Chapter VII: Inglis, Age 15—Battle with the Prismer (5)
The royal palace in Chiral, capital of Karelia, was already lively in the early morning. Amidst the social energy, the doors to a guest room opened forcefully.
“All right! Time for another day of enjoying good food!” Rafinha stretched her limbs in excitement.
“Precisely,” Inglis said with a smile. “We don’t often get a chance like this. We should enjoy ourselves to the fullest.”
The palace had held daily banquets celebrating their victory over the Prismer. The revival of the Prismer had been a national crisis; its defeat was a great deed that would live on in history. Royalty and nobility from all over the country had gathered at the palace to celebrate, and the victorious heroes—Inglis and Rafinha—were lauded day in and day out. They’d had no time to return to their room at the academy and were therefore staying at a guest room in the palace instead.
The repeated formalities had become a bit grating, but there was one thing they never got tired of: filling their bellies with delicacies. Today, they were faced with a delicious dilemma—meat or fish?
“Good morning. You seem to be in good spirits today.” Eris had been waiting for Inglis and Rafinha just outside the guest room. She wore a softer smile than usual as she greeted them.
“Thank you!” Inglis and Rafinha both returned her greeting with a smile, but then Rafinha looked a little confused. “Eris, you’ve been doing this for three days... You must be worried about Chris!”
“W-Well, yes... She seemed to have been hurt in the fight, and more importantly, I’m worried about any repercussions from her wielding me and Ripple.”
Inglis reassured the hieral menace. “Thank you, Eris, but as you can see, I’m fine. I haven’t experienced anything odd since the fight. You don’t need to worry.”
“I know, just... You know? If anything were to... I’m sorry, I realize this must be annoying you.”
“It—” Inglis began, but Rafinha cut her off before she could finish.
“It isn’t at all! I’m happy to see your face every morning!”
“Huh, really?” Eris seemed a little taken aback.
“Yes! You’re beautiful, and you seem happier than before. I’m so glad.” Rafinha’s carefree smile shone brighter than anything to Inglis. Rani made observations and evaluations of others without making them feel judged. She could meet people on their own terms. Rafinha was a granddaughter-like figure to be proud of.
“Eris, I feel the same way as Rani.”
“Really? Thanks.” Eris’s smile was definitely brighter than before.
“All right, now let’s meet up with Leone and Liselotte!”
“Yeah.”
Leone and Liselotte had returned to the dorms, but they were due to make an appearance at the palace today. With the war in Alcard over and Leon telling them of the danger in Ahlemin, they had rushed to the scene. Inglis had already defeated the Prismer by the time they arrived, but their assistance in the cleanup of the remaining magicite beasts had been remarkably helpful. Officials had definitely noted their efforts.
Rafael had awakened while there were still magicite beasts to quell, and in the end, he’d slain the most of anyone. While he was commended for that, credit for defeat of the Prismer had gone to Inglis, the hieral menaces Eris and Ripple, and their commander, Rafinha.
Thus, prestige had been spread evenly, and the results of the battle wouldn’t weaken the positions of Rafael, Eris, or Ripple. Inglis had wanted to defeat the Prismer alone and hadn’t foreseen being forced to wield the hieral menaces, but maybe that was for the best. Officials had recognized the follow-up contributions from Leone, Liselotte, Lahti, and Pullum; the actions of Silva, Yua, and the other academy students were also recognized, along with those of their leader, Miriela.
Leone had been pleased to fight in Ahlemin’s defense, but an unexpectedly important contribution had come from Lahti. His decision to leave Alcard to fight for Karelia in Ahlemin against the beasts had been met with significant protest, but his deeds held political significance. It had been a striking gesture of goodwill from Alcard toward Karelia, one which might yet mean that the countries’ differences could be settled at the negotiating table. At the very least, the faction that wanted to settle things quietly could use his actions to bolster their position, to argue that Alcard had changed its posture and joined in the fight against the Prismer. Whether Lahti had thought that far ahead when he brought Leone and the others, Inglis wasn’t sure, but she believed the situation was taking a turn for the better.
“Then, Eris, we’ll see you at the banquet.”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it. Though I am a little surprised at how much you’ve been eating.”
