A Journey Unwanted

The mansion's exterior was characterized by its towering structure, imposing presence, and intricate architectural details. It featured tall stone walls with grandiose windows adorned with stained glass. The entrance was marked by a massive wooden door, intricately carved with mythical creatures and symbols of wealth. Lush, well-manicured gardens surround the mansion, displaying various forms of flora and fauna. Turrets rise from different corners, adding to its architectural splendor, while a steep, slate roof with decorative gables completes the regal appearance.

("About as big as the Achenbach estate") Mikoto mused as he studied the large mansion behind the gates. He had decided to escort Gwendolyn home—not really because the brat princess asked him to, though. It was getting late, and he did not have much to do anyhow.

"So this is your place?" Mikoto asked as he took in the mansion.

"Y-yeah." The blonde girl to his side merely answered shakingly. She was still nervous, no doubt, thanks to the mask. It really did make him look untrustworthy; it was really annoying if he were being honest. Unfortunately, he would just have to live with that annoyance, as removing the mask would cause him more problems.

"But say I've been meaning to ask; you look a lot like a girl named Victoria. You related by any chance?" It has been a question that has been bugging him for awhile now. Gwendolyn looked like a spitting image of Victoria, obviously just smaller.

"You know, sis?" She asked as her expression slightly lit up.

"Yeah, I also happen to attend Luminare Academy." He confirmed. "I talked with your sister a couple of times; she even helped me out with something once."

"Really?" She questioned with admiration in her eyes; she seemed to want to inquire more about his words, but suddenly the large gate before them automatically opened themselves. Once they fully opened themselves, they revealed the mansion beyond, as well as another person approaching them.

It was an old man, he noted, with gray hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He was outfitted in a full butler uniform as well.

("This place has butlers, huh? Unlike Fiona's place.") He noted as the gentleman came to a stop in front of them.

"Mistress Gwendolyn, you've finally returned. Your mother was worried," he said as he gave her a small bow, though before throwing him a suspicious glance. Of course, he expected one.

"S-sorry Alfred. I was busy play-conversing with Princess Valerie," she quickly clarified with a slight stutter.

"I see; your mother will understand, Lady Gwendolyn." He was reassured with a smile before said smile was promptly dropped as soon as he glanced at Mikoto. "But I must ask who your new...erm, friend is?" he questioned, giving him a once-over.

"O-oh! This is Mikoto." She quickly introduced him as she gestured to him. "He helped me in the park earlier, and he goes to Luminare Academy!" She exclaimed the last bit too excitedly.

"Oh, is that so?" The butler murmured. "Well, I am not one to let a good deed go without repayment. Say, sir, would you like to come in for tea?" Alfred asked.

"I wouldn't want to intrude." Mikoto answered.

"Nonsense, you helped Lady Gwendolyn, if her words are to be believed." He stated. "And beside, Lady Annabeth will be most pleased to learn that her daughter has made another friend."

"Alfred.." Gwendolyn seemed to be on the verge of whining, but Mikoto just shrugged. A cup of tea would not hurt.

"Alright then, if you insist." Mikoto said as he received a smile from the older man.

"Brilliant, this way." Alfred gestured for him to follow, and then the three ventured through the mansion courtyard and into the mansion itself. It was as vast and extravagant on the inside.

He was led to a rather large and very extravagant living room.

The living room was intricately decorated with opulent details. The walls were adorned with rich, tapestry-style wallpaper featuring elaborate patterns and scenes of knights in battle. Towering bookshelves lined the room, filled with leather-bound volumes and ancient artifacts. A colossal stone fireplace silently guarded the space, its mantle adorned with decorative weapons and knightly helmets.

Illuminated by ornate chandeliers suspended from the high, vaulted ceiling, the room boasts plush velvet sofas and chairs adorned with gold trim. Enormous stained glass windows showcase the heraldic symbols of the noble family that once resided in the mansion, casting a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors across the room when the sun shines through.

"If you would take a seat, I will be with you in a moment." Alfred said as he gestured to one of the plump chairs. Mikoto gave the man a nod before taking a seat on one of the chairs. A seemingly less shy Gwendolyn took a seat on a chair across from him as Alfred disappeared off somewhere.

"Pretty extravagant place you got here." Mikoto commented with an impressed whistle.

"Yeah, my father is one of the dukes. Hence the mansion." She clarified. "B-but I wanted to ask you something." She uttered it hesitantly.

"Shoot."

"Uhm....that mask." She briefly contemplated whether she should ask her question, but eventually she managed to steel herself. "Why...why do you wear it?" Of course, her curiosity was always prioritized over the mask she had identified as a magical object. Being a spawn of the god Almeric, like her mother and sister, made it easier to spot such things.

"It's no big deal, really; I just don't like my face. Is all." He answered casually. Of course, there was some truth to his words. He did not, in fact, like this face; it was uncomfortable to think that this was how he looked liked. He would have no problem removing his mask, but he would rather not stare at his own face if possible. It was just eerie; he had his original face for fifteen years, and suddenly it changed. He was grateful for the mask in actuality, if he were being honest. Regardless of the problems it brought,

"O-oh, that is unfortunate." Gwendolyn could only murmur out with a bit of shame in her tone. She felt as though she had touched upon a rather sore subject for the young man.

