On the day of the Royal Feast, in the princess’ quarters, several mermaids about her size were attending to her. Brushing her hair, applying make-up, and carefully fixing ornaments in her hair. She was dressed in the most elegant lilac-coloured chiton that had silver lacings on it and a triangular pattern over at the bottom over her tail. Over her left hand, her peplos that was a whitish-blue with a similar design, but more transparent. The peplos also managed to serve as a sort of hood for her head.
As the princess observed her features in the mirror, she couldn’t help but think along the likes of,
‘Would Hiro like this appearance?’
‘Maybe it’s too much make up for his taste?’
‘Is this even enough to cover my blemishes?’
Of course, Hiro was not going to be partaking in this event. In fact, he wouldn’t even know that it was happening and neither would he know about it. Still, a maiden in love could only dream, right?
“You are looking absolutely stunning, your highness.”
The one attending to the make up exclaimed with a bright smile on her face. Elriek looked at her and thought for a bit.
‘Second generation, Sureal. Imagine someone with more than 2 decades against me is serving me.’
The princess smiled at her. A smile that did not show what she was thinking.
“Thank you. Maybe I’ll be the talk of the day.”
“Of course. No one could ever hope to match her highness in beauty.”
“There is that rising priestess everyone talks about.”
At the mention of the priestess, Elriek could feel a vein pop in her head. It brought back disappointing memories involving Hiro. Both she and the priestess hadn’t had a good relationship in the last five years.
She looked at the one to say this and it was also another member from the second generation. Laureal.
As if she noticed what she did, she put her hands over her mouth quickly, but Elriek could feel the mocking gaze coming from her.
“Oh, why would you say such a thing? Do-”
“Leave her be. With such a tongue it’s no wonder she had no chance at the throne. Second generation trash.”
Elriek spoke up then waved her hand, signalling for them to leave. Laureal, after hearing this, got a red face. Her other sisters grabbed her, trying to prevent her from doing anything reckless.
“Do try to not get filth all over the place during the feast. I know you second generation trash spit it out regularly.”
Laureal broke free of her sisters and slowly approached Elriek. Unfortunately, she heard the sound of a sword being drawn from its sheath and lightning crackling to her side. She saw the princess’ two personal guards, Osveta and Sunalla.
After much reconsideration, she bowed and left the room with the others.
Just as they left, a new presence entered the room.
“Oh, younger brother Nanek. What brings you hear?”
“Aren’t you busy preparing for the feast?”
“We hear you’ve been planning something grand for the feast.”
“Oho? Elder sisters, Sureal, Laureal and Zaureal. Sorry, but I can’t answer your questions now. I need to speak with Elriek immediately.”
He brushed them aside and they left off with clicking tongues, disappointed that their little brother didn’t want to play with them.
As soon as they were gone, Nanek approached the princess who was still looking in the mirror with a smile on her face.
“Elriek. We need to speak.”
Both Osveta and Sunalla moved in front of his path, but Nanek didn’t even consider their existence, not slowing a single bit after seeing them do that.
“Move aside you two.”
The princess ordered and reluctantly, they backed up.
Nanek placed his hand on Elriek’s chair and spun it around so that she faced him.
“I need to talk to you. Alone.”
Elriek looked into her brother’s eyes for a bit before sighing.
“You two can leave the room.”
“Your highness.”
Refusing to be excused, Osveta spoke up, but he received a confident gaze from Elriek and decided to quietly follow her orders. Same could be said of Sunalla, but she never once questioned Elriek orders.
“Close the door behind you.”
The sound of the double doors shutting resounded in the now, nearly empty room.
“It’s the big day we’ve been waiting for.”
He let go of her chair and put his hands behind his back while pacing up and down in the room slowly.
“Indeed. One of us will be crowned the next in line. How exciting. You could become king, Nanek.”
Elriek added on his thoughts with a sarcastic voice. One that suggested that she already knew the results of the day and had no worries.
“Not only me. There are the other representatives from the other generations.”
“Oh please. We both know that those idiots come nowhere near to our level. The only one I would have considered was… what’s her name? Your personal aide? Randy, right? Still curious how she got dropped from the rankings.”
She said in the most condescending manner she could muster. Nanek looked at his younger sister and sighed.
“Such a twisted personality. No wonder you have no friends.”
“Friends? I’ve got Susu, Osveta and Hinotori. Plenty of friends.”
