A/N: Guys, sorry for this late update T.T As you have known about my accident back then, and I got stuck in many aspects of studying. I failed an exam and had to retake the course again in the summer *Sigh* I had, actually, finished this chapter back in November but my exams made my schedule full. I'm only done with all those things after 12/12 T.T To be honest, I'm not satisfied with the outcome of this chapter at all. It feels rushed, short, and totally lacking something. I guess I'll rewrite this one and other chapters one day to make this fic better.

Everyone, if you have any ideas about this fic, you can tell me. I feel like I'm stuck in some place, especially the Tristain academy. Tiffania and Louise are bound to leave the cottage, there are many possibilities but it's undecided :(

To everyone who had R&R this little fic: Thank you so much, I very appreciate this you guys love and still follow despite the slow update and all the errors.

To Leez: Ah, thank you, Leez. It's wonderful to read your review. About Louise, I build her to be a big contrast to canon's. I agree with Edelhart about the whole 'boble attitude' thing. But I think there's also another reason. In FoZ, Louise fights and kills without any thought due to the fact she thinks she did it for the sake of her country. Heck, she's too eager for such thing, to serve the crown is something she considers to be right, and as you would say, she's loyal to a fault. In fact, Louise and her friends are painted as the heroes of the anime, the others are either back-ground characters to be killed off or the totally evil antagonists. I mean, thousands of people lost their lives and loved ones, but all the 'good' guys are unfazed and unaffected, seriously. It's my opinion, anyway ^^.

To Edelhart: Ah, you made me blush you know, with all those praises *grin* Thank you, I will continue to write better knowing that someone like you keep reading and following this fic, in spite of all my mistakes ^^

To WarriorServent: I'll consider your request, it does sound interesting after all ^^ And seriously, she used to live with Saito, what did you expect, muahhahah. But Louise isn't interested in such things LOL.

To AkashiSeijuro-IA-4: Yes, but William used magic in the fight and Rinkaku type's cells are easier to break than other types'. So serious-enough damage can harm Rinkaku ghouls too.

To Snickering Fox: We're not even into the main arc LOL. The romance is a faraway thing, right now they're... well, allies. But I hope I can write something convincing enough for you to enjoy *Thumb up*

To devilsama666: Yes, 'the shorter girl' is Tiffania. She's, according to FoZ wiki, 5'3''.

To I am the Bird of Hermes: Louise's ghoul name is Eyepatch, Zero is self-proclaimed name =))))

To Guest: You do know we haven't reached the main arc of the story yet, right? Hell, Louise hasn't even met anyone in her past and Tiffa is completely hopeless when it comes to magic, she doesn't know what the ritual did to Louise nor Louise knows what is going on with all the emotions I put her through *sigh* Everything in this fic happened for a reason, so if you don't like it, you can read another one better than mine. But I do hope you would stay back and wait for the events to unfold, because all your answers lie within the later chapters.

To ahsoei: she will, but tbh, she won't be that 'fucked-up' as Kaneki. In some aspects, Louise is tougher than Kaneki.

To ferry no fune: Thank you, and btw, your English is fine :) Prequel? I have thought of writing some side chapters about Louise's life in Tokyo, but I'm afraid my busy schedule will delay the writing process.

To everyone who wants a prequel: As I had mentioned before, I might be too busy to write anything. But I'll try hard to bring more to you guys. And there is some good news, Arawn D. Draven pm-ed me about wanting to write a one-shot for Halkeginia Ghoul back in June. Many of you might have read his stories already, he has a wonderful writing style. I've just answered him (due to the lack of logging in) so you guys can count on him to produce a qualified one-shot *thumb up*

AND NOW, ENJOY MINA-SAN! Feel free to point out my mistakes!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!

Disclaimer: I don't own Tokyo Ghoul or FoZ, they belong to their respective creators.

