Estelle: It is with great honor than I greet Her Majesty princess Asteria today. Never in my life...

Asteria: Yeah yeah, I don't need your life story. All I need is for the one that dragged you here to produce the results that I want.

The princess sure carried her own charm if anything. By the time Estelle was smuggled by the duc, Eliza and myself had finished settling in the mansion, that meaning that Eliza had cleaned four rooms for us to use. No help was to be found present anywhere in this house, which meant that the princess took care of everything, that deemed important that is. From the entire mansion the princess had limited her area of oporation to only the kitchen and a guest room close to said kitchen, which she had turned into an unofficial bedroom. I'd wager that if you gave her the keys to a studio appartment she'd be quite ecstatic. But enough about the princess, during those three days I didn't stayed idle, on the contrary I run several orders for equipment throught the princess, having Eliza on the desing as I quoted them to her. Flasks, beakers, funnels, anything and all I needed to build the most state of the art, modern laboratory in the entire kingdom.

Without Eliza I'm not sure how far I would have gotten, especially since she also worked as an intermediary between myself and the princess. Having her around really puts a smile to my face, she is defenately not the same person that Cadence knew.

Estelle: Alex! Who did this to you.

"Don't worry about it, they'll be dead sooner or later."

Estelle: If you say so... For what purpruse did you call me before the first princess.

"Didn't the luisent explained the situation to you."

Estelle: A Luisent presented himself before me and ask for me personally, I was too awestruck to understand his explanation.

"And? Is that the only reason?"

Estelle: Their explanation wasn't that good to begin with.

"Is that so. Well to put it simply we'll be making cosmetics, a primer for the princess. And when I say we I mean you.

Estelle: Wait how did it came to this. The last time I saw you you were to find who abducted us.

I let out a deep sigh.

"This all happened becuase I did found them. Let me show you around the place, I'll explain everything after."

Estelle: I find it a good idea.

After showing her around the various facitilies the mansion had to offer, that weren't overtaken by clutter and trash, we settled the tour in her own personall room were I explained everything that happened after I parted with the clinic, only 'slightly' embellishing the tale.

Estelle: So now we are under the supervision of a Luisent while getting refuge from the First Princess. To be honest I did not exrected this turn of events when you set off.

"Count me in on that, the thought of turning a luisent's prisoner never crossed my mind."

Estelle: Prisoner... I fail to see it that way.

"Indeed, if it wasn't for the duc declaring me a luisent then I would just be someone under his protection like Eliza but unfortunately I doudt that curently that's the absolute extect of his intentions."

Estelle: I suppose that does in fact complicates everything. In that case what will happen to Lana? Will she face the same treatment as you?

"Good question, given that the duc is somewhat biased in this matter I can think of two posible outcomes. Either they leave her be as is or someone else takes her under their wing."

Estelle: How so? Why will the Duc not move against her?

"National power, when he explained it to me it sounded like there aren't that many luisent's around, especially 'natural-born' like us so if they remove her they lose a valuable resource in case of an emergency, don't forget that the luisent in a duc before being a man. After that what happens to her depends on the political landscape of the kingdom."

Estelle:That makes sense...

"Oh but be warned, no matter what, at the end she will die, she is not long for this world.

Estelle: I take this is not a promise.

I was certain, ever without seeing it, in that short moment Estelle wore a smile in her face.

Estelle: Back on more pressing matters. What should I do now.

Now I was the one smiling.

"For a start get on the desk and read to me that encyclopidia on herds."

Estelle: understood.

We spend quite some time exploring the herbal with Estelle quoting me the properties of the various illustrated usuful weeds and in turn I explained to her for what reason I made my choices. Althought we were making good progress it was undeniable that mental fatique was building up, so much so that it eventually leaked from Estelle's voice. The time for a break had reached us.

"I feel my throat drying up. How does a cup of chamomile sounds?"

Estelle: I too would enjoy one. Now if you excuse me I'll head to the kitchen.

Eliza: That would not be necessary my dear, just sit down, I'll take care of the chamomile.

Estelle: If Lady Eliza says so...

With that settled I made my way to the bed where, with sore muscles, I laid on the footside. While Estlelle was sittiing I wasn't just passing myself around the room, everything from situps to stretches, there wasn't a muscle I didn't touch, just like the days before. I suppose my current reality is quoting shit to others while exercising. Estelle took a sit besides me at the bed.

Estelle: I don't remember Lady Eliza so... You know.

"Yes I also didn't remembered her at all. A lot of people felt what happened to us."

Estelle: You don't have to say that twice.

"While we are in the subject, how is your family holding up."

Estelle: When news of your 'death' spread they rushed over to see me, you should have seen...

"Is that so. I bet they were drowning in worry. Did you father said anything about me?

Estelle: Why would he mention you?

"Just making conversation."

Estelle: I see... At firtst they were worried, as time passed and they kept visiting on a weekly basis I could tell they were doing better. Now when they visit this week they are bound for a surprise.

