Eldric's eyes went towards the figure of the green haired girl that sat on the opposite side of the table. She didn't look that pleased.
"I apologise." Eldric grabbed a chair, slightly bowed his head and sat down. "I was busy with my usual training regime. I hope that wouldn't be too unsatisfactory."
To be frank, Udel was feeling quite irked by the succession of events that lead to her meeting with her supposed fiancé. It was very rude to miss such an obvious appointment. Not to mention the need to sit alone for him to meet her.
Udel scanned Eldric's visage for any changes, and she could only assume that he was sincerely apologetic going by the face the silver haired boy put in front of her was putting.
Udel decided to put it aside for now, there were times when she would get engrossed with research as well. Maybe he simply lost track of time.
"It is irksome, but I'm not so unreasonable."
"Thank you."
Smiling, Eldric grabbed the cup of tea in front of him and took a sip.
"It tastes wonderful." he complimented, gesturing to the handmaiden that stood next to Udel. She was a young woman barely in her twenties.
'I still can't get used to the colourful hair of the people in this world...' wryly smiled Eldric taking note of the maid's pink hair.
The maid bowed her head, " I'm glad it was to your standards."
Udel huffed, "You sister was quite a handful..."
"My sister?" Eldric tilted his head. "It must have been little Bellah, right? Ellah wouldn't go out of her way to talk to you."
Eldric nodded, sounding very sure of his remark.
"You seem to have a healthy relationship with your family. That is rare among us higher ranking members of nobility."
Udel was a special case among the nobility, she was the only daughter and only heir to a ducal household. It was a risky endeavour, but Beothrice didn't seem to care no matter the accusations and rumours hurled towards him.
Eldric smilingly nodded, somehow, Cenric being in the family totally escaped his mind at that moment.
"Yes, that is the case. My family is very precious to me."
The wood on the fireplace sizzled and the only sound that travelled in the luxurious room was soft breathing and the pangs of silver cups against the ceramic plates.
Not a single party made any talk.
Growing tired of the stale mood, Eldric sighed, " What do you think about this engagement?"
Udel's hand slightly quivered, and the cup of tea nearly fell out of its plate.
"...."
"That is awfully direct…"
This was unexpected, so far, the boy in front of her displayed that he is at least capable of carrying himself well enough as it is.
She was expecting more. It would have been amusing to hear how he would try to carry himself further into the conversation.
"Please don't think so much about it. I simply don't understand how this worked, so I thought it would easier for the both of us to be natural. "
Eldric paused,
"Given your house's reputation, I thought it would be better to come off clean."
Maybe it was a politically wrong move, but Eldric simply didn't care at this moment.
… There were other thoughts going in Eldric's mind, but that pretty much summed up his entire thought process.
'That's the reason? There has to be more to it...'
"Fufu.. That does seem better. Since you seem so eager, let's not waste time. How about we have a chess match?"
Eldric raised his eyebrow, " A chess match, you say?"
Udel smiled, "Yes. That is very important to me."
She looked at Eldric's figure, it was still skinny, there were muscles showing themselves between the folds of the black suite that the boy was wearing.
... Maybe what she heard from her father was indeed true and that he would become an important person, but Udel wouldn't choose something that is that much less intelligent than her…
"Do you perhaps not know of chess…" asked the green haired child.
Eldric's mouth twitched, "Yes, I do know of chess. It is a pretty well received game among the noble children, after all."
It was the same chess that Eldric knew from before. Nothing had changed whatsoever.
Udel clapped her hands, "Great."
" Lilly, do you mind handing me the chess board."
The pink haired maid was immediately whisked away from her trance like state as she heard her lady's wish.
"Of course, my lady."
Eldric looked weirdly at the exchange, "You tell your attendants to carry around a chessboard."
"Yes. It's a hobby of mine you could say. Are there any problems?"
"Not really."
The both of them silently waited for the handmaiden to bring in the chess board.
"Here it is, my lady." Lilly said handing over the deceptively heavy board.
Udel faintly smiled, "Thank you. You may go now."
