The ferry whistles blew, as passengers slowly disembarked it. Among them, a young lady—dressed in expensive noble attire—walked along the bridge connecting to the harbour.
"Identity please, ma'am," the officer asked.
The lady nodded, handing it to the man. Funnier thing, it was a fake. But still... He held out a hand and she crossed the border check.
"By the way, congratulations. By the looks of it, it seemed new."
She looked over to the officer, who was pointing towards at her ring. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
She pulled the brim of her hat further down, heading towards
The Smod Islands.
Where the Barony rested, where the Empress, Henry and George stayed... And where her grave was.
Once inside the safety of the dense forest, she pulled off her hat. Dresses still weren't her thing. Especially since she was only here for a simple errand.
She dropped that prop parasol, her high heels, the even her hat and long gloves. Then, she dropped her illusion. Suddenly, her hair was pitch-black again, along with the shimmering silver edges. Her eyes settled back to their raw garnet, and the freckles dissolved into her original pale skin.
Slowly, she stepped out of the forest, her illusion-gown back to its black and burgundy attire. The coat was held up with pins and strings of pearls, which was drapped casually over her shoulders but still held by silver ropes. As she walked, it fluttered like a cape behind her.
Apparently, she actually wanted to be a bit stylish and boost about her rank as a Guardian to her former family. So she chose this outfit.
She had spent enough time as the Third Aethalgard now to realize something.
If she was going to visit her family after all this time...
She might as well look the part.
Not because she wanted to intimidate them.
Definitely not.
She just wanted to see their reactions.
Perhaps.
A little.
Anyways.
She reached the Baroness's manor about a short while of walking later. The servants blocked her exit, but she just ignored them and continued, stopping just in front of the door and knocking.
"I want to personally meet the Baroness," she politely requested. "I have a deal to meet with the guest who is residing here. But before I head over to the annex, I would like to meet the lady in charge of them."
They scratched the back of their head. However, they still let her go.
Midway to the conference hall, she met Casper, which made things easier for her.
"Oh hi!" He waved his hand, walking over to her place and held out a hand. "I heard you will be coming around, but I didn't know it would be this sudden."
Aefia smiled, shaking his hand and nodding. "I am sorry if it is offending. I was only here for a short while. The situation at the capital is tight, so I don't know how long it would take."
"Ah! I heard," he said as he retracted his hand. "Anyways, let me lead you. I was heading to my mother's place anyway."
He dismissed the guards escorting her, and walked alongside her.
For several moments, neither spoke.
It wasn't awkward.
There simply wasn't enough familiarity between them to fill the silence.
Casper eventually broke it.
"So. I know we haven't spoken much since the hunting competition, but I am glad you managed to win. It has been more than an year already."
"Yeah, it has," she smiled back.
"How have you been doing?"
"I am doing quite well. How about you?"
"Yes. I am well too. Anything major that happened?"
Aefia thought for a while. "Nothing mostly. I suppose that since the Empress here is, she told you that major thing already."
"Ah... Yes. She did," he let out a sigh. "I can already feel sorry for him."
"We can't blame the person if the greed just caught up you know..."
"Huh?"
"I mean, I am not being biased or anything—I just suspect he was unwillingly dragged into this."
"Oh..."
"But I am just assuming. Assumptions aren't always true, so we can rest the matter where it is currently."
"Yeah. I guess so."
Soon enough, they arrived at the entrance of the annex.
"Shall we go in?" He asked.
Aefia stood straight, staring at the door for a long moment. Then,
"I will send a message first," she answered.
She had spent the entire time in this strange world, surviving without a complaint spilling from her mouth.
But somehow, grabbing the door handle and turning it, made it feel almost suffocating.
She didn't want to be on bad terms with them anymore.
She extended her index finger. Within the small blink of an eye, a small flame coloured butterfly collected and formed out of thin air. It sat perched on her finger, before flying away and into the open window from where she could hear chatting.
It took a moment, before flying out and landing onto her shoulder. It walked around, flapping its wings fragily. As it did, it left glitter as traces along her sleeve.
"What does that mean?" He asked.
Aefia waited three seconds. "Now, we can enter."
The door swung open, and then closed behind her as they walked towards the gardens.
"Casper," she whispered.
"Yes?" He turned.
"Can I tell you something?"
"Sure."
"I am actually nervous. Should I do it?"
They stayed silent like that for a bit longer. Then,
"I am sure they will be happy. Absence only makes the heart fonder."
