It is difficult to stantly maintain a mask of seriousness and maturity. Being forced to always be that perfect dy, who follows all the rules aiquette to the letter. It's too exhausting. I feel like I'm going to break at some point.

  It was even worse when Nya was born. I felt it was my duty to bee an older sister she could depend on, someoo guide her and teach her how to behave in a noble society.

  I still feel that was the right decision.

  But how could I do such a thing? I'm no good at it. Socializing is not my thing. How could I teach her how to behave at a social event, when I barely keep myself sane doing it?

  I hated every moment before and during my fifth birthday. I was terrified and disgusted at having to perform in front of so many people, let alone have to give a speech. My parents said it would be fine. Maki even helped me e, but I felt it had been t to be with so many strangers in that hall.

  I even tried to ask Losward for help, but as usual, he turned me down. It got to the point of even making fun of me and wishing my party was a disaster just like I was. I never mao get along with him. Much less when I realized that he hated me for "stealing" his position as heir. Something I had nothing to do with.

  My twelfth birthday was er either. Fortunately, it was a for multiple young people entering the adult world, so I didn't have to worry about anything simir to the previous one.

  So, when Nya was born, I thought I should be better than my elder brother. To cherish and care for my new baby sister. But, as time went on, I realized that I was terrible at that.

  I know that, despite everything, Nya loves me, and I know she thinks I'm a great big sister, but what have I done for her?

  Whenever I could, I spent time with her, pying together, or tried to tell her stories to eain her. Sometimes I even help feed her or ge her. I know those things are important, but seriously... have I even taught her anything? Isn't it my duty as her big sister to teach her things?

  And now that Tya was born, the pressure has only increased.

  I know that, if I set a good example for Nya, she will pass it on to Tya. But being the role model has made me doubt even more if what I'm doing means anything...if I've been doing things right.

  Mom, Dad, and Maki don't know anything about this. I am pletely incapable of telling them that I 't take this pressure. What would they think of me if I told them? I am the heir to the house. If they found out they will feel... disappoihey might even take away the title of heir from me and give it to Nya or Tya. I don't want to put that kind of pressure on them. I want them to have the freedom that I have not been able to have.

  But...as tradictory as it sounds, or selfish of me, this is a responsibility that I don't want to have either, and that would be so much easier for me if it were theirs.

  I disgust myself.

  I feel exhausted, lost, and annoyed stantly. My few breaks are when I get to spend time with my little sisters.

  Nya's birthday erhaps, the greatest joy I have had siya's birth.

  I was able to hahings thanks to having Tya in my arms, she gave me enough strength to be able to withstand all those stares. But, when I apanied Nya to greet the guests, I barely mao ehe first few before I had to drop everything and leave.

  She was doing so much better than I could ever do in my entire life. And when I presented her gift, I was only able to do so because of Nisire's encement.

  Nisire.

  She had e into my life to bey biggest support and the biggest reason why I hadn't pletely colpsed until now.

  I thank Erka for putting her on my path and haviay by my side.

  I remember the day I met her. It was a couple of weeks before Tya was born.

  I was at a tea party anized by the daughter of tess Eleios, from a ty to the south and part of the territory of the Par Duchy. Fortunately, it was not too big a. There were only 8 of us girls, sitting around the same table. So, I didn't feel like I was suffog.

  The versations were on topics I knew and liked, so things were going well at first. It seemed that at least this time, I could handle being in that pce without wanting to empty the tents of my stomach.

  But then... came the question.

  "Lady Baelian. I uand you are of the Atenosia tribe, is that correct?" asked Lady Eleios. A straone in her voice as she asked such a question.

  "Y-yes, from my mother."

  "I see. I uood that they perform a rite, is that correct? Something to do with their... tails." Again, her question sounded somewhat strahere was silend the atmosphere ged pletely.

  All eyes were on me. I began to feel anxious; my throat went dry and and the beat of my heart intensified. I wao get out of there immediately because I knew what was ing, but I couldn't just get up and leave. It would only gee rumors and affect the image that I had worked so hard to build.

