Rean had assumed he'd be walking home from classes alone that day as most clubs had meetings – with the Fishing Club being a notable exception as he and Kenneth did most of their fishing on their own time – but instead he found himself ambushed by a mop of unruly silver hair as he exited the school grounds, "No gardening today?"

Fie shook her head as she moved up alongside him, "Nah. We aren't planting anything until after the festival and they didn't need to be watered after yesterday." That made sense. While the rains the previous morning hadn't been heavy they had been consistent throughout the entire day, "Just had to make sure nothing was damaged before sending everyone on their way."

"I see..." He'd stopped by the school's garden many times since the year began and despite how she carried herself he knew Fie was running a tight ship with her garden. If she said there wasn't anything for her club to do than he believed her. Still, he knew that a Fie with free time was a dangerous Fie. In fact, it reminded him of something that happened earlier that day, "Tell me, you haven't been thinking about sneaking into the Occult research club, have you?"

"H-Huh!?" Fie stopped and gave him a wide-eyed stare, "Why would you think that!?"

The look she was giving came off as innocent, but Rean knew it well enough to know just how fabricated it was, causing him to sigh, "Beryl approached me today. She wanted me to warn you that a terrible fate would befall any who approached her belongings without her present. Her words, naturally."

Fie froze in her tracks. Rean assumed it was guilt, but her next words made it clear it was more than just that, "...Vivi brought the idea up during club. It was like... five minutes before I saw you walking over here."

His eyes arched in thought. But Beryl had passed that warning onto him hours ago. It made no sense at all.

But then again, nothing involving that girl ever made sense. And given all the crazy things he and the rest of Class VII had witnessed the previous year...

Maybe her making no sense made perfect sense in the grand scheme of things.

"Just... don't." He answered at last, "I'm not sure what 'terrible fate' would befall you, but I'd rather not risk it."

"Agreed."

Well, as strange as it had been the swordsman was glad his words had been taken seriously. But that brought up another thought, "You said Vivi came up with the idea, right?"

"Yup."

"Think she's going to try it even without you?"

"Probably."

"...Should we stop her?"

Fie tilted her head for a moment before giving it a shake, "Nah. I'm pretty curious about that 'terrible fate' business. She'll figure it out for me."

Rean could only sweatdrop nervously at how easily she was throwing her friend under the bus.

Ah well. Right now his chief concern wasn't about the possibility of his sorta-friend sorta-tormentor getting cursed. Instead he was focused on something a little more mundane, "I was thinking about picking up stuff to cook dinner tonight. Got any ideas?"

The silver-haired girl perked up in interest, but shook her head, "Not really, but I don't mind tagging along. I'm sure something'll catch our eye."

And something did indeed catch their eye at the store as a sale on eggs and milk convinced Rean – with Fie's approval - to try his hand at making a risotto for dinner. It wasn't something he'd tried before, but there was something exhilarating about trying something new, even with something as small and domestic as cooking dinner for those he adored.

Fie must've wandered off while he was paying for the rice and other foodstuffs, but that didn't bother him at all. That was just who she was, after all. Exiting the store he wasn't surprised to find her over at the flower shop.

"Trying to get some ideas of what we'll plant once fall really kicks in." She muttered without looking as the Schwarzer approached.

He chuckled slightly at her words – despite her cool aloof attitude there was nobody more passionate about the things she loved. That was why he couldn't bring himself to resist the urge to reach over and tousle her hair gently. As much as he knew she adored the gesture he also knew when she was currently trying to keep that cool aloof attitude which led to a paradox for the girl.

In the end she settled for leveling him a combination of a pout and a glare that did little to make him regret his actions. In fact she was so adorable that even the flower shop lady couldn't help but laugh, which only furthered the girl's embarrassment.

...Which probably explained why she elbowed him before trying to distract them with questions about the flowers he already knew she knew.

"Fie! Rean!"

Both teens brightened as the voice of the third member of their group reached out to them, "Finished early?" He asked Laura once she arrived at their position.

"We did." She confirmed with a nod, "We are having our first competition in two days so I limited everyone to low-intensity exercise today."

"Right. I almost forgot that Principal Vandyck's allowing you to compete against other schools. Do you think you're ready?" If he recalled correctly the Swimming Club would be competing against four different schools from the capital over the next two weeks, with one of them even being St. Astraia.

