Volume 10 Chapter 5 (1/2)

Earlier that morning, after having gotten up and finished a light breakfast, Vileena had gone to the desk in her room.

She was back in good health. Following Theresia's advice, she had rested earlier than normal, and the medicine that Layla had brought back from the market had done its job.

She opened a book and started reading poetry out loud. It was a recent habit of hers. When she had previously welcomed Taúlia's princess, Esmena Bazgan, in Apta, she had realised that she truly was nothing more than an ignorant little girl. Even now, she still felt mortified by the conviction that if Ineli Mephius had not happened to be present to help, Esmena would have spent a tedious trip.

Because of that, she became driven by the idea that she needed to rapidly acquire culture. No sooner was it said than done. She asked Theresia to go buy books of Mephian verse, which was what she was now reading aloud.

According to her, ”I become too engrossed and forget about reality when I read in silence.”

Or so she said but, going by what Theresia had witnessed more than once, it was actually only because she would otherwise fall asleep.

Well, in a sense, that was also ”forgetting about reality”.

This morning too she started reading poetry in a brisk voice.

It's strange how everything sounds like a war poem when the princess is the one reading it - Theresia thought while listening as she sorted the clothes on the shelves.

They had only been scheduled to be away for a few days when they left Solon. And somehow or another, here they were going to Nedain, Apta, Birac and all over Mephius. Theresia was flawless in her duties and prepared clothes for the princess for every possible environment, but now that she had no leeway to do so, she had no choice but to make do with what she had. Normally, as there were tailors and dressmakers catering exclusively to aristocrats wherever one went, Theresia only had to see a sample of their work, choose who to place an order with, take delivery of the clothes she had purchased, and give instructions about how to adjust them.

After less than ten minutes, she could no longer hear the princess' voice. She turned around to look, thinking that today it had been exceptionally fast, but, contrary to her expectations, Vileena's eyes were wide open. Her gaze was not however directed at her book but outside the window.

It was not a case of her concentration becoming unfocused and drifting away. On the contrary, her expression was rapt. It was a scene of such ethereal beauty that it seemed on the verge of dissolving in the morning sun.

Although caught in a feeling of wanting to admire it a little longer, Theresia nevertheless called out -

”Princess.”

”…O Mighty Winds, artless children of Minel! Bridle sorcery's rampage, banish to the ruins of time the sparks of these senseless ceremonies of steel. Thou who now brushes against my cheeks will cross the pale, snow-capped summits and to the ends of the world soon...”

”Princess.”

”I was just getting into it. Don't interrupt!”

Vileena turned around, looking thoroughly displeased, but Theresia had a suggestion -

”Studying hard is excellent. But staying locked away in your room is stuffy, isn't it? Why not go for a little walk?”

Bathed in sunlight for the first time in several days, Vileena left the mansion. She had been secluding herself in her room not only because she had been thinking about something, but also because she judged that while Salamand continued to cause trouble in Mephius, a Garberan princess walking around as she pleased would simply stir things up unnecessarily among the people and soldiers of Birac.

Her intentions were admirable but, unfortunately, her personality made it impossible for her emotions to settle down when she had to stay still in one place.

”If you say so, Theresia, then... well, I suppose I have no choice,” she had said casually while putting on her cloak; but actually, she was feeling embarra.s.sed at having had Theresia see through her.

Now then…

Trying to look as serious as possible, she firmly set her expression and, walking like the guards on patrol did, first went on a round of the mansion's surroundings.

Vileena's steps were light. Nor was it only today; she always walked at a fast pace, which made things hard for Theresia, who followed behind her. Today however she simply did her best to keep up and did not particularly make any comment.

And so, just like that, they circled around the entire mansion in no time at all. Following which, it suddenly occurred to Vileena to go and see Krau.

She should also have arrived in Birac recently along with the fleet. She would almost certainly have found a discreet corner of the air carrier dock and would be lazing around, her large body imposingly stretched out. Contrary to expectation however, as soon as she reached the docks with its characteristic smell of oil and heated engines, she heard Krau's voice.

”Hey, hurry up! Guys who sleepwalk their way through work don't get to eat, you know. Over there too! Have you finished checking the engines? What do you mean, you're starting now? Uh-huh, you're going to be in for a really long day. Hurry up and get it done before the sun sets.”

Her usually lethargic figure was running around faster than seemed possible given her plump body while she continued to hurl instructions about servicing and a.s.sembling the carriers. She must have been at it for a while since she was drenched in sweat from head to toe.

