CHAPTER 1: TO BE ALONE - ACT 2
We touchdown before the palace gates, then Akashi and I dismount from Ban.
I'm so glad to be home after the night I've just had!
I wave my hand, and the two on duty guards push open the huge steel gates. The three of us walk in, and the gate is closed behind us.
Akashi looks back at the gate with curiosity. She doesn't say a word, but she's probably surprised at herself being let in without question.
We continue on through the front garden. Akashi faces forward again and takes a look around her.
"Huh? Oh, wow!" Her eyes light up as she absorbs the beauty of our surroundings. She stares closely at the rows of bright and colorful flowers that line our path, then looks up open mouthed at the four tall, pink cherry blossom trees that surround the central fountain.
Finally, we reach the fountain itself. Its circular stone basin is very wide, taking up almost half the front garden, with a marble angel in its center which spouts water from her giving hand.
We stop at this water feature, as it splits our path into two so we must go around it. I also observe the landscaping with my chest out in pride. "Pretty great, huh? My mother designed this garden herself."
I turn back to Akashi.
What the? She's now standing in the fountain, repeatedly scooping up the water, and throwing it in the air!
"Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay!"
"Hey! Cut that out, Akashi! This is a garden! Not a swimming pool!"
She stops and smiles awkwardly whilst waving her hands. "Whoops! Sorry! I've just never seen a place this nice before, that's all!"
I roll my eyes.
How can someone so powerful be so immature!
***
Later on, we take Ban inside the stable, which is situated on the far south side of the front garden.
"Um… Akashi… Is Ban gonna stay looking like this forever, or can you change him back?"
She impishly smiles. "Well, I could change him back… But that's not such a good idea!"
"Huh?"
"Your highness!"
I turn around and see Aya, Toma's fiancé, run into the stable. She's still wearing her knight's armor. Her long silver hair sways as she bows to me.
"Hi, Aya. How come you're out here? Shouldn't you be getting ready for your ball?"
She raises her chin and closes her eyes. "Hey, don't fret about that. It only takes me a few minutes to dress up, unlike those other slowpoke chicks when they get ready to party!"
That was kind of brash… I guess Toma's tendencies are starting to rub off on her!
I respond with an awkward smile. "Ha-ha… Is that so?"
"Well, we'd better get going, your highness! You need to get ready yourself! Hmm?"
Aya quickly notices Ban. "Woooow! Cool horse! Soooooo shiny!"
She dashes over to Ban and strokes the top of his now solid head. Her eyes sparkle in awe.
"Great horse, huh?" Akashi slides into Aya's view and casually leans on Ban. "He belongs to the Prince, here! An awesome stallion for an awesome guy, am I right?"
What the? Holy crap!
"I didn't realize you had such beautiful taste, your highness!" Aya comments.
"He also has great taste in women, too! In fact, his highness here was just about to ask a gorgeous girl like you on a da-"
I quickly grab Akashi, with one arm around her collar bone and my other arm's hand covering her mouth. She muffles and struggles and muffles some more!
"Ah-ha… Don't mind my friend, here, Aya! She's just had a little too much pre-party wine, that's all!" Gee, Akashi feels really strong. I'm struggling to hold her like this!
"Huh?" My knight takes a step back as she returns to reality. "Oh, alright. Are you gonna head on to your room now?"
"Sure, Aya! You go on ahead. I'll catch up, okay?"
"Great. See you there, your highness!"
She bows and returns to the palace.
I let go of Akashi, and she hastily wipes her mouth with her hand.
"Blehhhhh! Hey, what's the big idea? You were about to score big time there, buddy!"
I cross my arms. "It's 'your highness'! And no, I was not about to score. Aya is my best friend's fiancé, so she's off limits, okay?"
She blinks twice after hearing my stern words. After a moment, she straightens her back and speaks quietly.
"Oh… y-yeah. I understand. I'm sorry, your highness."
As she bows, my serious face softens to a smile. "It's okay, Akashi. You know, I guess it's not so bad to have a crystal horse with laser eyes around. What do you say, Ban? Do you want to keep your new look?"
