-Arc 1-

  Chapter 11

  “Loyalty”

  *?*?*?*

  Balancing a stack of trays and dishes, heading towards the dining hall, Eris thought about Mirra’s words earlier.

  Mirra: “Are you… loyal?”

  She did not answer the question when it was asked to her.

  She was not intimidated or trying to think of a clever lie to tell Mirra. The answer was much simpler.

  Eris did not know if she was loyal.

  To be more precise, she did not know what it meant to be loyal.

  The definition of the word she of course knew, but when trying to apply it to her life, she could not fit it into the mold.

  She could say she was loyal to Aqua, whom she considered her closest friend. However, even putting aside her trepidation and guilt about calling Aqua her friend, she did not think she was necessarily ‘loyal’ to her.

  After all, what could she be loyal to? Her ideas? Her friendship? Her beliefs? It was not as if they were in some kind of romance, nor a cult or movement.

  The same went for Petra. She was pretty sure she felt strongly for them— perhaps love, but loyalty was not something she could apply to their relationship.

  Her mind drifted to Caelia.

  She was clearly loyal to something. The way she acted was strange and unpleasant, but even Eris knew that it was not without reason.

  Of course, the reason was still unknown to her.

  Mirra held her loyalties on her sleeve, it seemed. Carlos was the one she was loyal to, regardless of what she heard from the others.

  In a way, Eris found it admirable. A fence-sitter like Eris envied such decisiveness.

  Aíma was an enigma. They had spoken, but unlike most of the others, Eris still had not even begun to crack her. And like the small demon, Eris could not imagine Seraphine to be loyal to anything in particular.

  Eris: “Wait…”

  Putting it like that, did she really even know any of them?

  Eris spoke to Petra and Aqua often, and they were supportive of Eris. They laughed together, ate together, and worked together.

  She had gotten a bit of how they viewed the world, but only through the lens of work.

  Did she really know anything about them at all?

  Were they even friends?

  Eris felt something like a cramp near her eyes, as they dried out suddenly.

  Eris: “Huh?”

  The air suddenly felt harsh on her dry eyes, and they began to water.

  Eris halted in front of the dining hall door. Behind it, she heard the clatter of the table being set and the chatter of the maids.

  She blinked her eyes until they stopped feeling so arid, and the cool droplets in the corners faded away.

  Her face still felt tense, but she did not want to take too long in her job of delivering the dishes.

  Balancing the heavy stack on one hand, she pushed the door open. Warm light poured in, and the muffled sounds became sharp.

  Immediately after stepping in, she felt a bit of weight shift off her hand.

  Looking down, cold goosebumps immediately crept up her skin.

  A tiny, adorable figure, adorned by a crown of horns, did not even make eye contact as she took a few dishes from the stack. She silently went about her work, using them to set the table.

  Eris: “Maybe I should ask her..?”

  ???: “Ask what?”

  A bright, cheery voice interrupted her train of thought. This was the second time she had been caught off guard in the span of ten seconds.

  Eris: “Oh, Seraphine… Good evening.”

  That stiff greeting turned sour on her tongue as it came out. Though it seemed being formal with Seraphine no longer affected her. She knew ‘Eris’ was gone.

  Seraphine: “Good evening. Thanks for bringing me these!”

  Seraphine’s delicate hands removed a couple cooking trays from the bottom of the stack, giving an artificial smile that did not reach her eyes.

  Eris: “Of course, Seraphine. Ah, you seem pretty overworked. I—”

  Seraphine: “It’s fine Eris, I’m okay in the kitchen.”

  Eris: “I… I don't want to push you or anything, but I’d like to help you.”

  Despite her mind being in a nebula as of late, Eris found the courage to be forward with her request.

  The truth is, she felt she had to speak with Seraphine. Even if she knew she probably was not going to rekindle what Seraphine remembered, she felt she had to improve the current situation.

  Though Seraphine acted as if there was no situation.

  Maybe there was not?

