“In any case, Miss Daisy, we cannot act upon your wishes. It may coincide with a goal of mine and Alstroe but we’ve got priorities.”

“Is…that so?”

She suddenly sprouted a sad and dismayed countenance while looking down. Her rounded fluffy ear droops. It’s already commendable that she doesn’t raise a fuss about it but even how much she sulk, I cannot do anything.

I’ve already taken the job of city inspection first and I don’t want to disappoint Fon. This is what Miss Cecille is here for anyway.

KNOCK

KNOCK

Following the knocking sound that came from the door that has just opened, Violetta reveals herself before us and entered the room.

She lightly bowed at Daisy with a wry smile.

“Was the confectioneries to your liking, Miss Daisy?”

“Yes! They were quite satisfactory, however, I might be taking my leave earlier than expected.”

“Hmm? What could be the problem?”

“You see…”

Daisy recounted her purpose of visit to Violetta who listened with a gentle smile on her face. Contrary to her sullen expression earlier, Daisy’s tone sounded like she is appealing to Violetta to do something but she is doing it subtly.

But it was bad as her intentions are leaking out.

After several minutes…

“And, what’s your real purpose for seeking a master of Ki? Surely it is not just because Beast Queen Higanbana spoke of it, right?”

“That’s…”

“Miss Daisy, I’ll be blunt, we shall not cater to your selfishness. You are not in your territory and what Asagao showed up until now is courtesy. For us to show you the extent of our helping hands, we must first know your true intentions.”

“Umm…”

“Your further silence will only bring you shame.”

“I get it! Okay, fine, I’ll cough it up!”

As expected of Violetta, she was able to easily coerced Daisy into spilling her motive. Although the person of subject showed reluctance, it is inevitable not to talk since we are giving her an option or a consideration.

“You see, I’m really, really poor at using magic!”

“Isn’t that a common story among Beast Kin? Well, especially in your family who excels in physical combat.”

“I know! I know that but, it’s like you are comparing me with my brothers! All of them is an idiot and even a brain-dead is better at a conversation than them!”

Daisy shouted furiously with a reddish face. It seems she honestly don’t like being compared to them but there’s no one in this room that are actually doing that…

“The reason my father, King Folga Aestasia cannot choose the next heir to the throne because he deemed none of us siblings that fit as a ruler! It was heaven sent that Beast Queen Higanbana, although her position is temporarily revoked, has taken it before any of my brothers!”

“Are you not angry that you are not chosen?”

“No, absolutely not! In fact, I want to serve under, no, beside Beast Queen Higanbana in the future and serve my people! But, even if I desire to, I am…quite weak.”

“So, because you lack the ability in the field of magic that you want to learn the Arts of Ki, right?”

“That’s right! I am here in your presence because I wanted to gain anything just to become fit of Beast Queen Higanbana’s aide!”

That’s really amazing.

For Higan to gain a loyal follower like her, she must be really held in high regards.

However, it’s unpleasant. I don’t like what I am feeling right now but I must at least lay down this kind of fact to her. So for that matter, I voice out this frustration.

“You are saying that you want to serve Beast Queen Higanbana because you found her amazing, right?”

“Yes! Because unlike anyone in my siblings, she, who is unrelated, is the best!”

“You say that now because you’ve seen what she is capable of but, where are you when she felt lonely and unable to cope with her sadness when she was younger.”

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“Eh…what…are you saying?”

Violetta flinched from the sudden change in my tone but, nonetheless, made no attempt to stop me from voicing out my thoughts.

Daisy is clearly shaken.

“What do you see in Higan?! Do you want to serve her now because you can only see it as convenient?”

“I don’t comprehend your words…”

“A year ago, Higan froze her own emotions and sealed every sadness in her heart. She continuously endured the pain of loss until I met her. I’m not saying that I want to be possessive of her but, I don’t want you claiming that you are fit to be her aide even after gaining what you need when you don’t know the first lesson of her life.”

“That’s…that’s…”

“She recently learned how to move on from the death of her father. Yet, you are unknowing of her circumstances.”

“I…I don’t know…! Even if you tell me this, I haven’t met her sooner than when she returned back.”

“No more excuses.”

“Uhh…”

Did I push her too hard?

I don’t blame her or anything. It’s not her fault if she doesn’t know of Higan’s circumstances before and I bet Higan herself don’t want anyone unrelated knowing about it.

But if she wants to be Higan’s future aide, then she must at least know how heavy the weight of being one. I want her to learn that Higan is more than what meets the eyes.

It’s not my intention to push Daisy to tears with trembling shoulders.

I want to pat her head and hug her to comfiness but, I have to stand on my ground and let her know that she needs to be true to her words and follow this path without faltering on that resolve.

Ahh…!

It’s like I’m giving a trial to her and testing her resolve!

Look how I’ve grown!

“I’m sorry…I’m sorry…I guess I’ll just quit…”

Wait…

Wait!

That’s not what I am expecting to hear!

Daisy said with teary eyes and crumbling countenance to vexation. I started wondering if this is just too heavy for someone like her.

“Why stop now? You are already here. For the daughter of King Folga, you are brave enough to venture out here. You can further do great things if you steel your heart.”

Violetta carried on the conversation as with a caring tone as she gets on one knee and looks Daisy at eye level.

“Is that so?”

“That is so. You want to become better than your brothers, right? Becoming someone great, you shouldn’t stop here. Trials are ahead, mistakes are inevitable, and emotional struggles lies on that road, however, aren’t you Daisy Aestasia? King Folga’s daughter.”

“Oooh? Does that mean that Miss Sage sees something great in me?”

“S-Sage…? Ah, uh, I mean yes, there’s something in your eyes that divides you from normal people and you are to achieve something worth noting down in the history.”

