I.

A knock on Madoka's door came urgently, jolting her awake. Someone was waking her up...? The thought pierced through her groggy mind and she jolted upright. Someone beat her to wake up? There was something wrong. She must have slept for too long!

Her little bag had her spare maid uniform – that was all she was ever allowed to own. Her arrival to this estate brought many surprises already, but the most surprising to her was a room next to the princess's. Duties were divided evenly and the maids seemed more relaxed. They spoke in the commoner's tongue. Madoka found it difficult to talk to them after years of only speaking formally. The princess... she wondered what she was like now.

Madoka had mixed emotions and thoughts that swirled about her friend, trying to sort them out was like collecting strewn leaves in a storm. The Princess would act spoiled and childlike in one passing leaf, then her sickness would send her into hysteria. The knock pounded.

Are we under attack? The moons were still suspended in the cold heavens at a little past midnight.

"Coming!" Madoka leapt out of bed and was ready in a dash and straightened out a mirror and her own things in a flash before going to the doorway. A maid's duty was to care for others, not herself anyways. Especially for the Royals. She had no time, because the door swung wide open. Blonde hair swirled before her and a familiar face stood before her. "What are you wearing?"

Princess Fiara was smirking a devilish grin when Madoka remembered her words the day before. She wasn't wearing a dress, no, Madoka gawked in horror at the realization that she was in commoner's clothes. That ominous word, "bootcamp" rang in her mind like a foreign army yet she knew it was something dangerous for the Princess. Oh, kind gods, she worried that the princess has changed drastically over these months here. Still, to be beaten awake by Princess Fiara herself, Madoka was embarrassed. How could she let this happen?

"Good morning!" the princess boomed. "Got a friend for you to meet. He will be kicking both our asses for this whole year, you understand me?"

The Princess leaned dangerously close to Madoka's face.

"Oh, and I have a set of workout gear for you!"

"Very well, Your Highness," Madoka gave up and took the clothing. The Princess did seem healthier and stronger since she last saw her. Perhaps it was the country's soft air here that lifted her spirits and added to that skip in her steps.

Minutes later, Madoka made her way through the large mansion's ornate halls past the looks of her fellow servants. They seemed to take pity on her, as if all were in agreement that dealing with her princess was the short end of the stick. Let them, Madoka silently scoffed to herself as she strode by their judgmental eyes.

"Come on, come on!" The princess said. She was waiting by an exceptionally large man, built as a mountain who looked on silently. "This is the friend I wanted to introduce you to!"

She marched up unafraid and tapped his armor, not even reaching to the middle of his chest. The mountain was the retired First Knight Company's captain, who let out a hearty laughter.

"Captain Zeron, or is it just Lord Zeron now?" Madoka suddenly realized that the Princess was not lying about her intentions.

"I've heard all about you, little lady!" He laughed. "You're in much better form than the Princess started out as."

"Please, Lord Zeron," She protested. "It's just Madoka."

"Very well, then," Lord Zeron laughed. If he laughed harder his breath could blow out the lantern fires, Madoka thought. The sun was nowhere close to rising, wasn't it.

"Here, catch!" the Princess tossed something to her.

"A broom...?" Madoka wondered aloud. This time Princess Fiara joined in with Lord Zeron's laughter.

She looked at the object in her hands. It was a practice sword, made of crude wood. The princess nodded, expectedly. Madoka followed them with a lot more apprehension than before.

I am a servant, Madoka protested in her head. I'm the one they throw to the wolves if they're in danger!

Lord Zeron soon stopped both girls at a large court. Princess Fiara was already doing this before Madoka's arrival.

"First, we stretch," He demonstrated odd movements. Madoka looked on with horror, realizing that Princess Fiara was also copying his movements. He regarded Madoka's confused look and explained as if he was reciting lines from a play. "Helps prevent something bad with muscles... stiffness or something."

"Correct," Princess Fiara sounded too enthusiastic. "Go on, Madoka. Try it!"

Madoka sighed and copied one. The stretching made something pop in her body, but some time later Madoka felt oddly limber. It was then when Lord Zeron drew a wooden sword. "Come, little lady, I will teach you the basics. Give me a swing first, let me test your strength."

Madoka's hands shook as she shrank beneath Lord Zeron. He held his sword in range for her swing, waiting. She has never trained in fighting, but the Princess was looking on at her. Anything she wants, Madoka thought. No, she would rather fend off wolves the best she could should her princess be in danger.

This was the way, she supposed. It was just another way to serve her.

Madoka swung her own wooden sword as hard as she could on his sword. The blow went about as useless as Madoka expected — the vibration of the swords clashing on her flimsy grip hurt her hands. The captain's sword remained a stout tower, unmoving in the wind. Lord Zeron contemplated it, while Madoka stood ragged. She's cleaned the highest peaks, ran down to the lowest cellars of the palace and yet has never exerted herself like swinging a sword does.

"You strike hard!" Lord Zeron laughed, tossing the sword aside.

"D-don't mock me, please," Madoka breathed. Her legs wobbled and she was embarrassed. "I've never had to do something so unladylike!"

"As expected of you, Madoka!" Princess Fiara clapped. "I'm quite useless with a sword, see."

She swung her sword as hard as she could at Zeron's thigh, bouncing off the armor. The strike was left unnoticeable by the man, who laughed.

"With my training," he said seriously. "You will surpass even me!"

"Why me?" Madoka asked.

"Because," the princess turned and smiled. "The woman of my dreams shall not be left helpless!"

II.

"C-commoner's food?" Madoka looked at the dishes. It was bad enough that the princess was in the kitchen preparing the meals with her, but she was eating commoner's food too? "Y-your highness, surel-"

"Nope, nope nope! Nae waahh!" Princess Fiara said as she flipped the meat up. Their sword training went as well as Madoka expected. However, after some feelings of stress overwhelmed the maid, she found herself letting loose into her training. Princess Fiara effortlessly chopped away without looking, the sizzling slabs meat hissing away into perfect sections on the board. Madoka glanced at her more than a few times at her newfound strength. Something about her princess's beauty stirred in her heart. "These foods are so much better than the crap they serve in the Palace. Full of nutrients and protein - I can roughly keep tabs of what I need to eat, like an athlete."

Madoka suspected that Princess Fiara still believed that the King or Prince was going to betray them. She sighed. Sunlight filtered through the Spring trees, it seemed beautiful enough to bring the food upstairs to the balcony. Madoka shifted her hair behind her shoulder and sneezed. Oh, kind gods, she must have missed more spots to dust.

"Come, come, eat with me!" The princess set the dishes on the manor table by herself. Her fellow maids looked at her as if they were used to her antics. Madoka was mortified.

"I couldn't possibly—"

"Madoka-san," Princess Fiara said, plopping herself down on the head chair. "Remember what I said to you back in the Palace? During our secret, emergency meeting? You and I, we are no longer in a work relationship, okay? Besides, Father might as well say he disowned me since... you know."

"Forgive me, Your Highness... I," Madoka started. With a bated breath, she folded her maid uniform out and sat next to the princess, trying to resist how foolish this situation was. "Shouldn't have brought it up. It must be terrible for you, Your Highness."

"It's fine," the princess told her this a lot of times but none of them assured Madoka any better. "I hated it all, you know. This... condition of mine as you people call it. Like being right but unable to express it."

