Chapter 96

(A/N)

Word of the Day: "Prestidigitation."

/\\//\\//\

Well, that fighting was fun, but now it's over. And with the last days of the festival coming to a close, many people were leaving. I'll be honest, I was not looking forward to the no doubt many meetings to discuss getting more involved internationally. We would talk about the Sorcerous Dynasty of Sarion, most likely the Western Council or whatever they're called, and a whole bunch of other stuff. Great, more meetings. Just what I want. Being locked up in a room with a whole bunch of people. I would much rather prefer being locked in a room with Shuna, and only Shuna, for an indeterminate amount of time.

Anyway, right now, me and Shuna were dancing in a room to some music. It's some classical music, and while I don't have a problem with it, classical music can be a bit too slow for me. But Shuna seemed to enjoy it, so I did too.

"Did you have fun, Shuna?" I asked as we swayed from side to side.

"Yeah. I loved all the events, except for Luminous. I don't like her." I could hear her slight disdain. "I don't like the way she looks at you and talks to you." Maybe I shouldn't leave her in the same room with Luminous alone. I would fear for the future of the Lubellious Kingdom.

"I've tried to push her away, but she keeps on coming back. No matter how many times I reject her."

"She needs to distract herself with something. Something that's not you."

"Well, I can think of someone who can serve as a perfect punching bag for her to vent. It'll reduce how often she tries to talk to me."

"I'll tell you, and then you can lead her to this person. And maybe after she's vented, you can give her a little talk." I spun Shuna around and held her hand as I leaned forward causing her to lean backward as well. I moved my face close to her ear and told her the person I was talking about. 

"Really? Him?"

"Yeah. They have some history together."

"Ok, if you say so."

We kept dancing until the song ended. It was nice, but I really feel like dancing to something more up-tempo. They have all the usual classical instruments, but they do have something like an electric guitar, or other things of that nature? I guess what I mean to say is non-classical instruments. Maybe I should show them some songs of different genres. I'm not saying I'm the kind of person that listens to everything, but if it sounds good, then I like it, doesn't matter the genre. Although, I do prefer rock music, blues, country, pop, and a bit of hip-hop, as well as some of their various sub-genres and combinations of genres.

But I don't all this music stuff. I can play violin, and some guitar, but that's all. And that's only because of my music class in school and because I joined the orchestra, but that was some time ago. I'll just try my best.

"Hold on, Shuna. I'm going to talk to the one playing the music, I guess the composer, they should get the idea of what I'm trying to convey."

I walked to the composer and tried my best to explain what I was looking for. But it was so weird. I tried to begin technical and use the music terms I could remember, but it was hard, and I could tell he was trying to be as nice as he could.

"Perhaps, you can play something? So I get an idea of what you want?"

"Yeah, I'll do that. Hand me a fiddle." One of the players handed me a violin and a bowstring, and I just did some basic testing to get used to it. Once I got the sound I was looking for, I was ready.

"Ok, so what I was looking for is something like this-" I was interrupted in the middle of my explanation.

"Oh look, Lady Pendragon is going to play a song!" One of the people in the crowd yelled as they saw me and interrupted my conversation with the conductor. I closed my eyes in acceptance of what was going to come. This wasn't supposed to happen, but now that I look at it, I did get up on stage without considering what people would think, and like wildfire, it spread throughout the audience. And very quickly, everyone was looking at me. I can't disappoint them now, can I?

"Artoria, what are you doing up there? Wait, You play violin? I didn't know that." It was Rimuru who spoke. And he seemed surprised. Well, most people are. I don't think I've ever shown or told anyone that I could play violin.

I waved over at Rimuru. "I guess you didn't know it, but I'm a fiddle player too." If I knew this was going to happen, I would've invited Diablo to play with me in a duet or something. Not like it would be hard. All I have to say is that it was for Rimuru and he would drop everything to do it.

"Well, this song is about a normal human winning a bet against the devil." I turned around and explained to the conductor and other musicians what I wanted to hear and to keep up with me.

/\\//\\//\

Shuna was walking around looking for a certain off-the-rails vampire. She needed to set her straight. If that holy knight couldn't do it, then she would.