Upon asking about it, it appeared that Zaj Haman would be visiting the mansion that afternoon.

Zaj being Zaj, there was no question that he would come to see the air carriers. If nothing else, because he had only just donated three new-model air carriers in celebration of the prince's return. Krau was conscious of the fact that if the s.h.i.+ps were poorly maintained, or even if they were noticeably dirty, she was the one he would get angry at.

Because Krau had once been a slave working for Zaj, she was steeped to the bones in the awareness that he was particularly strict when it came to air carriers. Taken another way, however, it showed that Zaj was no longer her master. Nonetheless, since he was her mentor when it came to s.h.i.+ps, she was now working so hard on maintenance that she looked like a different person. Their relations.h.i.+p was not one that could be severed even if the master and slave were to switch places.

”Ah, look! That stuff there is in the way so you can't see the crest of the Haman firm. Why is it that you don't do anything unless you're told to? Can't you use your heads to think!?”

Hearing Krau's shrill voice as she earnestly bustled around, Vileena smiled and, not wanting to interrupt, she left hastily.

Anyway - she would soon need to discuss something face-to-face with Krau. But that conversation was not so urgent that she couldn't wait for Krau to calm down.

Next, Vileena went to find Hou Ran. As with Krau, she did not need to search to know where to go. Even so…

”Oh my!” Theresia exclaimed in surprise, and Vileena was equally taken aback.

Just as expected, Hou Ran was in the dragon pen. She was, additionally, inside a cage where medium-sized dragons were kept. Terrified-looking slaves were standing nearby, holding a three-metre tall whetting board while Ran guided the dragon to sharpen its claws.

Again, just like Krau, she moved as nimbly as could be. She was still covered in bandages, but she did not seem to be suffering from any after-effects of her injuries. According to what Vileena had heard, Ran had s.h.i.+elded a dragon from armed soldiers by standing in front of their guns.

Amazing - Vileena was openly admirative. Besides which, she was also happy to see Ran safely taking care of the dragons as usual.

”Is that you, Vileena?” Ran suddenly called out, despite the fact that they were still far away and that she could not see what was outside the cage.

”It is incredible that you can tell.”

”These children have finally learnt to remember the princess' face,” said Ran.

That really did not explain anything, but Vileena decided to just go along with it for now. She knew that if she asked about it, the answer would just leave her even more confused.

Ran still had her back turned towards the princess and continued working. From what Vileena could see, the dragons were just like dogs. Be it the Baians, the one-horned Yunions, or the Golls with their reddish-brown scales, all of them happily followed Ran's instructions. No matter how many times she saw it, it was still a startling scene.

Garbera, the princess' native country, also had dragoon units. It could not, however, be said to be as proficient at handling them as Mephius or the west were. And so every single one of Ran's movements appeared to her to be a miracle of skill.

”Ran, you really understand the dragons' feelings very clearly, don't you?”

”Who knows,” Ran answered curtly. ”The 'voice' that I hear is limited to what I can make out of it. I can't read these children's feelings without ever making any mistakes. That's why I try to look at it in different ways and spend a lot of time with them, so that I can maybe understand their feelings just a little bit more.”

”I see,” deeply impressed by the words, Vileena nodded profoundly.

At the same time, Theresia had, for a while now, been holding her handkerchief to her nose and had her eyes turned away from the dragons. In truth, she was impatient to get away from them as quickly as possible.

A short while elapsed.

”Is there something with my face?” Ran asked abruptly.

”Eh?”

”Orba's been staring at my face recently.”

”I-Is that so?” Vileena blushed in embarra.s.sment.

”Has something changed about me without my noticing?”

”There is nothing particularly different from usual.”

Perhaps exasperated by that far from insightful answer, Theresia stepped in to help.

”You are so beautiful, Miss Ran, that I'm sure there are many gentlemen who admire you.”

”Do you think so?” Ran tilted her head while still giving the slaves instructions about the sharpening board.

Theresia seemed somewhat amused. ”Could it be you cannot read men's feelings either?”

”Orba isn't complicated,” said Ran. ”I can usually tell what he's thinking just by looking at his face. But sometimes, very rarely, his feelings are even harder to understand than those of these children are. He really is a nuisance.”

”Doesn't he wear a mask though…”

”Oh, that's just for show. What's a nuisance about him is that it's not just a mask, it's like he's got something concealing his entire body.”

