-Arc 1-

  Chapter 10

  “Nebula”

  *?*?*?*

  Finally reaching the mud walls of Velna, Eris dropped to her knees. She wasn’t worried about getting mud on her uniform anymore, as she was completely covered in it by now.

  The rain had relaxed into a slow drizzle, but they were all still sopping wet.

  Pulling up her blouse, a dark bruise spread up her abdomen and side.

  Eitz: “Miss Eris, are you sure you're okay?”

  Eris: “Mhm… I really am just fine. It’s just a small bruise.”

  It was a massive bruise, and her entire side hurt— throbbed in agony. Perhaps there was a broken rib or two. But she did not want to worry the children.

  The pain only came about after the demon-beast was defeated. The source of it was, of course, when she was struck by its massive head.

  Rory: “Um… we’re back now, anyway. So just a bit further.”

  They were just by the south gate, the same one that her and Eitz left from earlier that day.

  Eris: “I hope your parents aren't upset with me, borrowing you for this long, Eitz.”

  She spoke with effort, as using her lungs hurt.

  ,Eitz: “She probably didn't even notice, so it's alright.”

  Eris: “I… see…”

  As Eris slowly rose to her feet, her eyes focused on a figure standing by the gate.

  Her silver hair was pristine, though wet. However her uniform was even muddier than Eris’s.

  Caelia: “I trust those sounds I heard were the death of the demon-beast?”

  Eris: “Caelia…”

  Though relief was an emotion she felt, she voiced the maid’s name with more disdain than anything.

  Eitz: “That's right! Rory super awesomely cut it apart!”

  Caelia: “In the head?”

  Rory: “The head?”

  There was a moment of silence, as the rain gently pattered against the forest roof.

  Eitz: “It was its chest.”

  Caelia closed her cream-colored eyes in frustration.

  Caelia: “Demon-beasts have extreme regenerative abilities.”

  Rory: “Eh…”

  Caelia: “To put it simply, unless you behead it, it is unlikely that it is dead.”

  Rory exchanged a glance with Eitz, and Eitz carried it over to Eris.

  Caelia: “Regardless, if it was critically injured… it should not be a terrible issue.”

  —*—

  Mister Tiek: “Oh, my boy! You brought my boy back!”

  The red-headed, square faced shopkeeper dropped to his knees and tightly embraced his son.

  Unable to see through the blurring tears, he thanked the silhouettes of two mudstained maids and a drenched, pink-haired boy.

  Eris: “It was nothing! I’m just happy to bring him back safely!”

  She did not tell him about Rory using his magic.

  Caelia: “It was quite the effort. Regardless, it is the duty of the servants of Count Schwartzhardt to ensure the safety of his subjects.”

  Eitz: “No problem!”

  Eris bowed painfully, and Caelia crossed her arms. Eitz extended a thumbs up. All of their gestures, though, went unnoticed, as Mister Tiek’s face was pressed against his son’s.

  Caelia turned to face Eitz, waving him off with her hand.

  Caelia: “Now boy, run home. We have important matters to discuss.”

  Eris’s breath hitched. If by important matters, Caelia finally meant she would speak with her about the matter she wanted to discuss on the way here, then she was both relieved and anxious.

  It would be great to finally be relieved of the unease of what it actually was, but she was not sure she wanted to hear it.

  Eitz pursed his lips, clutching the end of his own tunic.

  Eitz: “Ehh? But Sliver lady, didn't I help a lot? I should be included in the discussion!”

  Caelia shook her head.

  Caelia: “I told you to call me Caelia. Anyway, no. This is not related to the search. Besides, it’s late, and you will catch a cold if you don't clean up.”

  Eitz: “Ughh… fine! Well, goodbye Miss Eris!”

  Reluctantly, Eitz left the shop, leaving a trail of mud and water behind him.

  After watching him leave, Eris slowly turned to face Caelia. Mister Tiek and Rory had already entered their home, leaving them alone in the shop.

  Caelia: “I’m not interested in hearing about the story about how you fought the demon-beast.”

