The Crimson Throne

Elaine leaned against the bedpost, and something fell out of her dress pocket. She looked down, widening her eyes in disbelief. It was a small wooden doll, the same one from her dream. Picking it up, Elaine carefully examined the curious object. Aside from its female form, the doll had no other distinguishable features.

The bird-woman, the tiger-man, were they all real?

Was it a dream? Or did she transport to the boundaries between life and death? Those mysterious beings, Elaine recalled seeing them somewhere before. But she could not pinpoint the exact location.

"Is there an issue, milady?"

"No, it is nothing." Elaine tucked the doll inside and circled back to the previous subject. "How long have we been here?" 

"I woke up the morning after they found us while you remained unconscious for three days, milady," Cecil answered.

Three days. No, if also counting the day she got kidnapped, it should be four. 

The tower magician should have already informed the Duke of Elaine's modified departure plan. Based on Estella's knowledge of her father, she expected him to be furious but send an envoy to receive her midway. A typical journey from the capital to Geris took about ten days. Then she would only have one day left before the envoy arrived at the midpoint. They would immediately report to the Duke if she failed to appear. Even if Estella were his daughter, Gerard would still maneuver her disappearance to his favor, creating chaos for his enemies. 

Elaine did not want to screw up the situation any more than she already had. One slight deviation from the character's norm, and she was almost at death's door. What if this event developed into a ripple effect, changing the storyline in the process?

Do not change the storyline. Do not change the storyline. The phrase replayed over and over in Elaine's head. She needed to perform damage control before the circumstance worsened. But how? She would still not reach the envoy on time, even if she departed immediately. However, remaining here without Gerard's knowledge of her whereabouts would also bring unintended consequences. Elaine's current predicament was an ideal example of the expression 'stuck between a rock and a hard place.' She buried her head in her palms, admonishing her foolish decisions.

Stupid. Stupid. Why did I put myself in this situation? I should have just suppressed my fear and returned by the prearranged route.

"Milady, are you alright? Should I summon the healer?" Cecil reached out, attempting to feel her forehead's temperature. "Please forgive my rudeness."

Elaine glanced up, intercepting his hand. "Sir Ascania, tell me. How much do you know about our savior, the Vice Commander?"

"Unfortunately, very little, milady." He admitted. "I have not yet met him during these past three days, and I only heard fleeting gossip about him from others."

"What kind of gossip?"

"No one knows his origin, but they say he entered the battlefield at age thirteen and rose rapidly in rank. The Vice Commander accomplished many commendable feats on the battlefield." Cecil relayed his knowledge. "Though young, the Commander exalted him, and soldiers respected him."

"Very admirable indeed." Elaine praised.

This individual might be my solution.

"Sir Ascania, I would like to arrange a meeting with the Vice Commander and express my appreciation." She smiled. "Please do everything in your ability to have him see me today. I want to meet as soon as possible."

"I will not disappoint you, milady."

Several seconds passed, but Cecil did not move from his position. Elaine gave him an inquisitive stare, then noticed she had not released his hand. She finally freed him and displayed an awkward laugh. "You may go."

"As you wish, milady." Cecil inclined his head and left.

Elaine again pulled out the wooden doll. Before she returned to reality, the bird-woman said it would assist her. Elaine was unsure whether to trust the mysterious stranger she met in a dream, but her current existence, too, was unimaginable. What else could Elaine lose?

I'll keep it with me for now.

The young girl came with some food at noon, and Elaine learned they were the only two females in the encampment from her lips. "How did you end up in this brigade?" Elaine asked. Female warriors in Étoile were not rare, but most belonged to all-female battalions. 

"I support the Vice Commander." The girl answered with determination. "Wherever he goes, I will follow him."

She seems completely devoted to this Vice Commander. Theirs must be one of the side storylines the book never mentioned.

Though not one to be interested in others' affairs, a sudden curiosity overcame Elaine. After all, she was stuck in bed until further notice. Elaine saw no harm in hearing a little love story. "Miss, if you don't mind me prying, can I ask how you two met?"

"The Vice Commander saved my life. And from that moment, I swore to return this life to him whenever he needed it." The girl stated matter-of-factly. 

I see. A typical boy saved a girl, and the girl fell in love kind of story. If nothing interfered, then those two will probably be together.

"I wish you two the best."

"What do you mean, Mi-" The girl questioned Elaine's words but then realized something, and her face turned beet red. "N, n, no...it, it is not like that! We are superior and subordinate. Nothing more and nothing less." She stuttered.

Elaine returned a knowing smile but did not reply. 

How nice. Elaine knew that if all future events happened according to the book, she would experience nothing remotely similar.