Volume 10 : Chapter 8 – ENTIRELY PERFECT (2)

A week had passed since I came back to my home. And now it was time for me to return to Athena’s side.

After completing her quick lessons with Flora, Hana now appeared more confident in her abilities. I was happy for her as long as she could grow to be independent and responsible on her own.

I didn't even realize how fast time passed, but now I looked forward to what I could do next to help Athena. My plans did extend to focusing on growing my healing potions business and expanding the adventurer clan.

So, I could probably kickstart from there.

I am not even sure why I was so sad in the first place when I came back from my adventure that day. It's all thanks to mom. And now I had to say goodbye to my home again, but I knew I could now come back anytime I wanted.

After saying our goodbyes to everyone as promised I went back to pick up Regis from the Ascalon Kingdom.

However I had to keep my visit quick. So as to not get caught by big sister Edith and be pulled into one of her tricks.

And I think I was right in making that decision.

As soon as I teleported to Regis’s room. Regis jumped inside and locked herself into her own room and begged me to quickly teleport her away as if running from something formidable.

“My dear little sister, don’t leave me so soon. I know you are angry that I made people worship your adorable baby photos. But I wanted the world to know just how adorable you are. At least let me give you a warm hug. Stop hiding from me. Oh! Are we playing a game here...” I could hear big sister Edith’s voice follow.

Looking at how exhausted Regis was, I think she had an adventure of her own, a very exhausting one at that. Though it will be a story for another time.

So, I teleported ourselves back to the Hart Kingdom before big sister Edith could get to us.

Once we three were back at the Hart Palace, another challenge awaited me.

And I was reminded of the celebration banquet to celebrate the victory over the Demon’s army.

It was a small victory party to congratulate everyone for their contribution. Even though officially it was announced that the demon army never made it to the shores and would have likely drowned in an unforeseeable disaster.

The fact the kingdom avoided a war was ample reason to hold a celebration.

“Alicia I am sure you are ready to be escorted by my brother so be ready when he comes to get you for the party. And I have also prepared a surprise just for you.” Athena said to me happily.

I could not refuse her since it looked like she had been looking forward to this celebration a lot. It's alright since Leon is Alicia’s brother and from what I have seen he is a gentleman.

Except for that one last….time. Somehow I was awkwardly reminded of the time when he grabbed my hand to kiss on its back. I am sure he won’t do that again.

Athena wished for me to relish the banquet and, in her unique way, thank me for coming back to her. For her, it was an occasion to celebrate, and I felt the same joy.

So, I wanted to enjoy the party without any reservations and decided not to put on my mask. It’s alright if I just don’t stand out during the event and watch from the side.

Athena had already prepared a collection of new party dresses for me to wear and maids to help me.

But I insisted that I could get ready for the party on my own and refused the maids help.

Or, at least that’s how it should have been.

Once all the clothes were placed in my room, my first problem was to pick the one that could suit me. I had no choice but to try each of them to see which suited me the best after all Athena went to great lengths to prepare these for me.

Looking into the mirror I couldn’t help but be flustered, “Do nobles here really wear dresses like this? Isn’t my stomach too much visible in this dress?”

“And why the lace in this dress is so long.” I said trying on the next one, pulling the band tightly around my waist to tie the dress.

Only to realize a second later the other part was stuck under my feet. I yanked at the lace and unwittingly engaged in a precarious dance.

“What am I supposed to do?”

Before I knew it, my feet tangled, the lace revolted, and I found myself in an accidental fall against the floor.

“Kyeeaahhhh…”

“What happened are you okay?” The door suddenly flipped open and the prince of Hart Kingdom was standing there with a worried look on his face.

I peeked from the heap of clothes; my face contorted realizing the cliché I had just now become the victim of. Leaving me no other option but to let out a loud scream.

“I am sorry. But I came to escort you as planned.” Leon quickly repeated himself and closed back the door quickly noticing nothing was wrong.

I gulped and despite my uneasiness, I stood up and walked close to the shut door.

At least no harm was done since I still had my complete clothes on that I was trying. Hopefully, no one came to my scream. Seems like everyone was busy with the celebration preparation.

Regis too might be having her hands full to get Hana ready into her new clothes. I could just imagine Hana right now protesting to wear anything but her maid uniform.

“I am sorry miss Alicia I barged in without your permission.” The prince must have felt my presence behind the door and I could tell he only came inside out of concern.

“…It was not your fault.” I somehow brought myself to speak up after a brief silence.

