Henrietta shakes her head as she releases a sigh, "Let us forget politics for now. I want to talk to my friend... Louise, how have things been for you since we last spoke?" she abruptly asks, changing the subject.
Louise' mind still lingered on the earlier subject, but for Henrietta's sake, she changes her focus for now. "Not well I'm afraid Henri... Even with a year at the Academy, I'm unable to cast even the simplest spell... Everything I do ends up with an explosion. Even my familiar ended up being better at magic than me." she admits.
Henrietta crooks a brow at the mention of Louise' familiar, "Your familiar... You don't seem as angry as I imagined you would be at the mention of him." she says as she is intimately familiar with how quick Louise usually was to anger.
...
Louise gives a pitiful look as her breathing quickens slightly, "Princess... I have something to admit... I... I let my familiar escape!... I helped him..." she admits with tearful eyes.
Henrietta has a surprised expression on her face upon hearing this. From what she'd been told, Louise' familiar killed Guiche and took her hostage as he tried to escape. But apparently, there was more to the story than she initially thought.
"Why? Was he not the one that killed Sir Guiche?"
Louise nods, "He was... But it was an accident! Michael said so, and I could see how sorry he was... He didn't deserve to be executed for a single mistake!"
"Killing a noble isn't merely a 'single mistake' Louise... What would you have done if it was me who was killed?" Henrietta asks, feeling that Louise wasn't thinking about this rationally.
"T-that's totally different! You and Guiche hold completely different statuses..."
Henrietta shakes her head, "And if I was merely an Earl's son? Would it still have been a 'single mistake'?"
...
Henrietta's question stumps Louise, as she'd separated the person from the rank. Partly to deal with the fact she was partially responsible for someone's death. Now that Henrietta was addressing it though, she knew she was just making excuses for her borderline treasonous actions... Letting a criminal escape simply because he was her familiar was comparable to the way corrupt nobles acted.
Louise face drops as she slumps in her chair, "I-I'm sorry Henri... But... I'd still do it again if given the choice. I don't think I could bear watching my familiar be hurt like that..." she moves from the chair and kneels before Henrietta, "I-I'll take any punishment you see fit to deliver... It is my responsibility to endure it!" she exclaims.
...
Henrietta just shakes her head and stands, kneeling down beside Louise and wrapping her into a hug, "Don't say such a thing Louise! I understand how you feel... Even if you are responsible, I won't let my closest friend throw her life away for, as you said, a single mistake... I have no one else to seek comfort, Louise... Not my mother, not other nobles, not my servants... Only you, Louise." she says, raising Louise's face and kissing each of her cheeks. "Let me be selfish for now and forgive you on behalf of Tristain... And Guiche de Gramont."
Louise can't help but burst into tears, clutching her best friend as they kneel on the floor of the room... If anyone else were to have witnessed this, they'd likely have many questions for both Louise and the princess. After all, it wasn't common for such an intimate and emotional occurrence to happen within the Palace.
An hour later, Louise and Henrietta are sitting back at the table, each with a cup of tea in front of them. After the former's earlier outburst, they decided to simply ignore politics and the like for a bit and simply talk as friends. How they used to talk before they were forced to shoulder so many responsibilities.
Eventually though, Henrietta has to address the reason she invited Louise to the Palace. "Louise... What will you do now that you are no longer a student at the Academy?"
...
"I'm not sure, Henri... I will likely be tutored in my wifely duties and be married off to a lower family's son... I doubt my fiance, Wardes' would want someone like me who is unable to even use magic." she solemnly says.
Henri nods and sips her tea, "Louise, I want to make you an offer... I don't expect you to answer right away, but I feel I must ask... Will you join me in the palace as my Royal Attendant?"
"H-Henri I-" Louise starts but is cut off as Henrietta continues, "You will have full access to my magic tutors, allowing you a good education even outside of the Academy... I dare say, the quality is even better than the Academy... Not only that, but this will allow you to accompany me at almost all times... It'll be like our childhood again!"
...
Louise lowers her head in thought, while it might sound fantastic, she knew that this position would put a lot of pressure on both her and the princess. Being a Royal Attendant was something only the most qualified were allowed to do, it would be seen as an insult to those who were trying for the opportunity, as Louise was far from ready for such a thing.
This was especially so if Louise made use of Henrietta's own magic tutors... It might even be perceived as Henrietta pitying Louise... And if not that, rumours of some sort of illicit relationship may begin to stir.
She's about to reject the princesses offer, but Henrietta sends her a stern look as she begins reading the letter sent by Osmond, obviously acting as if she was too busy to speak to her right now.
Louise releases a heavy sigh as she sits quietly in her chair, still intending to refuse Henrietta's offer... At least, that's until she hears Henrietta release a strange squeak...
Louise looks up and finds Henrietta locking eyes with her, "You will become my attendant." she states in a stern tone, without any chance to refuse. Afterwards slapping a letter in front of Louise... She looks down and her eyes widen as she spots the line which Henrietta was pointing at...
