Chapter 7: Alexia Midgar
Two weeks passed since the rather explosive start to the new school year.
"I love you! Please go out with me!"
"I'm sorry. I'm not interested in dating."
—This is the fourth time today Alexia has rejected a would-be suitor.
It is not so surprising that a beautiful girl like her, a princess no less, has admirers and suitors. This is hardly new for Alexia, either. She received many offers and proposals from the children of the palace nobles, all attracted to her either out of physical attraction or pursuing a political agenda. She let the former group down gently while showing thinly-veiled contempt toward the latter. She especially has little love for those pretending to be attracted to her.
Alexia had hoped things at the academy would be different, and for the most part it was. Many of the people seeking her hand had no political agenda she could see or discern, but that didn't mean the occasional entitled prat came along. The one point they had in their corner is that they at least had the decency to be honest about their reasons for pursuing her, but that didn't make it any better.
I wonder if Iris had to put up with this, Alexia thinks to herself as she watches the boy she rejected walk off in dejection. She did feel a little bad about turning him down; he has good looks, but she didn't know anything about him to know whether they would be a good match. She did briefly consider accepting his confession, but she thought better against it since it would mean using him for her own ends.
Despite her best efforts, Zenon Griffey remains the popular choice for her suitor. On paper, he's the best choice. He's a popular knight and is well-known for his chivalrous nature a spotless service record. Schoolgirls constantly gossip about how reliable he is, some even mentioning how he asks some students to stay behind after class so he can tutor them. It also helps that Zenon participated in the Bushin Festival and won no small number of accolades in the process.
Alexia knows and understands how appealing such a choice for her future romantic partner Zenon is, but her life at the palace helped to hone her senses and judgment. She grew up paranoid and mistrustful around others, always second-guessing their nature. More often than not, she is correct in her beliefs. In her eyes, Zenon is the same as Jack S. Adist, a man who fakes his smiles and puts on a façade. A perfect individual like him can't possibly exist. Everyone has a flaw.
Thankfully, their betrothal is not set in stone. As things stand, Alexia is a free woman until she is seventeen. That is plenty of time to think of a solution. Among one of her plans to get out of Zenon's marriage proposal is to find a 'boyfriend' and show how much they "clicked". It is not a fool-proof plan, and it requires her to be trusting of someone she knows little about, but it's also the less-risky plan she can think of.
There's no shortage of boys asking for her hand in marriage. At least one of them should suit her needs.
Alexia sighs to herself, pondering what she should do when she sees a first-year student approach her, smile rigid and sweat pouring down his face. His appearance isn't too shabby, but he's on the thin side. Not far away, she sees a boy with a shaven head eagerly watching. In an instant, the princess figures out what's going on. In any other instance, she would have been amused at the thought of someone confessing to her as part of a punishment game.
With these boys in particular, however…
"P-Princess Ale—"
The silver-haired girl draws her training sword and imbues it with mana. "If I hear so much as the words "you" and "love" come out of your mouth in the same sentence, I'll cut out your tongue," she warns with a glare. "I've no interest in dating at the moment. Even if I were, the day I consider you or your friend over there as suitors is the day Hell freezes over. Consider this your only warning, Skel Etal."
"Approach me again, and I'll castrate you."
"You did not say that."
"I meant every word. There is no force on this earth that will ever get me to consider getting involved with those two lechers."
Rose sighs as she palms her face. "Not that I don't understand where you're coming from, but you can't just threaten a fellow student like that…"
After lunch period began, Alexia sought Rose and Cid and dragged them to a private venue. Finding her cousin's fiancé is no trouble since she spends most of her time wandering the halls or in the student council room, but tracking down Cid proves a slightly difficult task. He's surprisingly effective at hiding when he wants to, even though he has someone like Claire almost always at his side. Recently, however, Alexia has an easier time finding him thanks to his new friends.
Part of Alexia feels happy that Cid is making new friends, though she's equal parts worried about his choice in company and paranoid about said company.
Kanade Doe is the daughter of a baron with barely any real political influence with average looks and an equally average figure, so there's little chance of her trying to seduce him. If anything, the poor girl acts like she's on eggshells with him half the time. The only time she seems to use him is when she eagerly takes his food, though Cid doesn't have any problems with it. While Suzuki Hope comes from a prestigious noble house, he is from a branch family with significantly less influence. He's the studious type from what she observes, and of the three, he interacts with Cid the least. Half of this stems from genuine confusion as to why a prince hangs out with him and the other half being that he spends more time in the study hall than he does in the cafeteria or with his friends. Christina Hope is a fairly attractive young woman and the daughter of a duke. Of the three, she is the one that concerns Alexia the most.
