***
Talven-day
The morning was quieter than usual. This week, Talven was a day off, and the usual morning passed slowly. The corridors were empty, the voices barely audible, and the few students passing through the corridors were more the exception than the rule.
Catherine was still asleep, and I decided to start the day with a visit to the baths to prepare my body for the new day without haste and to maintain my image in the eyes of the other students.
It was cold outside, but the cold was pleasant. A slow snow was falling, and in the semi-darkness, I walked to the baths. Ahead, I saw the female guards, Evelina Valtheim's bodyguards. Presumably, she was also in the baths.
I approached. The guards knew I was Evelina's Mage-Guardian and let me pass without any trouble. The baths were dimly lit, and only in the distance, by one of the pools with hot water, was a light on. I slowly approached and saw a half-dressed Nova sitting on the edge of the pool and a naked Evelina sitting in the water.
"Good morning," I said with a slight bow.
Nova smiled, and Evelina looked at me sullenly and said in a tired voice, "Morning, Arta."
Evelina looked at me for a few more moments, and then, leaning against the stone wall of the pool, she asked, "Presumably, since we have all gathered so conveniently, we can discuss our issues here."
Nova looked around and, seeing no one, nodded her head.
"Nova, you know there's no one here right now, no need to worry." Evelina shifted her gaze back to me. "Arta, first, a small request. I have a classmate, a very talented duelist. Her name is Gloria Alrane, and the key weapon she uses is the épée and rapier. She is always looking for worthy opponents and has noticed how you wield an épée. I promised her she would have a fight with you at the next fencing lesson. Please accept it."
I nodded, and Nova looked skeptically at Evelina and asked a question, "You do know that Gloria has been fencing since childhood, and besides, Arta, as I understand it, uses a sword."
"Nova, Gloria has her own views on opponents; she does not evaluate them at the same level as you and I." Evelina sighed. "In any case, I promised her one sparring match with Arta, and I do not intend to change my decision."
Nova smiled dryly and, casting a glance at me and then at Evelina, nodded her head.
"Alright, then let's discuss the second question, a more important one, concerning me and Valtheim as a whole." Evelina paused briefly and looked somewhere toward the exit. "The adepts of the Gods of Dreams are actively collecting artifacts. Just recently, they stole an artifact—the 'Seal of the God of Dreams.' It is not just a seal; it is the signature of the eldest of the Gods of Dreams, known as 'Oneiros.' According to legends, it was to him that the twin queens gave their names."
Evelina paused.
"Only two artifacts remain, which are now hidden—the Bloody Ruby and the Pearl of Loss." Evelina looked at me as if she wanted to add something but did not.
"I suppose the remaining two artifacts are in a safe place? Who knows where they are?" I asked, understanding that the storage of such artifacts was a matter of strategic security.
"Only my mother knows about that," Evelina answered coldly. "That is not your question, Arta."
"As you wish, Your Highness." I nodded to her. "I suppose if my advice is not needed, then are there any other questions in which my help is needed?" I looked at Evelina with a gaze full of expectation.
"Of course, there are, Arta." Evelina looked at me with a slight smirk. "You came to wash, didn't you?"
"Yes, first of all, I came to wash. I did not expect to see you here at such an early hour."
"Then undress and get into the pool." Let's combine the pleasant with the useful.
I looked skeptically at Evelina; this was clearly a subtle manipulation. Perhaps she thinks that such a rapprochement will somehow strengthen her influence?
"Is this really necessary?" I clarified, looking at her.
"Arta, it is necessary. Undress and get into the pool. Or do you have something to hide?" Evelina stealthily glanced at Nova, who seemed not to understand what was happening.
"Alright," I nodded. For me, nudity meant nothing.
I quickly took off my academy uniform, the shortened culottes, untied the garters, removed the simple black stockings, the uniform shirt, and the underwear, and carefully folded it all on a stone bench.
Evelina and Nova watched me attentively during these procedures; their goals and internal motivation in this were completely different. I carefully approached the edge of the pool and, with a deft movement, lowered myself into the water, creating the least number of drops caused by the immersion of my body.