She pointed out the window towards those same idyllic hills and countryside. The Spring trees were bordering the small towns and the bluffs ahead, with the palace watching over them all.

"It will all burn, Madoka," was all she said more on the subject. Madoka didn't press any further. Princess Fiara carried on like she didn't say a harrowing prophecy.

A ray of sunlight pooled in the princess's blue eyes as she ate, like tiny gold coins. She closed them as she tasted the foods in delicate satisfaction. It was times like these that reminded her of how messy she used to be while eating. She licked her two fingers clean, properly as a true Royal should. One of her eyelids opened and the treasure beneath looked at her with suspicion.

"Eh, have I got somethin' on my face?" She asked. Madoka simply kept her gaze on the princess.

"You've come a long way since what, a couple years ago?"

"We were 12, weren't we? Birthdays seem so rare when you're a kid..." the princess scoffed but could not hide her blushed cheeks. "Tch. Of course a sweet girl like me would get thrown into this body... And I noticed you haven't eaten. Try it! I cooked it myself!"

Those words yet again did not inspire confidence in the quality of the food. Madoka gulped and then took a bite.

The food was savory and melted upon the moment it touched her tongue. A myriad of flavors, full and filling, rested on her tongue and chewing caused more of the flavor to draw out. Madoka was afraid and embarrassed, she only ate as a commoner. She was not allowed to eat with anyone before, especially with the princess of all people. Still, the desire to taste more of the wondrous food outweighed her troubled thoughts.

"Ooo!" The princess was leaning right above her. "You look so adorable! I'm glad you love the taste! This world has a lot of plants and herbs that are equivalent to mine.... Anyways! Seasoning makes the magic happen!"

"Speaking of magic," Fiara grinned mischievously. "I've come across some... tomes and books in the upper quarters."

"Please, not those," Madoka stopped eating. The thought of her princess using the arcane horrified the maid. Magic was a powerful entity from the kind gods and a those who wielded it were terrifyijg to Madoka. She scoffed.

"Don't be dramatic," she said, shrugging before returning to her seat. "Do you really think so low of me that I'd catch myself on fire or something? Of course, not now. We have lots of sword fighting and, um, other things to train!"

Madoka grimaced. She did not trust the princess with anything that could make a mess. Fire was not even in her nightmares of picking up after her.

Lord Zeron was not the only one at the court this time. This time another was standing proudly next to him. The princess was guiding her to the training yard, yet as soon as they arrived she disappeared. The man was built powerfully, more beast in his makeup than man. A strong tail protruded from his backside. She has heard talks of wild beast-men in the eastern jungles from the haughty maids of the Palace. They were Cherish-men. His tail twitched in annoyance as he leaned down and inspected Madoka. Then he sneered.

"This weakling is in charge of the princess's safety?" He complained to Lord Zeron. The mountain shrugged. Madoka was sensing an arrogant attitude from this man but unfortunately he was right. She was not fit for the princess's maid if she could not protect and serve her. "What is there to teach this creature? The art of combat isn't for her!"

"Teach her the basics, Leopride," Lord Zeron instructed. Leopride, who never actually introduced himself to her, gave an exasperated sigh.

"You are lucky I owe you one," he said, adjusting the ring on his left beast ear, before drawing his sword. "You, on the other hand, will learn that you're never going to be anything useful to an esteemed woman like the princess."

In that moment, something underneath Madoka's nervous exterior stirred. A fire began to light up, starting as a quiet anger to a raging infernal desire to knock that arrogant grin off his stupid face.

That said, he was correct. Every form of strike, he countered and smacked her on the head of some other vital hard. Lord Zeron would not show some days and on those days Leopride would take advantage of his absence by increasing his beatings with a sickening glee. Still, with every bruise and every insult, the flames grew hotter.

On one particular day, Lord Zeron was not there to control Leopride's temper. Yet, Madoka still arrived to take more blows. She could not refuse the princess's orders. She was improving with every bruise, yet deep down inside she knew she was not enough. Was she destined for only half-hearted efforts? Was she not taking her training as seriously as her maid duties? Madoka's body was breaking down, but still she persisted, forgetting that even the princess herself was not even aware that she was getting tormented every day.

"This style of swordplay is Cherish," he said, keeping a perfect distance away from her swing and baiting another. The sword flourish made it difficult to see but it was all a ruse, with Leopride uppercutting her sword from her hand and delivering a kick to Madoka's chest sent her skidding along the ground. She heard several bones crack inside her. He spat on the ground while she struggled to get up. "A commoner like you has no place here. What in the world are both of those fools thinking..? Take a break. Let those wounds fester inside of you until you give up and die, commoner."

Still, Madoka got up, reaching for the broken wooden sword. He crossed his arms and sighed. With a flourish on her own, Madoka began her assault on the Cherish-man. She knew in her heart that she was not enough, she didn't need an infuriating man to tell her that!

"I pity you," he laughs as she finally landed a blow on his wrist. "I didn't feel a thing!"

Then he punished her by punching her - sending her careening into the dirt again.

"You're so lucky she loves you. You're so worthless, she probably pities you," He let out a roar and climbed on top of her, grabbing her by the neck. "How could something as weak as you be in her heart? It should be me! I was the one who brought her here! The one who gave the Prince the idea. The one who spent years with her in court!"

Madoka looked at him in defiance as he shook her.

"Do you think you're better than me?" He raised his fist and was about to punch her but the look in her face stopped him. "It's just not fair. Oh, and if you tell anyone about this I will kill you. You understand me, worm?"

Madoka was too bruised and battered to respond.

"Disgusting," he dusted himself off and left her there.

III.

"Good lord, you look awful!" The princess looked at Madoka. She could only hide her head in shame, but the princess caressed her cheeks. "I'll get some ice and you lay here tight."

"Wait," Madoka tried to protest, but she was too tired. The princess would do whatever she wanted.

She detested herself. The princess was not someone she should rely on, even if the feelings for her remained conflicting. Every part of Madoka was bruised and weak. She could not stand or move on her own. How long will she continue to be a burden?

Fiara returned with a bag full of ice created from magic and placed it squarely on Madoka's leg. The Healers were going to help her soon.

"You're doing so well," She soothed Madoka, hopping under the covers. "Training hard for me."

"Y-your Highness," she stammered as the princess rested her head on Madoka's shoulder. "You're asleep, aren't you?"

A snore was her only response. This time was for Madoka to finally give in and close her eyes.

It seemed only like an instant that she had them closed. Madoka's head pounded as she woke, but the princess was no longer by her side. Madoka cracked an eye open and noticed that it was dark outside. A candle flickered from the translucent lantern on the table with its meager light bobbing up and down within its cage. In the distance, she could hear scribbling on parchment from a fastidious hand Madoka was all too familiar with.

She tried to speak, but only breath would leave her lips. Not that it mattered, for Princess Fiara noticed it immediately. The quill was set aside in its ink well, chair scooting away as she made her way to Madoka. "Madoka!"

"G-good morning, Your Highness," Madoka breathed. The princess embraced her again. "How long have I been out?"

Princess Fiara contemplated it for a moment. "Oh, about all day."

A whole day. Madoka's heart sank. There were so many things to clean. The princess already could tell what she was worried about.

"You're fine. The healers did their voodoo magic stuff on you," she told Madoka. "Just consider it a sick day, or something. Maybe you'll get worker's comp. Is that even a thing in this world? My step-dad used to blab about his hand in an accident about it. Who knows!"

