A Heavy Responsibility

Several hours had already passed since Anastasia's visit to the palace as Ivan and Ignis sat quietly on a bench.

Ivan's eyes wandered in boredom while Ignis stared in a daze with furrowed brows, obvious that he was thinking about something. Ignis decided that they wait here until Anastasia and Denovan comes back from the Palace. Ivan can't do anything but to oblige.

Although the three of them should be afraid of Anastasia, it turns out that they are more afraid of Ignis. Ignis was always the one with a temper, and despite the fact that Ignis and Anastasia were the same age, Ignis appears to have the upper hand in things, given that Anastasia would always seek his advice or opinion on almost anything. Ivan remembered when they were kids and he pestered Ignis for two weeks straight because of a bet the three of them had.

Who could anger Ignis faster?

They didn't dare to enrage him, so they didn't know what would happen. They became curious, being the innocent and naive children that they were. Ivan was the one who took action in the bet, and while he intended to annoy Ignis for two weeks, he only lasted 30 minutes before being chased by Ignis' familiar through the Imperial Palace. It was supposed to continue until the Palace servants summoned the Grand Duke.

He remembered crying all night just thinking about the wolf's fangs and massive body that could easily gulp his body down its throat. Brazen, rather than coaxing him, would have laughed at his pitiful state if Denovan's Father, Xavier, hadn't smacked him in the head. His fear of Ignis persisted for a year after that if it hadn't been for Denovan and Anastasia's persuasion, which finally put an end to his fears of his friend.

Ivan shuddered at the memory and looked at Ignis, "Do we really have to wait here?" he asked, as Ignis looked at him from the corner of his eye, and Ivan reluctantly averted his gaze.

"Did you wait for us?" they both turned towards the voice and saw Anastasia and Denovan approaching them. "Thank god, you're finally back," Ivan sighed and quickly stood up. "Sorry for keeping you waiting for so long," she apologized.

"What happened? What did Uncle say?" Ignis inquired, noticing Anastasia's troubled expression. She only looked down, causing Denovan to sigh. "The Emperor is setting up an early date for her coronation," he said on her behalf, while the two of them were equally shocked, with Ivan gasping and Ignis stiffening.

"A-All of a sudden?" Ivan asked with furrowed brows, while Ignis studied his cousin. "Did Uncle tell you the reason?" he asked as Denovan worriedly glanced at her. "Father stated that the imperial council was becoming concerned about the heir's reassurance." she explained.

"It must be because of what happened to the neighboring empire," Ignis sighed and leaned on the bench. "What? Why is the neighboring kingdom suddenly involved?" Ivan inquired, perplexed.

"So, you also know about it Young Duke. It was about the prince who was assassinated before he was crowned. The Imperial Council became concerned that something similar might happen to Lady Ana," Denovan explained.

"And you agreed to this, Ana?" Ignis sneered as he touched Anastasia's arm. "I can't keep running from my responsibilities, Ignis. Father had already helped me so much just by postponing my coronation until my 20th birthday, which may I add according to the empire's rule was, once an heir is decided, she or he shall be crowned at his or her coming of age, which was supposed to be last year," she said calmer at her first words but started to babble in the next second.

"But are you now ready?" Ignis asked making Anastasia pause as she bit her lip "There's a reason why Uncle had been postponing the coronation. He ascended the throne a few hours after killing Grandfather. He was almost the same age as us when he did, and you can't just say that he was ready by that time. That's what he didn't want to do to you, he wants you to be ready with the responsibilities that will be dropped on you once you became the Crowned Princess" he said helping her realize the Emperor's goodwill.

"I know that, but I want to help him too. Father had already done many things for me, at least with this, I can lessen the burdens on his shoulder, right?" she smiled.

Both Denovan and Ivan worriedly looked at her as they stayed silent while Ignis sighed "Whatever you say. It seems like I can't do anything but support you, can I?" he said making her face light up "That's good to hear" she laughed happily and turned to Ivan.

"By the way, how is Callista? You checked up on her right?" she expectantly looked at them. Ivan started getting sweaty as his eyes wandered around and seeing Anastasia was still waiting for his answer. He glanced at Ignis to ask for help just to see him staring at the sky as if he was seeing it for the first time.

'Traitor!' Ivan barked in his thought.

Ivan's smile twitched from nervousness "Haha. About that... Uh.." he tried making some sort of excuse while holding his breath. Anastasia's bark was more painful than her bite.

"Lady Anastasia!" Her attention turned to the one who shouted her name making Ivan sigh in relief as he glared at Ignis with obvious words written on his face.