It brought a smile to her face, and she let out a deep breath.
"You know one thing?"
Aefia turned her head to him again.
"Even if we met only three times until now... I can already tell that you are a very strong person. Especially after the hunting competition... I felt like I had seen some extreme determination in you. You have a very strong will to live."
She stayed silent, listening.
"So I am thinking... If someone is as strong as you, why would they hesitate? I have a feeling you will succeed in whatever you do. Even if, you break into an argument. Though I am ninety-eight percent sure they will be extremely happy."
It was true... Personally, even Aefia felt like it was possible by her. But still...
"If you feel like the situation didn't go well, I will take full blame in your place," he finally added. Without warning, he opened the last barrier seperating Aefia from the rest.
A thin line of gold stretched into a large triangle on the ground she was standing on. And hesitantly, she took a step forward.
The first thing she heard, was laughter.
Probably Henry.
Her steps slowed.
Casper noticed. "You okay?"
She nodded. "Yes."
They continued toward the gardens.
Aefia's expression became increasingly tense. Then she stopped.
Everyone's eyes turned towards her. Henry stopped completely.
He had been sitting with the Empress, while George stood nearby discussing something.
Her little brother's eyes widened. His entire face lit up.
"Aefia?!"
He practically launched himself from his seat.
"Aefia!"
She barely had time to react before the ten-year-old rushed toward her. She crouched just in time for him to throw his arms around her.
"You are here!"
Aefia laughed softly, wrapping her arms around him. "Hello, Henry."
"I knew you were coming! Mother said you were coming, but she didn't say exactly when!"
"I wanted it to be a surprise."
"It worked!" He pulled away, staring at her face. Then at her clothes. Then back at her face. "You look different."
Aefia raised an eyebrow. "Different?"
"Fancy."
George laughed from behind him. "That's what I was thinking."
He approached at a much calmer pace.
Twenty-two now, he carried himself differently than Aefia remembered. But his expression softened immediately when he saw her. "Aefia."
"Brother George."
He smiled. Then, without warning—
He reached out and ruffled her hair.
Aefia froze.
"...Did you seriously just do that?"
George grinned. "Some things don't change."
She immediately fixed her hair. "You are twenty-two now. Get over it."
"And?"
"You should have developed maturity by now."
"Didn't happen."
Henry giggled. From the bench, the Empress finally stood.
For a moment, she simply looked at Aefia. Her expression was warm.
Not shocked.
Not hesitant.
Just relieved.
"My dear."
Aefia's smile softened.
"Your Majesty."
The Empress walked over and embraced her.
Aefia hesitated for only a second before returning the hug.
"You came."
"I said I would."
"I know."
The Empress pulled back slightly. Her eyes moved over Aefia's attire.
"You certainly dressed differently."
Aefia looked down at herself. "I thought I should make an entrance."
George snorted. "You are definitely making one."
Henry circled her excitedly. "Are you staying?"
"For a little while."
"How long?"
"I am not sure."
"Can you stay for dinner?"
Aefia laughed, then grabbed him by his collar as soon as he was about to jump over a trail of end. He stayed hovering mid-air, looking up at his sister with a guilty look.
She let out a sigh, still smiling. "I suppose I can." She let him land softly back on his feet.
"Yes!" Henry grabbed her hand immediately. "Come on! I have so much to tell you!"
Aefia looked back toward the others.
For the first time since arriving on the island... Her nervousness finally began to disappear.
Then George noticed something. His eyes dropped toward her left hand as he paused.
"...Aefia."
She looked at him. "Hm?"
He pointed. "What's that?"
Aefia followed his gaze. The silver ring. Her expression immediately became suspicious. "Oh."
Henry leaned closer. "What?"
George looked at the ring again. "Is that new?"
The Empress's eyes followed. Aefia suddenly realized something.
They had absolutely no idea, because she forgot to tell them in the letter.
Or rather... She purposefully didn't.
Because like everywhere else... She wanted to flex it here too.
She slowly lifted her hand. The garnet caught the sunlight. "Yes."
Henry's eyes widened. "Did you buy it?"
Aefia smiled. "No."
George stared. The Empress's expression changed. And Henry looked between them.
"...Then who gave it to you?"
Aefia's smile became just slightly more mischievous. "That's a rather long story."
George narrowed his eyes. "Wait."
Henry gasped. "Did someone give you a present?!"
Aefia laughed. "Something like that."
