All, without exception, knelt at once, aligning themselves in an almost perfect end when they saw who entered the chamber. The presence that had summoned them wrapped the place with a suffocating weight, so heavy that even the air seemed to stop. Without anyone giving the order, and in perfect coordination, the assembly spoke at the same time:
At your command, Your Majesty!
The atmosphere grew even denser, almost unbreathable. The masters remained on their knees, eyes fixed on the floor, unable to lift them. The silence was broken only by the metallic echo of the black armor that creaked with every step of the woman. She walked slowly, firmly, each sound resounding like thunder in the minds of those who listened. And then, she spoke again, her voice serious, yet carrying an unbreakable authority:
So then… who will be the one to tell me what is happening here?
No one dared to respond. The silence spread like a sentence. The woman turned with calmness, each of her movements calculated, until she stopped before Ursa. She lowered her tone, making it softer… but within that softness lurked a hidden threat, impossible to ignore.
So then, miss Ursa… would you be capable of telling me what is happening here?
Fear took hold of Ursa instantly. She began to tremble, beads of sweat slid down her face, and when she opened her mouth, her voice came out broken, shattered.
I-it's just a childish fight, Your Majesty… nothing that requires your precious attention.
The woman did not respond immediately. Instead, she raised her hand and began to gently stroke Ursa's hair, a gesture that, far from comforting, intensified her terror.
Ahhh… I see. Then… is it you now who decides what is of my interest and what is not?
( Said the woman in a more threatening tone )
Ursa lowered her head even further, barely able to form words.
N-no, I didn't mean it that way, Your Majesty… we simply did not want to bother you with something so childish and foolish.
( Said Ursa with a trembling voice )
Ohhh, a fight? You know very well that fighting among us is forbidden… And yet, you initiated one. That is not behavior worthy of an official of this sanctuary. You know that, don't you, miss Ursa?
As she spoke, the woman let her sharpened fingers slide along Ursa's face and neck, sending a cold shiver through her body.
Forgive my interruption, Your Majesty… but, if you allow me, I can be the one to explain the reason for this disturbance.
( Said Athelstan kindly )
The woman turned her attention to him. She took one step, then another, moving away from Ursa, who released a nearly inaudible sigh of relief. She stood before Athelstan, staring at him, and with that voice of hers—so soft, yet threatening—she spoke:
Very well… then explain to me what is happening here, sir Athelstan.
He nodded calmly and answered firmly:
Yes, it will be my pleasure. You see, the altercation is due to my companion Ursa being concerned about the behavior shown by Director Zarathoz. My companion grew upset about the way the Director is handling the matter of the boy who interfered in her student's challenge… although, surely, Your Majesty is already aware of that.
( Said Athelstan calmly )
The woman listened attentively, then turned her gaze back to Ursa.
Yes, I had heard something about that. But tell miss Ursa not to worry. If Miss Zarathoz were to do anything that endangered our sanctuary… then I myself will take care of her. Does that reassure you, miss Ursa?
( Said the woman, fixing her gaze on Ursa )
Ursa swallowed hard, unable to meet her eyes. She barely managed to murmur:
Yes…
Perfect. Then there is nothing else to attend to here. I must return to the throne room. If any of you notice anything suspicious in our beloved Director… or in our mysterious visitor… do not hesitate to inform me, understood?
( Said the woman in a less threatening tone, though still filled with authority )
In unison, all responded:
Yes, Your Majesty!
Good. Then I shall take my leave. Continue with your duties, my dear officials.
The woman left the chamber, and the others remained on their knees, heads bowed, until the echo of her armor faded into the distance. Only then, slowly, did they begin to rise and silently leave the room.
Ursa, however, did not move immediately. In her mind, a single thought burned, filled with fear and resentment, repeating itself like a consuming echo:
All because of her… all because of your damn fault, Zarathoz!
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the academy, Zarathoz sneezed.
Oh? Are you perhaps catching a cold, Director?
( Said Luzbel, surprised )
No… it seems rather that someone out there is speaking of me.
( Said Zarathoz, wiping her nose )
Once again, Zarathoz and Luzbel stood before the office door. The director opened it slowly, while Luzbel prepared in silence, gathering courage to speak with that mysterious young man with pink hair. And then, in the depths of her mind, an unsettling thought arose:
I wonder if you… are what I have been searching for.
End of the chapter.
Next chapter: At last, I found you.