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Chapter 55 (1 of 2) A Paladin, a Prophetess and a Perpetually Angsty Kid walk into the Aurelian Commission’s Headquarters.
🕑 Added 2023-12-29 12:46:00 +0000 UTCLucille leaned back and kicked her boots onto her desk. She placed her gloved hands behind her head, feeling content. She had completed the paperwork needed for the transfer of all the sold vault items, and now finally had some time that she could spend with Scytale to go out and level up.
She was annoyed that they had wasted an entire month, but it couldn’t be helped. She had her position as the Head of the Aurelian Commission and Scytale was still testing out his new abilities. He had improved at flying…
…somewhat.
But with only eleven months of the year left, she needed to increase her strength as quickly as possible. That meant she wouldn’t be taking the easy path. Lucy would be going to the most difficult Dungeons for her and Scytale, earning as much xp as they could. Anytime they left the Headquarters to do something, business or not, would ideally be when they’d also kill monsters to strengthen themselves.
She hadn’t been idle though. Lucy opened her Status to check her stats.
[Status: ]
Name: Lucille Goldcroft (Lvl. 1̴̛̟͛͗͆̒́̈̾͑̉͐̚͝͝7̵̡͖̲̰͓͓͇͗͂̏̆͜)
Age: 18y
Race: Human
HP: 5850/5850 {+76/1m}
MP: 1100/1100 {+110/5m}
Stats:
Free Stat Points: 115
[Bonuses: +78 CON, +10 STR, +14 INT, +13 WIS]
STR: &̸̧̨̖̦̩̖̥̪̅͑7̵̛͍̂̅̽̐̽́̄͠2̸̧̱̲͓̭̎̎̀̀̔̔ (43)(+10) SPRT: 7000
CON: _̷͕̫̦̟̖͓̳͈͊̌̋̏͋̍̀͋̃2̸̣̼͗͒̕&̵̢̛͚̘̖͎̣̰̗͊̀̓̎̈́̊́̉̏̅7̴̡̢̻͇͎̼̦̈́ (39)(+78) MENT:65
AGI: *̴̦̺̫̳̼̳́̍̈́̆̃̈́̀̔̈́͋̚͝2̶̢̼̬͖̰̭͕̬̥́̄̊̓̓̃̚)̸̛̩̩̃͂̑̀̀̒̓͗̈9̶̪͎̬̤̦̹̟̒͛͊͋͊́́̋͌̏̓͑̕̚ (53) CHAR: 5̶̡̛̼͇̪̩͈̝͉͍̮̠̏͜^̷̨̢̣̰̖̟̮̘͇̀̎̎̎͐̀̀̆͗̇̋͝͠7̶̨̼͍́̈́̽̈́̄̎͆̈́͊̂̽̒̊͝ͅ
DEX: 1̶̛̹͕̬͇̰͖͍́͋̿̋̇̉̄́̉̏͒͛̒̉̈́́́̀́̈́̄̚͘͝ͅ5̷̨̟͕̫̙̖̼̣̯͙̯͇͖̻̦̣̙̼͔̟̩̝̻̘̇͗͆̽͒̀́̿̈́͜!̵̛͍̥̯̙̲̀̒̾̀̌̋̐͑̕͘̚͝͠͠͠3̶̧̢̣͉͙͚̣̝̪̮͍͇̣̮̪̮͈̭̖̳̈́̏͂̉̓͋̌̆̆ (30) CHP: -̴̨͓͔̗̥̤̞̗̠̜͇̦͈̖́̀̂́͐̈́̇́̑̀̎́̉͌̈́̓̉̕͘͠
INT: 3̶̹͇̏̈́̄̄̒͛@̵̳͚̣̀̌̓͋͌̏͒̚2̴̧̬̜̦̤̞͔͊͒̃̌̅̕ͅ9̶̛̣̗̬̱̜̿̀̀̐ (63)(+14) HRP: -̴̨͓͔̗̥̤̞̗́̀̂́͐̈́̇́̑̀̎́̉͌̈́̓̉̕͘͠
WIS: N̵̛̙͖̄̉̓̋́̋̅̌̄̔̓͊͋̀͐̿̌̂̐̋͘̚3̴̡̡̡̛͎̠̹̖̰̥̳̘͇̯̾̄̇͊̾̍͛͗͊͑̈́̀̀̚̚͘͠͠$̷̨͚̰̖̜̥̝͈̲̥̆̀̀̐͊̑̎̎̈́̀̅͗̕͘̕͜ͅͅ8̸͕̗̯̫͕͕̪̠̓̾ (41)(+13)
[Origin Skill: Simulacrum Realm | Type: System/Spiritual/Realm
Desc: [Collapsed]
Subskills: [Collapsed]
Awakening: 100%. ]
Skills:
Primary Skills:
[Alter-Ego]
[Essence Transmutation Conduit]
Secondary Skills:
[Mark of the Primordial Demon ]
[Energy Anomaly Automated Indication ]
[Codex of Reminiscence]
[Memory Transubstantiate]
[Prodigious Archmage’s First Steps]
Tertiary Skills:
[Energy Field Detection]
[]
Over the month, she worked to increase her INT and WIS using the Codex of Reminiscence skill. She didn’t try to use the Memory Transubstantiate skill again, because the skill creation chances were far too valuable, but she had filled 25% of the information count to obtain another 27 points in INT and filled 3/6 of the memory slots to gain 11 more points in WIS. She also obtained multiplier bonuses, with an additional 13% in INT and 22% in WIS on top of the base +10% the Aspect gave to both stats.
Lucille had also gained 40 stats just from eating stat-boosting foods, which was nearly a full twelfth of the maximum stat gain from foods for Rank-1. As she could only gain up to 25% of the Rank total from eating food, she could keep going at this pace and gain 548 stats by the end of the year.
