Month of Blue Sea Moon - Origins and Crests
Chapter 7
"Alright class, settle down." Hanneman coughed roughly as he turned to face the class from the lecture podium.
A lone paper ball flew lazily from the back of the class to towards the front and landed perfectly at the professor's feet. Hanneman's graying mustache twitched in annoyance as he sniffed stiffly. "I saw that. Miss Lilianna, a word with you after class if you please."
I shot a pointed look at the student who framed me as I ducked behind my books to avoid suspicion. The rest of the class turned to chuckle at my misfortune as I muttered. "Yes sir..."
The class settled down in the next few minutes. The side conversations between Hilda and Marianne behind me died down as Ignatz pulled out his sketch book and notes next to me. Claude was up at the front of the class, his feet up on the desk as he continued reading some book that had happened to catch his immediate interest. Raphael was across the way from me, the huge man snacking on a few sticky rolls that he had managed to obtain from the cooks on his way to his morning classes. Leonie grinned at me as she crumpled up another paper ball and rolled across the floor to rest at my feet. I subtly kicked it up toward Claude where it came to a rest just under his chair, not willing to be framed again for any more flying projectiles.
"As you all know, as our nation's next leaders you have responsibilities. This month is no exception. This month you will all be assigned to collaborate with the other houses, and together you will be assigned to patrol the Monastery grounds." There was a collective groan from the masses as Hanneman picked up a sheaf of papers off his desk. "I have your new routines here, and Professor Byleth, Manuela, and I have already collaborated and assigned you your partners for the week. Be aware that you may also be joined by the knights."
He passed the stack papers to Claude who picked out his name and passed them over his shoulder to Ignatz. His eyes skated over the assignment as he inquired as to the reasoning behind the change in schedules. "So, Professor, what's with us being confined to the monastery this fine summer month? Seems pretty serious if we are all just stuck on patrol duty."
"Very astute of you, Claude. As some of you may have heard from the Blue Lion's students, their assignment last month was to assist the Knights of Seiros in controlling a minor lord uprising in the Holy Kingdom. Professor Byleth and her students were successful in controlling the incident, however in doing so they discovered a very disturbing notice."
I came out from behind my book as Ignatz passed me the dwindling stack of papers, my concern for the situation increasing. "Does it have anything to do with the preparations for the festival going on this month?"
Hanneman brushed his mustache in thought. "We are uncertain at this point if it is connected to the Goddess's Rite of Rebirth. The contents of the letter were quite vague on any details. All we are aware of at this point is that someone is plotting an assassination attempt on Archbishop Rhea."
I felt a cold draft blow down my back. The icy chill of terror and foreboding settled deep in my stomach as I turned to pass Hilda the remaining stack of patrolling assignments.
"You are to continue your studies, but all other assignments are to be put on hold in light of this recent threat. Remember, do your best to be diligent and vigilant." Hanneman concluded with a final warning and the class continued on as the homeroom progressed to magic training. The unsettled feeling increased as I practiced my magic spells, a staggering headache building with every spell I cast.
Finally the last bell of the morning went off as professor Hanneman to called out a final reminder as we all packed up. "Do not forget your essay on chivalry and knighthood is due tomorrow!"
I packed my bag up, timing my escape carefully. I checked the group and headed out as a large number of students all drifted towards the doorway at the same time. I carefully slid out the door among the masses, hoping that Hanneman did not notice that I had skipped out on reporting to him after class.
I had other places I needed to be at the moment, answers that couldn't wait.
My shoulder brushed up between Ignatz and Marianne's before I managed to get in front of Raphael. The grinning blond was laughing at Hilda who apparently was trying to convince Ignatz to grab her and Marianne lunch so they could have a picnic. The towering blond must have caught sight of me throwing a quick look over my shoulder to make sure I wasn't being followed. "Say Lilianna, didn't the professor ask you to stay behind?"
"Hmmm." I hummed a short confirmation as I began looking over my schedule for the month and kept walking.
"This week I am scheduled to patrol with Felix out of the Blue Lions house, next week is someone in the Black Eagles…" I looked over the name twice trying to recall a face to put with the name but nothing came to mind.
I split from the group who was headed to lunch and made for the Study Hall. "Cereza?"
As I turned to enter into the Study Hall, the door suddenly sprang open in front of me. Unable to react to the sudden appearance of a heavy oaken slab flying towards me, the door slammed into me. I let the paper fall to the ground as I reached up to grab my nose. The world spun in a whirlwind of pain. I staggered back a few paces as stars filled my vision. Quickly, my eyes began watering in pain as the force of the impact finally registered in my pain receptors.
The person behind the door called out in an unfamiliar voice. "Oh! Are you to be calling my name?"
She must have possessed remarkably good hearing if she had heard me muttering about my assignments, I noted with a pained gasp as I tilted my head back. A black veil with expressive deep purple eyes slowly came into focus.
"Pardon me." I muttered thickly as I pinched the bridge of my nose. My eyes continued to water from impact and my hand grew slick with blood.
"Oh! Oh! Great Fire Spirit! I am most sorry!" The veiled beauty's accent and speech patterns became more pronounced as she started to fret.
I thought she sounded a lot like Petra, as I analyzed her, my spare hand fumbled for my pocket.
"S'its alright, my fault for not watching where I was going." I tried to reassure her as I located what I was looking for. Aptly I held my handkerchief to my nose and I got a good opportunity to study who had just run into me.
A very petite female with expressive purple eyes and a slightly lighter shade of purple hair leaned down and picked up my patrol assignment. Just the hint of her hair was visible, the edges peeking out playfully as they curled gently on her shoulders, flirting out from just under a heavy veil. The long black veil was embroidered with simple lace and a shiny red pendant in the center that immediately had me begging to ask her what religion she practiced.
Fighting the urge to waste time with conversation, I let my eyes wander downwards. She was wearing an official Officers Academy Uniform. In fact her outfit was almost a dead match for Petra's, the tight fitting dress was white on the top with long sleeves and a tight pencil thin body that turned to black at the waist. The one difference is that it appeared my inadvertent attacker had wound a cream colored wrap just under her bust line. The tail of the wrap drifted down to end a little after her dress.
I tilted my head to the side, my hand still firmly clamped over my nose to help stanch the bleeding. I was overly curious about the newcomer. I was pretty sure I would have remembered someone with such an exotic look and speech pattern, so I concluded she must be the new Black Eagle's recruit.
My inquisitive nature got the better of me, I decided to bait her into speaking with a small lie. "Ah Cereza I presume? I have been looking for you."
"What are you a meaning?" Her slow speech and the patterns were a dead ringer for the Bridged Princess, though she seemed less in control of the Fodlan language then the esteemed princess possessed from the better part of a year living here.
