I, Susanna Randall, known as Larna Smith, had just finished reporting to the Ministry and helping out the family of my subordinate Dewey Percy with moving to a new home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I made my way to the quarters of Jeffrey Stuart, my fianc\u00e9 and main supporter and collaborator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I knocked on the door, and he told me to come in with his usual nonchalant tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s me,\u201d I called out as I entered, finding him behind his desk face to face with stacks of papers. Contrary to what one may think due to his casual attitude and apparent lack of motivation, he was a fast and effective worker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There were many people who thought he was the most fit candidate to succeed the king, but he had no interest in taking the crown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI finished my report on the matter I told you about earlier,\u201d I explained, handing the document to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHmmm,\u201d he commented once he had quickly skimmed through it, \u201cthis seems to be more or less what you told me earlier. Still, I feel for Lady Katarina. She is involved in the worst kind of incidents with such regularity that you would think she is cursed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cQuite so. Not that she seems to notice, or care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Katarina remained happy and fearless despite the tremendous number of misfortunes she was subjected to, including, for example, the recent Dark Magic run-in near the orphanage. I could not help but worry about her, and I imagined that her many loving friends were at least as worried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor the time being, I gave her a magic tool to call me for help. I also instructed her to rely on her Dark Familiar, but whether she will follow that depends on her,\u201d I continued, referring to the beast that lived in her shadow. It could transform into a giant wolf, making for a very powerful ally. Unfortunately, she had come to see this creature of darkness as a cute little pet, therefore forgetting about its usefulness in battle. It was a terrible waste, albeit unsurprising considering her personality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe should look into having someone keep watch over her from the metaphorical<\/em> shadows then. However, it would be better to consult with Duke Claes first, as he may have already hired someone to do just that,\u201d Jeffrey replied, handing me back the report. \u201cI must say… It seems you weren\u2019t as coolheaded as usual this time,\u201d he added. A trace of concern appeared on his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, I\u2019m fully aware of that.\u201d I knew very well that using magic on a civilian was not something to be done lightly. However, when I had Dewey\u2019s father in front of me, I could not help myself. \u201cThe way that man treated his children as tools got under my skin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only two things were able to elicit emotional responses from me: the mysteries of magic, and parents who used and abused their children. The latter was probably because of my own upbringing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My father, Marquis Randall, was a man who was exclusively interested in his social advancement. Wives and children were but tools meant to turn a profit and aid the achievement of his own goals. Love was not part of the equation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He had chosen my late mother as his wife because of her high social status, or so I had heard, and as soon as illness overtook her weak body, she was relegated to a guest house, where she passed away without ever seeing her husband again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a child, my remarkable intelligence allowed me to fulfill my father\u2019s wishes, to the point that I was eventually chosen as the prince\u2019s fianc\u00e9e. However, once my mother died, I realized that I no longer wanted to live as a puppet in the marquis\u2019s hands, and I started defying his orders. This led to him hating me so profoundly that he wanted to have me disposed of<\/em>, something which he could not easily do because of my engagement to Jeffrey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even now, in his constant quest to be rid of me, the marquis kept suggesting to the prince that he marry one of the other Randall daughters instead. Having been raised by such a man, I had no tolerance for parents who behaved in similar ways, and it took active restraint on my part not to kill them on the spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI cannot blame you for that,\u201d Jeffrey, who was privy to my situation, replied with a shrug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRight after that, it didn\u2019t take much digging to uncover just how terrible those \u2018parents\u2019 were,\u201d I explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dewey\u2019s mother was just as despicable, giving birth to child after child, leaving them in the care of their older siblings and enjoying her life without a single worry. While her husband\u2019s means of entertainment seemed to be gambling and drinking, her main pastime was one enjoyed while laying down in a bed\u2014I was not sure how many of those children actually belonged to the man they called father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe children lived for each other, devoting themselves to helping their siblings,\u201d I continued, thinking back at Ronnie\u2019s attempt to protect his younger brothers and sisters. \u201cUnlike me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n I had a few half-siblings born of a different mother, but I barely knew anything about them. All I could infer about them was that they were treated even worse than me, since being born of a concubine surely made them less valuable in the eyes of our father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Owing in no small part to Jeffrey\u2019s collaboration, I had considerably expanded my power in the past few years, but I was yet to reach the point where I could openly oppose the marquis. As such, I felt I could do nothing to help my siblings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI can\u2019t do anything,\u201d I muttered, looking down at my hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sound of my younger half sister crying how she wanted to live by her own means echoed in my memory. I felt sorrow, something I was not used to. At that moment, Jeffrey gently pulled my head toward him and against his chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe now<\/em> you can\u2019t, but you just need to become more powerful. Isn\u2019t that what we\u2019re working so hard for?\u201d he said gently, hugging me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The warmth and smell of his large chest healed my dejected heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re right. Thank you,\u201d I answered, and he started caressing my hair. I stood still, enjoying his embrace a while longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWelcome back, Sarah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I returned, still disgruntled because of Katarina Claes, my master greeted me. I replied with a bow, but I couldn\u2019t help but keep my eyes on the man standing next to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a while, huh?\u201d the second man remarked with a smile, noticing my glance. \u201cNow you even go outside by yourself? That\u2019s unusual. I\u2019d like to hear what brought about this change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n I looked away from him. I hated<\/em> the way he looked at me from the darkness, as if I was an animal on which he was ready to experiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere has been no change, and I have nothing to tell you,\u201d I replied tersely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, it won\u2019t take that long.