Asher's Point Of View

"By the gods, hurry up! To think you'd cause her enough worried to make her send you away. You are a miserably inadequate excuse for a bodyguard!" the tall figure ahead of me says with the same sort of vicious snap you'd usually hear from Lady Lily. He turns his piercing ink black gaze at me to make sure I am still following along, giving only a condescending look at my attempt to follow his long strides.

Honestly I've never considered myself small, but this man easily towers a head taller than me, and with the heavy armor he is wearing he would easily overshadow me.

He turns back ahead with a mumble under his breath much resembling an unsatisfied growl, but doesn't slow down at all. The many layers of straw on his helmet gives a golden glimmer as he turns his head, much like I'd expect the golden mane of the magic beast that the old woman in the village of cold blood described to us months ago.

As he walks, his yellow almost golden armor shines. It's polished to perfection without a single fingerprint on the metal, and every thread is perfectly aligned without any flaying. The many small golden brown metal plates of his armor are sewn together with silken straps of gold, and if you look closely you can see the geometric patterns of white in every silken strap. He himself calls the color of their armor yellow, but the way it looks truly reminds me more of gold. Maybe a yellow orange is the way to describe it. It stands out.

Honestly, every bit of the armor itself is extravagant and clearly made for a noble. The straps alone must have taken months to make. Only the clothes he wears beneath it seem... so simple. The black, rough and heavy looking fabric barely seems to move despite his long strides. I cannot tell if it is clothes for war or for winter, but I don't have much of a clue as he's not that talkative when he is not giving me a verbal lashing.

His small and innocent companion Ellie sends me a small smile as she passes me and runs up next to him with her white lacy dress aflutter. Her steps seem so light she almost floats in the air, carefree and amused. Ellie runs off at times, but always returns to him with the playful smile of a child.

Ellie stands no taller than a child the age of five. Her pearly white skin contrasts with the deeper color of his. Her large childlike eyes opposite his eyes that narrow as blades. Only their hair is somewhat the same. Midnight black. Yet she is a noble. Her white lacy dress would be much too expensive for any non-noble to afford.

Yet she is dead.

Likely killed for her blessing... or her curse. The blessing of the faeries of darkness. Once blessed by them you stand only to be executed. Condemned as a danger to the throne.

A fate I now share.

—-*—-

I've always been at risk of attracting the attention of the faeries of darkness. After all, my eyes are quite clearly mauve... purple.

When I started out training to be a knight I knew that the moment I would receive the blessing of darkness I would never again be able to stand by Augustus'... by Lady Lily's side.

I'd be executed, and my dreams would end with that.

The risk was always there, so the day I received the blessing of an earth fairy I was elated, relieved and overjoyed. I thought I was free from the risk of the curse.

My mana was unattractive, but somehow I had still managed to get the approval of a fairy other than darkness. I was able to stay at her side, and I've stood by her side since I found her once more.

I must have gotten too confident.

I thought it would be fine to head into the forbidden area as I already had the blessing of a fairy. It would be fine, and Lady Lily might have needed my help.

I was a fool.

At this point I have little choice but to give up. Yet, I linger. I know I should speak up and announce the curse... or blessing of darkness, but when I do everything is over.

Is it selfish to want to protect her until the end of this war?

Will I go mad and turn against her?

Ellie always laughs at these questions, giggling her little heart away without a care. As for Kenta... he's only ever replied once.

'Do not let your loyalty be decided by anyone else.'

—-*—-

We head to one of the side doors to the great hall where an old knight stands guard. He looks me over and opens the door quietly to let me in.

The door closes firmly behind me as I step into the cold great hall. Instead of moving to Lady Lily I move behind a few nearby knights, watching from the sideline.

I already knew Claire was there. Kenta gave me a verbal lashing for leaving Lady Lily unattended with Claire nearby. He cannot stand Claire and has more than once expressed his discomfort and anger at Claire's lack of understanding of personal space.

Yet... as she stands there Claire is really beautiful. Like a ray of sunshine in the darkness to brighten up both the room and the hearts of everyone in it. As when we were kids, she barges right into your heart. Even the ghosts of anger and vengeance that always stick to Lady Lily now curl up in prayers of adoration in front of Claire's innocent brightness.

Like a goddess of salvation.