  No— Eris definitely could tell that things were not okay between her and Seraphine.

  Seraphine, to be more specific, was not okay with the state of Eris.

  Of course, it was natural to wish for the return of ‘Eris.’ She did not blame her for that. She encouraged it even.

  But regardless, the status quo did not seem like it would be broken anytime soon, unless she did it herself.

  Seraphine’s aqua eyes widened at Eris’s request. She glanced around the dining hall, taking in a breath.

  Seraphine: “Okay, I guess a bit of help can never be bad. Unless you put Caelia in the kitchen, hehe!”

  Eris: “Ah, hah!”

  Eris had to muster a laugh, so she did not create any more awkwardness between the two.

  Seraphine led her between the other maids into the kitchen. Through the window into the dining room, she caught a couple glances from Caelia and Aqua.

  Seraphine: “Hmm, I suppose I could get some help with the meal dressing.”

  Eris: “You mean like, salad dressing?”

  Seraphine shook her head, wagging her finger for even more effect.

  Seraphine: “Nope! What I call meal dressing is basically making the food look extra good.”

  She took Eris over to the center counter, where most of the food was already prepared. All the options were aligned neatly, but in rather boring piles or bowls.

  Seraphine used some of the steaks as an example. Organizing them on a tray, she decorated the food with some herbs, and added diced vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and asparagus.

  Eris: “You don't really notice the effort when you eat it, but I guess it really does make the food look a lot tastier, huh?”

  Seraphine: “Exactly! Only a small part of cooking is actually making the food.”

  Eris: “What are the other parts, if you don't mind?”

  Seraphine grinned, as if pleased to share her secrets. But even her grin was empty, and her eyes remained saddened.

  Seraphine: “Dressing, presentation, serving, speed, cleanliness, care, and…”

  Seraphine stared directly into Eris’s eyes, holding her fingers up that she used for counting the parts of cooking.

  Seraphine: “...love.”

  Eris: “Love? Cooking with love, I guess it's important, huh?”

  Eris had rarely ever seen Seraphine speaking with anyone since her first day. She usually spends most of her time in the kitchen, storage, or the greenhouse.

  The others did not try to spark much conversation with her. Perhaps they did not like her, but it was more likely that they already knew Seraphine did not want to speak with them.

  It's true that Seraphine seemed to prefer to be alone. Though she spoke of ‘Eris’ fondly, seldom had she interacted with any of the other maids to Eris’s knowledge.

  Aqua was an exception, apparently. Aqua expressed that they were ‘like sisters.’ Though since Eris has been awake, she had not seen evidence of that.

  Still, it was not proof she did not love her comrades. Perhaps this was her way of expressing it.

  Seraphine: “Cooking with love… yeah, it is.”

  Eris: “I’m sure the others appreciate that special ingredient.”

  Seraphine flashed a look of confusion.

  Seraphine: “Ingredient… oh, ah, heheh. Yes, yes, I’m sure.”

  As Seraphine immediately stifled that look, Eris began to panic.

  Had she said something weird? Was that not what she meant?

  Eris: “Uhh…”

  Seraphine: “Anyways, this should be pretty easy. Any of the meats go with any of these vegetables. And you can put whatever herbs on here as long as you don't go overboard, since they don't taste like much.”

  Taking that advice, Eris copied Seraphine’s work, experimenting with different combinations of vegetables, being conservative with the herbs like instructed.

  She wondered how only eight people at the table got through this much food, but every time they ate, almost all of it was gone.

  Eris: “I’m not sure if you get told this a lot, Seraphine… But I really appreciate you.”

  Those words left her lips suddenly, even surprising herself. She was thinking them, but did not know she was actually going to say them.

  Seraphine, who was cooking a pot with her hands, suddenly turned around.

  Seraphine: “Ah, Eris, that’s unexpected…”

  Eris: “You make so much food for us all… and it’s always so good. It’s a task that I feel goes unappreciated.”

