Chapter 50
Eva Lemuria
I finally make it back to the castle after that weird encounter with the girl I saved long ago. I don't hate her because I was the one who saved her and it wasn't really her fault. I just don't like seeing her because of the memories that she brings up. I remember the day I felt my whole life turn upside down and my dark life began. I try to stop think about Summer for now as I make my way to my room so I can relax till I go to bed. I had entered the side gate of the castle as usual so I was more low key, but I still see the maids look my way and then run away. I don't believe I have ever done anything to the maids so I don't know why they runaway from me now. I know I look disgusting to them because of my hair and eyes, but they used to just look away. Now they seem to fear for their lives, but I feel as if they're not afraid of me, but something else. I look over to Munin on my shoulder.
“Do you know why they are avoiding me like a plague? Or are they avoiding you? Are you dirty?”
“Squawk!” Munin
Munin shakes her head in denial and then make a very offended look. It seems she considers herself to be very clean because of the occasional bath that I give her. I think tomorrow I will get a low ranked quest just for her. I want to see if the adventures guild would let me register her. I cant stop myself from smiling under my mask as I thing of Munin being a 4th or 5th tier adventurer. I wonder if any adventurers will come pick a fight with her like they did with me when I joined.
I finally make it back to my room and enter, but when I do my danger senses scream at me to runaway. I was about to run back out the door, but when I turned around Julie was blocking the door. I look around my room to survey the situation and look for any escape routes. I spot Mother sitting in a chair with an ignorant Anne in her lap and then I look at Saras standing next to Mother with her head down while holding the sword I gave her tightly to her chest. Saras looks up and gives an apologetic smile before looking back down. I look at the windows that have all been shut and also seem to have a little condensation outside which I am sure Mother set up before hand. I refocus on mother who is looking at me while playing with Anne’s cheeks.
“Eva can you explain why we found your new maid in the training grounds trying to swing a sword instead of following you? She's supposed to be your maid and not a soldier.” Mother
“If she's going to be following me around without her dragon form she needs to be strong so I was generous enough to give her a very nice weapon I looted from a fallen enemy so she can get stronger.”
“Thats nice and all, but how do you expect an ignorant dragon to learn how to use a weapon that even you would have to figure out how to use. Clearly you are trying to leave her behind whenever you go out and do something that requires fighting. With you that would probably be almost everyday! Eva I want her with you always and if you want her to be stronger you can train her yourself. Think of it this way if you can teach her you would probably get stronger yourself. So from now on she goes everywhere with you and if you want her to fight you will have to teach her. You have already done something similar to Munin there on your shoulder. If you can teach a bird how to fight I am sure you could also teach a dragon how to fight.” Mother
“Mother you cant compare the two. One of them is a natural born fighter while the other is not. Look at Munin she's been with me since she's been born and she can even use my magic. The two cant be compared.”
"Am I really ranked less than Munin in fighting strength here? I still have my bodies natural constitution. I am definitely strong magically and physically even without one my hearts. And when my second one finishes growing back I will be even stronger. Eva I will slowly learn as I follow you. I promise I wont get in your way or interfere in your affairs.” Saras
“I dont think I have a choice either way, but I already know you will be nothing but trouble. For now I will go take a bath. Alone! Then I plan on going to talk to father about some things.”
Before I can walk to far away I feel a strong grip on my shoulder. I look behind me and see my mother looking at me with some anger. I don't know why she is so angry or how she moved so fast. I think she might have started training again to keep up with me.
“Eva how about we both go and see your father so you can tell both of us about these “things” that you are talking about. I know you don't want to just tell your father and that you were planning on telling me later but lets just go together.” Mother
After that I could only nod my head as Mother led the way to Fathers office. The maids all bowed to my mother as we passed them, but then their faces paled when they saw me. I still cant understand how the faces that were a mix of fear and disgust have turned into just fear now. I wish I could ask them, but they run away if I ever get to close to them. I decide to turn to the maids who don't run away. I look at the pervert and dragon maids.
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“Why are the maids so afraid of me right now? They were afraid before, but they were mostly disgusted. What has changed?”
“I don’t kn…” Saras
“Its simple Princess, the maids asked how the crater in the abandoned courtyard was made and your mother answered them. She told them that you were upset at a certain maid that slighted you and the crater is the result. Obviously we couldn't tell them the whole truth and luckily most didn't see everything since the courtyard was abandoned anyway.” Julie
I look at my mother and wonder why she used that as the lie. She probably could have said almost anything else, but instead she made it seem like I am a cruel monster that will crush the maids. I guess they will listen to what I say now although it is mostly out of fear. I just look at the maids we pass with a calm expression as they keep their heads lowered. I think I even see some of them have sweat on their foreheads.