Tristain

To Henrietta, the palace had always been so large and vast. At this very moment, it just seemed like the whole façade of this happy place had disappeared, being replaced by the uneasy tension that had been surrounding the majestic castle ever since that day.

Honestly, the princess didn't know if she wanted to punish or to thank the mysterious traitor, who had somehow broken into her room and stolen her letters for Wales.

Indeed, they could cause a disastrous war if the words on those papers ever revealed. Yet, there was a hope for this.

By the blessing of Founder Brimir, the letters contained no more than just some normal exchanging between Wales and her. The traitor had wasted his effort in vain.

However, she would be too arrogant to not thinking of his pulling another attempt to snatch other things. And this time, it wouldn't be her room he got into. It would be Wales'.

"Your highness." Agnes opened the door and greeted her. "Viscount Wardes and Lady Valliere have arrived."

"Tell them to come in."

Henrietta wouldn't let such a war happen. No, she would stop it at any cost, even if…

"Your highness." The Viscount bowed to her while the woman lightly lifted her dress and did a small curtsy.

"Good morning, Viscount Wardes…" The princess nodded.

Guilt was eating at her heart the moment she turned to the woman, a tall woman who possessed long gold hair and under her glasses was a pair of bright pink eyes that resembled her best friend greatly.

Goodness...

"Lady Eleonore of the Valliere Household."

Of course, Henrietta would prevent the war… even if… it meant sending Louise Francoise's sister on… a suicide mission.

Halkeginia Ghoul

Chapter 4

Confrontation

"Thank you for doing the laundry, Zero."

Zero nodded in response to the blonde's smile before continuing with her work. Her fingers moved to scrub a piece of children shirt clean against a wooden washboard, the water was pretty cold but the white-haired girl seemed unfazed as she repeated the action again and again.

It had been three days since the day they confronted. To be honest, Zero didn't know what the relationship between the two of them was. When Tiffania told her that she wanted to be her friend, Zero had been surprised. Back on Earth, she wouldn't say the people were that friendly. The human's rights and moral principles might have been an amazing 'highlight' at first, but life was a mixing color of white and black, together they created what Saito had funnily dubbed as 'the grey zone'. Some people were too busy with many aspects of daily days that they hardly could spare time to observe other things. Cultural differences aside, she was too socially awkward to speak with the others, and even if she did, the talk would soon become a weird conversation. Saito stated that because she had been raised in a 'snobbish nobles' environment and of course, adopted the same haughty aura and the way she used such aristocratic words. Zero, however, knew the truth was far from those statements.

In reality she was a quiet, curious girl who would prefer reading to spending times at those boring balls. Yet, it was the name, the title forced her to abandon who she really was and began a chain of days living with noble pride and the rule of steel.

Zero could remember clearly her first day, she had been crying and shouting random things like a mad person. The feelings of lost and despair spread, leaving her exhausted both emotionally and physically. Even with her broken pride, she still saw the looks the by-passers throw at her, full of pity and wariness. They must have thought she was a cosplayer who ran away from home or worse, a ghoul in disguise. Who could blame them to think like that? After all, she did look like a pitiful sobbing mess.

It was Saito with his silly smile who offered her a hand. He was the first person ever to offer to be her friend, one that wasn't based on greediness and personal gain. Despite all his faults and idiocy, Zero appreciated their friendship very much.

And following that 'incident', she mostly befriended the people of Anteiku with… well, her fists (punching Touka, making deals with Yoshimura-san, stabbing that jerk Nishiki and most of all, giving sucker punches, kicks and a whole lot of kagune tentacles to Tsukiyama's sorry face). Tiffania was like Hinami, timid and all scared. But… their words were sincere. It made Zero comfortable enough not to act like a freaking manic with a tendency to crush strangers' skulls (which she always wanted to do to Arima).

