Chancellor Osborne soon guided Zin Vathek and Enforcer No. 0, Campanella the Fool, into Valflame Palace, and disregarded everything that took place around him.
Some time later...
The sun soon began to descend beyond the distant Eisengard Mountain Range. A fiery glow soon painted the capital in a vermillion splendor. Unlike other places, the sunset was much more prominent here because most rooftops were various shades of red. Some even a deep crimson. It really makes the picture. Heimdallr always looks glorious when it provides a bird's eye view of the capital whenever Cold Steel I's intro plays. Many people within the capital were closing up shop for the day to make their way back to their families to enjoy a nice dinner, while those who held night jobs were just beginning their shifts.
All the while, in one district, the Sankt District, the sound of a school bell chimed, echoing throughout the courtyard. Ding...Ding...Ding...
Unlike other schools, many school guards could be seen patrolling the area. For a good reason, considering this school was where most noble daughters of high-class families attended school here in Heimdallr. It wasn't restricted to them either. This school was open to all, should one express interest in studying here. The school bell continued to chime, which was the final bell for the day.
Before long, the two large doors of the schoolhouse's entrance swung wide open. One after another, girls, who were dressed in the black St. Astraia uniform, began to leave to head home for the day. Amongst this crowd was a girl who had silky, golden-blonde hair that waved like ocean waves striking against the beach. Beside her was an indigo, black-haired girl, and one more with olive green-colored hair. Who else could these three but Princess Alfin, Elise Schwarzer, and Musse Egret? As for Musse, she had a hint of worry in her eyes while the three walked out of the building.
"It truly is a shame that Lif can't be with us right now, but I do understand how important family matters can be over school studies. She's an exchange student, unlike us. Sounds like it's beginning to get serious back at her home in Remiferia.", Musse said, looking worried.
"That is very true. Your father is also quite close to House Bartholomeus back in Remiferia, isn't he, Musse? I did not anticipate them to order a house arrest.", Elise said, also appearing worried. Likewise, Princess Alfin also appeared worried. It has been a couple years since her little tour at Grancel City with Naoto, but it looks like she has acquired some new friends since Naoto had last seen her.
One girl being Musse Egret. Though, others here at St. Astraia know her by another, more noble name. Mildine Juzelith de Cayenne. That's right, Musse's part of the Great Houses, though she keeps that identity a secret during most of Cold Steel's story. Duke Cayenne just so happens to be her uncle. Her actual parents, when Musse was around six, unfortunately lost their lives in a maritime accident. From there, she adopted the name "Egret". Only a select few know that Musse is from House Cayenne. She doesn't like using her actual noble name unless she really needed to. To her friends, she's Musse Egret.
And before Musse got acquainted with Princess Alfin and Elise Schwarzer, she became close friends with Lifthrasir von Bartholomeus in her early childhood. But it would seem the quartet isn't whole right now with certain happenings back in Remiferia. Lif wasn't with the three.
"Well, I did have Brother Olivert look into what is happening back at House Bartholomeus in Remiferia. It would seem their Grand Prince hasn't been up to any good as of late. Second Prince Albert is trying to take over his position to help keep the peace. I can see why they'd issue a house arrest. Even though Lif has no intent to take the Grand Princess seat for herself to rule over Remiferia, the last thing they'd want is for her to be out and about in a foreign country.", Princess Alfin explained.
It was then the three heard a voice reach from them from behind.
"...You wouldn't happen to be talking about Uncle Bartholomeus now, would you?", A fourth voice spoke, calling out to them. Hearing this voice made the three girls pause their walking, only to turn around and see where the voice came from. It didn't take long to spot Sherryl and Renne coming out of the schoolhouse, also wearing St. Astraia uniforms. A look of interest appeared in Elise's eyes as Sherryl asked that.
"You two are the recent transfer students...", Elise muttered, welcoming the two into their group. It was obvious Princess Alfin and Musse were interested in Sherryl and Renne from their prior remarks earlier in the day.
"Are you suggesting you are related to House Bartholomeus? You were, Sherryl, right?", Princess Alfin asked, becoming interested.
"I also didn't think our two transfer students would be acquainted with each other before coming here too.", Musse mused, also interested.
"That's right. I am honored for Erebonia's Treasure to remember my name.", Sherryl happily responded, looking at Princess Alfin. Just like with the rest of the students, their studies have finished for the day as well. Sherryl didn't think she'd catch Princess Alfin and her entourage in the middle of leaving, let alone them talking about House Bartholomeus, Remiferia's ruling party. Unlike other countries, Remiferia is a principality. Just like the Principality of Elsaim. They have many princes and princesses who fight for the "Grand Prince or Grand Princess" seat, to which can be pretty cutthroat if one member of its ruling party wants to vie for the throne.
It's quite the opposite to what a Kingdom is when an heir is announced as Crown Prince or Crown Princess by its ruling party.
"There's not much to it. Sherryl and I happened to become friends a couple years ago, but we parted ways since. I didn't think we'd both decide to enroll at St. Astraia. That was a twist of fate I did not anticipate.", Renne's voice spoke, appearing beside Sherryl.
"Hehe, isn't that the truth?", Sherryl replied, still smiling. During that, her eyes showed a hint of worry. "Still, is what you said true? Did House Bartholomeus really place a house arrest on its entire party?"
"I'm afraid so. It sounds like you are acquainted with Remiferia's Royal Family?", Princess Alfin asked. Sherryl nodded her head.
