Medical Research

Location: Alba / Archives

Time: Y1503 / 28th day of the Wither Moon / Midday

POV: Liara

Princess Sistina and Kara have been working hard those last few days, scouring the archives of Alba for any reference about internal medicine.

I'm practically buried in scrolls! Many written in ancient Shura to booth, a language I'm still having trouble understanding.

The two of them have been very through!

They are really serious about helping Aurora.

*yawn* (Liara)

It's hard to tell the flow of time in a closed room. I'm aided only by unwavering crystal lights that do not dim. I have no idea how long have I been cooped up in here. It feels forever.

And I have an headache.

And I'm hungry.

And bored!

[Wow. You sure complain a lot!] (Gamer Me)

[Don't you dare chicken out of this! You promised we would help her!] (Bookworm Me)

I'm helping! Right now! We don't have to get everything done today, do we? Cut me some slack!

[As long as they stay, we stay.] (Bookworm Me)

Come on, you know those two! They will stay here all night!

[Then we stay all night!] (Bookworm Me)

You are being unreasonable!

[That's a first! You usually say that to me~ (Gamer Me)

"Uhm... Is everything alright, Liara?" (Princess Sistina)

Ah. The princess noticed I was making faces!

[You really should learn to at least fake being able to do two things at once, you know?] (Gamer Me)

"I'm just a bit tired, Princess, that's all." (Liara)

"I'm sorry. You are such a young child and I'm asking so much of you. If only I had the power to help Aurora on my own! instead I depends on others. Like always~ *tears up* (Sistina)

"Liara!!!" *angry* (Initiate Kara)

[You made her cry! ~ What are you waiting for?!? Go ahead! Say something!] (Bookworm Me)

Now I feel bad. And you sure are bossy when it comes to Sistina...

[You can see Bookworm Me memories. The two of them are birds of a feather.] (Doctor Me)

[And you know the pain of being alone and forgotten better than any of us. Our shared desire was to make a difference, to make pain go away, to make the world better. Why don't you start small, making things better for your friends?] (Science Me)

... I hate you...

"Please, don't cry, Sistina. We all have things we can't do. I don't mind helping out!" (Liara)

*sobbing* "I'm useless~ (Sistina)

"You are not useless. You are teaching us Ancient Shura!" *glare at liara* (Kara)

Fine.

I get down from my seat and approach Sistina on her side of the tables. She is covering her eyes with her hands and crying like a fountain.

I take her hands and look into her eyes. That's the right thing to do.

At least according to Doctor Me memories. He had lots of experience with people breaking down due to bad news.

...

That's even more depressing.

*calm voice* "You know so much, Sistina. You are neither useless nor powerless. Aurora won't let me visit her. Convincing her is something only you can do. Can you help me with that?" (Liara)

*sniff* "I'll try. I don't know how useful I'll be." (Sistina)

"You are sure to fail only when you stop trying. As long as you don't give up, there is no failure. Only growth." *smile* (Liara)

*sniff* "... ... ... Thank you... ... " *leave* (Sistina)

Sistina dries her tears and heads out with her cheeks still red. She paused a lot and had a very complex look on her face. I wonder what she was thinking about.

[You'll never know.] (Bookworm Me)

[Unless we create a spell for that!] (Gamer Me)

[Uhm... Magic is deeply intertwined with thoughts. I feel like a mind reading spell might actually be much easier than you think.] (Science Me)

We are not going to create Mind magic!

“Liara?” (Kara)

She noticed! Again! You all distract me so much!!!

“I'm okay, I was just thinking.” *blush* (Liara)

“You are weird, you know that?” *smile* (Kara)

...

“I guess I am~ (Liara)

[Hard to argue against that...] (Gamer Me)

Healing Session

Location: Alba / Tower of Gifts / Weaving Chamber

Time: Y1503 / 28th day of the Wither Moon / Morning

POV: Aurora, First Princess of the Kingdom

The dome of the Tower of Gifts. I can see the endless sky above me. Birds flying. Clouds flowing and changing shape. It provides a welcome excuse to focus on something other than the visceral pain I feel

*groan* (First Princess Aurora)

*sweat* (Head Healer Serina)

I have been laying on the for almost three hours, while the Head Healer uses her healing techniques on my.

