"Well, you’re a sensitive person after all, they’d want to meet you in person," Veronica told her. "As long as you don’t make trouble for Alterra, you’ll be fine." Estra was led to the waiting room next to where the meetings were held. When the pertinent elders had arrived, only then was she called on. The Elders in attendance were Miss Mathilda, the elder of internal and inter-territory affairs; Miss Althea, the elder of Plant Studies (though she seemed to have a higher position than that somehow); and Sir Garan, who was in charge of the Military affairs. Of course, Oslo was there too, as the honorary Elder for Construction. Mathilda led the chat, though anyone who knew her understood this was an interrogation. Through the months of doing her job, Mathilda had developed a skill similar to the Goblins. Technically speaking, she was like a human lie detector now, and anyone with position, high-level, or a sensitive identity planning to settle in Alterra must have her as part of the interviewing team. "Welcome to Alterra, Miss Trion," she said. "My name is Mathilda, and I’m in charge of the internal relations as well as external relations of the territory." She was very professional, and her tone was kind. However, people would still feel an aura about her that demanded respect, regardless of their level differences. Estra couldn’t help but admire the woman who was probably less than half her level. "May I know what you want from Alterra?" "I simply wanted to leave there," she said. "Why? Isn’t the noble life very good?" "No. It is suffocating." "Why?" Mathilda asked, as if genuinely curious. "You can have lavish food, beautiful dresses, and you don’t have to worry about the costs—" "I don’t care! I’m not happy!" the redhead exclaimed. Then she flinched when she realized her outburst. "I mean—" She didn’t know what came over her. Although she wasn’t the most demure woman, she usually had a bit more self-control than this. "We know of your reputation in Bleulle. You seem to have hurt a lot of people." "According to the rumors surrounding you, you have been responsible for the misfortune of at least five women, all of whom were linked to a man named Otto Gold. "It ranged from injuries, disfigurement, and even rape." "No, that’s not what I—" To be honest, she did feel guilty, but also confused about many things. She had indeed been jealous of those women, and she did ask people to bully them a little. However, she never thought they’d take it so far! In her mind, they’d just be pushed into ponds and embarrassed, or their new dress ruined with a random spilled juice by ’accident’. At the same time, because it was she who gave the order, anything she said would just be an excuse. However, she couldn’t let this reputation stick to her. Even if no one believed her, she wanted to say her side. "I... I swear I never thought it’d go that far! I asked to teach them a lesson, but those were harmless pranks and were just aimed to warn them away! I never meant to hurt them like that. I swear! "I can make an oath!" Mathilda blinked, and so did the others. She seemed sincere. It seemed like her horrid reputation was exaggerated. "Well, we will check on this later. For now, let’s discuss the apparent root cause of your past actions. "Otto Gold... seems very important to you," Mathilda said after a pause, eyes fixed on the woman’s face and capturing all of her reactions. "Do you know he’s here?" Estra jolted up, eyes wide. "He’s here?" "He is, and he is happy with a lover now," she said. "It is apparently a serious relationship that will lead to marriage soon." Estra bit her lips, feeling turbulent emotions. She was moving on from Otto because she thought he had died, or was at least physically out of reach. But now he was alive and well—still with a lover! And they were getting married? "...No," she spat, tone bitter and heart tingling in pain. "You’re lying," Mathilda said with certainty, and Estra was unable to control her tear ducts anymore. She didn’t know what came over her, but something in her mind just snapped, telling her to just blurt out everything "Of course I am angry!!" she screamed, not really caring why all her inhibitions were broken anymore. "I loved Otto for as long as I can remember! I mourned for him. I felt my life pass through my eyes." "I lived my life controlled by others. What I appear, how I dress, who I befriended— "Even if I am forced to marry one of the most vile people on earth, I can’t have a say in it either!!" "Be thankful for your family, they said—I am! But do I have to exist to do everything they want?! "All I can have, all I could control, is who I give my heart to!" she sobbed, covering her face, letting it all out. "I loved Otto—so much—and I loved the feeling of loving him. "Is that so difficult?! "Is that too much to ask?" she said, her hand on her face slid up and buried into her red hair, grasping it as she screamed her lungs out. "WHY IS EVERYONE TRYING TO CHOKE ME?!" After a few more awkward minutes, Estra’s eyes were red and puffy from crying. Mathilda almost wondered if she had been too hard, though she objectively knew she wasn’t. It was more like her ability turned her into a confession booth to vent on... They watched as Estra stood up, though she was looking down, so they couldn’t read the expressions on her face. She wordlessly left the room and went downstairs to revoke her city citizenship, surprising everyone. They blinked. First of all, this was seen by the world, especially nobles, as a major demotion. She did it on her first day. Not to mention, since Residency required contribution points, it meant that she was basically without a residency at this time. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝙣𝙚𝙩 From a City resident to a visitor of a Town. To most, this was a horrendous demotion, but when Estra lifted her head, there was no sign of sadness on her face. "I can control this, at least!"