Nina von Chrishni

Vommis was a C-Class chimera-type monster. It was a little smaller than a theger, with the head of a goat, mane of a tiger and talons of an eagle. But this type of monster relied mostly on speed and had really sharp talons. One full swipe from it could slice trees and even meat. It was a nasty monster.

I could see the armored men try to attack the vommis, but they obviously lacked the strength to do so. I was also a little confused.

-How did it get so close to the estate?

Suddenly, the butler, Hijik, glared at me and pointed at the attacking vommis.

"Aren't you a servant from the Celestine House? Do something!"

"Why should I?"

"We're guests!"

"You don't act like one!" I retorted.

"Are you really that stupid? The Chrishni Family is a relative of the archduchess! And inside the carriage is the granddaughter of Earl Chrishni himself!"

My eyes went wide at the mention of the word relative. I then remembered that Aunt Zaira's full name was Zaira Chrishni von Celestine. But I never heard her talk any relatives.

Seeing as it was Aunt Zaira's relative, I immediately made my move. I put two fingers on my mouth and whistled a specific tune.

"Vyfal!" I shouted.

Seconds later, I felt a familiar aura. A figure dropped from the sky towards the spot where the vommis was. I could hear the familiar sound of a snarl and then, a loud thud. I could see the vommis' body on the ground, dead, its head morbidly crushed by something obviously very heavy. A smile crept up to my face as I saw my familiar, Vyfal, kill the monster. The armored- soldiers were in awe, but it was then replaced in fear when she started glowering at them.

"Vyfal! Stop playing around!" I called.

I headed to my familiar's direction and caressed her head.

Vyfal was my four feet tall familiar and she was what Aunt Zaira called a qilin (I looked through every book in the Celestine Manor to know what a qilin was, but I came up with no answers). She was the one inside the egg Aunt Zaira gave me two years ago. She had the head of what seemed to be a bearded dark blue dragon with a pair of silver antlers, her body looked like a deer's but the lower half of it was covered in dark blue scales and the upper part had dark blue fur, and lastly, she had strong hooves which could trample anyone and just about anything. I had no idea what class she was at or what kind of magic beast she was, but aside from being my familiar, she was also my friend.

"Good job girl." I said to her. She rubbed my face with her own cheek and let out a sound that was her giggle.

"Thank you for your help, little hero." a man said. I looked back and saw a middle-aged man. His armor looked a little different, so I assumed he was the leader of the escort. "The Celestine Territory is indeed very dangerous and I was afraid it was going to be my group's last job."

"You knew this land is dangerous but you came here anyway. I commend you for that."

I could tell he was only forcing himself to say those kind words. Who wanted to be saved by a ten-year old kid?

The butler Hijik suddenly came into view and he was helping a figure get off the carriage. It was a girl with a beautiful yellow dress, definitely not an outfit for travelling a dangerous land. She looked to be in her late teens with fair skin. Her light brown hair cascaded on her mid-back and her dark brown eyes scanned the surroundings and then she made a disgusted look.

"My relative lives in this kind of place?" I heard her complain. "Has she become a monster herself?"

I already did not like her.

"Where is the welcome? There should be a welcoming banquet right? I mean, I am her relative and the granddaughter of an earl!"

I wanted to walk up to her and slap her in the face. My blood was boiling at her remarks and I knew Vyfal was feeling the same since I could hear her sneer. But a voice stopped me from doing so.

"Enough!"

I looked to the gates and saw Steve Wolfsbane, Aunt Zaira's steward. He was a tall buff man with a little scruffy beard on his face. His most eye-catching feature was the scar on his face that ran from the left side of his forehead all the way to the side of his neck. I asked him what caused it before and he said it was a wound from a wild griffin.

I sighed and caressed Vyfal to calm her down.

"I'm afraid our hunting trip will be cancelled today." I whispered. "Why don't you go solo for today? Let's hunt together next time."

I could hear her make a sad sound but she agreed anyway. I felt her gather energy around her and she took off to the sky. Yeah, she could fly. I watched as she made some distance until she was gone. I then ran next to Steve.

