Chapter 5: My Mistress
“What is this I’m hearing about you almost getting mauled yesterday?”
“You’ve mistaken. There’s no truth to those rumors. I only got a few scrapes. Nothing more. They’ve also healed already.”
The atmosphere in the room was heavy. Lord Rose sat at his desk while Lady Francine was standing in front of him, body straight and eyes nervous. Her hand keeps on fidgeting behind her. A clear indication that she wasn’t as composed compared to how she’s facing her father.
Evy was much farther away from them. Only a servant who’s observing.
She stood on the sidelines, most of the time, and would only move when she is directed to do an order from Lady Francine.
She had to get used to standing straight and not doing anything extra like tapping her foot or rocking back and forth. Least she would come off as someone incompetent and downgrade the house’ standard of service.
Which she doesn’t plan to do ever.
“You better be not lying to me, Francine. You know many people have their eyes on you. If they even spot anything wrong they’ll blame it on me. I can’t have that.” He said with a warning.
Lord Rose was a gluttonous man, black hair slick back as if licked by a cow, his nose big and his mustache styled in a standard comb shape.
But what his appearance may have someone think, he’s actually very good with managing his fief. Rumors go around the mansion and hearing from other maids that they were ranking up many profits with the many negotiations he manages to steal away from his competitors. All Evy can make of him was a great Lord.
As a father, that’s where she’s not impressed. Although Evy won’t comment it to anyone.
She’s only seen two times of him with Lady Francine, all of them as awkward and as tense as the next.
“I won’t disappoint you, Father. I promise no one will know.”
“You are dismissed. I expect to hear less of these scandals by the end of this week.”
Lady Francine and Evy both curtsied and left the Lord to his work. They were careful in shutting the door behind them.
Evy stares at Lady Francine’s back and thought to herself that she must be feeling down after her exchange with her father.
It wasn’t a secret that she hold him close to her heart. So having him reprimand her over something other people are pinning on her must be exhausting.
“My lady…”
“Don’t… say anything. I’m fine.”
Her eye trained intensely at the air.
And with that, she drops the subject.
If roles were reverse, she would have done the same.
...
Lady Francine's routine was tutoring lessons in the morning.
Her tutors would be composed of four and were told they were from different classes. Evy wondered if they have schools or is this how they educate children in this country. But if that’s that case, only a minority of the population is actually educated.
The reality of this country is still a confusing concept to Evy.
By afternoon she would watch, yet again, as her lady was being instructed by a trainer to ride a horse, galloping on the garden and doing a lot of running around.
She has moments where she has to wait for them to come back if they decided to go on a marathon deep in the forest estate.
When evening hits, then comes her restricted service.
Evy, Lady Francine, and Oma would go down a certain hallway and stop by a single red door that was restricted to the others who are not permitted to go inside.
Evy happens to be one of those population.
“You can return here after three hours to retrieve me. Before that, you can relax or prepare what needs to be done but do not go inside the door. Do you understand?”
“Yes, my lady” She would say stoically.
This was the only time she is not allowed to accompany the young mistress and Oma would be the one to assist her.
She was told that it's where she has her special class.
Evy has had the pleasure of seeing them disappear inside the room and come out, battered.
Most of the time though, she would see Lady Francine exit alone and have Oma nowhere to be seen.
She’d been told excuses that Oma had to clean up after the class ended so she’s busy with other duties.
Each time she hears it, she knows it’s a lie.
It wouldn’t be until the next day would she see Oma again. Although even with too much curiosity, she manages to rile herself before she can inquire about those special classes. (L:Special)
She fears that if she does, Oma would kill her for nosing around
As for asking Lady Francine, she’d thought about it numerous times, but a small part of her would almost always say that she has no business being told the truth. Evy wasn’t also confident that her mistress would allow her an answer.
She was only a maid after all.
Although she’d also be lying if she says she didn’t have thoughts at different times of the day where she’s hit with worry and will want to ask.
She can try though?
….
“Ouch!”
“Stay still, Lady Francine. It’ll get infected if we don’t treat it.”
Evy looks over Lady Francine’s shoulder to learn how to treat wounds from their personal physician.
Safe to say, some process are the same, but the physician would always dab her mistress’ wounds with something green and has a mushy consistency.
She tried asking what it was and the physician would smile at her.
“This is a medicinal ointment, made from magical herbs that are used to close up small wounds.”
