The last week's break had bought the knights a perfect rest. After want happened to the city, they begun training like mad dogs. While Arya managed the state affairs, Ivan insisted on doing his job. Along with the physician, everyone persuaded him to avoid his work for now; after much argument, he did comply, even though he still did some work from his bedchamber. Arya was in his room, sitting on a chair as she worked from his table. Ivan was checking the report of the attacked place. "You really are a workaholic," she said, placing her chin on the back of her hand while holding the pen.
"All this rest has made my body sore. May I take a quick stroll outside, my lady?" Ivan said, emphasizing the latter request. Understanding his boardroom she replied, "alright. Let's go together."
But Ivan says, "I'm in perfect shape now. I'll be back in a moment. Stay inside, it's freezing out there, alright?" Arya's eyes displayed concern as she insisted on accompanying him, but Ivan was firm in ensuring her safety indoors. Defeated, Arya sighed, nodding her head, but she made Ivan promise to return soon.
As the second week of the month dawned, Arya have been secretly practicing her magic ability with Von's help during her free time. However, she found herself pondering about making a delivery of the mana stones. Yet, lingering doubts gnawed at her, fueled by Misham's inability to make any further improvements during their last encounter. Thinking that, Arya resolved to pay Misham a visit.
Inside Misham room :
Misham was in his room, practicing with the tropaz stone. Unlike last month, whenever he tried to input mana inside the stone, the process went smoothly. However, this time, although he was able to input the mana, the stones kept breaking, causing the mana to leak out. He was unable to grasp the problem.
Misham was scribbling on paper about the mana flow, ruffling his hair while pondering what he might be lacking. ( Since coming to the north; Arya appointment a teacher for him to learn.) Despite following Arya's instructions precisely, he couldn't achieve the desired results, causing his thoughts to churn. He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't hear Arya's persistent knocks. Coming up behind him, Arya placed her hand on his shoulder, startling him. Startled by a sudden touch, he leaped from his chair, heart racing with adrenaline. Seeing his startled expression, Arya was also suprised. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," Arya spoke softly as she apologized.
Seeing Arya, Misham hastily spruced up the small sofa, which was a mess. As Arya sat down and glanced his room, his face turned red as he felt embarrassed. Due to his failure, he did not leave the room and was engrossed in experiments. And since, Arya had instructed him not to let anyone know about the stone, so he did not allow anyone to enter his room either. His room was in a state of chaos, and he was ashamed to show such a sight to his master.
"They say that you are secluded in your room, not eating properly, let alone taking care of yourself. Your tutor also mentions that these days you are not concentrating on the lessons. And your room is in dire need of cleaning, I might add," Arya said, looking straight at him. "What's been bothering you lately?"
Misham clutched his hands in his cloth, looking at the floor, standing quietly without uttering a word. Seeing this, Arya sighed and took him to the washroom herself. "Let's get you washed up first," Arya said, approaching him. Misham behaved like a cat afraid of water. After an hour or two, Misham finished his shower. As she let him get dressed by, she waited in his room.
With nothing to do, she looks at the papers on his table, she was surprised by seeing those. Misham emerges, donning a simple attire, noticing that his master was checking his work progress he confesses, "they broken no matter how many times I tried. For the last week I have been working on those, but they don't work." Afraid that if his power are no longer useful; his master might no longer need him, he does not want to be abounded. So he confines himself to the room, determined to find a solution. Now that she knows, he is afraid, he was going to be abounded. He dare not look at her, he was scread of what expression she might be wearing right now; so he kept his gaze fixed on the floor.
"Misham," hearing her call out his name, Misham flinched. "Did you do this by yourself?" Arya's eyes fixed on the pages as she ran through them, excitement filling her gaze. Hesitantly, Misham nodded his head. "Yes, my lady."
Approaching him, Arya ruffled his head and commented, "Very good, Misham. You did well." Hearing the unexpected praise, Misham lifted his head, meeting Arya's sweet smile with a plastered gentle look. 'Ah… my master,' feeling fuzzy inside, Misham kept his gaze on her, as if saving her image in his head.
"We'd better clean up the table before anyone finds out about this," Arya says, to which Misham nods, and both start to clean up the table. After finishing that task, Arya invites him to join her for evening tea at the greenhouse. Later, after she leaves, Arya sends maids to clean up his room.
In Arya's office :
Arya was planning to hold a tea session when her eyes fell on the tea table. A tray containing three colored envelopes sat upon it. Arya rose from her chair and settled onto the sofa nearby. At first glance, she recognized two envelopes from the seals attached to them – one from Madam Fredeca and the other from Madam Julianna. While these two were important to her, the last one caught most of her attention, adorned with a bright red snake wax seal, signifying a letter from her dear family. Cutting it open with a knife, she found two pages. It was sent by the Marquis. While one page detailed the emperor's decision regarding her marriage, the other was the documentation of the very deal. "Huh… they didn't even ask about my well-being. Well, make senses, since it's the Marquis. Still, it's bitter." Their marriage was nothing but a political scheme. No Westerners are allowed to build their business here in the North, that's the law. But now, through this marriage, the emperor wants to permit Westerners to build their businesses here. "How laughable, a mere tool until the end, huh?" Her voice laced with mockery.
Calling Miya inside, she sent the latter to Ivan, and looked at the other two letters. While Madam Federica sent an invitation to her salon, Madam Julianna cunningly wrote in code, sending her message about the ongoing process of the research.
As the evening drew closer, Arya rose, completing her remaining tasks before heading to the back garden. "There's still time left before meeting Misham," Arya exhaled deeply, sitting on the bench and gazing at the sky with clouded eyes. She heard rustling noise coming from the bushes, and soon Noir emerged. Seeing the cat, Arya cast a gentle smile, extending her hand for it to touch. Despite her smile, her eyes were clouded with sadness. Through the window, Ivan observed her downcast face, marquis letter in his hand. Witnessing her sadness, his grip on the papers crumpled them. Arya, not wanting to betray Ivan, sent the letter to him, knowing he could handle the emperor well. Even if they ask her about this, she rationalized that they had checked the letter before she received it. However, Arya was unaware that her demeanor had already turned the matter into a contentious issue between Ivan and the emperor.
The setting sun dipped low on the horizon, casting its golden-orange glow over the pristine snow-covered landscape. Each snowflake sparkled like a diamond in the fading light, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of color and texture. The sun's warm hues danced across the icy terrain, painting the world in a soft, ethereal glow that seemed to breathe life into the winter scene. Shadows stretched long across the snow, adding depth and contrast to the picturesque tableau. It was a moment of serene beauty, where nature's elements converged in perfect harmony, leaving a lasting impression on Arya lucky enough to witness it.
Holding Noir in her arms, Arya made her way to the greenhouse. In the winter, with warm tea, the greenhouse was the best place to keep oneself warm. "Leave us alone for some time," Arya said to the maids. After they left, Arya snapped her fingers, casting a barrier.
The papers that she had found on Misham's table were scattered before them. "My lady, I am sorry. I could not prepare the stones," Misham apologized.
Arya was shocked as he bowed, making his head touch the floor. "Get up this instant," Arya commanded.
He got up but was scared because of her firm tone. "Look, Misham. It's okay, alright? Nobody is perfect. It is natural to be lacking. However, not trying to fill that gap is what makes one insufficient. So don't feel that way, okay?" In a soothing voice, Arya uttered each word.
______•°•°•°•______