"You're as lively as ever, Your Highness," Madoka scolded her. "And it is late at night."

"Nae waah!" the princess pouted. "You're still working even though you're deathly wounded!"

"I-It's nothing," Madoka looked away, hiding a blush at the princess's concerns. "No problem at all, we have so much work to do-"

"Oh yeah!" the princess exclaimed loudly but then she piped down after a sharp look from Madoka. "I'm sorry. I just have been so excited that you're awake, I..."

Was the princess really apologizing to me? Madoka thought. She could not process the princess's words. If anything she should be the one apologizing for her foolish training with that infuriating noble for causing her trouble. The memory of that Cherish-man made her seize up. She must not tell princess Fiara why she was so hurt.

"I-I've been working hard too, Madoka!" Princess Fiara pointed to the desk. "Had to move my studies over here to be near you at all times, but I've been making headway into these notes."

"Notes?" Madoka was curious, albeit with a certain apprehension on what they were on.

"Magic," she rose with a confident grin. "It can wait til—"

"Don't tell m-me," Madoka sat up, but her injuries rapidly caught up to her. Ringing and severe headaches struck her back down onto the bed. Her body felt broken. Her mind felt like it was dangling in a state of helplessness.

"Ugh, Madoka," Princess Fiara pet her hair softly. "When did you get so impatient? Who taught you that?"

Madoka was worried that she actually learned magic on her own. She has heard how dangerous it can be for people who don't know how to wield it properly. Concern must have been written upon her face, for Princess Fiara chuckled as they looked at each other.

"It's okay, Madoka," she soothed her maid. She tapped the stack of paper and the books next to them. Various leaves divided the stack in sections. "Believe it or not, I was and still am a straight A plus student! I was on track to a good university too.... God dammit, thinking about the past just... Anyways! The time you should be worrying about me is tomorrow when you can actually come with me!"

"Oh, kind gods," Madoka groaned.

The princess giggled.

Some time passed in a blanketing silence with only the rhythmic scribblings of the princess making noise for hours. She clasped the belt wrapped around a tome shut. Madoka did not know how to read or write, however the princess did not seem to mind. With a satisfied stretch, she went back to lay with Madoka.

"Father disowned me. It could be a lot worse. My real parents, they," Princess Fiara was talking about her imaginary fantasies again, but Madoka has long since given up on scolding her. Was she comforting her and helping her work through her problems? Or was she merely worsening her dear friend's delusions?

"They used to fight quite a lot. I would hear a lot of it so I'd hide in my room and study since that's all I really could do. My mother never tried to protect me when he came after me. Instead, she'd watch as he beat me night after night. I began to hate her too. Though, I suppose we both were victims. But what noodly armed, skinny princess like me could stop a grown man from taking what she 'owed' him, right?"

She laughed bitterly.

"S-sorry, I was venting again," she curled one of Madoka's red locks between her fingers. A habit she has kept on since they were 11 years old. Madoka recalled the healers predicting she has about a year left before the curse would overtake her. That would make them both fourteen years old. She didn't want to think about life afterwards.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness," Madoka choked back tears.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I wish I could understand you better, Your Highness," Madoka whispered. She didn't know why she was either. "And why do you think so highly of me?"

"You've been taking care of me for so long, at a young age," Princess Fiara said softly. "How could I not think highly of you? Even through my failures as a former princess you've been there for me."

"That's not true..." Madoka carried on.

"What about your family?" Princess Fiara asked but pulled away. "Sorry, that's probably a bad subject to switch to."

"I remember nothing of my parents," Madoka said, as flatly as saying the sky was blue. "I know I was given to the Palace to serve as a payment, but I don't know if my parents survived or knew me."

"It was a bad idea to bring parents up," Princess Fiara said. "You've been playing this game on hard mode from the start..."

It must have been awhile but Madoka drifted off again listening to the princess's stories. Her wounds have mostly healed and she knew she could stand again. She sat up and shielded her eyes from the sunlight pouring in through the window, when suddenly she felt a draft brush across her bare skin. She was naked. Oh, kind gods, she knew the only person in this palace who would want to take her clothes off.

She pictured a grinning Princess Fiara in her mind and scoffed.

She wondered what to do at first. She yawned and got dressed and decided investigate in the hallways to find out. Another maid told her to go to the library where Her Highness was waiting. Madoka wondered how long it had been since she woke up after the sun rose. This building's halls were quite old and ornate, but not as much as the Palace's halls. Each hallway was simple with less things to clean and more importantly: No areas for the princess to hide in.

It was not like there were reasons for her to hide anymore. Madoka did not know why but a small tinge of sadness colored her cheeks as she thought about that. There were no more busy events for the princess to dress up for. Wood creaked as she stopped before the library's doors. Princess Fiara was definitely learning magic, a feat that Madoka has heard takes years to do.

But she knew Her Highness was a determined woman who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted.

To Madoka, the princess learning magic was only a matter of time. There simply was nothing Madoka could do to prevent it from happening despite how much she would prefer not having to clean magical messes up. Magical talents are rare amongst commoners and take even longer to develop than a Royal.

She pushed the door open, the old wood groaning beneath her hands, only to witness the princess leaning over a pile of books.

"That's not a proper posture to stand on," Madoka instinctively chastised her princess.

"Oh!" Princess Fiara straightened herself up and greeted her maid. "Look who decided to wake up today! Are you well?"

"I am fine, Your Highness," Madoka closed her eyes in embarrassment. "You don't need to ask me."

"Don't act all tsundere on me, Madoka!" Princess Fiara pouted for a moment then her eyes lit up after looking back at the book. Tsundere? Madoka could not ask before the princess jumped excitedly. "I think I got it down. The manas thingy majigs and whatsits are drawn to me, like toro-nagashi, hitodama, or maybe kami even? I'm an atheist. Anyways!"

She turned and bumped a pile of books on the floor. Madoka rolled her eyes.

"Oops," she muttered. One by one, Madoka picked the tomes up and placed them back as the princess rambled. "I can draw them in through my body and make a core of magic inside me. Like actually inside of me as a muscle. A magical muscle. Isn't that weird, Madoka?"

"Uh-huh," Madoka tuned the princess's ramblings out as she cleaned. A bright light reached the corner of her eyes and as she turned she saw the princess standing there with her eyes closed. To her amazement, a circular ring sparkled in pure white in the center of the princess's chest.

"See?!" She exclaimed excitedly. "This is the stuff of, like, videogames! It's totally wicked."

"... I think you shouldn't do that inside."

"Right," Princess Fiara said. She opened her eyes and the core of magic faded quickly. "Forget the books, come with me."

"How long have you been at this again?"

The two walked down the entrance hall on their way out. The princess stopped and raised a hand to her chin in thought, then she straightened her blonde hair out. Madoka noted she'll have to wash it tonight, containing the sigh that would have come out at the thought.

"Since you got here, so three months?" Princess Fiara said. "Have I mentioned that I can see manas all around us? They cling closely to you, Madoka."

Madoka gulped. Three whole months of her learning how to cause more trouble. How horrifying.

"That's... not very comforting, Your Highness," she muttered. The two stopped in the courtyard, away from the North Estate and hopefully far away from the garden where they first met.

"Watch this!" The princess exclaimed. "Call me... Mage Elise!"