“Does it work?”
“Yes. But this kind of salve isn’t effective on deeper wounds. As for the bruises she has to drink a potion for that.”
After finishing her special class, she'd acquired a few scratches on her cheek and bruises on her arms.
For a woman that is reported to be beautiful, she has quite the experience of getting hurt.
That was why Lord Rose was adamant in her hiding these and not letting anyone reported see her with it, less they might make news about Lord Rose and running their mouth with whatever scandals they could think of.
The potion that the physician had been talking about was a small vial of blue liquid. After drinking it, her mistress's wounds would heal considerably faster than normal.
She has never claimed to have known any medical treatment but even she can see how stellar these potions and healing salve works.
After a while, she was back to tending to her lady.
Evy was bathing Lady Francine again, careful not to put too much pressure in places where her bruises are still visible.
After a while of cleaning her up, Evy mustered up the courage and conscience to ask.
“My Lady, what do you do downstairs?”
Evy had never been curious about a lot of things, but after getting here she found herself more and more interested in her mistress activities.
More so, when it’s something as baffling and mysterious as getting injuries every other day, only to be hidden up with makeup and call it a class.
Then sure, she was willing to at least ask.
“It’s nothing you need to worry about.”
Lady Francine look at Evy with a smile that didn’t seem honest. While her eyes quickly turn distant after a beat.
“Is it important for you to do this?”
“In a way, it is. It’s more a necessity than an obligation to be honest.”
Her mistress started playing with the water. Her fingers still delicate even with the visible streaks of red on her arms. A complete contradiction to her stunning skin.
“I am the only heir to my father’s name and I won’t even be able to keep it after marriage. The only thing I can do is not bring shame to him. I’m doing this so I won’t put our reputation on the line. Muria knows a lot of people had doubts about me succeeding him.”
Lady Francine raised a hand and comb through her wet tresses, water flying outside the tub when she did so.
“You make it sound like the people around you, and Lord Rose doesn’t believe in your capabilities.” She said in a matter-of-fact kind of way.
“Maybe... Who knows? My father and I haven’t been the most vocal with our feelings. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets fed up with me and have me marry Rodrick out of spite.”
Her distaste clear on her words.
Rodrick of house Fedel, was a viscount’s son and the rumored fiance of Lady Francine.
Evy had seen the pictures and wasn’t a bad-looking man.
Although all his pictures were of him glowering. Not a cheerful man as she’d presumed.
Fact is, contrary to what every from the city believes, Sir Rodrick isn’t her fiance at all.
Though people had come to terms that he had been gaining favors with Lord Rose so the possibility of Lady Francine and Rodrick marrying would probably go in that direction.
“My Lady, have you perhaps tried communicating with your father? Talking to him about what you really feel”
“Talking… with my father is… well…”
Lady Francine combs her wet hair again, stares outside the window, and bit her lip. A small sign she wasn’t keen on the idea.
“... it’s hard. You’ve seen how he is. I also don’t think that I can do it…”
“...Does that make me a coward?”
She faced Evy.
Compare to the times her lady would look at her as if she doesn’t have any emotions or would have too much that she would tease her uncontrollably, this time was different.
Her face didn’t give anything away but her eyes would tell a tale of fear and this vulnerabilities that Evy can’t point out.
Evy hasn’t found the reason why Lady Francine had easily taken a liking to her and didn’t even have troubles confiding behind closed doors.
She rather thinks she’s done something that makes Lady Francine be comfortable with her but was that her honesty… or her tendency to comfort people with empty words?
Which way should she reply?
But she knew how it feels like to be afraid that it consumes you terribly. So she can empathize at least that much.
“Yes. Unfortunately, I believe you are a coward, my lady”
Lady Francine’s expression was hurt. Her ruby eyes downcast to the water on the tub before slowly hugging herself, looking ashamed.
Evy realizes that no matter how regal Lady Francine could behave, she’s still young and emotional.
So a hand reached out to pat Lady Francine’s head three times, took a cup of warm water and began to wash her hair while saying warmly to her mistress.
“...But I’ll tell you a secret, my lady. Everyone is a coward yet at the same time everyone is brave. No matter how much of a coward you are right now, you won’t know if you’ll still be a coward tomorrow. Just as you see brave people, you can’t expect them to pave their way without stumbling. Time will tell who you choose to be.”
Before she attempted at a small smile.
