Evelyn

  ***

  Opening my eyes, I saw a familiar ceiling above me. I also felt fresh tears running down my face. But now’s not the time for crying. Now is the time for action!

  There was a minor earthquake.

  In moderation! Today was the day I was supposed to go to Charlotte’s house, and I’m still going to but now I know what’s coming! I’ve got some time to prepare! Firstly let’s prepare something to get the twins out of the way! Jumping out of bed, I scrambled to my desk grabbing a pen and paper, I wrote a letter. Two actually. Oh! And I should warn Raven as well! Jumping out of my chair I ran to wake her up.

  …

  “I don’t understand at all.” Angelica shook her head.

  “What’s not to understand?” I asked.

  I had already expined things to her.

  “The Goddess told me that people’s memories of me were altered and that’s why everyone is acting weird.” I said.

  “Is it not because you just brought me in here?” She asked doubtfully.

  “Oh just trust me, you’ll see.” I said, before pointing out the window. “Look, we're already here, so just watch. I bet 38 will be hiding as well.”

  “If you say so…” She said.

  Once more, or rather for the first time, we were invited inside after my identity was confirmed. This time however, I came with a small bag. Being led inside, we soon came to a familiar lounge. Sitting on two couches across from one another were Charlotte and the twins.

  “Lady Lottaway. Young Regents.” I bowed politely, with Angelica bowing slightly after.

  “L-dy Eytell.” Charlotte said nervously.

  ““Lady Eytell.”” Lloyd and Lna said, eyeing me suspiciously.

  Seeing them like that I couldn’t help but smile.

  “Forgive me for being abrupt.” I approached the two. “But Magical Girl Melody came to my house this morning!”

  “““She did!?””” The three of them excimed.

  “Yes!” I said, pulling out of my bag two things. “She asked me to deliver these things to the Lord Regents as soon as possible.”

  Saying that, I handed the letter and my broken phone over to Lloyd.

  “I’d like to ask you to deliver them since I suspect it’ll be easier than doing it myself.” I said.

  Although looking skeptical at first, 38 and 19 looked convinced as soon as they saw me hand over the broken phone. After all, including myself, only a handful of people have one of these.

  “What is that…?” Charlotte asked, amazed.

  “I’m not too certain…” I said. “Aside from delivering these, all she said was that she broke it.”

  38 and 19 nodded as if saying, “That sounds about right.” Them aside, Angelica leaned on her cane, cautiously gncing at 38 and 19. Seeing how they were reacting, she seems to have accepted what I said. People’s memories truly were altered.

  “Was she in a hurry?” Lloyd questioned me.

  “Um… no?” I feigned thinking about it.

  “Wait, why exactly did Melody go to your house?” Lna asked.

  “I believe it was a coincidence.” I said. “I happened to be looking outside my window and she was flying by and happened to see me…”

  “Really?” Lna asked, amazed.

  “Yes, she didn’t say much.” I said. “Just asked me to give these to the Regents and then she flew off after giving me a cookie.”

  “She gave you a cookie?” Charlotte sounded a bit jealous.

  “Yes, and it was very delicious.” I nodded.

  “Forgive me, but we need to deliver this to the Lord Regents.” Lloyd said. “We’ll continue our conversation some other time.”

  “Ah-” Charlotte seemed to panic. “Y-yes. Of course…”

  “Until next time.” Lna said.

  Wow they left in a hurry! Looks like the bait was more effective than I thought! Watching the door they just left, I couldn’t help but notice the awkward atmosphere left in the room. Although I’m not sure how Charlotte sees me now, it must be awkward for her to be in the same room as me and from her point of view, a stranger. Well, she has 38, and that maid by the door, so she isn’t exactly alone with us.

  “““…””” The three of us were quiet.

  “May I take a seat?” I asked as kindly as I could.

  “Y-yes!” She uttered louder than she really needed to.

  “Thank you.” I said.

