Meetings and tensions

[A/N: Co-written with ScarletRabbit.]

Seraphina's hands intertwined atop the table. Her lips curved in a gentle smile. She appeared to be genuinely pleased to see him.

Lucas's face remained neutral. In truth, he was unsure how to respond to the woman's pose or attitude. She appeared content at the moment, but a tiny bit of experience he had warned him. Ophelia could smile warmly, even at him, right before delivering a low blow. For all he knew, the elf woman could be fuming at him for hiding his identity hitherto.

...

Suddenly, Seraphina chuckled. Lucas first frowned, then raised his eyebrows in confusion. His reaction caused Seraphina to erupt in benign laughter. Lucas couldn't have known, but this was the first time in more than a week that she had had a genuine laugh.

"=Uh... is there something on my face?=" Lucas tilted his head slightly, puzzled. With a quick motion, he swiped his skin but found nothing.

"=Oh, no,=" Seraphina answered, calming down. "=It's just... this situation reminds me a little of a book I read last year, 'Red Moon of Ikalis'. Have you perhaps heard of it?="

Lucas slowly shook his head.

The elf woman resumed, "=It's a romance novel about a young noblewoman, who goes undercover as a commoner. She gets in some trouble and is saved by a carpenter's son. They start talking and discover they have a few shared interests. Eventually, she reveals her identity and that she is engaged to a nobleman, but they continue to meet in secret as they have developed feelings for each other,=" Seraphina closed her eyes for a long moment. "=I just thought this situation was similar in a way.="

"=...I suppose it is, to an extent,=" Lucas found himself smiling gently in response. "=So, how did it end? Did they get together?="

"=No. The man was found and executed by the woman's fiance. After hearing of it, she took her own life.="

"=Oh,=" Lucas made a sound, his eyes skittering sideways. "=Not really a happy ending.="

"=Not every story has one,=" Seraphina shrugged. "=The journey itself to the end was happy. That was enough for me.="

"=...I see.="

A few long seconds of silence ensued. Looking at Seraphina, Lucas could tell something was going on in her mind. Her eyes appeared glued to the remainder of the food he had in front of himself. The hunger within was palpable.

Slowly, he extended a hand holding the last loaf, not yet touched. The green-haired elf didn't hesitate for a blink, accepting it.

As they finished eating, Lucas breathed a small sigh.

"=How did you figure it out, Princess?=" he asked carefully.

"=There were some pieces scattered,=" Seraphina shrugged lightly, her lips curving into a semi-pout. "=You seem to know quite a lot and can read. The ladies of this house (two of them, at least) did not seem the type to allow great freedom for their servants. That meant you either went against the rules (which, given your reactions yesterday, was unlikely) or had other affiliations.="

Lucas hummed in answer, swiping some breadcrumbs away. 'Well, that does make sense. Most servants in our house can read to some extent, but few spend any time in the library, much less learn what they can. Other than Nimue when she tags along, only Floyd occasionally stops by, but even that's rare.'

"=A big point was also that you are the only human in this manor I met who knows Mins. Neither your sisters nor your mother can speak with us without Lis'te's attendance.="

'I suppose that makes sense as well. Aveline never was the type to learn much, and Ophelia and Mother prefer magic over languages. It was me who asked Nimue to teach me Mins in the first place when I was getting **** over not classing.'

"=Was that enough to piece it together?=" he lifted a brow.

"=It was plentiful, but I still wanted to take it with a grain of salt. Though, there was more,=" Seraphina replied, shuffling in her seat. Absentmindedly, her hand went to fix up her dress a little. She covered some more skin than before but failed to conceal the visible divide of her cleavage. "=That woman you spoke with yesterday called you 'young master' instead of your name. If it were a nickname, I could understand, but it did not sound like it. I asked Lis'te about a translation. Thank gods that I remembered it well enough for him to understand.="

"=I see,=" 'I suppose I shouldn't be surprised she heard my talk with Ina.' he smiled a little wryly. 'Though, surprisingly, she remembered enough to make out which part was my title. Her memory must be at least somewhat decent... then again, she does remember the books about Western Sweep with frightening detail.'

