"Grothigoibismroshium." I tell what I presumed to be a waitress with a smile as I put down my empty bowl. Einervaene had good instincts about her it seemed last night, when she suggested this inn. The food was delicious and despite the rules of attire, it had a comfortable atmosphere.

However, "I speak Wind, you, no speak."

"I'm sure you do." I remark in bemusement before I carried on laughing at myself. Turns out I couldn't quite remember Eusorochiian Colonial Speak as well as I thought. To the benefit of my memory's pride, however, someone came walking down to greet me. Thus, my mind was distracted from that embarrassment.

"Mor-Morning." Einervaene yawned as she walked down the stairs fully dressed.

"Noon." I both greeted and corrected.

"O-Oh!? That late..." she let out, embarrassed for some reason at her good night's sleep.

"Come on, sit down, get something inside of you." I tell her as she slowly approaches the low-hanging table. To her further embarrassment as well, she seemed to have forgotten how to use it. Admittedly, I was slow to adapt to this as well. But I was old!

However, while she made a dramatic point of figuring out how best to seat herself. I leaned back on one arm and narrowed my gaze. I was definitely not dreaming or hallucinating when I thought something was off. Her hair really had been changing colour, as had her eyes been.

Copper to gold, an infestation was one way I could put it. But, it was certainly the most appealing to look at infestation I had ever seen. I just wished it wasn't so concerning to look at. It was just so unalike anything I had seen before.

Thankfully, she was still the same girl as before. That much hadn't changed but this transformation she was going through. It made her the centre of attention everywhere we went here. Now, as was established not long ago, I had trouble with the language.

But, I was no fool, I could tell what the mood of the gossip was. A decent, fair amount of it was hostile towards her. Likely to do with the fact her hair still held traces of her old copper locks. A 'Dyed-Hair' as the slang was back home, that is what they thought of her.

Though, at the same time, those who did catch a glimpse of her new power. They were completely smitten by her. As if a goddess had descended from beyond the shell to graze with them. I could feel her new power quite well, and it terrified me, but, these people felt things I didn't.

Their shared blood revealed more than all my experience ever could...

"So, how you been anyway?" I asked her after I covered up my sigh of frustration as a withheld yawn.

She laughed slightly, "It's not like we've been gone for ages, Brewbrt. I'm fine, you know that."

I smirk a little in response, "I mean, as we are getting closer to leaving Jherikra, I was wondering if there is anything you'd like to get sorted first."

She then looked down and shook her head, "No, nothing."

"Not a very convincing lie."

"And if you unravel it, I'll never want to leave." she admits, saddened by what she was leaving behind.

"You are more than strong enough to zap right on back to them, you know. You won't be missing any ferries in doing so."

"I don't know... I am here, Mother is right over on the other side of the ocean. I have waited too long for this to just stall it."

"A fair point to make. But you will leave knowing you could've spent more time with those here."

"I've known that since before I even came seeking you..."

"Come on now, don't cry." I tell her as I lean forward to tap her shoulder a little.

"I w-won't..." she tells me as she moves to hide her eyes for a brief moment.

"So, anyway, as it is our topic right now, somewhat. When are you going to want to go? As soon as possible? Or would you like a moment to think about it?" I ask her before looking outside a window. Her lengthy time in bed might've cut our options a little short. But, I had confidence we could manage a quick sneak-aboard if we had to.

She started to nod, "Whenever you are ready."

"The question is actually; are you?" I tell her as I get up and roll my arms about. I wouldn't tell her, but one thing I didn't miss from her homeland was their lack of chairs. Their obvious lumber issues make certain things a real luxury alright.

Yet, to my dismay, even in these colonies where trees can actually grow. They keep to their old habits... It was baffling. But complaining about it wouldn't exactly send tremendous, culture-warping shockwaves.

To our collective confusion, though, the fact guards were now approaching us was new. We had done nothing wrong nor had we been near any crimes. So we couldn't serve as witnesses. Their armour gave a little bit of insight, however.

