"How was training, my lady? This is the first time I've heard Sir Farren praise someone. He's not rude, is he?" Maddie asked curiously. Massaging Vienna's arm with gentle movements. "I didn't expect you to ask me to take your place in bed while you were away training. Curiously, it managed to trick Enola's butler."
V whole face lit up with a chuckle, "May luck always be on our side, Maddie. Well, Lionel was a bit perplexed, teaching me at first before using a real sword. He gave me a wooden one, and I had to master some basic martial arts in order to improve my sword skills. Lionel says I'm some kind of sword-artist extraordinaire. I have no idea why he would say that."
Maddie pouted, "It's a shame I can't see you practicing in person. I would have loved to see it."
"I'm sorry, Maddie. I'm giving you a hard time."
"I don't mind, my lady. I told you that I would give my life and soul to serve you. Whatever you want, I will do." Maddie repeated her vows again with a genuine heart.
"Any road, you know a lot about Crown Prince Ares, Maddie?" V did not know why she was suddenly curious about this.
V's whole body was aching and sore; this was the first time she had done this much physical training. Mastering the sword was quite tricky at first, on the fifth day. V was able to keep up with Lionel's movements. V leaned her head back in the bathtub of warm water, resting her head, letting Maddie help her massage her body with fragrant rose aromatherapy.
"His Highness is famous as the god of insane war." Maddie chimed in, busy preparing training clothes for Vienna. "You know what? As long as the Crown Prince has been fighting, he has never lost a battle. There are rumors that he is a tyrant. There were times when the Crown Prince lost control of his divine power and slaughtered whatever was before his eyes. It doesn't matter if it's an innocent child or an old man."
V's face fell into a sour grin. "Tyranny, huh? I hate that. You mentioned that the previous majesty and empress had passed away?"
"Yes, the funeral ceremony was completed yesterday. Lord Count, Madame Countess, and young lord Vante are still in the capital to attend the last respects until the coronation of the new Emperor the day after tomorrow."
They didn't ask me to go? Yes, of course they did. What did I expect? This is a good opportunity for me. If possible, they should never come back here again. Family is useless.
"Then the Crown Prince will soon ascend the throne in place of the previous Emperor? We're going to entrust this empire in the hands of a tyrant?!" V snorted in disbelief, clearly indicating that she disagreed with that. She had only been stuck in Oakhaven for a few weeks and never thought she would be this anxious about the future of the empire. "Ah, never mind. Who am I to dare think about the future of Alverton?"
"I wonder, Lady. I'm amazed that there are so many who judge his highness as a tyrant. But his attitude towards the empire's allies or subjects—he cares deeply." Maddie shrugged and shook her head. "Wouldn't a tyrant act to make his people miserable? I don't see the people of Alverton being miserable. In fact, all the regions here are highly prosperous."
"It's due to the late monarch's previous performance. Let's see how he leads the empire. If he's bad as an Emperor, it's better to have a coup." Legate V casually, indifferently, expressed her opinion. "Just observe first."
"Goodness, my lady. Be careful what you say; if anyone hears it, you could be accused of conspiracy and treason." Maddie grumbled, this time massaging Vienna's smooth alabaster skin fondly "How can you have that opinion when you've never even met him?"
V shrugged, still unconcerned. "I have no idea; maybe it's a woman's intuition. Have you met the Crown Prince in person?"
"A maid like me? Impossible. I have spent my entire life working in this manor." Maddie didn't lose heart. "I've only heard among the maids. According to the rumors circulating in the manor kitchen, the crown prince is flawless; his perfection is unworldly. Since the god Drakonis blessed him, his good looks must exceed that of a god, right?"
"Yes, whatever. Charming men are relative, Maddie. In my eyes, a real man is how well he treats his woman." V's eyes stared at the ceiling now, letting out a long sigh. "If he makes a woman feel like a real queen, that's cool."
