IV
Autumn had come in earnest to the courtyard within La Chaim Palace. Gray squirrels scurried busily through the gaps between the trees, their cheeks bulging as they carried nuts and berries back to their nests in a reminder that winter was near at hand.
I thought I’d find you here. A young man walked forward over the fallen leaves that covered the ground like a scarlet carpet, pushing his flaxen hair back. He approached the small table where Sofitia sat, daintily sipping a cup of tea.
“It’s over then?” Sofitia asked, not looking at Johann.
“Yes, my Seraph. They set off not long ago along with the Seraphic Guard.”
“Thank you for doing the send-off. Now that you’re here, why don’t you join me?”
“It would be my honor.” Johann sat down, then asked the servant for leygrantz tea before looking directly at Sofitia. There was something out of the ordinary in her beautiful visage.
“You’ve been looking very stern of late, Johann,” Sofitia said teasingly. Johann rubbed his head.
“More to the point, are you sure about letting things end like this?” It scarcely needed to be said that he was talking about Olivia’s departure. Johann knew from Lara’s grumbling that ever since the incident with the Norfess, Sofitia’s desire to obtain Olivia had only grown more intense.
Sofitia sat her teacup down and regarded Johann for a long moment. “I didn’t think you were especially enthusiastic about the plan, Johann.” She smiled softly.
Johann didn’t remember ever opposing bringing Olivia into the Winged Crusaders—at least, not out loud. Sofitia had seen straight through him. He suppressed a grimace.
“On a personal level, perhaps. But there’s no doubt that Olivia’s strength will be fundamental, both for the future of Mekia, and to achieve domination over Duvedirica.”
“I quite agree. Only now that she has refused us, we have no choice but to quietly withdraw. Or would you like to try and persuade her?” There was a wicked gleam in Sofitia’s eyes as she looked at him. Johann’s words caught in his throat. If ordered, he would of course try, but he thought the effort would be in vain.
She’s the type to never back down once she’s made her mind up. Johann had been involved with enough women to feel confident in this assessment.
“I doubt my efforts to persuade her would change anything.”
“Then I shall simply have to do my best.” Sofitia gallantly raised her willowy arm, fist clenched. It was positively adorable.
“You haven’t given up, then?” he asked.
“Don’t you know, Johann?”
“Know what, My Seraph?”
“I’m a woman who never knows when to quit,” she said, then poked her tongue out from between her rosy lips. A chill wind teased at her hair.
Come to think of it, Sofitia never backs down once she’s made her mind up either. His mischief-loving ruler, it seemed, had no intention of giving up on Olivia. Johann looked up at the piercingly clear blue sky and laughed aloud.
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