...
?Wait! No?okay! What about you?show your wings and do some acrobatic flying above the crowds?? Louise enthusiastically said as she spread her arms out to emphasize the kind of excitement that display would make.
?I refuse.? I immediately responded before taking another sip of tea. My master pouted in her seat beside me but I chose to pretend that I did not notice.
?Why not?? Louise complained. It was another day and another afternoon, meaning it was time for our routine tea party with Guiche, Monmon, Kirche, Tabitha, and Siesta. My master and I were our new hats but Siesta refrained from doing the same, saying that she will use it on special occasions such as when she visits her family back home. I am proud to say that Louise has been getting compliments with her new hat, that should help her with her little issues with self-esteem and whatnot.
?Because you are asking me to fly around like a pet for the entertainment of strangers I have never even met, Yuka Kazami is no item for entertainment.? I pointedly said to my master, who made a disapproving sound.
?Wait a second, you can fly?? Monmon voiced the unasked question for the rest of the occupants of the table.
?Yes, I can do a lot of things. Flying is simply one of them.? I provided.
?That doesn?t even bother me that much anymore, I can?t believe that I?m getting used to this.? Monmon said while rubbing her ever shining forehead.
?Seriously though, the Evaluation Fair is pretty important for second years. That means that it?s important to your master too.? Monmon continued, standing up for Louise.
?Monmon?? Louise muttered her name with teary eyes. It took a while for Monmon to get used to her nickname. At first she was irate that we would shorten her name to that extent and said that it was insulting to her actual name. Her defiance was cut short after Guiche said that he liked the nickname and that it sounded very cute. As of right now, only Guiche and Louise were allowed to call her Monmon. I call her Monmon too but she knew that she couldn?t stop me from calling her that, so she just didn?t bother to try.
?It?s true though, Mister Yuka. We are all working hard with our familiars to make sure that we perform our best during the fair.? Guiche spoke up next with a bit of an awkward smile to me. He was still rather apprehensive towards talking with me on subjects other than flowers, but he says that he?s working on it.
?Why is this so important to all of you anyway?? I asked, intrigued as to why they were all putting so much effort into this whole thing. I have seen several of Louise?s classmates, including her friends here at the table, practicing a sort of routine during their free time, but I never understood why they all seem to be so?enthused about it.
?Princess.? Tabitha spoke up without removing her gaze from her current book, turning all eyes toward her.
?Princess?? I asked the blue-haired girl.
?Yep, the Princess of Tristain will be personally coming here to witness the evaluation and grant a prize to the winner.? Kirche elaborated with a warm smile toward me. I was still very much ignoring her advances to seduce me, but she was a good influence toward my master in a way. By that I mean, my master has been doubling her efforts in trying to figure out her element if only to finally silence Kirche?s incessant teasing.
?A Princess and a prize?? I muttered thoughtfully while sipping my tea. I saw my master?s hat bob up and down, indicating a nod even though I could not see her face.
?Yes. This is my first real chance to show everyone, including the Princess, that I am not a Zero?that I have an amazing familiar.? She muttered. I glanced around the table and saw that everyone else, including Siesta, were looking at me with pleading eyes?except for Tabitha who was just blankly staring at me. I sighed and put down my empty cup before clearing my throat.
?Give me until the end of the day. I will?arrange something.? I finally conceded, eliciting smiles from everyone?except Tabitha who went back to reading her book. Louise looked up at me with an expression of disbelief.
?Now that I think about it, I guess it is time for your world to find out just how amazing of a familiar I am.? I added with a cocky grin, making Louise light up with a smile that could make sunflowers turn her way.
?
After the tea party was over, I quickly ducked out and made my way to the garden before entering Mugenkan through the door there. I made sure that there were no witnesses when I did so, Tabitha was quiet enough but I didn?t want anyone else from finding out about my dream world just yet. Think of me as being paranoid but I?ve had it with children suddenly breaking into my realm unannounced and suddenly making a mess of things. Granted, that happened several centuries ago, but still?
