In a room, Anastasia sat on a throne-like chair, sipping some tea while talking with Carl. Suddenly, the door of the room opened, and Ruya stepped in. Anastasia threw a glance at him and looked at her tea.
"We knock first, Ruya. How many times do I have to tell you that?" said Anastasia, smiling.
Carl looked at Ruya. "Her Highness is right, Ruya. It's disrespectful to barge in without knocking," said Carl in a serious tone.
Ruya sighed, brushing them off, and sat on a nearby chair. "C'mon, y'all don't have to make such a fuss about it," said Ruya. Looking at them, he continued, "Kajin decided to take me on his journey."
Carl's eyes opened wide in shock and surprise, while Anastasia remained silent.
"Kajin decided to take you on his journey?!" said Carl, clearly not believing Ruya.
Anastasia giggled at Carl's reaction, taking a sip from her tea. "Congrats, Ruya. I knew you would succeed," she said.
Carl stood silent for a moment, looking carefully at Ruya. "I don't know how a little yellow monkey was accepted by Kajin... Maybe it's just a big misunderstanding because there is no way someone with Kajin's character would take you with him," said Carl.
Veins popped out of anger on Ruya's face. Getting up from his chair, Ruya replied, "Shut up, you old carrot. All you do is sleep in the kitchen. Your food sucks, and I don't know why they still keep you here!"
Carl clenched his teeth and was about to say something before being stopped by Anastasia.
"Stop it, guys. I don't want to hear you two fight again," said Anastasia, taking another sip of her tea.
Ruya and Carl stared at each other for a few seconds before turning their heads away.
"Did Kajin say anything else, Ruya?" asked Anastasia, breaking the silence while still looking at her tea.
"Yeah, he said that we will be leaving tomorrow and that I should see everyone before we leave," said Ruya.
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Anastasia looked at her reflection in the tea. "I see... Are you ready for the adventure?" asked Anastasia again, her eyes turning to look at Ruya.
Ruya nodded in happiness. "More than ready, for sure. I've grown tired of some faces here," said Ruya as he glanced at Carl.
Hearing this, Carl spoke. "Hmph, same for me too. Better have this yellow monkey as far away from me as possible."
Anastasia sighed, tired of the two fighting. Ruya exhaled angrily at Carl, but something came to mind all of a sudden. Turning to Anastasia, he asked, "I heard from Kajin that you... used him?"
He waited patiently for Anastasia's response. Anastasia, caught off guard by the question, took a moment to think before finally saying, "Well... it's complicated. When I first heard of Kajin, I was here at the Dark Castle. I was surprised and shocked at the news that a half-human, half-demon was born in the Royal Family, in my family. I was even more surprised and shocked when I got the news that he avoided death because Lucif Magic saved him. It came at me very fast, and I was all confused by it.
After some years, I decided to pay a visit to him. When I first saw him, he was very hostile and didn’t want to talk with anyone, but after a good beating, he decided to listen."
Anastasia looked at her tea once more, her hands wrapping the cup she was holding. "I started to teach him everything I knew about this world, well, the things I was 100% sure of knowing. After a while, he started to have doubts about many things about me, one of which was the way I spoke to him and the way I treated him.
After I told him about Alfredo... his goal was born. He believed that if he surpassed Alfredo, he could actually... claim the throne." Anastasia's expression began to harden slightly as she continued, "But one thing was stuck in his mind: the reason I was doing all of this for him. I wanted him to succeed. I wanted him to help me... return to my home. I wanted to use him to complete my dreams and desires."
Anastasia paused a little, leaning back slowly and looking at the ceiling. "I guess I made a mistake telling him that I basically wanted him to be my meat shield and worker."
Listening to this, Ruya and Carl stood silent. Ruya then spoke. "So it was all a misunderstanding?" he asked, his tone curious and full of hope.
"Not exactly. At that moment, I found myself desperate, and emotions took over me. It was a misunderstanding within me. I should have said it better to Kajin and not spoken to him like he was my dog," replied Anastasia, her tone full of guilt.
Carl then said, "My Highness, I think that with time he will eventually understand what you meant."
Anastasia looked at Carl with a smile. "I hope he does, Carl," she said.
She stood up and started to walk toward the door. "Well, time will tell, like always. Ruya, after you tell your goodbyes to the maids here in the castle, go to your room. I’ve prepared a gift for you," said Anastasia.
Ruya jumped in excitement upon hearing the word "gift." "HELL YEAH!!! Thanks so much, Lady Anastasia! You are the best!" Anastasia smiled and left, closing the door behind her.