Differing views (4)

As the sisters moved from their quarters towards the library, the eerie silence was somewhat lessened. There was still no one in their sights, but off in the distance the sounds of walking and groaning could be heard.

"They sound exactly how zombies are described."

"Of all the books you could've read Mira, you read one about zombies?"

"It wasn't about zombies. It just had them in it."

The two engaged in various small talk as they made their way to the library. With very few people around, the sound of them talking slowly echoed throughout the hallways.

"It feels so creepy."

Aurelia shuddered as she felt goosebumps appear on her forearms. The normally bustling halls were silent with only a few sounds coming from here and there.

"If the wallpaper was tattered a bit and there was more dust here, I could see this place being haunted."

"I don't think ghosts exist, Sis"

"We don't know that for sure. But even if there's even a one percent chance that they do, I don't want to see them."

Aurelia subtly walked a little closer to her sister as they continued.

"All of this because they drank last night. I wonder how much they drank."

"I wonder that too…"

The girl had a small smile on her face as she thought to herself. Though Aurelia only found the situation eerie, the same was not true for the girl.

Everyone in the palace had become more relaxed. These people who would normally be up and about busy with their duties, were now still asleep or barely awake. The empty halls were proof of that.

And while she too found it a little scary, there was a sense of comfort and satisfaction in knowing that there were days that they acted like her.

Of course they have a reason where as far they knew, she did not but the girl never recognized that part.

"All because of a drink…"

"Yeah. We should be sure to never drink that stuff Mira. It's really bitter and burns your throat."

"Yeah…"

Truth be told she wanted to at least try it once but as she was not yet of age the only way to try was to sneak a drink.

"Hmm?"

Then she realizes something about her big sister's words. It almost sounded like she spoke from experience.

"Sis, did you sneak a drink?"

"J-just a little bit."

Aurelia broke into a cold sweat.

"But that was a while ago and before I knew what would happen if people drank it. Don't follow my lead here Mira. Just trust me that it does not taste good."

Her voice was as stern as she looked. Her big sister's assuredness sparked even more curiosity in her. Though she would have to deal with it another time.

"I will sis."

"Good. I still regret the one time I did it."

After they come to an agreement regarding the alcohol, the two reach the library. It was just as quiet as the rest of the palace right now, but here it felt normal.

"Let's head up to the second floor. There should be some texts about awakenings there."

With her big sister leading the way, they find some books on the matter in no time. Reading through the text, there was nothing new that the girl saw.

She had been frequently visiting this place when she slipped away from her maids, so she was confident that she had read most of the books regarding awakenings which was why she was looking for books on manifesting mana.

Such books were useless to her right now, but it would be of use to her fiance which was more important to her at the moment. Besides, knowing now would surely help her in the future when she awakens herself.

"Actually, you had a book earlier didn't you? Where'd you put it?"

The girl's eyes widened hearing her sister's question. Fortunately she knew exactly where it was.

"I left it in the dining hall."

"I'll go get it. In the meantime just skim through the books and tell me if you find anything interesting later, kay?"

With a wink and smile, her big sister skipped her way to the dining hall leaving the girl behind with a mountain of books to go through.

Looking at the covers on them, all of them were related to awakenings so she could grab any book. From first hand accounts by ordinary people to observations written by arch mages.

Fundamentally they were all the same but it did give some different perspectives and insights into the matter which should prove to be of help.

At least it should help her in theory, in practice they were less helpful. Arch mage Ezekiel's observations mentioned that being surrounded by one's inherent element should somewhat familiarize their body with the mana.

Though even after sitting in front of a lit fireplace for countless nights there was still no sign of the girl's body getting used to fire mana. The girl had thought that perhaps she would be more in tune with light mana and spent a lot of time outside the palace walls. Sadly it was also a fruitless endeavor.

There was a creeping sense in the back of her mind that maybe she would never have a second birthday at all. It was a terrifying thought for a girl her age but considering everything she was starting to lose hope.

"I'm back."

The energetic voice of her big sister filled the room as she announced herself. Walking up to the second floor, she places the book that the girl had left behind in front of her.

"Find anything interesting?"

"I was looking at this."

The girl hands over the book that she was going to read.

"Arch mage Ezekiel's book. It's a good one but it's a little on the… complex side don't you think?"

As it was written by an arch mage, its vocabulary was just as impressive. Filled to the brim with information locked behind complex wording that even some adults would fail to comprehend.

"How about we take a look at something simpler."

Her sister picks up another book, this time something written by someone with an unfamiliar name to them.

"Awakenings and their natures. Hmm… I'm not familiar with this one."

"Me too."

"Looks like the author's Jinasian. Is this even written in Recoran?"

Fortunately upon opening the book, it was a translated version.

"Let's read through it. Maybe someone from the old Jinasian empire has ideas that are lost to us now."

Perhaps because it was translated, the book was surprisingly digestible for them. Unlike the others that were written by researchers this book seemed to be the work of a hobbyist.

