On the second day after arriving at the Royal City, morning came, and Ella opened her wine-red eyes, stretching lazily.
“Mm… Nn…”
Sigh, her chest felt so heavy.
In those first couple of days, she would instinctively reach out to push them away as soon as she woke up, as if that could actually make them lighter. Now, she no longer did such silly things.
Growing up means facing adult problems.
Ella got out of bed, skillfully fastening the buttons at her collar.
She also fiddled with a missing seam, letting it act as a little vent.
Standing at the door and peeking outside, she saw that the door to Celes’s room next door was tightly shut.
Who knew if she’d already left or was still sleeping, most likely the former.
To break through Sword Saint’s defenses, Ella’s preliminary plan had two steps.
First, she would show her good side, like yesterday, when she volunteered to help wash Celes’s undergarments, letting her see that she was actually a good girl.
Second, she would find ways to learn more about her and discover her weaknesses.
Unfortunately, the person who knew Celes best in the group was Vina, and Vina hadn’t returned yet.
No matter.
For now, she’d just have to pretend, no, be a good girl.
***
Actually, Celes had gotten up quite early that morning.
She headed to where the laundry was hung and leaned close to her own shirt, sniffing it.
The tempting fragrance was gone, replaced by the fresh scent of sun-dried clothes.
Well, no matter how strong a perfume is, after a day and a night under the sun, there wouldn’t be much left.
Could it really last three days and three nights?
“It’s not impossible she’s just born with it,” Celes had said to Zero last night.
“But we’ll have to observe for a few more days before drawing a conclusion.”
“You want me to monitor Ella? But she’s my…”
“It’s not really monitoring. Just watch how she’s adjusting to life back in the Human City, and keep an eye out during the process.”
With these words, Celes convinced Zero.
She wasn’t the type to just order others around.
If Zero was observing, she would do it herself too.
So, that morning, as Ella walked toward the Dining Hall, she suddenly remembered she’d forgotten something.
She stopped to turn back to her room, and caught sight of Celes quietly following her.
“You… What are you doing here?”
There hadn’t been a sound at all.
The shock made her “white rabbits” bounce a little.
“I’m going to eat too. Just happened to be walking this way,” Celes replied calmly, her gaze unwavering. “Where are you going?”
She’s turning the question back on me!
“I forgot something in my room. I’m going back to get it.”
“What did you forget?”
“Uh, my hair clip.”
Though she didn’t know why Celes was being so detailed, a good girl answered obediently.
“I’ll go with you.”
“Ah… Why?”
She couldn’t help but ask.
Celes paused, then said, “We’ll have breakfast together. It’s on the way.”
“…Alright.”
The hair clip was a small bunny-shaped one.
Ella found it on her bedside table. Just as she picked it up, another hand reached over.
“Let me see.”
Because Celes said it so naturally, good girl Ella handed it over without thinking.
She sniffed it, inhaled deeply.
The scent was faint, having transferred from the girl’s hair.
It wasn’t the source of the fragrance, and there was no hidden vial inside.
Watching her actions, Ella thought that a good girl shouldn’t ask too many questions, but maybe she ought to be a little shy in a situation like this.
“Um, excuse me, is there something wrong?”
“No problems for now,” Celes replied seriously, handing back the hair clip.
“Let’s go eat breakfast.”
***
Breakfast had been bought from the Dining Hall next door, packed and delivered right to the Camp’s gate.
Leah had already fetched it.
When Celes and Ella arrived, the Saint was praying over breakfast.
“May the Light grant us a pure morning, free from all evil.”
A gentle light fell on the table, but the food didn’t look any different, it was just as appetizing as before.
Uh, so what’s the point of that prayer?
“Checking for poison,” Celes explained.
“I see.”
Having a healer in the team really was important.
Once the prayer was over, Leah sat down in her seat and began eating, only nodding slightly to the two girls.
She was busy, so it was fine for her to eat first.
The two girls sat down. Suddenly, Celes asked, “How did you live in the Demon King’s Castle? What did you usually do?”
Ella glanced at Leah.
The Saint was completely uninterested in their conversation, eating slowly and elegantly.
“It was a simple life, really. I did chores, cleaned up for the Demon King… Do you need help?”
“No, I’m not the Demon King.”
“…”
Why did that sound like an insult?
“Is there anything inconvenient about living here? Anything you need to buy separately?”
“No, no, I’m fine using the same things as everyone else.”
After this awkward small talk, breakfast was finished before they knew it.
The food was pretty good.
Ella stood up, and Celes did the same.
“You go do your thing,” the Sword Saint girl said coolly.
“I’m just passing by.”
Is it possible to be “just passing by” no matter where I go?
Ella went for a walk in the courtyard, a little habit for her health after meals.
Celes followed behind.
As soon as the two of them disappeared, Zero suddenly popped up from who-knows-where, sat in Ella’s seat, scarfed down her own breakfast, then hurried after them.
Leah, still eating gracefully, looked at the now-empty seats, bewildered by the constant coming and going.
What are these people up to?
***
In the following days, Ella often felt a chill at her back as she walked around the house, as if something was watching her.
She wondered if the Bonfire Camp was haunted, but not necessarily, because, most of the time, when she turned around, she’d see an icy blue figure.
“You go your way, I’m just passing by,” Celes always said.
Sometimes, she’d even ask Ella where she was going and what she planned to do.
But not always, because sometimes, when Ella turned around, there really was nothing there…
“How do you do it?”
Celes asked Zero, seeking advice.
“How do you keep from being discovered?”
“A few Shadow Assassin Talents. Want to give it a try?”
“Assassin Talent, huh… I’ll pass.”
“Alright, but speaking of, it’s been three days now and Ella still smells sweet. We can rule her out as a suspect, right?”
Celes hesitated for a long time before finally replying, “Let’s observe for two more days.”
If the fragrance was still there after two more days, she’d believe that Ella hadn’t used anything artificial, she was just born with an alluring body.
But the next day, a small accident disrupted Celes’s plans.
A Messenger from the Royal Palace stood outside the Camp, delivering a message to the girls:
“Regarding the previous mission, you are requested to enter the palace for discussion. Oh, and the girl you brought back should come too.”