?Now where did the mansion materialize it?? I asked as I rummaged in my room in my new mansion. I left my parasol with Louise before I came here, no reason to bring it here and I could simply conjure up disposable spares if the need arose. I was currently looking for the item I would use for my?performance in Louise?s little evaluation fair. I sighed as I realized the kind of effort I was putting into this simply for the sake of my master. Was it because I was being affected by the familiar contract or because I genuinely wanted to do this for Louise? Regardless, I was not going to be able to do anything about it until I found that missing item.
?Looking for this?? A very familiar voice said from behind me. I suddenly regretted not bringing along my parasol. Severely damaging my new mansion would be worth it if it meant that I could get a Master Spark off right in her face.
?Quite long ways from home aren?t you?? I raised a brow as I turned toward Yukari who was leaning through one of her borders. In her hands was the item I was looking for, a violin case. I felt a very powerful urge to cringe when the border youkai looked up and down my frame before giving me one of the smiles that Kirche had been giving me.
?I could say the same to you, Yuka. I must say, you turned out to be quite the specimen.? Yukari said slyly with a glint in her eye.
?Don?t even think of going there. So, how did you even get here?? I asked her while folding my arms and leaning back, changing the subject.
?I?m currently inside your mansion in Mugenkan, the one in Gensokyo anyway. Since your dream world is constant no matter where you are, all I had to do is look for a mansion like this one. Chances were that you would be there, and here we are.? Yukari explained, I nodded at her words. So Mugenkan was still connected to Gensokyo thanks to my other mansion. Convenient but?
?I?m assuming that the actual distance between the two mansions is rather significant.? I postulated since I have never been able to sense the presence of the other mansion while I was in this mansion.
?That?s right. I can?t even begin to imagine how long it would take to travel between your mansions if you used normal flight. I only managed to get there myself because of my power.? Yukari affirmed. I unconsciously scowled when she mentioned her power, she must have noticed this and tensed up.
?Hey now. I?m sorry for turning you into a man, well not really considering how nice you turned out, but you know what I mean.? Yukari said while waving her hands in front of her, my violin still in her right hand, as she misinterpreted my reaction.
?Not that, I was just thinking of something. Tell me?? I started while I reached out and took the violin case from her. I laid it down on my bed before turning back to the border youkai.
?Aside from you, is there any possibility of another border manipulator to surface? A human border manipulator in particular?? I asked, once again Yukari tensed up. Did I hit a nerve or did I get lucky?
?A?human border manipulator you say?hehehe?? She said uncomfortably as she suddenly took a keen interest at staring at my plaid wallpaper.
?So it is possible then?? I answered for her. Yukari sighed before shaking her head.
?It happened way back when Reimu and Marisa were still alive and young. It was a very?unique circumstance, but yes, that one girl from the outside world could manipulate borders to a degree.? Yukari confirmed my suspicions. Then was it really possible for Louise? I rubbed my chin with my right hand as I contemplated the news that it was possible for a human to be a border manipulator.
?As nice as it is to stare at you while you look all serious like that?? Yukari?s words snapped me out of my thoughts and made me turn to her.
??anything you?d like to explain?? The border youkai asked with a sense of interest in her voice. I weighed my options in regards to answering here. On one hand, this is Yukari Yakumo we are talking about here. Getting her involved with Louise could result in anything, especially if she finds out that I suspect my little master to be a manipulator like her. On the other hand, Yukari is the expert in the matter I was thinking about and her advice on how to deal with Louise would be invaluable. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I was doing it again, focusing on only one possibility even though it was not the only one available.
?For now?I will say that I managed to find change in my life. Not what I was expecting, but it has been quite the novel experience thus far.? I stated with a hint of a smile.
?Ooooh? Tell me more~? Yukari said as she leaned in closer, more interested with my current state of living than me becoming a member of the opposite sex. I cleared my throat before delivering the news.
