Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 9: Causa Proxima, Part 2
...—4th July, E642 | Division 12 Headquarters, Verada, Vermillion Empire—...
As soon as he finished talking to Monica about Menez joining them, Xavier went straight back to Verena. There's something else important he has to do. In any case, he had to convince Kanna not to tell “secret” that he was scattering on Nueva. Kanna cannot tell Nueva that El is her twin sister. That would be the most ridiculous mistake of his life.
Luckily for Xavier, Kanna is still in Verena. He's done talking to Emily and the soldiers. As Xavier approached her, the princess was sitting on the roof of one of the towers in the 11th Division Headquarters complex. He sat with his eyes looking down, not knowing what was in his head.
Xavier opened his mouth, about to voice his presence—though he was sure Kanna had heard his footing on this roof. But—
“Believe it or not, I expect you to come back here, Xavier.”
—Kanna first beat him in that. The princess spoke without looking at him, her eyes closed as if she was sharpening her perception.
“What do you want to say? Do you want me to hide El from Monica or my father? Whatever it is, say it. I'm listening.”
“No, that's not my main reason for coming back here,” lied Xavier, sitting exactly ten inches beside the princess. He didn't think of any other reason to come here. However, another reason came suddenly when Kanna had already guessed the reason for her arrival. Not for any other purpose, just to make Kanna's assumption not entirely true. That'sthat's all.
“Oh, means it's a side reason. Then?”
“When the empire takes up arms against enemy attacks, it means we defend ourselves—even though we know there are soldiers who might not return. But today is different. The Empire does not bring soldiers to defend itself; we attack. That is, we bring the soldiers to their deaths. Today their families will not wonder about the state of their children/fathers/husbands if the empire does not start taking up arms.”
“Did you imply it was my fault for heeding my father's orders? You want to tell me there won't be any casualties if I stop the attack? Or, you question my failure to protect the soldiers?”
“Of course not. Not at all. How can you conclude that?” Xavier shook his head softly, grumbling that Kanna sensi was like a woman again menstruation—of course it was in the heart; Xavier was smart enough not to say anything like the trigger of the explosion. “I just want to know how you are,” he continued. “We both know that you're putting that on you. Thoughts ‘if I do this’/’if I am so’ definitely cross in your head.”
“...You want to entertain me?” Kanna turned her head, her exotic blue iris looking intensely at Xavier— exerting imaginary pressure on her body.
“A—” Xavier is unable to finish his sentence. Kanna had cut the distance between them, landing her head on Xavier's shoulder. “You should do it,” said the princess. “Tell me a heroic story. Nothing le—”
—The flash of memory in Xavier's mind instantly fades away as a blasting sound pierces his sense of hearing. A pair of blue beads had looked sharply into his eyes. It was certainly not Kanna's blue iris; the contrast was different. The blue iris that seemed to attract the viewer was none other than Monica's.
“What did you think until it got too late in it like that?”
Xavier's eyelids blink once or twice. “Monica...”.
“You didn't answer my question, but it's up.” Monica raised her shoulders. “I want to say that the emissary from the Province of Emeralna would like to meet. Name's Jenny. He said he came specifically to deliver a message from Governor Artemys el Vermillion.”
“Jenny, huh?” The image of Artemys loyal follower immediately appeared on Xavier's head. “It's been more than two weeks I haven't heard about him. All right, get him in. If he bothers to come here, it means that what Artemys conveys through it is very important.”
“You seem very familiar with this Artemys..”.
Surprising himself, he did not try to dodge; Xavier did not think he needed to dodge. His head nodded spontaneously. “Artemys has helped me a lot; she's an attractive woman. Not only was he an adult, he was also smart and knowledgeable. I often rely on it in troublesome matters.”
“Monica..?”
“Not to worry; I'm not angry or sad. I don't want to slap your face or anything. If you could plan a wedding behind my back, anything else wouldn't surprise me. Just relax; no need to worry about anything.” Monica disappears from Xavier's sight.
Contradicting with her remark, Monica was far from the word “not angry”. Xavier was well aware of that. So he frowned, a little confused. He didn't understand what made Monica behave be—eh, did I just praise Artemys in front of Monica?
Xavier could not help but hold his hand from patting his own eel, what a foolish and careless mistake!
There is one basic rule that a man must understand: do not praise one woman in the presence of another woman who is familiar to you, unless the praised woman is old or gone. Of course it happens the opposite. However, women are more sensitive, their emotions peak faster.
“I hope not to interrupt your time, Commander Xavier.”
Xavier's attention is distracted from his foolish mistakes when a familiar voice invades the room. His eyes instantly found Jenny who had already stepped through the doorway.
“Jenny, what important things make Artemys send you?” xavier asked without further ado; he wanted the matter to be finished quickly so that he could properly explain it to Monica.
“This is a pretty serious problem, very, very serious. It's a very secret matter. No other individual should know. Honestly, I dare not say it here; I do not know what Commander.” will react to
Now that Xavier's attention has been completely sidetracked on Jenny—ia has even ruled out his problem with Monica.
“What problems? Does this have anything to do with what I asked Artemys to do?”
Jenny curled her lips. “I think it's better that Commander Xavier come with me to the palace. It is better that Miss Artemys herself inform. Even though Miss Artemys gave me the option to explain it to Commander, but I decided I didn't deserve to say it.”
Now Xavier is really curious. “Alright,” he said while standing. “I'll follow you to discover Artemys.”
...—Royal Palace, Cornnas, Emeralna— Province...
“Why don't you sit with me here, Xavier, we can talk after this meal is over. Oh, you can help too. Ah, no, but help me—you can bribe me. They say it feels like it would double if fed to someone else.”
Those words were what welcomed Xavier's arrival. The sound came from the palace dining room. Artemys sat alone on one of the chairs surrounding a large and long dining table. Two maidservants stood with white washcloths in hand, both to the left of Artemys.
Xavier nodded; there was no reason to reject the invitation. Being at Artemys side always made his mind calm. He always enjoyed being by her side. There was absolutely no reason why he should reject the invitation.
“I can not linger here,” he said after he secured himself in the chair beside the princess, each of his hands took a knife and fork located on the plate. “You can talk on the sidelines I bribe you.”
“So? Alright. Then let me start here, what do you think if you become a father?”
…And the fork and knife that Xavier was holding fell on the floor.