  The image I had created of myself was of a serious and calm girl. Only my family khat at home I was much more rexed and expressive. I could not afford to simply drop that mask. Not only would it destroy my reputation, but it would also affect my position as a heiress. If that happened, it would be one of my sisters who would have to deal with that position.

  I had made up my mind, I couldn't let them have to carry that.

  What should I do then?

  I tried to keep my expressioral and serious, hoping that at least that would work.

  "Right, right. They usually call them Van or something, don't they?" asked another of the guests. Lady ea, from a baron house, also hails from the south. Her words were clearly a form of provocation.

  They were mog me, trying to provoke some kind of response or rea. They were both from the Elenios tribe, a tribe that, apart from their extravagantly designed horns, had no remarkable appearahey tend to be rather arrogant and pretentious, something caused by their over-infted egos. Something I had no way to ter at the time.

  "V-Vah. It's called... Vah..." I tried to correct her but received disguised ughter in response.

  "That, that. So, where is it?" Lady Eleios took up the flain, pressih her question.

  I didn't want to answer...to do so would reveal that I was nothing more than...a failure.

  "Where's what?" I tried to py dumb, hoping they would somehow get bored with my rea and drop the subject. But... that wasn't going to happen. Even if I told them that I was not obligated to respond, it would only cause them to bee even more suspicious or directly make accusations that could be damaging to me.

  "Your "Vah" Lady Baelian. Where is it?" I could sense from her tohat she knew something. That she somehow knew or at least had a strong suspi of what was going on with me.

  "..."

  What should I have do that moment? I was terrified that they would find out. What if they did? What should I say then? The mockery I would receive, the insults. Even if I refused to answer or answered vaguely, it would only gee worst rumors. And seeing how they were ag, they would do their best to destroy me socially.

  It was already difficult to attend parties and other social events, and I could only e because I was not the ter of attention. After all, thanks to the image I have been building, they prefer to keep a respectful distance. But what would happen after today? The stares, the whispers... they wouldn't stop. I... I...

  *PAM*

  A sudden bang oable broke the tension imosphere. We all immediately turo the girl who had provoked that shrill sound.

  "Lady Eleios, don't you think you're being too rude?"

  The dy spoke with annoyan her voice, critig the hostess' as. It was her. My savior. Who couldn't stand the way I was being made the object of ridicule by the rest.

  She rose from her seat, gring with clear disdain at all the others who had joined in the giggles and ents.

  "I accepted the invitation because I thought it would be a social gathering among nobles, but it looks like I was wrong. It's just a bunch of rats squealing for food." She said, spitting venom in every word. As that trasted perfectly with the fierce expression on her face.

  This young dy who had risen to my defense is Nisire Burmont, daughter of Eleas Burmont. Part of the Neriaribe, who live ierritory of Lachea in the north.

  She was simply beautiful. The bright blue tendrils, whi her tribe repced locks of hair, adorned her head, moving softly as if gentle sea waters were caressing them. They trailed down her face, embrag her soft amon skin, a beautiful shade that looked as if it had been kissed by the shimmering sisters, Mita and Sura in the sky.

  Her o-blue eyes tained a cross within them, which gave those present an angry look, senteng and ning them.

  She moved away from her seat, heading straight for me. Her simple dress of a turquoise color, was very different from the rge and ostentatious dresses I was so aced to in the capital. It was tighter to her body, which was slim, and slightly emphasized a few muscles on her arms and torso. The fabric barely covered the upper part of her abundant chest, highlighting them, and which, trary to what one would think, remained firm despite her walking movements.

  The short skirt, with almost no ador on it, showed off her beautiful legs. With each step she took, ing closer and closer to my pce, the more I realized how imposing her presence was.

  Her short tail, simir iure to the tendrils on her head, swayed gently behind her, and with eaent, thousands of different colors shimmered as she received the warm light from the sisters in the sky.

  Spoiler

  [colpse]Finally, the beautiful girl reached my pce. She stood o me and gave me a kind smile, with joyful and somewhat expet eyes. She offered me her hand and spoke to me in a soft, soothing voice.