"Yes. My Grandparents were in the service of House Bartholomeus before my mom and dad moved us to Crossbell City. The window was small during my stay there, but I was able to meet Her Highness Lif once or twice while I was a child.", Sherryl explained. "Because of that, the two of us became friends. I take it you three are friends with Her Highness too?"
The moment Sherryl asked that, Musse's eyes beamed, and happily clapped her hands together.
"There's the connection I was trying to put my finger on. Now I know why the name Sky sounded so familiar to me. Your Jillian's younger sister, aren't you?", Musse asked, and yet confusion appeared in her eyes. "Lif did talk about how Jillian had a younger sister occasionally. But that's strange. I remember Lif mentioning a tragedy that befell her family....Perhaps that rumor was false, after all?"
Sherryl didn't immediately answer Musse's question as she attempted to probe what happened in the past. That silence only made Musse even more curious. Princess Alfin and Elise also raised their eyes seeing Sherryl behave like this. Sherryl disregarded their reactions, and turned toward Renne instead.
"How much should we tell them, Renne?", Sherryl decided to ask.
"It is all up to you, Sherryl. I am fine either way with how you want to spin this. It's not like you really need to hide it, right?", Renne asked. "You'll be reunited with Jillian in the coming days. It's just a matter of when."
"...Are you saying something did happen after all?", Elise pondered. A resolute look appeared in Sherryl's eyes before she nodded her head.
"It is true. Something did happen a few years ago. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't even be here right now. Big Sister...doesn't exactly know of my whereabouts right now. I plan to reach out to her eventually, but now isn't the time.", Sherryl explained. "And until that time comes, can you all keep it a secret?"
"Hehehe.", Musse giggled, being the first one to respond. "I do love keeping a secret or two. Consider it done. My lips are sealed~"
"Musse...", Elise said, letting out a sigh. She shook her head seeing Musse do her usual antics.
"I don't mind it personally. There are some things that cannot be rushed.", Princess Alfin responded, nodding her head. "And since you already know Lif, Sherryl, I don't see why we can't be friends after this. While our little group may have lost one person temporarily, we gained two more~"
"Since when was I in your posse?", Renne retorted, disregarding the fact that she was speaking to Princess Alfin. Despite that, the five girls giggled, knowing it was a joke.
"You know, that doesn't sound like a bad idea.", Elise said, smiling at the two. "That is if you're willing. It sounds like we've been bound together one way or another, as corny as that sounds."
"I know, right~?", Musse happily replied. "Any friend of Lif's is a friend of ours!"
"Is that really alright?", Sherryl asked with a hint of worry in her eyes. Her mood lifted considerably seeing the three so welcoming to her.
"Oh please. It's almost as if we're already friends!", Musse said, only to look at Renne this time. "But where does that place you in all of this, I wonder?"
"So you decided to ask about that. I thought I answered you, didn't I? I am Sherryl's friend. We haven't come across one another during these last couple years.", Renne said. "Nothing more, nothing less."
"Oh come on, Musse. We don't need to play twenty questions with friends we've just met, alright?", Princess Alfin said. "But as the saying goes, the more the merrier. We were once a group of four. But as Musse said, Lif is under house arrest now. I guess we'll be a group of five~?"
"That does seem to be the case here. I did not think we would get to meet one of Lif's acquaintances at St. Astraia of all places. Please do treat us kindly.", Elise said, being more formal.
"Likewise.", Sherryl nodded.
"Mmm. A pleasure.", Renne also said, nodding.
After Renne said that, she turned silent again, not showing much emotion. On top of deciding what to do next with her life, it looks like the two found even more importance here at St. Astraia. Especially for Sherryl. She came along acquaintances she didn't expect. Renne was happy for her. While most of the Sky family reside in Crossbell City now,, there once was a time where they were servants to House Bartholomeus. To whom Sherryl had gotten acquainted to apart from Second Prince Albert, it was Lifthrasir von Bartholomeus, first princess to House Bartholomeus.
And now, despite being the most advanced nation in all of Zemuria for its production of orbal medical equipment, Remiferia isn't looking so hot right now. It's currently dealing with an internal struggle, and recently suffered from a bio-terrorist attack from several groups of Jaegers. Even Nidhoggr colluded with them, despite losing that big fight back in North Ambria. And now, Prince Albert is trying to clean things up, to which he will eventually claim the seat, and become Grand Prince. After all, once Zero and Azure begin, Grand Prince Albert introduces himself to the SSS.
While that has yet to see its conclusion, House Bartholomeus has placed its members of the Royal Family under house arrest for the time being. And that, unfortunately, includes Lif. She can't leave Remiferia even if she wanted to. Eventually, Lif will return to St. Astraia. When that happens, this new group of five will become six.
The initially-formed quartet has evolved!
As for Princess Alfin, she found Zemuria quite small. She did not expect to come across Sherryl like this. Perhaps it will do her well to become friends with Sherryl and Renne, just like how she did with Lif, Musse, and Elise. And now that they were, other noble girls would have to think twice to mess with them, considering they had the backing of the one and only Erebonia's Treasure. Princess Alfin's words here carried much weight to them.
During this, Campanella notified Renne that Naoto and his group were on his way to Heimdallr. In fact, they might have already arrived in the capital by the time school ended for the day. Now that Renne suddenly found herself becoming friends with Princess Alfin, she couldn't help but grin, and was looking forward to what is going to happen next even more now.
Renne's grin didn't go unnoticed either. Musse watched on, letting her own thoughts start to spin, wondering exactly what was going on inside Renne's head as the five left the school...