The horrifying thought of calling the princess by her name barely distracted Madoka from what would happen next. The princess started to form an even brighter "core" at her chest, causing the wind to shudder and the air around her to shimmer. Madoka began to back away slowly.

"You're going to hurt yourself," Madoka said, unable to hide her worry.

"If I just concentrate on reining this thing in I can hide this core. Then I can harness it," the princess grunted with an intense concentration in her voice. It was difficult to see her. The glow from the core grew as bright as the sun itself. The princess uttered a great heave and the core shrunk. Then it suddenly vanished. The force of magic caused Madoka to fall over and afterwards the princess stood there ragged. "I... I did it? I think I can use magic now?"

"That's wonderful, Y-your highness," Madoka slowly got up. "Now, you look absolutely dreadful. We must get you cleaned immediately."

Princess Fiara's eyes looked around Madoka in a mystical bewilderment. Madoka was certain she was not bluffing and instead able to see things not many could see.

"Watch this!" The princess ignored her. She pointed her finger at a nearby flower and stuck out her tongue in concentration. Madoka thought she looked ridiculous. "Hiyah!"

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

At first nothing happened then suddenly a spark gathered at the tip of her finger. Panic welled up in both of them. The princess's eyes widened. The spark turned into a much larger flame, floating atop of her fingertip.

"Hot!" She panicked, fanning her fingers in an attempt to let the flame disappear. But it did not leave, instead following her finger with a trail of flame. To Madoka's horror, the flames caught her dress on fire.

"Elise!" Madoka blurted her name out as the princess danced about wildly, trying to get rid of the flame. The princess bumped into Madoka, causing the two to tumble down into the garden, and in a stroke of luck the fire got put out on the wet grass. The flame gathered at her finger evaporated as it began to rain. Madoka sat up on top of Princess Fiara, or Elise. She angrily looked at her tattered dress and singed fingertip. "Now look at you! Ugh!"

Madoka could not hold onto her scolding for too long. The pair laughed at the fact that she survived an immediate danger though Madoka did not know why then they grew silent. Elise stared upward at Madoka, her breathing equal and held a calm intent, as if she was waiting to see what Madoka would do to her. "What are you looking at me like that for?"

"You look beautiful up there, Madoka," Princess Fiara said softly. Madoka realized that she was still sitting on top of her. The feeling of her resting under her, the softness of her thighs under her stuck with Madoka and made a mark on her heart. Princess Fiara was truly a beautiful Royal. "I think I can control it better if I-"

"Nope, not today, Your Highness," Madoka pulled her up and dragged her inside, hiding the warmth in her cheeks. "You're a complete and utter mess. We're going to clean and straighten you up, I swear."

"Nae waaaah!" She flailed, but it was useless. Madoka had made up her mind. The princess could not escape her grasp.

"You're getting changed out of your burnt dress too! How many times have I told you to mind yourself and not cause troubles, Your Highness. No more magic! Have I made myself clear, Elise?"

At the sound of her name, Elise quieted down and followed Madoka inside.

IV.

"These are called Pull-ups," the princess told Madoka, pointing at an iron bar hanging above their heads. She jumped up to grab the bar and lifted herself up so her shoulders could match the bar's height. After one, she was panting and laughed sheepishly. "I can't do very many. That being said, take this."

"Are those bandages?" Madoka caught white wraps.

"It's called a sarashi. Cliche, I know, but sports bras haven't been invented yet," The princess pulled her common dress down, startling Madoka. The long cloth was wrapped around her entire torso. "Strap it around like this when we work out. Because if these delts, tris, lats and biceps aren't burning after you're done with these you're doing it wrong."

She poked the various muscles on Madoka's body. The princess went on to explain several other exercises, similar to the ones for sword training. Madoka was in awe of her strange knowledge, but her list of exercises was daunting. Was this how she managed to gain so much strength and coordination in such a short time? Did she learn this stuff in the library?

After an hour, Madoka was drenched in sweat and breathing hard. The princess, on the other hand, was completely fine.

"Whew, you okay there, Madoka?" She grabbed a cloth and wiped the sweat off. She tossed a spare to Madoka, who lay on the ground. "Now we're gonna do a bit of cooldown stretches. You're definitely going to feel it tomorrow."

And she was right.

For the following month, Madoka's body stung, became strung out and broken down until there was nothing left but muscle. Instead of going easier, the princess would smirk and increase the amount of exercises they were going to do. For a summer body, she said, whatever that meant. In between the exercises, she would train with Lord Zeron. Leopride would not show up often, but would beat her senselessly.

Her body would grow and be broken down. All that remained was a sheer duty to the princess's wishes and a hatred for that Cherish-man and Lord Zeron. Rain poured down on one fateful day, when Leopride's dreaded face showed one day. Lord Zeron took the princess on a separate practice session, but Madoka couldn't help but think the beast planned it that way.

The beast laughed. Madoka just held her sword ready. The rain bore its weight all around them and all that could be visible was the mist from their breaths.

"Let's see what you got, bitch!" He drew his sword. His stance was adopted to another form of swordsmanship. Madoka knew she was already outclassed, but still the duel began the moment her opponent's foot pushed off the dirt.

Swords clashed, yet Madoka was still standing. Leopride smirked at the young girl, kicking her and leaping back. She hardly had enough time to block it, so his foot still managed to hit her chest.

"You've gotten a bit tougher for a commoner," he said, brandishing his sword again. "The point of a duel is to prove one's resolve, the last man standing for their honor and country. Can you stand for such an esteemed woman? Does she know you for what a parasite you truly are?"

With that, he lunged at Madoka. She stood guard to block the sword, but noticed it was a feint. A month ago, she would have been spilled out across the field. But this time was different, she would give him a fight before she faced the inevitable. He was aiming at her hand.

It was too late, she managed to save her hand but the blow cleaved through her guard and sent her spiraling into the dirt. All she saw was rainy clouds and failure in her pounding head. Still she rose, learning the Cherish-man's movements. Another lunge, another clash between locked swords and splashing water dirtied her vision.

"You. Aren't. Strong. Enough!" The Cherish-man grinned. He was able to hold the lock with one hand and with the other hand he punched Madoka to the ground. He laughed before taking the wooden sword and snapping it with his knees. Fury built up in Madoka's heart at the reality before her. Leopride was right, as every Knight could tell her. She knew she was weak, yet she knew in herself that she needed to get stronger to stand even the slightest chance in the way of any danger to Princess Fiara. "I pity you, for I will stand before the princess as her new hand. You are fated to obscurity."

Madoka didn't dust herself off, but instead roared as she leapt off the ground and tackled Leopride in a surprise attack. The two turned into a flurry of limbs, mixing in with the golden spring leaves and sun-dried brown fruit. She had him in a locked position until his massive frame caught hold of her neck and lifted her off of him, freeing himself from her head lock. Soon he had her pinned down with one arm, flailing like a struggling kitten reaching for a string out of reach.

"You shouldn't roar before a sneak attack," Leopride simply said after Madoka stopped struggling. "But you have a beautiful cry. I bet that's why she likes you. Hmph!"

He turned around with an infuriating certainty that she wouldn't attack him a second time. Yet, Madoka stood up and charged him again. She did not know why, perhaps it was the constant pushing over the last month of exercises and training that built so much confidence in her or the hatred storming within her.