  "I beg your pardon for intruding, but, sihis tea party offers you nothing positive or of i; aher to me personally, may I suggest a better option?" offered Nisire, her tone formal and polite. Her eyes were fixed on mine, and for some reason, I did not feel intimidated uhat gaze.

  I had been mesmerized by those intense, exotic blue eyes. A gaze that seemed to want to bare the depths of my soul. And not in an unfortable way. No. It almost made me want to show her everything that was hidden inside my heart.

  My silence seemed to make her nervous, perhaps thinking that her words would have been rude or inappropriate. She addressed me again in her formal tone, perhaps hoping her words would be more ving.

  "Excuse me, Lady Baelian. I am unfamiliar with prioiquette, so it is possible that I may sound rude, but I would like to be able to get to know you better. Therefore, would it be too forward of me to invite you to tea at my home? Whereas there is no longer any reason for either you or I to remain here any longer, would you grant me su honor?"

  Whether it was because I didn't want to stay, or... because I was seduced by her words, I accepted the gesture, feeling nervous and grateful.

  Seeing me accept her hand, Nisire smiled in relief and carefully helped me up from my pce. She guided my hand towards her, to hold her arm and wi me, then moved towards the rest of the guests.

  "I think it's time for me to leave. Something vastly more important has just e up than staying at this... ea party." Nisire said. Emphasizing the st part, showing clear sarcasm. "Lady Baelian has kindly offered to be my escort, so I hope there's no problem with her leaving as well, is there?"

  There was a silen the pce. Lady Eleios had a bitter expression, knowing that Nisire had not only interrupted her fun but was takioy" away. Sihere was no response, Nisire nodded, and together we left the pce.

  A couple of days ter, through a letter from Nisire, I learhat Lady Eleios was harshly criticized by her family and that even a letter of apology would soon arrive at my home from her. tess Eleios was furious at her attitude. Both of our houses were in different fas, but to be openly hostile like that was something they could not afford.

  Accepting her impromptu invitation not only protected my image but had gave me one of the best and most enjoyable experieny life. Spending that afternoon with her, talking aing to know her made me realize how fasating Nisire was.

  The few weeks were... magical. A fantasy. A dream I hought I could ever fulfill.

  Nisire is the coolest, sweetest, most generous girl I have ever met.

  We met at least once a week and often cided at social events, at which we would go all the way together. Her pany made them... enjoyable.

  I hought I would be so happy to meet someoside my family.

  h, my maid, was the only one I had e to appreciate so much, and it was only because I had known her since I was little and she had proven to be someone I could trust. To me, Nisire was also special.

  All this time I shared with her made me realize her siy. She was trying to reach out to me. Her as were ho. Oher hand, I...

  It was he end of the fall that things ged. When I decided to be ho with her. To reciprocate that hoy she had shown me, with my own.

  Mom had called Kar, our designer, and her childhood friend, to e over the day. She wanted her to take care of our dresses, so she would be busy with that all day.

  I decided to take the opportunity and ask Nisire out on a... walk. I had already sent a messenger with a small letter as an invitation, so all that was left was te everything from my side, which wasn't too plicated. There was opick, though. Getting Dad and Maki's permission. Something that wasn't easy at all, sidering how cautious Maki is and how overprotective Dad be.

  I gathered them both in Dad's offid told them I wao go out with my friend, whom I have know for some time.

  Maki, of course, immediately began an interrogation, trying to make sure I wasn't being used or being taken advantage of because of my position. It was hard to vince her, but thanks to Dad's ued help, I got permission. It was one of those rare moments when my father took my side and became ving enough that he mao get even Maki to give in.

  After a sigh and a warning to be very careful, she helped me get the carriage and some escorts ready to leave. h, of course, was to apany and assist me at all times.

  We left the day for the city ter, where I would meet Nisire. On the way, I spent discussing my pns with h, who was doing her best to give me ce for what was ing.

