Chapter 211: I Will Go Where Tori Goes

Chapter 211: I Will Go Where Tori Goes

A thud was heard behind her, and she looked over her shoulder. Montan had dropped a package in his hands and Ewan was standing behind him with wide eyes and a dropped jaw.

Tori inwardly grimaced. She looked back at Axton. I didnt mean...why are you covering your chest?

Axtons wide gray eyes looked at her with awe as his arms crossed over his broad chest. He shifted his gaze, but didnt lower his arms. No reason.

Go do it in your room, Piers said from the sofa.

Ewan let out a strange squeak and Tori looked back at him and Montan. She narrowed her eyes. Whatever is going in your head, thats not it. She looked back at Axton and restrained the urge to kick his legs. Come on. Get up and go to your room. This wont take long.

Tori... Ewans voice was quiet and he took a hesitant step forward. His eyes flickered from her to Piers and back. What about His Highness?

Tori stared at him with a deadpan expression. Im going to write a blessing charm on Axton. The bigger it is, the stronger and longer lasting.

Relieved looks filled Ewan and Montans faces. The panic and worry that Montan had, which if she were honest was a bit insulting, turned into gratitude and he bowed his head.

Thank you, my lady. He lifted his head and she could see some curiosity in his face. May I watch?

Ewan leaned closer to him and crinkled his eyes. Hey...dont make it weird.

Tori is still practicing this particular style, so it is not suitable to be viewed by others yet, Piers told them.

She threw him a thankful look. At least Piers understood her. Montans shoulders fell, disappointed, but he still gave an understanding nod. He bent down and picked up the package.

Brother, I brought you some dried foods and bread for your trip, he said. He looked at Tori. I bought it from Duel Cafe, my lady. Manager Somerset said he could deduct the cost from my pay.

Tori waved her hand. Dont worry about it. Ill take care of it.

Montan shook his head. No, my lady. I want to give this to my brother using my own money.

Axton drew on his lips and bit them, looking at both Montan and Tori with thoughtful expressions. He turned his head towards Piers. Do you see this? Look how my little brother and sister fight to support me.

Piers kept his eyes on the papers he was reading and shifted through them with an air of nonchalance. I urge you not to brag about devoted siblings when mine stalked me outside a library window for several years starting from when he was four.

Ewan and Tori both drew their heads back with disturbed expressions. Axton snorted, but got up to accept the bundle Montan had prepared for him. After looking through it and praising him for his thoughtfulness, he told Montan to take a seat or help Ewan, who was helping clean armor.

Learning to clean your battle wear is one of the first things you learn at La Garda. Ewan, show him how to do it, Axton said. Im going to have Tori write my blessing charm.

Ewan gave him a small salute and returned to his seat. Montan, eager to help Axton in any way, followed him to watch closely. Tori followed Axton to his bedroom and looked around as she walked through the door.

This was the first time shed been there. Whenever shed gone to Piers flat, shed remained in the living area outside and had never gone into any of their personal rooms.

Does this bedroom have no windows? she asked with a frown. Ilyana liked natural light.

Axton shook his head as he grabbed his desk chair and moved it towards her. No, this is an inner room. Only the rooms across the hall have windows. There is a flat on the other side that mirrors this one that has the same issue with the windows.

Tori pursed her lips and frowned. Is anyone renting that flat right now?

No. Initially, Piers and I were going to get to one side of the building each, but I was concerned about his safety and made him live with me, Axton said with a hint of pride in his voice. Tori could only imagine how annoyed Piers had been. The other side has been remodeled in a similar way, though it will need furniture. Are you interested in renting it?

Piers is letting me rent the entire house when Ilyana and I got to Universit, Tori told him.

Axton cocked his head to the side and furrowed his brows. Thats next fall.

Yes.

...then...we have to move out.

Yes.

Axton frowned. That bastard didnt tell me we had to move out!

Tori rolled her eyes. You dont need to live so close to Universit at this point. Just go live at the Lunar Pavilion. Your apartment will be completed by then and youll be close to the Imperial Palace. Piers will be moving back, so youll need to be in close proximity.

