Evelyn

  ***

  Once more I found myself fnked by Lloyd and Lna, however this time three maids joined us instead of any Shadows. Was this luck on my part or are 17 and 19 giving me a chance to escape? Well even if they were, what’s more likely is that these maids are those fantastic combat maids that Celestia talks about! I’ve never seen one, but maybe that will all change today?

  “First we’re going to be visiting the dining room.” Lloyd said.

  “What’s so special about a dining room?” I couldn't help but ask.

  “Oh, you’ll know it when you see it!” Lna said excitedly.

  Is it really that special? Regardless, I need to be careful around any food and drinks they offer me. Walking down one of the private halls where only the Regent’s family and some servants used, we were away from the more administrative portion of the building. So, luckily there wasn’t anyone to question why we were here. It also helped that my two guides live here, so there's that.

  Anyways, soon enough we came into the dining room. It was spectacur, with a high ceiling and tall gss windows overlooking the Capital, but that was all. Oh, and there was the dining table, which seemed much longer than it should be for a family of four. Failing to notice my ck of enthusiasm, Lna grabbed my hand and pulled me in. I really didn’t want this tour, but they insisted… Oh! I know! Since they used some dirty tricks on me, let’s take every opportunity to make them feel bad! It’s not quite revenge but it'll be fun, so close enough!

  “This is my seat, and this is Lloyd’s!” Lna pointed out excitedly.

  “Right next to each other?” I asked. “You two must get along very well.”

  “Most of the time.” Lna said. “But even we have our disagreements every so often.”

  “Still, you two must be very close.” I smiled. “Robbie is rather shy, so I’m a bit jealous.”

  “Ah-” Lna froze.

  Lna had a complicated look on her face and Lloyd looked a bit awkward.

  “W-well, let’s move along.” Lloyd said. “There’s not much to see here.”

  “Led the way.” I smiled.

  A bit hurried, the two led me out of the dining room. I wonder where they’ll take me next? I didn’t have to wonder too long as I was soon taken into an art gallery. On the walls were magnificent paintings along with vases and artifacts sitting on podiums.

  “My, how magnificent!” I lied.

  Okay, so maybe it’s just me but these just look like paintings. I’m sure that they’re good, but isn’t that the point? I don’t know anyone who goes out of their way to make a bad painting. Well, I’ve seen plenty of bad paintings, but I don’t think they were made bad on purpose.

  “I know.” Lna nodded confidently. “Mom painted this one herself.”

  “Really?” I asked surprised. I didn’t know that she painted.

  “She’s talented.” Lloyd said. “Though she says that it’s only the skill of a hobbyist.”

  “That’s amazing.” I said.

  For a hobbyist, this is good. Looking at the paintings, the two told me the names of the works and short summaries of what they are about. Many of them were ndscapes with only a few depicting buildings and even less with people. However after a few I stopped in front of one particur painting. One she couldn't have possibly painted. This one was a family portrait of the Regents. Given how old the twins looked in this, it must have been a recent one. They really do look alike… I wonder what happened to my portrait with Mom and Dad? Lost looking at the portrait, I failed to notice that Lna grabbed hold of my hand.

  “Why don’t we check out the library?” She suggested.

  “Yeah.” I said quietly.

  Trying not to think of them, I followed them down the halls. Along the way, I avoided looking at any of the various family portraits that were lining the walls. The two tried to keep me distracted with idle talk, but it didn’t help much.

  Eventually we made it to the library. It seemed like this was an add on to the original building as this pce was a tall auditorium like thing but had many balcony-like levels with walls of bookcases. It kind of looked like an open air quarry, but instead of stone it was books. Honestly this was the most impressive part of the… Well I guess this is part of their house, but it’s also called the Capitol building sometimes, but this is in the private part that outsiders are allowed in without permission, so..? Anyway, this library was impressive, even back on Earth, I haven’t seen any libraries this big that weren’t filled with ghosts. Seriously, not a single ghost in sight!

  “Is there anything in particur you want to see?” Lloyd asked.

  “Nothing I can think of.” I lied.

  Truthfully I wanted to look for anything that might be able to help with the whole memory wiping spell they wanted to use on me. But that will definitely be suspicious if I were to start asking about it. For now, let’s look around at random. Who knows, I might find something interesting.

  …

  Walking between towering bookcases and high walls, we were surrounded by books as Lloyd and Lna told me about what sections we explored. When they didn’t know, the maid who delivered us tea told of what she knew. Even asking her and the others however, no one in our group knew about every section of the library.

  Given that we didn’t have any particur section in mind, we roamed freely and eventually came across a pce that had the faint odor of cigar smoke. I wonder if the Orson frequents this area? Wait, does he even smoke? Oh well, it doesn’t concern me.

  Stopping at a tall bookcase, I skimmed over the titles… Huh? This one’s bnk? Rather a lot of them are. I’m curious…

  “Can I look at these?” I asked.

  “I don’t see any problem in it.” Lloyd said.

  “It’s not like we’re going to take any of them out of here anyway.” Lna agreed.

  With their permission, I pulled the book from its pce. What an odd cover… Is it an art book? Opening it up to a random page, I was immediately confused as to why a woman was sitting on that guy’s face. The next thing I knew, my eyes were covered and I felt the book being snatched out of my hands.

  “Ah?” I said.

  “Huh?” Lna asked.

  “Perhaps we should have tea in the garden.” The maid who gave me the ced tea suggested.

  Given how close her voice was, she was the one covering my eyes.

  “T-thats a good idea!” Lloyd said, sounding flustered.

  “Y-yeah!” Lna quickly agreed, also sounding flustered.

  I feel like I saw something I shouldn’t have. I also feel like it would be a bad idea to ask about it…

  “O-okay…” I said, troubled.

  Still, I was a bit cautious of drinking any more tea offered to me. I know I can dispel it, but only if I know about it. I got lucky the first time, but there's no guarantee it'll happen again. Maybe I can get out of this… Think Melody! Think!

  …

  Ah! That’s it!

  “If it's too much to ask, can we go to a cafe in town?” I asked, eyes still covered.

  If what I saw was really bad, then surely they would want to keep me far away from it, right? Luckily, Lna seemed to think so.

  “That’s a great idea!” She quickly said. “Let’s go!”

  Saying that, we headed off with Lna leading the way. Or at least I think she did. I still had my eyes covered for some time. As soon as they came off, I saw that the maid who was covering my eyes looked a bit red in the face. Well, everyone did. I see… So, whatever I saw was considered to be embarrassing. Considering that this was in the private section, it must involve the Regent’s family. Maybe one of them was a fart sniffer? I would want to hide that away if one of my retives was a fart lover. Without much time to think about it, Lna interrupted my thoughts.

  “So, do you have any particur cafe in mind?” She asked.

  “Well, there is this one not far from the academy that I like to visit.” I said.

  “That’s good.” Lloyd nodded. “After that we can take you to your house.”

  “Oh no need, it’s well within walking distance.” I said.

  Honestly it would probably take more time to get to my house by carriage just because of the security precautions for the twins. They are the future rulers after all. Thinking that I heard something, rather a ck of something. Was I the only one walking? Turning around, I saw the group looking at me as if I was a strange animal. Did something happen?

  “Surely…” Lloyd started. “You must be joking?”

  “No? It’s fairly close to my home…” I said.

  Why would I lie about this and waste my time?

  “Have you…” Lna looked at me concerned. “Have you walked there from your home before?”

  “Yes?” I said.

  The two looked horrified and the maids themselves started turning pale.

  “Is that bad?” I asked.

  Surely after the camp, they don’t think that I can’t take care of myself, right?

  “With guards?” Lna asked.

  Well, there was 38, but I don’t think I should tell them about her.

  “The capital isn’t so unsafe that I can’t walk by myself.” I said.

  “There were kidnappers!” Lna said.

  “The ones from years ago?” I asked.

  The very same guys who I punched in the back of their heads with the same brass knuckles that I have in my bag?

  “No recently!” Lna said, and then hesitated. “Well… Was it that long ago?”

  “I haven’t heard of anything recently.” I said.

  “Does someone walk with you?” Lloyd asked.

  “Why are you interested with this?” I asked.

  I do know that some people see me as some sort of mascot, but that doesn't mean that I need to be protected at every moment of every day.

  “What would happen if you were to get sick?” He asked.

  “I don’t get sick that often.” I said, and then paused. “I don’t… Do I?”

  “I don’t think there’s a single week which you haven’t missed a day.” Lna said.

  “I’m sure it’s not that bad…” I said.

  Although as I thought about it, maybe that’s true… Regardless, we still headed out to the cafe. Coming with us was 19, and because of that, Angelica was flying high above us, keeping watch of the area. I have yet to tell her about what happened, but I’m gd that she’s already acting like security. Well, not like security but more like an early warning. I don’t expect anything to happen, but it’s nice to know that she’s there.

  “Please bring an escort next time.” Lna said.

  “If I must.” I sighed.

  I’m not going to at all. I don’t need a guard. Although if you do ask 38 to be put in charge of me again, I won’t compin.

  “Seriously, please bring an escort next time.” Lloyd said.

  “Yes, I will.” I lied.

  “Please don’t be lying.” Lna said. “We’re honestly worried about you.”

  “I’m not.” I lied.

  “Please say that you aren’t lying.” Lloyd requested.

  “I’m not lying.” I lied.

  “Promise that you aren’t just saying that to make us feel better.” Lna said.

  “I’m not.” I lied.

  ““…”” The two looked at me.

  I don’t think they believe me…

  “Do you have some sort of guard?” Lna asked.

  “Yes, it’s-” I hesitated. I don’t have any guards. “There’s some at my house.”

  “Do they ever leave your house?” Lloyd asked.

  “I won’t discuss the security of my home.” I said.

  “Well, do you have any guards shadowing you?” Lna asked.

  “If you keep asking about this, I’m going to leave.” I said.

  There we go. A line in the sand. A clear boundary that I don’t want you to cross. So, let’s end it here and go one with our day.

  “But you have a few, right?” Lloyd asked.

  “Yeah, any secret bodyguards hanging around you?” Lna asked.

  “…” I looked at them with tired eyes. Even 19 seemed to shake her head, seemingly aware of my annoyance. Making eye contact with me, she nodded, giving me permission.

  Alright, with permission and as good an excuse as any, let’s get out of here. Turning around, I headed towards the main entrance. Wait, no that’ll bring me past the portraits again. I head to the nearest window.

  Orson

  ***

  Rubbing my temples, I sighed.

  “And you just let her jump from the third floor?” I asked.

  “Fourth actually.” 19 said. Unlike normally, she was visible for all to see.

  “She’s faster than I thought!” Lna said. “I didn’t even realize what was happening until she was already halfway out the window!”

  “I didn’t think she would actually jump!” Lloyd said.

  Once more I sighed. To think they would annoy her to such an extent… No! What am I thinking! Who in the world jumps out of a window just because they’re annoyed!? Why would anyone do that!? Having already been informed that the Young Lady Evelyn left on her own two feet, I already knew that she was okay. But still, that girl…

  Who leaves the Pace on foot? The guards were so bewildered by her actions that they didn’t stop her. Surely, they thought, surely she’s being picked up? As they watched her walk off, they realized that she intended to walk home. By then, she was already too far to call out to. It’s possible that they could have ran after her, but they were ordered to guard the gates, not chase after girls. Seriously, Evelyn…

  We need to keep this news from spreading… If other kingdoms were to hear rumors that Evelyn was at odds with us, they'd do anything to take her in. Especially since they now know of her powers. Thinking about it, I began to worry. She didn’t notice did she? Although 17 and 19 both assured me of the enchantments in the room being used, I couldn’t help but worry that she may have noticed… Regardless, we need to send her an apology for offending her. Not only that, but something else to prove that we are on good terms. How troublesome…

  “Please bring me a pen and some paper…” I sighed. “As for you two, be sure to apologize for what you did the next time you see her.”

  “We didn’t even do anything…” Lna mumbled.

  “Yeah, she just got angry out of nowhere and jumped out of the window.” Lloyd argued.

  “…” I looked to 19 for answers.

  “She said that if they were to continue asking about her personal security she would leave.” 19 said.

  “Did you?” I asked my kids.

  ““…”” They averted their eyes.

  “Be sure to apologize tomorrow.” I said.

  ““Yes…”” The two said.

  With that, they left my office, leaving me to figure out a way to appease Evelyn. In many ways, she truly is a troublesome child…

  Grayburne