"Claire... are you listening to me?" asked Princess Sonia. The young woman thought too much about the fact that the princess might have an interest in her brother beyond what was politically correct. "I apologize, Your Highness―I got lost in my thoughts for a moment" she replied. "So many nightmares" she added. Sonia looked at her tenderly, Claire's face saddened, "No wonder, what happened was a real nightmare" thought the princess.
"No one could have imagined this. Claire, no one is to blame for this tragedy!" said the princess, trying to lift her spirits. "I know, Your Majesty, but I made a very serious mistake despite the general's orders, I entered Threnafell!" she replied. The princess placed her hand on her shoulder, asking her not to punish herself so much for that decision.
Claire looked up and met the princess's penetrating, peaceful gaze. A feeling of tranquility filled her; she had never felt such emotion before, so much so that a tear ran down her cheek. "I know you did it out of love, out of desperation to save your brother's life and that's what I call courage!" said the princess, her words almost broke Claire's spirit, almost making her cry. Claire took the princess's hand and bowed, placing it on her forehead. "Your Majesty―I am infinitely grateful for your words, you are so wise, even though we are almost the same age!" she said gratefully.
That comment brought a smile to Sonia's face, and she gently took Claire's hand in hers. "You know, it would have been great to have a sister like you!" said the princess, causing Claire to blush. Sonia laughed as she watched Claire turn red as a tomato. Their warm conversation was interrupted by Kiett and Margott, who, holding hands, approached to bow to the young princess. "Your grace, it's an honor to see you again!" said Kiett, Margott standing firmly by his side. "I'm glad to see you, Kiett. I see you have a guardian!" she replied. Kiett could only laugh nervously. "Your grace, my name is Margott Blackwell, and I am his girlfriend!" said Margott.
The moment became a little awkward, you could feel a certain electricity in the air, Margott and Princess Sonia were looking at each other in an electrifying way. "I know you, Princess Liliam is your protector, isn't she?" asked Sonia. Claire and Kiett felt the tension between the two until a familiar voice caught the group's attention. "Margott, always showing your rebellious side!" said Grislett as he approached them with the help of crutches and Rivett at his right. Everyone was excited and immediately went to greet him.
"Easy guys, I'm not quite right yet. But I see you are, Kiett!" said Grislett. "That's right, although my chest still hurts" replied the young man. "But I'm very happy to see you walking!" Grislett noticed Princess Sonia's presence and tried to bow but couldn't because of the pain in his leg. Seeing this, Sonia approached him and stopped him with her hands. "You don't have to bow―You must get better!" she said. Blumiere looked at her, and Sonia noticed, returning the gaze. "You are very beautiful, your grace, as you are every day!" said Blumiere, trying to flatter the beautiful princess.
Everyone laughed at Blumiere's words, including the princess. "If you'll excuse me, I must go to Her Majesty Liliam!" said Sonia. As she was about to leave, Kiett stopped her. "Excuse me, Your Majesty, will the Queen be present at the ceremony?" asked the young man, a little embarrassed by the question. Even Claire and Margott were surprised. "Her Majesty the Queen has been away from Averford since yesterday―She is not with us now!" that words saddened Kiett's gaze, and Sonia noticed it. "What's wrong? Do you want something from my mom?" she asked, moving slightly closer. Margott stared at her, and Claire found it amusing to watch her jealous expression. "I want to thank her. She saved my life. I am indebted to her!" replied Kiett.
"Don't worry, I promise I'll take you to her myself when I get back, but now I have to go!" I said, and the caress made the others look at us with utter disbelief. For Claire, the scene was beautiful. She was enjoying Margott's jealous expressions so much that she had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. When Sonia left, Margott rebuked Kiett, "Answer me this: are her hands softer than mine? Do you prefer her caresses?" asked Margott. The young man apologized, wondering what he could do when it came to the heiress to the crown of Averford. "I accepted her caress out of politeness. Please don't be angry!" replied the young man, hugging her. Margott accepted the hug, sinking into his arms and breathing in the scent of his uniform. "A hug isn't enough," exclaimed Margott.
After that modest scene of jealousy on Margott's part, everyone was called to the academy's great hall. The entire structure was beautiful in every detail, with marble walls, gold inlays, and beautiful chandeliers shining with a light that tried to replicate the beautiful sunlight. "Hi everyone, we're here!" said Marth, who arrived with Sakura Lino, also wearing their elegant uniforms. Marth is the only son of the master of the Royal Forge of Averford, Matthew Heckyrk, who has been important in the manipulation and forging of moonlight steel, from which the swords of the Legionnaires are made, capable of reflecting the mystical energy molded by their mana.