Tiffania was not her friend. The blonde was more of… an ally. Indeed, an ally who the half-ghoul would be willing to protect, not by the forced titles of 'Master' and 'Familiar', but the mutual understanding. They would often sit back and talk – well, more like Tiffania talked and she listened, offering a couple of her own answers – it was fine, to both of their standards.

"Big Sister Zero!"

Zero looked up, only to see Marie waving her tiny hand and pulling a blushing James to her place.

"Big Sister Zero!" The little girl then let go of her brother "Would you read us another story after your work?"

The black-clad girl turned to James, he was scratching his cheek in embarrassment.

Oh right, this was the part that made the relationship between her and Tiffania weird.

Zero wasn't the same noble girl she had been. She had learnt to adapt, to live from her friends and it irked her to sit around like a lazy freeloader. So she took the responsibility to share the house chores with Tiffania, of course with the exception of cooking (She could stand the smells better now but meh…).

Sometimes, it was her who took care of Marie and James, reading books for them. Those two adored her as much as they did Tiffania.

The way she and the half-elf did things together, it was as though they were… co-parents? Gosh, the thought of their being all domestic alone was so strange and… embarrassing.

"Okay."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Marie smiled happily before she pushed James slightly. "Come on, James."

"A-Alright." The boy stepped closer "Um… Big Sister Zero…" Said person tilted her head to the side. "This is for you."

Zero stared blankly at the bracelet in those palms of James. It was pretty simple, made of cheap materials. The little kid was shaking when the oldest girl still remained on her spot unblinking at all.

"Big-Big Sister Zero…?"

"… Thank you, James…"

James grinned brightly as Zero's hand reached out to take the bracelet from him. Pale fingers traced the thin line, treating it like a fragile thing. Her lips curled lightly at the children, giving them pats on the head before they ran off laughing.

She heard Tiffania's giggle but ignored it anyway.

Minutes later

The clothes had been washed, hanging neatly under the sun. Zero was leaning her back against a tree outside, silently reading something on her phone, the solar charger lying a little away from her in the sunlight.

Tiffania had gone back to the cottage to prepare lunch for the kids and herself, leaving Zero alone. She didn't mind anyway, at least she didn't have to stay inside a place filled with… awful smell.

Thinking back again, Zero found the life with the Westwood family was… nice to say. Minus the whole thing with the knights and the angry villagers, the place was peaceful. Some people would have disagreed, saying that this life was too quiet and lacking the thrill and fun. However, to Zero, she liked it a lot. No more battles for living, the sadness, the pains or the constant dangers lurking around. It was… just her and the green color of the beautiful Fairy forest.

It must have been her misfortune, because about 1 hour later, her sensitive hearing picked up the sounds of footsteps.

Frowning, Zero gently shoved her phone into the bag and got up. Glancing at the direction of the incoming intruder, she quickly hid herself behind a large tree and waited patiently.

It took a few minutes for the newcomer to appear in her vision. It was a vague figure, cladding in a green cloak and hood covered the upper part of their face. By the look of the wand in their hand, they were a wizard.

A sneaky one at that. She couldn't help but notice the way they moved. It was a set of calculating steps, too familiar with the structure of the forest's dirt road.

They send someone who actually knows the place, I'm in disadvantage.

At this time, the definition of Tiffania in the white-haired ghoul's head had been added with a new term: Trouble Magnet. Just within a few days after her summon, Tiffania had gained herself two magic knights and a professional assassin wizard as stalkers/kidnappers. That… was some luck.

But to be honest, it wasn't her fault that her sibling was an infamous thief, who also worked for some Viscount dude and the Reconquista. Zero had to admit the method they sought to control Fouquet was right… in the sense of politics and war, she would do the same thing too without any hesitation.

Zero was waiting for the wizard to make a move. Yet, they seemed to content with the thought of banging right into the cottage and made a grand appearance.

What an egoistical fool.

If they wouldn't act, she would.