"=And also, you are a spitting image of your grandfather,=" her hair shuffled as she muffled a chuckle. The blue of Seraphina's eyes stirred pleasantly as her mouth gave him an almost playful smile.

"=Oh,=" 'She could've skipped just to that point, really...' Lucas sighed in defeat. However, his lips curved in a gentle smile as he chuckled. "=I honestly forgot the halls have paintings of our ancestors.="

Seraphina covered her mouth reflexively as she giggled in kind. Her soft countenance had an enticing look to it. Her eyes looked at him warmly. Her pose was relaxed. The way her hand stroked her cheek was undoubtedly natural, as was her getting some hair and twirling it around her finger. Lucas could tell that she truly felt at ease.

"=Well, but I must ask,=" Seraphina said, breaking the silence. "=How long have you known?="

Lucas sighed in response. His eyes lowered, looking at the plate in front of him. "=Since the beginning. I was informed the day before you arrived.="

"=Why didn't you greet us with your mother and sisters, then?=" she asked, visibly puzzled.

"=I'm Classless. I was told not to meet any of you.="

"=Oh...=" Seraphina's mood appeared to deflate instantly. Her eyes closed, lips grimacing slightly.

A moment of silence stretched between the two. The green-haired elf was visibly pondering his words. Lucas sighed in his spirit. 'With this, it's the end. I suppose that's for the best.' he thought despite a bitter feeling in his throat. He didn't understand fully why, but the idea that this would be their last meeting felt... wrong, almost. 'But it can't be helped. I should've done this--'

"=I'm sorry for you,=" Seraphina's words brought him out of his ponders. What immediately piqued his attention was the genuine sorrow staining her tone.

"?" he raised an eyebrow, looking at his conversationalist.

"=You are being restrained for something you cannot control,=" Seraphina continued. She fiddled with her fingers, clearly uncertain what to say.

"=It's alright Princess. I'm used to it.="

"=That's... not something someone should be saying,=" she replied, her face contorting. "=You cannot control when you class. Why must you be berated for that when your mana is the cleanest in this place?=" Seraphina focused on Lucas. Her teeth were gritted, but the man could tell she was not mad at him. "=It... is not fair to be treated like this,=" her eyes appeared glossy. Her gaze lowered to her hands.

"!" Lucas's eyes widened in surprise. Of many things he could expect, understanding his position was not on the list. "=It's... just the way things are,=" he replied slowly.

Seraphina didn't answer, her gaze still aimed down. A tense silence arose, punctuated by their slow breaths.

'Help her.' Lucas reminded himself of the weird voice and what it said last time. He was sure that, should it be around right now, it would say those very words. Truth be told, even without it, he felt like that should be his course of action.

"=Well, let's not linger on that,=" he gave the woman a faint smile. "=Do you perhaps want to eat something more, Princess?="

Seraphina nodded, her gaze slowly lifting. Almost immediately, she noticed that Lucas gave her a bowl with cabbage he had yet to finish. The man got up, handing her a clean fork before entering the storage room.

Slowly, the elf woman got some food on her utensil. With Lucas gone for now, she focused on the cabbage and almost immediately confirmed that it did not give off any strange sensations.

"!" her eyes widened. Her stomach, twisted from the lack of food she'd had during the day, felt like it might release its contents from the meal's spiciness. However, the pleasant taste was almost too much for her. Seraphina just barely **** herself not to devour the entire thing.

...

A couple of minutes passed. Lucas was back in his seat, watching Seraphina eat in an almost ravenous fashion as he slowly chewed some bread himself. Truth be told, he had had little food the previous day - none at all since the event in Weydan's marketplace, which was gods-know-how-long-ago.

However, there was something the man found a little strange.

"=If I may,=" he said slowly. "=I do understand it's about morning in Inallel right now, but you seem... famished.="

"=I haven't eaten since our last meeting,=" Seraphina answered bluntly between bites.

"=Since our last meeting? Were you too stressed to eat?=" his brow lifted, a glint of confusion visible in his amethyst eyes.

