Chapter 9 — Converging Worlds

"Believe me, aunt. My friend. . he went through all that because of a mysterious woman who intends to bring a Witch back to life!" 

Since Anne made it back to the Palace the night before after a day of complete disappearance, one serious news was brought into discussion between her and the Queen Regent. Going back, she was greeted by Serina and her professor, Sherfy's combined force of fierce, deadly stare, enough to make everyone kneel before they could even utter a word.

And so she did. 

"I-I'm deeply sorry, Aunt, Teacher! I-I will wholeheartedly take all the sanction you could think of to atone for my misconduct, I promise!"

"Do compose yourself, young lady. You're making it appear like we're some sort of abusive guardians here," Serina calmly addresses the Princess' action. 

"Oh, he he, that's right. ." Anne stood, eyes still on the floor. "Again, I really am sorry, please grant me my punishment now."

Head bent down, displaying her sincere apology and humility, the Princess laid her palms in front of her chest. It is known to every palace staff including these three of the good relationship between the Witch and the Princess, Anne herself find her presence to be comforting and secure.

Although her natural chill-sending aura never disappear since their first meeting, it seems that her gentle treatment of her overwhelms the fear brought by the eyes' judgement. 

"As you wish, Princess—" Sherfy made her usual honest remark and has already took a step forward. 

"But oh wait — before I forget, there's something of utmost importance that I would like to share with—" 

Attempting to draw the card she has prepared beforehand, Anne was confident she'd overcome the retribution brought about by the action she did — which she does not think is wrong at all. However, a strange sound came interrupting the disclosure of her 'grand announcement'. Turns out, it was her empty tummy's rumbling.

"I guess we'll have to talk it through dinner," Serina gave in, subtly massaging her forehead. 

"I apologize, Teacher, but please give the Princess and I a few minutes to talk. My time out here is limited, I am afraid," Sherfy cut in, Anne's saved soul felt threatened once more. 

"Sure."

At that prompt, Serina proceed on her way out of her office to the dining room. Meanwhile, the two were left with Anne silently praying for her life. 

***

No dinner has ever been tedious since Serina shared one with the talkative princess. This time, all confident and proud of her newly gathered information, her eyes shine with the significance she believes to be holding — not to mention her hidden intent to distract the lady from suspending her absolute freedom. 

"Oh? I have my speculations all along. You have my gratitude, for the intel." Her reply and reaction was questionably too calm for such matter. However, for the naïve princess who just got a hold of a second hand consequential detail for the first time, she never even thought of doubting. Furthermore, her faith in her decisions and capability is boundless — having it proven for hundreds of times already.

"No, no. It was my friend who went through hell to prove this. Aunt, you see, he cares for the country as much as we do and I know he's courageous enough to face everything for the sake of our homeland," she emphasized.

"My, my. . I do appreciate that."

"Aunt, look. We need more people like him, and I —"

"What shall we do for him, then?"

Realizing her effort to bring her friend's feat up is turning to the right direction, her eyes widen even more as they glimmer brightly out of joy and excitement.

"We're doing something? I-I know!" she happily cried out.

"Spill it, dear."

Getting a grip of her own emotions, she fixed her sitting posture before divulging her thoughts. "He's going to enter the selection, I heard. But he never told me, maybe he doesn't want me to back him up or anything. Not that I have that much influence though, hehe. . ."

"What a dignified man. Would you rather spoil that, my Princess?"

"No, no, it's not like that," she defended. "it's just. . should he stumble, please do let him stay here. You'll meet him sooner so, the judgement's up to you. But I assure you, he's a very responsible and diligent person." 

"Is he not that promising of a fighter, by any chance?"

"I. . I just think he's not the most advantaged." It was neither a lie nor the exact truth. She believes in Tristan's fighting spirit and passion but being a magic user herself, she knows the bound of a person who is not.

"Is that so. . I'll see what I can do."

"Excuse me, My Lady. Princess, Miss Alfeon is demanding your presence." 

At the middle of their conversation, a servant came to fetch the Princess as per her professor's request.

"I bet she's given you tons of homework to make amend for the day you were out nursing your boyfriend," Serina mockingly remarked. 

What she said was certainly on point. Knowing Sherfy, she most probably have assigned a portion of her workload to be accomplished by Anne as the punishment she herself asked for. The workaholic mage is no machine after all. 

"B-Boyfriend!?" It was that specific word that made her feel a rapid increase on her body temperature, causing her facial skin to radiate a bright red blush all over.

"Hm? You seem flustered, young lady. Something caught you off?"

