An astonished silence fell over the table. My eyes immediately went to Philemon. Strangely, he didn't look very surprised, more like resigned.
«Didn't you just say that we should use this opportunity to get rid of this Sam guy? And now you want to sit down with him?» asked Nicole confused.
Turning to Celeste, I saw her nod with a serious expression on her face:
«I still believe that to be true. If we do end up having this vote, Sam should be our primary target. But as far as having this discussion with him goes, I don't think we'll be in any danger. As long as we're not dueling with him, we'll be safe because he can't kill us without breaking the rules. Even if he has dark magic, he won't be able to use it to its full extent because of how destructive it is.»
«I see...» Wilhelm said, scratching his chin, «but then... what made you change your mind? You seemed to be on board with Philemon's plan before.»
Celeste smiled and looked at Sophia.
«I've mainly decided that we can't ignore the possibility that Sophia has raised. If we attack them and they have hidden their cards, we would lose any chance of finding out about their roles, which would make this whole affair a big mess. And as Liz said, talking to them won't cost us anything. So I think this is the best way to go.»
I could tell that she was not nearly as convinced as her confident tone would suggest.
"As I thought... she just wanted me to give her an excuse not to go through with their plan."
There had been a time when I simply couldn't get a good read on Celeste. But now that I had spent a lot of time with her, I had probably figured her out.
The bubbly and chaotic Celeste and the steadfast and calculating one, perhaps they were both parts of her. She certainly needed those personalities to survive in an environment like the high nobility, where two-faced people were ready to take advantage of your weaknesses. But I knew that in addition to these two faces, Celeste had a third.
The one that had driven her to form this alliance to help us escape this hell.
The one that had made her decide to put herself under a mountain of pressure for our sake.
The one who had become a dear friend to my troublesome girlfriend, even though she had treated her less than amicably in the past.
The one who had helped Sophia organise our date so that I could finally get some peace of mind.
I was sure that Celeste was an extremely kind person at heart. It wasn't surprising that she'd done her best to hide that part of herself, when many people would have been quick to exploit it. So now, even though her head was telling her it was the right thing to do, her heart was pleading with her not to hurt our classmates. My eyes went back to Philemon.
"I'm sorry... you have every reason to hate me."
If anything happened to Celeste, I would never forgive myself.
"But I won't let it happen... I'll do everything I can."
«So how do we proceed? We need to find a way to communicate our intentions to Sam's group and the other student, but I suspect they will be wary of meeting us. When Sophia and I came here we didn't see a soul,» I asked, trying to keep my mind off the worst case scenarios.
«Well, it's not like they can hide from us. Maybe the loner could do it with some clever use of magic, but for six people to find a way to avoid us until tomorrow, that's pretty unlikely. They're probably in some random room waiting for us to make a move,» Sophia said.
I could easily see her going door to door, plunging her sword in, like the claw of a cat looking for some pesky mice. But Celeste had other ideas: she took out her wand and tapped it lightly on the table. Threads of silver began to flow from it, condensing into a sphere. It shook and trembled until it changed shape. With a chirp, a sparkling sparrow began to fly in circles above our heads, leaving a shimmering trail behind it.
«So pretty!» exclaimed Penny as we all stared at it in surprise.
It really was, but I couldn't help but shiver as it reminded me of the bird of ill omen Aldric had conjured to track me during our fight.
«A familiar,» I commented, trying to shake off those terrible memories, «is there anything you can't do, Celeste?»
«Well, one of the only positive things about being locked up in here is that I have all the time I want to study magic,» she said, but I could see that she was puffing out her chest at my remark.
«Still didn't help you beat us though,» Sophia interjected snidely, causing Celeste's expression to immediately darken.
«When this game is over, you'll have to fight me one-on-one,» she muttered grumpily.
«Should I? I have endured your teasing for a long time now... maybe I should just make you wait a bit. It's not like you'd win anyway,» Sophia replied with a grin.