Seraphina halted her consumption for a long moment. Her eyes strayed to the side. "=It's just... the food served upstairs felt unclean,=" her fingers trembled lightly as though to show the apprehension she seemed to hold within her spirit.

"=Unclean? Like the mana?="

Seraphina nodded, focusing on Lucas. "=Yes, I... just felt repulsed by it. Perhaps it's just... how this place is. But this food... doesn't feel that way.="

'Something's wrong here.' Lucas immediately collected. 'All the food that would've been served must've been made by Ina. Perhaps, one of the servants helped her - Nimue, most likely - but they both are Classless and don't have any magic as far as I'm aware. Just why...?' his eyes darted to the bowl that held cabbage. It was now empty.

"=I... I know this sounds strange, but it's what I feel,=" the green-haired elf continued, her tone sounding with a bit of a sheepish undertone. She appeared uncertain of her own words. "=Perhaps I'm... just overthinking it all.="

"=It's alright. I don't think it's strange,=" Lucas replied. 'Definitely not that strange, given what happened lately.' "=You're of Liveren family, Princess. I read that your people have very high senses. Just because I can't feel it doesn't mean it's not there.="

Seraphina's eyes glimmered for a split second. She was visibly surprised. She expulsed air before her lips curved in a temperate smile.

"=...thank you,=" she said. Then, her hands intertwined momentarily. Seraphina's cheeks seemed to gain a bit of pink, though it was difficult to notice in the current atmosphere. "=Although... may I make a request?="

"=What is it?="

"=May I ask that you call me by my name?="

The elf's request made Lucas almost doubt his hearing. His violet eyes stirred with momentary confusion before his mouth parted, "=If I may ask, why?="

Seraphina's hands shuffled a little as she fidgeted with her fingers, seemingly nervous. "=It's just... it's been a while since anyone called me by my name, and I liked it when you did yesterday. It's always 'Princess this' and 'Princess that', and I'm tired of it.="

"=I see. Well, I'll accept if you do the same,="

Her eyes shimmered as she caught on. "=Then, we are in agreement, Lucas.="

"=So it seems, Seraphina,=" he replied with a nod.

"=...If you're alright with it, may we move to the garden in a while?="

Lucas nodded approvingly.

...

A few minutes of mostly silence passed. After tidying up what he needed (mostly just putting the dirty plates and bowls aside to be washed later), Lucas grabbed some of the prepared food while Seraphina took the remainder. Together, the two went through the corridor in silence, much like yesterday, until they reached the outside.

The air felt pleasant. Remnants of the day's temperature were still hanging in the air, indicating that while the time was surely night, it was not very late. The very edge of the western horizon appeared to confirm that observation, remnants of violet mixing with the dark blue.

Seraphina almost immediately took the lead. Although Lucas felt surprised, her quick uttering about a place she wanted to visit nearly immediately quelled his curiosity.

...

They sat on a bench standing by the large pond in the garden. The beacon, impressive as it was, stood just under fifty meters from the two, and the manor - no less than seventy. The pond itself was surrounded almost entirely by a wall of thick hedges. Its height was just enough that when Seraphina stood next to it, the tops of their leaves just barely reached her underboob. Aside from that, the pond had multiple rose bushes planted at regular intervals. Despite the somewhat dim atmosphere, their vibrant colors were still noticeable. Lush green leaves gave way to large coronas of red, white, and yellow colors. Their sweet aroma hung in the air, creating an inviting atmosphere.

Seraphina let out a long breath. The action got Lucas's attention.

"=Has something happened?=" he asked, eyeing her quickly. She was within arm's reach, just far enough so she'd feel comfortable.

"=No, it's nothing,=" she replied. Her somewhat relaxed pose appeared to confirm her words, her face gazing into the pond. "=I'm just wondering... have you seen an elemental spirit, Lucas?="

"=No. Why do you ask?="

In response, Seraphina's gaze ventured around. Confirming that nobody was around, she gently extended her hand toward the pond.

Almost immediately, the pond's surface stirred. The smooth surface reflecting the moonlight was disturbed as a few droplets of water rose, forming a small bubble-like formation just above its surface. After a few seconds, the formation grew to about a small fistful before flying toward Seraphina.