  Seraphine: “——”

  Eris: “Lots of the work we do is just cleaning or chores for master Carlos. But you do so much for all of us, don't you?”

  Seraphine: “Eris, don't say stuff like that.”

  Eris: “Eh? S—Sorry if I said something weird, but…”

  Seraphine: “I don't mean for you to take it the wrong way, but I don't really do it for all of you.”

  Eris: “I…”

  Seraphine’s tone had changed. She was no longer putting on a cheery voice which Eris could easily see through. She spoke blankly now.

  Seraphine: “When I cook, it’s mostly because I have to.”

  Eris: “But… love?”

  Seraphine: “You just don't get it, Eris.”

  When she spoke Eris’s name, it was foreign on her tongue. Seraphine was facing the other way from her, hiding her cerulean eyes.

  Eris: “Then I want you to explain it to me, Seraphine.”

  Seraphine: “——”

  Eris: “If… you want to.”

  She tried to be firm, but could not.

  Seraphine took a deep breath, the silence icy between the two.

  Seraphine: “I love cooking, you know? I love it more than most things.”

  Eris: “——”

  Seraphine: “What makes it better is if you cook with the people you love, for the people you love.”

  Eris: “——”

  Seraphine: “Mama and Papa didn't want my cooking. Tanzi left me, too… Even those guys in armor.”

  Eris: “Seraphine?”

  Her voice was still in the same, blank tone.

  Seraphine: “It’s not like Carlos hired me for my cooking. Aqua seems so distracted lately… And you, Eris…”

  Eris: “I’m…”

  She knew what Seraphine was going to say next. That she left her too.

  She felt hopeless, trapped in an iron cube of Seraphine’s feelings.

  She was not ‘Eris.’ She had no idea who that was. How did she talk? How did she work? What did she find funny? What did she want, her hopes, her dreams, she did not know. So how could Seraphine say it was her?

  She knew it was stupid to think this way. After all, they shared the same body and existence.

  Seraphine: “You betrayed me, too.”

  Eris: “No! That’s—!”

  She stopped herself. Again, words were leaving her before she could even finish the thought.

  Seraphine: “I’m sorry, Eris…”

  Suddenly, her tone changed again. Saddened, defeated.

  Leaving behind the meal she was dressing, Eris shifted over to Seraphine. Placing her hands on her shoulders, she tried to look into her aqua eyes.

  Seraphine: “Aqua told me that… you didn't want to be ‘Eris’ anymore.”

  Eris: “That's…”

  Not quite the way she would put it, but she could not think of a better way right now.

  Seraphine: “I should have been more loyal to your feelings, even though…”

  Eris: “It’s okay, Seraphine… I’m just being selfish, okay?”

  Seraphine shook her head.

  Seraphine: “Even though I know how you feel, I…”

  Eris’s hands slid off her shoulders, staring into her scarlet hair.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Seraphine could not betray ‘Eris,’ whom she loved dearly. They were the ‘best cooks ever.’

  Seraphine was the one who stayed at her bedside while she was unconscious, while Eris usurped ‘Eris.’

  Seraphine was the one who begged ‘Eris’ to come back. Who wished for it every day.

  Seraphine who still cooked for her, even though an imposter ate it in her stead.

  Seraphine who would stay loyal to ‘Eris,’ even when learning Eris proclaimed she was not her.

  Eris: “I’m sorry, Seraphine…”

  She racked her brain for something else to say. Something profound, something comforting, something inspiring. But that was all she had.

  ???: “My, what did I walk into?”

  Mercifully, a sweet, drawled voice interrupted the two.

  Both of them turned to face the source of the voice, a girl with flowing blue hair like rain and crimson eyes.

  Eris: “Aqua…”

  She said that name with relief, the tension flowing off her like water after finally emerging from the depths of the ocean.

  Aqua: “Oh no, I ain't good at stuff like this… Seraphine, how ‘bout I help instead? No offense to ya, Eris, or anythang.”

  Whatever Aqua claimed to be inept at, it seemed she was great at interrupting tough interactions like these.

