That day, I was lying alone in bed. Sir Celes had headed to Arldat earlier for a meeting. Though the Parliament that His Majesty established had suffered through a few issues at the start, as time went on, it was beginning to move much more smoothly.
At first, the nobles had held the most power, despite people of all statuses being present. But King Edoardo had worked very hard to ensure the voices of the merchants and ordinary people would be heard. Sir Celes had told me that it was on orders from Miss Maria. Even though she was no longer in our world, she continued to be an irreplaceable presence to us all.
“I wonder what she’s doing right now...”
The words slipped out of my mouth, even though I was alone. I pulled the curtains open to look outside, but all I could see was the darkened landscape.
“I hope your daddy gets home soon,” I said to my yet-unborn child, rubbing my big belly. Since it seemed to respond to my voice, I’d gained the habit of talking to it, and it gave me a little kick this time, too.
I’d been a bit afraid when the baby had stopped moving as much as it used to, but apparently, this was normal coming up to the due date. Before, it used to twist and spin around like a little fish, but now most of what I got was little kick responses. I wasn’t sure how to feel. Was I lonely that the little fishy in my belly was gone, or happy that I’d meet him or her soon?
“It’s still early... I guess I’ll sleep for a little longer.”
It seemed I’d napped a bit too long the day before, and it was dawn — or rather, it was still night, since the sun didn’t seem like it was rising any time soon — when I woke up. But thinking about the baby, it would probably be best for me to sleep for a bit longer.
As I closed the curtains shut, suddenly the azure-blue night sky was rent by a flash of light. Seemingly different from lightning, the white flash lit up the whole sky before disappearing in an instant. The return to darkness made it seem almost as if it had been a dream. What was that? I thought. Surprised, I covered my stomach with my arms. It didn’t hurt, but it was instinct to protect it.
I barely slept that night, my mind still stuck on what I’d just witnessed.
✦ ✦ ✦
His Majesty had had our manor in Blanca prepared so that we could live a quiet life. Not only was the furniture carefully selected, but so were the servants.
“The Master should be arriving home soon,” said our butler Anaclerio gently as he read through a letter from Sir Celes.
Anaclerio had previously instructed the Knight regiments on etiquette and manners before retiring to his home a few years ago. But His Majesty had personally penned a letter asking for his help in teaching me the ways of a noble.
He was a playful man, taking up the role of butler simply because he thought it would be fun, despite his own nobility. But due to his respect for Anaclerio as an instructor, even after two years of service, Sir Celes still had trouble being too polite to him. Their back and forth after every time Sir Celes called him “Sir” had turned into their own sort of greeting.
Chicca smiled happily at his words. “So he should be home in time for the baby!”
Mhm, that’s right! My friend Chicca from the laundrymaids quit her job there and moved here with her husband! The two of them had happily obliged after receiving a letter from His Majesty asking, just so I wouldn’t be lonely. It made me so happy — I didn’t even have the words to describe it. Though we could only chat like we used to when we were alone, she never left my side.
“The Master was hesitant to go this time.”
“It’s understandable.”
Both Anaclerio and Chicca nodded to each other as they chatted.
Since the meeting was so close to my due date, Sir Celes hadn’t wanted to go. Even His Majesty had told him that he didn’t have to come, but I had insisted, telling him not to mind... Maybe I shouldn’t have.
“Oh. It seems he’ll be returning with guests.”
“Guests?”
Until I became pregnant, I used to go along with him to the castle. Every time, I’d see a few of my friends. It seemed that since I couldn’t go to them this time, Sir Celes was bringing them to me. It was probably Sir Gaius. He’d sent me a letter saying that he’d race up to see me once the baby was born.
“We’ll have to get ready for the visitors.”
“Yes. Allow me.”
“Ah, I can—”
“Mistress, please focus on your child,” chided Anaclerio as I raised my hand. Chicca rubbed my back comfortingly.
“But we’re already all prepared for the baby. We’ve had the baby clothes and diapers made, and all the little things are ready. Celes even made toys for them.”
“You mustn’t push yourself, Lady Lucia. You have a habit of doing so,” Chicca said, still rubbing my back with a small smile.
“The doctor told me I should be moving. You heard him, didn’t you? Can’t I do at least a little something?”
After my pleading, they finally let me choose the flowers to decorate the foyer with. Of course, they wouldn’t let me do something that had much moving involved.
Thanks to the lovely climate we’d been experiencing, the flowers growing in our garden were all beautiful. Maybe because of the light I had seen the night before, my eyes kept drifting to the white flowers, and they ended up being all that I picked. If they said no to it, we could add some bright colors, but it seemed fine.