To his surprise, she grappled him to the floor from his blind spot and repeatedly put him into a headlock. Each punch was not initially enough to cause damage, but Madoka could tell she was overpowering his will. With a roar of both vengeance and victory, she drew blood from the Cherish-Man and mixed in the rain with her punches.

A hand stopped her from landing another, pulling her from her blind rage.

"Stop, Madoka," a voice echoed in her ears. Elise's, full of concern and a small amount of fear. Lord Zeron rolled his eyes, ready to yell at Leopride.

"How's that for a commoner," she spat on him and trotted off the best she could, trying not to show her own wounds. Leopride barely could move his jaw to speak and Madoka wish he could never open it again.

Elise chased after her, leaving the beast behind in the rain but Madoka collapsed into darkness around the corner, a small satisfied smile curling on her commoner's face.

"Nae waah!" Elise inspected Madoka's arms and body. "You definitely look like you can crush a peanut butter jar. Several, in fact. You're swole!"

Madoka looked at herself in the mirror. She got scolded by Lord Zeron, but soon enough the truth came out. He was more impressed that she managed to overpower Leopride. The wounds that "stupid Cat-man" inflicted on her the day before were worth it, for her muscles glistened with strength. She was still slim, but bigger than Elise. Not to mention the princess would never stop complaining about how short she was compared to Madoka.

Elise noted that she'll have to eat a lot more and work harder, while Madoka considered her delusional claims of being from another world to have some merit. She should not know the things she knows as her education was stopped by her Father awhile ago. Summer is fast approaching, and they've spent all Spring training.

More workouts, more eating, more training. Madoka was not a smart girl, but she knew that she was no longer doing it for Summer. Elise was preparing her for something more sinister. Madoka dreads the day she would pass away from the curse, but the princess looks healthier than ever and has suffered no symptoms of her sickness.

On one rare sunny day, she was invited by Elise to the garden.

"I wish to show you something," Elise said. She had trouble even thinking of the Princess as anything other than her title - especially not a familiar ground like her very own name. Madoka knew it was a privilege and one she dared not put to waste.

"It better not be magic, Elise," Madoka closed her eyes. Elise seemed to love that Madoka was calling her by her own name, sneaking peeks at her in between glances at her notes.

"It's not, I promise," she told her with a smirk. "Though, I have been making quite the progress in magic. I no longer set myself on fire—"

"Elise!"

"What? Come on! I'm not using magic unsafely— or is it dangerously? Same thing!" She protested, but pulled out a large scroll and unraveled it on the table. "No, I discovered some maps. It should help me figure out the general layout of the land in this country. It turns out, as I suspected, that there's some pretty big things beneath our very feet. Here."

She pointed to a part of the map.

"I can't read, Elise," Madoka said. The Princess looked at her apologetically as if she remembered that.

"I'll have to teach you," Elise muttered. "This is where we are, but just south of here is a cave leading to what I believe is a series of tunnels leading to the palace and other key locations."

She dragged her finger from one landmark to another. Madoka could only assume she was right, because it was just pictures to her.

"This will all come into play when this..." Elise hid her words. "Sheesh, we're late for Lord Zeron."

"No need," a man laughed behind them.

"Lord Zeron!" Both girls exclaimed. He eyed them both and laughed even harder.

"You two look tough!" The mountain told them. He inspected Madoka. "You should be glad, Leopride's ass is in the dirt now licking his wounds because of you."

"That's e-embarrassing to hear," Madoka stammered. "I merely got carried away."

"Today, we are doing something different," He said with a grin. "For I have a question: Do you like horses?"

V.

"Nae waaaah!" Elise clutched Madoka's arm. "Why are these beasts a thing in this world? Madoka save me!"

She was terrified of horses, much to Madoka's surprise. The beast seemed to not mind the both of them on top of it. It was a huge horse, according to her, its head reaching over Lord Zeron's head. Madoka heard her muttering something about 25 hands. There was a small group of soldiers and Lord Zeron accompanying the two, yet Elise was still scared.

"Elise," Madoka barely got out before she gripped even tighter on her arm. "We've not even begun to trot."

It took her a half hour to get the princess on the horse's back and the trip's only begun. Today's the day to go into town.

"I'm surprised you are scared, Your Highness!" Lord Zeron chuckled. Madoka had a strange feeling over taking her when she noticed his horse. He was a massive beast large enough to carry a powerful man such as that, fully brimming with a stalwart pride and unbreakable bond. His ears remained perked up, attentive to his surroundings as he did not receive a signal from the heels of his rider to slow down - he just did. "Normally you are full of energy!"

"D-don't tease me like this," Elise complained. "I am a delicate maiden!"

A snort escaped from Madoka, but Elise's grip prevented her from jabbing her maid. Lord Zeron was as merciless as his full laughter.

"There's n-not enough sunlight for the trees," she tried to make excuses. "Let alone a trip like this."

Madoka was watching her own drive, but her horse was calm and patient despite the jumping fool attached to her. She felt the beast's massive neck and the mutual trust began to bloom between them. The horse was conveying its thoughts to her whenever she touched the reins.

Too hard.

Too slow.

More.

I trust you.

I will show you the way.

Gentle.

"Madoka?" Elise's voice pierced their communication. Surprisingly, the princess was calmer, wrapping her arms around Madoka.

"Hmm?"

"How did you make the horse do that?"

"Do what?"

The horse snorted, its ears observant to the changes and currents of the cool forest air. Leaves crunched and dirt clomped under the horse's hooves as she adjusted herself along the path with Lord Zeron. Madoka didn't know what she did, but it followed a bit faster when she kicked the stirrups lightly. She was grinning ear to ear when Elise's grip tightened.

"This is the worst roller coaster ride ever," she mumbles.

"You must have been riding your horse for a long time, Lord Zeron," Madoka commented. She was not used to bringing about a conversation as a slave, but Lord Zeron didn't seem to mind.

"Aye, he's carried me since I was in service," He proudly said. Madoka could guess it was true for he and his horse had nothing to hide. "And I raised him when he was just a foal. You seem to have a knack for riding, little lady. You treat Ciara well."

"I think this one trusts me," Madoka said, observing the beast's behavior. "Or perhaps there's nothing that worries me besides the Princess."

"You be quiet!" Elise snapped. "From now on, YOU get to be my chauffeur. I doubt this animal will let me ride it on my own. Madoka, my feet can't even reach the stirrup!"

Zeron was laughing, yet Madoka couldn't focus. There were many whispers in the forest they were in and none of them belonged to them. She gasped, a sudden break in her breath as Ciara's ears pointed forward and her tail rapidly swishing. A flutter of birds and screecher rodents all burst away from a spot in the pathway. Madoka could hear each one's thoughts in a cacophony of terror, though the general idea was quite clear.

Flee!

Run!

Ominous.

Stay away from me!

Anywhere but here!

Terror!

The horses neighed and snorted, some rearing and others backing away as the crowd of animals ran away.

"Whoa," Zeron slowed his horse down. There was a dark clearing beyond a bit of high bushes where Ciara did not want to go near, of which both horses and the guards did not like at all. The path bent near the darkness, but Ciara refused to budge at all. The visibility was dark, so Madoka couldn't see what was behind the bushes.

Something dreadful this way.

I am terrified.

Ominous.

Ominous.

I am fearful.

Ominous.

Again, its emotions were quite clear to her. Madoka pat its head. "We'll go around, right Lord Zeron."

"Y-yes," he signaled the guards to go a different route. "Looks like all the horses are spooked."

