“They climbed the walls last night, we did not think it was possible. They attacked the fifteenth residential district. Casualties are estimated to be up to a hundred. The failure is ours to bear.”

  - Guardsmen Luka Vels, Ninth Watch Brigade, “Letter From Old Kyne”

  Sophie hadn’t felt this relaxed in a while. She knew that there were a plethora of things that she should be attending to. Knew that many more dangers lie ahead with Eichafen and beyond. Any yet, being back in the manor, back at the estate, brought her a gentle comfort that she only really found by Ary’s side. With the girl also snuggling with her here, it meant the presence of a gentleness that she had almost forgotten wholly in recent months.

  Ary too, seemed perfectly content to rest in the admittedly slightly stiff guest bed. But unlike their dorm’s beds which could range from snug to a little bit squished depending on how either felt on the day. The guest room’s double bed was more than large enough for both of them to sprawl out on. An added bonus to an already pleasant experience.

  Originally, this bedroom was meant for extended members of the Rosengart family, or so Sophie had been told in the past. But with most other branches intermingling with other members of nobility, few have ever come to visit. Thus, this bedroom was instead relegated to more occasional use and storage. A fact that Ilse had quickly helped conceal after another round of cleaning. As for dignitaries and nobles, most have themselves and their staff occupy the guest houses instead. In fact, the bedrooms there had beds more catered to comfort than form, but Sophie didn’t mind. She was back in the main manor and so close to Eva’s room. This room was more than enough.

  A while after they had finished setting up the room with Ilse’s help, did the rest of their belongings arrive. Sophia also took the time to inform them that the others were settling down well into their spacious new lodgings. Both the saints and the others shared the same guest house which had the unintended side effect of making it one of the most secure places in the estate as that was where the templars would also be concentrated around. The red hawk knights meanwhile, were convinced by Eva to simply stay alongside the Rosengart barracks, reassuring their leader that she would keep a watchful eye on Sophie while she was here.

  All in all, everything was going about as smoothly as it could be. The only worries at this point would be for when the Duke and Duchess returned from the capitol. The extended stay had been unannounced and there was reason to suspect that it might cause some issues. Sophie hoped that through a combination of charm via Elaria, and respect garnered from Mila’s church affiliation that they would be able to help Eva allay her parent’s concerns and guarantee them temporary shelter. A potential annoyance but one that Sophie was more confident in paving over was that of Eva’s brother. In theory, as the eldest child, Theodore held the most sway between the two of them. That’s even without taking into account whatever knightly accolades that he might’ve earned. But Eva was stubborn, headstrong, and independent enough that Sophie was relatively certain that she would just overrule her brother’s demands through sheer force of will if anything.

  It did feel a little surreal to her that the manor was likely bustling with activity as the party continued settling down. Saints, adventurers, soldiers and others now roamed the halls of the manor as they carried out their tasks of simply trying to figure things out. With news that Theodore was off on a hunting party with guests, she could only imagine how many more people would roam that halls with the other guest house also being in use. She wondered what it was like here most days. With Eva and Mortiz being off at the Academy and Theodore travelling between here and the capital, Sophie wondered if it was more quiet than usual. The dustiness of this guest room would suggest as much, though she hadn't gone around to peek into other rooms as of yet, the comfort of snuggling with Ary being too much of a draw.

  The redhead stole her from her thoughts with a muted purr of contentment, Sophie replying with a nuzzle and caress of the girl’s head. She looked down to find Ary clutching the hems of her shirt, the girl clinging on like she was trying to stop Sophie from disappearing. Touched, she shifted her body so that she could wrap Ary in her own embrace. An answer to the desperation and strength that Ary was conveying her own feelings. A reply to match Ary’s own desire and filled with reassurance. Ary took the moment to bury her head on Sophie’s chest, the two of them now curled together like a ball.

  Their breathing slowly synced up together. A bubble of peacefulness that they managed to secure for themselves. What worries she had faded momentarily as she relished in the moment, the soft floral vanilla scent that Ary carried soothing the soul. There was a tenderness to Ary’s touch that seemed ever more foreign in the increasingly rough world.

