Ersia: Raven Dawn

[Monda, 26th of Blue Rain, 10th Year of the Fourth Age]

The ticking vintage grandfather clock shows 4 AM in the morning. Randia already woke up to fix the house's most unnoticed corners. As usual, he uses magic to muffle the sound he makes so that even the strongest knocking sounds like a light tap of a baby's feet. Afterward, he prepared the necessary supplies for his work of the day. All was done alone and silently.

An hour later, Eleanor wakes up and finds Randia reapplying varnish on some of the furniture. Randia noticed the old lady approaching him, but decided to pretend that he didn't.

"Sir Ran. You know you don't have to do this, do you?"

"This is far less than you have given us."

"You helped us too much. I believe I have told you that you are our guests, not our servants," Eleanor sits on the sofa.

Randia puts down his tools and sits on his knees facing Eleanor. His azure eyes are intense as usual, leaving anyone who looks upon them absorbed.

"No guest should cause the host this much trouble. Please forgive me, I shouldn't have gone to the flea market with my daughter that day," Randia bowed down.

"What do you mean? What does Viena have anything to do with all of this?"

At that moment, Randia told Eleanor the truth about the incident. He told her how Lisabelle looked that day, how she screamed out Viena's name, and what happened as soon as he knocked her out unconscious. The madam of the house looked stunned and speechless at first. However, all the surprise on her face is followed by a tearful smile.

"Remember when I told you that Lisabelle lost her parents?"

Randia nodded.

"The fact is; Lisabelle's mother was pregnant when the tragedy befell her. It was the seventh month of her second pregnancy. I still remember how excited the girl was. Back then, she usually went home late after school since she played a lot with her friends. But ever since she knew she was getting a sibling, she always came home on time. Every day without fail."

"Hence, the day she lost them all at once. . . I'm sure no one could understand her heartbreak, not even me. Because that day, her cries weren't like that of a child. It was chillingly silent, and so mournful that colors would fade away from the flowers the mourners bring."

Now, Randia understands that even though it has just been a few days, Lisabelle has been so fond of Viena, even if her attitude might say otherwise. As Eleanor sensed that Randia got her point, she hoped that he wouldn't be so eager to leave and take Viena away as he had originally intended to do. Lisabelle, Eleanor's most cherished treasure, is attached to Randia's little girl, and she can't bear the thought if she had to see the sadness in her granddaughter's face once again.

"Your granddaughter is a good girl. She will be home today, and everything is going to be alright. Please rest assured, Madam," Randia replied.

". . . Thank you for your kind words. Now, if you please excuse me," Eleanor left for her bedroom.

---

 

[8 AM, Special Institution for Underage Rehabilitation - Visitation Room]

"The academy board has decided to strip you of your title as Perianthes following the result of the court decision."

A tall, bald-headed black man speaks in a deep voice. The horn-shaped breastpin resting on the left side of his bright blue waistcoat tells everything that Lisabelle needs to know. He is Karu Rodgers, the famous spokesperson of the academy. The one who handles press affairs and announcements of important matters.

"I understand," Lisabelle responded shortly.

"Do you not feel regret, Miss Arbona? You have worked so hard for it."

". . . Is that an official question?"

"No."

"Then I am under no obligation to answer."

Karu pulled his back and took a breath. The confidence that the girl in front of him exudes is unlike any other. Usually, his voice and looks alone are enough to overwhelm young kids. However, this is the first time that a 15-year-old could stare right into his eyes unblinking.

"Very well, let us continue. In addition to the previous information, I also have to inform you regarding the final field exam. The final field exam for final-year students which was previously planned to be held on Morning Breeze next year, is rescheduled to Last Star."

". . . So I won't be able to participate."

As Lisabelle looked down and crumpled the side of her blouse, Karu said nothing. He knew that Lisabelle understood what it meant. It means that Lisabelle must ace all of her remaining studies since being absent from the final field exam will do a considerable amount of damage to the rest of her grade. She will only have one chance of mistakes on each remaining test if she wants to graduate and proceed to the next level of education.

"The initial idea of the board was to expel you as soon as possible. However, many of your teachers have vouched for you. I suggest that you show them the proper gratitude for the second chance you have been given."

After that, Karu excused himself. Yet, when he was about to leave the room, Lisabelle stood up.

