Chapter 2 - I - Daughter of the temptress

 

Ah, why do I feel I’m forgetting something?

 

I didn’t know, but for some odd reason, it felt like there’s something I should do, and yet, I couldn’t recall anything about it.  Something that an important person told me in the past.

 

“…”

 

Hmm…well, it happens to me most of the time, so I’ll just let it be.  Maybe if I did something else, the memories would come rushing back to me.

 

“…”

 

Speaking of which, what should I do this time, anyway?

 

Outside the windows of my room, I noticed a lot of commotion among the paladins and the maids going around.  Carriages had also been appearing and stopping by the Saint’s palace, and those fancy-looking men and women were coming out, escorted by their butlers or maidservants.

 

I bet those are nobles.

 

That, and combined with the closure of the Saint’s Library for cleaning (in which I was notified in advance), it seemed like there’s something big that was about to happen this time, huh? 

 

“…”

 

Well, it’s not like it’s my problem though.  Even if I asked what’s up, I have nothing to do with it, since it’s Chersea’s affair.  Maybe I’d just get up later and search for work in Arles?

 

“…”

 

God, this is boring.  Anyway, just as I laid my head on the pillow, my heart almost jumped out of my chest when I saw Maddie suddenly appear, floating above me.

 

“Whoa!!!”

 

“Kyaaaa!!!”

 

“Uhh…excuse me, I think I’m the one who has all the rights to scream?” I jested.

 

“Oh, right.  This is your place after all.” Maddie quickly calmed down, as she had appeared.

 

I got up and sat by the edge of the bed, “Alone right now, Your Holiness?”

 

“It’s Maddie!” she protested as she furiously whispered, “Yes, I’m pretty much alone, so don’t tell anyone!  Not even Lily!”

 

“Oh…” Maddie’s behavior and voice were telling me she’s running away from the watchful eyes of her maids.

 

“Yes, I do.” she answered with conviction, “Come on, it’s pretty normal, right?  I mean, we can do this since we’re lovers now!  Act like one, will you?”

 

“…”  Well, being called a ‘lover’ was a new ring to my ears; me whose 25 years of life were spent in lonely solitude.  Being treated and having to act like one felt different from my usual routine, so I’m still not used to it.

 

“Don’t worry, as I’ve said before, I understand you.” Maddie winked, “Anyway, it’s nothing serious.  I just want to come to your room and hang around…”

 

Her voice trailing into thin air gave me suspicions.  Having been with her for quite some time now, I knew Maddie could be a responsible person, but most of the time she does things at her pace; and was highly spontaneous.  And yes, her barging into my room was telling me she had something that she wanted to talk about…

 

Perhaps I should dig a little deeper?

 

“Come on K-Kuro, I-I just want to see you.” she followed up on her explanation when she noticed I was looking straight at her, determining the truth behind her words.

 

“?” I’m having my doubts.

 

Maddie silently nodded her head.  However, I could see traces of exhaustion on her face, and combined with her occasional sighing, I could safely assume that she’s having issues right now.  

 

“…”

 

“W-What…?” Maddie couldn’t help but blush terribly the longer I stared at her cute face.

 

“You know…” I began my words, “…since you told me earlier to act like your lover, well, don’t mind if I’ll do just that.  So, I think it’s only logical that I get to know the problems bugging you.”

 

“I-I’m not—”

 

“You can’t hide it from me; I can tell you’re exhausted.” I insisted, sealing off her escape route.

 

“Haa…looks like I  can’t hide anything from you, huh?” Maddie then fell silent as she averted her face from my eyes, before finally admitting, “Well…I’m at a loss right now, see?”

 

“Oh?  Why?”

 

“Miss Franceska already handed me her resignation from being the Grand Mother Templar Superior.  It’s all so sudden, and if I’m unable to find a replacement for her soon, I’ll be the one to deal with the human kings.” her words ended with a long sigh.

 

“Ha?  What do you mean ‘deal with the human kings?’  Is this connected to those guys arriving outside your palace just now?”

 

“Oh, it seems you don’t know just yet.” Maddie then explained, “The ‘Holy Congress’ is just around the corner, and my only representative suddenly quit.”

 

A what?

 

 

The ‘Holy Congress’.

 

Well, for something as different of a world such as this, it sure felt weird to hear a familiar word like that.  Various things came through my head the moment Maddie said that; but I didn’t like to presume things, so I asked her if she could explain it with more detail.

 

“It’s a meeting of the human kings and other rulers to discuss problems they had with their neighboring countries.” she patiently elaborated, “You see, most of the conflicts and wars before I became the saint stemmed from the misunderstandings and pride of these leaders.  So, when I was finally given the power, I negotiated with all the kingdoms to form treaties to ensure lasting peace.  This is one result of that event.”

 

“Oh, so it’s like a way to air out their grievances with each other by talking, and not fighting?”

 

“Precisely.” Maddie approvingly smiled at me, “I’m amazed that you’re always quick to understand my ideas, Kuro.”

 

“Well, it’s like the United Nations, see?  So, I’m familiar with the idea.”

 

“Huh?  United…Na—what’s that?”

 

I explained to Maddie that old institution from my world known as the United Nations.  If I’m not mistaken about how I understood her goals, the U.N. and her ‘Holy Congress’ had the same functions.  The only difference was, Maddie’s ‘Holy Congress’ was more ‘primitive’ in its structure and mechanisms than that one back on Earth.