“I know you are good at healing magic, but I hope you did not get hurt.” The prince asked me.

He was more worried about me than trying to cover it with some excuses. He accepted his mistake without fault and took responsibility.

“Five minutes… give me just five minutes and I will be ready.”

***

The time for the celebratory party was approaching and I could not wait to get the chance to meet miss Alicia again. She was not only the savior of our kingdom, but she also protected my sister and my family.

I would have most probably only ended up offering my gratitude and anything she could have asked for as a reward. That is the utmost courtesy that any ruler would have shown to their savior.

The instant I laid eyes on her; I was utterly captivated.

Her voice rendered my ears useless, and when her eyes met mine, the world around me vanished into a blank void.

When I confided in my sister about this, her initial reaction was anger, her glare piercing through me. However, seeing my helplessness, she eventually laughed and started thinking to herself.

“⸺Maybe it's not that bad of an idea after all…” My sister whispered to herself as she continued to look at me curiously.

After much pleading with her, she finally agreed to help me. She shared a wealth of information about miss Alicia.

And from what I gathered; I doubt my sister would have helped anyone else—being her big brother gave me a unique advantage.

From her words, she only made Alicia sound like any other ordinary girl. But I knew from the moment I saw her, there was something special about her.

Maybe today I will have that chance to find what it is.

At the exact right time, I stood outside miss Alicia’s door waiting to greet her as soon as she would open the door and not make her wait.

But then I heard a disturbing thud sound from inside followed by a small squeal from inside which quickly prompted me to open the door and look for any disturbance.

Only to find miss Alicia under a heap of clothes as she gawked at me with an embarrassed look and all disheveled.

Not noticing any kind of trouble, I could help her with, I quickly locked back the door.

After all, I couldn't let her see my mischievous grin as I thought about how endearing her scream had just sounded.

And maybe I was too hasty to decide that I would be able to find the answers to my questions so soon.

Because the moment miss Alicia stepped out of her room this time completely dressed.

I was once again hit by the same symptoms, but this time they were much more severe.

My heart raced, each beat seeming to echo in the room. Time stretched as if teasing me with an extra second to gaze at her a little longer.

Miss Alicia had tied her shimmering silver hair back in an intricate twist, revealing the graceful curve of her collarbone. Her crimson eyes were complimented by her turned-red cheeks and deep red delicate lips.

With the mask gone and her full features exposed, I was left with a deep desire to touch her unblemished face.

As for the dress itself, any noble would have accused it of being too simple.

But as miss Alicia turned towards me, the single-piece white gown hugged her slender frame from shoulder to her waist. Despite it lacking any particular lace or elaborate embroidery, the dress beautifully accentuated her elegance.

Seemingly I was too focused to notice, that miss Alicia had already walked past me.

“Is there a problem, prince.” Miss Alicia asked seeing me standing still in my position.

“Not at all. Would you mind giving me a pinch?” I put forward my hand and lowered my eyes.

“A pinch?” Miss Alicia for a moment could not grasp the meaning of my request.

“You look so beautiful, I thought I was dreaming…”

“Huh! You are just saying that… You don’t need to be so polite with me.”

‘I could have taken his words wrongly. But of course, I know that’s what princes do since I have read a whole lot about them in novels.’ Alicia confidently thought to herself.

“You look so good-looking yourself. Shall we go?” Miss Alicia replied back in kind.

“Let’s go to the banquet.”

I pulled back my hand wondering if it was too soon for me to ask her hand.

***

Of course, attending a banquet can’t be that tough. All I needed to do was accompany the prince today like a companion, participate in the toast, eat good food, greet some important people and that’s it.

I quickly customized one of Athena’s dresses using my spider webs to make it suit me and got ready.

As soon as I stepped out, I saw the prince standing ready in an official knightly golden uniform. It totally complemented his blonde hair and good looks.

I guess I had no choice now but to accompany the prince to the party. It was my fault, that I couldn’t reject his proposal then because I got too flustered.

I just need to make sure that I don’t end up embarrassing him.

The party had already started and we were one of the last to enter. I could already spot Regis, standing out as an elf as many people approached her. She only appeared here with the identity of a wandering elf roaming the human continent.

At the same time, I could see Hana surfing through the buffet with some other kids.

As soon as the guards announced the arrival of the prince. Everyone’s eyes were on the crown prince’s entrance.

But they were all too shocked to see me accompanying him, as I walked close by. Is it really that bad that they are not even able to speak something or continue their previous conversations?

