Passing the Torch

During the civil war that divided the Tearmoon Empire in two, the imperial capital Lunatear, known as the City of Moonlit Beauty, remained a proud neutral zone. Even the Newmoon District, formerly a slum, maintained an atmosphere of relaxed placidity. It was as if its people had a conscious desire to preserve the ethos imbued in them by their benefactor, Princess Mia. War and chaos spread rampantly through the empire, but the district kept the encroaching darkness at bay, preserving a last bastion of tranquility. In the Newmoon District the last embers of the Great Sage of the Empire would remain until the very end.

“Oh, if it isn’t Ogen. Good day to you. Are you on your way to pick up the young lady?”

The retired guard Ogen looked at the merchant woman, her graying hair reminding him of his own age, and answered her with a nod and a wry smile. It was an open secret in these parts that the young lady he was picking up was none other than the granddaughter of Princess Mia. Despite that, no one sought to do her harm, because this was the Newmoon District. Mia had always been very popular with the people here, and they continued to hold her in absolute reverence, even if she only remained with them in spirit.

“That’s right. She’s getting lessons with her teacher today.”

Half a year had passed since the empire’s last princess had arrived at the imperial capital. Even after delivering her into the safety of Mia’s loyal subjects, Ogen continued to stay with her, diligently continuing his duties as her last remaining guard. He had nowhere else to go. His wife, may she rest in peace, had passed on, and his children had all gone off to start families of their own. The thought of fading peacefully in the presence of his grandkids was not without its allure, but in the end, he’d decided to spend his remaining days serving, as he’d always done. His last breaths, he resolved, would be drawn in the name of loyalty.

“Here, bring this to her then, if you don’t mind.”

The merchant woman handed him a small parcel. He knew what it contained. This shop sold pastries in the shape of a young girl, commonly known as Miacakes. A beloved delicacy here.

“Thank you very much. You’re too kind, you give her a box of these every time.”

“Oh please. Prin— I mean the young lady’s grandma. She was always good to us... Kept telling us she loved our pastries... Every time she came here she’d buy some from me.”

The wrinkles at the sides of her eyes deepened as she gazed into the past. He nodded to her in respect and took his leave, leaving the woman to savor her nostalgia in peace. Once outside, he quickened his pace, deftly maneuvering through the twists and turns of the district’s aged roads. Eventually, he came upon his goal—a building tucked into a dimly lit alley.

At a glance, it looked like just another dilapidated house. Viewed from the right perspective, however, its merits would suddenly become evident. The building had been carefully selected for its location. Residing deep within a dingy back street, it was hidden from plain view, but the narrow alley was no dead end. Far from it, there were a number of routes that led to major streets in the area, and all of them were mazelike, filled with twists and turns that would confuse the unfamiliar. In other words, in the case of a surprise attack, the building’s location afforded ample routes of escape, each convoluted enough to shake off pursuers in the process. Furthermore, it was situated in the heart of the district, so if any suspicious individuals appeared, there was plenty of time for word to spread around town and reach the ears of the building’s residents, allowing them to prepare in advance.

The people of the Newmoon District all adored Mia. Consequently, their eyes and ears were primed to notice any signs of ill intent toward her kin, ensuring that notice would be widely circulated as soon as any would-be assailants entered the area. The district was united in their desire to protect Miabel. As the last remaining bearer of the imperial blood, there was no shortage of people hoping to spill it. She had no choice but to live a life of constant vigilance, spending most of her time in hiding. Even her mannerisms had to change. Forced to relinquish the stately conduct she’d been brought up with, she learned to behave in an androgynous fashion to hide her identity. Her hair was kept long. If push came to shove, she could cut it short and take on a male persona to elude the eyes of captors.

It hurts my heart to see... In better times, she’d be waited upon as the up-and-coming matriarch of an empire. But now, her rank only paints a target on her back...

The grimness of her circumstances...the heartbreaking tragedy of an innocent princess doomed to a life on the run... It was apparent in the gaze of every denizen of Newmoon. Everyone...except herself, who never failed to greet them with a spring in her step and a smile on her lips. Her bubbly enthusiasm radiated in staunch defiance of her objective reality, and it served as a beacon of comfort for all those around her. She might never know how much she did to soothe the heartache of the district’s residents.

