Kia led me back to the entrance hall, and we turned left into another long hallway. There were a bunch of paintings on the walls—landscapes, buildings, that sort of thing. Sometimes there was a door in between them. On the other side, tall windows looked out over the castle grounds. The whole place still felt kind of unreal, honestly. I just kept walking, trying to look like I belonged here, even though I definitely didn’t. I had no clue how far the dining hall was, and it was getting kind of awkward, so I thought maybe I should say something to Kia.
“Um, thanks for letting me stay here. I mean, your dad didn’t have to say yes, so… yeah. I appreciate it.”
Kia glanced over her shoulder at me and smiled.
“You do not need to thank me.”
“I guess I do. He didn’t really look happy about it or anything.”
She let out a small laugh.
“I would say that is a rather generous way of describing it.”
I chuckled.
“Honestly, if he’d said no, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”
Kia’s smile faded slightly.
“Neither do I.”
A brief silence passed between us.
“Although,” she added, “I suspect I would have managed to persuade him in the end. I can be rather persistent when I set my mind to something.”
“You mean you would’ve kept begging him?”
“Absolutely.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Why can I actually see that happening?”
“Well, it may not have been the most conventional approach, but it did work, did it not?”
“I suppose it did.”
For a moment, we continued walking in silence. Then a thought crossed my mind.
“Um, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“What’s your dad actually like?”
Kia’s expression changed ever so slightly.
“That is… not the easiest question to answer. If I had to describe him, I would say my father is a strict man, but a noble one. He has always placed the crown and its responsibilities above nearly everything else. Especially after—”
She paused for a moment and shook her head.
“No, never mind. That is not important right now. My father has faced his share of hardships, as has every ruler before him. Perhaps that is why he sometimes seems a bit difficult to approach.”
“Oh, I see.”
A few silent seconds passed.
“And what about your mom? If you don’t mind me asking?”
“My mother... she passed away a few years ago. Still, I am quite certain she would have been delighted to have you here.”
“Ah, sorry! I shouldn’t have brought her up.”
Kia made a gesture.
“I know you did not mean any harm by it.”
Before this moment could turn even more awkward, Kia stopped and turned towards a pair of doors to her side.
“We have arrived.”
She opened the doors and let me in. The room was huge. In the middle stood a long table covered with a fancy red tablecloth. Three giant, golden chandeliers hung overhead, lighting the room. On the wall opposite the entrance hung a large portrait of Kia’s dad, looking just as serious as he had earlier. Kia showed me to my seat, then checked the kitchen through a small door to my left. As soon as she entered, I heard pans clattering and someone shouting orders. The delicious smell hanging in the air made me even hungrier. Soon, Kia returned and sat down next to me.
“Dinner will arrive soon.”
Just as she said, a few minutes later, several servants came out of the kitchen, each pushing a trolley with silver trays. When they reached the table, they put the trays down and lifted the lids, showing the most delicious food I had ever seen—perfect cuts of meat, tasty salads, and golden-brown bread. There was so much to choose from that I struggled to decide where to start. But first, I pressed my hands together and said:
“Itadakimasu!”
I started poking at the food, not really sure where to start. Kia was already eating, and she looked way more comfortable than I did. I noticed a bowl of meatballs in some kind of sauce, so I grabbed one with my fork and took a bite. It was actually really good—tender and juicy, with a sauce that was kind of sweet. I guess I got a little carried away because, before I knew it, I was just shoveling meatballs into my mouth.
That sounds weird. I probably shouldn’t say it like that.
“I hope the food is to your liking.”
I turned around and noticed an old man dressed in a chef’s uniform standing behind Kia. He had a white beard, dark brown eyes, and a wrinkled face.
“This is absolutely wonderful! You have truly outdone yourself again, Luzel,” Kia said.
“You flatter me too much, My Lady.”
She turned towards me.
“Shako, please meet Alberius Luzel, our head chef.”
The chef placed his hand on his chest and made a slight bow.
“It is a pleasure meeting you. When Lady Kia told me she had brought a guest over, I was shocked. Had I known in advance, I would have prepared more food immediately.”
“Sorry for showing up out of nowhere and causing trouble. I didn’t mean to make things difficult,” I replied, trying to make him feel better. But Mr. Luzel shook his head and answered:
“There is no need to apologize. On the contrary, it only motivates me to have more people be able to enjoy my dishes.”