"A vommis came attacking from the forest." I informed him. "Also, these guys claim to be guests, but I never received any invitation."

"I know. The archduchess also knows."

"She does?"

"Yes, and she likes you to go see her." he turned to the others. "The archduchess will see Earl Chrishni's granddaughter and she said that she may take two servants with her. The others will stay in the yard."

"How rude! Do you expect us to stay outside after a long journey?!" roared Hijik.

"Do not worry. Shade, food, water and medical treatment will be given." he walked towards the lady from a while ago. "The archduchess wants you to wait for her in the living room. Please come with me."

I saw her roll her eyes and then huffed. In the end, she brought Hijik and one female servant with her. I also saw a few of Celestine Manor's servants rush out to help the others settle inside the estate. It was much safer because of the barrier around the property.

I immediately made my way to Aunt Zaira's study. When I got there, I saw her stare out the window with a clear view of where the people from a while ago were resting.

"Aunt Zaira?" I called. She turned to my direction and as usual she had her neutral expression, but I could see annoyance in her eyes. "Uhm, they said the girl inside was your relative, so… I'm not about to let her become monster dinner."

She walked towards me and only patted my hair.

"You did a good job. Come with me."

We made our way to the waiting room where the granddaughter of Earl Chrishni was waiting. I saw her sit like a high-class lady and sip a cup of tea. When she saw us, specifically Aunti Zaira, she immediately stood up and curtsied.

"Greetings Archduchess. My name is Nina von Chrishni and I am the granddaughter of Earl Frederick von Chrishni."

"At ease, please take a seat." Aunt Zaira sat at the single couch and gave me a glance. I immediately poured her some tea and asked a servant for some snacks from the kitchen. "I apologize if there is no welcoming banquet. I'm afraid we do not have such traditions here in my territory."

I could see all three of our uninvited guests become uneasy.

"You… you heard that my lady?"

"Anyway, you are Uncle Frederick's granddaughter?" asked Aunt Zaira nonchalantly, not caring about Nina's question.

"Yes, your excellency."

"So that guy is still alive?" I heard her whisper. I thought I was the only one who heard it, but Nina had quite sharp ears as well.

"How rude! Even if you're an archduchess, he is still your uncle!"

I clenched my hands to a fist and was about to charge myself, but Aunt Zaira stopped me.

"And I remind you to mind your manners, young lady. The people in the Celestine Family and the Celestine Territory are quite different from you and the people around you." she suddenly stood up and made her way closer to Nina who only shrunk in fear. "My mother and I had long cut off our connections with the Chrishni family, why should I and my people be courteous to you?"

I only watched the scene in a calm manner, but the proud granddaughter of an earl looked like she was about to cry and her servants only stood frozen behind her.

"You… you and your mother wouldn't have gotten to where you are if it wasn't for the Chrishni Family!" Nina exclaimed.

I got a little curious at her words. Aunt Zaira had never said anything about her relatives. It was also my first time hearing about her mother being said in that way. I was a little confused…

Aunt Zaira only looked at her in disbelief, and then she started laughing like some sort of maniac. I was a little surprised at her since I had never seen her act that way before.

"So that's how it was." she snorted but then her face returned to a neutral expression. "Is that what they told you guys? I can't believe this. You should relearn your family's history girl. Was it because of the Chrishnis that my mother and I had received such prestige? Or was it the other way around?"

She backed off and made her way back to her seat. She grabbed the cup of tea and crossed her legs.

"So? Why did you come here?" she asked calmly.

I saw Nina hastily get her composure back.

"My grandfather wanted to see the archduchess." she said. "Actually, he said he wanted to see his sister one last time, but your mother had long been dead, but you look like her so, can you fulfill his wish?"

"Why should I?"

"I… we…"

"I'll think about it."

"Your excellency, please give me your answer soon. My grandfather is already lying on his deathbed. The idea of seeing his sister again is the only thing that keeps him going. It's his last wish." Nina explained.

"I said I'll think about it. Steve, prepare a guest room for the earl's granddaughter. She can bring two servants with her. The others… show them to the guest house."

"Yes milady."

"Luna, come with me."

Aunt Zaira exited the room and I followed suit.