“Oh, right, Eris!” Rafinha broke in, her eyes glittering as she clapped her hands. “I thought of a good idea!”
“Hm?”
“What is it, Rani?” Inglis asked.
“Eris, you’ve been coming to the banquets, but you’re always in uniform! Why not wear a fancy dress like us for once?” She and Inglis had been attending the banquets in evening gowns while Eris had kept to her usual attire.
There was nothing improper about attending in uniform, and Eris was certainly quite glamorous in that as well, but Rafinha’s desire to see her in a different outfit was understandable.
“Ah?! No, that’s fine! A hieral menace doesn’t—”
“But you are a lady, and it’s important for ladies to be fashionable! I want to see you in an evening gown! I’m sure you’ll look just as gorgeous as Chris. Yeah, yeah!” Rafinha’s eyes sparkled even brighter.
“Rani loves to dress people up. I’d appreciate your company, Eris.”
“B-But I don’t want to be just a spectacle...”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Eris,” Inglis continued. “Dressing up isn’t for other people’s benefit—it’s for you to enjoy yourself! That’s why I have fun wearing those gowns. Why not enjoy it with me?”
“Well...” Eris seemed reticent, but not dead set against the idea, so Inglis pressed on.
“I think even a hieral menace needs to have fun once in a while. At least, as long as I’m doing it too.”
“I see... If you say so.”
Rafinha took Eris’s right hand and pulled her along. “All right! Good job, Chris! So let’s meet up with Leone and Liselotte, and then we’ll go pick out a dress for Eris!”
“Whoa! H-Hold on!”
“Strike while the iron is hot! Let’s go!” Inglis took Eris by her left hand and ran down the palace corridor.
Hours later, Eris found herself in the palace’s dressing room before the banquet, staring at the foreign person in the mirror.
“I... I can’t let Ripple see me like this...” Eris wore a navy-blue evening gown of Rafinha’s choosing. The girl had even braided Eris’s hair into an updo with floral decorations.
“Wow! ♪ Eris, you look just as good as Chris! ♪ You look so incredibly graceful, like a princess or something.”
“She really does,” Leone agreed.
“I can’t help but admire her,” Liselotte said.
The two gazed at Eris in awe. She appeared only a little bit older than the two of them, but the mature charm she exuded was something they strongly admired. Inglis had to smile at the scene—and at herself in the mirror. She was pleased with her outfit for the day.
“Thank you. You’re very good with hair,” Eris said.
“Yep! I’ve gotten a lot of practice on Chris!” Rafinha replied. “But I’m sad Ripple won’t get to see you look this good.”
“No, that’s fine... Let’s keep this our little secret. I wouldn’t want to annoy her.”
Ripple was still dealing with the aftermath of the battle and hadn’t returned to the palace. She wasn’t expected to return until tomorrow.
But then the door to the dressing room opened. “Hmm? Oh, what? Is someone talking about little old me?” Ripple peeked in.
“R-Ripple?! You were supposed to be back tomorrow!”
“I made it back a little early. There was less damage than I expected. Heard everyone was here, so I came to take a look-see, but... Whooooa! Eris, is that you?! Are you wearing what I think you’re wearing?!”
“Well, the girls thought it was a good idea, so...”
“Wow! It’s great! It looks perfect on you, Eris!” Ripple approached Eris with a smile, her hands playing with Eris like a doll. “It’s good to have fun like this, and this is the first time we’ve been able to celebrate in this kind of way after taking down a Prismer! Wasn’t expecting you to be the one of us really getting into it, though! Normally you wouldn’t be like this at all. You’d say something like, ‘This is no time to get carried away.’”
“I-It’s fine! This is special! Something really special happened!”
“Yeah, you’re right. But I guess that means I’m gonna be the stick-in-the-mud showing up in uniform. Ahh, I wish I had something cute to wear to have fun at the victory party!” Ripple shrugged.
Eris grinned in response. “You heard the lady! Let’s give her what she wants!”
“Yes!” Smiling, Rafinha caught Ripple. “Here we go, Ripple! Right this way! I’ll help get you changed!”
“Huh? What’s going on, Rafinha?!”
