alwaysunqualified

  Chapter 44.1 Princess (2)

  [Grace's POV]

  "And what amazing work it has been," I said, resisting the urge to add to my ever-expanding collection of Liev memorabilia for the first time in a while, even as I spoke to my distinguished guest.

  "You are wasting my time, Princess," the woman across from me decred, her skin darkening with her irritation. "And you know how valuable that is these years."

  Sitting across from me was Ci, head of House Mirrcall, a house who specializes in negotiation and is leading our efforts in reestablishing connections.

  "Yes, I am most aware. Yet, you must acknowledge Liev Ekker's contributions to your dealings with the Valkyries," I persisted, careful to keep my tone moderate.

  “Just as much as he caused a strain,” she retorted, clearly ungrateful.

  "Even so, we now have a legion of Valkyries, ones who will be unimpeded by the Beaking’s effects," I added, noting the shifts in her skin color as her annoyance intensified.

  "He has," she corrected.

  "He is a citizen of our city," I insisted, disliking the implications of her words.

  "He is destined to die," she decred bluntly, implying that the Valkyries, or at least any survivors, would eventually return while keeping our retionship with them tense.

  "He also has caught the interest of an Amazon princess," I added, suggesting another potential ally he might bring to our cause.

  "One who is struggling to maintain her title," she dismissed, as if that detracted from the value of the alliance.

  Ci has been part of our city since before my mother was born, yet my mother taught me how to handle her nonetheless. You had to concede some ground to gain some with her. That's why I found myself arguing from a position of disadvantage.

  "If there is nothing else, Princess," she said, signaling her readiness to leave. It was the perfect moment to steer the conversation, but suddenly the environment shifted dramatically.

  Before I could even process the change, my years of training took over. My mana surged, activating an array of defensive artifacts and items. With their activation, I realized I wasn't defenseless. My sword had been retrieved from our armory, indicating that I wasn't completely isoted from the city. It was possible for a rescue team to locate me, which meant my primary goal was to buy time. Once prepared, I was ready to assess the threat and respond accordingly.

  My gaze locked onto a pair of stunning silver eyes, and the world seemed to freeze. I quickly turned around, realizing my appearance must be awful.

  "Oh, no, I must look a mess," I panicked, I hadn't gone through my usual preparations because of my meeting with Ci. "Why today of all days?"

  After making sure I was presentable, I turned back to face my knight, but when our eyes met, my heart fluttered uncontrolbly, and I had to turn away again to calm it.

  Finally, after double-checking everything and giving the waiting man a gnce to ensure my heart wouldn't burst, I turned once more to address my patiently waiting knight.

  "It is my greatest honor that you would invite me to..." I paused, taking in the serene surroundings, the white sky, the tranquil ke, the serene forest, all filled with a loving care for my knight. "Your Dominion."

  "Yeah, long time no see," he replied in a casual tone that sent shivers down my spine, nearly causing me to lose my bance. I was not ready—my heart certainly wasn't! I had to turn away quickly to regain my composure.

  But I failed miserably at calming my racing heart.

  "Look, we need to talk," he interjected, his voice steady and serious, dampening my swirling emotions. It dawned on me that our connection was already so strong that his feelings were influencing mine, even suppressing my surprise.

  “Yes, of course, I shall listen,” I responded. It really should not be that surprising. I was happy, our bond was incredibly deep, impervious to anything short of divine intervention by the Goddesses of Independence. My mind couldn't help but wander to thoughts of how extraordinary things would be once our connection was Crystallized.

  “First off, what’s with the ninja girl?” he asked, his irritation palpable and confusing to me. Was she not performing her duties adequately?

  "Ninja? Do you perhaps mean your shadow?” I crified, seeking confirmation. Once he nodded slightly, I continued, somewhat uncertain but resolved to answer his question. “She is tasked with protecting you."

  "I don’t appreciate being spied on," he said, his feeling sending a spike of discomfort through me, causing my own emotions to spiral.

