Saint Sofia

(Aisha) So, this is the monument to heroes? It's less impressive than I thought it would be.

(Camille) I think it looks impressive, but... what is it supposed to be?

(Leonora) I don't understand.

While the 3 of us didn't seem really impressed, poor Johan looked quite dejected, he has a strange attachment to the figure of heroes and everything related to them, so he was really hoping for a bigger reaction from us.

Well, I don't really have anything against the heroes of the past... besides the fact that they murdered my ancestor Oronela, original witch, and technically it's also a monument to let's hate the witch, besides the fact that in their name I have been stoned to death in that same monument, besides the fact that they also founded the silver hand and started with the witch hunting, besides the fact that they also started with the monopoly of magic, and besides the fact in that....

Hmm... now that I think about it, I actually hate the heroes of the past.

But all that aside, the problem is the monument itself, which, simply put, is a rock.

The monument is a big rock, a rock where the heroes supposedly carved their names to commemorate the moment when they joined forces to defeat the witch.

The problem is that the names were erased long ago, plus the fact that the rock was broken when it was transported to bring it to the capital, so now the great monument to the heroes is just a big rock split in half, and most disappointing, it's not such a big rock either.

(Johan) I really thought you would like it.

(Aisha) I have seen bigger rocks.

(Johan) But it's not just a rock, it's a place that marks the beginning of an adventure, they were all afraid, they didn't know if they would make it, they didn't know if they would make it back home, but still, they left their fears and doubts behind, they took courage and set off into the unknown, and this is the place where they started their journey.

(Aisha) I don't doubt that the heroes were, "important" to say the least, but when I see their monument, I only see a rock, it doesn't give me a sense of respect.

Johan was about to reply, when they mess with the heroes in his presence he always gets upset, and he's capable of lecturing us about the heroes for hours, so I put myself in the middle.

(Leonora) we've seen enough, it's getting late so we should go lunch, then we go back to the castle, tomorrow will be my audience with the king and I don't want to be too tired, and then we can continue visiting the capital, so you can use the time to plan the tour for the next few days.

(Johan) ok, I will have a map made of the route to follow, so we can see everything in the capital.

(Aisha) that sounds good, so where are we going to have lunch?

(Johan) hmm, I don't know, where would be a good place?

At that moment Eris, who strangely had remained silent until now, clapped her hands to get our attention.

(Eris) I have a great idea, it might not be the healthiest thing in the world, but how about going to eat at "Saint Sophia's" bakery.

That name, the mere mention of that name made me instinctively recoil, and Eris noticed it.

(Leonora) I don't think we should...

(Johan) YES! sounds like a great idea mom.

(Camille) Cakes? Can we have cakes for lunch?

Camille's eyes lit up at the idea, but as much as I want to make her happy, I don't want to go to that place, it's not the time yet.

(Eris) Yes little Camille, but only for this occasion, of course if we all agree...

Eris looked at me, she clearly noticed my reaction, she must want to investigate the reason.

(Aisha) hmm, I'm not a big fan of sweets, and I'm not able to eat lunch if I don't have meat on the table.

(Irma) with all due respect Mrs. Eris, if you eat a lot of sweets you will get fat.

On their side, even without knowing the reason, both Aisha and Irma also noticed my displeasure, and came to my defense.

But Irma was a very low blow, I wondered since when she wanted to attack Eris.

(Johan) But there are not only sweets and cakes, there are also ham rolls, cheese crepes, quiches, there is a lot of variety to choose from.

(Camille) I... I wanted to .... Go...

On their side, the two most innocent of the group look disappointed, I know how much Johan loves the lemon cream pie, and for their part, although I have no proof, I have no doubt that Camille has not had many opportunities to eat sweets.

(Aisha) No thanks, I'd rather go eat somewhere real.

(Leonora) It's okay Aisha, I don't think it's that bad.

(Aisha) Are you sure Leo?

(Leonora) Yeah, no problem.

I know very well, that Aisha really loves sweets, and the Saint Sophia's pastry shop is one of the places she wanted to visit the most in the capital, and even so, she was willing not to go, just to cover me, I can't do that to the three of us, just because of my dislike for that place.

I must face my demons from the past, I can't run away from that place my entire life, besides Eris already saw too much, she will find out sooner or later, maybe it's better to be early and think what to do about it.

----------------------

Getting off the carriage, we found ourselves in front of a large building that reminded me of a gothic cathedral, well except for the fact that it was painted in bright colors, had angels instead of gargoyles, and was full of children coming in and out between laughter and games, but that doesn't make it any less terrifying.