  Sophie let out a yawn and stretched a little, the comforting embrace making her sleepy. Infected by the movement, Ary released a tiny yawn of her own. The cute noise made Sophie’s affection for her grow even more.

  Alas, paradise would continue to be a fleeting thing for them. For if there was one thing that Sophie had learned to recognize in the decade she had spent in the manor, it was the movement of people in the hallways outside. Though ostensibly the walls and doors should’ve been enough to dull most of the noise. There was a certain heavy thumping that Sophie’s ears could pick up that signalled someone was drawing closer, including a distinctive click that came from the slightly older floor tiles in front of the doorways.

  On cue, a firm but rapid knock rang out from the doorway.

  “Lady Sophie, Aryana? Lady Rosengart is asking if you’re both available to meet in the salon in a few minutes.” Ilse’s somewhat muffled voice came through the door.

  Sophie let out a soft groan, much to Ary’s amusement, and began the painful process of extricating herself from the embrace.

  “We’ll be there in a minute. Just have to tidy up a few things. Let her know we’re coming.” Sophie called out.

  “Alright. And umm, do you need my help with the wheelchair?” The uncertain voice asked.

  Sophie looked to Ary who just shrugged, though a delightful little smirk on her face already told her more than enough. With a tired, though acquiescing sigh, Sophie bopped Ary on the nose and nodded.

  “We should be fine, thank you, Ilse.” Sophie replied.

  Though Ilse did not provide a verbal reply whether out of nervousness or simple forgetfulness. Just based on the lack of immediate footsteps, Sophie could imagine that the maid was simply bowing at the door in politeness and acknowledgement. After a quick second, she heard the girl’s boots click out as the floor groaned. She let out a respectful grunt. The work of a house maid never ends. I just hope Hilda is treating her better than she treated me.

  Ary shuffled and pushed herself up, the girl’s hair a frizzy mess from their little cuddle. Sophie chuckled and motioned for her to get closer. The girl let out a disgruntled groan but crawled to the edge of the bed, Sophie then positioning herself behind her as she helped tidy up Ary’s braid. Ary in turn, scrambled like a house cat behind Sophie to tie up her ponytail in turn. Only once the two were satisfied did Sophie go to set up the wheelchair and carry over, getting relentlessly attacked by a flurry of kisses as she did so.

  “Eheheh. Give me more attention.” Ary teased.

  “Hahah, okay, okay. I get it.” Sophie laughed breathlessly.

  “Remember, remember!” Ary giggled.

  “I will! Now sit still, you!”

  The two filled the room with cheer as they set off, only to run into their first road bump as Ary’s wheelchair bounced over something. Reaching down, Sophie found that Ilse had left the spare key and silently thanked the maid. With a twist and click, they locked the door behind them and headed downstairs to the salon.

  Out in the main stairs overlooking the foyer, Sophie could see that household staff were currently scrambling at the sudden appearance of so many guests. She felt sorry for them, knowing that they would be under the strict supervision of head maid Hilda. Even if the head maid disliked her and her group’s presence, she could at least admire the crone’s commitment to professional service. Though her methods could definitely use more refinement.

  The interior also had a few more of House Rosengart’s footmen on standby than she was used to. Though she attributed that to the fact that there were at least a dozen guests with the potential to roam unsupervised. Still, it felt a little bizarre in her own way, another sign of change that she would just have to adjust to.

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  The manor’s salon, or at least the one that Sophie knew Eva wanted them to meet at, was one on the manor’s right wing, jutting out so that it could have sight-lines of the greenhouses and their gardens. The decor within this segment of the manor was also noticeably less aristocratic and more nature focused.

  Natural wood decorations, flags, trinkets and little items that had been gifted to the house. All little talking points for entertaining guests and to also accentuate the less frenetic pace found in this side of the manor. At least, when one does not peer into the servants corridors to gaze upon the sheer effort that it took to make everything run smoothly.

