"I've brought her sir." [Howard]
"And the other two?" [King]
"She says that she will not come without them." [Howard]
"I see..." [King]
The King was old and weak from his complexion. With sunken eyes, huge eye bags, and ridges on his forehead.
He directed his attention to me and spoke.
"Are you the one who created this?" [King]
He gestured to a servant and it showed the stove that I have made.
"... Yes." [Angelica]
"Can you weaponize it?" [King]
"No." [Angelica]
"A-Angelica..." Maria whispered in my ear. She's worried about me lying.
"Well then, you shall be executed for denying my order." [King]
"?!!" [Angelica/Blake/Maria]
We all drew our weapons. Don't tell me that we came here only to dig ourselves a grave.
"Guards seize them." [King]
They came out of nowhere. They were so fast that I didn't even have the time to react. Blake parried a strike just in time.
We enchanted our swords. Blake used the fire enchant while I used the wind enchant.
"Wahh?!"
We looked back, Maria had a sword at her throat...
Shit... No... we can still escape...
"Drop your weapons or the King gets it!!" [Angelica]
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I pointed my finger at the King ready to cast ▪Explosion▪ at max output.
"Wonderful!" [King]
The King clapped his hands. He's not shaken? Is it a bluff? Does he have something that can nullify magic? These thoughts fly over my head.
"It is as you said, Howard." [King]
"Yes, sir." [Howard]
This bastard!!
I let go of the sword and pointed my other finger at him. If they try something I'll kill him first as a warning.
"Guards release them." [King]
"But your Highness!"
"I've seen enough." [King]
The knight let go of Maria, her feet gave way and she knelt on the ground.
Blake and I slowly backed away to get Maria. I kept my fingers at the ready just in case.
"That was a joke, lay down your weapons, I'm only testing you if you're genuine." [King]
"Well, you certainly got our attention." [Angelica]
I put down my hand and glared at him, while still alert.
"That glare..." [King]
"You thought that I wouldn't get mad at you for threatening my friends? Just how crazy are you for doing some sick joke?" [Angelica]
"..." [King]
"We're leaving." [Angelica]
I turned my back to the King and started walking out with Blake and Maria. Even if my back is turned I am still very much alert.
"Hey, you! Do not turn your back on his majesty!" [Howard]
"I am sorry for my actions, please forgive me." [King]
"Sir?!" [Howard]
"It was a bad joke..." [King]
"Please stay for a while." [King]
I looked at Maria and Blake, they were shaking their heads. Even I myself wanted to leave as soon as possible. I am still suspicious of him and kept my guard up.
That night we stayed in one room, we all slept with our weapons in hand. In case of any screwup, I thought of a plan for us to leave the country.
"Damn I need to pee..." [Angelica]
I checked if Blake and Maria were still awake and then left the room, they both seem to be asleep.
Now, I start my little adventure in finding the lost toilet. The halls of the castle are cold and quiet, then I saw a knight guarding the entrance to a tower while peeking at a corner.
"What are you doing?"
"Hiiiihhhh?!" [Angelica]
Oh, it is just Martha holding a candle lamp... that scared the hell out of me.
"I uhh... need to go to the bathroom..." [Angelica]
"Follow me." [Martha]
Martha gestures to a room and I enter alone, inside I lifted my skirt and pulled dow, wait... why the hell should I tell this in detail?!
After finishing my business I went with Martha for a chat.
"I heard that the King became rowdy." [Martha]
"It's his fault, he joked about us being executed." [Angelica]
"Executed?!" [Martha]
"Judging from your reaction, I guess he rarely makes jokes or that he's just really bad at them." [Angelica]
"Could you forgive the King? I've never seen him that lively, since the disappearance of the princess." [Martha]
"Well... any parent would be hit hard if their children suddenly disappeared." [Angelica]
"Thank you..." [Martha]
After our chat, I returned back to the room to sleep.
"Huh... where did I sleep again?" [Angelica]
Too tired to think, I just lay down on one of the beds.
"These pillows are so soft..." [Angelica]
The next day, when Maria woke up, she noticed Angelica burying her face in her chest.