In the reception room of the infirmary inside the Holy Temple of the Imperial Palace…
There exists something called an ‘uncomfortable seat’ in this world.
Cue awkward silence
No matter what one does, it feels stiff, uncomfortable, and suffocating.
It would be nice if one could just avoid such seats, but the thing is, they possess the trait of being utterly unavoidable.
Dramatic sigh
Uncomfortable seat.
Currently, Solana’s feelings were exactly that.
It was quite rare for the 3rd Princess to feel nervous.
Isn’t Solana the one who can smile naturally even in front of countless believers and citizens without feeling intimidated? Yes, that’s who she is.
Staring contest!
…She quietly observed the women in front of her.
1st Princess, Ether.
2nd Princess, Hedera.
And the 3rd Princess, Solana herself.
Just one of them appearing would be shocking, let alone all three gathered at the round table in the reception room beside Ezekiel’s infirmary.
Awkward atmosphere intensifies
“….”
The uncomfortable air.
While the princesses weren’t hostile towards each other, it didn’t mean they treated each other kindly either.
They had seen each other a few times before.
─ 1st Princess, report on your growth.
─ 2nd Princess, report on your growth.
─ 3rd Princess, report on your growth…
Back when they reported their growth in front of the Emperor as children.
Flashback sound effect
And even then, it happened once every six months. Though they were blood relatives, the princesses lived entirely different lives, merely aware of each other’s existence.
The situation they found themselves in now was different from before.
In the past, they would just swiftly report their achievements and leave, right? But now, the princesses gathered with a clear purpose.
The purpose’s name was Ezekiel.
Jaw drops
When you think about it, it’s an unbelievable occurrence. One man could gather three princesses.
“…May the blessings of the Sun God be with us.”
The first to break the silence was 3rd Princess Solana.
“First of all, I was lucky. Thanks to using all sorts of elixirs, I was able to get through the crisis. And soon, I’ll receive the Sun Elixir too.”
Applause sound effect
“Good job.”
Ether nodded her head.
“Ah, but the 1st Princess had a much harder time. You managed to get the Sun Elixir from His Majesty the Emperor, after all!”
Cheerful banter
Solana smiled back.
“Well, it brings me great peace of mind that the 1st Princess acknowledges me. In fact, I was lost in thought until just now.”
Peaceful background music
“Not peace of mind, but peace, isn’t it?”
“Haha, right, peace.”
Hilarious laughter
“Ha ha ha! It’s really worth it to encourage each other!”
The laughter of the two princesses mixed, creating a warm atmosphere.
But in truth, it only looked that way on the surface.
Dramatic twist
“The wolf of the snowy plains, nah, just a fox.”
Solana clearly remembered.
Like a predator, Ether stared at Solana, ready to pounce like a beast, with her eyes gleaming.
Foreboding sound effect
The implication was clear: if Ezekiel was in even a bit of trouble, she’d tear him apart limb by limb.
…Can such a thing be called encouragement?
Meanwhile, Ether also quietly thought.
“Is this girl underestimating my memory like a goldfish?”
Facepalm moment
No, she accidentally let it slip.
“…Huh?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Regardless, 1st Princess Ether clearly remembered.
After they arrived at the infirmary carrying the injured Ezekiel, Solana looked at Ether with a very resentful gaze. She even kept talking to herself.
With just a word that Ezekiel was getting better and that she’d obtained the Sun Elixir, her attitude shifted.
The two women exchanged smiles as they faced each other.
“Your eyeshadow is truly beautiful, 3rd Princess. If I remember correctly, it wasn’t so sharp but round?”
“1st Princess, it seems you’ve made some achievements in controlling your aura. I remember you couldn’t suppress your killing intent at all, hmm.”
Quick retorts fly!
Solana quickly diverted the topic.
“Anyway, I believe you all are aware. The atmosphere on the continent is troubling these days. Especially due to the Demon Realm.”
“That’s right.”
“Is there anyone as capable as 1st Princess and 2nd Princess? I hope you leave here and show off your abilities. It’s urgent.”
“What about you?”
Then Solana placed her hand on her chest.
“What can I say? This is my duty. No matter how hard it is, I must take care of the patients until the end. Staying by their side.”
Solana emphasized “no matter how hard it is.”
Dramatic pause
“…”
The other two princesses found that quite displeasing.
It felt as though she said she was doing it just because she had to, without any desire for it. Playing dumb this far was something else.
Cringe alert
The princesses had little connection between them. In other words, it wasn’t strange at all if disputes arose over their own desires.
The princesses were at the highest positions and were adults. No one could stop them.
At that moment, an unusual tension filled the reception room.
“Alright, may the blessings of the Sun God be with us.”
Solana shouted the rallying cry once more.