Nanek looked at her for a bit before shrugging.
“If you say so. Still, I came here to tell you that I know of the invasion. I will be handling the matter from here on out, so do not interfere further.”
He warned her.
“Of course. As usual, per our agreement, you can handle this matter as I handled the whole kidnapping incident by myself.”
“You still haven’t told me how you got this information about the invasion though.”
“I can say the same of you. How did you know about it?”
“I have my ways. But I will presume we have a traitor in Atlantis. Someone working with the enemy.”
“Maybe we do. Who knows?”
Nanek paused in his tracks then faced Elriek.
“Why?”
“Huh?”
She was confused by his sudden question.
“Why are you allowing me to take the final and most important task so easily? You’re not planning on going behind my back to fix it yourself, are you?”
“Of course not, brother. I would never betray you. The thing is, I am simply that confident that I will win this competition no matter what.”
In Elriek’s voice, there was a level of confidence and determination that Nanek rarely saw from her. She was always joking and had only ever been this serious a handful of times. Deep in his heart, he felt alarmed, knowing the kind of danger she posed when serious.
"I guess I will simply have to go all out then.”
He mused, and Elriek let out a soft laugh. It was odd, but the people they felt the most comfortable around were themselves, even if they were technically enemies.
“So, what do you say, Nanek. Want to make a bet?”
“What kind?”
“If I win, you will owe me one favour, no matter how serious. And if you win, I will owe you the same.”
He put his hand to his chin after hearing that.
“Too risky for both sides. I see no reason.”
He brushed off the bet completely. Knowing how tricky his sister was, this bet was something that wouldn’t harm him directly, but it also wasn’t something that would benefit him in anyway.
“I do have a question though.”
“Go ahead.”
“That blonde you brought along. I’m curious about her.”
“Oh? You want to know more about Hinotori? Agree to my bet, then.”
Elriek teased him. Nanek, completely unamused refused her offer.
“If you won’t speak, I’ll have better things to do.”
“Oh? Even if she’s related to Vermillion?”
“What?”
***
After her discussion with her brother, Elriek was finally alone in her room. Osveta and Sunalla returned quickly and inspected the room to see if there were any signs of distress while they were standing out on guard.
Their thorough inspection led them to believe that there was no reason to be worried. And like guard dogs, they quietly returned to her side.
“Yokino?”
She called out and the undine materialised herself on the roof of the room, lying down like she was on a soft bed.
“Yes, your highness?”
“I need you to investigate my brother’s actions. Keep me informed at all times.”
“Huh? I only agreed to protect you till the day was over. I’m not doing more work for free.”
She complained, agitating Osveta. Sunalla who had expected Yokino to say as such simply sighed and held her head.
“Not even if I can give you what you’re searching for?”
“What I’m searching for? By all means, please explain further.”
Yokino denied having any idea of what she was talking about.
However, to the princess who already knew what Yokino was trying to do, it was the most pathetic excuse imaginable.
She mouthed the name of what Yokino was searching for and the undine immediately descended to the floor.
“Well, I’ll be damned. Where is it?”
“You were on the right mark.”
“The [Cursed Tomb of the Sea Devil]? But… I couldn’t get past the third floor. The monsters there are just.”
“There’s a trick to it. Don’t worry. If you do as I say, I will help you.”
Yokino looked at the princess and smiled maliciously.
“Very well then.”
Without even bothering to ask further questions, Yokino disappeared from the room. The princess rested her face on her left hand.
‘Gullible fools all around me.’
“I miss Hiro. Don’t you, Susu?”
Sunalla who was wondering why the princess allowed her to listen in on the conversation dully responded.
“Oh, um… I thought you weren’t pleased with his presence last time?”
“No. No. I wasn’t angry. Simply a new feeling to me is all. Love. It was love, I say.”
“I think your kind of love is terrifying then.”
“That’s such a mean thing to say!”
<Ok, I have no excuses for the late update today. Was simply feeling sluggish. Still managed to deliver it though. My streak is still up. Also, just realised it's rather a 10-day streak instead of 8. 20 more days to go... hehehe. The final part of this arc has begun. I hope this arc has been good and I hope this climax will also be exciting enough. Alright, back to the usual then. Please give me your power stones, reviews, comments and golden tickets!
50 reviews this month!
300 power stones = 1 extra chapter
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Let's try to get this goal. Have a nice day!>
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