"Wait! I need to talk to you! I've been looking for you!" Shuna heard a loud yell that was clearly directed at her. Looking back, she saw the vampire she was looking for as well as Hinata, who was behind her. Speak of the devil and he, or she, in this case, will appear.

Luminous caught up to her and quickly composed herself as she made sure to dust off the non-existent stains on her clothes. She did a little curtsy as if she were a maid as she greeted Shuna. This was the wife of her loved one, so she needed to be as respectful as possible. Any wrong move and she would ruin whatever chances she had with Artoria. "Greetings, Lady Shuna. I want to talk to you about Artoria and your relationship with her."

Hinata was surprised at this. Luminous was doing all this for Shuna? She was looking around hoping no one saw a scene like this, especially the other saints or other high-ranking officials of other nations. Word of this could not spread, but she also knew that Luminous seemed to be getting desperate at this point. They couldn't stay here forever. They would have to return to their kingdom eventually. 

Shuna looked at Luminous and then at Hinata. Hinata felt a little uneasy. She could tell Shuna was strong, very strong, despite her appearance. This is someone she clearly didn't want to fight, but not only was it that, it was also the person that would undoubtedly come to her aid no matter what. Artoria. A fight with Shuna was also a fight with Artoria, and who knows how she would act in an event like that.

"My relationship? We're married. That's my relationship. And you seem intent on getting between us. Don't think I haven't noticed the way you look or talk to Artoria." A bit of Shuna's aura was leaking out as she talked to Luminous. It was scary and ominous. Things were off to a horrible start for Luminous.

"Wait, please, let me explain-" Luminous tried pleading to Shuna, but Shuna cut her off instantly.

"There's nothing to explain. You're clearly trying to seduce her, and not only that, you're doing it with me around. You should be ashamed." Another spike in Shuna's aura. Any more, and who knows what would happen.

Even Hinata flinched a little from hearing what Shuna said. Not that she herself would say anything different, it just seems someone else needed to say it.

"And you. Don't think you're free from this either." Shuna said as she pointed to Hinata. She felt like a school kid getting in trouble with the teacher. "You've done a horrible job at stopping Luminous, but at least you have some self-control and more awareness."

"What?"

"I've also noticed it from you, Hinata. It's not like Luminous here, but you do have that look in your eye. Artoria told me what she did when she went to your kingdom, and from what she told me, it would be hard not to feel a certain way towards her after seeing her do something like that." Shuna said a little mad at her, but it was still calmer compared to how she talked to Shuna. Hinata stayed silent. She wasn't completely wrong.

"Look, we started on bad terms, but maybe we can dod something to start over?" Luminous somehow still didn't get the message.

"No."

"But-"

"No. Artoria doesn't love you, Luminous. She does not want to be in a relationship with you. The only relationship she has with you is leaders of a nation. It's only business and political."

Luminous felt like multiple arrows hit her heart. She felt the urge to drop to the ground on all fours. 'This is the worst thing a dragon has done to me.' is what she thought, but perhaps some recency bias was affecting her

"Listen, Luminous. Follow me." Shuna said and she started walking away. Luminous quickly getting out of the heartbreak of her life, quickly followed her. Maybe, just maybe.

She followed Shuna until they reached an area that had many stalls and vendors. They were still busy despite being near the end of the festival, but they walked passed all of them. Eventually, Shuna stopped and looked at an energetic blonde man in the distance.

Luminous looked at where Shuna was looking and her eyes darkened. "Is that?" She focused more, trying to make sure what she was feeling was right. "It is. That stupid, overgrown, pea-sized brain gecko!" Luminous ran straight towards the man. 

Hinata was going to go after her, but Shuna held out a hand to stop her. "Just leave her be, Hinata. The more time she wastes with Veldora, the less time she spends with Artoria."

Hinat instantly turned her head to look at Shuna. "I'm sorry, whose name did you say?" 

"You really don't know? I guess Artoria would make you less aware of your surroundings if you only focused on her." Shuna knew that feeling. It happened to her sometimes.