Once back at the Inverse Estate, Sylphiel had to prepare for a Welcome-Ceremony. She was being initiated into the Ceipheed Society. So that leaves Lina alone to deal with explaining what had happened. Lina didn't even have time to wash up for this 'trial' now being held. Lady Luna and the councilors all sat on wooden-oak chairs in the back room of the estate. Lady Luna just smiled, eyes hidden under her thick, light purple bangs. Lina shivered.
Half way through the story, Lina could hear the councilors snort in disgust. Lina glanced at Lady Luna if she had lost her smile, she didn't. Lina shivered again, trying not to make it obvious.
"And then... here I am." Lina finished. She didn't think of any possibilities of her punishment. At worst, into the cells for a week.
Well, better than getting whipped. Lina thought tiredly. I just want some rest. Let me go already!
"That was very interesting..." Lady Luna said. Though her bangs hid her eyes, Lina was sure she was looking straight at her.
"Interesting?! Lady Luna, she has disgraced the Inverse Clan!!" The chief councilors said. Him and most of the councilors in there wore white robes. Lady Luna did too, except hers had golden trimmed at the edges.
"Oh? How so, councilor?" Lady Luna asked, head slightly turned.
"She has failed to take Princess Amelia to her destination! She was attacked and failed to protect Princess, nevertheless! When this reaches the streets, our estate will be the top among the gossips!!" The Chief reasoned.
"I do not see it that way, councilor. If Lina had not protected Princess Amelia, fighting never looking behind her back, Princess Amelia would not have returned safely back home. As to her destination, Lina had not failed to do that, either. Her destination just arrived to her first." Luna explained calmly to the Chief councilor.
"What are you saying, Lady Luna?"
"Jeffrey of the Mailstar family arrived before the princess could go to him. Meaning, Lina had not failed to do neither job given." Lady Luna smiled while the councilors had a confused look on their face.
"She is still a disgrace to this Clan, Lady Luna!" Chief said.
"Why?" One word came out of Lady Luna's unsmiled lips. Lina saw the councilors cringed slightly.
"Because she haven't gotten an Introduction Ball yet, that's why." Chief councilor said as if that explains everything. Lady Luna nodded her head in understanding. "Then why don't we have one?"
"Eh? (Uh? What?)" The room echoed in confusion.
"An Introduction Ball. To introduced everyone that Lina is my sister." Lady Luna offered with a smile.
"What?!" It was Lina's turn to look confused. Lady Luna turned to look at her, Lina cringed.
"That is... an excellent idea, Lady Luna." Chief councilor said, hesitantly.
"After the Ball, no one will ever say Lina is a disgrace, understood?" Lady Luna demanded more than asking.
"Only if she doesn't do anything wrong, Lady Luna." Chief councilor said.
"She'll have to learn a lot to do that." One of the minor councilors said out loud. Lina glared at him, he smiled slyly. He had been one of the new ones who got promoted into meetings. What was his name? He was called something, Lina forgot. He held a grudge on Lina, but Lina didn't know why. He held it ever since Lina was in the Training Halls.
"Quiet you." Chief councilor told him. He shrugged. "Lady Luna, I will inform you when this Ball will be held. It will be as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I want Lady Lina to learn as much manner as possible."
"I know some manner, you know. I'm not a mindless brat that doesn't take in what she sees." Lina told Chief councilor, holding anger in.
"What do you think -- " Chief councilor started but never end it.
"Enough." Lady Luna said, not loud, but it stopped both of them instantly. "Lina go and change. Your guests will arrive soon."
"Guests? What guests?" Lina asked.
Lady Luna smiled and stood up, leaving. "You'll find out soon enough. Now go change into something more formal."
Everyone left the meeting room, everything settled, Lina will have her Introduction Ball very soon. Lina was taken into her room by maids, who were ordered to change Lina immediately.
Meanwhile, not far away from Zefielia.....
"Are we there yet?" Gourry asked Amelia.
"No, Mr. Gourry. We're almost there, though." Amelia answered as they continued on their way to visit Lina, or should they say Lady Lina.
"Okay." Gourry said absently, admiring a patch of daisies.
"What do you want us to do when we get to the estate?" Zel asked. People known as pirates never really know anything about formal manners.
"Nothing. Just stand there while I introduce you to Lady Luna and wait while Lady Lina comes out and excuse herself to come out with us." Amelia explained.
