That frown curled up into a smile, "Forgive for the excessive safety asures," she spoke; her voice lodious to the ears, polished and low in tone.
The room was dimly lit with lamps on the grey walls and a candelabra upon the table; three sets of doors were all closed. With what little light they had, they could see her enough.
Golds and bronzes trailed along the royal-purple of her dress. A gold chain with an athyst amulet rested on her neck; to match, earrings of gold hung with purple gems—eyes a dark brown, light bronze skin, purple hair with so strands green.
The ends of her combed bangs were black and they could only assu the ends of her wavy hair that went below the table was as well. A golden tiara with purple gems sat atop her head.
So light lipstick and blush, her eyeliner gold above black ending like sharp daggers which she stared at them with. She kept a finger curled above her lips, "Please, take a seat."
Two of the Royal Guard marched forward, clanking in tal with cloths atop their chests that adorned the symbol of Cravolta. They pulled back the four tall wooden seats that had cushions inlayed.
Jotou kept staring at the princess as Feyan walked over to her and bent down to whisper sothing in her ear. His eyes darted to the side to et Jotou’s gaze—upon which he gulped.
Her majesty then glanced back to Jotou, "Is there sothing amiss Thundering Blade?" she raised a brow.
With glazed over eyes the blonde replied, "A lot of things actually... but I’ll play along with this." Fuko shared the sa suspicious squint Jotou had as she took a good look at the guards’ faces.
"Well, nothing we cannot discuss. You and your companions are permitted to sit," the princess put her hand out.
"Following your lead here," Fuko whispered as she went forward and took a seat.
"Asobi?" Hotaru looked to.
"I’ll keep quiet for now," she leaned in close. Hotaru nodded. The two walked past the standing blonde to take a seat.
"Please be reasonable, don’t get us in trouble," Hotaru passed the ssage to Jotou in a hush.
"I’ll certainly try," Jotou took a breath as she walked forward to take a seat. The Royal Guard pushed them inwards before taking a few steps back to stand guard behind them.
The princess humd in a smile as Feyan stood still. "First of all, allow to formally thank you for your efforts in Hartamat.
Because of you four brave heroes, a disastrous weapon of catastrophic proportions has been subdued; sothing that could have spelled the possible destruction of Cravolta."
’What, did she morize a dictionary before talking to us? This is getting ridiculous Daiyu.’
The princess gazed right at Jotou, "I am told you were quite driven to et as swift as possible. I must say, I am flattered.
What have I done to garner such attention from the Thundering Blade herself? This was my first appearance outside of the palace in months; have I caught your eyes?" she laid a hand on her chest.
Hotaru’s ears flickered as she narrowed her eyes on Jotou. Asobi had shut her eyes completely, but still sat straight, whilst Fuko had her arms crossed as she slumped into the chair.
’Fine, we’re playing this ga?’ "Well, your majesty, I can’t quite say that. My eyes are caught elsewhere. Though, the reason I simply had to see you was because of such a grand display.
An appearance from the princess herself and in a parade no less? All for ? I should be the one thanking you. However, sothing did catch my eye about you.
You have an interesting green complexion in your hair. I had a friend with the sa idea to get green streaks in her hair. It looked weird at a first glance until I got used to it and realized it suited her," Jotou smirked.
The princess’s eyes widened and her brows furrowed; her hand clenched, "Are you... mocking ?" her voice quivered a bit.
Jotou shook her head, "Not at all." ’You don’t have much of a cover now that I think about it... You literally announced your actual na to the world. It’s ti I flip this little prank in my favour Daiyu.’
"I just think it’s curious that royalty would have such simplicities as us commonfolk, such as dying parts of their hair a different shade."
"Oh, I see," the princess smiled, blinking six tis before she exhaled, "However, your appearance pales in comparison to most of the noble families I’ve t; to call you commonfolk would be an insult.
Even if you carry yourself so ssily. Perhaps I can request my hairstylist to help with those unruly blonde strands and my makeup artist could fix up your face as well.
I cannot help but notice that glower you sotis carry yourself with. You give off the feeling that you might steal sothing from ."
"Oh, it cos with being an adventurer really. Can’t be dressed up like a doll to fight in a desert now, can I? I suppose what I lack in that departnt I make up for in my combat.
