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Chapter 49
🕑 Added 2025-08-09 17:09:46 +0000 UTCA/N: Honestly, I didn't much like how the last chap turned out, but it was necessary so... yeah.
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"So, where is he?"
Waver put his cigar to his mouth and took a long drag, eying the window. His hope of escaping the situation before him dwindled with each passing second, and right now, he was well and truly considering taking his chances with just jumping out.
A strong wind slammed the window shut. Thunder rolled in dark, moody skies, and strong rain hammered against the poor glass, an inch away from just breaking through. Honestly, there was a distinct possibility a stray pebble would just so happen to shoot through considering his recent luck.
If he did jump out, he'd definitely break a few bones and the cold really wasn't going to do any favours towards lessening the pain from the injuries. Still, maybe breaking a few bones was worth it if it meant he could escape.
As those earnest thoughts passed through his mind, Waver's gaze followed his disciple's dark cloak as she knelt down near the fireplace tucked away near the other end of the room, pale hands held out for warmth.
"Are you really a Lord? This place..." The source of dread threw those insults casually and Waver trembled ever-so-slightly with each one. "I don't think I'd let even a servant live here."
Sure there were books and plastic bags and snacks scattered all over the dusty carpet, and different game consoles lying in every nook and cranny but this was his home, he liked it this way. He knew where everything was. He could reach everything easily. It was his system. It worked. He didn't really have the guts to voice those thoughts though.
"I'm quite certain you have a leak in a wall somewhere. I feel a draft. I'm certain this place violates several safety guidelines."
"I do apologise. I doubt anything we're able to present is enough for those bloated egos you Edelfelts tend to have. For thieves-... pardon 'adventurers', one would humility to be a suitable trait."
Naturally, he was not the one to say those words. No, it was his 'beloved' little sister, Reines El-Melloi Archisorte, the source of almost all his recent headaches. She sat beside him, delicate, gloved fingers wrapped around a small ceramic cup an inch away from her lips. The lips that were curved in a thin smile that the person sitting across from them definitely perceived as provocation.
"I'd heard the El-Melloi family has fallen on hard times recently. And besides, I find humility to suit paupers more, no?" Luviagelita Edelfelt tossed her golden hair with a huff, an arm crossed under her bosom. "Those who only 'present' a wealthy front should be the ones to humble themselves in the presence of one such as I. Say, will you ask me for a handout? I might even be kind enough to entertain the prospect right now."
As expected of a princess, or, as expected of a noble that manoeuvred the political landscape as easily as she breathed, Luviagelita went straight for Reines' jugular in a way that left no room for response. Reines seemed to notice it too by the way her grip tightened and her smile froze for a fraction of a second.
The El-Melloi Family's recent misfortune was no secret within the Clock Tower. Waver would even go so far as to say that they had become the butt of many crude jokes for it. Not that they could really do anything about them though. They were but a fraction, a skeleton of what they once were, stripped for all they were worth, and left only with a damaged crest that held little worth.
Reines took a sip of her tea. "I appreciate the sentiment, Lady Edelfelt. Why I appreciate it so much that I'll even show you something interesting."
She held up a hand, and the silvery maid Trimmau standing behind them passed her one of those new smartphones.
Waver's hair stood on end. Whatever she had, it was about to bring down a world of trouble for him. He felt it in his very bones. He watched her press a few buttons, and toss the phone at Luviagelita. He watched as the Edelfelt Princess' eyes widened at whatever was on it.
For a moment, it seemed as though she was about to break the table between them but then she just put a hand to her mouth, trying to stifle... laughter. It was a reaction that Reines, clearly, hadn't been expecting.
It'd be a lie if he said he wasn't curious after that.
His curiosity was answered a second later.
Luviagelita held up her hand, turning the screen their way.
It was an unsuspecting photo of Henry and some girl in a nun's habit at a cafe. Considering their relationship, it seemed Reines expected her to be angered. Honestly, Waver expected the same. Luviagelita's temper was infamous.
Then, she clicked a button and the photo changed.
This time it was Henry flipping off the person behind the camera.
"You didn't notice, did you?"
Waver facepalmed, "Why is that boy so unserious?!"
