I don't mean to sound obnoxious but why is the place so quiet in the morning today. Could it be the knights that I had beat up? Perhaps they died? No way, it was only a few punches except for the lackey.
I should apologize to him when I get the chance. That night, I didn't feel quiet myself. I really wanted to kill him. I just felt so angry all of a sudden. Okay Christine, keep the past in the past. Time to see what's going around in the manor.
There were murmurings of some sort and the way they were talking indicates they were talking about something serious. I walked out, looking for Ada or Kaylee or even Dufrey for some insight but no one was around.
I gained some courage and announced myself before entering the princess's study. Who I saw in there shocked me.
The crown prince and the empress was sat in the room. The princess was seated with Ada by her side who avoided my gaze, frowning.
"I greet Her Majesty, the empress of the Avion empire and His Highness the crown prince of the empire" I bowed 45 degrees downwards and placed my right palm on my left chest.
The empress had a stoic expression while the crown prince was smiling like a small child. On the other hand the princess remained neutral but her hand gripped the seat strongly.
"Well this must be the newly appointed knight. She seems quite basic than I had originally imagined"
Hold it in Christine, please don't lit up on fire again. To distract me from my thoughts, I thought of when a childhood friend of mine who got chased by a goose.
"Well then Christine, please have a seat with us!" Prince Melvius beamed, gesturing to the seat in between the princess and the empress
I awkwardly walked towards the seat but not seat in it but stand next to it. Something tells me that me sitting down would start a full fledge war. The empress was pleased but the crown prince kept insisting and it's disrespectful to ignore the imperial family's order.
My posture was bad and I had not moved the whole time. They began talking to each other, asking about the princess's well being and so on while turning a blind eye to the manor's condition.
The empress was quiet the whole time before speaking "The princess's Knights are required to join this year as they have now fulfilled the minimum requirement"
Hunt? I've not heard of any hunt that was going to be held. They must have realized my confusion and explained it even further.
"Ah...do you mean the Annual Hunting Competition mother? It certainly would be refreshing to see new faces on the field"
Prince Melvius was estatic. He had hopeful expectations for Sir Christine or else he would just find another option.
"My knights are not joining the hunt per the emperor's command, your majesty"
"They've changed the rule this year, the best knights will be picked as the crown prince's new knights as per my husband's order" The empress sneered as she covered her mouth with her fan
The princess and the empress were neck on neck. None of them seem to want to back down. The empress then chuckled and glances at Ada. Ada proceeds to move forward and pour tea for the empress.
"Surely that rule does not apply for newly appointed knights. I don't remember father opposing that"
Hmm...Prince Melvius seem odd all of a sudden. Something deep inside is telling me to run from him but I just seem attracted to him.
Burn
The conversation came to an end and the princess was not happy at all. She had ordered me to stay in the room as Ada shut the doors and closed all the curtains.
"Have a seat" The princess ordered, her voice sounding stern.
Just then, I saw Ada muttering something under her breath. It was weird but maybe she had said some sort of prayers, you never know.
But I was completely wrong. Multiple scribblings appeared making their way around the whole room. The scribblings was not a language I am familiar to.
"It's magic, Sir Christine. Ada is a mage from the Magic Kingdom, Chrolla"
Mouth agape, I sat there processing the information the princess gave about Ada. A mage was here? Right next to me?!
I turned to Ada with hopeful eyes, so hopeful they shined like the heavens. Ada blocked her eyes, blinded by the sudden ray of light.
"Just what are you-"
"Can you do that again please??" I gave her my best pout, internally disgusted inside but I really want to see it again.
I heard a small chuckle and Ada looked at me in disbelief. Although she did give in eventually. She casted a spell that lit up the room, small particles floating around me. It was almost like the one in the dream.
"Whoa"
A few minutes passed and our conversation began. Ada stood beside the princess and gave me more details about the hunt. She explained the basics and who would be participating but I don't understand as to why they're telling me this....
As the conversation went on, Ada glanced towards the princess, seemingly asking for permission. The princess did not say anything but uttered one word
"Yesterday" The princess look straight in my eyes giving me a look that demands an explanation.
My throat felt drier than usual. I really don't know how to answer that question. So, I just looked away, unable to answer the question.
"Are you refusing my order" I whipped my head back towards her immediately, regretting that our eyes met.
Her expression was blank but her gaze was sharper than before. It felt like I was in front of a hungry beast and I'm it's prey.
"No- that's not it, Your Highness"
"...Then are you here to kill me?" As she said that, she stood right in front of me and grabbed my jaw harshly.
"No- I"
"I'm running out of patience here knight" Her eyes were glowing and a mark was beginning to form there.
"You were waiting for the perfect moment weren't you. Gain my trust and kill me when I least expect it"
"Your Highness! Listen to me!"
"Speak" She backed up, letting go off my jaw and sat on her table, never breaking eye contact.
".....I- I don't know"
"Excuse me?" she was getting even more pissed. Ada just stood behind her, observing the situation.
"It's the first time it ever happened" I gulped nervously. Would Her Highness execute me for not giving a proper answer?
"Elaborate" Her eyes soften slightly and she looks much more calmer.
"I don't know where it came from or how I even got it" I plead. I didn't want to let my teacher down and get disposed of.
"Hmm.....fine then. I want you to summon it again"
I stared at her, my mind blank. To summon it again? I've never thought of summoning it by will. I mean, I never really had the time to do so.
"Well?" She raised her eyebrow and Ada moved towards my side. Ada did not say anything nor glanced at me.
"I can't...."
"What do you-" She was getting impatient again
"Your Highness yesterday must've been the first time it happened" Ada cut in, not wanting the past to repeat itself.
Ada turned towards me and grabbed my hand. She placed her palm onto mine and began enchanting some incantations. Her eyes glowed momentarily before she let go of my palm. Ada had a confused expression plastered on her face.
"W-what's wrong?" I worried if she might have possibly get burned by the flames. If that's even possible.
"Your aura is blocking me from reaching it almost like a self defense mechanism"