This is when I faced the Bloody Princess DISCL

22 July 422

Satella was elated. Or at least, that was what I got from her genuine reactions up until I had to leave.

The young woman had slowly accepted the fact that I was going to make it a serious commitment to visit her on a monthly basis. Her happiness was even intensified by the pleasant day spent together.

The picnic was a success, and I ended up scoring some interesting stories about Echidna and other Witches. I was mostly interested in those starring Witch of Greed considering the abundance of figures related to her that I found myself taking care for. The main theme of the narration was... utter, and undeniable life-dumbery from the amoral researcher.

Some were indeed stupid, from Echidna trying her best to gauge the 'limits' of Daphne's Authority, risking more than once of getting consumed by the eternal hunger the Witch of Gluttony, while others were just... odd. Like why the heck would you want to create a demonic bunny that breed asexually so frequently. Especially if the little critter could turn in a swift and unforgiving carnivore.

Yet, despite my return to the tent went uneventfully and without anyone noticing the lack of my presence, that night ended up with me pondering with an unnerving sight of the Dark form of the Witch of Envy merely staring as I went away from the barrier's inner miasma. It didn't help that I also heard some sound, something that just felt like was... a 'sorry'.

It was unbelievable. The manifestation of Satella's own guilt shouldn't be able to feel beyond a scope of emotions that were within her 'creator/truer self', but the possibility of it actually developing an independent state of self was concerning to a magical degree beyond what I could imagine.

Sure, the case was unique and there were no precedence that could help me understand what could be happening between the two 'same' individuals. It was odd enough to keep me awake at night, unsure how to truly tackle this novelty right as I was meant to come back there.

Would I be greeted aggressively like earlier on today, or perhaps I would listen to more words coming from the Envy?

That was going to be a hassle to deal for sure...

Still, a day passed and the entourage was quick to return back one. This time there had been no major attacks, nor I could see any problems rising as Orestes wasn't at the gate.

Yet, despite my greatest hope to be left alone with my own workload, I soon found out that something had indeed escalating while I was away.

Never mind that I wasn't expecting Anastasia to actually pass by to deal with some trading issues her company was suffering with because of the new protectionist laws I had approved a while ago, but I had to also deal with a certain noblewoman that had finally decided to visit.

The fact that I had to deal with the two of them at once because both were unwilling to make a proper turn was enough to make me groan inwardly. A lot.

Still, I was graced by the fact that her little Fox Spirit was currently inactive. I wasn't unsure if I could draw it as good news or not, especially with how dreadful it would be if I forgot about the dangerous artificial spirit.

Sitting down by the office, I knew that I should've pushed to 'discover' some coffee. Or at least something that matched the effects of caffeine.

"Ms. Hoshin, your request is a legitimate one, but I would like to inquire if you've prepared some drafts for an agreement," I commented quietly. "As you know, I can't just offer your company privileges that could alienate other companies working within Erindor."

She nodded, preparing some papers as I heard a long sigh coming from beside her. I glanced at Priscilla, her arms crossing below her bosom as I stared right at her irritated expression.

"Yes?" I inquired with a curious voice.

"You could greet me."

I blinked. "I think I did. Back when you were huffing and whining about 'having priority' over talking to me."

"I do," She reaffirmed without hesitation. "And I think this is unacceptable. I'm Lady Barielle, you should prioritize visits from Lugnican Nobles."

"Why?"

"Because the city is part of the Dragon Kingdom of Lugnica. Not of Kararagi, nor Gusteko, and especially not Volacchia!"

Is that a grudge that I'm hearing right now?

"Well, as the mayor of Erindor, I've the rights to decide how to program and deal with different kinds of visits. To be a little more specific, I would've favored to speak with Ms. Hoshin since she's here for business' reasons. Then I would've offered you as much time as you wanted-"

"You 'offering' me?" The orange-blonde repeated with a miffed look. "Do you understand that I can't stand for this? First you deny addressing me by my proper title- then this! I can't accept this and-"

"Found them," Anastasia quipped with an uneasy smile, perhaps getting nervous over dealing with these circumstances. "And here. I made some adjustments to the current system, just a couple of changes to still favor my trade company's presence within the city. Nothing too excessive, and I've included the increase of some of the fees to equalize the changes."

I nodded, returning my attention at the papers that the violet-haired woman was tending towards me. "Can I give it a thorough look?"

She nodded and I went ahead with some thorough checking to see if this draft could be acceptable, or if we were going to spend a little more than a couple of minutes debating about it.

After a couple seconds passed with me swiftly reading the lines and the comments left in there, I frowned at some details that just... didn't feel right.

"Ms. Hoshin, forgive me if I ask but... how is it equal if you're lessening the burden of the fees on precious metals by increasing the one for the bread?"

She smiled innocently. "Bread is good."