Their armour was decorated with fancy feathers and the metal was shaped like it too. They were certainly from the local governess' private guards. Their curious eyes, though, gave away what they were here for. And that was a somehow oblivious Einervaene.

Caught up in talking to the waitress in her old tongue. And as the two laughed about something that was probably not funny. I moved in front of the guards, squaring up my shoulders as I did so. I wasn't trying to start a fight but I was trying to ward them off from trying anything themselves.

"Can I help you?" I asked the duo before one of them went through a grandiose process of removing a scroll and handing it over. The stamp of the highest local official on it with proud splendour. It was nothing special, just the family crest which meant nothing to a foreigner like me. A trio of feathers under some kind of ball.

"Her Glorious Majesty, the Eternal-Lady Eidoae Phoeniqi bids you two welcome, and summarily invites you to spend time at her mountainside palace." one explains, the strain of rehearsal showing while I raised a brow.

"We decline, we have to get going." I tell them as I prepare to hand back the scroll.

"Phoeniqi? That's one of our tributaries!" Einervaene let out as she suddenly rose to her feet to get involved.

"One of our...?" a guard repeated before the pair started to inspect her carefully.

"You don't think?" one asked the other after their eyes lingered on her hair.

"The answer is no." I repeat as I prepare to make them leave.

"No, no, no, tell her I'll be glad to come!" Einervaene exclaims as she takes the scroll from me and bows slightly. Much to the shock of the two guards who drop even lower. Which in turn embarrassed her.

"Forgive our prudence, Esteemed Lady." they say as they start to slowly leave the building. Actions of which disturbed the rather quiet tone of setting we had before.

"Great." I remark, unamused by the newly-buffed status Einervaene's appearance brought us.

"I should be able to chart us a private vessel if I speak to her directly! We could avoid so many problems!" Einervaene explains.

"That's fair." I say as I force down any complaints I might've had about the delays it would cause us.

"The sooner the better, then. I'll go get my things!" she nearly squeals as she rushes outside.

"You, girl, fetch me the key to my kit which you locked up." I firmly order one of the women working here before I took off anything belonging to the inn owners. Actions which shocked and appalled some of them. But what were they going to do? Keep my armour locked up?

I mean, I'd rather not accrue a fine, but it's not like they could stop me. Thankfully, they understood what I meant and the shed in which everything had been stored in was opened up. A tired groan then left me as I moved to sort myself out. And when I left, it was sounded by heavy, metal-dampened thuds.

Then, I moved around to the front of the inn and waited. Watching with some bemusement as a tradesman of some kind had his showing off interrupted by me. Turns out, some sawn-up logs were not quite as impressive as a full, boulder-like sack and a suit of steel plate. The girls he was then showing off to then left with giggles escaping their lips, a scowl now on his plate.

"Get over it." I tell him before I look back at the door as Einervaene came out touching her hair. It was as if she had fallen in love with it. Pampering it non-stop with fidgeting twirls and entranced glances that bordered on self-obsession.

It really did mean a lot to her, this power.

"So, shall we?" she then asked me as she smiled brightly at me. Though I had to admit, the orbital-halo made a lot more of her shine as well. The lustre of her skin had certainly changed as well since we left Anvil-Peak and travelled out here.

"So how are we doing this?" I ask her before she takes my hand into both of hers.

"Very simple, I land with grace and authority." she explains with a grin before we shoot up into the sky together. This impossible-to-grasp strength of hers allowed her to basically enforce her will on me. I couldn't just refuse her actions. She could just do it.

And when we finally landed, it was with a bang that only contributed to my dizziness.

"How many times do I..." I complained as I stumbled against a statue of some kind. Nearly knocking it out of position with the amount of weight I suddenly forced upon it.

"Sorry, but I wanted to be quick about it!" she explains with a smile before she briefly skips up some steps.