  "There seems to be a misunderstanding, for which I sincerely apologize.” I responded quickly, panic rising in my mind which I struggled to suppress to avoid embarrassment.

  “Her sole duty is your protection. By contract, she is forbidden from divulging any information about her charge. Even if someone used a mind-reading Blessing, your secrets would remain safe," I crified, knowing that even my mother could not manipute our shadows.

  “Oh, why didn’t she just expin that?” he asked, his irritation easing and lifting the weight from my shoulders. I rexed slightly, relieved that the misunderstanding caused by 404 could be cleared up easily by myself.

  "I assumed someone of your stature would be aware of such arrangements. I apologize once more for my oversight," I added, doing my best to convey my sincerity. I hadn't considered that her difficulty in interacting with men could lead to such a misunderstanding; I resolved to handle it better in the future.

  “Why did you send her in the first pce?” he inquired. Once his irritation dissipated, I could feel a soft appreciation emanating from him, a constant presence that had been obscured by earlier emotions. It was soothing and reassuring, a sentiment that, I realized, had been there for a long while.

  “To protect you. While I'm confident you would have been fine, there’s always a minuscule chance that something could happen. I found it prudent to have a shadow watch for the unseen. 404 is the most skilled shadow our city has seen in millennia,” I expined, bound by the contract to avoid disclosing my true reasons, yet everything I said was truthful.

  “Yes, but why?” he pressed.

  “I was worried,” I admitted, the crux of all my reasons boiling down to that simple fact. Despite my confidence in his safety, my concern was persistent, both then and now. Truly, my only wish was that I could do more.

  “We’ve only met twice,” he noted, his emotions too complex to bleed clearly.

  “Yes, I apologize. Due to various circumstances, I haven't had the opportunity to contact you. I know my st impression wasn't the best, so I strive to make amends whenever possible,” I expined, my voice filled with yearning yet comforted by the knowledge that my efforts were helping to keep him safe.

  “Let’s find a more comfortable spot to talk,” he suggested after a brief silence, guiding me into the cozy confines of a small house. I observed him closely, etching the moment into my memory and basking in the subtle warmth of his feeling seeping into me. Before I knew it, I was seated.

  “How about you just tell me what you can?” he proposed, offering me an opportunity to share what I knew.

  I navigated carefully around the contract, embedding clues he could use to gain a fuller understanding, while sharing everything permissible. Despite my efforts, he was annoyed.

  "Um, my knight, have I done something to displease you?" I asked, feeling disappointed in myself for not fully satisfying his curiosity. I should have been better prepared.

  "No, I just have a lot to think about," he responded, and it seemed my fears were unfounded, he was simply dissatisfied with the answers he had received.

  ‘I need to work harder so that he has more options,’ I thought, frustration simmering beneath the surface. Most of the nobles refused to move beyond the bare minimum, their focus consumed by preparations for the Breaking and the best strategies for recovery afterward.

  “I have something I'd like to share with you,” he said, breaking through my self-reflection.

  “I must advise against disclosing too much information to me, my knight. If I deem it of too great a value, I am contractually bound to report it to my queen.” I cautioned. I trusted him completely, but attempting to maneuver around my mother was an act of futility.

  “What about this pce?” he asked, gauging my reaction.

  “This is your Dominion, my knight. To divulge it would be an affront to our Goddesses.” I replied. I do not believe even my mother would dare to pry into a gift from the Goddesses. If she did, I would have grounds to refuse, considering her actions. While it's possible for her to force my hand, such an act would cost her support from other houses, something she cannot afford right now.

  “And you can’t just sign another contract not to tell?” he joked.

  “One contract cannot overrule another; I would not be able to sign it,” I replied, answering the joke seriesly.

  “Just out of curiosity, how long is this contract?” he inquired.

