Chapter 26: This Has Been a Depressing Day

She expected this from Kasen, but not Sebastian.

“So, yes, the quality of a crystal does depend on where it's sourced. The better the vein it’s from, the stronger, sturdier, and longer lasting that crystal is.” He was hunched over a large oak table in the fortress’ library with a massive map of the world as they knew it unrolled on top. The corners and edges were held down with various books, a candelabra, and a hollow bronze bust of one of their ancestors. “There are places where the energy veins are extremely strong from how they interconnect. Even weak crystals used there will be amplified. If you want to do something big, those would be the places to go.”

Tori nodded, only half paying attention.

Sebastian always seemed so flighty around her that she often forgot that he was also once a top ranked student at Lycée and Université, a competent heir to the march, and had a sequel to the game where he attempted to resurrect her and instead also summoned an army of undead. He must’ve had some knowledge on the subject in order to attempt such a feat.

“I see.” Should she be concerned that Sebastian would try to resurrect her if she died? Perhaps she needed to have a backup plan to deal with it, such as a will or assigning the care of her body to someone who won’t go as far as trying to resurrect her in grief.

Sebastian looked up and smiled. “Do you have any questions?”

“No.... You said you wanted to see the crystals I bought, so I brought them down.” She still held the box Mr. Ramos packed for her in her arms. Sebastian looked at the box for a moment, as if realizing he began lecturing his sister as soon as she entered the library.

“Oh, right.” He beamed. “Let me see what you bought.”

Tori pushed aside the map with one hand and then placed her little wooden box on the table. She lifted the lid off and began to take some out. “Instructor Ignatius says to always go with crystals that get your attention, as it means they resonate with you and you can work with them better. Even if they didn’t have any energy, I picked them based on that.”

“They’re not bad,” Sebastian said as he picked up a polished piece of fluorite still jutting out from some quartz. “Crystals are a medium for energy. Each crystal has a specific use. You picked a good array, Tori. What else did you buy?”

“A book with some used charms.”

“In Old Sulfae?”

“Yes.”

“Did you call Grammie?” Sebastian picked up a smooth, palm sized stone. It was dark with shining streaks of green, blue, purple, and gold. Tori wasn’t sure what it was called here; she found that some names carried over and some didn’t. She was planning to ask Instructor Ignatius when she got back. In her original world, it was labradorite.

“I did. She said she will have Kasen prepare some notes for me.”

“Kasen’s well-versed in Old Sulfae, too.”

Tori sighed, defeated. “Kasen’s good at a lot of things.”

Sebastian held the labradorite in his left hand and closed his fingers over it. He was quiet for a moment and Tori began to see a faint glow coming from between his fingers. She furrowed her brows, watching as the glow grew stronger before it began to dim. Sebastian opened his hand and brought the stone towards her.

“Aurora stone is good for life energy,” he said. “It helps clear your lungs and settle your tummy.” He reached out with his other hand and took her right one, placing the ‘aurora stone’ on her palm.

“It’s warm.” Her eyes widened. There was a faint energy, like a gentle current moving up her arm, that was easily picked up without her trying. She looked at her brother. “Did you charge the crystal?”

Sebastian smiled and nodded. “Fully charged.”

For a moment, Tori stared at the stone, unsure how to feel. On one hand, she was impressed. On the other...it took her an hour to charge a crystal the size of her thumb nail and it was clear quartz, the easiest of the crystals to charge. Her brother took - what was it? Ten seconds to charge a dense stone that fit in her palm to the fullest.

No wonder he raised an entire undead army.

So, it’s not just Victoria who is the inept child of this family. I, too, am an underachiever. This has been a depressing day. Tori lifted the stone and admired it a bit before placing it back into the box. “Thanks, Sebby.”

Her brother looked very pleased with himself. “I may not be as skilled as Cry Baby Benny, but I’m capable.”

“Why do you call him that?” Tori asked as she closed the box and gave her brother a confused look.

Sebastian’s smile didn’t leave his face. “He knows why.”

Maybe it was best she didn’t inquire further. “Have you decided when we’re leaving tomorrow?”

