章 46: Chapter 45: My Core (2)
We continued lounging on the couch, Jahi reading while I simply dozed off, waiting for the Marquess, Countess, and Mother to wake up.
Thankfully we didn't have to wait long, as I watched the Countess shuffle out of the room with a yawn, with Mother walking out behind her.
Seeing us, they both gave me warm smiles, with my mother making her way over to me.
Giving me a hug, she ruffled my ears before exiting the room, making her way to the kitchen to grab our breakfast.
Plopping onto another couch, the Countess sighed before looking at me.
"You excited?"
I nodded my head, smiling.
My core...
Finally being able to use magic, being able to start my training in earnest...
Growing faster...
I couldn't wait for my core.
Chuckling, the Countess leaned back into the couch, closing her eyes.
The room fell quiet again, as we waited for the Marquess to enter.
It didn't take long, and she came out of her room, stretching, before sitting beside the Countess. Wrapping her arm around her, the Marquess said "Well, both Leone and Anput arrive in a hour or so... you excited about that?"
She shot me a sly grin, and I chuckled.
"Yes, I am actually. I enjoyed Leone's company, and I want to beat Anput in a duel..."
The Marquess nodded at that, though I could feel Jahi pull me closer to her. I smiled, leaning into her, before waiting for breakfast.
Like always, it was a simple meal, just a spread of fruits, bread, and slices of meat. Quickly finishing the meal, Jahi and I made our way back to our room, making sure we were presentable for our arriving guests.
After we were ready, we made our way towards the front gate, enjoying the various scents from the large garden in front of the Marquess' Estate.
Similar to last year, I took my time walking down the path, enjoying the various flowers on the way.
Seeing a deep blue orchid, I gently plucked it from the stem. Feeling me stop, Jahi turned, tilting her head.
I quickly placed the flower in her hair, chuckling as her eyes went wide. Seeing her cheeks darken slightly, I grinned at her before continuing on the path, admiring the other flowers.
Jahi sprinted towards me, wrapping me in a hug before pecking my cheek. Grabbing my hand, she led us towards the gate, her steps hurried.
Allowing myself to be pulled, I watched as we passed the various flowers along the way.
In my free time, when I just needed to have some time all alone, I would wander through the gardens, enjoying the smells and colors that it provided.
Reaching the gate, the guards all bowed to Jahi, making her wave her hand in annoyance.
Moving to a bench, she dragged me onto her lap, wrapping her arms around me.
Burying her nose into the crook of my neck, I leaned back into her, smiling as I felt her breath on my neck as she spoke.
"You really know how to drive me crazy..."
I chuckled, staying quiet as I enjoyed her touch. She continued to hold me, and we drifted into a warm silence, waiting for Leone and Anput to arrive.
It wasn't a long wait, as a guard rushed over and informed us that a Royal Carriage was approaching.
Getting up, Jahi quickly straightened her clothes before standing straight, waiting for the carriage to pull up to the gate.
I smoothed my own dress, before standing a step behind Jahi, my hands folded in front of me.
Seeing the familiar crimson and gold carriage, I watched as the door flew open before it could even come to a full stop.
Rushing out of the carriage was Leone, wearing a long crimson dress.
I smiled slightly as she rushed towards us, her orange eyes glowing with joy.
In the year that we hadn't seen her, she, like Jahi, had grown quite a bit. She was Jahi's height, and her ashen hair fell to her waist, flowing freely.
Leone was followed by her Orthrus, Janus. Like Leone, Janus had grown in size, almost double the size he was last year. Additionally, his body was much more muscular, as he had lost most of his baby fat.
Stopping in front of Jahi, Leone gave her a hug, smiling widely at her.
"It's been a year, huh?"
Hearing Leone's low voice, Jahi nodded, smiling back at Leone. After another brief hug, I watched as Leone turned towards me, her orange eyes flashing slightly.
She pulled me into a tight hug, swaying side to side as she held me. Returning it, I waited for her to release me, which was moments later.
Leone took a deep breath, saying "It's nice to see both of you again..."
I nodded, smiling at her.
"Must be better than the stuffy palace too."
Hearing Jahi, Leone nodded, sighing.
"It is... All the meetings, gatherings, classes..."
Sighing again, Leone pouted, looking between Jahi and I.
"You both are so lucky..."