I’m sure sitting in your palace all day does not allow you to participate in athleticism much. Besides, I had no idea I would be invited so hastily to Cravolta City to et you princess.
So forgive my tardiness a little if you may. Honestly, with how the guards spoke, it seed like you were more in a hurry to et with princess.
I was practically rushed into that train to arrive as soon as possible. Once I heard your na, I was caught a little off guard. Where does such a na hail from? Luxinor perhaps?"
The three of them watched idly, staring back and forth between their conversation—except Asobi of course. Feyan pressed his lips together as he watched with his eyes half-closed.
The Royal Guard raised their brows or darted their eyes between them a couple of tis, but remained steady as per their orders.
The princess smiled, "My na? It does hail from Luxinor. You see, my parents once visited a little town in between the borders of Luxinor and Cravolta.
They had heard that na being shouted across the streets and were fascinated by it; hence, they gave the beautiful na."
It was then that Jotou’s smiled faded, "Likely story." ’I have no doubt it’s you now.’
"Uh, princess," Feyan spoke up.
"Now, now," the princess put her hand up, "I am aware of what the Thundering Blade is doing. This playful ribbing helps ease the tension in the room as well as strengthen our relations.
It is quite the bold and clever strategy she has developed. However, it is not a likely story Thundering Blade, I assure you," her face saddened a little.
"Sure, sure," Jotou smirked. Hotaru pouted in concern, Asobi opened an eye to see. "Though, you have another na it would seem; the, Undying Princess I believe?
How did you obtain such a title? Perhaps you ca back from the dead?"
"Ms Howllett... that is a sensitive topic..." Feyan barely made a sound.
"Ah, my title..." the princess looked down, as if reminiscing sothing. She took a deep breath, forcing a smile, "I suppose ’unyielding’ would be a better substitute."
"Sorry to interrupt," Fuko was not really sorry, "I can’t help but notice your hair has black ends. Is it genetic or sothing?" she sat up, putting her elbows on the table.
"ko..." Hotaru growled softly.
"It’s fine," Jotou replied to the redhead, "I’m curious as well."
"We should, avoid that topic," before Feyan could suggest, the princess sniffled a little.
She held back the tears in a gulp, "Please... it is a magical accident. The one that... It is not, genetic," she still answered.
"Okay," Jotou leaned forward in a sigh, "I was willing to play along with your little ga Daiyu, but trying to make yourself cry? Co on, it’s getting pathetic."
"Little, ga?" the princess’s eyebrows raised as Feyan handed her a clean cloth to wipe her eyes.
"Seriously, enough. If this is the best you can do to ss with , you’ve successfully failed, ’your majesty’. You thought I’d be paranoid and worried with all the blindfolding and keeping everything secret?
Guess what? Didn’t work. Your butler gave away most of it and I have a detective on my side. And what? Put in this quiet room without even turning on the lights was to make feel even more anxious?
I know it’s you, so enough with the mind gas. You can’t win this little prank," Jotou glared.
The Royal Guard slowly approached behind the four and Feyan took back the cloth as the princess handed it to him. "No, no," the princess called off the guards.
"Those were all for security reasons," she sobbed a little, "You do realize we are currently at war Thundering Blade? I cannot be so foolhardy with my safety... I believe, you are mistaking for soone else."
"I’m not mistaking you for anyone," Jotou gritted her teeth and screeched the share back. "I think I would know my best friend of sixteen damn years!" the blonde’s hands pressed down on the table.
"Jotou-" Hotaru tried to grab her arm.
"Enough! Do you have any idea what it’s been like here!? I don’t wanna play these stupid gas right now!!!" her blonde eyebrows arched, a lingering sadness inlaid upon the anger.
The room fell silent, Jotou’s enraged panting being the only sound being made. The princess stared to the standing blonde, about to bawl her eyes out.
"I request everyone but the Thundering Blade and I to leave the room please," the princess uttered.
"But your majesty... I cannot allow you to be here when the Thundering Blade is acting so-"
"It is alright Artevik. Please leave us be," she glanced back to him. "If anything happens, I can defend myself. Now, do you deny my orders?" she hushed.