  "Young dy, are you sure you're ready?" said h, perhaps even more nervous than I was.

  "Holy? I don't know. I'm scared. what if her opinion of me ges for the worse? What if she abando that point?" I replied. My hands were shaking and my heart wouldn't stop pounding hard in my chest.

  "Young dy... excuse my boldness" h gently took my hands, and with her antennae, gently caressed my face. Her facial features were not as expressive as those of other tribes, who, unlike her, did possess eyes. But over the years that she had been by my side, I had e to uand these small ges. The movements of her lips and antehe soft sounds she made, or that strange aura that covered her.

  She was trying to vey to me in every possible way how she felt. And at this moment she was veying reassurao me. A reassuring smile, even if she wasn't smiling, a warm gaze, even if she had no eyes, and a motherly expression, even if her whole face was a static mask that barely veyed anything but cold inexpressiveness.

  Her antennae caressed my face like hands, trying to dispel my nervousness, using that softness I loved to feel so much when we were alone.

  "My young dy, I think if you tio hold on to that fear you will never be able to move forward. This is not somethied to being a heiress. It is something you choose for yourself, and no one has the right to interfere with it. Have ce. You may not know it, but my dy is an amazing person who aplish tless things. By the pilrs, my dy IS a dual magi. How many dual magis eve in this empire?"

  So maions were running around me, and that I couldn't trol. I felt desperate, I wao cry until there was not a siear left, but I also wao ugh and jump for happiness, as tradictory as it was.

  "With your permission, my dy, I'm going to do something that might be disrespectful given my position." h suddenly became very serious. Her tone of voice ged pletely, her grip on her hands became firmer and her anteopped pletely from her gentle caresses on my face.

  "I have been by your side for almost 12 years now. I've seen the best and the worst of you, so I safely say that no one in this world knows you better than I do." Her hand suddenly came to rest on my cheek, giving a soft, reassuring toueth, at that moment, looked incredibly beautiful and stunningly cool. "My dear Sarka, all you need is to trust yourself more. You are amazing, you just o put your heart into it to succeed. And please don't be afraid, because no matter what happens, I will always be by your side."

  Her words pierced me like an arrow, leaving me pletely speechless. It wasn't normal for her to be so serious or so direct with her words.

  While I was still bnk, h got up from her pd sat o me, giving me one of her warm and pleasant hugs. Sure enough, her antearted tig my face which helped me e to my senses.

  "h, I..."

  "Shh." h silenced me as she shook her head. I uood immediately that a response was unnecessary.

  If anyone else had seen that, they would have sidered it an act of total disrespect to her master, but, to me, it didn't matter. She was one of the few people I sidered close to, so she had my permission to do whatever she wanted.

  I smiled as I realized that I didn't deserve her. She was someone who had supported and protected me since I was little. Although she knows how much I appreciate her, I had never really been able to express to her how much it meant to me to have her by my side.

  Here was someone else with whom I o be pletely ho.

  The rest of the way h gave me encement and more advi what I o do to make the pn work perfectly. She made sure to repeat to me over and ain that everything would go well, so even though I was nervous, there was someone by my side who trusted me, reassuring me and giving me ce.

  It didn't take us long to reach our destination. The town square.

  It was a rge open space with cobblestones id in an intricate pattern, through which dozens of people, nobles and oners alike; alone or in pairs, walked to and fro, fulfilling whatever their goals were for the day. A huge fountain in the middle adorhe square, giving a peaceful aspect to this busy pce.

  h, my escorts; 2 family soldiers, and I walked to the fountain, where I would wait for Nisire's arrival.

  Fortunately, I did not have to wait long. I saw her ing walking down one of the streets along with her escort, a maid, apparently a Valven, and a single guard. She saw us and hurried to catch up.

  What surprised me most when I saw her was her appearance, which was far from what I was used to seeing her wear. Normally her appearance was much more exotic. She wore dresses that didn't fit the fashion of the capital, a detail that, to be ho, attracted me a lot. But today, even though she wasn't wearing such a different outfit, she still mao get my gaze pletely fixed on her.

