***Midhold***

***Angrod***

Time passes quickly when you are busy with developing doomsday devices and espionage tools. While fiddling with a little side-project, jewellery which is supposed to grant me some increased stamina, I try to think of something I can do to improve our situation.

I am sixteen by now and in my sixth school year.

The school is fine and we even got a new teacher for combat exercises. Tongord was replaced by a certain Mr. Harald. He is a large fellow with green skin and oversized teeth. We are calling him Mr. Orc, but only behind his back. On the one occasion at which Tanja addressed him openly as Mr. Orc... let's just say it didn't go over well. The guy's bloodline trait practically turns him into a superman with strength and speed on par with Celes, and I don't want to battle her on the best of days.

Thanks to the strategic strike by my research lab Arthur managed to subdue the north. We had to pay for our victory in blood since the revolutionaries who got caught outside the City of Light's shields didn't go down without a fight. The final toll was brutal. We were down to sixty percent of our previous forces.

Nonetheless, I still firmly believe that paying that price was the right decision. Many politicians fear away from losing their reputation with the loss of their country's soldiers. What they don't realize is that they create a lot more suffering by drawing out the war when they could end it. Sadly, many also simply do not care as long as it means that they stay in office.

The Meltheim's rule over the northern regions quickly dissolved without competent leadership. Right now they are a government in exile who are hiding behind their shield wall.

Still, losing my father was a hard hit for my mother and myself. My memories and logic tell me that it was to be expected. Mortals die, and the immortals are left behind to deal with the loss. I nonetheless respected Nicol despite his flaws and I wish that I could have had more time with him.

I am still blaming myself for losing him. It was my proposal to wait and defeat our enemies with patience, so I can't help but think that I am at least partly at fault.

Without time, the Meltheims would never have managed to prepare such a devastating attack. But how could I have known that they got divine assistance, or that they would turn out to be fanatics?

Nicol's burial was a big ceremony, even though we had no body to lay to rest. In general, mourning the dead doesn't seem to be a big deal in this world, but at least the king of the country was buried with all honours.

Right now, the City of Light lies under heavy siege. Their shield protects them and nothing we tried managed to break it. Those bastards put so much mana into it that it became de facto impenetrable. Although I am working on a solution, the hammer I need for this egg is on another scale.

Even now the army is bombarding the City of Seria day and night while they try everything to crack the shield open.

I don't have much hope. Not unless we are willing to go to the same lengths as our enemies and start sacrificing people. Taking down the shield will take lots of work, but we still have some time and I hope to be ready soon enough.

Luckily, the support for the royal family is as big as never before. Most of the war-faction's supporters got lynched when the truth got out. The people went onto the streets and dragged nobles out of their houses. Everyone who had even the smallest connection to Meltheim or Tulhelm had to fear for his life.

Our parents had a hard time to stop the people from taking the law into their own hands.

Some maniacs even tried to storm the house of Cygnus in order to get their hands on Iris. The decision to go after her is a little sick in my opinion. After all, Iris is just a child.

Thankfully, the security took care of them as soon as they set foot onto Cygnus property.

The most infuriating thing about the situation is that we can't even talk to those idiots. The shield wall is blocking everything.

We only got a little information from the civilians in the north. Judging by their story, it appears that the Meltheims' rule quickly turned the region into a police state. Most people weren't allowed to travel, an obvious step if they planned from the beginning to ransack entire cities. The people would have revolted, had they learned that the populations of entire cities were being deported by the Meltheims' private army.

'Knock!' 'Knock!' 'Knock!'

I look up from my work, putting aside the stencil tool which I used to inlay the gravure on the little jewellery’s backside. Once it's done, it's supposed to clip onto my horns without looking too flashy.

“Angrod! Get out!” Celes's voice comes from the other side of the door.

Like hell! I will not. “Mwahaha!”

I placed some really strong enchantments on my door. A spacial fortification and a magical recognition that is keyed to my mana signature. Celes hadn't managed to interfere with my private time in weeks. I doubt that she will be able to break my new protection unless she turns into a high-level magician. The times of using lock-picks to sneak into my room are over.

“Angrod! It's important!” Celes knocks again, not giving up.

Important? “What's important?”

“Something came up! We have to go!” Celes starts to hit the door again, louder this time.

'Bam!' 'Bam!' 'Bam!'

Did she just use her foot? Just now, that sounded louder than I would expect from a hand.

Despite her destructive efforts, the door holds perfectly.