"One more thing; why exactly are we going to visit Lina?"
"Lady Lina." Amelia corrected absently.
"Uh?"
"Once in the estate you must refer to her as 'Lady' Lina. Or there are consequences you'll suffer. Only Lady Luna can say just Lady Lina's name."
"Okay, whatever, but we're not there yet so I won't say it yet." Zel said.
"Oh I don't think you'll need to say anything once we're there. I just wanted to tell you in case you have to call her in front of some important people.... like Lady Luna and the councilors."
"I'll only asked one more time, Princess, why are we going to Lina's estate?" Zel asked calmly.
".... I just wanted to see her, that's all." Amelia smiled. "No reason."
Zel sighed. "When will we be able to get back our ship? You know, the Seiruun authorities have confiscated our ship for a long time now. I really want to get back to the ocean again."
"Mr. Zelgadis, call it an intuition, but I don't think you'll be able to so soon."
Zel raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
Amelia turned around and wink. "Woman's intuition." Zel rolled his eyes.
"OHOHOHOHOHO!! My little flat-chested sidekick is living so prosperously without me! Wait and see what I'll do! OHOHOHOHOHO!" Naga laughed while everybody else cringed. Amelia stared at her for awhile until Naga noticed. "Is something bothering you, my little Princess friend?"
Amelia noticed she was staring and blushed. "I'm-I'm sorry, Miss Naga. I didn't mean to." Amelia said and strode off. Naga looked after her with wonder eyes and shrugged, continuing after everyone.
Gourry, who wasn't paying any attention to the whole conversation, said, "She is flat-chested, though, isn't she?"
Zel raised an eyebrow again and said, "Who?"
"Lina. She doesn't have anything under her shirt, does she?" Gourry said, innocently.
Zel blushed then shrugged.
Xelloss giggled and said, "I agree with you, Gourry."
Back in Zelfielia....
Lina sneezed, rubbing her nose slightly. It's not cold season yet, why am I sneezing? Lina thought and shrugged while maids fitted her body into a dress. Lina sighed looking at the dress she was wearing. White dress like some sort of robes the councilors were wearing except gold around the edge of the dress and at the end of its sleeves, like Lady Luna's. Her Introduction Ball will held soon enough. Like it or not, she'll have to be prepared for it. Maybe she could persuade them into making Sylphiel her tutor for good manners. I hope I could. Lina thought and shrugged.
After awhile, Lady Lina was all set to go outside. For what she didn't know, but she was positive that someone, or several some ones, was going to come by for a visit. Someone knocked the door and another maid came in, bowing her head to show respect.
"Lady Luna wishes to see you, Lady Lina. Right away. Your guests have arrived." She bowed again and went out the door.
"Right this way, Lady Lina." Another maid said.
I knew big sis would be right. She's always right. Lina thought as she was lead out into the guests room. After what seem like a long while of walking, Lina was there. Maids spread out to make way, and Lina had to prepare for a lady-like manner performance. Surely the councilors would be in there to keep her in check too, at least Chief councilor would be in there. Lina sighed of what she had gotten herself into, and opened the golden-framed door. Once she opened the door, she saw Amelia, sitting on the guests' table with her Co. and Lady Luna with HER Co., the Chief councilor. Once Lina walked into the room, everybody turned to look at her.
"Amelia! What are you -- "
AHEM Chief councilor interrupted Lina and glared at her.
Lina sweatdropped and sighed. This will cause a lot of amusement, but oh well. Lina thought and put up her best impression of a Lady.
"Princess Amelia, how nice it is to see you. What business have you bring?" Lady Lina said and looked at the Chief if he was satisfy, he was, smiling ear to ear.
Princess Amelia suppressed a giggled and answer in a nice lady tone, "Oh nothing really. Just visiting, is all." Amelia looked at her Co. Their mouths were hanging low.
"And how long will you be staying, Princess?" Lady Lina continued the conversation, trying not to look at Amelia's Co. They'll be laughing hysterically after this!
"Oh, I just heard you'll be having an Introduction Ball, so it'll be until then. That is if Lady Luna does not mind." Amelia looked at Lady Luna, who smiled.
"It is quite okay. Your guests may stay as well." Lady Luna answered, gesturing towards the others.
"Umm... big si-ah.. Lady Luna, may I please be excused with my guests? That is if you do not have anything else to make matter of." Lady Lina asked.