"Well, it's a nice place, anyway." I say as I slowly switch over to following her. Clutching my gut carefully as the disturbance settled down. Then, once that was over, I looked it all over properly. And I enjoyed the forgotten familiarity of the architecture.

It has really been a while since I have seen a place like this. Emblem-like archways made from a mixture of brightly painted wood and detailed metal bands. Buildings with a blocky core but elaborate, far-reaching roofs that reminded me of a tree in some respects. All on deceptive stone bricks which were actually solid stone that had been artistically carved.

The inside was quite a surprise as well, more so than the guards just opening the doors for us without issue, in fact. It was a veritable paradise within these walls. Gardens were everywhere and the place was filled with beautiful birds. Though I had trouble figuring out what were imports and what was native.

They really did like birds, though...

"So these are the Gardens of Phoeniqi." she exclaims in amazement before a collective of birds runs along the floor ahead of us.

"So this is quite a famous place, then?" I asked her, surprised that a governess would have gardens that famous. Assuming it wasn't just something Einervaene picked up during the odd political talk she overheard.

"Of course, a famous palace with famous gardens for a more tremendous individual." a haughty voice claimed as a bright light began to fill my eyes while chimes and bells did the same with my ears. And most annoyingly, the light only died down when you looked directly at her.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Gov-" EInervaene began to say once the distance had been closed. However, this woman immediately placed her fingers upon her lips, silencing her.

"You have heard my correct title, Esteemed Guest, please, use it."

"But that's not your..." Einervaene muttered in complaint before I got a gaze of pure vitriol.

"Shouldn't you be back on your end of the peaks?" she asks me with a disgusted, dismissive scoff.

"I wish." I sarcastically reply as I try to at least enjoy this woman's realisation that I was with Einervaene.

"Well, as you are here, come. We can discuss many things. But first, let me say, your arrival? Divinely-inspired." the likely well-versed leg-using ego told Einervaene.

"T-Thank you!" Einervaene let out, buying into it completely.

"So, what brings someone as beautiful as you to a realm as beautiful as mine, run by someone superior to both?" she laughs as we near what might've been the main building of the palace. But, I was quickly proven wrong as we soon broke out onto a long road. One that just went on and on to an even more extravagant locale.

Admittedly, being a fellow landowner myself, I felt a little shorthanded here. But I couldn't help but ponder the nastier implications of this extravagance. I kept my manor at the centre of Tryhpeltzweig for more than just ease of governance. I wanted to be involved with the people I looked after.

This place looked like it was designed with the opposite intent. In fact, it even seemed to be designed to gloat about the fact. Make you jealous and desperate to catch a glance. Which I suppose reflected this piece of work quite well...

"Well? I understand it is a tremendous view but there are very much better sights." the woman explained to Einervaene as she redirected her gaze to her own.

"R-Right, sorry. I intended to ask for your help in securing us a private vessel back to Eusorochii."

"The Core-Imperial?" the woman questioned as she stopped walking along her flower-ridden path to look back at us.

"Yes, yes. I mean, yes, I need to get back there as soon as possible and I fear a regular ferry from one of your harbours would not be fast enough." Einervaene explained before she had one of her tails taken into her gentle grip.

"It also wouldn't do for you, would it?" she questioned as she carefully stuck to the parts of Einervaene's hair which had become almost pure gold.

"I just need to get to the Bosphama lands as quick as possible." Einervaene reiterated before she looked briefly at me. But, I just gestured for her to look ahead. This woman's vanity would have to be kissed up to for the moment.

"Would it have to be on short notice? I'd hate to be parted from something so beautiful."

"As quick as you can, if you'd please." Einervaene pleads as her hands move together.

"Of course, but it will take some time. So, please, come with me to my residence." she explains with a soft smile, "Him too." she adds on with less enthusiasm.

