One Last Problem
Sevastien has been hesitant to speak with Cordelia about her grandmother, Agathe, with whom he once had a relationship. He feels that it would be inappropriate as he has no familial ties with the two. Charlotta advises Sevastien to give it some thought, and allows him some time off.
One month has passed since Balor, excommunicated member of the Lumiel Order of Holy Knights, made his vengeful attack against Sevastien and the order.
With Charlotta fully healed from her wound, it seems that the shadow cast by the threat of Balor has faded and normalcy has begun to return to the order at last.
Sevastien: Thank you for the report. We intend to continue surveillance for a while longer, but you knights may return to your regular duties.
Sevastien: I suppose it's official now— this ordeal is finally over.
The praetors had been tasked with investigating former members and known associates of Balor's old mercenary band.
They searched high and low for anyone who shared Balor's objectives, but found none.
Sevastien: Finally, we can all move on.
Sevastien: Mostly...
One last issue still weighs on Sevastien's mind: Cordelia.
Sevastien: (I know I promised to speak to her, but I've been so busy with wrapping this case up that it's been a whole month since the ceremony.)
Sevastien: (I must face the music and find some time to sit down with her.)
Sevastien: (I very much want to speak to her, but as to what about, I'm at a loss...)
Sevastien: Sigh...
Charlotta: Grandbutler! Are you all right?
Sevastien: Madam! Why such urgency?
Charlotta: I could tell someone was in here, but I knocked several times and received no answer.
Charlotta: After recent events, I feared that you might have been attacked by an intruder, so I couldn't help but barge in...
Sevastien: I see...
I apologize for worrying you, but as you can see, all is well.
Charlotta: Are you certain? I've never known you to miss someone knocking, Grandbutler.
Charlotta: Not to mention the knights I saw filing out of here earlier. Is something the matter?
Sevastien: I did intend to properly report this to you later, but I had assigned them to investigate any loose ends regarding Balor.
Sevastien: Their findings are conclusive— it's safe to say that that incident is over.
Charlotta: So it's something else that's bothering you, then?
Sevastien: You're very inquisitive today, Madam.
Charlotta: Since I returned to my duties, I've noticed that you haven't been your usual self.
Charlotta: That's mostly why I've come to see you today.
Charlotta: And I refuse to leave until you tell me what's wrong!
Sevastien: ...
Very well. Since it could take a while to explain, may I interest you in some tea?
Charlotta: Of course! And tea would go nicely with some biscuits, if you have any!
Sevastien: Naturally, Madam.
Charlotta: So you're not sure what you should speak about with Cordelia...
Charlotta: To be honest, I don't really understand why you're being so reluctant in the first place, Grandbutler.
Sevastien: Well, it's quite embarrassing to put it into words, but...
Sevastien: Agathe and I were in love, but we never wed.
Sevastien: I have no relation to her daughter, Olga, whether by blood or marriage.
Sevastien: Objectively speaking, we are perfect strangers, no matter my personal feelings on the matter.
Charlotta: And this state of affairs also extends to Olga's own daughter, Cordelia, as well.
Sevastien: Precisely. I feel it would be inappropriate of me to speak to her about her family, when I am not a part of it.
Sevastien: And yet, to my consternation, I feel that I must talk to her about something. I even promised her that I would.
Sevastien: However, I find myself reticent to do so...
And so it goes, round and round in my head.
Charlotta: If you made a promise, you should keep it. And I personally believe it would be better for you two to talk.
Charlotta: But if you can't bring yourself to see her right this instant...
Charlotta: Perhaps you could take some time to think about it?
Sevastien: What do you mean, Madam?
Charlotta: It's only been a month since the incident.
Charlotta: That's nothing compared to the decades that you've been burying all those complicated feelings.
Charlotta: In my opinion, you need to put some distance between yourself and Lumiel.
Charlotta: An opportunity to think your situation through as an individual, not as part of the order.
Charlotta: More to the point, you haven't rested once since that grueling fight. That is some terrible work-life balance!
Sevastien: Haha, I apologize. To think the day would come when I'd be the one worrying you.
Charlotta: I haven't stopped worrying since you first spoke to us about Balor. I feel like I need a vacation!
Sevastien: Yes, it wouldn't do for you to exhaust yourself fretting over me.
Sevastien: But are you really giving me permission to take a leave of absence?
Sevastien: I should check with His Eminence just to make sure...
Charlotta: No need! I will explain everything to His Eminence on your behalf!
Charlotta: As captain, it is my job to stand in for my subordinates while they take time off!
