An Ice barrier formed on Maculata and the Chief Miner, protecting them from the fall of the black crystal chunk.
Shadow when Penzilvana called out to him, he immediately acted and sliced the large chunk of crystal that was about to fall on Maculata, using his katana, into smaller pieces.
The smaller debris is the object that fell on the Ice barrier, nevertheless it is still heavy, and it could crush them, or they could have a fatal injury if they got hit by it.
"I told you to be careful! Maculata! This is why I was warning you earlier!"
"We are all still alive and if I ever die then my time has come, that is how life works"
Penzilvana was not amused by the words of the Queen, there was a thick dust cloud that scattered because of the fall of the huge crystal chunk.
Not only that, all the miners were worried because of the commotion in the deepest part of the mine.
"You and your dark proverbs" Penzilvana says
"Your majesty, are you alright?"
"Yes"
Penzilvana waited to take down the Ice barrier until the thick dust cloud disappeared.
When the dust finally settles she dispels the barrier, her beautiful wings could be seen, the chief is mesmerized by the appearance of Penzilvana.
"My Queen, are you alright?"
Maculata nods and checks one piece of crystal chunk, she crouches down and looks closely at the innermost part of the crystal.
The outer layer of the black crystal was broken off revealing a rainbow one, she stands up and looks at her company.
"Chief Miner Bill, I want this piece of crystal extracted, separate the black crystal from the rainbow one"
"Yes, your majesty"
"Unbelievable, she is not fazed by the danger she just faced, Maculata do you value little of your life?"
"Of course, I value it, I trust the two of you to protect me that is why I am not fazed by the danger that was about to happen"
"What if we didn't act immediately?! You could have died!"
"But I am still here as you can see"
Penzilvana folds her wings, it is like a scarf on her neck once again, she does that, so her wings does not give too much attention to the people.
The black crystal is the most potent of all the crystals in the mines, these crystals serves as a mixture in many medicines, the black crystal is the most exported crystal out of all the crystal in the mines.
As you can see, these crystals are not to be taken likely and with one mishap you could perish, that is why when the miners are about to mine this area, they take extra precautions as to not get crushed or trip and get stabbed by these crystals.
It is very ironic that this black crystals want to hurt people and yet it is used for medicine.
Penzilvana heard the cries of woe for the crystal that failed to hurt Maculata, she glared at the crystals, and it quieted down.
"My inspection is complete"
Maculata announced, all of them went to the upper level of the mines and the miners asked if she was alright in which she responded with a firm nod, before she returned to her carriage she returned the hard hat and made a speech.
"Veritus Kingdom, is thankful for your hard work, risking your lives for these mines, especially in the deepest part of it where the mischievous black crystal resides, without all of your hard work our Kingdom will not prosper"
This people know how kind Maculata is, that is why they are part of the rare people that are not afraid of the Queen, they do however know her wrath that is why they do not attempt to anger her, but this time.
Someone will evoke her anger, she continues her speech in thanking the miners, the miners of course listened but when she finally got to the last part of her speech that is when the miners voiced out their problem,
"If anyone of you has a problem, whether you get into an accident here in the mines or have financial problems, please talk to your chief, your problems will be relayed to me, and we will resolve it for you to work in the mines, if anyone of you would like to speak their problems out now, please do so"
"Your majesty"
One of the miners started, the chief became nervous, Penzilvana and Shadow both noticed the change of behavior of the chief, but they just silently observed him.
"Thank you for this opportunity and for taking care of us, but we must inform you that-"
"Y-Your majesty" The chief interrupted the workers' statement, Maculata furrowed her brows by his sudden interruption "the workers problems should be said to me before relayed to you, am I correct?"
"Chief Miner Bill"
Maculata's voice was low and threatening, the chief immediately shut his mouth, she held her hand for the worker to pause then she looks at the chief.
"I was very clear when I said that they could speak their problems to me while I am here, interrupt again, and I will not hesitate to order my ninja to cut your tongue out"
Maculata still had a calm demeanour, but she means business when she told the chief that she will order Shadow to cut his tongue out.
"Continue"
"The Chief has been taking half of our salary, he told us that he is taking it because of insurance, but we never heard anything about insurance your majesty"
Maculata's expression became dark, she then looks at the chief, and he froze at Maculatas' face Penzilvana next to her shakes her head at him.
"What is the meaning of this chief?"
"He told us the insurance is for when we have accidents in the mines, but you clearly did not state anything about having insurance your majesty, so we are just confused"
"NO, I did not say anything about any insurance, by working in these mines, you automatically have insurance there is no need for the chief to collect anything, explain yourself Chief Miner Bill!"
The Chief hung his head low, finding the words he needs to say, but unfortunately the ground does not hold any answer for him. Maculata waited for him to speak.
"Chief Miner Bills' children is sick"
One of the workers spoke, at the far end of the workers is a tall bulky man, Penzilvanas' eyes widen at the sight of the man, she gulped getting frightened at the appearance of the man, Maculatas' eyes narrowed at what the man said.
"You are?"
"My name is Icarus, your majesty"
"Unfortunately for you, Icarus, he is lying"
"Lying…?"
