II
The King of Lions’ Chamber, Leticia Castle, Fernest
The lights of the Barbarossan chandeliers glittered over the King of Lions’ Chamber, where the king was hosting a dinner party. A beautiful melody added to the elegance of the room, the center of which was occupied by a number of round tables crammed with sumptuous dishes and high-quality wines. High-ranking officers mingled amiably with noble ladies dressed up in extravagant gowns, smiling over the rims of their glasses.
“Everyone is enjoying themselves.”
“That is all thanks to Your Majesty’s prestige.”
“Quite, quite.” At a table at the edge of the room, nodding in satisfaction, sat Alfonse sem Galmond, ruler of Fernest. It was his first official appearance in some time, and to the surprise of those who knew how he had been of late, a rosy glow of health dusted his cheeks. He exchanged the odd word with Cornelius, who sat beside him with a bright smile.
His demeanor arose from the Royal Army having forced the Northern Imperial Army back to the border, and the victory they had secured in the decisive battle on the central front. Even the unexpected invasion from Northern Perscilla had been thoroughly routed by Olivia and the Eighth Legion. Then there was the grand counteroffensive strategy, the Twin Lions at Dawn. In the war so far, Fernest had been solely on the defensive, but now they were planning to launch an invasion into imperial territory, as far as the imperial capital of Olsted. Not only that, but they now formed a united front with the Holy Land of Mekia. Under such circumstances, it was only natural that Alfonse make an appearance at the banquet.
Olivia herself, who could claim more than a little credit for Alfonse’s mood, loudly smacked her lips with unrestrained relish, her eyes drooping in an expression of rapture. It turned out that Olivia’s beloved Chef Royal was behind tonight’s event as he had been at the previous victory banquet. Alfonse had arranged this of his own volition in response to the Eighth Legion’s victory.
Nowadays, all and sundry identified Olivia as the most valorous soldier in the kingdom, but even now that she was of a rank where she was addressed as “my lady,” there had been no change in her behavior.
She’s the same as ever... Claudia thought. Just watching her is giving me heartburn. She could do nothing but sigh as the food piled on the round table vanished before her eyes. Olivia standing gallantly on the battlefield giving the order to launch the counterattack against the Northern Perscillans felt like a dream.
It’d help me out too if she’d only display a little of the dignity befitting a general. Claudia appreciated that she shouldn’t expect dignity from a sixteen-year-old girl in the first place, but there were appearances to be maintained for the troops. No one was underestimating her anymore after seeing her valor for themselves, but Claudia personally still wished she would present herself like the commander of a legion, even if it was just an act. A few days earlier she had happened to run into Blood and asked his advice, but he had only laughed her off, saying it would “do as much good as trying to explain military theory to a baby.”
Unexpectedly, Olivia herself had shown some degree of change in her consciousness. She had apparently run into Otto quite by coincidence just after Cornelius had promoted her to major general, and comported herself as a senior officer—but Olivia, her face sour, had told Claudia that this encounter had ended with her fleeing the scene as fast as her legs would carry her. Otto might have been the Man in the Iron Mask, but Claudia still couldn’t imagine what might have transpired such that Olivia, the senior officer, had wound up fleeing.
Well, I suppose that’s in character too, in a way... She looked over at Olivia again. Tonight, Olivia wore a black dress with a skirt that swelled expansively out from her waist to the floor. As she herself was resolute as ever in her indifference to clothing, Claudia had picked it out for her.
This dress had no plunging back or neckline, but rather was adorable in its liberal use of frills, lace, and pintucks. Claudia had worried that it might look a little childish with Olivia’s features, but when Olivia actually tried it on, the effect had been perfectly acceptable. It seemed that at the end of the day, when you were divinely beautiful, you could pull anything off.
“Claudia, if you don’t eat something soon, it’ll all be gone,” Olivia said, her eyes running swiftly around the other tables.
“I know it’s too late to ask you to stop eating now, my lady, but would you please greet at least a few people? They’re all waiting for you.”