I felt a slow grin tugging at the corner of my lips as I felt a strange kind of kinship with the much shorter Black Eagle student who was looking up at me miserably. "I wished to acquaint myself with you, we will be patrol partners starting next Monday."
She was immediately caught off guard and she became distressed as she continued to stare up at me. "What is being a patrol partner meaning? I am here to be learning at the academy."
I risked looking down to point to her name on my schedule. "Maybe you haven't got your assignment yet. The professor's have scheduled for us to work together beginning next week. We are supposed to patrol the Monastery grounds for our class assignment for the month."
She stared at the paper and then looked up at me, still obviously confused. "Does this mean I must also be following you around?"
She handed the paper back to me as I sniffed thickly drawing the handkerchief away from my nose hoping the bleeding had stopped . "Follow me around? No-"
"Miss Lilianna! I believe I asked you-"
I shot a quick look over my shoulder and felt a shutter as I noticed I had been spotted. My adversary, Professor Hanneman, came briskly striding towards me with several pointed instruments held in his arms. I shot a quick wink at Cereza and dashed past her into the darker sanctuary of the study hall. "Gotta run!"
I vaulted over a bench and table that some students had moved into the middle of the room for a group chat and darted for the stairs as Hanneman pulled open the doors to the study hall.
"Miss Lilianna! This is most unnecessary, I asked for a moment of your time! Please listen!"
My professor's frantic calls reverberated up the staircase after me as I pushed myself up the stairs two at a time. I had other places I wanted to be, and professor Hanneman's labs were not anywhere near my list of desired places. I raced for the reception hall Rhea had welcomed me in, needing answers.
The sunlight filtered down into the room in a dazzling blue and green that made me feel like I was underwater again. I hastily stuffed my bloody handkerchief back down into my pocket as I drew a deep, steadying, breath. I vainly attempted to compose myself as I approached the archbishop and her advisor.
"We can't just let this happen during the The Goddess Rite of Rebirth. It would be…" Seteth stopped talking as Rhea's crowned head looked up to see who's footsteps were echoing around the chamber.
The archbishop's voice was cool and soothing as she inclined her head towards me. "Ah, welcome Lilianna. What is it I can do for you today?"
Seteth gave me a stern glare as he crossed his arms. The advisor's response to my approach was a lot less welcoming and a great deal colder. "What is it that you want?"
I bowed at the waist as I approached the archbishop. "Professor Hanneman just informed us about our mission for this next month. I was alarmed at the reasoning behind needing to take such measures, and rumor has it that Professor Byleth discovered an assassination notice." I let my eyes drift to the sparkling blue, green kaleidoscope scattered about on the marble floor.
I felt the cold sweat start to break out on the back of my neck as I blurted out. "Please your grace! Say it is not true!"
I glanced up as Rhea's face gave me the softest of smiles while Seteth's expression softened a bit. "Unfortunately it is true, that is why the Archbishop and I have instructed the professors to assign you students to patrol our parameters. Make sure you keep watch and report anything suspicious back to us."
I shook my head not wanting this to be true. "No, this can't be…"
With Rhea gone, everything I was building here was for naught. I would lose another home. Something akin to an unparalleled fear gripped my throat as my headache from class began make its appearance known in force. I tried to breathe as everything felt like it was closing in on me.
"Come this is no reason to be upset." Rhea started talking as her elegant frame swished over the floor toward me. "I trust Seteth and the rest of you to keep me safe. There is nothing to be concerned about."
I shook my head roughly as the world started to spin. For a second it looked like Rhea had sprouted wings and fangs and I took a step backwards. The headache peaked as I looked at Rhea, my nose starting to drip as my left eye felt like it was on fire.
"What ails you my child?" Her green eyes shimmered as Rhea held out a gentle hand to me.
The pounding just behind my eye grew worse as I looked at her. I noticed as I dug out my handkerchief once more, that this headache was linked to me practicing magic. It was beginning to cause quite a problem. Anytime I used magic, the pain started throbbing through my old injury and caused a major headache. As I went to hold my already bloody handkerchief to my nose I stumbled. My blood smeared hand reached for the archbishops as my knees hit the flawless marble floor. My world and vision spun as the world started to fade to green.
Out of my failing sight, I noticed the two adults moving forward with concern written all over their faces as I muttered. "I suddenly don't feel so great."
I struggled to remain on my knees as the tension and throbbing in my eye threatened to overtake me.
"Quickly we must get her to the infirmary." Rhea ordered sharply and she held my hand firmly in hers.
I was picked up as my world faded to a strangely illuminated green room once more.
"Back again so soon?" The green haired little girl down from her throne as I walked back up the green stairs with tight lips. Confused as to why I was here again, I stepped forward with determination.
"Who are you?" I inquired sharply as I reached the top of the staircase.
"Yes, that is a good question isn't it?" She got up from her throne, floating towards me as I crossed my arms definitely. "You feel familiar, yet I cannot place it. Who are you?"
I had already answered her once before, so I was certain her question was rhetorical. Nobles tended to enjoy questioning themselves when they did not understand something. Rather I stood in place and let her circle me as I glared back at her.
"Hmmm, it is of no use. We both share a similarity, and yet I cannot place you. Why is that?" She seemed more and more puzzled as she drifted around me. "Why is it I cannot remember, it is such a bother."
The throne disappeared as the girl's face drifted in front of mine. Her ghostly hands grabbed both sides of my face as her large green eyes seemed to peer into the depths of my soul.
"It is most particular." The hands on the side of my head felt real enough. "You are much like her, but I do not share the same connection. How it is your here?"
"I have no idea. Who are you? What is this place?"
She smiled at me. The terrifying and sadness in the smile was both beautiful and wretched as she let me go.
"Wait I still have...questions…" I murmured hazily as I woke up to stare at the stony ceiling above me. The hushed voices of Rhea and Seteth conversation drifted over to me from someplace nearby.
"You don't think she is another survivor do you?" Seteth hissed quietly as my eyes hazily focused on the archbishop standing on the edge of the privacy divider.
Lady Rhea's tall, slender, figure appeared on the edge of the divide to check on me. Her features held a soft soft fondness that was not reciprocated when she answered her advisors inquiry.. "Her blood will tell us soon enough. I have asked Hanneman to run his tests as we wait for her to wake up."
I failed to hide the soft groan that escaped from my lips and my eyes closed. Hushed footsteps made there way to my bedside as I rolled onto my side. I tensed as someone moved the hair away from my face with a cool hand.
Rhea's muted silky voice cooed softly to me she sat down on the edge of my cot. "I see you are awake for the time being. If you are able to remember, anything at all, would you please tell us more about yourself and your past?"