But then I notice some cracks in the wall around the doorframe. Frowning, I get up to inspect the damage and realize that having an indestructible door doesn't mean shit against someone like Celes. A few more hits and she will break the door and its frame out of the wall!

“I am coming! Don't hit the door again! You will take down my whole room!” I quickly fumble with the lock and deactivate the wards to open the door. “What do you want? I have work.”

Celes storms into my room, wearing a white summer dress. Opening my wardrobe, she searches through it, pulling out trousers and a jacket.

“Hey! What do you need my clothes for!”

“You have to wear something decent! You can't go out in that embarrassing pyjama,” Celes answers.

Looking down at myself, I can't see the problem. Okay, white and red stripes might not be the latest fashion, but who is going to see? Aside from a certain someone who keeps intruding into my room. Plus, the fabric is really nice and Ghost's long hairs don't stick to it.

“Go out? Where to? Is there some festival we have to take part in? I heard of nothing?” I am a little dumbfounded.

Normally, our parents inform us well beforehand if we have to show ourselves to the public.

“No time. Something came up! Here, put that on.” Celes lays out the items she picked on my bed, blue trousers and a fitting jacket with a white shirt.

“Isn't that suit a little bit too casual?” I ask. The clothes she picked fit nicely but could pass as normal street clothes. Rose always makes sure that I wear something really gaudy on formal occasions.

“It's okay! You look cool in that! I will wait outside.” Celes runs out of the room and closes the door.

What the hell got into her? I sigh and get dressed. At least she didn't want to watch me get changed. Once I am done, I join her outside, only now noticing that Celes put some effort into dressing up herself. She didn't apply any make-up, but her hair is braided at the side of her head, drawing my eyes. She also chose an innocent, white summer dress with blue embroidery that fits with my outfit.

“Good! Looks nice. Now come, we don't have much time.” Celes takes my hand and leads me outside where Rose is waiting with the car.

I don't get a chance to demand an explanation before I am practically forced into the backseat and Rose starts the mana engine.

“Can you explain what's going on?” I ask Celes.

“Can't you remember? We promised to make peace and work on understanding each other! You are locking yourself in your room! Unless it's for school, you don't come out,” Celes answers. “We are sixteen and I am sick of waiting for you to take the initiative.”

Well, I thought I could at least wait until we are twenty until I have to get through on that promise.

“Ahem, Aren't we a little young for official dating?” I clear my throat.

She raises her chin, looking down on me. “Even if we are young, there is nothing wrong with deepening our relationship, so we will go on dates every week from now on!”

“Every week!” I call out. “Do you know how much time that takes?”

“Hahaha, oh the benefits of youth!” Rose comments from her position in the driver's seat.

I breathe in deeply and let the air out slowly.

Unfortunately, Celes is quick to pick up on my mood. “Oh, come on. You were the one who wasn't happy with my proposal. At first, I offered you an arrangement that was aimed at giving you and myself as much freedom as possible, but you weren't happy with that. You were the one who wanted a normal relationship, so today we will visit a musical!” Celes nods and smiles even brighter.

Frowning, I try to remember the details of the notebook which I had her burn when we were little. It sounded awfully detailed and controlling, but could it actually be that I would have had more freedom with it?

“Um...” I press my lips together, trying hard to remember the contents and the actual wording. It’s actually hard to recall.

“I think it will be nice. The musical has an alluring plot which I assume even Angrod will find interesting.” Rose drives around another corner and stops the car in front of a big building.

“Have fun!” She smiles and looks at me through the rearview mirror.

“What about security?” I ask quickly, noticing a way out of my predicament. Aside from the usual security service which is guarding our car, I didn’t notice any bodyguards.

“This place is for the higher society, just like our school. In case that there is a problem, Rose and the security service are waiting at the car,” Celes explains while she exits the car.

As soon as I am outside and the door is closed, Rose drives off, followed by the two cars which belong to our security.

Celes links arms with me and I notice with embarrassment that she got some womanly features since her latest growth spurt.

We approach the entrance where she shows the guard two tickets and we enter.

Seeing our reflection in the glass of the huge door, I study our matching clothes. Celes really has a hand for outfits.

A waitress greets us and points out a row of seats with a very good view of the stage.

Before we sit down, I take the time to look around the big hall which has enough space for two hundred people. The stage for the musicians is a few levels below us and on the walls are amplifiers to guarantee a good sound for everyone.

“How did you get the idea?” I ask Celes. “I must say that I am not a particular fan of musicals.”

“Mmmm. I remembered that we used to do this quite often back in the day,” she comments while studying a flyer with information about the musical.