"...If you think I don't trust him to be loyal, I have to say you're a rather shallow person, Reines." Luviagelita did her rich girl laugh, hand held near her mouth. "That said, I admit I am jealous that I didn't get to have that experience. In fact, that is what I was here for to begin with, do you know where he is, Lord El-Melloi II? I'm unable to reach him for some reason."
"Probably in a hotel or something, don't you think?"
Luviagelita fired back immediately, "Cheap insults become beggars."
"W...We're not beggars."
"I never said that was meant for you." The Edelfelt laughed harder, no, she straight up cackled.
Waver saw why they got along so well now.
"Well anyway, if he comes here, tell him to seek me out, would you? I have something important to discuss with him."
"You say that like you didn't seduce him just to bring the talent over to your side."
Waver raised a brow at that. His sister liked to insult people. She liked to see them squirm. He knew this. But, she was stepping into some terribly dangerous territory with those words.
"Or is the Edelfelt head really so gullible as to fall in love like a maiden? To get charmed? It certainly wasn't to poach someone who reached the rank of Cause in two months, right?"
Admittedly, such growth was unprecedented. At least, he'd never encountered someone that talented before, nor had any of his peers. Still, no matter the truth of their relationship, this really wasn't something Reines possessed any right to discuss or even make comments about.
He opened his mouth to stop her, but Luviagelita spoke before he did.
"And what's... what's wrong with that? With me getting charmed?"
...Damn.
"If you don't have anything for me, I'm going." She gathered herself immediately, retrieving the long black case she brought in with her, and stomped out of his humble apartment. Instead of exploding at them, she just left.
When she was gone, Waver turned to reprimand the little demon sitting by him only to find her biting her thumb, lips pursed.
"Since when was she so fortified... No, ignoring that, those democrats really got one over us." Her eyes suddenly locked onto him, "What am I supposed to do with you, dearest elder brother? He's your apprentice and those democrats pulled him out from right under your nose. Maybe a punishment's in order..."
Waver... sighed.
It was undeniably true. The El-Melloi were aligned with the Aristocratic Faction, Henry had apparently chosen to side with the Democratic Faction. It was an understandable decision on his part. That was where he stood to gain the most. Still-
He inhaled deeply from his cigar and...
"I think... I believe the happy-go-lucky image he's built up is misleading. Reines, this I can say with complete certainty, Henry is absolutely not gullible like Flat. And for the Edelfelt, you'll have trouble believing me, but she prioritises him over any political ties, I've seen it with my own eyes."
"That's absurd." Reines denied, expectedly. "Are you insinuating that someone like her, someone who embodies 'nobility' is just... in love? That she'll risk all of that for him? Some 'commoner'?"
"I think it makes sense. Miss Luviagelita is a very passionate person."
Somehow, they had missed Gray walking over to join Trimmau in standing behind them. Reines' lips curved into a mischievous smile at her intrusion, and Waver realised she had found a new target to torment.
He only prayed Gray was strong enough to handle his sister, frustrated as she was.
"Don't think I don't remember you trying to defend him."
"Well... That was-" Gray looked around nervously, fiddling with her hands. "Um, I don't think Henry's a bad person either."
"Oh~?"
"Yes. I think you and him could be... um, friends. Maybe you should try talking-"
"My cute Gray is defending a boy. This has to be a nightmare-" Reines squirmed, giggling. "Instead of me, it should be my dearest elder brother. He's your student. How did he even get poached?"
Before he could even formulate a response, Trimmau, the usually silent mercury maid spoke up.
"They probably messed with his brain'n'shit, yo. I hear they got that tech."
"...What did Flat show her this time?"
"Maybe he got abducted and probed, yo. Let's murder those fucking aliens to win him back."
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Hope you enjoyed. Please comment any thoughts, ideas or criticism you might have. They keep me writing. SRWilson, I love u.
Comments
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Democrats: He's ours. Aristocrats: No, ours. Henry: Look at me, I am the captain now.
SRWilson MR
I love the interactions between Reines and Luvia. The two are always throwing sarcastic comments at each other. And as always, Luvia is a top-tier waifu. I find it amusing how the concept of love is so alien to these conservative magicians; Reines can't imagine someone of Luvia's stature actually falling in love. And poor Reines thinks the Democrats have an advantage or something. Little does she know that Henry will evolve so much that even these factional fights will be nothing to him.