People everywhere had been shooting covert looks their way all evening. It wasn’t all high-ranking officers who made up the group gazing at Olivia either; individuals connected with the royal family were among their number too. It was painfully obvious that they were angling at worming their way into Olivia’s good graces, and Claudia found it to be, put bluntly, absolutely disgusting. The confounding thing was that despite this, it just wouldn’t do to simply ignore such people.
Though this sort of situation was a common feature of noble society, it wasn’t something Claudia was fond of. Of course, according to her mother Elizabeth, she looked at things in entirely the wrong way for a noble.
Olivia set her knife and fork down on her clean plate, not bothering to keep her displeasure from showing on her face.
“Oh, come on. Why can’t you talk to them instead? Isn’t that part of your job as my aide? I’m really, really busy right now.” With all the food that had been on the table now in her belly, Olivia then set off cheerfully in search of further prey. Claudia followed, whispering in her ear.
“Please, pay some attention to your position. You are the general in command of the Eighth Legion.”
“Yeah, but it’s not like I wanted to do it...” Olivia muttered, pouting. Her eyes were still locked on the food.
“Even then. A legion commander must—”
“Oh, it looks like someone’s arrived.”
Olivia pointed at something behind Claudia. Claudia turned and saw the great doors swing solemnly open to reveal a woman in a brilliant white dress. The woman lingered there with an exquisite smile on her lips.
Time might have stopped, such was the silence that followed, but in fact it was but a moment before sighs and gasps of awe broke out from every corner of the room.
That must be Seraph Sofitia Hell Mekia, ruler of the Holy Land of Mekia... Claudia thought. She’s just as astonishingly beautiful as the rumors said—indeed, she could give the general a fine challenge.
Sofitia walked forwards with impeccable grace, her stiletto heels clicking as she made her way to Alfonse. Behind her followed a beautiful woman with shining white hair, and another woman with exquisite features and hair of an icy pale blue. It was clear from their crisp movements that they were soldiers, and highly skilled, if their perfectly timed steps were anything to go by. And behind them—
Of course he’s here too. He’s got some nerve... Claudia glared at Johann, who walked at the end of the procession. Noticing her gaze, he gave her a playful smile and a wave. Olivia had clearly noticed him too, because she waved her arms at him with a lighthearted smile.
Look at him smirk, the bastard! And what’s the general doing waving at him like we’re friends!
Claudia huffed loudly as Sofitia passed her and came to stand beside Alfonse. There, she greeted the room at large, her voice soft and measured.
“To you, the people of Fernest, I offer my greetings upon the occasion of our first meeting. I am Sofitia Hell Mekia, ruler of the Holy Land of Mekia. It is with pleasure that I join my hands with yours so that together we may thwart the rampant ambitions of the Asvelt Empire.”
Placing one hand over the other at her middle, she bowed courteously. At this, thunderous applause erupted from the crowd. Perhaps this was what one called irresistible charisma, for although Sofitia’s words were of little substance, it felt to Claudia as though every single one conveyed the utmost respect. She could actually see the fighting spirit burning in the eyes of more than a few of the officers as they listened.
“Seraph Sofitia, you have our sincere gratitude for joining your strength to Fernest’s. We have heard of how you threw everything into beating down the empire’s vassal state of Stonia. We could not ask for a more steadfast ally.”
“You will forgive my expression, Your Majesty, but a mere puppet of the empire is nothing to the Winged Crusaders. The empire made a truly foolish choice when it decided to bare its teeth against the Holy Land of Mekia, and it will soon taste the fruits of that choice.”
“Q-Quite so. Absolutely right. Our nations shall join hands to crush the empire’s ambitions. Thus we shall have stability in Duvedirica once more.”
“Indeed. Let us bring this war-torn age to a close, that together we may achieve peace.” A touch of menace now graced Sofitia’s smile. Alfonse’s expression grew strained. The Kingdom of Fernest was in decline, but the Holy Land of Mekia still could not match them in economic nor military power. This was natural, given the difference in scale between the two nations. In an individual comparison of Alfonse and Sofitia as rulers, however, there was no question that Sofitia emerged superior.
“To Fernest and Mekia! Long may our nations prosper!”