?I have become the familiar of a young female mage in the world I am currently on.? I said while showing Yukari the familiar runes on my left hand.
?
?Are you finished?? I asked Yukari who was still laughing while clutching her sides. Somewhere close to twenty minutes had passed since I told Yukari about me being a familiar and she had been laughing at me since. If I hadn?t expected that reaction from her, I would have punched her in the face on the spot.
?I-I-I?m so-rry?but that was ju-ju-ju?? Yukari stuttered out before looking at me and laughing again.
?You can stop now, I have things I need to ask you about my master.? I stated seriously, it didn?t seem to deter her. In fact, my seriousness seemed to make her laugh harder.
?M-m-master! Y-Y-Yuka Kazami! Said Ma-ma-mast-! Oh! Oh! My sides! They hurt so!? Yukari said as she continued to laugh at me. I growled at her, losing my patience. I walked right up to her, grabbed the back of her head, and mashing my lips on hers. I drew back and looked at her absolutely shocked face. Yeah, that shut her up.
?Enough. I need to ask you a few things and they are quite important.? I stated before walking up to my bed and sitting on it. Yukari cleared her throat, her face still very red from what I just did, before looking at me with a more serious expression.
?You suspect you master to be a manipulator of borders.? She stated, piecing together the hints that I have laid out earlier in our conversation, I nodded in affirmation.
?Her name is Louise, she is the third daughter of a prestigious family of mages from this world. However, she cannot perform any magic native to this world properly?none that we know of anyway.? I explained Louise?s circumstances. Yukari simply shrugged at my words before waving her gloved left hand at me dismissively.
?So she?s the black sheep of the family of mages, nothing particularly special there aside from the fact that you master seems to be a failu-? Yukari cut herself off when she realized what she was going to say. She made a thoughtful sound as she contemplated about Louise?s circumstance. Yukari is wise, no matter how much she plays the fool. She knows that if Louise was a failure as a mage, then she shouldn?t have been able to perform a summoning ritual?especially one that could pull me, of all things, into a summoning portal.
?I need more information?? Yukari stated with a professional tone. Yes, this was the Yukari I was looking for. She was showing interest in Louise now so I would be a gamble on how interested she will be with my master. Too little and she won?t be able to give me any help. Too much and she might decide to interfere with my master?s life.
?Whenever she casts any conventional spell from her world, they break at the moment of release. I have confirmed the phenomenon with my own eyes. Eyewitness reports from her peers and even herself support the theory that all her spells completely break at the final millisecond. As to why, I am not sure.? I gave Yukari the abridged version of my earlier discussion with Louise. She nodded at my words before humming.
?And the same thing happens for all spells? Regardless of casting method or spell element used?? Yukari asked for clarification.
?Yes, ever single time. There is one more element she hasn?t tried yet, but that element is ancient and hasn?t been used for millennia, hence we lack the information to actually try it. As for casting method, they only have one casting system here, using foci such as wands to focus magical energy and shape it into the spell they want.? I supplied, eliciting another few nods from the border youkai.
?An ancient element, a new casting method, a completely new element, and border manipulation. I suspect you reached the same conclusions?? She said with a smirk, I sighed and shook my head. I cannot believe that we thought of the same thing in the end.
?Yes, I couldn?t think of any other possibility. So, what do you think? Could my master be a border manipulator?? I asked Yukari, who gave me a lazy shrug.
?I can?t really say until I see one of her spells in person. I?m thinking that the ancient element angle is the most likely possibility. No matter how ancient it was, it still existed. That means that it can happen again and is far more likely than having to come up with a new casting method, which could take decades mind you, or trying to figure out a new element, which could take centuries.? Yukari pretty much affirmed my earlier suspicions about Louise?s power.