As much as it was fun to see them bicker as usual, we really didn't have time for this. So, before Celeste could answer, I asked:
«Can your familiar find them?,»
«Yes,» Celeste replied, giving Sophia a nasty look, «it can detect mana, so it's perfect for finding people who really want to hide. Unfortunately it can't go through walls, but it will leave them a message.»
My friend got up and opened the door. The small silver sparrow flew out, ready to search for its targets.
«It will tell them that we want to meet them in the entrance hall in a bit. Can you come with me, Liz Liz? If we all go, there's a good chance they won't come.»
She was right. If they saw the seven of us waiting for them, they'd probably get scared.
«Sure,» I replied and stood up.
But I immediately felt someone tugging on my sleeve.
«Why does it have to be Liz? She fought Sam before,» Sophia complained.
«Exactly, because of that they know she's not to be messed with. She'll be the perfect bodyguard for me, the Supreme Leader! I mean... she and I are such a power couple, we will definitely convince them to negotiate with us,» Celeste replied in a mischievous tone.
I didn't know if she really believed that or if she was just getting back at my overtly jealous girlfriend. Fighting the urge to chuckle, I put a hand on Sophia's shoulder:
«I'll be fine, Sophia, don't worry. I need you to hold the fort here in case the others get any funny ideas and attack while we are out,» I said, stroking her cheek.
«All right...» she said in a small voice, «don't do anything stupid.»
«You know I will,» I replied, gently flicking my finger at her forehead before following Celeste out of the room.
«You really have to teach me how to tame that girl... I never thought I'd see her be so obedient!» Celeste giggled as we walked towards the entrance.
"Me taming Sophia... yeah right. If only she saw how things go when we're in bed lately..."
But there was no way I was going to say that to Celeste of all people. My pride would never have recovered.
«But I didn't choose you to accompany me just to tease her... you looked like you wanted to tell me something,» Celeste said after a moment of silence.
It appeared that I had looked at her a little too intensely.
«Celeste... are you okay? This morning on the third floor... and now that you had to make that decision... I'm kind of worried about you.»
Celeste looked at me in surprise:
«Are you worried about me? Is it just because I cried a bit this morning? I'm fine, Liz! The atmosphere in that room just was a bit too much even for me! As for this game, I told you: your idea is the best! And don't worry if something goes wrong, I'm your leader and I'm the one who made the final decision, so I'll take full responsibility.»
"She really wants to take all the pressure on herself..."
I looked at Celeste's confident smile with a heart full of respect. In the spur of the moment I grabbed her wrist:
«What...?!»
Celeste's body tensed up as I hugged her tightly.
«L-Liz?! What are you doing?! Sophia's going to kill me if she sees us!» she complained.
I chuckled a little. I had never heard her panic like this before.
«It's okay. I just thought you really needed a hug.»
«I... o-okay...»
Her body relaxed against mine. Her hands gripped the back of my shirt and her head rested on my shoulder.
«It's been a while since anyone's hugged me... I guess you're getting resistant to my 'stay away' aura, or maybe I look so pathetic that you're pushing back against it.»
Her voice was soft and melancholic, privy to both her usual cheerfulness and the cold, authoritative tone she used when we alliance members needed some discipline.
«There is nothing pathetic about needing to be comforted sometime. Even our Supreme Leader deserves a break now and then,» I gently murmured as I stroked her long hair.
«Aaah you are going to make me cry again! What is it with you and that other idiot that you can break my defences so easily,» she said as she hugged me tighter, «thank you Liz. This place really fucking sucks.»
«It does, but you're doing a great job making sure we get out of here. Sorry I keep putting you on the spot.»
«What are you talking about... if it wasn't for you, I might have given up when we found out about Aldric.»
When Celeste behaved so modestly, you definitely knew that something was wrong.
«Philemon must really hate me. It's almost like I'm doing my best to get you killed!»
«Don't mind him too much. He's always a big worrier,» she said with a chuckle.
