Capital, Queen's Council.
"Is the princess here yet?"
The Queen inquired her advisor, with her voice brimming with superior authority in the hall.
"Yes your Majesty, shall I escort Princess inside?" The woman stood and bowed to the Queen.
Her majesty nodded approving and looked to her left of the court, where seated together was Lady Kariyya and her youngest son Kalt Rulenn, who was once supposed to meet May Athoya, he was 22 years old, one of the youngest and glorified knights, despite his young age he had feats to his name that placed him among the best of the best. In the army, under his command was one of the strongest naval fleets of the South Post.
He is known to be a keen leader and being young was recognized by most of his peers have acknowledged him as one of the fiercest. During the training showdown with the neighboring army, his fleet managed to demonstrate maneuvers, which can still be heard in the force. Not only his work, but even his dashing looks have also got him admirers all around the continent. Of course, he's one of the faces one could find in the army recruiting advertisements as well.
Not long after, the 3rd princess Kourii entered the court, leading everyone inside to stand, Queen motioned her to take a seat opposite the Rulenns. The third princess Kourii was unlike the other two princesses, who only had interests in the matters of politics and the power struggle in the kingdom. Princess Kourii's interests were in literature and leisure, she valued ordinary livelihood over the grand lifestyle she grew up on.
And the whole kingdom knew about it, while most of the general people were fond of her, there were still those who criticized her, for her ideals and the way she carried herself.
Of course, Lady Kariyya belonged to the latter group of people, that's why no one will find out her despair at the moment and the moments to come, from here on out.
And as soon as she realized which princess was going to hold her beloved son's hand, her face turned pale and her expression changed all at once into a coy smile. Kalt Rulenn on the other hand, knew that he had no say in this and decided to stand in as the marionette to his mother's command. One of the many secrets that his admirers don't know is his true character, and what role he served in the Rulenns family, a puppet to be exact.
Lady Kariyya was grinning all over her face, sitting beside the Queen, with her shoulders spread tall and proud, thinking that she had beaten Lady Athoya in her battle for status and power. With no idea what Queen's plans are. If you must know, at this moment, she's the biggest fool on the continent.
"Mother, you called for me." Instead of questioning as she would usually, she decided to bow her head respectfully to her mother, the Queen, and sat.
"Yes, my dear and I hope you will stay just like this for some time until we discuss this important matter at hand!
Queen turned her gaze to the Rulenns,
"It's about time we introduced each other." She slightly nodded at Lady Kariyya.
Athoya Villa, Golem Coast.
Saya was cleaning the kitchen counter earnestly with a huge grin on her face, and it seemed like she was daydreaming about something cheesy. Never mind that the young lady May entered the kitchen like a hungry child who was looking for trouble undoubtedly, as she came skipping happily.
"Oh! Umm...miss May!"
Saya almost startled May's stance making her lose her balance and leaning forward. In this situation usually, the hero jumps to help the lady holding her in their arms in a cheesy way, but of course, Saya knew that her heart can't handle that, not to mention whether she will be able to stand on her feet holding young miss.
Within a split second, her quick calculative brain reacted deducting every possible outcome and moved into action, she threw herself toward the dining table and grabbed a chair, and placed it behind May, all within a moment so fast that May couldn't presume but she reckoned Saya's power.
May looked at her with wide eyes glowing in awe, Saya turned her gaze away after a moment, her heart was starting to race. This feeling she still has to find out, in the meantime she suspected it to be a rare illness that only reacts to this stunning woman in front of her.
"Are you alright Miss May?"
She finally asked trying to smile.
"Oh, I'm fine-
But that was so cool! How did you do that??
May stood up with her eyes still wide,
"I couldn't even follow your movements, you were so so fast!! Wow...!"
She brought her hands forward and held them to her chest.
"Hahaha
Saya tried to laugh,
"That was nothing, I can actually do more!"
'Wait, why did I just brag about it?'
She finished thinking.
"Wow!"
May nodded,
"Hopefully I'll have chances to find out!"
Athoya Textile, North Face.
The top floor office was intensely filled with all the directors of the north-face office, gathered them together was Granny Athoya herself, on her right was the CEO, Miss Thaya, and following her were various members of the office. The majority of them were women, which Granny Athoya intentionally maintained in her every business and personal circle as well.
The meeting went on for over a few hours, regarding the new directions and the many on-coming ventures they have to prepare for.
Finally, one by one every director and their P. As left the office greeting Granny Athoya, at the end only Miss Thaya was left. Granny leaned backward and reclined on her seat and took a long breath relaxing her body.
"That went well!"
She noted.
"As usual, all thanks to you Grandma Athoya!"
Thaya smiled brewing coffee by the machine.
"Hahah ha! Still calling like I'm a stranger aren't ya?
Athoya sat up looking behind her at Thaya,
"Why add my name?"
"Stranger? Oh, it's not that Grandma!
Thaya replied frantically,
"It's my utmost respect to you, no matter how hard I try...there seems to be no way for me to address you casually like that!"
She placed the freshly brewed coffee on the table and bowed.
"I apologize!"
"There you go again!
Granny Athoya sighed,
"No need to be so formal, come on, sit down!"
She reached her hand and took hold of Thaya's.
"How come you can call May as sister, and find it hard to call me Grandma?"
"Tha- that's because we both are of around the same age!
She nodded furiously to herself,
"Besides, it's really hard to disagree with May, you know her too."
"Haha, of course, that brat can be the most stubbornness one ever, thankfully she has you."
Granny laughed along with a relaxed Thaya.
"Speaking of which, I've found a girl who calls me Grandma without hesitation!
Granny grinned playfully sipping her coffee,
"Oh, and she's the same age as May too!"
"Haha, that's hard to imagine actually! I mean, everyone in Alcesta knows your magnitude even the children-
Thays raised her suspicion mindfully,
"Who is she? Grandma Athoya. "
"I knew you'll be interested, you can call your sister and ask...
"I've appointed her as May's personal helper, and she's too diligent too, apart from being cute."
"Someone you are familiar with?"
"The eldest daughter of the Arkasya clan, you've met her once, she apparently went to the same school as Cherry!"
Granny closed her eyes to rest.
"Hmmm...
Thaya pondered for moments,
"Hard to tell, I didn't really pay much attention to anyone there, on the few times I went there- Little May was too cute for me to be looking anywhere else!"
"Hahahah!"
Granny Athoya burst out laughing,
"Oh God, Thaya!
They both shared heartfelt laughter,
"Ahh... Thank you, my dear child!"
"Rest, Grandma Athoya, I will lower the air conditioning."
Thaya rose reaching for the remote.