Rishya is cradling her staff up to her chest with a rather frustrated expression as we walk down the corridor to find the others. We should get going soon, after all.

I kinda feel jealous of Michael at the moment.

Rishya keeps peeking at me from the corner of her eye. I catch her gaze and she looks shocked again.

"Is there something on my face?" I ask, and we stop.

"N-n-no!" She looks frustrated and swallows repeatedly, chewing on her words.

"I... I cannot believe how shameless you are!" She finally shouts, balling her fists as she grasps the staff.

"Guilty as charged." I bow exaggeratedly.

Her eyes swim and her mouth opens.

"H-how can you say that!"

I cock my head. "Because I have no illusions about what I am. I gave up lying to myself a long time ago." I shrug.

"Hahhh..." she puts her index finger to her temple and closes her eyes in a grimace “You are so different to what Aria is used to... what I... it is no wonder..." She whispers.

"No wonder what?"

"N-nothing! We are wasting time!" She has a weird expression as she marches off.

She hates me, right? Who knows... she plays the tsundere act even better than Aria does. It's yet again an indication of their similarities? Though there are certainly differences as well, for sure.

Thinking about Aria does make me gulp to myself as one cannot help but recall her appearance and words this morning.

We reach the dining room. Aria, Kiku and Kaede are stood to the side of the table in here.

"Nii! Good morning!" Kiku exclaims, waving happily with a resplendent smile. She's really become a flash-bang of joy since yesterday. Too bright, Kiku! My eyes!

The stoic ninja appears to have calmed herself from before, arms folded, and is sporting a stone-cold look that only increases her doll-like appearance.

Aria gives me a highly sheepish grin, and looks away, tapping the floor with the toes of her boot shyly.

I feel a mild sense of danger from my left, and look to see that Rishya has gained a dangerous looking flat expression.

Holy crap, is this that woman's intuition? Rishya is clearly very conscious of Aria's behaviour. I look away before her accusatory red eyes pierce my soul.

"Err... ahem! Where is Seria?" I postulate a relatively safe query to break the ice.

"The Sage left a couple of hours ago to the castle to begin preparing the ley-gate for this evening." I hear behind me.

Douglas strolls past me and Rishya to sit at the head of the table.

"Grandad!" Rishya exclaims, forgetting her enmity for me and running over to his side.

He takes up the 'gendo pose' steeping his fingers whilst sat down.

"Before you leave, Etranger, I have something for you."

One of the maids walks in with a breastplate. It's a nice piece, steel with a bluish grey tinge, and it has a small blue stone set in the middle.

"Grandad!! How could you! That! That is Yuuzu's engagement gift!" Rishya jumps and shouts at Douglas.

"Do you have any use for it, Rishya? Any reason why it should not be used to help protect the Etranger, like it protected your uncle? And do you see Yuuzu getting married any time soon?"

She goes quiet and hangs her head. From the fragmented information, I think I can assume Yuuzu is Rishya's sister or suchlike, right?

"To explain, Ser Elijah. This once belonged to my brother Lawrence's son, Ser Hugo. He was a royal knight, who excelled in swordsmanship and wind magic. This plate is built to accent spiritual power and be tough at the same time."

"A... a magnificent gift. But... why?" I ask.

"You are not an especially popular man among the noble circles. The king is limited by their watch and cannot offer aid much. But such restrictions do not apply to me."

He pauses, blinks and then stares directly into my eyes.

"And I am trusting you to protect my granddaughter."

Ah, man... I can't not accept something like that...