“Your dishes?” Kia responded sharply.
“Ahem. I meant my team’s dishes.”
“I know,” Kia said calmly. “I was joking.”
“I know, but a bit of whimsy never hurt anyone, did it?”
“Perhaps not.”
They both started laughing at once. I just smiled and watched them. Even though they were supposed to be, you know, princess and head chef, they actually seemed pretty close. Mr. Luzel talked to Kia more like a friend than someone who worked for her, and she didn’t seem to mind. I thought that was kind of nice.
“Well then, I shall let you two return to your dinner. May you have a wonderful meal.”
With a polite nod, Mr. Luzel turned around and headed back toward the kitchen. Once he was gone, Kia and I continued eating.
“Does everyone here get along like that?”
Kia looked at me with a slightly puzzled expression.
“Like what?”
“Like, with you and Mr. Luzel. You’re a princess, so… I kind of thought he’d act more formal or something.”
Kia let out a quiet laugh.
“Ah, you mean that.”
She rested her cheek against one hand and thought for a moment.
“I suppose it depends on the person. Most of the castle staff are rather formal around me, especially when we first meet. However, after spending enough time together, I would prefer that they treat me like a normal person.”
“Even though you’re royalty?”
“Even then.”
I looked around the dining hall.
“So you don’t mind if people joke around with you?”
“Not at all. In fact, I would find it rather unpleasant if everyone constantly treated me as though I were some distant figure they could not speak freely around.”
“That actually makes sense.”
I took another bite of my food.
“Where I’m from, people just talk to each other like normal. I’m still not really used to all this royalty stuff.”
Kia smiled.
“You seem to be adapting rather quickly.”
“I don’t know about that.”
I glanced down at my plate.
“I mean, I did just casually ask your dad if I could work here after finding out he didn’t want me staying for free.”
Kia covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
“Yes, I must admit, I did not expect that at all.”
“I didn’t even think before I said it.”
“I could tell.”
“Hey, you don’t have to remind me.”
She laughed again. For some reason, hearing her laugh put me at ease. When I first met her, she seemed so mysterious. I’d woken up in a cave, somehow alive despite remembering that I had died, and the first person I encountered was a girl carrying a sword that could burst into flames. Now, somehow, I was sitting across from that same girl, having dinner with her like it was the most normal thing in the world. I still had no idea what was going on. But at least I wasn’t alone anymore.
“So…” I started.
Kia looked up.
“What is it?”
“What’s it actually like, living here?”
“In the castle?”
“Yeah.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“What would you like to know?”
“Pretty much everything, I guess.”
Kia smiled.
“That is rather broad.”
“Okay then…”
I thought for a moment.
“What do you usually do all day?”
“My days vary quite a bit. There are lessons, meetings, training, and occasionally matters that require my attention as a member of the royal family.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
“It can be, at times.”
She paused before continuing.
“But it is not always so serious. I have free time as well.”
“You do?”
“Of course.”
I looked at her skeptically.
“You?”
“Yes, me. How else do you think I was able to find you?”
“Yeah, you’re right. Still, you kind of seem like the type who’d spend every second training with that sword.”
Kia raised an eyebrow.
“And what gave you that impression?”
“I mean, you’re carrying a sword that can literally catch fire.”
She looked down at the weapon resting beside her.
“Well, when you put it like that…”
She chuckled.
“I do enjoy training, but I would hardly spend my entire day doing it.”
“So, what do you do when you’re not training?”
“I read quite often. Sometimes I walk around the castle grounds. I speak with the servants, visit the kitchens, or simply spend time with my father.”
“You’re pretty close with him, huh?”
Kia’s expression softened.
“Yes, we are. Although, I imagine it may not have seemed that way when you first met him.”
There was a brief pause.
“He can be rather strict, as you have probably noticed.”
“Yeah, that’s putting it lightly.”
Kia smiled.
“But he cares deeply about this kingdom. Sometimes, I believe he cares so much that he forgets to show it.”
I remembered the conversation in the throne room. Her father’s words had been harsh, but something lay beneath them. He hadn’t simply thrown me out. He listened, questioned Kia’s decision, and eventually let me stay.