"I believe so. The other schools have larger teams so we'll need to run more races, but being outnumbered has never stopped us before, has it?"

"Damn straight." Fie agreed as she finally finished browsing the flowers, "Being outnumbered just means you're in a target rich environment."

Laura sweat-dropped, "We're swimming, not engaging in a shootout."

Fie merely shrugged her shoulders.

"On that note, are we ready to head home or is there something you need to do first?"

The blue-haired sword user shook her head, "I have no plans, and given that bag in your hand appears to be filled with fresh foods we should probably make our way home before it goes bad."

"Sounds good to me." Came Fie's agreement.

Indeed it did. Rean could only nod his head in agreement before the three of them left the market and made the short trek home. Perhaps someone would say that living like this was dull as it lacked the excitement of prior days, but for Rean? A life like this was perfect.

And unfortunately all too fleeting. He would need to cherish and each every one of these moments as they came.

"How's the stock looking?" Rean asked even as he focused his attention on ensuring the rice didn't burn.

"It's almost warm enough, I think." Laura replied, "We add it in slowly, correct?"

He hadn't been at all surprised when Laura offered to assist him in cooking dinner. Her commitment towards improving herself in the culinary arts was genuine even if progress was slower than she would've liked. And given this was an unfamiliar recipe even to him the extra hands were greatly appreciated.

Fie also claimed to want to better herself at cooking, but her commitment appeared to be... flaky at best in his eyes. Case in point the girl was currently splayed across their couch like a lazy cat waiting for them to finish.

Or at least that was what she had been doing right up to the moment when they were interrupted by a knock on the door.

That was unusual to say the least. The only guest they regularly received was Sara, and the older woman had pretty much completely foregone knocking as she made herself right at home whenever she showed up. Whenever a fellow student arrived they usually did so with prior notice. The only other guest he could think of was Major Lechter, but those knocks didn't sound like him at all.

While Fie scurried to her feet and approached the door Rean busied himself with removing the food from heat. It'd delay their dinner plans having to reheat everything, but they were fortunate enough to be at a step that could be easily repeated later on.

"Laura! It's for you!"

All eyes turned at the sound of Fie's cry. Said girl stepping away from the door in order for them to see what lay beyond was wholly unnecessary as the tall man standing there was impossible to miss.

"F-Father!?"

"It's good to see you again, my daughter." Came the deep voice of the Radiant Blademaster as the older man stepped into their home, "You as well, Fie and Rean."

"Father!" The surprise of the visit was more than enough to defeat Laura's ability to remain composed leaving the other two students to witness the adorable sight of the daughter rushing to embrace her father, an embrace which was readily returned by the legendary warrior, "What are you doing here?" She mumbled through the embrace.

Victor let out a quiet chuckle, "What? Have you grown so old that a father is not allowed to visit his own daughter anymore?"

"T-That's not what I meant!" A shame Rean couldn't see Laura's face as he was sure the mature girl was looking rather flustered at the moment, "Of course you're always welcome here. It's just..."

"It's alright. I know what you meant. I was actually in the capital on business today and decided after that a trip to see you was long overdue."

Something about the way he talked about his business in Heimdallr sounded off to Rean, and if he noticed something amiss Laura most certainly did too as she pulled away from the embrace, "Father? Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine. It's nothing you need concern yourself with."

"Father..." Laura growled out as she pulled away, finally allowing the older Arseid to enter. Rean couldn't help but feel a little self conscious as one of Erebonia's most powerful warriors glanced around curiously at their modest home, but that awkward moment ended soon enough as Laura led him onto the couch that Fie had previously been lounging on, "Does whatever is bothering you have something to do with this country? Because if so then let me remind you that my classmates and I have chosen to involve ourselves in what is to come."

Victor sent a glance Rean's way and the younger swordsman nodded his approval to Laura's words, "Very well. Today I was summoned to the Imperial Palace. There I was informed that while I'll continue serving as the captain of the Courageous it will be done so under a different authority."

"A different authority?" Fie parroted, eyes furrowed in confusion.