As we entered, we passed the counter and approached a door guarded by a couple of men, they seemed to know Eris, because when they saw her they opened the door, revealing a closed room, she touches something on the wall, and the room began to move, Camille was quite concerned about this fact, and Aisha too, but she disguised it better, it seems that neither of them had seen an elevator.

We went up and met a woman who led us to a table.

Look around, there were some tables with very refined women, they were sitting enjoying nice cakes, and generally the atmosphere was much more elegant than downstairs, that's because in reality the main consumers of sweets are not children, but the noble ladies, that's why downstairs is a more casual and crowded store, and the upper floors are quieter places, where the noble ladies can gather to enjoy undisturbed.

We sat at a large table, and were given cards with all the variety of cakes and sweets the store had to offer.

(Eris) you can order whatever you wish, eating a sweet or two once in a while is fine, just don't do it too often.

Again Camille went for the cheapest thing on the menu, but this time it was a slice of cheesecake, so I'll let her pass, but I must get her out of that bad habit of hers, besides Eris asked for a variety of cakes, with the excuse that we should try them, making our orders completely obsolete.

I for my part looked at the menu, first of all they don't serve coffee, and I have too many traumas with this place to be able to enjoy sweets, Iknow it's just a trauma, but It's a big one.

I settled for chocolate milk and tried to eat a slice of cake, but I couldn't help but taste bitter, the only good thing about all this is that this woman is almost never here, so I doubt that I will ever see her.

(Woman) Eris, honey, what a pleasure to have you around.

And as irrefutable proof that the gods exist, and they find it very funny to contradict me, that woman appeared.

~~The gods have nothing to do with it Leonora, it's just that you have incomparable bad luck.~~

That woman... just seeing her makes my blood boil, she's the third of my three great enemies.

Eris, who didn't miss any detail of my reaction, stood up to greet the woman who had spoken to her.

That woman has only killed me once, but the death she gave me left me a severe trauma that has haunted me until now.

After that , for 4 whole lifetimes, I didn't do much more than lay in fetal position and cry.

Night after night, day after day, I did nothing but cry for what she had done to me, until I was finally able to pull myself together enough to become functional again, and it wasn't until much later that I learned to transform all the fear I felt, towards her, towards the inquisitor, towards the protagonist, towards the church, and towards the whole world, into the pride that's what has kept me standing, and what has allowed me to keep moving forward.

And you? Why are you silent now? If you are only here to judge me and laugh at me, then shut up, I don't need your help and I won't need it.

Irma stood behind me, and Aisha put her hand on my back to reassure me, there are things I can't tell both of them, but they still understand my reactions and support me.

Again I saw that woman, she was accompanied by two strapping young men who must act as her attendants, her silver hair was elegantly tied back, her dress was adorned with gold embroidery and gems, costly necklaces hung from her neck, and her fingers were adorned with rings of incomparable value, anyone who saw her would have no doubt that she was a woman of incomparable beauty, that even kings would have lined up just to be at her feet, but time spares no one, and her beauty is a thing of bygone days, now she is but an old woman clinging to her days of youth.

(Eris) Good to see you Lady Margoth, you are looking well today.

(Lady Margot) not as good as you honey, just look at you, 3 children and you are still the same as the day I met you, you must give me your secret.

(Eris) oh, it's nothing in particular, a little exercise, and only eating sweets on special occasions.

(Lady Margot) You are always so reserved, but tell me, is that little Johan? I haven't seen him for years.

Lady Margoth approached Johan, and stretched out one of her bony hands full of rings, which Johan hastened to kiss.

(Johan) Good to see you madam.

Her attention finally turned in our direction.

(Lady Margot) And tell me Eris, who are your guests?

(Eris) Lady Margoth, may I present the future Count Leon Lazaruz, and his fiancée Aisha Lenua, daughter of Viscount Bram Lenua.

(Lady Margot) Lazaruz, I've heard of you, with your father, the lats count, I tried on several occasions to establish a business relationship, but it grieves me that he was a man who didn't know how to seize opportunities when they present themselves, and tell me young man, do you know how to seize opportunities?

(Leonora) There are opportunities, and there is the moment, sometimes when the opportunity arises, it's not the right moment.

(Lady Margot) But when the time is right, sometimes we have already lost the opportunity, that's why we must take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.