  Eris: “Oh…”

  That was not what she assumed Caelia wanted to speak about, anyway.

  Caelia: “When I fell,”

  Eris: “——”

  Eris's breath hitched. It would only be natural for Caelia to be upset that Eris did not come to her rescue.

  Regardless of that, it seemed Caelia got on fine. Uninjured, she somehow returned to the village before Eris and the children.

  Eris: “I’m really sorry that I didn't rescue you! It’s just, I couldn't leave the children alone, you see!”

  As Eris quickly tried to explain herself, Caelia only stared through her with her arms crossed.

  Caelia: “I’m aware of that. It is not as if I am so selfish as to expect you to come diving after me as soon as any danger is posed to me. Regardless, I did not require ‘rescuing.’ No, that’s not what I’m talking about.”

  Now it was Eris who was staring into Caelia. Her unreadable, stern eyes betrayed no emotion or inner thoughts.

  Caelia: “No, I was referring to…”

  Suddenly, Caelia stopped herself, her fingers over her chin.

  Her eyes squinted into Eris, studying her. Even her nose twitched, as if smelling her for any abnormalities.

  Eris: “Ehh… is there something wrong?”

  Caelia: “It is nothing, actually. When I fell, I must have hit my head, and started to misremember. So there is nothing I need to speak with you about.”

  Caelia’s nebulous response caused an involuntary frown to form on Eris’s face.

  Of course, there was no way she could believe that. Eris could forgive Caelia for being suspicious of her. Though her personality was unlikeable at best, Eris understood that Caelia was under a lot of pressure, among other things, and with her amnesia, Eris was an unexpected foil to her machinations.

  But still, Caelia’s lie was obvious. Even Caelia knew it, and barely tried to hide it.

  If Caelia had seen something worth noting in the woods after she fell, yet did not trust Eris enough to tell her, then what would she do with that information?

  Better yet, if it was important or even dangerous, then it put Eris at risk. If she hid it from everyone, that would only increase the amount of people endangered.

  Eris: “I get that you don't want to trust me, but if it’s something important, then it’s just just about me. It’s about everyone’s safety.”

  So, she voiced her concerns out loud.

  Caelia: “It is as I said, nothing. I was being foolish. Even I can admit that.”

  She said that as she exited the shop.

  Eris, at times like this, was useless. She could not muster the courage, nor the correct words, to make Caelia speak what was on her mind.

  Though frustrated, she could only hope that she would tell the others, even Carlos whom she mistrusted, if it was a real threat.

  —*—

  Aqua: “Oh— well, that ain't what I expected y'all to look like at all.”

  Smeared with mud, dripping wet from the rain, and generally exhausted-looking, that was how Aqua greeted their return.

  Caelia: “I'm taking a bath first. Aqua, please treat Eris’s injury.”

  Caelia removed her shoes before entering the manor, then pushed her way past Eris inside. The groceries they were originally sent to Velna to acquire were passed into Aqua's hands.

  Aqua: “Injury? What even happened? Y’can’t tell me ‘nothin’.”

  Eris: “I wasn't planning on saying something so stoic, so don't worry.”

  Eris stepped out of her shoes as well, clutching her side as she limped into the door.

  Eris: “One of the village children was missing, and on the search, we were attacked by a demon-beast.”

  She would have gone into further detail, but it hurt to speak. She was already exhausted from walking all the way back, and Caelia provided only limited, apprehensive support to her.

  Aqua: “Oh my, that ain't surprising, though. Plenty ‘o demon-beasts n’ there. ‘Sides, they’re attracted to strong opponents.”

  Aqua gave Eris a wink, wrapping her arm around her to support her standing.

  Aqua: “You’re lucky to’ve gotten away with just this little mishap.”

  Eris grunted as she was brought to a nearby seat. Sitting down was more painful than standing up, as something about her wound did not sit right in that position.

  Eris: “Ah…”

  Rolling up her sleeves, Aqua pulled up Eris’s blouse to inspect the wound. The bruise had spread even further, and swelling had begun as well.