Unlike the girls, however, Rean was far more intimately aware of the politics governing this nation, "Are you saying that my- the chancellor has taken the Courageous away from Prince Olivert?"

"Just so." The Blademaster confirmed. "From now on my orders will come directly from the office of the chancellery."

Rean couldn't resist the urge to scowl bitterly. Of course the government would do something like that. The Courageous had become an important part of Class VII during the war, so why wouldn't Osborne want to take it away like he had everything else? Once again he was further solidifying his own power at the expense of his rivals, this time being the prince.

Actually, maybe he should find the chance to speak with Prince Olivert soon. If there was anyone knew how it felt to be manipulated and have their dreams twisted and distorted by the Chancellor it would be him. It was something they could bond over, sad as that thought was.

Or maybe he was just hoping the older man would have some good advice to impart. Despite his reputation as the Debaucherous Prince Prince Olivert always seemed to carry himself with a level of maturity and wisdom that Rean wished he possessed. Maybe the prince saw a path forward that he himself could not.

"R-Regardless." Laura must have noticed the tension in the room as she awkwardly shifted topics, "How has your recovery been going? I know your last letter said you've taken up Galland-Sharl again, but even still..."

"And here I thought it was a father's job to worry about his daughter and not the other way around." The unamused glare the daughter wore prompted the father to press on, "Physically I am mostly fine. Outside of the occasional urge to cough the only sign I've taken any sort of injury is when I try to exert myself to its fullest." The wizened warrior gave an easy shrug of his shoulders, "Still, if that is the worst to come from my encounter with the Almighty Conflagration than I consider it a trivial price to pay."

"I wish you'd take your injuries most seriously..." Laura grumbled to herself, "We were just preparing dinner when you arrived. Would you like to eat with us? I am sure we have enough to go around."

Victor shook his head, "While I appreciate the offer I believe I shall pass. I was actually hoping to spend some time at the inn before catching the train home tonight."

"The cafe? Planning on getting drunk?" Fie teased.

Surprisingly the Radiant Blademaster didn't fully deny her words, "I don't intend on going that far, no, but I've found that I draw too much attention to myself when I try to drink at the inn in Legram, and doing so alone loses a lot of its charm in my opinion."

"I didn't know you drank...?" Laura appeared put out, "I mean sure you've always kept a few bottles of wine at home, but I've only ever seen you drink with guests or at formal events..."

"That was the case, yes, but recently I've made a rather unique acquaintance with a fondness for stiff drinks who wouldn't take no for an answer."

"A new acquaintance? But..."

Victor laughed at her feeble protests, "Worry not, my daughter, if I could survive inhaling the flames of the Almighty Conflagration than I am fairly certain I can endure a few glasses of bourbon."

Bourbon? Damn. If he recalled correctly that was the drink of choice that Xeno and Leonidas had been with when he found them aboard the Pantagruel. Rean couldn't help but wonder just who this new acquaintance he mentioned was.

"Oh. And one final thing, my daughter. Early next year I am planning on having Toval pass along a few bracer requests for the three of you to come to Legram. When that happens I intend on testing your worthiness of becoming a master of the Arseid School. I believe you are ready now, but am electing to delay until I feel things have calmed down sufficiently."

"What...? But I... I-I mean if you're..."

Victor grinned upon seeing his daughter stumble over her words, "Don't concern yourself with what I think. Your only concern should be with yourself." He rose from his seat and began approaching the door, "As much as I would have relished the chance to discuss a great many things with the three of you, for now I bid you farewell, but I am certain we shall meet again before long. Farewell, my daughter and friends."

And with that the Radiant Blademaster was gone almost as quickly as he had arrived. Rean couldn't help but find enjoyment from just how lost and flustered the blue-haired young woman was, "Master, huh? I think that title will suit you well."

"I-I... I'm not so sure." She muttered hesitantly.

He could understand that feeling. Even though he knew he had gotten a lot stronger over the past year he still believed he was years away from even approaching the title Divine Blade, still... "I believe in you, Laura. And you do too, right Fie?" He glanced towards where the other girl had been standing only to find the spot vacant, "...Fie?"

Roving eyes didn't take long to find her typing away at the terminal the Bracer Guild installed for them. Curiously they approached her, "What are you doing?"

