[B3] Chapter 11 — A Princess Found

“Young Lady Celestria, welcome,” a butler-outfitted teen greeted while giving a shallow bow, the mantle about the older boy’s shoulders identifying him as belonging to the Culinary Order. “We’ve prepared the upper floor for you and your guests.”

Her guests? Wait. Was she paying for this?

Ria slowly turned her head to send hooded eyes in Orlisi’s direction. The scheming elf’s innocent expression was, without a doubt, a confirmation of guilt.

“Allemi, here, will be at your service for the evening and will lead the way, if that would please the young lady?”

Ria returned her attention to the older boy and then the indicated servant-attired woman patiently waiting at a landing a few steps up from the restaurant’s entry.

“This way, my lady,” the woman—Allemi—offered, rolling a hand outward to show an open palm. The gesture was graceful and subservient.

Mentally sighing, Ria let go her annoyance at falling victim to yet another prank by the shameless elf. There was no changing whatever Orlisi had arranged, and with a shallow acknowledging nod, Ria took hold of her skirt and began to climb the indicated stairway, following Allemi up the carpeted stairs, noting the deep lacquer of the wood visible to either side of the ornately-woven carpet’s gold fringe.

There was no way renting the top floor of this place would come within a league of the meaning for ‘inexpensive’ or even ‘reasonable’. Heck, just ordinary ‘expensive’ might be too optimistic. And that would be before they got to the cost of the food…

How much further was she getting away from purchasing Zephec?

The price of meeting a real princess, Ria admitted to herself.

But. Now she was feeling more nervous.

She had grown up as a peasant. Her formal etiquette experience totaled one night of intensive training and a debut. Her knowledge of art extended mainly to literature and painting. Would she even be able to hold a conversation with a real princess without embarrassing herself?

Would she be laughed at?

After passing another landing that allowed entry into the second floor balconied seating areas and continuing up, the stairs eventually opened up into a wide chandelier-lit space with a spindle-railed opening to the floors below, from which the faint sound of pleasant and non-intrusive live music and a quiet susurrus of guests’ voices could be heard bubbling up from below. Along the wall, a decorative fountain’s flowing water further dampened the sounds of the private space.

But that wasn’t what drew Ria’s attention. Rather, with a challenging resonance felt within her divine spark that almost called forth her mantle of pride against her will, her eyes locked onto the two first-year girls seated at the prepared table. Girls which Ria earlier spotted in spectator seating, watching the Sage’s Games practice. Particularly, the powerful girl with the gold-sunburst irises similar to Ria’s own.

“Princess Celestria ad`Drelfgar, meet Second Princess Aveneph of House Rafetiere and her cousin Hesiea of House Inava,” Orlisi intoned, as if announcing an arrival at a formal event.

The auburn-haired princess flashed a glare in Orlisi’s direction, and the girl growled out sharply, “You agreed to not reveal our identity!”

The green and gold eyes didn’t stay on Orlisi but moved in Knight Arella’s direction when the knight also entered the private area before settling on Ria with an intimidating intensity.

“A secret given in trust and one received in trust,” Orlisi lightly pointed out, waving dismissively. “If you’re worried about Knight Arella, surely your identity is well enough known by the Gryphon Knights?”

Princess Aveneph’s eyes narrowed at the elf-girl’s chiding observation. A light touch and leaned-in whisper from the princess’ companion received a grudging nod, but Ria could still see the flow of energy in the air being affected by the princess’ strongly-felt mood.

Allemi, who hadn’t been mentioned, had wisely stayed on the stairway landing rather than enter after them, and there did seem to be magic in effect around the space—privacy wards? Ria wouldn’t be surprised, considering the ambiance presented by the secluded space all but whispered in her ear: a meeting place for elites desiring secrecy!

That aside, thanks to the prankster beside her, things were already off to a bad start!

And now it was up to her to turn the meeting to a better direction, especially if she wanted to make friends with this scowling and possibly temperamental girl…

Though her pulse was pounding in her ears with the sudden tension, Ria made a show of rolling her eyes at her elf companion and approached the seats that were clearly reserved for her and Orlisi. “My identity is hardly a secret worth exchanging now. Especially with the assassination attempt having become so widely reported.”