"I hope that was enough?" I asked Evelina, looking her in the eye.
Evelina smiled.
"More than enough." She looked at Nova, who was still sitting on the edge of the pool, and then her gaze returned to me. "Don't think that I made you do this on purpose. You saw me naked; I just wanted the same from you. After all, I still don't understand what you really need, Arta." She shifted her gaze back to Nova. "And do you understand what Arta needs?"
Nova looked at me and swallowed slightly. "I think Arta values friendship," she said uncertainly.
"Friendship…" Evelina paused. "What a pleasant word, especially coming from your lips, Nova." Evelina smiled; apparently, there was much more behind this phrase than was on the surface.
Evelina looked at Nova for a few more seconds, and then her gaze returned to me.
"Arta, what do you think? Did I find out who poisoned our wine at the ball?"
The question was clearly asked with a catch, but I had no desire to play guessing games.
"I have no idea, Your Highness," I answered coldly.
Evelina tilted her head slightly.
"Expected. After all, unlike Nova, you preferred to go on winter holidays to Catherine's." Evelina said with a smirk.
Nova looked at Evelina with a hint of sadness; she probably perceived this period of her life as ambiguous, but she did not comment on her remark.
I also decided to remain silent, as Evelina's remark did not contain a structural question, only dubious statements that were irrelevant.
Evelina waited for some time longer, but in the end, she broke her own silence.
"It was not even Frederik, but a small pawn from the Innovators faction." Evelina frowned with contempt.
"Innovators?" I clarified.
Evelina's face froze in irritation for a second, but she continued to speak, "The Innovators are those who believe that Valtheim should return to the model of governance that existed under Greyvan Valtheim, the first king of our country." Her emphasis on the word was deliberate—a micro-aggression designed to reinforce my status as a "foreigner."
"Thank you for the clarification," I replied politely. "So who was the poisoner?" I clarified, looking Evelina coldly in the eye.
"The name is not so important; what is important is that she will never do anything like that again." Evelina smiled ominously.
She was probably killed, without any extra words or ceremonies. I did not inquire about the fate of someone who takes such foolish and rash steps.
"I suppose we did not gather here to discuss the fate of fools?" I asked Evelina as she nervously fiddled with the fingers of her hand.
"Of course not," she answered softly. "You saved both me and Nova. I should be grateful to you, it's just…" She paused. "It's just that I'm not in shape right now. I can only feel relatively safe at the Academy, but as you can see, even here, the servants of the Patriarchy penetrate." She deliberately emphasized the word "Patriarchy," as if trying to turn her struggle for the throne into something more global. "And the rector now is Frederik's protege."
"We need to be more careful," Nova suddenly intervened in the conversation, having been silently listening until now. "Terren is clearly playing his own game, about which we know nothing."
I understood that the question might now go where it should not have, so I anticipated Evelina's question, which obviously should have been asked.
"Terren wants me to destroy the relationship between Vespera and Frederik," I said coldly.
Hearing this, Evelina laughed hysterically.
"Has that old idiot completely lost his mind? Does he even understand who Vespera is?" Evelina shook her head. "And how did he suggest you do it? Sleep with Frederik instead of Vespera?" Evelina sighed ironically.
"I suppose he doesn't care 'how,'" I replied coldly. "But I am a foreigner and I am not going to do that with the prince."
"I assure you, Arta, it is not required. I have already sent many people to my brother. The result is the same." Evelina paused. "He refuses even casual sexual encounters under the influence. What is happening with him cannot be explained by ordinary logic; where any other man would break, he is unshakeable."
"Maybe under hypnosis?" Nova clarified.
"This is not hypnosis; this is a structural brainwashing," Evelina answered coldly.
I remained silent, understanding that Vespera was playing a very serious game. However, I did not see any real signs of mind control in Frederik; rather, it was a chaotic correction of the vector so that the subject would not fall for obvious tricks.
"Arta, let's move away from lyrics and foolishness," Evelina sharply changed the subject. "I have begun to gather my own faction of Traditionalists. If something starts in the country, we will be ready."