“Why are they all so quiet?” I couldn’t help but call out the prince.

“I think it’s because they too just realized how beautiful you are!” The prince repeated.

“I told you before, you don’t need to be so courteous. But are you really fine, escorting someone like me? I am not much aware of what to do in these celebrations.” I  did not want the prince to later regret taking me if I made a mistake.

“I think I understand you miss Alicia a little better now. Escorting the savior of this kingdom to the party really makes me happy. So, please don’t have any second thoughts.” The prince replied to me gently despite my negative thoughts.

The silence was finally broken when we took our place in the hall and the people suddenly started swarming the prince. The prince was definitely very popular evident from the number of people who came to greet him.

I think he already knew I was uncomfortable with crowds as he stepped forward to greet them first.

“Greetings Your Highness.”

“It is a pleasure to see the light of this kingdom so healthy and radiant.”

“Nice to meet you, Your Highness. But it is our first time seeing the lady behind you.” There was that question I expected. But how should I answer?

“Of course, miss Alicia here is a powerful magician and a friend of my sister. So, I took the opportunity to be her escort.” The prince explained.

All the eyes were on me.

It should be fine as long as I don’t face them directly. I tried to smile in the face of adversity and answered waiving at them. “Hello, my name is Alicia.”

“Ahem! I felt blessed when the lady accepted my request to escort her.” Why would the prince suddenly have to say something misleading like that?

But now the people started to cheer and make loud noises as they pushed for more details. Especially the ladies and young woman, who overheard our conversation and rushed to us.

Most of them were nobles living in the capital or famous people and their clothes sparkled in the brightly lit hall.

‘Gah! This is so embarrassing.’

All of them showed their interest in me, but none of them were demeaning in any way. So, I did not feel too pressured. The prince was doing most of the talking.

As I tried to look for Athena around, an announcement was made.

“Now the host of the party would present us with a dance for the banquet.”

Everyone stared at me and the prince.

I realized that since Athena, the princess who was also the host was not here. The responsibility would now directly fall on the prince.

And because the prince, was escorting me, that would directly make me his partner for the dance.

But no one told me anything about this.

Everyone started to clap as if trying to welcome us to the stage and the opera began to play the music. The stage was all set.

The prince looked at me with a surprised look as if he did not expect it himself. He tried to control the people cheering.

“I think there’s still some time,…” The prince looked at me with a helpless look.

My eyes widened, in the crowd all that clapping and everyone’s attention suddenly ended up bringing a memory of my past life. And I could not help but think I could be in the wrong.

For some reason, I thought, if I stayed there I would become a burden and inconvenience the prince.

So, maybe it was just better for me to leave and disappear.

***

The prince knew that Alicia would never want to dance, as she had never done anything like that before.

So, instead, he tried to stall for time until his little sister Alice could come.

But while addressing the crowd, when he turned back Alicia was already gone by that time leaving him in dismay. By sensing the traces of magic, he remembered Alicia could use teleportation magic as well.

For a moment he couldn’t even think where he should go to find her in this situation.

But then, “Brother would you mind entertaining the guests here with me.” Alice suddenly appeared in front of Leon.

“But Alicia is…” Leon felt the need to quickly inform his sister about the current circumstances.

“It’s alright. I know. I did not imagine something like this would happen.” Alice reassured her brother.

The music started playing, and the prince and the princess were at the centre of the crowd.

The two started to dance together hand in hand, this not being their first time.

“Leon, I finally thought you would get to dance with another girl. But here I am doing this again.” Alice whispered to his brother.

Slowly sighing at her brother with a disappointed look, for failing to ask Alicia for a dance.

“I don’t have any excuses. And I think I made things much worse…” Leon quickly confessed. A bit confused and unable to realize why Alicia would leave without telling him.

“Focus on the dance.” Alice reminded his brother since people were watching.

“Was I that unreliable… I wanted to escort her while holding hands, but she didn’t even notice it.” Leon was much more disheartened than her own sister Alice could have expected.

The calm and cool brother, who didn’t take any interest in girls, just now suffered a heartbreak from her sister’s friend. Alice didn’t expect these turn of events at all.

While dancing Alice closed in, “It’s not that. She is just afraid to build close relationships with anyone because….” Alic stopped. “It’s something she has to overcome on her own.”

Leon didn’t exactly know what she meant by that, but he didn’t pry further. “I guess I have to work harder. She is so shy and bashful. I think I am going to have my hands completely filled.” Leon laughed, but his face did not smile.

