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Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter2

2010-02-07T15:32:41Z

Thechinanator: /* Chapter Two: The Queen and the Duke */

{{Template:PREVIEW}}

===Chapter Two: The Queen and the Duke===

In the workroom of the Tristain‘s Royal Palace, the Queen worried alone. She had just sent a letter to Louise in Germania.

She was relieved and happy that her friend was safe, but though it did not turn out badly, she still felt uneasy.

“Right now, for Gallia, this doesn’t mean a thing…”

''Fuh'' – she let out a long sigh, just as a knock came from the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Your Majesty.”

It was Musketeer Commander Agnes.

“Aah, you came at a right time, Commander.”

Henrietta stood up and opened the door. Prideful and hard as steel, Agnes and a few of her troops stood there. The Queen showed a thankful expression.

“Please choose a few trusted subordinates and get ready to go.”

“We are prepared to leave anytime. Your Majesty only has to tell us where.”

Interrupted by one of Agnes’ eager soldiers, Henrietta gave a slight smile.

“To the La Vallière Estate, then. Since it is an informal visit, please prepare a suitable coach too.”

“Is something worrying you?”

Agnes, noticing Henrietta’s tired face, asked before leaving the room.

“Yes - the letter that came from Louise.”

“It’s alright – she safely rescued that Gallian princess.”

“That’s not it. She wrote that she will respectfully accept any punishment I will deem necessary. Does that child not understand how worried she makes me?”

“Are you not going to punish her?”

Henrietta became silent.

“Was there an official protest from Gallia?”

Henrietta shook her head.

“Then the only crimes would be breaking out of the prison and crossing a border without permission. No, Gallia has been acting seditious lately, so having a former royal family member at hand would not be politically bad at all. The benefits compensate for the losses, so how about settling with giving no rewards or punishments?”

“You are kind, Commander.”

“Your Majesty, why do you insist on passing the judgment at La Vallière’s house?

“I wanted to publicly show that even though she is my friend, justice will be delivered fairly.”

Agnes watched Henrietta with gentle eyes.

“You are overdoing it, Your Majesty. The court will be witnessed by the noble family members.”

“And for that reason, I need to show firm resolve.”

Henrietta, in a gesture of a thoughtful, fastidious girl, bit her lip. Agnes smoothly drew her sword.

“I am Your Majesty’s sword. Just order me and I will serve you with this sword. Yet, I am a sword and a shield. Whenever there is danger, I will shield Your Majesty with my body. However, how many of those court nobles are Your Majesty’s swords and shields? Reliable in need, with ethics and reason of a simple servicewoman like me, who would be completely devoted to Your Majesty. No matter what happens, they do not doubt you and have a heart of steel. If you have such friends – value them dearly, Your Majesty.”

Hearing Agnes’s words, Henrietta bit her lip. Her restless fingers started fiddling with her skirt.

“But I agree with Your Majesty, remission without discipline is not acceptable. In this case, I will trust Your Majesty’s judgment. Then how about repaying for that little unpaid work from before?”

Henrietta shifted uneasily.

“We need everyone’s consent.”

“And how many these 'everyone' could equal them in their noble deed?”

Henrietta became silent.

“It is everyone's answer.”

Agnes bowed and went out of the working room to prepare the queen’s carriage. Left alone, Henrietta watched the letter from Louise.

Then she made a face that was about to cry.

“Everyone is just so selfish! People's hearts are a mystery! Not just me, father, the whole family!”

After spewing out all those angry words, Henrietta pressed the letter against her heart. Besides, there was something she needed to talk with Louise’s family about. It was really saddening.

However, the first thing she needed to do was to express her gratitude for her friends' safety, Henrietta thought.

“I am glad you are alright. Thank you, Founder Brimir, for bringing my friends back, safe and sound.”

After leaving the workroom, Agnes went to the stable to prepare the horses. After that, she went towards the musketeers building nearby, and after calling the vice-commander of the troops, gave her the instructions on what to do during her absence. It didn’t take long to finish the preparations. And now, riding a horse, she passed under the castle gates.

There, waiting for Agnes, stood a man whose face was hidden by a deep hood.

Seeing the man, Agnes stopped her horse next to him.

“We’ll be heading to the La Vallière Estate. You must come as well.”

“You did not bring me here to throw me in prison?”

The man’s hood moved. Colbert’s honest face appeared from there.

“There was no prison escape with your help.”

“What?”

“We can’t let it be publicly known that someone can escape from the prison with the help of just two people.”

Agnes had a displeased look on her face. Colbert sheepishly bowed.

“But why to take me to the the La Vallière estate?”

“You don’t want to meet your pupils?”

Hearing those words, Colbert’s face lit up.

“Ah! Then they must have succeeded! I am so glad! Ahaha, I am really glad!”

Agnes called a subordinate musketeer to prepare Colbert's horse. After that, with the rest of the musketeers, they waited for queen’s carriage in front of castle gates.

In the La Vallière castle, powerful family members gathered and waited impatiently. A gorgeous lunch was served on the big table in the dining room; however, no one tried to touch the dishes.

Duke de La Vallière was sitting at the end of the table, his hard gray eyes were shining.

''Pon!'' his fist hit the table. Even though the sound was loud, no one, including servants, moved a muscle. It was not unusual for the duke to express his anger this openly.

“Louise, that chit, does she have an idea how worried she makes us?!”

“It is as father says. Without the family’s consent, she takes part in a war, crosses the national borders without permission, and sneaks into Gallia! It could turn into another war!”

[[Image:ZnT11-039.jpg|thumb]]

Eleonore’s sharp eyes were blazing behind the glasses when she agreed with father’s words. She gathered the information that leaked out of Tristania’s academy.

Cattleya was silently listening to her father and elder sister's words, before her Louise-like pink hair started to shake as she began pleasantly laughing.

“Isn’t it great? Helping out a classmate from Gallia – how heroic. I’m proud of her.”

Eleonore gave Cattleya a piercing glare.

“This is not the time for laughs. Weren’t you the one helping out that child last time? Weren’t you the one who melted the golden chain of the drawbridge not so long time ago.”

“Hmm, I can’t remember such thing.”

Cattleya continued to laugh softly.

“Really? But this time this child broke the country's laws. Doesn’t Her Majesty come here for this – to give her direct judgment? It could even be the whole family destruction!”

“You are exaggerating.”

Cattleya said while laughing.

“I am not exaggerating. As it is, because in the previous cases we did not send troops to the war, the government is not likely to be merciful.”