"H-He's indeed a male-acquaintance of mine. T-Thanks for the meal," Anne commented as an excuse, refusing to believe what she just thought of to be what her aunt actually meant.

"Sure thing."

The squeaking sound of the wooden chair echoed throughout the four corners of the room as Anne pushed it behind. Bowing her head as a pardon of taking an early departure, she followed the servant out of the dining area, leaving Serina alone, contemplating.

"Look how far she's grown, Wil. And look who got duped into forgetting to bestow her disciplinary action. . ." she whispered to the wind.

***

"You still haven't gotten over what happened back in the forest, do you?" Johann asked his brother who's currently packing his stuff. Right from the very start, he knew no force under the sun would be enough to change his brother's mind. Still he kept his hopes up, waiting for a miracle to materialize and hit his head up to wake him from his impossible dream.

"That doesn't matter."

"Well, I guess there's no stopping you now."

Meanwhile, Thea, who just woke up rubbing her eyes, came to find her brother preparing to leave for a place she has never been to. 

"Thea—" 

"Eyo Tristan! You good?" 

A loud scream coming from outside the window cleared the three from the tension and gloomy atmosphere that occupied their cramped living room. Tristan, now done loading his bags immediately went out to check on an unexpected visitor.

"Percy?" 

It was his childhood friend, Percy, coaching a carriage-carrying horse. Judging by his seemingly ordinary look, who would have thought that he is a talented magic user who specializes in wood manipulation? Be it a tree or a furniture, his skill allows him to control its shape at his will. 

"Heard yah gonna be participating too. How about a ride? Let's go crash the palace gate!"

Disregarding Percy's over-the-ceiling enthusiasm, the clacking of heels against the cemented floor caught everyone's attention instead. From behind the cargo carriage came out a short, cute yet grumpy-looking girl who seems to be of Johann's age. Her pale blonde hair are neatly tied on curly pigtails, with her front hairs framing her face. 

Even with her lively and lovely looking fashion choice resembling that of a doll, her expression and posture silently screams arrogance and 'keep a mile distance' at first glance.

"I-Is that—"

"What's so shocking, 'big brothers'?"

That annoyingly high-pitched voice, there is no way they would not recognize it.

"Zelda!?" the brothers blurted in chorus. 

Fourteen years old Zelda is a talented mage notable for her wide knowledge in everything animal and beast-related information. She is the adopted daughter of an old mage woman who resides in the town who is renowned for her healing skills and great mystical wisdom, which she provides for the town folks free of charge. Even at her age, her mastery and ability never gets dull. But unfortunately, it is not the same with her temper and treatment of people. 

Back to the promising young mage, although people recognize her skills to be closely equivalent to that of her old woman, they never actually seek her for help. Aside from her seemingly unfriendly appearance, her sharp tongue and contemptous words make it even more impossible for her to be everyone's favourite, despite her mass beneficial capabilities. 

And among these people, Johann is the one who finds it the hardest to be pals with her. 

"Tch. Hey you Johann!"

"W-What?" he irritatingly replied. 

"I'm going to prove you're the trash one here, just you watch!"

"Go on." At that lifeless response, Zelda could not hide her annoyance anymore and marched back to the carriage with iron feet. 

Jumping down his horse, Percy barges in between the fiery conversation. "Enough, enough. What now, Tristan? Tell your kids goodbye now, we won't be back for long, that's for sure!"

Still astonished by all the happenings, Tristan turned back to his siblings, "Thea, Johann, I trust there's no need to remind you both. Just take care of yourselves and don't overwork it, okay?" he reminds them. "I left the money to Miss Yelena. Johann, make sure to fetch just exactly as you need in between your morning breaks. Got it?"

"Yes ye—"

"Ha! Playing cool now ain't we—" It was none other than Zelda and her antagonistic attitude against Johann.

"Shut up zookeeper—"

The girl's eyes widen at that unexpected retortion. "What did you just — you worthless piece of garbage!" 

"Hey hey, come on Zelda he ain't wrong—" Percy once again tried to interrupt. . .

"You too shut up, you sweaty carpenter! Tch. Hop on Tristan, I. Am. Losing. My. Patience!"

. . . but got verbally thrashed instead. 

"It's my carriage though—" Percy reasoned but was just repeatedly massacred by the child's destructive words.

"I said shut your mouth!"

"Alright, alright. You heard her. Johann, Thea. We have to go." Stretching his lips into a bitter and despondent smile, Tristan bid his farewell with a pat on his siblings' heads. 

"Bye bye. . ." It was Thea's adorable yet forlorn sendoff, waving her little hand at her brother's back.