Lunesday, 3rd of Septimus, 470th Year of the Fifth Era

Claire had woken up early in the morning. On the far side of the bed, Lady Ruth was still asleep. Not wanting to bother her roommate, Claire had quietly gotten out of the covers. She stretched her arms and legs before taking a peek out of the windows. The sun looked like it had just gotten up alongside her. Plenty of time to prepare for her activities that day.

For the past couple of days, she had been staying at the mansion of a Count. And she wasn't even forced into the servants' quarters. Instead, she'd been given a very comfortable bedroom. Though she shared it with Lady Ruth, the bed was still big enough to fit one or two more people in it.

Just two weeks ago, if someone had told her that she'd be living in a mansion and be treated like a noble lady, she'd have thought they were drunk. But it was truly so.

During dinner talks after church yesterday, the count had discussed with Prince Josias on equivalent titles for his companions. Those talks also included hers. By Lord Sadrach's admission, it was claimed that Claire's grandfather commanded a force of around two dozen tiger-knights. He also owned various tracts of arable land in Goria. This led to the conclusion that her grandfather was equivalent to a baron.

Just like that, she was a baron's granddaughter. By that virtue, she in turn was now referred to as 'Lady Claire'. That's what the servants of the mansion had started calling her, anyways. It was unfathomable.

It wasn't technically a lie. Her father's old stories were corroborated by Prince Josias and his companions. But it still didn't feel real. It was basically an overnight change for her.

All her life, she was known as 'the foreign tavernkeeper's daughter'. A pretty little thing – at least if her father's boorish patrons were to be believed. But nothing more special than that. She would be lying if she said she grew up poor, but she was still far too common. There were still a whole host of merchants and artisans richer than her father.

But it wasn't like she ever asked for anything more than that. A good roof over her head, plentiful food to fill her stomach, and most importantly, a family that loved her. They also – her father particularly – always supported her in a whole host of things.

Her mother was irregular as far as the commonfolk were concerned. Because her maternal grandfather owned a small bookstore, her mother grew up with a love of literature. Well, calling it a 'bookstore' would be too generous. Her grandfather was truly a member of some small merchant trading company. He would occasionally dabble in trading books, but always kept a small shelf of his own.

Naturally, this love of learning and reading passed down to Claire and – to a lesser extent – her siblings. She'd read anything she could get her hands on. History books, dictionaries, books on animals, anything that might be able to make it to a commoner's hand. Though highly improbable, one of those things ended up being a theoretical magic book.

It spoke of things and concepts she couldn't understand, but that only made it more intriguing to her. Slowly, little by little, she started studying those concepts on her own. It got to a point when a few years ago, just a little after her 15th birthday, she surprised her parents by showing them a small spell. She conjured up tiny flames on the tips of her fingers to help her mother with lighting the candles.

Some time last year, a travelling wizard had decided to stop by her father's tavern to eat. Of course she didn't know the man was a wizard at the time. He was wearing fairly inconspicuous clothing. Almost looked as common as her.

Claire wanted to impress the man who she thought was just another patron with a neat little spell she just learned. He had looked somewhat tired so she asked the man whether he wanted something refreshing. When he asked what she was offering, she answered 'ice water'. The man looked confused when she told him that, saying that it was the middle of a hot summer.

To that, Claire pointed one of her fingers to a cup of water. With a faint blue-ish glow, she froze the water in the glass. After which, she used her other hand to summon small flames on her fingertips. With that, she heated up the cup just enough so that it melted with two ice cubes floating in it.

She thought it was a very cute little trick. Apparently, the man thought it was more than that. He had politely asked her to show him her palms and for whatever reason, she agreed. That was when she found out the man was a mage. Apparently he sensed her mana reserves and surprisingly told her she was around a second mana circle already.

Excitedly, he drew up a letter of recommendation right then and there and gave it to her father. With that, he extended an invitation for her to join the Magic Faculty of the Imperial Academy. Surprisingly, he was a professor of the academy and a mage of the Royal Mage's Directory, Lord Stephen Chesterton.

Yesterday, Claire had given her recommendation letter to Count Lorenz. He had verified its legitimacy and said she needn't worry about matters of enrollment. However, the count became curious as to why her recommendation letter was separate from the rest of the Halak entourage. Also why in her recommendation, it was stated she was a 'commoner'.

Claire was almost about to just come clean then and there, but Lady Serena had stepped in faster than she anticipated. She explained how Claire was born and raised in Chestersey and how her father – a knight-warrior of Goria – had travelled to Feldonia and met her mother. Because there was no such thing as a 'morganatic' wedding in Halak culture, she still bore full rights as a Halak noble lady.

