Side Story: Grand Mage Zanto and Princess Marlena
I, Bernstein von Eisberk, Regenbogen Kingdom’s first female knight, had been summoned by Grand Mage Zanto. Zanto was one of Princess Marlena’s fiancé candidates. His purple eyes and hair made him seem mysterious and aloof, but in reality, he was nothing more than a Marlena-obsessed creep.
Said creep had called on me once more, and unfortunately, after all he’d done for me, I just couldn’t say no.
“Thanks for coming, Bern.”
“What is it this time?”
“I’ll cut straight to the chase—I was ch-chosen to e-escort M-M-Mar-Mar-Mar…” His brain seemed to have exploded mid-explanation.
Realizing we wouldn’t get anywhere at that rate, I tossed him a question. “Is this about the soiree?”
He nodded. There was an upcoming soiree at the royal palace, and he had likely been selected as Marlena’s escort for the event. The two of them exchanged letters in a shared notebook; he was no doubt at the top of Marlena’s list of potential fiancés. I too would be attending, as Marlena’s guard.
“So, what do you want from me?”
“Dance…practice…”
“You want to practice for your dance with Marlena?” He nodded again. “What good would that do? I’m not a good substitute for Marlena; our heights are too different.”
“Of course you’re not. There’s no such thing as a ‘good’ substitute for Marlena. The very notion itself is absurd!” And yet he had no issue voicing his protests toward me.
Good luck winning me over with that attitude.
I turned to the door. “See you around then.”
“I’m kidding, I’m kidding! Well, actually I’m not, but let’s pretend I am. I’ll make you look like Marlena, so please, don’t abandon me!” he babbled, rapid-fire. Ew. “You’re the only one who knows this side of me, Bern. I’ve got no one else to turn to.”
Only those who’d been present on that fateful day knew of Zanto’s infatuation with Marlena. He really may have had no one else.
I do owe him. He did his best to help me return to the capital as a female knight, after all.
I begrudgingly nodded in resignation.
✦ ✦ ✦
❄❄❄
AND so, we began our dance practice.
Zanto wasn’t a bad dancer by any means, nor was he a terrible escort. The problem was that he turned to mush in Marlena’s presence. He cast a spell on me, changing my appearance to that of Marlena’s for a short time.
“Marlena would never spread her legs like that,” he said with a cold gaze.
“Sorry. I’m not used to being girly.”
“She doesn’t say ‘sorry’ either!”
“Apologies…”
“No, no, no! I meant she doesn’t apologize without reason!”
“Give me a break…”
Zanto’s fastidiousness made my head hurt. We won’t get any practice at this rate.
“It’s not enough to look the part if you don’t act it too,” he said, disappointment in his voice. “This experience is making me appreciate her existence all the more.”
Something inside me snapped. Why are you even comparing me with her, the perfect princess, the pinnacle of femininity? Also, I’m the one doing you a favor, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t get all up in my face over the tiniest mistakes! I stared up at Zanto. He, likely sensing my annoyance, looked down at me mockingly. I stepped toward him in silence. I know you’re weak to this face.
He stepped back, confused. “B-Bern?” I smiled, continuing my advance. Zanto retreated, his face pinkening. “I-Is something wrong?”
Still smiling, I cornered him against a wall, pinning him with an audible bang. “So, are we going to or not?” I wanted to get it over with already.
Zanto buried his face in his hands, sliding down the wall. “Aaaah! Forceful Marlena! Imagine, Bernlene and Marlena, side by side! The stuff of dreams!” he wept, creepily mixing my name with Marlena’s to form Bernlene. “Precious. So, so precious.”
I fell to my knees. I should be the one crying.
✦ ✦ ✦
❄❄❄
THE day of the soiree arrived without Zanto making any progress toward conquering his Marlena-itis.
Out of options, I handed Marlena a magic-infused necklace to wear for the occasion. She donned the piece happily, even though it was enchanted to suppress her attractiveness. Cunningly, Zanto had charmed the necklace such that it only affected those who came into physical contact with her. He claimed it was purely a last resort, although, knowing him, it likely doubled as a “pest” deterrent.
I, meanwhile, was tasked with bringing him back to his senses with my ice magic should anything happen.
The pair stood side by side, Zanto’s eyes already wandering. Standing close together wouldn’t trigger the spell, so he was trying his best not to look Marlena’s way.
Noticing his discomfort, Marlena smiled. “I’m a little nervous myself. May I touch your hand, if you don’t mind?”
Zanto covered his mouth and nose, his eyes widening.
I conjured a chilly aura and approached Zanto, whispering, “Nothing’s going to happen so long as you don’t touch, right?”
“Y-Yesh.” Zanto nodded, shivering.
Marlena grabbed the cuff of his sleeve, shooting a smile at him in an attempt to calm him down. It was as beautiful as a blooming flower.
I sent a cold breeze down Zanto’s back before he lost his mind. Zanto straightened, wringing out a smile.
The two must’ve looked lovely together, as everyone around them collectively gasped.
“I can’t, the spell’s no use. She’s too beautiful,” muttered Zanto.
Marlena blushed.
They made a cute couple, even if Zanto was creepy.