  Aqua: “Yeah, that should be no problem at’all.”

  With a gentle touch, Aqua’s hand was placed over the tender wound. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt.

  In fact, Aqua's touch was rather pleasant. The pain which had captured Eris’s body dulled into a soft tingle. She felt something inside her shift. Physically, her insides were moving.

  The realization of that alone brought up nausea, but the pleasant sensation mitigated the sickness. As soon as the process began, it ended. The bruise had returned to her normal skin color, the swelling softened, and it no longer hurt to breathe.

  Eris: “I’m not sure what you did, but thank you very much, Aqua.”

  She was not going to say anything like ‘I guess this was something worth using magic for,’ as she knew how Aqua would respond.

  Aqua: “It weren’t no effort on my part, so don't even worry ‘bout it. I’m just glad y’back safe.”

  Aqua extended out her hand. Eris expected taking it and being helped up would be agonizing, as she had grown used to the pain. However, there was no discomfort. Actually, her body felt lighter and more flexible now.

  Eris: “I hope Caelia comes out from the bath soon. I don't want to catch a cold or anything.”

  Aqua: “Unfortunately, I can't heal sickness like I can heal wounds. So ya should rush ‘n there ASAP!”

  Eris: “ASAP?”

  Tilting her head, she questioned that unfamiliar expression.

  Aqua responded with a brief laugh.

  Aqua: “Oh, it jus’ means ‘as soon as possible.’”

  —*—

  Stepping out from the bathhouse, a clean uniform was already prepared for her. Running her hands across the smooth fabric, Eris wondered who had brought it out.

  She had not noticed anybody through the glass door, and she had not requested someone to bring it to her. She was planning on just wearing a robe back to her room, so as to not burden anyone.

  Regardless, she slipped into it. She had fantasized about being dry and clean as soon as the rain started earlier that day.

  She slid the door open, ascending the stairs from the bathhouse to the first floor.

  Upon reaching the top of the stairs, something caught her eye.

  A brief glimpse of violet, floating like a halo amongst the warmly lit manor.

  Eris: “Eh?”

  Turning her head, however, the halo was gone, with nothing left behind but a sense of wonder.

  She glanced around, seeing nobody. With a bit of time for herself, she figured it would be okay to indulge herself a little, and investigate.

  Following it around the corners, she caught another glimpse of that purple, disappearing again behind a door.

  Again, she followed it. It was like something took her over, compelling her to investigate. Her thoughts were hazy, and her consciousness only focused on reaching the enigmatic violet.

  Eris: “Oh..?”

  She followed the trail into the doorway, finally confronting what had enraptured her mind.

  ???: “Eh? O-Oh, it’s you, Eris.”

  Long violet hair, like a nebula in space, broke up the warm palette of the room.

  The owner of such hair slowly turned around, her hand around her wrist.

  Eris: “S-Sorry, Mirra. I didn't mean to follow you or anything… I didn't really notice myself doing it.”

  Mirra raised her hands hesitantly, shaking her head. Her cheeks were awash with a pink hue, her vibrant, cosmic eyes full of sincerity.

  Mirra: “N-No, it’s okay! It actually… happens a lot, you know?”

  As she spoke, she grew quieter, losing confidence.

  Eris: “Happens a lot… uh… well, yeah! I can see that. It’s just, you have… that kind of aura?”

  Mirra’s grip on her sleeve tightened as she bit her lip.

  Mirra: “Ah… Aura?”

  Eris: “Or something like that…”

  Mirra: “——”

  Of course, the conversation grew awkwardly silent. After all, it was only birthed out of Eris’s absent-minded enrapture, with no real topic or goal in mind.

  Eris: “Oh, was it you who dropped off this uniform?”

  Mirra’s eyes widened a bit.

  Mirra: “I- um… yes, it was. Sorry, did I bother you? I promise I wasn't looking!”

  Eris: “Actually, that wasn't really my concern… Ah, anyways— thank you! But you shouldn't worry about me! Sorry for making you go out of the way for something so silly!”

