The words of Sir Wardes echoed mockingly in Siesta's head as she sat upon a bench on an isolated cliff overlooking the town, far from the hotel. You can't protect Louise. Over and over again the words repeated, as Siesta began to tear up at her shame.

"Siesta," a voice called out behind her, soothingly.

"Oh, hello Miss Valliere," Siesta replied as professionally as she could, doing her best not to betray her teary state.

"So, this is where you were…" Louise said as calmly as possible, approaching Siesta from behind.

"I'm sorry, Miss Valliere, I didn't mean to inconvenience you," Siesta replied, trying to subtly wipe away her tears.

"Are you… crying?" Louise asked as she sat beside the sorrowful and ashamed peasant girl.

"It's alright, Miss Valliere, nothing to concern yourself with," Siesta replied in as cheerful a voice as she could muster as she sniffled.

"You fought the Captain of the Mage-Knight squad," Louise began as she looked down, shame overcoming her as well, "He's the captain of the guards in charge of protecting her majesty, the Princess, herself," Louise said consolingly. "Even if you-"

"It's not about that, Miss Valliere," Siesta began with a solemn smile on her face. "I was just… thinking about how far from home I am, and felt a little homesick, and it made me a little sad is all," Siesta attempted to lie.

"I see," Louise replied. Siesta could feel she was unconvinced. "Anyway, as long as you're here, you're still my friend, and," her voice switched to a tone that Siesta felt was one of longing, "I need you to support me."

Siesta blushed and, for a moment, forgot everything else and wanted nothing more than to reassure the little pink-haired noble that she would do exactly that and more. You can't protect Louise. The words rang mockingly in her head once again, and her face dropped to that of flat professionalism.

"It appears Sir Wardes is more than capable of that, Miss Valliere," Siesta stated plainly.

"So you ARE bothered about the fight, then?" Louise surmised.

"No, I-" Siesta began before Louise took hold of one of her hands.

"Just get over it, okay? It didn't mean anything. He's on another level, it was ridiculous to think you could win," Louise stated in what Siesta believed Louise believed was supposed to be a comforting tone.

"You're right," Siesta replied with a faked smile as she patted Louise's hand before pushing it away and placing her own together, "If you don't mind, I'm just going to be here for a while." Siesta said deflectively, in an attempt to shoo Louise away. Louise, at first looking taken aback, gave a small smile to Siesta, nodded, and stood up to leave.

"Siesta," she suddenly stated as she was walking away. Siesta did not budge from her overlooking the town nor acknowledge her name. "I'm going to marry Sir Wardes," Louise continued matter-of-factly.

Siesta could feel her heart clutched and her chest tighten once again as she twisted around only to see Louise walking away, quickly. Her face dropped, with her expression overtaken by sorrow, before turning herself once again to overlook the town. She was unaware of how much time had passed, but she did become increasingly aware of the dropping temperature and darkening surroundings.

As she picked up Derflinger and stood, she heard footsteps. Her heart skipping a beat out of hope, she turned only to see the playboy noble, Guiche, approaching.

"I've been looking all over for you! It's almost time to leave," Guiche announced, annoyed.

"Right," Siesta replied without eye contact as she shuffled towards him, her sluggishness partially a result of depression and mostly a result of still feeling drained from the fight.

"'Right'? C'mon…" Guiche replied exasperatedly. As he said that, the ground began to quake, and both he and Siesta looked around for the cause, "W-what is this? An earthquake?" Guiche wondered aloud with panic in his voice.

"Sir Guiche! Look out!" Siesta cried out as she saw what was happening.

Guiche was too late to respond as the earth before him rose in a giant mound and a massive, towering golem formed before the two. Guiche and Siesta, frozen in fear, could do nothing but peer at the colossal figure before them. Atop the golem, Siesta spotted what she assumed to be a traditionally feminine figure that she could swear she had seen before. As she squinted and attempted to work out their identity, she was interrupted.

"Move it, kids!" Derflinger shouted as the fist of the golem came at them. Siesta, not feeling 100%, did her best to dodge one way as Guiche dodged another. Fortunately for her, but unfortunately for the flirty, philanderous noble, the golem's swipe was directed at her, so Guiche's choice of dodge caused him to dive head-first into the golem's fist, sending him flying and screaming. Siesta instinctually unsheathed Derflinger and readied herself, hoping to any deity who would listen that she could maintain her power just long enough to get her and Guiche to safety.

"Where are Siesta and Guiche?" Louise asked Wardes with concern, as the two were loading the griffin with luggage for the ride to Albion, "And my familiar?"

"Ah," Wardes began, "It seems they're returning home," he stated with his usual calm smile. "Besides," He winced as he loaded a particularly heavy piece of luggage, rubbing the spot on his arm where Siesta had cut him, "we're heading into a warzone, and I'm afraid your ostentatious familiar might draw unwanted attention, darling." Afterwards, he lifted Louise onto the griffin, and nimbly placed himself upon it as well.

