"And there they go again..." I mutter quietly as I watch everyone leave so they could prepare for this event. And as they spread out and disappeared, I tapped my fingers. Nin had taken no heed to my concerns and now he was at risk... This wasn't something we should be trivialising!
By his honest word, he was the way he was because he had died! Surely that would caution him against such reckless behaviour? Why was it not guiding him away from the fighting!? I may not be a master at it myself, but, it was clear he did not know how to fight!
"I guess I can't even curse your name..." I muttered with a sigh as some paranoia came to my thoughts. If I did anything but encourage this, would I hamper his confidence? Will his mind be distracted and would that get him killed...? I didn't want to think about such a thing but I couldn't help but do so...
Yet, at the same time, encouraging him to fight would bring the same feelings. Should he fail, that is. I wanted him to be safe, but I also did not want to partake in this event... We've done enough fighting as of late.
There was the fire-breathing, inbred, draconic beast I had to slay to save his life. There was the other one that destroyed his home... How he and Liadanann met even nearly ended in his death! It was too many times for me to be comfortable with it.
But, as I had not been able to sway him in any way, I was left on my own for the day. Everyone else was swept up in the fervour that was this event. Or, they had plans to join it anyway. Either way, there was no way I could be heard in such a biased place.
So, there really was no point in dwelling on this event. There was no point in staring out a window, a scowl on my face as I watched them walk away. Thankfully, I had things I should be doing anyway. I did not have to worry about stewing in my thoughts.
Then, with a frustrated sigh, I got up and out of my chair before I walked out of the building. And, I felt lonely doing so. Because, since coming back here, we finally were able to go back to normal. We would wake up, have something to eat, freshen up and depart for our lessons.
I loved doing that every morning. It helped take my mind off of why I was at this school, to begin with. I had other friends here, sure, but... Doing things we the people you've been through so much with was a different experience.
We had little jokes we could tell each other, even if I often found myself embarrassed. But, that was all just part of the experience that was friendship and love. There were moments that made you uncomfortable but you just did not care that they did. You just looked back and smiled as it was all with your friends...
But, now, I was alone once again. Only for the day, sure, but, I did not like it. I could not focus and I wanted to do things with someone else. Even walking on my own felt different when compared to normal.
"Lady-Heir Einervaene? Is that you?" someone called out before a familiar sound filled my ears. Those light taps could have only been made by getas!
"Do- Do I know you?" I asked the woman who had approached me. She was clearly from my homeland. Her hair was metallic, like mine and she was modestly dressed in our traditional robes. And, her red-faced gaze made me nervous.
"I-I would be a bit worried if you did not!" she joked before she tore her gaze away from my exposed chest.
"I suppose you will have to be worried, then." I laughed out nervously. Her gaze, while not having anything intimidating about it. Was still nerve-wracking as it reminded me that I was scantily clad. Even if it was in honour of a friend...
"Hm, I guess it makes some sense, anyway! I'm the second daughter of Clan Aaedrii, Hycidna Aaedrii." she greeted before she took a rather respectful bow.
"Aaedrii... You are one of Bosphama's tribute clans?" I questioned, uncertain if I was remembering it right. It had been quite some time since I have had to think of anything like this. My memories of home had been largely in regards to Mother, up until now.
"Indeed we are, Lady-Heir." she said before she bowed again.
I smiled and held my hands up, "No, please, that isn't needed here..." I squeaked out as this behaviour had caught the attention of others. In particular, any fellow Eusorochiians living here.
"Of course it is! But, please, come, walk with me if you would be so kind, Lady-Heir!" she cheerfully offered as she made space for me to walk beside her. Not that it was needed, but, she did it anyway. The guards she was walking around with even helped her out. So, for a moment, I felt more important than I actually was.
"So..." I began to let out nervously, "How did you know I was Einervaene Bosphama?" I asked her as I came to a stop. My magic itching to come out in the event there was something else to this.
"Oh, because when I first met you, many years ago. I thought you were really pretty and I have tried my best to emulate it." she answered with rambles and many small gestures.
"Remembering a single face you saw once is..." I started to say before I let my posture say the rest. There was something off about this girl and I was not going to leave myself open!
But, then, her fingers formed a pale-gold net of lightning. Within the contents of which what seemed to be a memory played out. And, it made me embarrassed as I remembered the day it was showing quite well. It was on one of my birthdays and an animal got loose and ruined my yukata for the evening...
