In another location….
A knock sounded at the door of the mansion’s office.
“Come in.” The figure behind the desk shifted only slightly upon hearing the noise. “What news have you brought me today, Ventia?”
The door opened, and a woman in official clothes walked in. Her long red hair tied up in a high ponytail. She placed a closed fist over her heart and bowed.
“Protectorate Camber, I bring news of the Hero’s approach. He has been seen entering the Beastmen’s lands, led by Protectorate Brandi.”
“The Hero? Hmm…So it is finally time, huh.” Cambers tapped a gloved finger on his desk as he pondered something. His build was much larger than a normal human, so the desk was also customized to be larger to fit his needs.
“Shall I bar them from entry into the city?” Ventia asked. Her hazel eyes fixed steadily on the minotaur behind the desk, awaiting his orders. She stood at the ready.
“No, no need to bar them entry.” Cambers adjusted his reading spectacles and dismissed the idea. “They should be heading to Lance's town next, probably. Looks like I need to speed up the preparations, then…”
“My lord? Do you intend to allow them to come here?” Ventia asked, in disbelief. Reconfirming what she had just heard.
“I intend to do exactly that, Ventia. Thank you for relaying the news in such a timely manner as always. You may leave.” Cambers took out a fresh piece of parchment, and began to write something down.
“...” Ventia stood there, her clenched hand shaking with what she dared not show on her face.
“...Is something the matter? Did you have some other news you would like to report?” Cambers asked.
“...No, my lord. I will relay your orders to the city guards.” Ventia bowed once again, and left the room. As the door was closing, she turned to look back at the person sitting at the desk, with a pained light glistening in her glassy eyes.
Click. The door shut.
“....” Cambers sighed and muttered to himself. “It's much sooner than I thought…will I be able to finish everything in time? And that child… Father Almighty, I hope everything will turn out okay in the end.”
Cambers continued writing. The scratching sound of a swift pen was the only thing to break the looming silence that descended upon the room.
==========
“Better than Jasmine?” Christian asked cautiously.
“Heh. Why? You jealous?” Robin joked. “Jasmine is my teacher and adoptive cousin. Since she is my Teacher, I must respect her. Since she is my adoptive cousin, I must protect her. Is that not the same for you?”
“Well, you’re not wrong. But, Jasmine can hold her own in a proper fight. She is a magi, after all.” Christian shrugged. “That is, to say, there is precious little opportunity for me to be the one protecting her instead of the other way around.”
“You never know. It could happen.” Robin said, looking at Christian’s face. “Christian, what's wrong? Spit it out.”
“Well…now that I think about it, it's a stupid question.” Christian ran his fingers through his hair, lifting it away from his face.
“‘There are no stupid questions.’” Robin smiled, as she said the thing her brother always told her. “‘However, there sure are a lot of inquisitive idiots.’”
“Oh, so is that how you see me? A halfwit?” Christian asked.
“Well, I can't say I didn't consider it, regarding what happened back in Ekkinshire. You didn't really have the best of first impressions.” Robin chuckled.
“Still…it's fine if you still think that about me…if it means you’ll remember me after you leave.” Christian muttered. "Just two left….”
Robin’s eyes widened. “... You're going to miss me.” She noted. It was not a question. It was a fact. She opened her mouth. "...Why should I?”
“...Pardon?” Christian asked, not quite understanding the context.
“Why should I remember you as a half wit?” Robin asked.
“Well…I always seem to make a lot of mistakes around you…” Christian admitted sheepishly.
"I just ...don't seem to do much good… Even when you were kidnapped in front of me, I couldn't- couldn’t do anything. I just watched as they stole you away.” He looked down at his hands.
“I couldn’t help you against the Trader or when you went to save those children, or even against those sandstorm bandits…I…have never felt so useless in my entire life before.”
“Christian…” Robin fell silent for a minute. Was this how Christian had been feeling this whole time? …she didn't like it. She didn't want to see him putting himself down like this.
“You know, a very well-respected man once said ‘There are no mistakes, as long as you learn from them.’” Robin said, putting a hand on Christian’s shoulder. “Making mistakes isn't something to be afraid of. We're human, after all. And, I have noticed it, recently.”
“Noticed what?” Christian asked.
“Your efforts: all the times you wanted to say something, but held back. You were afraid of saying something unhelpful, right?” Robin tilted her head to look up at him.
“Why should I consider someone who is making efforts according to the lessons he learns a halfwit? Besides…you have helped me in other areas.”
“I …have?” Christian blinked. “Wait, you mean-”
“No, not comic relief, although that was helpful in its own way.” Robin shook her head with a laugh. “If you weren't coming along with me, then Jasmine and Keith would not have come along as well, you know?”
“Huh?” Christian blinked in confusion.
“Ponzu wouldn't be here, or the guards. It would be just me, traveling by myself all over the place, probably.” Robin admitted. “With no idea of the surrounding areas, or where I would need to go, I’d have to travel on foot, as well as fight against whatever evils I encountered along the way.”
“Well, yeah, but…you could definitely handle it even if you were on your own, right?” Christian fidgeted. “And besides…that wasn't really me, was it? You're just grateful to Jasmine and Keith…”
“And I am grateful to you who made it happen. How would I know how to use invocations without a teacher? How would I find out Keith was my uncle, if we never met again? How would I be able to stand up against the trader or those would be slavers without the resolve I gained?” Robin presented her points one by one.
“Christian…there are an awful lot of vital pieces of information, and connections that I would never have had access to without your presence and aid. Even now, I'm not quite sure I could fully put into words the things that just your presence managed to help me with.”
“Um…well…thank you?” Christian felt as if all his words were quickly draining out of his head, and he needed to search for them in a swamp.
“No, thank you. You are not a nuisance, Christian.” Robin patted Christian’s shoulder. “So, was there anything else you needed to talk to me about?”
“...Well, I think I was going to say…if it were for anyone else I would object wholeheartedly. But…I don't mind being the comedic relief, if it's just for you.” Christian was suddenly very conscious of Robin's hand on his shoulder, and his ears turned red.
Robin blinked, surprised. Then she laughed. “What's up with that? How could you make becoming a jester suddenly sound like a marriage proposal?”
“If I could switch it out for a marriage, I would propose in a heartbeat.” Christian turned his head to the side and muttered under his breath.
“What was that?” Robin asked, not quite catching what Christian said.
“I said are you going to keep staring at me? I know I’m not bad, but I am your biggest fan. It’s a bit much for me.” Christian said, looking delighted and troubled at the same time.
“Maybe I should stare at you a bit longer then.” Robin smiled slyly, moving a bit closer. “I suddenly want to trouble you.”
Christian’s mind blanked as he stared at Robin in shock, and amazement. The two of them stood there in an unofficial staring contest. Christian was the first to look away, as he felt his face starting to heat up.
“That's unfair…” He muttered.
Robin burst out laughing.
“Were you making fun of me?” Christian stiffened up.
“No, no, I wasn't!” Robin couldn't say that she felt Christian was quite adorable when he acted like this. “I was just suddenly very happy.”
“Happy that you're leaving soon?”