Of course, Lady Serena conveniently left out how Claire and her family had virtually no contact with the Halaklands prior to their meeting. Lady Serena also straight up lied about the wedding thing. As far as she heard from her father, in Halak culture, she was effectively a bastard child as her parents' wedding wasn't recognised by any Halak authority.

Claire had a feeling the count knew some things weren't adding up, but thankfully he didn't ask anything further. He only reiterated that they didn't have to worry about anything regarding the academy. Even when Prince Josias brought up the matter of the tuition fees, the count only laughed him off.

Count Lorenz swore on the dining table that matters regarding their finances – outside of certain luxuries – would all be the responsibility of the Rappmeister estate. Everyone seemed delighted at the prospect.

But deep down, Claire felt that she truly didn't deserve all that. What started out as just her hitching a ride with the Prince and Princess, ended up with all these privileges.

Last night, she tried to tell Lady Serena that she didn't need all these considerations. She also told her how she still had to meet with her aunt and uncle and that she should stay with them. However, Lady Serena was having none of it.

She wasn't heavy-handed with Claire about it, but Lady Serena had sat her down in her chambers. She gave all sorts of reasons why it would be better for her to stay with the Halak contingent. Truthfully, even Claire knew it was far more beneficial for her to stay, but she still felt undeserving of the treatment.

However, Lady Serena finally managed to convince her. Lady Serena told her to view all these privileges not as some sort of 'undeserved reward' but as fair payment. When she asked 'fair payment for what?', Lady Serena smiled and asked her if Claire would kindly swear fealty to her.

Claire had been stumped for a second, but it didn't take that much longer for her to come up with an answer. Even in only two weeks of knowing her, Claire knew her family owed a high debt towards the count's niece. Swearing fealty to a truly noble lady like that, it was only natural.

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But today, she still had things she needed to do. Even if she was no longer required to stay with her aunt and uncle, she still felt obligated to visit them. With that in mind, she got herself ready, picking out a nice, simple, blue dress. It wasn't too gaudy nor opulent, but it was still beautiful to her.

Lady Serena and the others had given her all sorts of beautiful dresses and the like, but she didn't want to stand out too much. She'd keep the very nice clothes for the dinner at the Imperial Palace of Griffsroost. Remembering that, Claire sighed once again.

"What's a commoner like me going to do in front of the king?" She muttered to herself while preparing her clothes.

It didn't take long for her to put on her dress. After which, she brushed her long blonde hair before carefully tying it into a simple braid. She checked herself in the mirror once again before she headed to the door. But not before she walked over to her roommate's side.

Claire gave Ruth a gentle shake to wake her. As usual, it wasn't working. This noble lady truly was adverse to the mornings. Increasing the intensity of her shakes, Ruth lazily half opened her eyes as she eyed her sideways.

"Hmmmfff–....???" She didn't even bother forming coherent words.

"I'm going to be going out for a bit, Milady, to visit my aunt and uncle. If anyone asks for me, I'll be back before midday." Claire explained.

"Mhmmm… safe trip…mm.." It didn't take long for the young lady to fall back asleep. She even snored a little.

It was slightly adorable, but if she were one of her younger sisters, Claire would've already dragged her out of bed for morning chores. But then again, what chores would they even be allowed to do in the count's mansion? With that thought, she went out of the room.

Claire had intended to drop by the steward's chambers to ask permission for her short visit. The mansion was large, but she prided herself on her sharp memory. The steward's chambers were just across her annex. It was fastest to walk through the inner garden.

Just as she stepped into the gardens, she noticed the count and countess were already awake. They were sitting on one of the garden tables, conversing with each other while drinking some tea. The steward was also there, attending to them. Next to him was also the young Reverend Prince Timotheus.

Claire stopped in her tracks as she saw them. She thought for a bit, whether or not she should approach them. But then again, would it even be appropriate? They seemed to be discussing a few things.

While she was mulling that over, slightly panicking in her mind, it appeared that she was noticed.

"Lady Claire?" Sir Robert was the one to notice her first. It was amazing how fast he seemed to remember people's names and faces. Having her name called like that, it didn't seem likely that she could just turn back. There was no choice, then.

"Good morning, Lord Count, Your Highness, Sir Steward." Claire did her best to curtsy and bow. The official lessons on etiquette were supposed to be held later in the afternoon, but she still had to do what she could.

"Where are you off to this early in the morning and… in such a modest dress?" The countess was the first to ask her. She had a smile, but her eyes felt like they were judging her.

Claire instinctively bowed her head. She'd never met a woman – or likely anyone for that matter – who made her feel more nervous than the countess. Something about the older woman just made her feel uneasy. Like those eyes were scrutinizing every last imperfection in her person.