Ban neighs happily. I'll take that as a yes!
Akashi starts jumping up and down. "Ha-ha! Yay! Ban's gonna wow all the ladies for you, your highness!"
Yeah, Akashi… 'Wow the ladies'.
Now they just need to be wowed by me, too… If that's even possible…
***
My servant, Juna, helps me put on my ballroom clothes. He's on the short side, even shorter than Akashi, so he stands on a stool as he fixes up my black cloak. Looking at my clothes with multiple golden thread patterns, these ballroom threads are fancy!
I can tell Juna's putting extra effort into making me look my best for tonight. All of that should boost my confidence, but in reality, it's doing the opposite. I feel a drop of cold sweat on my forehead, but Juna simply ignores my anxiety and hums away.
"Looking great, your highness!" Akashi sits on my bed, giving me a thumbs up.
"Your friend is correct, Prince Goyasaku," adds Juna softly. We are so fortunate to have such a dashing prince!" Again, Juna is putting me more on edge!
"He'll be the talk of the whole party! Cya-hahahahaha!" Akashi isn't helping, either!
"Hey, Juna, are there any hot babes on the guest list for tonight? I'm determined to help his highness find a queen tonight!"
I guess subtlety isn't her strength!
"I'm sure there'll be nice ladies there aplenty, Miss Akashi," Juna replied as he continued fixing up my clothes. "But we'll let his highness decide who to court."
No pressure, huh, Juna?
Akashi jumps up from the bed and puts her hands on her hips. "Alright! Your highness, I have a foolproof plan! A you're schmoozing your girl, just be sure to lead her to the East side balcony!"
"Huh? Then what?"
She looks at my balcony which has its glass doors open, and makes a rectangular frame shape with her fingers and thumbs. "Simple! Get her to say her name, then I'll read her lips from afar, and unleash a load of fireworks that'll spell out her name in the sky!"
She grins at me. "She'll be so blown away by your passionate planning, that she'll fall in love with you faster than a shooting star!"
I'm taken aback. You know… That plan does sound kinda romantic.
"You… can do that, Akashi?"
"Sure! I'll just turn my crystals into shiny dust, throw them into the sky in whatever kanji I want, and the fireworks will light them all up accordingly!"
Hmm…
Yeah! I can get behind that!
"Wow, Miss Akashi. It's almost like you've done this kind of thing before!"
You know… Juna may be right. I guess this isn't Akashi's first time being a wingman.
Perhaps she's helped out a friend in the past?
"Um… Yeah. I'd be really grateful if you did that for me, Akashi."
"Consider it done, your highness! Your future love life is safe in my hands!" she asserts with a salute.
On hearing those words of reassurance, my nerves vanish without a trace.
Alright! Let's win someone over!
***
The ballroom, situated on the middle floor of the palace, is packed with guests. A live string quartet plays gentle music, and everyone is standing in their groups, talking to one other.
Are there really this many people here to congratulate Aya and Toma's engagement? Some people I recognise, such as fellow knights and palace officials, and some people I don't know at all.
I wander the floor with Akashi by my side. Juna did a great job of choosing a long, flowing black dress for my wingman.
We search around for a potential prospect. I look around casually - Can't seem too obvious in front of everyone!
Okay. Never mind all that. Akashi is squinting and leaning forward at each and every young woman in the crowd like a total weirdo! "Hmmm… Maybe her?" Akashi wonders aloud. "Okay, not her! Definitely not her! Oooh, maybe that one! Decisions, decisions, decisions!"
"Akashi! We're not kids in a candy store, you know!" I scold.
"Whoops! My bad, your highness! I really wasn't expecting this many ladies in one place!"
"Good evening, Goyasaku."
I recognise the voice of my mother, and I turn to see her and my father standing side by side.
"Ah, good evening to you both," I respond.
"I don't believe we've been introduced to your friend here?" Father says as he exchanges smiles with Akashi.
