Capítulo 153: 5.6.
"Sorry I couldn't pass you the cake in time..."
"No, it's alright. We could always have it later."
'I totally forgot but.. we actually still have class.'
While the tournament was going on at Suntory Amphitheater, the academy was still running as usual. Due to the availability of the tickets, there weren't many people that could afford a place. Even if they did, it would only be for one or two days.
A pardon is granted for students that wished to see the duels happening in physical presence, but they would have to catch on with their missed classes later.
As for Sequencee, he received medical consent to skip classes for the rest of the week. That said, it wasn't like Sequencee was going to comply with it obediently.
With Schwii attracting a lot of attention due to her beauty, and the dissonance of Sequencee not wearing his school uniform, the two stood out like a sore thumb. To the uninformed eye, it looked as if Schwii had brought in an outsider, or something similar to that.
"Where do you want to have lunch?"
"Where would be convenient? It's quite late now, most places would be packed, and there's not a lot of time left until your next class.. how about the ramen shop then?"
"I don't have class later. It's a Tuesday, remember?"
"Oh, right.."
Schwii smiled.
"Alright, let's find a ramen shop to eat then."
The two of them entered a restaurant which they had never visited before. It took a while for them to find a seat open up to them.
"What do you want to get?"
"Maybe this one, regular size."
"I wonder if they have coffee here."
"They probably don't have sweetened milk for you to add, just saying."
"I know."
They passed their order to the waiter and waited. The din of the place and chattering of the students made it a nice environment to let loose.
Sequencee looked at Schwii, trying to read her feelings under her typical day-to-day expression.
When she noticed him staring, a slight itch was felt. It was both uncomfortable and pleasant, yet she didn't wish for him to stop so..
"I still can't forgive the fact that you got injured by that human," Schwii said to alleviate some of the awkwardness. "I heard that he's in the hospital? Did you meet him?"
"No. I didn't."
"That's for the best. Leticia said to stop involving yourself in her matters."
"Speaking of which, Leticia is.. is she alright? You came with her yEstherday so I thought you may have some ideas.."
"She's fine," Schwii said with a firm nod.
'That's good to hear.. maybe I should pay her a visit sometime..'
"Schwii, do you know where Iona is?"
"Iona? She's watching over the tournament venue."
"For a place that's well guarded, why would she need to take care of its safety? There are a lot of mercenaries stationed there including combat instructors from various academies."
"It only takes one cockroach to send the tournament into a frenzy. We can't allow that to happen."
"No, rather, what I wanted to ask is.. did Iona tell you anything about her asking Reese to help with maintaining the safety of the place?"
Schwii titled her head, "Why would she do that? Did you hear something?"
'So what is it here? Did Reese brainwash Iona? Or was Reese making up a fake story? Or was Iona keeping it a secret from Schwii?'
"I don't mean it in a good way when I say this, but that senior tried to harass me last night."
"..."
"It's.."
"Where were you yEstherday night?"
"I was in the hospital, she appeared in some maid uniform saying that Iona wanted her to take over for my safety..?"
'Am I lying? Did I go and practice magic out in the training theater? But, if that was the case why was the place so empty? There would typically be some people present. Was it a dream? Did she force me to forget my memories? I'm I delusioning myself?'
".. I can't recall the details.."
Schwii's brows arch inwards. "You were affected by her gift, weren't you?"
"I was.. probably. I remember that much at least."
"You don't seem to be affected by it now.. but I can't be too certain."
"I found a priest who can clear any linger effects of another person's gift and had him check on me. He said I was in the clear though."
Schwii fell into thought.
Sequence sighed. "I'm sorry trouble keeps coming our way.. I didn't mean to worry you."
"What's passed is past. Now, the crucial aspect is finding a solution to this."
Countermeasures to deal with Reese, and the truth behind Iona's cooperation with her. That was something they had to resolve.
"One more issue," Sequencee groaned.
"What issue?" Schwii made a serious expression.
"His Imperial Majesty wants to have luncheon with me this coming weekend when he arrives at the academy."
"What?!" Schwii almost slammed the table. Sequencee gestured her to hush down. "His Majesty.. t-this is the working of that princess, isn't it?!"
"Partly.. I think it's more to do with the fact that he's just interested to know if I'm alright. I met him in the past once, so it's likely a follow up to that, especially after my mother's death.. you know.."
"Be careful. As difficult as it may be to reject someone, you must. Should anything happen, inform me immediately, we'll set off from the human empire."
"Yeah."
'I'm sorry Schwii..'
"Your food and drinks," the waiter came during their conversation break and transferred their orders to their table. Payment would be done later at the cashier.
"I'm glad we get to be alone like this. Though I would've wished that we didn't have to handle the baggage of yEstherday's incident," Schwii sulked.
===
No parade was held to welcome the emperor and empress. Yet despite this, the crowd drawing attention to the carriage's arrival was innumerable. Royal knights castling the parameter of the caravan donning mithril-gold holy armor and royal mages wielding grand magic scepters.