It's painful. I can feel my insides shifting and rearranging under the influence of her subtle magic. Pain and i are old friends, I can tolerate it better than most, usually. But this is close to my limits. I'm having trouble forming coherent thoughts. If this goes on much longer, I'll just pass out.

Laying still with her hands hovering over my belly is Sister Serina, the Head Healer of the Church of Gloria. She is a beautiful young woman with long silver hair and blue eyes. Her large compassionate eyes give the impression of a naive person, and for once, her looks and personality match.

Supposedly Serina is their most skilled healer. She is the most humble powerful person I have ever seen. It's not an act or a trick, she genuinely care~

*argh!* *back arch* (Aurora)

(Serina)

*collapse* (Serina)

*groan* *relax* *rugged breath* (Aurora)

That was really painful.

As I regain my wits, I check on the Head Healer. She looks mostly fine, but exhausted. She is laying by my side, catching her breath.

It is not easy to weave a complex healing magic for so long. It's not just a matter of aptitude, it's the burden on the mind that is great.

*pant* “We are done for today, Princess. You are such a brave woman.” *smile* *pant* (Serina)

I ignores the cries of pain from my body, I straighten up and sit. I cannot help but obey my instinct of not showing weakness.

“How did it go?” (Aurora)

*pant* “Your arm is recovering well!” *smile* *sit* (Serina)

I know that my arm is well! That is not the issue here!

“What about my insides?” (Aurora)

“I... I'm not sure. The wounds have settled in so many years ago. I'm not sure I can ever return your... fertility.” *look down* (Serina)

“I see...” (Aurora)

Damn it!

If Mother finds out, she'll take my title from me and discard me!

*shiver* (Aurora)

“You know, Liara might be young, but she is a genius when it comes to magic! She turned around everything we thought we knew about our magic arts! She might find a better way to heal you!” (Serina)

“I'm not letting the B~ a child. Near me.” *stand up* *leave* (Aurora)

Her pleading eyes are not going to cloud my perception!

Neither will the lies they fed me!

No matter how desperate I am. I'm never letting the Beast weave her demonic magic near me! She might have fooled everyone else, but she won't fool me! The lives she ordered to be snuffed are the only proof I need.

The Beast is pure evil!

Doting Sister

Location: Gloria's Temple /

Time: Y1503 / 28th day of the Wither Moon / Midday

POV: Aurora, First Princess of the Kingdom

I'm in my room, resting after the taxing treatment. The time allows me to think.

The people here genuinely believe the Beast to be nice. How preposterous! How did the Beast managed to do it?

She is the core of their faith, maybe indoctrination is enough?

Mind magic, perhaps? That's probably it. But changing the mindset of so many persons... And for so long! This is unheard of. Still not far fetched considering other things she pulled of. She now added a Crusade to her list of achievements at her young age.

But even such great magic must have limitations.

It's not a spell weaved in the buildings, or I would have felt the corruption seeping in. Maybe it requires physical contact. And repeated cast. And enough time...

*knock* *open* "Uhm... Hello sister." (Sistina)

I turn my head around from my bed. My neck is stiff.

Sistina just entered the room, she is fidgeting around, her eyes only glancing briefly at me before jumping around. She obviously wants something.

"Just spit the beans, Sistina. What went wrong?" (Aurora)

"Wha... Nothing! Everything is fine!" *red face* "... Everything but you~ (Sistina)

Is she worried about me? No. There is more to it. She is but an open book to me.

"I'm fine." (Aurora)

"You are not! You are ill! And the Head Healer's skills are not enough to make you better!!" (Sistina)

I see where this is going. I'm treating her with the gloves since she is so... weak. Her friendship is... heart warming at times, but I cannot allows her weakness to jeopardize my chances.

I guess I should remind her of the differences between us every once in a while. I cannot have her doing something really stupid.

*stand up* "Are you perhaps suggesting I leave my body in the hands of the Beast and her evil powers, Sister?" *glare* (Aurora)

*gulp* (Sistina)

She grabbed her dress near her heart and started clutching. She is visibly shaken. She knows she is angering me, and is afraid of me. With good cause, our aptitude and skills are world apart. Even physically she is no match for me.