It was so. The La Vallière duke house, during the recent Albion campaign, hasn’t sent even a single soldier. As a result, an enormous military service exemption tax was imposed. Though the La Vallière duke house obediently paid it, the nobles who went to the war criticized the duke as a "disloyal."

“This is not a revolt against the royal family. Besides, isn’t Louise her majesty’s friend? I don’t think there will be a severe punishment given.”

“She would not remember such an old thing. Besides, Louise returns from the Von Zerbst estate, right? The Ancestors would grieve hearing such a thing.”

Then the sisters both fell silent as their mother, Duchess de La Vallière, opened her mouth.

“Before receiving judgment from Her Majesty, this family has its own punishment to give.”

With these words, the air in the dining room froze. To the face of Duke de La Vallière blanched.

“P-Punishment to give?”

“As stated, I will give it myself.”

The servants, who stood silently behind them, started to tremble.

Eleonore had an unusually strained smile on her lips.

“I-It’s nothing mother should be concerned with… Right, Cattleya?”

Cattleya's voice was nervous for a moment.

“I-I think so too.”

''Kohn'' coughed Duke de La Vallière.

“Umm, Karin. It’s like the daughters say. Nothing to bother with… Right Jerome?”

The duke requested an agreement from the butler.

“Ah, I have to go. I just remembered I have things to do.”

The old butler hastily retreated. As if by a signal, all servants left the dining room together.

Simultaneously, with the stomping sounds of the closing door, the duchess stood up. Her expression didn’t change. However, something strong rises swaying in slow motion from her body.

"It‘s my responsibility for my daughter's carelessness, thus I myself will give her the education. Isn't that so?"

Duke de La Vallière, with trembling fingers began to fiddle with his mustache. He recalled the old times. Youth, beauty, and the severe past of his wife…

“It is so! A-Asking for a strict lecture! Give me a second…”

These words were muted by a strong roaring sound. Dust fluttered down the table. Looking up, one could see the whole wall vanish completely, under the indescribably powerful spell.

The duchess who was holding the wand, shook her head and said.

“Even more so – we cannot look weak… Well, I think so anyway.”

“K-Karin! Therefore Louise…”

The duchess glared at her husband's face.

“She is your and my daughter! It has to look strict! After a long time, when you're looking back, you’ll see her being raised up wrong because of your selfish whim!”

At the shout of his wife, the duke instinctively ducked his head.

“S-Sorry!”

“Our family is important, our daughter is important as well; I don’t want to pass on either. That’s why the "Heavy Winds" will give the punishment to our daughter. Her Majesty will see.”

“Hey, Louise. Tell me what’s wrong?”

Saito was watching Louse with concern. Since the carriage entered La Vallière's territory, Louise, for a while now was trembling. It was at the same time intense and restless.

Sitting on the opposite seat, Guiche, Malicorne, and Montmorency mysteriously watched Louise too.

“Do you have a fever? Are you cold?”

Kirche, who was sitting next to Saito, placed a hand on surprisingly cold fingers and asked in a shocked voice. Tabitha was sitting next them. Her mother was left in Kirche's residence rather than taking her to Tristain. Though Kirche recommended for her to remain in residence with her mother, Tabitha was stubborn. Well, she could leave Kirche’s residence safely, as Tabitha would be taken as part of their traveling party. Tabitha's mother’s mind was still because of the sickness, but she started liking seeing Tabitha more often and was not frightened by her anymore.

“Hey Tabitha, don’t you agree that Louise is acting strange?”

Ignoring what was said, Tabitha casted a glance at Louise. Unusually, a book was not with her. She strongly grasped the long cane she found in miss baron’s room while escaping the Alhambra castle and looked closer at her.

Tabitha could see Louise’s shoulders shivering.

“Frightened.”

She said.

“When invading the Alhambra castle, she was not scared. But now, returning to her parents and family, she is? Strange child.”

Saito recalled Louise's parents. Louise’s father who wore hard armor, the impenetrable Duke de La Vallière…

Louise’s eldest sister, Eleonore, who took Louise’s personality even further to an extreme…

Can one be blamed to be scared of such a family?

“But, well, I guess it’s the cause for not eating. The other day, you ran away without getting a permission to take part in the war.”

“Circumstances are different.”

Louise said in a shaky voice.

“Circumstances?”

“Taking part in a war without permission was not breaking the <nowiki>'rules'</nowiki>”

Saito lightly tapped Louise’s shoulder.

“If it is not a rule, then they're like Princess-sama; angry on you like a monarchic government prefecture for violating the law? Then I guess your father and elder sister are angry too. Still, it can’t be as bad as beheading…”

Saito remembered Louise’s fathers angry face and shivered.

“On the contrary. In my family, if one violates the regulations, being hated is as badly as being dead.”

Louise hugged herself with both hands and started trembling heavily.

“W-What?! You are scared this much?! Who is it? Is it the father? Or that young woman?”

“M-M-M-M...”

“M-?”

“Mother.”

Saito tried to revive that little glimpse he had on Louise’s mother. Though she had a strong, high-handed aura around her, she was sitting quietly. It certainly didn’t look like a person who could make others shiver in fear.”

“She’ll spank you?”

Hearing that, Louise clutched her stomach as if in pain.

“Louise! Louise! What is it?”

“Eeeh, Louise, is your mother that scary?”

Malicorne said in a growing senile voice.

In a heavy, as if cursing, voice, Louise spit out.

“Do you… Know the predecessor commander of Manticore troops?”

“Who would not know about such celebrity! Karin the ‘Heavy Wind’ was it? It is said that the lower half of her face was always covered with an iron mask… She served the kingdom since the start as the wind user. They called this magic a ‘heavy wind,’ but ‘raging storm’ would have been a more appropriate name for it.”

Guiche, after Malicorne's words, also recalled few things.

“When Eustace raised a revolt, wasn’t it the ‘Heavy Wind’ who suppressed it single-handedly? Father told me, that when he was young, he lead his troops to take over the Cardin Bridge, but it was already taken over by Karin the Heavy Wind. And that it has been said that the Heavy Wind used to work alone.”

Soon, they began telling one after another, old hero stories.

“When Germania troops were skirmishing at the border, it is said that once the rumors spread that 'the Wind' was at the front-line, enemies ran away.”

“However, there are rumors that she was a very beautiful person. According to the rumor, she was a beauty in male attire…”

“Indeed. But one can question does really such a strong, disguising as a man, woman… Really exists?”

Guiche’s face turned blue once he heard Montmorency's words.

“C-Could it be that Karin the Heavy Wind is…”

Louise said in a strained voice.

