The Saintess and the Villainess

Chapter 38

Corvina led Anne up the stairs and into a small drawing room, where she closed the door behind them. It was dark, but Corvina moved quickly to light a few of the oil lamps set up around the room.

While she worked, Anne stood by the doorway awkwardly. "Are Belle and Collette really gonna be okay?"

It took a moment for Corvina to respond. "We're a group that came together out of shared interest, rather than compatible personalities," said Corvina. "A bit of friction every now and then is fairly inevitable. But deep down, those two do like each other. They'll get past their differences, just like they always do."

The lamps lit, Corvina sat down on the sofa, patting the spot next to her for Anne to sit down.

As Anne sat, she was highly aware of just how close she was to Corvina. Alone in this secluded room. With such atmospheric lighting from the lamps. She could feel her heart beating faster in her chest.

"Um, I'm sorry if I was too pushy last time," said Anne. "It's okay if you don't know what you want right away. And if you're willing to be my ally, of course I want your help. It was just the whole 'pledge' thing that I felt a bit weird about..."

Corvina shook her head. "No, I'm sorry, I said some rude things to you as well. I was just... surprised by your response."

"No, that's okay," said Anne.

Corvina turned her head away. "I want to tell you a story, Saintess... Anne. Very few people in the Empire know this story, but I think... it might go some way towards explaining why I'm having a difficult time with the notion of... living for myself. Will you listen?"

"Of course," said Anne.

Corvina was silent for a moment. When she finally spoke again, she was staring off into the middle distance, the flickering lamplight reflecting in her eyes, her expression unreadable. "When I was younger I used to spend a lot more time at the palace—"

A younger Corvina, about 10 years-old, ran, laughing, through the palace gardens. She ducked behind a statue of an old Emperor and stayed there, keeping quiet and still.

Just when she was starting to get bored, an 11 year-old Sebastian stuck his head around the statue and pointed. "Ha, found you!"

"Took you long enough," said Corvina. "Did you find Robert already?"

Sebastian shook his head. They kept searching through the gardens together, checking every possible hiding place, even crawling into bushes and climbing up trees, but they didn't have any luck.

Half an hour later, grumpy, messy, and exhausted, they returned to the gazebo where their tutor was waiting for them with tea.

Robert Marshal, the young son of the Grand Duke, also 11 years-old, was already sitting at the table, calmly sipping his tea while reading a book.

Their tutor was standing by the table, pouring more tea. Viscountess Alodie Lintone was a woman in her late-30s. She had mousy brown hair kept in a neat bun and a gently lined face. She wore fine, but simple clothing. Her overall image was one of refined dignity, with perhaps just a touch too much kindness for a Wyernwolf noble.

"Marshal!" shouted Sebastian, pointing and gawping at him. "Where were you? We looked everywhere for you!"

"I was here," said the future Duke, turning a page in his book.

"Oh dear, look at the two of you," said Viscountess Lintone, running over to fuss over the two royal children, pulling leaves out of their hair and straightening their clothing. "What would your father say if he saw you like this?"