Idelle’s life settled into a comfortable routine over the next few days. Cecilia didn’t find her for more magic lessons, as expected, but she kept busy enough with practicing the basic charms she’d already been taught and her new training on the hunting team.

Her nights were seemingly peaceful as well; if she had further nightmares she neither woke from them nor remembered them come morning, a fact she was very thankful for.

With the now quite friendly Clovis having broken the ice, she found herself opening up and making conversation with a few of her other peers under Sergeant Cateline. One of them, a chatty and girl named Martine who was deceptively quick on her feet, was horrified to find out that she didn’t have any other clothes to speak of. She insisted on dragging Idelle across the city to a street near the merchant tailor’s company, where she quickly found herself being led through various stores in search of the latest and greatest fashions.

Idelle tried to protest that she didn’t really need more clothes, but her objections were overruled, with Martine informing her that “You’re a friend of the Princess, after all! You need at least one nice dress so you don’t embarrass her.”

She kind of worried about what kind of rumors Clovis was spreading about her relationship with Cecilia, but unfortunately that ship seemed to have sailed.

Regardless, having made the mistake of mentioning that she had some money, the two of them ended up wandering through rows of simple but beautiful dresses with another friend of Martine’s. The other two girls seemed more excited on her behalf than she was, but she found herself enjoying the experience despite herself. The dresses were very pretty, after all, and she wondered what Cecilia would think of them. The princess didn’t seem to be the sort to spend money frivolously but royalty was royalty, after all, surely she had a fairly extensive wardrobe?

In the end, after consultation with her more fashion-minded new friends, she settled on an elegant high-waisted black dress set off with white trim, small embroidered stars, and a large ribbon. She worried it might look a little childish, but was assured that it was very fashionable and went wonderfully with her hair. It did take most of the funds that Cecilia gave her, but she figured that it wasn’t like she had anything else to spend it on.

After that, the three of them wandered their way back to the cafeteria at the barracks, where Idelle greatly impressed them with her appetite.

A few days later, Cateline announced that the next training expedition would be leaving in two days’ time, and anyone who was comfortable joining could do so. Idelle didn’t deliberate long over the decision; she’d fought and killed magic beasts alone and unarmed before, what did she have to be afraid of? Before the day arrived, however, she received another note from Cecilia asking if she could make herself available that evening for another magic lesson. She happily accepted.

When she met the Princess at the library again later that day, she couldn’t help but notice the bags under the other girl’s eyes. She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should mention it or not, but remembered Clovis’s words about Cecilia and decided to push ahead as she waved a hand in greeting. “Hey again. You look tired, busy week?”

Cecilia gave her an elegant shrug. “Something like that. A few plans have to be pushed ahead of schedule, nothing I can’t handle.

Idelle flashed her an awkward smile. “Don’t overwork yourself, it’s all right to take a break.”

“Is it? You don’t even know what I’m working on.” Idelle fidgeted at her blunt tone.

“That’s fair enough.” The conversation lapsed for a moment into an awkward silence, then Cecilia shook her head and smiled back at her.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to be rude. I just have a lot on my mind. My bad,”

“That’s all right. Want to talk about it?”

“Maybe some other time. We’ve got your magic to work on, after all. How did your practice go?”

Idelle winced. “Honestly, it didn’t feel that great… I don’t think I’m very good at magic.”

Cecilia snorted. “Already giving up? It’s only been a week since you started, did you expect to be doing miracles by now?”

“Hey!” Idelle said, looking a little wronged. “I didn’t say I was giving up, just that I didn’t think I was very good.”

“I’ll be the judge of that. Let’s have a demonstration — can you show me the light charm?”

Idelle didn’t like the hint of a smirk playing around the other girl’s lips, but she did her best to thrust her feelings aside and focus. She took a few slow breaths, trying to let herself fall into the almost meditative state she sometimes grasped. Then she let her mind expand into the ever more familiar world of her magic sight. At least that was coming more easily.

