Chapter 7: Royal Library (III).
Elizabeth's POV
Seeing Victoria's pleading face I did eat one brownie to satisfy her stare and it was delicious! The cocoa beans I ordered were something of a rare find only growing in summer continents and tropical ones, a few instructions followed. We've made chocolate for use.
Cocoa beans were deemed useless being only a fruit, deemed to have either tasted sweet or bitter yet they never experimented beyond more than that.
"This tastes amazing!" I yelped in urgency wanting to grab more, however- I realized there were only a few more left on the plate. If I dare grab more there would be nothing left of my dessert.
"Hmm..." I grumbled with a frown.
The beans take a long time for fermentation- I can't just gobble them up like nothing!
Savoring is the way of keeping my diet disciplined, "I should continue my research on how to better my country first before I go back to eating. How about some history books to start my kingdom's flaws?"
A few minutes have gone by, and I suddenly feel a bit droopy after picking up a new book after learning about magic. "History in great detail, there were a lot of wars. Such topics would usually excite me; however, I'm still famished. I have no choice but to take more..."
I dropped the book after remembering the page number I was at and grabbed a brownie realizing it was still a bit warm.
It almost fell to the floor but thankfully I caught it in time.
Taking a bite I immediately forgot my manners and began eating fast like a pig.
"Hmfp!"
I saw Victoria make a quick satisfied smile staring at my face.
I didn't even ask if she wanted some...
"Umm... D-Do you want one?"
"Oh! Will it be alright if I did?" (Victoria) asks, smiling.
She blinks excitedly although she's trying to compose her calm self. I can feel it.
"Yes, It would be better if you eat with me. I… don't like eating alone." I muttered the last part a little too much like a whisper.
I… was always alone at home. I can't help but make a bitter frown remembering parts of my memory from my previous life.
I understand I was conceived out of duty, the law, and an accident.
I wasn't supposed to be… here.
I yearned for their love and attention yet, my parents on earth- didn't want me. I understood why as I grew older, it just hurts every time they tell me that I wasn't wanted.
The only one who would confide in me... was grandpa.
'Have a little bit of fun.'
That is what he would always say... I wish I could tell him I'm trying to do that every single day to stay true to our promise.
I hear Victoria suddenly stand up, picking me up a brownie in hand-
"Victoria, what are you-?" She didn't respond but she took a seat beside me and set me up in her lap. She places my head gently there and I look up at her smiling face.
"I honestly think this is more comfortable for her highness to read. I can also easily see where you are reading and if you ever need to question anything I'll be close to answering your questions." (Victoria) tells me and my body relaxes with my head being laid down comfortably, I feel safe.
I tried hiding my smile by shoving the whole brownie in my mouth chewing fast.
"Twis ish dewisious! Twake anotah one!" I offer her a brownie.
Taking one from the tray and putting it in her mouth.
"Gahk-!"
She choked for a bit- making me feel rather idiotic doing that.
"OH! I AM SO SORRY!" I screamed hurriedly trying to take the milk she brought and I was gonna also shove it down into her mouth until she shakes her head fast.
She gulped after chewing for a bit the horror on her face gone replaced with happiness.
"No! No! No need for your highness! I am fine as you can see and this is simply amazing!" She said pointing at the brownies, the recipe for this has come from my past life whenever I was in my academy doing home economics.
I find the food in this world rather...weird and inedible.
I was horrified when the kitchen they were working on was unkempt and so… filthy. It made me rage at how they could cook under such conditions in the kitchen.
Greasy stations, unkempt hair, dirty hands- and the worker's uniform were all dirty! They were handling food by hand! The moment I saw such a crime, I wanted to report it to court- however, they never took my words seriously!
I SWORE THEY HAD A PET RAT IN THERE.
And the moment my thoughts said that a rat walked by saying hello before running away into one of the holes in the kitchen.
"..."
I had to complain to the head chef and such.
They ignored me for a bit until I threatened that I would fire them if their ways hadn't changed soon. I recalled a time when I had to shout mainly because of how mad I was.
"THIS IS DISGUSTING! WHAT THE ACTUAL- WHY WOULD YOU PUT RAW FOODS AND COOKED FOODS TOGETHER WE AIN'T A CHEAP MARKET!"
"WHY DO YOU HAVE RATS IN THIS PLACE?!"
"THE ONLY FRESH INGREDIENT YOU HAVE IN THIS PLACE IS THAT GODDAMN RAT! IT'S ALIVE GODDAM-"
"I WISH I WAS BLIND THIS KITCHEN HERE IS DIRTIER THAN A PEASANT'S BATHROOM AND I MEAN IT!"
"WHERE'S THE LAMB SAUCE?!"
At that time… I was only five and had the nickname of a tyrant when I meddled with their work but what can I do?
It was the right thing I could think of doing if no one dared to listen. I had to yell to get their attention- it's… not a method I like to use.
"Your highness? Are you enjoying my lap?" (Victoria) tilts her head, I wasn't aware that we'd been staring at one another while I was daydreaming of all the kitchen business- I seem to have fallen in comfort with her lap and she's… enjoying it!
I feel ashamed.
"S-Shut up and get me that book!"
"Of course your highness." She did as she was told and gave me a random book that was near her position- or perhaps she observed I wasn't doing well with history.
"Hmm…" I decided to still lie down on my maid's lap. The comfort was too much to refuse. Flipping through the pages, and reading through it, it was all about animals after.
I need Book II for this... I wonder who's even the author of this?
I sat up from Victoria's comfy lap and tried finding the next book of this.
Surely it's about humans.
"Ah found it!"
Now I go back to the comfy lap. Hmph.