Trying her best to be silent, she trailed after the mage, using the surrounding as a mean to cover her existence. It was quite funny as she wasn't very good at playing 'Assassin Creed' in real life (plz, ghouls fight face to face okay, unless you're a freaking ukaku-typed one who can shoot projectiles like a machine gun or… a cheeky cheater with a thing for backstabbing). Ambush and surprised attacks were pretty much her elements. She managed to nail the whole sneaky thing, mostly due to her instincts and the distance between them.

What she didn't expect in the outcome was Tiffania suddenly stepping outside or how the delight was shown too clearly in her eyes and, especially, her hugging the newcomer, calling 'Big Sister Matilda' over and over again.

What the hell is this kind of plot twists? That's... Fouquet?

"Big Sister Matilda!"

Matilda felt the arms around her tightened greatly and the guilt just came back in full force. She was so glad, so glad that Tiffania was still alive and well; if not, she knew she wouldn't forgive herself at all.

It was an astonishment when the well-beloved Viscount Wardes came to her for a rather interesting proposal. Seriously, what kind of benevolent knights would seek a thief to help them? At first glance, Matilda recognized the signs of something dirty were up. Shady thoughts aside, the thing he wanted her to do was really a ticket to execution if she ever failed.

He wanted her to steal from the royals, or particularly, the princess.

He told her that Princess Henrietta and Prince Wales of Albion were having an affair. Her job was to find the evidences of the relationship.

Matilda had been scandalized, both from the news and the way the Viscount acted so casually despite the whole situation could bring destruction to Tristain.

When she asked him why, he had laughed… hard.

"Peasants like you are so naïve, Fouquet."

And he started to explain how Tristain slowly became a shadow of its former self, with its useless army and royalty, to the point it had to depend on Germania for protection. So why did he need to waste his life for such a failure?

He said he was working for Reconquista for the quest of bringing down Albion and when it had been done, they would invade Tristain and wiped out the royal family. He told her that by combining Tristain and Albion, they would create a strong and vast empire and that he was doing it for the greater good.

Matilda could only think of how mad and insane this guy was. Of course he couldn't see the greed on his own face when he declared he would lead them to a new future.

Such things… she wouldn't do it. However, he offered her a big fortune and she… she just couldn't stop herself from imagining the happy smiles of her family when they got to treat themselves a big and tasty meals with all the fresh ingredients.

Matilda accepted his proposal, ignoring the horror her actions would do to other people's lives.

The mission was a success. Yet, Viscount Wardes wasn't satisfied with the result, stating the letters were just a bunch of trashes.

He ordered her to find Prince Wales' location and steal from him instead.

The green-haired woman had been scared. Ironically, she was also very glad she got those letters instead some big secrets that could leave Tristain in ruin.

Wardes soon realized this. So he sent soldiers to capture her family and planned to use them as a reign to keep her in check.

Matilda was terrified. Breaking the promise to Tiffania's mother to protect the blonde and losing the people she loved were a fate worse than death to Matilda. Not to mention the fact what they would do if they knew Tiffania was an elf, she would be tortured to death.

So… she ran away.

When she heard the whispers of the villagers, she had expected something bad. But… Tiffania was here, hugging her.

"Brimir…" The woman sighed in relief.

"You are back!" The blonde, however, didn't mind it. She was too happy.

A small smile crossed Matilda's face as she gently patted Tiffania's back.

"I'm home, Tiffa."

"Welcome home."

Too happy, Matilda didn't notice Zero's slow retreat to the forest. Tiffania, on the other hand, caught a glimpse of her venturing away. A flicker of sadness flashed in her blue eyes.

Zero just looked so lonely.

"Tiffa?"

"Sorry."

"Such an airhead you are." Teased the older woman and Tiffania blushed.

"Big Sister Matilda!"

The lively children of Westwood cottage ran to their sisters, both carried smiles. Matilda let go of Tiffania and crouched down to gather the children with her hands.

"We miss you so much!"

"I miss you too."