“Yeah,” I said. “I think I understand what you mean.”
Kia looked at me curiously.
“You do?”
“He didn’t seem like he actually wanted to throw me out, well, at least not immediately.”
She seemed surprised by my answer.
“And what makes you say that?”
“To me,” I paused, searching for the right words. “I mean, it kind of sounded like he just wanted to make sure you weren’t making a decision without thinking about what might happen.”
Kia stared at me for a moment before smiling.
“Perhaps you understand him better than I expected.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
She picked up her glass and took a small sip.
“My father has always believed that being a ruler means putting the needs of the kingdom before your own feelings. I do not always agree with him.”
“Is it because you’re more… compassionate or something?”
“I suppose you could put it that way.”
She placed the glass back on the table.
“Nevertheless, I have come to realize he is not entirely wrong. Being a ruler means you cannot always help everyone who asks for it. Every decision has consequences, and sometimes you must consider what is best for the kingdom, even if it means saying no to someone who truly needs help.”
She paused and let out a small sigh.
“I still believe that kindness is important. I simply understand now that kindness alone does not always suffice.”
I nodded slowly. That made me think about what she had said earlier.
“So… is everyone here treated well?”
Kia’s expression became a little more serious.
“Yes. My father expects the castle to be orderly, but he does not permit the staff to be mistreated. They are people, not tools.”
“That’s good.”
“Most of the staff have worked here for many years. Some have even been here since before I was born.”
“Wait, seriously?”
“Yes.”
“I guess that explains why everyone seems so comfortable around you.”
“Exactly.”
I looked toward the doorway leading into the kitchen.
“So Mr. Luzel’s been here for that long?”
“He has.”
“Then I guess you two have known each other for ages.”
Kia smiled.
“I have known him for nearly my entire life.”
“That explains a lot.”
“What do you mean?”
“You two were arguing like an old married couple.”
Kia nearly choked on her drink.
“What did you say?!”
I immediately realized what I had said.
“Wait, that… that came out wrong.”
She stared at me in disbelief before bursting into laughter.
“I certainly hope you do not say things like that to everyone you meet.”
“I don’t!”
“Good.”
She was still laughing as she wiped a small tear from the corner of her eye.
“You really are an interesting person, Shako.”
I paused. It was the first time she had said my name so casually.
“Interesting?”
“Yes.”
“Uh, is that supposed to be a compliment?”
“I meant it as one.”
“Well… thanks, I guess.”
For a moment, neither of us said anything. Then Kia leaned back slightly in her chair.
“You know, you seem much more relaxed than when we first met.”
I stopped eating.
“Do I?”
“You do.”
She smiled gently.
“When I found you in the cave, you looked completely lost. You were frightened, confused, and clearly had no idea where you were.”
“I still don’t.”
“I know.”
There was something almost apologetic in her voice.
“But at least now you have somewhere to stay.”
I looked down at my plate.
“Yeah.”
Thinking about it made me feel kind of warm inside. When I first woke up, I really thought I was completely alone. I didn’t know where I was, or why I was even alive, or what had happened. Now I had a place to sleep. Food. People who actually wanted to help me. And, maybe most important, someone I could actually talk to. I wasn’t sure I deserved any of it, but I was grateful anyway.
“Thanks, Kia. Really.”
“For what?”
“For, you know, everything.”
I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly feeling awkward.
“You found me, brought me here, convinced your dad to let me stay…”
I hesitated.
“And you’ve been putting up with all my stupid questions.”
Kia smiled.
“Your questions are not stupid.”
“They probably are.”
“They are merely… numerous.”
I laughed.
“Okay, I’ll take that.”
She smiled back.
“You do not need to thank me, Shako. I am simply glad that I was able to help.”
I nodded. For the first time since waking up in that cave, I felt like I might actually be okay. Not completely okay. There were still way too many questions. Why was I alive? What happened to me? And what did Lucifer even do? I didn’t have any answers. But maybe I didn’t need all of them tonight. Right now, I was sitting in a warm dining hall, eating real food, with someone I could trust sitting beside me. That was enough. At least for now.
After we finished eating, Kia said she’d show me to my room. We walked down this really long hallway—again—and then up some spiral stairs. Of course, at the top, another hallway was waiting for us. Honestly, I was already lost.
There’s no way I’ll ever figure out where anything is in this place.