“My mother.”

Everyone in the carriage looked at each other, and then nervously asked Louise.

“Lying?”

“I am not. D-Do you know the motto of Manticore unit of that time?”

All the party members shook their heads. As one might be expect, no one knew the motto of the corps.

“Rule of steel. My mother hated lack of discipline the most.”

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| Forward to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume11_Chapter3|Chapter 3]]
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Talk:Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter1

2010-02-06T14:00:05Z

Thechinanator: /* His Mother, Mother, etc? */

Talk:Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter1

2010-02-06T13:59:40Z

Thechinanator: /* His Mother, Mother, etc? */ new section

'''Back to business:'''
Whoever restarted to translate ZnT, I love you. You must win at life. Don't stop, even if your life is at stake.

--------------------------

"The sun has already gone halfway" - what time of day is this supposed to indicate? Try "The sun had already risen" for late morning or "The sun was already high in the sky" for the afternoon?

Also, shouldn't there be more consistent use of either "Mother" or "his mother" during the non-speech parts of Saito's dream? The former implies first-person narration; the latter implies third-person.

[[User:RabidRabbit|RabidRabbit]] 02:31, 3 February 2010 (UTC)

== His Mother, Mother, etc? ==

I edited the mother thing to "his mother". It just didn't sound right with "Mother" because the paragraph is leaning towards the third person perspective more. Also, I noticed something in this sentence.

"For some reason, such a casual conversation pierced hard through his chest. Mother turned around. Mother's face. The same gentle, calm face of his mother... "

Notice how it said "The same gentle, calm face of his mother..."
I believe it to be implying that the person before Saito was not really his mother. Just a person sharing the same face or so. So I changed it to

"For some reason, such a casual conversation pierced hard through his chest. His mother turned around. Her familiar face. The same gentle, calm face of his mother... "

I don't know if this is straying too far from the original script or not, so if anyone wants to point out how the original was, that would be helpful.

== His Mother, Mother, etc? ==

I edited the mother thing to "his mother". It just didn't sound right with "Mother" because the paragraph is leaning towards the third person perspective more. Also, I noticed something in this sentence.

"For some reason, such a casual conversation pierced hard through his chest. Mother turned around. Mother's face. The same gentle, calm face of his mother... "

Notice how it said "The same gentle, calm face of his mother..."
I believe it to be implying that the person before Saito was not really his mother. Just a person sharing the same face or so. So I changed it to

"For some reason, such a casual conversation pierced hard through his chest. His mother turned around. Her familiar face. The same gentle, calm face of his mother... "

I don't know if this is straying too far from the original script or not, so if anyone wants to point out how the original was, that would be helpful.

Talk:Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter1

2010-02-06T13:59:29Z

Thechinanator: /* His Mother, Mother, etc? */ new section

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter1

2010-02-06T13:54:56Z

Thechinanator: /* Chapter One: Von Zerbst */

{{Template:PREVIEW}}

===Chapter One: Von Zerbst===

Within the deep, dark woods of Germania stood Von Zerbst Castle. But even though it was called a castle, it was considerably different from the Tristanian ones.

The old stone-made building probably had a splendid history, and the repeatedly added random extensions increased its original size twofold. The architectural style was uncertain as well.
The rising top looked of ancient Tristain and Gallia, the high steeples belonged to Varon’s style, while the middle wall underwent a massive transformation under Albion’s architectural influence.

Next to the delicate Romalian brick tower stood a large Germanian citadel made of massive rocks… Thus, ignoring the looks and prestige, this building was a mess. Tristain’s and Gallia’s nobles furrowed their eyebrows upon seeing such a castle, and the respective liberty and innovation of Germania, the Country of Fire, made them frown deeply.

In this castle, within a room devoted to the cheerful and warm feeling of spring, Saito was sound asleep. Because he just took part in a big adventure, his body felt very tired.

In his deep sleep, Saito was dreaming. It was a nostalgic dream.

A dream of his hometown. A dream of Earth…

His mother was cooking in the kitchen, and he watched her from behind.

“Mother, what are you making?”

“Your favorite - hamburger steak.”

For some reason, such a casual conversation pierced hard through his chest. His mother turned around. Her familiar face. The same gentle, calm face of his mother...

“Saito, you, why are you crying?”

“Huh?”

Saito rubbed his eyes. They were full of tears.

“Such a strange child.”

Said the smiling face of his mother as it changed into the face of Tabitha’s mother. Surprised, Saito let out a cry.

“Uwaa!”

Saito woke up from his yell.

“A dream…”

It was already the second dream of his mother. Being so far away, it was a wonder he could recall her face at all.

Saito rose from bed and looked out of the window. The sun has already gone halfway. The bed next to him, where Malicorne and Guiche should have been sleeping, was empty. No one had slept in it for some time.

Saito dressed and turned to leave the room…

“Saito.”

Louise stood in the doorway.

“Oh, Louise. Good morning.”

For some reason, Louise shyly casted her eyes down when Saito greeted her.

“Lunch has been prepared. Everyone is waiting.”

“You should have woken me up then.”

“I tried. But you would not wake up.”

“I-I see. Sorry.”

Saito said looking away. He became embarrassed remembering the dream. It may have been a journey deep in the dream world, but the dream of his mother was strangely embarrassing.

Both Tabitha and her mother were saved from Gallia‘s old castle five days ago. Last night, they arrived at Kirche‘s family's, the Von Zerbst, residence in Germania. Louise and Saito, Kirche, Guiche and Montmorency, Malicorne, Tabitha and her mother; overall - eight people and Sylphid managed to safely cross the border.

Gallian military, after learning that Tabitha and her mother went missing, placed checkpoints along the highway, checking passing travelers, but on every such point Sylphid would transform and Guiche would cast a spell pretending to be an important person, thus fooling the check.

Because the local Gallian army has fallen into disorder, it was easy to escape the line. The morale of local soldiers who stood in the check was low. Some soldiers would not even do a proper check on carriages, before mumbling the unmotivated "Go." The Kingdom of Gallia apparently did not care about prefectures too much, often excluding the army‘s direct control.

The best troops were placed on the boarder with Germania. Calling themselves the Knights of Roses, were a squad of elite knights placed there.

The party was nervous.

When they thoroughly rummaged the carriage, they found the disguised Tabitha.

Make-up was wiped from the face of the sleeping Tabitha,

“This girl…”

It was the young leader of the knights, who introduced himself as Castelmorr.

That moment, Kirche grasped her wand and Saieto pulhledt out his sword.

