“Urgent Missive: Priority Alert - (Smudged Form Numbers)

To all privy to the message of this missive. Scouts at the northern edge of Volksgrad report that a regiment sized force of demons have breached the Frostwinds. Local forces have been scrambled and collaboration with the elves of Sel’Amasta have already been initiated. Be advised, the barriers still hold and breaches have been resealed. ”

- Letter on Desk of Lord Inquisitor Verman Folts, Temporary Overseer of the Northern Frontier Defense Sector

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Sophie nervously touched her collar. More used to armor and leathers than the fine fabrics that made up this maid’s outfit Lucinia had provided. It wasn’t an unwelcome uniform, but it was one that made her relieve more than a few memories. Memories she had filled with a broad stroke that assumed pleasant times at the Rosengart household. It turned out, it hadn’t always been all that pleasant beyond the sparks of Eva.

“Finally, you look relatively proper for once.” Lucinia snarkily quipped.

“Hey. I’m generally professional on the job.” Sophie shot back.

“Sure you are. But you still look like a mess. Hells, Mila’s got a style, and your saintess friend, well she does her own thing. You just look so… ugh, plain.”

“That’s an unbecoming thing to say for a princess.”

“Soon to be ex-princess. I’ll have you know.”

“Aren’t you the one who said you’re a princess until the moment you’re not.”

“Straighten your uniform and stop being a smart-arse. Hells, elves are so unreasonable sometimes.” Lucinia growled, “Lady Olivia, help her out will you?”

“Yes milday.” The attendant replied.

Sophie chuckled. Despite her inherent disdain for quite possibly any other species or race beyond imperial humans, Lucinia still seemed a bit more mellow than when they first started working together. Hells, definitely a far cry from when we first met in the carriage to the Academy. It didn’t matter to Sophie that Lucinia changed either from the circumstances of her disinheritance or prolonged exposure.

Sophie did as she was told and proceeded to try and flatten the few creases that were on her uniform. The conference wasn’t even meant for today but Lucinia’s indignation at the others having only barely prepared meant that the group was due for a last minute equipment check. Of the core group, they had been divided into four sections. Mila and one of Lucinia's mercenaries would serve as perimeter watchers, Lucinia feeling less than inclined to potentially get saintesses and an inquisitor entangled in such matters any further. Lucinia’s own mercenaries, two dwarven rangers, Miraevie’s house guard, and Sophia would be serving as both the seen and unseen guardians inside the conference. Raylani and Elaria as entertainment. Then Sophie and Taurox would be the two closest to the imperial warriors.

The final unaffiliated peoples like Aryana, Hanabi, or Sigrid could then be kept away from being implicated should anything go wrong. More importantly, if retribution or more assassins attacked, they would hopefully be out of the line of fire. Though Sophie could tell that Ary had been uneasy about things as of late, even if the girl continued to reassure her that everything was fine. I’ll have to talk to her after the conference is over.

Turning her mind back to the event at hand, Sophie couldn’t help but compare it to the things she had experienced with Eva when her mistress brought her along to a few back in Carrador. This was all a far cry from it but she supposed it was less a ‘conference’ and more of disowning Lucinia just with more pomp and circumstance than a letter delivery. Though it did raise the odd question of why Lady Lucinia was trying so hard to attract the few outsiders that she did get to participate. Surely it wouldn’t change the result, would it? What exactly is she after? What play is she actually trying to make?

Lucinia paced about her room as Lady Olivia threw Sophie an apologetic glance, almost like she had tried to cover for Lucinia’s current bout of restlessness. Sophie shrugged it off, it was understandable that the princess was stressed. No matter how much of a foregone conclusion her disownment might be, Sophie knew that facing such matters in person was a different experience altogether.

The attendant however, was also nervous, if not more so. Sophie could hazard a guess about the reason. Olivia was worried about what would happen to her. Though Sophie couldn’t tell if it was because she regretted how things turned out or if it was because she was more anxious about how Lucinia will do without the support.