Charlotta: The only thing you should worry about is getting the rest you need, Grandbutler!
Sevastien: Of course.
Then I believe I shall take you up on your offer.
Charlotta: Oh! And no SOUP Operations while you're on vacation! Leave that butler uniform behind, too!
Sevastien: As you wish.
By afternoon, Sevastien finds himself aboard a small airship.
Sevastien: Where should I go then, if SOUP Operations are out of the question?
The vessel is unmoored and rises into the sky, carrying Sevastien and his worries with it.
Sevastien: For now... I think I'll let the ship decide.
The Erune stands alone atop the prow, eyes narrowed against the wind. His vacation has begun.
The Bonds of the Past
Sevastien heads to the Fenia family manor to visit Charlotta's grandfather. He opens up to his old friend about his worries concerning Cordelia. Charlotta's grandfather declares that he will think about it while he is cooking dinner.
Wandering from one airship to another, Sevastien continues his sabbatical away from the Holy Kingdom of Lumiel.
In his travels, he comes across a ship bound for an island he knows all too well—one under Lumiel's rule. In spite of this, he boards without a moment's hesitation.
Sevastien: The last time I walked up this way was for a New Year's visit some time ago.
Sevastien: I hope the gifts I bear make up for my sudden, ill-mannered intrusion...
At the end of the path lies the Fenia family manor— the house where Charlotta grew up.
Sevastien was first taken there to recover from an injury, and has returned many times since. To him, it is a home away from home.
Sevastien: Still, I would not be here today if it were not for his lordship. It would be remiss of me to not give him my thanks in person.
Charlotta: That's nothing compared to the decades that you've been burying all those complicated feelings.
Charlotta: In my opinion, you need to put some distance between yourself and Lumiel.
Charlotta: An opportunity to think your situation through as an individual, not as part of the order.
Sevastien: (Forgive me, Madam. This may technically be the order's business, but I must see it through.)
Sevastien mutters a quiet apology to Charlotta as he treads slowly up the old track.
???: There! Looking much better, my beauty. Next time, try not to jam when there's a bear in our sights.
Sevastien: Bear hunting at your old age, sir? While it is good that you're being active, won't that earn you a scolding from the rest of the household?
Charlotta's Grandpa: Sevas! Where did you come from?
Sevastien: It's a cliche, I know, but I was in the area.
Sevastien: Besides, a missive would've been insufficient. I came because my recent negligence has caused you and your granddaughter a great deal of pain.
Sevastien: I offer my most sincere apologies.
Charlotta's Grandpa: I don't speak for Sharla, but there's no need to fret over me. All I did was post a letter.
Sevastien: And it is thanks to that letter that I was able to reunite with you today, sir.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Is it now?
Well, if you say so.
Charlotta's Grandpa: No use standing out here. Get yourself inside.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Doesn't look like you're headed anywhere in a hurry, so stay the night. We're having the bath drawn this evening.
Sevastien: I'd be honored.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Mm-hmm.
Welcome home, Sevas.
Sevastien: It is good to be home, sir.
Charlotta's Grandpa: So Sharla's back on the job already, is she? So quick to recover, those young ones.
Sevastien: She hasn't written to you?
Charlotta's Grandpa: No, but no news is good news. If she has time to correspond with an old codger like me, she's right to spend it working instead.
Charlotta's Grandpa: She's captain of the Holy Knights, after all. No, I'm more than content to catch up with her during her New Year's visits.
Sevastien: Oh dear. I hope I haven't spoiled your annual tradition?
Charlotta's Grandpa: I'll have forgotten it all by then.
Now, how did everything go on your end?
Sevastien: Yes, well... I was finally able to close that old chapter of my life.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Glad to hear it. The danger is passed, Sharla is recovered—all is well.
Charlotta's Grandpa: So why is it, then, that you come to see me with that dour expression plastered across your face, hmm?
Sevastien: Dour, sir? I don't know what you mean.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Oh, you may have had the rest of the house in a twitter about your return, but you can't fool me.
Charlotta's Grandpa: It's written all over you. "Help me, I don't know what I'm doing with my life!"
Charlotta's Grandpa: Trust me, you don't get a lot of opportunities to talk things over with your elders at your age. Go on, tell me.
Sevastien: Before I do, here—I've brought tea and biscuits. This will be quite the long story.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Well then, put the kettle on and we'll call that your boarding fee.
Sevastien: Haha, as you wish.
Charlotta's Grandpa: I see. So Agathe had an orphaned child...
Charlotta's grandfather puts down his teacup. He looks pensively into the distance as he mutters to himself.