Scytale hadn’t gained any stats, because, with his recent bloodline advancement, he was being careful until his bloodline had settled. That only meant he was eating the food that took far longer to provide him boosts and would take at least another month or two to gain the benefits. He was enjoying the taste of human food for the first time in a while.
Lucy had considered attempting to gain some skills while the month was going on, but to gain skills, she needed to satisfy the prerequisites for them, as well as perform a relevant activity to gain it and be aware of what she wanted to gain. Combat skills would be gained in combat, and while athletic skills could be an option…
…she didn’t fancy running laps around the Commission’s gardens for everyone to watch. Besides, the type of running skill she wanted would need to be suited for cross-country and hiking, and she wasn’t about to get that from running laps in the tame, cultivated lands of the Headquarters gardens.
But now she was free, so she stood up from her desk and stretched. She grabbed her cane and walked out the door, heading towards the direction of her living room. On the way there, she met her aide.
Vincent blinked as she walked near him. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to find Scytale and head to a Dungeon to level up,” she replied, taking a step past him. “I finished my work, so there’s no need for me to-”
“Finished your work? No, you haven’t,” Vincent said, placing a hand on her shoulder to stop her moving. “There’s still more to be done.”
Lucille turned around and raised an eyebrow at him. “What work?”
Vincent grinned. “Entertaining visitors, of course!”
She gave him a sceptical look. “Isn’t that your job Vincent? As my aide and the ‘real Faction Head’?”
He adjusted his half-moon glasses and smirked. “These visitors are special. I don’t think I’ll be able to handle them on my own.”
She narrowed her eyes with suspicion but eventually sighed and then pinched her nose bridge. “I- okay, who are they? I can’t perceive anybody special in the main lobby.”
Vincent smiled and shook his head. “They’re waiting in the west entranceway.”
Lucy frowned. “The west entranceway? But why would they enter through…” She saw who the visitors were and froze in place with wide eyes.
Vincent’s smile slowly grew wider as she raised her head to stare at him. The seconds ticked by.
Lucy spun on her heels and marched the opposite way. “You know what, it seems I do have paperwork left to complete after all. I’ll be unavailable for the next five hours, so please tell our guests to visit on another-”
A firm grip on her shoulder stopped her from walking. She gave her aide a long-suffering look as he grinned maliciously.
“Oh no, I can’t possibly deal with visitors from a Supreme Institution on my own. No, only the Aurelian Commission Head can resolve this extremely dangerous political situation.”
…
The hallway was filled with silence. Five figures stood within it, three on one side and two on the other. Facing each other were two young women, one with long, straight black hair, and another with wavy golden locks. Behind the blonde-haired girl were two others, a surly-looking boy and a tall Paladin with wild hair and steel grey eyes, watching the girls warily.
