Chapter 90: The Third Day of the Festival (XIX).
As Analissa followed the former masochist, she gently patted Losimer's head, still feeling the weight of the light spell she had just cast. Her legs ached, and her feet struggled to keep up as she ascended the stairs, exhaustion creeping in.
"Tweet! Tweet!" (Losimer) kept chirping as he rubs his little head in Analissa's face as if cuddling her. "Tweet~"
"I missed you too. Here…" (Analissa) whispered softly, her hands dipping into the popcorn bowl. She pulled out a kettle pop and offered it to the little bird. But Losimer turned his beak away, refusing the treat.
"Chirp!"
To say the bird missed the heroine so much is an understatement. Now that he no longer needed to fly, Losimer could feel the ache in his wings. He once protected their commoner seats even if the other students shooed him for being annoying, flew high up and even searched for her in almost all of the academy's premises.
Especially the bathrooms.
Seeing if some of them were locked or has been maliciously tampered.
It was a good thing that didn't happen.
"...chirp." He blames himself why the heroine went missing, if only… he didn't request for a caramel popcorn bucket, maybe Analissa would've been back sooner from wherever she came from.
Analissa frowns, noticing that Losimer didn't have the appetite to eat and thought it was her fault, she retracts her band that was holding the small kettle popcorn.
'I know I did what was best, if I didn't manage to get this Easter egg now, who knows when I'll have another better chance to sneak around. It was a one time event. I hope he's not too angry with me.' She tilted her head, trying to understand.
"Are you sad that they're no longer warm?" The heroine asked softly, her eyes searching his. "I could... go back and get more for you."
"T-Tweet!" He chirped in protest, shaking his little head. Losimer feels guilty and he doesn't want to trouble her from going back just to grab her a new batch of caramel popcorn.
He decided to mask his discomfort and act as if everything was fine. He pecked the popcorn from her hand, his chirps a mix of gratitude and forced cheer. "Nom, nom, chirp!"
Analissa chuckled, scratching the little spot under Losimer's chin. "Pfft- there's the greedy Losimer I know," she teased affectionately.
Lord Ein couldn't help but overhear the blonde girl's odd habit of talking to someone else's familiar as if it were her own. His brow raised in amusement.
"Still spoiling Lady Alarie's familiar?" He asked, a playful tone in his voice.
Analissa shrugged nonchalantly. "I promised I'd get him caramel popcorn, I'm no promise breaker. I don't believe I'm spoiling him that much. Isn't that right Losimer? This is your payment for a good job well done while I was erm… way."
"Hmph, well, if he's the one guarding you, then Lady Alarie must hold this little bird in very high regard, honestly I just wished you could give him better food other than popcorn." (Lord Ein) remarked with a slight smirk.
Analissa scoffed and rolled her eyes at his remark, "If I was born as a rich noble in my next life. I'll let you know. You know this is all I can afford."
"Well soon you'll have riches to buy lands. Little bird," He added, "you'd better save some space in your stomach for real food. Mere popcorn won't fill you."
As they reached the top of the colosseum, Lord Ein's family's stand came into view, and the sight was unlike anything else. It screamed, he's got money- everything from the luxurious furnishings to the privileged view of the arena below. Unlike the commoners struggling under the heat in their seats, here there was an abundance of cool air, a private space reserved only for those of high status.
"Welcome to my family's noble stand," (Lord Ein) said, his arms wide and a grin on his face, as if he were presenting a grand prize.
"Wow… I guess there's some perks being stuck with you." The Japanese streamer felt comfortable enough to slip a few of her real self in and became more comfortable with Lord Ein as they promised to be proper friends. "This is nice!"
But before he could even enjoy the moment, a flurry of servants rushed toward him, their faces filled with concern.
"My lord!" one cried, kneeling down to his feet and checking him for injuries.
"Lord Einsel!" another shouted.
"Where have you been? Your father instructed you to follow his orders and not disobey him!" One servant exclaimed, panic evident in their voice.
Lord Ein raised a hand, a calm smile spreading across his face.
"Shh," He said softly, his tone both commanding and reassuring. He glanced at Analissa, who was observing the scene with a curious gaze.
"Calm down. I'm here now, aren't I? Oh, and I brought a friend." He turned to Analissa with a smile. "Her name is Analissa Blanchet. She's very important to me, so I hope all of you will treat her well."
"Um… hello," (Analissa) said, offering a small wave, feeling a bit out of place but doing her best to remain composed. 'I hope these servants don't think of me as Lord Ein's secret lover by the end of today.'
"Greetings, milady. It is an honor to meet one of our young master's friends," One of the servants said with a polite bow.
"It's nice to meet you too," (Analissa) replied, her voice soft but warm.
"Come, Lady Analissa, please follow me," (Lord Ein) continued, gesturing toward the stand.
"R-Right behind you," (Analissa) responded, her nerves getting the best of her.
Lord Ein, noticing her unease, chuckled lightly. "My apologies for my servant's frantic display. You know they're not usually this worried about me. But seeing as this is a bit of an event, I bet Father wants me here and nowhere else."