?Your little master has a lot of magical power to be able to bind you into a summoning contract but it doesn?t prove that she is a manipulator. Even if she can make spells break instantaneously, it does not mean that she?s manipulating the border of magic to do so. If she is as inexperienced as you say she is, then manipulating the border of magic and creating an accidental spell break should have resulted in something much more?messy.? Yukari added, confirming that border manipulation, no matter the degree, requires significant control to pull off?control that Louise simply does not have as of this moment.
?I understand, I?ll look into it further then. Thank you for your input.? I stated before standing up and picking up my violin.
?Leaving already~?? Yukari said with a teasing voice, back to her old self again I see.
?I still have to prepare for something for the sake of my master.? I simply said before opening the door to the hallway of my mansion.
?My, my. Such effort the mighty Yuka Kazami makes for a mortal human girl!? Yukari said in mock disbelief, I simply shrugged before replying.
?What can I say, I wanted change after all.? I admitted before leaving Yukari in my room alone.
?Indeed?? I heard her say before I completely closed the door.
I walked out of the mansion and walked across the yellow brick road leading to the door back to the academy. I was not worried about Yukari following me outside or even fully crossing over to this side of the dream realm at all. Ever since the Lunarian invasion on Gensokyo several centuries ago, the border youkai has been more protective of her realm. I smiled at the memory, the battle that ensued because of some stupid power struggle on the moon. That was the very first incident that Reimu?s daughter, Reimi, was involved in. Quite the trial by fire the young shrine maiden was put through. Luckily, she and her mother had a lot of help. That was also the incident that took Reimi?s father?s life. It took Reimu months to recover from that, leaving Reimi to keep the peace in the meantime. Though again, she was not alone.
Would Louise ever experience a large scale battle as what had transpired during that incident? Will she ever have to experience the pain of losing a loved one in the middle of a battlefield? Will she be able to overcome the challenges she will face in her life once we confirm what power she truly possesses?
?Of course she will?? I muttered to myself as I opened the door to the garden.
After all, she has me.
?
?So?? I stated as I looked at the odd sight of my master and Derf sitting across from each other with a round table between them, Derf wasn?t as much as sitting as being propped up on a chair. Louise was drinking tea and was likely waiting for my return with what I was going to do for the fair.
?So?? Both sword and magician said to me. I sighed and closed the door to the room.
?I am rather surprised that you would get along so well with a sword.? I said with a slight smirk, eliciting a grumble from said sword.
?An ancient, talking, magical rusted sword.? I corrected, making sure to emphasize the word ?rusted?.
?I?m only rusted because you won?t clean me!? Derf shot back in defiance, shaking in its scabbard as it did.
?What is that?? Louise asked as she pointed to the item I was carrying, changing the subject at the same time.
?This is a violin case, it is typically used to store a violin and its bow when it needs to be carried.? I explained as I held up the case for both of them to see. The two of them looked at each other?well, Louise looked at Derf?then back to me.
?And what are you planning to do with an instrument?? Louise asked me. I raised a brow at the strange question. Louise was not stupid, she should already know my intention if I had-
?Probably going to bash someone?s skull in with it.? Derf followed up, I then saw something very strange. Louise looked back to Derf and smirked, if the sword had lips it probably would have smirked back. I shook my head at the sight. It was surreal seeing my master and my ?sword? work together to take a jab at me. It was far from being the strangest thing I have ever seen, but a surreal sight is a surreal sight.
?Well played, however?? I stated as I placed the violin case on Louise?s desk next to my parasol before turning back to the two other occupants of the room.
?Have you gotten anywhere with researching about the Void?? I asked Louise, who immediately gave an ?urk? which meant that she still had nothing on the matter.
?I?ve been looking everywhere in the library, from history to folklore to magical theory. I still can?t get any leads on what exactly Void is and what it can do, much less how the founder managed to cast them.? Louise admitted with a defeated sight, I expected as much. The legend of the founder Brimir was over six thousand years old, far longer than the existence of Gensokyo as I know it. The actual facts of the mechanics of Void magic would either be too diluted in legend over the millennia to be useful or would be locked in some ancient grimoire or artifact, and those tend to be highly coveted, guarded, or lost to the sands of time.