  Under a very cautious watch I took a seat and patted the spot next to me for Angelica to take a seat. Reluctantly she did so, thankful to have a seat. After getting comfortable, I looked around the room. There wasn’t anyone else hidden, no Shadows or anything. Knowing that, I smiled.

  “Good, now that they’re gone…” I reached into my bag.

  38, Charlotte, and the maid tensed up as I reached into my bag.

  …

  Let’s not mind it. Out of my bag, I pulled out a small bag of cookies. Smiling happily, I showed it off.

  “She actually gave me more than one cookie!” I said, holding them out to her. “Want some?”

  Eyes wide, Charlotte looked at the cookies, and then looked at me.

  “W-why…?” She asked.

  “Why what?” I asked.

  “Why…” She seemed to build up some courage. “Why share…?”

  “Why not?” I asked. “Why wouldn’t I share them with a friend?”

  “F-friend!?” She seemed appalled.

  Okay, that one hurt.

  “Yeah…” I said.

  I took a cookie from the bag and put the rest on the table between us. It’s going to be a long road…

  Charlotte

  ***

  Dejectedly, Lady Eytell nibbled on a cookie. Did she honestly think that we were friends? After everything she’s done? Like… Well… I can’t think of anything off the top of my head, but it’s not like she’s been nice to anyone. I mean, even her own brother doesn’t like her. If you aren’t liked by even your own family, what does that say about you? Still… Looking at her, I can’t help but see her as a small scolded puppy from the way that she’s acting.

  …

  I don’t understand her. Very cautiously, I reached for one of the cookies. Surely she didn’t do anything to them, right? If they were poisoned that guard 38, I think she’s called? She would stop me if there was something wrong with them, right?

  Picking one of them up, I looked at it cautiously and gnced a secretive gnce at Lady Eytell… She really doesn’t look good… Normally she has this cold hostile look on her face, but now she really looks depressed. Maybe I should apologize for the friend thing? Seriously, why did she think we were friends? When did we even interact? Rather, we interact a lot. When did we have a friendly interaction?

  …

  I can’t think of one at all. Not back when we first met, or at the camp. Rather the camp was probably our worst interaction yet. Not only did she force me to join her, but she also beat me up, using a “demon possession” as an excuse. Obviously there was no proof of that, but because of her rank, the teachers couldn’t punish her. Until Robbie gets of age, not even the Lord Regents can do anything about her. Seriously, why does she have to bother me? Why not any of the other so-called Saints? Why me in particur? Suppressing a sigh, I took a bite out of the cookie.

  …

  It’s really good… Why did Melody have to give someone like her this? Why not anyone else? Gncing up, I saw Lady Eytell sitting there, looking at her cookie. Then I saw the person sitting next to her. That’s right! She brought someone here with her! Gncing at her, I saw a tall blond woman with blond hair tied up in a small ponytail. She had a stern, somewhat cold look in her eyes, but she seemed more tired than anything. Lady Eytell must be working her to the bone… Who is she anyway?

  “Forgive me for asking.” I waited until after I finished the cookie. “But who might your… friend be?”

  “Ah.” She said as if only now remembering her presence. “Forgive the te introduction, but this is Angelica. She’s my magic tutor for the time.”

  Although still sitting, Angelica gave a rough but polite bow.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She said.

  “?” I looked at her.

  Huh?

  “Have we…” I hesitated. “Have we met before?”

  “No, I don’t believe we have.” She said.

  “I see…” I nodded.

  That’s odd. For some reason, this woman seems familiar, although I can’t quite pce her…

  “Perhaps I had seen you on the streets?” I suggested.

  “You must be thinking of someone else.” She said. “I have only been in the Empire for a few days.”

  “My mistake then.” I said.

  I’m probably wrong. Still, she seems familiar…

  “In any case, allow me to welcome you to the Empire.” I greeted her.

  “I hope I have a fruitful stay.” She said.

  I’m doubtful given her employer as well as the current state of the capital. Hopefully she isn’t too troubled. If so- well, there’s not much I can do about it anyways. Thinking about that, Lady Eytell looked at me with a questioning gaze. Oh no. What did I do now?