Claire's longing gaze rests on Lady Lily's proud figure. It's the joy of seeing a long lost love she feared was lost forever... mixed with the hope that this love is one she can nourish and grow. One that can become hers. Perhaps... something more certain than hope...

My heart aches for Claire. Even if Claire knew that Augustus is Lily and then still loved her, Lady Lily's love is not something she can have. The hope and certainty she has that her dreams will come true will be crushed. If not today then a day in the future. Even if Claire is sweet, caring... yes, even if she is the best person in the world or a goddess... if Lily does not open up to her, then there is no path for Claire's love to take. The heart of Lady Lily is locked behind doors of fear. As fragile and innocent as you are, Claire, Lily will never put her heart in your hands.

Kenta moves to Lily's side as she reports the situation in the Tepet lands. He's just a step behind her, watching the surroundings with caution. He sends Claire an occasional glare, but of course Claire is unaffected. Ignorant of the world beyond the veil as everyone else.

My eyes move back to Lily as I listen to the voice that isn't quite hers. At this point I've seen her do so many things that I can hardly be surprised. She makes ice, she makes a sword out of nothing, sends birds of wind and makes people stronger than what is possible for normal men. Her magic is as fantastical as she herself is... as her soul is.

I cannot get used to the sight of her no matter how many times I've seen it since the first time at the mausoleum... this otherworldly figure that sort of overlaps Lily's body. The darkened skin and midnight hair as that of Kenta, yet strong golden eyes that look beyond the veil.

The figure speaks when she does, moves when she does and makes the same expressions. Kenta says it's how Lily looked in her previous life, and I trust him on this, because the two of them are alike. Even her long silken robes are the same color as his armor, and their coats of arms similar and yet the same. Just as Kenta, the warm figure of Lily's former appearance stands taller than anyone in the room. Far taller than her small body. As Claire, she almost looks as a goddess of the sun.

Lily, as always, seems to sense my stare. Her soul turns to give me an vicious stare as though I've been caught peaking, but her form as Augustus only casts a momentary glance. I try to rip my eyes away from her down to the ground, as always cursing my own distracted mind.

—-*—-

The report ends, but Lady Lily's expression is stiff and tense. Claire steps forward with shining eyes and the silvery flower crown shimmering in her white hair. Her innocence radiates with the charm of a flowery meadow as her hope becomes excitement.

"Augustus-sama, I have learned to heal permanent injuries, as such, please allow me to heal you."

Claire's voice almost trembles, but it's clear that she is expecting a yes. Then again, one cannot imagine another answer to that question, yet Lily's soul is the first to writhe in discomfort at the request.

A bit more than eight years ago I watched the two of them together as a hero and a heroine. It was like the light had decided to shine down upon them with its blessing for their relationship. They were so close, and it was so beautiful to me. Back then it all seemed like destiny. As though the two of them were meant to be.

All I see now is the distance.

I know Lily better now. I know she hates being touched. Even when she suffers from her nightmares I've been hit more than once in self defense. She always rips my hands away from her as the very first thing when she finally wakes. She always pulls away just a bit.

The kindness and the sweet smile she gave Claire eight years ago was doubtlessly made to make a small and easily terrified girl work along with her to save the civilians. For Lily I'm certain that having Claire chase after her this far because of an insincere smile is... terrifying in and of itself.

Perhaps because I know these things it makes the room seem even colder when Lily gives her reply.

"I must refuse, miss Talwen."

Lily puts a distance between them and refuses her at the same time in a short and polite manner. Yet... I know that those cold words will hurt Claire more than a simple 'no'. For Lily made a point to call Claire by her family name despite Claire calling her Augustus.

I know how that Claire has struggled with getting this magic to work for so long. I know that she has hoped and prayed for this day where she would meet Augustus once more. I know that she has likely gone through every situation she could think of when they were waiting for this meeting, so I understand her empty expression. The confusion and shock that the conversation hasn't gone the way she expected.

"Lord Wolfram Stanbell, you insisted I attend this meeting as such I suggest we continue with your agenda," Lily forcefully ends the subject, dismissing Claire without a hint of compassion.

Claire's jaw drops for a moment, then gapes flusteredly as she's dismissed so suddenly without further explanation, and without the chance to ask for it. Desperation fills her eyes as she gives an imploring look to Lily who simply keeps eye contact with Wolfram, ignoring Claire's presence entirely.