"And what should my participation be in this?" I clarified.
"None. You are already a mage-guardian; you must be by my side. I demand nothing more from you," she answered with a faint smile.
I nodded, understanding that it was useless to argue in this situation.
"Alright. It is time for me to go." Evelina looked at Nova, and she blushed slightly as she got out of the pool.
Nova stood up, took an academic robe from a hanger, and handed it to her.
Before Evelina left, she said to me, "Arta, if I need you, I will call you. For now, study, work, or whatever it is you do…" She smiled; she apparently found this amusing. "That will be all, Artalis," she said, her voice dismissing me as she turned to leave.
Nova stood by the pool for some time longer.
"Arta, she is very nervous right now… Forgive her, alright?"
I nodded; there was no point in commenting on this, especially considering the blood pact.
"I suggest you and Catherine come for tea today. To the ceremonial building. It's empty there now, and there are many free rooms," Nova said uncertainly.
"Alright, we will come," I replied, allowing myself a shadow of a smile.
"Thank you, Arta!" I will try to talk to Ren. I do not like how she behaves with you and Catherine."
I nodded, and then Nova, waving to me and taking her clothes, went into one of the changing rooms.
***
When I had washed and returned to the room, Catherine was no longer asleep but was standing by the mirror. Her gaze immediately became fixed on me, and she smiled wistfully. I heard how the rhythm of her breathing changed, but she did not move, just stood motionless like a statue. The silence between us was not empty but dense, charged with the residual tension of last night. It was like a static field that arises before a storm.
"Good morning, Arta," her voice was quiet, almost lifeless. It lacked its usual morning warmth.
"Good morning," I answered dryly, not interrupting my movements.
She tried to continue her morning ritual; her shoulders were tense, her posture perfectly straight, but this straightness was not natural but constructed, like a soldier on parade. She continued to style her hair, but her fingers moved uncertainly; she rearranged the same lock three times without securing it. This was an error in sequence and her internal failure.
Finally, she moved away from the mirror and sat in a chair by her desk. Slowly, as if every movement required a conscious effort.
She sighed, her reflection in the mirror meeting mine.
"Listen, I'm sorry about yesterday," she said, looking not at me, but at her reflection, as if speaking to it. "I… I crossed a line. I shouldn't have pushed so hard. That letter… it threw me off."
I looked at her without a shadow of emotion. Her apology was not for her feelings, but for a violation of structure. For introducing a chaotic variable into our calibrated interaction.
"Returning to yesterday is inefficient," I said in an even voice. "The incident is closed."
Catherine smiled bitterly at her reflection. "'Inefficient—the incident is closed'… Arta, you are incorrigible." She tried again to secure the strand, but it slipped from her fingers. "Damn it!"
She lowered her hands in frustration. In this simple gesture, there was more despair than in all her tears from yesterday. It was a surrender to a trifle because she had no strength to fight something bigger.
I silently approached her. She flinched when I stood behind her but did not pull away. Her reflection in the mirror looked at mine—two worlds, two coordinate systems, converged at one point.
I did not speak. I just took her hands, gently moved them aside, and then, with my own fingers, quickly and precisely fixed the errant strand, securing it with a hairpin. My movements were functional. Nothing superfluous. But I registered how, under my fingers, the skin on her neck broke out in goosebumps, and her breathing paused for a moment.
"There," I said, stepping back. "Now there is order."
"Thank you…" she whispered, still looking at our reflection. A light blush appeared on her cheeks. "As for me, you are perfect, Arta! I admire your composure every time."
Her attempt to return the conversation to the usual channel of admiration was transparent. It was a defensive reaction.
"Were you going somewhere?" I asked, returning to my desk and giving her space.
She took a deep breath, as if returning to reality. "Yes…" she answered, hesitating. "I need to talk to Ren. About this letter. I have to set the record straight."
"Alright," I replied, opening a book. "Come back later. Nova has invited us for tea."
"Tea?" Catherine clarified. She was already putting on her cloak, her movements becoming sharper, more decisive. "Arta, don't you think that Nova, Ren, and we have been seeing each other too often?" she asked with a slight indignation.
