Inside the meeting room, the twenty-one representatives sat, faces aged, framed by flowing white hair and heavy beards, each clad in black coats stitched with silver swords that gleamed like poised blades beneath the light.
Reed signed the last document on the table and handed it to the head maid, Vii. She bowed gracefully, her long black hair falling like a pitch-dark void, and as she turned, her blue eyes glimmered in the light spilling through the open windows.
The twenty-one representatives drifted out of the hall, their steps slow, their voices weaving into hushed complaints over the new laws and the reshaping of the old.
"Tsk, those peasants. Forty-five percent of their earnings should be the bare minimum. I don't know what His Grace is thinking."
The scarred elder scoffed, his tone cutting. "They don't realize what they're getting, this is luxury for them. They don't understand how good they have it here."
The beardless representative beside him sighed, nodding faintly.
"And now, because they dared to complain, they're burdened with only thirty percent tax. Such a waste. Now that they've gotten their way, it's the duchy that will suffer."
"Ungrateful people."
Another joined in, a beardless man, though his long white hair spilled down his robe. "They aren't even satisfied with the care we provide."
Their words carried past the gates, thinning into the evening air.
"Ha! If they're so displeased with the taxes, can't they simply migrate elsewhere? What lazy people our duchy harbors."
"Sigh, those people," Reed murmured as his eyes narrowed. He leaned back tiredly, wiping at his face with both palms before sinking into the chair.
Across the table, Nyx observed his father. He rose, steadying himself. I need to make this precise. I've already annoyed him enough times. Now that he's weary… this is my chance.
"Father, may I have a word with you?" Nyx asked, his tone polite.
Reed slowly looked up, sighing, he took a deep breath in "What's the matter, son?"
He slowly straightened in his chair, placing his forearms on the table, fingers interlacing.
Taking a deep breath, Nyx sat to his right side. "Father, it's about Luna."
Reed's brows furrowed as he exhaled, his gaze fixed on him. Leaning on his forearms, he listened with tired eyes.
"I know you judge Luna's talent without knowing it firsthand. I don't want you to send her away without truly seeing for yourself. Please, test her with your own hands. Then you'll know whether she's worth sending… to him."
Reed leaned back, hand caressing his chin, eyes narrowing in thought. "Are you sure you want this, Nyx?"
"If her talent isn't high enough, you'll be the one paying with your time. And if it isn't, you'll need to work three times harder than you do now. Are you confident in that?"
Sweat traced down Nyx's cheek, but he nodded without hesitation. "Yes, Father."
Oh… I didn't expect it to turn out this way. I'll need to show her some basics later…
"If that is what you want, and if you accept the consequences, I'll test her as soon as I'm able."
Rising with a groan, Reed turned to Nyx. "Once I finish my work, I'll inform both you and Luna."
"Then excuse me, I must return."
He slipped his coat on, first one arm, then the other, the fabric swaying before he buttoned it neatly from bottom to top.
Turning toward the gates, he spoke: "Very well. May the goddess guide you,"
As he left, closing the gate behind him, Nyx sat back down, his chest rising with a long sigh.
I've gotten myself into deep waters. Father tests people justly. If she doesn't even know the fundamentals of swordplay… this could be bad. I really need to teach her as soon as possible.
…
Aria waved goodbye, her eyes lingering on Luna as she walked down the corridor beside her maid, Aisha. Slowly lowering her hand, she smiled, warmth creeping into her cheeks. A soft chuckle slipped out before she turned back toward the garden.
"Aisha, what should I do?" Luna asked, glancing up at her.
"...Ah, m-my lady, y-you could try learning in the library!" Aisha said, her words tumbling out in a stutter, though her tone shone with enthusiasm overshadowing something from within.
"No… not today. Maybe later. I just spent time with Aria, so… who should I spend time with next?"
Aisha tilted her head, resting a hand against her cheek as her thoughts wandered, her expression reflecting the struggle within.
After a brief silence, she lit up as the answer struck her.
"I know, my lady!" Aisha brightened, a blush coloring her cheeks as she looked at Luna's face and immediately looked away. "You haven't spent any time with Lord Nyx since coming back to the palace! You should spend some time with your siblings as well!"
With a rhythmic step, Luna smiled and spun lightly toward Aisha, facing her directly.
"Good idea! I really forgot about him," Luna admitted, her gaze sliding away even as she kept walking at Aisha's side.
"Anyway, it's settled!" she declared, suddenly halting. Aisha stopped short, caught off guard.
Luna lifted her hand and signaled for Aisha to lower her head. Understanding, Aisha bowed at once. Luna reached out and gently patted her atop her head.
The simple gesture stunned her. Heat rushed into Aisha's face, her eyes glimmering as her smile grew smaller by the second. Joy dimmed in her heart until tears spilled, unbidden, down her cheeks.
Luna chuckled, hopping back a step. "Oh, don't cry! Everything will be alright! Then, thank you, Aisha, you helped me a lot today! Go rest in my room!" Grinning, she dashed off down the corridor, completely unaware of the sorrow left in her wake.
Aisha slowly straightened, wiping at her eyes. "My lady…" she whispered.
But the tears wouldn't stop. The quiet weeping welled up into a sudden, uncontrollable sob, sorrow breaking through the happiness she had held. She stood frozen, eyes fixed on the corner where Luna had vanished, her chest tightening with every passing second.
Sniffling, snot slipping from her nose, she clumsily wiped her face with her sleeve. The smile she had worn a moment ago faltered, souring into a trembling grin of sadness.
For reasons only known to Aisha.