This cannot be happening…
Since morning, Vivia's attempt to leave the palace proved futile as the restrictions of the royal princess's life soon became evident - more so when that princess was almost killed.
"What do you mean I cannot leave?"
"But Princess, you've just returned from the Demon Realm, and you want to already step outside? The threat to your life hasn't been eliminated yet," Erissa pursed her lips.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean I can stay cooped up in the palace the entire time. I've an important place to visit."
"Important place?"
It occurred to her how as Clairette, she wouldn't be able to explain the importance of her hometown Stras - precisely now since this wasn't just about uncovering what happened in the past six months.
I must meet Master Nara too! How did she take the news of my…death? She must not know anything about my reincarnation either!
"It might be difficult to visit the place you mention, Princess…but if it's Orseth, then His Majesty could agree. The capital city is the safest and the most guarded place after all," she nodded.
She released a sigh.
I can visit Orseth anytime-
Her eyes stretched wide with a sudden realization.
Audreya!
Recalling how she had seen Audreya's glimpse in the crowd, the lost energy flowed back within her with full vigor.
I cannot visit Stras right now, but someone from Stras is right here. If I could find Audreya, then I might learn what happened!
Vivia looked up with a renewed determination. "Okay, I'll take a trip to Orseth."
A strange expression and jitter formed in Erissa's body language as if a question loomed in her mind.
"Do you have anything to ask me?"
A flicker of a beam passed in her eyes, which she seemingly held back. "I…"
"It's okay. Don't hesitate."
"Ever since Princess has returned it feels like you're distancing yourself from everyone…I could hardly believe when I heard that you had sl-slapped His Highness," she swallowed a nervous gulp.
Vivia's eyes narrowed. "I could hardly believe it either that he'd go as far as slapping me," she smiled that lacked any emotion to it. "So I thought to show him what it felt like to be on the receiving end."
A visible change passed across her expression. "You have-"
"Changed? Some experiences are necessary for our growth. My near-death is one such example."
Vivia gauged her reaction to discern any hints of discomfort from her, but there were no such signs.
Either she truly didn't have anything to do with Clairette's death or she's one good actress.
The royal palace wasn't any less than a battleground for Vivia. With eyes and ears open at all times, it was now only upon herself to protect Clairette's body and her life.
A genuine relief washed over Erissa. "Forgive my impudence, but you did the right thing, Princess. His Highness, the Crown Prince, has always looked down on my lady, and to me…you always looked to be suffering so much. I'm glad you could gather the courage for standing up for yourself."
She smiled. "Thank you. Getting my voice heard is what I'll do from now on. Oh and go on. What did you want to ask me?"
A flicker of an untold eagerness passed her eyes. "I…I don't want to remind my lady of that terrible day when you were…But I couldn't help but wonder if you happened to meet the gentleman."
She blinked, clueless. "Gentleman?"
"Yes, the man," she coughed, "my lady is fond of."
Fond of? Clairette had someone…she liked?
As if right on cue, a dull ache grasped her head as broken fragments of the past flurried in but were too shattered to make any sense of. The maid leaned in as if about to whisper a secret.
"Don't you remember, my lady? You told me that you'll visit the Realm of Harmony's forest to meet the…" a pinch of hesitation laced her voice, "the demon you love."
The pain flew away in an instant as Vivia stared ahead at the empty void before her, befuddled. She was already grappling with the identity of the man who Clairette supposedly liked when Erissa dropped yet another bomb. The shock was simply beyond her comprehension. That thought alone curled up several knots in her stomach in nausea, her heart ramming against her ribcage in a frenzy.
Not just anyone, but the royal princess of the Human Realm had fallen for a demon? With brothers like Elvin and Aeren and a father like Rosrell, Clairette had…dared to fall for a demon?
Breathlessness squeezed her chest, the memories of Clairette's love and that demon's face still evading her.
Who is this demon? Did I meet him when I was in Rudaheim?
"Is that so? My memories leading up to the incident are a little hazy, so I don't remember it too well…"
Being unable to remember her past memories wasn't a card that she ever wanted to disclose to anyone. To her, it was a sign of weakness to be exploited.
Erissa bowed apologetically. "Forgive my carelessness, my lady. I shouldn't have asked…"
"No, that's fine. My memories are a little jumbled up. Will you help me?"
