Chapter 9 - II -
And with that, Lily thought her worries were over. Actually, it only got worse.
“…”
Every time she and Mariya would go out and walked around the village, Roland would be there waiting. No matter where they went, he would always appear, complete with something to give to Lily.
Flowers, then handkerchiefs, scarves, baskets of fruits…
As for Lily herself, she tried her best to refuse such gestures, but the young man was persistent. He would push all those unto her, it was embarrassing to turn him down anymore.
For Mariya, it’s getting on her nerves that the guard would always show up wherever they went. He had sort of become their standard time to come back home whenever he appears. Grandma Margie’s house was the only place left in all Hagena that Roland never dared to approach, after all.
One more time and Mariya would be forced to use their trump card against him…
“Right. But you haven’t seen my skills just yet. Back in our town, I’m the greatest warrior.” he proudly flexed his muscles, “All the ladies back there would fall for me the moment I displayed my prowess in battle.”
“I-I see…g-good for you then. Haha…” Lily was becoming uncomfortable as the guard kept on rambling about his ‘exploits’. Mariya, who would never leave her side, whispered…
“Miss Knight, Roland may be obnoxious, but he’s harmless.”
“Yes, I know.” the former head maid smiled reassuringly.
Then, having had enough of his pathetic show, Mariya confronted Roland, “Hey! I don’t mind if you keep on making yourself look like an idiot, but for shame’s sake, this lady you’re trying to seduce has a lover already!”
“Ha?”
“I said she has someone in her heart already!”
That put Roland’s flirt train to a screeching halt.
***Kersea, capital of the Empire of Chersea***
The Imperial Palace was an enormous complex of magnificent buildings built to impress any foreign visitor in those parts of Chersea. Starting from the mighty defensive walls that ring around the home of the emperor, at which guards in equally impressive suits of armor guarded the halls and entry points. The marble floor, stretching from the main palace façade up to the most remote location of the place, was a testament to the wealth and power of the resident.
But that’s not all…
The pillars of the buildings inside were covered in gold, and expensive velvet carpets made by the elves spread around the chambers and the throne room. Rich tapestries and paintings adorned most of the walls of the palaces, and ornate statues and vases dotted the hallways at a regular interval.
One could easily claim that the Imperial Palace was indeed the most lavish, and beautiful feat of architecture not only of the Empire of Chersea but of the entire humanity.
However…
*Yaaawwnnn!*
“Your Holiness, if I may ask, are you enjoying your time here?”
“Hm? Well, quite.” a girl with short black hair curtly answered the emperor while reclining on a gilded chair reserved for her.
“Oh…if that’s the case, I think you would enjoy more if you join your humble servant in going around the rooms.” the emperor explained all the while she made him her footstool, “Your humble servant would like to show you his most impressive collection of treasure gained from the time of his ancestors.”
“Nah, you don’t need to do that, emperor. I had enough of those.”
“Right…”,
“Just tell me about the preparation for that invasion of yours. I’m pretty bored getting stuck here, after calling me over just to ask nonsensical questions.”
“Your humble servant would like to express his sincere apologies for disturbing Your Holiness’ peace.” the emperor replied, “Your humble servant would only like to ensure the cooperation of the Bloody Witch in our upcoming struggle.”
“What makes you think you’ll fail? Aren’t I cooperating with you already? I already restrained the dark saint before, so the human saint is blind right now.”
“Of course, Your Holiness. Your mere presence is a great boost for the morale of your humble servant’s soldiers.”
“Hmph!” the girl dismissed his compliment, “Be thankful that I’m still supporting you after you failed in capturing Madelaine. Your men should’ve been executed for such a blunder!”
“Your humble servant pleads for clemency, Your Holiness.”
“Granted. After all, a good saint such as me, Seirna, would always be forgiving. Anyway, just tell me, how are the preparations going?”
The emperor then answered, “Your Holiness, as of now, we’re merely waiting for the signal of our agents from across the sea. The army has been properly supplied and ready. It’s just that, there are some problems…”
“Problems? Like what?”
“The Iron Princess.”
“What about her?”
“We’re trying our best to capture her, or at least, keep her out of the upcoming conflict. The Human Saint relies on her, and it would surely swing the war to our side once we cut the Iron Princess off from her friend.”
“I see. So that’s how it is, huh?” she sighed deeply, “I don’t get why you’re so afraid of little girls. The human saint is just a pile of unstable emotions and cries easily. The supposedly ‘Iron’ Princess you’re so scared about is just her lackey that runs the moment you frighten her!”
“Yes, Your Holiness. But as far as human limitations go, with the Iron Princess free, her threat would never subside. Your humble servant’s men would be severely disadvantaged on the battlefields knowing that she’s there. And your humble servant is sure that the Iron Princess would soon be recalled to lead the northern barbarian armies once our real intention is revealed.”
“Ugh, such a pathetic show. Alright, I understand the princess is their only hope if they wish to turn your men back.” Seirna then removed her feet from the kowtowing emperor and finally stood up, “Well then, I guess I need to work as well.”
“Your Holiness, if your humble servant may ask, what do you intend to do? Would you like to have some men at your command?”
“That won’t be necessary. I can do it alone.” Seirna stretched out her body and then smirked, “Well then, this world has been peaceful and stagnant for far too long. I guess it’s time to have some interesting events!”
This was the nth time that Roland had appeared at the gates of Grandma Margie’s house. Ever since he learned about Lily having a lover, his ‘appearance range’ grew considerably bigger to include the old lady’s home. And just as the same, whenever he showed up, he had something—a bouquet of roses this time—with him.
However, for this one, he had also brought several of his fellow guards with him.
“Mariya, why is that guard keep coming back here?” the old lady worriedly asked her grandchild, “And his companions keep on increasing as well!”
“I did nothing wrong!” Mariya defended herself, “It’s because he couldn’t keep his pants to himself.”
“Mariya! Watch your mouth!”
“Sorry, grandma…” Mariya then explained, “Roland is just head over heels with Miss Knight, and we don’t know how to deal with him, no matter how hard we try to avoid or shoo him away.”
“I see. So that’s how it is…” Grandma Margie then asked, “What are we going to do with that boy? He’s attracting unwanted attention. If the local guard commander were to find them out of their posts, he might investigate why and it will surely give us an unnecessary headache.”
Lily was listening to their conversation, with her chest heavy for the trouble she brought to them. She and Mariya thought that telling Roland she had someone in her heart would cause him to go away. Instead, it seemed like it even intensified his desire to flirt with her.
“I’m sorry that it happened.” she bowed and apologized.
“Oh no! Milady, please raise your head!” the old lady blurted out, “We can’t control such youths who act with their hearts before they think with their minds. You’re beautiful after all!”
Lily was flustered when she heard that.
Mariya swooned, “Yeah, grandma is smooth, just like that.”
“Shut up, Mariya.” Grandma Margie snapped.
“Ah, anyway!” Lily then grabbed her crutches, “I think it’s my responsibility to tell that boy off. I’m the one who caused this.”
“Err…what are you going to do, Miss Knight?”
“You’ll see.” Lily winked at her.