"I know that bread is good, but I fail to see how that actually make it as profitable as gold or other high-quality ores."

Her smile faltered a little. "Okay, I was just testing the ground with how you actually worked like-"

"So you decided to present a false document to a legitimate meeting with a Lugnican officer?" Surprisingly enough, it was Priscilla that jumped at the occasion to chide the 'silly foreigner girl'. "Is this a custom from Kararagi, Hoshin?"

Anastasia blinked at the pressure, but didn't seem particularly fazed by the stern comment. In fact, she merely displayed a sheepish look.

"I guess I shouldn't be playing around with this important situation, I suppose you will forgive me for probing a little about you, Mr. Mayor," The young woman inquired and... I sighed.

"Ms. Hoshin, I will forgive this slight only if you promise here and now that you will not try anything like this ever again," I responded with a calm tone. "Or I will find myself force to return the favor by 'punishing' your company for a childish prank from its leadership."

She flinched. "Now, that's cruel."

"You would've done the same to one of your subordinates if they tried to trick you like this," I rebuked mirthfully. "I know you would."

"Guilty as charged, Mr. Bukharin," Anastasia giggled as she passed over the real draft. "Now, this is the real draft."

Priscilla half-glared at me as I just ignored the little situation that had happened. But I was actually understanding of her irritation, just not willing enough to actually sour up relations with the trades coming from Kararagi. Out of the three giants bordering Lugnica, Kararagi was a good ally and trustworthy trade buddy. It has been the case for years now.

Finally, I got a decent document I could accept with just some minor changes. I started to inquire about the possibilities to apply these adjustments, trying to make the paper as fair as possible.

Anastasia offered her own thoughts, responding to my questions over the topics brought up with exceptional preparation. Behind that innocent-looking mask, I knew that I was dealing with an incredible contract-dealer. She had the experience, and the success of her company was proof to that.

I hummed calmly as I finished signing the final documents, allowing for a copy to be made so that the girl could keep it as legitimate proof of this substantial meeting. I walked her to the door, and I was instantly confused when she started to inquire about the hotel's pillows. Directing her to the regal furniture shop within Erindor seemed to dissolve this odd conclusive note.

With Anastasia gone for her merry way, I was left to deal with Priscilla. And boy, I was ready to face quite the ordeal with her.

I returned to my seat, I was spared just enough to sit down on my chair as the woman quickly spoke.

"How is the girl, Sphinx?"

It was interesting to see her switching to a serious tone. This time, it really seemed to lack any cocky edges from her usual personality.

"Recovering. Her magic is doing its best to heal her own body, and her mind is... slowly regaining some understanding of the world."

The orangette nodded leaning relaxingly onto her chair. "And there were no issues about her current situation? No whining or-"

"Outbursts?" I concluded for her, gaining a scowl out of her face. "She was a little nervous. But she's showing less distrust over others."

"Good, I suppose that... you were correct."

...What in the glorious heck was going on?

I didn't speak, I couldn't even if I wanted. She resumed with a hum, straightening herself in her seat. "Can I ask you something, John?"

I felt a cold chill, something was just off right now about her current attitude. Something that was correlated to the fact that this wasn't... something I was prepared to face.

"Sure?" I inquired back, trying to hide my sudden bout of nervousness.

In a normal situation, I wouldn't have minded dealing with Priscilla. Yet, right now, the woman was display a range of emotions that... wasn't something I was aware about. None of the boisterous, overconfident adult-brat that I had known thanks to Canon.

No, this was... much worse.

"Is there anyone that is currently... spying on us?"

I blinked at the odd query, shaking my head instinctively and gaining a calm sigh from her.

"Good."

She stood up, still staring at me, and I frowned as she started to walk around the desk, stopping on my left side as- she suddenly pushed me on the ground, making me topple down my chair.

I squirmed quickly, yet I was soon surprised by her quick feet as she rapidly pressed me down, with her hands grasping at my arms to keep me from struggling out of her hold.

I was confused, surprised. Incredibly furious too. I had been bamboozled!

"W-What-"

"Stop, I don't want to harm you but... I need to know," She muttered seriously, her eyes keeping a degree of steel-like resolution that made me question what the heck she wanted for her to literally manhandle me like this.

I eased down my struggle and... she released hold over my arms. Still sitting by my chest, I could see her face close and way too personal to my own.

"W-What do you want?"

Priscilla blinked. "You know. Don't you?"

...

"Wha-"

"It would explain why you're so confident while talking to me," The orangette continued. "Why you skip the formalities- Why you just know how to 'handle' me. Why you knew why Sphinx thought that I told her false by replying with my 'name'."

She took a brief pause to breathe. "Tell me. What's my real name?"

I prepared all the verbal leverage I could've used to get out of that dangerous situation. I know that I was risking big time and- my brain went blank when she materialized the Yang Sword Volacchia right aimed to be plunged down on my chest.