And yet, there is this glimmer behind her eyes. Courage? From her?

*whisper* "yes." (Sistina)

*walk* "I couldn't hear you, dear Sister. Can you please say that again?" (Aurora)

I walk closer to her, slowly and steadily.

She walks backward until her back is against the walls. In her eyes I can see terror seeping in.

I'm about her only friend. She dreads losing this bond.

And yet, that glimmer of courage is still there. No, it's growing stronger.

She means to defy me!

*whisper* "yes. let Liara help you." (Sistina)

*choke* (Aurora)

*gasp* (Sistina)

Know your place, Last Princess!

I won't let you be my downfall!

I put my right hand around her neck. I just put a little pressure. The simple fact I'm making contact with the intent to harm is making her dress wet.

"It happened yesterday. The Beast ordered a purge. Calmia is rubble. Its inhabitants ashes. She is pure evil." (Aurora)

*rough voice* "she. a child. it wasn't. her." *choke* *gasp* (Sistina)

Naive! Her cluelessness is a serious threat!

No, she might have been affected by the Beast! She did spend lots of time with her. Damn it! I might have lost one of my aides as well! I should have restricted her actions more aggressively from the start!

I tighten my grip.

Maybe the shock will make her snap out of the spell.

*gasp* "ple a se. let g o." (Sistina)

I can tell the terror and shame she is experiencing, but I can also tell she hasn't changed her mind at all. I'll make her lose consciousness, than work with my Tutor and get to the bottom of this.

*open* "Prince~ WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?" *rush* *push Aurora away* (Tutor Sabrina)

*collapse* *heavy cough* (Sistina)

My tutor is dismayed. Sistina is laying on the floor, holding her throat and coughing furiously. Not a problem, after I have explained her the problem, Sabrina will help me fix Sistina.

*pant* *pant* "WHAT... What has gotten into you? Explain." (Sabrina)

"Ask Sistina what does she thinks about the Beast. You'll understand." (Aurora)

Without losing my composure I get to the core of the problem. It'll be better if she experience it first hand.

*weak rough voice* "lia ra. is. not. a. be~ be aast... she. is. nice" *cough* *tears up* (Sistina)

"The Beast has touched her. She has been turned against us. We have to flee Alba. Get ready, Sabrina. Make the due preparations as quickly as you can." (Sabrina)

"..." (Sabrina)

The look in her eyes! She is pitying me! But why?!?

“I wanted to investigate more. Just to be sure. But I guess I cannot delay my reports any longer.” (Sabrina)

Sabrina puts her hands on my shoulder and looks inside my eyes. She is dead serious.

“I was very through. I was even allowed to see their historical records. About the Silence's assault. About Leonora's ambush. I talked with many sisters and guards over the last few weeks~ (Sabrina)

No.

Not you as well, Sabrina!

*calm voice* “Sistina is right. The Beast. The Gifted One. Liara. She is just a little girl with unbelievable power who matures very fast. She is not evil or anything.” (Sabrina)

“THEIR records. And you believe them?!?” *grind teeth* (Aurora)

“You know as well as I do that perfectly falsifying records is not easy. There is always some slip up. Details that do not match. People who saw little things that hint at what really happened. There is no inconsistency here. If this is fake, it's the best fake anyone has ever made.” (Sabrina)

“... The guards and sisters she had purged after the Silence's assault?” (Aurora)

“She was holed up in their weaving chamber protecting her adoptive mother. Her defensive stance was able to overcome the assassin's offensive powers. Those who died, were in the path of the assassins during the infiltration.” (Sabrina)

“Her first purge! The children sent to the mines of Calmia?!?” (Aurora)

“Bad apples who tried to kill her. The punishment was decided by the High Priestess. And the High Priestess was lenient if you ask me. Those children tried to kill the Church's prized messiah.” (Sabrina)

My mind races, trying to find another explanation.

“The Minister of Information! Helena said~ (Aurora)

~Helena is not here. We are. You always say never to trust rumors over first hand experiences. One of the Queen's teachings, isn't it?” (Sabrina)

This is bad.