We chuckled, making her pout more, before we heard the sounds of a carriage drawing near. Turning, we watched as a black carriage stopped in front of us, and the door opened.
Stepping out with a stretch, Anput looked over at us, a lazy smile on her lips.
Wearing similar clothes to her last visit, I could see her defined midriff, paired with the olive skin and bright red fabric, made her look quite beautiful. She had grown slightly taller, standing around my height, while her black hair was pulled into a ponytail.
Strapped to her back was the sword she bought last time she visited. As she walked towards us, she grinned, stopping next to Jahi.
"Long time no see, huh?"
Nodding, Jahi gave her a quick one over before smiling back at her. Anput yawned, before saying "Well, let's go. I feel like I'll fall asleep if I don't move around soon..."
Before we entered the gates, I looked back at the carriages, confused.
"Did Lady Lorelei and Lady Kio not accompany you?"
Turning to me, Leone shook her head, saying "Mom stayed home. She had to smooth some deals over for the Academy. Besides, I used a Teleportation Circle to get to one of our Summer Palaces in the countryside, and had two guards accompany me."
Anput shrugged, saying "Well, Mom's pregnant, so Mother won't let her travel. Same thing as Leone really. Took a Teleportation Circle to the border with some guards."
I looked between them before nodding. Leone walked beside me, while Anput walked in front, looking around the garden.
We continued walking at a slow pace, enjoying the cool breeze and view.
"Have you started doing any physical training Kat?"
I looked at Anput, who was smirking over her shoulder at me.
I smiled back at her, saying "I have. In fact, if I could be so bold, would you care to spar with me?"
Her smirk widened, and I watched as her dark eyes narrowed.
"Yea, lets. In fact, why don't we spar today, when you don't have a core, and tomorrow or the day after, when you do have a core? I don't want you saying you lost because of not having a core or something similar..."
I nodded, and I heard Jahi chuckling.
"Anput, want to place a bet?"
Hearing Jahi's jovial tone, Anput grinned at her, nodding.
"Well, if Kat beats you without a core, you have to do whatever she says for the day."
Anput nodded, before saying "Then that means if I win she does whatever I say for the day. Deal?"
I looked at Jahi, watching in amusement as her eyes flickered gold, her smile freezing, before she nodded.
I stayed quiet, simply smiling at Anput when she looked at me.
We resumed the walk, and I felt Leone tug on my sleeve. Turning, I saw that her orange eyes were alight with worry.
Smiling at her, I chuckled when she blushed, looking at the ground.
Leaning closer to her, I whispered "I beat Jahi in a few spars recently..."
Leone looked at me in surprise, before smiling widely. Looking up at Anput, she chuckled before whispering "Well, I hope you win. It will certainly be interesting to see her have to be subservient to you..."
I nodded, also looking forward to seeing Anput act restrained.
Moving up towards the main door, I moved in front of the group, opening the door to allow them inside.
Following behind them, I watched as their guards followed the prepared servants, moving down the halls with some luggage.
We made our way first to the large lounge, where the Marquess and Countess waited.
Entering the room, we saw the Marquess take a puff from her pipe, blowing out a large cloud of smoke, while the Countess sat beside her, taking a small sip from her tea cup.
Hearing the door open, they looked up, smiling at us. Nodding to both Leone and Anput, they gestured to the seats, where teacups were laid out.
I moved behind Jahi, pulling out her chair before doing the same for Leone and Anput. Taking my place behind Jahi, I watched as my mother served tea to everyone before mirroring me, taking her place behind the Marquess.
Taking another puff, the Marquess said "Thank you both for coming. As I agreed to with the Empress and Sultana, I do have to inform you that you are not allowed outside of the Estate walls, and should preferably stay inside. Additionally, your Guards will be watching over you day and night. With that out of the way..."
The Countess leaned forwards, saying "We welcome you back to March Asmodia, and hope you enjoy your stay."
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So, slow again, but well... I started writing and this is what came to mind quickly. Just reintroductions before the actual stuff next chapter.
Anyways, I mainly just wanted to say:
Thanks for 170K views and 500+ Collections! Also, it was amazing to see so many people gifting powerstones every week, averaging around 100 over the last three weeks. I didn't think people would donate daily due to my inconsistent upload schedule, but it means a lot to see the continued support!
Thank you all so much!
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