Elfreda Eldrede, a Prime-level Life caster furrowed her eyebrows as she watched the Oriri woman stare shamelessly at the Northern guest although she wasn't about to point this out as she too couldn't comprehend the purpose of such a generous, foolish display of... The half-elf didn't know and she didn't enjoy that fact.
Unlike most foreign nobles in the city, Elfreda was studying in the Academy before even the embers of the war which currently burned through West Edor appeared. And thus she had seen all types of Faithful cross the Gates of Wisdom yet the scion of dar Blackworm eluded her wits.
Her House's northeastern neighbours weren't known for their positive attitude toward magic, having been the victim of many rogue mages trying to reach the Northern Passage and escape into the Wasteland. Even with this the scion of the ever-prestigious House of dar Blackworm, the loyal right hand of the Firmusian royal family, appeared extremely gifted in the manners of magic.
Elfreda's eyes and ears had told her that Lady Siri had been seen using at least five different elements with not a sign of appearing out of her depth while doing so despite her short height. They also told her something which didn't need to be said, the high noble an individual of extraordinary power and the manifestation of the state itself simply puffed into existence one day. On the very first day, there were rumours that someone had disguised themselves as a high noble or that a homunculus took the form of a dar Blackworm but these rumours didn't hold water for too long. Looking at Lady Siri, Elfreda couldn't believe she had ever considered such baseless rumours as the petite Lady radiated the image of a perfect noble lady albeit sheltered and uncustomed to talking.
At least my little songbirds don't cost too much. She sighed to herself as she realised how little information she had on Lady Siri. At least the Kuprum students she had entangled in her conspiracy would continue to gather information.
"Deliciousness?" A voice that could only belong to an angel reverberated throughout the silent room as Lady Siri examined Mister's Vilkas cake.
"I didn't think someone could like cake so much." She heard Lassie dar Wolfee say hiding her mouth behind her hand while the icon of seriousness melted into a hungry girl.
"Same." Elfreda answered.
While crimson circles appeared on Lady Siri's cheeks causing her to curl further into a ball trying to hide her sweet prize, the half-elf saw the young noble Aoife Milliantel stand up. Given that the redhead bore the name of Milli the Sky Mother of Tilly, it was obvious that the girl wasn't a scion of Antel It was a sort of tradition among the Faithfull to keep the Aspect's names for those who needed them the most which led many children who had lost their parents to bare the name and protection of the Aspect until life shines on them with grace.
Aoife took her plate to a small cart and sheepishly began to fill it breaking the most important rule during a tea ceremony, not to take food not presented to you by the host. The red dress Elfreda wore whispered as she adjusted her position, her enhanced hearing allowing her to hear the quiet whisper of Lady Sofia's maid who tried to save the noble's face with extreme professionalism.
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"I'm sorry." The noble bowed her head to the maid causing the Oriri mage tagging along to make an ugly face spoiling her sun-touched glamour before turning around and make the thin-lipped smile of a bloodthirsty predator.
"Lady Siri!" The Junker stood up as Aoife tripped while backing away, throwing a cup of steaming hot tea to be flung toward the pale mage.
The carpet violently fluttered as the young air mage stopped her fall and flew forward settling her feet firmly on the ground. As a Life mage and an adherent of Corin, the Eldrede jumped to her feet, her eyes glowing with the green light of her Aspect ready to protect anyone from harm.
The two differently coloured orbs the Firmusian called eyes narrowed as she was oblivious to everyone's panicked faces. Before being able to react the black velvet-like hair gleamed in the light as the noble became drenched in tea.
"Stop." A voice called out to the life mage as she hurried to Lady Siri's side.
Oh no, the pain is driving her delirious. The Corin worshiper thought as she saw a pale hand reaching out to her, signalling her to stop.
"I said stop!" An annoyed rumble shook the room as the noble half-elf felt her bones being yanked back making her stop dead in her track. "I don't need your life magic."
Huh, did Lady Siri know of me before I met her now?
While she was thrown into a daze her brain caught up with reality and noticed that outside of having her immaculately white shirt stained brown Lady Siri appeared completely unaffected by the tea, even as above her a column of steam stood tall. A Clean spell later the girl began to comb her raven black hair behind her ears while looking as dry as desert sand.
"I-I-I..." The air mage stuttered not daring to move.
In the corner, Isha had comfortably sprawled over the sofa as she watched Lady Siri with great interest like an audience gazing upon an actor.
There was a reason why everyone had gone through the Junker to meet the dar Blackworm. In their respected country, a high noble held power second only to the sovereign. Even in foreign lands, the prospect of drawing eerie of such a noble was dangerous as just the mere hint of discontent had destroyed not one up-and-coming House. It was in the nature of a noble to look after their own first, so many quickly distanced themselves from the entire condemned lineage or in the case of enemies swiftly pounced on them.
The nobles assembled around the Firmusian invisibly gave the scion of the Antel House a pitied look before the very House was shaken to its bare foundations. Thanking that they were not as clumsy.
"Why are you crying?" The pale lady said, her emotionless voice further driving the poor Aoife into panic.
"I had hurt y-you, didn't I?" A pathetic squeak emerged from the air mage.
"No, I'm immune to environmental damage... Although I don't think this passed the threshold to be counted as one."
"I-I don't u-understand."
"...Nevermind. Did you attack me on purpose?"
"No! I would never do such a thing."
"Then why are you crying?" The unsettlingly emotionless woman asked once more. "Are you afraid of the punishment?"
"No, I'm afraid of what would your anger cause to my family my Lady."
"Why would I do anything to them?" The northern spoke causing Aoife to go over the edge and collapse into a crying puddle.
In the eyes of Elfreda, something changed in the way Lady Siri behaved. She had adjusted her sitting position, leaning over the seat edge out of what could only be described as bizarre fascination.
"Shhh, everything is going to be alright," The petite woman hopped off her seat and crouched behind the Antel scion, stroking her back, a hint of emotion entering her voice. "Nothing is going to happen."
*Sniff*
"How could I pay you back for your mercy?" The redheaded child at the brink of adulthood hugged the comforting high noble.
Wow, she wrapped the Antel child around her finger just like that?
"Lady Siri?" The host of the party walked over and helped Lady Siri onto her legs.
"My shirt..." The mage's shoulder dropped as she looked at her ruined shirt.
"Should I order Annette to grab you a fresh shirt?"
"No, I want to go back to my room." Elfreda couldn't believe it as the image of stoic composure cracked as her eyes looked at her shirt with saddened eyes.
"Are you sure Siri?"
"Yes."