"Love it here already." I remark with a shake of my head. Then, after some quiet and a bit of boredom, I decided to lift one leg up and glance out at the vast valley below. She had quite the farm set up down there... But what for?

It would've required quite a bit of engineering to get something this vast working. And I suppose the great wall blocking off the rest of the valley had something to do with it? Or was it just an overly imposing defence? It was loaded with guards forever...

"It feels strange, I have seen so much yet I feel like I have seen barely anything!" Einervaene exclaims joyously as she takes in some more of the wildlife. Many of which seemed to live in gilded cages strewn about this sharp-to-descend valley.

"And you would be right, there is so much more awaiting your visit." the woman proudly declared before we reached an oddity. The path broke yet there were no signs of a rockfall or an avalanche.

"A simple but easy way to keep people out." Einervaene compliments before this haughty governess brought out a pair of fabulous wings. Made of pure, incorruptible light. They were a beautiful sight, that I had no objections towards.

"To keep people out? Oh, no my esteemed guest, this is merely a platform from which I can transition into something far more beautiful." she explains as her wings gently flutter behind her. Her body not moving in the slightest apart from when she moved forward as if she could still walk.

"I can't do anything like that, I am afraid." Einervaene nervously chuckles before her attention is suddenly snatched up by her arm. To me, it was clear she was communing with her newfound power. But this governess didn't quite catch onto that.

"Oh? Quite the prodigy, aren't we?" she questioned as Einervaene suddenly sprouted a set of wings herself. Spread across three pairs that allowed her to mimic the governess near-perfectly. For a moment as well, I swear that I could spot jealousy in her eyes. Her attempt to dazzle having spun right back around into her face.

Yet, as the two started to go back and forth with their compliments. Honest or merely there to keep up a facade. I found myself staring deep into the feathers of these new, golden limbs. Each feather shimmered nearly as bright as the governess' wings of pure light.

However, what sparked from these wings happened to be Einervaene's usual blue...

"Now, I do hope you have no issues with leaving this one behind?" she distastefully comments in regard to the one and only.

"Go on ahead, Einervaene, I can catch up." I tell my ward with a slight nod. Smiling a little as she went off to enjoy her freshly minted wings. But, once a sufficient shadow had been cast by her distant frame, I frowned. Then I scoffed in disapproval at the governess' behaviour.

A right piece of work she was...

.

.

.

"The light is just perfect!" I found myself saying as I came to a stop before the well-chosen split in the earth. The way the light just from high above pierced through was just... As just said, perfect. It was beautiful and it made me feel confident.

Especially as I turned about and looked down at the vast shadow I was now creating!

"My family and I have put a lot of work into ensuring all of our land is used well." Governess Phoeniqi explains as she heads further out into the sky. Overtaking me so her light blocked out the orbital-halo as it made its passage beyond our world.

"I could only wish I came here in an official capacity that encouraged me to stay!" I tell her with a smile as she came back down to my level. My eyes briefly focused in on the bright, glowing feather she wore around her neck. Her powers, however, made sure to correct this mistake of mine by forcing them up.

"Of course, you desire to part my kingdom for your land of origin."

"Kingdom?" I repeat as we had no such thing under us as a tributary. Everything here was purely commercial colonies. Either that or what became known as Landed Settlements. The results of islands that might fall...

"Of course, and I am its eternal ruler. Their beautiful queen." she lets out with a swoon as she seemingly imagines all the praise and cheer she gets.

"Pardon me, but, we Bosphama have no kingdoms under our jurisdiction." I tell her.

"For now." she comments with a smirk before she heads down to her palace.

"What do you mean... For now?" I ask myself quietly so that she did not hear me. Mother did not have the authority to create kingdoms or validate royal titles. She was a highly-decorated and honoured noble family head! A matriarch that governed a stretch of land on behalf of the Imperial Diet which in turn served His Reverence...

How did Governess Phoeniqi get such an idea? Unless this was in part due to the nature of my birth... Were the consequences really this far-reaching? That our territories which we have governed justly and honestly are being stripped away from us?