I awkwardly rub the back of my head. "Um… Yeah. Mother, Father, this is Akashi. I've, uh… hired her as my assistant to help me to, you know… find a queen."
I have no idea whether to be ashamed or not...
Akashi bows to my parents in the way I showed her. "Greetings, your majesties. It's nice to meet you."
"Ah, it's nice to meet you too, Akashi." Mother smiles, as well. "I suppose it does make sense to get a woman's point of view for our son's little quest."
Phew! I'm glad they're so accepting.
Huh? "Little" quest?
"And… you're a witch, I take it?" I knew Father would realize! Akashi just has that "witch" vibe about her, even though she's not wearing her cloak and pointy hat.
"Yes, your highness. I live in the West Forest with the rest of my coven, and my mother, Momoka, is the head witch."
"Yeah… I spoke with her tonight, Father. She and the other witches will stop buying so much from the market from now on."
"Ah, excellent negotiating, Goyasaku!" my father commends. "Akashi, please let your mother know that I really appreciate her co-operation."
"I will, your majesty!" Akashi bows again.
"Well, enjoy the rest of the party, you two!" remarks my Mother pleasantly.
My parents walk on and start talking with another group.
I look at Akashi. She's tilting her head and pouting her lips. "They're… Uh… being nice to me…"
"Of course," I respond to her puzzlement. "Why wouldn't they be?"
"Well… Us witches aren't exactly popular in the village, so I thought things would be the same here."
"Huh? You mean the villagers don't like the coven, even after the trade you all bring?"
Akashi solemnly looks at the ceiling. "Yeah, but I'm not too sure why. Maybe it's because us witches have special and unpredictable powers, and that freaks out those without them." She then looks down to Earth. "To be honest, I've never been welcomed so warmly like that before…"
I pause for thought.
You know, it's high time I gave Akashi some confidence, like she's given me.
"Akashi, if you and your fellow witches stay in my good books, then I'll do everything I can to make the villagers accept you all."
Akashi turns to me, then grins ecstatically. "Huh? Really? Wow, thanks, your highness!" She closes one eye and gives me a thumbs up. "Don't worry. We won't let you down!"
I return her smile.
"Anyway… I will take my leave. Bye, now!" she walks off abruptly, waving her hand.
"Huh? Hey, Akashi!"
Too late. She disappears into the crowd.
Oh, great. I've been thrown into the deep end. I'm surrounded by so many people, and most of them just so happen to be women my age…
Alright. It's time to take responsibility!
I cross my arms and look around carefully.
Hmm… You know, some of the prospects look like they could be great matches for me! Heh-heh… maybe this won't be so difficult after all!
"Hey, there!"
"Huh?"
I turn around, and a woman with long, braided sky blue hair and eyes stands before me. Her dress is a blinding white, and it really compliments her athletic figure.
She stands still before me, giving me a beautiful smile.
In a moment which feels like forever, I feel my arms uncross and my mouth start to open.
Wait! My mouth is open! Oh no, she'll think I'm a creep! Say something quick, Goyasaku!
"Um… Greetings, ma'am!" I exclaim while straightening my posture. "I'm Prince Goyasaku of the West Kingdom! It's a pleasure to meet you!"
Phew! Situation saved!
"Ha-ha! My name's Juria Telembal. I'm an adviser for the Governor. I hear this is your friends' engagement party?"
"Oh… Yeah… Toma is my head knight, and his fiancé, Aya, is also a knight, and, consequently, there are lots and lots of knights here!"
She covers her mouth with her hand and giggles. "I see."
Urgh... I have no idea what I just said there, but she seems forgiving. Time to park my nerves, and try something with a little more charm!
"Ahem. I must say, Miss Juria, your beauty is as tranquil as the ocean. Please, accompany me to the East side balcony. The view there will really make your night, as you have made mine."
"Ha-ha! You're so charming, your highness!"
"I am? I mean… Yeah! I totally am! Right this way, Miss Juria!"
Aced it! And now for the tricky part.
I open my elbow toward her and give her a confident smile. And now… Wait patiently until…
Juria happily links her arm with mine.