Elise was in shambles. "Oh great, now the big oaf is scared of something! Do you think something even bigger than you is over there?"

Ciara ignored Elise, her tail swishing in agitation and backing away. From the looks of it, the animal could not understand her words or complaints. Madoka guided her to march away from the rest of the path in an attempt to calm her down.

"Easy, girl," Madoka gently stroked its mane. The horse whined, with Lord Zeron and the others joining her. "I don't suppose we can get through here?"

"Looks like some ruins," Elise squinted at the dark outlines. Madoka could see several tall pillars. "Perhaps some bears or some other big predator live there now. L-let's head back home!"

"Nonsense, we can go around," Lord Zeron chuckled, but looked to his own horse. His horse, who once stood with confidence, was visibly shaken by whatever ruins were behind those bushes. Madoka guessed it was a predator or something rather than the ruins themselves, though she was unarmed and unsure of what would happen if it decided to defend its territory and attack. Additionally, she heard no thoughts coming from the ruins but she kept that to herself. After a bit of resistance, Lord Zeron got his own horse to move. "Follow me."

"Can't we just go home?" Elise complained. "Even the damn horses don't want to mess with this trip anymore!"

"Language, Elise," Madoka scolded her. She whispered to her horse. "Can I ask of you to move with Lord Zeron?"

A soft neigh came from Ciara, whose ears perked back up.

"F-fine, but only because you called me by my name," Elise folded her arms around Madoka even tighter. She was lucky the princess did not realize she was talking to an animal.

I trust you.

I will go.

I am afraid.

I will go.

Ominous.

I will guide you.

Carefully and slowly, the group managed to slowly go around the bushes. Lord Zeron signaled for everyone to be silent, to not alert whatever was hiding behind the bush. Together with Ciara, Madoka gathered the courage to move past it. Lord Zeron noted that they'll go the longer route on the journey back.

"What good is going into town, anyways?" Elise muttered.

"It's good for a Royal to show her Presence to the commoners and rally them, show them they love their people."

"But I hate people! Father stuffed me in a castle all by myself because of that fact."

"No, Your Highness," Lord Zeron laughed. "You have your little lady and servants. What more do you want?"

"None of this town visiting nonsense," she complained. Madoka chuckled, for she secretly felt the same about other strangers. "Back me up, Madoka!"

"Don't you want friends?" Lord Zeron asked. Princess Fiara poked Madoka.

"She's the only friend I need," Elise said. "All my other friends know I died."

It was quite odd to say, but Madoka could tell she was alluding to her fantasy world.

"Well, this will be good for you," Madoka simply declared. The copses thinned, the trail turned to the road and the view of the quaint town Madoka rode in a carriage came into view. Elise gasped audibly in awe at the sight. "See, Elise!"

Lord Zeron chuckled. "Welcome to Dehiara."

"Sounds like someone ran a fantasy name generator," Elise muttered, but after a look from both Lord Zeron and Madoka she changed her mood. She smiled widely. "Ahh it's so beautiful!"

The whole group sighed, but as they entered the town a crowd of people came to greet them. They were carrying the Royal Flag with them. Princess Fiara straightened up and behaved like Madoka taught her, waving and smiling at the commoners who came to greet her. Behind that smile was simply a lie, Madoka was pained to know the princess did not care for her own people.

"As a like, full time introvert," Princess Fiara whispered in Madoka's ear. "This is beating the hell out of me and stringing me out!"

"You'll be fine," Madoka assured her. "Just keep doing what you're doing right now."

A villager offered a gift of their crops, but as the princess was about to refuse something caught both Madoka's and Elise's eyes. Soldiers gathered at a small tavern, wearing a crest she found familiar yet did not know where it was from.

"Tch," Elise smiled at the villager but simply shook her head in a graceful and gracious manner. The villager melted away while showering her in thanks anyways. "Already here so soon!"

"Who are they?"

The soldiers eyed the princess, saluting and bowing to her. Madoka got a strange feeling from them, but greeted them as a commoner should. Princess Fiara ignored them. Ciara did not mind them, chewing on some vegetables that the villagers gave her. At least the soldiers were not planning on attacking.

"They are Prince Fiara's royal guard," Lord Zeron said, also tensing up. "The ones who dragged her away."

"We should move out," Princess Fiara ordered, her tone much more serious than she has been before. "I do not wish to see my Brother."

"If it is Her Highness's wishes, we shall leave with haste," To Madoka's surprise, Lord Zeron agreed and the group began to leave town. "Can you get her to gallop?"

"Aye," Madoka said, still not knowing why they were in a hurry. As a slave and commoner, she dare not ask about royal or official faction affairs.

"No, wait, we don't have to—"

It was simply too late, Madoka already kicked the stirrups and Ciara bolted into a gallop with the rest of the group. Elise was screaming and grabbing onto Madoka tightly.

Out in the rolling fields with the Northern Estate in view, they slowed down.

"Gah," Elise grunted as they slowed down. "I think I'm going to puke, Madoka."

"Not on me or Ciara you're not," Madoka scolded her.

"The horse has a name?" Elise whined. "Tch. It took me years to get you to say my name. This damn horse..."

"Don't tell me you're jealous of a horse, Your Highness," Madoka teased her as they drew near the gates.

"Nae waah! Now you're using it against me! My heart, Madoka. Think of it!"

Madoka could not hold a laugh. But she felt the princess's hands move up her waist to her chest and she felt the princess nuzzle her head in her back.

"So soft!"

"Stop that!" Instinctively, Madoka swatted Elise's hands off her breasts.

"Aww," the princess pouted. Madoka sighed but the familiar sight of someone she dreaded greeted her as he stood at the gates, making her heart drop.

It was Leopride, greeting Lord Zeron. Madoka wished to hide away from him and escape this place, even to the dark ruins in the forest.

The Cherish-man turned and smiled at Madoka, his fangs showing as he bowed.

VI.

"It's been some time," Leopride addressed Madoka. Strangely, he was not as fixated on the princess, who wriggled her way off Ciara and wobbled after Madoka helped her on her feet. "Little lady. Your Highness."

Lord Zeron chuckled, knowing something that Madoka did not.

"Don't kill him this time, Madoka," Elise warned.

"Wait, don't leave me," Madoka protested, but both were already gone, leaving her alone with Leopride. Will she survive this time? Was he itching to get his revenge for her cheap attack?

Leopride simply gave a strange salute to Madoka much to her surprise. The poise stuck in her mind. Leopride stood up straight with his powerful right arm crossed over his heart and his left behind his back never taking his eyes off her. Madoka has seen the poise before in the Palace Soldier Grounds, a warrior eyeing another warrior as equals. This could only mean... Madoka's eyes widened. The Cherish-man chuckled, his straight tail unfurling behind him.

"I'll not apologize with words, Madoka," he told her. The next words he spoke carried a sincerity that only a beast like him could use. "My apologies will be paid by making you worthy enough for the princess Herself. Are you ready?"

Madoka slowly nodded, uncertain if this was a ruse or not. Yet she must continue for Her Highness. There were still hours in the day and therefore still hours to serve Elise. She followed the Cherish-man into the practice field, certain that this was a trap.

"Now then," the Cherish-man said, closing his eyes and drawing his sword. The air was changing around Madoka. Is this... magic?