"All of your data is stored in the Palace, I know who has families here, and I know your financial standing, Chief Miner Bill, does not have any family to feed nor does he have any children, it is pointless defending him, Icarus"
"You…lied to me?"
"Icarus trust all of us especially the Chief"
"Icarus here has been gullible from the Chief's words I see, I remember that this big man, is providing for his family and small brothers and sisters, to think you have the audacity to steal from a man as noble as he is"
"I haven't seen Maculata seethe in anger at her workers again, this is the fourth time I think?"
"Her majesty knows that everyone that serves the Palace inside or outside are very hard-working, she detests people like this"
Penzilvana and Shadow quietly talked to each other while Maculata looks at the chief, she then shakes her head.
"You are relieved from your duties, Chief Miner Bill, your NEW appointed Chief is Icarus"
"Your majesty, please do not relieve him of his duties"
"Why?"
"Like us, he is also hard-working maybe he needed the money, and he has his reasons for taking half of ours"
"Is that the truth Chief Miner Bill?"
"Yes"
"Alright. You will be lowered as a worker, you will not handle managing this people again, Icarus you have the job of being Chief now, take care of the ones' working under you"
"Understood, your majesty"
"As for you, you must return what you have taken, have a report of how much he has taken, I will look at it and see how long will it take for him to return all of it"
"Yes, your majesty" Icarus nodded
"I will return to the Palace now, good luck in your work, I hope that I do not hear any more problems regarding your salary and someone taking it"
"Maculata is furious at the late chief"
"Thank you, your majesty, please visit again"
"I will"
"Before I forget, bring me the debris of the black crystal chunk that has a rainbow crystal in its inner part, extract the rainbow part then bring it to the Palace"
"Yes, your majesty"
Maculata and her company returned to the carriage this time the one who saw her off is Icarus the newly appointed chief and the miners.
"That was intense"
"You two did a good job"
"I wouldn't have to use my powers, if you were listening to my warning!"
"Still, a job well done"
She looks at Shadow across from her and patted his shoulder, she gave a faint smile at him, Penzilvana noticed the blush on his ears. She hummed, already noticing what was up with Shadow.
"Ethan"
"Yes, your majesty?" the coachman answered.
"Lets' go to Lakambini Flower Shop"
"You're kidding right?"
"No"
"I thought you were letting me off today, Maculata!"
"Hmp"
Penzilvana whined, Penzilvana shakes her shoulders, no one could do that except the fairy, Maculata wanted a break, so she chose one that will annoy the fairy next to her.
When they arrived Penzilvana gave a loud groan, Shadow helps her down the carriage he also helps Penzilvana, but she drops to the ground groaning, the people that were passing by gave her a strange look.
"I don't want to be here"
Maculata told the fairy to get up, she begrudgingly gets up from the ground and went to her, they enter the flower shop, the scent of flowers filled the air, Penzilvana had a sour expression on her face.
"Welcome-"
"Hello, Maise"
"Your majesty!"
"I've decided to visit, along with Penzilvana here"
Penzilvana gave a blank look at Maculata, the Queen had a faint smile on her face, Maise escorts her to a chair near the Amaryllis Flowers and serves her Amaryllis Tea.
"Why are you torturing me, Maculata?"
"Why do you not like them? They are kind and humble"
"The thought of being a teacher is bugging me to no end"
"How ironic, that you are a bug and yet you say those words"
"Excuse you! I am, A F-A-I-R-Y! Not a bug!"
"I do wonder who these brats are. Why you are so keen on me protecting them, and you also want me to teach them, but I refuse to do so, HMP!"
"Do you not sense anything unusual from them?"
"Unusual…?"
"What kind of fairy are you?"
"The powerful kind, I am already getting bored being here"
"You need to be more observant Penzilvana"
"Hey, look, Shadows mask is down"
Maculata whipped her head towards Shadow in the speed of light, Shadow wondered why the Queen was looking at her.
"You didn't see it, looks like you need to be more observant than me, Maculata"
"He did not pull his mask down, stop lying"
Penzilvana shrugged, Maise gave them unsweetened pastries, they ate it with the Amaryllis Tea, Maculata is studying her fairies' attitude towards Maise, but it looks like she is still uncaring.
"You will not know if you have a demeanour like that Penzilvana"
"I only see children in front of me"
"I know you are old but don't be narrow-minded, observe them more attentively"
Penzilvana folded her arms, and looked at Maise who was watering the plants, she then looked at Maculata and shrugged, the Queen nods at her encouraging her to just watch.
"I don't see the point, I've been watching them, but there isn't anything special about them"
"Maise! I'm back!"
"Yella, shush, the Queen is here"
"Oh, shit"
"The one curses while the other one is polite"
"Are you sure that you are not slacking off Penzilvana?"
"No"
"Look at the flowers that Maise watered"
"They are sparkling and brimming with life"
"Noticed anything?"
"NO-"
Just then Penzilvana stared at the flower, it was blooming already, Maculata shakes her head and watches her fairy go towards the flower that has bloomed.
"Impossible…"
"She was slacking off, huh, Shadow?"
"…Yes, your majesty" he admitted.