“I thought this might happen, so I prepared something for you too!”
“Leave it all to Rani,” Inglis suggested. “It’s fun to get dressed up.”
“Can I put a ribbon on your tail?” Rafinha asked. “I think it’ll look adorable!”
“Eeek! Rafinha, I’m ticklish there!”
“It’s for the sake of fashion! Fashion requires sacrifices!”
Before long, Ripple emerged.
“Wow! ♪ Ripple, you look so cute! ♪” Rafinha squealed.
Ripple’s gown was a pale orange, and cute ribbons adorned her ears and tail. While Eris exuded sophisticated beauty, Ripple was vivacious and amiable; each had their own charm.
“R-Really? You’re sure this works for me?” Ripple asked. “I don’t get dressed up like this a lot, so I mean, sure it’s novel, but I’m a little worried.”
“There’s no reason to worry,” Inglis reassured her. “It looks great on you.”
“Exactly!” Leone said.
“Indeed!” Liselotte chimed in as well.
“R-Really?”
“I think it looks good on you,” Eris said. “Anyway, since we’re already dressed for celebration, let’s try enjoying it.”
“Ha ha ha. You’re finally able to say that.” Ripple smiled wholeheartedly and took Inglis’s arm. “Thanks, Inglis. You made it so we can enjoy ourselves today.”
“Ripple’s right,” Eris agreed. “I never thought this day would come. Thank you. So...shall we be off?”
Inglis’s eyes twinkled at that. “Yes! Let’s eat, and eat, and eat, and have fun!”
“I don’t believe I can eat that much!” Eris said.
“You and Rafinha are gonna have to handle that part...” Ripple said.
Flanked by Eris and Ripple, Inglis left the dressing room.
◆◇◆
About a month later, Inglis and Rafinha sat aboard the Star Princess. The clear blue sky above and the grassy plains below made for pleasant, reassuring scenery. Amidst them, the walls of the fortified city Ymir and its buildings within came into view.
“Wow! I can see it! I can see it, Chris! This brings back so many memories! ♪”
“Me too, Rani. But this is the first time we’ve seen Ymir from the sky, so this is its own new experience.”
“Yeah, you’re right! Ahh! I know it’s only been a few months, but it feels like years!”
“A lot has happened. We even fought a Prismer! Wasn’t that great?”
“I’d rather not remember that part. But now that we’re back in Ymir, I feel relieved! There’s no place like home!”
“Ha ha ha. Well, it really is home, so let’s take it easy. We’ve been so busy lately.”
The academy was on break now, so Inglis and Rafinha had returned to Ymir. It was their very first vacation home. This break was scheduled, but it still fell after some very busy days. Inglis and Rafinha, key players in the uniquely historic defeat of the Prismer, had become celebrities in the capital.
Their fame had likely spread throughout Karelia at this point. Inglis’s approach had been calculated to preserve the honor of Rafael and the Paladins, but even still, she was nervous about what awaited her. Since she had so strongly refused command of the Royal Guard at first, and insisted that it only be temporary, she had been able to avoid being drawn further into the political or military realms, allowing her to remain as a first-year student at the academy, but... That was in large part due to the understanding nature of King Carlias and the prior commander—Reddas. How the future would turn out was still unclear.
“That’s right! Let’s hurry up and take it easy! Booster mode!”
“Yep! Let’s go!”
The Star Princess suddenly accelerated, and soon it had reached the castle of Duke Bilford and his family. When they landed in the garden, both Inglis’s mother and her aunt had already seen the Star Princess and were there waiting for them.
“Chris!”
“Rafinha!”
“Mother!”
“Mom!”
It was a reunion full of smiles...and then Inglis and Rafinha stared.
“Mother...”
“Mom...”
The two girls suddenly had one very large question on their minds.
“May I ask what you’re carrying?”
“Yeah, what are those?”
Serena and Irina were carrying many letters.
“Ah...”
“These are...”
With wide smiles, they spoke in unison. “Letters from suitors! Look how many there are!”
“Huh?!” Inglis blurted out.
“Wow! Who are they from?!”
Inglis’s twisted grimace and Rafinha’s glowing smile couldn’t have been more at odds.
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