I look at her, unsure whether I should point out that the one who went on musicals with me was her demon-persona. Is Celes even aware that I suspect her to be two souls in one? Pressing my lips together, I decide to yet again avoid that particular topic.

“I must admit that I had this on my list for quite some time now.” She pulls out an old scratchpad. The pages changed their colour over the years, turning yellowed and brittle. Smiling to herself, Celes checks off an item.

“First date at sweet sixteen, done.” She announces, clearly satisfied with how things are going.

“You realize that you've been carrying that thing around for years already?” I ask her.

“No problem, even if it is a little bit tattered. It still does the job.” She slips it back into the folds of her dress, making me wonder how she does it. She always has a pen and paper on her person, but I never notice her carrying it unless she pulls them out.

At that moment, the musical starts and the lights dim. Celes grabs my arm to lean against me.

Once more the physical contact makes me wonder about her development, and I catch myself imagining a younger version of Katrine. Just how will Celes look at eighteen or twenty, once the last remnants of childhood disappears?

Blinking, I pinch my own thigh in order to get my thoughts back on track. Having a beautiful bride just isn't fair play! I have to remind myself that there is more to a woman than just a pretty body.

Still...

Celes experienced some development in the past years. Certainly, she will become a real beauty just like her mother. In fact, she is already a blooming flower. If it wasn't for that personality of hers!

We shut up when the musical starts in earnest and watch the performance in silence.

It turns out to be about the creation of this world. I frown when a scene describes how the Goddess Seria and her helpers created the world and its people.

The play goes on, devolving into a normal hero-story. Despite the unimaginative plot, I find myself enjoying the songs and the implementation of the musical.

Only the tightness of Celes's grip on me is a little uncomfortable. We are about halfway into the performance when Celes tugs at my sleeve and I look down at her.

Celes's face is a little bit cramped with a forced smile. She points at a spot a few rows in front and below us. “Am I dreaming? Or is that really Stephen? And Iris?”

Narrowing my eyes, I follow her pointing finger, finding a pair of youths who are leaning into each other. One has short-cropped hair and could be Stephen, which is confirmed a moment later when he looks sideways and down at his date, a girl with silvery-white hair.

He bends down and kisses her on the temple. Giggling, she hugs his arm and I find myself shocked at finding Stephen going out with Iris.

Open mouthed, I massage my chin. “I think so? It certainly looks like it's them.”

Celes balls her fists, growling. “That’s a no go!”

She is about to stand up when I place a hand on her shoulder and push her back down. “Hey, hey. What’s the problem?”

“The problem is that she is too young! Iris is a year younger than us and Stephen is three years older, which makes her fifteen and him nineteen! That’s like robbing the cradle.” She gestures at the pair who are oblivious to us. “Add to that the fact that Iris is practically a prisoner of the state!”

I roll my eyes. “Please. They are four years apart. That’s not the worst thing that could happen, I think it’s not even illegal in this world. Iris was abandoned by her parents, and we saw to it ourselves that she is set up with the Cygnus family.” I shrug. “Who can blame her that she is trying to make the best of her situation?”

“Gah!” Celes gasps, clearly not approving of my opinion.

I continue anyway. “And we both know Stephen. Compared to his sister, he is a super level-headed and correct guy. Have you ever seen him doing something stupid, like stunning droves of students and teachers with a malfunctioning drone?”

Thankfully, Celes seems to consider my words, drawing her eyebrows together.

“I would be afraid if Iris were a boy and was sitting down there with Margerie.” I shudder. “Now that would be a recipe for disaster, but not Stephen. Have you ever seen him do something that he didn’t consider very carefully beforehand?”

Finally, Celes relents. “I guess not. But we definitely have to confront them once the play is over.”

“Can’t we just go home and let their drama be their drama?” I ask, unwilling to meddle in someone else’s business. I like spying on people, but I only rarely interfere.

“Margerie and Stephen are our best friends. It’s our duty to check that everything is okay with them,” she replies with a stubborn expression.

I massage my temple. “What if I have some spy-drones watch them? You can check out the situation before you ruin their evening.”

Celes opens her mouth, ready to reject my offer. Frowning, she reconsiders the situation and closes her mouth. “That’s actually a good idea.”

Sighing, I lean back in my seat. “Good. Then let’s enjoy the show.”

“Once I have indisputable proof of their infidelity, they can’t refute any corrective measures!” She nods to herself.