Hoping to offer at least a modicum of support, Sophie reached over and patted the lady on the shoulder, startling her. Instead of words, she just nodded at her. Lady Olivia didn’t reply for a moment, she waited for a few seconds before responding with a nod of her own. The usual cheeky demeanor and glint missing from her eyes. Replaced by a look of seriousness as she comprehended Sophie’s unspoken support.

The moment came to an end when they heard Lucinia come to a standstill. Curious, they both peaked over to find the princess staring intently at a piece of parchment on her desk. Her brows were furrowed, a dissatisfied huff escaping her lips.

“My lady?” Olivia spoke up, the attendant slowly approaching the princess.

The Traxian held up a finger, motioning for the two to be silent. Only once she finished reading through the document did she turn around, neartly furling up the thing and placing it gently back upon her desk.

“Something the matter?” Olivia broached the question again.

This time, Lucinia just shook her head.

“Nothing to worry yourselves about. How does she look?” The princess off-handedly inquired.

Olivia exchanged a glance with Sophie. Both of them were a bit worried by Lucinia’s apparent abruptness.

“She’s fine?” Lady Olivia cautiously stated.

The princess at least spared Sophie a quick once over, her eyes travelling down then back up. She grunted her approval before waving her hands to dismiss the two of them.

“Lady Olivia, see that this buffoon actually remembers her duties and the steps she must do. Remind her if she doesn’t.” Lucinia instructed.

“Uh… okay, my lady.” Olivia cautiously affirmed.

By now it was clear to the both of them judging by the look that they now shared. Whatever the contents of that letter was, it had disturbed the princess greatly. Sophie wondered about what it said, though she would never breach what rapport they had by trying to sneak a glance. Olivia, on the other hand, was bound by no such obligations as the princess’s attendant.

Yet curiously, Sophie could practically see the dread that was etched across the attendant’s face. Whatever conclusion she had come to, it was clearly different from the question that still hung over Sophie. What the hells is in that letter?

Catching Sophie’s eye, Lady Olivia beckoned for her to follow.

“Come on, we can rehearse a bit in the lounge down the hall.” Olivia whispered and grabbed Sophie’s arms to lead her onwards.

Sophie followed and the two arrived in the lounge, Olivia taking a moment to glance back out into the hallway before shutting the door behind them.

Sophie could immediately tell that something was off. Olivia was being far more decisive than usual, more aggressive, hostile even. Concerned but unafraid, Sophie let the situation play out, holding her ground as the attendant advanced on her.

“You knew it all along, didn’t you? That she’s getting rid of me?” Olivia hissed, a finger pointed accusatorially at Sophie.

Sophie swallowed. Ah, so she did get blindsided. She nodded.

“And? No one thought to inform me? Even after I told Lucy that’d I’d be perfectly fine helping her?” Olivia narrowed her eyes.

Sophie could tell that the girl wanted to take out her frustrations, but a part of her knew that Sophie wasn’t involved. She just wasn’t willing to properly argue with Lucinia.

“She didn’t want you to get bogged down. She knew you had family and responsibilities.” Sophie replied after a moment, trying to sound as diplomatic as she could.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“And I can handle them all. You know that. You all know that.” Olivia drew closer, their faces barely a few fists apart.

“I know. I believe you.” Sophie stalled, searching for a way to de-escalate.

“Then why keep it from me? You think you built something special for yourself with-”

“No.” Sophie interrupted the girl, her own arms now tensed beside her, ready to respond in case a physical altercation happened.

Sophie felt a momentary flash of warning as the attendant balled up her fists. But then, Olivia paused. The noble searched Sophie intently, examining every blink and twitch to see if she could see any malice and deceit. Finding none, Sophie watched as Olivia’s twisted in anguish, a hurt she hadn’t seen before from the noble that cut through the mask of anger that she had held just seconds ago. Having assessed the situation and judging herself incapable of winning a melee with Sophie, Olviia’s hands gradually relaxed, the girl letting out a dejected sigh.

Feeling the veil of hostility lifted, Sophie relaxed a little and attempted to reach over to comfort the girl. Olivia swatted her away with a hand and gently but slowly shook her head. Sophie nodded and backed off, gesturing instead to the chairs in the lounge.