Ogen approached the decrepit building, greeted the watcher near the door, and stepped in.

“Excuse me, Mr. Ludwig. I’ve come to pick up Miss Bel.”

He was greeted by a sweet scent that tickled his nose. It was one that he knew Bel liked very much—the rich aroma of hot sweet milk.

“Ah, Sir Ogen, you’re here...”

A spectacled man stood at the back of the room, his features suggesting his age was between “middle” and “old.” Once the Great Sage of the Empire’s right-hand man, the loyal Ludwig was currently studying a pot of milk as it sat over a fire. After a few seconds, he bent down, removed a single piece of wood from the flame with a pair of tongs, and nodded in satisfaction at what now was presumably a perfect amount of heat for warming the milk. Evidently, age had not whittled away his meticulous nature. Even in the kitchen, he was still the fastidiously astute man he’d always been. Ogen chuckled at the sight.

“My apologies for making you come all this way every time,” Ludwig continued with a rueful grimace. “I wish I could pick her up myself, but... I find I am ill-suited to dealing with any...violent contingencies.”

“As well you should be. It’s hard enough finding a job these days, Mr. Ludwig. Stop trying to take mine. The Princess Guard is with Miss Bel, you can count on us to keep her safe. The rest of us might have passed on, but their spirits are still here.” Ogen slammed a fist into his chest. “Right here. They keep me going strong.” He grinned. “One of them in particular, belonging to the empire’s finest, has a way of keeping me on my toes. He entrusted us with her safety, and I’m going to receive a hell of a welcome on the other side if I slack off.”

“Yes, yes... He did, didn’t he? You bear the weight of his resolve as well... ” Ludwig’s eyes narrowed wistfully. “It’s been...an odd experience. I can’t seem to wrap my mind around it. The fact that he’s just...gone.”

Ogen grimaced at the budding melancholy in the room and quickly tried to steer the conversation toward a lighter topic.

“Speaking of which, how is Miss Bel doing?”

Ludwig smiled with resignation.

“The same as always. She dozed off in the middle of her lesson.”

He pointed toward a desk, on which rested a plump cheek slightly deformed by the hand the girl was snoozing on. There was a little smile on her lips, and she slept with the calm, even breathing of someone thoroughly enjoying their nap.

“As I’ve come to discover, Miss Bel doesn’t have much of an affinity for studying,” said Ludwig as he continued to prepare the hot milk that was supposed to be a reward for a day of diligent learning.

Somewhere out there was probably a Mia-shaped soul loudly protesting the discrepancy in their treatments.

“I must say, Mr. Ludwig, you’ve grown very soft toward Miss Bel. Didn’t you say she had to earn that cup of hot milk every time? By finishing the day’s lesson?” asked Ogen as if the ghost of Mia had, in her profound indignance, clawed her way back into this realm and possessed his body to voice her grievances.

Ludwig scratched his head and made an awkward face.

“Ah, well... That’s true, of course, but, erm... I remember Her Highness Princess Mia used to always snack on something sweet when she was deep in thought... So I figured perhaps Miss Bel would appreciate the same. Maybe feel a little more motivated to study if there’s something sweet to enjoy.”

That was no mere pot of hot milk over the fire, by the way. It was being prepared using a recipe given directly by the head chef with a long and proud career of gratifying imperial taste buds. Fresh milk was of the essence in bringing out its rich flavor, and procuring it in the current chaos that enveloped the empire was no easy feat. Still, Ludwig never failed to have a cup ready for his student.

...You could almost see a transparent outline of Mia jumping up and down in outrage at the terrible injustice on display.

“Besides...” added Ludwig, his eyes growing gentle. “Considering the adversity...the ghastly fate that Miss Bel endures...surely, she deserves a little happiness.”

Ogen nodded in agreement.

“That she does... These are some tough times she’s living through, but I’ve never heard a single complaint from her. It’s a virtue of hers, and a damn fine one at that. Passed down from Her Highness, no doubt...”

However, they all knew that Bel’s outward lack of misery was not proof of its absence within. She’d lost both her parents, most of her retainers, and almost her own life...and at such a young age too. How could that not leave a mark on her soul? Even now, death looms ever near, every shadow and alley potentially hiding a threat to her life... Like Ludwig, Ogen couldn’t help but want this poor little girl, trapped in a vortex of tragedy, to enjoy as many pleasures as they could afford her.

