Machina Arcanis: Two Worlds Collided-Chapter 276. A Favour For a Friend

The white arc coat fluttered in the gentle breeze as Friederich emerged from the side of the craft. He spared a quick glance over the distant clouds and the evening amber canvas of the sky. A pair of songbirds chirped and tweeted as they flew over, playful in their flight path.

The aircraft had parked a few hundred strides from the lone manor in the middle of the rural dunes. A green patch of grass, a vineyard, and a small garden surrounded the premises. There was another hovercar, painted in crimson red, parked near the front fountain.

Friederich held a collapsible wheelchair in his hands. He unfolded it fully and placed it onto the cobblestone path, wriggling it slightly to ensure it was stable before locking the brakes on its wheels.

It was a strange request from his friend, Zetius. He felt almost as if this were some sort of set-up. But why? He shook his head to dismiss the thought.

After circling back to the passenger seat, Friederich knelt beside the frail girl, her eyes bandaged with a white cloth. "I'll carry you out now, is that okay?"

"Um, if it's not too much trouble," Triss said, clasping her hands to her chest.

"Not at all. Hang tight," he commanded, his voice soft.

With a gentle touch, he raised her up in a bridal carry. He treated her like a delicate flower, ever so afraid the petals might fall apart. He paused at the weight; she was much, much lighter than he had expected.

Using a fluid and graceful motion, Friederich strutted through the patch of grass, the blades brushing against his arc boots. Triss rested her head against his firm chest, her weak grip holding to his clothes, pulling the fabric taut.

The crisp, aromatic fragrance of woody cedarwood and dry iris wafted into her small nose. She would have taken a deep inhalation, but her demure mind found the restraint.

Shuffling forward, the air felt awkward in its quietness.

"It's a beautiful place… your home…" Friederich said, striking up a conversation.

"Hm! It sure is!" Triss smiled, though she couldn't see it. She felt it in his voice, in his tone, in his unusually warm timbre. And that was enough.

"We're here, Triss. If you don't mind, please let go of my tunic," Friederich prompted her, polite and gentle.

"Ah!" she did so immediately, and soon she felt the sensation of being lowered into a chair.

Friederich pushed the chair forward, the wheels grinding softly against the cobblestone as they advanced. Lush grass and greenery were the theme of this walkway. They weren't conversational, yet they found a semblance of tranquillity in each other's company. Just like that first night, a year ago, when they had accompanied each other at the old library of the ancient tower.

Friederich and Triss were greeted by Astrid and Willhelm, who had arrived early. They both squinted their eyes with amusement as Friederich carried Triss up the stairs.

But it wasn't just the two friends waiting there. A middle-aged woman with her hair in a crown bun stood with her back turned, alongside Cartier, a cat Wildren with flopped ears — Empress Aurora's ward, as he remembered.

"Mother? Is that you?" Triss called out, hearing her mother's voice in the conversation.

"Terissa?" The middle-aged lady waved at them, wearing a light, amicable smile.

Soon, he learnt her name. Sharon Mercier was a mature and fuller-figured version of Triss. She was ladylike and poised, the woman who had set the example for Triss for years to come.

There was a short introduction, and small, casual talk ensued before Triss urged them to move on to the teahouse; she felt like a burden being carried in Friederich's arms for the entire duration. Even though Friederich didn't seem to mind, they complied anyway.

Sharon was a sweet mother. Her light smile indicated that she was more than happy to see her daughter; however, there was a hint of sorrow in her emerald eyes at her child's predicament.

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Friederich swallowed, feeling the lump in his throat and the tightness in his chest. He should have been there for his friend, but he hadn't realised she had gone blind after the journey to the Dreamless Realm. Such a chaotic dangerous place. Then the Empress had descended into the Underworld and never to emerge. The price had been paid in blood and tears; the victory wasn't as clean as they thought it would be.

The teahouse was an extension of the right wing of the manor, situated to be blessed by the warm, late-afternoon sun. The cream-white chamber was a dome featuring curved panels of glass that revealed the beautiful patch of flowers beyond.

"Mother…" Triss spoke up after everyone had settled.

Friederich placed his palm on her headrest. Her mother stood by her side, holding her small hand. Cartier, Willhelm, and Astrid sat on the chairs adjacent to the dome windows, tuning in attentively.