It's true I didn't find even the slightest hint of her true nature in my stay here.

But her extreme powers should be a good enough explanation alone! Her exploits are already becoming the stuff of legends!

“Maybe she is just this good at faking~ (Aurora)

“If the Beast is this good. If she can fake things to this degree and has this much power and influence. If she can affect Sistina and I without us noticing. If she is that much more powerful than we are, then we have already lost anyway. There will be no fighting her.” *take hands* (Sabrina)

Sabrina reaches out and hold my hands. Her eyes are practically pleading for me to understand her. Her arguments are flawless.

The only inconsistencies comes from Helena's reports which are incompatible with anything I have seen here.

The simplest explanation is really that Helena deliberately or incidentally fed me bad intel.

An outcome far more plausible to the Beast staging this perfect illusion.

*cold sweat* (Aurora)

And if it's true that the Beast has matured to this point, there is nothing we can do anyway. As Mother teaches, we must pursue only endeavours that have at least the slightest chance of success.

*whisper* *rough voice* “i. asked. liara. help. she can. help. you. heal you. let her. see you. please.” *cough* *tears up* (Sistina)

Everything I believed in.

Everything I did.

Was wrong.

My sight turns dark.

*collapse* (Aurora)

“Princess!” (Sabrina)

*rough voice* “Aurora!” *collapse* *cough* *cough* (Sistina)

The Beast

Location: Alba / Archives

Time: Y1503 / 28th day of the Wither Moon / Midday

POV: Liara

*slurp* (Liara)

"Thanks for the meal, Goto!" (Kara)

"No, thank to you for keeping me company. It's nice of you to join me in our meals." (Goto, Archive's Guard)

*rough voice* "Hello. Liara. Can. We. Talk?" *smile* (Sistina)

Sistina came back! But her voice sounds strange, like sand paper! What on earth happened to her?!?

[Rough voice. Signs of trauma. Broken capillaries all over. She's been strangled... Don't worry, I see n signs of permanent damage. She'll recover fully.] (Doctor Me)

So that's what that suspicious scarf is hiding?

I'm at a loss for words.

*gasp* "Princess! Is everything alright?!?" (Kara)

*rough voice* "Don't. worry. I. just fell." *smile* (Sistina)

[Go help her! What are you waiting for?!?] (Bookworm Me)

[We can't very well turn a blind eye to this, can't we?] (Gamer me)

[We have to be careful. She is royalty. We risk a diplomatic accident here. It might be better to not interfere.] (Explorer Me)

...

Kara is covering her mouth. She is shocked. Goto is unsure what to do. And Sistina herself looks more ashamed to be hurt than anything else.

Fine.

If nobody acts, than I will!

They can't do anything to me anyway. I'm the Gifted One!

Time to put my useless pompous titles to use!

[Wait! We don't know what is normal. You might put the Church in a bad position if this goes wrong! Think it over.] (Explorer Me)

[What kind of argument is that?!? A world where abusing people is the norm is wrong!] (Bookworm Me)

[My oath would forbids me not to treat the wounded.] (Doctor Me)

[I feel the same! Acting rashly in a culture you don't fully understand will just make things worse! You can't force your values on stranger overnight!] (Explorer Me)

She is not a stranger.

I'm doing this.

"... I don't care. Come closer, I'll heal you up." (Liara)

I walk closer to Sistina. She wraps her arms around herself as in defense.

*whisper* "It's not what you think." *tears up* *red face* (Sistina)

I gently take her hands and pull her down to my height until she is kneeling. I'm short, so I need to reach her neck to help her.

*remove scarf* (Liara)

I unwraps her scarf, revealing the red purple skin behind in the clear shape of two small hands.

[This was most likely done by a girl.] (Science Me)

[Leave finding the culprit to somebody else. Just let Liara focus on magic. We can't mess up healing a Princess.] (Explorer Me)

[Are you heartless? We can't mess up the healing of a friend!] (Bookworm Me)

Quiet.

I impose my hands at the sides of her neck.

