"Let us talk" the empress suddenly announced.
I was stunned what Of the test?
"...pardon?"
" Did you not hear me" She questioned with a tilt of her head.
"N..no I did hear your majesty.just...I was wondering what of the test you mentioned?"
"Fufufu so that's it"
What do you mean by that's it.what of the test you lunatic empress.I don't have time for your games.why do I feel like I fell in the hands of some kind of beast.
Glancing at the empress I thought that I actually did fall into the hands of a beast after all she is particularly a unknown woman with tremendous powers if she wished for it she could get rid of me with out patting an eye.
When I came to this realization I started to get unnecessary nervous.
Once again I heard the empress voice speaking to me "Didn't I tell you not to worry.that it won't be difficult.after all the test will just be talking together with me"
"Talking together with you will be the content of the test?"
"That's right"
"Only talking?" I asked not truly believing that.
"Yes, only that I promise"
"If you can keep up with my talking that is" she mumbled quietly.
****
"Has his highness not woken up yet?" asked Alfred.
"No,not yet"answered Bernard calmly.
"But it has been a full day now!" Exclaimed Alfred
"Don't worry yourself too much young lad his highness will be just fine. It is a test after all so it might take a while"
"..."
Alfred sighed.
Calming himself down he asked" that reminds me what of the messenger his highness said to send to the capital in advance?did you send him already?"
"Yes he has been sent to the capital yesterday morning"
"Did his highness know of that"
"Yes I have reported to him yesterday. And I have also confirmed the content of the message to be sent with him"
"I see that is good"
Bernard nodded remembering the conversation he had with the prince the day before about this matter.
****
The day before.
At tea time.
As Reynard was enjoying his favorite milk tea and freshly baked fruit cake Bernard came to him.
"Your highness I wanted to ask your opinion about the content of the message that will be sent to the imperial palace."
Putting the tea cup down Reynard turned to look at Bernard who addressed him.
"I trust you with that.you don't really need my opinion for such a trivial matter"
After saying that Reynard once again brought the tea cup to his lips and continued drinking not waiting for Bernard response.
"Your highness this is not a trivial matter please pay more attention"Bernard exclaimed offering a letter on silver plate and arguing Reynard to read its content.
Sighing Reynard once again put his tea cup down and picked up the letter to read it's content at Bernard constant arguing.
Pouting slightly he said"the tea will get cold"
"I shall pour it for you again if it does"
Ignoring Bernard retort Reynard opened the letter and carefully read knowing that otherwise Bernard wil not be satisfied.
After reading the letter with utmost care he nodded and spoke" it is goodbye enough like this it's straight to the point and without any useless information"
"I'm glad your highness's thinks so"Bernard showed his characteristics smile the one he shows when he has been satisfied after tormenting Reynard.
Reynard sighed once more and picked his tea cup to distract himself from the annoyance with its delicious taste.
Drinking the milk tea he grimaced and annoyingly said "see I told it will become cold"
"Hohoh don't worry your highness I shall pour it for you again"
"Hurry it up"
"Understood"Bernard bowed and left to bring a new milk tea pot to pour for the prince.
As Reynard drank the newly poured tea he asked" what of the messenger has he been chosen?"
"Yes your highness the messenger has been chosen and he shall leave to the capital as soon as I hand him the letter"
"That is good.so when will he be able to arrive there"Reynard asked taking a bite of the fruits cake.
"He shall be there within a week"
"Hmm? A week? Shouldn't the distance to the capital be two weeks at least?"
"Normally that is the case. But the messenger will be using magic to enhance his speed so he will be able to reach the capital earlier.it is better this way in my opinion"
"That is true. This way they shall be expecting my arrival instead of being unnecessarily surprised about it"
Bernard nodded his agreement.
****
A day has passed since the empress announced her test will be just some talking.
Through out the day she never stopped talking for a second.
At first it was enjoyable as I got to hear some very interesting stories.
Being the first empress and founder of the oldest country in the continent as well as one of the legendary heroes of the ancient war. which is one of biggest mystery's in history as pretty much all records of the war were lost or destroyed.
She started her tale talking in detail about the structure of the world and how life used to be back when she was young.
It was an unbelievable story. Back then the continent used to be United as one with no empires or kingdoms no fighting nor any type of conflict. All races got along with each other like they were one entity.