Drawing in a deep breath, I let out a long sigh, wondering how this relationship between Celes and me could ever work out.

Stephen is such a lucky guy.

***Midhold***

***Celes***

At last, the performance ends and we slowly leave the large building, mindful of the crowd of people. We decide to sit down on a bench in front of the opera which houses the musical. The only thing that is left to do is to wait for Rose to come get us.

Unfortunately, I am not in the best of moods after my little episode during the musical. “I am so sorry. I almost messed up our first date. All because of my own ego.”

“It's okay. You hardly messed it up,” Angrod tries to comfort me, but it's a lame attempt. “The old you would have stormed down there and made a scene in front of Stephen, just because of some perceived sense of morality.”

Now… that stings a little. Am I really that kind of person? “You are a guy! You have no idea what you're talking about!” I huff and cross my arms.

“I was female too in some reincarnations. So I think that I am allowed to say that. You should have also been a guy at one point or the other...” Angrod mumbles.

“Pff! You as a girl? That must have been quite the view.” Somehow I can't imagine the hermit as a woman. “But now that you mention it, I can’t remember a reincarnation where I was male.” I tilt my head, trying hard to remember. “So strange...”

“Err… maybe it was too horrible to remember?” He gestures at the crowd. “Anyway, have you seen where Stephen and Iris went? I thought we would catch them on the way outside, but we didn’t cross their path.”

I blink and study his guilty mien. “Why are you trying to change the subject?”

“I am not trying to change the subject,” he replies quickly, as if he is hiding something. He looks at me. “Did I already tell you that you look great in that dress.”

“I-” I blink. “What did you just say?”

“That you look great in that dress.”

He… he complimented me!? Now I know for sure that he is trying to distract me, but what’s this warm and giddy feeling?

Angrod notices my flustered expression. “It's- It's okay! Don't cry! Did I say something wrong?”

Ah, so nostalgic. My Johann back then was also weak when I cried. I always grabbed him tight and hugged him without giving an answer.

Leaning into him, I put my arms around his chest and squeeze. “It’s the first time that you gave me a real compliment!” I don’t even care that he had an ulterior motive!

“Hurgh! It's really no problem. Thanks. But you are crushing my chest!” He taps on my back like he is trying to tap out, so I ease up a little without letting go.

At this moment, Rose stops her car in front of us. “Did you two have a nice evening?” She opens the driver’s window and smiles at us.

“Tch!” I huff. It was just getting good. Couldn't she have waited a few more minutes? I would have had Angrod eating out of my hands! I just would have had to find out why he was so eager to change the topic of our conversation.

I guess it’s fine to pursue the issue at another time. There is still the present which I want to give him.

Angrod and I get up to enter the car.

“Just get in. I will bring you home.” Rose revs the motor, smiling in anticipation. “I have a date of my own tonight.”

“Really!? Who is it?” I ask quickly.

“That’s a secret,” Rose replies nonchalantly.

“Um. Celes. Why are you sticking to me like that?” Angrod asks with a disturbed voice, referring to the fact that I never let go of his arm the entire time.

I grab a box out of my pocket and shove it into his hands to shut him up.

“That's for not being a total douche bag. Though you didn't perform perfectly, I will grant this to you if you shut up.” I snuggle up to him while he opens the box, his eyes lighting up upon smelling the contents.

I also have to smile at his obvious delight. Chocolate always works on him, at least that trait of his character never got lost during all that time. It's nice to know an easy way to please him. Leaning against him, I allow my eyes to drift closed.

***Midhold***

***Angrod***

I carried Celes into her room since she fell asleep on our way back. By the time we arrived at the embassy, she was like a log and didn't wake up, even when I shook her.

It’s still early evening, so I decide to get some work done while sitting in the living room. Armed with some documents and blueprints, I lie down on the thick carpet and start updating them. They have to be idiot-proof when I hand them to my men in the research facility.

Not that they are idiots… let’s just say that I'd rather be safe than sorry when it’s about weaponry with enough firepower to crack the barriers around the City of Light.

Someone knocks on the room’s door and I look up, finding my mother waiting there.

“Yes?” I answer in a questioning tone.

Ireth looks at the documents which are strewn around me on the floor, then focuses her attention on me. “Angrod, I know that you are trying to break that shield spell, but something came up.”

“Why do you sound like something horrible will happen?” I ask my mother.

“I am sorry. Originally, I didn’t think that it would turn out to be a problem. It's this stupid inheritance law! You see, your father has a brother,” Ireth announces as if that would explain everything.

