Chapter 372: Yet Another New Face

As always Giliath demands your power stones!

*****

Thinking that, I felt Tamamo jump on my right shoulder out of anger. Her cheeks puffed out and she looked right at me.

"That's Her Highness at the door, Master. You shouldn't wander in your thoughts too much. It's rude to keep her waiting!", Tamamo spoke out to me, reminding me where I presently was.

"You're right, Tama. I shouldn't keep Alfin waiting.", I responded, ruffling Tamamo's neck some more.

"Oh? I wasn't expecting to hear multiple voices.", The voice responded. Despite being muffled behind the door, I could easily tell it was Alfin's voice.

"Are you sure you should disturb His Highness like this, Your Highness? He had a long day in Crossbell City, right?", A second, muffled voice said behind the door. This one also belonged to a girl, but it wasn't a voice I recognized. The voice carried a certain air to it, and was dignified. It very much reminded me of Alfin, in a way.

Curious as to who it was next to Alfin, I didn't stand on air. Reaching my hand down, Tamamo simply hummed softly, letting her tails swish around, striking against my back. It was a nice rhythm this time, so I wasn't as annoyed as earlier.

I opened the door slowly, and sure enough, two girls greeted me. Alfin was standing on the left, but someone I wasn't too familiar with was standing on the right. She had platinum-blonde hair, presently held in braids. It was near where her head was, which allowed her hair to flow downward behind her body. She had striking, orange eyes. Similar to my golden eyes, actually.

"Oh.", Princess Alfin said, immediately raising her eyes at me. She saw Tamamo calmly sitting on my right shoulder, back in her Fox Form. "You transformed back already, Tama? Why am I not surprised that you managed to wiggle your way into Big Brother's room?", Princess Alfin continued to say with a playful smile.

"Uh-huh!", Tamamo replied with a nod.

As for the other girl, she just stared at me, realizing I was still in my night robe.

"I knew it. We were disturbing you. See, Your Highness? His Highness isn't even ready for the day yet.", The girl said, showing a discontent look in her eyes.

"Oh please. You don't mind the two of us right, Big Brother? It's a little early still, but I came out to tell you we're having breakfast in an hour. Oh, and you can invite your friend to. You know, the one that came with you last night!", Princess Alfin said, clapping her hands together.

"Well, that sounds nice and all. But aren't you going to introduce me to your friend first? I can see you two are rather close. Enough to sleep in the same room together.", I said, glancing back at the platinum-blonde haired girl with a playful grin.

"Ahem. T-That isn't the point!", The girl replied. Raising her hand, she let out a dry cough. She was already dressed and ready for the day. Doing a curtsy of her skirt, she spoke out.

"I do apologize on Her Highness's behalf for dropping in like this, Your Highness. It is clear you aren't ready for the day yet, so we'll excuse ourselves shortly. The least I can do is introduce myself. I am one of Her Highness's closest friends, and am presently studying abroad here in Heimdallr, at St. Astraia. I am the first princess of the Principality of Remiferia. Lifthrasir von Bartholomeus. I was hoping to introduce myself in a more formal setting, like the breakfast we'll be attending to in a while. Her Highness just had to barge in like this.", Lifthrasir replied, sighing as she introduced herself.

Yet hearing that name alone, I paused. So she's from the Bartholomeus House situated in Remiferia...

I've already gotten connected with her older brother, who is now the reigning Prince. Prince Albert von Bartholomeus. I didn't expect for him to have a younger sister like this, considering she's someone who never made a direct appearance in the games. I do think she has had indirect references, but to think she'd be a close confidant to Alfin. Kind of makes sense, since Alfin is quite close to several nobles, whether it's inside or outside the country.

Alfin even got pretty close to Kloe during her stay in Liberl. She can warm up to just about anyone, can't she? I'm beginning to see why she's called Erebonia's Treasure by everyone.

"So you're Remiferia's first princess, eh? I do agree that meeting you should have been under better circumstances, but as you can see, I've just woken up to start the day. I can't forget my manners, though. It is still nice to meet you. I'm the next in line to ascend the throne in Liberl, Naoto von Auslese. I'm still getting used to that pressure alone, but I hope you continue to be a good friend to Alfin. She has some good friends here. So even in my absence, I'm sure Alfin will be fine. Please continue to look after her.", I said with a wide smile.

It was always nice to meet a new person. The Trailsverse has hundreds of characters to come across over the span of over ten games, and there are thousands of side characters. Lifthrasir likely falls under the latter. But knowing my present position now, that may not necessarily be the case.

"Oh, and I've gotten rather well acquainted with your older brother. I heard he had some mess he had to clean up this last year, but it sounds like he's got that situation under control. I wish I could visit Remiferia like how I'm presently doing here in Erebonia, but I still have business here. Perhaps after that concludes, I may pay a visit to Remiferia.", I said.

Who knows what will happen after the Vermillion Trials. I still have fifteen months of free time before I enroll at Jenis next April. I'm sure there are plenty of places I can still visit and have some fun.

Lifthrasir raised her eyes at me.

"That was a suspicion that I had, but brother did state he was well acquainted with several nobles. I guess that includes you, Your Highness. I'd love to learn how the two of you met. We can continue this conversation over breakfast?", Lifthrasir suggested.

"That works for me, Your Highness.", I replied with a nod.

"Oh please. Enough of that. I've already abdicated myself from opportunities to take the throne back in Remiferia. I'm simply here to enjoy what I want to do. With that being the case, you can just call me Lif, like my friends do.", Lif said. A smug grin appeared on Princess Alfin's face after Lifthrasir said that.

"Already taking a shot, Lif? You sure you aren't saying that just to get closer with big brother?", Princess Alfin questioned, grinning.

"Y-You know that's not the case! And besides, I hold zero authority back in Remiferia. Brother has all the power now, and he can deal with that. Honestly, it's a big weight off my shoulders.", Lif retorted. At the same time, she felt a breath of relief. After all, I was in the exact opposite position to Lifthrasir.

In a Principality, one didn't need to be King, Queen, Emperor, or Empress. They just needed a title of Prince to become its ruler. A position I presently held. I think they even rise one more rank, becoming a "Grand Prince". But only one could hold that seat. It wasn't multiple. That meant it was Prince Albert who currently had that seat. Lifthrasir was free to do as she pleased.

Away from all the politics her family is bound by. And likewise, much like mine.

In a way, I couldn't help but feel jealous seeing Lifthrasir have this much freedom. I know I won't, come a couple years down the line. That's why I'm trying to enjoy as much as I can now. A smile crept on my lips thinking that.

"Haha, don't tease your friend this early in the morning, Alfin. We'll join you in a bit and have some breakfast. I don't have any plans set for today, so if you're up for something to do, I'm all ears.", I said to Alfin.

"Oh you know I'm only joking, big brother. Why don't we try to find some time to head to my family's Imperial Villa? You only have a few more days here in Heimdallr, right? I don't see any better opportunity to do so than now.", Princess Alfin suggested.

"Oh dear. My darling little sister is already sending invitations out without inviting me? I'm hurt. Heartbroken even.", A voice called out to us. It didn't look like this person was alone, though. A second figure was accompanying this person.

A person I knew very well.

Enough so I could call him a brother from another mother. I've gotten rather well-acquainted with this guy ever since I caused that little disappearance act of mine to initially wander into Erebonia.

This man was quite older than me too, contrary to his youthful appearance. He was born twenty-two years ago, making him almost a decade older than me. What's more, this man already enrolled at Thors Military Academy six to seven years ago, and already graduated by the time he turned eighteen. Then, he assumed his proper role as Crown Prince of Erebonia.