The carriage was an epitome of luxury, its seats were covered by fine silk, and the floors and windows were spotless. Above them was a small light that made sure that even in the dead of night, the passenger wouldn't lose vision.
The interior shook, and they started moving.
"Now three of us can just sit back and relax." Sheira stretched her arms up. "I am feeling sleepy again for some reason."
"That's very much unlike you, Sheira." Azure rubbed her chin, her eyes scanning her friend from top to bottom.
"I know it's weird, but I don't know why." She leaned forward.
Aqua hummed. It could be related to her awakening.
"Do you feel exhausted in any way? Does your mind feel sluggish?" Aqua scrutinized the princess.
"Now that you mention it." She tilted her head up. "I feel as if it's very exhausting to even try remembering things recently. I wasn't worried, but now, it does feel strange. I never had issues like these until recently."
"Umu…" Aqua slid over to Sheira, her hand gently moving her head to face her. However, unlike most times, she was quiet. This was not the time for her playful antics.
"I believe that the three pillars within you are growing in power and exhausting your mind."
"That sounds dangerous," Azure interjected.
"It could be… If left on its own."
"Hah, my glorious doctor, please save this feeble princess from the forces of evil~." Sheira grinned.
"Stop it…" Azure frowned, her ears twitching.
"Don't be so jealous just because she is touching me, can't you see I have contracted an incurable disease that only your heroine can help with."
"Sheira, don't jest about that. I will give you a proper examination when we arrive." Aqua placed her palm on Sheira's cheek, and her eyes glowed. "For now, the pillars seem balanced."
Sheira pouted and slumped down, "You two are no fun."
"Life is not always fun, Sheira. My mind is still racing about our kingdom's situation."
"Ugh, come on! Golden Rose will handle the training and it could be enough to crush the savages, don't ruin your rare vacation."
Aqua turned toward the window, her eyes taking in the beautiful cityscape.
"I will rest when our home is safe."
Sheira blinked, her head slowly panning to Aqua. "Aquaaaaaa… Please kiss her or something so she can—"
Azure dashed forward and shut Sheira's mouth.
The duo behaved like a pair of teenagers, yet Aqua did not even notice.
Aqua's head leaned against the window, and her thoughts wandered outside. While the academy was exciting, her mission was far too great.
How do I help you, World?
A dread pooled in her chest; the world was suffering, and she did not know how to help it. She had promised Sun God, yet her traces were none. Each moment that passed, she went from worrying to telling herself she would have a chance and once again worrying.
Am I this terrified of failure? Am I this pathetic? She grumbled.
"Aqua." She felt her cheek being poked. She snapped toward the offender.
Sheira pulled back her hand. "Is there a reason you wandered off?"
"It's nothing you need to concern yourself with. It's just my thoughts."
"Sure…" The princess slumped back into her seat.
"Aqua, if there is something concerning you, please tell us. I will do everything in my power to help; it would be the least I can do for you." Azure slid closer to Aqua.
"I appreciate it, but this is something only I can handle."
"Is that so…" Azure let out a dejected sigh. She was still far too useless to be Aqua's special confidant.
"Is it because the entire palace is calling you a monster, or a witch?"
"I noticed too… Aqua does not deserve such nicknames."
Aqua tilted her head, "I understand why they would be afraid of me… but it does not make me happy."
"They are afraid because you are not a variable they can control, and those who lose influence slander you." Sheira crossed her arms and huffed. "I will find out their names, and they will regret speaking that way about mommy."
"It's unfair." Azure clenched her fists, "Those ungrateful bastards, you saved their lives!"
"Azu, it's not the first nor the last time something like this happened. They have every right to be afraid of me, and I prefer it to be so. I said it before, I am a divine entity, distrust and hatred is what I deserve." Aqua's gaze fell to the floor.
"I am very close to becoming a monster they are so afraid of. If I let myself get consumed by divine arrogance, I would be no better than them…"
The duo stared at her, their eyes wide, and yet they dared not touch Aqua.
I still don't want them to be afraid of me, even if I deserve it.
She could not understand the philosophy of someone like Sun God. The world soul stated that fear is a potent tool that should not be neglected but instead honed and used as a powerful blade.
Yet, when Aqua saw the shaking forms of anyone who laid their eyes upon her, her eyes watered up.
"If it's any consolation." Sheira stood up from her seat and planted herself on Aqua's lap. "I am not afraid of you, and neither is she." She pointed toward Azure, then gestured for her to slide closer.
Azure slid to Aqua and Sheira and wrapped her hands around them both. "If I ever feel something as stupid as feeling afraid of Aqua, then that's probably an impostor."
Aqua chuckled.
Thank you, girls, it makes me feel better.
"Thank you. I really appreciate your support, but it's really fine. I have lived through worse."
"Doesn't mean that you need to keep living that way, don't worry, Mom will probably address the rumors while we are at the academy."
"I agree, let's just forget about that and enjoy our time together." Azure smiled, it was not the time for her gloomy thoughts when Aqua needed both her and Sheira to be strong for her.
Sheira jumped off Aqua's lap and took her seat opposite of the duo. "Great, now that these depressing thoughts have been laid to rest, we could do something to pass the time."
Aqua crossed her legs and leaned forward. "Anything in mind?"
"Well, what about a thre—"
"Sheira, shut up for once." Azure facepalmed.
"Hah~ Sure gotta be one on one first. Just kidding, though, we could play a game."
"Oh?" Aqua tilted her head.
"Well, there is one that I liked to play when I was younger."
A wry grin formed on her face. She stood up and knelt under the seat. "I have snuck in a deck somewhere here, give me a second."
She rummaged through the various smuggled items, retrieving boxes and covered items. Soon after, she retrieved a small rectangular box. She quickly opened it and retrieved a deck of cards.
When did she even pack this? She was sure that the carriage was prepared not much sooner than they were supposed to go.
"What's that?"
"It's a deck of cards." She grinned smugly.
Aqua and Azure blinked in unison.
"I managed to obtain information on which carriage we will use, so I put a bunch of fun activities and board games for us to pass the time. You may thank me now, Ladies." She lifted her chin, waiting for praise which never came.
"Eh, silence says everything I need to know." She shuffled the deck of cards, her gaze locked with the duo.
"What is the game about?" Aqua asked.
"It's called Nana." Sheira hummed; her shuffling became faster.
"The goal is to get three sets of three cards with the same number. Very simple, but it is fun to play in three."
She dealt 9 cards to Aqua, followed by Azure, and then finally herself.
"At the start of each turn, you can ask to reveal a card from the central pile, or ask another player to reveal the highest or lowest card in their hand. The turn continues as long as revealed cards match and ends when the set is complete or if a different number is revealed."
Aqua and Azure nodded along while Sheira explained the rules.
Sheira placed the nine hands face down on the small foot table of the carriage. "This will be our central pile."
"Seems rather simple."
"Of course, but those games are always most fun. Azure played it before, so she can help you out if needed." Sheira winked.
"Thanks… I have never heard of such a card game before."
"Hah! Good, something we can teach you, right, Azu?"
"Even if it's something small, it feels nice to teach you something new."
"Also, one more rule. If you collect three sevens, you win~"
"Understood, let's play!" Azure cheered.
This will be the first time I actually played a card game. She smiled, her grip tightening around the cards.