After that night of moonlit conversation by the Lake, the relationship between Astrid and Lyra returned to its former intimacy, as if the recent verbal restraint and polite distance had been Amalia's illusion.
As for whether something had been changed, perhaps only the two involved knew.
In the second month of the holiday at Elizabeth Academy of Magic, Hibbort, far away in the Capital City, received information about Astrid's recent activities.
With the tense situation at the border, as the emperor of a nation, Hibbort had little time to spare for matters outside of state affairs. Even for his most beloved daughter, he could only find a brief moment during breakfast to show some concerns.
"Princess Astrid has been staying in the remote village of Morin for the past month, with only a few trips to the nearby town of Kost for leisure..."
As Hibbort listened to the servant's report, he picked up his teacup and gently stirred the surface with a spoon.
