The first thing I saw as I open my eyes was the family members of the Rubidians surrounding me each with a high status in the kingdom and some in the world.
My mother carassed my face gently and lifted me up as I cry out my proof of birth. My elder brother looked at me with a smile and my father... absent... That's what Thea told me regarding the moment I was born.
I am born without a mana ring. A mana ring is a concept deep inside a person's biological body that allows the formation of attack and all sorts of spells except for self-buff magics.
Not much was ever expected of me, not from my father.
My incapability to use magic was looked down upon by other nobles calling me the shame of my family to which my mother always rebuked that I'm special and I must not listen to such. As for my brother, he has always locked himself up in the library reading books and arose to become a well-known magical prodigy favoured by all.
I go by the name of En which apparently derived from an unknown language which apparently means 'To watch out for' or 'To look after'.
Thea told me that this name was given to me by my brother. The brother who I always thought has no interest in people has such a passion for his family members what a surprise, a pleasant one I must say.
Right now in the present I am currently home tutored since I can't attend the schools anyway due to my inability to properly use magic. My parents must have feared that I'll be bullied and so but I don't really care about that, truth be told I also want to attend school and make lots of friends but it is what it is.
Sera: Prince En please listen to my explanations properly I'll conduct a test this evening if you fail I'll quit.
En: A-h I'm sorry teacher it's just... I am a little lost he-he-re-
Sera: Where exactly? This part of this one? Point it properly!
En: Eh... Um... From the beginning...
SMACK
And with that my private tutor Ms Sera stormed out the room with visibly in a state of anger and frustration, well I can't help it what's the point of studying magic when I can't even use it anyway right? I can do simple self-buff magics like heal and physical enchantment and stuff but that's about it.
En: Ow ow ow I want to cry so badly...
While I was busy lamenting about that smack an endearing and familiar voice came from the door in a tone of whisper.
Thea: En-En did you lose your concentration in the middle of a lecture again? Sera was really mad you know? She really came all the way to the kitchen saying things like "I swear that shit head is a lost cause just toss him to the bin".
En: Eh... that really hurts...
Thea simply smiled as she recounted what happened and came up to me, taking a seat while she's at it.
Thinking about it, Thea really is beautiful the perfect combination of her black silky smooth hair flowing down and her black pupils with her youthful smile and face and finally demeanour anyone will think of testing out their chance against her.
The winds blow gently and sways the curtain as the birds sing from a nearby tree Thea began to speak.
Thea: I was a lot like you back when I was a student back at my hometown I would doze off in the middle of the class and got my name called and punished. It was a regular occurrence.
En: Is that so? I thought someone like you would be amongst the good kids.
Thea: I was not a bad kid just a kid who has no interest in the lectures I never bothered the class or anything it's just that the teachers really tried their best to mould us academically.
En: But why then do you keep on going? Can't you just tell your parents that you don't want to continue?
Thea: I'm not as privileged as you you know... My parents will kill me if I say anything about dropping out.
I ran out of things to say after that, I was a bit shocked mostly at the fact that Thea, a maid who is always so attentive and caring and smart would be the type to doze off. Well it's not that I ever know much about Thea anyway.
From what I heard from my mother, Thea was supposed to be the summoned 'Hero' of the century who will aid the kingdom with their otherworldly strength and powers but because she had no talent for combat was quickly poorly treated and employed as a maid.
Strangely though, she always have a good relationship with my brother often bringing him snacks and finding every opportunity to interact with him. On one occasion, I even stumble across them interacting in a language I have never heard of before it was strange, to say the least.
Perhaps it's his talent that attracts her. His looks aren't bad but his personality isn't exactly the type that ladies would swoon for so I don't think it's his personality. So again I think it's his looks and talent.
Thea then get up from the chair and leave the room. Once again it's just me.
It's such a pain for the family if only the conflict can be resolved before it takes a turn for the worse. The nearby kingdoms suddenly turned hostile on us and declares war on every nation allied with us.
What's more? Their alliance far outnumbered our own making it hard to immediately crush them with sheer power and such we have to come up with a strategy to defeat them. Sigh
If only brother would be willing to inherit the throne then all of these would've developed rather differently. But, because he doesn't I was forced to develop as a whole to become worthy of the throne.
