Reniella walked around the campsite, paying careful attention to everyone and ensuring that none were injured or sick, and if they were, she would make sure they were taken care of.
It was an exhausting task to keep watch of so many people, but it was something she had to do, regardless of their social status, as princes these were her people, and it was them that kept the Kingdoms running, and since the kingdom was her home, anyone living in her home was akin to family.
At least that's what she believes, and she tries her best to live by such a belief.
Their destination was still quite several days away, and she figured it would take much longer since they had to stop and rest every day.
"Those guys better come back from hunting"
She said to herself, it didn't matter if Barret ran away. His brother won't be able to do the same with that slave collar on, and removing it requires careful separation of the collar's magic circuitry and Alexander's magic circuits; removing it forcefully can leave someone literally brain dead or kill them.
"The guy who came up with the idea of a slave collar was really messed up"
She said before walking towards her tent, she entered, where she was met with Alfred, her longtime servant, and Elana, the former slave woman who had now become her assistant of sorts.
"I need both of you to make sure nobody wanders off and beyond the anti-monster magic circle I set up, okay"
Elana eagerly nodded while Alfred simply hummed.
"I'll be looking for Barrett and that other guy since they aren't back yet"
She informed and exited the tent and went to search for her hired hand and slave before they did something stupid, like trying to run away or remove the slave collar.
Her body moved through the forest, jumping from tree to tree and expertly dodging the branches. She could have created an ice platform and then applied some Inverse casting on it to allow it to float, but that would be a waste of mana. Plus, as a mage, she needs the exercise.
While she was making her way towards the two brothers( she instantly found them by sensing their aura), she thought about the sword tournament.
The tournament was in a few months from now, and she was no closer to achieving a mana burst; it was slightly frustrating, but at the same time, she knew some mages never accomplish a mana burst, and most reach the age of 60 before they could achieve it if they live that long.
"Ugh!"
She groaned, not liking the idea of achieving peak mage power at such an old age. Should she become queen, she needs to be as powerful as possible both so the noble court won't undermine her and so she can be able to enforce laws properly.
Of course, she doesn't plan to be a dictator and wishes to be as fair as possible; however, she is aware that power corrupts, and in order to curb any possible corruption that might happen, she needs to know what it's like to be incredibly powerful, power close enough to be absolute.
That way, when she does become queen, if she becomes queen, she'll know how to handle the power of being a ruler. That way, she stops herself from becoming a tyrant.
However, Reniella was perfectly aware that reaching such heights of power would take years, hence why she needed to wield Dawn and go to the battlefield against the demons; that type of experience could probably help her grow stronger and quicker.
Dawn is perhaps the most potent sword in the world, making it probably one of the very few G-class magic weapons.
"Although I don't know if there are any other G-class weapons in existence. Maybe in the western continent, or the southern Dwarven nation"
She confessed, and it was this that made her realise that she needed to get out more, perhaps visit nearby kingdoms, she's never left Hendrix kingdom soil.
"hm, maybe when I'm older"
'See, you are a little girl'
Eon's voice echoed in her head, and she groaned in displeasure and vowed to punch him in the shoulder next she saw him.
"Wait, is he going to participate in the tournament?"
She questioned, the Hendrix kingdom usually had fewer participants compared to the Dreyer. Within the Dreyer kingdom, Siegfrued, Sigmund, Isabella, and Elizabeth are the usual participants in the tournament.
The Hendrix kingdom only had herself, her brother Alexius and her cousin, who was the son of her father's brother, the Duke.
The sword tournament happens once every 2 years, and participants older than 12 are allowed to take part.
Reniella herself took part in the sword tournament when she was just 12; although she lost to her older cousin, she did win the entire thing 2 years later when she was 14, and unfortunately, she couldn't wield Dawn.
"hmm I suppose 14 is too young for war"
She said as she shrugged, but this time she was certainly ready for it.
..
"What the fuck are you waiting for, do it, put me out of my misery!!"
Alexander shouted, beckoning his brother to slice his head clean off and end his life right at this moment, however Barret was not keen on doing that.
"No way! I'm doing that you idiot, this is only temporary, she'll let you free eventually"
The older brother responded, Barret was not averse to killing, he has done plenty of that throughout his years.
Growing up in a bandit group starting at the ripe young age of twelve made one abandon their flimsy morals about as fast as it takes a man stuck on a deserted island to consider cannibalism. In fact, by the time both he and Alexander were 13, he had already made his first kill.
So it wasn't the killing that was the issue but the act of killing his own brother; now he wasn't the most caring brother. As long as Alexander was alive, all was good. It was why he didn't think letting his own brother be a slave was an issue because it meant he was at least alive. So, in essence, he at least cared about his brother to an extent.
"What are you, an idiot? You know damn well that wench won't let me go; are you stupid? Did being under the prince's thumb get your balls chopped off?"
Alexander expressed as his anger mounted, bulging veins showed themselves atop his forehead, and his eyes had become bloodshot; he hated this; he hated every second of it; it sickened him to a nauseating extent.
To be beholden to the whims of a pubescent little girl made his guts churn in disgust, anger and pure hatred. To be deprived of his freedom felt as good as eating shit seasoned with piss; he hadn't thought himself capable of such intense emotion, but here he was.
"Sorry Al, just live with this for a bit, it will only be like a year at best and–"
With righteous fury and anger, Alexander swung his fist at speeds so fast Barret had no time to react as he was cut off mid-sentence by a devastating punch to the jaw, one that forced him to stagger backwards a little dizzy.
Alexander was about to jump and attack him again; maybe then his eunuch of a brother would defend himself, however.
"STOP!"
Reniella's voice halted him on his track, his movements immediately restricted and his arms locked in place making him unable to move. This only served to anger him further, clenching his fists so hard his nails dug into his palms drawing blood.
"If you want to die, do it in your own time, I ordered you to hunt some food, and you're here playing, you can move by the way"
She expressed and allowed Alexander to move, something that only served to anger the man further, discovering a new level of anger he hadn't been privy to before, this new level of anger made some clear to him.
"Sorry princess, my brother was just having a tantrum, I'm sure he'll calm down"
Barret informed, but that earned him a hateful glare from his brother, the glare was hateful; however, it lacked the anger he should have expected, but Barret chose to ignore the glare, noting that he was at least calm now.
"Whatever, let's just go hunting. The sun won't stay up there for long"
Reniella said, completely ignoring Alexander's opinion; however, the man did not seem to be bothered by this.
No, after reaching higher levels of anger, higher than he thought possible, he hit a realisation, and clarity presented itself to him, and this was brought forth because he realised who was the cause of his current situation.
'This is all that Red-headed wench's fault!!'
After having realised that, his goals became clear and thus brought him a sense of calm; for the time being, he only needed to bide his time; he couldn't die just yet.
"Not until I've gotten my revenge!"
He voiced, his words calm yet laced with palpable amounts of hatred.
"huh? Are you talking to yourself?"
Reniella asked as she looked at the man with a raised brow
....
A/N: I hope you enjoyed it.