Seraphiell
I can tell Lucas still wants to protest. "I will see the doctor the moment I am less busy, I promise." I plead. He breathes and excuses himself to call the servants to bring in breakfast.
"Have you read the news recently?" She asks. I sit at the tea party table, and she joins me. "No, I've been far too busy lately."
"The master of the peacock guild, a man named Kar died recently. They say it was a suicide by poisoning."
"And the cause of his death?"
"Nothing gets past you, does it?" She grins. She says an incantation and a dome appearing to be made of water surrounds us. Sound proofing spell.
"It was too convenient. In too much favour of the nobility residing in that area. His information guild is the most popular in the capital, and they say his assets and wealth were at the level of a count. On top of that, it was right after I sent my maid to find out about the recent boarder activity. She was attacked on her way home but luckily was saved by a nearby knight in training. The documents she got were lost in the fight, most definitely taken by her attackers."
"When I got your letter, was the guild master already dead?" I had received a letter from her yesterday evening saying we had things to discuss. I suspected it was about this issue, but at the same time it could have simply been one of her visits to 'teach me to have fun' as she'd always say when we were growing up.
"No. he wasn't. I sent you that letter because I wanted to tell you about what I saw on the night of the attack at Regard. This only gives us more leverage."
"Go on." I raise an eyebrow.
"When the attack started, I used a water barrier to protect people from the debris, then I was able to escape. By the time I had gotten outside, there were two other billows of smoke in the distance. The thing that puzzles me is that Elves are known to loathe interaction with outsiders. Sylvarael has only been in a single war before."
So, she figured out they were elves on her own. Sharp girl.
"Yes, two other places were attacked. The 6th district, home to Marquis Lanchester and Count Eris, and the 4th district, home to Your family, Count Darton and Marquis Velvet."
"And recently, Marquis Lanchester was seen visiting the guild quite often. Usually with tons of gold." She taps her fingers on the table. I tug on my hair, pondering. "Meaning that the elves only attacked districts with nobility, only fairly damaging the central district while finding their way."
"But" She starts, "There would be no need to do such a thing if they had specific targets. Plus, the central area is flooded with imperial guards, they had a high risk of getting caught. They could've used a more subtle route. It's almost as if..." Her eyes meet mine.
"They were searching for something trackable!" We chorus together. "They likely followed a mana trail and attacked where it was the strongest." She points.
"Exactly." I feel the satisfaction of piecing it together. Although only halfway through. "At least now we know that the attack, the nobility and the guild have a kind of connection. We simply need to find out what." She smiles. The servants bring in our breakfast, and Melody pulls down her sound proofing.
"Ah, this food is divine!" She exhales. I laugh. "The terrorists could possibly convert you to their side if they gave you food this good."
"If I don't deny that out loud, I'll be killed for treason. Not like it isn't true." She mumbles that last part. "Why does treason terrify you so much?"
"Let's just say I had a 'talk' with my father recently." I laugh again. What on earth could he have told her? We quickly finish our meals and continue our conversation. "So," I start, "The information guild master surely had intel on the recent attack and so was silenced."
"And certain noble families are most likely the cause of the attack." She continues. "So as of right now, we need to find out exactly what is taking place underground and pull it to the surface." I think back to the terror of the battle that took place only two years ago. A section of the western coast became a mass burial ground. "We cannot go to war again." "You took the words straight out of my mouth, Melody."
"Especially not with Sylvarael. Aetherwyne's magical prowess is great, but Sylvarael's is unparalleled. The rumours say even their commoner's magic is comparable to that of a Viscount. And royalty has 94% pure mana. Our strongest forces would be obliterated in a matter of weeks if they got serious."
"At least we know that it isn't that serious yet. The terrorists are most likely people with a personal grudge, not the imperials. But if this is an issue that is taken to the higher ups and they choose to be violent, then..."
"We have to find out what is going on in this empire if you are going to become the empress." Melody sips her tea, smiling into her cup. "H-how did you?" "You're my best friend, Sera. Of course, I'd be able to tell it was in your heart. Plus, even a dullard could tell that you are a better fit than that jerk, Theodore." My mind goes back to the days I spent growing up with this girl. How she would sneak me out of the palace to see the city, or how she'd show me how to build a pillow fort in my room, much to the distress of the maids. Father sure did scream at the top of his voice because of her antics. Yet, he never drove her away from me. My childhood was a lot more colourful thanks to her.
"Whatever happens, you can be sure that you will have House Pembroke's support!" She grins. "And even if not theirs, you will always have mine."
"Thank you, Mel. You don't know how much that means to me." If only we could return to when life was simpler. "That's right, Mel, where is the sword you used to cut me earlier?" I realise that it's nowhere to be seen. "Hush!!" She scrambles. "Do you want me killed for treason?!"
"Oh, I apologise, I forgot." I giggle. She sighs loudly. "It's my water synthesis magic. See?" She gets on her feet and puts her hands together, then opens them up as the sword forms in between. "I've gone quite far in my swordsmanship!" She beams. "You can even say I'm almost at the level of a Velvet knight!" The most powerful knightage after the imperial's is the one belonging to House Velvet. They say the patriarch of the house, Sir Velvet, who fought along Empress Sheradith was unrivalled when it came to the sword. "I'm proud of you, Mel. Even Lucas could barely see you coming!" I cheer for her. Lucas makes a muffled noise from behind me. I'm assuming it means I saw her coming from miles away.
"Oh?" A smug grin stretches over Melody's face. "That's quite a stain on the reputation of the 'best knight in the empire', wouldn't you agree?" Lucas is quiet, but the look in his eyes speaks volumes.
"Princess, if you are done with your conversation, it would be best if you left to finish up your extra work. You have quite the tight schedule today." His voice is so plain and stoic that all I hear is 'let's leave this place before I slash this girl.'
"Alas, he's correct. I still have to see the doctor on top of all my work." I stand up. "I will write to you, Mel."
"Yeah, I understand." She turns to eye Lucas then turns back to me with a smile. "I will write to you first with paper that I'll enchant with my magic, so no one in the middle can read it. I'll also send some of the parchment with the letter so you can send some to me too." "That's lovely, Mel. I shall be waiting." She opens her hands for a hug and pulls me in tight. "Bye-bye, Sera!"
"Farewell, Mel."