I started to sweat at that sight. Now I was feeling the 'heat'.

And rightfully so. I mean, what the fuck was she trying to do with that stunt? The sword, albeit its power was never shown in the show, nor it was in the LN and the Manga- it could easily become something similar to a small-scale Ea with the power it holds. Yet I knew that the woman was serious about her interest in having an answer by the fact that the upkeep of the sword was mortal on her Gate.

Priscilla was risking a sudden death the more she kept it around.

"Y-You damn moron- What are you trying to get from-"

"My real name," She pressed without hesitation, and I could see her face sporting a flinch at the drain. "Tell me."

I gritted my teeth, my anger rising to a degree which I hadn't felt in ages. To see someone so recklessly, so stupidly, trying to get some answers through that suicidal method was.

"Drop the goddamn sword, Prisca!"

There was silence after my shout. I could feel my anger cooling down to a still state as I noticed her eyes widening at the chiding, her sword vanishing instantly at that.

The silence persisted even though the answer had been given. Her body relaxed a little more, her skin paler than moments before. Either for the sword's upkeep or for her suspicions becoming the truth.

I was screwed anyway. The truth was out, I was now a dangerous element to keep around as I would undermine her presence here.

Her eyes narrowed at me. "Why?"

...

"Why did you- If you knew, why would you even consider helping me?!" She almost screeched. "You- Are you a spy to my foolish brother- have you been sent to-"

"I'm not from Volacchia," I finally spoke up. "Nor I am a spy from other nations. I just know-"

"And that's a lie. If you 'just knew' then you wouldn't have cared for a little reject like me. So why did you decide to help me?"

...

"Answer me!"

"Because I can understand your plight," I answered loudly to her shriek. "Not because of a bribery or some stupid ties to that crazy nation. I just know and I just care enough to help."

...

Her eyes were wide open, yet she didn't spoke after this declaration. Slowly standing up, Priscilla started to walk towards the door and I stood up to try and assess the damage that was committed in that very instance.

She paused by the doorstep, looking back with an impassive expression. "I will be staying here as a guest for the remainder of the day. Or else I will report that you've been securing sensible information about one of the heirs to the throne of Volacchia."

"You're the heiress-"

"I know," The woman interrupted me with a bitter smile. "I guess now I can see how 'exciting' treating you with your own medicine feels."

More like a poison.

The door closed before I had the chance of giving that rebuttal, and I was lost over my thoughts about what had just happened.

This- To think that Priscilla could get so daring and desperate when things are stacking against her.

I can only dread what kind of hell awaited me for the rest of the day.

Surprisingly enough, I was spared any major conflicts with the orangette as the day went more or less smoothly. I remembered to pass by the hospital and visit Sphinx. The girl was happy at the fact that I kept true to what I promised her.

The joy born from that very instance was enough to make her display a bubbly personality for the rest of the visit. The pseudo-witch had enjoyed her books, and our conversations moved over some of the topics high-lighted by the books I brought to her.

She was adorable in showing so much eagerness to learn, but it certainly didn't soothe my worry that this was something correlated to Echidna's own thirst for knowledge.

The visit still helped me in distracting my mind away from what had happened during the morning.

Then I spent some time mixing my attention between the kids and the paperwork, doing my utmost to steer clear from walking into a room or a corridor where I knew Priscilla was wandering around.

Hours passed without me making contacts with the Bloody Princess, nor I ended up seeing Al around. Maybe the man was enjoying some time away from the chaos for once, or maybe he was trying to make damage control with his boss. Difficult to say for certain.

Yet, despite my best efforts to avoid making any other confrontations with Priscilla, even going as far as skipping lunch, I still ended up having to be present for dinner.

I didn't have any good motivations to employ for the situation itself, and Orestes was keen to stress out how having me legitimately ignore my 'noble guess' was going to put a serious strain with the rest of the monarchy. I hated it, but he was so right about it.

So I was there, sitting right the opposite seat to Priscilla's. We weren't daring to stare to each other, and the rest of the room was quick to perceive the tension between us.

There was silence, it looked like it was going to be a civil truce for once. I thought- no, I hoped for it to be the case for the entire dinner, but I would soon find out that a certain helmeted knight had other plans about it.

Both the twins and Schult decided to leave the table early on to get some proper rest, leaving just me, Priscilla, Orestes and Al to deal with the awkward circumstance that was in that room.

It was in that very moment that the one-armed man decided to speak up.

"So, is it a mayor-thing to get girl to cry?"

...

I blinked, staring off from my almost done plate and right to Al. "What?"

"I mean, I understand that you can be a bastard. But I don't think that's something you regularly do."

