Chapter 652: Acquaintances (2/2)

“Am I not allowed to prepare lunch for myself?” Aliana asked, leading Ilea through the downright ancient manor. Many of the windows were open, flowers and plants placed in front of various walls where it seemed paintings would’ve hung at some point.

Ilea could still see a bunch of nails in the walls. She thought it charming, the fresh vegetation taking away some of the weight the dark wood had on the atmosphere. “Of course you are. It’s been a while Aliana, how have you been?”

[Water Mage – lvl 208]

“Simply wonderful, Ilea. Do you want to wait in the banquet hall or join me in the kitchens?” she asked. “Been a while since we had a guest I actually cared about.”

“I’ll join you. But I haven’t really increased my ability to cook since last time,” Ilea admitted. “You get a lot of guests here?”

“I never took you for a cook. Someone who can value the worth of food however, that you are. And I always appreciated that,” she said and led her into an extensive area in the back of the manor.

Ilea could see four walls caved in, some of the wood still sticking out. Whatever the rooms had been before, now everything was covered in enchanted cooking equipment. Various ovens, heating plates, and storage containers lining the elongated back wall, sunlight streaming in through several large windows. A luscious garden with flowers, herbs, and trees growing expanded behind, giving the impression of a country village instead of a bustling capital city. The whole district was rather quiet, adding to the serene atmosphere.

Dozens of hooks lined the walls above the windows, pans and pots hanging from them with the occasional knife sticking out of the wood itself. Crates littered the hardwood floor, a pile of bones sitting in a steel tub to the side, meat hooks hanging from above, currently empty.

Aliana checked a few pots, lifting lids, and stirring. A fragrance of various cooking vegetables and herbs filled the room after she did that, the woman turning around and resting her behind on a nearby cabinet. “Not a lot of guests here. For good reason,” she said and gestured to the general state of everything. “Felicia meets her notable contacts in another mansion owned by her, not previously associated with the Redleaf family and quite a bit more… modest. Though she returns here in her free time, which hasn’t been a lot I’m afraid.”

Ilea nodded, grabbing a nearby chair and carefully sitting down. The wood creaked a little but held. Aliana raised an eyebrow. “So this is where the political prisoners end up?” Ilea asked to distract her, nodding to the meat hooks.

The woman laughed. “Ah, not at all. She’s not her father after all,” she said and smiled. “No, Edwin and his… pupil, often bring back one carcass or the other. At my request of course.”

“I thought he was drinking,” Ilea said. “And he has a pupil now?”

“Oh he is. And well… yes and no,” Aliana said. “It’s a little complicated.”

Ilea shrugged, smiling as she rested her elbows on the top of the chair, her head resting in her hands. “Tell me all about it. I’m sure we have time, you haven’t even started cooking meat yet. High time we caught up on things.”

Aliana rolled her eyes. “I’ve learned plenty about you from Felicia and the songs. Lilith, savior of Riverwatch, member of the Liliy? And you fought alongside Velamyr Ryse, let alone Michael Elyse. Quite an impressive change compared to your adventures in Taleen dungeons, threatened by a young Redleaf noble to help in his plots,” she said and paused, taking in a deep breath as she closed her eyes. She looked back at Ilea and continued. “It’s quite enjoyable, I’ll be honest. They helped me out, you see, but it was Felicia who always wanted me there. It was her presence that kept me there. I didn’t like how he treated you, but I suppose you enjoyed the benefits instead. I haven’t heard of anyone growing in power as quickly as you did in those few weeks.”

“It was quite helpful. Any resentment I’ve had towards him is gone by now,” Ilea said. “And don’t believe the songs and stories. I’m the same woman I was back then. Mostly.”

“That’s good to hear. You might even see him if you stay long enough. I have no idea when they come back usually but it’s been three days already. I can’t say I’ve stayed exactly the same. Taking care of a drunk noble I think has changed me, as did the classes I’ve been participating in,” Aliana explained.

“Classes?” Ilea asked.

Aliana waved her off. “Ah various things. Felicia thinks it paramount that I learn to express myself in different languages, understand the political intricacies of the city and Empire, that I can manage trade and various other things a high noble should know. It’s interesting, don’t get me wrong, but this,” she said and gestured around herself. “This is where I love to be.”

