Sharon was clearly confused. If this was an act, then she could have fooled even the best detectives in the world.
She crossed her arms and thought about the situation. She was already here, so she may as well make the best of it, she figured.
“I was so excited to finally meet King Alnoa that I came a bit early! Hehe!”
“That’s not how it works!”
She seemed like a pretty easygoing girl for a princess who shouldered the fate of an entire country.
The crimson-eyed girl puffed out her chest proudly, having given a supposedly perfect excuse for her early arrival, but even with that wonderful smile on her face, her reasoning didn’t satisfy Al.
However, Cecilia felt differently about the issue.
“What’s the problem? You would have met sooner or later anyway.”
Sharon immediately took her side, acting like this had been her plan all along.
“That’s right! I just wanted to get this annoying ordeal out of the way!”
“Annoying”?! Did she just call this an “annoying ordeal”?!
Al shot a glare at Sharon, who seemed oblivious to his anger.
With that exchange out of the way, Al decided to show the two Divas through the palace and introduce them to the staff. Of course, Sharon left her sword with Lilicia.
I guess I’m safe now... hopefully.
“They have pretty fitting nicknames, huh? The Diva of the Sword, and the Diva of the Wand,” Al mumbled to himself as he showed the group the way down the stone-tiled castle corridors.
The rumors stated that Freiya’s Diva was a legendary swordswoman who was blessed by the Goddess of War, while Lesfina could cast countless spells without any preparation or chanting. Seeing Sharon and Lesfina in action firsthand cemented those rumors into fact in the young king’s mind.
“Which means they can probably go toe-to-toe with Cecilia.”
The day’s events had also lent credence to the myth that the only ones chosen to wield the power of the Valkyrie were beautiful women.
Al was pulled out of his thoughts by Sharon turning around and looking at him with disgust, as if he were a filthy molester.
“What are you staring at?!”
She was still on edge due to the incident at the courtyard.
“Nothing. I’m just looking where I’m going.”
Being caught off guard, he couldn’t give her a proper answer. Instead, he chose to break eye contact with her.
“I’ll let this slide this time, but if I catch you staring at me again, I’ll rip your head off.”
“......”
From her glare, it would be easy to assume the only reason for the Freiyan princess’s visit was to assassinate Al.
“You can stare at me, if you want...”
Lesfina’s bashful attempt at lightening the mood left Al dumbfounded. His pure mind raced, without success, to find the proper reaction. Seeing her rival’s flustered, rose-colored cheeks, Sharon took the opportunity to take a jab at Al.
“Her face is burning red. You didn’t do anything to her, did you?”
I can’t believe she’s still treating me like a pervert because of that accident.
“We only met an hour ago. What could I have done?”
Al wished to dispel Sharon’s concerns, but she wasn’t having any of it.
“How should I know?!”
The barest hint of blush began to spread on Lesfina’s cheeks.
“I forgive your affair. From what I’ve read, our ‘aggressive cuddling’ earlier makes us... husband and wife.”
Lesfina casually dropped that bomb in her usual quiet manner.
“Wait, hold on a second. I think you’re misusing that expression! And ‘affair’?! That was just a mishap!”
“A mishap?! How dare you! You—”
“Oh, we’re here. Please follow me.”
Cecilia interrupted Sharon just before another long-winded argument broke out.
“Yes, Cecilia.”
On her way into the parlor, Lesfina’s eyes met with Al’s for a moment. She covered her face in embarrassment and rushed inside.
“When did you two... Argh! You’re the worst! You’re scum!”
Sharon let out her frustration on the flabbergasted Al and then followed Lesfina inside.
They were led into the most extravagant parlor in the castle. The room was filled with the late Witch King’s personal collection of exquisite furniture, gathered from all around the world. Two beautiful sofas sat next to a masterfully made fireplace, brought in from the kingdom of Girlgon. The furniture was expertly coordinated, lending a sophisticated air to the room.
“Please have a seat.”
Al offered the girls one of the sofas, and he sat on the one opposite.
“Thank you, darling.”
Cecilia took the opportunity to prepare tea, a hobby of hers.
Al mulled over how he should start the awkward conversation he had to have with the two Divas sitting across from him. But before he could finish his thoughts, he found himself facing down a blade once again.
“Got you!”
“Wha?!”
The crimson-haired princess had just launched her third attack on King Alnoa.
Didn’t she leave her weapons with Lilicia?!
Al pulled his head away just before his face could get sliced open.
“Tch.”
Sharon clicked her tongue in frustration.
With that, another staredown began.
“What, did you think my sword was the only weapon I had on me?”
Sharon twirled her knife around and taunted Al with a smug look on her face.
“Why do you have a knife on you?!”
Al questioned Sharon while peeking his head out from behind the sofa he’d previously been sitting on.
“Would you cut it out, already?”
“With pleasure!”
“Whoa!”
Sharon lunged at Al behind the sofa. He narrowly dodged her attack.
She’s going way too far! Time to put a stop to this.
“Don’t underestimate me! Do you think I’ll just keep running forever?!”
“Too slow!”
Al’s attempt at a counterattack was thwarted by Sharon, who had anticipated such a maneuver.
“Take this!”
“Wahh!”
Al was unable to react to her swift attack. He lost his balance and collapsed onto the sofa.
Smiling victoriously, Sharon stood over the defenseless Al. Certain of her victory, she raised her knife and swung down with all her might. However...