Her mistress smiles back at her.
“Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
Evy’s hand was grabbed by Lady Francine. At first it was a small squeeze before she felt her body being pulled until she was hugging lady Francine close to her chest while her lady was leaning on her.
Is this appropriate for a maid to do?
She didn’t say anything as she lets her mistress take comfort in her presence. Knowing she can’t do anything more than this.
...
“How is the young mistress these days?” Evy was startled when Oma came out of nowhere and began talking to her.
“Please don’t scare me.”
Now she wondered how Oma could sneak up on her with how she usually walks. A mystery.
“My lady is getting by like she usually does. You already know that.”
Noticing Oma going quiet, she continued to boil water and prepare the tea leaf.
“Are you alright?”
“...”
The boiling of water slowly bubbled around the two of them as Evy waited for her to reply.
“What happens to me does not matter. My priority is the mistress.” Oma said and grab another tea leaf from the drawer above and gave it to her.
“This tea relieves sore from the body.”
Evy took it from Oma’s big hands, noticing her skin covered with lots of scars and her neck is covered with bandages.
Whatever they do underground, it wasn’t just Lady Francine that is getting injured. But she respectfully averts her eyes and says nothing.
“Thank you.”
Oma nodded.
“Please look after her while I’m not there.”
Evy saw Oma turn around to let her do her job, as she heard the whistling of the water boiling.
….
“I’ll get that and maybe that too… I also think this is cute.”
Evy walked behind Lady Francine who was surrounded by extravagant dresses, gowns, and hats. A variety of styles, seasonal purposes, or trending fashion with the other nobles in the city.
Her lady had gotten more than six gowns and five dresses in a span of a ten minutes.
She wasn’t even trying them on and just commanded the store owner on her preferences. The tailor came out from behind the store and the two began talking about a custom-made gown she’s going to use in her debut party.
Lady Francine is turning 17 by the end of the month, meaning that Rose's household will be busy in the upcoming days going to the day of the debutante. Evy had it easy for now as her only job is to assist her lady get her gown picked, her schedule ready, and making sure to follow her mistress in her visits in different places.
Other than that, there are hardly any changes in her jobs at all.
“I need something that hides my arms and most of my shoulders, my back can be exposed so long as it doesn’t go lower to my waist. Colors can be of your choosing as long as it a dark theme. Anything that glitters is allowed. I want it less puffy and more form-fitted.”
“The last thing I need is your measurements. I know I have your last measurements but we can’t be a little too lax, since there could be difference already.”
“Sure. Sure.” Lady Francine turns to Evy and gave a teasing grin.
“Evy. After I take my measurements I’m going to try a few dresses that I picked then you have to tell me what you think.”
“That would be useless since I can’t risk losing my job saying the truth.”
“Aren’t you already too blunt with me?”
“Of course not. If that was the case, I would have already pointed out how my lady is gaining weight and is complaining too much about not eating her veggies.”
Lady Francine looks horrified at her words before looking upset as she crossed her arms.
“The princess was right. You are mean.”
“I’ll tell you this right now. That is an understatement, my Lady.”
Lady Francine’s little pout slowly faded away and walked up at her before her usually cocking smile popped up.
“To be honest, I don’t mind you telling me the truth once in a while. Despite our different opinions, I think I can respect your judgment since you aren’t the kind of person who’ll takes advantage of me”
Lady Francine grabbed her hand and smile.
“So please, tell me what you think about the dresses.”
“If that is what you wish, my lady”
Lady Francine happily went along with the tailor for her new measurements, while Evy had to stand on the sidelines again so as not to bother other patrons that might come in.
Sure enough, another woman entered the boutique.
She looks to be in her thirties, black hair curled over her shoulder and a big feathered fan that hides half of her face. Closing the fan, she could see the longest pointed nose she has ever seen. Behind her, her own maid carrying her bags.
Evy was told before that she has a very bad habit.
What is that you may ask?
It’s her unrestrained staring tendencies on things that either make her feel inquisitive or makes her feel uncanny.
Right now she was both curious and unsettled, that she began to sweat as she continued to follow the lady walking on the boutique, still locked on her nose.
Get your head together!
“Evy! I’m done. What do you think?”
Evy was startled as her mistress came out of the dressing room.
Yet her eyes swerved to the other lady again as she came into her peripheral vision. Can she smell someone from 5 feet away or does it go a whopping 5 meters?