Fie didn't answer, but she didn't need to as the screen came on connecting them to a familiar face, albeit a very haggard looking one, "Ugh. What do you want, Fie?" Sara groused tiredly, "I have so much paperwork to get done and if I don't finish by tonight I'm gonna be in so much trouble from headquarters-"

"Laura's dad just stopped by." Those simple words were enough to cutoff their former teacher and current superior's rant, "He's currently alone at the bar getting drunk."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Fie!" Came Laura's aghast reaction as realization dawned in.

"I'm on my way!" Meanwhile the older woman was practically alight with excitement. So much in fact that she bolted out of camera view without turning off the screen.

"Why do you keep doing this!?" The remaining Arseid cried pitifully, "Do you hate me?! Do you wish to see me suffer?!"

And yet Fie just grinned impishly before shrugging her shoulders, "Can't help myself. Your reactions are too funny."

Once he was certain that Laura wasn't about to start sobbing pitifully Rean focused on Fie with a dry look on his face, "Aren't you worried that this is going to come back and haunt you someday?"

"What? Like bad karma or something?" The former jaeger shook her head, "Nope. Xeno and Leo definitely aren't her type and I wouldn't care all that much even if they were. Don't think I got anything to worry about."

For some odd reason Rean wasn't as sure about that.

"A-Are you sure you're alright, Rean?" Came the worried voice of his sister.

"I'm fine." He insisted a little too quickly. He wasn't fine. Not at all. But he didn't want to worry Elise if at all possible. Instead he turned his gaze towards Laura, "Thanks for helping, by the way."

The swordswoman shook her head sadly, "I only wish I could have been successful." Her gaze became baleful as she glanced towards the fourth member of their group, "Perhaps I might have been had I a little help."

"Sorry." Fie didn't sound very apologetic at all, "Doubt it would've gone better even if all of Class VII were here. That was a ravenous horde. Plus it was kinda funny to watch."

The first weekend after seeing the Radiant Blademaster was long enough for Rean to put his plan of meeting with Prince Olivert into action. He simply needed to contact Elise who in turn talked to Princess Alfin who was more than willing to arrange the meetup.

The problem came in the choice of venue she had decided upon.

Just like the first time they met with the royal siblings the place agreed upon was St. Astraia Girls' School. Unlike the evening when Class VII traveled there, however, this time he was traveling alongside only Laura and Fie who had insisted on accompanying him, thus leaving him as the only boy present. And unlike the last time the other students were quick to recognize them – apparently Fie had helped rescue two of them from the hijacked airliner during the war and with him walking alongside both her and Elise it wasn't hard for the girls to connect the dots, even with the fake glasses adorning his face.

Thus the Ashen Chevalier found himself facing the most terrifying foe of his short life: An army of overly excited teen girls. Laura and Elise had done their best to shield him, but it was akin to trying to block a tidal wave with a pair of umbrellas. A very loud and fleshy tidal wave that kept grabbing at inappropriate places and shredding what remained of the poor boy's dignity. Someone even had the audacity to grab his butt, but the only thing he saw when he frantically turned around was a flash of mint hair as whomever did it rounded the corner out of sight!

Luckily the commotion was enough to draw the attention of a few teachers who were eventually able to break up the commotion, although Rean was fairly sure one of the teachers had given him a parting touch as the crowd dispersed. That, along with everything else that happened in the previous two minutes were forcefully shunted into the deepest recesses of his mind, hopefully to be forgotten for all eternity.

"We're here." Elise stated at last as they arrived at the very same building that had housed their previous meeting. The four paused briefly as a melodic sound came from the inside which let them all know their target was inside.

It was the sound of a lute playing the melody of Amber Amour. With that soothing tune to guide them they entered the room where the two royal siblings were waiting for them.

Unsurprisingly it was the elder with the lute in hand, but sadly the prince stopped playing as soon as he saw them enter, "Ah! If it isn't my dear Schwarzer siblings! Laura and Fie too! 'Tis a day for happy reunions!"

Alfin meanwhile seemed a little nervous as they entered, "Ehehe... I heard the commotion outside. Sorry about that. Everything was on such short notice I forgot to time a distraction to help you enter."