  “If put onto paper, it would span just over 17,000 pages,” I answered, unsure how this information could help him. Even recalling the endless csses on contracts I had to endure before being permitted to read it brought a wave of stress over me, even now.

  “You read all that?” he asked, reflecting my own overwhelmed feelings back at me. I almost wanted to retreat to my room when I realized he was just making small talk to help me rex. I thought I had managed to hide my feelings from my knight.

  “Every noble is required to know every word of the contract before they sign, for each contract has to be tweaked slightly and every noble and noble house is trying to prioritize different costs and benefits,” I expined, feeling myself rex a little. I shouldn't be so formal around my knight; I should be like the princesses from the tales.

  “Mind if I try something?” he asked after a moment of contemption.

  “It would be my pleasure to assist my knight in any way I can,” I replied, genuinely eager to help; really, he needn't even ask.

  Then, as if he had read my earlier thoughts, the world came alive. The previously stark, white background of the cabin dimmed, repced by natural light teeming with life. I felt our emotional connection strengthen, a profound soothing sensation washing over me, affirming that I was cherished.

  "Would my princess do me the honor of watching the moon with me this night?" he asked, his smile warm, and my heart felt like it might burst.

  "I would follow my knight anywhere," I replied, using a line straight out of my favorite book, as I took his offered hand.

  When he led me back outside, it was now night, the forest bathed in the soft, silvery glow of the moon. The trees stood tall and majestic, their leaves shimmering with a gentle, ethereal light, casting intricate patterns of shadows and illumination across the forest floor. As we walked, the moonlight filtered through the canopy, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and dark that felt almost magical.

  The moon itself hung above, a luminous orb in the vast sky, its light not just illuminating but evoking a profound sense of serenity. Under the moon's watchful gaze, love felt timeless; each gnce and touch shared between us was amplified by the night's beauty.

  "I've never seen a moon so enchanting," I murmured, so captivated by the view that I hadn’t even noticed when I sat down, nestled close to him. His heartbeat, a soothing rhythm, comforted me further.

  "My princess, might I be so honored as to hear a tale from your childhood? One that I am sure will further illuminate this night," he said, his caring smile making my heart race, as it always did with his chivalrous words.

  "Of course, my knight," I replied warmly. Then, I began recounting tales from my childhood, focusing on those memories that, though embarrassing, held significant importance to me. I wove through the stories of my early life, each memory sparking the next. While many of my early recollections were lighthearted, they gradually shifted to reflect the growing responsibilities that came with age.

  "It sounds hard," he commented, his voice devoid of theatrics, yet imbued with sincerity.

  "I would never disparage my position, but it is stressful. We are cared for and given ample time to rest and de-stress, but you're never truly free to rex. I didn't realize it when I was small, but even the times my mother took to listen to me were at the cost of allowing disaster to brew," I shared openly.

  "At least you can rex now," he said, looking up as the bright moon began to dip behind the ke.

  "I wish that were true, but even now, chaos must be unfolding that I will need to quell once I return," I said, the weight of my duties lingering despite the peace of the moment. Even after signaling my shadow to stand down, I had yet to receive a response.

  "Actually, time is virtually frozen here, and you will return exactly at the moment I summoned you. No one will be the wiser. Not even the ninja could detect when we entered this pce," he reassured me, his tone confident.

  "Truly?" I asked, a sense of relief washing over me.

  He nodded in confirmation. For the first time in years, I allowed myself to fully rex, and we sat comfortably, my body easing into his as we watched the moon slowly descend.

  When the moon was halfway submerged behind the ke, I rose to my feet, extending my hand towards him. "Would my knight be so kind as to grant this princess the st dance?"

  A tradition in every princess story.

  "I can’t dance," he admitted, his confession causing me to pause, taken aback by something he couldn't do, while a charming blush colored his face.

  "That cannot go unaddressed. I shall do my best to instruct you in the time we have, so you do not disappoint any fair maidens in the future," I decred with earnest seriousness. Dancing was not only a mark of status but also an art that charmed and delighted.

