Chapter 12 (Emori)

“... I'm worried about Nayala.” Three days have passed since our return from Nanawak, and we haven’t received any news from her at all.

We were supposed to have a family meeting tonight. I supposed it has something to do with the state Nanawak was in.

Me and Prilus were in the castle’s dining room, eating lunch, just the two of us. After a little fight with Fortis, I wasn’t comfortable staying in school. It was the sixth day anyway, we didn’t have school for the day.

“There's nothing we can do about it. Remember our position, Emori,” Brother murmured. He stabbed his fork to his beef, stared at it, before taking a bite and slowly chewing.

“Aren't you worried?”

Brother looked away. “What do you expect me to do? Start a war?”

“Help with the search?”

“It's clear that Nanawak is currently undergoing a revolution of some sort. It's not the kind of thing us outsiders should be involved in.”

“But-”

“Enough, Emori.” Brother looked toward me. “Remember your place.”

Those words stung, but I couldn’t retort. I could only lower my head. “... Yes. Sorry.”

I'm a princess now. Even if I wasn't the next-in-line, a choice I made myself, that didn't strip me of my royalty. I should be grateful that I was born into this position. Besides, things didn't go well the last time I stuck my nose into someone else’s business.

But…

“Sigh… don't worry. I'm sure everything will be alright.”

“How do you know?”

Brother lifted his half-eaten steak. “Call it a prince’s intuition.”

“...”

Unsure what else to say, I continued eating in silence.

•••

“We're here, Father.” Brother opened the door. Inside, sitting on the table, was Father and Mother. In front of them were some cakes and cups of tea.

“Ah, Prilus, Emori. Come in.”

We went inside and took our seats.

“Is there something you need to discuss with us?” I asked.

Mother smiled, taking a sip from her tea. “Unfortunately, yeah.”

“Is it about the things going on in Nanawak?” I asked.

Father glanced at Brother, a slight grimace on his face. Brother replied with a nod. The reply that came afterward wasn't what I expected.

“No. The issue in Nanawak is not our business.”

I gasped. “But-”

“Prilus’ marriage wouldn't happen until after he finished school. There's still a lot of time for that issue to be resolved. Right, Prilus?”

“Yes,” Brother replied.

“We're here to discuss this year's Victory Parade.”

The Victory Parade is one of Syla’s yearly celebrations. It celebrated the sealing of the demon king. In the past, I heard they used to make it one of the largest celebrations in the country, but as time went on, it started lessening in scale. Now, it wasn’t that much larger compared to a regular festival.

“It’s about time we began preparing,” Mom said.

“Isn’t it early, though?” Years prior, the preparation began six months in advance. The preparations should have begun around two months after today.

“This year’s will be a big one, as we'll be commemorating the hundredth year anniversary of the sealing of the demon king.”

“Is- is this really the time for such celebrations?”

Mother tilted her head. “Do you want to help Nayala that badly?”

“No- I mean yes, but about the celebration…”

Events like this made me feel uncomfortable. Maybe because of my experiences in the past, but something often happened when people expected it the least. The fact that this year is the hundredth year anniversary, such a round number…

“I just… umm… I mean, shouldn't we be worried about his return?”

Father nodded. “That's why the military is hard at work improving themselves and fortifying our defenses. But, for the regular person, there’s no need for them to panic and live their day-to-day lives expecting war. As long as we have our defenses up, they wouldn't need to worry.”

That's what they say back when the war first started.

Unable to state my thoughts out loud, I shut my mouth and nodded.

•••

“Have a good night, My Lady.”

“Thank you.” I got off the carriage and walked past the school’s gates. It was already past eight when I arrived back at school, the front gate empty. Since there were many nobles studying in this school, the knights had a special division formed with the sole purpose of protecting the academy.

Other than those knights, I didn't see anyone else. No teachers and no students.

The knights saluted when they saw me entering. I lowered my head and continued walking above the pavement. Brother would be returning later, so I was on my own.

Today was an exhausting day.

Despite me not working as hard as I used to be, it felt somewhat more exhausting.

… Why, though?

Because of our fight, I didn’t go grinding with him… well, calling it a fight wasn’t right…

It was just me being egotistical. Maybe it’s because Fortis always supported whatever I do, or maybe it’s because of his strength. Regardless of the reason, I ended up pushing him to do things he didn’t want to. No different to when he forced me to use White Void.