Lucas watched with bewilderment. The water was hanging in the air just above the woman's palm. Its stirring surface slowly shifted, forming a somewhat humanoid figure. Its size was less than a doll, but the way it turned around to look at its summoner and then at the man allowed Lucas to imagine a pair of eyes hidden in the near-translucent head.

"=This is a naiad, a low-rank elemental,=" Seraphina's mouth parted, a smile visible as she scanned Lucas's expression. "=It's a type of spirit that usually lives near water, especially rivers and ponds.="

"=I see...="

"=They're very sociable spirits. Bar sylphs, they are the easiest to get along with,=" the buxom elf continued, her other hand reaching out to the small spirit and tickling its side. The naiad let out a gurgling-like sound before flying up a little. Seraphina chuckled at its reaction. "=Do you want to touch it?=" her warm gaze focused on him, expectance stirring within.

"=...can I?="

Seeing that his conversationalist nodded, Lucas slowly extended a hand. The spirit almost immediately reacted to the motion, coming closer before touching his finger. It felt... strangely normal. Lucas wasn't sure what he expected of this contact; the naiad felt no different from just touching some water.

The elemental almost immediately made a noise before closing in, touching his hand more. Seraphina giggled.

"=She likes you,=" she remarked.

Lucas smiled in response. The water spirit slowly subsided contact as he retreated his hand. His hand, unexpectedly, remained completely dry.

"=Thank you for showing me this,=" he said slowly, his tone bearing genuine appreciation. He could scarcely recall when was the last time someone showed him magic like this. Bitter memories of old reverberated when Ophelia was a **** sister who did such occasionally at his request.

"=It's nothing, Lucas,=" she replied, her tone dying off before she sighed.

...

A few long seconds of awkward silence ensued. The naiad flew around the two. Tension arose as neither Lucas nor Seraphina looked at one another, staring blankly at the pond.

"=Come to think of it,=" Lucas broke the silence, his tone thoughtful. "=Did you not summon a spirit as well when you first arrived through the beacon?="

"=...that is true,=" the woman's hair waved lightly as she nodded. "=I wanted to investigate the area a little,=" her head turned to him, a glint of confusion in her eyes. "=But how did you know? You were not with... you were in that window, were you not?="

Lucas nodded. Seraphina hummed quietly in response.

...

"=Seraphina, if I may ask you a question?="

"=What is it, Lucas?="

"=Do you know elven families? Any that have powerful Mages?="

The elf's expression turned to a ponder. Her eyes glimmered in the night, the gaze focused on the man yet absent. A hand grasped her chin gently, swiping the skin. "=There are a few that come to mind. Why do you ask?="

"=I was wondering if you know an elf I heard about. His name is Ea-- urk!=" Lucas suddenly stopped talking, feeling a sting of pain within his heart. His eyes widened as his lips moved silently for a split second, naught a word coming out. His chest felt like someone just gave him a strong elbow jab. A very strong elbow jab.

His sudden pause didn't go unnoticed. Seraphina's eyes widened, concern stirring within as she asked, "=Lucas? Is everything alright?="

"=...I'm alright,=" 'What the hell...?' an incredulous thought appeared. The searing sensation in his heart started to abate, but its echo still resonated within his ears ominously. "=Sorry.="

"=No, it's alright... who did you say the man was?="

"=Ea-- gah!=" Lucas suddenly stopped, a hand instinctively jerking as though to grasp at his chest. He gritted his teeth, trying to stop his reaction.

"=Lucas!=" Seraphina's voice sounded with hearable concern. "=What's wrong?="

Lucas huffed, doing his best to relax his muscles. His tensed-up shoulders relented after a second, allowing the man to breathe with more ease.

"=I'm alright... it's just an old injury,=" he replied hastily, noticing the elf's apprehensive stare. "=I'm alright.="

Seraphina stirred in her seat. Her reaction, compiled with the uncertain shift of her gaze, clearly informed Lucas that she was concerned about him.

