The Lingering Presence

"Until this time, he still irritates me!" Anasthasia flailed her arms into the air.

In the guest-chamber, Lucy and the twins watched how she reacted the whole time: even at their breakfast, the way she held the fork and knife as they pierced the tender meat was a horrifying sight, and she nibbled her lips, staring daggers at the food laid on the table.

"Sister Ana," Lucy chirped; she looked at her with concern.

With her calls, Anasthasia snapped and faced her in glee." Yes, Lucy?"

"You seem so preoccupied. A penny for your thoughts?"

"Please don't mind it." Anasthasia lightly flicked her hand as she let out a hearty giggle. Her giggles lasted for a minute and went back to her glaring aura.

The twins could only gulp as this scene replayed for quite some time. Noticing how Anasthasia started to nibble her lip, the two felt such stares pricked to their side.

Only to meet Lucy's menacing gaze as though she learned how Anashtasia when angered or irritated to some extent, glared at them as well. In their defense, they shook their heads, frantic.

She sighed in futile as she could only watch her teacher bothered deeply by her thoughts. This was the last time she'd bother her for the same matter.

Anasthasia, meanwhile, kneaded her head as she looked in retrospect. 'That crackhead! I'll be sure to knock some sense into him! I got sidetracked as soon as Iris came on my mind.'

She stood up from the couch and took a stretch, and while she was at it, she recollected her thoughts. 'I will start first with Blake. Only he could tell me about what happened to Wallace then. I'll visit him soon.'

"Lucy, I know you had a conversation with him earlier. How was it?"

"He said that the Headmaster made an unwise decision: The same thing would happen again; however, I'm not his responsibility but yours alone,' her voice dropped to a whisper, croaking.

Without further ado, Anasthasia drew closer and knees bent in a lower position. Her arms clasped around her so dearly.

"This time, prove him wrong."

Lucy never uttered a word. However, she hugged back as her head bobbed on Anasthasia's shoulders.

"Sister Ana, I want to go home."

Anasthasia glanced at the twins; gloom overtook their faces. She broke free and stood as the little girl pranced to the en suite.

"I should buy a suitable weapon for Lucy."

"We tried that, Ana," Levi replied, he sounded so dejected from her, and this only deepen her curiosity.

"Ana, we tried different kinds, and all of them shattered to ruins."

"Liam, maybe because they weren't 'suitable,' per se?"

"I highly doubt that. The main problem is she easily loses control of her powers, and not even modern technology could help her with this. We tried it. I swear it in the name of Prince Michael Navarre."

Her eyes squinted; there was a part of her that she wanted to believe them. I'm sure that it's such a possibility with their nature and for their little sister, but she must see it for herself.

Anasthasia knew better.

"Do you have matters to assess here?" Anasthasia asked.

Levi replied, "None at all, Ana. We might as well go with you."

"I concur. We made a mistake."

"What do you mean, Liam?"

"I realized that providing her with all these things would help and cope with her." His fingers interlocked, shaking from the grip. "But, it did so little for her."

They looked down as though the weight of the world was upon them. She let out a short sigh and went to them, ruffling their hair into a hot mess.

"I don't think so. At this point, she had no other parent to love and you two showed and provided how a parent should do."

"Ana—"

Liam had a hard lump stuck on his throat when Lucy hollered from the bathroom. Soon as she was ready, they stood and readied themselves. Liam led the way and opened the door, welcoming Steven.

Nervous, Lucy held unto Anasthasia's hand with firmness, and she clutched her chest on the other. She lowered his head all this time.

They strolled their way out to the front door, with Steven opening it, and escorted them to the wide, intimidating gate. Beyond it found the same carriage they used yesterday. No time wasted as they entered and sat in comfort.

Anasthasia eyed sideways, noticing Steven's amiable look and the sophisticated open field of The Archduke's manor.

'I will come and visit next time.' She then shifted her head and glanced at Lucy, who swayed to and fro not because of the carriage's motion but the drowsiness that attacked her.

Needless to say, she grabbed her by the head and leaned beside her.

The twins mouthed heartfelt gratitude to Anasthasia, so she reciprocated back and with a warm smile.

No knights were there to escort them back, but that didn't surprise them. She was cautious the whole ride though she convinced herself nothing deemed wrong with that. Continuing the pace, they might reach Lucy's abode before the sunset.

Her eyes remained vigilant the whole time: Eyes darted over to the sleeping twins: Liam, who freely rested his limbs by the seat in contrast to Levi, who crossed his arms and legs. She shook her head and glanced from a distance.

Anasthasia jolted upright, although not enough to disrupt Lucy's deep rest, which caused the twins to notice her vigilance. They reached their weapons, about to unsheathe theirs but halted with her signal.

This time, she could feel the sinister intent, but she couldn't discern the direction. Fear washed over her spine.

She pleaded to a whispering voice, "May you send my regards to the coachman to please be careful along the way? Also, please don't make him panic whenever I'm about to use a spell."

"Of course, Ana. Allow me to do the honor." Levi responded and reached by the retractable glass panel, relaying the message.

Upon closing it, Liam mused, "Is there any enemy approaching?"

"No doubt. I need to clear the clamors of this horse-drawn carriage and to make it invisible on top of that."

The two exchanged concerned looks on their faces and nodded her direction.

'Concealment!'

'Refraction!'

Her hands touch the spare seat, and a wave of glow spread throughout the area, blanketing the whole carriage. It took half a couple of seconds to finish what she started.

Anasthasia winced ever-so-slightly but heed no mind for all that's worth in this travel. If she had to take extra precautionary measures for repercussions, then she'd gladly do so.

She cleared her throat. "This should do."

"Do you still notice its presence?"

"I'm still not sure, Levi. It continued to linger; I can't jump to conclusions yet."

Liam narrowed his eyes with fingers stroking his chin, glancing by the nearby woods with the hefty foliage around. Though it was understandable and prepared for possible things, his eyes immediately darted over his little sister.

In the end, he clicked his tongue and gestured the same way as Levi though he was stiff and rigid.

'His overprotectiveness for the ones he holds dear is impeccable, to say the least.'

Anasthasia glanced around; thereon, she noticed how the ominous intent vanished in a blink of an eye. This only caused turmoil and confusion on her mind.

"It disappeared."

Now, they got the gist of her expression, but they never felt relaxed since then. The coachman did as he was told until he reached the nearby checkpoint. Anasthasia canceled the spell, which waned back to a vision.

The carriage halted as she heard beckons, assuming the guards from afar, that tinged with caution in their tones. Unbeknownst to the coachman, their heavy thuds grew with intensity as they surged towards the carriage for a grand inspection.

Series of knocks and calls heard from the outside. With permission, they opened the door, and their eyes widened from what bore to their sight: It was two distinguished, prominent guests that they dared not to offend in the slightest detail.

Liam: eyes glinted cold and ready to devour the men in front of him. This sent shivers to their body, but it turned out different from Levi as he was courteous enough to disregard the previous qualms.

That said, they gestured and welcomed wholeheartedly. Inwardly, Anasthasia giggled in silence as she stared how flustered their faces turned out from their interactions with the guards.

A sound plan, they reached the abode before sunset greeted them. Liam tipped off the coachman and bid farewell. Lucy got off as though the lively spirit receded to her soul. Her skips and hops brought joy to them.

She opened by the door, and Freidmirth flew towards her, forearms spread wide as he smiled widely. He let out a yearning chirp, which had Lucy tear up slightly.

"We're back home." Anasthasia saw Michael, greeting, and stood afore her.

"Welcome back."