“She cares about you,” Ilea said. “You could tell her, you know? If you didn’t feel like taking on those responsibilities or learning about topics you’re not necessarily passionate about.”

“I will be by her side for as long as I live, Ilea. And if I can improve my value to her, I will. I know she would let me go the moment I asked her, and that is precisely why I’m staying. She’s not just a friend to me, she’s my sister,” the woman said.

“I can tell,” Ilea said with a smile. “So Edwin is your brother?” she joked.

The look on Aliana’s face changed, her face distorting lightly before she forced a perfect smile. “It’s good right? Can you believe I took a class just for that?” she asked, returning to the grimace.

“It’s quite scary,” Ilea said.

“Schooling one’s face is apparently very important because in politics, everything you give away can and will be used against you. It’s tiring, I tell you. But necessary. As to your question, no. I respect the drive Edwin once possessed. He’s one of the main reasons Felicia and me are where we are now. Arthur is dead because of his efforts, your help and ours definitely helping, but he’s been at it for years and years. We would’ve been lost without him and I’ll never forget that. But since our return… well… I had thought it impossible for maturity to go backwards. And yet that seemed to be what happened to him. He’s become irresponsible, unable to part from his liquor, reckless… well he might’ve been reckless all this time, for a good reason before, whereas now he only creates more issues,” she said with a sigh. “It’s been difficult to deal with him. And while Felicia was busy trying to establish herself as the new head of the House, I dealt with him.”

“That does sound rough. Sorry you had to go through that,” Ilea said.

“Don’t mention it. It’s nothing to the time before. Or back in Baralia,” she mused. “At least I doubt now that I’d ever want children.”

Ilea laughed at that. “Understandable. So how come he’s got a pupil now? Because it doesn’t sound like he should be going on adventures.”

“He shouldn’t,” Aliana said immediately. “But it was worse for him to stay here and rot away. You know how tough he is. The jobs nearby shouldn’t be too dangerous for him. Not very lucrative either for someone at his level, but power and gold is not what we’re looking for. I thought you an intruder before… there were many. Natural with the state this manor is in. It’s gotten a little better but the influx of refugees brings the occasional opportunist or thief into our yard. Jyraiu was one of them. A performer from the west who failed to get work here.”

Jyraiu. Did I hear that name before?

“Edwin killed a few intruders when he got to them before I could, or when I wasn’t here. That one, for some reason, he spared. Talked some nonsense about training the man and going on adventures. I really have no idea why he got that idea into his mind. But here we were. Jyraiu was obviously terrified, lying through his teeth, but I thought it a good opportunity. Edwin could go out, maybe clear his head a little, and who knows, actually do something else for the world than consume expensive liquor. It’s good that Felicia invested early into a few distilleries.”

“So the guy is still here because you threatened him?” Ilea asked, a little confused at the story.

Aliana shook her head. “Not anymore. At first, sure. He’s grown a liking to Edwin. Either that or the fair pay he receives. Plus whatever they manage to get from the jobs they finish. Though that isn’t as much as you’d think. They’re either terrible or get very unlucky quests.”

“Sounds like an adventurer thing to do,” Ilea mused. “Where did you say he was from? Jyraiu I mean. The name rings a bell somehow.”

“Pyro enhancer from the western cities. Apparently he did fire magic shows. I saw some of it a few months back in our yard. We had drank a little too much but it was quite beautiful. Guards interrupted but he certainly knows what he’s doing, especially that drunk,” Aliana explained.

“Pyro enhancer… ah… the fire wings guy!” Ilea exclaimed. “From the Riverwatch tournament. Ah, that didn’t go well in the end, but I guess he made it out.”

“Fire wings?” Aliana asked.

Ilea smiled. “Yeah, he inspired me to get a fire magic class. I do have wings now, but I suppose they’re a little less flashy.”

“But a hundred times more recognizable. Ash demon, Lilith,” Aliana said in a teasing voice. “Did your appetite grow just as much as your power?”

Ilea grinned and leaned forward, catching herself when the two wooden legs of the chair splintered. She displaced the chair out and away, brushing off her legs while avoiding eye contact. “Exponentially so,” she murmured.

“Wonderful. And don’t worry about the chair. Just don’t punch anyone, I don’t want to clean up again,” Aliana said, putting a few skillets onto heated plates before she summoned a bottle of oil, whistling a tune all the while.