A Long-Awaited Reply
"I read the letter just fine. Honestly, I didn't expect you'd actually write back—I was thrilled."
Ashytara's bright smile as she spoke made Ludenberg scratch the back of his head awkwardly, as if embarrassed.
"...Yeah."
"What, feeling shy?"
"When you say it right to my face like that, how can I not?"
"Still, for your first letter ever, you wrote it really well."
"I referenced yours."
"Heh, so you did read all of mine."
"Yeah."
"That's good enough. It was only, well, five years late! But it was a satisfying reply all the same."
"...Glad to hear it."
"Honestly, I was over the moon. The pendant, the letter... and you still remembering my favorite flower after all this time."
"How could I forget?"
"Most people do. Especially after five years."
"Even so... those memories are precious to me too. Tara."
"Yeah?"
"Your birthday doesn't feel bad anymore, right? I already wrote it in the letter."
"Yeah. All thanks to you."
"That's what matters."
"But Lud. I have something I want to ask too."
"What?"
"That day, on my tenth birthday..."
"Yeah."
"How did you think to blackmail the maids to find all that out?"
"Well... I just hated seeing you moping around, and I couldn't stand those palace maids and servants treating you carelessly. Empress Itara did treat them well, sure, but that didn't give them the right to take it out on you, an innocent target."
"You're right. That's exactly what they did."
"So that's why. I just wanted my friend to smile on the day she deserved blessings."
"...Thanks. But Lud."
"Yeah?"
"Don't say stuff like that to other people."
"No reason to, but why all of a sudden?"
"...Never mind, nothing."
Suddenly, the thought crossed Ashytara's mind. If Ludenberg said something like that in his serious tone to another girl... nine times out of ten, she'd probably fall for him too. Ashytara couldn't hide her unease. No matter how she thought about it, in her eyes, Ludenberg could easily charm plenty of naive girls if he set his mind to it. His every action carried a weighty sincerity that might seem too heavy at first glance, but that very earnestness made him far from frivolous, drawing girls to him in droves. And if he started getting close to other students for real... plenty would fall for him. Especially since, after the recent Solemnute raid, some female students who owed him their lives had started looking at him differently. Ashytara couldn't afford to let her guard down. She realized she needed to watch his surroundings closely and resolved to tighten her vigilance around him from now on.
The two continued chatting about various topics after that. The main focus of their conversation this time was Solemnute Adem. Starting from what they'd each gone through out of sight of the other, up to the things they'd faced together.
"How're the assignments going?"
"You mean the ones that piled up because of the dispatch? Finished them all on release day, obviously."
"What?"
Ashytara couldn't help but be startled.
"Saint law studies too?"
"Yeah. Put extra effort into that one. Can't use saint laws myself."
"Ah..."
"It was tough, but pouring time into it got it done."
"Good to hear."
"You?"
"Me, hehe."
"Still not done, huh."
"Was planning to chip away at them while at your place."
"Then I'll help however I can. Not sure how useful it'll be."
Ashytara shook her head at Ludenberg's offer.
"Nah, no need. I should get in the habit of doing these on my own. Can't keep relying on you."
"Alright?"
"Yeah. They're not impossible solo, and I've handled them fine alone so far."
"Got it. But if you're ever totally stuck, come to me. Especially erosion studies—that's my best subject."
Ashytara nodded at Ludenberg's confidence in erosion studies.
"Pretty sure of yourself, huh? Makes sense, though. Professor Calvin raved about you in his first class. Turns out, you're one of only two perfect scorers on his first pop quiz ever—me and you, wait no, my sister and you."
"That big a deal?"
"Yeah."
"Yeah, that pop quiz... anyone without real erosion beast fights under their belt wouldn't know the answers."
"Anyway, I'll handle assignments myself. So at Lavante, let's think about what else to do."
"Sure. Oh, right, Tara."
"Yeah?"
"Something I've been wondering."
"What?"
"How'd you figure out Eden and Mion were against me?"
"Oh, that... Remember when you chewed out Cletta?"
"Yeah."
