Retrieve the Kingdom

Problem on the Other Side

Phoebe was enjoying the calm side of Mires. She was surprised that nothing has emerged yet in Mires. She’s skeptical of its tranquility and peace. 

She’s meeting an old friend today, Dara. She has been writing to her for months and she was glad that all of the letters were received by her. They have been exchanging letters in those months. She was glad to read them and she is happy to know she was fine. 

But something was bothering her between the lines of the letters. She always avoids going in-detail of everything that is happening there and saying that everything is just fine and safe. She doesn’t know why she’s being so skeptical. She doesn’t know if it’s just paranoia or it’s the right instincts that she got. 

Some knocking on the door of her inn room was heard. She was trailed off with her deep thoughts she has been thinking while she was watching the few snowdrops outdoors. 

“Mail for Miss Phoebe of Mires!” The knocks were followed by a shout, saying what’s the intention of the comer. She approached the door and opened it. She opened it slightly and just popped her head to peek. 

It was not a mail officer, it was not dressed as one though. Seeing its fancy winter suit makes her think it was a personal messenger. “Miss Phoebe of Mires?” She nods to confirm her name. “Here’s your letter from the prince.” He handed a folded paper to her which she accepted. She flipped it while it was on her fingers. “Thank you.” She smiled as she closed the door as the messenger left.

She sat on the edge of her bed as she unfolds the letter. It was already a little bit crumpled. “The messenger is not good at handling letters.” She commented as she completely opens the letter, revealing some weird ink smudges.

“Huh, this is kind of messy.” She said as she started reading the letter she received from the prince. 

‘Dearest Phoebe,

I really have nothing to say right now and it’s a burden for me to say that. The case didn’t got concluded yet because of the death. They abruptly just end the court session. I don’t really know if that’s legal to end it like that if someone died in the court while in session.

About the death, I really have nothing to say about it too. I know he’s just confirmed dead. Nothing more, nothing less. I was really skeptical about the death. I am suspicious of my dad being involved with it. I know he is, he is always that sneaky cunning mastermind.

I wish that didn’t make the side of my aunt less reliable without their own witness. Well, he have said some of his statements before he took his last breath. Let’s just wait until the events unfold. 

Andrei.’ 

Nothing made Phoebe relieved. She was still nervous about what will happen. I guess she can read some newspaper while she was at it. She approached the bedside cabinet and opened the drawer to place the letter there along with the other ones. 

She decided it was time to visit her old friend. She suits up with her winter clothes and bid goodbye to her family. “Where are you going?” Her father asked which she briefly answered. “I’ll visit Dara.” “I should accompany you.” Her brother said, which she shook her head to as a no. “I can handle myself, I want to meet Dara alone. 

“Are you sure?” Nathan asked once more which she nods to. “Yes, I will be back in the afternoon. Don’t worry, I’ll come back in one piece, no scratch, no wounds.” She exited the inn that they were staying in as she familiarizes herself with the place she is in now. She started heading to what she presumes the way to Dara’s house. 

Dara lives near the border of Gotthilff and Mires, which is near the previous school Phoebe was in. It was a little bit cold, but Phoebe kept on navigating to Dara’s home. She hoped nothing has changed the outside of her house, or else she will be lost.

As soon as she arrived at the common road to her house, she knows she was on the right path. She followed that road and kept an eye of on a three-story house with a flat roof just at the end of the second floor and a pointed roof at the third story.

She was glad nothing has changed, it was the iconic weird-looking house in the street. She approached the elevated doorsteps and knocked on the door. “Coming!” She heard from the inside, knowing the voice, it must be her mom. The door opened revealing the familiar figure in an apron and yellow dress.

“Phoebe! It’s nice to see you again!” The lady exclaimed as Phoebe smiles, “Good morning, Mrs. Fronia.” It was a happy sight of seeing the jolly and enthusiastic mother of her friend. “Dara! Phoebe is here!” She looked inside and looked back at her, “Come in, Phoebe. Come in!” 

She opened the door wide and sets herself aside. Phoebe entered as she was surprised by Dara suddenly hugging her. “Phoebe! I miss you so much!” She giggled as she hugged her friend back. 

Dara released after cuddling her, “I am glad you paid me a visit. I didn’t know you will be visiting Mires this soon!” It was a happy sight of two friends, just smiling and excited for each other. “Well, my family planned to take a break from the busy streets of Oliver, and it was worth the shot, at least.” 

“I hope you gave me a heads up. I might get even more prepared. Take a seat, we’ll be talking a lot!” She leads them to their lounge and lets her take a seat on one of the couches. “Would you like some hot chocolate milk? Mom bought some ingredients of it in the market yesterday!” 

