Giliath demands your power stones! Let's try to get over 500 this week!
*****
As I enjoyed the rays of the sun beating down on the window with a cool air wafting around near the outside of it watching Heimdallr's people begin to open up shop for the day down below in the plaza, Princess Alfin and Sherryl made their way to a room that was directly connected to this one.
Princess Alfin and Sherryl soon found themselves walking onto a very soft pearly-white carpet. They eventually came across a small room further inside, which was clear that it was a changing room. Aside from some mirrors on each side of the room with two sinks placed on each side, there was an area that allowed one to place their clothes inside a few baskets. It was pretty modern in design, compared to how the rest of the giant palace appeared. It didn't take long before the two found themselves standing in front of a large mirror, allowing Sherryl to get a good look at her own body, with Princess Alfin standing beside her. She of course currently had a smile on her face, humming a light tune.
Further inside this changing area was a fancy sliding screen, revealing a closed room that opened up into a large pearly white bathroom. Its size was even larger than the private bath of the Arseid Mansion. It was decorated with fancy marble tiling and brass faucets. Toward the side had a large opulent tub, while off to the other side had a larger pool, to which would occasionally be used if Princess Alfin had guests over. One definitely took their craft seriously designing this exquisite bathroom.
"I had a feeling you wouldn't lack proper décor here, considering you are Erebonia's Treasure. Is it alright for me to use your washroom though? I'm only a guest here, like the other girls.", Sherryl said, scratching her cheek as she felt a little guilty seeing Princess Alfin next to her. Hearing that only caused Princess Alfin to smile.
"Oh enough of that nonsense. I saw you were trying to keep your distance during the dance last night but after our rest, I can see it clear as day you treat Big Brother as family. As such, by extension, we are considered family too. Just call me Alfin like Big Brother does.", Princess Alfin happily responded, seeing the lilac haired girl before her with a hesitant look in her eyes.
"There's no way I could possibly do that, Your Highness...You should be aware of what I desire to become too, right? I know you were awake during most of my conversation that I had with Big Brother. I'm not that ignorant.", Sherryl said, squinting her eyes a bit at the golden-blonde haired girl before her. Hearing that, Princess Alfin smiled, clapping her hands with a giggle.
"Teehee, oh did you find me out? It sounded rather serious so I didn't want to intrude on you two. You seemed to have let out some bottled up emotions last night so I was curious to see if there was going to be a follow-up to it, but didn't expect that it would be as soon as we woke up. It sounded like some pretty nasty business happened where you two were taken inside that musty cave. The results were revealed to the public a couple years ago about it being tied to some cultists who rejected the Goddess. I didn't think it would wind up to be something so serious.", Princess Alfin frowned as she looked back at Sherryl. Seeing Princess Alfin's worry, Sherryl smiled.
"It's alright, Your Highness. The worst has already passed, but I do speak the truth in saying it was Big Brother who rescued us. There are others, but we've currently parted ways. Down the line if we happen to reunite, I'd love to introduce my friends to you.", Sherryl happily responded.
"Mmm. And I look forward to that time to come. For now, we should freshen up. It sounds like you want to serve Big Brother in the future. I'd say as expected as someone whose family used to serve House Bartholomeus. If addressing someone isn't to your liking yet, then why not get a little practice in and help wash me, in place of one of the maids?", Princess Alfin suggested, drawing Sherryl's attention. It didn't take long to nod her head.
"I wouldn't mind doing that, Your Highness. You have very beautiful skin, almost makes me jealous, hehe.", Sherryl replied with a giggle. That also earned a giggle from Princess Alfin.
"I could say the same to you. Your skin is not like a normal girl's. It's very healthy and peachy, almost seemingly without any blemish. You talked about having a unique constitution, didn't you?', Princess Alfin asked.
"More or less. I'd rather not talk about it, but let's just say my vitality is a lot higher than a normal person's. Its side effects have been mostly in favor, at least.", Sherryl responded, nodding her head.
"I see.", Princess Alfin said, taking a moment to walk up to Princess Alfin, sporting a gentle look in her eyes. "And how are those scars of yours? You did say they didn't have much feeling to them, but they're still present. Call me being overly worried.", Princess Alfin said. Sherryl shook her head.