  A conversation between two socially anxious individuals was a tedious one.

  No eye contact was made. For Mirra, it was because she found it difficult. For Eris, she did not want to meet Mirra's eyes, fearing that she would not be able to look away.

  Mirra: “Ah? Eh— it wasn't… it wasn't like that. I just saw that you went in there without a spare, so… I wasn't burdened at all!”

  Eris: “Oh, I see… again, thank you.”

  Mirra: “——”

  Again, panic struck Eris as the conversation lulled.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Eris: “But, it was strange though.”

  Mirra: “Oh no! I did something strange again…”

  Eris: “No- I didn't mean it in that way… It was strange because I didn't see you enter or anything, even though I was facing that way the whole time.”

  Though the glass was frosted, and had a layer of steam over it, you can still see the silhouettes behind it. However, she did not notice a beautiful, violet haired maid while bathing.

  Mirra: “That- that is a relief…”

  Eris: “A relief?”

  Mirra: “Maybe it was my rune..? Ah, but it’s not like I can go invisible or anything!”

  Eris squinted at Mirra’s wrist, where a rune would usually be. Indeed, she did notice a faint red-blue glow.

  Eris: “Your rune… let me think.”

  Mirra, being the newest hire, had little established relationship with ‘Eris.’ So, Eris did not feel too guilty about forgetting details about her, like her rune.

  In fact, speaking with Mirra was a bit refreshing. She did not feel the pressure of trying to be as great as the former ‘Eris’ the others knew when facing her. Almost as if she could confirm a new existence.

  But, there was no place for a new existence here.

  Anyways, focusing on her rune, she could obviously see the violet color. Matching with her hair color, as well as her eyes, Eris came to the transparent conclusion that she had a violet rune.

  Of course, like the other runes, her knowledge of the violet rune was very limited. Even more limited than most, as it wasn't a common one like a red, silver or blue rune.

  Eris: “Violet rune… isn't that something like hypnosis?”

  Mirra slowly nodded, her arm moving from her sleeve to her wrist.

  Mirra: “Mmh, yes… Unfortunately, it’s like that… Hypnosis and mind-bending kind of stuff…”

  Eris placed a finger over her chin, her eyes darting too and from Mirra’s.

  Eris: “Unfortunately? Well, to me, it seems very powerful and useful. Though, it is a bit scary.”

  Mirra: “Ah, yes! It is unfortunate. You see, I can't… really, well, you know… I can't control it very well. Actually, not at all…”

  Eris: “You can't control it?”

  Mirra: “It’s like it has a mind of it’s own, you see?”

  Mirra's gaze was completely cast to the floor now.

  Eris had never heard of a rune which was uncontrollable by its user. Of course, she had been reading the Fables of Rigel that ‘Eris’ loved so much. There was a story about a girl who lost control of her own other-wordly magic that seemed to have a mind of its own, but it was just a story, and in the story it was not a rune.

  Runes were just vessels, or conduits for mana, as she understood them. To be unable to control your own rune— Eris had never heard of something like that.

  Eris: “I don't have a rune, so I can't really relate at all… But with a rune like that, I’m sure it's not easy.”

  Mirra: “You don't have a rune? But I thought…”

  Eris inspected her own wrists. Neither of them had a glowing symbol, and she felt no presence of a magical ability.

  Eris: “I guess I don't… But, it hasn't caused any problems for me yet.”

  Mirra: “Oh… I guess you’re lucky, then. My rune has caused nothing but problems.”

  For whatever reason, Mirra seems more lively now. Perhaps she has gotten more warmed up to Eris, or she really likes talking about runes.

  Eris: “Problems, like how?”

  Mirra: “Well, you probably only felt like you needed to follow me because of my rune… and you didn't notice me come in because of it…”

  Eris: “Ah— I’m sorry for causing you problems! You’re right that I didn't mean to, but if it’s an issue—”

  Mirra: “No, no! I didn't mean it like that! It’s just… well, I inconvenienced you, making you come all the way after me just because I can't control my rune.”