Lady Luna smiled, "You may be excused, Lina, and enjoy your stay Princess Amelia." Lady Luna kept her smile and stood up, motioning Chief councilor to come along. He hesitated and followed Lady Luna out.
Once they were out of sight, Lina plopped onto a chair and heaved a sigh. "I excused MYSELF, I didn't exactly tell her to go away, you know. But that's probably better. With Chief councilor in here, I can hardly say anything at all." Lina rubbed her head and looked up at the group. "What's the matter?"
What Lina meant was the fact that everybody was looking/staring at her.
"Is that you, Lina?" Gourry asked. "Wow. You're a good actor."
Lina shrugged. "What can I say?"
"You can start by saying what the hell is an Introduction Ball and why do we -- " Zel gestured to his gang.
" -- have to stay for it?" Lina sighed boredly and said, "It's kind of like a night party. I'll be the host and will at some point perform my WHITE magic skills of some sort to the whole damn crowd. And I guarantee that there will be a BIG crowd here that night."
"So when will it be?" Naga asked. "Will there be any alcohol available?"
"I don't exactly know when will it be held, but I better prepare my damned ass for it soon. When Chief councilor's in charge of anything, he wants it as soon as possible. And yes there will be alcohol there, lots of it." Lina saw Naga's eyes gleam and looked at Gourry. "And food. -- " Lina then looked at Xelloss and Zel. " -- and coffee and girls. Don't worry everything you guys want is all there."
Xelloss smiled. "Oh, we're not worried. The one who should be worried is you.... Lady Lina."
"Shut up, call me that when you're in front of crowds."
Xelloss bowed and smiled even wider. "As you wish, my lady." He giggled.
For the rest of the week, Lina had to prepare for the Introduction Ball. Fortunately, Sylphiel was Lina's tutor. Lina had to go to the tailor shop, learn about all the names and uses of spoons, forks, and knives, learn better Lady manners, and think about what white performance she should do. She had to ask Amelia for some ideas.
While Lina prepares for the party, the guys were busy touring Zelfielia for food, coffee, and wine. But then they had to stop for awhile when Amelia told them they had to go to the tailor shop for new clothing's as well. Naga had to go along too. Amelia told her that she cannot where her usually outfit out to that ball. Naga laughed but followed Amelia's orders anyway. Once out of the tailor shop, Naga donned a dark, navy spaghetti-string dress, that's tight from the waist up but flows free from the waist down.
Amelia had the royal light blue dress that made her look even more like a kid. Its sleeves were puffy but the dress itself was free from any puffs.
Zelgadis got an outfit that looked much like his combat suit but minus the cape and sword-belt and the whole thing was in more of a black evening color.
Xelloss fitted in a more casual outfit; dark pants, clash with a beige shirt, and dark-brown boots. Nothing much, but Amelia thought it was already okay, so Zel elbowed Xelloss to agree with the outfit so they can get the hell out of there.
Last came Gourry. He donned a dress shirt that's gray colored, and dark-blue pants + boots. Amelia told him not to bring his sword to the party and take off his gloves, it won't go with the outfit he'll have to wear.
Finally back at the estate, they all separated in different directions. Naga went to the gardens the Inverse Estate had, Gourry and Xelloss and Zel went back to finding their food. After much thought, Amelia followed Naga out to the gardens, feeling that a conversation is needed at last.
Naga the White Serpent, that's what she was all her life. But that wasn't all, there was something else she used to be, something she could remember not wanting to be. It was so long ago, she couldn't remember what it was.
Was she getting old already? No. That wasn't it, she was barely 23 -- she thought, since she had got out of Mother Tibbly's care when she was 12 and had to find Lina -- found her -- lost her again -- that did take about 11 years? She, at least, thought so. Some movement interrupted Naga's train of thoughts. Princess Amelia was standing by red roses looking directly at Naga with longing.
Naga was curious, she'd been looking at her like that for some time. "What's up, Princess? Is anybody looking for me?" Amelia took a few steps forward and stopped in front of Naga. She sat down on the bench beside and motioned Naga to do the same, she sat. "Please, just call me Amelia."
"I can't do that, Princess. I can't call a princess that I barely know by her first name," Naga said.
"But you have the rights to," Amelia said, trying to form her thoughts into sentences.
Naga looked at Amelia. "What?"
