Rafina’s Invitation
After finishing the day’s lessons, Mia immediately went to Rafina’s room.
Rafina, the daughter of Belluga’s most powerful man, lives in the same women’s dormitory as Mia and her friends. Her house is close enough that she can commute everyday. But she saw the importance in having frequent discourse with the next generation of leaders from across the continent. And so, she decided to stay in the dormitory.
“Well, come on. We’re going.” Mia called out to the girl behind her. Mia’s granddaughter, Bel, stared at Mia with a nervous face.
“Grandmo- … neesan, are you sure it will be okay?”
“Well, it will all depend on you. As long as you don’t slip up and call me ‘grandmother.’”
“Humph. Neesan, you’re such a meanie…”
Mia knocked on the door, while pushing the pouting Bel.
“Excuse me, Rafina-sama.”
“Oh, welcome, Mia-san. Oh? This child is…?”
Rafina greeted Mia with a smile, turned her eyes toward Bel and tilted her head slightly confused.
“Yes, it’s actually the reason I am here today. May she come in with me?”
“Yes, that’s okay…” Rafina said with a frown, “But you’ve given me a problem. I only prepared tea cakes for Mia-san and myself.”
“Well! That’s a seriously big problem!”
Mia was genuinely concerned…
After they entered the room and were seated comfortably, Mia was relieved to find that Rafina managed to produce another portion of teacakes, which she set down and offered to Bel. Rafina lifted the teacup in front of her, took a deep breath to enjoy the scent, and then turned to Mia.
“So, what is it that you wanted to say?”
“Yes… that.” Mia deliberately didn’t answer directly. She first took a sip of tea letting the scent of sweet flowers spread in my mouth. As soon as she calmed down, she sighed and then… “Actually, this child is my younger sister…”
With calculated hesitance, she gave the answer she had prepared in advance. She said it in a tone that suggested Rafina not to pry too much.
“Eh? I was under the impression that there was only one Princess of Tearmoon…”
Mia replies, nodding meaningfully to Rafina,
“Yes, I’m the only one…. Officially.”
Unofficially, Mia was also the only Tearmoon Princess. But anyway…
Sorry, Father. I’ll be tarnishing your reputation a bit.
Mia trailed off, leaving the words unsaid but the intent obvious. By her approach, she was suggesting that the topic was awkward for her and rather not talk about it. Rafina picked up the cue and immediately spared her from further questions.
“Well, as a ruler of the country, it’s natural. It would be difficult if Mia-san was the only heir.”
Then Rafina turned to Bell.
“I see, now that I can see her closely, she does resemble you, Mia-san. So, Mia-san’s sister, uh …”
“Oh, my apologies. My greeting was late. My name is Miabel Luna Tearmoon. Nice to meet you Empres-Ow!”
Mia stepped on Bel’s foot to silence her. Then Mia smiled and moved the conversation…
“So, I have a request Rafina-sama. Could you enroll this child to this academy?”
Mia said with a little nervousness. Attendance at St. Noel Academy is a privilege. Even in the Tearmoon Empire, there are many people who could not attend despite their money and status. On the contrary, even rural aristocrats like Tiona and the general public are admitted with Rafina’s approval.
Most of the time, Mia relies on her political power. But this time, she knew that she can’t throw her weight around.
“Admit your sister to this school…” Rafina glanced at Bel for a moment, then. “Well, I can hardly turn down a request from a friend.”
“Thank you, Rafina-sama” Rafina smiled happily at Mia, who bowed her head feeling relieved.
“Fufu, anyway, Mia, you’re really bad at acting today.”
“…What?”
“Honestly Mia, do I really look like the kind of person who would pry? If you wished to keep your circumstances private, you could have just said so instead of talking in such a roundabout manner. Though, I suppose it is reflective of how much you care about her, which I find wonderfully endearing.”
Then Rafina turned to Bel.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miabel.”
“Oh, uh, call me Bel. Rafina-sama.”
Apparently, Bel has started to relax around Rafina. Seeing that her work was done, Mia reached out for a teacake.
“By the way, Mia-san, there was something I wanted to talk to. Do you still have time?”
Seeing that Rafina wasn’t done talking to her, Mia reluctantly retracted her hand and gaze from the teacake.
“Of course. I hope I could be of assistance. Is it about them?”
Mia couldn’t think of any other issue other than the Chaos Serpents that was important and relevant at the moment for Rafina to call her. So, she was surprised when Rafina brought up a completely unrelated topic.
“No, that’s not the case. Actually, there will be an election for the Student Council soon…”
Rafina cut her words and stared into Mia’s eyes.
“Well, I would like you to join as a member.”