Success!
Alright, onto the next phase. I sure hope Akashi's ready or I'm in for a world of embarrassment!
As we both stroll through the crowd, I try to not get distracted by the other guests noticing me courting someone and gossiping.
Easy, Goyasaku... Nice and easy!
We reach the balcony after what felt like a long trek. We go outside, and I close the glass door behind us. Now the noise of the party is muted, and I can focus.
Juria walks up to the balcony's bannister, and looks out at the front garden under the clear night sky.
"Wow, it's so beautiful tonight."
Her voice is so soft to listen to. It really suits her!
Alright. Now to say her name out loud. I'm assuming Akashi has made some kind of crystal telescope to watch us talk from afar.
I quietly clear my throat and take a deep breath while Juria's not looking at me.
I walk up to her right side. "I agree. I'm so glad I get to share this view with you, Miss Juria."
"Ha-ha. Me too, your highness," she responds as she warmly turns to me.
This is going way better than I thought it would! And now…
"Miss Juria, you have a wonderful name. May I ask what it's spelt with?"
"Of course. Juria is spelt with the kanji for 'trees', 'dignified', and 'love'."
"I see. Well, miss, I have a special surprise ready just for you…"
"Oh? You do?"
"Look out there."
I point, and Juria looks back at the night sky.
Let there be lights!
Suddenly, fireworks shoot out from the ground near the gate and begin flying into the air.
This is it! Juria's name in lights is sure to impress her!
As the rockets explode one by one, Juria and I watch on in great anticipation.
Huh?
"THE PRINCE IS IN GRAVE DANGER"
Wait… What's going on here? The fireworks weren't supposed to say that!
Ah… I see... Akashi knows who Juria is.
That means Juria has powers like Akashi.
I believe my friend.
This woman beside me is an enemy!
Romance time is over.
I instinctively grab Juria by her throat with my right hand, and give her just enough room to speak.
I look into her eyes with full intensity. "Tell me who you are, or you'll never speak again!"
"Ha-ha. That's not very prince-like!"
What the? She has no fear? No concern at all that I could just kill her where she stands?
I hear whistles being blown in the distance. The on duty knights around the palace must have seen Akashi's message.
I can't take any risks with whoever is standing before me.
"Forgive me."
I start to squeeze her throat to make her pass out. Juria starts to smile menacingly as I choke her.
Why is she-
THUNK!
Huh?
Before I know it, I'm collapsing.
I struggle to catch up with what just happened. I feel a pain in my head from landing on the ground, coupled with a pain in my stomach.
Did she just… Punch me? She must have done, but she was so fast that I didn't register it mentally, but I definitely registered it physically!
Wow, that punch was as hard as it was fast. I'm lying here on the ground in pain, looking up at Juria. What is her deal?
"It's too late for you, your highness," she declares in a deeper voice. "Most of the knights are in there and unarmed. Tonight was the perfect time to strike!"
Damn it. She's right!
Suddenly, Toma and Aya open the balcony's door. A group of on duty, armored knights are behind them, each holding up their swords and shields. I wish I could say I was happy to see them, but I want them to get out of here. I'm too weak to talk right now. I don't know what Juria is…
"What's the meaning of this? How dare you strike the Prince!" shouts Toma, holding up an empty wine glass in his hand. He smashes it on the door frame, turning it into a jagged weapon.
"Surrender yourself, or face the death penalty!" No, Aya. Your harsh words won't work here…
I wish I could speak, shout even, but my body hurts like hell. All I can do is watch the scene unfold through my squinting eyes.
Juria turns up her nose. "Hmph!" she angrily hisses. "How dare you interrupt my precious time with royalty! Go back to your stupid party, normies!"
Juria suddenly thrusts both her palms at Aya and Toma. A strong force shoves them back, knocking them hard into the knights behind them. That impact is so strong that Aya, Toma and the armed knights are all knocked out cold.
This is bad.
Juria seems to have extreme speed, and nothing can outpace her! She must have pushed Aya and Toma back with her palms, and I missed it when I blinked!
