[Fic] [Round 10] Title: Parting, Rating: PG
Author: Isha
Title: Parting
Pairings: Gwendal/Anissina
Word Count: 3,112
Rating: PG
Any Warnings:None, really.
Prompt being used: Word Prompts: Longing, bubbles, sheep
Timeline: It’s been about six years since the war with the humans.
Disclaimer: I own none of these very entertaining characters, please don’t sue me. Thank you.
Part of my Gwendal/Anissina series. Follows from ‘Eponymous’.
~
She walked briskly down the streets, scanning the wares on display at the market. Her supplies were running low, and her lab needed restocking. She could have asked one of the servants to go to the markets and obtain what she wanted, but she preffered to go herself. The men usually did not bother with the specifications, and the women often took too long, always stopping to chat with their friends. Best that she go herself; after all, the success of her inventions depended on the inputs that went into them. The future of science was at stake, and she was not one to treat it lightly.
Anissina stopped before a stall that sold metallic tubs. The man smiled at her hopefully as she inspected a small one that she knew would be perfect for her lab. His smile became wider as she straightened up and announced that she would be taking it.
‘Of course, my lady,’ he beamed. ‘Anything else?’
He was smiling, but she could see the care lines that had formed around his eyes. Life had not been kind to him these past few years, she could see it in his face. The war, of course. She decided to take another tub, after all, it didn’t hurt to have spares, and the man clearly needed the money. Trade had not been very regular since the war, what with their allies having suffered as they had. Negotiations and agreements had been drawn and signed, changed and redrawn and re-signed, but it would take time for things to return to normal.
She asked the guard with her-one of Gwendal’s men-to collect the items on their way back, and it was when the man was talking to the owner about delivery timings that she saw it.
A child, no more than ten, was weaving his way through the crowds that thronged the market. Even as she watched, his hand darted out as he passed a stall selling bread, and he had snatched up a small loaf and stuffed it into his shirt.
Not without being seen, unfortunately.
One of the baker’s men grabbed him as he tried to escape and the boy was dragged back kicking and struggling.
‘You little thief!’ the baker snarled. ‘How dare you!’
A small crowd was already beginning to form around them, and angry voices from the men egged the baker on in his ire. Anissina pushed her way through the crowd, shouldering people aside, and saw that the man had just raised his hand to smack the child-
‘Stop!’
It was her voice, but it was not her hand that had stopped him. The baker turned to look up into the face of an angry man behind him.
‘You would beat up a hungry child?’
‘My children are hungry, too! If I go about giving away all my stock what’ll I feed them?’
The man looked vaguely familiar, and it took Anissina a moment before she could place him. Yozak. Yozak Gurrier, one of the Lutenberg veterans. She remembered him now, he had been part of the parade after Conrart’s victorious return.
‘I’ll pay for it,’ she said, stepping forward out of the crowd. The men parted for her, and she was soon facing the baker. She dropped a few coins into his hand and he thanked her when she waved away the change. She looked down at the boy with a smile, but he only scowled up at her. She blinked, and before she could say anything, he had taken off again, melting into the hustle and bustle of the market around them.
‘What the-’
‘You expected a thank you, my lady?’
She turned at the sardonic question, her eyes narrowed. Yozak was smiling nastily at her, mouth turned upward into a smirk.
‘You’ll have to forgive him, he’s an orphan, he doesn’t have anyone to teach him how one should address one of the nobles.’
She ignored the jibe, frowning as she asked him, ‘How do you know so much about him? Have you seen him before?’
‘Yes,’ Yozak answered, turning away from the stall as the baker indicated they were blocking traffic. ‘I’ve seen him before. He was here last week as well, only he got away without getting caught that time.’
‘And you just let him go?’
The man glared at her. ‘I was supposed to hand him over to the guards? Have him thrown in the dungeons, maybe?’
‘No, you are supposed to let the proper people know about it, someone like Gwendal, or Lord von Christ-’
‘It’s being taken care of,’ the man said dismissively, and she frowned, falling into step with him as he started to walk away.
‘Are you taking care of it?’ she asked suspiciously. He didn’t reply, and she went on. ‘You know where he’s gone, don’t you? Take me to him, please.’
His eyes darted to hers at the plea, and he stopped walking to look at her assessingly.
‘They need to be with families, Yozak,’ she went on, pressing her advantage. ‘I’m sure we can find people willing to take them in. They can’t live on the streets, it isn’t right. They’re only children!’