I felt feverish as her cold hands touched my forehead. The coolness caused me to flutter my eyelashes open briefly and I felt at peace. I whispered softly, unable to keep my eyes from fluttering back shut. "...Mom?"
Through the headache, and feverish dreams I attempted to force my eyes back open. Was it real? Or was it another dream? I couldn't tell as my eyes fluttered back open to reveal a different woman in front of me.
The green hair braided in pink ribbons was similar, so similar, but not quite right from the child in my dream. Her soft smile was nothing like the sarcastic smirk as she floated around me, but the green eyes that pierced my soul were the same. The ancient sadness in the deep green eyes tugged at my heartstrings.
The woman in front of me gave me a heartbreaking smile as she answered me softly. "I am sorry but I am not, but I would be delighted if you thought of me as family."
Rhea's voice cooed as I tried to fight off the cobwebs and the worsening headache.
"I don't remember...I don't remember anything. Nothing at all. There was a blinding white light, a lot of pain and then a peaceful darkness. I want to go back to that darkness..." I rambled deliriously as someone held a glass to my lips.
I drank greedily for a moment and began rambling at a slightly lower place, the feverish heat and pain drawing a deep sadness from my heart as I gasped softly. The tears started to drain down my face as a vision of how I woke up came to me. "I awoke from such a long sleep when someone started excavating the temple I was resting in."
I paused as I rolled restlessly, the pain in my head becoming unbearable. I clutched my pillow as the tears rached my body. "I took to calling the man who found me father. He-He took care of me, teaching me about the ruins I was slumbering in and encouraged me to search for others like it. We hoped to find out more about my past…"
The dreams overtook me. I faded back into the dusty blue temple of my dreams. The chipped blue temple arches crumbling under the test of time lead down into a dark path over the head of a hanging star, the moon, and the sun. The misty silver fog blanketed the stairways that lead back down into my room of eternal slumber.
Rhea's voice reached me as I began walking back down the stairs. The memory felt so real, and yet so long ago, and I couldn't tell if I was dreaming again or what was reality.
"This man you call father, who was he? Who are your real parents?"
I walked down into the darkness as I tried to answer her. "Von Atalanta...Sothas…"
I woke up some time later to find the archbishop had left my side. The massive headache I had endured, settled into a dull pain originating just behind my old injury. The dull aching pain came and went, dulling my senses as I began to sit up and look around.
My roaming eyes located the source of scratching. The divide had come down and I was able to spy Seteth was sitting at the table working through a large pile of paperwork. The dry scratching of the quill did not stop as he set another piece of paper on the increasingly large stack. "Ah, so you are finally awake then?"
I slowly sat up,pushing the blankets off my chest and running my fingers through my hair as I did so. "I wish I wasn't. Does that count?"
The advisor continued working, but his voice was less harsh than before."You fainted all of a sudden. It gave us quite the fright. How are you feeling now?"
"Besides one a dull roaring in my head, alright." I reported roughly as I cradled my head in my hands feeling a sharp twinge of pain in the process.
Seteth looked up from his paperwork. The crystal spectacles at the end of his nose as he turned his stern gaze to me. "Anywhere specific?"
"Behind my left eye." I went cross eyed for a second as I finally noticed something strange on the bridge of my nose. "Why is there a bandage on my nose and arm?"
"We did some testing while you were out and that required a bit of your blood. That is why you have that bandage on your arm. Your nose however, is a bit more of a mystery. Or it was until Miss Cerzea admitted that she had run into you just prior to our meeting. We assume that's why you fainted."
"Uh huh…" I touched my nose and winced as a sharp pain radiated from the offended area.
Guess the door had hit me harder then I thought as I sighed heavily.
Seteth's face turned down into the familiar disapproving frown as he watched me inspect my face. "I would advise against touching it. Your nose is not broken if that is what you're concerned about. However it is quite swollen. Perhaps that is why you have such a headache."
"I didn't think it was that serious." I muttered darkly as I threw my legs over the side of the bed. I softly palmed my left eye as I stood up.
"Do you think it is wise to be moving around so much after you so recently fell to the ground?" Seteth shook his head as he neatly shuffled his papers into a stack.
A list of things went through my head as the dull pain in my head made it hard to concentrate. I already assumed I wasn't going to be able to finish my homework, but I might still be able to make my patrol assignment. I muttered darkly to myself as I grabbed my boots. Roughly I started to tug them on. "I am due to start patrol this evening. I do not want to fail in my newly assigned duties."
That caused the advisor to pause. Seteth's quill paused over his papers and he let out a slow sigh. "I will take care of it for you. You should rest for the evening and recover."
Through gritted teeth I finished pulling my thigh high boots up and began lacing them. Even the small movements caused my head to throb. I force out the reason I refused to give up and rest. "I can work, this is nothing. With the archbishop at risk, it only makes sense to use us disposables to protect her."
"That is certainly one way to put it, but not how I would phase it. You should be more aware of your own value, you are certainly not disposable." Seteth informed me tartly as he capped his ink pot and began gathering his work together.
There was a soft sigh as Rhea's regal form filled the doorway. Her voice though calm clearly informed me that she was not happy. "As a member of this academy you are much like family to me. Please go and get your rest. We shall see how you feel in the morning."
I knew better than to argue with an archbishop and her advisor. Protests that I dared to use on just Seteth died on my lips as I bowed stiffly. "As you wish your grace."
Rhea gestured to the infirmary bed I had just crawled out of. "You may rest here for as long as you wish, I would be delighted to speak with you further."
I bowed again, my head still dull. I began to really wish I could get some of my ginger tea from my room. "My lady, I am honored greatly but I do not wish to take up a bed in the sickbay when others might have greater need than I."
My words were stiff and flat, completely devoid of emotion as I seriously wanted something for my headache. My mind wandered over to what might be in the medical cabinets to help me.
Rhea sniffled lightly, about as unrefined as I think she dared to be. "I understand and appreciate your concern, thank you. Cyril will escort you to your room to make sure you make it back safely."
The young teen I had seen my first day here poked his head around the corner of the doorway with a scowl. His messy black-brown hair curled as his red eyes locked on to me. "You can count on me Lady Rhea! I will make sure she makes it back to her room."
Lady Rhea continued to watch me, with what I could only describe as a look of concern as I staggered towards the door holding my head. "I appreciate you taking care of her Cyril, you have my sincerest gratitude."
Cyril wanted for me by the door. He gave a quick bow to Rhea and then promptly started marching off down the corridor. Once we were out of earshot the ruby eyed youth glared at me. "Why does lady Rhea like you and that new professor so much?"
Cyril's voice was curt, even a bit upset from the sound of it. I rubbed the bandage on my arm and kept pace with him. The exercise felt better than laying down. "I don't know."
