Awakenings, Secrets, and Schemes

Meanwhile, Marta gazed blankly inside from her vantage point outside.

Her Queen rested her forehead against that person’s.

The Queen surely knew that person had always targeted her, yet Marta also knew the Queen was gentle with everyone. Without a doubt, the Queen would later make Hizeta apologize to her, and then properly educate Hizeta.

This was certain.

As a knight, she shouldn’t overthink things; she dared not, in fact. But what was this emotion swelling within her heart?

Darkness and jealousy, like tiny maggots, gnawed and devoured her heart, piece by agonizing piece.

‘I yearn to monopolize that tenderness.’

‘But do I truly have the right to claim that tenderness for myself?’

That day, a sword pierced the very rainbow, and she could only watch, unable to join either the black or the golden sword light.

Then, the Queen, like a flower ravaged by a fierce storm, had nearly withered.

She could never forget it.

‘I, who could not protect the Queen, am like a sinner.’

‘If only I could possess such power, I—’

“Your Majesty.” Someone knocked on the window.

Ophelia, still holding Hizeta, turned her head to see Marta standing outside.

Ophelia quickly opened the window.

“What is it, Marta?”

Ophelia felt a pang of fear. If Marta disliked her for comforting Hizeta… she was ready to explain everything thoroughly. After all, everyone deserved a chance to correct themselves, didn’t they, provided it wasn’t some heinous crime?

Yet, Marta’s expression seemed perfectly normal.

“I wish to request leave.”

Leave? What kind of leave?

“Well, you see, a Paladin faces a Second Awakening ritual when they turn twenty-five. Though the success rate is only a few percent, I still wish to attempt it.”

“Tomorrow is my twenty-fifth birthday, so I would like to request leave.”

‘Birthday!?’

‘Ah, yes, the book mentioned this plot point. Marta failed her awakening, was cruelly mocked by several Paladins she was at odds with, and because she viewed the Second Awakening as a knight’s honor, her birthday became a moment of near collapse.’

‘Then the male protagonist helped her regain her standing.’

“Must you go?” Ophelia asked cautiously.

“I must—”

‘Without that power, I cannot protect you. If I cannot protect you, I have no right to monopolize your tenderness, so I must go.’

‘From that first fleeting taste of your flesh, I have been unable to turn back.’

‘I can’t possibly say that, can I?’

“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I consider this awakening to be a knight’s honor.”

‘You are already my honor.’

Ophelia nodded.

‘Just as I expected, Marta couldn’t possibly give up. After all, she’s such a valiant and spirited knight.’

With one hand still holding Hizeta, Ophelia used her other hand to embrace Marta’s head, holding her gently.

She realized she was becoming quite adept at these kinds of embraces.

“I approve, Marta. But remember, even if you don’t succeed, you’ll still be the best knight in my heart.”

“The success rate is only a few percent, so don’t be too hard on yourself if the awakening fails, alright? And if anyone bullies you, tell me! I have real authority now; I can help you bully them right back!”

Ophelia playfully shook her fist.

Marta seemed to freeze for a moment, then a slight upturn graced her lips. Ophelia suddenly felt Marta’s eyes blaze, and she stood ramrod straight as if forged from steel, her pronounced words like a raging fire.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“But I will certainly succeed in my awakening.”

‘The Queen is worried about me.’

‘Indeed, she is so gentle, unlike a Queen. She treats me almost like a friend, or a child.’

‘But…’

‘I don’t see you as a mother, or a friend. I see you as the one I love. I want to unleash all these dark emotions within me, I want you to be gentle only with me, and for that, I need power.’

‘Come to think of it, if I succeed in my awakening tomorrow, I should ask the Queen for a birthday present, shouldn’t I? A birthday present… a cake would be nice. Of course, it would have to be smeared all over the Queen…’

‘Ahem, I’ll think about that later.’

Ophelia watched Marta bow respectfully before continuing to prune the flowers and plants, a hint of worry lingering within her.

‘I’ll go and check on her tomorrow. I won’t allow my little friend to be bullied by just anyone!’

****

Hizeta wriggled out of Ophelia’s embrace.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Hizeta sniffled.

“Was it you who brought me back yesterday? Thank you.”

Ophelia stroked her hair.

“It’s alright. But do you know, Hizeta? You were hurt yesterday, which is why I brought you back.”

“However, you’ve also hurt many people in the same way—Marta just now, and many, many others. So, you’re now experiencing things from a victim’s perspective. Can you understand how much trouble you, as the perpetrator, caused them in the past?”

“You must apologize properly in the future, alright?”

Hizeta paused, taken aback.

Her heart pounded fiercely. She didn’t know why, but while she used to detest being lectured, now she felt a warm current flowing through her body. She took a deep breath and nodded.

‘What a strange feeling.’

‘Dependence? Blushing when I see her? Being protected?’

‘We’re both girls.’

‘What kind of feeling is this?’

‘How odd. It’s a good thing I joined that Starlight Tea Party. Monday isn’t far off, I must ask about it.’

‘Just ask if a princess and a queen can have a future? Like this… ah, how embarrassing…’

Hizeta felt an unprecedented shyness.

****

“Your political leaning is conservative, I presume?”

The old man looked at the man before him, whose eyes and brow were cold, with short black hair and a somewhat ruthless gaze.

“I recall your name is Luca, yes? Are you investigating the Queen’s assassination attempt?” the old man responded.

“No, I merely wished to inform you that Delores now holds merits for her support of the Queen. When the Queen later assumes regency, won’t Delores’s reforms proceed without obstruction?”

“That… indeed… What do you intend? Though I am a conservative, I also know who benefits our nation more, the Queen or Eli!”

Luca sneered.

“It may benefit our nation, but it won’t benefit your interests. After all, reforms involve distributing noble lands to the populace and establishing military farming colonies. Half of your territory’s land is among those designated for civilian use.”

“That… indeed…”

The old man hesitated.

“Therefore, I believe it would be better for the conservatives to support Prince Eli, don’t you think? Or rather, to support me. Of course, all of you will receive genuine support, as Prince Eli is sure to emerge victorious in the end.”

“So, I wish to make a deal with you.” Luca smiled.

“What kind of deal?” The old man grew wary.

“Your grandson is a Paladin, isn’t he? He was poised to become the next Grand Knight, but a knight named Marta has entered the competition, making the outcome uncertain.”

The old man nodded.

His grandson had always been a source of worry for him.

“I can help your grandson succeed in his awakening. In return, you must assist me in an envoy mission to the neighboring empire later.”

If Marta failed her awakening, and this conservative’s grandson succeeded, then the grandson’s position as successor would be virtually guaranteed.

With the support of the conservatives, the Empress of the neighboring empire could be brought into play.

‘I will surely win.’

Luca gritted his teeth.