The blonde-haired girl stood with her arms crossed, her chin smugly tilted up. The dark-haired woman had her hands on her hips, gazing silently at the young girl.
Then Lucy smiled brightly and clasped her hands together. “Wow! It’s been such a long time since we last saw each other! I am so happy to see you!” Her smile widened further as her tone became as dry as cardboard. “Un. For. Tun. Ate. Ly, as the Head of the Aurelian Commission, I am very busy, and so do not have the time to entertain you as guests.” She whirled around and waved a hand to them. “Please, make yourself comfortable in my absence, and leave as soon as you desire. I am sure my aide will be a fitting replacement for a host while I stay in my study doing very hard, difficult tasks that require complete peace and serenity. Farewell.” Then she walked off.
Prophetess Annaliese Verdon pointed a finger at Lucy. “Is the Aurelian Commission Head going to offend the Supreme Institution of the Citadel of Fate by turning away their esteemed Prophetess?” she asked haughtily.
Lucille stiffened up slightly and the hallway was filled with pin-drop silence. Then she angrily turned around and glared daggers at the young girl. “Oh, how astoundingly wily you are! Did you spend the entire four months after we met brainstorming that excuse?!”
Annaliese nodded proudly. “Yep.”
The young boy next to her facepalmed while Jasten Albrecht watched them interact with a mixture of wariness and confusion. Lucy ignored them both to give Annaliese a look of disgust.
“Why would you even come here? Nobody wants to deal with you, and you’re trespassing on Commission property.” She made shooing gestures. “Go on, be off with you. Get out and leave me alone.”
“I am not trespassing!” Annaliese said with afront. “I came here in a very legal way!” She looked at the Paladin on her left. “Isn’t that right, Sir Albrecht?”
Jasten Albrecht gave the girl a strange look but Lucy rolled her eyes. “It’s illegal if you came here without permission.”
“And I got permission,” Annaliese stubbornly replied, crossing her arms.
Lucy gave her a flat look. “Oh really? From whom? Because I sure didn’t- wait.” She turned to stare at the smirking silver-haired man behind her. “Vincent?!”
He shrugged. “You’ve met her before, so I saw no harm in letting her come here again.”
Lucille stared incredulously at her aide as he looked to the side. Annaliese glanced between them before pushing the brown-haired young boy next to her in front.
“Lucy, I have someone I want to introduce. Or…” She hesitated for a moment. “Maybe technically, you’ve already met?”
“I don’t think her having seen me on my death bed counts as a ‘meeting’ Anna,” the boy snarked. He turned his dark eyes to Lucille and frowned.
Annaliese shoved him forward again. “Anyway, Lucy, this is Raegan Verdon, my younger brother. Raegan is very thankful you saved him.”
The boy scowled and didn’t say anything. The Prophetess narrowed her eyes at her uncooperative little brother. “I said, Raegan is very thankful you saved him.” She glared at her brother when he avoided eye contact.
Lucille silently studied the boy with dark circles around his eyes for a moment. Then she walked forward. “I suppose a proper introduction wouldn’t hurt.” She held out a gloved hand for him to shake. “Lucille Goldcroft. My current occupation is being the newest target of your sister’s pestering.”
Raegan eyed her hand suspiciously but accepted it. Annaliese watched them shake hands with narrowed eyes. “How come my brother gets better treatment than me?”
Lucy shot the Prophetess a flat look and gestured to Raegan. “Because, unlike you, I can see he had no say in the matter when it came to your plan to locate me in my Faction. So he deserves more of my respect due to both of us suffering because of you.”
That seemed to make Raegan smirk a little but Annaliese crossed her arms with a huff. “I came all this way to be treated like this? Well, not that I didn’t expect it, but…” She shook her head and blinked. “Where’s Scytale? I expected him to be around you.”
Sir Albrecht frowned and looked at the blonde-haired girl. “Prophetess Verdon, who’s-”
“I hear someone hath summoned the great Scytale! It is I, the majestical majestic beast of majesty and- oh?” A silver-haired boy with gold eyes stuck his head around the corner. “Annaliese? You’re here?”