Cyril apparently had already put some thought into this as he continued trotting down the stairs to the ground floor. "I think it's because of your hair. Are you by chance related to Lady Rhea?"
I followed the youth down the stairs, my fingers trailing wishfully over the stonework ."I don't remember who my parents really were. I was adopted by a Count some years back and have never found any trace about who my real parents might have been."
He seemed less than impressed with my answer as we entered the Study Hall. The tables had been pushed back into place and only a few clusters of students were working in small groups. I hid my face and looked at Cyril's heels as we exited out the side door Cereza had attacked me with earlier. "Huh. I thought because you have green hair like hers that you might be related. Guess not?"
"Probably not." I assured him as he led me down the steps towards the classrooms.
Cyril shrugged, apparently not caring if I wasn't related to her. I kept pace with him, as our boots clipped over the stonework. "What about your Cyril? What about your parents?"
I didn't think Cyril's scowl could get any darker, but he answered me stiffly. "My parents died back in Almyra."
Sensing I was trying my luck I pressed a little harder. "So if your Almyrain, how did you end up here in Fodlan?"
The ruby red eyes lit up with admiration. "Lady Rhea took me in. She gave me food, a place to sleep, and even gave me a job! She did that for a lot of orphans like me. She's amazing isn't she? She took you in too!"
His answer made me pause. I stopped following him abruptly, his answer and admiration clearly evident and I had to figure out how I felt.
Sure Lady Rhea had taken me in, but I wasn't working or providing anything of use to the archbishop. What was her purpose for taking me in really? Was it really just Byleth's recommendation? Or was it something more? The thought unsettled me, but I was grateful none-the-less for the opportunity, and it was conflicting.
Cyril noticed I had stopped walking and turned around to come recollect me. I turned my gaze up to admire the setting sun and waxing moon deep in thought until a menacing aura of someone about to murder me put fight-or-flight senses into overdrive.
Felix emerged from out of the blue lions classroom glowering at us with the aura of someone who just might murder me. The blue haired swordsman wasted no time in snapping at me. "You're late. I have been waiting."
Felix looked me up and down for a second. "You look like hell."
I ignored the swordsmen last comment as Cyril glared fiercely at the newcomer, his eyes radiating impatience at the delays. "Leave her alone. Lady Rhea asked me to escort her back to her room. She isn't going with you."
I grimaced at Cyril's downright hostile words and tried to smooth over the whole situation. "I apologize for causing you trouble Felix, but I am being told by Seteth that I must rest for the remainder of the evening."
The swordsmen looked unconvinced as I followed up scratching the side of my face nervously. "I am not really allowed to go on patrol tonight. In fact I need to report back to the sickbay in the morning."
Felix snorted and shrugged, his hostile brown eyes narrowing in on the bandage on my nose. "This better not interfere with my training."
I tried a smile, hoping it would help smooth things over. "Seteth said he would adjust things…"
Cyril grabbed my hand and started pulling me away from the conversation, towards the dorms. "Come on! I don't have time for this. I have to chop up firewood, then I need to go put hay out for the horses..."
I twisted as Cyril led me forcefully away. "Umm, excuse me Felix, I guess I am leaving now?"
I waved to the irate swordsmen who just stood there scowling at me while Cyril pulled me towards the dorms.
Not long after our confrontation with Felix, Cyril dropped me off at my room looking satisfied with himself.
"There, mission accomplished." He nodded as I got my keys out of my bag. "I thought he was going to rip your head off."
I opened the door to my room with a click of the lock. "Well he has been waiting for me for a while, I'd probably be upset about being kept waiting too. I just hope Seteth remembers to talk to him so he isn't so mad at me tomorrow."
Cyril stayed in the doorway as I headed into my room and dropped my back on the back ledge. "You're just doing what Lady Rhea asked of you, shouldn't that be enough for him?"
I shrugged as I lit one of the candles in my room. The soft yellow light lit the room as I pondered the thought. "Felix doesn't exactly know that."
I rested my hand on the side of my head in thought. "I wonder what I can do to make it up to him."
Cyril gave me another shrug as he turned to leave."Well I'm heading off now. Make sure to tell Lady Rhea that I escorted you and made sure you made it back to your room, alright?."
"Alright, thank you Cyril." I gave him a small wave as the Almyran youth trotted off.
I set my tea pot to boil and went to stand at the entrance of my room for a bit longer. I stared up at the pink and orange hues of the sunset over the monastery walls with a lot on my mind.
The next morning, after some tea,medicine, and a long rest I was feeling much better. Which was a good thing because Navan barged into my room at first light and ripped my warm cocoon of blankets off me with a yell. "Oi Lass! You better get moving!"
"No…" I grumbled as I pulled the blankets back over my head.
Navan wasn't having any of my protests. "Ach, if yer not at the training grounds in half a bell I'ma gona have words with ya lassy!"
My guardian stormed out of my room leaving the door wide open to the courtyard.
The open door prompted me to get out of bed more than any threat Navan could come up with. As I stumbled out of be, my body kindly reminded me that I had drank water yesterday, but I had not ate much of anything. I latched on to the door frame to steady myself as I shouted out into the courtyard. "Navan! Grab me something to eat!"
The echoing baritone scoffed at me."Wantin to see yer insides during trainin lass?"
I ruffled my hair and shouted back. "Unless you want me passing out you'll grab me something!"
Naven waved me off as one of the dorm windows on the upper story across from me opened with a grumble.
"Must you be so noisy first thing in the morning?" The snooty scalding voice snipped down at me as I caught sight of violet hair.
Unimpressed, I glared up at Lorenz in my nightwear to see him sipping his tea with a scowl.
Slowly I leaned on the door frame and grinning up at the noble. "Why good morning Lorenz, my apologies for disturbing your beauty sleep."
"It is no matter, I am already awake as you can see." The noble sniffed airily as I crossed my arms.
An evil thought forming in my head, I cracked a smile. "Well since you're already up, do you want to join me for training? The fresh air and the rush of training can be quite exhilarating in the dawn."
Lorenz continued sipping his tea, posh and composed as ever."I will have to politely decline your offer, I am quite busy at the moment as you can see."
I ran my fingers through my hair and yawned, pushing off the doorway to stretch. A slight feeling of disappointment crept into my voice as lord turned down my kind offer. "Well, don't say I didn't offer."
"Ach! Lassy what did yon do to yer neb now, ehh? Get it caught somewhere it shouldn't be?" Navan caught sight of me jogging in from my morning run and finally caught sight of my face. He paused in eating his breakfast pastry, and promptly started laughing.
"Fate happened…" I grumbled as I approached him, slinging my equipment onto the bench next to him and pulling out my steel training axe and hefted it over my shoulder. The too heavy weapon had become a staple in my training regiment, and I adjusted the weight as I reached out with one arm to grab the other breakfast pastry from Navan. "I already know, it looks bad."