“Oh?! OHH?! Right, even the sage sees something great in me! Umu, you are certainly right! If I get shaken here, how could I hold on to my future! I am here to become stronger for Beast Queen Higanbana!”

So easy…

Just to be easily persuaded by Violetta’s sugarcoated words…

“Hahaha! You heard that, Miss Asagao?! The sage sees me in a positive light!”

“Yes, yes!~”

“Why are you smiling?”

“Nothing, nothing. By the way, even if you resolve yourself back, the fact is that we cannot adhere to what you want to happen.”

“Uhh…”

“Don’t cry…”

“I am not going to!”

This girl!~

Anyway, what I said is the fact.

Unless…the reason Violetta barges here is…

“Is that all, Asagao? Then leave it to me. I’ll talk this one out with King Ashfon.”

“No…this is my job…”

“Hmm? Then I have a suggestion. Why not start the city inspection right now? I shall send you to the city which where ki Master lives.”

She directed her sight to Miss Cecille who immediately got up from her seat and gave a courteous bow.

“The Temple of the Ki Master Tzari is located on a snowy mountain. The mountain’s name is Alfen and the nearest settlement is a fairly large town called Feirr Town. It’s located at the most northeastern of the continent so that’s why the temperature there is relatively low.”

“I see, thank you for the information, Miss Cecille. Please, see to it that Asagao shall do her work properly and at the same time, guide them towards the temple. I shall hand you enough funds and after the work is that, you shall be handsomely rewarded.

“I am honored.”

“Do you want a land?”

“No! Wait, that’s…I mean, I haven’t done anything to warrant such property.”

“I’m just teasing you, however, if you truly desire it, then I’ll give it a consideration.”

“I am plenty satisfied with what I have. As long as I can work, I am fulfilled.”

With quite an exchange, albeit a little tired, Miss Cecille declined what Violetta is offering her. I do think that Miss Cecille is capable of a lot of things so making her manage or even own a land is not a big deal. Well, the only problem is that she is not a noble so she can only be granted a rank up to Marquis or something.

“With that, Asagao, your first destination for today is Feirr Town. I shall take my leave and inform King Ashfon about it.”

“I see. Please watch over my brother for me. I don’t think he has the courage too but we don’t know, he might do something to Topaz and Mimi.”

“If that ever happens, the first one who will lay down a punishment for him is me.”

“Wait!”

Daisy immediately intervenes our conversation with a perplexed countenance.

“Does that mean that you will take me there?”

“Yes, since we are going to that town, we might as well see through it. After all, we also need to see this Ki Master named Tzari for various reasons.”

“Ha, I knew it! My charisma swayed you!”

“Yes, yes, you are so adorable.”

“Eh…Eh…? Quit it!”

You started it.

Then, as Violetta left, Alstroe then voices out her worry.

“Then, if we are to head there, all of you need to prepare…I guess?”

“What do you mean, Alstroe?”

“It’s snowing and freezing in the mountain but at the top where the temple is, it’s warm. We need to prepare clothes for everyone, right?”

Alstroe is saying that she is fine with the cold but we won’t be.

Well…

That’s common sense.

Since Violetta said today, that means not actually today but tomorrow. I guess we will be preparing in Feirr Town. I should inform Topaz and Mimi.

“Since we’ve come terms with a solution, I’ll be excusing myself briefly.”

“Where are you going, Miss Asagao?”

“I shall head to the King’s office. I have an urgent matter to take care first before we depart.”

“I see, I shall advance towards our carriage.”

“Huh? No, we are going to with warp.”

“Warp?!”

“Wait, two days of travel and you are already here…I know, by ship, it’ll take you at least two weeks.”

“No, I came from the Center Continent. I came here with a ship with a captain called Merissa. She was indeed the nicest seafaring fellow, seeing how she only took several gold coins from me with such traveling speed.”

She just completely ransacked you of your gold!

Well, considering how fast Merissa’s ship is, it’s plausible. In the first place, it is really a stroke of luck that she traveled with Merissa, a captain of the Pirates of S.S. Iowa.

Scratch that.

I’m still the Sea Emperor according to their culture!

With that, I left Daisy, Alstroe, and Miss Cecille in the room and marched my way towards Fon’s office. That’s my plan but, as I arrive in front of his office, Violetta was just standing there with the door opened.

She quickly took notice of my presence and sprouted a troubled countenance.

“What’s wrong?”

“Asagao, you see, Isthal told me that Fon’s working speed dropped, no, it is more to say that Fon stopped working altogether and holed himself up in his bedroom.”

“Why…?”

I peek into the room and found no Fon. Meanwhile, Topaz and Mimi are just sitting on the chair where Fon is supposed to be. Because the chair is somewhat large, they were able to fit themselves together.

However, that’s not the problem at hand.

“What really happened here?”

“I do think it’s their fault.”

“Topaz and Mimi?”

“For starters, why not seat on Fon’s seat for a little and have Topaz and Mimi seat on your lap.”

“Okay…?”

Upon Violetta’s words, I entered the room where Topaz and Mimi immediately beamed joyful faces. I headed towards the said chair while patting their heads and seated myself.

“What are you doing Asagao?”

“Mimi, please sit on my lap together with Topaz.”

“That’s what the king has been doing earlier, but you see, he left immediately.”

“Just sit.”

“Okay!~”

Mimi seated on my lap…

She is quite light but her body is supple and really soft. Topaz followed and she also seated on my lap. Now I feel the weight of their buttocks but it is not endurable.

Violetta entered the room and said something.

“Start trying to write something on the desk.”

Yeah…

If she urges me then…

I outstretched my hand to grab a pen from the table…

However, there was something that I noticed…

As I held out my arm…

It collides with Topaz’s sideboobs.

……

I understand now…