'...somehow, trying to say Eamon's name... hurts me.' Lucas's brows knitted as he summoned his status. Much like when he spoke with Thines earlier, he had lost some health. He felt a metallic tinge of his blood on his tongue. 'Something is blocking me... it reminds me of what Eamon was like. He looked to be in pain when he spoke, as well...'

However, the ponders were thrown out of his mind. Right now, he had other things to worry about.

"=Cindermoon,=" he whispered loudly.

"=What?=" the elf princess tilted her head slightly.

"=Cindermoon,=" Lucas repeated louder. Strangely enough, nothing happened this time. "=Do you know that family?="

Seraphina thought for a few long moments. Her gaze turned to the sky, letting Lucas take in her pretty face better as it was illuminated by the moonlight. She looked pristine, like a porcelain doll waiting to be picked.

This state didn't last as the woman nodded lightly.

"=Yes, I do recall that family. But I do not think there are any strong Mages in there,=" she gave him a response.

"=...I see...=" 'No Mages...?' "=Do they have a speciality?="

"=If I'm not mistaken, they are the vanguard **** in the knight's regime. Many talented swordsmen came from under their wings. Do you know someone from there?=" Seraphina's eyes glistened with question.

"=Not really,=" Lucas shook his head. 'I should be careful what I say...' "=I just heard of that family once or twice, and I think someone said that they had strong Mages. I suppose I was wrong all along, haha,=" he chuckled, trying to diffuse the situation.

Seraphina exhaled shallowly. She seemed to take his answer lightly, shuffling in her seat.

"=The family most proficient in magic is Rumenis. They are rivals to the Liveren family.="

"=Is that so?="

The voluptuous elf nodded. Her hair shuffled, the dark green surface gleaming in what shine the moon above granted. "=It's been going on for centuries by now. My father sometimes mentions how much they can bicker over the smallest matters during the Council's seatings.=

"=Sounds like they get in your way plenty,=" Lucas shrugged.

However, Seraphina shook her head. "=Truthfully, it's not that we dislike each other. Rather, it's become more of a friendly way of solidifying our closeness.="

"=I see. Enemies on the surface dine as friends underwater.="

Seraphina chuckled. "=Yes, that is true.="

A few seconds of silence persisted. 'I should make sure the status quo gets sustained.' the thought permeated Lucas's head. His hands gripped the bench slightly tighter.

"=Can I make a request as well, Seraphina?=" his mouth parted as he slowly looked at the elf again. "=Do not speak of me to my family, please.="

"=...must you stay hidden like that?=" she asked, hesitation tinting her tone. "=Maybe I can speak with them about it?="

Lucas made a dismissing gesture at the proposal. "=I'm sorry, but they won't have a word of it. I know them too well,=" 'If anyone were to agree to something like this, it'd be Aveline, who coincidentally also has the second lowest say.'

"=I see...=" Seraphina sighed, her fingers interlacing once more. She appeared truly sorry to hear that. "=Alright, if you wish, I will keep quiet about this.="

Lucas nodded with gratitude. His heart felt at ease, and his body relaxed. The uncertainty of what would happen because of this situation was washed away, at least partially. The fresh breeze that swirled around them appeared to signify that further.

...

"=That aside,=" Lucas sighed lightly, focusing his attention on the elf. "=Has this day been good to you?="

Seraphina's face dimmed almost instantly. Her mouth curved, but it was not in a smile. "=It's been... challenging,=" she replied hesitantly, her hands intertwining loosely on her hips. "=All of this, what's happening... it's... difficult to make peace with.="

"=I'm sorry. I do hope it all is resolved quickly.="

Her pale fingers trembled. "=I'm... really worried about my brother. He went to the front lines, and I keep on wondering if he's alright. I feel horrible that I can't do anything to help, all because I'm still young and weak. All I can do is... sit around,=" Seraphina sighed heavily with resignation. Lucas noticed her eyes shimmering as tears formed at their rims. She focused on her faintly trembling fingers.

"=I'm sure he will be alright.="

...

Lucas's hand found its way to hers. An instinctual feeling from somewhere in his heart told him that a bit of contact was what she needed. She needed closure, contact... embrace, perhaps.

