[89] Unyielding Wills

The door to Aurelia's office burst open abruptly, without so much as a knock.

"Aue-chan!!" a cheerful voice rang out as a young girl hurried inside uninvited. Tristina Purplehorse, her short blonde hair gleaming under the room's light, threw her arms around Aurelia, who was seated behind her desk, sipping herbal tea.

"Ti-Tina!" Aurelia exclaimed, nearly spilling her tea over the neatly arranged documents. She sighed deeply, reigning in her irritation. "Please knock next time before barging into my office. You almost ruined everything on my desk."

But Tristina only grinned, entirely unrepentant. "You hardly ever come out to play, so it's fine if I skip knocking once in a while!" she said with unrestrained cheerfulness.

Aurelia frowned, lamenting her childhood friend's habits. "Good grief... You haven't changed a bit."

Tristina Purplehorse was the daughter of a mid-tier noble family from the Asura Kingdom, the wealthiest human nation on the continent. Though not high nobility, Lord Purplehorse's connections with the Costatine Trading Company had brought rapid growth to their domain, earning the Purplehorse name considerable respect in select circles.

To Aurelia, however, Tristina was more than a noble. She was her childhood friend, the one person who understood the softer side of her otherwise serious demeanor. They had been close since the age of eight, when they first met at a social gathering.

"I'm busy, Tina," Aurelia said, attempting to sound stern, though the small smile tugging at her lips betrayed her affection. "What brings you here this time?"

Tristina released her, pulling an envelope from her small bag and handing it to Aurelia. "I brought a letter from Zephyr!" she announced, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

"My brother?" Aurelia raised an eyebrow as she took the letter. Zephyr rarely sent correspondence unless something truly significant was happening.

Carefully, she opened the envelope, sliding out the neatly folded letter with her slender fingers. Her expression grew focused as she read the contents.

Aurelia, my dear sister,

Here in the Holy Land of Swords, this place is utterly awful in everything but one regard: their devotion to the sword. Etiquette is nearly nonexistent here. People care more about their sword swings than their manners. Yet, I must admit, their dedication is admirable—though it comes at the expense of intellect.

I was, unsurprisingly, utterly rejected by Gal Farion, the Sword God! Even after defeating half his disciples, when it came time for me to face him, I couldn't land a single strike. He even called my sword style strange!

You know how deeply I respect the Wind God's sword style, the one taught to us by our master. To have it called flawed... I can't accept that! So, I've decided to seclude myself and refine my technique. I will return only when I'm certain I can defeat Gal Farion and prove the Wind God's style is the greatest.

Don't worry about me, sister. I'll resolve my business here. You focus on your work over there.

Yours sincerely,

Zephyr

Aurelia lowered the letter with a long sigh, her gaze fixed on the desk as worry and mild frustration swirled within her. "Zephyr... so stubborn," she murmured.

Tristina, watching Aurelia with curious eyes, asked, "What did he say? Something bad?"

Handing the letter over, Aurelia replied, "Just read it. It's easier than me explaining."

Tristina read the letter carefully, and when she finished, she let out a deep breath. "That's so like Zephyr," she remarked, returning the letter. "Always passionate, but incredibly hardheaded."

Aurelia nodded slowly. "He holds immense respect for our master and the Wind God's sword style. But I'm worried his anger will make him lose focus."

"He just needs time," Tristina said reassuringly. "You know how he is. He won't come back until he's confident he's done his best."

A faint smile tugged at Aurelia's lips, though worry still lingered in her eyes. "That's true. But I still wish he wouldn't push himself so hard."

Tristina tilted her head, attempting to brighten the mood. "You know, maybe you should write him back. Tell him not to be so rigid. He'll listen to you, at least a little."

Aurelia chuckled softly. "Are you sure? Zephyr listening to me would be a miracle."

Tristina grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Hey, you're his sister. If not you, then who?"

Aurelia nodded, reaching for a pen on her desk. "You're right. I suppose I should try."

As Aurelia began writing her reply, Tristina leaned back in her chair, watching her friend with a relaxed smile. "By the way, Aue-chan, when was the last time you went out for fun? You spend way too much time in this office."

Aurelia raised an eyebrow at her. "Tina, this work is important."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. But you're important too. What's the point of all this if you never enjoy yourself?"

Aurelia was silent for a moment before a small smile crept onto her face. "Alright. Maybe after I finish this letter, we can go for a walk."

Tristina cheered, clapping her hands. "That's the spirit! Finally, I win!"

The bustling commercial district of Sharia buzzed with energy, a lively mix of shops, markets, and merchants vying for attention. Aurelia and Tristina strolled along the cobblestone streets, each carrying a small box of pastries they had just purchased from a local bakery. The sweet aroma mingled with the crisp morning air, adding a tranquil charm to their outing.

