《Astral Mage》Within the Mayoubhoughergoise Mansion
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That night, the four of us had tea in front of the beautiful portrait of Milla's mother. According to her, it was their favorite pass time. She wouldn't stop talking about her mother. In every topic to where the conversation led to, her mother will always be present for discussion. I wouldn't blame her, I would as well.
"Now then, you two clean up," Sebas commanded the two maids as he carried on his arms the deep sleeping Milla. "Miss Fifirisha, do come with me."
"Ah, okay," I followed him. Both of is were walking on a quiet empty hallway towards Milla's room, with only a few lamps to guide us.
Only our footsteps were heard echoing through the dim hallway.
"Miss Fifirisha," Sebas then asked. "Will there be a possibility for you to stay with milady?"
"I'm sorry," I didn't hold back. I felt the need to be direct. "I need to continue on this journey of mine. I will not trade it, not for anything..."
Not stopping from walking, he responded, "I see. You are a very respectable little lady. Thank you for your honesty."
We then went inside another room, a much more beautiful one than the room I awoken up to. Perhaps this was Milla's room. It had plenty of portraits of her and her mother.
Sebas then gently placed Milla on the bed and tucked her in, "Such a darling angel, is she not?" Sebas let out a small tear out his left eye, "Such innocence..."
I could see how he cared so much for both Milla and her mother. I could say, Milla is very lucky to have him. If I were to have a henchman, he should be as great as Sebas.
"Now miss Fifirisha," he turned to me and whispered. "Shall I accompany you to your room?"
"No need," I said. "I easily remembered the way there. I'll be capable on my own. Besides, I would prefer you to not leave Milla out of your sight."
"Servants are prohibited to stay inside their master's room when the master is asleep," he sighed. "That too is considered high treason for high nobles."
"Man these rules," I too sighed. "No helping it. I'll stay with her in this room."
"Oh, really?" he sounded unsure.
"Is there a rule about that too?" I wondered.
"No, there is none," he replied. "However, milady has weird sleeping habits."
"Weird? Like what?" I asked, raising one eyebrow.
"She would talk a lot in her sleep," he said.
"That's all?"
"Ah, yes..."
"That's not much of a problem for me. I could fold my ears to minimize sound from entering. Even if I won't, sleep talk won't bother me," I was confident because I was planning on meditating instead of sleeping.
"Well, if you say so then..."
"In my case, I would also prefer not to be alone. I feel like I'm in danger in these walls as well."
"Worry not, for I shall keep guard on this room."
"Ah, let's just both do our best," I smirked so proudly.
With that, Sebas left me and the sleeping Milla inside the room.
"Well then," I said to myself. "I should start meditating to enhance my spell chanting, albeit a little."
I levitated on air and closed my eyes. As soon I felt relaxed, I could feel the realea around me very closely. It was like I was the room itself; feeling every single movement. I then immersed my mind deeper, towards the very core of my soul. As soon as I felt like I found my core...
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"MY!" I was instantly dragged to my senses. "TWO IS THREE IN DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS?!"
"H-huh?"
"...DEAR ME!! WHAT FLAVOR!!" is this Milla's sleep talk? "SEVENTEEN STICKS FOREVER JOY!!"
No, this isn't sleep talking...
"SUCH A MARVEL TO GAZE THAT COUNTING!! OH, DEFINITELY! I HATE SLUG MOUNTAINS!!"
She's way louder than that loud noble back at the slime lake. And what is she saying? It's just a jumble of words.
"YES! MAYBE END!"
I folded my ears to boost my defenses by at least fifty percent. Even so, her piercing shouts penetrated through. "...REASON OF THE MARSHMALLOW!"
"Never mind meditation, I cannot even relax at this rate," I ran out of the room and closed the door. Her voice can still be heard clearly.
"Fifirisha?" I heard someone behind me.
"Ah!" I turned in quite a fright. "S-sir Handso-I mean Xandel-uhh..."
"No need to recite everything. Just call me whatever, as long as it resembles my name," he said.
"A-ah... sir Xandel it is," I smiled awkwardly.
He looked at the door, heard the ear-piercing banshee inside before looking back at me, "Why are you not in your room?"
"Ah, about that," I explained to him our conversation with Sebas about Milla's safety.
"I see," he nodded. "However, I believe you regretted your decision."
"Well..." I felt embarrassed.
