(Third person POV)
It was late at night and the eleventh princess mansion was quit. The eleventh princess's bedroom was filled with the fragrance of lemon as always.
Azure squinted her nose. She really wanted to get someone to cut down the lemon tree in the garden. Being too close to her room it carried over the fragrance.
The eleventh princess, Azure, sat up on the bed.
She couldn't sleep.
And it was not particularly because of the scent of lemon. It was more like she was in daze.
Today she met, Luna. And Luna seemed like a very charismatic person. However, at the same time Luna was very different from all the charismatic people she has seen before.
For one Luna is really young.
And second she doesn't feel so distant like the others.
Azure looked at the open window, from where the lemon scent was coming from. At this moment she decided to get off the bed and approach the window. It was very late at night. The moon was out.
From her window Azure could see the whole garden and the moon illuminating it. The world was wrapped in the veil of moonlight making it look ethereal.
Azure stared at it in a daze, her mind wondering to various random topics.
Like how Luna reminds her of this moonlight so much. Even though the only thing about Luna that even closely matches this scene is her name.
Then her mind wondered to how empty this garden is. Even though it is so beautiful, there is no one appreciating this scene.
Azure shook her head. Her dark hair swaying in the air. Since she can't sleep, she decided to practice her swordsmanship.
Due to her unique circumstances she was never given a teacher for mostly anything. However, she did learn some swordsmanship, from the knights that patrolled around. It wasn't really impressive. But because she didn't have anything to do all day, she had a habit of practicing it.
So she did.
She pulled out a rusty sword and after warming up a bit she started executing sword moves.
It was silent and repetitive, but was great way to get tired, to go to sleep.
"Ha...hah...hah!" After a while she panted as she sat down on the bed again. She was tired enough and wanted to get back to sleep. As she lay down on the bed she closed her eyes.
Her mind still wandering.
Might be that being alone, a persons mind wanders so much.
She remembered the magic display she did today to impress Luna. She gave it her all at that time. And Luna seemed to have liked it as well. However, as the display progressed, Luna gave her some experimentation ideas.
Mainly about how chaotic her magic was. And it was indeed true. Because Azure didn't have that much affinity for magic she castes magic very loosely, in order to increase the offense of the spells.
But Luna told her to also experiment with very controlled magic.
Obviously because Luna isn't really an expert in magic Azure didn't give it much thought.
But something about the though of having control seemed to have awaken a itch to try it.
It was as expected. The resulting offensive power decreases significantly.
However, still...
Azure opened her eyes again. While laying down she raised her hand and conjured up a ball of water. It wasn't unstable like the other times. The water moved according to her will. And took shape according to her will.
Azure suddenly realized,
Maybe she liked this way better.
To have control.
.
.
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(Luna POV)
"Hm... there's nothing like a goodnight stroll." I was back at the inn. But didn't feel like going to sleep. So i decided to take a stroll outside. Well more like, i am flying in the vast sky.
Ron had things to take care of, so he couldn't come. Otherwise i would love to hear about his gambling adventures. I sometimes feel attracted to the interesting physiology of gambling. But alas, Ron was out, so i could only get a good night stroll.
But maybe a stroll out isn't so bad after all. Today is full moon, so it is quite bright outside. The forest that i am floating above of looks so ethereal. The whole landscape is so visible, but at the same time so blurry. It is definitely something everyone should experience at least once in their life.
At one point i just let go of my arms and legs as i freely drifted in the sky.
It took me a while to get tired. When i was, i hunted a few boars and headed back. Buying a house is expensive and of course i need to get that amount myself.
Ron did wanted to help which i appreciate, but at the end of the day, i am the one that pay's him, so, it really doesn't matter in the first place.
.
.
.
Next morning,
It is morning, and the morning sun is out. And the morning air is blowing. I did some morning chores as i sent Ron to sell off all the bore carcass.