While dancing Leon couldn’t help himself but ask. “But Alice you seem in a surly mood today.”

“And whose fault is that? I was hoping to give Alicia a huge surprise but now she ran away.”

“I am sorry. But can you go look after miss Alicia? I don’t think I would be able to help in this situation. So, let’s end this.” Leon once again apologized.

Bringing the dance to a close, the prince and princess bowed to each other while the audience clapped at their graceful dance performance.

“Just leave it to me.  I will go and get her back.”

***

What have I done? I shouldn’t have run away like this.

I didn’t even tell the prince that I was leaving. Would he be worried?

“I thought you would be here.”

I turned back and found Athena approaching, walking barefoot on the grass. Since her high heels could be difficult to walk on uneven grounds.

“Athena…” I was surprised she would come here when she would be so much busy taking care of the guests.

“This was the place we first came back together. So, of course, I knew. I still remember all the reports, that I heard that day of how soldiers rained from the sky.” Athena laughed.

“I am sorry. I shouldn’t have left when you worked hard so that I could enjoy myself at the party.” I knew why Athena was here.

“Don’t be it's all my brother’s fault. How dare Leon think he could dance with you. You should have just refused him if you didn’t want to.” Athena said in a stubborn voice as if I was supposed to act out like that.

“Wait, it's really not your brother’s fault. He was worried too, when everyone wanted me to dance out of the blue. I know none of them meant any ill will, but seeing them so excited I felt nervous. And I don’t know how to dance. It wouldn’t look good if I refused the prince of a kingdom to a dance when he had been so nice to me.”

“So, you are worried about him. I wonder how he will react when he hears this.” Athena and I by now had started to walk together.

The gravel pathway in the garden, leads to a fountain. The path for which had been brightly lit with candles for the occasion.

“I… I” I couldn’t bring myself what to say.

“Are you afraid? Until now it always looked like you had something on your mind, but since you came back you look so relaxed. So, what happened now?” Athena asked me.

“It’s something that happened in my past life. I was supposed to accompany my cousin sister to her school for a fest. But when she wanted me to do something for her in front of everyone, I couldn’t do it. And she said I was no longer the sister; she once knew. I can’t blame her. It was me who first forgot all about her when she was trying so hard for us to be together.” I still remember what my cousin told me. And I couldn’t even do anything to fix it.

“I see.” Athena continued listening.

“I thought I was going to make the same mistake again. So, I just disappeared before I could cause a problem for others. No one knows about me, so no one will miss me either.”

“If you are not there… then at least I would definitely be sad and I know a lot more people who would be too. I don’t know what will happen in the future. But I can promise you this, I will never leave you alone no matter what.”

“But don’t you have important things to attend at the party?” I asked just in case.

“I do but I am not going back, since I have to give a gift to you.”

I had never seen Athena being so adamant and positive. For a moment I felt so glad for her, that she was happily living here as a princess.

“What? But how can I go back like this, when I was the first one to clearly abandon the prince? What can I do for him in return when he was so good and kind to me?”

“Sachi.” Athena called me by my real name. “Thank you.”

“For what?” I did not understand where exactly Athena was coming from with this.

“For all the things that I can’t possibly count at the moment. And did I tell you that you look so gorgeous today!? Everyone should be just grateful that they even got to see and admire you.” Athena stopped and smiled at me.

“But that’s going too far. I didn’t do anything. So, thank you for organizing the banquet. I was really having fun.” I was genuinely happy.

“See, that’s what I was talking about, just say thank you and that will be enough to make him happy. You don’t need to do anything else, just you being there makes it special for us.”

“⸺Okay, I will do it.”

I had steeled my heart to go back. What I could not do in my past. This time I would go back and face everyone.

I teleported Athena and myself, in the corner of the banquet hall where no one could see us appearing.

But the prince quickly spotted us and came running.

“Miss Alicia. Thank goodness you are back. You don’t have to do anything you don’t like; just say the word and I will take care of it.” The prince looked worried.

I stifled with my hands. “Prince Leon.”

Here's a corrected version:

The prince suddenly looked at me with an alert expression and full attention as I repeated his name. As if he had been waiting for this for a long time.

“Leon, thank you for escorting me to the party. It was all new and exciting for me.”

“It’s my pleasure. It would be an honor to be your escort again.” The prince was not at all sickened by my actions. I would have never known until I tried to come back.

I looked back at Athena, and she carried me back to the center.

“I am finally going to give my surprise to you.”

