The green tornado dispersed, turning into a brilliant shower of green sparks.
In the middle of said sparks, the body of the leader orc could be found, distorted. The corpse was being obscured by the green sparks, like a blemish behind an otherwise beautiful appearance.
Speaking of beautiful…
With the grace of a light breeze, the mage flew down. Once again, I was reminded of the majestic uber-complicated network of spells that she had so effortlessly cast.
The weave of spells dispersed as soon as her feet touched the ground. The cavern was once again filled with green sparks. She walked up to me.
"So, what do you think?"
What do 'I' think?
It was an odd question, asking for my opinion like that. Her fight with the leader orc had been brief. Most of which I was too busy fighting my own battle. I didn't really have much to go on to form some kind of review like she was hoping me to do. Still, I had to say something.
"–––––––––––––––"
"…What was that?"
I said–
"–––––––––––––––"
"Repeating doesn't really help me, you know?"
The mage tilted her head at me with a little pout. Just that was enough to change my opinion of her from to a battle-hardened fighter to a cute doll. Her facial features further accentuated her attitude.
Did she not understand me?
It was an odd thought. Just earlier she had managed to communicate with me, even speak a language that I understood. Not being able to talk was something beyond my expectations.
…What should I do?
Her eyes lit up.
"Ah! Are you trying to respond? Sorry~ Sorry~ I forgot to tell you that my spell only conveys words one way. In other words, while you can understand me, I can't understand you. If you want to talk to me, you'll have to talk in a language that I understand. And… well, it doesn't seem like you can do that. But! This is fine. They say that 'actions speak louder than words' after all. If you really try and want to convey your feelings, then I'm sure you'll be able to do whatever you want! Maybe! Possibly! Without a shadow of a doubt!"
…Should I trust her?
While her overall cheery attitude was something that most people would find endearing or charming, I couldn't quite say the same. Everybody had a side to them that they don't want others to see.
People hide and lie about things very often, almost like it was second nature. The act of deceiving others for self benefit was something that I had seen all too often in my old world. While some rules could be said to not apply here, this was something that I sincerely believed. I was not an exception.
She folded her arms, her brows knit together.
"Hmmmm~ Hmmmm~"
Is she a washing machine?
Looking at the robed girl think while making the sound of a home appliance, that was the first thing that came to mind. She was really good at distracting me. The girl sighed.
"Hahh~ This is really disappointing. And I thought I could finally get some chit-chat. A lady needs her gossip you know? …Not like you'll have some anyways. But I guess this is good enough."
She ruminates, both nagging and contemplating.
Is she talking out loud to make it easier for me to understand the situation?
If that was the case, then that would be really helpful. Being aware of the current state of things was something I was fretting over. Having this barrier was something I did not like. She put her fist onto her palm.
*pon*
"Alright! I've made my decision. You!"
She pointed at me.
This doesn't sound good
"From now on, you're my knight!"
….
...
…All these surprises really aren't good for my heart.
◇◆◇◆◇
"This was a very meaningful meeting, Prince Morgen. I hope that this is only the first of many more to come."
The wooden door closed with a clunk as Marquis Lockhart left. Silence hung in the air. Just being in this room was enough for my entire body to tense up. I somehow felt both alert and defenseless at the same time.
"What just happened?"
The thought lingered in my head. Despite the appearance of more pressing matters, this was the one thing my mind has decided to prioritize.
In the empty room of eye-catching decorations, only two people remained. Those two were Mary and myself, of course. Mary sat next to me in a very unladylike manner.
"You just got scammed. That's what happened."
Ever since the Marquis had started his spiel of demands, Mary had been in a really bad mood. Every time he would make a demand – or 'suggestion' as he put it – Mary would try to throw a teacup at him. I told her to stop multiple times–or at least my eyes did. Every time she positioned herself like a baseball pitcher, I would glare at her. This seemed to be a good solution at the time. I just had to sneakily give her 'the look' as some people call it and she would stop. Though – like all things – it also had a flaw.
With every demand came one pitch. Mary didn't seem to understand that what she was doing was wrong. My eyes were not powerful enough.
"Well, in the worst case scenario. You can just become a baseball player. I bet it pays better, too."
"What are you mumbling to yourself for? We just got bamboozled! You were practically in the palm of his hands the entire time. If I hadn't distracted you, you would have been completely taken in. And what do I get? Nothing but a bunch angry and annoyed looks from such an ungrateful student! Jeez~ what will you do without me?"
That wasn't just her being petty?
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. Thank you, my amazing, beautiful, and talented mentor. If not for your super amazing lackadaisical methods of negotiating, I wouldn't have gotten out of that alive. I'm just glad that I(somehow) managed to turn down some of his more ridiculous demands. At least I can still keep calling myself royalty in the future."
Pushing away the contract that Mary had so shamelessly thrust in my face, I voice out my thoughts. Mary really was somebody I could trust. This fact had never been as clear as before.
"Speaking of which, do you know where the Marquis' daughter went? She wasn't here when I got here."
"Hmm~? Probably singing with birds or something. I swear, those prim and proper noble ladies are all the same. If they're not too busy trying to get in a dress, then they're probably just gossiping with their lady friends. You should just leave her alone. Enjoy whatever freedom you have left."
She really knows how to run her mouth off
If any nobles heard what she's saying, I doubt she could still have her job. Still, though…
I walk up to one of the windows. With a small creak, the window opened. A light breeze blew in my face.
"I guess I'm engaged now."