‘The street is all they know,’ Yozak shot back angrily. ‘Where were you when they needed you-just after the war, when they had lost parents and homes both?’
She bowed her head under the onslaught, feeling the truth of his words. ‘I wasn’t there then, but I’m here now,’ she said softly. ‘Please, let me help.’
He gave her a long, measuring look before nodding slowly. ‘Alright. But the guard stays here.’
She relayed his instructions to the guard, who nodded unhappily. ‘Please, be careful, my lady,’ he implored her. ‘If anything were to happen to you on my watch, Lord von Voltaire would…’ he broke off and shuddered, and she hid a smile as she assured him she knew how to take care of herself.
Soon Anissina was following Yozak as he began to lead her through the grimy alleys and byways of the city, the houses steadily growing closer and closer to each other, cutting off the late morning light. He stopped before a run down house, and tapped out a special knock against the door. An answering knock was rapped out on the other side, and the door opened a crack. A small eye inspected both of them carefully. Then the door was shut again, and Anissina heard the child yell: ‘It’s Yozak! And he’s brought a lady!’
She chuckled as Yozak smiled, and then there was a sound of running feet and the door was opened again, and out came the child she had seen in the market.
‘Why did you bring her here?’ the boy asked Yozak, glaring at her suspiciously.
Yozak didn’t reply, and she realised she had to do this alone. ‘I…I wanted to help,’ she said lamely, wincing at how it sounded. The boy looked at her incredulously before turning to Yozak again. ‘You told us to be careful of adults, especially if they want to help.’ He was scowling now as he repeated his question. ‘Why did you bring her here?’
‘What’s your name?’
He looked at her defiantly when she interrupted, but after a moment of staring at her silently, he muttered sullenly, ‘Gerhart.’
‘Where are your parents?’
‘Dead,’ he replied. ‘Mother died a long time ago, and Father died in the war.’
‘Do you have no relatives, no one to take you into their family?’ she asked sadly, knowing the answer even as she asked the question.
Sure enough, he shook his head, and she sighed. ‘How many children are in there?’
‘Why do you want to know?’ he asked warily, eyeing her distrustfully.
‘I want to see if I can arrange for families for you,’ she told him. ‘It isn’t right that you are living on the streets, stealing for food.’
‘I don’t steal all the time!’ Gerhart shot back. ‘Yozak gives us money for food every month!’
She looked at Yozak with new eyes now. No doubt he had arranged for their lodgings as well, the rent must be coming out of his pocket every month. But he had done what he could for the children, and now it was her turn. She would use what influence and power she was born to, and help these children.
‘We’re doing just fine,’ Gerhart went on defiantly. ‘We don’t need you.’
She had just opened her mouth when the door was pulled open again, and a small child of about six came running out. Clearly she was the boy’s younger sister, the resemblance was unmistakable. With her came a gaggle of children, waving and calling to Yozak when they caught sight of him, until atleast fifteen children were standing in the street with them.
‘What are you doing here?’ Gerhart hissed at them in dismay. ‘I told you all to wait inside!’
‘Will you really find a family for us?’ the little girl asked as she came forward to address Anissina, even as her brother tried to push her behind him.
‘Yes, I will,’ Anissina replied. She knew it was dangerous to promise such a thing to a child, but she also knew she would not rest until she had made it come true. All these children would find homes. She would see to it.
‘Brother, please, let’s go with her,’ the girl said, her cry echoed by the others. ‘Yozak brought her here, and…and…she has hair just like Father’s, remember?’ She cast her a look of infinite longing, eyes lingering on her hair, and Anissina felt a lump rise in her throat. Gerhart blinked furiously at the mention of his father, and she realised suddenly how very young he was. He played the leader to these children, but he was really no more than a child himself.
‘She’s a good person, Gerhart,’ Yozak said softly, and the boy looked up at him. ‘I trust her. If she says she’ll do it, she will.’
She gave him a look of gratitude, and he smiled back at her as the children began clustering around her, demanding to know more, when could they leave, when would they find a family, and where would they stay in the meanwhile, could they stay in her house, was it very big…
She shook her head at herself as she wondered wryly what she had just gotten herself into. But as she saw Gerhart start to cry when Yozak pulled him into a hug, she knew she had done the right thing, impulsive or not.
~
Anissina looked down at the list in her hand as she walked down the hall to the Throne Room. It was all here, all the information she could gather about the orphans she had brought to the castle yesterday. Now if only the Maou would agree...she clenched a fist. Lady Celi had to agree. She had to.
