Chapter 26 - Dealing with the Queen Part 1

A while ago, when I left to get water for the Princess, I heard a loud explosion and went rushing back.

I can’t let her die before I find out her secret but when I saw the maid Alissa hung up in the air by some sort of magic I began panicking.

‘W-what happened? Why are there markings on her and why am I so scared of her!? What did that idiot maid do to upset her to this degree?!!’ [Nym]

I asked what happened but was told that she’ll explain it when everyone gets back.

Once Laurel and Blaze came back, the conversation began and both me and Laurel were targeted as spies.

‘A-ah. I can’t let her find out I’m actually a spy, Damn that stupid maid just made my job harder!’ [Nym]

Laurel earnestly denied that we were spies, then the conversation went to the topic of mind control and the Queen.

Hearing Alissa’s story, even I knew that Haliel wouldn’t have such a spell in her arsenal considering it’s an Ancient Spell, and being so young she has not the time to research it.

Demanding an answer from Alissa, Haliel released her pressure, which was strong enough to put me and Laurel on our knees.

As she wasn’t able to resist the high pressure, Alissa fainted.

“Tie her up, I don’t want to waste my mana holding her.”

Obeying her command, Blaze did that then placed her down next to a tree.

As Blaze moved out of the way, Haliel conjured up a spell and threw it at Alissa.

“[Shower]”

The water ball that appeared from her palm flew over Alissa as it bursted and showered down on Alissa like rain.

Seeing that that wasn’t enough to wake her up, she walked over to Alissa and slapped her.

“I don’t want to hit girls but, doing something so unforgivable… I still need your answer Alissa.”

It seems she's still pissed off about what happened to her father’s grave, but with that slap Alissa opened her eyes.

Staring blankly at the Princess, Alissa remembered what happened and began cursing Haliel again.

“Hey! Listen here Alissa, I don’t give a fuck what you call me, but disturbing my dad’s resting place and trying to kill me is something I can’t over look. So I ask again, is the Queen behind this? Actually more importantly what did you two talk about, if you truly aren’t mind control then do this and I’ll let you live?”

“I-I gave her my words that I won’t reveal what we talked ab-” [Alissa]

She didn’t even get to finish that sentence when Haliel disappeared and reappeared with her sword next to Alissa’s throat.

“I never asked for your opinion now did I? Just tell me what I asked you or do you want me to cut you piece by piece before you’ll do as I say, ‘my maid’ Alissa?”

‘S-she is definitely pissed off. The feeling she’s giving off is even scaring Blaze! T-to think someone who seems to always be cheerful act like this is… My job just got a lot harder.’ [Nym]

“Hiii!! Okay! OKay! I’ll speak!” [Alissa]

“Wow, that was easy than I though.... To think you’ll give away such private information to save your own life. I can’t believe I trusted you in the first place, well doesn’t matter now. Speak.”

“... I-I don’t know much why she wants you to die, especially if you really aren’t mind controlling the royal family. A-all I was told was to get rid of you to free them, I don’t know anything else.” [Alissa]

“... Is that all? You’re useless then! Even I can infer that much! Huff, I see you’re just an idiot.”

“Huff, it seems you’ve calmed down a bit now. Personally I am not sure if the Queen would really try to kill you but it is quite possible because you are considered an illegitimate child and a Half-Elf to the Queen. Also, she most likely would know that you are the actually child of Eril, making it even more so.” [Blaze]

“W-wait! P-princess Haliel is the actually child of Empress Eril!?” [Laurel]

“Of course, though I allowed Rinor to not declare that to everyone since it would cause a lot of issues, to me as well and I hate troublesome things. But if we are to say that then I wouldn’t be the illegitimate one Blaze, as mom married dad first and she was taken by force to marry Rinor anyways. Thus meaning that both Gelion and Merilien would be the illegitimate ones.”

‘W-what is with all this!? She’s the Empress’s real daughter!?’ [Nym]

Everyone became quiet upon hearing that, especially Alissa and Laurel.

“S-so your saying that Empress Eril is your real mother?” [Alissa]

“Why else would I stay in the palace and listen to the shit you Elves say about me if she wasn’t. And from how the information I heard just now, I have a feeling why mom stayed even though she could easily overpower that Rinor. This Queen must’ve mind control her, I was first wondering why mom would ever betray dad, but it all makes sense now. At least it seems this visit wasn’t all in vain.”