  Though, part of Eris knew that this was not for the best. She needed to have that conversation with Seraphine. She needed to finish it.

  Eris: “It’s fine, I didn't take it like that.”

  Receiving a smile from Aqua, Eris slipped out of the kitchen, feeling like her insides had been sucked out.

  She leaned against the door, gathering her breath.

  Her mind, though, was much less easier to put in order. A nebula of thoughts and feelings, born from the supernova of the past week.

  ???: “Eris, if you are planning on simply standing there, you are letting down your comrades.”

  Eris had grown accustomed to that sharp voice and its sharp words, especially over the course of today.

  Speaking with Aqua and Petra about leaving for Velna that morning felt like it was weeks ago.

  Eris: “Sorry, I was just…”

  She knew whatever excuse she could come up with would not be sufficient for Caelia, so she dropped it.

  The silver haired maid pulled on Eris’s sleeve towards the door.

  Eris: “Eh, what are you doing Caelia?”

  Caelia: “I’m fetching Carlos, can’t you tell?”

  Eris: “You’re taking me along?”

  The taller maid briefly closed her eyes, scrunching her nose.

  Caelia: “That is why I am pulling you, yes.”

  Eris: “I was just surprised that you wanted me to come.”

  Taking Eris out of the kitchen and into the hall, Caelia finally released her arm.

  Caelia: “Do not be foolish, I’m only bringing you because I want to observe you.”

  They walked side by side as Caelia spoke her condescending words.

  Eris: “Observe me… I guess, I am a new hire.”

  Caelia, again, seemed disappointed. She rubbed the bridge of her eyes with her index and thumb.

  Caelia: “You spoke with Mirra earlier, did you not?”

  Eris: “——”

  Eris suddenly felt the cold feeling of paranoia wash over her.

  She had not seen Caelia since returning to the manor until now. Had she really been hiding from Eris, stalking her?

  If that was true, how long— how often, did she do so?

  Goosebumps ran up her arms and neck.

  Caelia: “Speak. Not doing so makes you seem like you have something to hide.”

  Eris: “I did speak to her, yes.”

  Caelia let out a long breath, her cream eyes locked ahead of her.

  Caelia: “Right… Something tells me that Carlos was one of your topics of discussion.”

  Eris: “Well, that’s true… but I didn't go up to her to speak about him or anything. She brought him up, and seemed rather fond of him.”

  Caelia: “But you were the one to approach her, so why is that?”

  Eris did not like how Caelia spoke to her. A poorly disguised interrogation. In fact, there was no disguise at all.

  Eris: “She’s my coworker, I figured I should get to know her. I don't see why that would be an issue.”

  Eris left out the part that she was probably influenced by her rune, but it did not seem like Caelia cared about that much anyway.

  Caelia: “Mirra will tell you many things about him… She probably speaks about me and Aqua as well.”

  Eris: “——”

  Caelia: “Regardless, I won't tell you not to speak with her.”

  Eris: “That's…”

  —The bare minimum, was what she was going to say. But she refrained. She debated if she would obey Caelia if she actually did ask her that.

  Caelia: “Actually, it’s quite useful. So, fraternize all you like.”

  Eris often found Caelia to be contradictory, and her words to be nonsensical. She wondered if Caelia even knew exactly what she was saying. What she was fighting against.

  Eris: “Is it true what Mirra said? That you do not trust Carlos?”

  Caelia: “Even if it was, what is it to you?”

  Eris: “You seem to think I’m a part of whatever battle you’re fighting, but I don't even know what the war is about.”

  Caelia: “Right, that is a likely story.”

  Eris: “——”

  Caelia: “If I told you it was true, what would it change?”

  Eris: “Mirra told me that he ‘saved’ her, and you, and all of us.”

  Caelia: “And you say that you are not picking sides. Please, do not try to play me like so. I see through you, Eris.”

  Eris: “That's… not my intention. Whatever you see inside of me, don't misinterpret it.”

