MMFHRK-Chapter 13

Chapter 13: The Witches’ Tea Party

“Welcome, Luosenni.”

Airiya offered her greeting.

“Was your journey a smooth one?”

“Well enough.” Luosenni pulled a face. “At least when I passed through Fimu, they sent along such a brave and proper soldier to escort me. Fimu’s mayor also asked me to pass along that he hopes the esteemed Lady ‘Winter Solstice’ will settle on a date for her next visit to Fimu as soon as possible—never mind, why bring him up? All right, all right, Airiya, stop standing in the doorway and take me into the mansion. It’s dreadfully hot out here, and I don’t care for sweating…”

She suddenly fell silent, her eyes fixed intently on the space beside Airiya.

Specifically, what she was staring at was Lilinai.

“Oh my—so this is the child you bought?”

“Guh…”

Lilinai couldn’t help grimacing.

Because Luosenni had stepped forward without the slightest ceremony and seized her small face with both hands, pinching away.

Not only that, but the range of her touching quickly expanded, beginning to move in the direction of measuring the girl’s three sizes.

“Hsss—what lovely skin, so smooth to the touch. Well-proportioned figure, and her bearing and appearance are both first-rate… you’ve bought yourself a top-quality child, Airiya! How much did you spend?”

Airiya stepped forward, hooked an arm around Lilinai’s, and pulled the trembling purple-haired girl back.

“No touching,” the white-haired Witch said with narrowed eyes and a smile. “No feeding, and no provoking her either. As for matters concerning this child, Luosenni, we can discuss them at leisure during the tea party. You’re right—rather than standing here baking in the sun, we’d do better to head inside the mansion first, especially since this isn’t good for the skin. What do you think?”

“Eh~”

Luosenni withdrew her hands, revealing a mysterious little smile.

“Could it be that you’re feeling bothered, Airiya?”

“Nothing of the sort. The black tea you asked for is already prepared, so stop being so picky.”

“Then I’ll defer to you.” Luosenni looked at Lilinai and licked her lips. “Still, I have to praise your… taste once again.”

“Thank you, dear.”

There was a trace of coolness in Airiya’s tone. “We’ve wasted enough time. Let’s go.”

…

…

Up on the terrace, an exquisite parasol stood open, two girls seated on either side of a pristine white tea table, autumn-maple-colored black tea giving off a rich fragrance.

The Witches’ tea party was a tradition belonging to that ancient organization, the Witches. The Witches’ Assembly placed great importance on unity, and those who became Witches were expected to strengthen the ties between sisters and exchange news regularly. Lilinai thought that in this respect, not even Witches could rise above convention—so long as one was human, there was no escaping the obligations of social intercourse. Back when she was still a noble, her family had attended no small number of similar invitational gatherings.

Airiya dismissed the maids but had Lilinai remain, responsible for playing the role of serving tea and pouring water. By rights, Lilinai ought to have felt pleased—she was finally back in the role Misite had hoped she’d fill when training her, rather than being pinned to a bed and tormented by Airiya. But she couldn’t feel pleased in the slightest, because over the course of the tea party the white-haired Witch would call her over from time to time and then pinch her without the least ceremony.

Compared to Airiya, ‘Flower Dream’ Luosenni’s personality was considerably more outgoing and cheerful. Throughout the entire tea party, nearly every topic was opened by Luosenni. They spoke of their past experiences studying magic under ‘Skylark’—a Witch by the name of Moseditina—and would burst into laughter together when the conversation turned to “those stubborn old relics in the Witches’ Assembly.” From this Lilinai learned that the two had known each other for a considerable time and were on very close terms.

She listened in silence, hoping to gather some valuable information.

“…That’s exactly why I say lecturing in that format is utterly meaningless.”

As they talked on, the two’s conversation turned to the Witches’ Assembly.

Luosenni apparently hadn’t realized that she’d once again dredged up things she’d already said in her letter and repeated them.

“It would be one thing if only that pack of old undying ones were so pedantic, but even Moseditina takes their side. You see, Airiya, because you arrogantly declined the invitations of the Madaer and Hengdaer royal families while being so very active within Luolunbao’s borders, the northern nations think you’re slighting them, and there are plenty in the Assembly who want to use the opportunity to lower your rating…”

“I simply couldn’t be bothered to travel that far.” Airiya sipped her black tea with elegant movements and shrugged. “If we really must, as the Assembly says, ‘treat every human kingdom with equality,’ does that mean I’m supposed to go buy a slave in every single kingdom?”

“Precisely! So I went and protested to the Assembly, and I even went to Moseditina. But guess what Lady ‘Skylark,’ who advocates the separation of magic and politics, had to say? ‘The Witches’ Assembly must hold magic and unity as its members’ highest principles; “Winter Solstice” has been negligent in fulfilling the Assembly’s obligations of communication with the major kingdoms, and deserves censure.’ Bah, bah! That flock of old obstinates. Since when did the reference criteria for candidates to the Witches’ Council change from magical ability to political leanings? If you ask me, the Assembly is utterly rotten these days, and reeks of a stench like—”

“That’s enough, Luosenni.”

Airiya said with some helplessness.

“Don’t use so much foul language, it’s terribly undignified. Besides, there’s an outsider present.”

“Does Miss Lilinai count as an outsider?” The pink-haired Witch turned her head with a beaming smile toward the purple-haired girl standing obediently to one side. “I find her both calm and composed, quite skilled at keeping and concealing secrets. She’s your own person, Airiya. Even if I say a few bad things about the Assembly, it won’t get out. Isn’t that right, little Lilinai?”

Not knowing what response to give, Lilinai could only bow.

“Is there any news from Kedasi?” Airiya changed the subject with feigned casualness. “I hear you’ve recently settled within the Kedasi Kingdom’s borders, and that you’re providing ‘limited advisory services’ to the Kedasi royal family. Do you serve the current king of Kedasi?”

Lilinai glanced at the white-haired Witch.

She felt that Airiya seemed unwilling to have Luosenni place too much attention on her.

“It’s a ‘queen,'” Luosenni corrected. “Kedasi’s current ruler is Lienata Blandi. The date of her accession was…”

“Who cares what her name is. Tell me about yourself, Luosenni. You are so enthusiastic about participating in kingdom politics, after all. I’m curious—what does it feel like to be a monarch’s assistant?”

“Assistant?”

Luosenni laughed so hard she trembled all over, unable to even hold her teacup steady.

“If you’re willing to call someone who can show up late to the royal council whenever she pleases a king’s assistant, then be my guest. And I’m still being polite about it, mind you. Do you know? Some of the sisters providing court advisory services to the Madasi and Hengdasi Kingdoms have the nerve to slam a fist on the table while the king is speaking and order him to shut up.”

Listening from the side, Lilinai couldn’t help wiping away sweat.

She knew a Witch’s standing was high, but she hadn’t imagined it could be high to this degree.