"Elize what are you going to do when you become the Queen of Zerin," Area asked as we lay on a bed reading a fairy tale book.
Back then we were eight years old, it was just two years after my parents' death and it was the day of my coronation ceremony.
KNOCK!! KNOCK!! KNOCK!!
"Lady Elize, Lady Area - - It's time," I hear Asmodeus' voice as she knocks telling us it's time for my speech.
"Elize, you forgot to take this," as I run towards the door in a hurry, Area still sitted on my bed, hands me a sparkling golden necklace, as a gift.
"Thanks, bestie..." we smile at each other as I take the necklace off her hands and hold it in my right hand, because....
'Dear, if you ever receive a gift from someone close to you - - use it at the perfect moment to show your thanks,' it was a strange memory from my late mother - - and so I adhered to it.
But I didn't know, how trust can take you so far...
"I am glad to become your next ruler in place of my parents as I have completed the special training - -" I speak on the balcony as the demon civilians before me cheer-- and then;
"Lady Elize - - what is that red glowing light coming from your right hand," Asmodeus' nime year old self who was standing beside me as I gave my speech looked at my hand indiscriminately.
I looked at my hand and noticed the red light was shining more brightly than before and then;
" Lady Elize!! "Asmodeus grabbed the necklace in my right hand and was trying to throw it away but then we all heard her heart beat once, and she suddenly collapsed...
I carried Asmodeus to my bedroom ignoring the crowd who were in shock and the demon knights asking me to let them help and then, while I was carrying Asmodeus back to my room, the necklace was meant to stop me from becoming queen or--to kill me.
It was a betrayal I didn't expect, one that I wanted to ignore but, she hurt my precious maid...
"Demon Blade."
SLAAAAAASH!!
With my special training concluded, while holding Asmodeus in my arms , I immediately slash the heads of the three demon knights who were following me not to ask me for their help but to finish the job tasked to them by - - - The House of Area.
Area was the leader of the faction in charge of the demon knights in Zerin--and she planned to assassinate me during my coronation ceremony.
She wasn't around because she knew I would chase her into oblivion if I survived her little plot to become queen.
I leave the traitors' bodies in the halls as I carry Asmodeus to my room in a panic with many questions in my head;.
'Why is she not moving?' 'Was it some kind of poison grenade? Is she going to die? "
" Your the only one I have left so please, "
It was a cry of the weak begging not to be forsaken anymore;
" Please just wake up!! "
" Y--Your - - Majesty, "her eyes slowly opened as we reached my bedroom.
I called a man that served as the royal doctor of my family and," She has been infected with the Curse of Xenos, and given how long it takes to come into full effect - - she has ten to twelve years, probably..."
"It was all my fault."
The question asked to me before, flashes through my mind, 'What are you going to do when you become Queen of Zerin.'
'I - - I will protect everyone in it.'
"Elize, wake up!!" it was Julia holding me by the shoulders as I slept next to Asmodeus with her resting beside me.
'So it was - - a dream,' I hold my head after reliving that nightmare.
'Why did I have to remember that she was a friend now of all times ,' Julia and Lynn tilt their head in confusion at my expression probably.
Even if she was my friend--I will crush her completely.