However, Castelmorr got out of the carriage and loudly proclaimed,

“All clear! You may pass!”

Border passage was permitted. When the carriage crossed the border, they sent their expression of gratitude to the splendid knight. He, who should have captured Tabitha, Saito, and others, had let them go.

When Tabitha woke up and they told her about the incident, she just calmly said “I see.”

“Even though he was not an ally, he was not an enemy either. I was relieved.”

Saito recalled the conversation upon crossing the national border and nodded.

“Tabitha?”

“She is asleep in the room over there.”

Louise, from the room prepared for them, pointed to the door across the corridor in front of them. Saito nodded and slightly pushed the door. It was not locked. Making a slight sound, the door opened.

From the opening, Saito glanced into the room.

Mother and child, hugging each other tight, were sleeping soundly on the big bed.

They were saved by Saito and others, Tabitha and her mother were.

“Anyway, they are finally safe.”

Louise, who stood by his side, nodded.

“Oh well. Besides, this is Germania… Gallia can’t do much here.”

Saito nodded and, feeling uneasy, asked,

“Hey, yesterday, when you sent the letter…”

Last night, Louise sent a letter addressed to Henrietta in Tristain by owl. It was filled with Louise’s lengthy apologies.

First, it began with a report that Tabitha had been rescued safely, followed by an apology for crossing the border without permission; secondly, a statement of her willingness to take any punishment needed and the hope to return within three days' time.

“You didn't write about my arrest, did you?”

Though he watched closely as Louise wrote the letter, because he did not understand the characters, he could not understand the content that was written. Louise would not take his crimes for herself, would she? He thought, and asked tentatively.

“Not really.”

Louise responded with a calm face.

Saito looked deeply into Louise’s eyes for a while. They were filled with little shining sparkles.

“Really? Aren’t you lying this way? It all started because of me; thus, it is me who should bear the responsibility…”

For a moment, Louise’s sparkling eyes lost their light as she fixed her sight on Saito.

“If you are caught, then you won’t be able to return…”

“Hey! That’s true, but…I am responsible as a sub-commander of the Knight Corps…”

Saito changed recently. When he was talking about "responsibility" or "what he can do in this world," it all was making Louise perplexed. Didn’t he want to return to his world?

“Yeah, yeah. That story is already over. Let’s go, everyone is waiting.”

Saito, before turning to leave, peeked one last time as Tabitha snuggled closer to her mother. Then… something deep in his heart became strangely numb.

“What’s wrong?”

“N-Nothing.”

Saito and Louise left the mother and child asleep, and went to everyone who had been waiting in the dinning room.

While in the corridor, seeing the Von Zerbst castle’s furniture, Louise started complaining,

“Pshh, it’s the first time I have seen a residence with such a bad taste.”

Even so, Saito did not know a thing about the quality of the furniture’s in Halkeginia’s castle anyway. Well, it had a lot of Tristain statues and paintings lined up.

“Making this corridor in the manner of Tristain and then for some reason placing these paintings from the east in. Meaningless. Or perhaps rather than stressing over the eastern paintings, I should be more mad about the mimicry of Tristain to begin with. Either way it’s retarded.”

Louise pointed at the image of a God with many arms. For a moment it looked like a statue of the goddess of mercy with one thousand hands that Saito saw during a school excursion. Apparently, Louise could not forgive such casual decorating manner in using the furniture of her hometown.

“Look, this is Giovanni Lascault’s religious painting. It’s tint completely mismatches the color of the wall. Ugh, these upstart nobles of Germania…”

As Louise continued fuming about, Saito said in an embarrassed voice,

“Umm, Louise.”

“Huh?”

“Walls, statues, paintings – they all are alright… But this… Look of yours…”

“What’s wrong with my look?”

''Tsun'' – Louise turned around to face him and asked.

“…You didn't take your dancer costume off?”

Underneath the mantle Louise was still wearing the same oriental dancer clothes that she wore while saving Tabitha.

With all its worth, these clothes were designed only to conceal the most pivotal points, and it was embarrassing, whatever exposed place he guided his eyes on.

“Reluctantly so. It's the only clothing I have to wear.”

For some reason, when Louise said that, her voice sounded triumphant.

“Argh! Put on the clothes you wore before changing to it – the Academy of Magic school uniform!”

“That? It’s dirty, so out of the question. I won’t put it on.”

“This is dirty in a different way! There!”

Saito shouted while turning his eyes away from Louise. Seeing her like that was making him feel nervous.

“That, isn’t it Kirche’s family house? That sort of attire is very suitable for Kirche's family as it seems from the eyes of the servants.”

Just then, a young female employee, wrapped in a showy red clothes, happened to pass by.

Louise calmly hid her body behind the mantle. Indeed, this way, Louise's slender limbs were completely hidden.

“Hey, she can’t see you that way!”

Once the employee passed, while giving a quick bow, ''swish'' - Louise provocatively swung the edge of her mantle, exposing the silky skin of her thigh. A teasing smile formed on her pink lips.

[[Image:ZnT11-021.jpg|thumb]]

''Swish-swish'' More of Louise’s white skin caught Saito’s eyes, making him color up and turn his face away.

“S-Stop it… Your mantle fluttering like that…”

This made Louise’s face deeply blush, yet she continued to stare at him.

“Why?”

“W-Why, well, you, uh, looking like that…”

“Looking like what?”

“Skin and stuff…”

“Are you stuuuupid? Are you excited just by looking at your master’s body? Unbelievable! How vulgar! You should die. In the forest.”

Blushing, Louise declared.

“Do you have any sense of shame?!”

“S-Shame for what! There’s nothing wrong with being seen by a familiar!”

Flurried Louise countered.

Firstly, in the carriage, Saito’s feverish gaze when he looked at her dancer’s clothing, was very amusing. But as if showing was not satisfying enough, she went up with the whole provocative ending.

However, trying to act calm was extremely embarrassing. ''What the heck was I thinking about – after everyone fell asleep,'' Louise raged wiggling in her blanket. She raged and raged, continuing to worry and worry more.

What would God think, seeing her present act?

Not just God, but Chii-nee-sama too?

While thinking so, cheeks burning from shame, Louise cursed herself.

While within the carriage, her distress continued… Louise pondered.

Though it was shameful to death, it also felt good.

''Aah, his gaze, solely focused on me and not on the other girls — that felt really good. By all means, I should wear these dancing clothes more. It was embarrassing, but this strange feeling of triumph was stronger than the feeling of shame.''