From hearsay alone, Christina is a talented spellsword in the making with above average magical prowess and deft with a sword. She is not what many consider a budding prodigy, but she is nonetheless talented. She is the only daughter of Duke Hope, meaning she will succeed him and is groomed as such. Her social etiquette is what is to be expected from the heir of a noble house. Academically, she falls slightly behind her cousin Suzuki but is otherwise a good student. All of these are positive traits, but unlike with Zenon, Alexia knows there's a darker side to her. She sees it in the way she eyes Cid and how she approaches him.
She acts far too much like the palace nobles for her liking. She even went the extra mile and warned Cid about Christina's behavior, but he just smiled at her and assured her everything was fine. Alexia had no idea if he was simply being confident he could handle her or if he was just being naïve, and to her frustration, she didn't know which was the case. She could only hope Claire would keep an eye on him.
In any case, Suzuki pointed her in Cid's direction and absconded with him to the gardens. It is a popular place to host tea parties, especially the second and third-year students who have already formed their own social circles and cliques.
Cid and Rose are well aware of Alexia and her debacle involving her suitors. After having finished recounting her latest encounters, the gold-haired girl can only look on with exasperation. Cid, on the other hand, looks confused.
"Who are Skel Etal and Po Tato?" he asks.
Claire answers her lord with a grimace. "They're first-year students, the same as you and Lady Alexia. They're also scum of the earth."
"Lady Claire!" Rose stares aghast at the knight.
Alexia huffs. "Come on, Rose. Even you know about them. Did you forget the stunt the pulled on the first day?"
"I-I'm sure they had good reasons…"
The silver-haired girl stares flatly at her Oriannan counterpart. Rose's weak excuse falls flat, and her face makes it clear even she doesn't believe what she's saying.
Cid changes the topic. "You keep saying you're not interested in romance, right? So, does that mean you don't want to marry Zenon?"
"Of course not," Alexia snorts. "I have no intention of marrying someone like that."
"Why not? He's handsome, he's good with a sword, and everyone likes him." The silver-haired princess nearly clicks her tongue in annoyance. Even Cid is fooled by his ruse. Her cousin's expression suddenly becomes thoughtful. "…hey, Princess Alexia—"
"Alexia, Cid. We've been over this. Don't make me whack you over the head with my sheathe."
He sighs. "Miss Alexia." She pouts in frustration. Slowly, but surely, she was breaking down his barriers to getting him to call her by name without any titles or honorifics. "You don't have to answer, but if you don't mind me asking… You, uh, wouldn't happen to swing that way, would you?"
Rose, who took a sip of her tea, nearly spits it out as she whirls on her fiancé. "C-Cid! That's not—that is highly inappropriate, not to mention rude!"
"It's an honest question. She keeps turning down guy after guy. If she likes girls, what's the problem?"
"That's not the point I'm trying to make!"
Alexia looks at Cid. Were this a comedy, question marks would no doubt be dancing above her head. How in the world did he come to that conclusion? While she appreciates the female form from time to time and recognize how beautiful they can be, she has little to no romantic inclinations to women. If a girl came up to her and confessed her love, Alexia would turn her down all the same. She would still turn a girl down, even if she had a bombshell figure like that fucking Natsume. That Cid mistakes her refusal to date boys as being interested in girls throws her for a loop, so much she can't must a response.
She eventually recovers and shakes her head in exasperation. "It's not like that, Cid. I'm not interested in girls," she says. "I'm not lying about being interested in romance at the moment. Even if I were, I refuse to marry someone like Zenon." This draws curious looks from the three around her. Alexia briefly looks at Cid and holds his gaze, hoping he understands what she is about to say. The memory of when he was kidnapped must still be fresh in his mind. "He's a fake. His smile, everything. There's no way someone as perfect as that exists."
X x X x X x X x X
School ends on a dull note. Zenon sees off the last of the students he asked to stay behind. He is not a bad swordsman, but his skill is in need of polish. Give it time, he could become a renowned swordsman.
He just wouldn't compare to Zenon. No one would compare to him.
"You seem to be having fun," a wizened old voice says almost mockingly.
The knight turns and smiles. His senior officer, a former Knight of the Round, approaches him with a cold mask. It's not surprising to see Sir Gaunt looking at him as if he wants to kill him. Zenon has been climbing the ranks thanks to his abilities, and his aid in assisting Pentos' pet projects have only made him more valuable to the Cult. Fenrir, the leader of the sect in Midgar, even put his name forward as a potential new member for the Round. Such a position will give him not only more power, but even greater influence. Coincidentally, the vacant seat Zenon eyes is the same seat Sir Gaunt was forced to abdicate on account of his declining health.
Zenon understands why Sir Gaunt is so hostile to him. The old man pay be past his prime, but the fire in his eyes shows ambition. A desire to reclaim past glory. It almost makes him want to laugh.
Old timers should just sit back and watch the new generation unfold, he thinks arrogantly.
"What can I say? It's a great way to pass the time," Zenon tells Sir Gaunt with a shrug. "And it helps me gauge who might be worth picking up as an apprentice. Greed and ambition go hand in hand, as you know. I doubt this is a social call, though. What brings you here, sir?"