I have gotten better at this. I can refine enough aether for a cheap spell like this almost instantly. I feel minute amount of magic travelling through my body, inside my magic channels. I can feel the magic being transformed and consumed as the image I'm focusing on materialize. I want to see what's behind the curtains!

I close my eyes and weave the spell.

(Liara)

Just as I will it, I can see it inside my mind, what hides behind Sistina's skin. Blood vessels, tissues, bones, nerves and more. Doctor Me experiences allows me to make sense of the images.

[It looks worse than it is. This is just tissue damage, broken vessels and localized hypoxia damage. Just as I initially thought. Our basic mending spell will do. Just follow my lead, Liara.] (Doctor Me)

Layering an healing spell on top of the analysis spell is not new. I do it all the times when I heal during our training exercises.

*exhale* (Liara)

Yet, I feel uneasy. The fact that I'm healing a human, and a friend at that, is making me doubt my every move.

[Relax! We can heal something on this level while blindfolded and balancing on our toes!] (Gamer Me)

*exhale* (Liara)

Thanks.

I'm ready.

(Liara)

This spell is easy on aether, but takes a lot of focus to pull off.

Under the direction of Doctor Me, I look at the damaged tissues as seen from the analysis spell and using Doctor Me experiences I imagine how they should look while healthy.

My brain and my magic circuits cooperate, making use of the refined aether flowing inside me to change reality and make my image come true. Humans in this world evolved to be able to do this and take advantage of magic, and I'm the most adept human ever.

Cell by cell. Tissue by tissue. Vessel by vessel. The damage heals back.

Particularly hard is the healing of the damaged cartilage that surrounds her vocal cords. I have to carefully imagine all the folds and ridges getting back to shape, all while handling miscellaneous details as dictated by Doctor Me's medical knowledge.

There.

It's done.

(Liara)

(Liara)

I safely rescinds my magic, release all refined aether and empty my mind.

My mind is not particularly taxed, but as expected, operating on a friend proved a stressful experience. I'm beat.

*exhale* (Liara)

*hug* "Thank you for healing Sistina! I was so worried!" *smile* (Kara)

*whisper* "Worried? About me?" *tears up* (Sistina)

Uhm... Sistina seems dumbfounded... Like this is the first time someone cares for her? I'm starting to have a bad feeling about this.

"She is good as new. This took less than half an hour. Impressive." (Sabrina)

*clap* *clap* "You really are as good a healer as Sister Serina told me. Perhaps I really can allow you to check on my arm." (Aurora)

What is the meaning of this?

"Of... Of course! This was all just a test! I wanted to make sure you were good at healing small wounds before letting you near my sister!" *fake smile* (Sistina)

...

[...] (Explorer Me)

[...] (Doctor Me)

[...] (Science Me)

[...] (Gamer Me)

[I don't buy that!] (Bookworm Me)

[You don't say! What tipped you off?] (Gamer Me)

[She didn't need to be strangled to test that! A cut would have done just fine! That girl is messing with Sistina!] (Bookworm Me)

Please, don't tease Bookworm Me.

...

That princess really strangled Sistina just to see my magic at work.

[Take it easy! I can feel your temper coming up! Nothing good can come out of acting rashly in this kind of situations!] (Explorer Me)

[I for one agree. Lashing out at her will only make thing worse.] (Doctor Me)

[Keep it together. We are inside the Church's premises, not in one of the Kingdom's facilities. Our titles outrank hers here. We can use this to our advantage. We can solve this without violence.] (Science Me)

[Poor Sistina. Who knows what she had to endure all this time. I'm against escalating things usually, but I can't stand the thought of Aurora walking away scot free on this one. What would Sistina have to endure if we let this pass?!? We need to help her!] (Bookworm Me)

[... So much for hoping things would go smoothly. You really know how to jinx it, Liara.] (Gamer Me)

...

Having the others me is like having a conscience on my shoulder giving me advices. I really might have lost my bearings here.

Thank you.

*exhale* (Liara)

I clear up my mind and let my anger boils away.

*cold voice* "You strangled my friend. Don't think you can get away with this. Sistina, come with me. We are going to meet the Priestess. Right now." *grab Sistina's hand* (Liara)

Sistina's heart skipped a beat right now. Tears are silently flowing from her eyes.