”Not just Sir Orba, aren't people often like that? Miss Ran, just like you try your utmost to spend time with the dragons so as to understand them, humans also put in a lot effort to understand one another; they use time, consideration, and a lot of seemingly idle conversations to do so. And in that way, they strip away the mask and the pieces of armour one by one.”

”I see.”

In Ran's own way, it looked as though she had acknowledged something from Theresia's words. She nodded ever so slightly.

That was when Vileena noticed something at Ran's waist. She was sure that she did not remember Ran wearing any kind of ornament before.

”Ran, you have a flute?”

”Orba gave it to me,” Ran answered immediately. She had casually stuck the foreign-looking flute in her belt. Orba had gone with the prince to fight in the west, so it was probably something like a souvenir.

”How thoughtful. So different from the prince,” Theresia muttered as an aside. Vileena pretended not to hear her.

”A western flute? I've heard about them. They say that they have a very expressive sound.”

”I can't play it. But Krau plays beautifully.”

”She does?” Although aware that it was a little rude, Vileena could not hide the surprise on her face.

For some reason, Ran gave a faint smile, ”Krau can do anything. She's good at singing, dancing, and gambling. She said that she'd teach me one of these days, but I doubt if I can learn to play like her.”

Thinking about it, Vileena and Ran had a strange connection. They had both ridden in the mountains after dark to go searching for the prince. They had travelled together by s.h.i.+p from Nedain to Apta. Vileena had heard that she had been seized by Apta's soldiers shortly afterwards and that, at around the same time as...o...b.. had saved Vileena from that mysterious attack, the prince had returned, rescuing Ran.

At the moment however, that was not what had left a deep impression on Vileena.

Right, a flute.

Enthusiasm flared up within her. She did not believe that she would become a person of refined culture simply from continuing to recite poetry. Or rather, she did not feel that she had any affinity for that.

Being able to play a musical instrument was definitely befitting of the status of a lady.

Alright, next up is the flute. I'll stop with poetry and start studying that instead.

Theresia had gone to the kitchens for awhile to prepare for the midday meal. As with clothes, she would need to try out all sorts to find something that suited the princess' tastes.

Once she was alone, Vileena was seized with the desire to go and watch the airs.h.i.+ps. As it happened, units were performing flight training. When she headed over that way, she happened to catch sight of Orba, the Imperial Guard. Seeing his back turned towards her, she stood still for a moment. With perfect timing, a stick rolled underfoot. And as for why the princess thought it was ”perfect timing”… well anyway, Vileena picked it up.

The plan was to creep up quietly then yell ”Prepare yourself!” as she swung towards the mask. Naturally, she did not actually intend to hit him. She only wanted to surprise the young man who was praised as a hero in both Mephius and the west, but he easily noticed her presence and she ended screaming like a girl.

Although she was, of course, feeling embarra.s.sed; instead of going away from Orba, who was standing quite still, she brazened it out and instead sat down and spoke -

”You seem to be as busy as ever.”

”Well, more or less.”

Orba's answer was vague. Vileena would have feigned displeasure, but his response suddenly reminded her of her earlier conversation with Ran, and she unintentionally burst out laughing.

”What is it?”

”No nothing. Ran said that your feelings are sometimes even harder to read than those of the dragons, is all.”

”Is that so?”

Orba looked as though he did not know how to answer, but Vileena's next words made him gulp.

”Thinking about it, the way that Ran and the dragons understand each other without words is a lot like you and Prince Gil. Even though I have hardly ever seen you in the same place together, and even less talking together, you always seem to share the same understanding. Put plainly, you are very close, aren't you?”

”No, that… There's a lot about His Highness that even I don't understand. And since I don't have any room to ask questions, I really just follow orders without understanding them.”

”In the west too?”

”Eh?”

The story of how Orba had played an active part in the west as a hero in an iron mask had started to spread in Apta and in Birac, and Vileena spoke of what she had heard.

”…That was naturally only because I had His Highness' instructions.”

Vileena nodded along as though in admiration, but ended up giving a long sigh.

”There is no denying that His Highness is very skilled when it comes to warfare. Still, he really seems to believe in fooling his friends to deceive his enemies. Even now, does he have a plan, does he not, who knows?”

”But, although it wasn't what Ran was talking about, I've come to understand just a little bit more. These are also Ran's words, but I think that he is fundamentally uncomplicated. It's just that the way he presents himself is baffling and… oh?”

”Is something wrong?”