Lily-sama... Claire won't understand if you do something like this. The one you are in her eyes is too pure to do something so cold. Even your brother cannot help but to look at Claire with pity.

Lord Stanbell gives a nod to Lily's demand and steps forward after giving a small glance to Claire, likely to calm her down after Lily's rejection.

"As you expect, we too have received the peace declaration from the enemy, even graced by the presence of king Landon of Semor for the announcement."

His expression is cold and his eyes filled with determination. The glimpses of fascination and curiosity fade for the presence of a Lord negotiating for the lives of his people.

"House Stanbell, House Silbell and House Windhall have made their decision."

Without warning he kneels down, letting his cape flutter behind him till he reaches the cold stone floor. He lowers his head in respect... loyalty...

"We swear loyalty to Augustus Celeste, Child of Scorog!"

His voice bellows out. It silences any mutter and for a moment I don't think anyone believed their eyes or ears... but then Claire kneels down next to Lord Wolfram with the elegance of a future queen.

"I, Claire Talwen of House Talwen and light magician swear loyalty to Augustus Celeste, Child of Scorog."

She gets the words out strongly despite her shock a few moments ago, and the great hall becomes a buzz of whispers. She has regained her calm entirely. The balance in the room has shifted in a moment as all attention moves to Lily.

The shock on Lily's face is unveiled. I don't think she could hide it even if she tried. As though to deal the final blow Lord Celeste himself looks to Lily.

"House Celeste shall be at your orders."

As their lord speaks these words every knight in the room kneels down for Lily-sama. I too. Though the room is silent you can feel it. You can feel the bits of unrest from excitement. From elation.

In this moment about a two fifths of Ristaze's military swears loyalty to Augustus Celeste. A legend and a hero said to have been thrown away and castrated by his family. Hidden away to keep his older brother as the heir.

How fitting that the sun moves just enough to drape Augustus in sunlight. It's as though the world itself decided that this would be a moment of coronation.

...but the king to be crowed is unwilling.

Claire speaks up again, this time more insistingly though her voice is as silk, "As our Lord an heir would be necessary, thus, please allow me to heal your injuries."

"I will not go against the crown."

Lily's voice silences the room. Entirely. Her eyes are full of worry, and all that lingers on her girly face is a frown. She looks over the people kneeling for her, but there is no joy in her eyes.

Her soul writhes.

In the end she locks her eyes on Claire.

"Claire Talwen,"

Lily speaks Claire's name for the first time, and in turn Claire lights up despite Lily's rejection to their plan.

"As I said, I must refuse. As I am, I am no real threat to the crown nor to the reign of my own brother. I do not intend to change that, or my stand on the matter of the declaration."

Another small wave of shock lingers in the air.

Claire stares again, but not dejected. All she heard was that this opinion would change when Eric and Alstair solidified their claims. She accepts it.

The only one with the guts and motivation to speak up is Lord Stanbell who has little hesitation in his voice as he speaks up in protest at Lily's words, "even so, your rise to the throne is supported even by parts of House Tepet. With considerably more than half of Ristaze's military on your side, and an enemy that will have our country destroyed entirely if we do not agree you must consider taking the throne seriously."

Of course the young Lord Stanbell is hinting at Lily's... Lionel's clothes along with the report of the Tepet army morale she gave earlier.

Lady Lily's eyes narrow like luminescent blades at Lord Stanbell's words, and a dam of restraint breaks apart just for a moment as a violent wind picks up around her body, swirling around and rips at the edges of her cape. Lumere is nowhere to be seen, this is something else, but without doubt the same thing that changed her voice.

"You will not push your lack of will and treachery onto me, Lord Stanbell! We know more so than you which dangers we face should the demands not be met, don't you dare lecture me on my responsibilities when you cannot fulfill your family's contract to the king!"

'Foul wolf,' the... wind echos in distorted voices of anger, causing people to back away as nature itself seems to feed on her rage.

Known for her powers of water, this is... unexpected. Lumere is usually calmer than this.

Lord Stanbell looks defiant at her words, but as he is about to speak he swallows his words. Closes his eyes and takes a breath. He just swore loyalty to her, he needs to restrain himself.

"We will take whichever path you wish for, Child of Scorog. I apologize for my rash behavior."