“Stop scrutinizing so much. Anyway, there's no ulterior motive and no deeper meaning to this. I’m just wearing what I want to wear.”

Louise said in an angry voice. Though in truth it made her feel wonderful and glad, it would make her very furious if that was recognized; though she could not say why it would make her mad. With such contradictions struggling within her heart, Louise continued to speak.

“Stop looking so intensively at me. Haah, what’s a life-form not given by birth? You.”

Naturally, Saito’s pride was severely damaged by such words. Saito turned his neck to the other side, thus completely averting the glance from Louise.

“Who's looking?”

The two walked silently for a while. Eventually, missing his gaze, Louise started to loose her temper. It is so trivial.

Finding the mirror put on the wall, Louise halted in front of it.

“Who is this cute girl?”

“Hey, move on.”

“I think that’s me.”

“Yeah yeah.”

Saito kept his head turned to the other side. Louise was growing increasingly angry. In her mind she started repeating strings of angry words. ''Loveyouhesaidloveyouhesailoveyouhesaid''.

''Whyishepretendingnottoseewhyishepretendingnottoseewhyishepretendingnottoseelooklooklookgettingangrylook''.

Irritated, Louise went for her secret trump. She placed her delicate finger on her cheek.

“I wonder.”

“H-Hey, let's go.”

Nervous, Saito urged Louise. As always, he was looking at the opposite direction. ''Kaaaaan'' – a lot of blood went up to Louise’s head. I’m acting so cute, I’m acting so cute and yet... Can’t let that happen. Pride soared high in Louise, like from the blood that ran up to her head. Result: Louise’s temperament broke loose.

“B, B-B-B, B-B...”

“B? What about it?”

“B, B-B-B-B-B, my breast cloth, i, i-i-i, i-i, if I remove it, w-w, wonder how I would look. Sex appeal increases cuteness, no doubt.”

“HAAH?!”

“There’s no doubt. Sex appeal easily attracts my familiar.”

Saito, determined not to lose, stood his ground. It was like this in his head – looking at Louise now would mean her victory and his defeat. Thus, with his right hand he pinched himself, desperately fighting against the overwhelming desire "to look."

“Then the b-b-breast cloth w-w-w-will go.”

“How long will you hesitate? E-Everyone will see you if you wait.”

“Hey you!”

“Pshh.”

“I won’t hesitate.”

Saito applied more power to the finger digging into his thigh. From the pain, cold sweat flowed. Seriously, flowed.
However, he won’t look. A man decided not to look; so, he won’t look.

Louise gave a lot of care to the cloth which covered her chest. "Move," but the hand won’t move even if ordered. It was shameful. No, shame was not the only thing. Death. Her head will explode and she will die from shame.

And then it changes again. Though she returned her noble position to Her Majesty, her noble pride was still there. By all means. It is necessarily for a master to make a familiar to turn his eyes on her, so that there would be no regrets left.

Even though she is confused, because blood went up her head, Louise didn't notice such thing. Her pride was driving her insane.

“Waah!”

With a shout she lowered her breast cloth.

Saito was surprised. Even if he was not surprised, the moment when Louise shouted, his head moved on its own, disregarding his intentions. And thus, his head graciously turned to Louise.

The first thing Saito’s eyes jumped on was the pulled down the fabric of the dancing costume, covering the breasts, Louise’s slender fingers covering the exposed top of her breasts… which looked rather plain.

Saito, at the reflection speed of the insect level, jumped at Louise. And clung close to her.

“Sorry, can’t help it.”

Recovered from her daze, Louise gripped the back of Saito’s head and tried to pull him off.　

“W-Wait a minute… stop! W-W-W-What are you thinking…?”

Then she saw Saito’s feverish eyes. W-What a look. Such a crazy passion that she, she…contrary to her will, Louise closed her eyes.

“W-We… are very likely to be imprisoned when returning back to Tristain, right?”

“…R-Right.”

Then a painful thought pierced Louise's mind. If… she will be put into prison for all this…

Then she would not be able to meet Saito for a while.

“…then if so, maybe it’s the only time we can be alone as a couple?”

After those words…this time spent held firmly in Saito’s arms felt irreplaceable. These thoughts, and Saito’s passionate look, deprived the last remains of the strength from her resisting hand.

“I-Is it alright?”

Louise, still nervous and shy, slightly parted her lips and puckered them up.

“S-Stop a-asking, idiot…”

Louise, looking very shy, was so lovely at this moment, that Saito’s head started spin.

He hugged her close to him,

Louise’s mind was in a turmoil.

Aah, I am sorry ancestor-sama. Louise Françoise is about to be swept off her feet in the bitter enemy Von Zerbst's castle. When I passed through the gates, I never thought it would lead to this. I am sorry ancestor-sama, mother-sama, elder sister-sama, Chii-nee-sama – everyone – I am sorry…

The passion was so strong that her mind started to leave, fading away…

But then, with the corner of her eye, she noticed red hair moving across the corridor. Louise's reaction was blitz-quick. She kicked Saito in the groin and quickly leaped back to her feet.

“Because you were both missing for so long, I came to check up on you.”

Guiche put a hand on his chin and shook his head.

“You, what are you doing in other people's homes?”

Kirche asked, not hiding the amazement in her voice.

Louise’s mouth opened and closed few times, vaguely trying to remember any letter of the alphabet to utter. She shivered while cold sweat dripped down her skin.

“ An i-insect leeched to my neck so I tried to take it off.”

“And of course for that you needed to take off your breast cloth?”

Kirche asked with a malicious smile. Louise’s body stiffened. Slowly, she dropped on her knees and her shoulders sagged.

Meanwhile, Saito was busy twitching on the floor.

Kirche approached Louise. She placed a hand on her shoulder, mischief was dazzling from her smile.

“Had enough of your lustful antics? And I thought no one would best me.”

“T-That’s not it, it has nothing to do with lust. It kind of shifted on its own!”

Shaking her temple, Louise came off with a desperate excuse.

“It’s alright. I have a gift for you.”

“Not needed.”

“It’s a letter from Tristain.”

The party, with tensed faces, gathered in Kirche’s room.

“Extremely soon.”

“Surely, it must be because she is so very angry, that queen of your country.”

Relaxed, Kirche spread her hands and said. Louise carefully eyed the letter that Kirche passed to her. The envelope was made from high-class parchment and had Tristain’s kingdom signature placed on it. Crest of Lilies that she got used to seeing… a reply from Henrietta so soon.

In this letter, the others and my fate is engraved. How did Henrietta judge me?