“Ad`Drelfgar?” Princess Aveneph questioned, eyebrow raised. “The rumor was that you were Vor`Xern.”

Ria shook her head. “Though a shadow element facade was presented during my debut, I am not of the Vor`Xern line.”

She thanked Orlisi as the elf girl took the role of attendant and helped her sit before taking the seat beside her. On the gold-and-silver-decorated table were modest baskets of fragrant bread rolls among the delicate etched crystal goblets of clear water and matching place settings.

Ria took a roll for herself and pulled it open to enjoy the smell of fresh baked bread—it reminded her of mornings helping at Leon and his family’s bakery. Remains of broken-open-and-buttered rolls the pair sitting opposite had been enjoying when Ria and Orlisi arrived had been set aside on small plates fit for one of Lady Asara’s tea gatherings. That and the lower levels of water in the pair’s goblets suggested Ria had kept them waiting.

“A pleasure meeting you, Celestria,” the girl beside Princess Aveneph spoke up with an apologetic smile. “Nephi and I have been presenting ourselves as both from House Inava. I would appreciate if you could address my dear cousin as Nephielle Inava in places where we can be overheard or seen.”

Ria was relieved that Aveneph’s cousin was the reliable type, especially with how intimidating the princess herself was. “Of course, Hesiea. I am happy to.”

“So, what’s your story, Celestria?” Princess Aveneph bluntly asked. “That puffed up tripe from the Daily Shadow is clearly lies meant to misdirect from the truth.”

Ria couldn’t help staring a bit at the princess’ eyes while buttering one of the divinely soft rolls and buying time to decide how to answer. That the girl shared her starburst eyes made Ria wonder… were gold irises a universal mark of royal blood? Hesiea didn’t have them, though. Did Ben and Kurt? They didn’t in the painting she had made with Jarrel’s help.

“The truth might be even harder to believe,” Ria carefully allowed, placing a tear of cloud-like roll in her mouth to briefly melt on her tongue before washing it down with a sip of chilled water.

“Unless the Revanti are convenient scapegoats, you are related to them in some way—either through marriage or by direct blood.”

“I won’t say your supposition is wrong,” Ria agreed, letting a sly smile briefly onto her face at not saying which part was correct. “And I did live in Revant before coming to Crysellia. But as I understand it, I truly am a descendent of the deep dwarf king Drelfgar Dragonfriend. As for why a branch of my House has taken up residence in Crysellia, my family has not made me aware of the reasons.”

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

“That seems like an important thing not to know,” Princess Aveneph directly pointed out, clearly judging her for the blatant and clumsy attempt at evasion.

Ugh. Ria was trying to be vague since she had no way of knowing if Aveneph or Hesiea had a way to detect false statements, but… maybe matching the princess’ directness would be a better approach if she was serious about befriending the girl.

Ria took a deep breath and decided to take a risk.

Placing her hands in her lap, she leaned back in her chair and let go the attempt at trying to hide her nervousness. “A lot was kept from me. Honestly, the whole princess thing is a shock that I am still adjusting to. When I heard that there was another princess among the first-years, I was excited, thinking that we could become friends—that I could have a friend who could help teach me what it means to be a princess.”

Heart in her throat, Ria held her breath at the blank, unblinking expression on the other girl, an expression that gradually began wobbling before resolving into a smirk.

“Ha! Haha… that! That is not what I was expecting, at all,” Princess Aveneph chuckled out and slowly shook her head side to side. “Well… that changes things.”

Relief flooded Ria at the change in Princess Aveneph’s demeanor, and she couldn’t help slumping in her chair as the previous tension drained away from the room, but before anything further could be said, a different voice interrupted them.

“If you’ll excuse me, honored guests, the main course is prepared, and I will now present your meal for your enjoyment,” Allemi announced, entering the warded space and approaching the table.