Axton still scowled. He couldve at least told me! He marched to the door and threw it open. Piers! Why didnt you tell me you were forcing me out!

Im not forcing you; were moving back to the palace after we finish Universit. What reason do you have to stay here if youre not going to school?

All my things are here! Axton choked back.

Then move your things. Piers sounded as if it were an obvious action and Axton grit his teeth.

Axton scowled and Tori called his name. Axton, you can deal with that when you get back. If you need help moving-

I wont need help moving. I just didnt plan to move so soon. He grumbled and slammed the door. He grasped the hem of his loose, white shirt and lifted his arms, pulled it up and over his head. He tossed the garment onto the bed and sat down on the chair. And I was hoping hed rent one of the flats below or upstairs to Montan.

He said the last sentence in an annoyed, but mainly disappointed voice. Montan was his only blood relative left and Axton really valued him.

Sit with your front to the seat back. Im going to draw the charm on your back, Tori told him. And he can still do that.

Axton snorted and stood up, flipped the chair around and then sat back down. He crossed his arms over the top of the seat back and leaned forward. Didnt you say that he was going to rent the entire building to you?

Okay, then I will rent one of the spare flats to your brother. What is Piers going to do? Stop me? Besides, Tori said, placating. If Henrik and Albert get accepted into Universit, theyre looking into renting some of the rooms for convenience, anyway.

Have you and Ilyana been accepted? Axton furrowed his brows. Applications for the various academic programs in Universit shouldnt have been open yet. A few particularly talented students around the empire were often approached to enter Universit before they graduated from their secondary school, but that was rare.

All Tori knew was that top students in Lyce were often scouted. Kasen had been invited and so had Piers.

Ilyana already received an invitation for several schools within Universit offering positions in their programs. She is still deciding on what to focus on and will also take the formal assessment test in a few months to establish a ranking. Ilyana didnt want anyone to question her ability when she entered Universit. Tori didnt care about her ranking and didnt plan to take the assessment test, but wanted to support Ilyana, so they were going to take it together. She herself didnt need to take it. I also received a formal invitation to join crystal research and studies.

Master Ramos almost threatened the head of crystals about accepting Tori, though in the end, it was decided that with Toris already established work and research on the matter, they were determined to bring her in.

She looked over Axtons broad back. He had a few scars, but they healed all well and were mostly noticeable unless one looked closely. Overall, it was smooth and muscular, with a rich warm color. She removed her crystal pendant from her neck and adjusted the mem crystal until one point was peeking out from the wire wrap.

Tori thought about the kind of charm she wanted to put on his back and visualized it before she grounded and began. First, it was a large circle, followed by the lines of sacred geometry. Neither of them talked through the entire process. Axton was afraid to break her concentration and Tori didnt want to get distracted and make a mistake.

The protecting charm was important.

Just like Master Balan had told her, the larger the charm, the more effective it would be. That was why many tattoos often covered large portions of a persons body and in some places, warriors were covered in them.

Kasens blessing charm had taken a few minutes at most, and it was quite elaborate for what it was. Axtons took twice as long and was very detailed. She also included Old Sulfae to increase energy control through terra crystal. After all, Axton was going underground and through some caves.

Safety first.

She wiped the thin sheen of sweat off her forehead and stepped back. Axton had flinched a few times, but he didnt complain. Light red marks could be seen against his skin from where the mem crystal scraped over, but it didnt break his skin nor did it seem to hurt.

Overall, Tori was satisfied. All right, youre done, she said. She put her mem crystal back on and fumbled with her bracelet. She took out the terra crystal from its slot. That this with you. If youre trapped or caved in, you can use this to move earth.

Axton looked over his shoulder and down at the crystal resting on Toris palm I dont know how to use crystals.

You know how to ground and activate, dont you? she asked in a stern voice. He nodded. Then ground and activate, then visualize energy while clutching the crystal as a wave of water. Imagine it pushing dirt and stone or shielding you like an umbrella.

Axton was doubtful and gave her a questioning look. Does that work?

Only when you do it right, Tori said. You can practice when you take rests while traveling. If you have questions, call me.

