The Distant Trail of Ciara Badvia - 1-1-6 The Thunder That Breaks the Tension

The Saria Magic Academy
Part 1: The Solzarand Royal Castle

THE THUNDER THAT BREAKS THE TENSION

After slowly savoring the cup of tea, Tyril rose from her seat.

The castle’s delicious tea and the maid’s kind service tempted Tyril to sit on the soft sofa just a little longer, but she hadn’t yet completed the procedure for enrolling in the magic academy yet. She was told to go as soon as possible, so she couldn’t selfishly waste time.

Tyril prepared to leave with the bag in her hand and asked the maid to guide her to the entrance. But just as she did… 

Thud-thud-thud!

…a series of loud rumbles echoed from somewhere. It seemed wholly out of place, given the setting.

What is that…? Tyril looked at the maid with a puzzled expression. The maid looked a bit troubled and gently pulled Tyril toward her. 

“I’m sorry, but please step away from the door. It’s dangerous.”

“Huh? What?”

Baffled, she took a step back as she was being pulled. The thunderous noise got closer and closer until finally…

Bam!

The luxurious oak door of the audience room slammed open with a tremendous sound, just grazing Tyril’s nose.

She jerked back, her heart pounding in surprise at the sudden danger. In front of her was a girl with semi-long, light-chestnut-colored hair wearing a simple white dress. The girl was huffing and puffing heavily.

“Huff, huff… W-wait a minute… Haa, haa…”

Perhaps because she ran quite a long distance, but the girl couldn’t catch her breath easily. Tyril simply watched and waited, hand on chest, still confused at what was going on.

“Haa, haa… Phew! Um, nice to meet you! You’re Ciara Badvia’s rumored daughter, right?”

As soon as the girl caught her breath, she instantly perked up and forcefully pointed her index finger at Tyril, speaking to her enthusiastically. Despite being taken aback, Tyril nodded. 

“Uh, y-yes. That’s right.”

“Oh, thank goodness. I made it in time. I actually planned to come earlier, but class dragged on. That history teacher of mine just won’t let us go until his entire lecture is finished, even though his instructions are terrible. Seriously, I want to fire him.”

“Erm…”

“I heard from my father that Ciara’s daughter was coming today, so I was looking forward to it. It might sound silly, but who wouldn’t want to get to know someone like that, right?”

“Well, I…”

“‘Course, you wouldn’t know from your perspective. But when you talk about Ciara Badvia, she’s a famous person known all over the world, the incredible hero who single-handedly ended the war! So I expect her daughter is an amazing person too!”

“Well, I’m not sure I’m…”

“Ah, sorry, sorry. That was thoughtless of me, wasn’t it? I’m not very bright, so I tend to blurt out whatever comes to mind. I really am actually interested because you’re Ciara’s daughter, but it’s still rude either way, huh? Oh, but it’s not just that. I heard we’re around the same age, and I really want to be friends with you.”

Like an overturned bucket spilling out its contents, the girl rambled on and on. Tyril was overwhelmed and could barely get a word in, let alone fully follow what was being said. She took a step back, feeling pressured by the girl’s enthusiasm, but the maid supported her from behind and gently whispered in her ear.

“She is Her Highness the Princess.”

Startled, Tyril was about to turn around, but the maid stepped forward a moment later, hands on her hips, and started scolding the girl.

“Your Highness! Please refrain from swamping her with so much! You’re confusing Miss Zeeland.”

“Huh? Oh, really?”

The maid’s words snapped the girl back to her senses, and she stopped talking and gazed at Tyril. The girl observed her openly, her eyes devoid of hostility or fondness—only gauging the situation and no more. Tyril meekly endured the gaze, feeling slightly anxious.

“Again! It’s impolite to stare so much. And you were running down the corridor earlier—as I’ve told you before, please show some more awareness of your role as a princess and work on your manners.”

“Oh, come on, you’re such a pain.”

“Your choice of words is also inappropriate. I shall report this to your father.”

Ignoring the out-of-breath maid, the girl quietly walked up to Tyril and vented her frustration with a scowl.

“She’s a maid assigned by my father. But even though she’s a maid, she doesn’t listen to me and keeps saying she’ll report this or that to my father. Must have grown up eating tattleweed all the time as a child.”

Tyril burst into a laugh at the girl’s childishness. Seeing Tyril smile brought some relief to the girl as well, and she smirked mischievously, causing the maid to frown even deeper. 

“Well, I did talk too much without introducing myself properly. Let me try that again. I’m Aria. Aria-Eldys Haag. I’m the daughter of King Elm the Sixth, and the First Princess of the Solzarand Kingdom’s royal family. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, yes.” Perhaps due to Aria’s personality, Tyril returned the smile without feeling daunted by her title of princess. Tyril bowed her head before her nerves could get to her. “I’m Tyril Zeeland, the daughter of Ciara Badvia, as the king says. Um, it’s nice to meet you, Miss Aria.”

“Ah, yes, well… I suppose it is. Miss Aria, huh…”

After receiving Tyril’s greeting, Aria looked away with a complicated expression. 

Did I say something to offend her? Worried, Tyril cautiously tried to gauge her mood. “Um…”

Aria quickly wiped that expression off, though. She bent down a little, bringing her face closer to Tyril’s, and smiled. 

“It’s nothing. Anyway, nice to meet you, Tyril!”

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