A P H I A
"Nice meeting you again, priestess." Gunther greeted me with a serious facial expression, and I smiled at him awkwardly. Gosh. Why so serious, man? Smile when you are greeting someone cute like me.
"Please call me Aphia," I said. Aren't they busy? What are they doing here?
"Where are you heading?" Aloisia asked as she hooked her arm on mine. Yep, we are close already, literally.
"Oh!" I showed them Erskine's coat. "My master left this coat, and I was going after him to return it," I explained.
"How are you coping up?" Elbrus asked. He is slightly smiling at me.
"I'm trying my best to meet Erskine's expectation. It's the least that I can do to serve the kingdom." I said.
"We heard about your healing potion," Howard said. "It's the best healing potion we have so far." He said while smiling.
"You are great, Lady Aphia," Aloisia commented, and I smiled at her. Gosh. Why do I feel like Gunther and Clovis are looking strangely at me, or is it just my imagination?
Aloisia told me about their recent expedition and the monsters they encountered. Her subordinates used my healing potion, and I was delighted to hear it healed them.
While talking, Howard and Elbrus mocked and made fun of her. They were howling that even their subordinates were looking strangely at them.
Aloisia got pissed later on, and she chased the two with her sword. I can't help but laugh at them. They are happy to be with, except for the two guys. I am not comfortable staying with them, so I should probably leave.
I clear my throat before looking at them. "I'll take my leave now," I said while smiling awkwardly. I gulp when I stare at Clovis's eyes, but I quickly divert my gaze away.
"So, the priestess is here." I turned to look at someone who said that, and I instantly frowned. What the hell is he doing here?!
Prince Kalmin looked stunned when I looked at him. He looks like he saw something weird. I can't really tell, but I think it's a mixture of shock and admiration. Wait, admiration? I think I'm hallucinating. By the way, why is he shocked?
Now that I can look at him this close, I notice that Prince Kalmin has deep blue eyes and copper blonde hair. He is… he is… handsome, I guess?
Gosh! Did I just compliment him?! No. It can't be. "So, the crown frog prince is here." I countered, and I heard all the people around us laugh, including Aloisia, Howard, and Elbrus.
His vague expression quickly turned into annoyance. "You have been calling me frog since the day we met. Are you crazy?!" He yelled, and I could see all of them were looking at us in amusement.
Crazy!? The nerve of this frog!
"Have you tried asking the same question to yourself?!" I shouted back.
"What? Do you know who you are talking to?" He said while looking at me with confidence.
"You're the frog prince, aren't you?" I asked as I smiled mischievously at him and the people around us laughed.
"How dare you make fun of me?!" He asked with greeted teeth. "You don't know what I can do to you!"
"Wow. I feel threatened." I sarcastically said. I take a few steps closer to him and look at him intently into his eyes. "Hurry up and try, Kalmin, the frog prince!" I shouted before walking away from him, or more like running away from him before he kills me.
I heard the people around me were cheering for me, and the prince shouted in anger. Huh! He deserved it! I know I should not have done that, but he's really getting into my nerve, and I can't let it pass this time. My blood boils every time I see him.
"I'll see you around, Lady Aphia!" I heard Aloisia shout, so I waved my hands without looking at her. I would be dead if I dared to look around and meet the eyes of the furious prince.
Can I live in this world without meeting the crown prince again!? I want a peaceful yet magical life here. Bumping into him again is the last thing I want to happen.
Which way to the king's office again?
G U N T H E R (Commander of 1st Order of Knights)
I tapped Clovis's shoulder, but his attention was still on the priestess who was half-running to escape from the prince's anger.
Clovis and I are childhood friends. We've known each other since we were six years old and it's the first time I saw him like this.
I've been observing Clovis since the first time we accidentally met the priestess. Clovis's discreet reaction every time he sees the priestess won't escape my beautiful eyes.
It's crystal clear that he is oblivious of his own reaction. Clovis is that innocent at the age of 23. Well, I can't blame him. The priestess has one-of-a-kind beauty and an interesting personality. She has this kind of aura that gives you the feeling of wanting to know her more.
I look at Prince Kalmin, who is pinching the bridge of his nose as he tries to calm himself down. It's also the first time I saw the crown prince act like a child in front of a girl. He is always composed, sophisticated, and formal – very princely. But today was different, I've got to see his other side, and it was entertaining to watch.
"It's funny how the priestess can anger the crown prince just like that," I commented, and he looked at me. "They would make a perfect couple, don't you think?" I asked.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." He said as he diverted his gaze back to the priestess, who kept looking around like she was lost.
I chuckle. "Don't tell me you did not see how our prince stunned when he saw the priestess. He has lost for words for a few seconds. I think he was shocked to see how gorgeous the priestess was." I said.
"Probably." He said as he diverted his gaze to the prince, who was talking to Howard and Elbrus.
"I like Lady Aphia," Aloisia said when she approached us. "She doesn't care who she was talking to. She speaks her mind, and I like it." She said.
"How old do you think she is?" I asked.
"The great sage told me that she's just 20 years old." She answered.
"She's too young for you, Clovis." They quickly looked at me in surprise.
"What are you talking about?" Clovis asked in a deep voice.
"Are you…" Aloisia looked at Clovis in shock. "Do you like her?!" She shouted, and that made Prince Kalmin, Howard, and Elbrus look at us. I gulped when Clovis threw me a death glare. He's mad, and I can sense it.
"Can you two stop pestering me?" Clovis warned us while holding his sword as his blue eyes darkened in anger. Aloisia and I looked at each other as we gulped in fear.
Clovis is a very serious human being. I am excited to witness how the priestess can change him.
"What did we miss?" Howard asked while smiling widely at us. He is with Prince Kalmin and Elbrus.
Aloisia excitedly opens her mouth to speak. "Clovis likes—"
"Clovis likes to invite us to horse racing." I continued. Aloisia looked at me in confusion, and I winked at her. Elbrus and Howard eyed us suspiciously.
Should I invite the priestess too? I am smiling naughtily at the back of my head.