Seraphina seemed to infer his intentions in an instant, her cold hand clasping around his. Her mouth curved in a weak smile that tried to pierce through her sorrowful expression.

...

Slowly, their talk sprung anew. The refreshing, chilling atmosphere of the unveiling night enveloped them both, but it didn't seem that either of them noticed. By the minute, they relaxed.

The multiple questions sent back and forth were met with answers, sometimes simple, sometimes elaborate, all times complete.

Lucas could not, truly, know exactly what was in Seraphina's mind. From her outside looks, this buxom elf princess appeared a calm and pleasant person to be with. She was not deterred by him being Classless and took him up on discussions about novels they both had read. She was really... happy, like this.

-About 4 hours later-

The two decided to cut their talk shorter than they wished to. Finally learning why Lucas had disappeared during the day, Seraphina concluded that letting the man sleep some was better for them both. Lucas agreed rather easily - tomorrow was going to be rather important to his future, and he needed to get some sleep beforehand even if he felt somewhat rested. However, it didn't mean he would leave her without anything.

Seraphina strutted forth with a nice rhythm in her step. The shapely form of her body, alluring and sensual, appeared to glimmer in the light from the lamps. Her hair flailed lightly, brushing against the small basket she held. Within it, there was some food Lucas had prepared for her to eat.

Slowly exiting the kitchen, she decided to not take the lead, instead going with Lucas side by side. The calm in her blue eyes showed him her contentedness as they were lost in the talk.

"=Thank you for spending time with me, Lucas,=" she said, her head bowing slightly in a show of gratitude. Unbeknownst to her, this gave the man a glimpse of her already somewhat obvious cleavage. The fleeting dress really did not do her any good in hiding the voluptuous shape of her body. "=So, tomorrow at the same time, I take it?="

Lucas couldn't help but chuckle. "=Someone's getting used to it, I see?="

The woman giggled in response. "=Thank you for speaking so casually with me. It's a nice break from reality.="

"=It's no problem. I'm glad you feel at ease at last.="

Seraphina smiled tenderly. She twirled some hair on her finger in a somewhat casual gesture. However, her eyes stirred with uncertainty.

"=I... perhaps it's not my place to speak, but I understand what struggles you go through, Lucas. I have classed less than a year ago myself,=" Seraphina said softly, her eyes expression akin to sorrow. "=I know what it's like, to have people expect things of you, and to have more successful siblings.="

Lucas remained silent as her words. Frankly, he didn't know how to respond. He didn't expect to hear that someone in as high a position as Liveren's descendant could be such a late bloomer. 'Isn't the Liveren's family head one of the current Five Powers?' he almost frowned at the thought. Life was truly unpredictable.

"=I'm sure you will class. It'd find it strange if you didn't, with how much mana you have,=" Seraphina continued her thought, her gaze almost hopeful as she looked at him.

"=Thank you for kind words.="

...

A moment of silence persisted, punctuated only by their slow steps. Seraphina's stable breathing seemed to abate, reduced to much shallower, almost subconscious air intakes. Eventually, however, as they approached the door to his room, she gave the man one last smile.

"=Have a good rest, Lucas.="

"=You too, Seraphina.="

However, their goodbye was suddenly interrupted.

Seraphina's head snapped in the direction of his door just before it opened. The small fingers of a short maid clenched the wood before opening the door, exposing her to the two.

Nimue's body was greatly pronounced. The baggy shirt created a large tent that showcased her large bust more than it hid it, its beige color only further signifying the illusion. The rather short, gray skirt barely hid her hips, and upon a quick glance, it was obvious that it did not cover her alluring legs even halfway.

The long flail of the black ponytail behind her head could almost be mistaken for a whip, if not for the fact she was not holding it. The stare of her earthy green eyes held great surprise. Her gaze bounced between the two.

Timeless silence seemed to quell even their heartbeats.

"Young master?" Nimue was the first to break the silence. "What... is the meaning of this?"

"Ah, N-Nimue..." Lucas felt his blood freeze. "T-This, I, uh..." his tongue felt like it would tie itself into a knot.

---

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