Glasses tinkled as the guests made their toast, after which Alfonse encouraged them to mingle again. He then took the initiative to show Sofitia over to where the guests of honor were seated. As the room filled once more with the buzz of lively conversation, Claudia realized that Olivia had moved on to yet another table. Apparently, she ought to have stayed on task even through the opening speeches.
What am I going to do with her... Huh? Sensing eyes on them, Claudia turned around to see the women who had accompanied Sofitia looking fixedly at Olivia, as if appraising her. Olivia must have noticed them too, because her hands stopped for a moment, but she went back to her meal without turning around.
Those two... They’ll have heard about Olivia from Johann, I’m sure. I can see why they’d be interested, but those aren’t the eyes of someone looking at their future ally. Not to be outdone, Claudia stared back at the two women. But then, sliding casually between them, there appeared an individual she had no wish to look upon. Before her, sweeping back his flaxen hair, was the handsome visage of Johann. Claudia was aware that her hands had clenched into fists.
“Dear me, that look earlier was so intense, I thought my heart might burst out of my chest. In any case, you are as stunning as ever, Lady Claudia.”
Opening with this grating flattery, Johann put a hand to his breast and bowed respectfully. The woman with pale blue hair who was watching him visibly rolled her eyes, and the white-haired woman looked like she harbored similar feelings.
I might actually get on with those two, Claudia observed. She felt a sliver of affinity with the two women, but she set it aside to focus her contempt on Johann’s obsequious presence.
“You have some nerve showing your face in front of me. Brazen, some might call it. Impudent, even.”
“That’s a harsh way to greet me after so long. But then, that’s just like you, Lady Claudia. It’s one of your great charms.” Johann smiled, flashing white teeth. Claudia, meanwhile, felt a second shiver of disgust run down her spine.
“So you were from Mekia all along,” she said at length.
“Do you accept now that I’m not from the empire?” Johann replied with an airy smile.
“I do. But I still don’t like you.”
“Dear me,” Johann said, widening his eyes dramatically. “What about me has earned your dislike?”
I really do have a physical aversion to this man with his endless theatrics, Claudia thought fervently.
“I dislike everything about you. You’d—”
“Hey, now. If you’re mad all the time, you’re going to get wrinkles.” Without warning, Olivia inserted herself into the conversation, patting Claudia on the shoulder. Of the food that had been on the table, not a trace remained.
“I don’t—I don’t have wrinkles! I’m far too young for that!” Claudia retorted, unconsciously raising her voice. Olivia cackled with laughter. She was six years older than Olivia, but she wasn’t at an age to be getting wrinkles. At least, she hoped not.
“Sorry, sorry,” Olivia said, still chuckling, then she turned to Johann. “Long time no see. How’ve you been?” She gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder too. A sharp look flashed through Johann’s eyes, but it was replaced just as quickly by a smile.
“I’ve been well. I’m pleased to see you looking just as cheerful as always, Lady Olivia. I liked the glamor of your last dress, but tonight’s is lovely as well. It’s only a pity that your dress cannot live up to your own charms.”
“Hey, Claudia. What he’s doing is called ‘smile-talking,’ right?” Olivia asked, pointing to her own mouth with her head cocked to one side.
“Not quite,” Claudia corrected her. “He’s what we call a freakish smooth talker.”
Johann shook his head. “Both of you are mistaken. I speak nothing but the truth.”
“That’s exactly what I’m calling smooth-talking!” Claudia snapped, raising her voice again. Just then, she heard a sunny laugh. Looking around, her eyes came to rest on the smiling figure of Sofitia, a glass in one hand.
“My, how you all seem to be enjoying yourselves. If it is no intrusion, might I presume to join you?”
Claudia was struck speechless by the entrance of Sofitia, whom she regarded as the most dangerous person present. But Olivia readily answered, “Of course,” and so Sofitia was welcomed into their midst. While Claudia struggled for words, Olivia, to her disbelief, actually reached and started touching the seraph’s dress.
“How dare you!” The white-haired woman who stood behind Sofitia made to stop Olivia, her face a mask of fury. But Sofitia only smiled and with a wave of her hand, the other woman stopped short.
“Seraph Sofitia!” she said desperately.
