Béatrice and Louise stood in front of Hinata with serious expressions.
Antoinette had just left to retrieve Alexander, leaving Béatrice time to talk with Hinata about the boy before she departed.
"You've done well Béatrice," Hinata said with a smile, tilting her head as the sea wind blew against her white robes. "I'm sure Her Majesty will be pleased with Alexander's progress."
Béatrice frowned, "I was never worried about his progress, not even I can train a royal blade in three years and I'm sure her majesty knew that." She replied, "No, I'm worried about what she'll do now that the boy will be free to decide his path."
"Ahh," Hinata said with a nod, "don't you worry about that, her majesty has ways to ensure Alexander stays the course." She answered with a smile.
"And my daughter?" Béatrice asked, gesturing towards Louise who stood beside her, "I intend for the boy to protect her as well, at least the first three years."
"I don't see why not," Hinata replied, her smile never faltering, "it's only fair, after all, it was you who trained him, Lady Béatrice."
Béatrice opened her mouth to respond but stopped when she noticed Alexander approaching.
Instead, she simply frowned as she looked over at him.
— — —
As Alexander grew closer he noticed Béatrice glaring at him with narrowed eyes.
Oh great…
"My apologies lady Béatrice," Ben said, raising a hand over his chest as he slowed his approach. "It took longer than expected."
Upon reaching Béatrice Ben bowed deeply.
Alexander meanwhile straightened his back, meeting Béatrice's gaze as her attention turned to him. Her yellow eyes bore deep as always, but Alexander felt no fear, only caution.
"You look terrible," Béatrice commented, her stern icy voice cutting deep into Alexander's pride.
Alexander frowned as he looked down at his clothes. He was dressed in brown trousers black boots and a simple black tunic. "Ben said I was fine." He muttered under his breath.
Ben let out a nervous chuckle as he rubbed the back of his neck, averting his gaze.
"Did he now?" Béatrice said as she turned her attention towards Ben, "I didn't know I hired a professional tailor, what other talents are you hiding, soldier."
Before Ben could answer, Hinata stepped forward. "Lady Béatrice, I believe you should depart now that everyone is here," she said, her tone soft as she walked through the tense air. "Besides, what Alexander wears during travel matters little, right?"
Hinata turned her attention towards Alexander, her golden eyes staring deep into his as she smiled.
This was the first time Hinata had spoken to him directly, and now he was frozen in awe.
She was beautiful now that he had gotten a good look at her. Her hair was silky and blonde, her skin pale as snow and her eyes radiated maternal warmth and authority.
Alexander blinked, failing to find a response.
Hinata chuckled softly as she approached Alexander, placing a hand under his cheek.
Her touch was soft and warm, causing Alexander's cheeks to redden as he averted his gaze.
Pull it together Alexander, you can't be getting charmed by a woman you just met!
Alexander opened his mouth to respond but no sound came out, leaving him to look incredibly foolish under Hinata's unrelenting gaze.
Hinata's smile widened just a tinge, "it's good to see my people still exist, scattered though we may be." She said softly, before pulling her hand back. Her tone was calm and melodic.
Alexander cleared his throat, "uh thank you miss," he replied wryly, "it's good to see a woman like you… too."
What am I saying, this is worse than when I confessed to my teacher on Valentine's Day.
Alexander blushed as the words left his lips, eliciting a chuckle from both Hinata and Ben.
Béatrice narrowed her eyes as she crossed her arms, her expression one of impatience.
"I think she's just a little out of your age range, my lord." Ben teased with a smirk.
Alexander glared at Ben, "You're one to talk." he muttered under his breath.
Béatrice stepped forward, bringing down the warm atmosphere with her cold gaze. "Enough with the pleasantries." She hissed, taking Alexander's hand, her grip tight, "We have a schedule to keep."
"Yes of course," Hinata said with a nod as she watched Béatrice drag Alexander towards the ship, her gaze closely focused on him as if searching for something. "May the goddess be with you."
Alexander looked back at Hinata as he, Louise, and Béatrice stepped onto the gangplank.