Sevastien: I'm at a loss of what to do. All this time working with Cordelia, and I had no idea.
Sevastien: I've been trying to think of a solution as I've traveled, but to no avail.
Charlotta's Grandpa: A solution? Heh, aye, that'll be hard to find.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Right, I'll do a little thinking of my own as I get dinner ready.
Sevastien: Dinner, sir? You? Oh, but you mustn't...
Charlotta's Grandpa: I want to do my own cooking every once in a while, but everybody always tries to stop me—as you're doing right now.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Ah, but your return has distracted them from their duties. I even heard them say that you would be cooking in their stead!
Charlotta's Grandpa: Far be it from me to waste a golden opportunity!
Sevastien: Hmm...
Then I shall supervise from over here.
Sevastien: I wouldn't be able to face the madam if you were to have an accident...
Charlotta's Grandpa: Harumph. Well, if it bothers you so much, you just sit there and gawk as the head of the Fenia family shows you what real knifework looks like!
Sevastien: (I remain... unconvinced.)
The Bonds of the Past: Scene 2
Charlotta's grandfather tells Sevastien that even though they are not related by blood, the two men each consider the other to be family. After consideration, Sevastien realizes that he simply wants Cordelia to be happy, and finally resolves to speak to her.
The dining table is blanketed in a mountain of dishes, all cooked up by Charlotta's grandfather.
Sevastien: I'm sorry for doubting you. Time hasn't diminished your superb cooking skills at all.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Ha! Don't you suck up to me. Now, eat. Try something someone else has made for a change. Who knows, you might even like it.
Sevastien: I'll be sure to savor every bite.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Well? It's good, isn't it?
Sevastien: It... takes me back. It reminds me of the first meal I was given when I came to this house.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Hmph, all I asked you was whether the food tasted good or not. Don't go insinuating anything, now!
Sevastien: Yes, it's delicious. Although I'm concerned for your health if this is how you normally eat.
Sevastien: Rich, salty meals like these should be an occasional treat, in my opinion.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Rich, is it? Hmmm. And here I thought I was going easy on the seasoning.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Maybe I was unwittingly thinking back to when I first hauled you in here and fed you myself, ha-ha!
Sevastien: You used a lot of salt, yes, but it did speed up my recovery.
Both men sit reminiscing as the familiar taste of their meal reawakens memories of their past.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Sevas, do you consider us family?
Sevastien: Sir?
Charlotta's Grandpa: I was mulling your problem over as I was working in the kitchen and came upon an idea.
Charlotta's Grandpa: So, do you?
Sevastien: Well...
Sevastien: (I do love his lordship and the madam as if they were my own family.)
Sevastien: (And yet, just like Agathe and myself, we are not related by blood...)
Charlotta's Grandpa: Ah, I'm sorry. That wasn't fair of me.
Charlotta's Grandpa: I know all too well that you're earnest to a fault. You won't say anything that might come off as presumptuous.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Then, let me tell you the same thing I told you when we sent you off to join the Holy Knights.
Charlotta's Grandpa: I think of you as family, Sevas. You're like a younger brother to me—and one who's better at everything than me, at that.
Sevastien: You are far too kind.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Sharla likely thinks of you as a father sometimes, and a brother others.
Charlotta's Grandpa: And the way our family feels towards you will never change.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Wouldn't you say the same yourself? When I invited you in, you said it was good to be home.
Sevastien: It did slip out rather naturally, didn't it?
Sevastien: Yes, I do think of this place as a home I'm free to return to.
Sevastien: And I do think of you, the madam, and the rest of the household as family. Each of you is irreplaceable.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Of course you do.
But we Fenias and you, are we related by blood?
Charlotta's Grandpa: It's clear as day that we aren't. And yet we consider ourselves family all the same.
Charlotta's Grandpa: If things were even slightly different, we would have never met at all. And if people like that can call each other family...
Charlotta's Grandpa: Then why couldn't you have something similar with this Cordelia girl?
Charlotta's Grandpa: I'm not saying you'd have to be as close as family. You could be... the well-meaning, neighborly old man in her life.
Sevastien: ...
I don't think she would appreciate that.
Charlotta's Grandpa: You won't know until you talk to her. Now is the time to ask yourself what you want, don't you think?
Sevastien: What I want?
Sevastien puts down his cutlery and looks down intently, as if the answer could be found somewhere on his plate.
Sevastien: (Is there something I expect of her? Perhaps as Agathe's granddaughter? Or maybe as a highly regarded member of the praetors?)