"In short, you broke a few rules just to go on a grand adventure with me," (Analissa) teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Tweet?!" (Losimer) chirped loudly, flapping his wings in confusion.
The little bird turned his head, looking up at Analissa as if asking, 'What do you mean by 'grand adventure'?! Is that where you've been all this time? I thought you were just getting popcorn!'
Analissa chuckled nervously.
"Oh, you know… um… things I can't tell you just yet." She said lightly, not wanting to get into the details with the little bird just for now. "I'll explain once the event is over. Losimer, even I owe you that much. We'll wait for Lady Evelyn then I'll tell you both where I've been."
'Lady Evelyn…'
Right, she still needed to face the lovely yet terrifying music.
If there's one thing Analissa knows what will happen after the event, is that the villainess won't stay put and would probably demand answers to where she's been from morning till the afternoon.
"Ugh… "
It doesn't help now that Analissa knows how the villainess feels about her.
"How long has it been since… someone actually liked me- genuinely?" The Japanese streamer placed a hand on her chest to feel her beating heart. She didn't count all the other suitors who were chasing her before, because not even them could make it beat as loud as a drum.
But her mind was only focused on one thing. Which was saving her from death flags, she doesn't have much dating experience- all of this is new.
All she had were friends and no one was there to be her lover…
"..."
No… there were people.
Many people were waiting to be with the Japanese streamer- to love- to… be there in sickness and health but she rejected them all.
Why?
Because of fear.
'I don't get it… I mean… This is all so confusing. I had a good reason why I couldn't get into a relationship before in my past life. I was dying… of cancer. I didn't want to burden anyone with the thought of them being miserable because of me.' She sat down and exhaled a whole week's worth of worries. 'But now that I don't have to worry about that aymore. How do you respond back?'
"I could use a drink." She muttered, letting herself sink deeper into her seat.
Lord Ein sat beside her with a calm smile. He snapped his fingers, and in an instant, the servants sprang into action.
"Oh! You don't have to-" (Analissa) began, but Lord Ein raised a hand, cutting her off.
"Nonsense," He replied with a soft chuckle. "I'm going to eat and drink a lot myself. The adventure we've had was quite the thrill. It took a lot out of me. We've earned it."
Just then, the crowd erupted into deafening cheers, their excitement almost palpable.
"Alarie! Alarie! Alarie!"
"Penelope! Penelope! Penelope!"
Both of them turned their attention to the center of the arena, where the villainess, of all people, was oddly participating in an event. The noise from the crowd only grew louder as the two women were called upon.
"If you don't mind, then... thank you, Lord Ein," (Analissa) said with a smile, her voice softer now. With a new friend by her side, well things look a little easier on the road of saving the villainess.
"For now... please watch over her from here," (Lord Ein) replied, his tone thoughtful. "We can cheer her on from the stands."
Her eyebrows furrowed seeing as the intense match between the two continued. Losimer tweets in worry, "Tweet!"
"Don't worry, Losimer… Lady Evelyn is strong. She'll be okay…" (Analissa) comforts the little bird before she comforts herself. 'Though… I have to know the reason why she suddenly participated in the event meant for the love interests. This should be impossible. I never touched any of their routes… So why is it acting out on her?'
===
High Section 1A: Evelyn Alarie
vs
Lower Section 1B: Penelope Thatcher
===
"Alarie! Alarie! Alarie!"
"Penelope! Penelope! Penelope!"
The sound of two divisions of crowds cheering for their favorites.
"Penelope! Whoo!"
"Good luck out there! Show them what the lower section are capable of!"
"Kick that girl's ass!"
But the cheers for the noblewoman were louder. And even had a few boys and girls squealing with anticipation.
"We love you Lady Alarie!" One of the fangirls held up a sign that said, 'Goodluck, Lady Evelyn Alarie!' on it. He smiled and waved hoping that Lady Evelyn would notice.
"Kyah! You look so wonderful in that duelist uniform! Marry me!"
"Girl… that's… my line."
"Alarie! Alarie! Alarie!"
The villainess exceeds her reputation, she always has been popular and someone to be feared of but these days with her being in a good mood, ahem, mostly thanks to Analissa coaxing her most of the time- and for her part in the play being successful everyone now admires the beautiful eldest daughter of the Alarie family.
"..."
Lady Evelyn on the other hand had her hands gripped to the sides, looking up onto the crowd, scanning for each blonde head sees. 'No, not her. She's not that one either… Short hair… that can't be her. Where could you be?'
For each girl she spotted she lists everything out, and every time she realizes it wasn't the blonde girl she has a crush on she bites her lip and moves onto the next one.
Lowkey, she doesn't even care about the match anymore.
"I can't believe that I'm actually fighting the one and only Lady Alarie! She's not even using a wand to fight me…!" (Penelope) whispers to herself as she starts fanning her face with her hand. "I could faint! Okay calm down, Penelope. You're as cool as the beautiful dancing wind… I know I can't win the match but I'll make sure to look like a graceful dancer by the end of this match!"
Lady Evelyn sighs, giving up for now. "...I have to finish this soon."