But I pushed her back a bit to look her in the eye:
«Don't talk about him like this, Celeste. He really cares about you. As much as we've argued, I'm actually worried about him too. You know him better than I do, but I have a feeling he might do something stupid if you were in serious danger. And... don't take him for granted. There are people we think will always be on our side, but that's not the way the world works.»
Celeste looked at me for a moment with her mouth half open before nodding with a sad smile:
«You're right. I'll talk to him later. I'm just so used to him being so mentally strong that I didn't think he might be getting a little restless.»
I couldn't help but think that she still underestimated how much Philemon cared for her. But my thoughts were soon numbed by pain as Celeste began to almost crush me in a new embrace.
«Ugh!»
«You need to stop being so cool Liz!» she yelled into my ears, ignoring my cries of pain, «You've become an amazing mage Liz, I might end up really falling in love with you.»
«Then Sophia will really chop your head off,» I gasped with agony in my voice.
«Then I guess this will be our little secret!»
Celeste finally released me from her iron grip, but not before giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.
«C-celeste...» I mumbled as I touched the spot she had pecked and looked at her in disbelief.
Soon she was laughing out loud:
«You should see your face!»
«Celeste!»
In the end, she was the same old teasing Celeste. But as she grabbed my hands, she spoke again in a soft tone:
«I really hope you and that dork get your happily ever after when this is all over. You both deserve it.»
«Thank you...» I said, squeezing her hands as well, «I hope we can keep in touch with you and the others!»
«Oh, don't worry! I'll organise a party at the manor to celebrate when we get home. It'll be fun to see Father's face when he sees me at the door."
We both knew how unlikely it was that any of that would happen, but at the moment, as we laughed together, it really didn't matter.
***
When we arrived at the entrance hall, it was deserted.
«Do you think they'll actually come?» I asked Celeste after we had both sat down on the steps of the grand staircase.
«They definitely will.»
Hearing her so confident, I immediately had a bad feeling:
«Celeste... what did you have your familiar say to them?»
«Just that if they don't show up in half an hour, we'll hunt them down and have Sophia cut off their legs.»
«Celeste...»
I was sure that threatening the people we were trying to negotiate with was not a good idea. But I soon had to change my mind when I heard footsteps coming towards us. Sam Rover emerged from the east wing corridor with the blonde girl called Andrea.
«Hello, Celeste, Elizabeth, we got your message,» Sam said, awkwardly raising his hand to greet us.
His friend remained silent as she gave us both a fierce glare.
«Thanks for coming, Sammy and...?» chirped Celeste cheerfully.
«Do you think I want to play friends with someone who sends messages like that?» Andrea replied with contempt.
«Come on, Andrea, I'm sure Celeste was just having a bit of fun...» Sammy said, nervously running his hand across his messy hair.
But Celeste replied in her cold voice:
«Oh well, I heard from Liz here that you are actually quite a dangerous guy, so I wanted to make sure that you knew that we are not going to play nice with you.»
Sam's eyes turned to me. I couldn't help but give him an apologetic smile:
«I guess I really messed up using my power in a duel like that. Don't worry, I don't blame you. I'm sure you realize why I don't want it to be known, but I understand why you told your friends about it. I also don't think you owe me any courtesy since we are the ones who attacked you,» Sam sighed.
As with my previous encounter, I noticed how hard it was for me to dislike this guy. Despite his clumsy appearance, he seemed to radiate a brilliant charisma.
"Just like Celeste... he's a born leader. I can tell."
«So what do you want from us?» asked Andrea, still openly hostile, «I hope you are not about to ask us to hand over our cards or something, because that's not going to happen.»
«Actually, we were hoping to make a deal with you, but I'd like to wait for another guest before I tell you. I hate to repeat myself.»
«Waiting won't be necessary.»
All our eyes were drawn to the top of the stairs. A short boy with a pronounced chin and a huge nose stood there, pointing dramatically at us.