“Right now... Here?” I wasn’t prepared nor could I make any guesses as to what Athena had prepared.

“Listen, everyone, I am happy to announce, that the Hart royal family has decided to grant my friend Alicia the title of baroness and the land of Oakhart. And finally, Alicia will also be participating in the Knights Selection ceremony of Valoria.” Athena looked the happiest when she made the announcement.

And between the loud cheers and claps of everyone, my befuddled inner voice screamed in desperate, unheard protest.

***

“Prince Izek.”

Men bulked up in knight’s suits followed behind a young man in silver-plated armor as they entered his office.

“Prince please listen to our request.”

“Yes, please. This is urgent.”

“Our honor rests on this, prince.”

Prince Izek had no choice but to turn and listen to the knights who had suddenly come to request an audience with him.

“Alright, so what’s this about.” The man in the highest position asked.

“It’s the Knight’s Selection Ceremony.”

The mere words ticked off the young man, as his eyes widened in anger like a hurt animal being made fun of for struggling to survive.

“Are you playing here with me, how dare you show up here after knowing that I had given up on participating in that ceremony long ago.” The young man whom everyone showed utmost respect in the room was currently the strongest knight in the kingdom of Valoria.

The sole reason even the elder knights respected by bowing to him was because no one could defeat him in a sword battle.

“We all knights are proud of our swordsmanship that we have honed for years in hopes for finding a master to whom we can dedicate our lives. But almost all the knights that have participated this year have lost to that impudent magician when she is only a girl.” One of the knights remarked.

“We are unable to do anything against her, and she had already scored twenty-eight victories against us knights. And we still haven’t figured out how she was able to defeat us.”

Everyone raised their concerns, handing out the match list to Izek. He carefully scrutinized the list. Spotting names of some strong fellow knights as well.

“So, even the magic swordsmen knights failed. And all the matches always got over in less than a minute.” Izek was surprised too to see such a thing happening.

“What are the chances, that this magician could be using a cheap trick?” Izek asked.

“We haven’t been able to identify that since everyone who got defeated was found unconscious and they don’t even know what hit them. Right now, they are all in the infirmary being healed by our magicians.” The other knights explained.

“Take me to them.” Izek prepared himself to move out, but still hadn’t made a decision to participate or not.

He thoroughly took a look at the defeated knights in the infirmary and their gear. But could not find anything solid to go through.

“Since the old master left, you young master are our only hope. So, please save the honor of the knights of Valoria.” The knights requested him.

“My brother has nothing to do with this. When is the next match scheduled?”

“It should start by the time, if we proceed to the colosseum now.” The knights informed Izek.

It was one thing to be defeated in battle, but without getting a chance to put up a fight or know how they got defeated was truly disparaging for them.

Now Izek was standing in the audience, along with the other senior knights.

“From what we have gathered, she is a magician and has recently joined the nobles in the Hart Kingdom as a baroness.”

“Isn’t it the same kingdom that just now avoided a war with an orc demon army?” Izek asked.

“That’s right.”

Izek focused on the fight which was about to start and the opponents entered the arena.

“She is just a child.” Izek remarked as the magician girl turned out to be quite different from what she was described to be.

“She is again wearing a mask. No one has seen her real face till yet. How dare she look down on us knights.”

“No, worries, the knight fighting her is none other than Sir Thaddeus, who is a renowned magic swordsman even in other kingdoms. I am sure he would be able to teach a good lesson to her.”

Izek did not care for the provocations or the bad-mouthing. He was completely focused on the fight that was about to begin.

“How is it that no one was able to learn what magic she used to defeat her opponent?” Izek asked again.

“That’s the problem. No one was able to see it and she did not break any rules either.”

The referee announced the match to be started by raising the flag signal.

And before anyone could blink their eyes. A blue colored dome covered the area where the knight and the girl stood.

No one could see through the blue barrier or hear what was happening inside.

And after a count of mere fifteen seconds, the dome was lifted.

But while the girl stood silently and unharmed, holding a wind fan in her hand.

The knight lay unconscious on the ground. It was again a repeat of the results of the previous matches.

“How could this happen?”

“I am sure there is some kind of trickery?”

“We will force it out of her if that is what it takes.”

The knights protested at the back.

“Where is your honor sir knights, if you are all going to gang up on a child when she is defenseless.” Izek sarcastically remarked.

“But…” Everyone was left speechless.

“I have decided to fight this one match and see for myself what magic the girl is using. Start the preparations.”

***

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