"Heh, its nice to be together again, is it not?" I say, reclining in my old favorite chair. "It's not as though I dislike getting lost in dungeons and the void as such, but being able to enjoy a nice cup of wine in the manor is truly delightful."

"You don't miss things until they are gone. Its true." Yuuzu nods.

"Is there something the matter Yuuzu?" I say. She is looking at me apprehensively.

"I was thinking this before... who are you and what have you done with Rishya?" She says.

Grandfather and uncle also look on with a difficult expression, like they are lamenting past mistakes.

"Whatever do you mean? Surely, you cannot be implying I lack in any way?" I laugh.

"Fufufufu, I see your bullying streak extends even to your family." Seria cackles. She is somehow consuming an entire sofa by herself despite her diminutive figure. She is laid on her side, eating snacks.

"And why are you here anyway!?" Grandfather barks.

"I'm mooching off a former students hospitality, of course." She says, shamelessly.

We both laugh.

They don't seem impressed though.

"Ahem. I asked her to come along. The sage is a good friend." I state.

"Mmm... Comrades in 'arms and philosophy', one might say."

"Ugh. How terrifying. What have I done?" Grandfather laments. "Its like Rhiannon all over again..."

Seria merely cackles and reaches up to pat grandfather on the shoulder. "I understand your grief, boy. There are always forces at work beyond your control."

I laugh.

"Beyond even Seria's control! Even she couldn't account for lo~mmmpphhh!"

I am suddenly gagged by a blushing Sage. But I carry on laughing with my eyes at least, amused by how innocent she can still be.

//I believe the expression is the pot calling the kettle black.//

Shut up Michael. I am fully aware of my frustrating loss to an annoying man. And I am willing to admit I am lost in the wicked fury of love.

"In any case, Yuuzu, aren't you very lovey-dovey with Kuro now? Don't think I didn't notice?"

Yuuzu suddenly spits out her tea and starts wheeling her arms. I can't help but laugh.

//Actually, I told you their spirits had intertwined power//That was a leap of logic on your part//

Looks like I was right though, Michael. Actually, I truly wonder about the impact of void and light spirits combined power? I wonder if I can use Aeris as an experiment?

//Aren't you beginning to think like Seryameya's master now?//

Eh. Hnn. Okay, that could be a scary path.

Great-uncle and grandfather are glaring at Yuuzu, with a friendly, yet scary, 'please explain?' expression. Seria appears to be in rapt attention to what is going to happen. I'm actually feeling a little sorry for doing this to Yuuzu, but she wasn't going to come out the closet of her own accord, and its bad to let this fester and lie to our grandparents. Its my healers duty, right?

Huhu. I'm becoming rather like Elijah in appreciating the power of blunt instruments in conversation, aren't I?

//Interesting//

What is?

//I was considering the ramifications of you wielding a large mace in combat//

Hah?

"Urm... well, it just kinda ended up that way..." Yuuzu suddenly splutters, interrupting my rebuke to Michael.

It seems she cracked under uncles stare. She held out pretty well, to be honest. Uncle sighs.

"You realise you're the last Ashensalve heir, Yuuzu? You're nearly seventeen and still unmarried, and no matter how you feel about Countess Cairn, you are surely aware that a ducal title cannot end like this."

"I... yes..." she looks distraught. "B-b-but, what about Rishya having an affair with the etranger!?"

Oh. Here we go, about time. I was waiting for a parry. I thought she was nearly beyond hope.

Unlike her distraught panic, though, I sip my tea and look up under my eyes and cock my head, as prepared. Seria is guffawing at my act in the background but I ignore her.

"What about it? Even if the senate isn't fully supportive of the old ideals, Jeraldine was built on the back of Etranger's work and we have a long relation with summoning. He is at least a duke in effective standing, moreso if he defeats Cultivator. And even if he marries Aria, being a mistress of the Prince Consort means my children can still be acknowledged as Mullight heirs even if I remain unmarried formally."

Yep. I have thought this through. Well... I didn't at the time... but don't underestimate a noblegirl's self preservation! I calmly sip my tea. Seria does a thumbs up in the background.

Swords back in your scabbard, Yuuzu. Well... hmm... isn't it a collection of scabbards in her case? Hehe...

//I thought this before//But aren't you actually quite//

The pervert? Yes, I did notice, Michael. Who am I and indeed what have I done with the old Rishya? I feel like my memories of that girl that I was are strange and alien these days.

...

In any case, the grilling of Yuuzu continues and I keep to myself as eventually a promise that she will entertain potential suitors is extracted from her. I really do feel sorry for her, but despite her will, she is still required to do this much.

I realise Elijah meant we should spend time with 'families and leisure' because we were approaching a kind of point of no return. Alas, its more like tying up loose ends and taking out the laundry for me.

I think I'll just be happier when I'm back with Aria and Elijah, to be honest? Alas...

//It is indeed lonely without the others//

Oh? Fufu... when did you become such as softie?

Hehe... well, a spirit resembles its contractor. Oh well, I guess I will at least visit the school later and say hi to other acquintances and boast about my adventures, but unlike how I would have been before, I honestly don't see myself getting much pleasure from it.

Still, if nothing else, an afternoon of nostalgia awaits.

I sound like an old woman. Maybe Seria truly is a bad influence. No, she definately is. So is Elijah.

I'm a real bad girl these days, aren't I?

And I like it.