"So... are we really doing this?"
"Stop being so dramatic, she won't even know it's us."
"You do realize we are feeling the same thing... right?"
"Right..."
While I had been away trying hard to start building an image for Zero, sub-me had stayed in our apartment and diligently been practicing using our water element. The progress had been quite remarkable, but as we had been quite proficient in handling our mist, it seems a big part of the process could be translated to the water element.
The biggest difference was that while water was also everchanging, it wasn't as ethereal as mist. While mist was distant, almost unliving, water was very much alive and vibrant. It was an element that was very much in tune with emotions. Violent when angry but soothing when needed.
Going back to the topic at hand, both of my bodies were currently sitting on the floor in the training room, helping a stream of water flow through the air like a snake without wings. Going from behind sub-me's back to my right hand, following along the tracks like a well-oiled machine.
"Still, maybe it's just as well that we meet her as soon as possible. Who knows? Maybe it won't be that bad."
****
[Sarah's Pov]
After two weeks of wallowing in misery and sorrow, I had already decided that it was time to get up on my feet. Somehow, my father had managed to time his suggestion to me with perfect timing.
"-Sarah, I need you to come with me to the academy. There is a representative from the church that has the protection of the pope, and I assume that you understand what that means."
When he spoke those words, I truly had no idea what he actually meant. The pope and the church of Theia hadn't exactly been a big part of my education, but as I had already decided I would go back, I didn't care that much.
I had already accepted the curse of my blood, the curse of being the heir to the throne. While I had been lying in my bed, a certain set of words had somehow woken me up, as a memory of me sitting in a hospital bed played before my eyes.
"-It's not about becoming strong, but about becoming stronger."
Words of a man that had become my enemy, who had become a casualty for the sake of our country. With everything that was happening in this world, there was no way I could just stay still, I needed to move forward, even if it meant I would have to live through angst and pain.
'It would have been nice to pretend a little longer though...'
Living with the truth hurt a lot more than convincing myself that James had died that day, to face the fact that he was living a life separate from mine and I wouldn't ever be a part of that life again. When I was young, I hadn't believed in those fairy tails that spoke about love at first sight, but now I knew there was more truth in those than most history books.
It was just hard to realize that even love wasn't invincible.
"Sarah..."
As I had fallen into some dark thoughts once again, I hadn't noticed the fact that a couple of tears had started to emerge in my eyes. Someone who absolutely did notice, however, was my father on my side on the couch in the office room.
Hurriedly, I blinked a few times to get rid of the tears and faced my father with confidence, "I'm fine. Now, shouldn't that youth show up soon?"
My father, the king of Mensch... I had tried so hard to hate him after what he did, but somehow, I couldn't. Deep inside I knew what kind of man he was, and to what lengths he would go to keep his country safe.
If he could offer up his life right now to win the war against the demons, there was no doubt in my mind that my father would go on to the afterlife. He was the one to blame for this, but at the same time, I couldn't blame him for it.
"Well, he should be here any minute now. I don't think he would be that kind of youth who would..."
*Click!*
Interrupting the words of my father, a small boy with hair like snow walked into the room, with hesitant steps. When he saw us sitting on the couch, his face strained as he quickly bowed, not even caring about the fact that he was standing right at the doorstep.
"Greetings, Your Highness! I-I-I am Zero Adler!"
Leaving both me and my father a bit flabbergasted because of his stupidity, it took a second for the king to stand up and walk over to the youth. "Haha, no need to act like that, young Zero. Come in! Tea or coffee?"
Although my father had no hands to put on his shoulder, he still seemed a bit relieved after the king had acted so casually. "Ah... Coffee, please..."
Before my father sat down, I had already risen to my feet as well, knowing that I would have to be the one to serve the drinks. At the same time, I took the opportunity to present myself to the white-haired boy, "Nice to meet you, Zero. I'm Sarah Lindt, princess of Mensch and daughter to this silly old man."
"Haha! Don't say that, my dear daughter. You can't make a fool out of me in front of the son of god!"
Using one of the social skills that James taught me, I tried to lessen the pressure Zero was feeling a bit more by cracking a little joke, and it appeared to be working. Even more impressive was the fact that he managed to pick up on our little act, "Thank you both for being considerate towards me..."
'Seems like he isn't a complete fool...'
Finally, he managed to find a place to sit down, sitting opposite my father while I was pouring coffee into our cups. Of course, I didn't hand one to my father as he didn't enjoy showing the sight of him having to be assisted in these kinds of things.
Now, I had no idea what kind of role I had in this conversation, but I suspected that I was more of a symbol that the royal family was part of the academy as well. Meaning that if he needed support from us, I would be the one he could reach out to.
Surprisingly enough, Zero was the one to take the initiative in the conversation, "Now, I do appreciate the fact that the king himself has taken the time to meet me, but I do have to ask. Why exactly are you here?"
'Ho?'
The look in his eyes had changed, going from the clueless kid to someone who was well aware that he had now become a part of Mensch's political process. Still, the king of Mensch wasn't someone who would let a freshman take control of the conversation.
"Haha! No need to be so stiff, Zero. However, it seems like I must apologize to you."
"What do you mean?"
"I had heard rumors about you being hidden from the world, that you had no experience of interacting with other humans, but it seems like I was mistaken. I can see in your eyes that you are well aware that this meeting is mostly a political symbol, a symbol of the unity between the royal family and the church."
Zero took a sip of his coffee, somehow managing to burn his tongue in front of the king, "Ouch! Hot, hot, hot..."
"Pfft...!"
Needless to say, we were now sitting opposite a very embarrassed youth who tried his best not to let it get to him. "Cough! Yes, I do realize that this is just a play for the masses, but... isn't there any other reason you wanted to meet me?"
Although it was hard to take him seriously now, with me trying my best not to laugh at him, the king of Mensch remained unperturbed, "Hmm, I guess there is another reason as well. Tell me, Zero, if you heard about a person who might become someone who can save the allied races in the future, what would you do if you were king?"
Suddenly, Zero's face hardened, clearly picking up what my father was insinuating. Yes, we weren't just here to show face, this was somewhat of a scouting appointment. If we had the one the church regarded as the son of god on our side, wouldn't that mean that the pope would have no choice but to follow suit?
However...
"King of Mensch, do not be mistaken. I may be unfamiliar with this world, and although I do not have a lot of experience in these stupid political schemes, I am not someone you can buy. I have not been placed here on Tella as a tool for you to use. I am here to do everything I can to make sure the allied races have a future."