?Hmmm?Void, eh?? Derf suddenly spoke up, making both Louise and I look at the ancient blade in curiosity. Has in heard something about Void before? It was conceivable as it was an ancient artifact and?wait?
?Please don?t tell me that you were an enchanted blade that was once wielded by one of Brimir?s familiars, the Left Hand of God: Gandalfr, and simply forgot about it because of how distant in the past it was.? I postulated, my master was giving me an incredulous look after I said that. Louise had given me a run through of the current version of the legend. The mighty Brimir wielded Void magic and was aided by four special familiars with unique abilities depending on the required situation. Gandalfr was the combat specialist, a humanoid familiar said to be capable of wielding any weapon like a grandmaster. I could have asked why she was looking at me like that, but she had a tendency to speak her mind about things when in the presence of people close to her.
?That?s awfully specific of you to say, Yuka.? My master voiced her opinion, see?
?Still, are you really the sword that was wielded by the Gandalfr?? Louise asked the blade, a tiny glimmer of hope and awe in her eyes.
?Who knows, I can?t remember if I was nor not, six thousand years is a very long time you know.? Derf said casually while giving the best impression of a shrug a sword could possibly do. I heard Louise give out a heavy sigh of disappointment. It was a long shot, a veritable miracle if Derf really was a blade that was somehow associated with the very man Louise was researching about. Sadly, the only miracles I know of are the ones that demand great effort and sacrifice to achieve.
?I am assuming that you have mostly exhausted the resources available in the academy on the subject?? I asked Louise as I pulled up a chair and sat on the table with them.
?Everything available to the students. There?s an old rumor that there is a hidden library somewhere in the school that houses an unbelievable amount of books. What we are looking for might be there but?? Louise trailed of, frustrated that she was reduced to relying on a baseless rumor for her research.
?Don?t give up, we?ve just started delving into this.? I pointedly said, making Louise glare at me for a few moments. The fire in her eyes tells me that she knows that but?
?Do you have any idea how frustrating it is? Knowing that you have power but you can?t control it properly? That you don?t even know what it is?? Yes, actually I once did. And since I did, I simply gave Louise a warm smile.
?That simply means that you are determined to find out. Do not forget that you are not alone in this, I will help with that as well.? I stated softly to my master. Sadly, it seemed to have the opposite effect as I saw her eye twitch.
?And what kind of help have you done so far? You said that you?d look into the other possibilities about my magic but you come here as empty handed as I am.? Louise bitterly said.
?Not really. I managed to at least confirm that the Void element angle is still our best possibility.? I stated before pouring tea for myself. It had cooled somewhat, but still consumable.
?Elaborate?? Louise flatly stated, very nearly commanded.
?I have it on good authority that figuring out a new casting style that would be compatible for both yourself and the elements of this world could take decades.? I started. Really, I thought about teaching Louise how to use spell cards when I remembered that their system of magic is drastically different from ours and could result in some very unique accidents, far worse that what Louise had been able to do so far.
?Discovering a new element would either take centuries or would not be possible at all. Otherwise, someone else would have already discovered it by now.? I continued. I had asked Guiche and the others about what they thought of Louise?s magical failures and the possibility that she had a completely new element that she needed to perform spells. The students had replied with varying degrees of ?no?, stating that the system in use today was what was used by Brimir in the first place and it would be impossible for a human to be able to discover a new element out of nowhere. Tabitha had even opted to simply state that it was impossible. What about the so called ?elves? then? They are supposedly capable of wielding magic far beyond what humans are capable of. That would not make sense either since that would mean that Louise was not human and I know for a fact that she was very much human.
?The last possibility would be flat out impossible since you should have destroyed magic in the world altogether if one of your accidents got out of hand when you tried to use a spell with that particular ability with no control whatsoever.? I was met with stone dead silence in the room and a shocked Louise and Derf. It was true though. Manipulation of the border of magic was more dangerous than I expected, especially after Yukari?s uneasiness at the thought of what could happen if an inexperienced human child had an accident with it.
