Did Subdera desire the kingdom’s lands, its king’s life, or both? Or perhaps they were simply interested in the legendary Witch King’s son?
Alnoa’s idle thoughts were soon interrupted.
“Miss Lesfina has arrived!”
The guard’s voice resounded throughout the city, signaling the arrival of their guest. The crowd grew excited in response.
“Unbelievable. She’s a minute late! Her tardiness reflects poorly on her ability to lead. Don’t you think, Al?”
“I’m more worried about you and how you’re turning into a mean mother-in-law.”
He sighed, as this was not the first time he’d had to warn his sister about her comments.
“Oh, was that mean of me?” she asked with a straight face.
Meanwhile, a dazzling black cart, escorted by a number of knights, pulled up right before the two of them. A servant opened the elaborately painted carriage door.
Time stopped for a moment and Alnoa’s heart skipped a beat as the Diva stepped out of her carriage. He even forgot about the boisterous crowd around them.
“I’m Lesfina, Subdera’s Diva of Sringara. Hello.”
Her greeting was plain and terse, possibly indicating a hint of nervousness on her part.
The crowd’s reaction was only appropriate, considering her title as the Diva of Sringara. Sringara was one of the eight elementary rasas. It was the principle that defines the love and adoration that sweeps through a performer’s audience.
Lesfina’s blue hair stopped just past her shoulders. Her somewhat plain blue dress emphasized her fair skin. With her short blue hair and sorrowful violet eyes, she was like a captivating Gorgon. Lock eyes with her and you’d freeze up on the spot, unable to look away.
Captivated by her beauty, Al responded absentmindedly.
“Yes... Hi there.”
He had barely managed to escape her gaze and mutter those words.
Lesfina tilted her head at Al’s response, clearly confused.
“How can you respond to me? Did my charm spell not work?”
“Huh? What was that?”
Al tilted his head in kind, mimicking her.
Lesfina straightened her neck and then murmured, “Fireball.”
With her clasped hands and magic chant as the only warning, she shot a fireball right in front of Al’s feet.
“Wha?!”
Al leapt into the air in a panic.
“What are you doing?!”
Lesfina looked at him in disgust for a moment before saying, “Worm.”
“What?”
Worm? What does she mean by that?!
“I found a worm.”
I guess I didn’t mishear her.
“Oh, okay.”
Al finally managed to collect his composure enough to give a half-hearted response to her baffling actions.
There were no traces of whatever she might have seen on the ground. A crater was all that remained after her fireball. The hole resembled one left by a tree stump being torn from the ground. Any critter caught up in that blast would have turned to ash in an instant.
One mistake and her husband-to-be’s legs would’ve been burnt to a crisp. Lesfina didn’t show the slightest concern about this near-disaster.
Al looked back and forth between the crater and Lesfina’s face, dumbfounded.
“Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, I won’t let any lowly worms anywhere near you... Alnoa.”
Al could feel a faint sense of achievement radiating from Lesfina’s stoic expression.
“R-Right... Thanks.”
He quietly thanked her in an attempt to hide his astonishment. She was looking to be quite a handful to deal with.
“Our little Diva here may not be very talkative, but she’s not half-bad.”
Al couldn’t catch what Cecilia muttered under her breath.
“Anyway, thank you for visiting. Ours is a dull country with not much to see, but I hope you’ll enjoy your stay nonetheless. Lilicia, please show her to her room.”
He finally recalled and issued the opening lines he had rehearsed.
Lilicia, the castle maid, was standing behind Al in full maid dress, waiting to escort the princess to her room. While she looked to be the same age as her young master, she had been serving the family as their head maid ever since the Witch King’s coronation. She was a truly mysterious woman.
“Certainly.”
Lilicia bowed her head.
“This is our head maid, Lilicia. Feel free to call on her if you’re ever in need of anything.”
“Thank you.”
Lesfina bowed to the maid and handed over her luggage.
That was a pretty intense introduction, but it was still no excuse for fumbling my greeting. At least now I can finally take a break.
But just as he thought that...
“Miss Sharon’s carriage has arrived from Freiya!”
The guard’s voice once again boomed throughout the city.
“What?!”
Alnoa shouted in surprise.
“Oh, what’s happening?”
Al and his sister struggled to grasp the situation. A magnificent carriage rolled through the gates and stopped right in front of them.
What’s going on? Why is the other candidate here already?! She was supposed to arrive next month! This is bad! This is real bad!
Fate was deaf to Al’s petty concerns. Without giving him any time to collect his thoughts, the doors of the carriage slowly opened.
Oh crap!
But no one stepped out of the carriage. In fact, the carriage was empty. Even the guest’s entourage was surprised.
“Huh?! The princess is missing?!”
But then, a loud shout came from above.
“King of Althos!”
Alnoa clearly remembered that voice.
“It’s time for you to die!”
Alnoa also remembered that exact arrogant line.
“Wait, are you—”
Before he could finish speaking, a girl in red armor leapt off from the carriage roof and swung her giant sword at Al’s neck.
“I’m taking your head!”
Screams filled the air. The guards didn’t have the chance to react to the girl’s ambush. All they could do was hold their breath and expect the worst case scenario. But...