"Okay, that's enough of that." I tell her with a high-pitched voice as I try to interrupt the spell with my hands. But, feeling the lightning fizzle over my skin made my mood drop like a weighted man at the gallows. Her magic was weak, purely for ceremonial purposes and yet it had a golden tint... While mine was blue...
"Is there something wrong?"
"N-No... Nothing... What's the occasion? Why is the daughter of a tributary clan here?" I asked her, hoping to get an answer as to why that was the case.
"I'm here to bring back a recording of this tournament they have here! Father wants to see what my brother has been up to while he has been here!" she explained to which I nodded in reply. I guess it made sense for her sibling to be here. It was a very popular place to send daughters and sons for training.
"R-Right, so, is that all?" I asked her as we came upon an active sight. The airship landing pads we had landed at recently were full to the brim. Airships of all kinds were arriving and quickly leaving. And, from the building, hundreds of well-dressed, proper families.
"Well, I do have my own reasons, but, yes." she giggled out as she let her gaze wander towards a group of boys.
"So, this recording you are after, what sort is it?"
"Oh, it is just a visual recording of a student you want to be observed. Most of the people over there are doing it too." she clarifies as her hand gestures at the crowds I was just watching.
"So this event is televised?"
"Only to the lands within this country, which is why I am here. Because we aren't from this country." she giggles out towards the end.
"I see... Then... Can I ask a favour of you, then?" I began to ask as my mind immediately filled up with thoughts of Mother. If the woman I was speaking to was going to be heading back to lands ruled by my family... She could pass on word and proof to Mother that I was okay! But, that meant I would have to take part in the event itself...
Because I could not go back home until I proved that I was not a bastard of any kind... My Mother was no common whore who sold her body out. And I would not suffer the continued existence of such rumours! I would see her free of her burden!
"Oh, your expression got scary for a moment, but, okay, what is the request, Lady-Heir Einervaene?"
"Are you, perhaps, no. Will you pass on a recording of me to my mother? To The Lady Bosphama?" I begged of this woman as I just wanted Mother to know I was okay.
"Oh! You're taking part in the tournament? How exciting!" she gleefully said as her fingers came to life and flickered about.
"Y-Yeah... I am..." I muttered as I had now completely gone back on my position. I had pushed hard for Nin not to join and now I was going to just because of a video... It doesn't even matter if it was for a good reason. I would still be mocked over it...
"So will you be going in as a team or on your own?" she then asked.
"Team?"
"Yeah, my brother speaks of a system that lets you go in as a team? But, he's not good with his words despite the lessons he often gets so he might have just signed up with his friends." she told me with a smile.
"Right, so... My mother. Is she alright?" I asked her as my fingers came together and pressed against each other. Nervous sparks flying between them as I did so.
She then went quiet and her guards fidgeted, "The Lady Bosphama has rescinded from public life."
"What does that mean!?" I asked her as I suddenly took a step forward.
"Since you left, Lady-Heir, her image has declined and more rally against her. It may be a peaceful rebellion right now, but, there are rumours..."
"No..." I cried quietly as I started to tremble in fear.
"My Lady, if I may..." one of the guards suddenly spoke up to the woman I was talking to.
"Make it quick." she snapped in a sudden change of tone.
"The Lady Bosphama has taken to ruling through regents and advisors. However, she goes through them quite quickly."
"Alright, that's enough." the one I was speaking to snapped as my despair became even more obvious.
"Mother..." I said, on the verge of tears as I heard this.
"Don't worry, Lady-Heir! The Lady Bosphama is fine and well. She's just taken a backseat to governance."
And, as my heart could not handle it, I had no choice but to believe her, "Okay... I understand. Thank you for telling me this..." I started to say before I realised my fear made her name slip from my mind.
"You ask favours of me and you can't even remember my name!?" she jokingly exclaims with a pout before she smiles.
"I do." I tell her, trying to get caught up in her laughter to ease my mind.
"Hycidna Aaedrii, Lady-Heir." she reminded me with a small smile.
"Of course, thank you, Hycidna." I tell her with a slight nod that made her smile wide.
"Excellent, now, seen as you are a student here... Perhaps you can show me around in the meantime?" she asks me as her face takes on a lustful hint. And, ashamed as I am to admit it, I only knew it was that because I showed that expression to Nin on occasion.
"Sure, we will just need to head that way to the tournament building so I can ask about something." I say to her, covering up my true intentions. I just needed to get to that building and sign up quietly so the others would not catch on.
"Oh, look at me. Hycidna of Clan Aaedrii is going on a prowl with the exiled Lady-Heir of Clan Bosphama!" she gleefully exclaims as we start to walk again.