“Y-YOU A-ARE A P-PRINCESS?!”
Kia crossed her arms in pride.
“Not just any princess, but THE princess of Elysium. You would do well to remember that fact.”
She lifted her head and proudly puffed out her nose. So, all this time I was walking next to someone royal. And even worse, I made her take care of me like I was a child. I really wanted to hide and disappear.
“I-If I had known, I… ”
I wanted to say I would have helped more, but I knew that wasn’t true. She had shown me many times she could manage without me. Especially after she beat that Heldebeast, I realized it clearly. Also, I didn’t know anything about this world. How could someone as useless as me help her?
“Is everything alright, Shako? You look a bit sad.”
With no idea how to respond, I shrugged my shoulders in fatigue.
“I simply can’t help but feel so useless. Not only have I died once, but twice. And both times, there was nothing I could do to prevent it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very thankful that you found and decided to help me, but once we encountered that Heldebeast, I couldn’t even move my feet. I—I…”
I didn’t know what to say. Maybe because there was nothing else to say. A small sigh escaped Kia’s lips.
“Shako, please look at me.”
I kept my face down. I was too afraid to look her in the eyes. Why? To see disappointment, anger, or maybe both. I felt bad that she had to spend time caring for someone like me. I wished this had never happened. Suddenly, I felt two gentle hands hold my face.
“Shako, I do not know all the things you experienced before we met, nor will I try to let you tell me, but what I do know is this: you are not useless. In fact, I quite enjoyed our time so far.”
“You mean that?”
She placed her hand on her heart.
“On my title as Princess of Elysium. You simply need to be more confident in yourself. Thankfully, that is something we can work on.”
After that, Kia said we should go inside. I followed her through the gate and into the gardens. Colorful flowers and plants covered the grass, and butterflies and other bugs flew around. A little further ahead was a fountain that sprayed Ignis. I was still a bit scared because it looked like lava, so I stayed back. We walked to the main entrance where two guards stood. When they saw Kia coming, they turned and opened the door for us.
“Welcome back, Lady Kia!” they shouted in unison.
We went inside and walked down a long hallway. A red carpet covered the floor, the walls were lined with beautiful paintings, and small chandeliers hung from the ceiling, lighting the room. Marble statues were also placed along both sides of the hallway.
“Y-Your family has a unique taste. Ah, I didn’t mean to be rude!”
Kia let out a faint chuckle.
“Do not worry. Most people tend to say something similar the first time they arrive here.”
A minute later, we reached the main hall. Maids and butlers, wearing Victorian-style clothes, were busy doing many tasks like dusting paintings, sweeping floors, and watering plants. One maid in the center was giving orders to the others. When Kia approached, the maid noticed her and gave a graceful bow.
“Lady Kia. I am relieved to see you have returned home safely. My heart can finally be at ease now that I know you are unharmed.”
The maid looked about my age. She was a bit taller, slim, with short black hair. Her bright violet eyes caught my attention, especially with purple eyeshadow around them. She also had a light blush on her cheeks, which made her pale skin look less… ghostly.
“Thank you, Astress. It seems you and the others have been hard at work during my absence.”
Her eyes shifted to me.
“I see you brought someone with you?”
The maid turned towards me and said:
“My name is Astress Belluvi. It is nice to make your acquaintance.”
Before I had a chance to answer myself, Kia answered for me.
“His name is Shako, and he is a guest of mine. I found him lying unconscious inside Sharp Peak.”
The maid squinted her eyes, looking somewhat confused at Kia.
“I see. That is unfortunate indeed. However, what possessed you to bring him here?”
“Well, I kind of… promised he could stay here for the night. Apparently, he has nowhere else to go to.”
If Kia wanted to make me look like a freak, she was doing a great job. The way she spoke made her story sound as believable as saying the Earth is flat. I wanted to explain my side, but Kia gave me a look that said no. Meanwhile, Astress was staring me up and down, her sharp eyes scanning my whole body.
“*Sigh* You really take after your mother sometimes. Fine, I will refrain from questioning the boy’s presence here any further. Just promise me that he will not cause any trouble.”
A troublemaker? Me?! You realize I’m standing right here, right? If you have a problem with me, just say so. My anger only lasted a few seconds, however, before a messenger interrupted us:
“Lady Kia, I am here to relay the wish of His Majesty to speak to you. He will be expecting you at the throne room.”
The joy on Kia’s face quickly disappeared as she let out a heavy sigh.
“Kia?”
I wanted to ask what was going on, but I hesitated.
“Shako, would you mind coming along with me?”
“Not at all, but where are we going?”
“To see my father, the king of Elysium.”
She led me to the other side of the room, where there was another long hallway. As we walked, I kept thinking about Kia’s talk with Astress. Something about it bothered me.
“Why didn’t you tell her that I’m not from this world? Wouldn’t that have made things easier?”
For a moment she stayed silent.
“That is… quite the heavy topic between these walls. Some things happened here that most people wish to forget. Therefore, I ask you not to tell anyone else about it.”
“Hold on! Does that mean that I’m not the first other-worlder to have come here?”
Kia let out a happy chuckle.
“Other-worlder? What a peculiar phrase. But indeed, you are not the first Wanderer who has come to Fira.”
“Wanderer? Is that what you guys call people like me?”
Kia nodded firmly. I took a few seconds to let everything sink in.
“Is that also why you believed me so quickly back at Sharp Peak, when I told you that I wasn’t from here?”
“Mostly, yes. Although most people can fabricate a lie like that and make it sound somewhat believable. I am not that gullible; I will let you know.”
“Then what else made you believe me?”
She looked my way teasingly.
“That you have to find out for yourself.”
We reached a pair of huge doors. They were gold-colored and decorated with gemstones and silver-leaf designs.
“For now, if you could act as if you lost your memories instead, that would probably be the best solution.”
Even though they were big, Kia walked up and pushed the doors open easily. A loud screech echoed through the hallway. My heart was pounding as we entered the room.