faster than usual, I can hear the growing nervousness in her voice as she goes on.
"Or... or maybe you could just hug me from behind and put your hands against my back."
Louise looks at me expectantly, and I blink, honestly surprised.
"Well, which is it, Louise? You're the one in charge here," I answer, chuckling and feeling a little bit flattered.
"Um..."
Louise's eyes shift a touch as she tries to decide.
"The first option... I think."
"Right," I reply, extending a hand. "Give me yours, then, and I'll do the rest."
"O-Okay."
Louise takes a hold of my hand, and the bed shifts as she inches closer.
"There," I utter, linking my fingers through hers. Then, breathing in and out, I do my best to shift the flow of magic from the core of my body and into my hands. "How's that?"
"M-much better already," Louise murmurs, a relieved smile rising onto her face. "You're so warm, Michael."
"Well, I'm glad, because it's much easier living with you when you're in a good mood," I tease.
"H-hey!"
Louise punches me lightly in the chest with her free hand, and, to her chagrin, I laugh.
"I'm kidding," I reassure her. "You're fine as you are, Louise. Like I said earlier today, I wouldn't change you."
Louise blushes brightly.
"Y-you mean that?"
I nod.
"Every last word. Mostly..."
Louise rolls her eyes and leans forward. "Hmph!"
"Sorry."
"Whatever."
The girl lets out a sigh and then smiles, her eyelids growing heavy.
"You seem very comfortable with holding me like this," Louise remarks with a little yawn.
A smile thinly and exhale gently.
"Because, being honest with you, it's something I've missed," I explain.
Louise's eyes brighten and she gives me an... affectionate look.
"From your days in England with Anna, you mean?" she asks.
"Yes, exactly," I answer, nodding.
"Anna," Louise mumbles, looking away.
The young woman lets out a heavy breath.
"...I dislike your former love, even though she and I have never met," she mutters, squeezing my fingers.
Can't say I was expecting that.
My smile grows and I stifle a giggle.
"Why not?"
"She hurt you," Louise answers, meeting my gaze. "And, for that, I'd very much like to hit her."
"Ah, I see," I chuckle. "I appreciate the thought, but, don't worry. What's done is done. And, while she hurt me pretty badly, I'm feeling a little better now."
"Oh?"
Louise seems genuinely pleased by what I said.
"You are?"
"Of course," I confirm, nodding. "Tristain is... actually growing on me a little. I guess you could say I'm kind of excited to see beyond Lenore and the Academy," I explain. "To get to know the place."
"I'm very glad, Michael."
Louise leans her head into my chest, closing her eyes.
"And, as my familiar, I can't wait to see what adventures await you and I," she adds, squeezing my palm.
"Oh, yeah, certainly," I say with a smirk. "Given how eventful this last week's been, I'm sure it won't be long before the next big thing comes falling into our laps," I add, thinking about what might be next.
Probably a dragon or some high fantasy shit, knowing my luck.
Louise's lips curve into a sweet little smile.
"Your stubbornness has caused half of our troubles this past week," she teases, opening her eyes and meeting my gaze. "So, please do try and act a little more responsibly."
I can't help but snort and let out a small chuckle.
"Gotcha. I'll do my best."
Louise grins and nestles her face into the crook of my neck.
"Now, please go to sleep."
Laying my head down against the pillow, I close my eyes.
"Okay," I tell her. "Sweet dreams, Louise."
Louise smiles and snuggles a bit closer.
"You, too, Michael."
To be continued...
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