Juria picks up Toma's jagged wine glass and walks over to me.
She sighs. "Let's not waste time, your highness. Even an assassin as fast as me has to keep to a schedule, you know!"
Juria doesn't hesitate. She lunges at me with the jagged wine glass straight at my neck!
CRUNCH!
"Arrghh!"
Huh?
The wine glass, now in pieces and covered in blood, falls onto the floor beside me.
Sweating, I hesitantly look around me. There's… A dome of crystal now covering me? It stopped the wine glass in its tracks, shattered it, and cut Juria's hand.
Juria quickly squeezes her hand to stop the bleeding. She steps back, and sees that my crystal dome is attached to a crystal vine leading through the balcony's banisters. This magic came from down there.
Suddenly, a young woman standing on a flying crystal horse rises from beneath the balcony and into our view. They hover before us.
"Juria, you've got better things to do!" remarks a stern Akashi.
"What the?" Judging by Juria's surprise, the two women know each other. She leans forward. "Well, well. If it isn't Akashi! I thought you'd never show your face again!"
Hm? What's Juria talking about?
"I just finished my hiatus, and I believe it's time for yours!" Akashi generates multiple crystal daggers in her hands and throws them at Juria. She dodges every single one, and catches one of them just before it reaches her eyes.
"You can't stab me, Akashi!"
"Wasn't trying to."
"Huh?"
The dagger Juria was holding transforms into a hand which grips her hand tight. Akashi wafts her hand down, Juria is suddenly pulled down into my crystal dome, and her forehead bounces off it.
"Argh!" Juria steps back, dazed. My crystal dome then transforms into multiple open crystal hands. Akashi pushes her palm forward, and the hands shove Juria into the brick wall of the palace behind her. Juria smashes through it with full force and lands in the center of the ballroom. That must have hurt!
I hear the guests inside the ballroom scream.
"Everyone out now!" I hear my father yell. I then hear a stampede as they all follow their king's commands.
Akashi jumps from Ban and lands on the balcony. She anxiously kneels by my side. "Your highness! Are you okay?"
"Urgh… I'm o-okay," I struggle to say. "Can't say the same for my pride!"
Akashi smiles awkwardly. "Heh-heh. Sorry I didn't recognise that sorceress sooner. She changed her hair and lost a ton of weight! Good thing she kept her name, though! Ban!"
My horse flies down and bites the scruff of my clothes to pick me up.
"Take his highness to the garden," Akashi commands. "I've got pest control duties."
Ban flies up and takes me with him.
I look at the ballroom and see Juria slowly getting up from the floor.
What… How is that possible? She should have been knocked out cold! Man, she's determined!
Akashi races into the ballroom, and jumps over the unconscious knights on the floor.
As I fly further and further away, I see Akashi generate two copies of herself out of crystal from each hand. Akashi and her clones run to Juria and start attacking from every direction while holding hands, but Juria dodges every single kick and punch thrown at her. Does Akashi even stand a chance against Juria?
We fly away to the side of the fountain, and Ban rests me down on the ground. I hate to be away from Akashi as she's fighting, but my insides still hurt and I still can't stand up. I'm amazed Juria's punch didn't kill me!
I face the building, and Akashi is blown through the ballroom window. She lands on the garden's ground, and slides hard across the grass. "Akashi!" Just shouting that hurts.
Akashi comes to a halt, just meters from where I'm lying. The dirt has soiled and torn up her dress. I knew I shouldn't have bought her expensive clothes!
A blur jumps from the palace's balcony, and starts moving through the garden. Juria really does have super speed. I can barely make her out as she runs toward us!
"I'll make you eat more than dirt!" Juria cries.
I see Akashi's body tense up. She lifts her head from the ground.
"Grrrrrrrr!" The angered witch puts out her hand, and generates a ramp made of crystal before her.
"Waaahhhh! No, no, no!" Juria can't stop in time. She runs up the ramp and is launched high in the air.