'T.R.A.I.T.O.R'

But Ignis feigned innocence and naturally coughed as if he wasn't feeling his glares. Anastasia smiled seeing Marin and Caspian "Hey, I haven't seen you both in a while" she said but was confused seeing them sweat

"What's so urgent for you both to sweat like that?" she asked "It's about my Mother" Marin said that quickly caught their attention "What about her?" Anastasia asked "You know since the incident happened, Marin has been staying with us right?" Caspian said as she nodded

"Well, Father decided to give Marin's family a visit and he didn't really receive a warm welcome" he said and winced remembering how Herald laughed and drank beer as if his head wasn't bleeding out.

His Father was really crazy.

"What do you mean?" Denovan curiously asked "So, Uncle Herald visited my family, and the first thing that welcomed him was an attack from my Mother. They both fought nearly destroying our house so Uncle took my Mother to a priest he knows to purify her. Me and Caspian was left to have a look as my Mother was back to normal, that's when she started explaining." Marin shared.

"It's the same situation with Emily's Mother. Marin's Mother suddenly met a nobleman at the bakery that they own and according to her, the man snapped his fingers and she lost consciousness" Caspian explained the other half of the story.

Anastasia and the others all looked at each other "No doubt that it's Sebastian" Ivan said and the others all agreed silently "Thank you for sharing this information to us, Caspian and Marin" Anastasia softly smiled

"It involves my mother and the other people that was influenced by that man" Marin said "By the way, I don't see Callista" Caspian said with furrowed brows noticing the vixen wasn't around "Oh, she.." Anastasia remembered her and was hesitant "She's just resting" she said.

Caspian and Marin noticed the change in Anastasia's expression, but decided that they shouldn't meddle.

While Anastasia could only hope what she said was true, that Callista was only tired. Unfortunately, she wasn't.

****

A week had already passed, the others still weren't able to see Callista's face, and even a feel of her presence since their return from the Beastmen Village.

Anastasia became busy as she took care of her royal matters, the last thing she did was ordering the boys to check up on Callista time by time. As stated, the boys were busy checking up on Callista by hearing Emily's updates about her.

"So, how was she doing?" Ivan worriedly asked "She still haven't opened the door everytime I came by her room to check on her. She was also silent" Emily replied with sadness in her eyes.

"She still haven't? Then how does she eat everyday?" Denovan asked, baffled "Well...I-I sneaked food out of the Cafeteria for her. I've brought those food by her door..." Emily bashfully replied.

"Eh? How was she able to get that if she haven't opened her door since?" Ivan asked with a stupid look "With magic, obviously" Ignis replied while he has his arms crossed "That's Callista for you" Denovan said as he chuckled.

"By the way" Ignis said as he got their attentions "Would you mind giving this to Callista? I mean if possible, just slip it under her door" He added "The invitation letter?" Emily asked as she glanced at the letter

"Yes, apparently she haven't gotten one yet, since Councilor Calvin ordered the students to gather in the Academy grounds while they handed this out" Ignis explained

"Oh, I see. I'll give it to her then" Emily replied as she smiled "I probably should go now" she added "Thank you, Emily" Ignis said with a soft smile "Please, tell her that we are worried about her" Denovan said as he smiled.

"I will. I'll see you guys later" Emily waved her hand as she parted. They looked at her retreating back until she was out of their sight "Sigh, I wish Emily would also worry for me like how she worries at Callista" Ivan complained as he pouted. "You wish" Ignis replied with a cold stare. "I hate you guys!" Ivan cried like a child.

"I also need to go Young Duke" Denovan said "Why?" Ignis inquired with furrowed brows "Lady Ana has requested me to accompany her by the Royal Tailor" Denovan explained

"Hey! Why aren't we both included?!" Ivan cried "She said that I should not bring you two along" Denovan replied

While Ivan and Denovan was arguing, Ignis was having deep thoughts "Young Duke?" Denovan wondered why Ignis was silent

"O-Oh? I'm sorry. There is also somewhere I need to go" Ignis replied "Wh-Where?" Ivan asked with his ears all out as Ignis only stared at him "T-That's unfair! Why are you guys leaving me alone?!" Ivan childishly complained as he threw small tantrums.

****

"Callista?" a voice can be heard outside of Callista's door as Callista remained silent. It was Emily "Umm, Ignis wanted me to give you this, so I-I'll just slip it underneath your door" Emily said as Callista still remained silent

"They...are worried about you Callista. I'm also worried about you. Once you have the energy to talk again, please don't be afraid to talk to us." Emily said with sorrow "I'm okay, Emily. Thank you, you can go now" Callista replied with a soft voice finally breaking her silence "I...I'll get going then" Emily said as she parted.

Callista stood up from her bed to take the letter by the door. When she got hold of it, she immediately read the writing behind the letter.

'Invitation From The Palace'