?I told you that ability was dangerous?? I simply said with a shrug. It took a few moments for Louise to compose herself before sighing again.
?So Void is the best possibility? The magic that hasn?t been heard of since the time of the founder is the best bet that I have to actually be able to use magic. Haahahah?? Louise bitterly said before going into a bout of mocking laughter.
?No matter how ancient it is, it still existed. If it existed once, it might exist again. It is better than trying to do something that does not even exist as far as anyone knows.? I stated objectively. I assumed that Louise understood this but was still too broken up about it to affirm.
?Changing the subject for a moment?? I said before slightly grimacing at the sensation of drinking cold tea that was not meant to be served cold.
?You mentioned before that the princess of your country is arriving for the fair, yes?? I asked, making Louise perk up immediately and start nodding vigorously.
?She actually arrived this afternoon! Sometime after you disappeared! It was wonderful!? Louise gushed as she told me about the entrance of her beloved princess. I had surmised from the girl?s flowery description of the arrival of the princess that Louise was a fan of hers, or at the very least, someone who admired her greatly. It seemed that the beloved princess of Tristain had arrived in grandeur befitting her title, a parade of colors and carriages that were pulled by Unicorns. I have never seen a Unicorn before?
?And then! And then! She even waved to the students! To us!? Louise explained in giddy delight, showing the same smile she gave me when she flew with me.
?I wonder if there?s something in the tea that caused this reaction?? I heard Derf say offhandedly considering how quickly Louise shifted from despair to exaltation at the mere mention of the princess.
?You are quite fond of her aren?t you?? I asked, fully amused at my master acting like a child many years younger than she is.
?Of course! She?s the princess!? Louise stated matter of factly, as if all princesses deserve the same praise. Sadly, my only dealings with princesses were with Lunarians. None of them elicited the kind of reverence from me that Louise was currently showing for hers. Especially Kaguya?
I was about to ask Louise to calm down when I sensed something outside. The aura was not hostile but it belonged to a very strong spell caster by this world?s standards?and it wasn?t Tabitha or one of the teaching staff. I inhaled and found the sweet odor of fine perfume, female then?or a man as flamboyant as Guiche. I slowly stood up and gestured both Louise and Derf to remain quiet. I walked to the desk and picked up my parasol, hefting it over my right shoulder as I stood in front of the door. If the person on the other side of the door was an assassin, and alone, it would be over in a second. Although, I wondered who would want to kill Louise and for what ends. I also briefly though of what kind of idiot assassin would try to kill someone by going through the front door. I swiftly opened said door, shocking the intruder into letting out an ?eek?, before I pointed the tip of my parasol right between her eyes. Yes, it was female, wearing a simple dark brown cloak and hood.
?You have five seconds to give me a very good reason why you were standing outside this door in the middle of the night like a thief or assassin.? I coldly stated to the figure that trembled for a moment before instantly calming down. Interesting, I made sure to let my killing intent flow out freely when I said those words. Whoever this was, she was used to dealing with great pressure.
?Umm?Louise Francoise?? The woman stated softly before lowering her hood to show us who she really was.
?Princess Henrietta!? Louise exclaimed in sheer surprise. The princess, here? Sneaking around like a thief in the middle of the night? Just to visit Louise?
?How can I be sure that you are really who you say you are?? I continued to point my parasol between her eyes, ready to impale her head with it if she twitched the wrong way. She was still a powerful magician and Louise has her guard completely down. It would be easy for a shape shifter or a master impostor to take advantage of such a situation and strike. Not that I?d allow any sort of hostile action toward Louise past me of course.