“Hello, Evy? Are you even listening to me?”
“Huh? Yes… of course, My lady. I’m here” She shook her head as she stared at her mistress.
“So what do you think?”
“Uhh…”
“Do you have something like this, that might fit me?” The woman talked to the owner while behind Lady Francine, her eyes can’t help getting glued on to the woman and ponders about the exact length of it.
“Evy!”
“YES!” Evy was completely cornered by her mistress.
Her lady’s face was so dangerously close to hers that she bit her tongue by mistake, making her internally groan in pain.
Her hand quickly went to her lips in instinct.
“Oh my! Are you okay?”
Lady Francine was all over her now.
Raising her hand to calm down Lady Francine, Evy had controlled her reaction to hide her blunder.
“I’m fine, my lady. I bite my tongue by accident.”
“I’m sorry. If I hadn’t tried to startle you, you wouldn’t have bitten your tongue.”
“No. Had I just focused my attention on my lady then I wouldn’t have been distracted at all.”
“Then it’s both our fault.”
“What were you even looking at, anyway? I mean, I’m wearing something revealing and here you are looking at someone else”
Because Lady Francine had mentioned it. It only just dawned on her about her lady’s clothes.
Looking down at it, It fitted her body to the point that it was like a second skin, her ample chest being enhance by the dress and the dip in the front was illegal to any innocent eyes.
Her cheeks flushed and she choked on her own saliva.
Lady Francine found it hilarious and began laughing at her. The both of them had finished choking and laughing, a few minutes afterward.
“That’s for ignoring me.”
“I would have seen the dress regardless if I had been distracted.”
“So what do you think?” While posing a few times.
Evy sighed. Now you’re the one ignoring me.
“My Lady I know you’ll be of age next week but please consider that you’ll likely cause someone to get a stroke with that dress.”
“What is a stroke? Are you saying it doesn’t suit me?”
“No. It suits you terribly well. So well, that men might lose blood looking at you so please don’t get that one.”
“I hear you. I just donned this so I’ll get a reaction out of you. So far I did.”
Before chuckling away back to the dressing room.
Her mistress was cheeky, indeed.
After getting home from all the shopping, Lady Francine’s demeanor steadily turned sour as the time for her special class was getting nearer and nearer.
She never did seem as happy even before or during her activities downstairs.
The carriage jumped back and forth, shaking as it went.
They were going back home to the estate, and Lady Francine’s smile had been exchanged with a straight line.
“Will you be okay?”
She peeked at Evy before she shrugs.
“I don't know. But do I have a choice?”
“I’m sorry for asking, my lady.”
“No need to apologize. If anything— I want to thank you for taking my mind off it for a few hours.”
“I’ll be outside waiting for you, my lady.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
...
Currently, she was at the servant's quarters eating food with the other maids and butlers. There were rows of tables and chairs lined up as they all paired by group or by three. She prefers to eat by herself considering her schedule doesn’t sync in with the others and she hasn’t warmed up to anyone.
Being alone helps, Evy could sneak away when she needed to and no one would notice it. This time, she overheard something that caught her attention.
Two maids that usually works with the rooms underground were behind her. They hadn’t realized that Evy had sat behind them.
“So I heard it got pretty bad recently.”
“Yeah, she got stitches this time but the numbing potion helps with the pain. She said she can still do it but who knows how long she can really take it.”
“It’s scary when you think about it.”
“I know. What if she gets killed?”
“We shouldn’t be talking about that”
Another passing maid got up and nudges the two talking and was subtly hinting at Evy. Because of this, the two finally noticed her presence.
The two changed tables while looking nervously at her. After she memorized their faces, she finished eating her lunch.
…
"I should wait for my lady."
Her jobs description as Lady Francine’s second personal maid after Oma, was to take care of her lady’s needs.
Her clothes and room were clean. Her lady’s tea was already prepared in advance. After all the minor details have been taken care of.
She was rounded off with standing in the corner of the hallway waiting for her mistress to return.
She had become a statue, staring at people coming and going in the hallway. She had even spotted the maids in charge underground, giving her suspicious glances while Evy was in her head planning how to get Lady Francine to try another braiding style that she learn from Oma.
Amidst all this, she was met with a very strange situation, one involving a moving suit of armor that emerges from the door connecting the hallway that she was standing and the ones underground.