Was I being lied to or was this actually true? Someone back home had indeed set in motion plans to exasperate the issues my family faced. After all, if she gave birth to a tainted daughter like me... Who's to say that she herself wasn't from an undesired line of education!?

None of it was true, but...

"Are you not coming?" the Governess called out before she touched down on the ground.

"Y-Yes, pardon!" I reply with as I catch up to her. Awkwardly and rather ungracefully shaking away the wings I had Lightning conjure up. Something she found particularly amusing.

"You act as if you never spread them before." she comments, seemingly oblivious to where they came from. And, I suppose, for my own safety, it was best if I did not reveal who did it.

"Often I travel in the form of a lightning bolt." I lie honestly, and, thankfully, she had no problem accepting that.

"Yes, I recall hearing the talk of the peasantry. They were in awe at the good omen that flashed before them on the night of your arrival to my land."

"W-Was I really that dramatic about it?" I questioned nervously as my cheeks heated up.

"I myself do not know, I only have hearsay to work with here. But, I would encourage you to keep on showing yourself off like that. Make your first impression always one of pure, divine power."

"I-I'm not d-divine..." I giggle bashfully.

"No, I do believe you are, esteemed guest. Lady-Heir Bosphama." she pushed, correcting herself right after. Surprising me in the process.

"I never..."

"Not specifically, no, but you did mention your family's name. And, having met your mother, I can only conclude that..." she explained, letting my mind finish her sentence for her before she smiled.

"I don't suppose, then, that you knowing this will add some urgency to my securement of a private charter?"

"The urgency would've been there regardless, pains me as it does to see such beautiful hair and skin part ways with my realm." she tells me as she once again strokes my hair and cheek.

"Well, obviously I am going to come back when I can!" I tell her with a wide smile, hoping that would cheer her up.

"Don't rush yourself, take your time." she comments before she walks before a pink-leaved tree. Orange-coloured fruit even dotted the branches. And, upon closer inspection, it appeared that they were even furred in some manner of speaking.

"I don't think taking my time is a luxury I have." I tell her before she plucks one of the fruit down for me.

"Make sure to enjoy that peach while I go and speak with my ministers." she tells me before she heads towards a crowd that had gathered inside the palace.

"It's sweet, but I'm not sure about the hair..." I comment as I try to enjoy the odd combination. I like the flavour of it, but this hair. It felt weird against my tongue. And, as I ate itr, I looked about, most prominently at the grand sigil that decorated the space above the main door.

It was an almost portrait-like carving of the governess and what I assumed to be her parents. And while the eyes of the two elders looked down lovingly at the child they held. That child looked down at me, or perhaps something I was standing in front of? But all that was behind me was a small fountain.

"To our dearest daughter, Eidoae..." I read aloud before I sighed at my circumstances. I haven't had anything from my mother in a long time. And my father I have never met. And, the last thing I ever sent to Mother was a recording of me in a bloody fight.

One that still sent uncomfortable shivers down my spine as I recalled the shearing of my flesh. It was an experience I never wanted to go through again. But, I had a dreading feeling that I would see much worse in the time ahead. After all, I doubted that it would be an easy journey back to Eusorochii.

"Lady-Heir? Come! Come and meet my ministers!" the governess beckoned from the entrance way. And, unsure of what to do with my leftover peach. I assume anyway, I tossed it subtlety into a nearby bush after splashing some water on my face to clean off the juices.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you." I greet as I step into the building. Smiling slightly at a nostalgic sound as my boots tap against the raised wooden floors. The hollow space beneath serving a more real reason, but, I liked to pretend it was a giant instrument.

"I wasn't aware we were having any official visits?" an elderly, but refined man questioned as he revealed his bejewelled hands. He was clearly a cunning man. A glance alone could tell you that. Thankfully, I had little reason to be subject to any tricks on his part.