"You should be taking more care." Petra's voice chimed in clearly from the doorway with the shy newcomer from yesterday. "I would like you all to be meeting Cereza. She is also coming from Bridget."
Petra moved to the side as Cereza bowed to the morning training chew. I paused in chewing as I inclined my head towards the pair in a show of respect. "It will be good to be training with you all."
I finished eating and began my morning warm ups, the familiar weight growing easier with each morning practice. I finished my warm up and approached my mentor who was busy overseeing a mock battle between Dedue and Dimitri. The large tank was taking the lordling's spear brutal attacks on his shield and Navan was roaring orders to the pair.
"Keep yer shield up! Brace yerself!" The old mercenary barked orders as he leaned on the railing.
Navan's haggard eyes drifted to me as I got into my own ring and waited for him to come down. I was about to yell up as Felix stepped into my arena.
I looked up at my mentor for guidance and he waved me off. "Yer can tussle Felix fer now. Yer could use the practice fighting other weapon types lass."
I pointed at my opponent with my axe, a smirk grabbing at the corners of my mouth. "That's fine, I was just thinking I should spar with you Felix."
The swordsmen was never one for words and he growled. "Ready your weapon I am tired of waiting."
I shrugged and took my stance as Felix requested. The swordsmen started smirking as he readied his own sword. "I won't go easy on you!"
Felix attacked with a speed I could barely think of countering with my heavy training weapon. In the nick of time, I managed to get my axe into place to counter him. The ring of metal on metal chimed out in the training hall as I followed up with a second swing. Felix grunted as he locked our weapons together, blocking my backwards swing. I felt a bead of sweat break out on my back as we struggled for dominance.
"Huh, I didn't figure you'd put up this much of a fight." The swordsmen gritted his teeth as he gained the upper hand. Realizing I was in a bad position, I switched my tactic up and swung my leg out at him, hoping to catch him unawares. The movement was a calculated risk, and the swordsman took the opportunity to slip his blade free of our lock as my boot connected with his upper thigh.
He pushed forward, caught off guard as we both were both caught off balance. I stumbled for footing as I felt Felix's iron sparring sword land a stinging blow on my dominant arm. The force was enough to cause my arm to go numb, but I kept hold of my weapon and yanked it backwards in an arcing crescent. The sudden recovery caused the victory hungry swordsmen to jump backwards as I slid backwards, my arm screaming in protest.
I didn't wait for an invitation, I hurried to brace myself for the next attack. As soon as Felix got both his feet braced he came back at me,his sword posed for victory.
Knowing I was now at a disadvantage in both speed and strength I started frantically looking for a way to win. The only think I could think of that might secure me a victory was magic. Leery of testing my luck with another headache so soon, but torn between wanting to win, I began casting.
The magic shimmered for a second as a gust of wind sprang up all around me. My hair fluttered in the breeze as I held out my hand and unleashed my spell. The swordsmen scowled fiercely as the incoming blade of wind but he braced himself as the green blade rushed towards him. I readied another spell just in case, and was in awe as my spell was negated by a stronger force.
"What do you think you are doing?!" The swordsmen's eyes were lethal as he shouted at Byleth, who now stood between us.
"That is dangerous." Her voice was flat and expressionless as she addressed me.
I snorted, still ready to continue my match. "Get out of my way! I was doing what I needed to to win!"
Felix growled and grabbed the charm on the front of the professor's uniform. "What the hell do you think you are doing interfering like that?!"
"Saving your skin." Byleth answered with a deadpan expression as she grabbed Felix's hand and slowly pushed him away. She readied her own sword a second later. "Care to try me?"
I stood there for a second, confused. My match had been canceled? I looked down at my hands. They were clenched tightly and the wind was still swirling around me in a frantic pattern. My stomach was twisting in knots from casting, and looking at Byleth was starting to give me an extreme feeling of vertigo.
"Easy lass, no need to try to kill im." Navan laid a hand on my shoulder. "Yer did well enough, the lads got speed in aces. He about had yer there."
The wind around me dissipated. "I know...and I hate losing."
"I know yer do, but that's not a reason to murder him in cold blood." Navan's rough voice did little to soothe me as I turned and threw my axe into the wooden training dummy in disgust.
I snorted as the axe embedded itself into the torso of the training dummy and shrugged off Navan's hand. "Ech, he watched a fair match. I don't see why I can't use all the tools at my disposal."
I walked over and attempted to pull my axe out. I struggled as Dimitri approached me with a spear in hand. "Are you ready to continue training with me?"
I looked back at Felix who seemed to be enjoying himself with his match with Byleth and then looked down at the stuck axe in my hands.
A low rumble of discontent and anger rolled through my chest as I growled. "Think you can give me a hand here first Dimitri?"
The smile on the prince's face glowed and he reached over and pulled the axe out with one arm. Something flickered in his cobalt blue eyes and I struggled to figure out what it was as he handed me a simple wooden training lance.
I just managed to slide into the mess hall with the last of the late risers for breakfast. All of us who participated in early morning training were laughing and joking with each other and I suddenly found myself wedged in line between a scowling Felix and the wide eyed Cereza.
The worried purple eyes made me slightly uncomfortable as I looked over the morning food selections. I averted my eyes as I heard her small voice inquire. "How is your nose feeling this day?"
She began digging around in her pockets for something as I shrugged.
"This?" I pointed to the tape over my nose. "It's to help with the swelling and bruising. Still no big deal, it's not like anything broken."
"But you must be having hurts. Here, taking this will help." She handed me a small clam shell from her bag. "It will be helping with the bruising."
She gestured to my nose as I questioned why she wanted me to put a seashell on my nose. I brought it a bit closer to my face and noticed it had a small clasp. Curious, I flicked it open to reveal a herbal salve of unknown origins.
"I am studying to be a shaman." She said a word in a different language and looked puzzled for a second as Felix promptly shoved a tray into my chest.
I grabbed the tray from the grumpy swordsmen."Thank you?"
"Eat." He ordered roughly as we moved down in line. I wasted no time in putting a variety of food on my plate, I was famished.
"What be this?" Cereza picked up a spoon and dipped it into the morning gritz. "It appears as mud. Why is mud be making for a breakfast offering?"
Her Fodlan clipped and it was clear she was struggling for words to describe her dismay. I looked over the rest of the breakfast menu as I set a clean plate on my tray and waited for Felix to move down. "Those are called gritz."
She stirred the pot and watched the food as it dripped off the spoon with unease. "What is a grit? Is that not that something one does?"
"Ground corn." I commented shortly, only kind of keeping an eye on her as I added a couple of eggs to my plate and then toast. "It goes well with a lot of things."