She had promised the children, after all.
She was just going over it again in her head, practising what she needed to say to convince both Lady Celi and von Spitzveg, when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head, and saw the Maou herself, in what was the royal sitting room. The door was ajar, and she could see that Lady Celi was standing at the window. Frowning, she entered the room.
‘Your Majesty?’
The other woman started at the noise, turning to face her. ‘Anissina,’ she cried, ‘I didn’t hear you come in! Sit down, dear!’
She sat at the little table by the window, looking up at the Maou curiously. She couldn’t quite figure out how or why, but Lady Celi seemed…different today. Shrugging it off, she spoke. ‘Your Majesty, I have a request-’
‘I’m not the Maou anymore.’
She stopped, looking at the other woman in shock. ‘What?’
‘I abdicated the throne.’ She could only stare in disbelief, and Lady Celi continued. ‘There was no use in hiding from it any longer, we all know I am no good as a ruler. I decided to finally step down and make way for someone who would do the most good for the country.’
‘You don’t mean your brother, do you, your-Lady Celi?’
‘No. As much as I love my brother, even I can see he is not what Shin Makoku needs.’
‘Does Gwendal know about this?’
Lady Celi shook her head. ‘I’ve only just announced my decision to my brother. We yet have to call for a council of all the Ten Nobles so that they can accept my formal resignation and announce my regent.’
Anissina shook her head, still unable to believe that the Maou had abdicated her throne-so simply and so suddenly.
‘I want Gwendal to become regent in my stead.’
She nodded blankly. Yes, he was the best suited for it, but… ‘When do the nobles arrive?’
‘Tomorrow.’
‘I see.’ She stood up and bowed. ‘Then I will leave you both to it. You no doubt have much to do before then.’
That had been yesterday.
Now she was in her laboratory, working at one of her experiments and steadily ignoring the fact that a meeting of the nobles was currently in progress in the same castle.
She was sure her brother would second Gwendal’s nomination as Regent; Densham had always thought him to be a most able ruler-he had certainly praised the Voltaire province often enough. Lord von Christ would also vote for Gwendal, but when it came to the rest of the nobles, she couldn’t even begin to guess at their actions.
Her hands were steady as she added the reagent to the beaker, but her mind was in turmoil as she wondered again how the meeting was progressing. It had been nearly three hours since it had begun, and she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.
She looked up as the door to her lab was thrown open. Gwendal stormed into the room, face drawn into a threatening scowl, and her heart dropped. Clearly, things had not gone well.
‘What happened?’ she cried, setting down the beaker as her hand twitched.
‘Sheep!’ Gwendal thundered, clenching his fists as he stalked down the room toward her. ‘They call themselves nobles but they’re nothing but sheep, easily led and easily betrayed!’
‘They didn’t-they didn’t reject your nomination, did they?’ she asked, standing up angrily.
‘Apparently I am not old enough to be considered for the position of Regent,’ he spat. ‘Apparently I am too young and rash. No doubt they were persuaded of that fact by my dear Uncle Stoffel.’
‘But didn’t Densham second you? And Gunter as well?’
He made a dismissive gesture. ‘Three against seven. We never stood a chance. And when I protested, I was gently asked to take a break from court duties and go visit my own province,’ he snarled.
‘They exiled you?’ she cried, mind reeling at what he was telling her.
‘No, of course not,’ he replied with a bitter smile. ‘No, I was gently persuaded that perhaps I was spending too much time taking care of the Maou’s duties, and that it is time I take some rest. I was advised not to return until the twenty seventh Maou arrives.’
‘I’m coming with you.’ She couldn’t stay, not when Gwendal had been asked to leave.
‘No.’
She frowned at him, and he sighed as he stepped closer to her. ‘You have to stay here,’ he said softly. ‘The last time I was gone from this castle, Conrart was sent to Lutenberg. Gunter couldn’t stop Stoffel then, he was all by himself, but now that you’re here, too…’
He trailed off, but she understood. ‘I’ll stay,’ she said softly, and he smiled at her in gratitude. ‘When will I see you again?’ she cried, suddenly realising just how long it might be before she saw him smile at her like that again.
‘The council asked me to return with the twenty seventh Maou, but it was only a suggestion,’ Gwendal said slowly. ‘I’m sure they would not mind if I were to return to Covenant Castle in a few years.’