The siblings soon led Matilda back to the cottage, chatting happily.

Sipping her tea, the oldest sibling chuckled, listening carefully to her little Marie and James' nonstop talking. The children told her their daily life and how Tiffania had been a wonderful sister tending them, making said girl blush timidly. The conversation followed an uneventful path, until Marie reached the part about the awesome 'Big Sister Zero' who saved Tiffania and her from the bandits.

Matilda glanced at Tiffania briefly, taking notice of how her sister had smiled at the mention of this person.

"Big Sister Zero is living with us in the cottage now!"

She choked on her drink.

"What?" She turned to the blonde completely, an incredulous look decorated her features. "Tiffa!?"

The half-elf swallowed hard, avoiding her sister's gaze like a little kid who was caught doing something wrong.

"You let her stay!? Are you out of your mind? She can hurt you, Tiffa!" Matilda suddenly thought of the guys Viscount Wardes had ordered to go after her sister.

"But she didn't." The words came out easier than Tiffania had thought. Even Matilda raised an eyebrow at how calm she remained.

"Tiffa?"

"Zero… she won't hurt me." Said the younger girl; remembering the clear, unwavering light in Zero's eyes when the truth was revealed and how she didn't fear or disgust at the sight of an elf standing before her.

"Urhhh…" Groaned the infamous Fouquet. "How are you so sure about her?" Her own eyes bore into Tiffania's ones. "For all I know, this so-called Zero can be a psychopath that possesses a tendency to stab people from the behind." (Somewhere else, a certain half-ghoul and many other people sneezed.)

"…"

"Well?"

The white of those curly tresses reflected the sparkling particles in the air. Those contrasting eyes seemed to soften, the haunting edge was fading. There, stood an ethereal beauty, shining in the warmest smile ever.

The half-elf shook her head in disagreement.

The children stared at their older sisters with confusion. Surprisingly, James was the one who broke the silence.

"Big Sister Zero read us stories."

"James?"

"She plays with us when Big Sister Tiffa is busy making meals!" Exclaimed Marie.

"She chops the woods."

"She does the laundry!"

And they began a contest to see who could remember what Zero had done for them. Meanwhile, both the older sisters were stunned. Matilda couldn't comprehend the fondness they gave a person who they just met for a few days and Tiffania stared in wonder of the way Zero had placed her presence into their normal life.

"Matilda."

"Yes?"

"I…" She asked herself whether to tell the truth about Zero or not. Then something crossed her mind then she banished the idea of spilling out. It was their secret and she felt the need to ask for permission before saying it out loud. After all, partnership was built on trust.

"Tiffa?"

"It's nothing, I just remembered I only prepared lunch for three."

The other woman stared at her quietly, something was amiss in the midst of words. Then again, Tiffania was a good judge of character. However, she did hope that her little sis hadn't done anything to reveal her nature as a half-elf.

Unfortunately, she already did…

Zero

The day passed quickly to Zero. She had continued her reading when she got back to her spot under the tree's shade once again. The kids probably forgot about the promise after the home-coming trip of their oldest sibling, so she spent all her time going through her e-books list.

Her fingers stopped moving as she turned her head to watch 'Matilda' approaching her. The green head was holding a serious expression on her face. Zero could easily catch the well-hidden suspicion under her indifference.

Matilda creased her movement a good distance from her. And Zero stared at her impassively, not seeming to be taken back by her cold frown.

"Greeting, Miss Zero. I'm Matilda de Sachsen-Gotha, Tiffania's sister." She introduced herself, but there was no hand being offered to shake.

They said trouble people always used layers of masks to cover their true feelings, Zero didn't know how much true that notion could be but she believed the person before her was one of them.

Zero remembered her vaguely. There was no doubt she was the secretary of the headmaster of Tristain Magic Academy, her fake name was… Longueville, wasn't it?

How cunning.

Indeed, who would suspect the commoner assistant of the honorable Old Osmond to be Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt, an infamous thief and a magic user?