?Yuka! Don?t deny the validity of the claims of the Princess!? Louise immediately yelled at me, missing how absurd her words sounded. I sighed and lowered my parasol, making way for Princess Henrietta to come in. I closed the door and placed my parasol back on the desk. The princess quickly made her way toward Louise and embraced her. She was only able to make it that far alive because I did not sense any ill intent at all coming from the woman.
?I can?t say I expected this.? Derf piped up, making the princess stare at the sword for a few moments while still having Louise in her arms.
?Did that sword just talk?? Henrietta asked the room at large, possibly doubting her own sanity for a moment.
?Yes?a lot has happened, Your Highness.? Louise sheepishly said as Henrietta finally let her go. My master saw my raised brow as I chose to lean on the door with my arms folded, my expression asking the unvoiced question: ?Why does the princess of your country know you??
?I had the honor and the privilege of becoming a royal playmate in my youth.? Louise stated shyly while glancing at me, making the princess look between the two of us. My master talks as if she was no longer in her youth?
It was then that I noticed the glint of understanding in the princess? eyes. I sighed and shook my head at what she was probably going to say.
?I would rather think of us as childhood friends, Louise Francois?? Henrietta said before glancing back to me for a moment.
?Although, I do apologize for ruining your rendezvous with your lover.? There it was?and predictably, Louise reacted to the notion that she and I were romantically involved in the most appropriate way she could.
?Lo-lo-lo-lover?! He?s not my lover! Look at him! He looks like a gardener! Do you honestly think that I would fall in love with someone like that?! I can?t even imagine how anyone would think that I would be romantically involved with that man! He and I are not lovers! He is my familiar that I summoned during the springtime summoning ritual weeks ago! Did I mention that we?re not lovers?!? By blabbering incoherently and blushing as bright as a red sun, making her look even guiltier of what the princess was implying.
?Wait?familiar?? Henrietta thankfully chose a safer subject to talk about with my master.
?I am Yuka Kazami, Your Highness. I was summoned by Louise and am currently her familiar and partner.? I stated with a polite bow, enough to save face for my master but not enough to imply that I regarded the princess with the same amount of subservience that her regular subjects did.
?It is a pleasure, Yuka Kazami. I experienced first hand how much you take Louise Francois? safety seriously. I am impressed with your concern and loyalty toward her.? Henrietta complimented my earlier display instead of taking offence to it. She is also officially the very first person to get the pronunciation of my name correctly on her first try. I like her already.
?Not at all. I will protect Louise from all who would do her harm. Even in the face of Armageddon itself, I shall not compromise.? I boldly stated, eliciting another blush from Louise and a whistling sound from Derf.
?If only those in my court were as dedicated as you?? Henrietta said with a tinge of sadness before quickly adopting a warm smile and offering her hand. I pondered for a moment on what she might want me to do before I blinked at the realization. She was either offering me a handshake or asking me to kiss the back of her hand. Considering she was royalty and a lady, I was going to assume that it was the latter. I took her hand and kissed her knuckles lightly, using the grace I have honed through countless years of life. I took it a bit further as I glanced up at the princess while my lips were still on her hand, giving her a serious and noble gaze. The light pink that appeared on her cheeks showed that it had worked. I learned that one from the man who had captured Reimu?s heart so long ago. I let go of her hand and the princess immediately turned back to Louise and gave her another hug.
?It has been wonderful to see you again my old friend, even better now that I know that you are in good hands.? She said as she let my master go before glancing at me and Derf with a smile.
?I wish you luck in the fair tomorrow.? She said before pulling up her hood again and headed for the door. I opened the door and made way for her exit. I made sure that she had cleared the hall before closing the door and turning back to Louise who looked absolutely exhausted.
?The princess was here. She came here just to see me. Hehehe?? Louise muttered to herself as she made a silly smile while staring blanking into oblivion.
?Has to be something in the tea?? Derf concluded to itself as I sighed one more time before helping my master prepare for sleep. She and I have quite the day ahead of us. That reminded me?
?I wonder what I should play?? I muttered I helped the still dazed Louise into her nightgown.
?