After everything was done i locked the inn door and headed out for the castle. Ron wont be coming to work with me today, as he has a house to buy.
"Oh, my it's little Luna!" On my way out i met the inn lady. "Where is your dad, Luna?" The inn lady asked as she handed me a small candy. To be honest i was never a fan of candies. But now a day's i really like them.
"Oh, he has important stuff to do, he wont come with me today." I answered her.
"really!" The inn lady looked concerned. "What kind of a father is that! Leaving a child unattended!"
"No, no, it's fine. I can do things myself."
"Do you want me to take you to where you are going?" She asked.
"No That wont be necessary, i can go by myself."
"Are you sure?" The inn keeper aunt looked uncertain. But thankfully i managed to get away from her.
"Uh, isn't this little Luna."
"Hello."
The few day's i lived here, a lot of people seem to have come to know me. It is very odd. Because i have never been the social type.
I like my personal space and peace of mind. And interacting with people, isn't really peaceful.
In the end, i decided to take a more secluded route to the castle.
.
.
.
"Uh, Luna, you are here!" For some reason I was met with Lady Azure at the gate.
"Good morning Milady." I gave a bow.
"Let's play today as well, Luna." Lady Azure said suddenly, as if she was holding it in for sometime.
"But, milady, i have work." I said calmly. Hearing my words her face seemed to deflate. Even though i couldn't see her eyes clearly duo to her hair. I knew she was sad. "My lady, How about we ask the head maid and see, if she agrees." I couldn't help but chuckle.
Hearing my words her face seem to have brightened.
"Okay." She grabbed my hand as we both made our way to the head maid.
The head maid wasn't really moved by the news nor was she dissatisfied. I mean i guess, i am not given that much work to begin with. So, me not being there wont make much difference.
"But dear, princess, do remember that, Princess Beatrice would come for a visit today. Have you prepared for that?" The head maid said.
"Uh!" Milady seemed to have remembered something. Her face went dark.
"Yeah, i have..." Her voice increasingly becoming meeker.
When we took leave from the head maid, i decided to ask Milady for what is wrong. "Does Milady, not like Princess Beatrice?" I asked.
"Uh! I... It's not like that... i just..."
So she really doesn't like this Princess Beatrice person.
"Oh, I am curious. Might i ask why, Princess Beatrice is coming here?"
After a bit of fumbling Milady told me in the end.
And i wasn't really expecting what i heard from her. Princess Beatrice is the tenth princess of the kingdom. But has a comparatively high position in the royal court. For a person like that, Milady shouldn't be someone she meets. After all Milady is just an unfortunate person with very low standing.
However, it seems Princess Beatrice isn't really a bright person when it comes to her studying. Compere that to Milady who apparently has a bight mind in her studies. And you have Princess Beatrice who uses, Milady to do her home work basically.
"I see." I couldn't help but look at the girl a little confused. "Milady, didn't you say you don't have a tutor?"
"Mhm, they said i am not that good so they, did not give me a tutor." Milady scratched her head in embarrassment.
"Then how do you answer those homework questions?" I asked.
"Oh, i just answer from what i know from reading books." She said. "Though i am not really that good. Sister Beatrice always say's that."
Hm? Hold on. That doesn't align. If Milady is bad at doing homework, why would Princess Beatrice even come here. And also, By the sounds of it, princess Beatrice is her older sister.
Could it be that Milady is actually a prodigal child that can do curriculum above her grade.
"Milady, can you show me the home works you did?" I asked.
"i.." Milady hesitated for a bit. But in the end showed me.
"Uh, this..." Looking at the stuff i felt more relived. Turns out the homework we were talking about was more easier.
Thing's like how to write a letter, or how to count money, etc. I totally forgot this world doesn't really have that much emphasis on science. So the curriculum here is relatively easier.
Though i am still curious why Princess Beatrice would give Milady such easy tasks. And why she complains about these when Milady's work seems actually really good.