Orestes looked scandalized, yet I kept a straight face as I finally turned my attention to see if he was telling the truth. Priscilla was trembling a little, but I knew it was all from irritation ignited by her subordinate's words.

But I saw her eyes, and I could see signs that she had been crying.

That wasn't possible. Priscilla couldn't just cry, it wasn't... something of hers. It wasn't 'correct'. Especially with what had happened back in that office.

I was the victim, she was the aggressor. I should be feeling distressed, not her.

Still, the sight was there to put me in a state of inner discomfort as once more I couldn't make sense of this sudden shift away from her usual pattern.

"So, whatcha going to say?"

I returned my stare at him, then at Orestes as the weary knight addressed me with a confused look.

"Can I ask for both of you to leave?"

The request was met with stiff opposition, mostly by the helmeted knight. "Now, I understand that you want to talk to her but-"

"Aldebaran," Priscilla commented with a calm tone. "Comply to the mayor's request. At once."

At the words of his lady, Al couldn't do much but begrudgingly nod and follow Orestes towards the door.

Once it close, I was once more facing Priscilla, this time there was no surprise, nor any weapons to threaten me around.

"Are you okay?" I asked with caution.

The orangette blinked, her stare still directed at her now-empty plate. She looked dull.

"No."

Quite curious, but not something I hadn't expected with that turn of events. The bluntness and sharp honesty had survived that strange 'switch' of tones.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Another blink. "Why do you care?" She asked suddenly.

I frowned, arms crossing close to my chest as I leaned back on my chair.

"I just do."

She snorted. "That's pathetic."

"I guess it is," I admitted without restraint. "But then again, what would you have wanted to hear?"

...

I sighed at her silence. "Look... I understand that you got your own messes- you don't want to deal with your past and all of that."

"I don't. You're right," The young woman muttered back. "Which is why I found the fact that you're aware of it... unsettling."

"I tend to get people uneasy with my knowledge."

"It doesn't sound like a compliment," She pointed out, and I nodded. "What? You mean to tell me that you're flawed too?"

"Everyone is flawed. Don't make it appear like I build up that kind of image," I chided quietly. "Just because I'm prudent, that doesn't make me 'perfect'."

"Prudence can take you so far before you start having to face troublesome situations," The orangette rebuked. "Like luck. It eventually runs out and leaves you to the wolves."

I blinked. "I suppose that's correct."

...

"What do you mean 'I suppose'?" Priscilla pressed with minor irritation. "It's the truth. The cruel and naked one."

I nodded, keeping quiet for a while as I pondered about some thoughts that were slowly emerging out of that conversation.

"Priscilla. Do you think that it's odd that fate can end up offering someone the world?" I inquired quietly, our stares matching the very moment I called at her. "That things just... change so suddenly for the good, but also that responsibilities grow to a point where you just start to think about life's fragility."

"You're odd to entertain yourself with this kind of philosophical stupidity," The noblewoman shot back, but then, surprisingly enough, she nodded. "But I can see what you're trying to refer to with these words. I can... relate."

She blinked, her lips twitching. "Life is unfair. I don't think I've to tell you why."

I merely nodded, and she took this as a sign to continue with her rant.

"I didn't wish for much. I wanted my own peace," Priscilla mused with a sad sigh. "I didn't want a big crown to wear, I didn't desire for a tall chair to rest myself by. I didn't even care if people addressed me properly or not."

Her eyes stared up at me, and I froze.

"I just wanted to live a happy life," She admitted, her true dismay finally revealing. "I just wanted to be happy. Nothing more. Is it wrong that I wanted that? Was it asking too much?"

I shook my head. "You were asking... for the best thing one could ever want."

She smiled, but it was an empty one.

"What a pity then," The lady hummed with shallow annoyance.

She stood up from her chair, and this mere action made me stand up too. While I knew that she wasn't showing anything close to what had happened back in my office, I decided to prepare a counter by mere instincts.

A curious look adorned her face, but she still went around the table and stopped right by my left side. But instead of pushing me down to the floor, she merely forced me to sit as she made a seat out of my lap. She leaned back a little bit, enough for her head to nestle well by my shoulder.

I blinked at the strange escalation, but I decided to not speak as she hummed.

I could feel her warmth, and her smile just seemed to have gained some childish amusement out of this.

"You... You're odd, John Bukharin," She said, enjoying the 'entertaining' nest she had made. "I wish to hate you, for you represent someone I've grown to despise the most. And yet I can't help but... envy you. So happy, so tired, so..."

She didn't end that sentence, her body easing up even more as the girl finally had her last energies falter. My right arm reached around her upper back the very moment I noticed her tilting a little bit.

Her breathing softened to a quiet lullaby as I found myself dealing with the most unexpected of situations. Priscilla had fallen asleep. And I would've eventually needed to take her back to her room

...

Al is surely going to make some awkward comments out of this.