"Ah, yes. The feeling of being swept away in a tide of overly excited teen girls. It is one I know too well. Some days when I visit I forego stealth entirely to bask in the adulation again~"

"Yeah, no. I refuse to believe you even know what stealth is." Fie countered immediately, "Gotta be a secret back entrance somewhere that he uses."

"It's good to see you again, Your Highness." Rean greeted with a smile, both to be polite and to focus attention away from Fie's bitter grumblings. Beside him Laura nodded her head, "And don't worry about the entrance. I'm... fine?" A few future nightmares still qualified as being fine, right?

Prince Olivert let out a laugh, "Wonderful! It is always good to see my friends again, but I must admit some curiosity as to this meeting. My dear Alfin was quite adamant that I come pay a visit."

The swordsman hesitated before sending a helpless glance towards Laura. He hadn't actually thought about how this encounter was supposed to go. Should he tell the prince he was worried about him after what they heard? Should he be blunt and ask for advice about what they should be doing?

"It was my idea, actually. Mine and Elise." Luckily for him Princess Alfin must've noticed his hesitation as she was quick to his rescue, "Given we both possess stubborn older brothers who have a bad habit of getting caught in the middle of everything going on we thought it would be a good idea for the two of you to meet up."

"I see." Olivert smiled knowingly, "And you just so happened to arrange for this meeting to occur right after I was parted from my wings and my blade?"

"Your blade?" Laura's confusion was mimicked by the other two Class VII members.

Something which caused the prince to give a laugh, "Ah, so that means you must've heard about the wings then. I had a feeling it was your father who passed the news on."

Once again Rean was reminded that despite his lackadaisical attitude and a less-than-stellar reputation that the man across from them was extremely cunning. It was a good thing that this was the man that Class VII had chosen to align themselves with.

Instead he focused on the words themselves. Prince Olivert's blade could only mean... "Did something happen to Major Mueller?"

"Nothing terrible, I assure you. The government has simply seen fit to reassign him back to his division."

"The Vander family was removed from their role of imperial bodyguards with the excuse that no one family should have that sort of power." Alfin clarified.

"And what about you?" Laura asked curiously.

Erebonia's princess shook her head, "I wasn't particularly close with the Vander that was to be assigned my bodyguard, so the decision doesn't bother me much. Plus..." She cheered up as she turned to Rean's sister, "Elise is the only protection I'll ever need!"

Rean was torn. On one hand it was a wonderful thing to see the strength of the bond between Elise and Princess Alfin. They were both such strong and wonderful young women who had been through many ordeals together and he was positive that their friendship helped carry them through those events.

But Elise as her bodyguard? That would entail his little sister willingly throw herself into danger.

That was completely unacceptable.

But Elise was a stubborn girl. She'd definitely not listen to him if he warned her against the dangers. Perhaps he should keep an eye on the capital and ensure any potential threats to either girl are swiftly eliminated with extreme prejudice-

"Please calm yourself, Rean."

"He's being weird again, isn't he?"

Those twin comments from Laura and Fie caused him to refocus on reality. Both girls had nearly identical exasperated looks on their faces. Meanwhile Elise had her head in her hands while both royals seemed to be on the verge of laughing.

Those were all confusing reactions.

"I am pleased that my sister has such skilled protectors looking after her." Olivert teased, "As for me, worry not. No distance is too great to dampen the bond that my beloved Mueller and I possess. In fact I dare say that such separation will only serve to make our inevitable reunion all the more joyful, wouldn't you agree?"

He thought of Class VII. Even if he had some regrets about not being around to meet up with Gaius and Alisa during the girl's mission it didn't bother him too much. Just knowing that they were healthy and living their own lives was enough for him for now. One day they'd all meet up again and it would be the best day ever, "Yeah. I definitely agree."

The Debaucherous Prince nodded in approval, "That being said, while I am not too worried about myself or my sister, I cannot say the same for my brother..."

"Prince Cedric? Why?" Fie asked.

"You are aware that he intended on enrolling at Thors this spring, yes? It was something he was looking forward to very much... until he came down with an illness that forced him to cancel his enrollment. Needless to say he did not take that very well. Between that and the incident at the end of last year it's understandable he has gained a newfound commitment to gaining strength. I merely lament the ways he is going about to achieve that strength."

