Princess Amethyst

Startled by his sudden departure from the carriage, I followed suit, stepping out into the unfamiliar surroundings. As I emerged, the sound of crashing waves greeted me, accompanied by the chill of the wind and the tang of salt in the air. Nearby, Alexa leaned against a tree, nibbling on a piece of bread. I couldn't help but wonder why she was here.

"What took you so long?" Alexa asked, her voice muffled by a mouthful of bread. "I've been here for hours already."

"We weren't slow," Liam retorted, raising an eyebrow. "You're just too early. Why did you leave the castle so soon anyway?" he asked, eyeing Alexa as she plucked an apple from a nearby tree.

"Amethyst is there, and her presence is exhausting," Alexa replied between bites. "I can't endure it any longer."

Liam's expression darkened, and he shot a quick glance at Ludwig, who seemed to grimace in response.

As Alexa finished her meal, a large book materialized in front of her, and she began chanting an incantation. 

Observing her in silence, I approached the knight I had spoken to earlier and whispered, "Why was it so easy for us to leave this place, when it took almost two days to travel here, even with our fast carriage? And where is the ship? Didn't we arrive by ship?"

The knight lowered his gaze and whispered back, "We teleported to the forest of Fortunalia once we crossed the border, so we didn't have to cross the sea."

"How about we just teleport there instead?" I asked. "It seems like an easier option, doesn't it?" 

The knight continued, avoiding my gaze. "We can't teleport there easily because Prince Ludwig didn't seek permission from the owner of that territory, and the Ministers might find out. So, we had to cross the entrance of the lands of Eldertree, owned by Alpha Night, to avoid trouble. But now that those people know we were there, they wouldn't doubt if they felt we teleported home. We also can't flash recklessly over such a long distance. There are limits to how far we can do so."

I nodded patiently, appreciating the knight's respectful demeanor as he reluctantly provided me with detailed information. Despite his evident reluctance, he answered my questions with patience and thoroughness. I was about to inquire further when Ludwig abruptly grabbed my arm, his expression stern and unreadable. His grip wasn't painful, but it left me feeling uneasy and irritated. I couldn't shake the feeling that he should have communicated with me before taking any actions.

As Ludwig dragged me toward the spherical portal conjured by Alexa, his glare at the knight was filled with frustration and anger. The poor knight looked terrified, as if fearing for his life, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him.

Within moments, we found ourselves in a completely different location. Once again, the cliff stood before us, a familiar sight indicating that we had returned to the same spot where I had been with Alexa before.

Soon after, Liam, Alexa, and the other knights appeared in front of me, along with the large carriage they had brought with them. Alexa wasted no time in climbing into the carriage that Liam was driving, while Ludwig escorted me toward the carriage we had ridden in earlier. 

In silence, we traversed through the forest, the air heavy with unspoken tension. No one dared to break the silence with conversation. It was evident that Ludwig was lost in deep thought, his mood shifting along with the fluctuating temperature around us. One moment it was hot, the next it was back to normal, then suddenly hot again. Whatever conversation had transpired between Ludwig and Percival earlier seemed to have left Ludwig even more moody and introspective.

We passed through the rear of the castle, following the same path that Alexa and I had taken before. The passages were familiar until we reached the library. At that point, the knights suddenly disappeared from our sight, leaving only the four of us behind.

Alexa accompanied me to my room, while Ludwig and Liam were summoned to an important meeting, preventing me from asking them about the nature of a Halfling. Throughout the afternoon, I found myself idle, consumed by frustration and sadness over the fruitless outcome of our journey. We hadn't gleaned any useful information. If anything, things had only become more chaotic.

Two pressing concerns gnawed at my mind: How could I possibly return home? And what exactly did it mean to be a Halfling, and why was I one?

I couldn't help but notice Leaf and Lily's absence all afternoon. They hadn't stayed or even visited my room since my return, leaving me feeling somewhat isolated. When hunger finally struck, I ventured to the kitchen alone.

It was evident that everyone was bustling about, from the hallways to the exteriors of the castle. Their movements were swift and purposeful, a stark contrast to the usual pace I was accustomed to. I found myself practically invisible as I navigated through the busy kitchen. Everyone was engrossed in their tasks, too preoccupied to notice my presence. What could possibly be happening to keep them all so occupied?

I quietly ate my meal, pondering over how to return home. Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds, I refused to give up. If necessary, I would even attempt to create my own portal. 