And a big, big lie.

It was such a strange turn of events. The woman before her was one people would never be suspicious of hidden agenda, let alone a famous thief who had a thing for stealing expensive, ancient artifacts. She used the image of a strict and hard-working woman to bury who she was. Underneath it, Zero could see a person who wouldn't hesitate to harm if it concerned her loved ones by the murderous glare she was throwing at her or how her fingertips constantly twitched from forcing herself not to take out her wand from where it was hidden.

The half-ghoul then got to a sitting position, looking bored.

They remained unspoken but in fact, both were trying to figure out each other. It was too easy for Zero to see through the green-haired mage. Comparing to Yoshimura or Arima, she was like a book. That or she was just used to picking up the mess of emotions emitting from the ones around her.

The same thing couldn't be applied to Matilda. Everything about the young woman in front of was an enigma. White was a weird hair color even in the colorful world of Halkeginia, the only one she had seen with it was Osmond but it was because of his old age. And her eyes, they were pink, truly pink (and familiar), adding another question into the pile of mystery.

There were things about Zero had basically told the green-haired woman that the former was a daughter of a rich family, despite her lack of a wand: the materials of her clothes, her milky skin, her uncalloused fingers and even that black box in her hand looked too shiny to be in possession of a normal person. Her movements were, if Matilda had to be honest, arrogant and too relaxed, leaving herself opened as though she was unfazed by the older woman's appearance.

Typical spoiled brat.

Yet, the shimmering light in those eyes just seemed too… disturbing, despite their untainted shade of color. Even if her sitting on the ground made said girl appear shorter and gave her a height advantage, Matilda still found her presence to be completely… overwhelming. And certainly, there was something in that calm, expressionless demeanor of her, something unnatural.

She was like a living doll, her breathing was the only factor that indicated she was alive.

Zero would have laughed hard if she could read Matilda's idea. Because only gods knew, under her 'so-called' arrogance and blank features, how much she ached to create a safe distance between herself and that woman like any other ghouls would do to keep their identity.

Indeed, Zero's layers of mask were even thicker than Matilda. When a ghoul wanted to live in peace, they would need to master the act of feigning innocence as they began to delve deeper into the human world. She couldn't remember how many times she had tried to mimic Touka's artificial ignorance and smiles. While her being a former human and her time with Saito before all this mess did help a lot with the acting, she wasn't without faults. Her smiles were too fake, her posture was too stiff because it was hard… to pretend nothing had happened. She felt like even the smallest thing about 'Louise' had to be erased in order to find the path of survival. Sometimes, it would end up with shouting and anger, sometimes it just came out naturally, to the point she could behave like a bashful little waitress before finally releasing her stress. Well, if anything, that awkwardness was still much, much better than this emotionless bottom.

Or was it?

Such a question was hard to answer, because it was difficult to remember in this state of memories, as her hold on the pictures and information was another mess. She couldn't even recall the details of her old self, it became too vague and blurry, an image she had lost during the change and when everything had settled down, it disappeared in the midst of the night, leaving cold, faded trails of who once bore the forgotten name.

"Greeting, Lady Sachsen-Gotha. It's an honor to meet you." Polite words indeed. But it sounded too much like a mockery with that flat tone, and she was too concentrated on seeking any wrongness in the white-haired girl to notice that Zero had used the word 'Lady' to refer to a commoner.

"You…" Matilda narrowed her eyes.

"Yes?"

"Who are you?"

"No one." No more, no less. Just… that.

"Don't act so innocently. Who are you and what's your intention to Tiffania?" And I'll kill you myself if you're a minion of Wardes. She kept the last part in her head.

"…" Zero didn't answer though, she continued the blank stare.

Narrowing, the older woman could feel her anger rising at the silent treatment. She might bear the title 'commoner' right now but even in her disguise as the secretary Longueville, people rarely treated her like this.