As an afterthought, I added on some more bacon, a few slices of ham, another couple more pieces of toast to my plate. Lastly I shoved a few more eggs onto my plate for good measure. To the side I added a small fruit to a second plate and a bowl of yogurt.
"Oh wow! Can you really be eating so much?" Cereza's much shorter frame followed me in line patiently. While she waited, she watched in astonishment as I loaded my plate ever higher.
I shook my head with a grin. "It's not all for me, come on I'll show you."
She looked around for Petra and found her talking to Hubert. With a shutter, she followed me over to the Golden Deer table where Raphael and Caspar were plowing through breakfast. Linhardt sat to the side watching them with the air of disgust, and looking more than a bit green while Hilda laughed and encouraged the pair.
Walking up to the edge of the table, I slid my spare plate between the pair with a wink. The boys stopped eating for a second as they stared at the huge plate of food I had just dropped off. "Here, boys this is for you. Finders keepers."
Caspar's hand bolted to the bacon as Raphael speared the ham and an egg with his fork.
"Wow Lilianna! That sure is nice of you!" Raphael boomed as he shoveled his winnings onto his plate.
Not missing a beat Caspar bolted the bacon. Still chewing the scrappy teen smiled."Ya totally, thanks for the extra's!"
Linhardt rolled his eyes as I sat down next to him. Cereza looked around once more, and then sighed. She sat down next to me quietly.
Linhardt drawling voice was tinted with color as he flicked his drowsy gaze to me. "Must you encourage them so? Watching them inhale food so quickly is making me queasy."
Cereza's eyes rivaled the plate in front of her as she watched the pair devour the food I put in front of them in seconds.
"Hey! It just means I am growing!" Caspar stopped chewing and swallowed. "I need to eat so my muscles get bigger."
I slowly bit into the apple as Cereza stared at the pair in amazement. "Be looking at how much you consume! How does one not have a stomach ache?"
That reminded me of the shell in my pocket. I chewed on my apple as I fished out the shell. I used my thumb to flick the shell open and looked down with interest at the pale green salve.
"What do you have there?" Linhardt leaned across the table to see as Hilda held her hand up to her nose.
"Ick, that smells terrible."
I offered the salve over to Linhardt for inspection as I carefully peeled off the tape on my nose.
"Oh my gosh Lilianna, your poor nose!" Hilda's tune changed at the drop of a hat. "First it's your eye, now it's your poor nose."
"Huh, that's interesting. A medical salve, with dockleaf and mint if I am not mistaken." The sleepy healer shrugged and returned the shell to me. "Since I suppose you have already been treated at the infirmary, this might be the next best thing. Give it a try and see what happens."
I dabbed a bit of Cereza's salve on the bruise while holding a napkin to my nose. The light touches had caused the wound to start bleeding and I sighed. It was going to be a long morning it seemed.
"Delightful" I muttered as I gave up on trying to eat and leaned my head backwards.
"Lean forward." Linhardt muttered as he started to doze at the table. "You'll drown yourself doing that."
Cereza nodded in agreement as I sighed and leaned forward.
"This grit has much strange texture." She commented as I felt someone tap me on the shoulder.
"Seteth sent me to fetch you. He says he wants to meet you in his office." Cyril's red eyes glared down at me in annoyance and I sighed, getting out of my seat reluctantly.
"I guess you guys can have the rest." I muttered thickly as I shoved the tray between the two males that were still eating. Caspar needed no second warning but Raphael looked a bit more reserved.
"Are you sure?" Raphael looked at me with sad eyes. "It's not good to skip meals."
"I ate a bit before training this morning, I'll be fine." I reassured him as Cyril escorted me to Seteth.
The teacups in front of me chimed as I tried to silently set my teacup back down on my saucer. "I wanted to talk to you today about some very particular discoveries that arose from your episode from last evening. Sugar?"
He held up the sugar cube and I shook my head. I was already on edge. "No, thank you."
"Help yourself to a treat if you're hungry, I heard you were training this morning and I called you away from your breakfast."
I hesitantly removed a sandwich from the small stack of them and added it to the side of my saucer feeling more and more concerned about whatever was going on. Seteth normally scowled at me, and gave me disapproving glares, so this was out of character and unexpected. It made me nervous. I stirred my tea hoping the bell would ring soon.
"As you may recall we took some of your blood and analyzed it. Can you guess what we discovered?" Seteth's face turned into a light scowl as I tapped the side of my tea cup with my spoon.
With a shrug I leaned an arm on the table and attempted to feint calmness. "I can give you an educated guess, but I am going to assume you are just going to tell me."
Seteth nodded as he took a sip of his own tea. The pungent air of the four-spice blend lingered in the air between us. "The crest you possess has never been seen before in this day and age. It also appears that you possess a major crest, making you a rarer anomaly still. Is there anything you can tell us about yourself?"
I stirred my tea glumly. It was not my idea of an ideal conversation.
Seteth pressed the conversation."The appearance of a major crest is a large discovery, one that I and Lady Rhea are greatly interested in."
"Is it that the crest has never been seen or just a major version of it?" I tried to buy time, figuring out what Seteth's angle was and why he was interested in my crest.
Seteth stroked his chin softly in thought. "Well, no, to be truthful there are no cases tied to this particular crest. It has never been reported anywhere in all of Fodlan."
I picked up my tea and sipped on it. Neither working to deny or accept Seteth's explanation.
"Come now, you must have something to say for yourself." Seteth crossed his arms as I picked up the sandwich and started to eat it idly. "How about we start with your age, how old are you?"
I did some rapid calculations, thinking about when I woke up in the tombs. "About the same age as the others, maybe a little older."
Seteth caught my hesitation. "You don't know for sure?"
I took another bite from my sandwich and did not meet the advisor's eyes.
Seteth sighed and took another sip of his tea. When he set it down he had another question ready. "Alright let's try again, who are your parents?"
I started looking for the exit. My eyes flicked to the window and then to the doorway, weighing my odds ."You asked this last night, was my answer not satisfactory?"
"So you do recall us asking you that question. However, you might recall your answer made no sense at the time. You invoked the goddess's name and then a minor lord of a house who has been dissolved for the past 15 years. It was documented in the church's archives that that particular noble's house did not possess any crests, nor have any living descendants."
"I still called him father." I muttered refusing to make eye contact. I was feeling super uncomfortable now given the current turn of conversation, staring at the edge of my teacup as the advisor let out a long sigh.
I went to take another sandwich as Seteth's hand reached out and grabbed mine.
"We want to help you. Whatever it is you're looking for or doing, Lady Rhea and myself would like to help you in whatever way we can."
The sudden change is Seteth's attitude unsettled me greatly. The stern and distrustful advisor was suddenly concerned for my well being?