"Hey, it really isn't that big a deal." He clarified again upon taking note of her expression. "So don't feel bad for asking."

"I-I see." The conversation seemed to be going to die there, despite Gwendolyn clearly wanting to ask something else. However, luckily Alfred showed up, swiftly entering the living room with a silver tray balanced on one hand. On said tray was a pot of tea, along with three cups and a plate of cookies.

He sat the tray on the table in the center of the room before filling each cup with tea. Just as Mikoto was about to question who the third cup was for, said question was immediately answered.

"My, my. It truly is you, Mikoto." He heard a rather familiar voice speak. Turning to the source, he was greeted by a smiling Victoria clad in a blue dress adorned with gold. "This is quite the surprise, I admit."

"Sis!" Gwendolyn rather uncharacteristically exclaimed as she all but ran towards her sister. The two briefly embraced each other in a heartwarming embrace.

"Tis good to see you, Gwen." Victoria said it with a genuine smile gracing her features. Contrary to the smug and almost condescending smirk that usually sat on her lips,

"I thought you still had business to attend to." Gwendolyn stated this as she let go of her sister. Happiness was practically radiating off of the small girl.

"I thought to wrap up my business so I could see you and mother." Victoria claimed as the two sisters took their seats on the sofas. It was kind of eerie how similar the two looked to each other.

"Nonetheless, it is good to see you, milady." Alfred stated with a bow. "However, your father is absent at this moment. He was to venture to Vel'ryr for some business." He quickly explained, but Victoria merely waved him off.

"I care not of my father; how is my mother?" She questioned as she reached towards the table, taking her cup. She took a brief sip before she sat the cup back on the table.

"She is still rather ill; I fear it has grown worse." He hesitantly admitted it as a frown graced Victoria and Gwendolyn's faces.

"Uh, should I give you guys some privacy?" Mikoto felt as though he should not be hearing all of this. He was just an outsider who was invited for tea; after all, the matter they were going to be discussing seemed quite sensitive.

"Oh, do not worry yourself, Mikoto, dear." Victoria merely said with a small smile. "Let us enjoy this moment of respite."

"Right..."

"So how did the two of you come to meet?" Victoria asked curiously.

"I met her in the park; she injured her knee, and I healed her." He swiftly explained.

"Tsk, tsk, Gwendolyn. What did I say about playing so rough?" Victoria playfully chastised with a smirk directed at a now embarrassed-looking Gwendolyn.

"I wasn't playing rough! Honest!" Gwendolyn quickly defended. "I-I just fell, is all." She mumbled afterwards.

"Come now, Gwendolyn; there's no need for shame. You are still a child." Victoria teased.

"I-I am not a child!" Gwendolyn was quick to deny the fact, but upon noticing how much she had been raising her voice, she shrank as her face burned bright red.

"Oh, it's just a bit of tomfoolery." Victoria stated with a smile at her thoroughly embarrassed sister, who could just glare at her. "But I apologize, Mikoto; we've been neglecting you." Mikoto just waved her words off.

"Eh, don't worry about it. It's nice seeing two sisters bond." Mikoto said, it was a genuinely heartwarming sight.

"Oh? I must say that I am curious as to whether such a mysterious individual as yourself has any siblings." Victoria's words merely elected a raised brow from the masked boy.

"Mysterious?" Mikoto questioned.

"Well, that is how most on campus refer to you, 'the mysterious masked boy'." She quoted with her ever-present smile as Mikoto heaved a sigh.

("It will all blow over eventually. Some masked kid will hardly be interesting for long.") He mentally reasoned.

"Ignoring that, I'll just answer your question. I do have a sister back home." He confirmed.

"Oh? What is her name, if I might ask?" Victoria asked, and Mikoto saw no reason to deny her an answer. "

"It's Hinata." He answered.

"I-It's a lovely name." Gwendolyn said as he mouthed her a quiet thanks.

"You hail from the East, correct?" Victoria suddenly asked. Many assumed the same upon hearing his name; of course, he had done his research on what lies further east. There was a country called Doma that was reminiscent of Japanese culture. So it was a simple process of just saying he was from there, just like he was about to do now.

"Yeah, I am." He confirmed.

"Fantastic." Victoria blurted out much of his confusion. "Oh, pardon me, I am just interested in what lies in the east. But this is a conversation that would bore others, I'm afraid." She said, glancing at Gwendolyn and Alfred, who Mikoto forgot was still here. "Alfred, would you mind tending to my mother? And Gwen, why don't you go to your room and play?"

"But I want to talk too!" Gwendolyn protested.

"I'll buy you your favorite treat~" Victoria bargained in a singsong tone.

"R-really?"

"Yep."

"Then it's a deal!" Gwendolyn rather enthusiastically exclaimed as she all but bolted out of the living room, not before giving him a small wave.

"Alfred." Upon his name being uttered by Victoria, the butler merely gave a last small bow before he too existed, swiftly leaving the two on their own.

("Odd.") Mikoto could not help but think. Was privacy to this extent truly necessary? Mikoto felt a strange sense of foreboding as Victoria clasped both her hands together.

"I shall cut to the chase, Mikoto." She started, and her words, of course, immediately confused the boy. "I know it was you who unleashed that spell within the forest."

("Shit")