Hearing Alara's description of her job prospects, Alyse can't help but sigh internally. She directs a hesitant expression at Alara.
"So, this personal guard...you're basically looking for someone to behave like the royal protector you were assigned as Princess?" (Alyse)
There's a distinct lack of enthusiasm in her voice, and she can practically feel herself deflate as she asks the question.
'I'd rather pull my own teeth than become one of those glorified wall ornaments for her...'
To her surprise, however, Alara shakes her head.
"Actually, it'd be nothing like that. Not to brag, but I don't really need protection. Aside from my sister and Alto here, there aren't any elves that could pose a threat to me, and I don't plan on leaving our kingdom. I do need the person in question to be physically capable, but it's more accurate to call what I want a...right hand, or executive assistant. The job will require quite a bit more independence, flexibility, and effort than just being a royal guard." (Alara)
Alyse raises her eyebrows at the statement. Not just because she's surprised to hear the job isn't what she assumed, but mostly because of another reason...
"To be clear...are you implying that you think you could take me in a fight?" (Alyse)
Her voice is laced with a rare combination of amusement, incredulity, and pride. She's, of course, never gotten the opportunity to spar seriously with a member of the royal family – that would be no small ordeal. However, she's always been confident that none of them, neither Elira or Alara, could best her if they fought. Truthfully, before meeting Alto, she was convinced that she was the most formidable elf in the world...at least combat-wise.
Naturally, she no longer holds such a delusion – it's obvious that Alto would wipe the floor with her, because she already did. Similarly, it's now abundantly clear to her that Princess Ilina must be the person Mizuki once alluded to – the only elf stronger than Alto, the most powerful elf in the kingdom. Alyse experienced that spell of hers at the nobles' meeting that felt like it could crush her into the dirt with ease. If Ilina used it in a fight, Alyse would be helpless against her.
However, those two are exceptions in Alyse's mind. At the nobles' meeting, the Princess was openly confirmed to have received some kind of...blessing from Mizuki that expands her magical abilities, and she's begun to suspect that the same may be true for Alto.
Hearing Alyse's fixation on her offhanded comment instead of the job offer, Alara initially glances at her in surprise. However, Alara's lips soon curl into an arrogant smile that reminds Alyse of the entitled Princess she's more accustomed to. Alara leans back in the jacuzzi confidently, her chest rising a bit further above the water line, and she directs a challenging gaze at Alyse as the smirk remains plastered on her face.
"Yeah...I'd win." (Alara)
Alyse purses her lips, her heart alight with so much fighting spirit that she can't even focus on the enticing sight of Alara's further exposed figure. Whatever flimsy resolve she'd mustered to previously ignore Alara's perceived slights disappears, and she directs a piercing gaze at Alara.
"You know...you should be careful making such arrogant declarations now that you're not a Princess. I'm rather prideful about my combat skills, you see, and there's nothing stopping me from thrashing you in a sparring match anymore." (Alyse)
Alara raises her eyebrows slightly, clearly not expecting such a combative response. After a moment of silence, however, she seems to realize something, and a glint of mischief takes hold in her grey eyes. A small smile forms on her lips.
"Hmm...who said I'm afraid of a sparring match with you? Like I told you, I'd win...easily." (Alara)
Alyse's jaw clenches.
"Tch...alright, in that case, why don't-" (Alyse)
She's cut off by a deep sigh from Alto.
"Don't." (Alto)
Alyse's words die with her anger, and she directs a bewildered gaze at Alto.
"What?" (Alyse)
Alto turns a calm gaze towards her.
"Don't fight her." (Alto)
Alyse purses her lips.
"We're both nobles now, so there's nothing wrong with us sparring, as long as I don't severely injure her. All I'll do is rough her up a bit. Honestly, having her ego put in check is long overdue...why shouldn't I fight her?" (Alyse)
Alto shakes her head, her response swift and deadpan.
"For one, because she's baiting you. But also...because you'll definitely lose." (Alto)
Alyse's pupils constrict, her mouth opening to rebuke Alto. However, as Alto stares back at her unfazed, and she recalls their own embarrassing sparring matches, she quickly closes her mouth again. Then, her eyes widen in shock as it dawns on her....
'Mizuki's already helped her with Eden...her abilities, did he also...?'
She snaps her head towards Alara, expecting her to look smug about Alto's comment. However, Alara's staring at Alto, and her expression almost looks like she's...pouting.
"Alto, since when do you care who spars with whom?" (Alara)
Alto's eyebrows raise slightly.
"You planned to use that spar to take advantage of Alyse's ignorance, probably by goading her into a bet where she'd be forced to accept the job as your personal guard if she lost. I know you could tell she wasn't keen on the idea before. Mizuki is the one who invited her here, and he wouldn't want her forced into a job she isn't enthusiastic about. Besides, if you spar in Eden, your...abilities...would become public knowledge, and it's best to avoid that." (Alto)
Alyse goes rigid, not missing the significance of Alto's last statement.
'So it's true...Alara really did have her magical abilities expanded by Mizuki...'
Meanwhile, Alara's eyes widen in surprise, then after a moment, she frowns disapprovingly.
"Well...you may be right about everything else, but so what if I was baiting her? It was still her choice, and Mizuki promised that he was going to let me run Eden how I saw fit. He wouldn't have interfered with Alyse taking the job after a lost bet." (Alara)
Alto shrugs.