"But why? That doesn't make sense…" Louise pondered.

"They wouldn't tell me the reason," Sir Wardes said in an assuring tone. Louise dropped her gaze in quiet contemplation at this, thinking of Siesta rebuffing her efforts to communicate earlier. "Don't worry," Sir Wardes continued, interrupting Louise's thoughts, "Even with just the two of us, I believe we can complete the mission," Wardes stated confidently.

"Right…" Louise replied with solemn resignation.

"Let's go," Wardes once again interrupted. "There isn't much time until the ship departs."

He spurred his griffin, which let out a mighty screech, and the two headed off to the ship for Albion. A short ride later, Louise looked up to see they were about to arrive at their destination: a gargantuan tree growing from the mountains, adorned with a massive wooden network of staircases that led up to equally impressive floating ships that were built identical to waterborne vessels but were clearly suspended in the air by magic. A truly awe-inspiring sight, even for those who lived with magic all their lives.

As they drew into the port, Sir Wardes took Louise and quickly boarded their ship to begin their flight to Albion. Louise, rife with concern, went to find Sir Wardes once they were situated. She found him looking out over the edge of the flying ship, and approached him.

"Wardes?" She asked. The Captain turned to her in response, the same warm smile on his face, "Is the situation really that bad?"

"Yes," Wardes replied, looking back over the edge of the ship with a concerned look. "The royalty is in a tough position. The aristocrats, using their vastly superior resources, have taken over most of Albion. Prince Wales is the last surviving blood relation to the royal family, and the throne's last hope." Louise looked down with solemn contemplation at this statement. She could scarcely consider overthrowing royalty. Wardes, noticing her concern, turned and took her hands in his own. "Don't worry, my dear Louise," he said in his usual, soothing voice. "I'll be there for you."

Louise briefly wondered why she kept hearing that.

Meanwhile, Siesta was doing her best to dodge and weave around the golem's attempts to strike her while also making her way to the incapacitated Guiche.

"You should've stayed home, little maid!" A voice coming from the familiar figure atop the golem taunted.

Why does she sound so familiar? Siesta couldn't help but think.

Gifted Siesta, Young Louise may be in great peril, Zeratul interjected.

What? How? Can't you sense her? Siesta thought back as she continued to focus her efforts on dodging.

That is precisely why I believe her to be in peril. I cannot. It is as though she is blocked to me, I am attempting to locate her now, Zeratul informed, with a tone of urgency in his voice.

Do you think you could spare a moment to at least knock out this attacker, Mister Zeratul? Siesta asked with as much politeness as she could emanate.

No sooner had she had that thought that the golem suddenly halted. Siesta, with ragged breathing, looked back to the golem as she stopped and leaned on Derflinger. The vaguely familiar woman had collapsed, her golem crumbling beneath her. Siesta, relieved at the turn of events, rushed to awaken the unconscious Guiche.

"No, mommy, I can clean my own peepee," Guiche mumbled as Siesta approached.

Not wanting to unpack that, she instead walked over to the mound of dirt that used to be the golem in order to better see their attacker.

As she approached, despite the layer of dirt covering her, she did, indeed, recognize her face. Miss Longuevuille? She thought confusedly. Why would she attack us?

"Yoo hoo!" Siesta heard a familiar voice above shout. She turned to see the familiar form of Tabitha's Sylphid on approach, and the voice she heard? She deduced it must have been Kirche, the ever-energetic one of the infamous duo.

Sylphid landed gracefully before the two, scattering the remains of the golem. As she did, Tabitha and Kirche dismounted the familiar and approached Siesta.

"Sorry, I guess we were a little late to the party," Kirche chuckled as she looked at the now half-buried Miss Longueville. "Looks like that old thief lost again," Kirche remarked with a smirk.

Siesta, not understanding, instead tried to change the subject. "Miss Zerbst, Miss Orleans, you've shown up just in time." A look of concern came over the red and blue nobles, "Mister Zeratul says Miss Valliere is missing! He can't feel her, it's like she's being blocked from him!" Kirche's eyes widened as Tabitha expressed what little shock she would allow herself. A stirring from behind them alerted them all to Miss Longueville once again, as she slowly regained consciousness.

"Y-you! Isn't it cheating to show up all of the sudden?!" she shouted at the group.

Siesta readied Derflinger, Kirche and Tabitha readied their wand and staff respectively.

"Hey! What's all that commotion?" a voice from down the path leading to the overlook they all stood upon shouted, causing the trio to become briefly distracted.

"Hmph," Miss Longuevuille snorted softly, "Guess it's time to make my exit. I delayed you long enough." With a quick smirk, she appeared to disappear into the growing night sky. The girls, after watching her, turned their attention to other matters.