Annaliese blinked back. “Scytale?” After a moment of hesitation, she tilted her head. “Why do you look like a kid?”
The snake in human form clicked his tongue and walked forward to stand beside Lucy. “I’m fifteen! My human for just looks small because I’m small for my enclave!”
Annaliese glanced at her brother. “Raegan, that’s like you.”
Raegan gave his sister an incredulous look. “How can you compare my height due to a disease and malnutrition to being naturally short?”
“Hm?” Scytale paused when he saw Raegan. “Who… is this?”
A strange tension formed between the two boys as they observed each other. They both began to narrow their eyes, feeling a budding sense of competition-
“So Lucy, are you going to let us stay?” Annaliese asked expectantly.
Lucille glanced wearily between Annaliese, Raegan, Scytale and Sir Albrecht, then threw her hands in the air. “Just- whatever, do what you want. I give up.”
Annaliese grinned as she eagerly followed after Lucy, who turned and walked back to the lift. Lucille rubbed her temples as she tried and failed to ignore the ceaseless chatter coming from the girl to her right as the lift took them to the fortieth floor.
“Lucy, have you finally reached Rank-1, or are you still Rank-0? If you have reached the next rank, I’m really curious to know what class you picked,” Annaliese said, following close behind her. “You’d know many great skills and classes. Did you become a mage? I remember last time you said you didn’t have a mage class.”
“My second main skill is called the Essence Transmutation Conduit,” Lucy replied wearily, walking to her living room. “It allows me to control all mana in a radius around me.”
Annaliese watched her curiously as Lucille opened the door of her living room. “Does that mean you can control Fate when it enters that radius too?”
Lucy shook her head as she sat down on a couch. “High-level elements require an understanding of the concepts within them too, so I can’t freely wield those. A high-level element’s essence needs to be anchored in the User’s body.” She placed her brass jug on the table along with some cups, and set about pouring a drink for herself.
Vincent, Scytale, Raegan and Sir Albrecht filed into the room. The Paladin took up a post guarding the door of the room, but the other three sat down on the couches.
Annaliese looked over her shoulder to talk to her private guard. “Sir Albrecht? Is that true?”
The Paladin glanced at Lucille then slowly nodded. “To use a high-level element, a shard of the essence must crystalise within you.” He placed a gauntlet on his chest. “As a Paladin, I am allowed to wield the essence of Fate and the light-space element of Radiance.”
Annaliese gained a look of confusion. “Radiance?”
“That’s the purple thing he uses to teleport to us when we try to sneak out of the estate they keep us imprisoned in,” Raegan explained, casually reaching out to pour a drink for himself as the steel-eyed Paladin scowled at him. The boy frowned and peered inside the jug to see why nothing was coming out. He raised his head to stare at Lucy. Lucy ignored him to sip her own drink.
Annaliese looked at her brother. “You mean when he gets all those gold and purple sparkles?”
Raegan lifted the jug up and tilted it upside down, thumping the bottom of the artifact. “Yep,” he said, as Jasten Albrecht’s expression twitched.
Scytale noticed what Raegan was trying to do and smirked. He stood up from his spot beside Lucy to slowly creep over and whisper something into the boy’s ear. Raegan raised an eyebrow and passed the snake the jug while Annaliese turned back to Lucy.
“But what type of class does that main skill come from?” she asked.
Lucille rolled her eyes. “Do you think I’ll just tell you, Miss Prophetess? I’m not about to give my class secrets away to a high-ranking member of a Supreme Institution.”
Annaliese pouted. “You met me before I went to the Citadel! What happened to all the valuable time we spent together, the relationship we formed?”
“I knew you for a week,” Lucy stated with contempt. “A relationship with me isn’t something you should be bringing up either, as the one who leveraged her connection to the Citadel to force me to let her into this building. If you’re going to bring politics into this situation, then I’m free to justify my actions through politics too.”
Annaliese clicked her tongue. “Not even a hint?”
Vincent, sitting beside Lucy on the other side of her, placed his cup of tea on the coffee table. “Even if you managed to hear an explanation of her abilities from Lucille, I highly doubt it would be worth the effort of teasing it out of her, Miss Verdon.” He smiled wryly. “I could barely make heads or tails of it myself.”
