Who would have ever imagined that all the knowledge I had accumulated over the years would come in handy in such a way? Certainly not me. I had never anticipated that all the trivial facts I had gathered over time would be so useful in a moment like this, where every detail seemed so important. I doubt the other girls knew any of this. They probably never took the time to explore beyond the boundaries of our Kingdom. Maybe they didn't have the curiosity or the interest in discovering what lay beyond. But here I was, standing before the Princess, answering her questions in a way I had never imagined I would, and strangely, I was enjoying it. Even though there was an undeniable tension in the room, I found myself relishing the opportunity to share what I had learned.
I continued speaking, trying to offer as much detail as I could, not wanting to leave any gaps in my explanation. "Now, as for the Kimaya Kingdom," I began, my tone steady and informative, "it's particularly famous for its beautiful and expansive beaches. People from all over come to visit just to experience the beauty of its coastline. It rarely experiences rain, and when it does rain, it's nothing like the torrential downpours we see in Uzuri. The rain doesn't cause the floods that have unfortunately become so common there. Instead, Kimaya's climate is much more consistent, and that brings me to another point—Kimaya is known for its never-ending summer. The heat doesn't waver throughout the year. It stays warm and sunny, making it an eternal tropical paradise. It's a place where the sun is almost always shining, and you can count on warm weather every single day."
I paused for a moment, allowing the weight of my words to settle in, before continuing with the next territory. "On the other side of the spectrum, we have the Accorsa Queendom. This land is almost perpetually cold, marked by its never-ending winter. The Queendom is dominated by towering mountains, vast frozen lakes, and an atmosphere of serene, snowy beauty. The constant snow seems to blanket everything in a peaceful hush. But what makes Accorsa even more fascinating is its famous volcano. Now, don't be mistaken, this isn't a dangerous, unpredictable volcano. It is carefully monitored and used in a very beneficial way. The volcano's heat is harnessed to warm the hot springs, which are incredibly popular with the locals. These natural, warm pools are where the common folk gather to socialize, relax, and warm their bodies during the cold months. The hot springs are almost like a communal retreat, offering both physical and social relief from the harsh cold."
I couldn't help but take a brief pause, satisfied with the knowledge I had shared, before moving on to the final territory. "And lastly," I added, "there is Raen. Raen is unique because it's the only Kingdom in the United Kingdom that experiences all four seasons in one year, just like we do here in our own Kingdom. What makes Raen even more remarkable is the variety of landscapes it encompasses. It is the only place where you can find deserts, beaches, and mountains all within the same territory. The versatility of the landscape is impressive, and that's why Raen is widely regarded as one of the best Kingdoms to live in. It offers a little bit of everything, and its diverse environment makes it a truly special place. It's no surprise that people consider it the ideal Kingdom to call home."
I let my words linger in the air, and the room fell completely silent as my explanation came to an end. I could tell that I had left an impression. The Princess was visibly taken aback by the level of detail I had provided. She had probably never encountered someone who knew so much about the other lands. There was a long pause before Princess Nsomi spoke, her voice tinged with both curiosity and disbelief. "How? How do you know all of this?" she asked, her tone filled with wonder and a hint of skepticism.
I couldn't suppress the small smile that tugged at the corners of my lips. "Interesting choice for your fourth question, Princess," I replied, my voice calm yet playful. I wasn't bothered by her questioning tone. "But before you ask anything else, let me answer that one." I paused for a moment, shifting my posture slightly. "I used to know someone who didn't have the time or patience to study all of this. She had a burning desire to learn about places beyond the borders of our Kingdom. She dreamed of exploring the lands of the UK, of knowing more about the people, the cultures, and the histories that lay beyond our Kingdom's walls. So, she asked me to help her. She wanted me to research everything I could find about the different territories, and then teach her about them. I did exactly that."
I leaned back slightly, giving my audience a moment to absorb what I had just shared. "And as I did the research, something unexpected happened," I continued. "I found myself fascinated by the information. The more I learned, the more I realized how much I loved the process of uncovering details about the world beyond. It wasn't just about helping her anymore—it became something I genuinely enjoyed. It became a passion of mine. I started to immerse myself in every bit of information I could get my hands on, and over time, I grew to love the research and the discovery process." I paused again, letting my words sink in. "And that's it. That's how I know all of this. It's simply the result of curiosity, dedication, and a desire to share what I learned."
The Princess stared at me, clearly intrigued but not fully satisfied. She leaned forward slightly, her gaze narrowing with intent. "Who was it?" she asked, her voice sharp and insistent. There was an edge of frustration in her tone as if she felt she needed to know more, to pry deeper into my past.
I couldn't help but chuckle softly at her persistence. "Is that your fifth question, Your Highness?" I asked, my voice remaining polite, yet firm. "Because if it is, I think you might be crossing a line. Don't you agree?" I added, my words carrying a subtle challenge. I could sense her impatience rising as she glared at me, but I wasn't going to let her intimidate me.
"Yes, now answer it!" she commanded, her voice impatient and demanding.
I took a slow breath, preparing to answer her, but I wasn't going to make it easy for her. "You should learn to be more professional, Princess," I said calmly, my tone unwavering. "Asking personal questions that don't concern you is not becoming of someone in your position. What you're doing right now is an abuse of your power as the daughter of the King and Queen. You must learn to respect boundaries." I could feel the gasps from those around us as my words hung in the air. It was clear that my response had struck a nerve, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. I knew I was pushing her buttons, and that felt empowering.
The Princess, seemingly taken aback by my words, tried to regain her composure. "But I want to know!" she insisted, her voice cracking with frustration.
"Well, since you insist," I said, my voice calm yet resolute. "The person I'm referring to is someone who knew me better than anyone else. Her name was Avyanna Amirah Maximillian."
I saw the shock wash over the Queen's face as she gasped in surprise. Even Princess Nsomi seemed momentarily stunned into silence. "I wasn't going to say it, but Your Highness and Her Majesty insisted," I continued. "Now, don't blame me for your reckless curiosity, Princess. You asked, and I answered. There's nothing more to it."
The Princess's face contorted with a mixture of disbelief and anger. "You... You freak! How dare you?" she practically hissed, her voice trembling with fury.
I remained calm and composed, my expression unchanging. "Did you expect me to lie, Princess? I'm sorry to disappoint you, but that's not who I am," I said, my tone smooth and matter-of-fact. "If you thought I would fabricate something just to please you, then I must assume you are used to having liars around you. But let me tell you something—the truth can be quite shocking for those who aren't accustomed to hearing it."
I let my words hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "Now, can we please move on? You wanted to ask questions, didn't you? Let's get back to the task at hand."
Just as the tension in the room was beginning to feel unbearable, I felt Rai's hand settle gently on my shoulder. The touch brought me an unexpected sense of reassurance. It was comforting, even though I couldn't fully explain why.
At that moment, I noticed Daisuke stepping forward, taking charge of the situation. "I'll ask the next ten questions, sister," he said with a slight grin. "Drink some tea. You need to calm your nerves." I could sense his irritation with the Princess, and his attempt to diffuse the tension was a welcome change. "How many languages exist in our world, Princess?" he continued, turning his attention back to the Princess. "Please include both dead, old, and new languages."
His question was direct and straightforward, and it cut through the tension in the room like a knife. I felt a wave of relief wash over me, glad that we could finally return to something more structured. It was clear that Daisuke wasn't going to let his insufferable younger sister derail the conversation anymore.