-Above the ground-

----------------------------------------

[Yukiyo’s POV]

----------------------------------------

The fight was over as the howls of the winds echoed in the distant. All seemed fine but it didn’t fit right with me. Those bandits were too strong to have gone unnoticed. Even if they did hide every trace of their work, some rumors should have gone about. But now, some investigation had to be done about the matter at hand.

While I was stuck in my thoughts Sei snapped me out as he said, “Master?” A little surprised, I apologized for my lack of attention on the matter at hand, “Oh! sorry. I was thinking about something. So, what is it?”

“The Carriage is partially destroyed and Mistress Aria is getting cold, so we need to find a place to stay before it gets dark.”

I glanced at Ari as she was shivering a bit but trying not to complain about it, which was odd as she was more spoiled than a rotten apple. I asked, “I don’t know why but, Aria didn’t you pack something like I don’t know clothes?” and then I noticed something, “And is that my old coat?”

The words came out more condescending then I wanted so Ari became more timid as she stuttered to answer, “I- I I don-“ Luckily Sei intervened as he said, “Master if I may, It is not Miss Aria’s fault we were in a hurry and since it was only a few days of journey we only packed some food, water, and gold in case the food didn’t suit miss aria’s tas-“

He was going to blabber a lot and it wasn’t like I was angry at him so I stopped him midway, “Sei, just-*Ahem* Seito stop. I’m not angry or anything. I’m just glad both of you are safe. Also, Aria” and just as I said her name she flinched a bit. It seemed today was a bit too hard for her. She was used to seeing the world through a rose-coloured glass. I just relaxed my expression and smiled.

“Go to the carriage and bear with the cold for a little while longer. It’ll take some time for me to use spells again.” The girl calmed down a bit and replied, “Yes, elder brother”

She calmed down a bit and walked towards the carriage. It was heavily damaged during the fight but sitting inside it was still better than standing out in the cold.

“Master if I may, I would like to ask you something,” Sei asked me, a little confused as to what it could be, I replied, ”Go ahead”

“Is there a reason as to why you were talking to the bandit in such a weird fashion?” he asked, “Forgive me for being rude but, those vulgar remarks and bad jokes didn’t seem like you at all Master. Did something happen?”

Blood rushed to my cheeks as I instinctively turned my face away from Sei. I realized that I had become the victim of another one of my brother’s pranks. I should have known it was a bad idea!

“Master? What’s wrong?” Sei questioned confused by my behavior, “Nothing, I got dirt in my eye.” I replied. Sei seemed a little perplexed with the situation, though I tried my hardest to hide my embarrassment.

I calmed myself down and answered, “Ok, to answer your question. I had been cursed for a while. But Its effects are gone now.”

“The person must have been strong to be able to place a curse on Master,” He said, his eyes full of amazement. I couldn’t meet his honest gaze and just muttered, “I believe so.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Suddenly Sei had a worried look in his eyes. He questioned, “But master weren’t you at one of the greater countries for your engagement with the first daughter of the emperor?” Somehow I had completely forgotten about it. ”Ah well I’ll sort that thing when the time comes, they shouldn’t get too angry over this,” I reassured him.

“But Master! Wasn’t that a matter of great importance. I'm afraid that the king won't let this one go.” He said worried about me.

“Ah, don’t worry about it, the place was really boring, and it was a political marriage, I wasn’t interested in. By the way Seito why did you and Aria come here to find that plant?” I asked.

“Master Elijah was actually sending me to find the plant for his research. He said that it was really important. Lady Aria must have heard that and wanted to join us. The master thought that it was a good idea and sent us on our way. The mistress didn’t seem to be pleased during the journey, though. Also, I noticed that she spoke some foreign words like Oh knee sun and knee sun? Was she also cursed?” Sei asked.

I just replied, “Ah no, that was due to Elijah’s influence. Even, I have no clue why he makes her speak that way. He says it’s just a nickname of sorts so I don’t pay attention, reincarnators are weird. For now, you should go rest in the carriage, even though I healed you, you shouldn’t be moving a lot.”

“But aren’t you gonna heal yourself, Master,” He asked.

“Oh, right I haven’t told you. I think you know that the slayer based abilities have some sort of drawback right. Well, my wounds can’t be healed by using magic. But don’t worry about it much. My natural healing is really fast so these wounds should be healed by 8 or 9 hours. But I’m worried about the scars a bit. They don’t really fade.” I replied.

“If you would like master I could bandage your wounds, it’s the least I could do for saving us. After all, it was because we were in the way that you couldn’t fight with all your power.” Sei requested. I was really surprised by that offer, but I didn’t want him to bandage me for reasons. But he had a really adamant look on his face.

I tried to reply quickly to the sudden request, “I-I *ahem* thank you for your consideration but you shouldn’t really-“ I was cut short as he replied, “I insist!!” while holding a roll and a scissor.

I was flustered with the situation and didn’t know how to reply, words just blurted out of my lips, “N-no, I mean it isn’t something you should do- I mean“ Sei suddenly had the look of sudden realization. He bowed his head as he said, “I’m sorry, Master. I thought that my lowly self was good enough to look upon your magnificent bare body. Please punish this idiot for not realizing sooner.”

Even though the problem at hand was gone, the way he said it didn’t help with the situation, not one bit. I just stood there trying to say something, “aa... No that’s not-“

“I’m sorry Master when we get back you may punish me in whatever way you desire” I calmed myself down and let out a sigh, “*sigh* I’m not in the mood for this right now. Just go into the carriage.”

“Yes, master” Sei replied before he ran into the carriage.

“Well, I guess I haven’t really told him also. I’ll tell him when the time comes. Come on, you are 20 years old. Get your act together; you are already an adult and the 2nd prince of this country. You can’t get flustered every time this thing happens.” I mumbled to myself.

Then I began trying to break down what had occurred and if there was any sinister thing going on, “Ok, now think why Elijah sent the princess along with Seito. Even though she’s the 4th princess I think there should have been at least 5 guards with them, even if they were going for a small trip. Did he plan something? He couldn’t have he? But the bandits were really dangerous. Was this an assassination planned by someone? Come to think of it why did they not know where they were traveling and where is the driver? Seito did say the plant was special, and that was the first time a plant didn’t heal itself after being pulsed with Magiscule.”

“I'm just over thinking things I guess.” I sighed.

“Good thing I arrived on time though. That idiot also gave me some weird suggestions “Talk in a vulgar manner, kids love it”. I shouldn’t have listened to him. I really can't understand his mind sometimes. I'll need to have a good talk with him.” I thought while laughing at myself.

As I stood there in the cold surrounded by clouds of mist from the battle, with only a distant sound of the winds blowing which broke the silence, I sighed as I thought, “This political stuff is really difficult and confusing. Sometimes, I wish I could just live my life as a normal girl.”