As always, Giliath demands your power stones!
*****
"I know we met for a brief period last night, but it is nice to see you again too, Claire. I don't mind you being assigned to me considering it's your job and all, but the air is still festive. Others are enjoying some time off. You should too, given the time. I understand you're filling in other people's shoes, but there's a limit to how far that can go.", I said, greeting Claire. My previous playful mood was wiped away. I had my calm demeanor. Claire simply shook her head.
"I appreciate the sentiment, I really do. But I'm looking to graduate from Thors in a year's time. I had a late enrollment, and I'm doing a bunch of extracurricular activities right now to make up for this. One of them is field studies, which includes active participation in the RMP. I have little time I can presently spare. In fact, you being here in Heimdallr makes for a good report, Your Highness.", Claire said, cracking a rare smile.
"Heh. So me being here does have its worth, after all. Whether or not it impacts me directly. It's good to have such aspirations. It's a shame you're doing your studies now, instead of three or four years down the line. It would have played out much more interesting that way.", I replied. Claire raised her eyes, quick to understand what I was referring to.
"You want to attend Thors!?", Claire exclaimed, leaving her normal icy maiden look behind. I was smiling from ear to ear while shock appeared in her eyes.
"I do. I've had my initial study plans for a while, but I've begun to change them. I plan to study at Jenis for a year, Aramis Academy for a year, and study at Thors Military Academy for two years.", I answered. Claire's eyes turned serious hearing that.
"So you want to get as much experience around our countries, I take it. And let me guess, it's already approved?", Claire asked.
"You bet it is! Already ran it by the Dean. The logistics of everything is already settled, so I just need to wait for the enrollment to begin. Shame my dear sister will be missing out on the fun. She'll remain in Jenis during the course of her schoolwork.", I replied, shrugging my shoulders with a sigh.
"Right...", Claire uttered. "I almost forgot you have a sister of your own, Your Highness. She hasn't seen much spotlight in Liberl as of late. Has Her Highness Klaudia been well?", Claire asked, realizing who it was I was referring to. It is true I haven't seen Kloe in a while, considering I spent new years over here, instead of in Liberl. I'm sure she has missed me, right?
Most of us went our separate ways during the festivities. Right now, Kloe is indeed keeping out of the limelight. The attention most people have right now is on Alfin and I. Barely any eyes are presently on Kloe. But I do know of her current whereabouts.
Kloe is in the midst of training alongside one of our trusted guardsmen and one of her closest friends at the same time, Julia Schwarz. Kloe is mastering her rapier skills while training with Julia. I'm sure she's learning some army-related skills too, considering Julia's with the royal army and all that jazz. They have been holed up in Leiston Fortress. Kloe might have returned to the castle temporarily to enjoy the new year, but that is her primary focus right now. I'm pretty sure this is being spearheaded by Cassius too, considering I haven't seen much of him lately.
And at least to others, I portray Kloe as my sister. Our ties are not that close. It's a bunch of stupid bloodline shit I'd rather not dive too deep in. But we're closer to being cousins, than actual siblings. It's just easier to say Kloe's my sister, even if our mothers are different. We still ended up with almost identical hair colors, haha!
"She has. Shame you can't take any time off due to what you have right now. Otherwise, I'd take you back to Liberl with me. Lechter's off doing something else right now, so it'd just be you. There is Rufus too, but he's busy as all hell. Probably even busier than you are.", I replied.
"You can say that again. Even I have it off lightly. That man is...", Claire answered, beginning to trail off. Yet she quickly shook her head. "That man has too many items on his plate. We best not tread on that. I'm here to escort you, and your safety is my number one priority.", Claire continued.
"Is that right?", I replied with a grin. "Even more than Alfin and the rest?", I continued to say, deciding to tease Claire. She is true no doubt. She holds Giliath above all else. And guess how that is tied to me? I'm Giliath's son. So my protection is paramount to everyone else here.
"You know how to jest, Your Highness. Please do not make me consider such matters. Why bother asking when you already have that answer?", Claire responded, sighing.
"Hahaha! Just a small joke, I assure you, Claire. I will say this, though. Back onto a more serious note. You aren't the only one protecting me right now.", I said in a serious tone.
"I've...felt weird for a while now. I've had my doubts. That feeling I have, it's not from you, is it?", Claire questioned.
"It isn't. It's best if the two of you get acquainted now, so there's no surprises later.", I answered. After saying that, I clapped my hands twice.
Woooosh!
Very quick and subtle, a shadow descended nearby out of nowhere. Claire's eyes remained serious as she observed the newly cloaked figure now standing beside me. She was releasing quite the cold gaze herself, even if it was hidden behind that mask. I felt the hairs on my back stand on end. An eerie silence spread around in the corridor we were standing in. Thankfully there were no maids patrolling about right now. She used a blind spot effectively, eh?
"...I will not ask how you became acquainted with this person, Your Highness.", Claire said. To my surprise, she suddenly withdrew her orbal pistol. The very same one that she took prowess in. And how she earned her moniker, the Icy Maiden. Without hesitation, she pointed it right at Yin's head. Yin didn't flinch, and just stared right back at Claire. She didn't even reach for her blade.