"Princess Henrietta de Tristain, there is a high possibility of Louise de la Valliere, being a Void Mage. One of Brimir's true descendants."
...
"WHAT!?"
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Despite Michael's new horse and riding abilities, his progress through the country of Tristain was slower than he would've hoped... This is primarily due to the numerous inconveniences that actually came with riding, especially the saddle sores, which were only exacerbated by his thin rag trousers that gave little to no protection against the relentless leather of the saddle.
He was forced to stop occasionally to let Milky feed and rest as well, making what he expected to be a two day trip to the port city Antomiers to around three and a half... He didn't enter the village between the port and Redfield, as leaving an easy trail for his pursuers to follow would not be worth whatever benefits he'd get. He had enough supplies, so aside from renting out a bed to rest in, there wasn't really a point.
Of course, not everything was doom and gloom however. His trek across the countryside and allowed him to view many strange and wonderful things in this magical world. Strange animals and monsters, plant life. And even scenic lakes that apparent why Tristain was called the 'Country of Rivers'.
These places allowed Michael to wash and nurse the increasingly painful saddle sores, but he didn't allow himself the luxury of an extended stay since he was likely being followed. He'd have also liked to hunt some monsters for some EXP, but actually getting close enough to them was more difficult than he anticipated.
Since he was travelling alone on one of the main roads leading to the capital, monsters weren't very common in the area, and those that were present were small and skittish, unlikely to attack anything larger than a toddler.
Fortunately for Michael's ass and thighs, he eventually spots port city's walls in the distance as he trots through the plains. Of course, the road slowly changed from the worn dirt he was familiar with, into cobble. Not to mention the increasing amount of people along it, merchant carriages, villagers, or simple nomads going to and from the port.
From what Michael had heard, Antomiers was one of Tristain's most important city's, simply because of how much they imported and exported from it. It was in a prime spot to trade with Germania, Gallia, and Albion. And while La Rochelle had more airships with which to trade with the floating country of Albion, it was Antomiers that received more attention due to Tristain's close relationship with Albion...
Of course, this relationship was now in jeopardy due to Albion's civil war, but even then, Tristain still sent supplies to the royal family to support their ally against their internal threat.
The walls of Antomiers themselves look like pale stone, as if trying to mimic marble with lower-quality materials. There were guard towers positioned at various points, and a few cannons peppered sporadically around the edge of both the towers and walls.
There were also two gates standing next to each other, one seeming to be for those exiting the city, and the other for those entering. They both looked heavily regulated, with guards checking almost every carriage coming through either gate.
Michael's hands became slightly clammy as he wondered if they knew of him, and if they'd arrest him if he tried to enter... Not to mention the fact he was literally carrying stolen clothes and jewellery with him.
Michael trotted to the back of the line, behind a carriage carrying what looked to be food produced from nearby villages. He didn't try to strike a conversation with anyone and simply waited for his turn, taking deep breathes and appreciating the salty smell the wind blew in from the ocean.
Soon enough, it was his time. Two guards asked him to get off of Milky's back as two more began searching through his stuff. Funnily enough, they found the clothing and jewellery he'd stolen from the thieves but didn't take any notice of it. Completely disregarding it as if it was worthless in their eyes.
"Erm, what're you searching for? Did something happen?" Michael tentatively asks, wondering if he'd missed something.
The nearby guard shrugs, "Just searching for forbidden magical items... I'm honestly thankful I'm not on the other gate... The rules for those leaving the city are way more annoying to enforce... I mean, who cares if someone wants to bring a foreign fruit with them, right?" the guard jovially says.
He gets slapped on the shoulder by the other however causing him to grimace, "Jerold, you know what we've been told... Those 'foreign fruits' can carry harmful insects, and even be cursed to ruin the vitality of the land." the other guard states with a hiss.
The now named Jerold just shrugs uncaringly, "I don't get what everyone's afraid of. Let's see someone try to sabotage this city!" he gestures at the cannons atop the walls, "They'll get a face full of our iron balls, hahaha-Ouch! Alright!..." he mutters after getting slapped, afterwards looking at Michael and pointing at the city, "Go on through, but please don't ride your horse within the city. We've had enough accidents lately."
Michael quickly nods and leads Milky through after checking that nothing had been stolen by any guards with sticky fingers.
Once through the gate, Michael is greeted by a bustling city, with buildings lining the stone roads and a large marketplace not too far from where he was standing.
He wanted to check out the market to see what was being sold, as well as check on how much it would cost to catch a ship to Germania, but first thing's first, he had to get Milky to a stable. She'd been walking all day, so she deserved some rest at least.
Luckily, there were a few stables nearby the entrance of the city, all at varying qualities so everyone from peasants to nobles could find adequate holdings for their animals... Michael didn't really care too much, so he went with the cheaper options, which ended up costing two silvers for a week stay.
Hope you bois liked the chap, if I missed anything please let me know. Thanks!
Also, thanks to my patrons for their support :
ShinAmazake
Kingsprovince
Nazlican Erdem
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Faruk Ereng
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