How dare she-!?

"Shouldn't you ask others that question?" Somehow, Zero couldn't hold back the urge to answer with a snarky comment. She didn't like the woman's ridiculously accusing voice, it reminded her of those 'so-called' investigators… too much and she suddenly got in the mood for some sarcastic answers.

"What are you talking about?"

"…."

"What did you mean, Zero?" Matilda dropped all the fake formality and asked in a commanding voice.

The guardian simply tilted her head.

"A few days ago, two knights of the Albion army appeared in this place." If the truth was what Matilda wanted, Zero would give her.

At the words, Matilda's face turned to the sickest shade of green. She gasped, eye widened in pure horror and astonishment.

"Do you know what they said, Lady Sachsen-Gotha?" Pink eyes seemed to swirl, twisting around like a maelstrom, but the speaker went on, carrying nothing but collected indifference "They said 'to ensure one's loyalty is to know and capture their weakness."

"How…?"

"…"

"You knew…" Matilda trembled, fingers tightened their hold on the wand "You knew… who I am… You knew…"

"I've already taken care of them." This time, Zero stood up, face to face with the pale woman "I can assure you one thing, I have no intention to the children or Tiffania-san, even if she's a half-elf herself."

"I-I see…" But she stumbled on her words, as though she was just reminded of something "Wait… you-!"

"…"

"Oh for Brimir's sake, Tiffa had really revealed herself to you."

Somehow, that sentence sounded weird in both their brains. Nonetheless, the younger girl merely nodded, looking absolutely calm.

"And you aren't afraid?" Comparing to being discovered as the infamous Fouquet, Matilda was more concerned about the fact this person had known her sister's secret. One step wrong and Tiffania would have a bunch of Romalian Church's knights after her life. But the woman was intrigued and shocked at how casually Zero talked, not showing a hint of fear or anything alike when she was staying with a half-elf, one of race who were rumored to be magical monsters hell bent on creating humanity's downfall.

Head tilted to the side again, the white-haired ghoul released a question Matilda didn't expect at all.

"Should I?"

The silence once surrounded them, but there was no tension in the air this time, only confusion.

I don't understand you at all. That was what the false commoner thought but didn't say out loud.

"If that is all you want from me, you're already given." She looked up at the sky "I'll take my leave."

"…"

And Zero proceeded to retreat to the deep forest again. Behind her, Matilda still stared silently, wondering about the mysterious white-haired guest of her family. Curiosity lit up in her green eyes.

Albion, somewhere else.

Eleonore hadn't seen a person die before. But at this moment, she spent her time watching as knights and commoners alike get slain, blood splattered across the floor, black and nightmarish.

She was trying to save more people, but her triangle-classed walls could hardly hold against the constant assaults in the form of lightning bolts. Behind her, the pira-… no, prince Wales of Albion was clutching to his wand and firing many sloppy water bullets, his other hand was injured.

Gritting her teeth, the young blonde glared at the culprit of this mess, said man was laughing manically while swinging his sword-wand in order to create more bolts.

"You bastard traitor, Wardes!"

"Such foul words, Lady Eleonore."

The hatred in her eyes increased ten-fold at his 'innocent' tone and a flick of wrist later, an earth golem with enormous body rose to meet the Viscount's smirk.

"You will pay for your crimes and treachery!"

"We shall see it, if you ever defeated me."

The man approached the golem, firing his spells to cripple the walking protector. His laughter rang loudly and stood out in the midst of chaos.

"You know, if only our little, dearest Louise was here. She would have joined me as my wife and watched her husband bring back the long-lost glory."

It was the final straw, Eleonore saw red.

"How dare you, son of a bitch!" Mother would probably scold her for that curse "Your filthy mouth didn't deserve to call my sister's name!"

Another strike and the golem crumpled. Wardes looked at the mad blonde, a 'charming' smirk on his lips.