  Nisire was wearing a kind of tunic tight to the body, highlighting her already excellent figure, especially the chest area, which for some reason was what always attracted my gaze.

  A sort of belt made of thin fabric, with several goldeails, was ed around her waist, from which a short skirt desded, revealing part of her thighs.

  This clothing was more simir to what an adventuress and not a noblewoman would wear. Over this, an open bck leather jacket, simir to what a military officer would wear to a formal event. Some belts and buttons for the adjustment of the jacket could be found on the pels and sleeves.

  She wore a type of knee-high boots, a special type for her feet. Of course, I hadn't been able to see them, si would be disrespectful, but I could see that, what I imagined was her ankle, was higher on her leg and she was walking with the front of her foot where her toes should be.

  SpoilerYes, I know they look a little different, but I think the AI is racist because even if I specify a dark skinned character, it still makes her white skinned or only in parts... well, I know it's not really, but the point is that it was hard to make Nisire look good in both images!

  [colpse]By the time I had finished looking at every detail of her clothing, she was right in front of me. She gave me one of her beautiful smiles and offered me that greeting she always uses when she sees me. She took my hand, ing hers around it, aly pced it on her forehead, allowing her nice appeo touch it gently, causio tingle and a pleasant shiver to run through my body.

  "My dy, you look extremely stunning today. That green dress brings out your already wonderful crimson hair."

  "Th-thank you Nisire. Today...you too...look great." I replied, feeling much more embarrassed than usual. Her looking so...great, coupled with her always cute and sincere pliments that hit my heart harder than usual. And I was sure she had do with that iion. Her look and that smile that... provoked so many things inside me, told me so.

  "It's always a pleasure to see that expression on your face, My Lady." She tieasing me. Gently kissing my hand, then indig to her escorts with a nod of her head to keep some distance away.

  I could do nothing but remain silent, being ed by the heat of my redness.

  "Then, My Lady, may I have the honor of apanying you? I knoerfect pce where we have a real feast and have a quiet chat." She said as she offered me her arm to take. Something I did not hesitate to accept.

  We both walked slowly through the streets of the city, enjoying the little stroll with light versation.

  "I must say, My Lady..." said Nisire suddenly. All my attention was on that cheerful and curious expression she was showing me. "I did not expect to receive this sudden invitation."

  "W-was I inopportune?" I asked, flustered that I had made her e when she could have been busy.

  "Oh, no, not at all. I think it was very opportune." She replied, maintaining her always brilliant smile, helping me calm my nerves. "I'm just saying, I was very gd to receive that invitation for this date with you, My Lady."

  D-date?!? Th-that's right... it's a date. I... asked her out on a date...

  A giggle interrupted my thoughts. Nisire was teasing me once again. Why was it that her teasing, instead of embarrassment, brought joy and longing to my heart?

  In no time we had arrived at the reended pce. We eogether and asked for a private table. The attendant, a Valven who reminded me very much of the mansion's maid, Ameli, led us to one of the private ses of the pce.

  We sat across the table from each other and ordered our food, along with a type of green wihat Nisire herself reended. As we waited, she began to tell me several things about her birthpce.

  The region of Lachea is a region adjat to the Coldent Marquisate, on the northeastern border of the empire. It is a semi-autonomous territory which means that it belongs to the empire, but not to a duchy, which gives them a position simir to that of a t, but without holding such a title.

  The Burmonts have a close retionship with the Coldents, for which they have earhe reputation of being the only allies of the Marquisate.

  In reition of this, and some other achievements on the part of the Burmont family, Emperilles grahem the title of ts a few months ago. With this, their priority funs ged to being a liaisoween the Coldents and the imperial family, ging the name of the region in which its main city resides to Burmont ty.

  Part of their duties is to receive ahe ons and supplies they get from the capital and take them to Coldeory to deliver them to the border troops. In short, the logistics of the border army. This is the shipment provided by the imperial family to support them in the defense of the empire's territory.