  Caelia: “Even if it was true that Carlos ‘saved’ us, that does not obligate me to trust him, or serve him any loyalties.”

  Eris thought back on what Mirra said.

  Mirra: “...But I did agree with his terms that I’ll use my magic for whatever he asks for.”

  Eris agreed that, even if Carlos was the most benevolent man alive, that deal was still quite shady.

  Eris also was not aware of the specifics on how he saved anybody. And it was likely that Mirra’s point of view had at least some bias.

  With those pieces in place, Eris could not come up with her own conclusion.

  She was still missing information, particularly on the nature of Carlos. How he ‘saved’ Caelia, and what trust meant to her.

  Eris: “You’re still leaving me in the dark. If you dislike my neutrality, then explain what you mean to me.”

  Caelia: “Your neutrality is not what I dislike about you, Eris. How could I hate something that doesn't exist?

  Eris: “——”

  Eris was rendered speechless by that statement. It seemed to her that Caelia was claiming Eris already had chosen a side.

  —That Caelia was denying the only identity Eris could cling to; a neutral, know-nothing nobody.

  Caelia: “Even if I was planning on explaining everything to you, there is a time and place for that.”

  Indeed, this was a public conversation all things considered. Though they were alone, they were together in the hallway of the manor. In these long, marble corridors, sound traveled far.

  Caelia: “But I will tell you; Carlos has done nothing to earn my trust. It was not as if he ‘saved me.’ Rather, he provided me with an opportunity. If he deserved my loyalty, he would have protected what he promised.”

  Eris: “Caelia, I…”

  Caelia spoke that last sentence painfully. Though cryptic, she understood at least a bit more of how Caelia felt.

  Protection. Was that what loyalty was to her?

  Even if that was the case, she seemed to betray her own values. She threatened Eris multiple times, and withheld what seemed like important information.

  She could not blame her hostilities and mistrust, but she could blame the results of them.

  They both reached the door of Carlos’s office. Even with it closed, the cold air from behind it seeped between the cracks, chilling Eris through her uniform.

  Caelia: “I don't wish to speak about this anymore.”

  Saying that, Caelia opened the door and let the cold hug them.

  The warm light from the hallway poured into the dark room. The only illumination inside was the flickering candle on the desk in the center of the room. Behind it, a man in black clothes. Wearing black amongst the darkness, only his face was illuminated. A ghostly, slender mark in the inky darkness, adorned by golden jewels as eyes.

  Caelia: “Master Carlos, dinner is almost prepared. If you would like to accompany us, food will be ready by the time you’re there.”

  Caelia’s voice suddenly softened as she addressed Carlos. As if she was an entirely different person, she even bowed before him.

  Carlos: “Ahh, my lovely servants! I will say, seeing you two together was not what I expected when that door opened!”

  Caelia raised from her bow as Eris bowed herself. Though, they both stayed silent.

  Carlos: “You two could be twins, you know? Ahh, maybe it is just the hair that makes me say that~.”

  Caelia and Eris shared a rare glance, though the way Caelia looked at Eris told her that it was not out of mutual understanding.

  Carlos: “I fear I have made it awkward…”

  Indeed, it was silent. Though, it would have been awkward even if Carlos had said anything else.

  Carlos: “Well, lead the way, dear Caelia, dear Eris!”

  The face amongst the darkness rose. Caelia gave a brief smile, and turned out of the room.

  The Maids of

  Count Schwartzhardt's Manor

  Carlos: “I wonder~, dear Caelia, if there was a specific reason you brought Eris along?”

  Eris had wondered that at first, too. Caelia said that it was to ‘observe her,’ which was probably true. Though it was an enigmatic goal, and something told Eris it was not the only reason.

  Caelia: “There wasn't a special reason, Master Carlos. She was just the closest to me at the time, you see?”

  Caelia’s polite voice and manner of speaking seemed so foreign that Eris wondered if Caelia, too, was possessed by an amnesiac spirit.