Feelers of directed energy reached out to touch the plates and baskets, and with an almost delicate ripple of spatial magic, the table’s previous modest contents were rapidly replaced by enticing new sights and smells that promised experiences beyond simply dining. Ria observed the spatial magic with interest, incented by the growing importance of learning the magic herself.

And yet, the magic only proved a brief distraction as the mouth-watering scent of gold reached her nose—gold like in the shortcake dessert, the one that-

Fear, elation, and greed suddenly swirled within Ria.

Could it be?

This chef…

Ria tore her gaze from the food long enough to eye Orlisi with indignant accusation and again was met by an expression of elfin innocence.

It was totally a trap!

Enchanted gold paired with airy sweetness was one thing. How much more destructive would the experience be when paired with dishes with strong and deep savory flavors. Like a sailor drawn to his tragic fate by deadly sirens’ song, her eyes found their way back to the plates within reach. Ria swallowed down the acid saliva that was threatening to become drool.

How could Orlisi do this to her?! Make her embarrass herself in her first meeting with a real princess?!

She couldn’t hold back any longer-

No, the silverware!

She managed enough consciousness of will to summon her wood utensils before the tablesettings became casualties to her barely restrained appetite.

Aaaahhhh…. melting. Whatever mythical beast gave up its life to become her nourishment was dissolving upon her tongue in a powerful medley of herb-infused juicy tenderness beyond anything the Vorshans had served at their estates.

She didn’t even chew. Just a press of her tongue to extract the flavor and swallow and reach for more.

It was so… so…

And this was only the first dish!

That decided it! After she claimed the throne, she would hire this chef!

A cough.

Ria narrowed her eyes. Who would interrupt such-

Ah.

Crap.

Both the princess and her cousin were making… disbelieving faces. Yeah… that’s probably what that expression meant.

Oh, what a pleasant almost fluffy texture the gold-scaled fish had. A perfect compliment to the perfect rice it was paired with. Masterful.

Another cough.

Gah!

She did it again.

A shaking in the corner of her view resolved to a certain elf trembling with silent laughter.

The steak and the fish were treasures! Would the dumpling still be perfect if the golden broth it was steaming in cooled? Such a crime against perfection could not be allowed!

Miracle broth pooled in her mouth as yielding dumpling gave way to more flavor and a spicy goodness that wiped away the delicate taste of the fish and rice. It was a trifecta of triumph, a cycle of life! From savory beast in its invigorating primal power, to the refined fish in its spirit-lightening delicate sophistication, to a cleansing fiery rejuvenation of dough wrapped riches and transcendent broth that harmonized land and sky, and back to savory again!

“...there are sayings about the legendary avarice of the gold dragons sleeping on piles of coins and gems, but this…”

Were the others talking about something? Maybe enjoying their own meals?

As she licked the last of the glaze from her finger and looked down at the suddenly and excessively clean plates, Ria froze. She would be reddening to her ears from embarrassment if thoughts of how expensive the meal she just ate weren’t draining the blood from her.

Nooooooo! You villain, Orlisiiiiii!

Beside her, Orlisi’s shaking progressed to snickers.

It was fine. Water wasn’t welling up in her eyes. She could still recover. This meeting was too important, and a proper princess didn’t give notice to such things. She may have been tricked, but she was a serene pond, undisturbed by adversity. At least, she could take comfort in the pleasant warmth spreading through her body, both physical and astral. She would focus on that. Other things didn’t need to be thought about. Nope.

“I’m sorry, you were saying?” Ria tried, casually blinking away the threatening wetness and turning a placid gaze to her dinner companions sitting opposite.

A choking and coughing sound replaced the snickers.

Is there an illness going around? Ah, there actually was. No, she wouldn’t wish that on her elf friend, even in the depths of her heart. Don’t want to tempt the goddess who is best not named or thought about.

“Your bloodline seems annoying to have.” Princess Aveneph’s gaze slid a bit to the side, squinting at something, then returned. “...maybe I wasn’t imagining it feeling draconic. Is it because you inherited the bloodline so strongly that you can’t control it?”