The Empress looked at the ring again. Then at Aefia. "My dear..."
Aefia took a slow breath. "There's someone I would like you all to meet someday."
George's eyebrows rose. Henry looked delighted. The Empress simply smiled.
"Someone important?"
Aefia glanced down at the garnet. Her expression softened. "Very."
Aefia had a secret.
And he was absolutely going to find out what it was.
"Aefia!" He yelled, it shook the entire garden until dry leaves fell from trees. He hugged her, staring with puppy eyes."I will bid you a candy! Please tell me!"
"Uh..."
The Empress suddenly got the idea. She leaned forward, to Aefia's ears.
"When did it happen?"
She stayed for a while. The Empress was once, her adoptive mother afterall.
"A little after I sent you to this place," she answered, whispering back.
The Empress smiled. Pressing a kiss to Aefia's head.
"What are two talking about?! Tell me!" Henry shouted, completely frustrated.
They both chuckled. George was just third wheeling.
"Let's say... I will tell about it during dinner," she smiled, patting his head before they four started to walk back towards the annex.
The laughter gradually faded as Henry got distracted by a servant calling him from the other side of the garden. He reluctantly let go of Aefia's hand.
"I will be back!"
"Take your time," Aefia laughed.
The moment he disappeared, the Empress's expression became more serious. "You said there was something you needed to discuss."
Aefia nodded. "There is."
They walked towards the table and chair, where they settled down.
"It concerns the recent incidents in the Empire."
"The disappearances?" George asked. "Among other things."
Her expression hardened. "There is someone operating throughout the empire. His name is Kazimir."
George's eyes narrowed. A visible tremble went down his hands.
"He isn't simply a criminal," Aefia continued. "He has been connected to multiple disappearances and killings over the past two decades. More importantly, now he is specifically interested in me."
The Empress frowned. "Why?"
"I don't know yet," Aefia folded her hands together. "Though it concerns when I went to the Mides Kingdom."
Let's just say, she would have a private conversation about Kazimir's partnership with George, later on.
"But Rosetta approached me recently. She has information about him. She claims he has been monitoring my movements and gathering information about my abilities."
George's jaw tightened. "And this is the same Kazimir from the hunting competition?"
He was coaxing to make the situation seem directed to her.
Though Aefia simply nodded. "Yes."
Silence settled over the table.
George's expression darkened. "He attacked you."
"Yes."
"During a hunting competition."
"I know."
"And he was allowed to walk away afterward."
Aefia glanced at him. "George."
I could tell on you multiple ways. So shut up... Because you are involved into this too.
"No." He pushed himself away from the table. "You don't get to say that so calmly. I remember what happened. You were barely able to stand afterward."
Aefia's expression softened slightly. "I survived."
"That's not the point."
The Empress placed a hand on George's arm. "Let her finish."
George reluctantly sat again.
Aefia breathed out. "That's why I need to ask a few questions."
The Empress studied her. "What exactly are you planning?"
Aefia hesitated. Then she answered quietly. "I am going to reconcile with Lewis."
Both of them froze. George stared at her. This time, it was understandable.
"...Lewis?"
"Yes."
"And why?"
"Because I need access to the Imperial court again."
The Empress's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "You intend to return?"
"Not simply return," Aefia looked down at the garnet ring on her finger, fidgeting with it before continuing. "I intend to take the throne back from him."
George's expression changed completely. "You can't be serious."
"I am."
"You left that palace because of him."
"I know."
"And now you are planning to walk back into it?"
"Not blindly," Aefia leaned forward. "Lewis has isolated himself. His position isn't as stable as it looks, and there are already factions that would oppose him if given the right opportunity. If I reconcile with him, I can gain access to the people surrounding him without immediately creating another conflict."
The Empress remained silent.
"And if I succeed," Aefia continued, "I will be able to deal with Kazimir from a position where I can actually protect people. As you know... He is the eldest illegitimate son of the Mides family currently."
George shook his head. "You have thought this through."
"I had to."
The Emily finally spoke. "And how exactly do you intend to take an imperial throne from someone who currently controls the empire?"
Aefia looked directly at her. "I have authority he can't simply ignore."
George frowned. "What authority?"
Aefia's eyes narrowed. "I am the Third Aethalgard. And the Guardian of Death. If we look back to the ranks, I have a higher standing then him. So he won't have any choice but to hand it over if I say so."
Yes, she knew she had thrown some random sentences they never expected.