"During that commotion, I happened to see Mion and Eden. They were grinning like they'd won the lottery. Clicked right then."
"That's why you challenged Mion to a dorm duel?"
"Yep. Gave her a solid smackdown, and she quieted down after."
"Didn't expect you'd go that far for me. Thanks, really."
"Hehe. Knew that, you'd better treat me right from now on. Look at all I've done for you."
"Will do. And if you need help, come to me. I'll definitely pitch in."
"Got it."
Their conversation paused there. Not for any particular reason. They'd simply arrived at Empress Itara's tomb.
Ashytara offered the flowers she'd prepared in advance and paid her respects. No words were spoken during the rite, but Ludenberg realized it was her way of thanking her mother. In her heart, Ashytara was surely expressing gratitude. For not giving up on her. For letting her open her eyes to the world. Though she'd never seen her mother's face directly, the traces Empress Itara left for Ashytara showed how deeply she cherished her daughter.
So.
Ludenberg too should pay his respects to Empress Itara. Not just as a former empress, but as the mother of the person he held most dear.
The two silently observed a moment of silence, honoring the late empress.
The next day, Ludenberg and Ashytara headed straight to the Celioum Church. To board the Wind Path to Lavante.
"Ah, Princess and Young Duke Ludenberg Lavante. No need to check—heading to the Wind Path, right? Go right ahead."
"Yes, Bishop."
Tania Grand greeted them warmly. She hurried them to the boarding platform right after, likely swamped activating the Wind Path nonstop. It was rare for a bishop-level priest to operate it personally, but with people anxious after the Solemnute raid rushing home, demand was sky-high. Long lines everywhere, but Ludenberg and Ashytara reached the front comfortably.
Tania and the Celioum priests activated the Wind Path, enveloping the two in a gentle breeze as they slowly lifted into the sky. Even after several rides, floating through the air always felt refreshingly exhilarating. They exchanged smiles and surrendered to the passing winds.
Lavante Duchy lay far east of the capital, but the Wind Path's speed got them there before long.
"We're here, Tara."
Ashytara, who'd dozed off floating along, woke to Ludenberg's voice and took in the duke's estate finally coming into view.
"Yawn... Already?"
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she forced them open and turned to him.
"Yeah. Time to wake up—we're landing soon."
"It's been a while here too. About a year? Last time I came to see you, you made excuses and wouldn't meet me."
She pouted playfully about the old grudge, putting on a stern face. Ludenberg cleared his throat awkwardly and nodded.
"...Sorry about that time. Anyway, let's prep to land."
"Okay."
It was just teasing on her part; her expression softened instantly.
As soon as they disembarked at the Celioum Lavante branch, a Lavante knight approached.
"Welcome, Princess, Young Duke. We prepared upon hearing you'd come. Straight to the estate?"
Ludenberg nodded at the knight.
"Yes. Father's probably waiting."
"This way to the carriage, then."
They boarded as guided. The carriage rolled smoothly toward the estate, and Ashytara gazed at the passing scenery.
"Looked the same from afar, but up close, it's changed quite a bit."
"A year's passed. Nothing major, though."
"Ah. About a year since seeing the duke too? Come to think of it, it's been a bit since his last guidance. Didn't stay long last time—just came for you. This time... he'll probably drill us on progress and work us to the bone?"
Ashytara shivered as if chilled. Ludenberg looked a bit sheepish.
"He won't start right away... probably."
"R-right?"
"Can't promise. But no helping it. He'll ramp it up just 'cause he's glad to see us."
"Ugh, what now, Lud? Suddenly don't wanna go."
"You're the one who insisted on coming to Lavante, Tara."
"True, but still."
As they bantered idly, the carriage pulled up before Lavante Castle. Grand and sturdy rather than ornate, it filled their view. The heart of Lavante, guardian of the east. Lavante Castle.
Ludenberg stepped down, Ashytara at his side, before the gates. They swung open, revealing the central hall's throne. Seated upon it was the master of vast Lavante, a knight rivaling the continent's finest. Duke Leonard Lavante.