How old were you? Henrik asked. Ilyana gave him a wry smile.

Five months. My uncle tried to take the opportunity to introduce Dad to other women....

Your mother just passed, Henrik said in an annoyed voice. How could he do that?

He claimed that I was so young and needed a mother. I had a nanny and a nursemaid, but nothing replaces a wife. Ilyana sneered. They kept saying that for years until Dad married my last nanny. My mom. Her eyes reddened. It was hard before Mom.

This part Tori knew about.

Ilyana was in a precarious situation immediately after her mother passed. Her father was rich and a widower. He had an infant daughter. There was no shortage of people trying to weasel themselves into their lives, to take advantage of a grieving man and his helpless baby.

It was difficult finding a trustworthy nanny, especially in a low populated place like Gorask. The current Baroness Agafonova had come from a village just outside of Buchenburg after replying to an ad the Baron put out.

Ilyana had at least a dozen nannies before Baroness Agafonova arrived. For various reasons, they were all fired. Sometimes, they had ulterior motives, such as aiming for the Baron. Other times, they were caught stealing.

But most of the time, they had been neglecting or abusing Ilyana.

Baron Agafonov, who loves his daughter more than life, noticed quickly.

Unfit nannies often ignored Ilyana. Her education would be abnormally strict, and shed be hit if she didnt act satisfactorily. If she was taken out to socialize with other local children, which was something her father wanted, as he wanted her to grow up with a respectable social circle, she was ignored or reproached by her peers, their nannies, and even their families because she was new money and had no mother.

To aggravate the situation, Ilyana was a beautiful child. Soft features, rosy cheeks, thick brown locks and big, watery brown eyes. Children jealous of her looks and wealth tormented her to the point where she preferred to stay away from them.

Without a mother present, or even a supportive nanny and maid, others would often tell Ilyana that when her father remarried, shed be left behind and forgotten. They had told her that shed be abandoned.

The truth was far from that, of course, and Ilyana knew that now, but when she was a little girl, hearing how shed be unwanted over and over again while being taunted made her quiet and withdrawn, unable to trust her peers.

It was Baroness Agafonova who appeared and sheltered her, gave her a backer, and showered her with affection that gave Ilyana confidence. Unfortunately, the Baroness was still of common birth and she was also looked down upon by the older wealthy circle in the area. She did her best to protect Ilyana, even confronting those who accused Ilyana, then still a girl, of doing unconscionable things to attract wealthy male heirs.

Other daughters of wealthy families were jealous. Ilyana was pretty, smart, and rich. They couldnt compete with her in those aspects, so they degraded her reputation. By the time Ilyana applied to Lyce, she had stopped going to social gatherings in Gorask altogether.

But she still had some lingering trauma from the hate her face brought her, even going to Lyce.

Ilyana had worked hard to prove she was more than just her face and Tori hated that she had to when Ilyana was so wonderful. Tori's determination to one day visit Gorask and see those jerks who did her best friend dirty increased.

You know, when anyone mentions your name at school, the first thing that comes to mind is first in our class and review master, Henrik said as he crossed his arms over his chest. "The first thing I remember when I heard your name and met you was 'she's the one who came second'."

Ilyana nodded, proud. Thats why I dont want to move back to Gorask. In Gorask, everyone only thinks Im a pretty face with a lot of money, but here, Im smart. Here, Im capable and respected as hardworking.

Do you plan to stay here or Viclya? Henrik said. I thought you wanted to move to Viclya after Universit.

I will go where Tori goes.

Tori plans to travel around the world.

I will go where Tori needs me to go. Ilyana corrected herself. Besides, Viclya is only a days travel from Horizon, and we can do most of our work from Viclya. I like it there; its a bit more relaxed and all the good food is closer together.

Henrik nodded in agreement. Thats true. I also plan to have a permanent resident in Viclya but do work in Horizon.

Tori gave him a curious look. Is that a good idea? Youre an important member of the merchants guild, Henrik. Not to mention all your familys businesses here in the city.

I dont plan to make the move immediately, Henrik said. Youre right; I do need to remain in Horizon for business, but eventually, Id like to also live in Viclya.