He looks bitter, but he doesn't look surprised. He does glance to Lily's brother afterwards, but Lord Eric merely briefly gives a shake of his head.

Lady Lily calms down after a few moments of silence, and the wind settles with what seems an annoyed mumble. Everyone stand up, and within a few deep breaths Lily turns to Claire. Ceasing her stance on ignoring Claire throughout the meeting.

"The northern marquesses aside, why does a queen candidate swear loyalty to me?"

As much as it hurts I already know Claire's answer. I don't think it's possible not to know with the way her eyes lit up from the question. From being able to say these words with full honesty and declare it in front of everyone attending.

"My heart has belonged to you since the first time I met you, Augustus-sama. It shall never belong to anyone else."

Claire puts her heart out there with everything she has. Her heart laid bare in front of all these nobles and knights as she declares her undying love to someone who holds no affection in return... and the only one blind to this, is Claire.

The looks of pity fill the room, all aimed at poor Claire. You see, every guard in here are knights of House Celeste. All men who know that Augustus is Lily. The guards outside the doors prevent anyone that was not at the siege from entering.

A painful silence ensues as Lily stares at Claire with disbelief and... a certain pain.

A womanly giggle escape Lady Celeste.

"My, what a brave young girl. What a pity that my son is already mutually in love with someone else," she speaks in a low and almost teasing voice. Lady Celeste's deep red lips curl into a cruel smile. Sincere amusement lingers in Lady Celeste's eyes as she watches the innocent Claire stand dumbfounded at her words.

Claire looks to Lily with confusion and disbelief, but at this point Lily has no attention to give to Claire. She is consumed with irritation as she sends a glare towards Lady Celeste. By the time she looks away bitterness and pain lingers in her eyes.

Why pain?

Claire looks between the two of them, and it seems like she finally understands what they're saying. Confusion turns to clarity, and her world starts breaking apart. Tears fill the golden eyes of our goddess of light, and they truly seem like pearls. Yet... her eyes remain open as though she hasn't noticed her own tears at all.

Lily looks away with a small grimace.

"Is... is she a good woman?" Claire stumbles out her words, but they end up sounding hopeful... hopeful and pleading. It's hard to watch.

Lily glances back at Claire's pitiful figure, and I think it makes her more uncomfortable than I've ever seen her. She starts shifting in thought.

Eric looks to Lily as though he's considering to break into the conversation since Lily detests lying, but Lily managed speaks up first despite her voice being careful and measured...

"He's a good man."

...

She even lets out a sigh afterwards.

Lily-sama, what in the world are you saying?!

Claire gives out this small hiccup of shock...

"...man?" Claire's eyebrows raise and her eyes widen like they're about to pop out. Lady Lily just grimaces again and lets out a small grumble.

"Is there a problem with that, miss Talwen?" She sneers back at Claire who is too dumbstruck to find words against this... I don't think I would be able to either if I was convinced Lily was a man. After all, Lily does look like a girl... so assuming she is in a relationship as Augustus with a man, then that man would be taller and more masculine than her...

Let's just stop that here.

I am not sure whether to be shocked or grateful to Lily-sama right now, but Claire stopped crying. Claire quickly shakes her head violently from side to side to Lady Lily's obvious relief.

Now, I am certain it's less than a few second after that when Claire clasps her hand to her mouth, red from her neck and up, staring at Lily intensely... or more precisely her clothes. Lionel's clothes. I'm not sure whether to call it a realization or misconception from Claire's side at this point.

Lady Lily clears her throat.

"Now, if we are done here I will saddle up. I need to be in the capital as soon as possible to clear up the political mess of the declaration."

Lady Lily is quite clearly attempting to escape the situation, but at these words Lord Stanbell's eyes widen and he steps forward in protest.

"You are leaving now? Please let me join you. I may only have a handful of guards with me, but I cannot let you travel alone."

Lily just gives him a calm stare in return.

"If I arrive with forces it will only spread more panic. I'll bring a few of my own men. More importantly you should bring miss Talwen back to the front line in case the enemy attempts a surprise attack, Lord Stanbell."

She leaves the hall with a stubborn look, but Lord Stanbell looks uncomfortable. His brows furrowed.

'Get going Asher!' Kenta screams across the grand hall.

The last thing I see in that meeting is Claire's worried look as she sees Lord Stanbell's worried look at Lily's back.