Birds ahead fluttered away; their thoughts were too distant for her to pick anything from what Leopride was planning. He was murmuring something beneath his breath. As he completed whatever prayer he was saying, he opened his eyes and the ground ruptured apart with an incredible force. Earthen mounds burst forth behind him, standing as tall as he was, hardening into a stone formation.

Magic was mesmerizing to a commoner like Madoka. To know that the kind gods above would answer an earnest call... Madoka could not imagine what kind of life that could be. She has never wanted a Royal's life, but the chance to hear the god's answers would be amazing to her. Leopride cleared his throat.

"We will begin with the basics," he paced to the first stone mound. With a single slash from a perfect looking form, he cut it in perfectly diagonal halves. The stone groaned, sliding off and collapsing on the ground. Now it was as tall as Madoka. He sheathed his sword which did not even show a hint of damage and tossed it to Madoka. "To hold your sword and your will steady is one thing. To use it correctly is everything."

She found it odd that he was explaining each motion, guiding her hands in the proper way of the Cherish sword style. It was even more odd that she was holding a real sword. Yet, she had not even begun to use her feet or go into a spar or battle like he normally would assault her with. Little by little, she would apply what she would learn with her own cleaning experience of repetitive movements and work ethic.

"Breathe, Madoka," Leopride would tell her. Then he let out a loud hiss as she was about to swing. Her focus was lost, the sword clanged feebly against the stone formations.

"Hey!" Madoka yelled. Leopride laughed, lightly this time.

"To hold your focus in battle is what will make you survive," Leopride said to a frustrated Madoka. He was right, of course. "Once all of these seven formations are split by your hands, I shall return to give you your second lesson."

"S-second lesson?" Madoka wondered aloud as she picked up her sword and smoothed out her dress. Leopride chuckled and bowed as he left.

"Be seeing you soon," he walked off. "With a look like that, I will return in no time."

Madoka pouted, but continued to stare at the stones. They taunted her with their silence. Madoka's first sword strikes would not leave a dent on the stone formations anyways. Rain began to swell the clouds above.

He was right, though.

By the end of Spring, Madoka vowed to leave each of them split by practicing her form and improving her strength. A drop landed on her nose and the cold caused her to sneeze.

VII.

"Earth to Madoka! Hello?" Princess Elise was waving a hand in front of Madoka. "Geez, it's your day off and you just... stand there menacingly."

Madoka was focused on her breathing techniques, but also not accustomed to not cleaning something or doing her duties. Apparently, she stopped in the middle of the hallway between her room and the princess's. Other maids had days off on other times of the week, a system the Princess made them follow. Madoka was not certain what they did either. Rain fell like clumps of mud, pounding on the glass of the windows.

What do people do on a "day off?"

"Y-your Highness," Madoka stammered, looking to clean something as an instinctive response. "My apologies..."

"Madoka, don't apologize to me," Elise said. "You just, like, go into hibernation mode when you're not doing anything, huh?"

"Hibernation mode, what does that...? It's difficult for me to not do things," Madoka admitted. She was no bear, she believed. "An order to not do any orders is strange. I have done the exercises, working out as you've called it, practiced the forms Leopride has taught me... But not a single thing has been cleaned!"

"There you go again, you workaholic," Elise patted her head. "Even practicing is working. It makes me proud, but kind of jealous of your determination."

Elise yawned.

"Zeron's been kicking my butt with the sword practice sessions," she admits. "He wants me to defeat you in a duel by Spring's end."

"We're going to duel?" Madoka found the idea of hitting Elise abhorrent. "What madness..."

"A mock duel, some kind of sword style whatsit contest to see which is superior, Fiara's Warstyle or Cherish Sword Style," Elise complained. "Doesn't Lord Zeron know he's putting a lot of trust in his delicate princess? I'm pretty sure I picked support mage in the Character creator..."

She sighed. Madoka scoffed at the ridiculousness of her ramblings.

"Naee wah!" Elise lightly punched Madoka's shoulder. "That's as strong as I can get, see? You'll trounce me! I'll be dead!"

"Train hard," Madoka said, but then stared off out the window. Those seven pillars were still there standing tall in the rain pour. She clicked her tongue in annoyance. "I better train too. But..."

She stared at specks of dust gathering on the curtains. She will have a lot of work to do.

"Don't go back into idle mode!" The princess yelled to keep Madoka from daydreaming again. "I-I have been training too! Hard! In other things."

"Oh, really?" Madoka smirked. The Princess danced around the halls that apparently Madoka stopped in. Her idle behavior was an issue for the princess but she was more into practicing her breathing techniques in complete silence. Perhaps she could hide away in one of the studies and practice there. Or go into idle mode there or whatever.

The pair ended up in the library again. Since Madoka could not read, Elise would study and report her findings to her.

"I wish I could show you my swordsmanship," Elise scratched her head. "I think I'm more suited for magic studies though. My theories have gone so far off the books that before I knew it they'd circled across the sun and flew back into the book."

"What does that mean?" Madoka asked her, while doing strength building exercises. Mealtime was soon yet that did not concern the princess.

"Gods, Madoka," Elise said, flipping a page of her book. A depiction of a six armed woman with floating orbs around her filled the page. "I haven't seen any of these things. I'm not one to believe in such... beings at all. The healers pray to this Goddess and of my curiosity, I have prayed every incantation with no magical effects at all."

"The kind gods work in mysterious ways, Elise."

"Spare me," the Princess scoffed as if she was bitter from something. "Their silence has cost me my life once already. If they were real or cared so much about me, I wouldn't be here in this world... Sorry. I shouldn't trample over religion like that."

"Kind gods exist in each of our hearts," Madoka said, on her 100th push-up. "Truth is, I'm jealous of those who can use magic. The gods work through them."

"Really?" Elise said, holding a hand up. A small glow lit up in her palm as she formed a ring with her fingers. With a puff of air, she blew a bubble of water from the ring. It floated peacefully in the air, before popping and leaving a small splotch on the ground before Madoka's 101st push-up. "I heard nothing from the gods, even back then. Do I lack something? Faith? Bah!"

"The gods are kind, even when you're not," Madoka simply said and meant it, cleaning the bubble's mess without hesitation. "They are working through you no matter what you say."

"Sorry, I made a mess," Elise sighed. "I suppose as insignificant as we all are to gods, we probably don't pose much of a reason for them to look our way. Still. All I imagined in my mind was forming a soap bubble with my core active. Glycerol from herbs, dissolved air, yada yada. Turns out there's a lot of things here that are similar."

"It's amazing, Elise," Madoka said. I wish you did not apologize to me, she thought. She had truly no idea how the Princess did not pray to a god or use an incantation like the healers to form that Water bubble, but it still formed. "Do it again!"

She inhaled and concentrated, forming a bigger ring with both her hands. It was a strange sight to Madoka, seeing a translucent layer of water form from the ring. Elise exhaled, pushing a bubble out that was much thicker and heavier than the first. She giggled, before tapping the bubble towards Madoka.

Madoka bounced the bubble back while doing a sideways plank, which seemed much stronger than the last bubble. She was amazed at Elise's progress. She had use the Fire element and now Water. Despite having no knowledge of the arcane herself, according to several mages in the Palace, using more than one element was a difficult and extremely rare trait to possess.

And her Princess could use two.

The game continued with them bouncing the bubble between each other until it eventually collapsed, splashing the floorboards in soapy water. Elise looked at a shocked Madoka and soon both were giggling.