"Miss Naga, before you gave yourself this name, you had another name didn't you? The name of Gracia? " Amelia asked, hoping that came out right.
Naga looked at her like she had grew another head. "I'd.... never had that name before."
Amelia looked casual and took out the bracelet she had found earlier. "Then this couldn't be yours could it?"
Naga's eyes went wide and grabbed it from Amelia. "How-how did you get it? This is mine! It's been with me since I could remember!"
Amelia's eyes seem like they were going spill out tears, but she suppressed it and said, "Who-who gave it to you?" She took out her bracelet that looked exactly like Naga's.
Once again Naga's eyes went wide. "How did you -- "
"Please answer me!"
"I... I got it from someone special. But then I don't remember who she was. My mind is blank after that. When I could remember again, I met Lina and was in Mother Tibbly's care," Naga answered with much sadness in her.
"... my God... it can't be... yes it can!... yes it can be!! You are her! You have to be her!!!" Amelia rambled. Tears already streaming down her face.
"What are you talking about? Who am I?"
"You are -- you are... the first born princess of Seiruun! You are the big sister I always dreamed of finding!! Yes you are! That bracelet proves it! No one but the royal Family of Seiruun can have that! Father always told me that after Mother's death, Gracia, my sister ran away and disappeared, never heard from again. So you see, you are Gracia. You are my sister, and the next rightful ruler of Seiruun!" Amelia took another step towards the extremely shocked Naga and hugged her. "Please sister, come back with me, I'm so lonely. I believe that you are my sister, you and Mother look so much a like in pictures. Even now you have Mother's hairs and eyes.... "
Naga stood frozen on ground. This feeling, this hug, this warmth.... it's so familiar... so peaceful... Hundreds of memories swam through Naga's head...... and then she fell into darkness...
"Gracia!!! Gracia, are you all right?!! Help! Somebody please help!!!" The last thing Naga knew was that all the guys (Gourry, Zel, Xelloss) came and then she fell into full darkness.
Memories, my memories, these are not dreams, they're memories.....
"I love you, my precious daughter. Remember that I'll always be with you no matter what."
"Mother? Mother! Where are you? Come back to me! I'm lonely... I need you," Gracia said. Where am I? Somewhere so cold and so dark and all alone.
"But you have a replacement of me, Gracia. Remember your sister? The little infant you cared for so much? She's there, Gracia, with you. Remember her and love her back, my daughter, she loves you and have spent most of her life trying to find you. She will be a replacement of me, Gracia. Go back to her."
Gracia shook her head, or thought she did. "No one will ever replace you! EVER!!!"
"She will. Go back and do what you think is right, Gracia. You have always done so before and I trust you will do it now. I will always love you, remember that. One more thing, Gracia, your friend, Lina, she didn't leave you because she wanted to, you knew that she was force to be things she didn't want to be. She also loves you, Gracia, cherish her and always love her in your heart. It is time for me to go, Gracia. You have had me in your heart for so long, kept me alive in your heart, but you have another you can always keep in your heart. I love you, my dearest, and I will never forget you. So long....."
The voice faded away silently leaving Naga in the darkness again, she cried for her mother to come back, but to no avail. She cried but then something warm hugged her all around, she looked up and saw Amelia and Lina comforting her, guiding her back to her peaceful sleep.
[Sidebar: Too much?]
The next thing Naga knew was that she was resting on her bed and across was Amelia and Lina. Naga got up and Amelia rushed by her side.
"Are you all right, Gracia?" Amelia asked with great concern.
"Amelia told me everything, Naga. Are you okay?" Lina asked, standing by Amelia.
Naga didn't answer. She turned and gave both concerning girls hugs filled with tears. Amelia and Lina was taken back, but soon enough they hugged her back.....
Once everything was okay, the three gals left the room and into the hall where the guys were standing.
"Everything's all right. You guys could go back to whatever you did," Lina announced.
"Hey, we'd like to know what happened to!" Xelloss whined.
"It's family business. You all will find out soon enough, right Amelia?" Lina said, winking to Amelia and Naga. They smiled back.
"Huh?" Was reply the girls got back, they giggled.
"Hey, I've got an idea!" Lina said.
"Well, I don't want to hear it," Zel said.
"Well too bad, you'll hear it anyway. Does your ship have a name yet?"
"No."
"Well, why not give it one like..... (snaps fingers) SLAYERS