And then there's the matter of my mother giving birth in a few more days what's more the doctors said it's a girl so I can't just dodge this responsibility like my brother.
Knock knock knock
?: En-dear how goes your studies? Do you think you can handle it?
En: It's okay mom I think I can do it and right now the progress ain't much.
(2?): Excuse me Queen Astina may I have a moment with you?
Astina: Alright I'll be right there. En study hard okay? Your brother didn't want to do it so there's no one else but you who can do this.
Mom left the room with a maid, probably to greet the guests that arrived just now. And if I have to guess it's probably the Filans: a family of nobles that excels in diplomacy and acts as the voice of the kingdom since the last 200 years. I read in books that with them on our side the kingdom reach a revolutionary progress regarding technology.
I do not know why they would visit us this often. It is important yes, for people of high status to be friendly with us Rubidians at the top of the Kingdom's hierarchy but why to this extent...
-Thinking about it this much just stress me out-
-And since they're here the Filans that can only mean one thing-
Light footsteps came rushing from the hallway and towards my bedroom
-A youthful high pitched voice called out-
"En! It's been a while! Have you missed me?"
En: Yo it's been a while Amie how's the training?
Amie: It's alright I guess how about you? How's your study? Think you can become a worthy king in time for the throne to be passed down?
En: Honestly it is still far from anything worth mentioning to be Frank there has been no progress or maybe there is a slight one.
Amie: Oh and what's that?
En: I can understand the Obian language a bit now.
Amie: Oh? ****** **** [How's your brother?]
I took a moment to process what was said and replied awkwardly -
En: ****** ********* [He's fine he's still the same, barely taking a time of his day to be outside the library]
-
******** ***** [He also practices his magic regularly in the training ground]
-Amie smiled a bit at the progress I made -
-Her face bearing the proud expression of a sister-
Amie: Your Obian is already plenty fluent why don't you try visiting the bookstore with me some time? I'll show you the goods of the Obians- they're plenty worth it.
Spending a day or two with her will not hurt. She's pretty reliable and have plenty of good books to recommend. Moreover, it's been a while so doing whatever with her will be exciting.
En: Mm, then I'm plenty free today can today do?
Amie: If anything it's today I want- I mean-
Amie's eyes lights up with life and excitement
Cresvus's most popular diva 'Mavi' will perform! Ain't that exciting? Not only that-
My father will hold a competition!
The last part had me intrigued. A competition? Other noblemen often held competition as they were often outgoing but Amie's father? The most reserved man you could ever think of is holding a competition? There's no way I'm not expecting something exciting!
And while we were in the middle of all this the door slightly opened and from the slight gap peeked a small boy around 5 or 6 years old.
Abel: Big sis mother is calling for you.
The small boy spoke softly as he glanced at me nervously and quickly looking away.
Amie: Well En I'll be back soon so ready yourself okay? I'll ask Theresa to escort us there when we're ready.
En: Okay!
Abel let go of the door and quickly cling to his sister's skirt as she walked to the door and the two, left holding hands with smiles on their faces.
Library
The library, a room filled with knowledge and records of people's experiences in different fields. Stories, poets and songs of many bards and divas. But in this world, libraries also contain knowledge of magics and many diverse paths that lead to power.
Within the library of the Rubidian's Castle maids and butlers, and lower class servants moved around shuffling and arranging the items.
Amongst them are nobles that are looking to read stories or research particular subjects. It is indeed a valueable place of knowledge.
Such a peaceful and friendly environment was upheld by order and the order was directly grasped by the first prince of the Cresvus Kingdom, Relia: rumoured to be a prodigy who can efficiently utilise all elements and was said to have mutated his earth affinity.
It was 12:30 p.m a bright and sunny afternoon. The Sun's rays illuminated parts of the library from the wide and big windows installed in regular intervals.
Within the wide open library a big shelf, which has deteriorated with time had been rocking like a rocking chair slowly but surely. Looking as if it will give up and fall over with a loud thud on the ground but it never did.
-And under that rocking shelf sat Relia,quietly and all alone- Or is he?
"Relia you've got to check this book out it's just like that one light novel from back in our world uh uh what was that again?"
Relia: Thea... I already finished that.