The door was destroyed like it was nothing, the armor that came out was a shiny chrome, the sword that paired with it, a rusted edge.
Screams were heard from behind the door the suit or armor just came out of. Servants running away from the commotion.
Evy, however, did not move and did not say anything.
For some reason, her mind buffered as she couldn’t stop staring at the armor.
At the same time, It also walked slowly towards Evy.
When they were face to face, Evy had to look up a little to see the head of the helmet and heard someone breathing.
Evy sniffed and knew quickly who was under the armor.
“Are you alright, my lady?”
The armor paused, tilting its head before suddenly the concrete beside her head crumbled at a speed she couldn’t fathom. The rusted sword pierced through the walls like nothing.
It was at this time, Evy had fully registered in her head that something wasn’t right.
The eyes that glowed underneath the helmet were purely red and the person inside was panting heavily as if in pain.
“Get away! Now!”
Her body moved on its own the minute she felt the sword advance. Ducking in the last moment, the blade was barely an inch off her head.
Before the body of armor could enact further damage, Oma came out from the underground room and hugged Lady Francine and forcefully threw her sideways. The walls were damaged as it couldn’t handle the armor being thrown at it.
Evy stared as the suit of armor stood up, red eyes inside still gleaming and her mistress appearing to glow a heavy amber.
“Run!”
Lady Francine managed to close the gap between her and Oma. Her sword flung intending to hit her opponent's head but Oma had expected the attack and move away. An indention of the hit blew winds that pushed Evy and Oma a few feet away. Evy felt her heartbeat racing in her chest while she watch the fight unfolding in front of her. The ground shook under her feet and the temperature in the room turned hotter as each step her lady makes, were ticking off her armor. “Evy! Call for the guards tell them the room had been compromised!” Oma shouted at her. Taking the initiative to think for herself, she thought that staying and doing nothing isn’t going to help anybody. Evy stood up and began to run away from the fray and in search of guards. But behind her, she could hear the clanking of metal beating down like a boulder. She isn't out of harm's way just yet. She was stopped when flames starte
Chapter 7 Evy grew up with only a mother to look after her. Her father left them even before she was born. At the time when she was still trying to learn how to survive in life, she never understood people who had fathers. She also didn’t envy them. How could she? Not when in her head, she did not need someone fatherly to show her how to fight for scraps with other homeless children... or how to find food herselfwhen no one would give the time and day for some dirty scrawny kid. No. She did not envy them at all. “Father! Please reconsider, I do not want to marry Rodrick!” “Do not raise your voice at me” Lord Rose had heard about the incident that cause damage to the left main hallway of the house and the consequent injury of two of her personal maids. He was furious and had called on his daughter just to scold her for actions that were beyond her
“Are you fine, Lady Francine?” Francine was pulled from her thoughts. In front of her was Sir Rodrick, her fiancee, as always asking her with those insipid eyes. The first time they met, Rodrick was so careful with her. He was nice. His reserve nature helps his tranquil charm. His black hair and dark blue eyes were very nice to look at too. Safe to say, she couldn’t help blushing when they first met themselves way back 2 years ago. Back then, he was the only thing that lifted up her life that was a series of complete control. He would visit and she would have something to be thrilled about. Though he did visit her time and time again. She could see nothing in his eyes. Nothing at all. As if, there’s nothing in his life that sparks his interest. Not even Francine. She quickly learned that no matter how nice, how handsome and how convenient Rodrick
“My lady, what are we doing here again?” “We’re here to meet a magician that I always go to when I’m in need of some help.” The area was shady, and a bit run down as there were basically fewer people where they were going. People, there were wearing long robes and ragged clothing hiding in the nook of dead-end allies and looking at them, as they didn’t belong there. Lady Francine had decided that she wanted to pay a visit to someone from the downtown and ushered both Oma and Evy to come with her. Arriving at a shop that had no signage and no indication of what shop it was, Lady Francine knocked five times. A gruff voice sounded from across the door before it was open. Evy saw a middle-aged man that had patches of dirt all around his body, his clothes a mess, and a few of his teeth missing. He gave them all a glare, distrustful of the visit. Lady F
Evy could remember the time she first had receives someone’s present. It wasn’t anything shiny. It wasn’t expensive. It wasn’t food. And it wasn’t an object. Her first-ever gift was actually a knife wound. As grave, as she puts it, it was actually her most treasure one. Back when she was in the streets, pulling up cans and metal wire just to sell, and having to run errands to make small changes, she met a splendid crazy old man. He looked sleazy with his get-up, a checker brown suit, his open hairy chest, and his hair that was receding like the new dawn. Manner-wise, he was eccentric and unreliable... and deadly. But Evy owed it to him that she survived to where she was. That much she can say. That was why she wanted to do the same with Lady Francine. She w
Evy felt her hand being engulfed by something cold and squishy, turning her head to the side she saw the blob woman gave her a silver amulet. Carefully not to disturb the still upset Francine, Evy questions the woman. "What's this?" "Proof that I lost. Take that amulet to Devathor Peak, take the route of the beasts and you will find a cave. That amulet is your key to entering inside. I'll be waiting for your lady just until the next moon. If she does not show up I will retract my offer of taking any more pupils. Til then." The woman slithered from the ground back to the water where she disappeared. The rain had not stopped but had lulled to a manageable state. The two stared at each other as the half-human half-spirit had truly approved of the request. "Wait. Did I get accepted?" Was her lady question to which Evy had grinned for what felt like years. ...