“After lunch,” Sebastian said. He glanced down at the map. “We’ll stop at a few different towns. We’d reach the outskirts of Horizon in the evening and spend the night at a small inn. That way when we get to Horizon, it will be daylight.”

“Where are we staying?” Tori asked. “Auntie Lucia won’t be back for another week after we arrive.” Her aunt and her family had left the day before to visit Uncle Maurizo’s family southeast of them for a few days. “Did you rent your flat again?”

Sebastian nodded. “It’s close to the first district. I’ll drop you off at Lycée at the beginning of the week when you start. Since you have a few days, you can invite your friends to come and eat the pork leg you bought.”

“That sounds good. Thanks, Sebby. I’ll tell Ilyana to tell the others tonight.”

He smirked. “You’ll like the flat. It’s very spacious and the kitchen....” His voice trailed off as he looked over her head, towards the door. “Yes, Samuel?”

Tori turned around to find the family’s old butler standing by the door. He gave them a polite nod of his head. “My apologies, my lady, young lord, but Lady Tori has guests.”

Tori, surprised, looked towards her brother and Sebastian gave her a curious look. “Are you expecting anyone?”

She shook her head and looked back at the head butler. “Who’s here?”

“Lady Beltran, Lady Duarte, Lady Mendoza, and Lord Esquivel.” Tori narrowed her eyes. While all four were at Count Ferrero’s ball, she didn’t interact with them until the last ball at Viscount Duarte’s. From what Kasen told her, she didn’t have a good relationship with this particular group of peers.

Of the young nobility in Presidio, they were at the top of the social ladder and because of this, were at odds with Victoria, who saw them as her rivals in popularity. Tori’s only meeting with them at Viscount Duarte’s consisted of a polite greeting, an apology for past rudeness, and then a curt ‘have a good evening’. She didn’t plan to get involved with any of her noble peers in Presidio and, after a week, figured that they didn’t want to get involved with her either.

“Where are they right now?”

“The east garden chamber,” the gray-haired man said. “Shall we serve them coffee?”

Tori gave him a nod. “Tell them I’ll be there in a moment. I just need to bring something to my room.” The butler bowed his head and walked out.

“They’ve never visited before,” Sebastian said as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the table. “What do you suppose they want?”

Tori shook her head and picked up her box. “I have no idea.”

She carried her box of crystals back to her room and placed it on top of her trunk to be packed away. Before she left her room, she checked herself in the mirror. She hadn’t planned on seeing anyone today, so she wore training pants from that morning and a buttoned-up blouse under her down vest. She was tempted to change, but decided it wasn’t worth the effort.

Tori headed to the east garden chamber, unsure if she was rushing because she was curious or if she just wanted to get whatever this ordeal was over with.

She opened the door and stepped into the room that used to be an extended portico, but was made into a partial greenhouse that overlooked the east garden. As she stepped inside, the four teenagers within looked up from their coffees as Tori walked in and gave them a small nod in greeting.

“Good afternoon.” She kept her voice polite and calm. “To what do I owe this afternoon’s unexpected visit?” She gave the maid standing by a small serving cart a nod to excuse her before taking her seat. The maid swiftly prepared a cup of coffee and placed it on the small table in front of her.

“Lady Guevera,” the dark-haired young woman seated closest to her, gave her a small nod. “How are you?”

I’m tired and still have to pack. She clenched her jaw for a moment before giving Lady Duarte a nod. “Well. And you all?” A series of murmurs answering her were given. Tori reached forward and picked up her coffee. She blew over the top and took a small sip.

Her eyes peered over the lip of the cup. The three young women and young man seated in front of her seemed to avoid her eyes as they busied themselves with their own cups. No one seemed to want to talk.

So, you all are just going to come into my house and waste my time? I have more stuff to pack than what I came with; I don’t need this right now. Tori lowered her hand and let out a low breath. She prepared to break the silence when one of the young women seemed to finally reach the limit of her patience.

Lady Beltran slammed her coffee cup back on its saucer and turned to look at Tori with a demanding expression. “What’s wrong with you? What are you planning?”

Tori squinted. “What?”

“What are you planning? You’ve been acting strange since you returned from Horizon.” Lady Beltran was on the edge of her seat, her face flushed. Beside her, Lady Duarte reached out to hold her arm to try to calm her.