All this was possible because of the existence that was the dragon lord. Using his tremendous power and might he United the world as one where no difference exist and everyone lived as equal.
"Of course it wasn't possible with just his power and might. The loyalty of the members of his race who became the guardians of the world helped greatly balance the world and its peace" clarified the empress.
"Hmmm then how did the war come to be?" I asked leaning forward excitedly.
As the empress started her story she sat on the ground asking me to join her as it was going to be a long long tale.
She flinched at my question looking a bit embarrassed " it is embarrassing but the truth is that I don't really know what exactly happened. One day the abrupt news of the dragon lord passing away from an unknown cause reached our ears.before we knew it the world was in chaos with the dragons gathering at the castle city where the deceased dragon lord resided they were fighting with some unidentified figures. By the time we got there..."she bit her trembling lips trying hard to contain her emotions"...they were annihilated".
I was shocked speechless. Dragons those who were known to be the strongest existences to ever live were annihilated.
"Th...then what did you do?" I nervously asked.
Taking a deep breath the empress answered"of course we faced them.they were strong ridiculously so .but fortunately their fight with the dragons left a huge toll on them so we were able to keep up with them and even managed to defeat them"
"Did you get to know what they were?"
The empress shook her head.
"Why?" I questioned not getting it.
"They disappeared into thin air after we managed to kill them. Never appearing before us till this day"
It sounded ridiculous utter nonsense but I had to believe it since it was the empress who had lived through it who had said so.
I didn't understand why they weren't able to know what they had faced, so I asked the empress for more details.
She told me they were using some type of power to hide their true forms so they were not able to know what exactly were they.
It made me feel uncomfortable and disrupted. I started to think they might be somehow related to the curse which has taken over the Alvin continent.
So I urgently asked the empress but she has brushed me off saying she didn't know anything about it and she was tired of speaking about such depressing topics and wanted to talk about something fun to change the mood.
'You are the one who spoke about those depressing topics why are you blaming me' I grumbled in my mind.
After that she went on and on about trivial things like what food she liked her favorite color and first love insignificant things.and amazingly those trivial things didn't end.
And after hours on end as my legs were getting tired from sitting on the ground with an uncomfortable posture. She has finally finished talking about herself.
"And that is all about me" she smiled cheerfully not looking the least bit tired.
'Oh god finally' as I exclaimed happily.
She opened her mouth once again" and now I shall talk about my owners. Those who got the approval to wield my powers" clapping her hands she started a new endless tale.
'Please no more' I cried to myself.
Not paying attention to my suffering the empress continued on and on.
After what seemed like an eternity she stopped talking. By that time I was already out of it.
As the sound of the talking ceased to exist I started to get my bearings back.finally coming back to reality I noticed the empress staring at me intently.
Gulp!
'Am I going to fail' I nervously thought.
But the empress said something unexpected.
"You are truly handsome, the most handsome man I have ever laid my eyes upon"
Blinking rapidly I unconsciously asked "was that why you were staring at me like that?"
"Fufuf, yes that's right. After all don't humans enjoy looking at what is beautiful"she laughed energetically.
"...."
I could not retort her logical argument.
So I just asked about what was worrying me"then what of the test have I passed it?"
"Well..seeing as you did not fall asleep and paid attention to most of what I said I shall give you a passing grade" she stated playfully.
Phew!
P
'I actually managed to pass that's fortunate'
Staring at the empress I thought what a unique person she was and an extremely talkative one too.
Smiling I bowed and thanked her for her generous evolution.
"Um will be able to see you again?"
"If opportunity allows too and next time do call me by my name young Rey"
I winced at the way she called me.
"I would prefer to call you your majesty"
"No"she said firmly.
"...then empress"
"That is also a No"
"You are making it difficult for me your maj..."
Glare!
"Empress..."
Glare!!
"I apologize I am not backing out on that even if you glare at me" I said stubbornly.
Glare!!!
I turned my head to the side and clasped my arms over my chest in a imposing manner.
"Haaah alright I will give it to you. Your quite stubborn" she said smiling slightly.
'Not as much as you'
"Then until next time"she waved at me saying goodbye.
She was getting further and further away. And once again I got the feeling of my soul being sucked out, it was quite an uncomfortable feeling my consciousness was getting hazy and soon everything became dark.
.