Chapter 28: The First Loyal Subject and a New Friend

Asked to help with the preparations for the Holy Eve Festival, Anne was diligently hauling boxes to the cathedral.

I need to finish this quickly and go back to milady...but goodness, how is there so much still to do?

Saint-Noel fell under the jurisdiction of Belluga, so in general, it was rare for her, a Tearmoon maid attending to Mia, to be called upon to accomplish tasks for the academy at large.

I mean, with it being the Holy Eve Festival, I can understand how they might be short on hands, but...

In her eyes, the preparations Mia and the student council had made for the day were impeccable. It therefore seemed strange that there was such an urgent need for her help. Furthermore...

“Ugh, what rotten luck. I can’t believe we’re stuck doing stuff like this on the day of the festival. Hey, did you hear? Apparently, this is all because someone wrecked the candle stands in the cathedral or something, so we have to bring in replacements.”

The grumblings of a fellow maid working with her only deepened her concern.

Wrecking things in the cathedral? Who in the academy would do such a thing?

The more she thought about it, the more she felt a rising sense of apprehension.

Whatever the case, let’s get this done quickly...

Just as she quickened her pace, a familiar figure crossed her vision.

“Huh? Is that...Mia?”

She spotted Mia, who’d for some reason left the dorm and seemed to be heading for the stables. Though she caught only a brief glimpse of her face, the expression it bore was unmistakably weighty.

“What could be troubling her...?”

Though she was Mia’s maid, they weren’t together every hour of every day. There were plenty of times when Anne would be busy with something, or Mia would be out with her classmates. Saint-Noel Island was an environment that provided sufficient safety to allow such behavior.

Moreover, Mia was a rare example of a powerful princess with common sensibilities. She could, for example, do her own shopping. Every so often, in an attempt to avoid Anne’s scrutiny, she’d sneak off to town on her own to buy snacks. Anne was well aware of this, of course, but she let it go, judging the frequency low enough to warrant a blind eye.

Due to this, seeing Mia make a solo trip out to town was no real reason for concern. It was perfectly possible that she just wanted to do some quick shopping. But that didn’t explain the outfit.

“...And why is she wearing riding clothes?”

Considering she seemed to be headed to the stables, her attire did make sense. What didn’t make sense was the timing. It would be evening soon, and the candlelight mass was about to start. Students were supposed to be changing into their ceremonial uniforms and gathering at the cathedral. Mia was doing neither of those things.

“She can’t possibly be going somewhere far. It’s too late for that...”

Anne continued toward the cathedral, but she felt increasingly uneasy. Mia had refused to promise that she’d take Anne with her if she was ever headed into danger. An image of Mia riding away into the distance, never to return, flashed across her mind.

“That...won’t happen. It can’t.”

By all reasonable measures, the thought was nonsense. Mia wouldn’t simply disappear. Nonetheless, something about this felt off. For the past few days, she’d been possessed by an odd aura. On top of that, yesterday, she’d abruptly thanked Anne for her services... Granted, it was a Holy Eve tradition to give thanks to the people who’ve helped you in your daily life, so the act alone was no grounds for suspicion, but when viewed in context...

“Mia...”

A dark dread began to fill Anne’s heart. She jogged to the cathedral, dropped off the box, and then made a beeline for the stable.

“Mia...”

Her quiet repetition of her mistress’s name soon rose to a frantic cry.

“Milady! Mia! Where did you go?!”

“Wow, we’re really late.”

Tiona walked with hasty steps to the dorm. Finishing her archery practice had left her with little time to prepare for the ceremony.

“We won’t make it in time for the mass at this rate. Let’s run.”

“Okay.” Liora nodded. “Let’s—”

Contrary to her words, she stopped dead in her tracks.

“Liora? What’s wrong?”

“A voice...”

“What?”

“I hear...a voice...” Liora eyed the surroundings. “That way.”

She broke into a run.

“Wait! Liora! What’s going on?”

The clear sense of urgency in her attendant’s pace convinced Tiona quickly to follow. Soon, the two came upon Anne, who was about to dash out of the academy’s gate.

“Anne? What are you doing here?”

“Miss Tiona! Miss Liora!” exclaimed Anne as she ran toward them.

Tiona stiffened. Anne’s face was shockingly pale, and tears glistened in her eyes.

“Did either of you see milady? She should have come this way... With a horse, probably...” she asked, sounding on the verge of panic as she held her hands before her.

The sight lit an anxious fire in Tiona as well, who’d been burdened with a similar kindling of unease ever since her dream in which she regretted not speaking to Mia once it was too late. Its smoldering had been steadily subsiding over the past few days, but now it burst again into flames. She’d told herself to relax, to wait until the festival was over, because they’d have plenty of time afterward to talk... If she really couldn’t wait, she could even do so at the stew party the student council was hosting tonight.

Why the rush? asked her mind.

This is why, answered her heart.

Reason bowed to unease, and she acted on the latter.

“Come on, Anne. We’ll look for her together. Liora, go tell Miss Rafina— Actually, she’s probably busy. Prince Abel and Prince Sion then. Keithwood too. Whoever’s free. Grab everyone you can find.”

“Got it... You be careful too, Miss Tiona,” said Liora before dashing off.

Tiona turned back to Anne.

“All right. We should get moving.”

She led the way, forgetting in her haste to take off the quiver and bow she was carrying.