"Welcome to the Idiot's Guide to Magic! Book II! I bet you read our Book II congratulations you're half the idiot now! In this book, we're going to learn about humans and how magic flows within them!"
How magic flows within them! This is it!
"!!!"
Finally! I want to know if I can have magic of my own! I flipped through the pages and began reading them.
"Almost everybody has magic. From the peasant through nobility."
The peasant folk shows four distinct signs of four elements.
Fire, Water, Earth, and Air.
The nobility was a bit more diverse. Having different kinds of sigils, blessed by the deities in their favor they had more. However, even they can possess elemental magic.
A few were shown to be possible to have more than one element, they were named multiple casters. Ranging from [Dual], [Tria], [Quadra], and [Multa].
"There are only a few who don't possess magic, people who suffer from either Mana deficiency, a sickness where someone who can use magic before will grow weak and will lose their magic forever."
So it's not curable? There's no cure for it yet? I tried finding out if there's any mention of a cure but none...
"There are also those who have no Mana since the day they were born or the [Morama]. They are the lowest ranks of humans. Usually made slaves, sold for labor or their looks. They can still be considered strong if they work hard maintaining physical strength."
So to be honest these are normal humans in my old world. No magic but here they're not normal it seems.
"The last ones, are those who still have and can use their magic perfectly fine however within a few hours they will feel dreadfully sick. The pain lasted days to months."
"This sickness is called Magic Urticaria. Researchers have found that their body cannot handle the Mana flow when they're using magic, hence why they have a weak immune system with Mana."
So this one is despite having magic they'll fall ill if they use it... I see. I'm hoping I don't have either of these.
I continue reading until I read the part on, 'How to know your Magical Attributes.'
"You will know what kind of magical attributes you have when you pour your Mana in a [Appraisaling Orb]."
The book shows many different kinds of orbs being drawn with different designs, even showing which places and establishments possess these orbs.
The item is considered to be an expensive rare item, being exposed to privacy only the kingdom military, many types of guilds, and the church are the only ones that are allowed to have them.
"This will know what kind of magic you will have. However, if this does not work you may be an [Morama]. A person unable to use magic."
"While some magic attributes may be hereditary from your parents. There will be only rare ones when they are truly gifted and favored by the heavens."
I gulped.
Worry crosses my face... What if there's a high chance that I would be born without magic? The god that put me here might take away my chances of having magic and make me weak for his cruel entertainment!
The empress was an inventor that had the magic to control fire with her magic; she had no problems melting even the toughest ores and metals, turning them into whatever shapes she desired.
The emperor had the magic of water and air. He was a [Dual Caster].
A warrior known to show no mercy, he was cruel beyond forgiveness when it came to his enemies and his being a person who carries two kinds of magic made him win a lottery of sorts.
I already have powerful genes in my hands but that won't help if the deity will meddle with my affairs.
If that's going to happen I have to be prepared.
Both the mind and body.
I needed to be strong physically and mentally in capacity.
"Victoria."
"Yes, your highness?" (Victoria) asked, focusing on what I was reading.
"We're going to be staying here every day in the morning till the afternoon," I told her and from the look on the expression on her face, she wanted to praise me but I continued with my words.
"And when I'm old enough... I want you to teach me swordsmanship, archery, the way of the spear, and even horse riding. Anything that would help me become a warrior." I said, setting aside the book after I was finished with it.
I feel determined to keep on living, starting on simple steps to my revenge.
Two books down a whole lot more to go.
"A warrior?!" She asks in worry not expecting my words. "Y-Your highness! You do know I cannot do that unless it has been permitted approval by the council I cannot do anything and besides your duty as queen-"
I shake my head, she appears to have misunderstood.
"I will be a warrior and a Queen who will earn the throne."
"Who do you take commands from? The council? Or the reigning blood of the royal family? Me, Victoria. Them or me. Who do you serve under." I ask for a tone being a little too cold.
Her body stiffens, eyes widening at the sudden question, from her lap I was staring at her. She closes her eyes and carries me.
Letting me go to stand for myself, she kneels, pleading for her loyalty.
"I only will follow what you will order your highness. However, the lessons you've asked for would be too much for you at your age. It will be dangerous, any bruises on you I will be held responsible." (Victoria) then looks at me, her hand resting on her chest shaped like a fist.
"We will train in secret. If I do get hurt I will need someone with healing magic."
"I have the basic healing magic spells needed but it's only for first aid. I am afraid that if you get hurt by something I can't heal..."
She looks at me with a worried expression. "I'm sorry I cannot do more."
I cup her cheeks in both my hands. Thankfully she's kneeling so I can reach her. "You have done more than I could expect. Please rise."
Victoria rises from the floor, the hem of her dress covered in some dust.
"If it helps I would ask the council about this. I may not know why you suddenly suggest this, they might not cooperate with the idea. However, if you are willing, I agree with teaching you some things to protect yourself." she bows her head respectfully, her eyes seeing me in a new light.
"Ask them tomorrow, Victoria." I turned to one of the library windows, lunch was over, and reading a thick book was tedious that it kept us all afternoon.
"I believe both of us need rest. It is rather late."
You're not killing me easily in this life for your grossing entertainment, you shitty god of tricks.
"Well then!!! I'll carry you to bed, your highness I know you're tired right so how about a princess carry-"
"No."
I rejected her offer and opened the door outside the library where several knights followed me out in a rush.
I need to make sure this kingdom will not crumble under my rule too.
I'll make sure I'll be prepared in case I don't have any magic. No matter the ways I have to do to never give you the satisfaction you want from me.
"Gamoloa."
I whispered to myself feeling my rage and blood boiling from just saying that name.
The Deity of Tricks, Games, and Fate.
"I will have your head in time I guarantee."