Sakura Lino also bears the surname Heckyrk, having been adopted by Matthew when she lost her parents during the event in which Arthur Windham died. Fiora's husband, Sonia's father, and the undisputed hero of Averford. The same event also claimed the lives of the parents of the Sigrid siblings. "You made it just in time. I thought you wouldn't make it" replied Claire. Marth and Kiett exchanged their typical hand greeting as best friends. "Everyone's here. It's strange to be in the same room as the noble families!" Sakura whispered, as standing next to them was the Alfgen family, one of the four most important families in Averford, and alongside their representatives were their heirs, the triplets Kristyn, Kristany, and Kristiny Alfgen, beautiful maidens who were quite skilled with the sword. Curiously, Claire had earned a reputation as the best swordswoman, surpassing even Prince Lon.
"Those three are a pain in the neck—they think they're so great!" Amber said behind their backs, giving everyone a big scare. This made everyone else in the great hall turn to look at them, including the young Alfgen girls. "Amber, how can you say that about them? You hardly know them!" Amber simply made a face of disgust. "I don't have to associate with people who value others by the amount of coins in their pockets!" she replied. "Look, they're coming this way!" said Blumiere. Amber's face turned red with embarrassment, but she didn't try to hide from them.
"Good evening, everyone. It's wonderful to see you again!" said Kristyn, the eldest of the three. 'We're delighted to see you too. We share your sentiment!" replied Claire. The three girls approached Kiett, who was holding Margott's hand. "I see you're feeling better, Kiett. That truly makes us happy!" Kristiny stated, "It's a shame we have to meet again in such circumstances... we lost so much!" said Kiett. The three sisters agreed with him, as it was a time of mourning; there was nothing to celebrate.
The conversations in the great hall were interrupted by the arrival of Princess Liliam and her son Prince Lon, who looked very elegant. Lon was wearing his uniform but with many more accessories than the other noble children. Liliam wore a beautiful black dress. Everyone welcomed them by bowing at the same time, and all those present knelt as they passed. One of the noble leaders approached Liliam. "Your Majesty, if I may ask, will our Queen be joining us tonight?" asked Akira Alfgen. "My sister is currently away from Averford, as you know. I will take care of the ceremony on her behalf!" replied Liliam.
After that brief conversation, Liliam, Lon, and Sonia climbed the stairs to the second floor to use it as a stage for a speech. "Ladies and gentlemen, future Legionnaires of Averford" she began. "Tonight, we will hold the incense ceremony in honor of our fallen brothers―May the light of Throme guide them to their eternal rest!" exclaimed Liliam. Everyone listened to her words. Lon noticed that Kristyn couldn't take her eyes off him, which made him feel a little nervous. Kristyn noticed this and smiled at him. "What happened in Threnafell was an immeasurable tragedy. His Majesty and I will discuss the new training I have prepared for our recruits upon his return, but now I invite you all to join me in paying tribute and honoring all our heroes!" Liliam concluded her speech.
Four people entered the great hall: Callaghan, Tanner, Senna, and Cosette. The latter carried a sword wrapped in white silk. The four made their way through the crowd until they reached Liliam and bowed to her on the steps. "The moon will soon light up the sky, and it has stopped raining for now, so the time has come!" exclaimed Liliam, turning around. The others followed her to the back of the academy where the bodies of all the deceased recruits lay prepared for cremation.
―Montecristo Ranch―
At the ranch on the outskirts of Dove, Joel has taken a cold shower and changed his appearance, cutting his hair to reveal a masculine cut that makes him look quite attractive. His naked torso shows off his well-defined pecs; he has a strong body and muscles that are well developed for his age. He walks to his bed and lets himself fall onto it. "It's time" he thought. He is aware of the incense ceremony. His gaze is lost in nothingness as he stares at the ceiling of his room. Suddenly, he remembers the parchment that Alistar left him from Fiora.
"What is this all about?" he wondered, getting up and walking over to pick it up. When he picked it up, a teleportation rune stone fell out of it onto the floor. Intrigued, he picked it up and looked at some symbols he couldn't interpret. As he read the parchment, his expression changed from lost and discouraged to alert, his eyes wide open, as if what he was reading was something very bad. He dropped the parchment and got dressed quickly, putting on his boots with difficulty as he tried to walk. "Victor! Get my horse ready quickly, I must go to the castle now!" he shouted desperately. He entered his armory, grabbed some daggers and a sword, which he placed on his back, and ran out. Outside the house, Victor was waiting for him with a large white horse ready. "Sir, is everything all right?" Victor asked. "Don't wait up for me, Victor!" Joel replied, and as fast as lightning, he set off for Averford.
TO BE CONTINUED…