Once I finished eating, I cleaned my plate and made my way silently to the library, my mind still consumed by thoughts of finding a way back home.

As I walked along the wide hallway, I couldn't help but notice the strange behavior of the people around me. They seemed to be actively avoiding someone, hurrying past with hushed whispers and furtive glances. I couldn't help but wonder what could be causing such a commotion.

I briefly considered retreating back to my room to avoid getting caught up in whatever was happening, but before I could make a move, a feminine voice called out to me.

"Hey," she said, her tone drawing my attention. "Hey, you..."

Captivated by her ethereal beauty, I stopped in my tracks and turned to face the source of the voice. Before me stood a stunning woman, her presence radiating an otherworldly aura that left me spellbound.

Her skin seemed to glow with an inner light, reminiscent of the shimmering reflections dancing on water. It was as if she were bathed in the gentle rays of the sun, creating an enchanting and majestic sight that I couldn't tear my eyes away from. She truly appeared to be from another realm, a vision of beauty that left me in awe.

Mesmerized by her striking features, I couldn't help but admire her high and dark hair cascading down to her waist, framing her delicate face. Her features were exquisite, with a sculpted nose and lips reminiscent of the soft petals of a rose. Her deep blue eyes held a captivating allure, drawing me into their depths.

"Change the color of the curtains in my room," she commanded.

As she spoke, her voice carried a commanding tone that demanded attention. When she addressed me, I couldn't help but glance around, wondering if she was speaking to someone else. However, I soon realized that I was the sole recipient of her request.

"Me?" I questioned, pointing to myself, my curiosity piqued by her stern demeanor. 

"Whom else do you see? Is it not apparent to anyone else?" she asserted in a still commanding tone. "Replace all the curtains in my chambers immediately. I explicitly communicated my aversion to yellow hues, yet they persist in offending my senses with such a choice. Dreadful curtains! As a person of noble stature, only the finest textiles should adorn my quarters. There wasn't even a hint of luxury in the bed's design. It all seemed tailored for the destitute." She vigorously fanned herself, endeavoring to regain composure.

Her grievances seemed endless, but I found myself unable to discern the remainder. I lacked knowledge of her identity, the location of her quarters, and where to procure suitable replacements for the curtains. Most perplexing of all was the reason for her agitation. Why must she express her dissatisfaction in such a manner while seeking assistance? I would have been more than willing to oblige had she approached me differently.

Lily's eyes widened in recognition as she approached me. Despite her presence, the woman continued to voice her frustrations unabated, offering a barrage of remarks.

"What brings you here?" Lily inquired softly as she drew nearer, her tone tinged with concern. She immediately bowed respectfully to the woman, who seemed entirely unaware of her presence.

In a patient whisper, I explained to Lily, "She requested that I change the curtains in her chambers."

"Just return to your quarters," Lily instructed, her tone firm. "We will handle it ourselves." It was then that I noticed the curtains she carried were adorned with exquisite jewels.

As I turned to leave, the woman abruptly tossed a small bag in my direction. "Take that to my room," she commanded in a disdainful tone. "What kind of place is this? There is no attendant anticipating my needs. Why must I summon everyone myself?" With a sigh and a shake of her head, she expressed her frustration.

Observing Lily's expression darken, I felt a pang of sympathy. With no alternative, I complied with the woman's demand as she briskly departed, leaving us standing there bewildered. Reluctantly, we followed suit, trailing behind her down the hallway.

Curiosity gnawed at me, and I leaned towards Lily, speaking in hushed tones to ensure the woman couldn't overhear. "Who is she?"

Lily's response came in the form of silent lip movements, her expression conveying the word "wicked." I stifled a laugh at her subtle communication. Lily was typically unflappable, but it was evident that the woman had managed to irk her.

"Hurry, servants, you move too slowly," the woman barked without even sparing us a glance.

"Yes, Princess Amethyst," Lily replied, her voice tinged with panic as she hurried to keep pace beside the woman.

"In due time, when I ascend to the throne of this realm," the woman declared with conviction. "Rest assured, I will dismiss all those who cannot keep pace. Do you understand?"

The princess continued her tirade, but I merely raised an eyebrow behind her back. So, she was Amethyst. That explained Alexa's sudden departure.

"Oh, are you just going to stand there?" Princess Amethyst turned to me, her gaze laced with judgment.

Instead of succumbing to irritation or anger, I took a deep breath and offered her a smile. "My apologies, Your Highness, I will proceed now." My tone dripped with sarcasm. Curse this royal entitlement.