Though there was little new ground being broken. It brought up similar points to the books they read before but using layman terms. It was an engrossing read for the two so much so that they lost track of time.

****

"That was certainly a unique read but nothing particularly new."

Closing the book as they reached the end, Aurelia stood up and stretched. Her eyes then became fixated on the clock. She rubbed her eyes trying to see if she was seeing things incorrectly. The face of the clock stayed the same after.

"It's already six?!"

Four hours had passed by since they had started reading. If it were spent on multiple books it would be understandable but they only read one.

"How thick is that book?"

"Not any more than the others."

"Hmm… how odd. Maybe that clock's just wrong."

A loud rumble came from the two girls' stomachs.

"It's not the clocks."

"Huh… So we really have been here for four hours."

Aurelia examined the book and quickly skimmed through it again.

"I guess we just really got into reading this one. Wanna go get dinner?"

The girl nodded at Aurelia's words and began to clean up the pile of books that they were supposed to read. Glowing stronger and more rapidly as they grew closer to their proper places on the bookshelves, cleaning up took much less time than finding the books.

"Alright I think that's the last of it. Ready to go Mira?"

"Yeah. Just one more."

As the girl puts the last book she had back in its place, another book catches her eyes. Picking up the book, the girl brushed off the dust and read the cover.

'Prowess of the gods.'

It was a short and simple title but the cover was what caught the girl's attention. Beneath the title, a drawing of what looked like a family tree. Almost every portrait had the same hair color as the other with just two having a different color from the rest.

Before she could open the book however, her stomach once again complained to her.

'Maybe next time then.'

The girl put the book back into its place and joined her sister downstairs to head to the dining hall. Though as she went down, she did look back at the book with an uneasy feeling in her stomach. She only saw it for a moment but that visual cover stuck with her.

The girl made a mental note to go back to that book someday.

****

Heading to the dining hall, the halls now had some life in it. The servants were out of their rooms and doing the chores that were supposed to be done. They were sluggish and some were still nowhere to be seen but at least there were people out now.

The two greeted the ones that noticed them as they made their way to the dining hall.

Entering the dining hall, their mother was already there instructing the staff on tonight's dinner.

The two waved at Jyllene to grab her attention and sat down next to her.

"Ah there you two are. I was just about to ask Karliah and Kara to look for you. Where have you been all this time?"

"We were in the library."

"Oh what were you two reading?"

"A book called "Awakenings and their nature". It was written by a Jinasian"

"Really? I'm not too familiar with that one. Reading it to help Mira no doubt. Find anything interesting?"

"It was nothing new. Said the same stuff as others, just a bit more dated."

"Is that so?"

Jyllene looked at her daughter with slightly saddened eyes. She gave her youngest a slight rub on the head reassuring her.

"Don't worry Mira. Give yourself a bit of time and you'll awaken soon."

"I know. I'm just… getting impatient."

It was an understandable feeling looking at her point of view. Not only did everyone in her family and around her awaken as a mage, she also supposedly had the blessing of a goddess to help her.

It seemed that it was an uncomfortable topic for everyone so Aurelia changed the subject.

"Where's Dad?"

"Your father is still somewhat hungover. He's probably too tired to come down to dinner. His system's not as good at dealing with alcohol."

"Maybe back in our twenties but I'd like to think I've gotten a little better at handling it."

Suddenly a gruff voice came from the entrance of the dining hall. He looked rather tired for the time of day but that was understandable.

"Oh wow you actually look fine now."

"Looks are deceiving Love."

Pyron stretched and sat down next to Jyllene. He was dealing with the hangover better than most but he was still below Jyllene's level.

Jyllene poured him a glass of water which he promptly drank.

"Thank you."

"Anytime dear."

"By the way, what's for dinner tonight?"

"I asked Gao to make some soup and some sweet chicken. Myuki said he was gonna make a salad as well if you want that."

"I'll stick with the soup."

Pyron turned to his daughter's and smiled.

"So how was your day at the library Mira?"

"It was good."

A short and simple response.

"Oh? How'd you know that they were in the library?"

"I vaguely remember Mira mentioning it was her plan earlier. You mentioned asking Aurelia as well right? Did you two go together?"

There was a look of disbelief in Jyllene's face for a moment.

"Mira was the one who asked?"

"She wanted to but I suggested it first. It was nice essentially taking a day off from work and spending time with Mira. We should do it again while we have nothing to do because of the snowstorm."

"Goddess, I wish I could do that too. Too much work and not enough play makes a tyrant."

"It also makes a dysfunctional empire dear."

"I know, I know. I didn't say I would take one Jyll."

"Well I never said we couldn't. There's still a snowstorm outside so we can't meet anyone. Why not take a day off for once? Who knows when we'll get the chance again."

"True but there's also not much to do indoors. If we're gonna take a day I'd rather we be able to all go out."

"I suppose so. Another time then?"

"Definitely."

As their conversation came to a close, the food that Jyllene requested came from the kitchen. Naturally it brought a stop to conversations as they enjoyed the meal.

"..."

For their youngest however, her silence had a different source.