“Cynthia, calm down.”

“How can I calm down? She’s not normal! She’s planning something, I know it!” She pointed at Tori, whose lips tightened into a line.

“You think I’m secretly planning something against you?” Tori asked, careful.

“Well, what else could it be?” Lady Beltran nearly shouted.

“My cousin simply thinks it’s strange that you have refused all the invitations that have been sent to you,” Lady Mendoza said in a calm voice. “In the past, you never turned down an invitation.”

“You must have a reason!” Lady Beltran insisted. “No one changes overnight. She’s always been jealous of us! No doubt she’s setting up something before she leaves.”

Tori raised a brow. She let out a low breath and took another drink of her coffee. “You’re overthinking things.”

“Then why have you been so quiet?” Lord Esquivel asked, frowning. Tori looked over at him, unimpressed. Not counting her brothers, he was supposedly the best-looking young noble in Presidio. At one point, even Victoria took a fancy to him, but compared to the love interests, not to mention their brothers, he was a bit lacking.

Tori silently shook her head. Victoria really did have bad taste.

“Answer us!” Lady Beltran said as Tori took another sip of her coffee.

She raised her eyes and frowned. After the last bit of coffee was swallowed, she slammed her cup on the table, making everyone jump.

“Bitch, I fell off a horse!” Tori narrowed her eyes and shot them a glare. “If I recall, all of you were present at the garden party when it happened. I hit my head and was unconscious for days. I almost died.” She waited for them to speak up, but found they had recoiled at her sudden change of tone and demeanor. “I woke up feeling as if my head was being cleaved in two. I could barely remember my own family, let alone anyone else in the fortress. I spent weeks trying to remember and relearn near everything. Do you not think that after such a traumatic experience, a person may just change the way they think and live? Hmm?

“Or do you believe that everyone has a stagnant personality and are unable to learn and experience new things that will, little by little, change them? The reason I rejected all those invitations was because I know that I was a terrible person before the accident. I know how mean I was. What ridiculous things I said and did. I know I hurt people and don’t want to repeat it. If I was in your position, I would be ecstatic to never have to deal with me again, so I don’t know why you’re here, demanding to know if I have some grand plan to socially ruin you, when I don’t want to see any of you at all!” Get your heads out of your asses!

Her voice had progressively risen until it almost echoed in the room. Five pairs of stunned eyes, including that of the maid, were fixed on her as she sat forward with a dark expression. She took a deep breath to calm down.

“I want to make it clear that I’m not planning anything against you. I simply no longer wish to continue making things difficult for anyone. I hope you all understand that.” She looked around, at the four other teenagers, and waited for them to answer.

The air was heavy. This sort of direct explanation was likely unexpected, so Tori didn’t think they’d snap back quickly. After a few moments, Lady Duarte moved her hands across her skirt to straighten it out.

“Do you not hold us in your eyes at all?” she asked in a low voice.

“Do you hold me in your eyes?” Tori asked. “I’m very aware that the only reason I am invited to gatherings and parties is because I am Marquis Guevera’s daughter. Had it not been for my rank, I would’ve been ostracized long ago.”

“Then...you hold no ill will towards us?” Lord Esquivel asked with some hesitancy in his voice, as if he wasn’t sure if such a thing was even possible.

Tori shook her head. “No. I wasn’t a pleasant person to begin with.”

“Even after I pushed you into Lady Duarte’s fountain when we were six?” Lady Beltran prodded with suspicious eyes.

“No....” Tori frowned. She didn’t recall that memory. “You what?”

“Or that time I spilled grape juice on your spring dress three years ago?” Lady Mendoza asked. Tori’s brows were knit. She recalled a stain on a new yellow dress at the festival and sobbing home about it.

“That was you?”

“And no hard feelings after I called you ugly?” Lord Esquivel added.

When the hell was Victoria ugly? There are portraits of her all over the fortress, she was fucking adorable since birth. Tori stared at all of them. Wait, was Victoria bullying them or was she retaliating? She leaned back on her chair and crossed her legs as she narrowed her eyes at them. “What else have you done to me that I should be upset about?”

