Even though they were of different ages they had become friends, and not just because they went to the same school.
To become friends, there are things that the two sides shall not force the other to speak of.
Tabitha who might not open her mouth very often. Kirche being concerned as a senior.
Both of them had their own reason for passing through the border and having gone to Tristain.
As they travelled, Kirche recalled the various political situations of the various countries. Although she had no interest in politics.
However with the rumors of war floating around she couldn't help but speculate within her mind.
Gallia was still neutral and was staying silent over the invasion of Tristain by Albion. Even though a threat could be felt from the political change in Albion and their new government. A proposal of alliance was made by Tristain but it was rejected. It was very likely that they were going to maintain their neutrality as long as their own territory was safe.
A rumor she had heard however hinted that Gallia was giving rise to the domestic civil strife crisis. With all these internal and external political problems it wasn't easy to imagine the headaches political rulers were facing.
She continued to accompany Tabitha to the Kingdom of Gallia. Although they were travelling as tourists, Kirche had a bad premonition that the possibility of something going wrong was strong.
As she was thinking of this she absent-mindedly stuck her head out the window of the carriage.
A line of pedestrians appeared ahead of the horse drawn carriage. Kirche's attention was grasped by this line of a little less than ten pedestrians. All of them were wearing hooded capes covering their faces.
Kirche noticed that they were all carrying magic wands, they were nobles. Upon another look, the shape of their wands seemed to indicate that they were in fact soldiers. Because it was a time of war, this sort of thing was not unusual.
The horse rushed forward to advance.
Through a gap in the hooded cape, she could see the face of one of the nobles. It was the eyes of a clearly handsome young man. She leaned her head on her hand and sighed.
“A handsome guy, in the place where I am.”
After that she noticed it suddenly. I think I know him by sight.
“Where have I seen... Who is he...”
She gazed on at him while he was still in sight, her heat rising then cooling. Her enthusiasm soon left when she could no longer see him, he soon became forgotten.
Kirche moved forward and looked at Tabitha. Her limpid blue eyes hidden behind her glasses stared down at the same page of her book.
Gently putting her hand on Tabitha's shoulder, she said in her usual optimistic voice:
“It doesn't matter. No matter what happens, I will be together with you.”
So they continued to travel for two more days till they reached the frontier.
At the border checkpoint the guards read their papers and allowed them to enter through. Here was Gallia. The languages and the cultures of Gallia and Tristain resembled each other. They were also known as “the twin crowns”.
When they arrived at the border crossing, the guards approached demanding proof for their trip. Holding huge spears the men opened the doors upon confirming Tabitha's and Kirche's travel permits.
He looked at it and said hesitatingly:
“The road up ahead can't be used anymore, you'll have to make a detour.”
“Why, what's going on?”
“Because recently the lake overflowed and several roads are already completely flooded.”
The Ragdorian Lake was a big lake that stretched along the border of Gallia and Tristain. It was the place with the most beautiful scenery in Halkeginia and had a big reputation.
After advancing for a while along the road, they finally reached an open place. The road was located at the edge of a small number of gentle hills, and the widening of highways separated from the Ragdorian Lake. On the other side of the shore of the lake was Tristain.
As the guards had said, the water level of the lake seemed certainly to have gone up. Without even being able to see the border of the lake, they could witness that the water had already submerged some of the nearby hills. The flowers and the grass inundated by the water could be seen.
Tabitha closed the book and looked through the window to the outside.
“Is your home near here?”
“Soon.”
It was the first time Tabitha had opened her mouth ever since they had gotten in the carriage. However she became silent once again.
Turning onto a mountain road, the horse drawn carriage continued to advance forward to Tabitha's family home. They entered a forest and reached a place where many big oak trees were growing. Farmers were taking a rest in the shaded glade.
Kirche noticed a farmer with a basket of apples and called for the carriage to stop. Then she yelled out to the farmer.
“Those look like some delicious apples, for how much do you sell them to me?”
The farmer took an apple from the basket and passed it to Kirche in exchange for several copper coins.
“There is enough money here to buy the entire basket!”
“Two will be enough.”
Kirche took a bite into the apple as the farmer handed the second apple to her. Kirche quickly gave it to Tabitha. She went onto say:
“This apple is really good. What is this piece of land called?”
“The area around Ragdorian is a direct control territory.”
“Huh? Direct control territory?”
Territory directly held and managed by the King.
“This land is under direct rule by his highness, and we are now his vassals.” The farmer said smiling.
The land was truly fertile and seemed to be something out of a painting with its picturesque beauty. Why the King wanted the land was understandable.
Kirche turned to look at Tabitha.
“This territory is ruled by your family... are you...”
After about ten minutes they could finally see Tabitha's house up ahead. It was an old feudal lord mansion, splendidly built.
Kirche was looking at the carved crest that could be seen at the gate. She was breathless. The emblem was two magic wands intersecting and had the inscription “to advance”
This was the Gallian royal family crest.
However, when approaching, a crack could be seen on the crest. It was a sign of dishonor. Although it meant that this was the royal family, they were stripped of their rights.
The carriage stopped in front of the gates, and an old servant approached, bowed, and opened the door for Tabitha to come out.
“Miss, welcome back.”
No other people came and it made Kirche feel as though it was deserted. She got down from the carriage while thinking this. Tabitha and Kirche arrived in the living room with guidance by the old servant.
The room was very neat, however it was strangely quiet, almost appearing spiritless. It looked like a temple preparing for a funeral.
Kirche sat herself down on the living room sofa and said:
“Can we first say hello to your father?”
However Tabitha shook her head.
“Wait here.”
She then left the living room.
Kirche sat on the sofa and looked to her right as the old servant approached with wine and dessert and set them before her. But she didn't touch them and instead asked him directly:
“This is her home, and yet it seems besides you no one else lives here.”
“I'm the butler of the Orléans family, Percerin. Are you Miss Charlotte's friend?”
Kirche nodded. Charlotte d'Orléans seems to be Tabitha's real name.
Orléans, Orléans, she kept thinking of the name, and then suddenly she thought of something. Orléans, isn't it the family name of the younger brother of the King of Gallia?
“Why is there a dishonor sign on the crest of this house?”
“It appears you are a foreigner, please forgive me, can I ask for your name?”
“I'm Germania's von Zerbst. By the way what on earth is this house? Why has Tabitha gone to study abroad using a fake name? Why when she was just a child?”
The butler listened to Kirche's questions and then sighed.
“The Miss calls herself Tabitha... I see... she has never brought a friend before. Since it's a person to whom she has opened herself, it shouldn't be a problem to tell you the story.”
After that Percerin bowed deeply and then continued to talk.
“This residence is in fact a prison.”