"It's normal to worry like that. I would have ended up in a much worse state if it weren't for Big Brother, but rest assured Your Highness, I do not feel much pain. My body is quite tough now. Oh I know, Big Brother currently has plans to pay a visit to the Vander Dojo later today to where I'll have a spar with him. Why not come with us? You'll be surprised.", Sherryl happily suggested, causing Princess Alfin to look at her again.
"I don't see why not. You may not believe it but I was there at the Martial Arts Tournament during Her Majesty the Queen's birthday celebration a few years ago. Sounds like you've got a knack for learning martial arts, something even I pale to strive for.", Princess Alfin said.
"So you were there, huh? Now it makes sense as to why I was feeling familiar gazes during that match...", Sherryl uttered softly, recalling that she had battled against Rixia just as her journey began a few years ago back in Grancel City. Naoto had quite the group then, but Naoto had left before Sherryl could even pick up any traces of him. Still, it had been a few years since that tournament happened, and Sherryl had improved since then. A look of anticipation appeared in Sherryl's eyes, causing Princess Alfin to blink at her.
"Well, it sounded like you were in the middle of your training then, so Big Brother didn't want to impose on what you were currently learning with that Teacher of yours. You're not in a rush today, are you? I was hoping I could run the bath, instead of just taking a shower.", Princess Alfin asked, wondering.
"A bath does sound nice, and I'm not in too much of a hurry. I'm sure Big Brother has thoughts of his own, so I don't see a reason why we shouldn't. I do hope you'll continue to treat me like this, Your Highness. And to add to that, that violet haired girl, Renne, is in the same boat as me. I do hope you'll shower her with that kindness of yours to her, just like you are doing to me.", Sherryl happily responded.
It was now 7AM January 1st of the Septian Calendar, marking the dawn of the new century. The night prior, Princess Alfin received a message from her mother, mentioning that breakfast would be ready sharp at 8AM, so that meant that they still had an hour to use. Naoto and Sherryl conversely woke up at 6AM due to Naoto's habits in waking up early.
But that meant the two had a full hour to enjoy themselves, so Princess Alfin suggested drawing a bath, to which Sherryl happily accepted. Princess Alfin nodded her head seeing Sherryl accept.
"Teehee, of course I can. considering the two of you are attending St. Astraia just like I am. I will go turn on the device to help draw out the hot water, so you needn't bother yourself with that. Why don't we take these clothes off?", Princess Alfin suggested.
"With pleasure.", Sherryl said.
It didn't take long for the sound of running water to rush into the corridor, with a faint sound of a sliding screen.
As some minutes began to pass while that happened, Naoto could now be seen in front of the large window, granting him a view of Dreichel's Plaza. His eyes were currently in a particular area, which was the bridge that connected Valflame Palace to the rest of Heimdallr. It was clear enough to where he could see a small violet haired girl, a white haired girl, a plum haired girl, and an olive-green haired girl. The violet haired and olive-green haired girl could currently be seen in the black St. Astraia's uniforms, while the plum-haired girl and white haired girl wore casual clothes.
The black-indigo haired girl who used to be a part of this group could no longer be seen, as she had made prior plans to return to her hometown in order to pay her family a visit during the New Years. That girl was of course Elise Schwarzer, while the group of four down below was Renne, Emma, Fie, and Musse. It seemed that they had plans to go outside with a destination in mind. Naoto also saw a blonde haired boy with a look of disinterest in his eyes, which was of course Prince Cedric.
As if detecting Naoto's gaze, Emma's eyes wandered upward toward the palace to a specific area, eventually spotting the violet haired boy behind the large window panel, who was currently donning his Phoenix Robe. Naoto smiled at Emma, before turning back inside, letting his figure vanish.
Yet at the same time, Naoto didn't wander far, only to start sitting cross-legged, entering a meditation pose that he hadn't done in a while. It didn't take long before certain elements of the air to start drifting around his body. If one had a close look, these elemental particles were an icy blue, a fiery red, and a bloody crimson in color. Since he started to hear the bath's water being run from further within, Naoto decided it was a good moment to enter a session of meditation to start the new day...