Sevastien: (No, I can't think of anything like that.)
Sevastien: (We have nothing tying us together, save our work. It would be impertinent of me to ask her for anything.)
Sevastien: (But if I could be forgiven one selfish hope...)
Sevastien: I wish for her to be happy.
Sevastien: I want her to live her life relishing the happiness that Agathe couldn't have.
Charlotta's Grandpa: Then you watch over her from your station and make sure she can have that life.
Charlotta's Grandpa: And, only when she really needs it, extend a helping hand. That sounds ideal to me.
Charlotta's Grandpa: In any case, you should go talk to the girl. You can decide what you're going to do afterwards.
Sevastien: ...
You're right. I feel as if a fog has been lifted.
Charlotta's Grandpa: This is what happens when you mull things over too much. It all gets tangled up and confusing.
Charlotta's Grandpa: That's why I enjoy a rich, salty dinner every now and again. Gives a good shock to your system and helps clear the head.
Sevastien: Too true. Thank you, sir.
Charlotta's Grandpa: No gratitude necessary. It's the job of the head of the house to solve the family's problems!
To Sevastien, the sight of the old man laughing was the spitting image of Charlotta on the day he left for vacation.
The Bonds of the Past: Scene 3
Sevastien invites Cordelia to a dinner filled with recipes that Agathe used to make for him. Cordelia shows interest in Sevastien's stories about her grandmother, and the two knights have a pleasant evening reminiscing the past. They promise to meet again to continue exchanging memories together.
One morning, Cordelia finds that she has received a letter from Sevastien.
Cordelia: So, he has returned from his vacation.
Cordelia: And he wants to apologize for putting off his promise by cooking dinner for me? How very like him...
Cordelia: And he wants to talk about Agathe... my grandmother...
Cordelia gingerly folds up Sevastien's letter and tucks it safely away until the day's duties are done.
Cordelia makes her way to the restaurant specified in the letter. Inside, she finds Sevastien waiting by himself at one of the tables.
Sevastien: Thank you for coming. I apologize for my absence—things must have been hard with me gone for so long.
Cordelia: Did you forget who you're talking to? I am the praetors' secret weapon—their last resort in times of strife. There's nothing to fear when I'm around.
Sevastien: Haha, of course. Thanks to your efforts, I was able to find the time to really think on what we should talk about.
Cordelia: What do you mean?
Sevastien: It's embarrassing for someone of my age, but I've been struggling with this for quite a while.
Sevastien: In any case, this conversation can wait till we have food on our plates.
Sevastien: I do apologize that, despite me inviting you to such a fine establishment, we will be dining on my own cooking instead.
Sevastien: This place stocks some of the more uncommon ingredients that I needed, so they have graciously lent me this space for the evening.
Cordelia: Not at all, it's a rare opportunity to have your cooking all to myself.
Cordelia: And to hear you've used some exotic ingredients that even you struggled to procure—consider my interest piqued.
Sevastien: Oh, it's nothing so extravagant, I assure you. It's just a little home cooking—a departure from the usual Lumiel Gourmand style.
Sevastien ushers Cordelia over to a table blanketed in food, all fresh from the kitchen.
Cordelia: They certainly taste... different from the meals you usually make.
Sevastien: Are they not to your liking?
Cordelia: No, no! On the contrary, I like these more than anything you've ever made for us before.
Cordelia: They make me feel... nostalgic. As if this isn't the first time I've eaten these dishes.
Sevastien: Thank you...
Sevastien: The truth is, these are all dishes that Agathe used to make for me.
Cordelia: Agathe's? I suppose it makes sense that I would like them, then.
Cordelia: There might be a part of me that remembers these flavors... something in the blood, maybe. Thank you for preparing them.
Sevastien: No need to thank me. I'm just an old man who can't keep his nose out of others' business.
Sevastien: On a related note...
Sevastien: Cordelia, I intend to tell you everything I know about Agathe.
Cordelia: About Agathe? Why?
Sevastien: I believe that knowing things like how she thought and how she lived will be of great help to you in the future.
Sevastien: However, I'm aware that this is highly presumptuous of me.
Sevastien: You never had an opportunity to even meet Agathe. You probably don't see the need to know about her at this point.
Sevastien: So if I'm bothering you, please let me know and I will stop.
Cordelia: Yes, it's true that I only learned of Agathe very recently.
Cordelia: Being told that she is my grandmother doesn't really make me feel anything. I never met her, after all.
Cordelia: So...
Cordelia samples a spoonful of soup before looking back at Sevastien and continuing.