Evy had snuck her way back to her lady's chambers. She was afraid that either Lord Rose would familiarize her voice and get her lady in trouble or the duke would notice her. It was her priority not to let any of those happen. That was why, even with all the eyes of strangers following her. She had to play it by ear and get out of there as fast as possible. Thankfully, she did. As she was walking in the hallway and spotted a small servant's door, she entered it. One of the perks of having worked for the Rose family is that there's a lot of entries and passageways of servants to quickly get them from point A to point B. After a month working for them, she's memorized almost all of these secret doors and tunnels. That was how she found her way to her lady's room to change her clothes before someone spotted her. She was near her lady's room when she noticed that the door was open. Evy was sure that all personnel, even
When the world changes, you also change. That’s quite true to an extent. Evy also notices that roots also dig underneath to anchor themselves to stand. The foundation she has in this place was no more but a fleeting stick. So easy to topple and so feeble. She couldn’t do more when Francine had needed her. She couldn’t do anything to stop anyone. Evy was founded through digging her way through hardships… even if that meant, she has to lose a few limbs on the way. She was willing to do the same here. In a place she still had no idea of grasping… but no one is going to wait for her. That’s always the principle of life that she’s used to. “Where are they?” “I don’t know.” Evy was visited by the duke multiple times in a span of two days. They were still looking at where Francine and Oma had gone to. T
Evy spent the day like usual. She woke up, ate breakfast, dressed up, and attended classes. Tonight was her expected departure. She's been planning about it for days. She even took up the time to inquire about Julius sensei about the topography of the kingdom and made sure to remember about the direction to Black Lagoon. Specific turns and pathways she had to acquire from Mina and Treya. Purchasing potions and getting back her request for her scabbard and attire, she was ready to go. Of course, there's only one thing left to do. ►►►►►►► It was almost evening, the sunset was beautiful to watch at this time of day. Especially since the staff will probably have less to do and is preparing dinner then later taking a rest. Fatigue hits after that, which means people sleeping. Back at home, at night was when she felt like working. Mostly because there are less distractions. Fewer noises.
Evy waited in anticipation. Upon hearing the sounds of running shears, she stood her ground and overtly tried feeling for her core to burst. “Barrier!” She timed the moment of the winds coming after her, before converting her essence and visualizing a hard shield. She trusted her decision and heard a distinct pop. Evy deflected the air cutter. Using that opportunity, she used body enhancement and went hard for a tackle. “Ice wall!” Her eyes scanned the grounds shaking under Santina. Ice snakes up from the ground and towered over her. Already predicting the countermeasures, she easily changed the trajectory of her plan and focused the enhancement on her legs before jumping up over the wall. She grabs the edge of it and maneuvered herself over it. She used gravity in her favor while going down and went on the attack. Staring down, she wasn’t surprised that Santina had already erected an ice shield to protect herse
Dune had left the evening prior. That meant at the early mornings and late evenings, she has to do all her drills by herself. It’s a bit reminiscent that Dune happened to be her most unexpected confider since waking up in Polvaros. The man was a big mass of trouble and her respect for him was enormous. As she was carrying a large chunk of weight up the mountains to get her head out from her last interaction with Santina, she saw something fly up above her. Taking a rest, she lays down her weights and inspected the bird flying down. Astonished to discover that it had been a bird half her size with white feathers and a hint of brown spots. It was carrying a large box and carefully landing near her. She stood back and waited if it was hostile but she quickly learned that it was a messenger bird from the insignia on its foot.