A seemingly flying Juria looks back at us from the sky and grins. She can't stop her forward momentum, so she simply lets herself get thrown away over the palace gates and into the horizon.
This is our best chance to recover! There's no doubt Juria will come dashing back in a matter of minutes… No, seconds!
I force myself to stand up. It takes a while, but I just about manage to rise.
I lean on Ban as I face Akashi who remains on the ground. "Akashi, get up! That's an order!"
Suddenly, Akashi slams her palms to the ground, and uses all her remaining strength to push herself up. As she does this, Aya and Toma come running toward us from the palace. They are clearly bruised and bleeding, but somehow they're able to run.
Toma goes up to me, while Aya helps Akashi get to her feet.
"Prince! Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, Toma. Is that my sword?"
"Yes, your highness!"
Toma gets down on one knee and presents me my weapon in its leather sheath.
I take out my sword with my right hand, and place my left hand on its handle. "Ancient light, increase my might!"
It begins to glow with a fierce blue energy.
"Thank you, Toma. Now let's put this sorcerer out of business!"
"Everyone, stand back." I've never heard Akashi sound so blunt. My knights and I quickly step away from her.
Akashi generates a crystal in her hand, crushes it between her palms, and spreads out the crystal dust at her feet.
She kneels down on her right knee and places her hand on the dust on the ground. Parts of the dust beneath her lights up, revealing the glowing kanji symbol for "friction". A moderate wind goes by.
"Akashi…" enquires a puzzled Aya. "What are you doing?"
The witch looks up at Aya with an emotionless face. "This spell will give us the advantage. Please… lead her to the fountain."
Akashi stands up, quickly runs to the fountain, somersaults over the water and lands on the head of its center statue. That was… really impressive for someone so beaten up!
I turn to my knights. "Toma, Aya, draw your swords."
They both unsheath their weapons.
"Alright. Do as Akashi says. Get Juria to the fountain!"
"Yes, your highness!" they both reply, saluting.
The fountain… What is Akashi planning?
Oh, crap… Never mind that now. I can feel a breeze coming from the East! It's Juria! "Ban, let's fly!"
He trots beside me, I mount him, and he flies me up in the air. From above, I see a blur racing towards the palace garden, and it's almost at the perimeter!
"Knights, blow up the gate! Don't worry about the damage!"
"Yes, your highness!" Aya and Toma slash their mystical swords, and shockwaves are hurled towards the gate just as the blur reaches it!
KA-BOOM!
The garden's front gate is struck. It explodes, and multiple shards of steel fly everywhere. There's no way Juria could avoid all that debris!
The knights and I stare at the dust cloud where the gate was.
Juria walks through the dust, and stops at the garden's entrance with a smirk and her hand on hip.
Damn it! There's not a scratch on her!
Before I know it, she's jumped up and is flying towards me in the air. "Ban! Fry her!"
Ban's eyes light up and their red beams fire at Juria. Both beams miss! It should have been impossible, but Juria managed to contort her body quickly mid air to avoid being zapped. Hurling a shockwave from my sword now would likely miss her, too!
As she continues to fly toward me at full speed, she pulls her fist back, ready to knock my head off! "See ya, Prince!"
I lean to the side, and fall off Ban. Juria's eyes widen as her punch misses me as I slide off the saddle. She looks down at me as I fall back down to Earth.
SPLASH!
Just as I thought. The depth of the fountain's water is enough to cushion my fall, but hitting the water like that still hurt like hell!
Can't think about that now, though! My pain will be much worse if Juria hits me again. I swim hard to get to the bottom of the fountain. It's night time, so it'll be hard for her to see me down here.
I look up, and see Juria land on the marble statue above me. I guess Akashi relocated. Juria squats and starts carefully scanning the water to find me.
Alright. I did what Akashi wanted. Now what?
Juria's search is cut short when she focuses on something else in the distance. I do the same, and I see Akashi on the far side of the fountain, standing on the stone basin with her arms crossed.
The witch says something and uses her hand to beckon Juria. Whatever she said must have been insulting, as Juria now looks mad.
Juria jumps from the statue and starts running toward Akashi.