After passing the flowers I chose over to a servant, I decided to go for a little walk outside. Our garden was shockingly large, and after growing up in poverty, I had trouble just bringing myself to enjoy it when we’d first come to Blanca. Thinking about how used to it I was now made me amazed at human adaptability.
“I’d like to go out... Would that be alright?”
Getting ahead of myself, I asked if I could leave the garden and visit the town of Blanca. Since it used to be the Crown Prince’s land and was currently governed by Sir Celes, a known hero, it was a very safe place.
But I wasn’t allowed to go out alone anymore. I thought I would be fine, and didn’t think anything would ever happen, but Sir Celes had forbidden it out of worry. Anaclerio also scolded me, saying that it was just how nobles were, and I’d been assigned a female bodyguard since.
But unfortunately for me, my bodyguard had business to attend to that day, and wouldn’t be around in the afternoon. After that, I decided to just walk in the garden...
“Lucia!”
I turned quickly towards the voice calling me from behind. Naturally I would, since I had been waiting for him to arrive home.
“Celes! Welcome home!”
“Wait, don’t run to me, I’ll come to you!”
He stopped me immediately when I began to move towards him. He’d really been overprotective lately. I wasn’t going to run!
Apparently I wasn’t the only one to think that, because someone spoke up from behind him, laughing, “You’re just as overprotective as ever!”
“Sir Gaius! Welcome!”
“How are you feeling?”
“Lord Reynard, thank you for coming all the way out here! I’m feeling fine!”
The guests that Sir Celes had mentioned in his letter were the Canalis brothers, just as I’d thought. While I smiled at my friends, happy to see them after so long, Sir Celes told me about events in the capital, “His Majesty and the Commander wanted to come too, but they couldn’t leave Arldat for any length of time. They were disappointed.”
“They both have important jobs, don’t they?”
“Well, they did give me a letter to give to you, and some presents. Eric sent some too.”
“Oh, how is he doing?”
“He’s working hard at the survey in Kyriest. He said that the Academy is going to send a second research team. The researchers from the Tower of Learning are going to get involved, too.”
Apparently Eric hadn’t left Kyriest since he arrived there to study the Cristallo Sacro two years ago. I was told that he sent letters to Arldat sometimes, but over half of them were just talking about his research.
Hearing that, Sir Gaius burst out laughing. “The kid’s still a research dummy!”
“It’s a good thing that he enjoys his job,” Lord Reynard scolded. Sir Gaius’s giggles showed no sign of stopping.
“I’m glad everyone is doing well.”
“Yes. I’m happy to hear that you’re doing well, yourself. The due date is fast approaching, isn’t it?” After I nodded, Lord Reynard smiled, telling me that Sir Celes had been in a rush to get home. I’m sorry for rushing you...
Thinking, I looked up to the blue sky. Even though I could get news about everyone else like this, there was still one that I didn’t know anything about. Did she make it back okay? Is she doing well? It would soon be two years since Miss Maria had gone home. My short hair had grown past my shoulders, even after cutting out the dyed parts. No matter how much I wanted to see her — I couldn’t.
I patted my stomach with a sigh.
“Luciaaaaa!” came a faint cry. It seemed my wishes to see her were causing auditory hallucinations. Even so, I was glad to be reminded of her voice. Is she happy? I hope she is. I hope she’s smiling back in her home.
While I was thinking that, Sir Celes tapped my shoulder. Both of the Canalis brothers were also shocked.
“Lucia!”
“Hey, look!”
“What!?”
Eyes darting towards where they were pointing, I saw a white bird gliding through the blue sky towards us. As it got closer and closer, I — no, we — all gasped. It wasn’t a bird, but a monster; one that shouldn’t exist anymore. A white dragon. And on it’s back was the black-haired girl that I’d been wishing to see!
“Miss Maria!” I exclaimed.
“I’m ho-ooome!”
She had returned, and looked none too different from the day she left.
Sir Celes and the others didn’t seem to know she was back either, because they were crying out in shock. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief, but this wasn’t a dream.
“Surprised, aren’t you?” King Edoardo was also there smiling beside her, looking proud.
“Ehehe, I’m back!”
“Maria, what do you... When did you get back!?” Sir Gaius nearly yelled, still in shock.
“Geez, Gai, you’re still so tactless! Last night!”
“LAST NIGHT!?”
She smiled teasingly at his look of disbelief, nuzzling her face against the dragon she rode. Could that dragon be...
“Oh, this is Shiro!”
“Ah!”
Shiro had been so tiny back then. The little white dragon that had disappeared had come back to Miss Maria as an adult.