(Leonora) Someone who is truly skillful, knows how to create his opportunity when the time is right.

That woman laughed a little under her breath.

(Lady Margot) I like your way of thinking, I hope we can do business in the future, but for now I will leave, we will have the chance to talk.

Lady Margoth left, and with her went my good mood, I tried hard to avoid ruining the food for the others, but I didn't eat again.

We returned to the castle and Johan said goodbye, I told him that we would meet again the day after tomorrow, so his mood improved.

I wasn't in the mood for anything else, so I apologized to Aisha and Camille and went back to my room, but Eris was sitting there waiting for me, I knew this would happen, I just hope it ends quickly, I'm really not in the mood.

(Leonora) What do you want?

(Eris) just some explanations, it's weird to see you so upset honey, you usually control yourself better.

(Leonora) I don't have to explain anything to you.

Eris abandoned her childish tone, to go to her intimidating voice.

(Eris) I would recommend you to do it Leonora, I can be very patient, but even I have my limits.

(Leonora) Don't act ignorant, as if you didn't know what that woman does.

Not knowing what she expected, she returned to her childish tone.

(Eris) Oh, so that's why, I'm glad it's something so simple.

(Leonora) So simple you say!? You're aware of the atrocities that woman commits for the sake of being younger!

(Eris) We all do extreme things to achieve our goals, or do I have to remind you of your own crimes? You've only been in the capital for a few days and you could already be put on trial just for the theft of the sage's stone.

(Leonora) You...

(Eris) I noticed when I saw that the three of you had your right hand bandaged, that kind of wound is common after the use of the sage's stone, but don't worry, I know you have already returned it, and I don't really care, but if people found out you would be prosecuted and knowing that you are the witch, you would be executed. That's the kind of inconvenience you could avoid if you trust me and let me help you, I divided the stone in two a long time ago and I kept one of the halves, if in the future you want to use the sage's stone you only have to ask me.

(Leonora) Yes I know, that's why I took the stone from your house. Even if I had decided not to return it, it's not a crime to steal something stolen.

Eris was silent for a moment, and looked really surprised.

(Eris) a smart move, I have to admit that I never believed that you had stolen from me, I could have lived without realizing it, but... How did you know?

(Leonora) the sage stone is smaller than the texts say it is, and the last record of its size is from a year before you became the King's trusted advisor, then, mysteriously, the stone reduced in size.

(Eris) I never thought that anyone would realize...

(Leonora) I repeat Eris, I don't need your help.

(Eris) Leonora, can I ask you a question?

Eris, abandoning her annoying volume changes, she spoke to me in her real voice.

(Leonora) I don't promise to answer.

(Eris) Why do you hate me?

(Leonora) You're a stalker.

(Eris) I mean from the beginning, from the first time we met I could feel hatred in your eyes, at first I thought it was something else, but the more I get to know you, the more obvious it becomes to me.

(Leonora) you are negligent with your work, you ignore the requests of the people....

(Eris) please, I really want to know, why do you hate me?

I sighed, leaned back in my chair, and relaxed my tone.

(Leonora) a long time ago, a girl came to you, she was alone, scared, and needed your help, and you turned your back on her and sent her to die.

(Eris) You mean your ancestor?

(Leonora) no, your debt to her, it's not for me to collect.

Eris put her hand on her forehead and started to think.

(Eris) I don't remember the event you are talking about.

(Leonora) I'm not surprised, it was a long time ago, in another life you could say.

(Eris) And what happened to the girl?

(Leonora) She died.

(Eris) And why do you care so much?

(Leonora) because it's thanks to her and many others that today I can face my enemies with my head held high, it's for that, for her sacrifice, that I must collect the debts that have been generated all this time.

(Eris) And if you were to fail?

(Leonora) In that case I just have to tell everything I know, to whoever comes after me, until I have finally collected everything they owe me.

(Eris) Is there a way you can forgive me?

(Leonora) No.

Eris got up from her chair and approached the door.

(Eris) thank you for answering my questions honey, I apologize for what I have done in the past, but I promise that if you seek my help, I will give it to you.

Eris left, and I asked Irma to leave me alone.

What a hypocrite you are Eris, I already asked you for help once and you rejected me, I will never make that mistake again.

I looked out the window of my room, it was getting dark outside.

Tomorrow I will receive my title and spend a few more days in the capital, and it seems that my attendance at the royal academy is already a fact.

Be that as it may, I will soon start moving again, there are many debts I must collect.