"Instead, I will ask this. Can I trust you?", Claire questioned, not backing down from Yin. The two released a hidden pressure that I'm not often fond of, but it would arise during situations like this one. Yin didn't flinch at this question either, she simply answered Claire.
"You can. For now. I have formed a contract with Young Master. In my eyes, Young Master holds the same position as Master Cao. I will abide by this contract until it has been fulfilled.", Yin simply stated. I raised my eyes when I heard that.
"Young Master?", I asked, sighing. Don't get me started on the whole "Young Master" business. It was enough that Lechter started addressing me that way. Now Yin is too?
Well, that's probably the best way for someone of Yin's stature to address me. I may be seen as a prince to others, but in Yin's eyes, I'm just a temporary master bound by a temporary contract. If I tore that up, she'd probably address me as everyone else would.
I couldn't even say anything before Yin's figure swiftly vanished into a shadow once again, leaving the two of us behind. Yin left as quickly as she arrived.
"Now I'm really interested in what you did in Crossbell City, Your Highness.", Claire said. "The strength that person wields is not a joke, might I add. You've recruited quite a competent bodyguard, haven't you?", Claire asked, gaining interest.
"Heh. Competent is an understatement. You will likely not come across Yin again, unless my life is in anger. That is the contract we have honored. She likely wouldn't give two shits about how you fare.", I replied.
"I figured as much. Still, to think I'd come across a legendary xiongshou. That just means whatever is going to happen here is all the more serious.", Claire said, sucking in a cold breath of air.
"I'll leave that to your imagination.", I said with a playful smile.
"That was some insane pressure just now, Master. That seriously went over my head. My tail is still trembling from it. Who was that?", Tamamo questioned, popping out beside me. Claire just stared at the silvery-white haired girl, raising her head upward. She stared at the two fox ears on top of her head.
"Right. There was you. Did you just address His Highness as 'Master'?", Claire asked.
"Sure did! You seem like a nice lady. Everyone calls me Tama.", Tamamo answered, introducing herself to Claire.
"Tama...I think I've come across that name before.", Claire responded, wondering where it was that she came across Tamamo's name. I simply smiled at her question.
"You can keep this between us alright, Claire? Can you change back for now Tama? And make sure to only have one tail. It gets a bit messy when you have several out at once.", I said.
"Okey-dokey!", Tamamo answered, suddenly raising her hand up in the air. "Kage bunshin no jutsu!", Tamamo exclaimed. I just blinked my eyes at that. Seriously, where did she even come across that phrase?
Imagining a certain orange-garbed ninja, I saw Tamamo's body go poof in a white smoke. Claire shielded her eyes, but they raised once again once she didn't see anything appear. Instead, she felt the back of her body suddenly get dug in by some claws, only to swiftly make it to the top of Claire's head.
Claire shifted her eyes upward, only to see a silvery-white fox no bigger than two or three feet nestled on top of her head.
"This...", Claire uttered. "Just what in Aidios's name? Isn't this the pet you were keeping around the palace?", Claire asked.
"Tama isn't an 'it'! Tama is Tama!", Tamamo angrily replied, smacking her tail against Claire's back.
"Haha, this is Tama. She's more than just a pet, I assure you. Look after her will you? I plan to bring her with me once we head to Karel Imperial Villa. Celine will miss out on this.", I said, turning more serious.
"Really?", Tamamo's eyes lit up.
"What am I even supposed to say here? I'm pretty sure foxes aren't supposed to speak.", Claire retorted.
"Heh. Again, I'll leave that up to your imagination. What I had intended took place. My well being is secured, so you can divert some attention to Tama, alright?", I asked Claire.
"I suppose I can, after that exchange just took place.", Claire responded with a nod.
"Nice to meet you, icicle lady!", Tamamo said in response to Claire's remark. An annoyed mark appeared on Claire's face hearing that.
"Hahaha!", I replied after hearing Tamamo say that. "Don't take that personally, alright? We ought to get going. It's about time to head to the dining hall. You're welcome to join, by the way.", I said.
Hearing that, Claire sighed, and returned to her usual work-heavy demeanor.
"I'm afraid I'll have to take a rain check on that, Your Highness. I am already on the clock, as one would say.", Claire responded.
"Then I'll leave Tama in your care.", I said.
"Yay! Let's go do something fun!", Tamamo happily replied, deciding to remain on Claire's head. Claire just simply shifted her eyes upward to see the fox smiling.
Standing there motionlessly, I paid no mind to Claire, and began walking down the hallway that would eventually take us to the dining hall in the main annex. I started humming Daybreak I's opening song. That song, I do remember.
"Is this the type of shit Lechter had to deal with during his assignment?", Claire uttered to herself, before sighing once more. She knew she couldn't remain behind, so she hurriedly followed after me.
Just like that, we left my guest room, and walked to where my next interest was. Where Alfin and the others were presently at.
And as for who I wanted to spend some time with, it could only be...
[Ding! Due to witnessing Tamamo's transformation back into a fox, Claire's interest in Gamer Naoto has risen. Claire's Favorability has increased to 75%.]
I could only let that thought linger for a moment before I became distracted with a single notification, causing me to smile as I walked.