"Delayed? Why would that matter?" Siesta asked as she looked after the vanishing former teacher.

"So! Where's that handsome bearded fellow we saw you leave with?" Kirche asked in a flirty tone.

"Huh?" Siesta replied, confused. Before they could continue that train of thought, a loud ringing could be heard in the distance.

"C'mon mommy, feed me like you used-," Guiche stirred awake at the sound, looking around wildly. "That's the departure sound! We missed the ship!" Siesta looked off into the distance with concern, thinking only of Louise and what possible danger she could be in.

The group then formed up and began making their way back to the hotel.

"That beautiful gentleman really became a bee in my bonnet! It took me a whole day to find out where you guys went," Kirche elaborated as she was explaining her reasoning for the surprise arrival.

"Ah, such amazing persistence," Guiche complimented the incorrigible redhead.

"When we finally found you, we saw you were fighting that familiar golem so of course we had to step in!" Kirche boasted for a moment before her face fell sheepishly, "Though, it looks like that wasn't necessary after all."

"We're wasting time, we need to find out what happened to Miss Valliere," Siesta stated urgently as they arrived at the reception desk.

"Oh? Weren't you with that couple earlier?" a masculine voice chimed in. The group turned to see the owner of the voice, a stout, mustached man wearing typical, unassuming clothes beyond the counter.

"Yes! Did you see them?" Siesta asked with concern.

"Yes, they left together, must've been about an hour or so ago," the man answered.

"I see," Siesta's eyes wandered as she contemplated the situation. "Thank you, sir," she said as she gratefully, quickly bowed before turning to the others. "We need to go to the pier. Maybe we can catch them," Siesta suggested. Guiche shook his head in reply.

"Even if we went now, it's too late," Guiche informed as he pointed to the sky, directing her attention to a flying sailing ship. "Our ship was to be the last one out."

Damn, Siesta mentally cursed, knowing that there was no way for them to just travel there. Except…

She turned to Tabitha, who raised an eyebrow.

"Would you be able to get us there? On your dragon?" Siesta asked, her tone urgent.

Tabitha nodded, causing Siesta to sigh in relief.

Louise... Siesta thought mournfully as she stared out over the glittering town, hoping against hope that Zeratul had found her before it was too late.

Meanwhile, earlier, Zeratul had been tirelessly scouring the town, focusing primarily on the road leading to what he had surmised was the "port" the group had referred to.

How could I have let this happen? Tassadar… forgive me, the old Nerazim thought to himself. As he blinked from rooftop to rooftop and along the path to the ancient, behemoth tree that served as a port. As he went along he spotted, in the distance, upon one of the docks, his charge, with the suspicious Sir Wardes.

During his spar with Gifted Siesta, his block was briefly removed when she struck him, Zeratul thought. In that moment, I sensed an air of deception, but not danger. I believe he truly does not wish to harm Young Louise, and yet… His thoughts trailed off as he attempted to get closer to the couple as they hastily boarded the ship.

Young Louise, Zeratul attempted to call out, and, almost instantly, his voice seemed to bounce back and echo within his own head, causing a feedback loop and pained him and disrupted his cloaking. As he sensed that his presence was causing a disturbance, he quickly gathered his mind, and blinked away to dissuade prying eyes. Hiding in natural shadows, he could only watch as the bell for the departure of the ship rang and the ship began to depart.

No, Zeratul thought as the ship departed.

Now, however, he had regained enough fortitude to cloak himself once again and blink among the other potential passengers and staff of the port. He traveled carefully, weaving expertly through the crowds to avoid any contact or suspicion while trying to surmise if there were any other departures for this place called "Albion", or why this was the travel method of choice.

"Ah, missed the ship," Zeratul heard a voice lament. He turned his attention to this middle-aged man.

"Dammit! You just HAD to have ONE MORE ROUND at the inn!" His companion, a taller, lankier man scolded.

"Hey! As I recall, you were having a pretty good time, too!" the first man shot back.

"Yeah, up until that bitch ran off with my coin purse…"

The two men sighed, "Well, guess we gotta wait till tomorrow," the first one said defeatedly.

"Yeah, wish we could just get a carriage, but that wouldn't get us up onto that flying continent," the other lamented.

Zeratul ceased his eavesdropping and immediately started making his way back to Siesta and Guiche.

A floating continent? Much like Aiur. Perhaps it is the source of the Khaydarin crystal Young Louise now possesses, Zeratul pondered as he remembered that his homeworld had floating land masses that formed around Khaydarin crystal formations. For now, I must find Gifted Siesta and Ignoble Guiche.

Meanwhile, upon the ship, Louise almost felt as though someone had called her name. She peered out a porthole of the room she and Wardes shared, staring longingly out at the town as it shrunk, sighing to herself.