"Why?" he asked. "I believe my little sister and you have not met before. Why did you help her?"
I don't really know why myself. Perhaps I was just confused and reacted without thinking clearly.
"I would like to think it's about money but," he looked serious. "I don't feel like It's quite right."
"Well, money does not interest me," I replied. "In truth, I just did what I felt like doing."
It became quiet for a few seconds.
"Fifirisha was it? I believe you did not state your last name," Xandel's question made me nervous.
"Uh, ah, It's uh," thinking of a last name is hard, I ended up making a name of my own. "Y-yu-yellowleaf," was the sudden name I could think of.
"Yellowleaf?" Xandel's face gave the hint of doubt. I was quite nervous as to how he would react, yet. "Well, whatever"
I gave off a huge sigh of relief after hearing that.
"Millavuenoghatthendillia has always been dear mother's favorite. It was somehow envious but it doesn't really matter. We all loved our dear mother despite that fact," Xandel's cold eyes looked gloomy. "Anyway, she will be moving to our grandmother's manor. She will be taken good care there instead of living her life in misery here."
"Oh," I looked back at the door and asked Xandel. "Will she really be okay there?"
"Hopefully..." Xandel suddenly halted his words. "It has already been decided. She will be leaving tomorrow afternoon."
"About the incident," I asked. "Why do you think Milla was being targeted?"
He gave me a rather cold look, which somehow shook my knees.
"Probably because of the heritage," he answered. "She needs to be away from the rest of us siblings. I believe one of us staged for her murder."
"Heritage?" I asked.
"Ah, I thought Sebas told you," he looked puzzled despite the serious look.
"No, he didn't tell me anything," I should not say anything that could raise suspicion to Sebas.
"Anyway, due to a said-to-be unknown cause, our mother died a week ago. According to the rules, the eldest child shall be responsible for splitting the fortune to the rest of the siblings as he/she sees fit. However, a maidservant found mother's last will. It was like she knew she was going to die and had made it in advance."
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"Could it be, Milla got everything?"
"No, mother wasn't that greedy. Still, the fortune was split in an unfairly fashion. Millavuenoghatthendillia received half of the entire fortune while the other half was divided for the five of us."
"Really? That's amazing!" I exclaimed. "I mean, for her at least."
"Not really, especially with her situation now," he sighed. "Anyway, I believe one of us siblings is behind it. That's why it would be better for her to be away here for now."
"How sure are you she will be safe there?" I asked.
"Definitely," he answered sternly. "By grandmother, I meant mother's mother."
"I see," although I wasn't that convinced, I accepted.
He looked at me with a serious look before sighing, "Sebas will be with her. As long as he is around, Milla will be safe. There is no need to worry that much." He turned his back to leave.
"I'm not that worried!"
"Is that so?" he just continued walking away. "Two hours. Millavuenoghatthendillia will go quiet by then."
I looked at the door, still hearing piercing screams from the other side.
"No helping it then," I sat down on the ground. "Two hours huh..."
* * *
"Miss Fifirisha," I heard my name being called again. "Wake up."
"Ah!" I just woke up. "I slept?!"
"Very soundly," Sebas smiled. "It's already morning."
"Seriously?" I looked at the end of the hallways and was convinced. "Well, even from behind this door, I could still hear Milla's cursed words."
Sebas chuckled, "Milady surely has a weird sleeping habit."
"Very weird," I stood up, patted dust off my dress, and arranged the hat. As I did so, Sebas pushed open the door of the room.
"Oh, it's just you Sebas," Milla was already awake, with an elegant dress on each hand in front of the mirror. "Oh! Miss Fifirisha too!"
She threw the clothes up in the air and ran towards me. Thankfully, Sebas caught them.
"Such a delightful morning to you," and she grabbed my hand and dragged me inside. "Now then, let us have you wear fresher clothing."
"Ah, no need," I declined.
However, Milla just ran towards her closet, no closets, and opened them both, revealing loads of eye-appealing dresses and other clothing. She rested her chin on her thumb and index finger while examining her massive collection.
"Sebas, get me that one," she pointed at a frilly fuchsia-colored dress.
"Right away," and Sebas jumped and instantly got the dress his highness ordered.
"Magnificent!" Milla snatched it right off his hand and went to me. "It looks more than perfect! Let us have you wear this."
"Ah, wait..."
"See? It suits you perfectly!" Milla whirled in delight, while my reflection on the mirror frowned as much as I did.