 

Maddie continued at her explanation, “Ahh, but you know, this Holy Congress…it’s quite exhausting, listening to every country’s problems with their neighbors.  I want to ask them, ‘Can’t you do something about it without coming to me every single time?’  I mean, some of their concerns are petty like water rights on a river on their borders; can’t they just share it since it’s on their border, anyway?”

 

I just listened to Maddie’s rants about the ‘Holy Congress’.  Well, I understood her concerns.  However, if we came down to the very basics, what she’s complaining about was human nature.  

 

Isn’t it the same on Earth?  Wars would be fought over the pettiest things, like a lost pig, a murdered dog, a looted-down pastry shop from a decade earlier, a stolen wooden bucket, and most infamously, an old, decomposing ear from seven years ago…

 

“Well, I can’t help it.” Maddie defended her side, “Even if I’d like this ‘Congress’ to be a perfect one, I’m only one person, see?”

 

Indeed, she was.  But well, for someone her age—and considering the medieval environment and her upbringing, I think Maddie had contributed more to humanity’s safety and prosperity than anyone else that preceded her.

 

Heck, when I was her age, all I can think of is how much money I’d get from my parents—purposefully for school expenses but in reality, was for spending at a computer café!

 

Her Holiness was a girl full of endless potential.  A genius, if you ask me.  Makes me wonder again why she took notice of this old, poor slob.

 

“…”

 

Ugh…there goes my insecurities once again about that engagement…

 

“Kuro!”

 

“!!!”

 

Maddie took hold of my face, “Stop doubting yourself!  I never once regretted choosing you!”

 

Well…that’s quite nice to hear.

 

“I mean, come on!” Maddie tried to keep my spirits up, “Even though you call me a genius, I’m still learning!  Look, I don’t even know what to do now that Miss Franceska is gone.”

 

Well, that’s the correct attitude of geniuses, the courage to admit their shortcomings.  And yes, it’s true, and that’s quite a predicament.  Miss Franceska was the current Grand Mother Templar Superior, and technically Maddie’s ‘right hand’ in all religious and political functions.  

 

Think of her as the ‘Pope’, and she represents Maddie, the ‘god’.

 

I could understand Maddie’s anxiety.  You see, Miss Franceska was adept in dealing with the troublesome rulers of Chersea.  She’s the one who dealt with the aftermath of the disastrous engagement of Maddie to the Imperial Prince so that the fallout from that event didn’t have severe consequences on anyone…

 

Wait, now that I come to think of it, I’m the one who caused that problem in the first place…

 

So yeah, the old grandma helped prevent conflicts that could be avoided.  But well, considering her age, I guess Miss Franceska had already realized that being god’s representative wasn’t a job forever.  She had served Her Holiness Madelaine well up to the end…

 

“Hmph!  What pisses me off is not that she stepped down during this critical moment; Grandma Franceska  left because she still dreams of getting married!” Maddie angrily explained, “She didn’t heed to my advice to keep off from that Count of Nash!”

 

Well, one does not simply prevent one from falling-in-love and forming a family, even at such an age.

 

“Ha?” Maddie read my thoughts, “Miss Franceska may be in love, but that childish gigolo the Count of Nash isn’t!  We all know very well that he only wants her vast fortune!”

 

“…”  I’m having a hard time digesting what I just heard.  Or maybe I just misheard it completely?

 

Come on, you can’t keep her from loving someone, Maddie!  In a world with a chaotic time reckoning, I’m sure you’re just miscalculating and misreading that guy’s age and intentions…

 

“WHAT?  You think someone who has 2,064 seasons behind him for age would  love and cherish a 7,731-seasons’ old lady?” Maddie’s frustrations were seething and inadvertently being vented on me.

 

Hmm…I guess that’s questionable.  Even a grade-schooler could see the great disparity in numbers.  I mean, it’s 5,667 seasons early for that boy!  Maddie’s got around 1,200 seasons behind her, and she looked like a 16-year-old teenager.  In contrast, Miss Franceska would be mistaken for an ‘ancient relic’; in fact, I won’t be surprised if she’ll be certified as a centenarian or two back on Earth!

 

Oh well, the evil that comes from the love of money is the same, no matter what world you’re in.  

 

Gold diggers come in all races and universes.  And yes, I could now understand Maddie’s concern for granny Franceska.  But this was a matter of the heart; no matter how Her Holiness gets mad, one could not simply knock common sense to a smitten individual once that stupid love-god shot his arrows on her.

 

Just like that saying back in my country: ‘You can’t stop falling-in-love.’

 

Ah, Miss Franceska, I sincerely hope that you’ll find happiness with your guy…

 

“Argh!  I’m  pissed, Kuro!” Maddie flailed her arms in the air as she threw the pillows on my bed.  I couldn’t blame her; Granny Franceska’s been like a ‘mother-figure’ not only to her but to all the girls of the Holy Palatial Gardens as well.

 

Ah, as much as we wanted to do something about it, we couldn’t do anything at all.  So, to calm this cute, angry girl beside me, I reached out and pat Maddie’s head.  I guess that made her frustrations go away a little, at least…

 

Ara!  Ara!