At Orba's words, Vileena looked puzzled. For a moment, her thoughts had become entangled and she no longer knew who she was talking about; was it about Orba or Prince Gil? Ran's a.s.sessment of ”fundamentally uncomplicated but sometimes impossible to understand” perfectly applied to both of them. Orba of course, had no idea of what she was thinking.

”Since we're talking of understanding, Princess, how do you see His Highness now?” Orba enquired, impelled by curiosity. ”Do you think there is a way to break the current deadlock?”

”That's…” Vileena started to speak then stopped.

Airs.h.i.+ps were revolving overhead. The units were all those of Winged Dragon officers, so naturally, it was very different from the half-baked training she had watched before. As she looked towards it, she said -

”For now, let's keep it a secret.” She put a finger to her lips and winked.

”W-Why?”

”I'm imitating His Highness. Oh, speaking of imitating, could I ask you to pa.s.s on a message to him?”

Vileena stood up as she spoke and straightened the hem of her skirt. The gaze she turned towards...o...b.. was oddly clear. It somehow reminded him of the radiance of Lake Soma which he had briefly seen in the west.

”If it pleases you but… what on earth…?”

”Please tell him that Princess Vileena of Garbera is a 'liar'.” Vileena smiled lightly.

Orba could not read her meaning. Borrowing Ran's words again, a realisation suddenly dawned on him: Women… Every last one of them is a nuisance and harder to understand than dragons.

Vileena did not intend to commit the same indiscretions again. Well, actually, what she was going to do from there on was probably indiscretion incarnate, but at any rate, she did not plan to betray again those who were close to her. And so, she explained things frankly to Theresia and Layla.

She held nothing back about the plan she had secretly been pondering these past few days and about what her movements would be in the close - or rather, the immediate - future.

”I object.”

”Theresia…”

The lady's maid who had been by her side since Vileena was born quietly shook her head.

”Do not worry, I will not say anything about my position on this matter. Thank you for having told us Princess, however, you will soon be fifteen years old. I will not interfere with what you have thought of and decided on by yourself.”

”Thank you, Theresia.”

The princess' face suddenly brightened. On the other hand, Layla's expression clouded with unease. She was just about to say something but Vileena seized the initiative.

”Layla, please remain in Birac.”

Layla caught her breath. The princess, of course, knew nothing of her circ.u.mstances, however, she supposed that there must have been some significant reason for her family to live in the west despite the fact that it had no diplomatic relations with Mephius. Because of that, she thought that she should not bring Layla with her any further, to where she would now be heading.

”It's alright. You can pretend that you did not hear this conversation, since I have no intention of dragging you into trouble, Layla.”

”B-But, Princess… Rather than worrying about someone like me, won't you be putting yourself in considerable danger?”

”That's…” Vileena seemed to want to make some kind of excuse but then, in the next moment, she looked a little embarra.s.sed at her reaction and smiled. ”I'm fully aware of that, but I will still do it.”

”Is it for that person's sake?” Layla's sudden question was almost a shriek. For a second, the princess looked puzzled.

”That person?”

”His Highness Crown Prince Gil Mephius.”

Ah - the princess nodded, her eyes lowered, as though having understood something. Just like a moment earlier, she was about to say something but then shut her lips. From her manner, it seemed that it was not that she was faltering and hesitating, but that she was perplexed as to how to explain her answer to another person. After a moment…

”For my native land, for the land that I decided to live and die in, for His Highness, for all the people… if I was to say that, none of it would be a lie. But, if you were to ask me for one specific person I was doing it for, in the end, it is probably for my own sake. Because I am aware of that, because I do not want to have regrets later, I will follow my decision through.”

While the princess was explaining, Layla shook her head like an unruly child saying ”no”, dishevelling her long hair. Tears trickled from her eyes. Thinking that she was worried for her safety, Vileena's heart, of course, also tightened.

”Afterwards, I will definitely return here.” There was no trace of hesitation in her firm promise.

However, Layla still shook her head, and her slender shoulders continued to tremble, but she was unable to say anything further.

”Why do you torment me so relentlessly, O Princess, I who am so weak?”

It was at some six hundred metres above ground that this cry of lamentation could be heard. Anyone would think that a beautiful but unfortunate maiden was being led to an unjust sacrificial ceremony, however it was only Krau who was weeping and wailing as she operated the steering apparatus. Even the crying was fake. It was perfectly clear that she was inwardly lamenting but, unfortunately, her tears were not that accommodating.