“Uh... you know that I am not big with the law myself. If there is something even you can miss, I am the last one who would be aware of it. So why don't you start at the beginning? I totally don't get what you are talking about.”

“I am talking about your birthday in a few months! You will turn seventeen and with that, you will have to succeed the throne of Tirna. Your father is dead after all.” Ireth sighs.

“I can't give the boring stuff into yours and grandpa's hands anymore?” I ask.

“You can still delegate tasks, but you have to officially take over the throne,” Ireth explains, wringing her hands.

“So where does my father's brother come into this?” I snort. “My uncle? Why did you never mention him? Shouldn’t someone who is related that closely have visited us at least once?”

“When the crown goes to the next heir, everyone who has the bloodline can challenge him for the crown. This was established to make sure that a strong king is in power.”

I smack my own forehead. What’s wrong with this world? Which asshole wrote those laws? “The first thing I do when I take the crown will be to change some laws! So you believe that my father's brother will make an entrance. You still haven’t explained why he never showed himself.”

“He challenged your father for the throne when Nicol took over and married me at eighteen. Your father crippled his brother in the fight. Then your uncle went into exile by his own choice,” Ireth recounts the events without much emotion, making it clear that she didn’t waste a tear about my uncle’s exile.

“So you think that he still has a grudge and is striving for power. So why didn't he jump at the chance when father died?”

“I am sure that he will try, though I am not certain if he will work together with the war-faction. We still can’t be certain that we got everyone who is in league with the Meltheims.” Ireth shakes her head. “And he didn't act because he doesn't have any legal claim. I am ruling the country ‘in absentia’ of your father because you are not allowed to take the crown yet. But once you're seventeen you will have to since you will be an adult in the eyes of the law.”

I must admit that the whole situation confuses me a little. “How did you remember someone who disappeared years ago?”

“Two days ago, he appeared in town with someone who was introduced as his son. He claimed a few old favours from some nobles. Some of them saw a problem with his presence and informed me,” Ireth snorts. “It’s exactly what we don’t need right now. First, the country is split because of the Meltheims and now this. Soon, we will be back to the ages of warlords and little city-states!”

“This joke is getting old. The Meltheims tried that already,” I huff.

“Yes, unfortunately, I believe that this is another attempt by them. Only that they are using a puppet this time around.” Ireth shakes her head. “When the Meltheims locked themselves up in the City of Light, they still had a big amount of money in various banks and institutions. We tried to trace it down, but most of it just disappeared.”

“And let me guess. My uncle is throwing around money left and right and nobody has a clue where it came from.”

Ireth nods with a sad expression. “We don't have any evidence, so we can't stop him. The exile was of his own choice, so we can't send him away either.”

“So you think he will send that son of his against me?” I shrug. “I guess that I’ll have to kill him then.”

Ireth gasps. “You are talking about your cousin! He even signed up for your school.”

“Wonderful, so I will have to endure a pest similar to the Meltheim brothers in school. At least until he is stupid enough to challenge me.” This gets less and less funny with every word. “What are their names?”

“Your uncle's name is Seredorn of Tirna and his son is named Markorn of Tirna.”

“Hmm. What about the mother? Or did my uncle just use cell division to sprout an heir?” I throw my arms up into the air, causing my mother to smirk.

“We don't have any clue about her. Your uncle just showed up with his supposed son and set up his residence.”

“Is he even his real son?” I doubt it somehow.

“We are investigating. When it comes to the rank of succession, things have to be clear without a doubt. But so far we couldn't find a clue against it. He looks similar enough to his father from what I heard. And they came with a lot of servants who confirm their story. Right now a few investigators are on their way to your uncle’s previous residence. Though, I have my doubts that they will come to a different result. If your uncle could be caught with such simple measures, I doubt that he would have made an effort to pull a stunt like this.”

“You sound like you know him very well,” I observe.

“Before he challenged your father, he tried several times to get his hands on me. He was always smart enough to leave no evidence. So it was always his word against mine. And he had a really good relationship with his brother. Your father didn't believe me that Seredorn had ulterior motives. Until the challenge, he was always the nice brother.”

I nod, surprised to learn that my parent's relationship had some drama involved. “Then we will have no other choice than to stay alert. Don't fear for me, I can take care of myself. And thanks for the warning.”

Ireth hugs me with tears in her eyes. “Don't do anything dangerous. I lost so many of my family already. Any more and I wouldn't be able to go on.”

“Don't always say that. I want you to go on and be happy, whatever happens.” I hug her back with a grim expression on my face.