Feyan’s eyes widened, "...No princess..." he stood up straight. "Guards, escort the Thundering Blade’s companions outside please."
"It will only take a few minutes," the princess added. The guards nodded and went forward to pull back their chairs.
Hotaru stood up, "This is getting out of hand Jotou," she uttered gently, "I don’t think that’s your friend."
"Trust , I know what I’m doing," the blonde’s glare never left sight of the princess.
"Maybe I can put on a show so that everyone can ease up a bit!" Asobi cheered, putting her wand up in the air.
"Let’s go miss, her majesty has ordered us to leave," the Royal Guard spoke.
"Let’s go Sobi," Hotaru ushered the magician out.
"I think she’s lying," Fuko glanced up to Jotou as she left.
"I’m aware," Jotou replied. The three of them left the room, followed by the four Royal Guard. Feyan sighed, opening one of the side entrances to depart.
The doors shut and the two were left alone. The princess stood up, frowning at Jotou.
"Was this all so sort of cover you have going on? You already announced your na to Cravolta City and the previous, actual, princess’s na must’ve been known by the country well before she died."
"I apologize, but I do not know who you are. I have only just heard of you Thundering Blade. And what is this about a cover?" she tilted her head.
"Stop, calling that. You clearly don’t have any cover so why hide it from if you’re not trying to ss with ? Your hair ends in black and your eyes are the sa colour Daiyu.
I died and ca into this world, sa as you. See?" Jotou brought her ponytail forward, showing the black ends.
"Please, I would prefer if you call princess... What makes you so sure that I am this friend of yours when I am clearly not? Do you require so rest? I do apologize for requesting your presence so hastily," she glanced to the floor.
"And I’d prefer if you call Jotou. And besides the obvious evidence of your na, eyes and hair colour? One, you haven’t made a presence in months, probably because you ca back to life after dying.
Two, security my ass, Feyan tried his best to make up a story for you, but that failed the second he opened his mouth.
Three, I’d only let a handful of people mock for looking like I was going to steal sothing. That ’playful ribbing’ pretty much gave you away.
Nice try though, I almost believed you, but you can’t outsmart-ass Daiyu. So, would you please just stop this act already?" Jotou sighed.
The princess stared, like she was staring at soone who had gone mad. "I am sorry I mocked your appearance, but I believed you were doing the sa to ...
Feyan can be quite nervous in nature, but he has never ant any harm if that is the case. And I have not made a presence in months because... my parents died not too long ago..." tears rolled down her cheeks.
’...Did I ss up...? There’s no way she isn’t Daiyu... I... shit...’ Jotou’s brows softened as she stepped back a little from the table, "Did you, lose your mories or sothing...?" ’That has to be it...’
"mories?" the princess faced Jotou, "Are you telling that I may have lost mories of you sohow...? I do not believe that is the case Thundering- I an, Jotou."
’...Maybe I got too used to fixing my mistakes with that ti egg...’ "I-I’m sorry... If you, lost all your mories... I shouldn’t approach you like this..."
’Maybe she doesn’t rember our old world like I do... Or maybe...’ "You’re not the Xia Lan Daiyu I know..." Jotou spoke into the silent air, eyes slanting downwards.
The princess wiped her tears with her palm as she turned around and folded her arms, "I see you have found your mistake..."
"S-sorry... I heard the na of my friend and, I couldn’t believe anything otherwise... I hope you can just, forget such a rude conversation..." Jotou stared at her back.
The princess continued staring at the wall, "I suppose I can excuse you Jotou... Heavens know what being on the battlefield has put you through."
The blonde could feel needles piercing into her heart as she stared to the floor. ’I ssed up... I completely ssed up...’ "I just, missed my friend so much... I apologize again..."
"You are forgiven Jotou, do not worry yourself any longer," the princess spoke again. "Jotou..." she squinted, "If you separate your na it almost sounds like Joey Toes," she smirked.
Jotou felt her heartbeat quicken, a sudden rush of adrenaline and hope as she faced up, her hair slapping the air, "Daiyu..."
Daiyu gave a little devious cackle, "I can’t believe I made you of all people back down," her tone and voice had no lody nor elegance.
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