"Of course. Please don't be so polite towards a mere maid like me."
As if a slight fever filled her throat, she asked, "Did anyone else in the palace learn about my visit with the demon?"
Her eyes widened, and she immediately dropped to her knees. "I swear on my name, my lady. Your secret was and is always safe with me. None learned anything about your purpose, and I didn't utter a single word either. If they had, then my lady can imagine the consequences…"
Vivia agreed. Just the mere thought of her engagement with Zerath, even for political interests, had left Elvin bubbling like a volcano about to erupt. For Clairette to knowingly fall for a demon would have wreaked havoc in Emberlain.
"Mother!"
Her stupor fell apart and to her surprise, a little boy came trotting towards Erissa, hiding behind her legs. The child from her memories flashed before her.
"Leon!" Erissa gasped. "You cannot just enter my lady's chamber like that. How many times should I tell you this?"
"I didn't find you anywhere, so I came here. I heard my lady is back," Leon stared at her curiously.
Looking at Leon reminded Vivia of Eurus, who were around similar ages.
Thank God I held in my shock but is he really Erissa's son? Erissa looks to be quite young for a mother…
Erissa's apology snapped her daze. "Apologies my lady. Loen was quite rude."
"Of course not," Vivia beamed. "He can come here anytime!"
Leon's eyes shone equally brighter. "Really?"
"Yes," she chuckled.
She then coughed. "Can you make arrangements for my trip?"
"Right away, Princess. Which dress would you like to wear today?"
Vivia studied her current attire and pressed her lips. It was too eye-catching for her taste and didn't suit her purpose to search for Audreya.
"Something simple. I don't want it to be a formal visit."
With her not-so-fancy requirements, it didn't take much time for Vivia to be set to head out. But Erissa couldn't hide her disappointment.
"It's too plain. My lady, do you really want to wear that hood over your head? It'll hide your beautiful hairpins."
"This is fine. Just the way I want. Let's go. I'll first meet Mother and inform her about my intention to visit Orseth."
A loud shatter suddenly resounded from behind them, causing them to jolt. Turning back, a broken vase lay fallen near the window. She surmised a strong gust of wind had knocked it out of its place.
"Oh dear!" Erissa hurriedly began cleaning the shards. "How did this happen? There was hardly any wind…"
Vivia faced the open window, dazed and thoughtful. The royal courtyard outside bloomed with winter flowers, and the autumn leaves scintillated in the sunlight.
"What is this?"
"Hm?" Vivia glanced at the object Leon held in his palm.
"Oh my, it's such a beautiful gemstone!" Erissa gasped. "But I've never seen it with you before, my lady."
Vivia stared at the apparent cursed jewel, the Moonstone Opal which she was forced to buy at Casca's festival in exchange for buying Zerath's present.
"...Where did you find it?"
"It was lying among the broken shards here," Leon pointed at the floor.
Vivia's gaze drifted in the direction of the table where she had safely placed Doloros's lilybell flower and Azarael's silver mirror. As for the jewel, she was sure she had locked it inside the bottom drawer, away from sight.
But now that drawer was mysteriously wide open.
How did this happen? I swear it was locked…
"I think this stone would suit well on a ring? Or maybe on a necklace? What would my lady like to forge it upon?"
She stirred. "I haven't thought about it yet, but a ring seems to be a good choice. I'll take it with me. It's a good chance to forge it on a ring while I'll be in Orseth anyway."
Leon handed it back to her, disappointed.
"Close the window this time."
"Yes, my lady."
Vivia secured the opal stone in her dress pocket and exited her chamber with Erissa and Leon following her. But the mystery of the open drawer still puzzled her.
"Heehee~"
Her steps came to an abrupt halt, and she swiftly turned, her eyes narrowing.
"M-My lady?" Erissa asked, taken aback.
"Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"Someone just laughed."
"Laughed? But it's only us, my lady."
"You really didn't hear that?" Vivia looked stunned.
"No, my lady. I didn't hear anybody laughing. Leon," her eyes squinted at her son. "Are you playing a prank on my lady?"
"No, Mother! I didn't do anything!" He defended himself, aggrieved by the accusation.
Vivia took a good look all around but found no evidence of an intruder.
That's not possible. I certainly did hear a laugh…Or am I becoming insane?