Luckily, we didn’t have to walk much farther before we stopped at a door with a golden nameplate. It said:
GUEST BEDROOM.
“Please do not pay any mind to the plaque on the door. I will see to it that it is changed as soon as possible.”
Kia opened the door, and I just kind of stood there for a second. Calling the room ‘spacious’ didn’t really do it justice. There was a huge bed—way too big for one person—plus a bunch of bookcases, drawers, and a desk that looked like it belonged to someone important. Even with all that, there was still plenty of space to walk around. A red carpet with gold edges covered the floor, and a small lamp hung from the ceiling, making everything look warm and fancy.
“Wow… ”
Kia showed me the bathroom next. Yeah, I actually had my own bathroom. The floor and walls were all black-and-white tiles, which looked kind of cool, but the bathtub at the end of the room really got me. It was huge. I’m pretty sure you could fit four people in there. Maybe even five, if they didn’t mind being squished.
“Is this really all mine?”
“Yes. You are free to use anything in the room.”
I just kept staring at the bathtub for a while. This whole place was kind of ridiculous. After Kia finished showing me around, I flopped down on the bed. I hadn’t realized how tired I was until then. Today had been… a lot.
“So, does this room meet all your needs?” Kia asked.
“This is more than I could ask for. Thank you so much, Kia!”
“I am glad to hear that.”
She sat down beside me on the bed.
“I still have some time before I must leave. If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them. What would you like to know first?”
“Well, first… how do you even set your sword on fire?”
She glanced at the sword resting beside her and remained silent for a few seconds. Then she turned back towards me with a smile.
“Would you mind terribly if I explained that to you tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow?”
“It would be much easier to show you than to explain it. Unfortunately, this is not the best place for a demonstration.”
“Fair enough.”
I thought for a moment.
“Do you know how I even got here? I mean, to Fira?”
Kia shook her head.
“No, I’m afraid I do not.”
I sighed. I thought long and hard about what to ask next. There were so many things I wanted answers to that I didn’t even know where to begin.
“I guess… I also kind of want to know how I’m still alive after Lucifer killed me.”
Kia’s expression became more serious.
“I promised I would tell you that, did I not?”
I nodded.
“Well, to keep it brief, it has to do with something we Firans call The Flow of Life.”
“The Flow of Life?”
“Yes. It is an energy that exists within every living being. It is what allows life to continue within us.”
She paused for a moment, making sure I was following.
“The Flow of Life consists of three parts, which we call Life Spots. They are located within the brain, heart, and diaphragm. As long as even one of these Life Spots remains intact, a person can still recover from injuries that would otherwise be fatal.”
“So… I wasn’t really dead?”
“You were–but not fully.”
She looked at me carefully before continuing.
“To truly die, all three Life Spots must be destroyed simultaneously. If that does not happen, the Flow of Life will eventually repair the damage and restore the body.”
I slowly looked down at my hands.
“So that’s why I’m alive…”
“Precisely.”
I sat there in silence for a moment, trying to wrap my head around it.
“A world where you can’t die, huh…?”
Kia let out a quiet, pained chuckle.
“It is both a blessing and a curse.”
“A curse? How?”
Her smile faded slightly.
“Because not being able to die does not mean being unable to suffer.”
I didn’t know what to say. Just thinking about it—getting hurt like that and still remembering all the pain—made my stomach twist a little. Maybe living forever wasn’t as great as it sounded.
“Well then, I think it is best if we leave it at that. I reckon you must be feeling pretty tired right now. Take some much-needed rest, and I will see you tomorrow morning.”
Kia stood up and left, and I just lay there for a bit, staring at the ceiling. Eventually, I dragged myself to the bathroom. When I turned on the tub valve, Ignis started pouring out. I got undressed and waited for the tub to fill, then poked my toes in, just to make sure it wasn’t, you know, actual lava or something. It wasn’t. The bath felt really nice, actually. I could see why Kia liked it. For a while, it felt like all the stuff I’d been worrying about was just floating away.
“Ah, this is exactly what I needed.”
I lost track of time in the bath. It could’ve been half an hour, or maybe a lot longer. I wasn’t really in a hurry to check. When I finally got out, I dried off, pulled on underwear, brushed my teeth, and dove straight into bed.