Ria’s face was surely reddening, and she self-consciously touched one of her horns that the princess noticed. “It is draconic…”

The princess’ brow furrowed and her gaze softened almost as if she were looking at something pitiable. “Were you kept in a dungeon? Barely given anything to eat? Is that why… at your age, you are so… short?”

Short. She wasn’t short because her parents didn’t feed her!

“It is because of my dwarven heritage, obviously!” Ria objected.

Princess Aveneph made an ‘o’ face and at least had the grace to look embarrassed.

A thoroughly shaking Orlisi hurried to gulp down a drink and struck at her chest as if trying to dislodge a persistent bit of food.

Hesiea let her forehead fall into an open palm. “Nephi…”

Besides, she wasn’t that short! She was almost as tall as Hulle, who was a third-year! And a boy!

“I only meant that dragon-kin are normally tall, so…” Aveneph started saying, trying to defend herself but stopped, shook her head, and made a determined face. “Jade Tortoise. A divine jade tortoise was the source of my family’s bloodline. Our affinities are gold and jade.”

Wha-? Jade! Was that like the Vesali’s gem affinity?

The reluctantly given information seemed to be an apology of sorts, and knocked Ria out of her spiral of indignation and embarrassment.

This was a chance! And needed a reply in kind.

Ria shallowly nodded her appreciation for the concession. “Adamantium… among other things.”

“Adamantium? Really?” Aveneph’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “The element is shadow-aligned, but wouldn’t that…? How can you still use magic?”

“Thanks to my father’s Astacio blood, maybe? I’m not entirely sure,” Ria offered, and added with a shrug, “Like you suggest, neither of my brothers can use magic.”

“Brothers? Here in Crysellia? Didn’t you cross the highland wilds with only a swordsman protector?” Aveneph noted, her smirk turning smug at having caught a hole in Ria’s public story.

Gah!

A totally careless mistake!

Thankfully, Allemi chose that moment to step out from the shadows again and replace Ria’s empty plates with-

No, wait!

…Ria warily glanced at the golden leaf salad and other… lighter-enchanted fare?

She could smell the gold, but… somehow, the compulsion was less? She glanced at Orlisi who was enjoying a vegetable dish of her own as if none of this concerned her and she hadn’t just masterminded the entire thing!

And, that wasn’t the only problem here. Ria braced herself for the difficult dance that would come as Allemi withdrew, but instead, Aveneph motioned to the salad and surprised her with a different topic, “I see you can eat gold fine, but the wood utensils… Are you allergic to silver? Avoiding the silver utensils and using wood ones instead is like announcing to everyone present that you can be poisoned by silver… just so you know…”

Ria blinked in surprise. Was Aveneph concerned for her?

She couldn’t help a sardonic smile. That Aveneph’s concern went so readily to poison… Princesses didn’t have it easy where Aveneph came from either, huh? “No, I can eat silver just fine, too. But there-in lies the problem.”

At first, the other princess looked at her blankly then for the second time made another ‘o’ face and, in the end, laughed. “I can see how that would be a problem…”

“A problem that a certain elf was well aware of…” Ria grumbled. “Especially, regarding certain enchanted metals…”

“Aw, don’t be like that, Ria,” Orlisi pretended to complain. “Let me have my fun. House Yurren is paying for the evening, after all.”

What?!

This…

Argh! The elf-girl was such a… a… manipulative… something!

But…

“...if that’s the way it is…,” Ria grudgingly forgave, trying her best not to let her conflicted feelings and relief at not having to pay show on her face. “...it can’t be helped.”

Ria chose to ignore the looks of amusement on her guests, and settled for shoving some ruffage in her face. Ruffage that shouldn’t taste that good. Or make her feel so comfortably warm like it was doing.

After a few minutes of quiet enjoyment, though she was curious about Princess Aveneph’s own background, Ria decided to steer the conversations to less fraught waters and asked about what classes the two girls were taking, what their areas of interest were.

And other than one surprise topic just as they were preparing to part for the night, the rest of the evening went optimistically well.