  Eris: “It’s not a problem to me, either… I’m happy I get to speak with you.”

  Mirra: “I— I’m happy to speak with you too!”

  Mirra stammered out while lowering into a bow.

  Mirra: “Master Carlos has been trying to teach me how to use my rune,but… well, I’m no good. He says it acts in my subconscious, and it’s still technically me controlling it, even if I don't notice it.”

  Eris: “Oh, that makes a bit more sense…”

  If Carlos’s logic was correct, it made more sense for a rune than having a mind of its own.

  If it was acting by her subconscious, then her rune still enacted her will, almost like a dream.

  Eris dreams about strange things often, but she read in one of ‘Eris’s’ books that dreams were like hidden messages of how the mind was feeling. If you were running from something in a dream, it could mean you are avoiding something in the real world.

  She was not sure if she really believed it, but she hoped it was true.

  Perhaps if Mirra’s magic worked in the same way, it could explain why it worked on Eris, capturing her and drawing her in.

  Perhaps it was how Mirra—

  ???: “Ah, there you are, dear Eris! And dear Mirra as well, oh it warms my heart~ to see my lovely servants getting along so well!”

  The Maids of

  Count Schwartzhardt's Manor

  Eris nearly jumped out of her uniform, hearing that theatrical voice suddenly behind her. She was engrossed in thought, and being pried from it suddenly disoriented her.

  Mirra: “Good afternoon, master Carlos.”

  Mirra did not stutter when greeting him, though. She lowered into a firm bow, curtseying as she did so. Eris did her best to follow her, but it was a little late, and it came off as awkward.

  Eris: “Ah— g-good afternoon, master Carlos!”

  The count clasped his gloved hands together, grinning widely at the two of them.

  Carlos: “Good afternoon, good afternoon. It’s quite the beautiful day isn't it?”

  Mirra: “Definitely, master Carlos.”

  Eris: “Ehh…”

  The storm yesterday had barely left before another one hit earlier that day. Even now, it still was gray and drizzling. It was not a beautiful day, in Eris’s opinion.

  Carlos: “Dear Eris, I heard about you and Caelia’s adventure in Velna! I’m quite proud of you, you know? Taking down a demon-beast like that is no small feat!”

  Eris jumped again as a hand was placed on her head. It was but a gentle pat from Carlos, but the gesture elicited goosebumps up her skin.

  Eris: “Th-thank you, master Carlos. But— it wasn't actually me who took it down. It was one of the village children, Rory.”

  Carlos: “Ah, Rory! Yes, yes. If it was Rory, then it is even more impressive.”

  Eris: “More impressive?”

  Carlos: “Why yes, for if you were able to convince that boy to use his magic, that is even harder than killing it yourself, ~uhaha!”

  The logic was strange to Eris. After all, it did not seem that difficult to Eris. She spilled her heart to the boy, and he suddenly unleashed his magic. She was not sure what exactly she said to him that made him change his mind, but since they’re all alive thanks to him, she did not worry about the specifics.

  Eris: “Well, thank you, master Carlos.”

  Mirra: “Velna? I didn't hear about that…”

  Eris: “It’s a long story, maybe I’ll tell you later.”

  Carlos glided to the center of the room, flapping his cape dramatically.

  Carlos: “Weeell~, dear Eris, Mirra, since you are here, do you two mind doing me a favor?”

  Mirra: “Not at all, master Carlos.”

  It was not like Eris had any objections to doing work with Mirra, even being conscripted like so. She was being employed by him to do work after all.

  Really, it was a relief that Carlos was inquiring about a specific task, rather than his offer from a few days ago.

  She had given it thought, but not productive thought. His words bounced around her head, but it was like her mind refused to actually contemplate it.

  Carlos clasped his hands again, this time sending a clap through the round.

  Carlos: “Ah, my dutiful servants! It pleases me that you are so willing, but it is not as if I am forcing you or anything!”

  Despite being a count and the Lord of this manor, Carlos Schwartzhardt said strange things like this to his maids.