"Perhaps, but Nova asked me to," I replied and looked her in the eye again.
Catherine shook her head, fastening the clasp of her cloak. "Alright…" she answered sadly. "But let's not turn this into some kind of mandatory ritual. I… it's hard for me."
"If you don't want to, I can go alone," I replied, noting her choice.
She turned sharply. "Oh no!" she exclaimed indignantly. "If you go, I go too." Her eyes flashed with their former fire. She was becoming herself again. "I will not leave you alone with them."
She went to the door. "Alright, Arta, I'll be back soon. I need to discuss the issue with Ren before she disappears somewhere."
"Alright," I allowed myself a soft smile at her.
She froze for a moment at the door, her gaze softened, and then she nodded and disappeared into the half-empty corridors of the academy.
***
A little later, toward sunset, Catherine and I headed to the ceremonial building. The space, usually used for receptions and academic ceremonies, was empty today. Light streamed from the stained-glass windows, reflecting off the polished surfaces. The room Nova had chosen was in the far part of the hall, where the windows overlooked the snow-covered inner garden.
On the table was a teapot, porcelain, light pastries, and tea with the scent of mint and berries. The atmosphere was pointedly neutral, almost sterile, which was the ideal place to open old wounds.
Nova was already waiting. She sat by the window, thoughtfully turning a cup. Ren stood by the window, and in her empty gaze was a deep thoughtfulness.
"Welcome," Nova said calmly. "Today is simple. Tea. No discussions. Just tea."
I nodded. Catherine carefully pulled out a chair and sat down, carefully watching Ren's every move.
When we were all seated at the table, Ren approached with a strained smile.
"I hope we will have a less… dramatic evening today," she said, looking at Catherine. "Sometimes passions get the better of me, and I can go a little too far, but I assure you it is not out of malice." She placed her left palm on her heart, a visually sincere gesture, but there was absolutely no sincerity in it.
Ren pulled out a chair and sat next to Nova, not too close but not too formal either.
"Catherine, and yes, I am sorry if my understanding of friendship seemed… intrusive to you. I did not mean to," she said, looking Catherine directly in the eye.
This was not an apology. It was a jab. She was not apologizing for her actions, but for Catherine's reaction, subtly shifting the blame.
Catherine looked at her, and in her gaze was neither forgiveness nor anger. Only the cold clarity I had taught her.
"Ren, it was not a matter of passion. It was a matter of respect. And I hope we have closed it."
Ren smiled; this was the reaction she had been waiting for as the minimally sufficient one. She glanced at us and then said, "I know I promised I would try not to talk about it, but in one story from the Southern Gates of Riona, which I gave Beatrice to read, the heroines reconciled after a conflict precisely over tea."
"Ren, let's not mention your novels today, alright? I wanted us to just relax," Nova said, looking Ren in the eye.
Ren nodded and leaned back in her chair. She understood that Catherine was no longer an easy target, and Nova would not be a silent ally in her games. Her disappointment was almost palpable, but from her eyes, it was clear that she was not going to give up.
The tea continued in a tense silence, interrupted only by formal phrases about the weather and the fair. Ren barely spoke. She had lost and was now recounting her pieces on the board.
At some point, she stood up. "I have to go. I have a meeting." She gently touched Nova's fingers—the gesture was not tender, but possessive, a reminder of who the main prize was here. "Don't miss me without me."
Catherine looked up but said nothing. Nova remained seated, following her only with her gaze.
When the door closed behind Ren, the room became almost quiet. Nova finished her tea and put down her cup.
"You know, I still hope that we… will not destroy this," she said, looking at me. Now her words had weight. "This" was not her alliance with Ren. "This" was our fragile, barely formed foursome, which was regularly subjected to stratification under the weight of various circumstances.
I nodded, but it was not a promise. It was just a gesture of my goodwill and the creation of new vectors for the continuation of my mission. Nevertheless, the unambiguous plus of today was Catherine's actions. For the first time, she had fought back against a chaotic force, using my own methods, and unlike other things, this was truly commendable.