The four teenagers looked at each other with a sudden sense of urgency.

Lady Duarte suddenly shot to her feet and gave her a weak smile. “My lady, it seems we’ve bothered you. You really have changed after your accident. I can see that you’re trying to make amends.”

“Yes, Lady Anna is correct, it seems you’ve...matured.” Lord Esquivel seemed to put on a charming smile as he gave her a small nod. “Since Lady Guevera feels it's best to distance herself from us after our strained past, we should respect her decision.”

“I agree!” Lady Mendoza said as smiled awkwardly. “Lady Guevera, rest assured that we also wish to put the past behind us. Isn’t that right, everyone?”

A series of murmurs seemed to agree with her, but their hesitancy to believe Tori had changed still lingered. She remained seated and drew her lips inward.

“If that is the case, then I’m glad we cleared the air.”

“Isn’t it?” Lady Duarte tapped her cousin on the shoulder, urging her to stand. “We should let Lady Guevera rest. She’s leaving soon for Horizon.”

“Thank you for having us today, Lady Guevera,” Lord Esquivel said as everyone other than Tori rose to their feet. He gave her a bow, prompting the young women to give her a proper curtsy.

With her hand clamped on Lady Beltran’s arm, Lady Duarte nearly dragged her to the door. “That’s it? We’re just going to let it go like that?”

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“Let’s go, Cynthia,” Lady Duarte hissed in a low voice. “Best to leave before she gets upset.”

Lady Mendoza gave Tori one last awkward smile. “Have a good journey, Lady Guevera...and I...uh...like your vest.”

The corner of Tori’s lip curled upwards as the four young nobles walked past her and hurriedly left. She raised her hand and the maid came forward to pour her another cup of coffee.

“So, what was that about?” Sebastian walked into the chamber and the maid prepared another cup for him.

“Sebby...why didn’t I get along with Lady Duarte and her friends?” Tori asked as she picked up her cup. “Isn’t it because I was rude to them?”

“It’s going to sound biased coming from me, but it’s not your fault. You five have a long history. Mama wanted to find playmates for you and they’re around the same age and from good families,” Sebastian said as he reached forward and plucked a small biscuit from the platter on the table. He bit into it and thought for a moment. “The four of them were already friends and their parents were forcing them to play with you and they resisted...eventually, your relationship with them became worse.” He swallowed the biscuit and frowned. “When you were six, that little Beltran brat was jealous of your dress and pushed you into a fountain. After that, you seemed to hold a grudge. It was very cute.”

Tori gave him some side eye and drank her coffee. This gave a bit more insight into Victoria. Perhaps being the spoiled youngest child and only granddaughter weren’t the only reasons she acted out. She closed her eyes and tried to remember what other clashes they had.

She forgot that when she tried to remember something she hadn’t yet, a memory may appear, but it was accompanied with a flash of pain.

Tori quickly put her cup on the table as a sharp, splitting headache ripped through her head. She raised her hands and pressed against her head, as if trying to push the two sides of together to keep from falling apart.

“Tori?” Sebastian nearly tossed his cup on to the table as he stood up and rushed to her side. “What’s wrong?” His hands reached up and were placed over hers as worry filled his face.

“Nothing. Just a little...dizziness.” The pain was fleeting, at least. Within a breath, it was as if nothing happened. She looked up, her eyes a bit red, and smiled. “I don’t think I drank enough water today.”

Sebastian frowned. He looked at the maid and gave her a nod. A glass was placed in front of her and filled with clear water.

“Take a drink. Quickly,” Sebastian said as he held the cup to her mouth. She tried her best to take a few gulps without spilling before pushing Sebastian’s hand away.

“I’m fine. It’s enough.”

“That’s enough coffee for you,” he told her as he studied her face. His eyes squinted with concern. “Are you still dizzy?”

“No, I’m fine. I’ll drink and sit for a while. I’ll be better in a bit,” she replied with as reassuring a look as she could give him. Sebastian didn’t seem convinced.

“Do you want to go to your room?”

“I’ll walk up soon. I still need to pack.”

“I’m going to call the maids to help you.”