I shifted restlessly, unnerved now and on edge. The building tension snapped as I glared at the advisor in defiance and suspicion. My voice was ice cold as I shifted my gaze from Seteth's green eyes to the hand holding my wrist. "Isn't that a little rash, advisor? To offer help to such an unknown entity so easily?"
I jerked my hand back from his as the bell rang. "I need to get to class. Thank you for the tea."
"My...pleasure." I heard him sigh as I darted out the doors of his office and down towards my homeroom class.
"Oi! Lilianna! Time for lunch!". A hand settled on my shoulder and gave me a light shake to wake me up.
I groaned and peeked my eyes up from the cradle of my arms. "Go away Raphael, I'm napping."
"Come on, it's time for lunch! I know you skipped breakfast so let's eat together! We can grab a bite Ignatz!"
The large man's jovial attitude caused me to groan as I picked my head up fully to glare at him. "Oh hey, check that out, you're all purple now."
I picked my head up for the first time since sitting down for class. With the bandage removed the swelling on my nose had spread and got worse. As I yawned the pain tingled through my face. From the edge of my nose I could make out the painfully swollen purple and blue bruises. "Hmm, purple? Oh, A door attacked me last night. It was a vicious fight, I think I lost."
The blond's brown eyes radiated concern and confusion as he rubbed the back of his head. "I don't quite get what you mean, but it looks like it's broken."
I ruffled my hair as I pulled out the shell of salve. I hesitated for a moment and then removed my gloves to apply it gently to my nose. "It's not, I've been to the infirmary for it. They did what they could and told me it would fix itself in a few days if I was careful."
"So, you'll be alright in a few days?" Raphael picked up his bag and I swore I heard the clink of rocks.
"Are you carrying around a bag of rocks Raphael?" I peered up at him with suspicion as he grinned good naturedly down at me.
"Yup I sure am! Its great for building strength! You should try it sometime!"
I nodded slowly with one of my eyebrows raised in question. "Uh huh, so ya I'm not quite cleared for duty yet, but it's not anything to worry about. I am supposed to report in to the infirmary after classes just to make sure I can go on patrol."
Raphael pulled out a rock to prove to me he was carrying a giant bag of them around and I just shook my head as a cheerfully inquiring voice chimed in. "Soooo Lilianna how was your nap?"
I averted my gaze from the rocks in front of me to see Hilda leaning back on her chair to look at us. She carefully capped her nail pain as she started drying her fingernails."Oh my gosh! That looks so painful! This morning it looked bad, but now it looks like it's even worse!"
I ruffled the back of my hair again and tried to grin it off. This was gathering a lot more attention then I really wanted. "I swear it's not anything to worry about, I promise."
"You really should take more care of yourself! You have such a pretty complexion…" Hilda complimented me and then stopped as an idea sparked in her eyes. "Oh I wonder what you would look like with makeup on! We should try it sometime!"
My eyes widened as she leaned towards me. "You would look so cute with your hair pulled back and a little blush! I could even hide that awful bruise!"
I stood up and hastily backed away, terrified on where Hilda's line of thought was heading. I didn't want to owe her anything, Hilda had a knack for getting other people to do her chores for her. I beat a hasty retreat for the exit. "Hey Raphael, you said it's lunch time right? If we don't hurry Caspar is going to eat everything and We'll be left hungry!"
Raphael's eyes widened in alarm and he hastily scooped the rocks up into his arms and hurried after me. "Oh no he won't! I'll eat it all before him!"
"I wonder if it was something I said?" Hilda tilted her head in confusion as Claude leaned back in his own chair. He looked up briefly as he flipped a page in a book he was holding. "Na, I think she's just on to you. You still need to clean the classroom after class today."
Hilda immediately began trying to get out of her responsibilities, complaining to the leader with an feminine pleading."Aww, Claude I'm so weak and useless! I can't clean as well as others! You know this!"
Claude flipped another page in his book, seemingly unfazed by the nobles pleading. The golden deer's eyes roamed over the pages hungrily as he shrugged off Hilda's protests. "Uh huh, not my problem."
At lunch I grabbed a tray and slid out into the gardens wanting sometime to be alone. However Linhardt was sleeping among the flowers again. I watched the noble sleeping peacefully among the blooms for a bit. With the clear, sunny, skies warming the air as summer winds raced across the Loch, I couldn't blame him.
I had already spent most of the morning asleep, so I set to exploring as I munched on a sandwich. I had a pear tucked away in my bag, along with my current reading material and my half finished essay detailing the code of chivalry. At the back there were some half completed math problems involving ballista capacities and archery that was due after lunch, but I already had no interest in completing either assignment.
As I passed by the docks of the loch I found Professor Byleth sitting with her lunch next to her dad. The pair were fishing, stoically enjoying the sunshine on the bright day without saying a word. Several others were also down on the dock. I saw Leonie and Seteth fishing, or rather Leonie seemed to be showing Seteth how to bait a hook while she fished. From the top of the steps the shy green haired girl with ringlets appeared to be watching Seteth with interest.
Intrigued, as I had seen her around but had not had a chance to speak with her since we had been introduced my first day at the monetary, I walked up the steps. She seemed to notice me and gave me a quick, gentle, smile. "Ah, I remember you! Are you the one they call Lilianna correct?"
She gave a quick curtsy of her skirt as I reached the landing. The way her elegant curly hair hung in well manicured ringlets made me a bit self conscious about the giant purple and blue splotch on my face and my mess of short green hair.
I stumbled for a greeting, realizing for once, I was somewhat nervous meeting someone so beautiful and well manicured. It was almost as if she was a princess. "Errr, Hello? I am hoping I am not interrupting?"
She giggled, a delicate gesture as her skirt waved gently in the breeze. "Not at all. I do believe we have met before, yes? Based on your uniform am I to assume you are enrolled here in the Officers Academy?" Her speech pattern was very formal, so I switched over to match.
I gave her a reassuring nod. "I am pleased to report that your assumptions are correct. You are very astute, my lady?" I stumbled on her name.
Maybe it was all the recent head injuries I had, or just the fact I was so busy, but I did not quite remember her name. I knew she normally spent her time in the cathedral. I normally observed her singing hymns during choir practice, but for some reason her name escaped me.
Her delicate features fell and then she quickly jumped at the opportunity. "Oh! Have you forgotten me already? I suppose it has been a while since we last spoke. You are always quite busy yes? My name is Flayn. It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance again."
I executed an elegant bow and extended my hand. "The pleasure is all mine fair princess. You may refer to me as Lilianna."
That got her to giggle. The light twinkling of her laughter was precious and I couldn't find it in me to regret putting on my little act. "Oh, you are very interesting! I am not a princess though, why would you say such things?"