“In any case, since you’re here, let’s wake our sleeping beauty,” said Ludwig as he removed the pot from the fire and poured out a cup of steaming hot milk. Then, he walked over to Bel’s napping form and gently spoke to her. “Miss Bel... Miss Bel, it’s time to wake up. The hot milk is ready.”

“Mmm... Mm?”

The first part of her that stirred was her nose. It twitched and seemed to, by sheer force of will, pull her head in the direction of the aroma. Only then did her eyes open and she looked around.

“Oh, Mr. Ogen.” She flashed him a bright smile. “You’re here already.”

She got to her feet and lowered her head.

“Thank you very much for coming to pick me up so faithfully.”

“You’re very welcome, Miss Bel. It’s an honor.” He returned a fond smile. “Also, before I forget, I’ve got something for you from the market.”

He held out the parcel of sweets from the merchant woman.

“Oooo, that looks so good!” She took it, flipped it over a few times, and looked up. “Who is it from? I have to go tell them thank you.”

Before she got her answer, Ludwig whispered softly.

“May you never lose the part of you that spoke those words, Miss Bel...”

“Huh?”

She blinked at him in confusion. His expression softened.

“Not forgetting what others have done for you... Not taking their generosity for granted...and always striving to return their goodwill in kind. This is an essential trait to have for those who rule. Your grandmother Mia never allowed herself to forget the favors others did for her.”

“Really? She never forgot?”

Bel tilted her head curiously. The two men both nodded firmly at her.

“Yes,” answered Ludwig, “and it seems that you’ve inherited that most virtuous part of her. So please, if you can, hold on to that kindness. Treasure it. And let it guide your actions.”

Ogen hummed his agreement. Bel’s bright smile was nothing short of a beacon in the sea of darkness that had swallowed this land. The radiance of the Great Sage of the Empire had been passed on to Bel. He could see it in her—a torch passed to her by her grandmother. It still burned strong, giving off a brilliant light that warmed his soul.

“Okay. I will.”

With a bashful giggle, the young Miabel scratched her head, the gesture profoundly endearing. Then she gleefully picked up the steaming cup and, fairly certain that the adults in the room had succumbed to her adorable charm, was about to enjoy a post-nap milk break before packing up for the day when Ludwig interrupted with, “Now then, let us resume the lesson.”

He eyed her through his glasses, whose lenses gave off a sharp flash.

“...Eh?”

Her mouth hung open, waiting for an inflow of warm liquid that did not come.

“We’re not done with today’s lesson yet. You can drink that while listening, but let’s get through the rest of it, shall we? Once we’re done, you can have a break.”

Mr. Ludwig was no pushover. He was a kind guardian but a strict teacher. Lectures would be given, and lessons would be taught. Learning came first.

“Huh? B-But— Huh?”

She looked at Ogen with pleading eyes but received only a reluctant shake of the head.

“Your studies are important, Miss Bel. Try your best. I’ll wait until you’re finished.”

Those days Bel spent with Ludwig were a happy time for her, and though they ended tragically, and far too soon, she would always remember them very fondly.

“Milady... Milady...”

Bel felt someone gently shake her. With a soft groan of effort, she lifted one droopy eyelid. As the blurriness cleared, the image of a girl standing over her came into focus.

“Ah... Miss Lynsha...”

She pressed her palms to her eyes and gave them a good rub before looking around to find that Ludwig’s old but beloved room was gone, replaced by a library filled with finely crafted bookshelves.

“Where... Where am— Oh...”

Only then did she remember. This was Saint-Noel Academy, and she was in its great library.

“Right...”

Like a single, sad snowflake, the word fell softly from her lips and melted away.

“What’s wrong? You seem a little down. Did you have a bad dream?” asked a concerned Lynsha.

Bel looked down and said, “No, not bad. Just, sad...” Then, as if that had been a slip of the tongue, she hastily added, “Oh, you see, um, I was studying in my dream, and I finished... I thought I was finally done...so now, I feel very sad.”

Her eyes shifted toward the pile of unfinished assignments on the table in front of her.

“I see...”

Lynsha studied Bel’s face. An idea came to her...but she quickly dismissed it with a shake of her head.