She nodded sadly. ‘When do you leave?’
‘Tomorrow.’
She gasped. ‘So soon?’ He nodded in reply, and she bowed her head. ‘I’ll miss you,’ she said softly, and then she looked up when she felt herself being drawn forward into Gwendal’s arms. ‘I’ll miss you, too,’ he confessed softly, and she smiled sadly.
They stayed that way for a long time.
~
It was late evening the next day by the time Gwendal left Covenant Castle for Voltaire, and Anissina was bone tired.
She had been with the servants until late afternoon, seeing to the temporary arrangements for the orphans she had brought with her two days ago, Lady Celi helping her in whatever small way she could. The former Maou had promised to help her convince the Regent that her idea of rehabilitating the orphans was a worthy one, though Anissina did not have much faith in the woman’s word.
The children had been happy to see her again, and had told her stories of Yozak’s latest visit the previous morning. Lady Celi had seemed quite taken with them, and they had spent a few happy hours with the children before remembering that Gwendal was due to leave that day.
He left just after one last supper with his family, and she had been one of the people who had stood at the gates and watched as he had ridden away. She had blinked away the sudden tears that had sprung to her eyes, and had decided then that perhaps a little self-pampering was in order.
Accordingly, she was now in the women’s baths, the large room deserted due to the lateness of the hour. She drew a bath for herself, adding some scented bubble bath in a fit of pique. The strawberry scented bubbles soon filled the tub, and she sighed as she entered the warm water.
It did not relax her, however, and she ended up sitting on the bench among the bubbles with her knees drawn to her chest, resting her head on her arms. It took her a while, but she finally shook off the despondency that had crept over her, and rose to step out of the tub.
A few minutes later, she was fully dressed again and walking down the halls to the temporary dormitory for the orphans. There was still time enough to wish them goodnight. Gwendal was counting on her, and so were the children.
She would not let either of them down.
~
A/N: Gah. This feels so very clunky and contrived and you can probably tell I wrote this in quite a hurry to get it under the deadline. Undoubtedly there will be many edits to this, so any and ALL concrit is very highly welcome, thank you kindly. =)
And my brain is currently mush (Bad exams!) so a less sucky title later.
Thanks for reading. =)
Sequel is Moments
Title: Parting
Pairings: Gwendal/Anissina
Word Count: 3,112
Rating: PG
Any Warnings:None, really.
Prompt being used: Word Prompts: Longing, bubbles, sheep
Timeline: It’s been about six years since the war with the humans.
Disclaimer: I own none of these very entertaining characters, please don’t sue me. Thank you.
Part of my Gwendal/Anissina series. Follows from ‘Eponymous’.
~
She walked briskly down the streets, scanning the wares on display at the market. Her supplies were running low, and her lab needed restocking. She could have asked one of the servants to go to the markets and obtain what she wanted, but she preffered to go herself. The men usually did not bother with the specifications, and the women often took too long, always stopping to chat with their friends. Best that she go herself; after all, the success of her inventions depended on the inputs that went into them. The future of science was at stake, and she was not one to treat it lightly.
Anissina stopped before a stall that sold metallic tubs. The man smiled at her hopefully as she inspected a small one that she knew would be perfect for her lab. His smile became wider as she straightened up and announced that she would be taking it.
‘Of course, my lady,’ he beamed. ‘Anything else?’
He was smiling, but she could see the care lines that had formed around his eyes. Life had not been kind to him these past few years, she could see it in his face. The war, of course. She decided to take another tub, after all, it didn’t hurt to have spares, and the man clearly needed the money. Trade had not been very regular since the war, what with their allies having suffered as they had. Negotiations and agreements had been drawn and signed, changed and redrawn and re-signed, but it would take time for things to return to normal.
She asked the guard with her-one of Gwendal’s men-to collect the items on their way back, and it was when the man was talking to the owner about delivery timings that she saw it.
A child, no more than ten, was weaving his way through the crowds that thronged the market. Even as she watched, his hand darted out as he passed a stall selling bread, and he had snatched up a small loaf and stuffed it into his shirt.
Not without being seen, unfortunately.
One of the baker’s men grabbed him as he tried to escape and the boy was dragged back kicking and struggling.
‘You little thief!’ the baker snarled. ‘How dare you!’
A small crowd was already beginning to form around them, and angry voices from the men egged the baker on in his ire. Anissina pushed her way through the crowd, shouldering people aside, and saw that the man had just raised his hand to smack the child-
‘Stop!’
It was her voice, but it was not her hand that had stopped him. The baker turned to look up into the face of an angry man behind him.
‘You would beat up a hungry child?’
‘My children are hungry, too! If I go about giving away all my stock what’ll I feed them?’
The man looked vaguely familiar, and it took Anissina a moment before she could place him. Yozak. Yozak Gurrier, one of the Lutenberg veterans. She remembered him now, he had been part of the parade after Conrart’s victorious return.
‘I’ll pay for it,’ she said, stepping forward out of the crowd. The men parted for her, and she was soon facing the baker. She dropped a few coins into his hand and he thanked her when she waved away the change. She looked down at the boy with a smile, but he only scowled up at her. She blinked, and before she could say anything, he had taken off again, melting into the hustle and bustle of the market around them.
‘What the-’
‘You expected a thank you, my lady?’
She turned at the sardonic question, her eyes narrowed. Yozak was smiling nastily at her, mouth turned upward into a smirk.
‘You’ll have to forgive him, he’s an orphan, he doesn’t have anyone to teach him how one should address one of the nobles.’
She ignored the jibe, frowning as she asked him, ‘How do you know so much about him? Have you seen him before?’
‘Yes,’ Yozak answered, turning away from the stall as the baker indicated they were blocking traffic. ‘I’ve seen him before. He was here last week as well, only he got away without getting caught that time.’
‘And you just let him go?’
The man glared at her. ‘I was supposed to hand him over to the guards? Have him thrown in the dungeons, maybe?’
‘No, you are supposed to let the proper people know about it, someone like Gwendal, or Lord von Christ-’
‘It’s being taken care of,’ the man said dismissively, and she frowned, falling into step with him as he started to walk away.
‘Are you taking care of it?’ she asked suspiciously. He didn’t reply, and she went on. ‘You know where he’s gone, don’t you? Take me to him, please.’
His eyes darted to hers at the plea, and he stopped walking to look at her assessingly.
‘They need to be with families, Yozak,’ she went on, pressing her advantage. ‘I’m sure we can find people willing to take them in. They can’t live on the streets, it isn’t right. They’re only children!’
‘The street is all they know,’ Yozak shot back angrily. ‘Where were you when they needed you-just after the war, when they had lost parents and homes both?’
She bowed her head under the onslaught, feeling the truth of his words. ‘I wasn’t there then, but I’m here now,’ she said softly. ‘Please, let me help.’
He gave her a long, measuring look before nodding slowly. ‘Alright. But the guard stays here.’
She relayed his instructions to the guard, who nodded unhappily. ‘Please, be careful, my lady,’ he implored her. ‘If anything were to happen to you on my watch, Lord von Voltaire would…’ he broke off and shuddered, and she hid a smile as she assured him she knew how to take care of herself.
Soon Anissina was following Yozak as he began to lead her through the grimy alleys and byways of the city, the houses steadily growing closer and closer to each other, cutting off the late morning light. He stopped before a run down house, and tapped out a special knock against the door. An answering knock was rapped out on the other side, and the door opened a crack. A small eye inspected both of them carefully. Then the door was shut again, and Anissina heard the child yell: ‘It’s Yozak! And he’s brought a lady!’
She chuckled as Yozak smiled, and then there was a sound of running feet and the door was opened again, and out came the child she had seen in the market.
‘Why did you bring her here?’ the boy asked Yozak, glaring at her suspiciously.
Yozak didn’t reply, and she realised she had to do this alone. ‘I…I wanted to help,’ she said lamely, wincing at how it sounded. The boy looked at her incredulously before turning to Yozak again. ‘You told us to be careful of adults, especially if they want to help.’ He was scowling now as he repeated his question. ‘Why did you bring her here?’
‘What’s your name?’
He looked at her defiantly when she interrupted, but after a moment of staring at her silently, he muttered sullenly, ‘Gerhart.’
‘Where are your parents?’
‘Dead,’ he replied. ‘Mother died a long time ago, and Father died in the war.’
‘Do you have no relatives, no one to take you into their family?’ she asked sadly, knowing the answer even as she asked the question.
Sure enough, he shook his head, and she sighed. ‘How many children are in there?’
‘Why do you want to know?’ he asked warily, eyeing her distrustfully.
‘I want to see if I can arrange for families for you,’ she told him. ‘It isn’t right that you are living on the streets, stealing for food.’
‘I don’t steal all the time!’ Gerhart shot back. ‘Yozak gives us money for food every month!’
She looked at Yozak with new eyes now. No doubt he had arranged for their lodgings as well, the rent must be coming out of his pocket every month. But he had done what he could for the children, and now it was her turn. She would use what influence and power she was born to, and help these children.
‘We’re doing just fine,’ Gerhart went on defiantly. ‘We don’t need you.’
She had just opened her mouth when the door was pulled open again, and a small child of about six came running out. Clearly she was the boy’s younger sister, the resemblance was unmistakable. With her came a gaggle of children, waving and calling to Yozak when they caught sight of him, until atleast fifteen children were standing in the street with them.
‘What are you doing here?’ Gerhart hissed at them in dismay. ‘I told you all to wait inside!’
‘Will you really find a family for us?’ the little girl asked as she came forward to address Anissina, even as her brother tried to push her behind him.
‘Yes, I will,’ Anissina replied. She knew it was dangerous to promise such a thing to a child, but she also knew she would not rest until she had made it come true. All these children would find homes. She would see to it.
‘Brother, please, let’s go with her,’ the girl said, her cry echoed by the others. ‘Yozak brought her here, and…and…she has hair just like Father’s, remember?’ She cast her a look of infinite longing, eyes lingering on her hair, and Anissina felt a lump rise in her throat. Gerhart blinked furiously at the mention of his father, and she realised suddenly how very young he was. He played the leader to these children, but he was really no more than a child himself.
‘She’s a good person, Gerhart,’ Yozak said softly, and the boy looked up at him. ‘I trust her. If she says she’ll do it, she will.’
She gave him a look of gratitude, and he smiled back at her as the children began clustering around her, demanding to know more, when could they leave, when would they find a family, and where would they stay in the meanwhile, could they stay in her house, was it very big…
She shook her head at herself as she wondered wryly what she had just gotten herself into. But as she saw Gerhart start to cry when Yozak pulled him into a hug, she knew she had done the right thing, impulsive or not.
~
Anissina looked down at the list in her hand as she walked down the hall to the Throne Room. It was all here, all the information she could gather about the orphans she had brought to the castle yesterday. Now if only the Maou would agree...she clenched a fist. Lady Celi had to agree. She had to.
She had promised the children, after all.
She was just going over it again in her head, practising what she needed to say to convince both Lady Celi and von Spitzveg, when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head, and saw the Maou herself, in what was the royal sitting room. The door was ajar, and she could see that Lady Celi was standing at the window. Frowning, she entered the room.
‘Your Majesty?’
The other woman started at the noise, turning to face her. ‘Anissina,’ she cried, ‘I didn’t hear you come in! Sit down, dear!’
She sat at the little table by the window, looking up at the Maou curiously. She couldn’t quite figure out how or why, but Lady Celi seemed…different today. Shrugging it off, she spoke. ‘Your Majesty, I have a request-’
‘I’m not the Maou anymore.’
She stopped, looking at the other woman in shock. ‘What?’
‘I abdicated the throne.’ She could only stare in disbelief, and Lady Celi continued. ‘There was no use in hiding from it any longer, we all know I am no good as a ruler. I decided to finally step down and make way for someone who would do the most good for the country.’
‘You don’t mean your brother, do you, your-Lady Celi?’
‘No. As much as I love my brother, even I can see he is not what Shin Makoku needs.’
‘Does Gwendal know about this?’
Lady Celi shook her head. ‘I’ve only just announced my decision to my brother. We yet have to call for a council of all the Ten Nobles so that they can accept my formal resignation and announce my regent.’
Anissina shook her head, still unable to believe that the Maou had abdicated her throne-so simply and so suddenly.
‘I want Gwendal to become regent in my stead.’
She nodded blankly. Yes, he was the best suited for it, but… ‘When do the nobles arrive?’
‘Tomorrow.’
‘I see.’ She stood up and bowed. ‘Then I will leave you both to it. You no doubt have much to do before then.’
That had been yesterday.
Now she was in her laboratory, working at one of her experiments and steadily ignoring the fact that a meeting of the nobles was currently in progress in the same castle.
She was sure her brother would second Gwendal’s nomination as Regent; Densham had always thought him to be a most able ruler-he had certainly praised the Voltaire province often enough. Lord von Christ would also vote for Gwendal, but when it came to the rest of the nobles, she couldn’t even begin to guess at their actions.