  “Forgive me for asking this,” She started. “But your business with the Twin Regents. Have you come to a decision?”

  “A decision!?” I asked.

  Oh no, it's this again! Why did she have to ask about that!? All because I’ll be close to them! It’s not like I’m getting a choice in this! Don’t get mad at me!

  “Well…” I hesitated. “They decided that it was for the best if I were to join them.”

  “I see…” She said, none to pleased.

  Oh no… She’s going to explode isn’t she? I see you stepping towards the door! Don’t try to run away! Lady Eytell sighed and looked at me with an ambiguous stare.

  “Well, good luck.” She said. “If you need any help in dealing with them, feel free to ask.”

  “Huh?” I couldn’t help but ask.

  “Huh?” She repeated.

  “A-aren’t you going to get mad?” I asked.

  “Well, if they want you to join their little group, there’s not much you can do about it. Right?” She reasoned.

  “Y-yeah…” I said.

  In my confusion, my eyes quickly darted around the room. Aside from 38, who I can’t find, the maid looked just as bewildered as I felt. Was… was Lady Eytell always like this? Looking at her, she calmly ate a cookie, before noticing my stare.

  “Is something wrong?” She asked.

  “Are you…” I struggled to find a good way to ask this.

  After a moment, I gave up. Yeah, there’s no good way to ask it.

  “Aren’t you jealous?” I asked.

  “No.” She said. “Why would I be?”

  “Well- I’m going to be in the company of the Young Regents.” I said.

  “And?” She asked.

  “…” I’m not sure what to say.

  How can she not be jealous? Noticing my confusion, Lady Eytell slowly nodded.

  “It seems like there is some sort of misunderstanding.” She said. “I’m not sure what everyone else thinks, but just to make things clear, I’m not quite fond of them.”

  “What!?” I couldn’t help but say.

  She recoiled as if not expecting my reaction. How could she not expect it!?

  “How could you not like them!?” I asked.

  “W-well.” She seemed taken aback at my question. “They took over my favorite cafe in town, so I can’t rex there anymore.”

  Over something so small!? What is she, a kid!?

  “They also had people watch my house and follow me whenever I went into town for a bit…” She added, seeing my reaction. “I’m not sure if they’re still doing it.”

  “That’s impossible!” I shouted. “There’s no way they would do that!”

  “Huh?” She asked. “I’ve sent multiple letters to the Lord Regents telling them about the situation- Ah. I suppose there’s no way for you to prove that even if I tell you.”

  She must be lying! There’s no way the Young Regents would do that! Why would they waste their time watching someone like her!?

  “They also forced their way into my home when I was away and-” She hesitated. “Well, I’d rather not get into that. It’s a private affair.”

  Saying that, she looked a bit uncomfortable. They wouldn’t do that, right? Well, they practically forced their way in here and made me join their group… What she’s saying isn’t impossible. But to do that to a Duchess…? What are they thinking- wait no. I know what they’re thinking. It’s probably because of how they’ve been getting closer to Lady Eytell’s brother.

  Looking at Lady Eytell, I could tell that she knew it too. Given how often they csh, how could she not?

  …

  Is she actually looking after me? I mean, let’s look at things from her point of view. The Young Regents don’t exactly like her and it’s not hard to see that they want her brother to take her pce. And if what she said was true about them following her and entering her house, their harassment would also make sense. From her point of view, they’re just bullies.

  …

  Maybe… Just maybe she’s looking out for me. But why? I can’t think of one good conversation between us. But she did say that we were friends. Why would she think that? I found myself eating another cookie. Then again, she did share these with me. I mean, if Melody gave them to her, she can’t be all that bad, right? Well, maybe. Melody is odd after all. She’ll be nice to just about everyone.

  Still, I can’t help but doubt myself. Maybe I should keep an eye on her. I will have another cookie though…

  Grayburne