She sighed. “Sebby, it’s fine....”

“Watch her. If she gets dizzy again, alert us immediately,” he told the lone maid in the room. The woman nodded her head and Sebastian stood up. He looked at his sister. “Sit for a while longer.”

Tori nodded with a tired smile. “Okay.” She watched him walk out the door and her face softened.

She remembered why Victoria retaliated against Lady Beltran when they were children, and likely continued holding a grudge. It wasn’t about her dress, per se. Little Victoria had been stunned that her would-be playmate had pushed her into the water and ruined her dress, but she thought it was an accident and was ready to forgive little Lady Beltran.

Except little Lady Beltran had opened her mouth and called the dress ugly and that whoever bought it was a blind fool.

Little Victoria had then grabbed little Lady Beltran’s hair, and ripped off her bow and a fistful of reddish-brown hair with it.

Sebastian had sent Tori that dress all the way from Horizon, where he had been in school at the time, having picked it out for her himself.

Tori took another drink of water and nodded to herself. “Worth it.”

“No, not today or tomorrow.” Tori was holding her comcry in front of her with an exasperated look as their carriage bounced along through the fields just outside of Horizon’s gates. From the window, they could see the marvelous wall around the city nearing. “The day after.”

“Oh. What time?” Piers’ voice was heard and from where he sat across the carriage, Sebastian wasn’t sure how he felt knowing his precious baby sister was inviting his ‘protege’ to their flat for a meal. He knew that Kasen had arranged for Axton and Piers to watch over their sister and it was obvious that they needed to remain in contact to do so.

But he didn’t expect Tori to invite them.

“Lunch time, but I have some games I want to test out and need more people.” Tori paused and furrowed her brows. “But if you don’t feel comfortable with that many people, just come to eat.”

Sebastian nodded. His sister was so thoughtful, taking into consideration that royal brat’s generally anti-social behavior.

“How many people will be there?”

“Me, Sebby, my friends from school...that’s eight...I tried to call Axton, but he’s not answering.” Tori frowned at this.

“He’s still at winter training and won’t be back for another month.”

“How does he attend classes?”

“Université classes are different from Lycée. He already knows what’s expected of him. As long as he submits his work and takes the exams that he needs to, then he doesn’t have to go to a lecture,” Piers said. There was a small pause. “And I can stay. What about dinner?”

“I’m making dinner, too! Too bad for Axton. He’ll miss it. I’ve been working on the recipes in Presidio and I think they’re pretty good.”

“...And Master is going to be there the whole time?”

Sebastian glared at the comcry. “No. I have to go out after lunch, but will be back for dinner.”

Piers was quiet once more, then sounded somewhat disappointed. “Oh. Master is with you.”

“Of course, I’m with her! We’re not going to send her to Horizon unescorted, you little-”

“Sebby.” Tori seemed to pout in disapproval and he shut his mouth. “Your Highness-”

“I told you to call me Piers.”

Tori sighed and Sebastian frowned more so at the prince’s insistence on informality between them. “Okay, Piers, do you know where my brother’s flat is?”

“Is it the Master's flat near the first?”

“Yes.” Sebastian grit his teeth. Although, you don’t have to come.

“Great. We’ll see you then. Bring your appetite.”

“I expect good things.” The comcry dimmed and Tori gave a satisfied nod.

“All right, that takes care of everyone,” Tori said. “I can spend tomorrow getting ready and then cook the next morning.”

“You’re going to make those burritos you made at home?” Sebastian asked. She nodded, enthusiastically.

“Do you think they’ll like it?”

“No one at home could get enough.” Sebastian chuckled. Tori had left the recipes for several kinds, including some for breakfast, for her family. “What about dinner?”

“Maybe some of that chicken, sausage, and shrimp with rice,” Tori said. “We’ll see how I feel.” Tori put away her comcry and scooted to the edge of the carriage to peer out the window. “We should be home before dinner. Should we pick up something to eat?”

“What do you want?”

“It’s cold. Let’s get some soup.”

She looked back out the window and Sebastian nodded. He watched his little sister look curiously out the glass with big, blue eyes.

