She hadn't heard of Beatrice ever since the incident with Imelda.
Zeke and Zara, the name of her grandchildren, immediately understood the situation. Though they were still about 13-15, they matured quite quickly after staying in Ceresé Residence. They were, of course, really sweet children whom you could talk to so easily.
Yen, nowadays, spends time discussing with Haru about their next moves in Aquie's office, as she listens in to check if she needed to clarify anything they were saying.
Haru: "So, until we have a new mission, it's best we watch over Zeke and Zara."
Yen: "I'll ask them to prepare you a room, so you won't have to go back and forth, residence to residence."
Haru: "Thank you. I appreciate your concern."
A knock was heard in the door.
Duchess of Ceresé: "Come in."
The door opens as Kayla walks in, a handle of a cage, with a dove locked inside on one hand, and a letter on the other. It reminded Yen of the other day she had came across Sei.
Yen: "Who is that for?"
Kayla: "It's a gift from Sir Sei to you, My Lady."
Her eyes widened.
Yen: "Did he find out it was me..?"
Haru: "Hopefully not."
Duchess of Ceresé: "Is there some piece of information I'm missing?"
Yen: "No, it's nothing. We just happened to run across Sei that very day. He almost caught me red-handed though, because he thought I looked familiar."
Duchess of Ceresé: "I see.. then read the letter and see what he has to say. I'll help you describe what he intends or just wants in particular."
With that, Kayla placed the cage on the table and handed the letter to Yen, before bowing and leaving the room.
Yen hesitantly opened the letter, opening it carefully and delicately, which was something Haru found attractive.
Haru: 'How delicate and graceful her movements are.'
Yen cleared her throat before reading the letter aloud for the room to hear.
Yen: "Dear Young Lady of Ceresé,
It has been quite long since I have seen you. Working hard to become head someday is quite taxing. Nonetheless, I saw a person who looked exactly like you the other day. She had been eyeing this dove, and I thought of it as a sign to deliver it to you. If I have time, I may visit, but I cannot promise any further notice and for that I am deeply sorry. I wish you good health and safety, my friend.
Sincerely Yours, Sei Osrine."
Aquie went quiet, maybe even slightly shocked of the letter's contents.
Duchess of Ceresé: "Hmm.. what do you think?"
Yen: "What?"
Duchess of Ceresé: "I am asking for your opinion of the letter."
Yen: "I am glad that he didn't realize it was me, but he really didn't need to get me all of this. It's just too much already.."
Duchess of Ceresé: "That's the point."
Haru jumped on his seat.
Haru: "Are you saying-?!"
Duchess of Ceresé: "Yes. Now please sit down."
Curiosity overtook Yen's mind. It was not like Sei did anything wrong, right?
Yen: "Why don't you be more detailed about it? It's like I'm answering a quiz.."
Duchess of Ceresé: "Sei likes you, romantically, in what I observed here."
Yen: "Sei- WHAT?!"
Duchess of Ceresé: "Think about it. I'll give you some time to realize it."
And that she did. She recalls the different times Sei had given her gifts, most especially compliments, and knowing him, that is very well the way he shows his love, or what many call it as 'love language'. Gift giving and compliments are his love language.
Not only that, but others who know of him would always talk about how Sei usually talks about her. She felt like it was too much of her to assume, but the more she thought about it, the more it made sense.
Yet love was something she wouldn't put first. Of course, there was her recent betrayal from Rui, but it was mainly because of her mission. She had to deal with Beatrice first, or else not only her future lover, but the whole empire, would have to suffer from her actions.
Yen: "I'll need some time to think. Could we discuss this next time, Haru? I'm really sorry..-"
Haru: "No, it's alright. Just take your time."
Yen gave a genuine smile, which sent butterflies down his stomach. He turned a bit red as Yen stood up to bow at Aquie before taking her leave.
He sighs, tired of the feelings he conceals for the sake of their relationship going.
Duchess of Ceresé: "Don't think I don't know your feelings for her too."
She looks at him with a serious look, which sends a chill down his spine.
Haru: "Do you not wish for me to be with her?"