She chuckled like it was none of her bussiness, like playing a prank on her parents. There is nothing like this in Cadence's memories.

"I bet they will be."

Estelle: I knew you weren't dead. when I heard the news something inside me told me that it was fake, a ploy of shorts. That somehow you managed to get the better of a Luisent, instead I found you in this even more unimaginable situation.

She stopped. Whether she was waiting for an answer or not I remained silent.

Estelle: Do you remember what you promised me?

"I never forgot it."

Estelle: I see...

I felt the bed shifting as she laid down besides me. The both of us basking in silence.

Estelle: This is so nice. I didn't knew such a nice bed existed...

Estelle: ...You can see, right?

Before I was able to answer her Eliza stormed into the room with a tray packed for snack time. She was fast to say the least. The both of us got up and sat on our asses as she served us chamomile. Two cups, she didn't intended to interfere, well I had other plans.

"Do you remember the other day when you took my arm?"

Eliza: Yes...

A voice reluctunt to give me an answer but it was one that I would take no matter what.

"Did you notice any differences or changes within yourself?"

Eliza:...

Estelle: What culture is the chamomile?

"Please, it's very important. If you want to we can discuss this in private but please do speak to me."

A deep long sigh filled with all her frustration, anxiety and fear. Something must have changed.

Eliza: After that it took my hand half a day to recover. A day later I started seeing this weird color around people. At first it lasted for a blink, I believed that I must had miss seen but as time passes it lasts longer and longer. I-I don't know what to think, is this what you were talking about.

"A color around people that differs in intensity and density. Like a presence of shorts"

Eliza: Exactly a presence. How do you know!

"Rather than seeing it I can feel it, that's how I can move around without help and somewhat tell people apart."

Eliza: Is that so!

Estelle: Really!

That's half a secret out of the bag. But what I got in exchange is far more important. So my train of thought was correct, now in order to confirm its magnitude I need to increase the sample size and there's still one more experiment to run.

"So there you have it. I not only didn't forgot my promise I also found a way to deliver."

I extended my hand while leaning my forehead towards her. It didn't took much, if any, convincing before she grabbed my hand. She literally embraced it with both hands as if she was clinging to desperation. Eliza pardoned herself before exiting the room, leaving us alone.

"One hand is enough, let's not overdo it."

Estelle: Oh...

"Much better."

I let my inner energy flow, making sure only the most miniscule of quantities was to enter into her body. Like a spear it pierced through her energy and once again it grew a mind of its own and began invading out of my control.

"Pull away!"

My words were not fast enough becuase by the time I opened my mouth she had already retreaved her arm, the fact that she she heard Eliza talk about 'pain' and she being the one holding my arm instead of the other way around definitely played a part.

"How do you feel?"

Estelle: Numb and at the same time it's bitting me.

"Then it means it's working."

This time I mas left somewhat dissapointed given how fast Estelle's inner energy was able to resolve mine. Indeed less of mine had infiltrated and it still took a greater amount to resolve mine but still it was easier compared to Eliza's.

"Have you been working out?"

Estelle: How did you know!

"So you did."

Estelle: Yes, apart from helping uncle with his work there wasn't many tasks for me so I spent my free time repeating what you showed me.

"That so..."

Her physique was better than mine to begin with, I don't really want to know how far she has grown during our period of seperation.

"As events have turned out. Let's stop here for today. Until your hand recovers do memorize the ingredients we have sellected thus far.

Estelle: Understood.

After finishing my cup I exited Estelle's room and made my way to Eliza's as there was still something that concerned me.

Eliza: Is there anything I can help you with?

"You said you can see the auras of people, right."

Eliza: Yes.

"In that case can you see your own?"

Eliza: I don't believe so, albeit that I doudt my eyes have yet to fall upon my own silhouette during such an event.

"I see... The did you happened to see my aura?"

Silence. A silence that prevailed for far too long.

Eliza: No...

"That so... Thanks for..."

Eliza: It happened when we were meeting Her Highness for the first time, when all four of us were together. I saw both Her's and German's and even though you were in clear view I was unable to see any sort of aura from you.

"What!"

Eliza: Are you okay?

"Yes, just what you told me... it's far too interesting. If it happens again do inform me."

Eliza: Of cource, if it helps.

"You're the best. Thank you."

I quickly scurried away, not on my own room but instead to one of many abandoned ones found all over the mansion. Althought realm picked both inner and outter energy creating a very accurate three-dimensional image it had it's weaknesses. For one it couldn't give me an accurate image of a person leaving me with what I can only explain as a 'presence' and secondly the fact that it read outter energy also meant that it was very difficult to read smaller presences as they got 'drowned' by the afformentioned outter energy. That being said it was simply 'difficult' not 'impossible'. Sitting on the ground amongst the dust I focused on my realm, searching for my target.