We eventually reach my fathers office and without knocking my mother directly enters the room. We find my father is casually sitting at his desk while watching us all enter. Once everyone is inside the room my father waves his hand and a shadow guard jumps though the window next to Father.
“Hah you interrupted a report honey. Can you please knock for once so the shadow guards wont jump out the window to hide all the time? Or wait for them to finish their reports?” Father
“It can wait Eva has something to tell us for now so lets Both listen to her. I think we should both listen to the “things” she has to say and then we can hear the shadow guards report. Now Eva lets hear about these “things”” Mother
I sigh before I proceed to tell everyone in the room about Summer and her offer for me to come to her kingdom. There are several problems with this with include the fact that she approached me like this instead of coming to the castle with this offer. It could be because she wants me to have this decision alone since it is my life or it could be because she doesn't want my parents to know because theres something suspicious about it. Another problem is the fact that they think I am a mana mutant in another country and want to recruit me even though I am still a princess of another kingdom. I don’t even know how much they know about me. Do they think I am a mana mutant just because of my hair and eyes or do they know about my scales as well? The last problem is the fact that Summer is still alive and sane. If the Kaiser Kingdom has really found a cure for mana mutants then they will have a powerful force in the future. Summer seems to have been cured, but she still has her beast features and probably the strength that comes with them. If all the mana mutants go to the Kaiser Kingdom and get cured then they can slowly form a large and powerful army. We discuss all these things for a while before I become tired of it and point towards the shadow guard who has kept his presence low to wait patiently.
“Lets put this on hold until we can get more information. For now lets here what he has to say so that we can move one. I still want to take a bath and relax because I will be busy from tomorrow on.”
“Eva is right. So what do you have to report now?” Father
“Your majesty our leader Shadow has awoken and has requested to speak to you and Princess Eva. We told him to wait where he is for now and I have come to get you to decide if you would like to see him now and if you would like to bring Princess Eva.” Shadow Guard
“We will go right now and I think everyone here wishes to go as well.” Father
Farther looks at Mother and I so we both nod our heads and follow behind fathers as he makes his way towards the dungeon. To be honest Father is moving very slow because of his injury and I do feel a little anxious, but I know I can’t rush him because this is not his fault. He hasn’t said anything about his condition, but we know Father is getting older with each passing day. We know that he is very worried about the direction the world is heading and wants to work towards an easier life so George does not have to worry about these things when he is the ruler. Soon we reach the dungeon entrance and we all enter to find a few shadow guards standing outside one of the cells talking to Shadow. Shadow sees us and despite his injuries stands up and bows towards us.
“Your majesties and princesses I am sorry for the things I have done recently. I was on a mission in a neighboring kingdom a couple of months ago and a woman in a cloak that seemed to be able to control plants captured me before hammering that white nail into my chest. After that it is a little fuzzy, but I know she did order me to create chaos in the kingdom and to capture Princess Eva alive for her. I don’t know what she planned after that since she told me to simply leave. Then the only thing that I believe that I did that was suspicious was giving the order to capture the Princess. I cant remember everything because it was all a little hazy. It is probably better to just have the shadow guards trace all my past orders for now.” Shadow
“I understand. For now please rest and recover so you can come back to the shadow guards. I am sure you are yourself now since Eva has reacted to you and her senses for these nails seem to be very sharp. Everyone is safe and we have learned that this mysterious enemy wants Eva alive for some reason. Eva be safe with whatever you do from now on. I know that you are to free spirited to be stuck in this castle so the only thing I can ask of you is to be safe.” Father
“I will be safe so do not worry. Tomorrow I plan to take a rank up test at the adventures guild to test my strength and then if I have time I will probably take a request. I will also take the lizard maid with me since its what mother wants.”
“Ok then for now you should go rest up while I ask your mother why a prisoner is following you in a maid dress.” Father
“I guess Mother doesn’t share as well. Shadow rest well. We still need you and you will probably be the best person to fix anything you might have messed up.”
Shadow nods his head while looking at me with a gentle face. It’s different from before because theres no ominous feeling coming from his chest. I look at my father who is angrily glaring at my mother who is just smiling while looking at me. She is even holding the sleeping Anne that Julie was holding earlier. Mother is very sly it seems and is constantly going at her own pace. I turn around and leave as quickly as I can to avoid any trouble that will rise from my parents. Mother will probably be wrapped up for a while so I can probably go take a bath peacefully. I reach the baths rather quickly and I order Saras to stand outside and not let anyone else come in. She seemed disheartened, but I couldn’t bother to ask why. I took a relaxing bath while giving Munin a quick wash as well. After that I went to my room and ignored the lonely looking dragon as I simply went to bed.