”I'm sorry.” Still, Vileena meekly apologised and patted the large, hunched up back. ”But it isn't to torment you. It's because I rely on you, Krau.”

”The result is the same! I'll definitely be harshly scolded by His Highness. I'll be whipped, and have my meals taken away, and I'll definitely be suffer indignities I can't even mention.”

”Now, now,” while Krau was wailing tragically, Theresia's voice was utterly carefree. She was not use to air carriers and, for a while now, she had been gazing entranced at the part of the sky which could be seen from the bridge. ”I do not believe that gentleman would do any such thing. An actress as talented as yourself only needs to put on a show; just insist that the princess tricked you and it will be fine.”

”What do you mean, a 'show'?”

What the… Krau wondered suspiciously while she continued to sob. The lady's maid, who was always the first to criticise the princess whenever she acted like this, was this time acting like her accomplice.

As she made clear when she flat-out told the princess that she objected, Theresia was, of course, far from whole-heartedly approving of this. However, this time she had been informed beforehand. Which was infinitely preferable to having the princess sneak around in the shadows, like she had the time when she went alone to the west from Apta. Because Theresia wished to allow for Vileena's personality, she was determined that, this time, she would accompany her to the end.

They had embarked on this air carrier about two hours earlier.It had been the middle of the night when Vileena had sent a messenger to summon Krau to the mansion.

”I would like you to fly a s.h.i.+p to Nedain,” the princess had requested.

She had claimed that it was a visit to encourage the soldiers on the front lines. If they left late at night, they would arrive in the morning. She also asked that a s.h.i.+p capable of covering long distances should be prepared, so that they would not need to stop at any relay-station along the way.

”At this hour?”

Krau had naturally had her doubts, but Vileena had calmly answered that -

”I only just thought of it.”

To act on something she had only just thought of was certainly very like the princess. Besides, she had added that she had the prince's permission. Although there many points worthy of suspicion, since Theresia was with her, Krau had decided that - well, it probably isn't a lie.

She chose an air carrier that could carry no more than four or five people. Nor did it have any cabins. The reason why the hull was so large was because it had a large loading capacity for ether. It was not a type built for speed, but it had a long cruising range. It was a s.h.i.+p that was mainly used by garrison guards patrolling around the city's circ.u.mference.

The princess personally negotiated with the airport's supervisor. Just as with Krau, she claimed to have the crown prince's permission.

It was already known within Birac that Crown Prince Gil and Vileena always acted decisively. So the fact that his heroic accomplishments had been widely spread about, in this situation, had turned into a handicap for Orba.

And thus, when they had been flying for about two hours, and had travelled far enough that it was too late to turn back, the princess had said confidingly:

”This is a secret from the prince.”

Krau's lamentations were not purely a show.

Although she kept nervously looking behind them to see if any pursuers had been sent out from Birac, in the end, the s.h.i.+p arrived in sight of their allies' encampment just as planned, sometime close to dawn.

General Odyne Lorgo's troops had now increased to about a thousand five hundred, so the camp was spread out. At their back they had Birac's huge port, so they did not need to worry about replenis.h.i.+ng supplies. As though showing off to Nedain, they were ostentatiously staying in position.

Rumour had it that they occasionally summoned the newly re-organised units in Birac to have them practice with swords and guns. This was, in part, to train the new soldiers where they could smell the air from near a battlefield, but it was also to keep Nedain in check.

There was a temporary landing site for air carriers. It was on a level hilltop and all that had been built was a track to allow goods to be transported easily, but Vileena ordered them to land there.

”That's an unusual s.h.i.+p.” Odyne, who had gotten up early, was intrigued by the s.h.i.+p that landed in a cloud of dust.

Because s.h.i.+ps frequently came from Birac carrying messages, supplying provisions, or supplementing soldiers, the camp constantly saw s.h.i.+ps land and take off. But even for him, it was his first time seeing a s.h.i.+p of that model.

Not even Odyne could possibly have predicted that the Garberan princess, Vileena Owell, would alight from it.

Confused, he hurriedly rushed over on horseback and scrupulously bowed in greeting to the princess.

Odyne felt as though he still could not believe it even when he saw her up close; but it was not until after the greetings, and once he had heard the princess' purpose, that he was struck dumb in the real sense of the phrase.

”I will go to Nedain from here.”

”To Nedain? But, Princess… w-why do you wish to go there?” Odyne could not conceal his confusion. He wondered if there had been some kind of communication between Birac and the current enemy, Solon, but there had been no such news.