Annaliese narrowed her eyes but flinched when her brother suddenly let out a loud yelp. They all turned to stare at the dark-haired boy who was shivering violently, his clothes completely soaked through with ice-cold water.
The culprit, the golden-eyed snake in human form standing next to him, snickered with the brass evidence of his misconduct still held upside down over Raegan’s head.
Lucille’s eyes widened and she slammed her hands on the table. “Scytale!”
The wicked snake burst out laughing as Raegan stared at him. Then the boy abruptly stood up with a scowl and charged towards the snake. Scytale dodged the attempted tackle and sped off towards the door of the room. “Catch me if you can!” As he left, his form shifted to become his winged serpent body.
Raegan chased after him, angrily shouting, “Come back here you filthy beast!”
Jasten Albrecht rushed to the doorway. “Hey! Raegan!” There was no response, leaving a scowl on the face of the Paladin.
Lucille’s eyes narrowed dangerously and she stood up, prepared to go marching off to retrieve her bond. “That blighted snake…”
Vincent stood up and held a hand in front of her. “Let me go after them.” He gestured to the Paladin near the doorway. “I know Sir Albrecht can’t leave Miss Verdon unattended, and Miss Verdon’s reason to come here was to see you.”
Lucy considered and then sat back down with a sigh. “Fine. Tell the staff that Scytale is banned from eating any natural treasures for the next week though.”
Vincent smiled and walked to the door of the living room. He nodded politely to Sir Albrecht, who nodded back, and then left. The silence in the room was slightly awkward.
Lucille poured herself another drink and twisted herself to kick her legs up on the couch. “We may as well discuss what you wish now that you’re here. But first, I have my own question.” She raised an eyebrow at the blonde-haired girl. “How were you even able to come here?”
Annaliese smiled. “The Great Sage let me. He wants me to forge closer ties with the Commission as I know you when most of the Empire’s nobility don’t.”
Lucy stared at her for a few seconds until she ran a hand down her face. “Of course it’s that decrepit old fool Gidelis Annador’s fault. I should’ve known the crafty relic would’ve tried to involve himself with the Commission.”
Jasten Albrecht narrowed his eyes. “Even if you’re the Aurelian Commission Head, I cannot accept blatant disrespect of the Great Sage in front of the Prophetess. Apologise now or-”
He stiffened as Lucy jabbed a finger at him. “Like you actually care what I say about the Great Sage. You don’t need to bother putting up the ‘loyal knight’ act because I couldn’t care less about trying to play along. It’s not like you will ever repeat my words to the Sages in the first place.”
He stared incredulously at her as Annaliese glanced between them. “Why are you so sure Sir Albrecht won’t say anything?”
“Why?” Lucille picked up her coffee and blew on it. “Because it’s a bother. All it will do is stir up political drama that he doesn’t want to be part of, and what the Sages don’t know won’t hurt them.” She shrugged. “I’m certain he felt relief at being able to escape the confines of Citadel politics to come here, even if he pretends otherwise. If the Sages see him too content with his job they’ll change it to something worse.”
Sir Albrecht stared at her with wide eyes.
Annaliese hummed. “That… makes a lot of sense, actually. Sir Albrecht only complains when we’re around other Paladins. But the way you’re describing him, it almost sounds as if you know-” Annaliese paused as a strong suspicion formed. She abruptly narrowed her eyes at Lucy.
Lucy smirked, aware of what Annaliese suspected. She calmly sipped her coffee and pretended not to notice the blonde-haired girl’s gaze as Annaliese’s eyes slowly narrowed with even more suspicion.
“Prophetess Verdon, I can say with certainty that I have no recollection whatsoever of having met Count Goldcroft before the day of your officiation,” Jasten Albrecht said with a frown, obviously having picked up on the conversation thread somewhat. His brows furrowed as he looked at Lucy. “And please stop talking about me as if I’m not here.”
Annaliese ignored him, continuing to watch Lucille suspiciously. Lucy smiled and placed down her cup of coffee.
‘Your suspicions are correct. I met Jasten Albrecht several times in the past.’
Annaliese opened her mouth, then shut it again. Sir Albrecht watched them both with confusion.
‘As for what our relationship was…’ Lucy smirked. ‘Enemies.’
