The promised day.
At last, it had arrived.
Viviane rose at daybreak. Despite such conduct being unusual for a noblewoman, it was something that had become a habit during the past two weeks with Sakura. In fact, she found her leather riding pants and blouse more comfortable than the pretty dresses that she used to wear.
However, she didn't wake early simply out of habit. No. Today was a day where everything needed to be perfect.
"Good morning, Lady Sakura," Viviane said as she stepped out of her room. The elegantly poised foreign noblewoman was leaning on the wall next to the door. Despite the first rays of sunlight having barely begun to peek over the horizon, neither lady showed fatigue in their eyes.
"Good morning, Lady Viviane," Sakura responded. She held her hand out, a silver bow resting in her palm. Prior to this moment, Viviane had only seen it from afar. Now that it sat before her, Viviane realized the true majesty of Sakura's weapon.
It was beautifully wrought, but not ornamental. The material from which it was forged was known only as 'moonsteel' in the Avalynian language, and both its flexibility and sheen did justice to that name. The swords that the knights wielded seemed almost clumsy in comparison to the grace of Sakura's bow.
"You'll be needing this."
Viviane quickly shook her head. "I-I couldn't! It's yours, Lady Sakura!"
"Yes, and I expect it returned to me after your match. However, you do not have a bow to start with, Lady Viviane. Or were you planning to pick one up at the armory? Those flimsy pieces of wood won't hold up in a real match."
"Geh!" Viviane hung her head in dismay. Sakura had hit the nail right on the head.
"So take mine for now. Consider it a favor to commemorate our friendship."
Viviane nodded, taking the bow from Sakura's hands carefully and reluctantly. It was surprisingly strong in her grasp despite its delicate appearance. "T-Thank you!"
"By the way, there is something else you called me for, yes? It is rather early today, and I thought you would be getting some more rest before you went to issue your challenge."
"Of course. The truth is, I've been feeling a little bad for Dame Trista, you see... She's quite busy throughout the week, and even during the weekends. I doubt she would be happy about a sudden impromptu match."
"Ah... So you want to..."
Viviane nodded. "Yes. If it's not too much trouble, could you speak to her on my behalf? I would like to give her some time to prepare the arena if possible."
"And in doing so remove any chances of the princess delaying the match. Quite sly, if I do say so myself."
Viviane smiled. "Is my noble conduct improving?"
"Please, Lady Viviane. You're already a monster."
The two girls shared a round of laughter before heading off to fulfill their respective roles. For what was the first time in a while, Viviane strode through the academy with purpose in her steps.
Before they parted, Sakura had asked her one last question.
"Originally, I had thought you wanted me to accompany you. Will you truly be fine on your own?"
To that, Viviane only had one response.
"This is something only I can do."
†
"Stand and be recognized!"
The command echoed through the empty hallway that led toward the imperial visiting quarters. Two guards clad in ostentatiously decorated golden armor crossed their spears before Viviane, barring her way.
Normally, such a display would have caused her to flinch, but Viviane's eyes merely flickered toward their waists.
No swords. They must not be knights. Viviane thought as she stopped before the gilded door that shielded the princess' quarters from view. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"I am Viviane Aspera di Castellia," Viviane began, making sure to use the exact words of the age-old challenge that could only be issued to imperial royalty. "And it is my right before the Creator God Aluvsha that I issue my challenge as the sun dawns upon the land of the empire."
The guards looked at one another, sharing an uneasy glance as Viviane spoke loudly and clearly, her voice carrying beyond even the ornate doors before her.
"And I challenge you, Princess Gwenhwyfar."
Her declaration was met with a resounding silence as it echoed off the walls of the hallway. Even if the princess wanted to ignore Viviane's challenge and later feign ignorance, she could not. Her pride would not allow it.
Viviane's challenge had been issued according to ancient tradition. While no longer necessary, in the past, challenges to the imperial family could only be made while the sun was still rising. It had been a measure to avoid instability and to prevent the crown from changing hands too rapidly while the empire was still in its early days.