Duchess of Ceresé: "Oh no, I am rooting for both you and Sei, but it is still up to her."
She sips on the tea on her table and continues scribbling.
Duchess of Ceresé: "Just do not fight over it."
Yes, this is what he knew quite well. He would be well enough and happy in seeing her smile, and he does not wish to betray her even more after the incident with Rui.
____________________
Yen did not wish to use magic, but she felt the urge to immediately teleport to Marione's room. She hesitated, as she did not wish to invade privacy, but she did not care anymore.
With mere seconds, she found herself in Marione's room, which was quite messy with piles of books stacking on each other on the floor.
Marione was in front of her, her hair blowing away from the impact of the teleportation.
Marione: "What are you doing here?!"
Yen: "I-I'm sorry, I just really need to discuss about something."
Marione: "What's it about?"
Yen: "Romance. I trust-"
She was teleported to sit on that same couch, with tea and snacks prepared in a split second. Yen took a sip of the tea, looking around to see how clean it is now. Marione was sitting across her like a child ready to receive a prize or maybe has just been complimented by her parents.
Marione: "Spill the tea, now."
She took a bite out of a glazed donut, really overjoyed with the news. Yen just took a sip of tea and ate some snacks.
The girl who would always take her time to wait for others became impatient with curiosity. It made Yen uneasy, but nothing would happen but time passing if she just kept quiet. It was the sole reason why she teleported in the first place.
Yen: "So, it's about guy number one-"
Marione: "Spill the names! I won't be able to give you advice if I don't know who they are."
Yen knew she had a point, but she was a bit embarrassed to mention both names in the conversation. Either way, she cleared her throat before she continued.
Yen: "So.. Sei right?"
Marione: "Mhm."
Yen: "He's been showing signs that he likes me, and even Aquie confirmed it. And then Haru.. the more I think about it, the more I think he also likes me.."
Marione: "Okay.. and?"
Yen: "I don't know who I like romantically.."
Marione: "Hmm.. let's talk about Sei for a moment, what made you think he likes you?"
Yen: "Sei..? In what I know of him, his love language is gift giving and giving compliments. He usually does this to me, and others would also tell me he talks about me a lot. I don't like assuming too much, so I usually just ignore it. But he really is very sweet and caring. He tries his best to find time to spend with me, even though it's not quite a lot. I really appreciate it."
She smiled in gratitude. The little things Sei would do for her would already be enough for her. Of course, he isn't always there for her, but he finds so much ways to show her that he actually cares.
Marione takes a long moment of silence to think before staring at Yen again.
Marione: "Now, talk about Haru this time. What makes you think he likes you?"
Yen: "Haru is one of those who I really spend most of my time with, which is one of the main reasons why I really trust him. That one time I held his hand, he really was embarrassed.. I mean I was too, but..! Yeah, and his love language is gifts, compliments, and most especially time. Oh, I shouldn't forget the time he made a small joke in the amusement park, telling me that I amuse him.... but I really like how he is, it brings a smile to my face."
The amount of times she had messed up with her words on that one really made her red. She was doing quite alright with Sei's, but Haru's explanation was a mess. She just sighed in disappointment as she waited for anything Marione had to say about it.
Marione: "Alright then.. what if I told you that you liked Sei?"
A wave of relief washed over her now that the solution was solved, but why was she a bit disappointed? It was not like Sei did something wrong, but it felt like she never had that kind of connection with him, even a romantic feeling at all. Was it just her or was Marione wrong?
Marione: "Disappointed?"
Yen: "I- of course not! It's just.."
Marione: "Then that explains it."
Yen: "?"
Marione: "You like Haru."
She almost choked on the tea she started drinking. Marione just ate more donuts.
A wave of emotions, happiness, relief, embarrassment, mostly confusion, filled her.
Yen: "But I thought you said I liked Sei..?"
Marione: "That was just a test to see how you would react. Now that Ive done it, it's quite obvious that you like Haru more, or more like, you like Haru romantically and you just think of Sei as a friend."
She stayed silent.
Yen: 'So, it works just like that?'