  At first, he was as awkward and uncoordinated as I could hardly believe, but soon he began to mimic my movements with surprising precision. As he improved, I found myself once again lost in the warmth of his touch, pressing against him, my skin tingling where we connected.

  If it were possible, I would remain in this moment forever, but as the st light faded and the white sky returned, my body tensed with the knowledge that my time had ended, and duty called once more. I reluctantly stepped away, restraining myself from returning to his embrace, yet allowing my mind to sear this night into memory permanently.

  "I do not wish to impose on your valuable time any further. I understand that maintaining a Dominion must be taxing. Call me anytime, my knight, and I will do my best to fulfill your wishes," I said, offering a reluctant but necessary farewell.

  The environment shifted, and I found myself back at the precise moment I had left, the experience fading like a dream, yet the lingering warmth and soft tingle throughout my body assured me it was real. As I settled back, I savored the residual feeling.

  "I will deem that a no," Ci said, rising from her seat, her skin emitting bck smoke that vividly dispyed her irritation more effectively than words ever could. Normally, I would be concerned, but what struck me in that moment wasn't her apparent anger. Watching the stern woman prepare to leave, I realized her Blessing was influencing me despite my precautions.

  ‘I almost erred, truly my knight has saved me yet again,’ I thought, observing her. The timing was too perfect to be mere coincidence; my knight could indeed rival my mother in strategy.

  Studying the woman who paused, awaiting my dismissal, I found myself reassessing her and her capabilities. It was no wonder she had been able to reestablish our connections after the mess created by our second generation back.

  ‘Is mother affected? Most likely, but that should also be in her calcutions,’ I mused, trying to fit the pieces together before I caught myself. I realized I was once again moving according to others' wishes. My mother’s training was invaluable, but ultimately, I should act as I see fit.

  Taking out a pad, I began sketching, allowing my seemingly dismissive attitude to appear intentional.

  “You are wasting my valuable time, princess,” the woman said. I did not respond immediately, continuing to sketch the full moon that had so beautifully illuminated the sky, casting my knight in an unforgettable light. Even as her irritation mounted, I remained focused on my drawing until the moon was complete, and I moved on to capturing a fraction of my knight's regal image.

  “No, you are wasting your own. Everyone knows that in 14 years, our city will be but a husk of its current self, even in the best of futures,” I reminded her, driving her anger further.

  “And that is why I should not be here. Even one more ally might spare the lives of our citizens,” she stated, highlighting the urgency of her mission. It had been challenging to secure this meeting, and another would be near impossible; her schedule was booked solid for the next fourteen years.

  “Did you know my mother first tried to run, to resettle the city?” I began, not bothering to look up from my sketching. I knew she was aware, so I didn't expect a response, and she offered none. “But no matter where we went, no matter how formidable our protector, every location was engulfed by the void. Even when our queen dispersed the citizens among different pces, all those pces were consumed. Yet, she continues to strive, crafting a future to save as many as possible.”

  “Well all do princess. What is the point of telling me something I already know?” She asked though I did not bother to answer. Her attempt to remain respectful gave me my answer.

  “Our city will not fall, Liev will not fall,” I decred with unwavering conviction.

  “You’re delusional, princess,” she retorted, this time forsaking any pretense of the respect I was due.

  “Isn't it funny that every legend is filled with people who said the same thing?” I could not help but let a small ugh out as I shadowed my knight's image.

  “There is a difference between something being highly unlikely and something being carved in time itself,” she replied, her tone condescending, as if I were still a child.

  “I will strip your house of its status when he succeeds. We have no pce for those so shortsighted,” I said, finally looking up at her. Her face was a mask of fury at my words. Whether she believed it impossible or not, she couldn’t afford to not hedge against my threat. “Now, if you would, sit down so we can talk.”

  I knew I had made an enemy today, but none of that would matter in the end.