He was just one part of a hierarchy that extended beyond any matters concerning me.

"She's not here in an official capacity. But I wish for it to be seen to that she is served as if it were one." the Governess explains as she ascends a small flight of stairs before she reclines into a large pile of cushions. Many varieties as well by the looks of it. Velvet, silk, satin, she really had one of each.

"Of course, Your Majesty." the elderly minister acknowledge with a slight smirk. Was he enjoying the pampering? The Governess had taken a lot of joy from being called that.

"So should I go over what I need done?" I asked all those who were present. Those who'd be allowed to speak, anyway by the looks of it.

"Yes, yes, go on." one of the ministers encouraged as others had servants bring them in tables and cushions to sit by and on.

.

.

.

"Prime Minister?" Her Majesty questioned as I rose up from my desk despite the ongoing process before us.

"Apologies, Your Majesty, but, may I be excused? I remembered I have an urgent matter that needs attending to in regards to some of the embargoes you had established." I explained with a slight nod as I put my hands over each other.

"Very well, see to it." she tells me with a dismissive wave before I make use of it and head off. Taking one final glance at our partially golden-haired guest before I departed properly. A ponderous 'hm' then left me as I walked slowly down the quiet, but well-kept halls of the palace. A slight gasp of surprise then left me as I believed I had come upon it in my mind.

"Prime Minister? How may we serve you?" a servant asked me with refined grace before I began to pilfer through my scrolls and cupboards.

"Help me find the scrolls from our Most Wanted section." I tell them as I started to make a mess looking for the face I sweared I had seen before.

"Here are some we had to keep off the shelves, Prime Minister." one servant explained as they gently placed it onto my fine, rare wood desk.

"Yes... I do believe we have her." I comment as I unfolded the scroll. Staring knowingly at the detailed drawing that was on it. And, emblazoned above it, a decree.

'By order of the Ruling-Lord of the Burspharosa clan, the Lady-Heir of the Bosphama clan is to be kept an eye out for, for the sake of Imperial Tribunal.'

"Fetch me a messenger and take my seal, I want the fastest ship ready to sail to the Core Imperial." I tell one of them as I hand it all over except for the scroll. Which I kept to myself before I then dismissed the servant so I could have some private time. And I felt a smile grow as I beared in mind my place in all of this.

The Ruling-Lord of the Burspharosa clan had promised me much. But I needed some assurances and I believe I had finally found it! The missing Lady-Heir was here! She was right within my grasp!

Although, the pompous gull I served had taken a clear liking to her. So I could not have this be as open as I wanted. So, instead, I had to opt for giving the Burspharosa some forewarning. But the Imperial Diet's choice to limit our communication methods made this a race against time.

I could not stall or decline the Governess' wishes. But I could send someone else far ahead, long before. I would be handsomely rewarded, after all. And there would be no connection back to me at all.

I would make a fine point of ensuring that, but, for now, I had a facade to keep. Although, as I inspected the drawing, I was surprised to see no signs of split hair colour. Her skin was a lighter shade and they made details about other signs to find her by. Her tainted magic is one of the foremost.

Yet, in person, she barely matched up to this drawing. Though, it was very unlikely to have been drawn incorrectly. After all, the Lady-Heir was nobility, she would've been portrayed dozens if not hundreds of times. The references for the artist were numerous and plentiful.

So what was the cause of this discrepancy? It baffled me and I would've liked to find out why. However, I was also fine with just letting the interest down. Everything else about it matched her visage.

And although I was old, I was not bad of memory. I recalled her face in my head as if it were my wedding day. The first one, anyway. Yet, even then, I wished to return to the main chamber to gaze upon her once more.

I could then excuse myself again under another false pretence should I need to.

"So, Einervaene was it?" the Governess repeated as the pair apparently caught up on the introductions they missed out on beforehand.

"Oh, I think I am fine indeed." I smirk on the inside slyly as I keep my expression presentable as I walk in.