Elysia in Another World

Chapter 18 - Maya Rosenwald

<Elysia: Elise Aindrea>

*****

I have a petname now. Or I suppose I regained my petname.

While Lanti and Aira chatted, I took a glance at the rest of the party. It was then that I noticed Helena talking to a pair of wolfgirls. I couldn't tell what they were talking about over all the chatter, but her head was down.

"Excuse me," I said to my friends. "I'll be back in a moment." I walked over to them. They noticed me coming and stopped talking. "Hello, Helena. Is everything okay?"

"She's okay," one of the wolfgirls said. "She was just telling us about your duel earlier, Lady Elise." The second wolfgirl nodded.

"Is that right?" I placed a hand on Helena's shoulder and tried reading her mind.

"Yes. I'm okay, Lady Elise."

"Even now, she came over here worried about me. Am I really that obvious? Do I look that dejected right now? I know I have plenty of reason to, but I thought I was hiding it well enough."

Hmm...

"She is strong enough to match me with the sword. Maybe even stronger than that. I feel like she held back to have a better match. She was considerate of that. And just a few minutes ago, she defended Lady Maya without a second thought. Rumors are going around about a scene this morning. They say she admitted to being bi. I'm getting ahead of myself. I don't even know what this feeling is. Am I really infatuated with her this fast? No, it doesn't matter. Even if that's the case, and she likes me that way... my family will never allow it. I'm already arranged to marry into another ducal house in Weltwald. The thought of marrying a man is terrifying. The thought of not getting to pick my future... not being allowed to fall in love on my own accord... I have to keep my expression together. Come on, Helena, you've made it this far without looking pathetic."

I stopped reading her mind. If she's really infatuated with me, it wouldn't be right to read her thoughts again. I don't know her well enough to have any real opinions. I want to be her friend out of a shared interest in swordplay. Would it even be right? If her feelings develop further, it will only hurt her down the road... but I already feel compelled to help her. I despise the very concept of arranged marriage, and it seems she's going to be miserable marrying a man. I shouldn't make assumptions, but if she's interested in me and afraid of marrying a man...

I mentally sighed. "So long as you're okay. I was worried you were being talked down at," I glanced at the two wolfgirls and smiled, "but it seems the truth is the opposite."

The first girl nodded, "I'm Celine Dietlinde, and my twin sister here is-"

"Christine Dietlinde. Our family is a retainer to the Rosenfeld house, and we're childhood friends with Lena. Excuse me, Helena."

"It's nice to meet you," I replied. "I'm Elise Aindrea. You called Helena 'Lena'?" I smiled at Helena. "That's a very pretty petname. I just gained my first petname only moments ago. Maya just coined 'Eli' for me. The three of you may address me with my name, petname, with a title, whatever you want. I don't mind."

A smile broke on Helena's face. "Thank you for the compliment, Lady Elise."

She's going with title still, eh? Maybe she'll work her way up. I want to help her, but I need her to open up about the arranged marriage on her own. I shouldn't mention it first, or she might get suspicious and not let me help. I probably shouldn't even mention relationships in front of her.

"Of course! Would you three like to join us over there? I'm sure Maya and Their Highnesses would be delighted to meet you. Well Helena has already met Maya, but the others?"