Maddie massaged Vienna's head gently while spilling the fresh-scented liquid on Vienna's adorable hair and rubbing it gently. "If you met the crown prince one day, what would you do, my lady?"
"Never," V sneered, wishing she hadn't met the crown prince of a tyrant at all. It was better not to. "Fortunately, Oakhaven is far from the capital; if I met him, I would definitely run away."
"Why? Doesn't it mean that you are blessed if His Highness meets you?"
V's head was spinning from Maddie's ramblings, who seemed to be supportive of the crown prince as the new Emperor of Alverton. V was reluctant to think about that; she had to find some plan to go to Sellia and find out the truth about this power of hers.
The power of silver light that caught the attention of the Dragon Forest, even V felt that Emer Algon many times seemed to be watching her. When V went through the forest road to the secluded training base not far from the edge of the Draco Saltus waterfall. The Forest Dragon followed V as if it were escorting her; even Lionel didn't fathom why Emer Algon's behavior was peculiar like that.
"Maddie, about Marquess Castiel Granville, what kind of person is he?"
Maddie smiled meaningfully; she finished and prepared a towel coat for Vienna. "Marquess Castiel is the ruler of the Ashford region. He is charming, his hair is blond, and the color of his eyes is green like emeralds in the light. How to describe him, huh? He is actually about your age, my lady."
"Really? 21 years old?! I thought he was my father's age." V squealed in fruity.
"No, Marquess Castiel became the head of the Granville family at the young age of 18. His parents passed away. Previously, Marchioness Laurel passed away due to an incurable chronic illness, and last year his father, Marquess Helios,. As far as I know, Marquess Castiel is kind; he built charity schools and hospitals in his territory using his own money for children who are less fortunate, sufferers of chronic diseases that have no cure, or those who have no parents due to war casualties." Maddie took a deep breath. "Isn't he so generous?"
V paused, thinking for a moment. She was looking for a way to get to Sellia.
There is a way! Of course!
Maddie was mystified to see Vienna smiling triumphantly. "What is it, my lady? You look so thrill."
"It's nothing; you want to come with me, Maddie? You wanted to see me practice with Lionel?"
"Ah, but..."
V showed a smile of determination. "Don't worry about anything. I have a good idea without having to go through the guards. Prepare my training outfit. It's going to be sunny this afternoon; tell Lionel; I'm waiting for him at the training ground."
***
"Hey!" V waved a hand, calling out to Forest Dragon from the library balcony tower. "Come here!"
Forest Dragon got up; he briefly wagged his sharp tail, shaking his head. Blowing a fiery breath into the air, it then moved and approached Vienna. There was a unique curling sound echoing from its gigantic throat.
"I need your help, please?" asked V hopefully, giving Emer Algon her sweetest smile.
Algon nodded.
"Take us to my secret training ground. The Draco Saltus."
Spreading his wings, Emer Algon gave his back, asking V and Maddie to climb onto it.
"My lady, are you sure?"
"Come on, Maddie. It's going to be fun!" squealed V enthusiastically, she chortled, jumping onto the Forest Dragon's gigantic back first. Its body is wrapped in leaves and enormous roots. "It's okay, give me your hand!"
Maddie was a bit hesitant, as she had never done this before. She jumped, let out a stifled squeal, and fell right next to V. "Woah! Oh my! Are we going to fly now?"
"Yeah, hold on!"
Emer Algon flapped his wings, creating a wave of wind that blew away anything on the ground. Flying away into the highest sky. V shrilled with delight, feeling free, and loving the rush of wind that blew away her shiny hair. The cool air was so fresh, and the flapping wings of the Dragon Forest were so firmly splitting the sky.
Maddie's laughter broke out in jubilance; she was scared at first, but holding Vienna's hand gave her courage.
V called out, stretching both her hands in the air. "The sky is mine!" and she was flabbergasted when the phoenix child that V saved the other day appeared, flying beside Emer Algon, escorting and guarding Vienna to the secluded land of Draco Saltus Valley.
***