Annaliese stared at her as the Paladin behind her continued to watch on with confusion. When Lucy didn’t do anything but take another sip of her drink, Annaliese glanced between the blonde-haired Paladin and Lucille. Eventually, she shook her head. “Well, Lucy, I have a really important question I want to ask you!” she said, leaning forward on the couch.
Lucille raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”
“How old are you?”
Lucy gazed silently at the Prophetess, who was focused intently on her. Then Lucille shrugged. “I’ve already told you this. I’m eighteen.”
Annaliese groaned and bumped the back of her head against the couch. “No! That’s not what I meant.”
“Then please explain to me what other possible meaning your words hold,” Lucy stated calmly.
Annaliese glared at her, but when she didn’t reply, Lucy placed down her coffee and stretched.
“Well, if there’s nothing else you wish to say to me right now, then please make yourself acquainted with your assigned room,” Lucille said, standing up and walking towards the door. “I have work to do.”
“What kind of work?” the girl asked curiously.
Lucy slowly turned around and narrowed her eyes at Annaliese. “Why, it just so happens that because a certain Prophetess decided to visit the Commission today that I now have to send out letters to Ravimoux and Chavaret to ensure the safety of the Citadel’s precious High Oracle.”
Annaliese sheepishly looked away. “But I have Sir Albrecht here to protect me.”
“Yes, but I still need to strengthen the regular guard to make it appear that I’ve done something.” Lucille opened her pocket watch to check the time.
“Isn’t Vincent supposed to be the one who acts like he’s in charge?”
Lucy rolled her eyes and shut the pocket watch. “My apologies, I meant make it appear that Vincent has done something.”
The wary Jasten Albrecht stepped to the side to let Lucille past. But just before she left the living room, she looked back and raised an eyebrow. “Oh, and your brother has already begun to enjoy his lunch on the rooftop garden. You may want to join him.”
Then the door clicked shut and left Annaliese and her guard alone in the room. Annaliese traded glances with Sir Albrecht.
…
A blonde-haired girl hummed as she walked down the hallways of the Aurelian Commission’s Headquarters. Wearing a simple but elegant white dress, she stopped to look out of the windows every few seconds.
The stern-looking Paladin behind her followed closely behind. “Prophetess Verdon.”
Annaliese spun to face the front and calmly continued walking, pretending to ignore her guard.
Jasten Albrecht scowled. “Prophetess Verdon.”
Annaliese placed her hands behind her back and whistled a song.
The blonde-haired guard sighed. “Prophetess Annaliese Verdon!”
Annaliese turned to face him with a slight frown. “It’s Annaliese.”
Jasten Albrecht narrowed his eyes. “Prophetess Verdon, I am not repeating this discussion. I have made my intent to refuse all form of using your name informally quite clear.” The Paladin sighed and placed his hands on his hips. “Prophetess, please reconsider your decision to stay here for five days.”
“No.” Annaliese turned back around and walked off, her head held up proudly. “The Prophetess is allowed five days each month to spend however she wishes.”
“I know. I’m not asking you to give up your five days of free time,” Sir Albrecht said, marching after the girl. “I want you to think more deeply about whether it’s wise to grow closer to Lucille Goldcroft.”
“But the Great Sage wants me to be close to her,” Annaliese replied, glancing at him.
The Paladin went silent for a moment. When he spoke again, his voice was very low and solemn. “Annaliese Verdon, this is not my request as a member of the Citadel.” He walked forward and leaned down so they were eye level. “This is my request as your private guard of the last four months.” He straightened up and crossed his arms as he waited for her response.
Annaliese looked down at the floor. “I… didn’t think you were taking that job too seriously.”
Jasten Albrecht sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Of course I would take the job of being the Prophetess’s private guard seriously. I would be executed in front of the entire Empire if I let anything happen to you.” He looked down at her again. “And I’m not callous or ‘standoffish’ enough as your brother describes the Paladins to let harm come to two teenagers.”
Annaliese awkwardly scratched her neck as he walked back to his position behind her. They walked for a bit longer until the blonde-haired girl suddenly looked back. “Sir Albrecht, are you scared of Lucille?”
Jasten Albrecht stared back. “You’re… asking me, a Rank-5, if I’m scared of- no, scared isn’t the word.” He shook his head. “I’m uneasy. Lucille Goldcroft does not have the demeanour of either a puppet leader or a teenager. It’s clear she’s fooling the entire Empire about herself.”