Goto is as still as a stone. It's clear that what is going on is way out of his league.

The Princess and her companion looks shocked. Really?!? What did they expect would happen?!? That I would just ride along with this farce?!? Did they really think I would leave my friend be abused like this?!?

[Sistina doesn't want Aurora to be prosecuted. But this is for her own good. It is the right decision. Thank you Liara.] (Bookworm Me)

[As for Aurora... I'm pretty sure what you are doing is unheard of. It's probable that being royalty, she enjoys some sort of diplomatic immunity. Your own standing might actually be enough to overrule that, at least within Alba. A gray area if you will.] (Explorer me)

[It doesn't matter anymore. The die is cast. They brought this upon themselves.] (Gamer me)

I don't care about any of that.

*walk* (Liara)

*wail* "W.. WAIT!!! I'M FINE!! DON'T GO!!!" (Sistina)

"GIFTED ONE!!! THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER WAY!!! WHAT DO YOU WANT?!?!" (Sabrina)

"I want you to pay for what you did to her." *glare* (Liara)

I might have the body of a three years old and be only half as tall as the people around me, but my glare can shake anyone to their core.

With my absurd magic, a direct confrontation would undoubtedly result in my victory.

With my now somewhat useful titles and standing, I should outrank them.

I got them cornered!

*bar way* (Sabrina)

The corridor that leads to the archive is not that large. Aurora's companion extend her arms and blocks the way forward. She is shivering, probably due to fear and adrenaline.

Aurora stands behind her but seems frozen, like she is unsure on what to do.

Sistina tries to make weak resistance to me pulling her forward, but is only half committed to it. It's like half of her wants justice, while the other half wishes to save Aurora.

Not that it matters. Pushing her out of the way will be trivial.

[Don't hurt them!] (Explorer me)

I won't.

My aptitude and skills are such that I can easily remove them without harming them at all even if they deploy barriers or countermeasures.

With my free hand I start refining aether.

They messed with the wrong person!!!

*run* "ENOUGH!!!" *pant* *pant* (Priestess Mera)

Oh?

If you don't go to the mountain, the mountain comes to you!

The Priestess of Alba made it here! Good! I don't have to break their pitiful blockade.

Convenient timing.

[It's not convenient. We are under constant surveillance. The one watching over us simply reported back that things were about to get out of hands.] (Soldier Me)

...

Well, I'm surprisingly okay with that.

"Priestess! We petition for Princess Sistina to be released! At once!" (Sabrina)

"No." *glare* (Liara)

Frantically, Aurora's companion turned to the priestess trying to leverage her own standings. My answer sent a chill down their spines. They can't make me do anything I don't want to.

"L... Liara. She is... a princess! Let her go, please! We'll talk things out from here! I promise!" *join hands in prayer* (Mera)

Mera pleads me with all her heart. She understand the limits of her authority.

"No." *glare* (Liara)

"Liara! You can't hold a Princess against her will!!!" (Mera)

"If Sistina wants to be released, she just has to ask. Sistina, do you want me to help you, or not? Think of what you truly wants. This is your best, and maybe last chance." (Liara)

*collapse on knees* (Sistina)

I look inside Sistina's eyes while I make my case. This is too much for her. She really is torn between Aurora and me.

"Sistina. Say the words!" (Aurora)

"Shut up you monster! Or I'll make you shut up!" (Liara)

Mera and Aurora's companion are literally panicking here.

This must be a really big deal for them.

Not that I care.

Aurora dared strangle Sistina just to make sure it was safe for me to heal her! The nerves!!! Sistina tried so hard to help her, and Aurora just used her like a tool! Unforgivable!!!

That spoiled princess will learn her place. Here. Today.

Consequences be damned.

[Might makes right, uh?] (Explorer Me)

I'm in the one in the right!!!

*run* "Liara!" *pant *pant* (Head Healer Serina)

“Mother!” *smile* (Liara)

*look around* *calm voice* "I heard something was happening in the archives, and came as fast as I could. What's going on here? Liara, I want to hear it from you, first." (Serina)

This reminds me of the time where Thomen and his sidekicks tried to kill me.