“Today’s meeting will conclude here. May you all do well and, if possible, leave the capital as far as you can and make a name for yourselves…”
But right at that moment.
“Inspector, I’ll handle it personally from now on.”
Ether and Solana turned their heads simultaneously.
Hedera, who had maintained complete silence, finally spoke up.
“I’m very busy and don’t feel like it, but as the Tower Master, I must take responsibility. Taking care of the Inspector of the Magic Tower is included, of course. I’ll take you with me.”
“…”
Solana and Ether narrowed their eyes simultaneously.
Panic mode activated
‘This woman isn’t in her right mind either.’
“What a crazy dog.”
“Umm, you just spoke out loud again.”
No matter what Ether and Solana said, Hedera simply enjoyed her tea with her eyes closed.
“It’s only natural for the Tower Master to retrieve the Magic Tower Inspector. I don’t see why three people need to occupy the reception room for a meeting.”
Confusion intensifies
“But that’s not what’s at stake here…”
…What’s with this sudden change?
Solana barely managed to swallow the question.
“Hmm…”
“Hmm.”
Soon, only groans started to echo in the reception room.
They were anything but ordinary. They were princesses.
At age where they needed to take responsibility for their statements and actions, born into amazing circumstances. Their power is also formidable, so if a fight broke out, the aftermath would be extremely severe.
Clashing swords sounds
Even brushing against each other would leave a fatal blow.
Knowing just how great their influence was, they all hesitated to act recklessly.
At that moment, Ether swept her bangs away from her forehead.
“2nd Princess is soon to attend the Ascension Ceremony. You wouldn’t have time to deal with Magic Tower matters. So naturally, the teacher will suffer from overwork. That can’t happen.”
Then Hedera immediately narrowed her brows.
“The Ascension Ceremony has been preparing steadily and is going very smoothly. I can take care of welfare matters with my discretion. You know my way of handling things.”
Looking confident
“I do know. The way you abandon your Tower.”
Sound of cringe
“…”
A moment of silence passed.
Hedera slammed her teacup down with a loud bang.
“Then, why is the 1st Princess so composed?”
Sharp gaze!
Hedera locked eyes with Ether.
“The one who caused a ludicrous duel and injured my Magic Tower Inspector is you. Thanks to you, my Magic Tower has suffered tremendously.”
“…”
Awkward silence reigns
…Look at that?
Guess who’s fuming
…Does this seem like a mere incident due to the Tower?
Ether remembered the expression Hedera wore at the entrance. That wasn’t just a woman worried about the Tower’s losses.
It was a genuinely worried face for Ezekiel.
“Of course, I know there’s an aspect of being deceived, but you know. Your power is dangerous, and it’s best to be separated from the Inspector. What do you think, 3rd Princess?”
Hedera tossed the question.
Solana caught it swiftly.
“2nd Princess and I don’t completely share the same thoughts. Saying to separate without reason is a harsh expression, don’t you think? However, I do agree that the 1st Princess should withdraw. That power is absolutely necessary in the Northern Region.”
Hedera’s cunning plan unravels
Solana cleverly utilized Hedera’s words to push Ether away, but at the same time, she didn’t ally with Hedera. The three-way chess match was already deadly.
“1st Princess, you’re too great to stay. Without the 1st Princess, we can’t defend the North.”
“Hmm, that’s a valid point.”
Hedera nodded while shooting a glance at Solana. First, if she could dismiss Ether, the rest would be easy.
One-on-one with Solana? She was confident in that.
For a moment, a silence fell inside the reception room.
Everyone holding their breath
“Understood.”
At last, the one to break the silence was Ether.
She nodded her head.
“I comprehend all that you’re saying.”
“Finally, you see my point.”
“Right, the sin I hold against the teacher is far too great. So just get lost. That’s what I mean.”
Mic drop
Ether’s mouth twisted in a strange way.
“Oh, come on! Surely you can’t mean that? I spoke with good intentions!”
“Put your emotions aside. This is a logical piece of advice.”
Solana and Hedera each said a word towards Ether.
In unison, they believed they had successfully pushed one person out.
Victory screech
Just when they thought so.
“At the very least, it seems I have committed a sin that requires a lifetime of atonement. Thus, I shall marry the teacher to make amends.”
Gasps echo
Shocking declaration emerged from the table.
“…?”
“…!”
Hedera and Solana’s faces flickered with various expressions.
“As the 1st Princess of the Empire, I shall dedicate my status to the teacher, who has nothing. I’ll wash his feet every day and even bear his children to raise them with devotion.”
Cue comedic chaos
“…”
“A~ my life feels so empty! I’ve committed such a grave sin; I must live bound as a man’s wife!”
“…”
Solana and Hedera both licked their lower lips simultaneously.
This brainless monster gave off a vibe that was far from ordinary.
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