I should apologize.

Yeah, I should definitely apologize.

This time, it was my fault. He was right. There was no way we, a group of students, could go and rescue Nayala. There were too many uncertain variables. I should have known that willpower is a thing that only exist in stories. No matter how strong my will is, how resolute my thoughts are, it wouldn’t guarantee a victory.

But…

I approached the nearest wall and leaned on it, letting out a deep sigh.

Fortis…

Is there truly nothing we could do?

I couldn’t think about anything, either.

I shook my head, getting all the thoughts out of my head. First and foremost, I should apologize.

I wonder where he is now…

I was about to use Connect when I noticed the appearance of a black aura in the darkness. I quickly hid myself behind the walls.

That black aura… Teleport?

Teleport, like any other elementless spells, had black as their color. Some spells had visual effects to showcase it being casted. For Teleport, that is the black mist that appeared briefly around the appearance point.

I wonder who it is…

I took a peek, immediately realizing the two people that stepped out from the spell.

Fortis and Maya? Where did they come from?

I was about to walk up to him when,

“Teleport sure is nice. Those hours on ship were pointless,” Maya said, her hands behind her head.

“They probably don't want to risk getting stranded on one side of the ocean. Teleport wouldn't work without exact images of the destination, after all.”

Ocean? Did they go back to Nanawak?

But Fortis said he wouldn't… no way…

He's not acting on his own, is he?

Objectively speaking, the problem was me, Brother, and Solicea. Fortis and Maya weren't linked to Syla in any way, except in being citizens of this country.

Wait, is Maya even a citizen?

Regardless, the two of them helping the Eastern Wolves wouldn't create any political issues.

No wonder Fortis didn't want to join the knights.

He's such a free spirit. But, if I wasn't the princess…

Maybe there's a secret magic that would allow me to change my appearance- No Emori, no.

If something happened to me, everyone would be worried. But…

Fortis and Maya headed into the school grounds. I followed after them. They parted ways after that, heading into their own dorm rooms.

I need to talk to Fortis.

•••

The next day, I went to class like usual. It was the first time I appeared in a while. The class was full of murmurs when they saw us. Some of them came to check on my condition.

“I’m alright. Things just went… south.”

Luckily, seeing my condition put them at ease. Fortis and Maya were also in the class. I glanced at Fortis. We hadn’t talked ever since we returned from Nanawak.

Should I go now? Or maybe…

I wasn’t sure. Fortis glanced at me, but his eyes moved away upon noticing me looking at him.

“Umm, Fortis…” I called out. She looked back at me, slightly startled.

“Ah, Yes?”

I studied his face. He seemed hesitant on saying something.

“I’m- I’m sorry for the way I acted last week.” I bowed my head. “I shouldn’t have forced you to do the things you didn’t want to.”

“It’s alright…” Fortis waved his hand. He’s so kind. “I’m sure the situation will resolve itself, somehow?”

Does he not want me to know about their trip?

Maybe because he feared me insisting on going had I known. Curious, I looked at Maya.

“Maya-”

“Hmm?” Maya, who was speaking to Solicea, stopped and turned to me. “Yes?”

“Ah… hmm…”

As I thought about it, I realized that talking about it wouldn’t be a good idea. They wanted me to stay behind for my own safety. I did ask Fortis to trust me last time. It's my turn to trust him.

“Uhh… nevermind.”

“Is something wrong, Emori?” Solicea asked. She approached me and touched my forehead. “You don’t have a cold, do you?”

“Ah, it’s nothing like that.” I waved.

“Emori, are you alright?” Maya stepped closer.

“Ah, I'm fine…” I trailed off. I wasn't fine. We were still unable to contact Nayala. I tried multiple times. Either she was unconscious, or there was an anti-magic barrier surrounding her.

Or worst case scenario…

“Emori, you alright?” Solicea held my shoulders. Murmurs began to sound near us.

I steeled my resolve. “I'm fine.”

If the princess faltered, how would the people be?

If I couldn't stand strong, how would we face the demon king?

Brother said things would be alright. I should trust him. But… urgh…

“I’m sorry.”

Fortis let out a sigh. “... Fine. Meet us after school in Maya’s room.” He waved his hand, making his way back to his seat.

“Ok- Okay.”