  They arrived to find the salon abuzz with chatter and activity. Eva had evidently declared that it would be tea time before they made any arrangements for dinner. Little teapots now dotted the various tables of the salon, have filled and empty teacups now found everywhere that one of the group had gathered.

  Eva was sitting at the central table while flanked by Suzuki and Mila, the three of them likely engaged in some form of planning based on the serious expressions that they wore. Elaria was, as usual, happily regaling some song or tale to those willing to listen, counting Sigrid, Ayumi, and Riku as their audience. Miyuki and Sophia meanwhile, sat quietly at the furthest table to the left, the odd duo both content to sip warm tea and nibble on biscuits in their quiet little corner. Raylani, Hanabi and Sir Taurox were outside in the courtyard between the salon and the greenhouse garden, the three seemingly demonstrating combat maneuvers to each other. That left Lucinia and Emi chatting amongst themselves, the two having become fast friends, even more so than Sophie could’ve ever predicted. But she was happy for the Traxian, especially since it meant she was feeling more comfortable just being herself.

  Eva noticed their arrival and beckoned for their attention. Sophie let out a classical grunt of affirmation while Ary looked a little disappointed that she didn’t get tea.

  “Hey! Want anything to drink or eat?” Eva asked with a smile

  Hearing that, Ary seemed to perk up immediately and nodded. Sophie politely dipped head.

  “Here, take a seat.” Suzuki scooted a little to make room for the wheelchair.

  “Thanks.” Ary answered. The two sharing a handshake as Suzuki helped maneuver her into place.

  “We have a darker herbal tea or a fruity one. Any preferences?’

  “Herbal!” Ary replied without hesitation.

  “Pfft, I’ll take the fruitier one then. Is this a strawberry blend or blackberry?” Sophie chimed in.

  Eva pursed her lips and sipped from her cup before beaming at her, "Strawberry. You’ll like it.”

  “Heh. Thanks”

  The group traded a little small talk, asking after Sophie and Ary’s accommodations in particular. Sophie answered as truthfully as she had felt earlier, relaxed and nice. Ary took the time to slowly taste her tea, the girl barely giving it time to cool down before trying to explore what she saw as a new experience.

  Once the pleasantries were over however, Eva’s carefree smile slowly faded away. Replaced by one that Sophie knew to mean that there were matters of concern. Ary’s good cheer also seemed to take a backseat when the redhead registered the change in expressions across the table.

  “Enjoying your time back so far?” Eva queried.

  “Hah, it’s only been half an hour, Eva. Hardly enough time to get used to things again.”

  “Ah, I suppose that’s true. But alas, it seems we’ll have to keep busy just that much longer.”

  Sophie let out an exaggerated groan of annoyance and Eva sniggered.

  “Sophie.” She chided.

  “Had to do it.”

  “Heh. Nothing too difficult this time. Promise.”

  “Oh yeah? Need me to sweep your room or something?”

  “Soph.” Eva tutted.

  “Alright, alright, carry on.” Sophie cheekily held up her hands in surrender.

  “Ahem. Right. Well, we were just talking about splitting up the group again. Except this time to do a walk around town.” Eva wagged a finger at her.

  “A walk around town?” Sophie stared at her skeptically.

  “Mila.” Eva glanced at the inquisitor.

  “Yeah. A bonding exercise and civil interaction. In essence.” Mila began.

  “A bonding exercise? Like the ball or the cave?”

  “Hopefully a little more relaxing than the former and a lot less dangerous than the latter.”

  The two of them exchanged a knowing look, their expedition into the cave was an almost disaster in its entirety.

  “So what’s the plan?” Sophie asked the question that they were waiting for.

  “Well, we’re thinking of cutting up the group in three. Eva takes one, you take one, and I suppose I’ll take one.”

  “Oh? And Suzuki?”

  “Me? Not leading today.” The outlander chuckled, “Today I’m just here because I like helping plan too.” Suzuki grinned.