Annaliese blinked. “So it’s true you don’t like the Sages and politics?”
He opened his mouth, then closed it again. He let out a quiet groan as he ran a gauntleted hand down his face. “Who’d ever have thought this trip would give me so much grief,” he muttered. “Yes, Lucille Goldcroft somehow managed to see my motivations, yes l don’t have the best impression of the Sages, and yes, I try to avoid Citadel politics whenever I am able.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “Don’t expect that just because I say this that my actions regarding your safety will change. My personal likes and dislikes will not affect my ability to be professional.”
Annaliese seemed to think about his answer for a few seconds. Then she grinned broadly, surprising him. “Sir Albrecht, let me tell you something. The real reason why I came here with Raegan is so we can find out what the Great Sage and Sages are hiding form us, and let Raegan learn how to use his abilities!”
The Paladin’s eyes went wide as he stared at the beaming girl. Then he scowled. “Prophetess Verdon, why are you telling me this? You do realise that as your private guard, I’m now required to take you and your brother back to the Sages and report this to them?” He narrowed his eyes. “If you’re trying to get me into trouble with the Sages by faking your intentions, then I’m not falling for it.”
Annaliese crossed her arms smugly. “You can’t take me back. If you do, then I can tell them how much you dislike them too.” She grinned. “I have blackmail material. So, you either support me and my brother’s stay here at the Commission, or we both get in trouble with the Sages.”
Jasten Albrecht buried his head in his hands. “You two brats, I swear…” He pinched his nose bridge and then threw up his hands. “Fine. Have it your way. But if anything happens, I’m taking you back, threat of losing my job or not.”
Annaliese smiled and continued walking, letting the exasperated Paladin follow her.
Then Sir Albrecht’s footsteps paused. “You said you wanted the Commission Head’s help with your brother’s abilities,” he stated. “You’re not here out of gratitude for saving your brother’s life.” He stepped forward and frowned at her. “Lucille Goldcroft said something to you. You trust her because of that, and believe she has information that’s valuable for your brother.” He took another step forward and placed two armoured hands on Annaliese’s shoulders.
“Prophetess Verdon.” He leaned down and narrowed his eyes with suspicion. “What has she told you?”
“Er…” Flustered, Annaliese tried to step back but his grip kept her in place. “No, she didn’t say anything-”
“Don’t lie to me. I know that the Commission Head removed all Citadel healers from around your brother for a reason back then.” He scowled. “What did she tell you, Prophetess?”
Annaliese frantically rummaged through her brain, looking for an excuse. “I- I don’t feel comfortable telling you.”
Jasten Albrecht gazed at her with incredulity. “Me?”
“You remind me of the Sages. I don’t feel comfortable telling someone so old.”
Stunned, the Paladin’s grip loosened, and Annaliese wriggled out. She ran off as Sir Albrecht registered her escape and stormed after her.
“Prophetess Verdon, I am not old! I’ve barely turned thirty two! How can I possibly remind you of the Sages?!”
“You’re in your thirties, so you’re middle-aged!”
“M-Middle-aged?! Hey!”
Lucy decided to pull away her spiritual perception at that point. She had determined both the Prophetess and Jasten Albrecht’s motivations and intentions for coming to the Commission. She wasn’t convinced that the ‘real’ reason Annaliese wanted to visit her was just because of her brother’s abilities as opposed to feeling annoyed that Lucille never wanted to meet again.
While Lucille made her complaints about this arrangement clear, she… had guessed that this would happen. She would prefer if it hadn’t, but now that it had, she would work to ensure her plans weren’t impacted by the Prophetess’s visit. It was a good thing that Jasten Albrecht had become the Prophetess’s private guard, because it meant Lucy understood him and how he would act.
It was a strange turn of events that he had become Annaliese’s private guard, however, in Lucy’s opinion. In the past timeline, the Prophetess and the later Templar had a… twisted relationship. Now that Lucy knew Jasten Albrecht had been with the Templar of High Justice when they were going to collect the Prophetess, she knew why, but…
…she wondered how Annaliese would react in this timeline if she was aware that their guardian had let her brother die.
Comments
Snakee
Oh this is gonna be fun.