Serina was the one that helped me calm down. And the Church ensured Thomen would pay. I still think burning them at the stake was a bit too much, but they wouldn't burn a princess. Probably.

*point finger* "That monster strangled Sistina! She wanted to see if my healing was good enough for her! She is a monster!" *glare* (Liara)

"That little girl is making things up! As you see, there are no wounds on Princess Sistina. She is merely throwing a tantrum. Please, have Princess Sistina be released." (Sabrina)

"... You might be a representative of the Kingdom, but lies won't help you in this case, miss emissary. If you want the matter to be settled, truth is the only way." (Serina)

I was about to explode, call her out on her blatant lies, but Mother didn't believe that crony's garbage for a moment!

"I... It is as the Head Healer says. Tell us the truth. We can work things out from here. Liara is a compassionate girl, if you give her an heartfelt apology, and swear that no harm will come to princess Sistina, I'm confident the situation can still be solved unofficially, without resorting to high level negotiations. Or worse." *sweat heavily* (Mera)

"She is a child!!! You take her words above mine?!?" (Sabrina)

"Yes." (Serina)

"Th... That child is special. You should know that much. Liara has proved herself many times. Please! This really is the only way! Let's not escalate this accident any further!" *join hands* (Mera)

Mother.

The amount of trust Mother puts in me is making me feel all fluffy, even in this situation. It's almost enough to make my anger for what happened to Sistina subside.

I'll put my trust in her as well. If it's her, I know she will do the right thing.

Thank you to be, Mother.

"Nonsense." (Aurora)

That monster princess that was silent until now. This mess is all her fault! And she says that! Unforgivable!

*glare* (Liara)

"Princess!!! Please, let me handle things! Just do as I say! We can still salvage the situation without lasting consequences!!!" (Sabrina)

"I can do that as well." (Aurora)

The monster princess pushes Sabrina aside and come closer to me.

"Little Beast. You can keep that broken tool. She is the lowest ranked princess, and she is on the verge of being discarded anyway. Nobody would risk anything for her. That would be all." *walks away* (Aurora)

"Aurora!!!" (Sabrina)

*glare* (Aurora)

*whisper* "This is a huge mistake." *bite lips* *follow* (Sabrina)

The monster princess and her companion leave without looking back.

The Priestess looks relived. It seems any solution capable of defusing the situation, even temporary, would have been enough for her. Pathetic.

Mother looks at me. I can tell she feels my pain. Mother... Are you the only human with a conscience in this world? That's okay. I can live with that. I'm so lucky you are my mother, and not someone like that... monster.

Sistina... You poor girl. She is still kneeling on the floor, her eyes looks like that of a dead fish. That monster's words have cut deeply inside her.

"Sistina, your compassion is wasted on someone like her. She obviously never cared about you. You can stay here! Nobody would harm you here!" *hug* *smile* (Liara)

"Who cares about that bad girl anyway! She stinks! I'm just happy we can keep sharing books!" *hug* (Kara)

It took a while for Sistina to stop crying, after that.

A Scheming Prince

Location: Alba / Prince Chambers

Time: Y1503 / 28th day of the Wither Moon / Midday

In his chambers, Riccardo, the ten years old crown prince of the Kingdom was sitting at a small round table, conspiring with his Tutor.

(Tutor Hanna Ganimede)

“I wouldn't say the matter has been fully resolved, but the incident has ended. For now.” (Hanna)

While in deep thought, the Prince was caressing his cheeks, smoothing out his non existent beard. A behaviour he had learned form his wise and powerful farther, the King.

“So, be it magic or words, the First Princess cannot compare with the Gifted One. Aurora lost this risky confrontation hands down. As expected of my betrothed!” *nod* *smile* (Prince Riccardo)

“What should be done my Prince? Should I inform the Queen?” (Hanna)

“No, no... Let's leave this matter in the shadows a while longer. The Queen might decide to discard Aurora, introducing yet more uncertainty. Even more important, Aurora still has a part to play in bringing my beloved and I together!” *grin* (Riccardo)