“I-I can’t believe the Queen would…” [Laurel]

“I’m going to give her a good beating when we get back! I won’t forgive those who mess with my family.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“A-are you going to try and kill her?” [Laurel]

Laurel asked with a face filled with fear and Haliel replied back in a nonchalant tone.

“Try? I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve that I hadn’t even shown yet and did you you pledge your loyalty to me or to her?”

Even I was as terrified as Laurel and Alissa were, even though I had gone through many life or death situation before.

Looking towards Blaze I saw that even he had sweats running down the side of his face.

___________________________________________________

I just found out something I wish I hadn’t heard, it was that Queen Silvia had tried to assassinate Princess Haliel, who also turned out to be Empress Eril’s real daughter.

Whether this is all true or not, I don’t know but Princess Haliel has declared to kill the Queen, or so I thought.

“...” [Laurel]

“Don’t worry I’ll just make sure she regretted her decision to destroy my family. Killing her would cause too much trouble afterwards but let’s see how I feel about it when we get there. So answer my question Laurel and Nym.”

“W-we pledged our loyalty to you Princess, but… this is still a hard decision to make. I mean isn’t this like treason against the Empire?” [Laurel]

“Treason? It’s just taking care of trash, besides no one will even know about it.”

‘I-I never thought that Princess had this side to her… she’ll probably destroy anything in her way in this state. Those markings and the heavy atmosphere around her is scaring even me, who was supposed to protect her.’ [Laurel]

“Haliel, you should reconsider. I know how you must feel about your father, he was my master after all, but to challenge the Queen is… Just calm down, I think the markings are affecting you.” [Blaze]

“Sorry if I’m worrying you Blaze, but I have a few spells left that I thought was too dangerous to us on someone. They are even stronger than [Frozen Death Blossom] so she’ll make a perfect lab rat.”

“Lab rat? A-anyways, then what do we do to Alissa? Do we kill her then?” [Laurel]

“Oh no, not yet. I want to make sure of all this first before I decide to kill anyone. So once we get back, I’ll go have a little chat with my grandmother before I decide on what to do. For the time being I’ll just reinforce the rope with magic so she can’t escape and carry her back with us.”

After blowing off earlier, Princess is starting to calm down and the markings disappeared as her face returned to the childish one I saw when we first met.

I’m still confused and still can’t fully comprehend all that I heard but I do know that the future will be grim.

“I-it’s noon now, so would Princess like to have lunch? I brought the chocolate tart that you love with me too.” [Nym]

Nym also saw that the Princess was calming down so he tried to further it by bringing up her favorite dessert.

It was a success since Princess agreed to lunch and made a table with chairs out of Earth magic for us to eat on.

“Also, go feed Alissa once you’re done Nym.”

“Huh?” [Nym]

“Ehh?” [Alissa]

Everyone was surprised by what she said but the ones called out were the most surprised.

“Didn’t you hear me? It’s just messed up to eat in front of someone who’s hungry. So once you’re done, go feed her. And don’t you want to eat too Alissa?”

“A-as you command Princess.” [Nym]

‘W-what a complete flip from earlier… Princess even cares about the wellbeing of her prisoner… I don’t understand what’s going on in  her head at all.’ [Laurel]

Once Nym finished eating, he went over to where Alissa was tied up and fed her food.

Since hearing that Princess Haliel was Empress Eril’s real daughter, Alissa has been quiet and kept her head down.

“With this planned out. Let's rest here for tonight and leave for the Capital tomorrow morning. But before that, there’s something I have to do. You guys can rest now, especially you Blaze.”

Saying so Princess walked off as me and Nym to store the remaining food and eating utensils in to our [Inventory].

Once the sun started setting and Princess Haliel wasn’t back yet, me and Blaze went to look for her.

We found her at her father’s grave, everything looks like a proper grave would now, while she was crying aas she placed down the flowers in her hand.

Seeing this Blaze told me to give her more time alone as we turned around and walked back to the other two.

‘She must really love her father… Princess, I’m not sure this was done by the Empire but I’ll help you in bringing justice to the one who did do this.’ [Laurel]

After that event, Princess came back and we slept to be rested for tomorrow with me, Nym, and Blaze taking turn being the night watch. 

*** 

PS.  I decided to cut this into two parts since I didn't feel like switching perspective too many times so sorry if it's short again. Part 2 will be a bit longer than this one since the issue with Queen Silvia will be mostly resolved next chap.