"Sit down and try to listen to what I have to say." Evy sat down on the grass, her eyes following her every move. She was still agitated over the fact, that Santina was still in a bad mood over her words that seemed to have offended her. Evy was gazing at her teacher for any indication that she was going to use her magic on her because she has an aching feeling Santina would not be opposed to doing it. "Tell me what you've read that you've already understood. That's saying if you understood anything at all." Yeah, Santina's still mad. "There are four principles in the usage of spell casting, mainly the fixed and dependent spell consummation; intention will always be in correspondence to casting root origin; the affinity of natural source is mirrored from one’s essence signature and; practical casting time should be congruent to the spell level requirement an
Evy heard someone coming to her room and the first thing she did was pretend to be asleep... on the couch.... with a book on her lap... snoring heavily. The person who came in cleared her throat. "Oh. Are my lessons not up to your excitement, Lady Evelyn?" Evy opened her eyes to see Felius-sensei smiling at her. Embarrassed, she sat up from the couch and began bowing. "I'm sorry, sensei. I was resting and didn't notice that I'd fallen asleep." "I understand but I do need you awake and alert for my class. Can you do that for me, Lady Evelyn?" "Of course." They heard a knock on the door. Maj came in and looked around the two pensively. "Is there anything wrong?" Felius' sensei was the one who manage to ask the question. Evy's face was stoic as she lets Maj keep staring at her. After a tense minute, he smiled at Fel
Evy stepped on the guild around night. It's her usual time to visit and look around for requests that she finds interesting, seeing as no one would go looking for her. She joined the guild days after she returned to the Devine estate. She found out that she couldn't handle not being able to do anything and for most of her day she basically has a time where she's free. She got the idea of joining the guild as a means to work at the time she's available. This was back when she doesn't have to train much. She began to do requests that doesn't take a long time to finish and doesn't require a high rank to do. At first, it was escorting an old man around town for 3 small copper coins. Then being a messenger for two affiliated shops going across each other to report real-time messages and being rewarded 3 small copper coins every hour for two days. Then there's also the time, she had to clean 4 rooms in an inn for 5 small
Evy had been beaten every time she and Dune spar. Which was a given. Dune had been doing this longer than she has in a few weeks. She can't put a finger on why she can't hit back though. When they start and Dune would close his gap on her, she'd either freeze up or be too bothered to guard herself. Now that was days ago. She's still keeping up with the regimen that Dune had made her do, push-ups, squats, and running are the key points to his drills. They were back in the forest again. "What am I doing wrong?" Evy asked all of a sudden. "I know I'm a bit stronger and faster but I can't seem to even hit you?" They were taking a break from another strength exercise. Her teacher was drinking by the riverside and was minding his own business when she asked. Dune faced Evy. "Well for one, you're still slow. Another is that you're scare
There's something she's learned throughout her training with Dune. As much as it seems like he's doing too much for someone like her, she noticed that compared to his treatment with other soldiers, she heard that her training was lighter in comparison. She has no way of proving it, just that Maj had told her that Dune was an instructor to the men who are protecting the city. But there were no recruits left to teach for now, that was why he was available. Who knows when he'll be pulled back again to the gates to train newer recruits. That was why she wanted to ask. They were in the back forest of the estate, carrying a heavily loaded bag, jumping from rocks to rocks, when she was struck with the desire to ask him. Evy glances at the front, to where Dune was looking down at her, waiting for her to reach her goal. She jumped... and jumped... ...and jumped. Un
The room was ablaze, the dusks flying in the air. Sticking to her skin were the remnants of wood built across the ground from before the town was built. She was trapped, in all this suffocating smoke, digging to her lungs like nails on a board. Then the coughing would start. A female voice uttering her name. A rhythm made of inconsistent ends. She would stare at the ceiling, watching the fire swallowing everything frame per frame. Her body would rise before she would see someone on the bed, hands outstretched, and voice so hoarse. She wouldn't go near her. No. She'd rather sit there, staring as the fire would worse... ...And she'd be buried with it. Evy woke up from her dream, her chest heaving as felt her skin clamp up from sweat. Her body qui