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Maria von Hohenzollern 
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Royal Capital Lugnica 
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[@Lunarlors34]

Once again, the Iron Bell Knights have received praise for the exploits, their.leader extolled for heroism in combatting a demonic beast roaming the trade posts hardly a few steps out of the protective barrier provided by Lugnica. Though proud of her accomplishment, it could hardly be said that she was alone in her duty against the beast, though due to her rank, she had been given the majority of the glory.. Though she didn’t mind the attention, it wouldn’t have hurt to have recognition towards those whose fame didn’t extend to the same rounds as her own. 

Merry and sanguine her knights praised her accomplishment. Though Maria carried herself around phlegmatically, it was not uncommon for her to at least take part in merrymaking, especially if she was the center of attention. All work and no play makes a dull Knight, no? Not that Maria cared about her outward perception. She was a knight who would do the right thing, in some ways her thought process seeming almost winsome to others in the field. 

If anything, her praise for her actions would at least keep the mouths of the detractors silent for but a moment. An adopted child hardly brought the most praise in the rigged world of aristocat politics, often leading to accomplishments of Maria, and by extension the Iron Bell Knights, to be regarded as bunk. It was hardly different for her as a child, often being signaled a bastard child whom Maria’s father had simply lied about her adoption. 

But there was always one person who would help the young, timid child that there is hardly a trace of within the Maria of today. A dear friend of both the Hohenzollerns and Maria personally. 

[color=gold] “Vesta,” [/color]  Maria whispers to herself,distracting herself with her thoughts within the tight confines of her room. Thought the room was rather large, it was definitely not spacious, narrow corridors created by the rows and rows of books that would make a librarian blush, ornate decorations of adorning the walls. A new decoration being the head of the creature she had slain, recently taxidermied. 

It was for but a moment her mind drifted to her childhood friend. Someone she had hardly seen in a long while.

[color=gold] “I wonder how nee-ch …  Vesta is doing?”  [/color]

Though they were once hugely close to one another, Maria hardly ever leaving the side of her “nee-chan” as her younger self used to refer to Vesta. Childish, but even with Maria’s current demeanor, she couldn't help but respect her only friend from childhood as a sort of “sister figure”. 

[color=gold] “I dont want to bother her, but I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen her … I hope she is doing well …” [/color]

Maria had been given the day off for her success. Though it was common for Maria to trap herself within the confines of her room and read one of her novellas, though for whatever reason, she felt too distracted in her own thoughts to continue reading the pages upon the book she held in her hand. 

Mulling her thoughts within her head for but a moment, Maria finally decided that she could always pay a visit to her friend. 

It wasn’t long until a familiar sight was within Maria’s eyes, fixated upon the horizon. The Celestia mansion was a place that Maria had many fond memories of, often taken there on the trips her father would take to his political ally, figuring that his daughter was around the same age as said ally’s own. 

Perhaps it was lucky for her that there was some sort of connection between the two girls, whether it have been pity of Maria’s disposition, or perhaps a there was something that was seen in the young, frail child from the other,  

It wasn’t too long until the Knightess upon her horse had reached the gates of the Celestia estate, calling out and awaiting a response from a member of the help, or perhaps for someone to notice her.