It had been years, but the familiar imposing sights of towering concrete buildings kind of look strange in Viola's eyes. For 3 full years she shut herself from everything and focused only on her own well-being. Slowly but surely mending her wounded heart and starts to stand again.
She had the plan to continue this hermit-like life. Away from the drama and intrigues which tires her in ways she never knew until she finally freed herself. No need to answer anyone, to mind her manners, to be careful of her words, or even think of things she should not covet. Her isolation made her mature and more broad-minded, at this point she thinks there are few things that can stir her bad.
But out of the blue, she received a message from an old friend whom she cannot refuse. With great reluctance she left her planet and once again stepped into a familiar place that seems stranger than the flora and fuana she was surrounded with in the past 3 years. Perhaps it was due to a different outlook, but she was simply feeling too out of place here.
"Young friend." An aged voice greeted her as she stepped into the spacious office. Blue eyes curved to a smile as she calmly walked inside the office. "It's great to know that you did not forgo my invitation. I heard you have declined the others all these years."
"I simply don't want to get involved." Viola said as she naturally took a seat with familiarity. "Your academy is a hot potato at this time and I don't see things to settle any moment now. When I saw your message, I never thought the great general Childe has been reduced to seeking a child's help."
"Seeking help from the capable is not a shameful thing." The man only smiled as Viola gave him a mocking look. "Children nowadays do not understand that pride is not worth it in front of things that matter. Among the children I knew only you knew the price of pride the most. So it was more than appropriate to bait you over than the others."
Worthy of a successful man who first raised as a military man to a slick politician who later decided to dedicate himself to Academia. Ronald Childe, former general of the 3rd legion, former minister of finance and the current Dean of the First Integrated Academy. Other than his own achievements the man was also from a line of Marquises, if he didn't gone to the path he did he will still have quite an influence among the people.
"You might have been a friend of my grandfather and had once been my teacher. " Viola eyed the man sternly. "It does not mean I will mindlessly listen to your requests. The mess here is not worth the effort to clean up. Even if I have the capability to turn things around, what is rotten is already rotten. Why can't you just cut a part of your flesh to let the rest breathe and have a cleaner state to start over again."
The man chuckled at Viola's words. "Worthy of an old friend's cherished child. You got his way of talking and his sharpness."
Viola is not amused by the other's amusement. As a student of this man, she knew his habits and how he handled things. She feels an urge to just leave and not hear the rest of whatever the other was planning
As if knowing her thoughts the man gave him a teasing smile. "My young friend, it might sound unfair to you, but something has to be done. A bunch of old bones like us were able to present a convincing plan to the emperor. After so long, we finally got permission to execute them."
"Why involved me?" Viola said as she clicked her tongue. "There were plenty of ways, why lure me over knowing fully well that I'll be against your schemes."
"Well the deciding who to send was a tricky one." The man showed a teasing smile as he continued. "You see the target this time were children who are just a fraction of our age. Our young are too ignorant and frankly arrogant to understand the importance of this plan."
Viola looked up at the man and his now naturally white hair. Perhaps that whiten hair is the few indication that this man is now in his 308th year of life. In their era where medical technology was so developed, the average life expectancy was around 250-500 years old. Unless one is too indulgent, debauch or a life threatening illness beyond the medical capability of their era; a person could easily reach 200s with no problem.
"... and because I was raised differently you guys set your eyes on me." Viola concluded. Counting the age she was exiled, she is currently 18. Anyone at her age without special circumstances should be at the academy learning and working hard to get a certificate of their chosen programs or studying hard to further their studies. With long lives, there was no hurry in growing up. One could spend 30 years as a student or graduate and they still have enough time to build a life afterwards.
"Precisely."
Viola groaned as she knew there was no escaping for her this time. Casted aside by her own family, she is a still Frostine who had sworn allegiance to the throne and parliament at the age of 10. She has obligations to fulfill if the state requires her help at matters relating to their empire's well being.
Not to mention she does not want to disappoint her grandfather by not helping these old friends of his. These old men might have bad tastes, they are her most reliable elders who will never try to dishonor her old man's wishes. Above all, they were more family than most of her blood family was.
(—Bellowing laughter from old men and women was ringing all over as her grandfather sobbed at the side. All of them heartily congratulate her as sh—)
Resigned, she said. "I can't appear as Viola old friend. My family had turned their back on me. Not to mention they were thorough at cutting ties like I was some sort of a plague. The whole upper class knew of my disgrace and fall."
"Don't worry about it. We had arranged everything for you. All you need is to step up and do your role well." The dean said as she handed her a folder. "It's a little crude in the way we approach it, but it's the best way to handle the circumstances."
"Undercover?" Viola said as she flip the pages leisurely. "Are you sure there is no one in my age group who joined in making this plan? This recks a young fantasy daydream."
"I assure you the youngest one who contributed to this plan was only over a hundred years old." The man sighs as if he was having a headache reading the same file before. "Old Miller is too young at heart to come up with this thing."
"If it did come from her I'm not surprised." Viola set the file down as she finished reading them. "The idea is hers, but the bad taste was simply from you old fellows wanting me to get back to school."
"Partially." The man said retrieving the file back. "We do not want you to waste away our young friend. There is so much ahead of you, there is no need to live in isolation as if you are retiring at an old age. Besides old Frederick will not appreciate you being like this."
"The life I lead before I'm forced to come over here was my grandfather's dream. "Snorting as she folded her arms. "If he is alive he would be envious and quite possibly drop me over to a job or two to keep me busy from living the life he dreamt."
"Oh? That miser actually have this dream?" The man changed his tone slightly as his posture shifted. "I thought all life he had was that family of his."
"You might be comrades for a lifetime old Childe, he does not need to share his dreams with you or anyone if he doesn't deem it fit." Viola did not wait for the other to say more. "Grandfather is a private person, he does not like being pressed over things."
Sighing resignedly, the old man seemed to age more as he recognized the truth of the girl's words. "Still it hurts that even in death, he did not confine with us who shared a lifetime with him."
"That's my old man." Viola said as a matter of fact. "No matter what happens being stubborn runs in his bone. Enough of this topic. I'll cooperate, but a few things have to be on my terms."
"Certainly, we have always taught you the concept of exchange. It's not right that we impose all of these on you without your input." The man said as he took out a piece of paper. "State your terms and we'll make appropriate adjustments according to the situation. Though there are limits in everything, I think you know that better than anyone."