His own softened for a moment as he thought that she had grown while they were apart. No longer so impulsive or demanding, she was thoughtful and kind - not just to them, but to others outside their family. The haughtiness and distaste for those of a lower social rank or class seemed to have disappeared.

Sebastian didn’t want to say that he was happy that his sister seemed like a different person or that her previous attitude was terrible, but he was happy that the kind, loving girl his family raised and knew her to be was actually showing herself.

He knew that it was their fault that Tori had been as she was; so self-righteous and arrogant amongst her peers, as well as eager to show off. They spoiled her, showered her with attention, and didn’t discipline her.

How could they when they almost lost her when she was a baby?

Even though they got her back, their parents never forgave themselves for allowing such a drop in guard that their daughter was stolen from their own home. He doubted Kasen had ever gotten over seeing their baby sister returned to them, so malnourished that she was on the brink of starving to death.

And as the heir, as the eldest brother who was supposed to always protect his younger siblings, Sebastian felt he had failed spectacularly. He was considered a prodigy; the best young swordsman in the entire empire, yet his sister, who hadn’t yet learned to walk, was taken from underneath his nose and he could do nothing to get her back.

He had accompanied his grandmother to the altar every day to pray while his sister was missing. No, not to pray. To bargain.

Give me back my sister alive and I will become the best swordsman in Soleil. Just give me one more chance to protect her. She will not leave this world before me and if I fail, let the Guevera March crumble.

When they finally got her back, she wouldn’t even cry. She wouldn’t make a sound. It had terrified their family.

Sebastian had spent days trying to find something to make her laugh or gurgle like she used to. He’d even welcome an ear-splitting scream. However, he had limited time with her. The priority had been to nurse her back to health. Luckily, she gained weight quickly, but no one knew what lingering trauma would remain.

The entire ordeal had been kept quiet by the family. No one mentioned it again once she was healthy. When she finally started to talk at the age of two, it felt as if a weight was lifted off the family and there was a silent consensus to pretend that Tori’s abduction never happened.

But it lingered with them.

It always would.

“You know what, a thick stew would actually be good,” Tori said, drawing him out of his thoughts. He looked up and saw his sister contemplating. “I can use something warm, but a stew would be more filling, right? Should we get some beef stew and buy a loaf?”

Sebastian grinned affectionately. He thought he lost her again when she fell off the horse and did whatever he could to try to help her. He and Kasen carefully placed aurora stone around her to support her body when she was unconscious. He even placed white howlite above her head to try to coax her soul back and wake her, as Master Ramos once told him when he was a child.

He pleaded once more to the gods for them to let his sister wake up - at any cost. She did.

And she changed. He often wondered if that was the cost of her waking up. But, he wasn't upset. His sister was alive. She was healthy, happy, and still cared about them.

His sister also seemed to have turned into someone who loved food. He couldn’t complain about that. “A beef stew and fresh warm bread does sound good. Let's go with that.”

“Great! Do you know a place? I can call to ask someone for recommendations. Or if it’s on the way, we can stop by Cafe Fortuna.”

“Cafe Fortuna?”

“It’s Piers’ cafe near Lycée, but they also serve meals. Mama J’s soups and stews are delicious.” Tori beamed. “Also, I eat for free!”

Sebastian’s smile dimmed. “Piers lets you eat for free at his cafe?”

“Yes,” Tori nodded. “He also lets me use the private room upstairs if I need a place to study and can’t find one on campus. We go there all the time.”

“I see....” He lifted a hand and knocked on the carriage wall behind him. A small, wooden panel slid open.

“Yes, my lord?” the footman seated with the coachman asked as some cold from the outside seeped in.

“Take us to Des Champs. Drop us off for dinner there and take our things to my flat. Return at once and have everyone eat dinner there, as well.”

“Thank you, my lord! We’ll head over to the restaurant directly.” The wooden panel slid closed and Sebastian gave Tori a reassuring smile.

“The chef at Des Champs makes excellent beef, tomato, and potato stew and they have several kinds of breads.”

“Oh!” Tori’s eyes lit up. “Sounds perfect! It’s just what we need on a cold evening.”

Sebastian nodded and made a mental note. I’m going to need to have a little chat with that royal brat when I get the chance....

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