Mr. Wazinki starts their introduction, "What a lovely afternoon ladies and gentlemen! We'll be having the continuation of our winners! Now they might have fought their own classmates but now it's a fight between the higher sections and the lower sections of each grade!"
He motions to the two girls, offering a round of applause. "Please let us welcome the winners of the previous matches, Lady Evelyn Alarie and Miss Penelope Thatcher!"
"Penelope! Penelope! Penelope!"
"Alarie! Alarie! Alarie!"
They chanted both of their last names.
"I-It's nice to see you again, Lady Alrie! I hope we have a nice clean match!" (Penelope) holds out her wand as a sign of respect and whispers to herself of how excited she is to face such a person. "I'm so excited!"
Lady Evelyn seemed tired and impatient to deal with that ball of energy when she's having a mental breakdown.
'Don't break her legs, don't break her legs, don't break her legs…' This warning and reminder went on but she managed to keep her cool and reply with, "Mm."
Mr. Wazinki calls out, "Now then ladies the rules will be a little different now, this is called the blitz round where the same rules will be applied but you'll only have a maximum amount of five minutes to finish the match."
The villainess barely listened to the instructions and Penelope was just having her happiness filled with just seeing her idol.
"If you're both left standing then… the match will have an extension of five more minutes but this time- We'll have to change the terrain a little." (Mr. Wazinki) added.
The faculty teachers were also watching the match, "Oh a blitz round! It's been a while since we've had a good one. I hope this year's batch will put on white a show."
"Indeed, the academy teaches students very well. I mean, have you seen the standard rounds before?" They compared the previous festival events to now, it's always exciting but it's not often that a member of the royal family can get to participate. "His royal highness was absolutely amazing as well! While I find his technique questionable, he did win and set a record time."
Someone's long ears twitched as an elven professor scoffed at that comment, Professor Fraeya couldn't help but comment. "I don't know what's wrong with him… the rest of these faculty professors are blind. The crown prince obviously set that up. He kept spamming offensive attacks and the other student was just barely dodging everything as if it's some sort of script."
Professor Fraeya crosses her arms, 'But I doubt it'll be investigated properly.'
The crowd watches, especially the two, Analissa and Lord Ein who just arrived not knowing what to expect.
"Isn't that girl a little too friendly towards Lady Alarie?" (Lord Ein) couldn't help but comment as he takes his spectacles to take a closer look down on the stage. He sees Penelope Thatcher looking so happy and immediately his instincts knew what it could be. "After the play expect many others to try for Lady Evelyn's attention. You're an exception but goodness, her popularity has always been huge."
Analissa rolled her eyes, tacking the spectacles for herself. "Surely you're just overreacting. Her engagement with the crown prince is still ongoing, you know. People won't… meddle with an engaged woman right?"
Lord Ein laughs at that statement, he has seen a lot of families get destroyed just because of arranged engagements. People meddle more when you're engaged or married.
Many find the thrill for it.
"You know when a noble is engaged there's an even higher chance of them finding a fling if it's an arranged marriage, it's like a last taste of freedom before resigning to fully commit to their duty."
"My god- I mean, oh my light," (Analissa) said, blinking. "I don't know what I'll do with that information."
Lord Ein's smile widened, clearly amused. "I could tell you more."
That did it.
Analissa leaned closer, resting her elbow on the armrest and tilting her head toward him, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"You can't just say that and stop," she whispered. "Go on. I'm listening."
Lord Ein let the silence hang for just a heartbeat longer, clearly enjoying this, if he's going to be telling a story might as well it be something about Lady Evelyn Alarie.
"While they're still going over the rules… I could tell you about Lady Alarie's older cousin," he said. "The original heiress meant to inherit the Alarie name."
Analissa's breath hitched. "Original heiress?"
"Mhm, while she was born into the lower branch of the family it seems she was deepy favored by everyone." He nodded. "She was older, more politically favored, and on paper- she was perfect. Brilliant magic aptitude, impeccable etiquette, adored by the elders. Everyone assumed the title was hers."
The villainess' family was always a mystery in the game. The Japanese Streamer has always wanted to know more about Lady Evelyn, so maybe Lord Ein's source could be the chance to do so.
"So what happened?" (Analissa) murmured, already fully invested. "Where is she now?"
Lord Ein's smile softened, then sharpened at the edges.
"Rumors say she fell in love… with a woman from the south." He paused. "And that the two of them later took their own lives together. Their bodies were never found."
'No way… committed suicide?' The words echoed in the Japanese streamer's mind, heavy and unreal.
"That same woman attended the academy as well," (Lord Ein) continued, his tone almost casual. "Her aptitude was said to rival yours- blessed by the Light. You know it was years ago, but she was originally our next saintess once the current one passes."
Analissa felt a chill crawl up her spine.
"I can't help but find it ironic," He added with a quiet, humorless chuckle. "Two daughters of the Alarie family, both falling in love with women born with the Light's blessing. And yet, no one bats an eye anymore when rumors of flings circulate around that family."
"Alarie! Alarie! Alarie!" The crowd below erupted again, chanting Evelyn's name, but Analissa barely heard it.
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