“Are you sure? That sounds a bit expensive.” She said as she removed her winter coat and set it aside, just beside her. “Nah, it’s fine. Just a little, I want to serve you something special since this is just once in a while meet up.” Phoebe just nods as Dara went into the kitchen. She looks around as she was waiting for Dara to go and sit with her. Minutes later, she came back, “Let’s let the chocolate be melted first.” She sat beside her, “Anyway, how were you in your prestigious life and school life?” 

Phoebe giggles as Dara acted sassy while she was saying it, “It’s fine. It’s just the same, reading, studying, writing notes, quizzes, activities, all of that stuff. Same things, just in a lot of different situations, you know.” 

“How is it like to be studying in the most prestigious school in the kingdom, hmm? Hmm?” She asked more while she was eagerly waiting for her answers. “Well, it’s a privilege, I guess. It’s the most prestigious academy anyway. It’s also a lot harder since there are some standards and boundaries, stricter than Fara’s and in Gotthilf’s.”

“I am sure you handled that, you were the best student in our class before, remember? If you wouldn’t go away and transferred to another school, that Eloine would be forever second. She was so happy when you transferred and she decided to rule the students in the school, which she failed of course, gladly.” Dara giggled as Phoebe looks at her, “How about you, how was your school?”

“Well, it’s pretty fine, even it’s just advancing lessons for me to go to a high school. It’s also pretty boring in an advancing school, there are a few students in a single class, it’s like 15 or even less. I met a new friend anyway, so that’s alright for me. You are lucky that you don’t need to go to an advancing school, it’s pretty isolation hell there. And the teachers treat you like you were a baby just learning new things. I mean, some of it is new, but it’s not like I don’t have a background or anything.” 

“Maybe they are just making sure you are learning and understanding everything. A lot has repeated a year on an advancing school, and there’s a threat on fewer professionals in the kingdom.” Phoebe explained. “I just don’t like being treated like I know nothing. It’s kind of offending, to be honest. Oh, wait, scratch that, it’s totally offending.” She looked at the kitchen, “I think the chocolate has been melted, wait here!” 

Phoebe just shook her head, it was the typical Dara she has known. She never changed. She waited for a while as she arrived with two mugs of light brown liquid. “Are you sure that it’s really okay to consume some of the chocolate your mother bought?” She said as she looks at the drinks. “This is maybe too much, cocoa paste wafers are expensive.” Dara giggles, “It’s fine! The seller is mom’s friend and she discounted us for some. Drink now.” Phoebe just shrugged and started drinking hers. “Anyway, can you tell me more about what is happening to you there in Enoch?” Dara smiles and she was excited for storytime with Phoebe. The black-haired girl was a bit uncomfortable with her mother around. 

“It’s fine… Just your typical crowded and busy city.” She drinks, she was a bit nervous telling everything she have encountered in her stay in Enoch. “Come on, I know you have been adventuring and walking around. Tell me some! It’s a privilege to stay in Enoch, you know?”

She set her drink on the table, “Maybe we can have a walk in the park? Just the two of us.” Dara smiled, “Well, sure, let’s finish our chocolates first.” They did, they finished their warm chocolate drinks. Dara grabbed her winter coat. “Mom, I will be just taking a walk with Phoebe here.” They approached Fronia who is wiping some dust on a side table at the third floor. “Sure, be careful navigating the outside, it’s slippery and you might run into accidents.” 

“Don’t worry mom, we will be careful.” They went downstairs and out of the house. “Come back before lunch!” She shouted from the window as Dara nods. They went to the nearby park who is a bit empty, with a few people just walking around and having their own business.

“Is this some kind of secret that you want it so private?” Dara asked as they sat on a clean bench. “Well, I don’t really want anyone to know this more. But I guess I have to tell you. You know that thing that…” She whispers, “That I want to overthrow the king?”

“You are into that still? I thought you already changed that. You know you can’t Phoebe, and you might not succeed in doing so. This is so dangerous.” It was the typical phrase that Dara is speaking when Phoebe is talking about her plans. It’s dangerous, you can’t do that, I don’t want you to die and others. Phoebe sighs, “Well, I am with someone who has the same plan as I am.” 

“Who?” Phoebe looks at her, “You remembered I was the chosen scholar of the archduke?” Dara nods. “Well, he knows everything. He knows every tyranny he is doing, and he knows everything he does. He is the brother of the king after all.” 

“So, you mean, someone other than you wishes for him out of the throne. I mean, I am with you with a lot of these things happening to my f—I mean, nothing, n-nothing.” Phoebe looks at Dara who seems regretting what she has just said. “Dara, you have a problem, don’t you?”

“We all have problems Phoebe, this is nothing to worry about. Just continue.” Phoebe moves a bit closer to her, “I know you, you are skeptical with my plans and saying I am a mad lass. Tell me, what happened when I was not around?” 

Dara sighs and hugged her tightly, “My father… He has a big debt with a certain councilor… He’s now being punished by working there without any salary…”