Little Witch Academia: The Ashen Knight (LWA x Dark Souls)

The Cavendishes

Remaining in my current form, I stayed within Akko's pocket as we exited the limo. Immediately after, we're greeted by several maids and butlers before escorted inside. It was a grand main hall adorned with a large crystal chandelier dangling from the ceiling.

The walls and stairs were highlighted with a gorgeous combination of goldish-white and red painting and carpet, easily putting the infamous Lothric Castle to shame. Perhaps an unfair comparison. This place wasn't befallen by war and death like the latter.

"Ahh, Mr. Hanbridge! You've arrived just on time. And I see you've brought...a guest..." The voice of a woman said, arriving down the stairs in front of us. She seemed to be middle-aged, sharing the same hair color as Diana but stylized with a short ponytail that ran behind her neck. She wore a formal mint green dress suit with a yellow tie and white dress shirt underneath.

At both sides of her were two other women who shared nearly the same hair style, wavy with the front of it drifting off to the side. They wore dresses and scarves that were colored opposite to each other along with some white gloves. They were practically identical too; thus, it was easy to deduce that they were twins.

All three reeked with an air of suffocating nobility, their posh voices singing praise despite it all being a front. And once they set their eyes on us, or more specifically Akko, skeptical expressions formed on their faces. "And who is this girl? We never invited someone like you here!"

"My name is Atsuko Kagari, but you can just call me Akko! I'm an aspiring witch from Luna Nova!" Akko's reply only garnered even more disgusted looks by the trio of Cavendishes.

"Ugh, that poor excuse of a school?" One of the twins asked with clear disdain.

"I doubt you even come from a family of witches!" The other twin followed up, accusing a now nervous brunette.

"Well...no..." Akko's timid response now earned the trio's full ire, but just before they could say anything further, a more familiar voice spoke up in Akko's defense. Diana herself.

"That's enough, Maril and Merrill. Akko here is more than capable of achieving her status as a witch, regardless of her upbringing. And Daryl, since Akko here is a guest of mine, I expect you to treat her with the same respect as our other guests. She will be staying here with us." Diana's firm tone successfully defused the tension, with the twins grumbling under their breaths while Daryl huffed softly.

"Very well." Daryl replied, though clearly, she was still against the idea. Diana's gaze turned back at us, her eyes focused on Akko, and then me.

"You can drop the disguise, Ashen One." Nothing ever gets past you, does it? With my cover blown, I climbed out of Akko's pocket and landed on the ground before allowing the magic spell to dissipate. My appearance, naturally, created some audible gasps from the staff while the other Cavendishes were bewildered.

I kept my silence intact for now, as Diana crossed her arms and looked at Akko with an annoyed glare. "Now then, what are you two here for?"

"We're here to bring you back to Luna Nova! You shouldn't have to give up on your dreams just to appease your family!" Akko pleaded, while I simply stood back and allowed her to speak her peace.

"Akko, I've already told you that this doesn't concern you. My decision is final." Diana stated firmly, and the two girls glared at each other with equal resistance to each other's stance on the matter.

"Ahem." Mr. Hanbridge cleared his throat audibly, breaking up the argument for the moment. "If we can get back on track to why we're here..."

"Of course, Mr. Hanbridge. Please, allow our staff to lead you to your rooms. Except you, 'Ashen One'. You're to leave immediately." Daryl gave me a scowl as Maril and Merrill snickered quietly.