"Which side do you want to take?" asked the young girl looking at Eldric.
"I'll take the white side please."
Udel hummed, " Haven't you heard of ladies first?"
Eldric chuckled, "I'll take any advantage I can get. Besides, you wouldn't choose a battle unless you are confident in that area."
He shrugged, "I'm just being cautious here."
Udel hummed appreciatively. "That makes sense."
Eldric's hand went to physically move the piece as he would usually do, but was stopped by Udel.
"There is no need to. This is a special board. It was custom-made by the Artifex house."
Udel smirked, "You just need to put your voice in."
"E2 to E4." muttered Eldric marking the start of the chess match.
Unlike what Eldric anticipated, the board didn't shine or show any signs of activation. The pawn simply moved two spaces without any fanfare.
"C7 to C5"
"G1 to F3"
It was a basic opening, neither side was playing aggressively. The purpose of the match was not to win, after all. It was only as a way to break the ice.
Or so Eldric thought.
As such, Eldric began a makeshift introduction.
"You probably know this, but I was bedridden for a few years back and couldn't even. But as you can see, I have fully recovered. I am someone that really likes training and enjoys talking with family."
"E7 to E6."
Commanding her pawn to move one space forward, Udel hummed. She thought of what she should say.
Since the boy in front of her was being rather open, why wouldn't she do the same? It was quite refreshing to simply tell her feelings, actually.
"There isn't much I can tell you about me. I'm the sole daughter of the Captsious household. I'm someone that enjoys studying and learning about the world and uncovering secrets."
Eldric looked at the strange glint that possessed her green eyes when she talked about uncovering secrets that went away just as it came in.
It was at that moment that Eldric knew she had a bit of a screw loose.
'Are all nobles loose headed?' wryly thought Eldric.
But it seems the girl had only just started.
"I also want to make an association in our kingdom, much like the magic tower and the guilds in the Autocracy. "
"Naturally, I will be its head."
"…."
"That is a pretty big dream, isn't it? You think you got what it takes?"
Udel huffed, crossing her arms. "Of course, I do."
Eldric smiled looking at Udel's semi-offended expression. He looked into her determination eyes, she seemed to have already figured out what she wants to do with her life.
Who was he to tell her not to.
" Chase after the moon, and you might catch the stars if you miss." mumbled Eldric below his breath.
Udel tussled, " You can call me Udel. At least, I can tell that we will be friends."
Between Eldric and her father, he was the only one that didn't mock her grand dream for some reason or the other.
"Is that so?" Eldric raised his eyebrow, "Might I know why?"
Udel giggled, "You will have to figure it out."
'Damn. What do they feed these girls to be like this from the start?' lamented Eldric in his mind.
"B1 to C3"
"A7 to A6"
Eldric raised his eyebrow.
"D2 to D4"
"C5 takes D4." smiled Udel taking off Eldric's pawn with hers.
"You are playing surprisingly safe, Udel. I thought you would be more aggressive." commented Eldric.
"I could say the same to you, Eldric." Udel giggled.
From the side, Lilly couldn't be more shocked about how quick they switched to casually talking to each other as if they were friends for years.
"F3 takes D4." Eldric moved his knight to take down Udel's pawn.
Time passed as the commands continued.
Finally.
"Check"
Eldric looked at his last remaining piece, like an imprisoned liege, his king was surrounded by the assault Udel's rook and bishop. No matter how much he racked his brains, he could not find a solution to this situation.
This was with even him taking the better odds...
'The captious blessing really is something, isn't it?'
Again, seeing no way out, Eldric tipped down his king. He essentially forfeited the match.
He extended his hand. "Good match."
"Fufu. You're quite a sore loser. Don't worry, you did better than most…" commented Udel taking in the bitter expression on Eldric's face.
'What are you saying, my lady?' thought Lilly in her head. The maid couldn't remember someone holding his own against the young lady so long.
At that moment the both of them shook hands, the door briskly opened and the figure of James and Beothrice could be seen entering the room.
"I told you, Beo." James nudged his friend in the ribs.
"Shut up."