  Mirra: “D-Don’t worry, master Carlos. I don't feel forced at all! E-Eris? What about you?”

  Eris: “Me? Err… I have no objections.”

  It was true, she had no opinion on if Carlos made this request or not. She would do it without complaint if he did, and if he did not, she would not have ever known it was a possibility.

  Carlos: “Great! Well, it’s actually nothing too outlandish~! I was just going to ask you two to polish up the conference room!”

  Eris: “The conference room? Are we expecting guests? If they’re politicians of some sort, I should brush up on my etiquette…”

  Carlos shook his head, laughing curtly.

  Carlos: “Oh, it’s nothing serious like that. Just an old friend… It’s only one guest, so don't go all out, you know~?”

  Mirra: “Of course master Carlos, it’ll be done!”

  Eris: “We’ll do it ASAP.”

  Mirra: “ASAP?”

  Carlos: “Don't push yourselves!”

  —*—

  Eris: “Even though he told us to clean it…”

  Mirra: “It looks pretty clean already.”

  Indeed, the conference room was spotless. Not only was there no speck of dust to be found, but everything was neatly organized and in its proper space.

  Maybe Carlos had not checked the conference room to see if it needed tidying or not, but either way, the maids’ work would be redundant if they worked to clean it.

  Mirra: “We were asked to do it by master Carlos, so even if we don't get it, we should do it.”

  Mirra’s shyness had worn off since encountering Carlos. She had not become bubbly, but she lost her nervous stutter for now, and though she still did not make eye contact, she no longer clutched her sleeve as a lifeline.

  Eris: “I guess I won't argue. It’s what we were asked to do.”

  Moving the neatly arranged chairs and tables aside, Eris noticed Mirra’s soft humming. Of course, she did not recognize the song. But regardless, it soothed her for some reason. Perhaps it was related to her rune, or maybe Mirra just had a talent.

  Eris began to mop the already clean floors, and Mirra washed the walls.

  Eris: “I’m not bothered by it or anything, but I noticed that you got a lot more confident after we spoke with Carlos.”

  Mirra paused her scrubbing, staring forwards as if in deep thought.

  Mirra: “Ahhh… do I? Well…”

  Immediately after pointing it out, that timid reluctance returned to her voice.

  Eris: “Sorry! I didn't mean it as an insult or anything.”

  Mirra: “N-No, I didn't take it like that either… I guess I just want to be a good servant?”

  Eris: “A good servant? That’s… quite admirable.”

  If nothing else, she suddenly felt as if she understood Mirra a bit better. She could apply the trait of ‘dutiful’ alongside ‘shy’ in her mental notes.

  Mirra: “I— It’s not like that… I just feel like I should repay him. It’s not really a noble purpose…”

  Eris: “Repay him? I don't want to pry or anything—”

  Mirra: “—I was in a really tough spot, and he saved me.”

  Eris swallowed, pausing her mopping. Perhaps it was the content of her words, but what mostly surprised Eris was how forwardly she replied.

  Continuing, she kept the conversation going.

  Eris: “So, you want to repay him because of that? I wonder if he sees it that way.”

  Mirra: “Eh… I didn't think about that… Either way, I think I’d still want to repay him like this.”

  Eris: “Again, I think it's admirable…”

  Mirra: “O-Of course, just doing housework isn't really enough... But I did agree with his terms that I’ll use my magic for whatever he asks for.”

  Eris: “—! I don't know anything about it, but that seems like a dangerous proposal.”

  Mirra: “I— I guess so… But, I can't imagine master Carlos misusing it.”

  Eris put a finger to her chin. She still did not feel like she understood Carlos as a person, much less his intentions. Whether he would or would not, still did not influence how she felt about their contract.

  Mirra: “He’s teaching me how to use my magic, too… So I have even more to repay him for.”

  Eris: “——”

  Mirra: “Caelia and Aqua sometimes say bad things about him, but I tell them they’re wrong.”

  Again, speaking about him in this manner, Mirra began to grow more confident.