As he looked, only one question crossed his mind, who was she?
— — —
Stepping on the deck of the ship Alexander's boots clicked against the Pirstien wooden planks. A faint rumble constantly sounded beneath him, most likely the ship's engines.
As the deck of the ship swayed and the crew bustled about, the ship's smokestacks began blowing hot steam. "Prepare for departure!" A voice shouted, echoing as it fell into the bowels of the ship.
Béatrice had already released his hand at that point, now making her way onto the second deck with a swift stride.
Alexander wondered if he should follow her, but after seeing Louise enter the ship's cabin, he decided to do the same.
As the two stepped in they were greeted with a carpeted floor and pristine white walls.
Cushioned chairs were dotted about as an electric chandelier hung from above. Illuminating the room in a warm light.
Louise began making her way down a short corridor that held about a dozen rooms, and without much thought, Alexander followed behind her.
As the two walked, Louise looked over her shoulder with a frown. "Are you following me?" She asked irritably, her eyes narrowing.
Alexander sighed, "So what, you know what you're doing, right?" He asked, giving her an expectant look.
Louise turned around fully, crossing her arms as she stuck out her hip. "Of course I do, you think I need you?" She asked angrily, "Well don't bother, because you're useless."
Yeah no shit, that's why I'm following you.
Alexander let out a long breath as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I never said you needed me," he replied, his tone exasperated, "I was following you."
Louise paused momentarily, her crimson-red eyes examining him closely. She then smirked smugly, "So you admit it, you're pathetic."
Alexander stared silently at Louise, his expression one of subtle confusion and annoyance.
He couldn't understand why Louise was so adamant about him admitting his uselessness.
Louise's grin grew as she let out a haughty laugh, "You're ignorant, aren't you?" She asked pointing a finger at Alexander, while keeping her arms crossed. "should I spell it out for you, hm?"
"You know what," Alexander said with a shrug as he walked past Louise, "I'll do it myself."
Louise frowned immediately as she stepped to the side, "how will you know what room is yours?" She asked challengingly, following behind him. "You can't just steal a room, you thief."
"That is exactly what I'm going to do," Alexander muttered under his breath as he stopped before one of the doors.
Louise scowled as she stood beside him. "You fool, that's not your room." She hissed, side-eyeing him with a glare.
Alexander smirked as he pushed open the door, revealing a modest room containing a small bed, a desk, and a window on the back wall.
The window was draped with curtains, but the morning light still poked through, providing a warm glow.
Alexander nodded s he stepped into the room, "not bad," he muttered with an approving nod.
"Tch-" Louise kissed her teeth as she stood in the doorway. "Fine, don't come crying to me when you get kicked out."
Alexander looked over his shoulder with an uncaring expression." wouldn't dream of it."
Louise rolled her eyes as she stormed off, leaving Alexander alone in his newly acquired room.
He breathed a long sigh as he took off his satchel, his movements slow as he thought about Louise.
He truly felt that she was insufferable, as every interaction with her devolved into petty bickering.
The worst part was that he was the only person she did this to, as when Elizabeth visited she would just ignore her, same with the maids, and even the pathfinders.
But as soon as it came to him, she would throw a flurry of insults and challenges. Always looking for a reaction or to prove something.
Alexander groaned as he settled on his bed, placing his satchel down beside him as he looked towards the window.
As much as Louise bothered him, there were more pressing matters, such as his visit to the capital.
Alexander didn't know much about it, but he knew it was on a small island in the archipelago that made up the Ambur kingdom.
That, and that It was hugged by the main island that was shaped like a crescent.
He couldn't quite imagine what it would be like at the heart of the most powerful and technologically advanced civilization known to man.
And the fact that he would be staying with Louise's grandparents during the week before the exams.
He could only pray that they weren't as strange as their daughter-in-law and granddaughter.
And lastly the exams themselves, he wondered what it would be like.
Was it just a paper test, or was it more physical?
As Alexander lost himself in his thoughts, he barely noticed the ship leaving the docks. The ship's engines rumbled loudly as distant shouts filled the air.