Her hand trembled from the tension. Saito watched her face nervously as well. Guiche, Montmorency, and Malicorne held their breath too, watching Louise's act.

Kirche carefully said to Louise, who was still not breaking the seal,

“Hey Louise, you know about that letter. It is not necessary to return to Tristain. You can stay in my house.”

“You aren't worried about our teacher, Colbert?”

Colbert volunteered to take Louise’s and the others' place so that they could pass the border.

Afterwards, there was no news from him. Even the crew of the ''Ostland'' that arrived at Von Zerbst had no information.

“If it’s Jean, then it will be alright. Surely, he hid himself somewhere. The report will come sooner or later. But if he were caught, then I would go on another rescuing adventure.”

“No good. It would be much tougher than before.”

Then Louise took a deep breath and opened the envelope in a dash. The letter inside had just a single peace of paper. And a short sentence was written in there. Reading it, Louise started to tremble.

“W-What is it?! What’s written in there!”

Saito, who was not able to endure the tension any longer, pressed her.

“Just this much was written? And more importantly, what is written on that? Give it to me.”

Kirche took the letter from Louise’s hand.

“What, 'Henrietta will wait at the La Vallière estate.' My, isn’t that good. She will wait at your family's home. Maybe it won’t be so tough there.”

Kirche said pretending not to know. Louise’s shivering reached its peak. She just managed to utter.

“At home...”

“Why? Isn’t it good if you can speak with your family - they might protect you.”

“Far from protecting, I will be killed.”

As if giving up, Louise lowered her head.

<noinclude>
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|-
| Back to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Epilogue|Volume 10]]
| Return to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume11_Chapter2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Talk:Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Epilogue

2010-02-03T13:10:56Z

Thechinanator: /* Just some minor edits */

Talk:Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Epilogue

2010-02-03T13:10:30Z

Thechinanator: /* Just some minor edits */

Talk:Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Epilogue

2010-02-03T13:09:49Z

Thechinanator: /* Just some minor edits */

realized that some people may not read the "comments" i made to the main text... rather than editing directly as the changes i propose do change context of rather than just the names and such...

in first paragraph, i was thinking that rather than "receiving a wagon", it probably is "getting a wagon" or "taking a wagon"...

and in the 2nd paragraph, i was thinking that "even if her body was healthy" or "even if her body was fine" rather than "even if her body was normal" (regarding sylphid)...

== Just some minor edits ==

''Made some changes with capitals and such. I noticed this one sentence at
“Wonder what mr and mother would be thinking at home. When I sy fatheaid I wanted to serve the Imperial Guards, they were so happy…and now we’re going back as criminals. I’d probably cause a huge trouble. Huh, I’ll really trouble them now. Geez.”

I don't know if the "mr" should have a capitalized "M".
I just left it for now and posted on the forums regarding this sentence.''
This has now been fixed. Thanks for the help.

EDIT: I noticed when Malicorne said "I’d probably cause huge trouble. Huh, I’ll really trouble them now. Geez.", I'm not really sure about the "I'd probably cause huge trouble" (My edit). The previous text was "I'd probably cause A huge trouble". I get the feeling that it is meaning to say "A lot of trouble" but I don't really know.

Anyone care to help?

Talk:Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Epilogue

2010-02-02T13:35:27Z

Thechinanator: /* Just some minor edits */

realized that some people may not read the "comments" i made to the main text... rather than editing directly as the changes i propose do change context of rather than just the names and such...

in first paragraph, i was thinking that rather than "receiving a wagon", it probably is "getting a wagon" or "taking a wagon"...

and in the 2nd paragraph, i was thinking that "even if her body was healthy" or "even if her body was fine" rather than "even if her body was normal" (regarding sylphid)...

== Just some minor edits ==

Made some changes with capitals and such. I noticed this one sentence at
“Wonder what mr and mother would be thinking at home. When I sy fatheaid I wanted to serve the Imperial Guards, they were so happy…and now we’re going back as criminals. I’d probably cause a huge trouble. Huh, I’ll really trouble them now. Geez.”

I don't know if the "mr" should have a capitalized "M".
I just left it for now and posted on the forums regarding this sentence.

EDIT: I noticed when Malicorne said "I’d probably cause huge trouble. Huh, I’ll really trouble them now. Geez.", I'm not really sure about the "I'd probably cause huge trouble" (My edit). The previous text was "I'd probably cause A huge trouble". I get the feeling that it is meaning to say "A lot of trouble" but I don't really know.

Anyone care to help?

Talk:Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Epilogue

2010-02-02T13:33:29Z

Thechinanator: /* Just some minor edits */

realized that some people may not read the "comments" i made to the main text... rather than editing directly as the changes i propose do change context of rather than just the names and such...

in first paragraph, i was thinking that rather than "receiving a wagon", it probably is "getting a wagon" or "taking a wagon"...

and in the 2nd paragraph, i was thinking that "even if her body was healthy" or "even if her body was fine" rather than "even if her body was normal" (regarding sylphid)...

== Just some minor edits ==

Made some changes with capitals and such. I noticed this one sentence at
“Wonder what mr and mother would be thinking at home. When I sy fatheaid I wanted to serve the Imperial Guards, they were so happy…and now we’re going back as criminals. I’d probably cause a huge trouble. Huh, I’ll really trouble them now. Geez.”

I just left it for now. I believe I added a capital at "Mr" and I posted on the forums regarding the "I sy fatheaid"

EDIT: I noticed when Malicorne said "I’d probably cause huge trouble. Huh, I’ll really trouble them now. Geez.", I'm not really sure about the "I'd probably cause huge trouble" (My edit). The previous text was "I'd probably cause A huge trouble". I get the feeling that it is meaning to say "A lot of trouble" but I don't really know.

Anyone care to help?

User:IDoItForTheLolz

2010-02-02T12:31:23Z

Thechinanator: User:IDoItForTheLolz moved to User:Thechinanator over redirect

#REDIRECT [[User:Thechinanator]]

User:Thechinanator

2010-02-02T12:31:23Z

Thechinanator: User:IDoItForTheLolz moved to User:Thechinanator over redirect

Hey! Just a big anime/manga/light novels fan. Thought I'd contribute since I'm always reading light novels here.
Hope to get along with you all! ^^

User:Thechinanator

2010-02-02T12:30:33Z

Thechinanator: User:Thechinanator moved to User:IDoItForTheLolz

Hey! Just a big anime/manga/light novels fan. Thought I'd contribute since I'm always reading light novels here.
Hope to get along with you all! ^^

Talk:Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Epilogue

2010-02-02T03:01:30Z

Thechinanator: /* Just some minor edits */ new section

User:Thechinanator

2010-02-02T02:57:57Z

Thechinanator: New page: Hey! Just a big anime/manga/light novels fan. Thought I'd contribute since I'm always reading light novels here. Hope to get along with you all! ^^

Hey! Just a big anime/manga/light novels fan. Thought I'd contribute since I'm always reading light novels here.
Hope to get along with you all! ^^

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Epilogue

2010-02-02T02:56:35Z

Thechinanator: /* Epilogue */

===Epilogue===

Taking a wagon from within Alhambra Castle, the group traveled on the streets in the dead of the night.