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He ignored my absolute rejection, and then my master intervened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI would like to hear your<\/em> report first,\u201d he said to the man. \u201cAnd you, Sarah, may leave. It is your day off after all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Relieved, I quickly left the room. I knew that I should have reported about finding Katarina, but I was too exhausted to do so. I lay down on my bed, curled up, and soon fell asleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/p>\n\n\n\n After my very eventful day off, it was time to go back to work. When I got out of my carriage and walked past the Magical Ministry\u2019s gates, I noticed Dewey and Sora walking together. It was normal for newcomers to come to work early, but I\u2019d never seen just the two of them together like that, so I curiously approached them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood morning, Sora, Dewey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMorning,\u201d Sora answered with his normal curtness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood morning,\u201d Dewey replied with a huge smile. I was happy to see him smiling after all he\u2019d been through the previous day. \u201cThank you so much for yesterday,\u201d he then told me, lowering his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot at all. I didn\u2019t do anything,\u201d I demurred, but he shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe things that happened only did so because of your help. My siblings and I are all grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being thanked so openly had got me blushing, and Sora, noticing that, was silently sneering at me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s rare for the two of you to walk to work together,\u201d I observed, trying to change the topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSora helped me with moving yesterday, and today I went to his room to thank him, so we decided to come to work together,\u201d Dewey explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou moved already?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dewey had already told me that he would eventually move in with the rest of his brothers and sisters, who now lived in a proper apartment, but I hadn\u2019t expected for him to leave the Ministry dorm so soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot yet. I was just preparing. Sora noticed me having trouble packing all of my things by myself, and he offered to help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI mean, I could tell you weren\u2019t used to that kind of thing. It\u2019s not like I did anything huge. You\u2019re really polite though, going out of your way to thank me for something like that,\u201d Sora commented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, I owed you as much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sora, even though he could sound harsh at times, was actually a very kind guy, and Dewey seemed to have quickly taken a liking to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo you\u2019ll move in with the rest of your family soon. Have you seen their new place already?\u201d I asked Dewey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes. It\u2019s a clean, nice house, and all the neighbors are also from the Ministry, which makes it extremely safe. I cannot thank Miss Larna enough,\u201d he replied enthusiastically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s a huge step up from that shack they were living in… I\u2019m so glad for them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood morning, everyone!\u201d a cute voice greeted us from behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, Maria! Good morning,\u201d I responded, and Dewey and Sora quickly followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She was always as beautiful as you\u2019d expect from a game\u2019s protagonist, but today she looked particularly radiant, possibly because of how things had gone with her dad on the previous day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m glad to be able to see all of you so early in the morning.\u201d Her smile was so adorable that if I were a man I\u2019d already have been on a knee asking for her to marry me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dewey\u2019s red face hinted that he was probably thinking the same thing. As for Sora, I couldn\u2019t really tell. He looked the same as usual, but that didn\u2019t prove anything since he was so good at hiding what he really felt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While I looked at my two male friends, I noticed that Sora gave Dewey a slight slap on the shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hm? What was that for?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cM-Maria, thank you so much for yesterday,\u201d Dewey started speaking. \u201cMy siblings and I are all grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said the exact same words to me, but this time it feels…different. His eyes look twice as wide…and kind of moist too. That\u2019s not really like him at all…<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n He then went on to say something that he definitely had not said to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI-I would like to take you out to eat as a way to thank you when you have the time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s this?! He\u2019s asking her out?! Who are you and what did you do with Dewey?!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sora, noticing how I was staring at Dewey with my mouth agape, whispered something into my ear: \u201cI also taught him how to ask older girls out yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow dare you taint pure, sweet, innocent Dewey like that!\u201d I whispered back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI just gave him some advice. He told me he\u2019s got a crush on an older girl.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut he\u2019d never act like that on his own!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know, so I told him that looking all cute and defenseless works wonders with older girls. He\u2019s got that sweet face, but he didn\u2019t know how to use it right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s like a straight punch to a girl\u2019s maternal instinct… Maybe Sora is a bad influence on him… Now I wonder if it\u2019ll work on Maria though. She looks surprised…<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes! I would love to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She said yes?! They\u2019re going on a date?! Maria\u2019s going on a date ALL ALONE WITH A BOY?!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I was happy to see Maria finally get involved in romance, but at the same time I couldn\u2019t shake away a certain kind of loneliness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen we shall decide the date,\u201d she continued with a smile. \u201cWhen are you free, Lady Katarina?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It took me a moment to process those words. \u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, did you not hear that? Dewey offered to take us out to eat. When would you be available?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI, um… I\u2019ll have to check my schedule. Do you mind if I get back to you later?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOf course. We could discuss it further during lunchtime,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I couldn\u2019t find the courage to tell her that the \u201cyou\u201d in Dewey\u2019s \u201ctake you<\/em> out to eat\u201d was a singular<\/em> \u201cyou.\u201d The poor misunderstood boy was visibly saddened, while Sora was laughing with pretty much no restraint or respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m sorry, Dewey…<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n We all kept walking together, and, when we reached their department, we split up from Maria and Dewey, promising to meet again at lunchtime. Dewey still looked quite sad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat girl can be pretty thick too, huh…\u201d Sora chuckled to himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wait… Too? Who else is supposed to be thick?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Left with that mystery, I decided to warn Sora not to give Dewey any more questionable advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The weather\u2019s really good today. All right. Let\u2019s get on with work!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I, Susanna Randall, known as Larna Smith, had just finished reporting to the Ministry and helping out the family of my subordinate Dewey Percy with moving to a new home. I made my way to the quarters of Jeffrey Stuart, my fianc\u00e9 and main supporter and collaborator. I knocked on the door, and he told […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tak-berkategori"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3739","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3739"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3739\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3740,"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3739\/revisions\/3740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3739"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3739"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novel.mdtaal-aminii.my.id\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3739"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}