"The twins will accompany you," such a horrible Idea that I am shivering from it.
She wouldn't let me go there alone with the reason that there is rumor that a wolf lurking in the corners of the palace. Shouldn't she be more worried about the twins setting foot in the Palace?
"I can go Aunt!!" and Yessenia is raising her hand.
she never fails to miss a chance on these things, "She can come." Lexus answered. It never occurred to me that he will let her.
"How about my opinion?" I asked between them and they ignored me.
it is nothing new. Anyway, Prince Asterion sent me a letter. He stated that I can come anytime and visit them, the soon-to-be family. Somehow, I am not happy anymore and a feeling of I want to strangle him is coming to my mind whenever I imagine his smile.
"... ahmmm... can you summon that land spirit...?" what is this tone?
Lexus suddenly spoke somewhat hesitantly and fidgetly that I wondered why he asked me that.
"You know... for something that happens, we may need immediate help." he added as if answering my question.
"aren't you a mage? Surely you can do basic healing spell."
"..."
he chose silence to answer me? maybe he really needs it for something, "Since you are requiring her presence I guess it is time for us to establish a contract."
He nodded firmly before leaving me in the hallway. While watching his back disappear in my sight, a warm breath blows on my neck, followed by a ragged voice.
"Master, Boaife destroyed another room of mine," Cervi is looking pretty beaten up with that dirt on his face.
This is so unfair. How could he look like this every time, even being beaten to this extent? But, again? Boa really hates Cervi enough for her to destroy his room more than six times already. Another renovation and it will come from my allowance.
I have been squeezing Cervi to the other knights every time his room is destroyed and every time I did that the knights were crying. Another knight entered the room and also looked ragged and his eyes were glinting with anger as he strode over.
"Young Lady please punish your maid!!" he bowed, kneeling as he sniffled.
This guy must be the unlucky room mate of Cervi. Every time this happens, I am the one they run to and complain. The other result was that they do not want to be involved with this clueless spirit of mine.
before I could answer, a sudden loud thump, followed by a thud and then...
"Asa!! What the hell are you doing?!?"another knight came in with his fist on the air, reprimanding the knight earlier. His orange hair kept bouncing as he gave a heavy smack to the young knight.
"this isn't how we talk to the young lady, you idiot!!"
"waaahh!! I am sorry!! I deserve death!" the hall is filled with anguish screams and loud smacking. Both of us stared at the two knights.
Another knight entered, panting and when he saw the situation he couldn't help, but to open his mouth in disbelief.
"are your colleagues usually like this?"
"no, master. Today is somehow a comedy skit for them," he answered me, "Hey, isn't Ralph being rough on the junior?"
oh, suddenly there is a woman entered with a sword hanging on her side as she boredly watches the two.
"Yep, Asa is being stupid as he rushed over the young lady and even ordered her."
suddenly, her eyes became dangerous as her eyes squinted and pointed at the young knight earlier, "this insolent kid..." she holds her sword and seems like she's going to unsheath.
"isn't this thing kind of escalating...?" I ask Cervi without tearing my gaze in front.
The knight beside her blocked her using his arm and said calmly, "Come, come, Milla. Ralph is already disciplining him."
"Yes, in the hallway and in front of the young Miss." another voice startled all of us that everyone stopped what they were doing.
The sharp voice and a very ominous aura is radiating in this area.
"Sir Antonio...!" everyone lined up and gulped hard. Then...
groans and some of them are already on their knees all lined up at the wall with their arms raised.
"Aaron and Milla, why do you idiots only watch the two in this hallway?"
Milla, the woman suddenly looks up and answered enthusiastically, "It's because it was amusing to see Ralph being– owww," she was cut off as soon as another smack came. Besides that isn't her answer different from what she's going to do earlier?
Aaron then soothed Milla and he also felt the punch by Sir Antonio. The knighthood love language must be physical touch.
"these useless kids..." he then turned to me and said in a low tone, "Pardon them Young Miss for their impoliteness."
"No worries, they were... entertaining," I said and looked at Cervi who was pale.
...
why do I feel that something happened to him that I do not know.
"Anyway, these are the promising knights. Ralph, Milla, Aaron and Asa." he introduced them to me from left to right. After that he excused themselves as there was a training waiting for them as well as punishments.
Cervi who was walking alongside me, is called out by Sir Antonio and he stiffens.
"You are no exception Cervi. Come along"
Now, I understand the sudden pale. He has history with Sir Antonio.
And since that day, I can hear their screams of agony and Boaife's laughter. I also gave her a punishment which is no dessert for two weeks for destroying Cervi's room again.
She complained at first, but when I added another week she became lifeless. Truly, it was the best punishment I think of.
"Wren˜"
Yessenia called me as she peeked over the door. I glanced over at her and she said, "Let's wear purple tomorrow."
what's with these people and their color match? Last time Zairon and I did it. Knowing Yessenia she will just press me further on this.
"Master..." Boaife whined softly before snoozing on the couch. I shake my head off and read the books Aunt Patrice I asked for, and of course I keep trying to find the plant since I may have missed it.