Sir Gaunt makes a gesture with his hands. He feels magic swell around the room. Zenon realizes it's a barrier meant to prevent sound from escaping.
"Why haven't you take the initiative and captured the Bride?" Sir Gaunt hisses. "Do you not understand the opportunity before us?!"
Zenon laughs. "Is that all?"
The Bride, Claire Kagenou, is an important person of interest to the Cult of Diabolos. Zenon does not know all the details as he was made aware of her only recently, but her compatibility with the Diabolos cells far exceeds any of the possessed in their care. Her magic power is nothing to sniff at, either. When the girl revealed herself two years ago as the sworn knight of Cid Midgar, acting under the name Claire Pendragon, the Cult initially planned to capture her and her lord. Petos even planned to capture her himself to ensure the plan's success. In the end, however, Fenrir aborted the abduction after they learned of her growing prowess. Within a short amount of time, Claire Kagenou became a masterclass spellsword on par with the likes of the Scarlet Princess.
Zenon didn't understand why Fenrir aborted the plan. He knows the Fifth Seat well enough to know he would relish the opportunity to fight a strong opponent. That was when Zenon understood why he allows Claire Kagenout to act freely. It is to study her, to watch her grow. There is no doubt that the Bride will return to the Cult, but not until Fenrir slaked his thirst for battle.
Honestly, the blonde-haired knight doubts the Bride will give him what he wants. Fenrir has lived for hundreds, if not thousands of years. The idea that a mere child could hold a candle to someone with so much experience and power sounds more like a joke.
Not everyone was happy with Fenrir's decision. Petos begrudgingly accepted as did Zenon, but Sir Gaunt was furious. No doubt the old fool thinks the Bride could help contribute his attempts to reclaim his seat among the Knights of the Round.
"Lord Fenrir made it clear that no one is allowed to touch the Bride until he says so," Zenon reiterates their orders to Sir Gaunt. "If you want to incur his wrath, be my gust."
The old codger scowls, looking as if he wants to kill Zenon. He stays his hand. It makes Zenon want to egg him on and give him an excuse to prove Sir Gaunt why he is the best choice to inherit his seat.
"…and what of Alexia Midgar?"
"You won't have to worry about that," Zenon tells him. "I already have a plan in mind."
"You take her too lightly. While her skill pales in comparison to her sister, her swordsmanship is not to be underestimated."
"I'm not worried. Her mediocre swordplay is nothing compared to my Royal Bushin."
It is the honest truth. Zenon well and truly believes the swordstyle he's helped to cultivate and spread throughout Midgar is unparalleled, that it is superior to even the Bushin swordplay that has served the Midgar Kingdom for countless years. Not even that Velgatan spellsword from two years ago would be able to handle it if he gave it his all. Alexia is strong, that much Zenon will admit, but she cripples herself by using the "common sword" that relies on one's own effort and training. What use is a self-taught manner of swordplay when faced with something tried and true?
If the girl puts up a fight and they cross swords, Zenon will show her the difference between them.
"The only real concern is whether Shadow Garden will get involved," Zenon says. "They've been a real pain in the ass. I'm confident I can handle them if they show up, especially the traitor, but they're still a pain."
On this point, Sir Gaunt agrees. "Our operations have suffered in the past two years. They are nothing if not persistent. Still, once we have Alexia's blood, their interference won't matter." He pauses as a thought occurs to him. "And even should they intervene, we have a trump card. Lord Petos has Yoru stationed here in Midgar for the time being."
Zenon's eyes widen. "Seriously? That's a little overkill, don't you think? Does he think they're that dangerous?"
"A precaution," Sir Gaunt corrects him. "And it is better if we crush them as soon as possible."
Zenon understands the logic behind Sir Gaunt's words, but he cannot help but feel unsettled. He seldom saw Yoru since the masked enforcer always stuck by Petos, but whenever they cross paths, he can't help but shudder and shirk back. It is an instinctual fear, a natural response engraved into his being.
Yoru is dangerous. A force of nature that can kill him with but a blow if his masters gave the order.
Hopefully, that freak stays as far away from me as possible, Zenon thinks to himself.
Sir Gaunt dispels the sound barrier and takes his leave. Zenon follows suit. As he leaves, he catches sight of his target with Rose Oriana. The latter is another girl of interest to the Cult of Diabolos, but he there are no outstanding orders to claim her as of yet. Lord Mordred and Perv Asshat still had plans for her, and Zenon knew better than to step on his superior's toes. For now, he only had to focus on Alexia.
"It's a shame you're no longer with us, Adist," Zenon muses silently to himself. "Oh well. I can at least fulfill your dying wishes. I'm sure Lord Petos will be happy to have Cid Midgar in his possession. What's that old saying? Two birds and one stone?"
He takes his leave, his presence going unnoticed by the two women.
All except for the red-eyed shadow watching him from afar.