"Perhaps… You would like to be my bribe, Lady Eleonore?"

"In your dream." She gritted her teeth defiantly.

"How sad…" He sighed "Then, you give me no choice. Really, you should have considered it, for rejection means a painful death, just like those knights."

"Why did you do this?" It wasn't her voice, but prince Wales' instead.

"What's an interesting question you have for me, your highness." The traitor chuckled "The same one this little peasant had asked me once. It's a long story, but… we do have time, don't we? Now, you see, ever since I was a young boy, Tristain had always been in a difficult stand. And by the time I became a knight and a viscount, the royal family had actually sold the land to Germania with that stupid arranged marriage between the princess and that barbarian of an emperor!" His expression darkened.

"Do you know how much disgrace and humiliation the king had brought to Tristain!? Such shameful stain can never be cleared! And those so-called knights are useless scums of life, exist for nothing but being a bunch of dishonored bastards, so weak that they surrender immediately after defeat!" The gray-haired man then stopped to regain his usual composure, he smirked "Why should I risk my life for this kingdom? For all I know, I can be better than a viscount. Then, the leader approached me and proposed a very fancy deal. By destroying Albion, I will have the chance to combine both nations into one. And, can you imagine what would happen if we had such things? Germania and Gallia be damned, as our soldiers would crush them all."

Eleonore opened her mouth in shock. Prince Wales only shook his head, his tired face full of rage "You're insane. You risked thousands of people's lives just to fulfill that mad wish of yours!? You aren't a saint, Wardes, you're just a crazy psychopath, a monster in human's flesh!"

If someone like Zero was here, they would probably laugh at the bicker between two of the gallant men in Halkeginia, what a typical villain vs hero stereotype. This was a battlefield, yet these two just didn't seem to care. Of course, the argument of good and bad was funnier than just standing there. Beside, 'good guys' just liked to lecture their enemies about the 'greater good'. It was just, in the eyes of veterans, moronic. And somehow, Eleonore also thought the same.

While she had a bad temper and a reckless kind of attitudes, Eleonore was still the daughter of Karin herself. She was taught about the arts of war and battles by her parents, and at this moment, the way Wales and Wardes shouted at each other about the morality of life was all but an act of stupidity in her mind, leaving their backs opened like that.

Ignoring them, the blonde gathered her willpower again, hoping to ambush the experienced knight.

Apparently, Wardes was so… confident with his abilities that he didn't take Eleonore as a dangerous foe. And it cost him so much.

Wales didn't realize the sudden turn of event until he was carried away in the arms of a golem. It happened so fast. One moment he and Viscount Wardes were arguing, the next thing he knew, the gray-haired man was sent across the room by a gigantic brown golem. And Lady Valliere grabbed his un-wounded hand, with a small movement, another golem rose to bring them outside.

It was fortunate… so fortunate that she could catch the proud Griffin knight off guard. For all his arrogance and insanity, Wardes was well-known as a veteran in duels, he was completely opposite to her, a 'behind-the-curtains' researcher. Though at the same class, he held a better control over his magic, much to her anger. Needless to say, if the man had had the intention of slaying them, her golems were pretty much useless dolls before his infamous lightning bolts.

"Lady Valliere…" Gasped the prince.

Eleonore only wished that luck would stay at their side this time again. Both Reconquista soldiers and Wardes wouldn't let them escape easily, not when they were so close to murder Prince Wales.

"Hang on, your highness!"

They ventured into the night, being followed by dozen of enemies. On the sky, the twin moons continued to shine, ignoring the event completely.

The phone's screen stood still as the fingers suddenly stopped moving. Pink eyes stared blankly at the words, unfocused for a moment.

"Hm…?"

Zero averted her eyes to the sky.

"Weird."

Something told her that tonight would be another troublesome night.

A/N: You guys know what did mean, right!?

Next time, Eleonore finally meets the infamous familar of Tiffania, Zero! Warning, beware of angst!