"Aue-chan, you've got to try this," Tristina said, holding up a piece of her pastry. "It's so good!"

Aurelia smiled faintly, maintaining her composed demeanor. "Tina, you've said that three times since we left the bakery."

"Because it's true!" Tristina laughed, savoring the simple pleasure of their time together.

Their moment of peace, however, was interrupted by a smooth yet authoritative voice behind them.

"Ara~ Aurelia, what a coincidence to see you here."

Both girls turned to find Ariel Anemoi Asura, the second princess of the Asura Kingdom, standing before them. Her long blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her sharp blue eyes radiated a mixture of charm and command. At her side stood Fitz, a young elf with short silver hair and dark lenses obscuring their true identity.

Aurelia regarded Ariel with a measured expression before replying with polite coolness, "Yes, Princess, what a coincidence indeed."

Tristina, usually carefree, noticed the subtle tension in the air. She glanced between the two, her curiosity piqued, as Aurelia's demeanor turned distinctly colder.

"It's been a while, Aurelia," Ariel continued with a perfect smile, seemingly oblivious to the charged atmosphere.

"Yes," Aurelia replied, her tone polite but clipped. "What brings you to the commercial district today, Your Highness?"

Ariel let out a soft laugh, a sound graceful yet carrying an undertone that Aurelia couldn't ignore. "Oh, I'm simply taking a walk with Fitz. Occasionally, I find it valuable to observe the lives of commoners firsthand—it helps me better understand the kingdom I'll one day rule."

Tristina, oblivious to the subtle political currents, frowned. "Isn't that far from the palace? Why not just send someone else to observe if that's the goal?"

Aurelia resisted the urge to palm her face. Tristina had always been poor at reading the room.

Ariel, however, maintained her serene smile. "Ah, but firsthand experience is far more valuable, don't you agree, Aurelia?"

Aurelia held her ground, her tone sharp but even. "If it's used for self-reflection, then yes."

Ariel's smile didn't waver, but her piercing blue eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh, Aurelia, always so direct. I admire your honesty, even when it's... pointed."

The tension between the two stemmed from weeks earlier, when Ariel aggressively tried to recruit Aurelia into her faction. She had attempted to leverage Aurelia's talent as a mage and her connections to the Costatine Trading Company. However, Ariel's reliance on manipulation and her tendency to weaponize past traumas as excuses had only served to irritate Aurelia further.

At that moment, Aurelia hadn't held back from criticizing Ariel, though she had done so with carefully chosen words. She had told the princess that she was unfit to pursue the crown if she continued to rely on others without acknowledging her own flaws.

"You will never reach the throne if you remain this way," Aurelia had said back then.

Those words had lingered, leaving a mark on both Ariel and Aurelia. Though Ariel had shown no outward signs of resentment, Aurelia knew the princess hadn't forgotten them.

"We're just out for a walk," Aurelia said now, attempting to end the conversation. "We wouldn't want to disrupt your activities, Your Highness."

But Ariel stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with restrained enthusiasm. "Disrupt? Not at all, Aurelia. In fact, I was hoping to invite you and your friend to join me. I'm sure there's much we could discuss."

Aurelia felt a familiar sense of entrapment creeping over her. Before she could respond, Tristina interjected with her usual cheer. "Oh, we actually already have plans for this afternoon. Maybe another time, Your Highness."

Ariel's small smile remained, though a flicker of dissatisfaction crossed her face. "Ah, what a pity. Very well, I won't insist."

Fitz, silent until now, spoke in a calm and composed tone. "Your Highness, we should continue our walk."

Ariel nodded slightly, turning her gaze back to Aurelia. "I'll be waiting for the day you come to me, Aurelia. After all, you know we share the same goals in the end."

Aurelia gave a brief nod. "Until next time, Your Highness."

Ariel and Fitz walked away, disappearing into the bustling crowd that filled the marketplace.

As they vanished from view, Tristina let out a long sigh. "She really does exude that noble aura, doesn't she? But I don't like the way she looks at you, Aue-chan. Too... demanding."

Aurelia allowed herself a faint smile. "That's Ariel. She believes everyone she deems useful should align with her."

"You're not planning to join her, are you?"

"Of course not," Aurelia replied firmly. "I can't work with someone who doesn't understand their own weaknesses."

Tristina nodded slowly, though a hint of worry lingered in her expression. "I just hope she doesn't keep bothering you."

Aurelia gave a small, confident smile, adjusting the pastry box in her hands. "If she does, I'll deal with her in my own way. Now, let's enjoy these pastries before they get cold."

Tristina laughed softly, falling in step with Aurelia as they strolled down the vibrant street, the lively chatter of the marketplace blending with the aroma of fresh baked goods and spices. Together, they moved forward, leaving behind the shadows of ambition that sought to ensnare them.