They could not use Sylphid – it was impossible for eight people to ride on her body which had yet to recover. Even if her body was healthy, she could not carry eight people and fly for an hour. There was no other way. That’s because Sylphid was still a young dragon.

The plan was to enter Germania temporarily after traveling two days on the coach, then cross Zerbst’s territory to enter Tristain.

The ones at the coachman’s seat, taking care of the bridles, were Guiche and Malicorne. Looking ahead, they were chatting in voices mixed with fatigue and excitement.

“Hey Guiche.”

“What is it?”

“If you think about it carefully, we had just done something terrible huh?”

“Uh-huh. We’ve done it this time.”

“Wonder what mr and mother would be thinking at home. When I sy fatheaid I wanted to serve the Imperial Guards, they were so happy… And now we’re going back as criminals. I’d probably cause huge trouble. Huh, I’ll really trouble them now. Geez.”

“Are you regretting your actions?” Guiche asked.

“Frankly speaking, a little. But I’d be more regretful if I don’t go along, I think. Constantly harassed by our female classmates. If I didn’t help you at all, I’d become not a noble, but a commoner instead.”

Malicorne said, sighing.

“If that’s so, then don’t regret it.”

Guiche clapped Malicorne’s shoulders.

“You’re a good guy! One of these days you’ll get a lover. I guarantee it.”

“Even if Guiche guarantees it, I’m still not happy.”

Poking her head out from the carriage into the space between the two, Montmorency sighed.

“Huh, why did I follow you all until here… If I think about it, ain’t I at the frontier of Halkeginia?”

“Hahaha!”

Montmorency glared at Guiche who had laughed optimistically.

“What are you laughing at! I’m asking what we should do when we go back to Tristain!”

“I’m not thinking about that. When it comes, it comes.”

“Haa?”

“Shouldn’t we think about going back to our country first? Although it’s good that we rescued Tabitha, it doesn’t guarantee a safe return right? Not just the Gallian army. Seems like the elves are those guys’ allies too.”

“Huh…”

Montmorency let out a huge sigh. Guiche put his arm around her shoulders.

“Don’t worry, my Montmorency. I’ll give my life to protect you.”

“Why did I get the short end of the stick?”

“It’s okay! For some reason, my luck is strong! We’ll manage it this time too!”

“It’s not that. I’m saying that my choosing you is in itself a mistake.”

Glaring steadily at Guiche, Montmorency said that.

“H-How could this be…”

Guiche was dumbfounded. Montmorency planted a kiss at his face.

“Eh?”

“Why that miserable look?

“Monmo…”

At Guiche who looked up with feverish eyes, Montmorency declared.

“Geez. Don’t give up. We’ll make it somehow! 'Cuz I’m really not going to jail!”

Inside the wagon which was covered with a cloth, wrapped in straw, Kirche and the mother and child were snoring gently. Tabitha’s mother was asleep due to Montmorency’s potion. That’s because she would struggle violently when awake. Cuddling her mother closely, Tabitha was sleeping. She had certainly gone through much.

Covered in bandages, Kirche was sleeping too. Her burns were recovering due to Montmorency’s water magic, but… She had used up a lot of her strength.

Sylphid was sleeping in between Kirche and Tabitha.

The ones still awake in the wagon were Saito and Louise.

Looking at the sleeping Tabitha, Saito said,

“Hey Louise.”

“What?”

“I wonder how Tabitha had felt, huh… Fighting alone all along like that… No matter how I think about it, looks like I’m more blessed. The ones who would help their friends, that’s really like you… But, this girl has always been alone.”

“Yeah.”

“As I thought, although we had gone against Her Majesty and Agnes to that extent, I think it’s good that we left.”

Saito said so earnestly. Louise nodded too.

“What are you going to do once we go back to Tristain, Louise? First we’ll rescue teacher, is there anywhere for us to hide?”

“What are you talking about?”

Louise glared at Saito.

“Eh?”

“Go to the palace openly and receive our verdict. What we had just done may not be wrong. But that does not change the fact that we had brought trouble upon Princess and our motherland. We are lawbreakers. We have no choice but to receive our punishment.”

“That’s right. Uh-huh.”

Saito nodded, tired. ''How long would I be jailed? But still, I have no regrets. I think I would be more remorseful if I didn’t do this.''

Seeing Saito acting in that way, Louise said in an angry-like voice;

“No. Only I have to go into jail.”

“Ehh?”

“Just say that I, Her Majesty’s court lady, had incited you guys, the Imperial Guards into action.”

“Wh-What!? Don’t joke around! I had brought everyone along! It’s my fault!”

But, Louise was already not looking at Saito. Gazing straight ahead, her mouth was tight shut, and a determined look hung on her face.

Despite wearing the dancer’s costume, Louise’s nobility was not damaged one bit. Instead, that lowly costume caused Louise’s demeanor as a noble to stand out.

Saito reminisced the time when he met Louise. The time when he was almost stepped on by the golem, Louise who said, ''“A mage who abandons his familiar is not a mage!”'' Louise had not changed since then. The girl who never neglected the “pride” within her…

Hiding such thoughts within her heart, Louise was divinely beautiful. ''I grew to like her because she’s like that.'' Saito thought.

“Louise…I… You are really great. Umm…”

Saito reached out for Louise’s left hand nervously. But that hand avoided him.

“Don’t touch me.”

“D-Don’t be angry!”

Nervous, Saito’s hands reached out for Louise’s shoulders.

“Didn’t I say not to touch me!?”

Louise’s face swelled, and she turned away. Those cheeks turned red. The third time he hugged her shoulders, she did not brush it away. She pursed her lips in an annoyed look, her body stiffening.

Simply speaking, Louise at that state was intensely cute. Saito could could not help but to press his lips closer.

“No.”

Louise resisted.

“Th-That’s right! Kissing is a reward. Since I haven’t received anything like a reward. But, I still like to do this. Very much.”