Her hands were steady as she added the reagent to the beaker, but her mind was in turmoil as she wondered again how the meeting was progressing. It had been nearly three hours since it had begun, and she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.
She looked up as the door to her lab was thrown open. Gwendal stormed into the room, face drawn into a threatening scowl, and her heart dropped. Clearly, things had not gone well.
‘What happened?’ she cried, setting down the beaker as her hand twitched.
‘Sheep!’ Gwendal thundered, clenching his fists as he stalked down the room toward her. ‘They call themselves nobles but they’re nothing but sheep, easily led and easily betrayed!’
‘They didn’t-they didn’t reject your nomination, did they?’ she asked, standing up angrily.
‘Apparently I am not old enough to be considered for the position of Regent,’ he spat. ‘Apparently I am too young and rash. No doubt they were persuaded of that fact by my dear Uncle Stoffel.’
‘But didn’t Densham second you? And Gunter as well?’
He made a dismissive gesture. ‘Three against seven. We never stood a chance. And when I protested, I was gently asked to take a break from court duties and go visit my own province,’ he snarled.
‘They exiled you?’ she cried, mind reeling at what he was telling her.
‘No, of course not,’ he replied with a bitter smile. ‘No, I was gently persuaded that perhaps I was spending too much time taking care of the Maou’s duties, and that it is time I take some rest. I was advised not to return until the twenty seventh Maou arrives.’
‘I’m coming with you.’ She couldn’t stay, not when Gwendal had been asked to leave.
‘No.’
She frowned at him, and he sighed as he stepped closer to her. ‘You have to stay here,’ he said softly. ‘The last time I was gone from this castle, Conrart was sent to Lutenberg. Gunter couldn’t stop Stoffel then, he was all by himself, but now that you’re here, too…’
He trailed off, but she understood. ‘I’ll stay,’ she said softly, and he smiled at her in gratitude. ‘When will I see you again?’ she cried, suddenly realising just how long it might be before she saw him smile at her like that again.
‘The council asked me to return with the twenty seventh Maou, but it was only a suggestion,’ Gwendal said slowly. ‘I’m sure they would not mind if I were to return to Covenant Castle in a few years.’
She nodded sadly. ‘When do you leave?’
‘Tomorrow.’
She gasped. ‘So soon?’ He nodded in reply, and she bowed her head. ‘I’ll miss you,’ she said softly, and then she looked up when she felt herself being drawn forward into Gwendal’s arms. ‘I’ll miss you, too,’ he confessed softly, and she smiled sadly.
They stayed that way for a long time.
~
It was late evening the next day by the time Gwendal left Covenant Castle for Voltaire, and Anissina was bone tired.
She had been with the servants until late afternoon, seeing to the temporary arrangements for the orphans she had brought with her two days ago, Lady Celi helping her in whatever small way she could. The former Maou had promised to help her convince the Regent that her idea of rehabilitating the orphans was a worthy one, though Anissina did not have much faith in the woman’s word.
The children had been happy to see her again, and had told her stories of Yozak’s latest visit the previous morning. Lady Celi had seemed quite taken with them, and they had spent a few happy hours with the children before remembering that Gwendal was due to leave that day.
He left just after one last supper with his family, and she had been one of the people who had stood at the gates and watched as he had ridden away. She had blinked away the sudden tears that had sprung to her eyes, and had decided then that perhaps a little self-pampering was in order.
Accordingly, she was now in the women’s baths, the large room deserted due to the lateness of the hour. She drew a bath for herself, adding some scented bubble bath in a fit of pique. The strawberry scented bubbles soon filled the tub, and she sighed as she entered the warm water.
It did not relax her, however, and she ended up sitting on the bench among the bubbles with her knees drawn to her chest, resting her head on her arms. It took her a while, but she finally shook off the despondency that had crept over her, and rose to step out of the tub.
A few minutes later, she was fully dressed again and walking down the halls to the temporary dormitory for the orphans. There was still time enough to wish them goodnight. Gwendal was counting on her, and so were the children.
She would not let either of them down.
~
A/N: Gah. This feels so very clunky and contrived and you can probably tell I wrote this in quite a hurry to get it under the deadline. Undoubtedly there will be many edits to this, so any and ALL concrit is very highly welcome, thank you kindly. =)
And my brain is currently mush (Bad exams!) so a less sucky title later.
Thanks for reading. =)
Sequel is Moments