Bab 17: The First Move (1)
"FIRST, I need a plan!"
I pointed at the board of the paper, which Avril put together under my order, as I pointed at it with a stick, that I also ordered Avril to get.
The board consists of my scribbles aka plans that I had written the day before when Elishia came to threaten--I mean, visit me. It was what comes into my mind that would guarantee a crack into their walls of hostility.
"This looks well-thought-out, My Lady." Avril commented as she was seated in a chair I placed in front of the board.
I wanted to say 'not-really' since I actually used my knowledge of what they like, based on the novel in my past life.
I smiled widely, feeling proud that Avril complimented my hard work but also feeling a little guilty.
"Thanks! I recalled what I know about them and listed it here for preparation!"
Avril nodded, "Smart."
It is a good thing that the author provided character info by the end of volume 1, even if they are just side characters, along with their preferences.
For example…
"What is their daily schedule? Do they have long walks by the garden? Tea in the afternoon?"
Avril watched as I talk to myself and pointed out the list of possible activities that my sisters have for today.
I almost look like a crazy person who is so into conspiracies.
After eating breakfast with Mother and Father earlier, Avril and I set on to work immediately on how I will make my sisters favor me.
Or treat me nicely unlike now. Either way, any positive outcome will be good.
I know that being on their good side might not be easy but I am not going to give up no matter how long this takes.
It gives me more reason why I need to capture them!
"My Lady, would you like me to spy on their daily activities?"
I looked at Avril after getting out of my own thoughts and shook my head.
"No, you don't need to do that." I simply answered.
In truth, I already thought of a way to get close to them and try to befriend them in a way that they won't be suspicious.
The old Eris was weak so she didn't have enough strength to go and chase them around but I, on the other hand, feel so energetic that I want to move my body everywhere.
In a way, I could fix this issue and move on with another after gaining their favor.
"I just need an opening, a sign where I should start my plan." I muttered as I looked at the window from where I am.
"Then, shouldn't you start with Lady Elishia?"
I shook my head at her answer, my body is facing the window as I saw the pleasant weather outside.
"I thought that I should get close to Elishia first but she is so hostile to me that she might even despise me more."
Which is true. The more I try to get close to Elishia, the more she will get closed off and push me away.
If I wanted her favor, I have to earn someone's favor first to make her put in a good word for me.
And who is the best candidate for that?
"Avril, Elishia is like the final boss, but who do we need to fight before the final boss?"
"Who, My Lady?"
"Hoho, who else? Ekrisilia!"
The sound of swords clashing can be heard from my room as the training field is close. If I just peered through the balcony a little bit, I could see the knights that we have training below and of course, Ekrisilia.
"Ahhh, the Young Lady Ekrisilia."
I watched Ekrisilia from where I am as she happily fights with another knight that seems to be older than her.
I saw how she fights and swung her sword with ease, like it wasn't bigger than her.
I must admit that her technique, stance, and tactic, are cool but the more I watch, the more I realize that she fights with her emotions.
She will be a lot easier to capture than Elishia, who is like a block of ice and threats.
"How are you going to execute your plan, My Lady?" Avril asked, making me look away from the fight.
"Well first, I need to get close to my second sister first by doing what a normal sister would do."
"And that is…?"
I thought about it and what do my second sister, Ekrisilia, like the most?
What does she do in her free time and at any time of the day?
I looked back and saw her smiled widely as her opponent is down while the other knights cheered. She raises her sword as her enemy was still on the ground, shocked that an 11-year-old noble girl beat him easily.
An idea popped inside my head as a wide grin appeared on my lips.
I turned to Avril excitedly.
"Going to her during her practice of course!"
I turned my back as I zoomed myself out of the room with a huge grin, startling the maids that were on the hallways while I heard Avril's voice becoming more distant.
"My Lady!"
I ignored her call and happily ran down the stairs, being careful not to trip. I ran past some maids and butlers that tried to stop me from running but my body feels so light that I just sped past them.
I opened the door and slip past the two knights guarding the door.
I arrived at the training ground where Ekrisilia was and saw her fighting another knight but this time, I can see the flashes of red from her sword and white from her opponent.
It was magnificent as she seems to dance while swinging her deadly sword.
The technique she is using is sword dance and it is harder to master than any other technique.
This the Holstead's specialty when it comes to swordsmanship and is well-known throughout the kingdom.
Aside from the fact that this is hard to master, it combines the mana of the user with its art and how they utilized it with their weapon of choice.
It is not just about the sword, it also applies to spears, bows, daggers, and such.
The technique is passed on only to the children of the Holsteads but among the three of us, Ekrislia is the only one who was interested in it.
I might be interested in learning it too.
"Lady Ekris is going to win again." One knight commented as they stare at her in amazement.
Another knight nodded at his words, "Of course she will win. The stance and strategy of her opponent are not polished and a lot of weak points are open for her."
"She is just toying with her opponent now." Another knight added.
I watched as Ekris swing her sword around and easily blocks her opponent's attack while still having a smile on her face.
She swung her sword back and the sword of her opponent flew up, then it fell in front of me as it perfectly stabbed the ground.
I am so amazed.
"Lady Eristheria?!"
I snapped out of my amazement of Ekrisilia and looked up, only to see the knights looking back at me with pale faces.
I mean, a sword just landed in front of me and I didn't even move an inch nor did I flinch.
I turn to see Ekrisilia and there is a small smirk on her lips, seemingly unaffected that the sword almost killed me on the spot.
No, it seems like she knew I was here and intentionally did that to scare me.
Honestly, I was more amazed than scared.
"Lady Eristheria! Are you alright?!" One knight asked and slowly came close to me.
I ignored him and just stared back at Ekris.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"To watch you, sister!" I said energetically as I smiled, trying to get on her good side.
However, it seems that she found my presence rather annoying as she glared at me even more than before she tossed the sword away, then she pointed her sword at me.
"Lady Eristheria! Lady Ekrisilia!"
The voices of panicked knights were ignored by us as we both stared into each other's eyes.
I saw the red light that her sword omitted behind her eyes and immediately recognize that she has fire mana in her, that is why her sword dance looks like a blazing fire.
"Leave."
And miss this chance to get close to you? No. Way.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone