Winding back time to around a few hours before the night ball.

  It was nearing sundown as Lucy, who had been called back to the estate by one of the triplet head maids, made it to one of the entrances that led back into the fortress. It was on a dirt road hidden by trees that fnked it on either side with thick foliage. The door itself was a metal door made up of bars that was in front of an ironwood door that had a rich amber color, there were no guards here, but Lucy could feel the defensive magic in pce, emanating from the doors and a hidden mechanical golem buried in the ground just off to the left side of the entrace. She brought out her standard set of keys for the fortress and slid in the right one into the bar door before opening it up and then moving into the fortress itself.

  Once she was inside, she walked into a rge chamber filled to the brim with massive casks of alcohol of varying brands and types, stretching and varying in sizes, neatly lined up on shelves as far as the eye could see. She felt the presence of several people already here and further in the room, so she continued forward.

  'Damn, I must have my own storage area back in Imperia...underneath the faculty building should be alright' Lucy thought to herself as she moved through the pce.

  Rounding a corner, she found the rest of the people that she had already sensed when she entered earlier and it was Mintess who was standing in the middle of a group of other servants opening up casks and transferring the contents of these containers into smaller kegs that were on trolleys ready for transport. She watched as velvet-colored liquid flowed from the massive containers into the smaller ones before the casks were sealed, each cask fully drained of its contents before they were given a white 'X' mark to signify that it was depleted.

  Without even uttering a word, one of the other maids spotted her and gestured for her to come over to help her, which Lucy did without question as she recognized the other maid as one of the senior ones right below the triplets. She stood right next to the arachnia maid as she opened up a cask with a hand axe.

  "Fill up these fifty and then close the cask, I will get another trolley with another empty batch for this one" She added as she tapped the cask twice with the ft side of the axe before walking off

  Lucy, or rather Leini, still in her perfect disguise, began to diligently fulfill those orders. She used her magic to cycle the kegs in a clockwise manner to and from the trolley and then under the hole in the cask that was kept close, also thanks to her magic. Once a keg was underneath the hole, the magic barrier keeping the liquid inside was undone and Lucy would watch until the keg was full before resealing the cask and then pcing the keg onto the trolley, rinse and repeat for about ten full minutes until all fifty were filled and she stood there, looking around for the senior arachnia maid with the second batch.

  "Well, I see that you have done your job well" Mintess' voice came in from behind the young maid

  "I only did what was asked of me Ma'am" Lucy replied as she turned around and gave a small bow with her head to the elven head maid, seeing on the unreadable face that a small smile was forming on the corner

  Mintess looked around and saw the other workers doing their work in filling kegs and then gestured with a slight head tilt for the young maid before her to follow her. Lucy did and they walked a few meters down the row of casks that was on their right before rounding a corner out of ear shot and out of sight with the rest of the workers.

  "I was kind of surprised when I saw you filling up the kegs so efficiently, Master. I didn't know you were able to do such a thing or at least know how to properly do it with magic"

  "When you live as long as I have Mintess, you pick up a thing or two from the travels. I spent around five centuries helping to run a tavern on the continent of Fristasia for a time while Arthur was still setting his roots there as the continent's First Schor" The young maid replied much to Mintess' surprise.

  "Oh, I bet you were the talk of the town for a good while no?"

  "You could say that. Regardless, what was it that you needed? You called me personally no?"

  "I did Master, I did"

  "So, what is it?" Leini said as she crossed her arms and leaned on a nearby cask, her gaze looking up at the elven headmaid, who was usually of equal height to her when she wasn't in disguise

  "Well" Mintess began

  "The family ball is tonight as all of the guests have arrived a day earlier than we expected. Most of them are enjoying the tours of the fortress and have even begun moving around the vast ground of the estate to mingle with the rest of the family. So, Lord Joachim has asked us to get the ball ready for tonight rather than tomorrow evening and so, you are going to be assisting me in the management of the ballroom and other duties I will attend to throughout the night" The elven headmaid said as she looked down at her master in disguise, her eyes holding no ounce of superiority, only that of pure loyalty to a woman who has done so much for her and her kind

  "So you basically want me to be your number two for the evening, whisking me away from your sisters, sounds like a date Mintess, and I am already taken, unfortunate timing" Leini joked as she cocked a smile, watching as Mintess blushed right in front of her

  "Master" The elven headmaid replied with a flustered tone, her reddened cheeks trying to return to normal but failing to follow her will

  "I would never want such a thing....B..besides! You already have the woman of your dreams, and I would not dare to try and steal you from her without your consent!" She added as she fidgeted slightly, which made Leini chuckle

  "I know I know, I was merely teasing you. Still the same 5-year-old at heart, aren't you? That is something that I find to be very, very, Good" She added as she took a step forward and patted Mintess on the head like a doting mother to a child

  "You are really mean when you do this, I think I get how your children felt" Mintess replied jokingly, which made Leini chuckle again

  "Oh you have no idea"

  .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

  About an hour after Martha's little combat css, Ash and Martha were once more inside their room, both of them slightly tired though it was just Martha as the former empress was still fine.

  "That was a fun hour, met so many people and had a bst using my Combat Professor knowledge to help them" Martha said as she was ying down on the queen-sized bed, looking up at the canopy of the bed with her right arm pced over her forehead

  "And it was a joy watching you teach them all. I can clearly see why Mother has praised you highly for your skills as a Combat Professor" Ash said as she stood in front of a mirror nearby and undid her disguise, returning to her original elven form, half of a smile on her face as she was brushing her silver hair with her fingers

  "I was a former soldier and I had to go through a full year's worth of courses condensed into a week by the other professors and passed, so I should be highly skilled" Martha said with a tired smile as her mind fshed back to that grueling month of pain and suffering

  "Well, you certainly showed it and, I believe that you have made quite the impression on them. I think all of them wish to fight you again once the tournament comes" The former empress said as she turned to face Martha still lying down on the bed

  "I would be happy to oblige" Martha replied as she let out a small chuckle

  {!}

  Just then, there was a knock on the door, they had sensed the presence of this person ever since they were going up the stairs and didn't mind until they knocked. Martha sat upright and looked at Ash who quickly transformed back into her disguise and then nodded at her to get the door which Martha quickly did. Opening it up, she saw a maid of the fortress standing there with her hands pced over another and her head bowed slightly to avoid making eye contact with her.

  "Good Afternoon Ma'am. Lord Joachim wishes to inform the guests that everyone should be ready for the family ball, which is to occur ter tonight in the main hall of the fortress" The maid stated

  "Oh? Why is that? I believed it was to be held tomorrow" Martha asked as she crossed her arms and looked down at the shorter maid

  "Well, according to his Lorship, all of the guests have arrived a day early so he wants to have the ball tonight instead of tomorrow" The maid answered with her head still bowed

  "I see, alright. Thank you for telling us and we shall be ready by tonight" The former general stated as she patted the maid on the head

  "Thank you for your cooperation Ma'am. Good day, and do be advised not to wear something that matches the Imperial Family's color code of bck and gold for tonight" The maid finished as she bowed once more and then turned and then began to walk away

  When the door closed, Martha turned to Ash, who had once more transformed back into her original form, and looked at her with a curious expression that the former general caught immediately.

  "Something on your mind, Miss Ash?" She asked as she stepped over to the closet where they had transferred some of their clothing when they had unpacked yesterday

  "I am just wondering what you will wear tonight. I have to match it with something that Mother would usually wear. I know that she loves to dress for a ball if she felt her standard outfit felt cking" The former empress answered as she began thinking of what to wear

  Martha was silent as she stepped back from the closet, pcing her hand on her chin as she scanned the myriad of dresses that she had brought for the occasion. From simple flowing dresses that were meant for outdoors to the more standard ballroom gowns that had been augmented to ensure that she could still move freely while keeping the aesthetic of the original form, she was even taking into account the fact that she had to make sure not to match with the colors of gold and bck. Her eyes wandered for a bit until they tched onto a dress that was greyish with blue trim that when worn would highlight her well-endowed bosom and give a generous amount of cleavage that was covered by a cloth that transformed it into a window of sorts. A smile formed on her lips as she pictured meeting Leini ter that night and showing off her outfit and wishing to see the look on her beloved's face. Pulling it out, she showed it to Ash who was patiently waiting on the bed, sitting down with her hands rested on her p as she watched Martha choose a dress.

  "Ooo, that one looks nice" The former empress said as she looked at the dress being held up by Martha

  "It is. I have been waiting to use this one day, it is one of my lesser-used dresses for formal events. I had wanted to use it for a fitting event with Leini, but I guess this will do for now. I can't wait for her to see it ter once the event kicks off" The former general said with a smile which was unknowingly creeping up on her face as she held it up

  "Hmmm, if that is what you are going to go for, then I have to wear something that Mother would wear to match it. She usually enjoyed wearing suits, so I think I have an idea" Ash said as she conjured up several grey suits with rge grey greatcoats and overcoats.

  Martha watched as the former empress glossed over the sets she had compiled, and then watched as Ash picked one that had fine grey checkered scks with faint blue lines, a grey long-sleeved polo with a bck tie that had a matching checkered grey sleeveless vest buttoned up over the polo. To round out the outfit, Ash had a grey greatcoat over the outfit and her mother's usual style of having an overcoat resting on her shoulders. Finally, to add some fir, she wore bck leather gloves that covered her hands and produced an iron cane that was colored bck, with the head of the cane being a skull of a demon. Ash had transformed herself back into her Mother and did a little twirl with a cackle as she tapped the ground with the cane, striking a pose with her free hand on her hip as she looked at Martha, who was speechless.

  "How do I look darling?" Ash asked with a perfect copy of Leini's voice and transforming into Leini herself

  "Stunning" Martha replied after a moment of silence

  "Really? I am gd to hear it" Ash added with a smile as she reverted back from her transformation

  "It really is. However, I don't recall Leini ever wearing gloves nor having a cane? So where did those come from?"

  "Ah! Well, there was a time when Mother did have these things when she wore a suit. It was a long time ago, though, and if I remember correctly, she won a best-looking contest during the party despite not signing up for it" The former empress chuckled as she held the cane by the shaft and looked down at the skull of the thing

  "Damn, I would pay to have seen that, I bet she was acting all tomboyish during that party no?" Martha asked with a smile on her face

  "Oh you have no idea, she practically charmed more than half of the people there, single and together. It was a fun party" Ash ughed as she tapped the cane back down on the floor

  Martha then sighed as she realized something, despite being with her beloved for so long, at least for the months that they have been together, and the fact that she has this irresistible pull towards her, she doesn't know much about Leini's past. Sure, the knowledge of her being the First and Only Schor of Santomin was still fresh in her mind despite the months behind them, but beyond that, she knew basically nothing of her lover's past. Leini had given bits and pieces here and there but when Martha pressed her for more or about other topics regarding her history, Leini brushed them off or just told her the phrase "I will tell you another time", it was a fact that even she couldn't shake. So deep in her thoughts and her expression so troubled that even Ash who on the other side of the room doing some final checks on her outfit, noticed the former general's expression and could sense that she wanted to ask her something that she cked the strength to do, curious, Ash approached her as she snapped her dress back into her former empress garb.

  "Something on your mind Miss Martha?" Ash asked as she had an earnest expression on her face, pcing her hand on Martha's cheek and watched as the former general looked her in the eye

  "I...I just wish to ask you something" Martha answered as she took a deep breath

  "Anything to calm you my dear. It's what my Mother would have done" The former empress added as she gave her a reassuring smile

  "Right...your Mother, my lover...Can you tell me something about her past?"

  "I suppose I can, I don't see why not. But hasn't she told you already?"

  "Not exactly" Martha confessed as she walked with Ash and sat down at the edge of the bed

  "Then what do you wish to know? Besides Mother herself, I am the only one who knows as much as her past as she does" Ash answered as she looked at her

  "Alright. Can you tell me why Leini is so fierce when it comes to family? When she was with us in Gharintia, she always seemed off and uneasy until I remembered that her children were all of the First Schors of each continent. I only heard about what happened after she had done everything and returned to Imperia. I want to know her past not just because I am her lover, but because I want to understand her further and be of use to her, I want to be by her side when she goes into these issues and I want her to rely on me when something like that happens" Martha told her with a bit of a hurt expression as she poured out her feelings to the first daughter of the old schor

  "Ahh...Family huh? That is one that I believe to be one of Mother's greatest strengths and her greatest weakness" The former empress stated as she had a sort of small frown form on her lips

  "What do you mean?" Martha asked as a slightly worried expression repced her earlier hurt

  "Well. I don't think Mother is going to speak of this to anyone because of how closely she guards this, but, I think it's best for you to know if you wish to really know why Mother is so fierce when it comes to family"

  {!}

  Suddenly, Martha watched as Ash conjured up a crystal the size of her palm and a table, pcing the crystal on top of the table and then invoking some words into it that made the crystal glow a faint blue before is made a projection that hovered above. The projection then showed a video of Leini, in the middle of a pce that Martha had never seen before, a pce with a simple castle, a simple town before it and people of all ages waving and greeting her as she walked by. Leini herself wasn't wearing anything she had seen before either, not the white dress she had a glimpse of when Leini went to go into that other dimension to kill those Leviathans nor the normal outfit she wore day to day, no, this one was different. It was a simple beige dress with red accents of a culture she had never seen before, and they spoke a nguage that she couldn't decipher, as she could recognize it despite knowing several other nguages common across the world.

  Martha turned to Ash who had a hard-to-read expression on her face, watching as the former empress was too focused on the thing pying before them.

  "What is this?" The former general asked as she turned back to the video

  "This. This was Mother's Greatest Success and her Greatest Failure" The former empress answered, causing Martha to have a curious gaze as she continued to watch

  "They were called the Great Piners, on the continent she had named after he mother, Kani. The pce where Imperia is. In a time far, far, far back before either of us were even born and conceived" Ash added before she turned to Martha who in turn looked at her, their eyes locking with one another

  "What do you mean?"

  "The Great Piners were once a tribe. A tribe that was to be the carrier of someone who could change the world and guide it for as long as needed. Mother was that person. I don't know the details, but the Gods themselves had entrusted her with the task of building this world and bringing it to new heights. A world that was filled with a cycle of innovation then immediate destruction that canceled out that innovation, the worshiping of false Gods and the unending monotone repetition of that age. The Great Piners were the first people, her people, whom she would help in this task"

  "So what happened to them? They looked to be flourishing"

  Ash gave a defeated smile as the two of them turned back to the video pying, the former empress waved her hand and the video then changed to another time, a time filled with fire, smoke and the screams of people dying. Martha's eyes widened as she saw children and the elderly get struck down by bckened figures on horseback, women dragged out from their homes by groups of men and men and boys not wearing anything other than robes get their throats slit and bodies dumped off buildings.

  "They were killed. Wiped off the face of the continent. A tribe turned kingdom that became overconfident against those who were not the same as them. It happened when Mother was away, tending to another tribe on another continent. When she came back, she saw her home burned to the ground or occupied by those who now dangled the corpses of her people as prizes from the ramparts" Ash added as she then switched the scene again

  This time, the two of them were looking at a Leini standing in the middle of a burning city made up of wooden houses with straw roofs. Soaked in the blood of the hundreds of corpses lying around her, one hand holding the sword that both of them had seen so many times while the other was humming with magical energy that swirled around the limb like a wildfire. Her eyes were bloodshot and her breathing was angry, she no longer looked like the Leini that either of them knew. They watched as the Leini in the video let out a blood-curdling battle cry before fleshy tendrils sprouted from her back as she charged an enemy, that the video panned then to, a massive horde of soldiers upon horseback charging down at her from the hills before her.

  "The destruction of her home and her people drove Mother mad. So mad to the point that she decred a one-woman war against the nation that had sughtered her people. She won, after marching across the entire continent, burning down vilges, towns and cities. Laying waste to armies that were assembled to fight her, their screams going up to the sky calling for salvation from a God that didn't exist. When Mother was finished, the Gods told me that she had effectively committed a genocide out of pure anger and familial revenge, one that she has not done since then" Ash finished as she snapped her fingers, disintegrating the table and the crystal in one fell motion before turning to Martha

  Martha was silent, her gaze looking at where the video used to be, her mind had heard everything that Ash had told her but the sight of her beloved, the sight of an angry Leini, a Leini that had nothing else to lose, that was what had stuck with her the most.

  "She looked as if she wanted them to kill her" Martha finally spoke, surprising Ash with her words

  "It did, but, I think that was only a small part of it. The rest of it was a desire to avenge the people she had taught" Ash replied with a small nod

  There was a small moment of silence between the two as Ash could clearly see that this was a lot for Martha to take in, she could see the subtle shift in the posture, the eyes moving around and her mouth muttering something that had no sound. She understood it though, even she was like this when she had died and learned of her Mother's past by interviews with her Grandmother and the Gods.

  "So, does this answer your question Martha?" Ash asked to break the silence

  "It....it does...it certainly expins several things about her, from her being ready to jump in and defend her family, be it the smallest of things or in Imperia's case, her students and staff. She really has been here far longer than any one of us huh?" Martha answered with a defeated ugh before she pced her hands on her head and then id down on the bed

  "She has. But it also means my Mother has become used to carrying everything and everyone on her shoulders to the point where she doesn't take care of herself. Despite Mother's immortality, she can still be hurt and neither of us want to see that happen. So, I hope this has given you a proper understanding of the woman you have chosen to be your beloved, and for both your sake and hers, please. Be the shoulder she can rely on" Ash said as she looked down at her

  "I will try Ash...I will try"

  "Then that is all I need to here. Now come, we have to get ready for a ball. It's time to dazzle some folks with your beauty, and show Mother something she has been craving"

  A/N: SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG AAAAAAAA! ENJOY THE CHAPTER!