Light smack
Thea: No you don't now you'll listen to me.
Relia: Heh? That's basically Konosuba but for some reason Megumin is suddenly super reliable.
Thea: I never completed that show okay? I dropped it halfway through episode 1.
The fact that Thea hasn't given Konosuba a chance deeply tired out Relia's soul. How could anyone not give that masterpiece a chance right?
"All right! To the Sparle Center we go!"
Relia: It's noisy down there is something exciting happening?
Thea: I can't hear anything with my ears alone. Are your ears that good? Or is it another application of magic? But yeah I overheard from someone's conversation that the Filan's head, Amie's papa will hold a competition.
Relia: An event? A competition at that? That was not one of the many things I expected that guy to do. Do you know what the competition is about?
Thea froze up a bit and laughs as she scratched her head
Thea: I forgot to stay a little longer to hear that part- ahaha-...
Oh hey! I heard you'll have a little sister soon isn't that exciting? If she inherit the genes I'm sure she'll be the beauty of the family.
Relia: I don't know if I should be excited... This family I was born into feels like a second family... Like I was an outsider... Like I never belonged here.
Thea: Hey don't bring in the gloomy stuff just focus on the fact that a supposedly cute girl will be born!
Relia: You're right... Well if I have to dream I guess I'll want her to be like those clingy little sisters in anime and manga- did I say something wrong?
Thea looked at him with the most doubtful and suspicion filled gaze that ever flew towards Relia both here and in his past life.
Relia: Come on I'm obviously joking what do you take me for haha-
In response Relia can only give a single grain of rice amount of effort to defend himself and a not so genuine laugh
Thea: That's so degenerated... Same.
And to add on to that bad statement she continues with the most devious smug an innocent man could ever expect from a woman.
Relia: Yo can you go grab me some snacks? You can even grab the snacks you like and pass it like it's what I wanted as usual.
Thea: You don't have to mention the lattar I would do that anyway. Today's snacks are mainly bread related do you want me to bring along butter?
Relia: Are there... Any spice related ones?
Thea: There's the spicy cream filled buns if you want.
Relia: Yeah bring me some of those bad boys along with tea.
Thea: Yes boss.
Thea had gotten along well with Relia ever since she was summoned into this world. Although the exact time when they started getting along so well is unknown it can be deducted that it must be not so long after they had met.
Since then, Thea often treat him Relia like he's a friend and not a prince she was forced to serve often enjoying his company and was even informal with him enough to bicker with each other. A privilege which most maids and servants don't get to enjoy.
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Creak
Just outside the library was the main hall where joint dining among the nobles and people of high statuses was held.
Thea's knowledgeable and supposedly mature personality (To the public that's what she seemed like) had attracted the attention of not only the common men but also the people of higher status.
As Thea exit the library after 20 minutes of walking she was greeted by the current queen of the Cresvus Kingdom with a friendly smile.
Astina: Hi there Thea how have you been?
And of course Thea is informal with Relia and him alone. With a slight bow and a proper greeting manner taught to her from when she was summoned into this world by the servants she greets Astina back with a smile.
Thea: I am fine Your Majesty, I am simply out on a request asked to me by Prince Relia.
Astina: Is that so? What's the errand? Maybe I can help?
Thea: He asked me to bring me snacks from here.
Astina: Is that so? Then I'll be more than willing to help follow me''
Here go pick whatever you needed~
Thea: This one is for Prince Relia and this one and this one Okay now time for my snacks and this on-
Before Thea could reach for it a hand grabbed the bun and place it inside her bundle
Astina: And this one right?
A slight teasing smile appeared on Astina's face as she grabbed a handful of variety of snacks from the table.
Thea was internally panicking unsure what to do.
Thea: Wait wait those are all the snacks I like, she knows damn well what Relia likes and doesn't... Does that mean...
Astina handed the carefully handpicked snacks over to Thea and smiled with a wink.
Thea: whoa??? Does that mean... She's helping me? She's giving me free snacks? Woshooo your mama is so kind Relia you should hug her more or else I might do that
With 3 leather bundles filled to the brim with snacks of various kinds Thea bowed sincerely with gratitude and made her way back towards the library as Astina waved her goodbye with a smile.