“I don’t mind at all, Lara.”
“But for you to suddenly be—!”
Sofitia didn’t let her finish. She beat her silver staff once on the floor, then said, “I have told you that I do not mind.”
“I... Your pardon, my Seraph.” Lara fell a few steps back, looking daggers at Olivia. Claudia seized Olivia and dragged her away, then apologized for her rudeness.
“On the contrary, I’m sorry that one of mine made such a scene,” Sofitia replied. “Olivia, were you so very taken with my dress?”
“Oh, yeah. I’ve never seen a dress that sparkled like that before. And it’s so smooth.” Lara looked at her in disgust, but Olivia herself paid no attention to this. Instead, she went on blithely saying to no one in particular, “I wonder if the sparkles are shards of argentite...”
Johann, meanwhile, watched this exchange with an amused smile.
“Lady Olivia, please,” Claudia cut in urgently, “take more care with your manners. You’ll insult Lady Sofitia.”
“Huh?” Olivia was bewildered. “How come? It’s not like she’s my superior officer.”
“She might not be your superior officer, but she is the ruler of the nation Fernest is allied with. Proper manners are a given.”
The woman with pale blue hair gave a soft snort of laughter. You’re that clueless? it seemed to say. Olivia, the one being laughed at, was mystified.
“But why is it a given that I have to use proper manners with a ruler? I mean—”
“Do we have an understanding?” In an instant, the color drained from Olivia’s face, and she nodded frantically. It seemed she had understood.
“Sorry—um, I mean, my sincere apologies,” Olivia said with an awkward bow. Sofitia gave her a smile like warm spring sunshine, assuring her that no apology was necessary. Claudia, naturally, was dearly relieved.
“Manners really aren’t your strong suit, are they, Olivia?” Sofitia said with a little laugh. “Just like Johann told me. But it doesn’t bother me at all. Please, speak as you usually would.”
“What? Really?”
“I assure you, I do not mind.”
Claudia couldn’t bring herself to just take Sofitia at her word. It just wasn’t something the ruler of a whole nation said, especially not to a foreigner she was meeting for the first time.
Can I trust her? she wondered. I don’t like to be disrespectful, but I want to be sure. She glanced surreptitiously at Sofitia’s bright, intelligent eyes, and saw they were colored with truth. Apparently, she really meant what she said. Claudia was privately astonished by this generosity.
“Really, really?” Olivia asked again.
“Sofitia Hell Mekia always means what she says.”
“But Claudia...the yaksha...” Mumbling to herself, Olivia shot a fearful glance at Claudia. For some reason she was nervously twisting her hands together. Claudia made a note to interrogate her on what a “yaksha” was after the dinner party concluded.
“It’s not a problem, is it?” Sofitia asked. Claudia was at a loss for words. There was, of course, a problem. It might have been acceptable if it didn’t persist past that night, but she had the feeling it wasn’t going to end here.
While she was agonizing over what to do, Sofitia’s face lit up like a flower opening, and she laid her hands over Olivia’s.
“Then here is what we shall do. From today, Olivia and I shall be friends. Then, there is no need for proper manners.”
“Friends?”
“That’s right.”
“Oh! Right, friends don’t need to worry about proper manners, do they?” Olivia nodded a few times, satisfied with this, and the conversation sailed along smoothly, while Claudia stood there trying to process what had just happened. By the end, Olivia had even received an invitation to visit the Holy Land of Mekia. Here, Claudia frantically cut in.
“Lady Sofitia, I realize this is terribly rude, but I wonder whether such a thing should be decided solely between two such eminent individuals. There are your respective positions to be considered...”
Sofitia nodded firmly. “You are perfectly correct,” she said. “I seem to have gotten a little ahead of myself. For now, let us content ourselves with a courtesy visit. I’m sure that if I raise the matter with King Alfonse, he will be only too happy to oblige. The two of us are friends now, after all.” She finished with a beguiling smile.
So that’s it. This is what she hoped to get to by talking to Olivia... Claudia thought. What’s she plotting for after she brings Olivia to Mekia?
Watching the pair as they chatted happily out of the corner of her eye, Claudia grew warier still.
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