"Lord Karu!"

The man stopped and turned around.

"Please look out for the new Perianthes. I am enough."

What the overseer heard was different than what Karu heard. The sentence bears two messages to keep in mind. First, the new Perianthes might be in trouble, and that alone indicates a crucial clue about who did the bullying. Second, Lisabelle insists that she must be the last person to ever have such a case. The academy must improve.

"Even in such a time, you still have your concern about others . . . You are worrying over nothing, Miss Arbona. Her Majesty The Queen herself will keep a close eye on this matter."

---

 

[10 AM, House of Arbona - Front Porch]

Horses are neighing, and the sound of the carriage bell is ringing. A man and a woman get out of the wooden vehicle and knock on the door. They are here to escort Lisabelle and deliver her safely to her home.

"Mrs. Arbona?"

They wait for a while before knocking again. Then, they heard rapid footsteps from inside the house.

*Creak*

"Can I help you, uncle? Granny is sick."

Viena half-opens the door and talks while hiding behind it, leaving only her beautiful blue eyes and small nose to be seen. Then, the two bend down to match Viena's height hoping that she isn't scared by their uniform or by their difference in height.

"Hello there, kid. My name is Alan, and this is Gwen. We have uh . . . a business with Granny."

"Business? So, you are selling something? Is there any candy?" Viena opens up more of the door.

"No no no. Not that 'business', but it's more like that we have something to talk about with-."

"Viena!"

Suddenly, a deep voice came from inside the house followed by heavy footsteps. Then, a hand grabbed Viena by her head and gently pulled her inside. The hand looked so massive compared to Viena's head that almost got perfectly swallowed into it, and it made the two officials lift their heads and almost hurt their necks.

"I'm so sorry. My daughter was just too quick on her feet."

"A-Ah yes, don't worry about it . . . ."

"Y-Yeah, we were just . . . talking . . . ."

The two of them took a step back, trying to scale up Randia's size. Alan, the male one, was wonderstruck by Randia's peak physical masculinity, while Gwen was raptured by his intense blue eyes that peeked between the bandages of his face.

"Aren't you Doctor Ran?"

"The medevist who got struck by the girl?" Gwen looked at Alan.

"My condolences, doctor. Is your injury getting any better?" Alan shakes hands with Randia.

"There is no need for condolences. I am still alive and well. And the wound is closing nicely," Randia smiled a little.

 While the two were still admiring Randia, the man himself glanced at the carriage.

"I suppose you have a lot of important things to discuss. But before that, is Lisabelle in there?"

"Yes, she is there. Just sitting silently - well, probably sleeping," Alan answered.

"Don't worry. It's not like we handcuffed her or anything. She is surprisingly so docile, unlike what they said she was. So~ yeah, we don't feel the need to do that," Gwen explained.

"I'm sorry for asking this, but can the madam meet her? I'm sure it will do magic to her health."

Alan and Gwen looked at each other as if waiting for the other to make the call. In the end, they shrugged off their shoulder and just walked towards the carriage.

"What was the procedure again?"

"Meh, who cares? What kind of an officer parts a grandmother from her granddaughter?"

The two officials whispered to each other, although it was loud enough to be heard by anyone nearby.

Meanwhile, Randia told Viena to bring Eleanor and guide her to the front porch. Randia himself walks to the side yard of the house. He is tidying up the outdoor table and the chairs, as well as preparing some tea with his magic to hasten the boiling process. He plans to give some personal space for Eleanor and Lisabelle as he handles the officials for the serious talk.

After a while, Eleanor and Viena arrived at the door, while Lisabelle got off the carriage.

Upon seeing her granddaughter, Eleanor walks hastily. Lisabelle also ran towards her when she saw her grandmother almost stumbling herself. They hugged each other, and Eleanor cried a river. She keeps saying prayers of gratitude to Aine while rubbing Lisabelle's hair and kissing her cheeks repeatedly.

Lisabelle herself looked deeply saddened, though not crying. She wanted to explain, but Eleanor shushed her, insisting that she understood even without her telling her.

"Sir Alan, Lady Gwen . . . ," Randia whispered to the two officers who were seemingly crying from witnessing the heartfelt reunion.

"Let us give them some time alone, shall we?" Randia opened his hand towards the sideyard, inviting Alan and Gwento join him for a talk.