Olivia stared absently at the chair, her gaze somewhere far away before snapping back to her body as she jolted a little. The girl’s breathing grew more labored but her face was now an almost eerily stoic mask of impassiveness. Sensing no real response, Sophie took the lead to sit down. Like a clockwork golem, Olivia’s eyes flickered ever so slightly before moving to follow, doing so in the chair opposite hers.

“She wanted you to have the support of the state behind you. Figured this would be the safest way out.” Sophie’s voice dropped a little, more reminiscent of her days as a maid than the usual gusto with which she now carried herself.

Olivia looked into her eyes, though far less aggressively. The girl tensed for a second, before sagging her shoulders and sinking into her chair.

“After all these years… and that’s it then?” Olivia spoke to herself.

She twiddled her thumbs, before picking at her nails and giving the ground a solid kick that startled Sophie.

Olivia chuckled to herself, “She isn’t even putting up a fight. She’s just… letting this all happen. Tch.”

“Lady Olivia…” Sophie tried to console her.

“Livy. Please. At this point, just call me Livy.” The girl dejectedly informed her.

“Right. Livy.” Sophie tested the waters, the noble’s nickname still awkward on the tongue.

The girl grunted.

“We still haven’t figured out how to deal with the assassins or the potential storm we are about to stir up with the city. It’ll be safer and easier to be affiliated with your people than to be independent.”

“You think I can’t handle that?”

“Of course not. I know you’re more than capable. As good as Lucinia is at managing things, I think we all know you're the one managing things behind the scenes, heh.” Sophie tried to lighten the mood.

“Ah… hah.” Olivia allowed herself a soft, genuine chuckle.

The two of them sighed, the moment of levity allowing them a break from their emotions. Though the tension remained Sophie felt a little bit of relief seeing the fog seem to clear from the girl. Olivia’s glare was now more gentle when meeting her eyes once more.

Sophie shifted in place, giving her own ponytail a stroke to steady herself.

“If you don’t mind me asking Lady… Livy. What… umm, what was that letter that Lady Lucinia was reading? She seemed rather more silent than usual.” Sophie asked.

Olivia snickered, “Pfft, you mean she wasn’t calling you an elven twat like usual.”

“Heh.”

“She was reading her own letter. She wrote it off course.”

“Oh?”

“Mmhmm. I saw her writing. Snuck a look at it after she went to bed, naturally.” Olivia informed her, a wistful smile sneaking its way onto her face, “I’m the one that usually makes sure anything important is tucked away, so it wasn't too hard.”

“Figures.” Sophie muttered, earning her a quick raise of the eyebrow from her companion.

“Whatever the case. It was a letter to the minister.”

“Oh.”

Whatever levity that had been present now disappeared once more, the matter of the conference and the minister bringing the mood right back down.

“Then…”

“She was going to tell them that I was to be dismissed from her service and that I would have played no part in her… less than obedient actions that she had recently taken against Traxia.”

“I see.”

“I’m certain she knows but she hasn’t talked to me about it. Not that it matters much. But still, she should’ve let me know. Or at least not try to hide it.” Olivia growled.

“But she’s just trying to look out for you.”

“I know.” Olivia mumbled unconvincingly.

“Sorry. I guess… it’s just a weird situation to be in.”

“I suppose you don’t always get to watch a princess get ostracized from court.” Another sad smile appeared on the girl’s face.

Sophie had a thought fly by and tried to lighten the mood a bit more.

“I was partially responsible for Lady Eva Rosengart getting her own, if temporary, exile from Carrador. So it’s two for two regarding high level nobles now. Fate works in mysterious ways, eh? Might be why I’m still willing to help Lady Lucinia. Heh.”

“How… hah. That is definitely quite an extraordinary coincidence.”

“Indeed. Though now I’m left wondering if I’m the bad omen or if it’s just-”

“Oh you most certainly are. The bad omen that is.” Olivia wasted no time in making Sophie wince.

“H-how do you reckon that?” Sophie meekly asked.

“Well. Like you said, you’re partially responsible for Lady Rosengart’s ahh, unfortunate stumble from grace. As for Lucy? Well, I dare say she certainly got a little more daring after you saved her life. Or rather, more comfortable around your kind, if I am to be a little more critical.” A hint of mirth returned to Olivia’s voice, her lips involuntarily forming an amused grin.