"You're correct...Mizuki wouldn't have intervened after the fact, but that's not the same as him liking the situation. He invited Alyse here, and he would have ended up feeling bad if things continued as you planned. He's got enough on his plate right now, and I didn't want something like that added to it. Of course, he wouldn't like it if I obstructed your affairs either, but simply providing an ally like Alyse with information doesn't qualify." (Alto)
Alara studies Alto's placid expression in silence for several seconds, then she lets out a deep sigh.
"Alright...fair enough..." (Alara)
Alara turns towards Alyse with a curious expression.
"Well...that's what Alto thinks, but what about you?" (Alara)
Alyse stares back at her in cautious silence for a few moments. Then, a small smirk returns to Alara's face, and her tone becomes teasing.
"Don't tell me that Alyse Egris is going to roll over and admit she's weaker than me. How about we have that spar anyway? You said I need to be humbled, right? Well, you can name your price if I lose...whatever you want. And if I win, you accept the job I mentioned." (Alara)
Alyse purses her lips. She's not exactly scared of losing, but...
She glances at Alto for a moment, mulling over her warning, then looks back at Alara.
"I don't need to make a bet to humble you...I can do that in a normal sparring match." (Alyse)
Alara waves dismissively and settles back into the water, letting out a casual sigh.
"Eh, boring...not interested. If you've already decided that you can't win, just say so." (Alara)
Alyse's jaw clenches.
'She's goading me...I know she's goading me. But...two can play that game...'
She shrugs.
"I admit it...I'm no match for you. Or should I say, I'm no match for Mizuki's abilities? Honestly, I never thought I'd see the day that Alara Ophelle bragged about receiving charity from someone a hundredth her age. Clearly, you've already been humbled enough." (Alyse)
Alara widens her eyes in surprise, then after a few moments of silence, Alyse is shocked to see her lips twist into a small, amused smile.
"It's Zuki." (Alara)
Alyse blinks.
"What?" (Alyse)
Alara's smile widens.
"My last name...it's not Ophelle anymore. I go by Alara Zuki now." (Alara)
Alyse stares at Alara for several moments in silence, her expression openly dumbfounded. Seeing her reaction, Alara chuckles lightly before sliding deeper into the water with a deep, contented sigh. Then, her eyes become a bit softer as her gaze falls on Alyse once more.
"Your reaction speaks volumes...just how poorly were you expecting me to react to your taunt?" (Alara)
Alyse gives her a bewildered glare.
"Uhm...very poorly. Why aren't you hurling obscenities at me right now?" (Alyse)
Alara raises an eyebrow.
"I'm trying to recruit you as my executive assistant, not alienate you...remember? Besides, I was making incendiary comments for several minutes before you stooped to my level...it'd be pretty irrational of me to get angry when it finally happened." (Alara)
Alyse snorts.
"Hah! Since when does stuff like that matter? I've seen you threaten to torture one of your maids to death because she said your dress looked 'appropriate'. I've never seen you treat a subordinate well, much less value them to the point of intentionally being polite. You've never had a tolerant bone in your body." (Alyse)
Alara wears a shocked expression in silence for several moments, then she smiles wryly.
"No wonder you don't want a job working directly for me. I...guess I was kind of a bitch back then." (Alara)
Alyse shakes her head in exasperation.
'Back then?'
She directs an incredulous gaze at Alara.
"And now...what? You've changed?" (Alyse)
Alara raises her eyebrows, falling silent for several moments. Then, she looks away and her expression becomes wistful, her eyes seemingly focused on something in the distance. Eventually, she breaks the thoughtful silence with a tortured sigh.
"Actually, I certainly think I act differently now, but...part of me still wonders if I've truly changed. Sometimes, even if I make choices I wouldn't have before, I still find myself criticizing those choices like my old self would have. I just...don't know..." (Alara)
She trails off pensively, then after a moment, she sighs and turns her gaze to Alyse with a sad smile.
"Anyway, I'm in no position to answer your question, if I'm being honest. What about you? Do you think that I've changed?" (Alara)
The question catches Alyse off guard. Her expression becomes flustered.
"M-Me?" (Alyse)
Alara nods seriously, her eyes studying Alyse with a curious expression that only flabbergasts Alyse further.
'She...actually wants an answer...'
Alyse continues to stare at Alara in stunned silence, her mouth periodically hanging open, but Alara simply waits patiently for her answer. Eventually, Alyse can't decide how to respond, so...she just changes the subject.
"The job as your personal guard...right hand, executive assistant...whatever – you seem invested in recruiting me, specifically. Why?" (Alyse)
Alara's eyes briefly flicker with disappointment, as though she was truly anticipating Alyse's answer, but then she just nods her head absentmindedly.
"I think you're the best fit for the job." (Alara)
Alyse narrows her eyes.
"Why would you think that?" (Alyse)
Alara seems unexpectedly startled by the question, and it takes her several seconds to compose herself before responding.
"I guess...well..." (Alara)
Alara trails off, searching for the words to continue. However, Alyse can't help but notice that her demeanor has become hesitant...embarrassed, even. Before she can continue, though, a voice cuts her off.
"It's because you remind her of Zara." (Alto)