Ilyana looked at Tori and nodded. Were not asking for our own island, but perhaps something on the hills on the west shore.

Tori narrowed her eyes. We as in....?

Sonia, JP, Albert, me, Henrik, Ewan.

Ewan is going to be an imperial knight. Hell live in Horizon in the barracks and such, Tori told her.

I mean eventually, such as after he retires, Ilyana said.

Tori looked at them curiously. Are you all just planning to follow me forever?

Yes, its convenient, Henrik replied, unabashed. Tori snorted in defiance. Also, when the delta opens up, my parents also want to buy some property on the west shore to retire.

Theyre going to retire already? Tori furrowed her brows.

Henrik sighed. They might as well be. Im doing most of the work. Also, they think that Annika will be able to live better in Viclya since its a bit slower pace and the environment is good.

How is she doing in the village, by the way? Ilyana asked, leaning forward.

Better, Henrik said with a nod. Different from before, but thats not necessarily a bad thing. Shes a bit more cautious now and definitely not as stubborn as she was before. We talk more now. In fact, I feel as if were talked more in the last few months than we had in our entire lives prior. Shes more receptive to what I and my parents tell her, too. As terrible as it was, I think the experience with the Cowman helped her mature a bit.

Tori nodded. Its a few more years until the delta opens up, but we have already begun planning land divisions. Im going to bring some with me for my brothers to review when I go back.

When are you going back? Ilyana asked. Are you going to stay for a bit after our final exam or leave immediately afterwards?

Tori sighed once more. Immediately afterwards. I want to spend as much time with my family as possible, especially with Valeria just being born. The ship is going directly from Viclya to Tres Arcos, so when I'm in transit, I wont be able to communicate.

Ewans going, too, Henrik said. Hes been trying to figure out what is a good gift for Lord Sebastians baby.

The invitation to come is still open if you all want to come, too, Tori said. Both Henrik and Ilyana shook their heads.

Theres too much to do. Final project report, Lionsgate, and Prince Piers new years party at the Lunar Pavilion, Ilyana said.

Any large scale, fancy event was challenging, but what was more challenging was when that event involved the imperial family. The amount of security alone took up a significant amount of time and effort to coordinate.

Dont hesitate to contact Piers about this. Its his party and he needs to be involved. Ive already told him this, Tori said. Everything must go well, and he knows it. Especially since his parents will be coming this time.

Dont worry, well make sure everything is up to his demands, Henrik replied.

Piers has also finished all his mandatory coursework for Lyce, so he will be available to work with you for his party during winter break. The Cabinet also shuts down for winter and before new year, so even if he has official work to do, it should not be urgent. The imperial palace is close to the Lunar Pavilion, too. So, he should have no excuse.

Tori dropped her bag onto the floor of the ship cabin as her mouth dropped. Her father had sent Sur Oro all the way to Viclya to pick her and Ewan up to go to Presidio. As soon as she finished her final exam, she bid her friends good-bye, told Ilyana to check her ranking for her, and took SIG One to pick up Ewan.

Then the two rushed to Viclya, arriving well into the night.

Embarkation Island was well lit and still bustling as the last of the ships were preparing to leave.

Guevera Knights welcomed her to the ship, taking the bulk of her things to the storage hold while she and Ewan walked towards the family and guest quarters on the ship. Ewans room came first, and she told him that theyd go to the galley to eat after they settled in.

She pressed a crystal fob against a crystal panel next to the door of the Marquis room and pushed the door open

The light crystals were on and there was an unexpected scent of coffee in the air.

Tori narrowed her eyes at once as her eyes fell on the chairs in the antechamber. On the low, oval table, there was a metal coffee pot and an empty plate of food. Sitting on one chair was a fluffy gray cat and directly across from him, a tall brown-haired man reading a book.

Piers. Toris voice dropped as she glared. What are you doing here?

The first prince of Soleil lifted his head, met her eyes briefly, and motioned one hand to a small, wrapped box with a big yellow ribbon on the oval coffee table, next to the empty plate.

Im going to see my goddaughter.