The White Darkness

By Helbaworshipper

False Treaty Arc: Seno Kingdom Travels 2

She supposed it was when she was the most exhausted she wanted to think about the future. Either way, traveling meant she had to be more careful with her image than usual. She hadn't had any time to bother Eric with his potential tutoring services and even more so in regards to his obsession with Alice. If anything, that worried her a bit more than Alice's relationship with Kyo. Right now, standing mostly alone with Kazuki, she didn't want to think about it.

"We should be there in half a day, your highness." Kazuki's voice droned on as she moved towards the nearby water source. It was especially good for when one needed to recharge as it was in the Lotis forest. The glowing water reminded her a little of why she was there in the first place. "However, there has been a bit of unrest in the back."

"Certainly it must be about my sister being told nothing of attacks." She commented, turning towards him. She motioned for him to come forward. "Despite my desire for her to stay out of things, she has done what she is required to do. Were it an easy travel, I would have said more." She brought her hand out to touch his. "Now, what else is there to inform?"

"What should we do regarding Samuel?"

"That isn't my issue." She turned towards him with a smile. "He will go with Eric eventually. Whether it is with Kyo or Alice. What sort of mind do you have to speak to your student this way?"

"None," Kazuki's face seemed less serious now. She loved making men feel like this when they knew how to behave. As he moved closer to give her a kiss, she allowed her mind to let go of the location. She had to simply follow what was decided for her to do and have Kyo's love. Only that… Only that would make her the happiest.

The throne was gone. She could see around her the rubble of Seno castle. Slowly, she got up as she felt the ache of her body. It felt like no one was there, but then…

"Mother..." She moved towards the figure of a now dead woman. She was currently under a considerable amount of the stone and the blood was pooled. Nearby, the man she had called father was in an equally horrible condition. "How… Who..."

"What's wrong?" The one who had spoken in her audience spoke with a smile. "Did I not help you gain more power?"

"How dare you use Maram in this sacred place!" Her mind flared into action as she started to moved towards the figure with green eyes. She pushed it down and began to squeeze into them until they gave up. However, the figure smiled despite her efforts.

"Sacred? When you're so dark?" She felt herself pushed off slowly. The figure lifted her in the air by her neck. "What love can you have when your power at this time is so horribly inadequate?" The woman's hand let go for a moment. "Daara." She was draw into what felt a tornado and she couldn't find it in her to be able to breath? Where was her power? Who was that-

It was the Sun starting to rise that woke her. She was alone in her carriage. Still, her mind couldn't find solace in the fact that she had woken up. That dream had come back and then made her feel helpless again. Who was that figure? Why was she being weakened beyond belief when her power was praised so? Her eyes focused onto the figures outside.

"What sort of miracle does her highness expect? We're traveling with the most we can and still all she wants is more regal image."

"It's required for the family to maintain its image." A lady in waiting spoke in answer. She could tell from the shape of the hairstyle. It was probably her mother's. "However, her highness would like to believe that she can just decide one thing and it shall be so. It puts too much work on all of us."

"You can't say that about someone who defends us!"

"Defends us for what reason? She has no reason to think of us any more important."

"Countess!"

"If she could hold back I'd feel a bit less wary of it. By the time we get to the kingdom she'll demand to have as much time with her fiance as possible. However, we were told to limit it to official events only."

"What do you mean? Shouldn't they get together more often?"

"That's the problem, something is wrong with it."

"Are you alright?" The figure seemed to sway.

"The orders are from his majesty. However, they don't feel right. He doesn't want her to ruin her image before she gets married." The atmosphere was almost stifling. "I'm not sure what to tell him."

Taking a deep breath, Mayura, slowly picked up one of the heavier necklaces near her. She pulled it up and dropped it. The nearby maid started to open the door, knocking while avoiding any disrespectful gestures. She looked at the two figures for a moment with her practiced yawn.

"Countess? What is it?"

"It is morning, your highness."

"Oh," she smiled calmly as she allowed the maid to start cleaning up. "Did my father start breakfast already?" She kept her gaze on the Countess' face.

"No, he simply asked me to make sure you were rested. If there is nothing you need your highness, I will inform him." She nodded and turned her attention to the maid.

"What does the Countess know?" She asked as the maid shook for a moment. Her power wasn't exactly why she shuddered, but the tone. The woman continued her task of dressing Mayura's body.

"She's aware that you allow certain people in your room past certain hours. I have not seen any reason to think it wrong."

"She certainly has quite the imagination." Her hand lightly touched her hair as another maid entered. Between the two she was ready to go to breakfast and to figure out what the mess of a situation could be.