  Carlos: “Ohoh~, I see. Always the pragmatic one, aren't you, Caelia? Though I wonder how deep it goes!”

  Caelia: “I’m afraid I don't quite understand what you mean by that, Master Carlos.”

  Caelia asked with a gentle smile, hiding nothing but disdain.

  Eris had remained quiet since collecting Carlos. She feared that anything she said around Carlos, Caelia would use as incriminating evidence.

  Carlos apparently took notice of her silence, while simultaneously forgetting about what Caelia had just said.

  Carlos: “I enjoyed our conversation the other day, dear Eris! Our deal is enticing, at least, is it not~?”

  Eris’s heart suddenly dropped.

  Caelia already was suspicious of Carlos and Eris’s interactions, but now it seemed unavoidable. The way Carlos worded it, so tone-deaf to the current tensions in his own manor, Eris could not even think of a way to reply fast enough.

  Caelia: “Deal…”

  She muttered to herself.

  Eris: “Ah— uhh…”

  Carlos: “Oh, I've said something that sparked something I didn't intend… Well, then I’ll just leave it at that.”

  Eris: “I still haven't decided! It’s not like I’ve chosen a side, o-or anything!”

  Though she spoke to Carlos physically, her words were meant for Caelia’s ears. Of course, Caelia had already closed off any opportunity for Eris to appeal to her. Her gaze at Eris was a mix of disappointment, disgust, and comprehension, as if she comprehended anything.

  Carlos: “Ah, I get it~... of course! It is as you say, Eris, I’m still waiting on your answer.”

  Technically the truth, his words only seemed to make it worse.

  Before she could say anything more, they had already returned to the dining hall door.

  Her heart felt like it had left her body, and the blood had drained from everywhere but her forehead.

  She could barely breathe, the air shaking when it did.

  All of this, and she could barely understand why.

  Her hands were shaking, and her mind could barely settle on anything.

  It was not like she was in danger, yet her body sent her into fight-or-flight.

  Eris: “A-Actually, I’m going to… stay out here for a moment, and… clear my head, if that's okay?”

  She knew that saying this and doing so would only increase Caelia’s suspicions, but in her state, she felt like she could not rejoin society.

  Carlos: “Of course~ dear Eris! Take as long as you need~…”

  Caelia remained silent, opening the door for Carlos. He tipped his feathered hat, and entered the dining hall.

  Caelia followed him in, and immediately, Aqua joined her side. Watching them speak, Eris gently shut the door and slid down the wall, clutching her chest.

  She raised her head towards the ceiling, the back of her head pressing against the marble wall.

  Her breaths came out shaking and unsteady. Even breathing deeply, she felt like her lungs were not taking in the oxygen.

  She extended her hand, watching it tremble.

  This panic came on suddenly. Carlos’s poorly chosen words, the way Caelia looked at her…

  Even her conversation with Seraphine earlier. Even the search for Rory and the confrontation with the demon-beast, they all began to hit her at once.

  The day had felt so long.

  She let out another breath, but she was still shaking.

  Everything that she had pushed aside earlier that day for the sake of finding Rory came rushing back at that moment as well.

  She had no identity to hold on to. Trying to find one only gave her a crushing, black feeling of guilt for ‘Eris’ and the ones who were loyal for her return.

  Why had she awoken in ‘Eris’s’ body that day, what curse she had been placed under?

  Her chest felt empty, the air being sucked out once again.

  She was terrified. So much was happening around her, and she knew no little. She was unprepared, oblivious yet somehow in the center of it.

  Everyone’s faces, the way they looked at her. They were agonizing. The guilt, the fear, the sadness. Paranoid of every action she took— would they hurt the others?

  She just felt so tired.

  But more than that, she felt pathetic. A sense of gray loathing that made her bite her lip and her vision double.

  Suddenly, she could hear the muffled sounds of the dining hall suddenly grow clear as the door opened beside her. Sitting on the floor as she turned her head, Eris only saw the lower half of a maid dress and the maid’s stockings.