«Against my better judgement, I accept your foul challenge. Bring it on, Celeste Fitzroy, I'm ready to take you on personally,» the student declared in a pompous tone.
«Who the hell are you?» Celeste asked, flabbergasted by this sudden, ridiculous entrance.
It was Sam who answered:
«Um, he's Jonnhy. He's a nice guy, just a bit weird. We invited him to join our group a few weeks ago, but he said he-»
«I'm Sir Jonathan Von Basque. And apparently I'm the only person smart enough to realise that allies are just a nuisance in a game like this.»
«You talk big for someone who hid in the magic circle room like a rat,» Celeste said ruthlessly, «why did you come out? Afraid we were going to smoke you out since my familiar found you?»
Jonathan wasn't fazed by Celeste's verbal assault. He descended the stairs and declared boastfully:
«I merely decided to hear you out, since you seemed so desperate in that message. I trust you won't dishonour the prestigious house of Fitzroy by attacking me.»
«Don't worry, my long-nosed friend, as I said, I want to make a deal with you and Sam's group,» Celeste said again.
"She's doing everything she can to antagonise them... is being this aggressive her negotiating strategy?"
Maybe I really didn't understand people, as this approach seemed to work. Even the boisterous Count Jonathan Whatever and the disgruntled Andrea stood silent, looking as if they were hanging on her every word.
«As you all understand, unlike the dungeon test, this game will not be completed without someone dying. That's something we have to accept. So how about we do this in a way that causes the least amount of trouble for any of us?» Celeste began to speak.
Then she came up behind me and grabbed my shoulders:
«This girl here was enough to beat up 5 of you. What do you think will happen if we all attack you? We have Sophia with us, remember? The one who cut a guy in half during the first week. Do you really want to fight us?» she said, not hiding the threatening tone in her voice.
If both Jonathan and Andrea seemed to take a step back, Sam didn't appear to be disturbed at all:
«So why didn't you attack us directly instead of calling us here?» he countered, «If you didn't, it's because you think you're going to run into some trouble. Perhaps my dark magic frightens you more than you let on before.»
«Your dark magic is useless if you can't kill us, Sammy!» Celeste replied immediately, «and the moment you try to unleash it, Sophia will cut off your long legs. Don't worry, I'll carry you to the infirmary myself! Wouldn't want to break the rules, would we?»
Sam didn't respond to the provocation:
«Then you must have realised something else, Celeste. Or are you saying you feel sorry for us?»
«Sorry for you?... I guess you could call it that. I just thought that since it's inevitable that one of you will die, I would do you the courtesy of letting you choose.»
«Let us choose?» repeated Andrea with a horrified look on her face.
«You want us to choose who gets cursed. Or who will become the victim of the demon,» Sam said slowly.
«A vote rigged from the start, I see...» Jonathan commented, «But if you think you can gang up on me, you are sorely mistaken. Very well, I will participate in your rigged election.»
«Very nice of you, Sir Bigchin. What about you, Sammy boy?»
If she had needed me to comfort her less than ten minutes ago, Celeste now seemed completely invincible. With her sharp tongue, she had quickly cornered our opposition into obedience. Andrea seemed to realise that her friend was about to surrender and grabbed his arm:
«Sam, we can't do this! This is horrible! This witch wants us to point the finger at one of our friends and condemn them to death!»
Sam Rover's expression, which had been completely serious, turned into one of his awkward smiles. He patted Andrea's blonde hair and said quietly:
«Don't worry, I won't let that happen.»
Then he turned to Celeste:
«Very well, we'll be there too. And also...» his eyes moved to me, «thank you for mediating for us, Elizabeth.»
I looked at him in surprise. Celeste had done all the talking, but he had somehow realised that I was behind this plan.
«It's okay. I didn't do it for you,» I replied.
«But for yourself... I see. I really hope things work out for the best,» Sam said with a nod, «so when do you want to have this vote?
Celeste smiled:
«Right now, of course. If there's a problem, I'm the type that likes to solve it right away.»