Now, the imperial family could be challenged by anyone at any time so long as they possessed just cause and the means to do so. Even so, invoking that tradition before witnesses gave the strength of Viviane's challenge a certain cachet that simply could not be ignored.
Sure enough, the doors flew open after the delay. The princess stood in the center of the doorway, flanked by imperial knights instead of the mere guards who had been posted outside of the room. As always, her noble poise and manner of dress was flawless regardless of the time of day.
"You cannot challenge me, Viviane. You have no knight." Princess Gwenhwyfar looked down on Viviane imperiously. The princess had about a head of advantage against Viviane in terms of height, but the shorter noblewoman was uncowed.
"I invoke my right to appoint a champion."
"Who do you think you are? You cannot—"
"As unpopular as I may be, I am still Duke Castellia's daughter. As the heiress to House Castellia, I may issue a challenge even without a knight so long as I find a champion before the match proper."
The princess clicked her tongue in annoyance. This too was a holdover from older days, but unlike the tradition of sunrise challenges, it was never abolished. Those who headed one of the four ducal houses and their direct heirs were given the right to issue challenges even without a sworn knight for the purposes of urgent matters that could only be settled in a match.
Urgent matters such as Viviane's desire to dance with Medrauta at the Summer Gala, clearly.
"...So you may. The knight will have to agree to your appointment, though."
"She will."
Gwenhwyfar narrowed her eyes. "You cannot take another's knight."
"She is not your knight. Not yet. She hasn't sworn her oath to you, has she?"
"...And if she has?"
"She hasn't." Viviane's words were uttered with such steadfast certainty that Gwenhwyfar nearly flinched.
Indeed, Viviane was right. The terms of their initial match were clear. Viviane was to hand Medrauta over to the princess, but even so, Medrauta's oath was not wagered to Gwenhwyfar and even the imperial family could not force a knight to swear fealty. Technically, Medrauta was still sworn to Viviane and Viviane alone.
...What the hell happened? Is this really the same meek noblewoman who was hiding behind Medrauta a mere two weeks ago!? Gwenhwyfar bit her lip in frustration. Of all the things to befall her this morning, she certainly hadn't expected this.
"Very well. When shall the match take place?"
"Today at noon."
Gwenhwyfar's brow furrowed in what seemed like great displeasure. "Surely you cannot be serious. Do you not think it inconsiderate toward those who manage the arena?"
Despite her words, it was clear that the princess didn't actually care about the arena staff, especially given the nature of her previous impromptu matches. If anything, Gwenhwyfar was probably trying to delay the match long enough to leave the academy with Medrauta in tow, nullifying the possibility of this match entirely.
Unfortunately for her, Viviane had already anticipated this. She suppressed a smirk. "The arena will be prepared by noon. That I promise you, Your Imperial Highness, for I have already made preparations with the arena staff beforehand."
It felt nice to have all the cards on her side this time.
What a thoroughly vexing woman, the princess thought as she bit her lip, annoyed. "And the stakes?"
"Should I win, you will return Dame Medrauta to my side and refrain from attempting to seize her from me again."
Gwenhwyfar nodded several times, as if slowly digesting Viviane's words. "And if I win?"
"During our first match, you offered me any wish within your power. I offer you the same."
The princess raised an eyebrow. "I am the imperial princess. You cannot possibly grant me anything I do not already possess the means to acquire."
"Do you truly believe that?"
This time, Gwenhwyfar really did flinch. Her brilliant pink eyes peered deep into Viviane's golden, but she could find no trace of doubt or hesitation clouding their sunlike resplendence. In that single moment, she understood the true meaning of Viviane's wager... and the strength of the other woman's conviction.
"I underestimated you, Lady Viviane." Gwenhwyfar said as she began turning away. "I shall see you in the arena at noon."
"Princess Gwenhwyfar."
"...Hm?" The princess turned back, but only slightly.
"I won't lose."
For a moment, the princess' eyes seemed far away, as if she were reminiscing of past regrets. When she spoke, she said only two words, but the depth of her emotions had been clearly conveyed to Viviane. And Viviane alone understood them.
"I know."