I gave her a crooked smile and continued my flattery. It was easy to do, and by no means trouble to come up with praises."My apologies, the way you speak my dear is reminiscent of a princess I once read about in a fairy tale. That is not to say, your very image is that of such gentleness and elegance that I could not help myself from making an assumption of my own."
She giggled harder, her hand coming up to hide her delicate smile. "Oh my! My brother would be very displeased if he heard you say so."
I followed her line of vision down to Seteth as she waved. "I am certain Seteth's opinion of me could not be much lower than it already is."
I leaned forward on the railing in thought. Seteth had just successfully baited his first hook under Leonie's supervision and had just started to cast his line. My eyes filtered back to Flayn, not quite making the brother and sister connection. Something felt a little off, but their body language, as Seteth looked over his shoulder to check on Flayn, gave off the impression that they were indeed close. I contemplated a bit, thinking about the similarities and differences between the two.
While thinking I made for some easy small talk. "So you are watching your brother fish?"
"Oh yes! I love fish. I am not one for fishing myself; however I do enjoy eating fish very much." Flynn's eyes glazed over at the mention of the scaled meat and it was clear she didn't just enjoy it.
I chuckled softly and attempted to keep the conversation going while I considered my suspicions. "Fish is a good change of pace from salty rations. However, I regret to say that I am not much of a fisherman myself."
It was clear my companion was thinking about other things, namely fish as she responded. "Alias we both must wait on the whims of those who are then. I am hoping my brother will catch a big one so that I might eat it!"
I held back my laughter as I watched the sunlight filter down onto the clear waters of the loch. "I doubt he would so much as disappoint such a fair maiden as yourself."
"Oh ho! Those are some pretty honeyed words coming from a fair lady such as yourself." Sylvain walked out of the kitchen doors behind us and joined us on the stone landing overlooking the docks.
"Oh look a fish! I do beg your pardon I must be going now." Flyn dismissed herself and descended the stairs in a haste as I caught Seteth and Leonie admiring a large trout between them.
I continued facing the loch, watching as the trio admired the trout as Flayn about leaped for joy as Leonie got a bite on her line. The orange haired tomboy heaved on the line and landed another trout, just a little smaller than Seteth's.
"So ,where is it that you happened to learn to talk like that hmm? Sylvain casually wandered over and down leaned on the railing next to me. I was busy watching Flayn and the others watching how they interacted with an analyzing gaze. Seteth seemed to be praising her as she clapped her hands together with joy over the prospect of having fish for dinner.
I narrowed my eyes, certain that there was more to the story. With a snort I turned away. It was just another mystery to uncover, and that would all take time. For the moment I had to deal with an enterprising redhead standing next to me.
My finger reached out and I gave Sylvain a playful poke in the arm. I managed to catch the redhead unawares as he looked a bit surprised by my sudden touch but he cracked a large grin. "I see you're a quick study then, huh? So do you want to take this somewhere more private and I can teach you more?"
"Hmm…" I slowly turned my gaze from the docks in order to look up at him. I gained an immense satisfaction of watching his jovial face turn into a much more concerned look of horror.
"W-what happened to your nose? Gosh that looks painful, if you like I can kiss it and make it feel better." Sylvain's reaction was somewhere between a backpedal and real concern was he leaned down to get a better look at my face.
I realized I was straying into dangerous territory now that Sylvain was eye level with me. Quickly I pulled away from the railing, waving my hands. "Ack, no it looks worse then it is, really I am fine."
I went silent for a second and shot a scowl out of the corner of my eye as we continued watching the fishermen on the docks. "And that is a double no everything you just proposed."
Sylvain clearly hadn't been expecting me to bite, but his voice was disappointed none-the-less. "Aww, and here I thought I had finally caught a chance to get to know you better!"
I rolled my eyes as he stared down at my nose, clearly concerned.
I pointedly looked back out at the sparkling waters on the loch as I responded. "Here is my issue Sylvain. I happen to know your game, and 'getting to know me better in some dark corner' doesn't remotely interest me. Personally, I don't care what you do in your free time, but please refrain from hitting on me if your only goal is to use me as some bandage for your own problems. Your title, money, and empty feelings are of no interest to me."
There was a strange sound to my right as the redhead sputtered for words. He recovered smoothly, running his fingers through his flaming red hair. "Ouch! You certainly don't mince your words for me do you? I guess you have a fair point though, I can clearly see you're not like other girls. There's something special about you. How about I treat you to a meal and we can talk it over?"
I snorted and straightened up as Flayn grabbed Seteth's arm and pointed up at me. Seteth's eyes followed her finger tip and lingered on me. It was a second later and he motioned for me to come down the steps.
"Just how many times do I need to turn you down Sylvain? Try again when you learn to be sincere in your relationships or you have something I want. I might consider it."
"Ok that's an interesting game..." He laughed as I raced down the steps. "Well the respectable relationship part is definitely out of the question. I wonder what she could want? This could be fun."
Author's Corner:
Chapter Recap:
Sooo yaaa the chapter isn't really that long, but it kind of has a lot of stuff going on in it. So lets just double check all the stuff that worked out. The last month while the Golden Deer where out clearing out the demonic beasts in the logging town, the blue lions were quelling an uprising in the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus and caught wind of an assassination attempt on the archbishop. At the same time the Black Eagles made their way down to the capital of the Adrestian Empire and picked up a new student. Cereza is of the Black Eagles and is from Petra's homeland, an aspiring healer in her native homeland.
So the assassination attempt is going on this month and all students are detailed to work as a team to patrol the areas, Lili happens to be detailed to work with Felix first who is less then impressed when she fails to show up for duty because she is in the medical bay. Lili is having visions again of the girl and the throne room, and Rhea authorized Hanneman to run his tests to check Lili for a crest.
Which is surprises them all that she does have one, a crest that is unregistered and not related to the noble house Lili says she originates from. Its pretty clear Lili doesn't want to talk about it and has her own secrets, but realizes more then a few people at the monastery have their secrets too.
Sylvain is picking up on that - and is more then interested in her now. As Lili cast away just about everything that normally works to attract women, he realizes he needs a new approach. (Still trying to get her to dine with him though, the flirt.)
It also looks like Lili might be making friends, but we can see her school work is going to the back burner already as she occupies her time with other things that interest her.
Anyway I think thats it - I hope you enjoyed reading! I am really sorry for the wait on this - but I hope you enjoyed the chapter and seeing how everything played out. (There was so much editing on this chapter is isnt even funny.)
If you enjoy my hard work and thought bunnys it would be great if you dropped a favorite, or a comment letting me know what you thought! Oh and don't forget to follow so you don't miss a chapter release! See you can in a few days with my bonus chapter for the week!
