Just The Usual

Walking throughout the castle towards her destination she continued to think about her meeting in the future with Number 5 while all the maids and butlers littered about instantly backed up as soon as they spotted her while the others disappeared from the sight of her. While she appeared Elegant and beautiful on the outside each and everything one of them knew how terrifying she really was. Especially when they knew today was the day where it was the easiest to get on her bad side and have her flare up which usually resulted in severe injuries for the poor unlucky fellow that triggered it.

But today they all saw a different sight as they watched her walk down the halls humming to herself seemingly in a good mood.

"Did she go crazy finally?"

"what do you mean finally?"

"Shhhhh. she'll hear you idiots."

Such a sight even caused a few individuals to get curious about why she was doing such things but none of them were brave enough to walk up and ask so instead they gossiped as quietly as possible with the people next to them in hopes she wouldn't over hear them. Until some of the more experienced Veteran servants shut them up before they all got killed. Pausing for a second she turned around hearing the commotion behind her that interrupted her. Watching her stop and turn around everyone around her instantly held their breaths and refused to move even a muscle in hopes that she'd just continue walking by and ignore them. Scanning the crowd of trash around her she looked for the person responsible but with so many there and not enough time to spare she quickly started walking again.

Watching her walk away they could finally breathe and move once again until they all stiffened up once again when a soft voice echoed down the hallway to their ears.

"Don't let it happen again."

Shivering they all dispersed as fast as possible and got back to their jobs. Turning right around the corner she approached the door a little further down the hall. Taking a deep breath to prepare herself for the upcoming event. Bracing herself at the door she then slowly opened it up and walked inside.

*Creak*

With a small creak of the door she entered the room to have all eyes turn and stare at her at once. Some filled with lust, others hatred but the most prevalent feeling in a majority of them was fear.

Lightly stretching her arms and body she accepted each and every stare head on. She was use to such things and it had been a common occurrence her whole life and now with the one opportunity these people had to look at her or feel superior to her where she couldn't retaliate back she took it in stride and remembered each and every look for when her frustration could one day finally be released. That is until the voices of the people she wanted to hear the least started talking to her as she walked down the steps and columns of people to the center table.

In total there was about 100 people in the room every meeting give or take a few depending on circumstances but the people she cared about the most were the 60 people sitting around the giant marble table in the middle where all 30 seats were filled with one person standing behind them. Of course that excluded hers and that had always been the case for the past 18 years of meetings.

"I see you're late as always, Althea."

"Late again? Get over yourself."

"Why do you even show up?""

"Useless."

Voices filled her tired ears but the most vocal and bold like always was the handsome young man that sat at the opposite end with a slightly smug grin all over his face. This was always the time when maggots got boastful towards her especially with her father watching her every move beside her and protecting them.

"And I thought I told you not to use my name, little Dust."

With a playful grin she called him the name he hated to hear most in his life. All she could was fight back with words at this moment.

"Ohhh, scarryy.."

Hearing that she quickly glared at him but while he didn't back down entirely he definitely took a step back when facing her piercing gaze. With a slight hmph she took her place next to the head of the table unwillingly afterwards.

"Now, now settle down everyone."

Her father's voice soon drowned out all the echo and chatter that filled the room and quickly brought everyone's attention towards the main focus on tonight's meeting. Selection and the progression of the candidates that were chosen by the thirty people sitting at the table.

Everyone quickly composed themselves and turned to their current king standing up once again before bowing then sitting back down.

"Now, Since you seem so eager Dustill, you can go first, I hope that isn't a problem."

Being directly addressed by him he quickly stood up and began to talk with the confidence of a winner. Even though it hadn't been time to decide yet. Thankfully they still had quite a while until the end. Pointing to the woman behind him he quickly reintroduced her to the crowd and began.

"As you all know, I found this one in the streets one day while walking through town and decided on a whim to take her in."

The woman behind him the whole time didn't speak or move she just sat rock still while not interrupting. After all even if she was a chosen candidate it didn't mean she had many rights especially in this area.

"And unlike a certain someone who has not shown any results. She has shown excellent growth and has almost reached the Purifying stage with only some side effects along the way."

After quickly checking her Astral Keeper rank everyone around either showed approving nods or frustration to that answer. But a soft scoff came from the side in the middle of his explanation.

"Oh? But what of her abilities and Astral Ring then? Also, Isn't it your fault that the last of them got ruined If I recall right?"

Hearing that voice Dustill knew it was Althea and while he wanted to lash out at her for interrupting him and bringing up old wounds he still had his limits especially when it concerned the one topic he wanted to avoid the most during his talk.

"W-ell that..."

Trailing off he tried to figure out how to word it but she quickly stopped his attempts at stalling for time.

"So what is it then? Trash, come on hurry up we don't have all day."

Impatient with his blabbering and as revenge she cornered him more and more. Until her father finally spoke up as well who was also curious about this matter too.

"Speak boy, I don't live forever."

"Well my King...."