"I was about to ask permission from the Lord Steward, Your Highness." Claire did her utmost to not show the nervousness in her voice "I was going out to visit my aunt and uncle out in the city. It doesn't feel right for me to be in Skysea and not visit them, Your Highness."

"Ah, interesting. Do you even know where they live?" The countess continued her questioning with an interested face, sipping on her porcelain teacup.

"Oh, I heard from my father that they live in the Adventurers' District, on the Tigerclaw Guild's Street." Claire explained as best that she could remember "I was also about to ask the Lord Steward for some simple directions."

"My, you're going to the adventurer's district? No wonder you didn't bother wearing anything nice. Those boorish brutes wouldn't appreciate beauty anyways." The countess commented as she fanned herself. Claire could hear the disdain in her voice when she mentioned the adventurer's guild.

"Prince Alfred wouldn't be too pleased if he heard that." Count Lorenze chuckled while also drinking his tea.

"What my uncle doesn't hear won't hurt him." The countess stood on her statement, her tone slightly indignant. "Besides, he knows how I feel about the association. I'd never forget the ones who took my sweet boy away from me."

Claire could see both the count and Sir Robert showing difficult expressions.

"Ahem. Coming back to you, Lady Claire, the adventurers' district is a little far from here. Close to the harbor and King Ceadda's Gate." Sir Robert had cleared his throat as he pivoted the conversation away.

"Oh, I was thinking of either walking while asking for directions. Or perhaps paying for a wagon ride there. Being on my own, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. I'd be back before noon, milord." Claire said.

"Preposterous." The countess said tersely "A comely young lady like you? Going alone to a den of brutish knaves? I shan't allow it. Just take one of the carriages and a knight escort."

"Your Highness, that would be too much. I don't wish to stand out to anyone there. I simply want to make a quick visit."

"Then a carriage would pose no problem. Besides, you would get there much quicker and also be much safer. We'll have a knight follow behind discreetly."

"But, Your Highness…"

"I will have no 'ifs' or 'buts' about this and that's final. Don't think I've forgotten that we have etiquette lessons for this afternoon. You won't be skipping any of that."

The countess seemed unwaveringly determined. There was no point for Claire to argue any further. It was good enough she was even allowed the freedom of an outing.

"I shall do as you say, Your Highness." Claire bowed.

"Would it trouble my lady if I were to come with you?" All of a sudden, Reverend Timotheus spoke.

"Pardon me?" Claire looked at the handsome reverend with a confused look. It was a little out of the blue.

"I heard about this from my lady's father, but it doesn't seem like you've ever met your aunt or uncle before."

That was a true statement. She had known about her aunt and uncle for the longest time, mostly through her father's exchange of letters. But they always wrote in Halak so she would rely on her father telling her about her family.

"The presence of a clergyman would have your family rest assured of your identity. I was also looking for a chance to see more of the city. I could also provide what limited amount of protection I can as a mage. Of course that is if the Lord Count gives his leave." Reverend Timotheus looked to Count Lorenz.

"That is for the young lady to decide." The count answered as he motioned to Claire.

With that, Reverend Timotheus looked to her. As he stood facing her in front of the others, he gave an apologetic smile and mouthed 'please'.

Claire thought about it for a short bit. The young reverend was an astonishing mage with a wide breadth of knowledge in him. He was also a phenomenally wonderful teacher when it came to magic. Because of his lessons on the ship, Claire was able to better control her spells.

The only problem was that, for some reason, being in too close of a proximity with him made her uncomfortable. It wasn't because it was unpleasant. In fact it was the opposite for her. The young reverend's company felt far too pleasant.

Sometimes, it was hard for her to concentrate during her lessons. His square, chiseled jaw, dark eyes, tall physique. Even his slightly muscular build despite being a priest. Not to mention his tanned skin which reminded her of her father.

But those were stupid reasons to reject an offer. Besides, what he said was true. She wasn't able to speak Halak fluently. She was also vastly uninformed on all the minute cultural details of her heritage. Having him around would be of great help, objectively speaking.

"...It would be my pleasure." She nodded, making sure not to do it over-enthusiastically.

"The Tigerclaw guild is a rather famous guild." Count Lorenz spoke up "They have many capable warriors in their midst and are exceptionally good at taking on difficult tasks. If your uncle and aunt live on their street, then they must be members of the guild. If you don't mind me asking, do you know their names?"

"Oh, I know their Halak names, but my father told me to ask for them with their western names. My uncle calls himself Maurice Brightstar. My aunt's western name is Cynthia Moon."

When Claire spoke those names, she saw the old count's eyes widen.

"Your aunt and uncle... are the Star and Moon of the Tigerclaws?"

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