Cordelia: May I talk to you about my mother Olga, instead?
Sevastien: Of course, please. I would love to hear about her.
Cordelia: In all my memories of her, my mother is lying in bed.
Cordelia: She had been ill as long as I can remember. My father told me afterwards that the pain of losing her own parents early on affected her terribly.
Sevastien: I... see.
Cordelia: My father would be out all day, working himself ragged to provide for his family.
Cordelia: So the closest thing to being a happy family that I can remember would be talking to my mother, bedridden as she was.
Cordelia: I was still little, and she struggled to move, so we'd often talk about the same things again and again.
Cordelia: That's why I can remember them so clearly still.
Cordelia: Whenever she couldn't think of anything to say, my mother would talk to me about Grandmother.
Sevastien: Olga would tell you about Agathe?
Cordelia: Yes, but it wasn't until the very end that Mother told me Agathe's name.
Cordelia: Ever since Balor's sudden attack and the murder of her father, she must have felt constantly in danger.
Cordelia: And when she tried to figure out why Balor targeted them, she would conclude that it had something to do with Agathe.
Cordelia: Knowing little about Balor, she must've thought it in my best interests to keep the details from me.
Sevastien: Not knowing much about her would have indeed made it harder for others to discover that you were related to Agathe.
Sevastien: Your mother must have been a very loving and intelligent person.
Cordelia: Yes, even on her worst days she would think of her family first. Above all things, she was kind.
Cordelia: Grandmother was one of the few topics we could talk about that would make her smile.
Cordelia: Mother told me that Agathe was a brave and strong knight.
Cordelia: Mind you, as a child, I thought she was just telling me a story. Like a fairy tale.
Sevastien: What would she tell you?
Cordelia: That she was a hero who would punish the wicked. Never anything specific—I suspect my grandfather didn't tell her much about Agathe either.
Cordelia: But I do know my mother admired and respected Grandmother as a knight who fought for justice.
Cordelia: After hearing her story so many times, I came to feel the same way.
Cordelia: I looked up to her, though not like you would a real person, but like a character from a fable.
Sevastien: And now that you know it was all true?
Cordelia: Frankly, I want to know more.
Cordelia: Those stories I would hear about my grandmother are largely why I am a swordswoman today.
Cordelia: Not to mention, getting to speak to you is a chance like no other. I can learn some tricks of the trade, sharpen my skills, and generally improve as a praetor.
Cordelia: Who could say no to all of that?
Sevastien: Haha... Improve as a praetor, eh? Well, I might fall short of your expectations on that front—I mainly intend to talk about Agathe.
Sevastien: But there lies the rub—I have so many memories of her that I don't know where to start.
Sevastien: I'm sorry to put the burden on you, but is there anything in particular you would like to know, Cordelia?
Cordelia: There is one thing...
Cordelia: How did you and Grandmother meet?
Sevastien: I believe I explained that when I first spoke to you about Balor.
Cordelia: Surely, that wasn't everything you had to say though, was it?
Cordelia: I'm particularly interested in what sort of battles you and Grandmother would throw yourselves into.
Sevastien: I see. In that I case, tonight I shall tell you about the second time we met...
Sevastien's story lasts until well after the two had finished their meal.
Cordelia: Thank you for sharing that with me.
Sevastien: Phew... I feel as though I've lost a few years of my life, telling that.
Sevastien: To think that I would ever need to recall my past endeavors, let alone divulge them to another...
Cordelia: Haha... We wouldn't want you expiring—at least not until you've told me everything.
Sevastien: Oh, so you intend to toss me away once I'm finished?
Cordelia: Oh, that's not what I—
Cordelia: Umm... Call it cliche, but I do want you to live a long and happy life.
Sevastien: I apologize. Forgive an old man his tasteless jokes.
Sevastien: Shall we... make plans for next time?
Cordelia: Ah, there is a place I know where Bridgette and I frequently go.
Cordelia: It wouldn't be fair to make you do all the work every time, after all.
Sevastien: A restaurant popular with the youth? Consider me intrigued. We shall meet there, then.
Cordelia: Understood. I will try to remember more about my mother by then.
Sevastien: That... would be wonderful. Not to mention it might get boring if I were the only one talking.
Sevastien: Well then, I'll see you in one month's time.
Cordelia: Yes. One month's time.
The two knights smile at one another, and part ways at the entrance to the restaurant.
Sevastien realizes that though the bonds of the past may fade and weaken, they can still tie people together.
In his heart, he vows to himself that this is one bond he will protect until the very end.