Saito said impatiently, and ''nyah''<nowiki>~~~~~~</nowiki> displayed an extra large smile. It was an utmost evil smile.

''As I thought…such pathetic face is not something he acquired as Gandalfr. Just like what Saito said just now, courage, love… These are surely born from within him…''

When she thought about this, relief and a sense of mastery gushed forth in unison. ''Of course, this fellow is still my servant, right. How do I say it –the worshiper of love, right.''

''And yet I had worried about it and become miserable. My injured pride demand a restoration of honor.'' Louise stood up and folded her arms.

With an absolutely triumphant voice, she looked down at Saito.

“Ehhhhhhhhhh? You, what did you say you want to do with me?”

“…Ki-kiss.”

“I can’t hear you!”

Combing her hair back in an exaggerated action, Louise declared that haughtily.

“I said I would like to ki-kiss you.”

Saito was already kneeling and speaking politely. Grasping his fists tightly above his knees, he was trembling all over, somewhat regretfully. ''I can’t help it. The moment I said I want to kiss her, I have already lost.''

“You really want it? Say it please. How much do you want it?”

“V-Very much.”

“Very much? Don’t be that abstract! You want to kiss me right? This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. So this beast says with a straight face that he wants to kiss his master. How touching.”

"I-I am not a beast.”

Saito had already started using "<span id="mon">[[Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Translator's Notes#Mon|mon]]</span>". That’s a result of his expanding humility due to his wanting to wholeheartedly kiss Louise.

“You’re not a beast?”

Louise raised her eyebrows.

Kirche, the maid, Jessica, pseudo-breasts, Princess. Various incidences of her pride being bruised were brought back to her like a kaleidoscope which changes its shape.
[[Image:ZnT10-255.jpg|thumb]]
Her anger towards those memories had finally made Louise wake up.

Louise started putting on her miraculous impish manner. She did not learn it from anyone. Probably, that was because some part of Louise was asleep. Until now, it had only lain dormant without coming out to the surface. While watching Saito’s reaction, Louise started manipulating that imp of hers which had formerly come out only unconsciously.

Smiling, Louise first stood with her arms akimbo. Because of only that pose, Saito almost died.

Not satisfied with that, Louise raised one of her legs, and placed against the wall. Her dancer costume’s loincloth was lifted up, and her thighs which draw Louise’s delicate lines was burned into Saito’s eyes.

At the same time, she cast a flirtatious, sneering glance at him.

Breathing had already become difficult for Saito.

In a singing-like voice, Louise said to Saito.

“So, what did you say you want to do to me? What did’ya say? Use that funny mouth of yours. With unique, helpless words which can make me laugh. Together with that sickening dog-look, say that word!”

“Ki-Kiss……”

“Well then, praise me.”

With an increasingly triumphant attitude, Louise said further.

“…Eh?”

“Praise me until I’m happy. Oh yeah, firstly, that maid. Give me 100 parts of me that are better than Siesta. If not, I won’t let you do anything.”

Saito was confused, but he still continued.

“Y-You’re… Which parts are better errr… You have good points; Siesta has good points too… As a rule…”

“What is this!?”

“Looks like this child didn’t hear it properly. I said to praise me. Praise your master, your ruler, your god! You can’t hear it? Feel like dying is it?”

At the height of this chaos, the taboo came out of Saito’s mouth.

“Umm…Louise…yeah! Your breasts!”

“You’re making fun of me?”

Louise’s lips distorted into something evil. She put strength into her stamping foot. ''Ouuuuuu'' A groan escaped Saito’s mouth.

At that instant…

The sound of someone coughing could be heard.

Louise turned back, and saw that Guiche, Montmorency and Malicorne were staring at them from the coachman’s seat.

Being delirious, she had completely forgotten their existence. Louise’s face turned crimson. Because Saito was beginning a journey in his dream, he did not realize anything.

“Errr…Louise. If you don’t finish it, your name will be…”

Guiche said that with a troubled face.

“Stupid. If you’re bored, p-please practice your drama! Isn’t that so, Saito?”

However, Saito could not reply because he had already fainted. Louise cheerfully lifted Saito up, and just like how Siesta did last time, turned him around.

“Hey. Saito here. Just now was the practice of our play.”

Whilst shaking their heads, Guiche and the others looked to the front. Sighing, Malicorne hit the horse with his bridle.

The coach they were in sped up.

Anxiety, joy, hope, and then pride and self-respect... Fully loaded with various feelings, the coach headed towards the country border of Germania, dashing across the streets under the moonlight of the twin moons.

Tabitha was dreaming.

At the dear Orleans mansion at the lakeside of Ragdorian lake... There was a table at the center, and her gentle parents were having some snacks whilst chatting pleasantly.

Being watched over by both of them, the doll her mother bought for her... With “Tabitha”, the doll which could not be said to be very beautiful, beside her, she was reading a book. She was reading out “The Hero of Ivaldi” in a clear voice, a book which she had read for many times. A cheerful voice which she did not have now, was flowing out of her.

Those gentle times which had disappeared at the other side of timeline - they were right there.

Within the dream, Tabitha realized that she was in dreamland. That's because her father who was smiling so warmly, had already passed away.

Percerin , the butler, appeared.

“Your Highness, the guests have arrived,” he informed them. ''Please show them here'', her mother said. ''Charlotte's friends? That's quite rare,'' her father said with a smile.

Her academy friends' faces showed up at the courtyard.

With bunches of flowers in their hands, Guiche and Malicorne came forth. Montmorency was with them too.

With a somewhat embarrassed face, Louise handed Tabitha a paper bag. There were many sweets inside.

With her dazzlingly red hair, Kirche showed up. Smiling sweetly, she hugged Tabitha. Embraced by her close friend, Tabitha was touched without a reason. A friend's warmth is the hardest to substitute. Tabitha felt as if her frozen heart was melting.

Another close friend descended from the sky, and licked Tabitha.

“You have informed us, right?”

''Kyui'', Sylphid happily purred. Tabitha gently patted the chin of her faithful familiar. Sylphid squinted her eyes.

The last one to show up was Saito.

Carrying a sword at his back, he approached Tabitha slowly, and bowed.

“Sorry, I'm late.”

Tabitha smiled shyly and turned away.

“The Hero of Ivaldi” she was carrying slipped from her hands.

''Is it because I've found my hero?''

In that immensely gentle, warm dream, Tabitha thought that.

<noinclude>
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|-
| Back to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Chapter10|Chapter 10]]
| Return to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Postscript|Postscript]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>