"I'm sure this will come in handy when we travel a lot," Elise's tone dropped all the silliness from it. The colors of her voice turned to bleakness for a brief moment. Thunder rumbled from behind the window panes, making the Princess smile. Her voice became light again. "Thunder makes me nostalgic, you know. Chill noise to study to, I suppose."

Madoka looked at her Princess funny but said nothing, then continued on with her exercises. The two would carry into the night in peaceful silence, each working on their own training.

VIII.

"The moons are bright tonight," Elise said wistfully. Madoka looked up and saw that it was true. Each was as big as a full raindrop, the gold and cold azure moons hung quite low in the sky. "Doka, why are there two moons?"

"P-please, Your Highness," Madoka blushed at the nickname. "Do not call me that."

"Awh, you are no fun," the princess whined. A somber tone carried itself beneath her playfulness. Madoka wondered, as only a slave could, what could possibly be going through her mind. Was it regret? Was it the future? She dared not think of it now. "Why are there two moons?"

"I'm sure your Father has told you why," Madoka teased. "And you gave him the same look you give me on the kind gods."

"It's not like I," Princess Fiara sighed. "It's not like I don't believe they exist. Prophecies and magic happen, it's just, my mind can't comprehend the vagueness. Tell me anyway. Under these full moons, I'm quite nostalgic tonight."

"Nostalgic?"

"Oh, ahh, just thinking of the past, better days," the princess said, covering her eyes. Her lips quivered for a moment. "You know. Probably weren't as carefree to you chasing after me."

"I am content with however many days I have with you," Madoka said without thinking, but covered her mouth before she spoke more on her own feelings.

"Really?!" Elise spoke up, she looked happy with the response. "I don't want to say it will all make sense, because I don't want to have you worry."

She spoke softly as she continued her next words.

"I don't want the future to happen at all. It's hard to believe that Spring's nearly over. Let its color refill, go back to the start..."

Elise yawned. Madoka didn't know what to do. So she cleared her throat.

"Long ago," Madoka recited the Tale of Two Sisters. "There were two Sisters who longed for the Sun and each begged the Sun to see themselves more than the other."

She felt the princess's warm cheek resting on her shoulder. Elise was certainly asleep.

"The Sun's God was heartbroken over the Sister's constant scheming against each other, so it forced the pair to be locked together in a dance. What it did not expect was for the Sisters to fall back in love with each other and now watch the two in passing..."

A snore escaped the princess's mouth, making Madoka smile. She made that all up, but it seemed like it did the trick. She gazed outside as she's done many times. She was restless and couldn't sleep. Perhaps this is the youthful energy Elise mentioned. She decided. Tonight's the night she will fulfill her promise to Leopride.

It was still pouring.

Madoka's dull practice sword glinted in the rain. Tonight was a special night. She was alone with her thoughts. All she had were her forms and her strength, sometimes she wondered if it was enough.

She felt something, in between the cracks of worrying about getting caught by someone and freedom, despite both unknowns she figured she could get away with her session. Each slash split the raindrops in two, sending a sheen of droplets from the edge of her dull, practice blade.

Each form she did brought questions to her mind, for Madoka might not be smart but she was always thinking.

Why?

An infuriating question. She was getting drenched, but the flame inside her kept her warm. It was not good for her to be out in the pouring rain, but how else will she drown out the noise within her own head?

First form - a breath and a falling slash with force and quickness of a comet, then return the blade to its sheathe after another slash. Why does she think of me like an equal? She had friends, perhaps, in her days at the Palace there were plenty of young noble ladies. Why, then, would she choose a slave like me?

Second form - a dodge backwards then a quick slice upward and back to the first form. Her sword embedded itself in one of the stone formations, crunching as it crumbled into pieces. She withdrew it, unsatisfied, then performed the second form again on another rock. Why can I hear the thoughts of animals? Madoka was again mystified at the strange ability. A passing owl outside the window looking for food in the fields kept her awake in her room. She also knew no big predators were around the mansion. What was happening to her?

Third form - catching the wind and riding the current with a smooth slice. Unpredictable and quick as lightning. She would go back into the second form, then to the first form. Why does she feel the way she does towards the princess? Why does she want to believe in her strange tales? Frustration built up in her soul, welling up out to her arms and feet.

"I want to believe in her!" She shouts into the wind. "Let them be true!"

Final form - a lone and desperate sweep, held by quivering hands. Steam evaporated off of her skin, yet her breathing was even. Quickly, she reverted back to the third form, only for her blade to hit nothing. Madoka looked at her sword thinking she missed.

To her surprise at the click of the sheath echoing with the rain, all the stone formations lay shattered beneath her feet.

IX.

"Congratulations, Madoka," Leopride clapped. He inspected the wreckage of stone formations on the ground. "However, you're doing it wrong."

He laughed at Madoka's frustrated expression. She held her sword perfectly, did her forms perfectly, and had her technique honed for most of the past months.

"What do you mean?" She asked him lightly. She still did not trust him. The Cherish-man's tail flicked in an amused manner. Madoka wondered why she could not read his thoughts, then dismissed the thought. It was because he had magic.

"I shall show you more of my homeland's style," he bowed. "Don't let the bruises be taken personal, no. Let the pain remind you of what you did wrong and seize the opportunity."

"No more stones?"

"No more stones," he confirmed, drawing his sword. "Now I am the stone."

Madoka found it difficult to track his movements, much like an unpredictable puzzle whose pieces fluttered in the wind. He was out of reach and agile, yet she could not keep up with his strength as well.

"Focus on your form, find me in the rhythm," Leopride showed her the forms again.

She left practice that night with several bruises on her head. Madoka felt like she made no progress in her training, yet she diligently went back to her cleaning duties with a smile on her face.

"So why do you do these exercises, princess?" Madoka asked her.

Princess Elise was out in the yard, practicing her own sword forms against her. Madoka observed them to be true to their purpose, simple and elegant. Madoka's forms, the Cherish Sword Style, were a lot more about movement. In fact, Madoka realized she was not very good at taking direct blocks at all.

Their swords still clacked against each other. Princess Elise smirked, her brows furrowed in concentration as she jumped back for enough time to plan her next move. Madoka could dodge most without needing to block. She heard the swishing sound of a missed blade as she sidestepped quickly to avoid it, then tapped her princess on the head.

"Winner, Madoka," Lord Zeron sighed, leaving the two alone.

"I do these exercises because," the princess huffed, practicing her movements. "The way forward will be paved in blood and if I stand in its way... I too will be a part of its blood if I don't move quickly."

Madoka knew of the princess's odd talk. The princess hung the sword on the rack nearby, while Madoka rested hers on her shoulder. The sun was setting its golden and orange beams across their faces.

"And as I learn more about magic, I don't suspect I'll get many chances to stand there and cast for free. I have to... I must be agile in battle."

Madoka shuddered. The thought of her princess in battle made her heart falter. Did she really see both of them in battle?

"What's wrong?" Madoka asked her. Elise looked at the setting sun with worry.

"This is the end of Spring, isn't it?"

"Sure is," Madoka said, but the two drifted off into silence. She took the princess's hand. "Let's get cleaned up, Princess. I'm sure the summer has much more training for you."

Elise's worry faded after some time and she smiled. Madoka got the feeling her smile was masking a pain beyond her knowledge, yet she led her into the mansion anyways.