  The door shut again, mercifully muffling those overwhelming noises.

  ???: “Eris, are ya alright?”

  That voice was familiar, and her funny way of speaking had conditioned Eris to feel calmer when she heard it.

  Eris: “Aqua…”

  Eris said her name with relief, her breath steadying.

  Aqua squatted down beside her, sitting on her calves.

  Aqua: “My, y’don't look too good. You’re all pale. Did ya get sick? I told ya I can't heal sicknesses.”

  Indeed, as she reached up and touched her face, it felt cold.

  She shook her head, even though she felt nausea creeping into her throat.

  As Aqua shifted into a more steady position on her knees, Eris could only stare at her.

  Eris: “I’m sorry, I don't know what came over me… You shouldn't… worry about me, Aqua.”

  Trying to smile, she could feel her lips quivering.

  Her face, which felt cold a moment ago, suddenly flushed with warmth. Shame was the cause of it. She was so pathetic. A bit of pressure, and she collapsed into a mess and panicked. One look from Caelia, and she suddenly started to shake.

  Still, Aqua smiled at her with a warm, cozy look. Her red eyes felt like a blanket around her, earplugs against the noise.

  Aqua: “It’s been hard though, hasn't it?”

  Eris: “Hk~...”

  For the second time, Eris began to cry before Aqua. Hot tears streaming down her cheeks like rain without warning. They dripped onto her blouse, staining it dark.

  Aqua was still smiling as her visage blurred over from the salty tears.

  Blinded by her own shamefulness, she felt her face being pulled down.

  Anticipating her head crashing into the floor, yet refraining from bracing herself anyways, she suddenly hit a soft pillow.

  Her face was captured by that soft warmth. Something wrapped around the back of her head so that she could not lift her head even if she wanted to. She had no plans to do so anyway.

  With her face in this strange warmth, she felt her tears soak into the fabric she was enveloped in.

  As a soft hand began to run through her white hair, Eris understood that the strange pillow she was lying in was Aqua.

  Eris: “A-q-u-a…”

  She could barely enunciate the syllables of her name, partly due to her state, but partly because her mouth was pressed against her.

  Aqua: “It’s okay to not feel okay, Eris. I’m not worried ‘boutcha ‘cause I want ya to be strong all the time…”

  Eris: “——”

  Aqua: “I’m worried ‘cause I know you’re hurtin’.”

  Her tears would not stop, even though they burnt her eyes and soaked Aqua’s uniform.

  Eris: “B—But, I'm being pathetic… I— I don't even know why I’m feeling like this…”

  Aqua continued to stroke Eris’s hair, letting her speak into her chest.

  Eris: “Nothing painful even happened, so… so…”

  Eris understood that the pain she felt did not make sense. Compared to anyone, her strife seemed trivial. That is what she told herself.

  Aqua: “But it still hurts, don't it?”

  Eris shuddered into Aqua's chest, her hands gripping at her apron absent-mindedly.

  Eris: “But you shouldn't… hk~ worry about me… when I’m being so stupid…”

  Aqua: “Y’know Eris, you’re still family to me. I’d do anythang for my family. All the maids are my family. I don't really care if it’s the stupidest or the smartest thang. I’d do anything to keep them safe, y’know?”

  Eris: “Safe…”

  Indeed, Eris felt the safest she had ever felt here in Aqua’s arms.

  Perhaps Aqua's loyalty was just that.

  If Eris could selfishly reap even a bit of that loyalty, that was what she wanted.

  Eris: “I think I found it…”

  Aqua: “Hm?”

  Still stroking Eris’s flowing white hair, even Aqua’s gentle voice felt like a shield.

  Eris: “Thank you, Aqua…”

  Her tears still did not stop falling, but unlike rain, they felt good on her skin now.

  So, Eris let herself cry for a bit into Aqua’s chest, and Aqua stayed loyal to her, and let her sob for as long as she wanted.