"Is something wrong?" Wardes asked, with curiosity and concern in his voice as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Nothing… I thought I heard someone calling my name," Louise responded deflectively.

"It looks like the maid really is the one you-," Wardes began with a sigh as he turned away from Louise.

"What? I didn't say anything about her! I just said I thought I heard someone say my name!" Louise cried out defensively. Wardes turned back to her and smiled his usual, calm smile.

"I'm just joking," Sir Wardes replied with a chuckle, "I told you I would always be there for you."

Louise, at that, furrowed her brow as she looked up at him.

"Why do you keep saying that?" Louise calmly demanded.

Wardes raised an eyebrow.

"Saying you'll always be there for me… well where have you been?" Louise demanded more forcefully, clenching her fists and gritting her teeth, "I've been alone for years… the Princess, you, I know you're both busy but too busy to even write? To visit? I was RIGHT THERE. Isolated from everyone while they bullied me for being a magicless failure! You say you'll be there for me. You keep saying it. Well," Louise felt tears burning in her eyes, "WHERE WERE YOU?!"

Wardes looked taken aback, his normal small, serene smile dropped from his face.

"I-."

"And then you come out of nowhere and start with all the sweet nothings and affection all over again! It's messing with my head! You haven't been there for me and then you show up thinking you'll be a knight in shining armor on a silver steed and I'm just supposed to immediately forget everyone and everything else and say yes to your proposal?" Louise cut him off, the tears now streaming down her enraged face. "How can you do that?! I loved you!"

"Loved?" Wardes simply asked.

Louise drew in a sharp breath as her eyes went wide and she covered her mouth. After a moment, she uncovered it, biting her lip as she averted her gaze from her fiancee, "I do, still, I think. I know. I don't think I can stop. You were there for me when I needed you. When I was younger. But then you just… stopped," Louise gave him a pleading look, "I needed you. For so long. And your presence was so distant I… forgot. I'm sorry."

Wardes looked down at her with sympathy. And a tinge of guilt. He stepped forward and took her into a warm embrace. "No, Louise," he began, kissing her head, "I'm sorry. You're right. I was so caught up in my own ambitions I forgot what was truly important."

He kneeled to better meet his fiance's eyeline, placing a gloved hand upon her tear-streaked face, "You. You're important. I… lost sight of that. I see that now. Please, forgive me."

Louise sniffled as she considered his words, feeling that warmth for him creep back into her heart as she returned his embrace.

"I do," Louise whispered into his ear.

He gave the smallest chuckle, "Practicing for our wedding already?" Wardes teased.

Louise gave the smallest giggle at that as she pulled away, smiling and blushing at him, "Maybe."

Wardes stroked her face once more, "I love you, Louise. You don't have to say it back. But know that I do. And I will always be there for you."

Wardes and Louise embraced once more, Louise's heart now feeling calmed.

Those words again, Louise mentally remarked as she once again thought back to Siesta's similar sentiment, and remembering how Siesta pushed her away. You said you'd always be there for me, too, Louise bitterly thought of Siesta. You liar.

That was when she made a decision.

"Sir Wardes, no, Jean-Jacques…" she began as she took a deep breath, steeled herself, and looked into her fiance's eyes, a small smile upon her face. "I accept your proposal."

Jean-Jacques Wardes beamed at his bride-to-be.

"Wonderful! I shall fetch us drinks to celebrate this happy occasion!" Wardes proclaimed as he went to their room's provided bar, which was already stocked with a variety of spirits and ice. He poured one glass for himself, but Louise, a little wary of losing her senses, instead accepted juice.

"To my beautiful bride-to-be," Wardes declared with a grin as he raised his glass and tapped it with Louise's, "All we have to do now is fulfill our mission."

"Of course," Louise replied as she smiled softly at her soon-to-be husband.

"So," Wardes began as he sipped at his drink and placed it on a nearby table. "Where is Prince Wales?" he asked in a surprisingly blunt manner.

"That's…" Louise began as she nervously broke eye contact, "something I promised Her Highness I would not tell anyone until we were in Albion. I'm sorry." She sheepishly sipped at her juice, not noticing the furrowing of her fiance's brow at this response.

"It's fine. That's part of your mission," Wardes replied calmly.

"I'm sorry," Louise once again apologized.

"We still have some time before we arrive, however," Wardes replied, changing the subject. "Please, rest until then," he offered as he gestured to the room, which featured a couch and bed.

"Yes, of course," Louise replied, smiling at her fiance as he donned his hat and coat to leave the room.

This is the right thing to do, Louise, the pinkette assured herself as the door shut, Jean-Jaques is strong and kind. He's no commoner, and he's certainly not a servant, and he is definitely not a woman.

This is fine.

She was unable to find any rest.