  Mirra: “They say he’s untrustworthy, even though he has done so much for them as well. He saved them too, you know? All of us. They’re misguided, but I’m not sure why they think that way.”

  Eris: “I, see…”

  Mirra was talking quickly, and Eris was struggling to keep up.

  Mirra: “Even you, Eris, before… well, your amnesia. You would say similar things.”

  Eris: “Oh… Eh, I did?”

  Her mind flashed to Caelia and Aqua, who both interrogated her in their own way about Carlos.

  Could it be related to ‘Eris’s’ mistrust of Carlos?

  It was news to her that ‘Eris’ had that kind of opinion about Carlos, anyway.

  She could not think of a real response before Mirra suddenly opened the door and stepped out without warning.

  Eris: “Where are you going?!”

  For some reason, she felt compelled to follow, to keep Mirra in her line of sight, only realizing it as she was halfway out the door herself.

  She was not being protective. Instead, it felt like an instinctual attachment to her.

  It was a strange feeling that she had not felt before. One that she did not feel like belonged to her, but she could not ignore it regardless.

  Mirra: “I— well, I was just going to grab more cleaning solution…”

  Eris: “Ah, I… I didn't mean to startle you. I’m not sure what… came over me.”

  Shame built in her nerves. Her sudden reaction shocked Eris more than Mirra. Her body felt like it moved on its own.

  Mirra: “It’s okay… sorry about that…”

  Eris: “Eh, you’re sorry..? Why is that?”

  Mirra: “I didn't tell you why I was leaving… I’m not used to working with others…”

  Eris took a step back from the doorway to give the violet-haired demon maid a bit more space, which she seemed to appreciate.

  Eris: “No, no… again, it’s my fault… I mean, it’s not like you have to tell me before you do everything.”

  Mirra: “I… I appreciate it, but it was— p-probably my rune that made you feel like that…”

  What subconscious feeling could make Eris react like that? She could not understand it.

  Eris: “I see… Well, don't worry about it then.”

  Mirra nodded, facing away and continuing on her way.

  Eris slid back into the conference room.

  Eris: “What a scary girl.”

  She was not scared of Mirra as a person, but her rune was one that not only was immensely powerful, but also uncontrolled.

  Both demons in her life, for one reason or another, terrified Eris.

  She did not want to be prejudiced against demons, or any race for that matter. However, she feared if this trend continued, she might build a subconscious bias against them.

  Eris gripped the mop handle again, though she could not get a grip of her wandering mind.

  On the topic of Carlos, Mirra’s comment concerned her too.

  Of course, it was good that Carlos ‘saved her,’ however, from what Eris could gather, it seemed like he may have only done it to make Mirra more inclined to accept the aforementioned deal.

  She did not want to assume, especially something negative like that, without having a basis.

  It was just her judgement.

  She was not going to assume that it was the case just because she felt like it could be, but she at least would shelve it.

  Eris also felt like she was not going to tell Mirra how she felt about it either. She could not think of anything good that would come of it, since the deal had already been made. As well as, again, she had no proof that her instincts were correct.

  She hoped they were not. She did not want Mirra to have been manipulated like that, for one. She also hoped her employer was more empathetic than that theory implied.

  Speaking of Carlos, it brought her back to Caelia and Aqua, as well as ‘Eris.’

  Apparently, they badmouth Carlos, much to Mirra’s dismay. At least to Caelia, she felt Carlos was a serious problem.

  Indeed, their question at least came true; that he would ask her a sensitive favor.

  But Carlos still did not seem to have bad intentions. He wanted to get closer to his servants, an admirable goal. She did not want to reject the wish to be good to people.

  Eris yanked on a lock of pure white hair.

  Eris: “It’s just so frustrating.”

  There was so much that she did not understand. So much that she forgot. She felt she could not even form her own opinion— for every time she wanted to, she was missing vital pieces of the puzzle.

  Feeling like a dead weight, a cueball with no face, Eris finally released her hair.

  She was a piece on the board, but with no side or purpose.