Marione: "To be honest, I thought you'd already know after being in a relationship! Guess that guy, uhhh.. didn't help you! Now, what was his name again.. Re-Remi or something..?"
Yen: "Rui.."
Marione: "Yes, right! Rui is the name, haha.."
Yen: "..."
Marione: "..."
Yen: 'She seriously forgot his name?'
Marione: "A-anyways! Haru is the guy you like. What do you plan on doing next?"
Yen: "Definitely not confessing."
Marione scoffed, not expecting that kind of answer.
Marione: "Why?!"
Yen: "I need to finish my 'mission'. If I have a lover, don't you think it would take longer?"
Marione: "..Right.."
Yen: "Then.. I shall take my leave."
Marione: "Fine.. but do tell me some other interesting stories!"
With a clap of Marione's hands, she was teleported somewhere in the mansion. Many of the halls in the residence look the same, so she couldn't pinpoint which hallway she was at.
Standing there with confusion, it became silent until she could here the sound of children.
Yen: 'Maybe I should go there..'
Following the voices in the distance, she could hear laughter of children, who she could assume as Zeke and Zara once she went closer.
Opening the door to the room, Haru, who was laughing with the children, spotted Yen and greeted her.
Haru: "Are you alright now? You seemed quite at edge a while back."
Yen: "Yes. I got to talk with Marione and my questions have been answered by her."
Seeing Yen, Zeke and Zara ran to Yen as she embraced them with open arms. They were quite close, as Yen could always spot the children run around freely that there were times they got into trouble, which Yen had to help bail them out of it. She did scold them quite a bit, but through the many different lessons she has taught them, they grew real close over time.
Zeke: "Miss Yen, you're back!"
Zara: "Have you come to show us some tricks? O-or play music?"
Yen: "Of course! Settle down and I'll show some of my magician powers!"
Though both children were mature, they were still children. The unknown was something they both loved, and living with people with magic seemed to enhance that said curiosity. With that, Yen tried her best to entertain them with it when she had time to, and it worked like a charm.
Yen filled the room with some life, using magic to draw out an amount of animations that the children could interact with. Yen usually does this, and they would only start to get bored within an hour or less.
Yen just sat beside Haru, enjoying herself as she watched the Zeke and Zara playing together.
Haru: "If I knew this existed as a child, I would've never gotten bored."
Yen: "Yet you still had to train as a knight. Either way, you can't easily escape your responsibilities."
Haru: "It's most likely the same as you. Training with magic, I mean."
Yen giggled, reminiscing the good and stressful memories she had when she was younger.
Yen: "It is.. but I'm sure it was for the best."
A moment of silence was shared as both started to watch the 2 children playing around. It reminded Yen of them, but they seemed much more carefree from problems.
Yen: "I'm glad they don't have to shoulder so much now that there are many others supporting them."
A few minutes of silence and laughter was shared in the same room, with the children playing around as the adults picked up fragments of their past, comparing it to the free.
Zara: "Miss Yen!"
In a few more minutes, Zara and Zeke ran to her like they had something wild to share to her.
Yen: "What is it?"
Zeke: "Could you.. please play your violin..? We're feeling a bit sleepy."
Yen: "Haha, alright. You both do need sleep in order to grow taller than me. That was your promise to me, right?"
Zeke: "Yes, yes! Grow taller than Miss Yen and take care of Grandma!"
Yen used magic to summon the violin, which she had prepared and tuned before playing a peaceful melody, humming to it too like that of an angel. When she sang to the children, those who have heard it would say that she sounded just like honey, urging them to rest.
Haru, who was a witness to this great melody, sat and stared in awe. It makes him think of Yen as some sort of mother, which makes him flustered, but he kind of liked the idea. How she would care for others and treat others was as gentle as the soul of one very sweet mother, indeed.
In mere minutes, once Yen finished the song had she opened her eyes to see the children on the bed, sleeping soundly. It simply brought a smile to her face. She took a look at Haru and came to him to whisper that it was about time for them to leave. He just nodded, following her out of the room and waiting for her while she casted a barrier spell to keep the children safe as they both walked way beyond the hall, on their way to report to Aquie for the day.