What loyalty, hah. I can see why Lucinia agonized over this too. Why she thinks Lady Olivia deserves better.

“I mean, I suppose.”

“Suppose, hah. No need to be bashful. Lucy would never say this to your face, but after seeing how you guys went after the assassins and the Braveskulls, she found a… a reawakening of her spirit.”

“Oh?”

“She could barely bring herself to admit to me that she was inspired, you know? She… I guess she assumed that if some silly little elf could find so much spirit, she could too. It’s why she stuck around to help you guys.”

“Huh, that’s… nice to know.”

“Don’t tease her about it though. Or she’ll know I told you.” Olivia grinned conspiratorially.

Seeing the girl in better spirits, Sophie smiled widely at her.

“You really respect her, huh?” Sophie asked.

Olivia pursed her lips, shooting Sophie a curious look and humming. Did I say something wrong?

“Respect?” Olivia interrupted her worries, “Nah, not as much as you might think. But I do see her desire for change, to make the world a better place and… I guess I saw a chance.” She mused, “Though I suppose the respect came later on.”

“You sound like you’ve thought about this question before. Is that why you’re so intent on staying by her?”

“Possibly. Maybe I just want to guide her along or something, who knows?” Olivia leaned back and sloppily lazed in her chair, “But she is fun to tease. And she tolerates me. Hmmm.”

“But you’re still going.”

“I am.” Olivia somberly affirmed, “And I don’t plan on stopping until the last moment.”

“Then why don’t you fight her properly on that? She… uhh, she’s headstrong but I think you can get through to her.” Sophie suggested.

There was an awkward pause as her companion didn’t respond. The noble merely sighed and closed her eyes. Unsure if she was lost in thought or trying to signal her displeasure, Sophie waited and didn’t interrupt.

At last, Olivia clicked her tongue, the girl stretching herself before leaning forward to regain Sophie’s attention.

“It might sound a little asinine to you, since you’ve been out of your own court for so long.” The girl stated.

“I’ve heard plenty of strange things in my travels.” Sophie chuckled.

“Well this,” Olivia snickered as she clapped her hands together, “Is a case of hypocrisy.”

“Hypocrisy?”

“Mmhmm. How could I fight to stay? If I pledge my loyalty and follow her, then her first command would be for me to leave. But if I am to act in my stead and deny that order, then is it not undermining what little authority and dignity she has left?”

“That’s… an interesting perspective.”

“It might matter little to you, now that you’re far beyond the confines of courtly politicking. But there’s no way that my lady or myself could separate ourselves so neatly from the machinations of court. No matter how much she tries to pretend that her exile will push her away completely.”

Sophie nodded, understanding the noble’s point to some degree.

“I guess. But she is still getting disowned.”

“Mmm.”

“Don’t worry. As rude as she is, we’re in the thick of it with her now. Heh, a little too late to back out now anyways.”

“Yeah, a tad late huh? But Sophie, if you don’t mind me asking, can you do a favor for me?”

“Of course.” Sophie chirped, “Always here to help.” She beamed.

Olivia smiled back, reaching out a hand that Sophie then took. The noble’s hand was soft, but cold. It was a little frightening yet comforting at the same time.

“For now, she’s my responsibility. But after tomorrow… you lot keep her safe, alright? If not for her, then consider it a favor for me.”

“Don’t worry.” Sophie clasped her hand around Olivia’s fully, “As I said, a little too late to back out.”

Olivia let out a sigh of relief, the noble flashing her a warm smile. Letting go of Sophie's hand, Olivia stood up and straightened her outfit.

"Lady Olivia?" Sophie queried about the sudden change in stance.

Olivia clicked her tongue and clapped at Sophie.

"Ahh, Lady Livy."

"Tsk, just Livy. But I'll let it slide." Olivia winked before pulling Sophie up, "Hup you go!"

"Hwah." Sophie squeaked, "Livy?!"

The noble stood opposite her and performed a courtly bow, "We told Lucy that we'd be practicing, didn't we? We've got less than twenty four hours. Should do our best now, right?"