Another day, another decorative placement of trays of hot drinks and this time an array of food. Azale never thought to truly command the spirits though she knew technically she should be able to. Azale never had to, those who found their own purposes in life to be heavy and stressful often found her requested tasks to be silly and simple. Like Sashi didn’t usually get the chance to show off the fact that she was once an amazing hostess. She didn’t get to show off in her everyday. So for this she went all out. Azale watched the show from the window she could just barely see out of. On her own.

  The food and drink were passed around to the once again baffled array of guards.

  They though looked a bit more relaxed then the last time they were here. Honki a smaller spirit in the form of a monkey jumped through the crowd to who she’d intended to just be Drenit but there seemed to be another copy standing next to him.

  Azale tried to search her memory for the limited information she’d bothered to collect about the Imperial family to determine how many children the Emperor might have. With immortality and the battles between his siblings though the last count she had of the Imperial family was during the conflicts.

  Azale from what was written in the threatening letters though knew he had a decent crop and that she was most likely his current youngest child.

  Not Drenit but the new copy opened the note.

  Azale would never allow them to think that she was not at the very least a burgeoningly good host. After all despite them being unwelcomed, they were in fact scarring off those who usually bothered her at all times of the day. But Azale was also very aware of her fraying budget and the fact that though she was working through the options on how she might build her income the truth of her being only being developed to what she’d describe as eight years old though her years were longer with only spirits around to assist her she wasn’t able to invest in anything or summon her tower which would help ground and strengthen her abilities for most likely another couple years if she didn’t push herself.

  It was hard enough to keep up the ruse through disguising herself as a young errand runner for the building to maintain the steady payment for her grocery deliveries without setting off too many alarms. Even that with the guards would be even more difficult without her being able to traverse the portals but if she focused her practices on the portals she might be able to manage to at least get past them without anyone noticing. If she could find a way to sneak far enough and find a spot trust worthy enough to draw one of her circles.

  Until then though she figured her best bet was to use the guards outside that she at the very least thought wouldn’t allow her to starve for the deration of time the Imperial family kept interest in her. Especially, seeing as she’d offered such a lovely display of hospitality to them via Sashi.

  Drenit glanced at the house then he stood up. Azale let the curtain close and sat close to the wall so even if he could see past the curtain he wouldn’t be able to see her.

  There was a soft knock on the window. There was a pause. Another tap.

  “Azale, I promise I won’t try to remove you from the manor would you please speak with me?” He asked. She considered not answering. But Frena the spirit lion nudged her and she sighed climbing onto him burying her fingers in his thick translucent gold main. She pushed the curtain out of the way and unlatched the window looking out at him not quite at eye level.

  Drenit’s eyes dropped to the lion and he winced.

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  “You were there that day too.” He breathed seemingly despite himself. He shifted looking away. Azale nodded, Frena was a spirit who’d chosen to always find her ever since she was a little girl who died in his fields, unnoticed, unfound, unmissed.

  “His name is Frena he’s the spirit of the Frena fields.” She offered. “Frena this is the Imperial Prince Drenit.” She introduced, knowing there was probably an eve more formal way she should have introduced Drenit but seeing as Frena was an ancient being of harvests she didn’t think formality really worked.

  The two held gazes and Drenit nodded in understanding.

  “I guess that is why our harvest in those particular fields have dropped since that year.” He asked. Azale dropped her gaze to Frena who stared back at Drenit unwavering.

  “Why in the world are you doing that, Frena. Your motto is you do not bow to any King or Clan, your harvests go to the people’s hands. That hurts people not even involved.” She scolded. The lion let out a noise that sounded more like a whiney cub then a full grown Lion. She continued to scold him until she felt he truly looked thoroughly chastised before petting his fur.

  “Azale.” Drenit gentle interjected. It was so very strange to hear her name on anyone’s tongue. Spirits didn’t quite have the same way of talking. Though it sounded clear as day to her it sounded at a different volume, a different melody. Like leaves shuffling in a tree, or the burbling of water. The voices of the tangible, the living were far bolder, sometimes she even found them too loud, too intense. Drenit though seemed to make a point to keep his voice soft. She didn’t hate his voice. “There is no need for you to worry about the budget anymore. If you need anything it will be assured to be arranged.” He assured her. “Here for now, but eventually father wants you to live either in the palace or closer to it.” He offered, tinging her decent mood a bit sour.

  “I was told my budget was the amount owed to my mother from what was left from her dowery. I think it sounds like that was supposed to be mine keeping it from me in order to keep me dependent is crude and ineffective. I don’t mind struggling until I am capable, if it means ensuring no one can use my friends.” She informed him glaring at him. Drenit didn’t look away from her he held her gaze and seemed to actively be considering her words.

  “I swear on my patron blade that I will do everything in my power to help you ensure your friends are never used through you.” Drenit swore not a full gallant oath but one that held enough power to tingle along her skin. Drenit leaned against the window frame his face softening.

  “Father and I simply want to know you.” He offered in a tone that sounded as much like a promise as the tangible oath. And yet the promise made little sense to her. Why would they want to know her?

  “Why, would he want that?” She asked most baffled by the idea that the Emperor himself would want that. Drenit reached out and she stiffened her brushed back her hair. He smiled at her and she felt herself start to ease a bit.

  “In all your lives did you not have a parent simply want to know you?” He asked. Azale steeled and could see him realize he’d said the wrong thing having enough time to pull his arm back before she shut the window in his face.

  Of course, she hadn’t. Every life had always been the same. Even if she started her memories with parents, even if she had moment of warmth and good. As soon as her abilities started to show, something turned. Whether it be greed from the home, greed from outside or simple apathy. Over and over again she’d hoped and found herself disappointed.

  Even Mother never had the desire to know her. Her sisters though, they would lay in constructs and they would all talk through their lives and they all listened carefully. And when any of them doubted the other’s care someone would voice the simple fact that they were sister’s. Even if their timing was a little wonky.

  How she wished that she could have had just one life where she and her sisters all were together where they all grew up together, laughed and played, and supported each other as they found things that made them happy. Instead of finding each other in the midst of more hurt, more betrayals, more dashed hopes.

  That was the reason their requests of her were so cruel. Because she understood.

  But they left her alone. The thing they knew scared her most. It made her feel like they hated her. Like she’d done something wrong.

  Frena walked with here as the tears dripped down her cheeks as she felt the twist of despair once again. Other spirits hovered around her equally worried.

  She wiped her eyes and scolded herself for thinking she was alone.

  The spirits were with her. They could be all she needed.

  That night Azale fell asleep under the desk surrounded by hundreds of spirit frogs Frena laid at the door on guard.