🐅 🐅 🐅
INSIDE the Andan carriage, Hisame’s brothers hounded her with questions. Of course, all of them concerned her relationship with Angelina.
“So, you became friends with the Jinlongian princess!” the Andan prince spoke through bellowing laughter. “Who would’ve thought?”
Usually, his loud voice would have frightened Hisame, causing her to shrink into herself. Today, however, she squared her shoulders and raised her head. “Yes, we’re friends,” she answered clearly.
Until now, Hisame had always read the faces of whoever she spoke from behind her bangs, even her family. Seeing her answer so decisively surprised and thrilled the prince. She seemed like an entirely different person.
“I see!” he roared, still laughing boisterously. “That’s wonderful!”
Hisame forced a polite smile onto her face.
In Anda, many people had turned their thoughts towards invading Jinlong. The fiends both admired Jinlong and viewed the empire as a threat due to its vast lands and rich culture. Thus, the Andan royal family traveled to their enemy’s capital for the first time to see the heart of the empire for themselves.
Emperor Feilong was a savage man who’d committed patricide. He hadn’t won the hearts of the nobles, much less the people, for he ruled through logic and might. Rumors of his cruelty abounded. If possible, the Andan royal family had hoped to obtain a foothold to collapse the empire.
“But this is quite the surprise!” the prince roared, his laughter still echoing through the carriage. “Feilong is a fierce god on the battlefield, yet he looked like a completely different person while doting on the princess!”
The princess’s dress had been of a foreign design. In other words, it hadn’t been an official Jinlongian garment. Feilong loved the princess with all his heart. He’d bent tradition and history to allow her to wear such an unorthodox outfit.
Despite his feeble appearance, the crown prince had been dauntless. At the same time, the princess had won the hearts of the people with her exceptional cuteness. The palace retainers regarded the children warmly as well, indicating their desire to protect Jinlong’s future. In short, there hadn’t been any openings to exploit. Nevertheless, Hisame—a member of the Andan royal family—had become friends with Princess Angelina amidst these circumstances. That pleased her older brother.
“Well, I can understand why Feilong would dote on the princess!” he roared.
“Wait, did you speak with her too?” Hisame asked.
“Indeed! I spoke with the princess and the crown prince! The prince wasn’t as delicate as he looked, and the princess was—hm, how should I put this? —pretty cute! It was quite interesting!”
The Andan prince laughed as he reminisced. Hisame regarded him with suspicion, for her brother judged everything based on strength. From his perspective, a small girl might as well have been nonexistent. Until now, he’d never shown an interest in such children.
If I don’t take charge of the situation, my brother might hurt Angelina, Hisame thought.
This ominous premonition spiked her anxiety. Being the focus of her brother’s attention wasn’t necessarily a good thing. When he designated someone as a rival, he wouldn’t stop until he’d crushed them.
The nation of Anda prized military might above all else. Larger, stronger fiends spoke with greater authority. As a result, violence was rampant, and shouting matches filled the air daily. Dealing with matters through intelligence was viewed as a symbol of weakness. Fiends would curse each other as cowards for behaving in such a manner.
Being small and weak, Hisame had to use her head to contend with her brothers. Yet, when she did, they would deride her for being pathetic and conniving. That caused her a great deal of shame.
After visiting Jinlong, Hisame learned that her brothers’ attitudes weren’t the norm. Angelina could hold quiet conversations. Even if someone was at fault, she didn’t immediately criticize them. Learning was respected, and even small girls could be revered. Altogether, Jinlong had been an easy place for Hisame to live.
That’s why I need to protect Angelina, she thought. I won’t let my brothers overrun Jinlong! She hated the idea of Jinlong becoming identical to Anda. But first, I need to get stronger! she resolved. I’ll create something of value that my brother can use!
“I have a suggestion,” Hisame said, addressing her brother. “Please allow me to study abroad in Jinlong.”
The proposal surprised the Andan prince. “Are you suggesting that Anda presents Jinlong with a hostage?” he asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. “That won’t do! It would make us seem like a vassal state!”
“If I pretend to be a hostage, it could lower their guard.”
The prince furrowed his brow in slight displeasure. “Those sound like the actions of a coward!”
“Gaining entry is vital. If I can get close to Feilong, I might be able to slay him myself. Finding the best opportunity to strike is important even in warfare.”
Hisame lifted her head sharply and stared into her brother’s eyes. As the two held each other’s gazes, an air of tension dominated the carriage. Hisame had never stood up to her brother before. Being a crybaby, she’d always fled from conflict. Yet now, she was arguing with him in an attempt to assert herself.
The Andan prince laughed heartily. “Hisame! You, of all people, intend to slay Feilong?!” Once his laughter had died down, the prince fixed Hisame with a serious look. “What’s brought about the sudden change? You hate that sort of method, don’t you?”
“What I want is in Jinlong, but Feilong probably won’t relinquish her to me. In that case, I have no choice but to steal her.”
“You mean Princess Angelina?”
“That’s right.”
“Based on how Feilong doted on the girl, you certainly would have no choice but to steal her! All right, let’s give it a shot!”
When Hisame’s brother gave his permission, she breathed a sigh of relief. At the very least, Anda wouldn’t raid Jinlong while she studied abroad in the empire. During this time, Hisame would become someone who couldn’t be ignored, even in Anda. Then, she could become a mediator between the two countries.
Hisame balled her hand into a fist. “Well then, let’s have my coming-of-age ceremony as soon as possible when we return.”
Meeting Angelina had become her greatest treasure.
“But after your coming-of-age ceremony, you won’t be able to run away from everything like you always have, Hisame!” her brother roared. “You won’t be a child anymore!”
“Okay!” Hisame cried, a combative glint in her eyes.
Those eyes pleased her brother, for they gave the impression of Andan royalty. “Looks like my thinking was correct!” he bellowed, his large body shaking with satisfied laughter. “Bringing you on this journey was a great idea!”
Hisame’s feelings on the matter were complicated. She disliked her brother’s forcefulness. He’d dragged her to Jinlong against her will, and the lion’s share of her experiences had been unpleasant. Because of this, she struggled to agree with him.
However, the time she’d spent with Angelina had been special enough to wipe away all the unpleasantness. She treasured her memories of the outer enclosure. There, she’d lived in peace without constantly recoiling in fear. For the first time in her life, Hisame had been able to act as her truest self. No one had laughed at or scolded her. Looking back on the journey, meeting Angelina had given value to all the unpleasantness.
“…Yes, it was a very nice trip,” Hisame agreed.
Her brother nodded in satisfaction. “Once we get back, we’ll be quite busy. We’ll throw a magnificent coming-of-age ceremony to make up for its lateness! After all, we need to show off how much you’ve grown on this trip!”
As his large body rocked with laughter, the Andan prince clapped Hisame on the back. That caused her to choke somewhat, but she smiled stiffly at her brother.
Angelina, I’m going to become an adult, she thought. That way, I’ll be able to protect the place I love and everything else important to me. I’ll come back to see you soon.