Two carriages marched toward the capital city of Lunatear, protected by guards. The first carried the younger crew, consisting of Yanna, Kiryl, Bel, and Citrina. The second had Mia, Abel, Anne, and Patty.
“We’re still a long way from Lunatear,” said Mia, wistfully gazing out the window as she let out a despondent sigh. She was supposed to be eating tasty food at the Holy Eve Festival, and that thought only depressed her further.
“Would you like something to drink, milady?” kindly offered Anne.
“That’s a great idea. Let’s have some tea the next time we stop, and maybe some sweets to perk us up a bit,” responded Mia, ordering a bit extra.
“Could I ask you something, Mia?” suddenly asked Abel, who was sitting next to her.
“What is it, Abel?”
“I wanted to know what you plan to do in Ganudos.”
“Well, for now, I was planning on aiding Orania in emancipating the Visalians.” Of course, preventing the king of Ganudos’s death came first, but saying that out loud might cause some problems. She decided to keep it to herself.
I’m sure Abel would try to stop me if he knew I was approaching the scene of an assassination, but sending in Dion alone is terrifying in its own right. He might take things too far.
Anyway, Mia decided that for now, she’d spin the events as her being there to quietly support Orania from behind.
She clapped her hands as if she had suddenly remembered something. “That reminds me! What happened to Remno after everything?”
Abel’s grin grew awkward. “Nothing much has changed, I suppose. Count Donovan and the other upright nobles have done their best to ensure no extreme taxes have been placed on the people after the revolution, but Remno’s militaristic attitude remains as it was, and many still hope to expand our borders.” He shook his head. “I doubt Miss Rafina would have supported these efforts in Ganudos had I been the one to make the suggestion.”
“My! I don’t think that’s true at all!”
“It’s fine, Mia. Some things have changed too. Like my brother, for example.”
“You mean Gain, my soon-to-be brother-in-law?” Casually and without even noticing, Mia had decided the future.
Abel didn’t seem to notice either. Or rather, he smiled as if he were expecting those words. “He visits Valentina often, and thanks to that, he’s gotten much less physical with our mother and other sister. The maids were amazed.”
“Well, that’s good to hear.”
Abel’s brother Gain was next in line for Remno’s throne. Mia wanted nothing more than for Abel’s home country to be peaceful and stable.
But if he’s been influenced by Valentina, that means he’s been influenced by the High Priestess of the Chaos Serpents. That can’t be good... No, If Prince Gain is moving in a better direction, that must mean Valentina is as well. Mia had naturally fallen into the world of her thoughts.
“In any case, there’s no knowing what will happen to Remno. I hope things work out for us, but the opposite could easily happen as well. I’m worried Ganudos will end up in the same boat as us, putting off their current problems till later, ignorant of how the scales may eventually tip. So...I personally think it would be best if you could be the one governing them.” Abel turned to face her, immediately pulling Mia out of her thoughts.
“Oho ho ho! I could never do something so obn—presumptuous!” Mia had almost said the quiet part out loud. That was close! But I think I covered my tracks, she thought as she studied Abel.
“Presumptuous? You mean it would be presumptuous to ruin the name of Ganudos’s king. No, you must mean it would be presumptuous to take that decision from their people. Do you want to enthrone Princess Orania instead?” Abel mulled over her words...and Mia jumped on the chance to ride this forming wave.
“Yes, exactly. The actions of the monarchy have been unjust, but the majority of their people have allowed it. They’d get mad should a foreign princess step in from the sidelines and make her own demands. It would mean hurting the pride of the people who call Ganudos home.”
“In that case, they wouldn’t listen to you no matter how right you were,” said Abel, nodding in agreement.
Mia took this opportunity to glance over at Patty. I almost revealed how I really felt about things, but I have to be serious when Patty’s present! I can’t just say things are obnoxious. I need to stay on my guard!
If Mia failed to properly educate Patty, the past could go up in flames. Mia renewed her resolve, however...
Patty quietly watched Mia. She was about to say “obnoxious.”
She saw right through Mia’s redirect! That’s right, Patty had been trained by the Serpents, attuning herself to people’s true feelings even more so than Orania. Thus, she knew exactly how Mia truly felt! And it inspired...
But you need to be this sloppy when dealing with the Serpents. It can make you more flexible, and it’s easier to work against them because your serious thoughts come at random times. Miss Mia really is the perfect girl to fight against the Serpents!
...a sense of awe!
✦ ✦ ✦