“I’m sorry to hear that, but you do have to finish studying here in the earthly world too. Let’s get the rest of this done, shall we?”

Bel groaned.

“Okay...”

Despite her obvious reluctance, she blinked a few times, gave her cheeks an invigorating smack, and stared down her book-shaped foes. Remembering something, she turned back to Lynsha.

“Thank you for helping me study, Miss Lynsha,” she said with a bright smile.

Taken aback by this sudden gesture of appreciation, Lynsha found herself without words.

Ah, damn it... This girl... That was a cheap shot. How am I supposed to be strict with her after that?

In a way, what Bel had done was perfectly normal. When someone does something for you, you say thank you. It was a natural thing, so common a courtesy it hardly seemed one at all. But doing it all the time... Saying it even when it didn’t feel natural...was a feat few could manage.

To Bel, Lynsha was someone who was constantly pestering her to study. Someone who forced her to do something she really didn’t want to do. Even if she fully understood that it was for her own sake, it couldn’t be easy to thank Lynsha for subjecting her to what probably amounted to mild torture. A bitter pill, no matter how curative it was, was still bitter. Bel, however, never failed to express her gratitude.

Every day, she thanked Lynsha for helping her study. And it didn’t stop there. With tireless diligence, she made sure to say thank you to every act of kindness and goodwill she enjoyed, no matter how routine or trifling it was. Because of this, Lynsha knew she could never hate the girl, not even if she tried. At the same time, it also meant she would never abandon her, no matter how infuriatingly frequently she slacked off when studying.

“Let’s give it another try, milady. I’m sure Princess Mia would want to know you’re hard at work. I bet she’s thinking about you right now, worrying over how you’re doing with your studies. The fact that she had you stay behind here in the academy... I think it’s proof that she has high expectations for you...”

Lynsha gazed distantly in the direction of the Tearmoon Empire, where Mia currently was. She could envision the princess sitting in silent worry, wondering if Bel was keeping up with her studies. At the same time, she could also sort of envision Mia frolicking on the deck of a pleasure yacht, concerns about Bel thrown entirely to the salty winds. She frowned. That second image seemed uncomfortably plausible.

“Hmm... Do you really think so?”

She looked down to find the same frown mirrored on Bel, who’d apparently imagined something similar. Lynsha quickly shook the troubling image out of her mind and declared with confidence, “Absolutely! There’s no doubt in my mind! I know for sure that she’s worried about milady! Which is why we should finish up your studies for the day. Oh, I know! How about we go get something tasty once you’re done? It’ll be a reward for how hard you’ve worked!”

Despite the jarring shift in topic, Bel perked up immediately.

“Really?! Can we get something sweet?”

“Sure, why not? What would you like?”

“Hm... In that case...” Bel considered her options for a moment before answering with a bright smile, “I think I’d like some hot sweet milk...”

By the way, if anyone is wondering what Mia was actually doing...

“Phew... Aaaaah... This feels absolutely wonderful...”

She was enjoying some quality bath time. She’d worked up a good sweat horseback riding, and now, submerged in the water’s relaxing warmth, she was eager to see how much progress she’d made. Her hand went to her tummy, and she squeezed. Her expression of eager anticipation quickly waned.

“...How terribly odd. I spent so much time on that horse, so why does it still feel flabby? Ugh, this isn’t fair! I worked so hard, and I got nothing out of it! I am not okay with this!”

“Don’t worry, milady.”

Her aggrievance was answered by Anne, who walked in with a towel and small bottle.

“I learned from Miss Chloe that apparently, if you put salt on a cloth and use it to rub your body, it’ll firm up the looser areas and help you slim down.”

“Really?!”

“Also, I heard that half body baths are good too. You sit so the water comes up to your hips, and then, by slowly sweating out all the bad substances in your body, you’ll get skinnier.”

“My! Baths can do that?”

Anne nodded vigorously.

“We’re not out of options yet, so don’t give up hope. There’s still time left before the cruise, so let’s give it our best shot!”

“Oh... Anne... You... You really are my most loyal subject!”

Thus went the tale of the Great Sage of the Empire and her epic quest to burn all the bad F.A.T. substances out of her body before the day of the cruise.

Oh, and it worked in the end. So, good for her.