"My brother has begun to admire the Chancellor." Alfin elaborated sadly, "He's also studying swordplay under the Governor-General of Crossbell. And it's changing him, I think. He was really close friends with his assigned protector and we were hoping that Kurt would help temper some of his enthusiasm, but now..."

Try as he might Rean couldn't imagine the same crown-prince he had met on multiple occasions going down a dangerous path like they were describing, but at the same time he knew to trust the words of the two Arnors in front of him. Just one more thing they needed to worry about for the future.

But at the same time it also brought him to the question that had been plaguing him for some time and led to this meeting in the first place, "So what should we do? About His Highness, Crossbell, and everything else going on, I mean?"

"Rean..."

He did his best to ignore the sad looks being sent his way by all the girls present and instead focused on the prince, "Well... I've heard you can play a lute, yes?"

The swordsman blinked. That was not a question he expected to hear, "Uh... yes?"

"Great! Why don't the two of us leave our titles and responsibilities behind to travel the continent? I'm certain we would make an amazing duo of traveling musicians as we explore new lands, meet exciting people, and spread happiness in our wake!"

He was fairly certain Prince Olivert was joking around, but at the same time he couldn't deny the temptation of his words. To free himself from being the Ashen Chevalier, from being a noble, and from being the son of Giliath Osborne...

But that would mean leaving his friends and family behind to face what was to come on their own. He shook his head, "It's a tempting offer, but I'm afraid I have to refuse." Despite the situation he couldn't help but smile slightly at the thought, "Still, to be offered a place alongside the talented Olivier Lenheim is a great honor. I've heard much about him from a certain enforcer."

Olivert let out a laugh, "I always knew our dear Baron Bleublanc was a fan of mine." The laughter faded as he adopted a more somber look, "Truth be told, I don't have an easy answer to offer you. Things certainly seem hopeless right now, don't they?"

"Oh..."

"But!" The prince cut him off quickly, "If I may offer some advice? I want you to keep living your life as it is. Don't neglect your own happiness just because things are bleak right now. Even if our esteemed Blood and Iron Chancellor has seen fit to involve you in his schemes don't forget what you have waiting for you at home. You still have half a year before graduation, there are friends all over the country who care about you, a sister who frets about you constantly, and two lovely ladies who have chosen to stand by your side through thick and thin."

Laura placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "And we will keep standing alongside you no matter what."

"It's a pretty exhausting job though." Fie groused.

"Sounds to me like you need an extra girl to help out." Alfin chimed in with a wide grin on her face.

"Shush."

Rean sighed, but he couldn't help but smile. It wasn't the answer he had been hoping for, but it was probably the best he could've expected. And it wasn't as if the older man was wrong, either. "Thanks. I suppose you're right. It's just..."

"A lot to handle at once, I understand." Olivert smiled in understanding, "Still, while I might not have an answer for you now... I may or may not have an idea or two floating around in my head. Perhaps it will ultimately amount to nothing more than a futile gesture from a powerless prince, but there's a chance it might lead to something special. Tell me, Rean, what's your favorite subject in school?"

He blinked. What an unexpected question. Still, unlike the previous one he could sense the sincerity and seriousness in his words, "Uh... history, I suppose?"

It was impossible to not take an interest in the subject after everything that happened during the war.

"Nerd."

"Fie!"

...Well, impossible for most people.

The prince clapped his hands together, "Very good! If I do end up putting my plan into action I'll contact you in the future. You don't need to accept it, naturally, but perhaps the idea will catch your fancy as much as it has mine."

Rean wanted to ask more about this idea, but the ringing of a bell drew their attention, "My apologies, but I think we need to end this conversation unless you want to be swamped by girls again." Elise told them mournfully.

The elder prince tilted his head thoughtfully, "I cannot say I am adverse to the idea, but I suppose now is as good a time as any for our teary departure. Please, take care of yourselves my friends. And always remember that the brightest dawn comes after the longest night."

With those words of wisdom he stood and began walking towards another exit. Rean and Laura prepared to make their exit, but he was surprised when Fie began following Olivert, "You guys go on ahead. There's something I wanna ask him real quick."

Fie wanted to ask the prince something? That was strange.

And worrisome. Extremely worrisome.