Cecilia waited calmly without pressuring her. Idelle was grateful for that. She took a moment more to build the charm in her mind’s eye and then willed it into being. A miniature sphere of dim light slowly materialized in front of her, and she focused, trying to make it brighter. Her light didn’t flicker any longer, but it was still dimmer than even the smallest candle.

Cecilia watched for a moment then nodded approvingly. “Not bad. What makes you think you’re doing bad?”

The light winked back out at the disruption to her focus, and Idelle sighed. “Mostly that, honestly. I can’t seem to do anything else without losing it.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it, it’s like playing the clavichord and singing at once. Once one becomes automatic, you can let yourself think about the other, you know?”

Idelle pursed her lips, frowning slightly. “Um. I don’t think I do know. I don’t actually know what a clavichord is.”

Cecilia giggled at her expression. “Sorry, sorry. It’s a musical instrument, you use a series of keys to strike strings. Talented players can play a different rhythm with each hand and sing all at once, so it makes a good analogy for magic and casting multiple spells.”

She made an understanding noise. “It sounds nice... Do you know how to play one?”

“Not really, I’m afraid, though the Duke has one in his manor house.”

Idelle grinned at her. “Maybe you should learn, you seem like you could use a hobby.”

Cecilia narrowed her eyes. “Maybe you should stop changing the topic away from your magic lessons.”

Idelle raised her hands in mock defeat. “All right, all right. So you’re saying I just need more practice, then.”

“...Yeah, more or less. It took me most of a year before I could consistently cast a charm for light while talking and moving around, it’s a surprisingly tricky technique.”

Idelle sighed. “Don’t you have anything easier I could work on? Or another blood magic charm, since that’s apparently my best affinity?”

Cecilia paused a moment, considering. “Actually… You’ve been attending swordmaster Ivar’s training sessions, yeah? He mentioned that you were competent, that’s quite a high compliment coming from him. You could join his more advanced session and see if you can convince him to teach you basic body enhancement.”

She brightened up at the words. “Did he really say that? I feel like all he does is criticize, I was starting to think I should give up on the sword and use a spear like everyone says.”

“He’s like that with everyone, don’t take it personally. There’s few people more skilled in a duel than he is, and he takes great pride in his high standards. And there’s not much point to swords in everyday dire beast suppression, it’s true, but they’re quite versatile and you’ll be thankful for bringing one if your spear breaks. Or…” She hesitated. “If ya ever end up in a proper war.”

Idelle shuddered and looked away towards the barely visible stained glass. “Let’s hope not. I wouldn’t want to kill other people.” In her contemplation, she missed the odd look that passed over Cecilia’s face.

“Few people do. Weird how many end up doing it regardless.” She cleared her throat. “In any case, let’s see your best attempt at the other charms I showed you, sound good?”

Idelle gave a firm nod and focused again, determined to show the results of her hard work practicing.

The rest of the lesson flew by quickly after that, to Idelle’s mild regret. For all that Cecilia was a little annoying, she found herself more and more intrigued by the other girl. She still didn’t understand what the princess saw in her, but found herself still too shy to just up and ask. Well, that and she didn’t want to swing the topic into uncomfortable questions about her own background.

Despite that, she couldn’t help but ask when Cecilia would next be free again. The other girl had a bemused expression at her question. “What, are you that eager for more lessons all of a sudden? Seems to me you just need more practice right now, no?”

Idelle shrugged and grinned at her. “Maybe I just want the pleasure of your company.”

Cecilia rolled her eyes. “If you just wanna hang out and sneak into the city again or something, I’m afraid it’ll have to wait until I’m less busy. But I can probably make the time for weekly lessons if you want.”

“Let’s do that. Assuming I’m back from slaying vile beasts by then, at least.”

“Oh? Didja join the hunting team? Try not to die.”

Idelle stuck her tongue out. “As if. I couldn’t die to something lame like that if I tried.”