Social Responsibility

NATHAN

"As you might have noticed, my consciousness doesn't sync properly with my body. The magic spell I used is incomplete and while I completed it, the problem became that our personalities are so strong, it largely contradicts the very nature of the spell. She doesn't know it yet but she has more potential than she thinks. We are so similar yet so different."

"So the spell was altered?"

"I guess you can say that. For all intents and purposes, it worked but it deviated. Well, the deviation worked to my advantage."

"Won't it wear out your physical body if you keep exchanging souls like this? Won't it wear out her unprotected soul as well?"

"No," she replied confidently, pointing her fork at me. "Her soul is strong. But you're right about the physical body. That's why we need yours."

"You want to possess my body?"

"Of course not," she says, finishing up her dessert. Her answer wasn't that convincing but the way she ate was just too cute to persecute her. So, I waited for her to finish.

Even Samuel is stupefied by her. He knows it's her body but he could tell something was different about her. He stayed hidden from her sight in the beams of the roof but she still found him and waved at him. Poor thing.

It was strange that she wanted to eat lunch in my room.

"That's right. You're not the only one without a physical body. You don't have to be so wary, Samuel."

Her words did nothing to assure him. She acted as if we were close like she had known her all her life. It was such a strange feeling. It felt as if she knew all my secrets. Peculiar.

"I know you can't trust me. But I truly won't harm anybody. I care about you all."

"You harmed Succubus."

"Succubus is my enemy. I nip threats in the bud. Hmm...my time is almost up. Do you have anything else to ask me?"

I still had questions I wanted to ask but I had a feeling she would answer them truthfully. It made me not want to know more. So, I didn't ask them.

"Please bring our Winifred back."

"As you wish."

WINIFRED

I felt elevated from the abyss I kept drowning in. I don't know when she made the switch but I'm aware when I'm not in control of my body. Well, it's not my body anyway.

"I hate when she does that."

The words slipped out of my mouth before I realized. The darkness I saw was getting tiring so I was relieved when I saw Nathan's face. He had a strange expression so I assumed that he had talked with her. I don't know what she said for him to have such a haunted expression.

"Did she break your heart?"

"I thought you are always unconscious when she takes over your body."

"I am. But the effects are weakening. I can retain a little consciousness now. Did she tell you anything about that?"

"A bit. Your body ties to your soul is weakening. I doubt that she would stay longer. But I'm more suspicious of who she is. I don't think we can trust her."

"I trust her."

"...why?"

"She brought me here. She saved my life. Whatever the situation is, I trust her. I don't think she would harm me after expending so much energy to save me. Still, the headache is a bit much."

He sighed, taking my hand in his.

"I'm concerned for you."

"You worry too much. I feel full. I need a nap."

He looked reluctant but he let go. Using my walking stick, I found my way back to my room. Right by the door, I saw the familiar figure of Lady Freya. Her blue bow also gave her away.

"My lady, do you need help?"

"There's no need for you to fuss over me. I'm fine, Lady Freya."

"You look slimmer. I cannot help but be worried about you. There's also..."

"Spit it out! I want to take a nap."

"M-My lady, I'll implore you not to be annoyed. This is an urgent matter but you don't need to attend to it right away."

"What is it?"

"Yoursocialdebut."

"I cannot hear you if you mumble under your breath, Lady Freya."

"Forgive me, my lady. It's your social Debut."

No wonder she was so nervous. Frankly, I didn't think it was anything to worry about. After all...

"What do you mean, Social Debut? I'm not old enough for that."

"You are not. But there's a specific number of appearances you have to make in the social scene, considering your precarious social standing. Normally, such a thing would be handled by his highness but he is currently..."

"I know. He's mostly useless in the times I need him the most. So, you're getting swarmed with letters?"

"Yes, but please, don't blame his highness. He truly wishes the best for you. If he had the power to, he won't allow you into such a dangerous world."

So, they were aware their social scenes were dangerous. But it was careless to fight others in their own territories.

"Why don't we organize a simple tea party? We can also have a flower viewing...well, I don't know if we have flowers to view. But it always smells quite nice this time of year. What do you think?"

"I think it's a wonderful idea, my lady! I will get on it right away!"

"Perfect. I want to take a nap right now. Tell Darryl to come to accompany me in two hours."

"Yes, my lady!"

From her departing footsteps, I could tell how happy she was. As much as I wanted to question just why she was so excited, I remembered clearly how excited they were to see me in a gown. I'm not a huge fan of them and the very mention of social events brought vivid memories of my past life forward.

I really just wanted to take a nap.

FERDINARD

Staying bedridden really teaches one about perseverance and longsuffering. Not that I was religious myself but there was nothing much I could do until I could properly walk around again. The doctor assured me that nothing was wrong with my physical body and as I was reluctant to call a priest, I had no other choice but to wait.

Circe wasn't the type to spare someone from work as she kept bringing the documents that had pilled up in my absence for me to look through and sign. There was also the others pending from my last impromptu journey through the desert.

There were some that were relatively recent and branded as immediately important. One of those documents happened to be a request for a tea party for Winifred. It, of course, came from the hands of her governess, Lady Freya, who had the most knowledge on events like these.

The guest list was comprehensive and it looked as if Lady Freya was trying to gather allies. But Winifred didn't exactly get along well with the other arisocratic children so I was worried. Not for her but for those poor children who would have the misfortune of incuring her anger.

"Circe?"

"Yes, your highness?" she responds absentmindedly, absorbed in sorting the documents in front of her.

"What do you think about attending a tea party?"

"If you shirk your responsibilities any longer, they will continue piling up and I won't be able to help you anymore."

"No, I'm not shirking work. We'll just be extending our visit a little longer."