What the? Juria's running so fast… that she can run on water? I can't believe she wastes her talents on killing people!
Akashi simply stands there emotionless as Juria doggedly dashes towards her prey!
"Huh?!" Juria suddenly slips on the water. No, it's no longer water… Akashi had turned its surface into crystal!
Juria's lands on the now smooth and solid floor on her stomach, and, since she had built up so much momentum from her run, begins sliding head first along the crystal towards Akashi at full speed.
Ah, I get it! Akashi used a spell to remove all friction from her crystals, so all it takes is one slip and Juria will go helplessly flying!
"Arrrghhhhhhh!"
Akashi shows no mercy as Aya screams. The witch kneels on her left knee and slams her right hand on the crystal surface. Small walls then emerge from the crystal floor before Juria.
"Argh! Argh! Argh! Argh!"
Juria crashes through each wall on her journey towards Akashi, and none of them seem to be slowing her down.
Just before the sliding Juria reaches Akashi, Akashi places her left hand on the crystal floor. An upward curved ramp appears before her.
"Waaaahhhh!" Juria slides straight into the ramp, and she's sent vertically into the air.
Juria soon stops flying up, and she starts falling back down towards the fountain. "Huuuhhhh? Arrghhhhhhhh!"
Akashi stands up, faces her palms to the sky, then throws her hand over her shoulders. The crystal slab that was formed on the fountain's surface is lifted up, then hurled up toward the falling Juria.
"Whaaat? Nooooooo!"
BOOM!
Juria slams into the rising slab mid airmidair, which causes a huge explosion of crystal dust in the sky. A shockwave is sent rippling through the air, and even causes heavy waves in the fountain's water, knocking me around.
Juria crashes into the fountain's water. Judging by her dazed eyes, she's only barely conscious. She sinks to the bottom of the fountain before me, gargling, "Bleeehhhhh!"
I look back up at Akashi, who is now looking down at me from the basin, smiling.
I smile back. She is one handy wingman!
She jumps into the water and starts swimming towards me.
Wait a sec… That's right! I'm still underwater! I've been down here forever!
I'm… starting to go unconscious… Everything is turning to black.
Oh, well… No matter… I'm so glad that I found you…
Akashi…
***
Urgh…
I feel like I've just rolled down a huge hill.
What happened last night?
Oh yeah… That's right… I tried to get with a woman at the engagement ball… And she turned out to be a monster.
Not exactly a rejection, but the situation still sucks. I really thought that she and I would really get along… Forever…
But I guess not.
Another disappointment occurs.
I'm cursed to be alone forever.
"Your highness? Your highness!"
Huh? Who's that? I recognise that voice…
I slowly open my eyes, and I see a crimson haired girl wearing a black cloak leaning over me, with rays of morning sunlight shining behind her. "Oh, good! You're finally awake!"
Akashi? So you saved me, after all.
I look around. Toma, Aya, Mother and Father are also present. Standing at the foot of my bed, they smile at me in relief.
"Everyone," I say weakly. "I'm sorry. I should have been more careful."
"No need for apologies, son," Father remarks, shaking his head. "All that matters is that you won the battle, and survived to tell the tale!"
I nod. "Yeah… Thank you, Father. And thank you, everyone, who fought alongside me… Especially you, Akashi." My mouth tenses up, and I look away. "I can't believe that she… was my enemy…"
It's hard to hide my glum expression. Akashi, on the other hand, is smiling away like nothing happened.
"Don't worry, your highness! I know what'll cheer you up! Ta-dah!" Akashi picks something up from the bedside table, and presents it to me.
"Huh?" I wonder. "Cake?"
"Yeah! The party cake survived all the destruction somehow, so I saved a slice just for you!"
What the? How do I react here? I felt alone for a moment there, but seeing Akashi all happy and generous has made all my woes become nothing.
Now I'm smiling along with her.
You know what? Who cares about what happened? Yesterday's failure is tomorrow's opportunity!
I will find a queen.
My goal will be achieved!
I just know it.