"Hanubi... Hanubi..." that Spirit seems to be so anxious about that plant so it may hold some valuable information and it may be related to Euphrasia since she mentioned it after curing her.
"Hmmm? Hanubi...?" I looked at Boaife who was drowsy.
"do you know about it?" she shakes her head, "I only heard... it one time from the... water spirit I know... and she doesn't tell... me... anymore about it..."
she was so sleepy that her speech was slow and pausing. I grab a blanket and put it on her as I lay down on the bed with my book. Light on the side as I read it to the last page. Still, there is no information about it.
For sure its record is rare and stored somewhere. Somehow, along the reading I fell asleep and it was morning already and Boaife is cleaning the room.
After seeing me awake she grabbed a basin to wash up, clean and dress up. This is the time I'm going to the Palace and I didn't sleep well. There are already bags underneath my eyes as she put some powder on it.
"Boaife come with me," I said while she was doing my hair, "Of course"
"Also, call Cervi and tell Lexus we will be leaving." I yawned and looked at myself in the mirror.
"you look ugly," I feel like I should strangle someone and that is my father.
"Why are you here Father? Surely you are not here with the reason that you are worried for me." I tease him, trying to see his reaction
instead...
"of course I am worried about my daughter."
"...!" it made me look at him, wide eyes and my mouth hang open. It is momentarily though.
"disgusting," I said out loud and his face twitched as he massaged his temples, "I mean this is out of your character, Father."
"This punk. What nonsense are you at?" he sighs before gesturing my spirit to leave. She was reluctant to follow my father. Since she hates her as he looks like someone she knows in the past
After leaving us, Father said, "In the palace do not wander alone and do not leave Lexus or the knights sight."
I nod and he set more reminders and before he left he added, "If something happens do not hesitate to kill." I was left here, astonished to what my father said. It was the longest thing he said this year to me.
As soon as I came out. There is already a carriage waiting and there is Cervi... with Milla and Aaron waiting. So Father assigned knights... it seems they realized I am here and they suddenly lined up.
"My lady we will escort you today."
"alright." inside the carriage is Yessenia who was humming as she looked at the window and Lexus was sleeping with his hood on. Soon, the carriage moves and she remains still in her place. I wonder what this kid is thinking so deeply.
A slight knock from the window, Cervi was there as he said, "We are close to the portal, Master"
Yessenia turned at me and smiled. "What are we going to do in the Palace?"
I was about to answer when a sleepy voice joined in, "To read..."
Yessenia's face crumpled as she blurted out, "Boring! I thought you would spend time with Prince Zairon."
"What made you think of that?!" I sigh when I felt the carriage shakes and then a bump took over. I grip on my seat and I can already see the Palace, "because you like him!"
Ha, I do not want to answer her. She will find ways to refute me.
"..." I looked at Lexus as he was intently staring there then she tapped at the window as we were slowing down to enter the palace.
"Aaron you will come with us."
"are you going somewhere?" I asked and he nodded, "I will bring Yessenia with me on the Palace Research Lab."
Ah, I thought so. Despite his tricks he was known to his knowledge in making tools by using mana.
"Let's meet up in front of the garden then." after a while, we came and there was Zairon with his Knight waiting.
I bowed and greeted them both. "Even the twins are here..." I heard him whisper. He sure hates my family, "Don't worry about them, your highness. They will go to the Research Lab." I said smiling
Sir Theo laughed suddenly, then Zairon elbowed him. Milla and Cervi are following us behind, meanwhile Boaife transformed into a small bird and is resting on my shoulders. I forgotten to summon that spirit.
"This is the Imperial library," Sir Theo opened it and we entered. The books on the shelves are properly taken care of and arranged neatly. On the second floor there are other shelves with glass sliding doors and it looks like the books there are old.
"Your Highness, you're here also..." he must be a librarian, just the way of his dressing
"Yes. Wren is here to find some books."
he fixed his glasses before turning his gaze on me, "What kind of book are you looking for? I may help you finding the book you're looking for, my lady."
"I'm looking for about plants,"
"Is that all?" I nodded before he left.
We followed him as he picked some books and gave it to Cervi and Theo. Soon the books in their arms are tall. My eyes widen at the sight.
Surely, he can't mean I can read this in just one day?
"Master wants to read about rare plants." Cervi said after noticing me panicking at the books he collected.
"Oh, I apologize my lady. I assumed you want all the books about plants."
"N-No it was also my fault for not elaborating it more." I said. Thankfully there's only five books he collected.
I started reading it when I heard another book page rustles. I saw Zairon calmly reading in front of me.
Maybe this is his majesty's condition to Zairon for granting his request for me. I feel sad for him because he's stuck with me.
"Read your book." I flinched and focused myself once more on the book. Page by page, I read everything carefully. Until, I saw a sketch of a plant. It is pretty and can't be mistaken as poisonous but the book says otherwise.
"seed of decay" or in simple name 'Hanubi'
"Found it..." I mumbled as I stared at it.