  —*—

  Eris: “I can’t imagine this room getting any cleaner.”

  Mirra had returned and finished scrubbing the walls. The floors were mopped, the tables and chairs were moved back into place and dusted, and even the flag was ironed out and correctly folded around the pole.

  The room was mostly bare, so there wasn't much to specifically do.

  It was so clean when they arrived that Eris wondered if Carlos really sent them just to clean. Though, she could not think of another reason. He does seem to be a meticulous man, after all.

  Mirra: “You’re having doubts about something, Eris?”

  Eris: “Eh, huh?”

  She did not think she was making a particularly outstanding face, so to be called out on something like that was unexpected.

  Mirra: “U-wah, s-sorry! I didn't mean to pry or anything… I was just getting a bit of how you felt…”

  Eris: “Getting a bit of how I felt, huh..?”

  Of course, it could be interpreted either way. Either Mirra was exceptionally gifted at understanding unspoken human emotions, or her rune could also eavesdrop on other people’s inner thoughts.

  Eris: “D-Don't worry. I’m not doubting our work or anything, I think you did great.”

  Mirra: “M-Me? Th-thank you, Eris… I think you did very well too… But, that wasn't what I was referring to.”

  Eris: “Right… it wasn't…”

  She said that with a hint of acceptance. Of course Mirra could see past that. Her doubts, after all, were towards Carlos. Trying to hide it from Mirra was futile.

  Mirra: “I really don't mean to pry… It’s hard to separate other's thoughts from mine when it happens, you see? Ah, but, it’s not like I can read all your thoughts exactly, all the time! It’s actually kind of rare…”

  Eris: “Ah…”

  Her brain felt like it was computing far too slowly, her mind in a nebula. She had only comprehended what Mirra had said after she started speaking again.

  Mirra: “Carlos isn't someone you have to be suspicious of… I was slow to trust him at first, too… But— he’s really a good man.”

  Eris’s hand slid down the mop handle, her mind drifting along the nebula.

  Why was she suspicious of Carlos? The words of Caelia and Aqua of course subconsciously affected her, but they were not the sole reason.

  She felt a natural unease around him, though he has never done anything harmful in her knowledge.

  Apparently, he has ‘saved’ the others in some way, according to Mirra. That would probably include ‘Eris.’

  Eris slowly nodded.

  Eris: “I get it… It’s not like I don't trust him or anything. I guess…”

  Trailing off, her eyes lingered on the high walls and ceiling. It was getting dark now, and Seraphine was probably preparing dinner in the kitchen. The clouds had cleared up, revealing a pinkish, violet hue in the sky. Casted inside through the windows, between the shadow of dancing tree leaves, that light swirled like a nebula on the pristine, glistening walls.

  Eris: “It was just a thought, you know?”

  She provided a reassuring smile towards Mirra, her eyes staring back at her in an unreadable expression.

  Mirra: “Eris, Carlos said to me…”

  Mirra contemplated her words. She usually hesitated when speaking, but now she was choosing them carefully.

  Mirra: “Well, some of the others, he’s noticed, are growing quite doubtful…”

  Eris: “Doubtful…”

  Mirra's nebulous way of speaking was not typical of her. Eris was trying to decipher what she meant, but she was even choosing her thoughts carefully around Mirra. Could she read them, or could she not?

  Would she pretend she did not read them when she did, and pretend to when she did not?

  No—

  For some reason, Eris felt like she could have confidence in Mirra.

  On the topic of what Mirra said, she had noticed it as well.

  Of course there was Aqua and Caelia, who were inconspicuous and conspicuous about their conspiracy respectfully.

  She had not noticed Petra talking about Carlos or how she felt about him. The others, she had not spoken to much.

  Even so, she wondered how far the two’s distrust of their employer went. Was it as much as Mirra, and apparently Carlos himself, were claiming?

  Mirra: “Eris…”

  Eris: “Er, yes?”

  Standing in the doorway, Mirra's eyes, like a nebula in space, flickered for a moment.

  Mirra: “Are you… loyal?”