"Bravo miss Millavuenoghatthendillia!" one of the maids clapped her hands.
"You truly have the eye for fashion!" the other did as well.
Yes, these two came in the moment I was struggling against my will to wear this dress (Don't worry, Sebas was kicked out of the room.)
"Don't forget this!" one maid grabbed another wide-brimmed hat which matched the dress and put it on my head. "Perfecter!"
I sighed at the sight of three girls laughing so proudly as they puffed up their chests. I once again looked in the mirror... Well it wasn't that bad, I guess...
Spending the entire morning with Milla, Sebas, and her two maids were plenty new to me. I wasn't familiar with their lifestyle, but I was able to learn some things. Although most of our time was spent on tea, fashion talk, royal dances, and making fun of Sebas, it was one long morning and noon. By afternoon, Milla will be taken to her grandmother's manor, where she will be taken good care of. I wouldn't lie, I had fun.
"Here you are miss Fifirisha," Sebas extended something.
"My bag!" I accepted it and checked inside. "Everything is here, even my clothes. Ah, but the veiled hat..."
"Ah, I truly apologize but we were unable to retrieve that. It seems that you lost it during the fight against the bandits," Sebastian slightly bowed his head.
"Well, I think I'll just trace back my steps. It's very important for me. Another memento of my mother."
"Oh, I see. Looks like you and miss Millavuenoghatthendillia truly will get along. You seem to be able to understand each other."
"Ahaha, probably. Too bad I won't be with her."
"I see, so you will continue on with your journey to be an Astral Mage?"
"Wait, how'd you know?"
Sebas chuckled, "That boy really likes to talk a lot."
I contemplated before remembering someone, "Aah! Felgard! Where is he?!"
"He was in the dungeon underground."
"Ohoho!" if he's in the dungeon, then that's good. Without him to disturb me anymore, I can be at peace on my journey. Wait, was?
"Although he managed to escape last night..."
"What?!" if he's escaped then it could spell trouble. He might end up telling everyone in this mansion my identity. But maybe he won't...
"Sir Sebas," one of the two maids called from the window. 'It appears the carriage has arrived."
"Oh, so it did," Sebas confirmed. "Well then miss Millavuenoghatthendillia, shall we get going?"
"...Indeed, let us," Milla sounded sad, despite the happy look on her face.
Sebas went and knelt down in front of her, "I have no right to tell you to cheer up. However, I still want to tell you... Do cheer up milady."
Milla looked down, hiding her face, "What on earth are you saying Sebas?.." She came closer and hugged him, "I am your responsibility. So you better cheer me up."
Milla's eyes began to tear up, and finally, let her emotion out. She gripped Sebas' neck tight as she sniffled and tears streamed down her cheeks. Seeing her like that, felt quite heart-warming.
* * *
The five of us went out of the room. As soon as Sebas had closed the door, someone called out from the hallway.
"Millavuenoghatthendillia, are you not to say goodbye to dear mother one more time? Should you not at least say goodbye?" he sounded kinda fishy to me.
"Sir Adamanthiniobellandero, I believe doing so might take us more time-"
"I believe I am talking to my sister Sebas. Are you after treason?"
"I deeply apologize sir, but-"
"It's alright Sebas," Milla took an elegant composure as she faced her brother. "I have already planned to do so."
The two siblings locked eyes for a while.
"Come come miss Fifirisha! Let us go." Milla then went to me and grabbed my hand as we walked, the two maids and Sebas trailed behind us.
There, her mother smiled the usual way as last night. The urn below her portrait silently awaited Milla one more time.
Milla stood in front of her, raised her dress on both sides as she crossed her legs, "Dearest mother, I shall leave now. Please do visit me. I will always have tea time with you."
"Miss Millavuenoghatthendillia," Sebas went to her. "Let us go now." Milla stayed for a few seconds before looking at Sebas and nodded.
However, for me, there was an ominous feeling in the air. Despite my magic being unstable, my body was not.I was sure of it, I sensed flame realea! I closed my eyes and focused my senses to wherever it might be.
"Everyone away from the corners!!" just after I said that, the walls were engulfed in flames in all four corners of the room. We were completely surrounded.
"Ahhhh! Dear heavens!! What's going on!!" Milla immediately clung unto Sebas. The maids were terrified as they went to the center of the room with us.
This sensation, it's definitely ignited by magic. But who?
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