  Ary let out a little giggle and the two of them smiled.

  “The idea being we just do a walkthrough of Rosewachten and the estate grounds. Figured that Eva and you would know it best. And I’ll take any stragglers.”

  “For what? A religious retreat?” Suzuki teased.

  Mila just scowled at her, but to Sophie’s surprise, she then let out a singular laugh.

  “Maybe. And you’d be included if you don’t pay attention.” Mila joked.

  Suzuki snickered and nodded, “Message received.”

  “Anyway, where was I? Ah, right. Three groups. You, Aryana, Sophia, Ayumi and, luckily for her, Suzuki.”

  “Huzzah, saved.” Suzuki cheered.

  “Eva will travel with Hanabi, Sigrid, Lucinia, Miyuki, Riku, and Emi.”

  “That leaves… Elaria and Raylani?! You sure you can handle them alone?” Sophie exclaimed in surprise.

  “Handle them?" Mila scoffed, "Absolutely not. I’m just making sure that they don’t get into trouble. They’ll be the ones dragging me around, if I’m being honest.”

  “Any questions?” Eva interjected.

  “Right, yeah. Anything you see an issue with so far, Sophie?”

  “Hmm.” She mumbled.

  She looked around the table, finding Ary and Suzuki just looking expectantly at her. Well that’s not helpful. Hmm, questions…. Ah!

  “One question.” Sophie spoke up.

  “Mmhmm?”

  “Where uhh… where exactly do you want us to go? Not that I have an issue with the plan, it's just… Rosewachten is just a town.”

  “Correct.”

  “So why… all this?”

  “Because.”

  “Because?”

  Mila stared at her.

  “Mila.” She groaned.

  “Suzuki and the others haven’t been allowed to see the world too much. Arteria sure. A few trips nearby. But this is their first time truly out of the city. Might as well get someone who knows the place just to, you know, show them around.”

  “Oh.”

  “That’s why.” Mila hummed sagely.

  Suzuki threw Sophie a big grin and a thumbs up. Ary taking the outlander’s side with her own little head bob. Eva just shrugged, her mistress just having a good time. Sophie let out a dry chuckle.

  “I suppose, it is time to show off where we grew up, eh?” She turned to smile at Eva.

  “Aye, it’s been a helluva long time since we were back. Feels a bit weird. But alas! Onwards!” Eva returned the smile.

  Sophie felt out of place the moment she led her own procession into the town. The elf that had been an unspoken secret of House Rosengart’s daughter. The maid that occasionally scurried around town with her eyes to the ground, her head lowered to avoid earning anyone’s ire or attention from her presence.

  Now, she stood with her head held high. A strange sense of glee at being about to point out different buildings that she knew well from her childhood. Even taking them past a few merchants and letting the others do a little shopping. The others seemed enamored by the experience of experiencing the town, Suzuki and Ayumi in particular excitedly trying to pick out souvenirs with Ary. Yana too, finally saw her chance to shine. The fae took great joy in being freed from containment to embrace the world once more. Though to no one’s surprise, she then defaulted to resting atop of Ary’s head soon after, enjoying the leisurely pace of being taken around without having to expend any effort on her own.

  Only Sophia seemed a little more reticent. But it was because her twin could feel that strangeness with her. They shared a sense of understanding that as much fun as they were having with the others. It was because they were with others. That if they returned here alone, they would be like strangers. She would be like a stranger.

  Still, she supposed that for now, it was much like her time with Ary in the room. Enjoy that time that she had now and make sure that the others were having a good time. After all, they all knew it wouldn’t last.

  Yeah. She muttered to herself, it is a bit strange to be back, huh. She let out a dry laugh as she watched the others wander in front of a nearby jeweler, the gems catching some of their eyes and just intriguing the others.

  Sophia turned to her and raised her brow. Her twin clearly analyzing her thoughts. Sophie just nodded solemnly. Home, once. But things are different now, I, am different now. So probably not anymore.