Triss cleared her throat softly. "I don't know if the treatment will cure my vision. Celestius Vivian said it wasn't a hundred per cent chance." The bustling room filled with silence as they let her speak. She lowered her hands to express her gratitude.

"But I want you to know that… It's all my decision. It's for the greater good of the world."

Her sincere speech touched everyone's heart. They looked at her with admiration and respect — emotions that superseded the rigid ranks embedded in the Osten's arcane hierarchy. Even the two Lunarius nodded to the Novitcius in reverence.

Sharon chewed her lip, her eyes clouded with tears. "I'll be with you, dear." The quiver in her voice slipped through. No matter the achievement, no mother could be happy seeing her own flesh and blood coming home crippled.

There was an inexplicable tension in the air as Triss whispered that she was ready to Friederich's ear.

Meticulously, Friederich unwrapped the blindfold from her eyes. His elven ears picked up a shuffling noise from the hallway, and he glanced over to see Zetius, Cubie, and Aurelia, who had arrived just in time.

Thank you, Zetius mouthed a silent word to his friend as he crossed his arms and leaned against the pillar, wearing a smug look on his face. Stopped beside him were Cubie and Aurelia, who embraced a paper bag filled with black tea leaves they had bought from the shop on their way here.

As the final roll of the wrap came loose, Triss felt the light seeping under her eyelids. Slowly, she fluttered them open.

The soft, amber light was almost too bright at first. The haze began to take shape, becoming more distinguishable by the second. Finally, her sparkling eyes studied the fair visage of Friederich. His aquamarine eyes, which seemed to glow with mana, stared back at her, searching for the answer.

"I…" Triss aired out, words seeming to roll off her tongue as her fingers brushed Friederich's face. It felt real. Very real.

"Does that mean…" Friederich said with a hopeful smile. "Your vision is restored?"

"Yes!" Triss exclaimed with what little energy she had.

"Thank goodness." Friederich let out a big sigh of relief, unintentionally clasping her hands.

The entire room boomed with excitement, starting from Willhelm's and Cartier's applause, Astrid's boisterous cheers, Zetius high-fiving Cubie and Aurelia, Sharon crying with joy, and lastly, Friederich and Triss's shared laugh.

While Sharon retreated behind the kitchen to brew the tea for the guests, Cartier and Cubie offered to help out with the task. They disappeared behind the semi-translucent curtain that partitioned the section of the house.

Zetius took a moment to appreciate the cosy aesthetic of the teahouse. This place where she grew up spoke volumes of how Triss was raised and how it reflected in her personality.

While everyone took their turn to speak to the Oracle, the aromatic black tea with slices of lime was served. It was a tradition here in Porand to drink tea with lime rather than with milk.

Soon it was Zetius's turn. He knelt before her, glancing at Friederich, who was deep in conversation with Triss's mother.

"How are you, Triss?" he wore a mischievous smile, a master tactician in his cupid mission. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Umm… You mean my vision? It's never been better!" she smiled dryly.

Zetius squinted his eyes. "I already knew your vision would be cured, Triss. I never had a doubt in your Celestius," he said in a low hiss.

"I didn't kiss him… It's too quick, too fast!" she whispered back, flushed red. She buried her face in her palms, though her eyes still watched Friederich through the gap of her fingers.

That earned her a quiet laughter from Zetius. "I'll get you another chance next time, no worry about that. You get well soon, alright?" he feigned a stern tone, wiggling his finger side to side.

"Right! I'll try better next time." She made a fist with a determined expression. It was quite adorable coming from a demure girl like her.

A shadow loomed over him, and the hair on his neck stood up.

"Don't taint her with your debauchery, Zetius." It was Friederich, who crossed his arms, wearing an expression of discontent.

"Nonsense! Who would do such a thing!" Zetius waved his hands into the air with fiercer rejection than he intended.

"Yes, yes! Who would do such a stupidity, right?" Triss said between a bubbling chuckle. She couldn't stop laughing until her stomach cramped.

That evening was their secluded tea party, filled with camaraderie and triumphant joy. Chatter and laughter echoed in the chamber until the sun dipped across the horizon. It was a quiet celebration amongst the closest of friends and family. One that would be engraved into each of their memories for the rest of their lives.