  That is also the reason why they are currently in the capital. They will stay here for a few months while they make iatiarding the new supply shipment. Also, because there has been an increase in skirmishes and attacks by the Obreund kingdom, they are requesting reinforts from other knight orders, recruitment of new foot soldiers, field engineers, and woodworkers to repair the walls and forts, as well as an increase in food supplies, given the possible increase in forces if the new reinforts are approved.

  I had heard that the northerory was going through a lot i few months, but information retty scarce. Living in the capital pretty much isotes you from a lot of the happenings iher territories, especially those you don't have jurisdi over. However, it is also because, even though I am the heiress of the house, there are things that I ot be informed of due to my youth.

  Leaving aside the more serious topiisire began to talk more about herself, things I wao know about. So far, all our enters had told very little about her, and it was almost always me talking, partly because she was the one asking, and because I o vent a lot of the stress I had accumuted over the past few years.

  Nisire, about the same age as me, 16 years old; being only a couple of weeks older, is the 4th daughter of the Burmonts, and is not part of the direct line of succession. It is her older siblings; specifically, her oldest brother, who have the right of successio in line are two other siblings, of whie is her older sister.

  "As you see, My Lady, the reason for my stay in the capital is to help my father and brother with their work," Nisire said, in a tired voice. It seemed like a subject she didn't want to talk about. "My father's pn is for me to stay in the capital. He wants me to learn how to run some of the businesses here to then improve things ierritory and maybe marry someone important to further entrench his position and maybe bring more profit to the family.”

  "Sounds like something you don't want to do," I remarked. Her voice sounded exhausted. Up until now, she hadn't wao talk to me about her family situation, and with this, I could sense why.

  "Yes, it's definitely something I don't want to do. It's not easy to leave my home, my family, and everyone I know, to e to an unfamiliar pce with no friends. And maybe, being also forced to marry some stranger."

  Her words made my heart prickle. But before I could think of anything else, she reached out her hand across the table, gently taking mine.

  "Maybe it's not all as bad as I first thought, though. Maybe I could have found a very good reason to stay willingly." She said, gently stroking my hand, and looking at me with that seductive gaze that caused my heart to pound so hard I feared she was able to hear it. "Someone who keep me pany and drive away that loneliness."

  The food arrived just then before I could even respond to her words. Nisire said nothing more and turned her attention to the ptes the waitress was beginning to p the table.

  We both ordered an algabia soup1 The Algabia, is a type of vegetable that bines characteristics of differeables. Its appearance is simir to that of a cluster of vibrant green leaves, with a silvery tinge on the reverse side of the leaves, giving it aid attractive appearance. Each leaf is rge and crisp, with a fresh, slightly sweet fvor remi of a cross between spinad artichoke heart. Its stem is used together with its leaves to fvor soups, stews and casseroles. The stem has a slightly milder fvor, simir to turnip with a spicy touch. a piece of fresh dark bread and a cut of wild bortan2Wild Bortan: Animal simir to a giant iguana. In the wild they tend to grow very rge, reag 150 height and 4 meters ih. They are often sought after by adventurers as prey for recurring missions. The fat extracted from their bodies is ofteo create rd for cooking.Borta is sidered a delicacy among ary oisseurs. It is exceptionally juid tender, with a unique fvor that bihy notes with a slightly spicy touch., apanied by that green wine Nisire had reended.

  The versation didn't tinue any further, giving us time to enjoy our meal, something I was grateful for.

  I decided to trate on just the taste of my food and enjoy it to the fullest. The borta was especially delicious, and the wine had a rather pleasant sweet taste.

  Before long, all the food was gone, leaving us both quite satisfied.

  Nisire sighed tentedly, giving me a sweet smile. "Was it to your liking My Lady?"

  "O-of course. I don't usually eat out, but it was a good experie was delicious. T-thank you fing me."

  "Not at all, My Lady. I should be the ohanking you for inviting me." She replied, maintaining her pleasant smile.

  We decided not to have dessert and instead retired shortly after finishing our meal. There was a lot to see and a whole day to do it. And... I o gather my ce.

  FivesZeta