Accustomed to the arrival of these authorities, the people of Rika nation opened up a path for them to Riestallia Academy. The carriage passed through the gates and without stopping at the security posts, headed straight to the special lodging built especially for the royal family. A villa crested a hill overlooking the big lake. Similar to the central island where the pagoda laid, it was an area off limits to regular students.
The principal and many other important figures stood there, some from other academies, awaiting for his Majesty's arrival. Students representative of various departments were also called upon to add to the number in order to make the welcome more appealing.
Sequencee and Schwii, being class representatives for their class, were asked to come.
His Majesty, Her Majesty and his two other concubines alighted from the carriage. Delagatories and ambassadors of the empire exited from the convoys following behind.
Sequencee remembered His Majesty's face, he looked no different than he was three years ago.
Granting a heartfelt to praise the warm welcome received, he and his wives made their way into the villa.
The ambassadors of the empire approached the faculty presidents of various academy departments. Titania, although not a professor of the academy, had herself tied with an ambassador who recognized her.
'That's done.'
The instructors ushered the students out of line in formation. Beginning from those of the administration course, to lastly those from the enforcer course.
'No demons came to harass anyone.. things seem to be fine. But..'
Sequencee turned to find Reese standing in the front.
Provoked by Schwii, Iona had confessed that she had reached out to Reese for her help through this temporary time of uncertainty. As for the reason why she kept the matter a secret, it was because she understood Schwii's concerns. Reese had been told to keep out of the public eye when carrying out her duty, most especially in front of Schwii.
As for the chip to Reese shoulder's, the reward she would gain from completing this request, it was something Iona remained tight lipped about.
Even now, Reese, who had been chosen as one of the student representatives, was keeping a close eye on him from where she stood.
"Our turn," Schwii whispered.
Sequencee nodded.
Breaking from the formation into the moving line, an unexpected royal maid approached Sequencee as if having waited for this opportunity. He was deferred from meeting with the ambassadors.
"Sequencee, Her Highness wishes for you to follow me," she said with a bow.
"What?"
"Right this moment," she said, sending a sharp stare in Schwii's direction. The succubus flinched and frowned.
'This is so sudden..'
"Schwii, sorry."
"It was mentioned in the letter. I trust you know what to do."
"Yeah."
Two days ago, a letter from His Highness Wilson arrived at their dormitory with details regarding when the luncheon would be held, which would be tomorrow afternoon. Yet for some reason, they had requested his presence now.
The two of them bumped fist, Sequencee broke out of the queue and followed the maid. Because of it, many curious stares shifted towards him.
– Some rumor saying that His Majesty had an illegitimate child would pop up some day. Of course, it wasn't true.
"My name is Selena. Her Highness Evelyn's personal maid."
"Nice to meet you."
She nodded.
Entering the humongous foyer enriched with marble floorings and posh furniture, Sequencee followed her up the tapering stairs. Moving into the hall to the right, Sequencee made it past the maids lined on both sides with their heads lowered in respect.
'I have a bad feeling about this..'
He felt like he was trespassing somewhere he shouldn't. Offending anyone here could possibly spell the end of his academy life.
"This guest room is yours. You are free to use it from now onwards," Selena opened the door and invited Sequencee in.
It was a large quarter which had been furnished much like an apartment. The washroom was just to the right of the entrance, and the living room was just ahead.
Keeping his vigilance, Sequencee entered.
'There's no one here.'
Spatial magic was only reacting to the maid's presence.
"I don't mean to be rude, but is there any reason why I've been provided a guest room? Earlier you mentioned that Her Highness wishes to meet me."
"Yes. Before that however, I was told to allow you some time to settle yourself in the villa. Clothes tailored to your fitting have been ordered, arranged in the cupboard over to the left. It's important you care for your appearance in the presence of the royal family."
"..."
"Freshen up yourself in the bath and wear something appropriate."
"Miss Selena, I still have practice later."
She showed a surprised expression, "Is that so? My apologies, I had thought that a public holiday was given to all students."
"No, yeah, it's different for me. Can I leave first?"
"Then.. I will inform Her Highness about the matter."
"Can I leave now? I might be running a little later.."
"No. Please wait here," she insisted in an unyielding tone.
'Darned.'
Selena bowed and promptly left the room.
'Really now? Are they trying to trap me here or something?'
Sequencee massaged his temples.
'There's no reason to keep me here unless there's some ulterior motive at play. It would be impolite for me to just leave.. and I need to come up with some excuse.'
"Schwii, in a situation where they want to keep me in the villa for some unknown reason, what is the best course of action? Do I just run away?" Sequencee spoke into the pendant.
["Pardon?"]
"I think they're trying to keep me in here."
["For what reason?"]
"That's what I don't know."
Sequencee explored the room as the discussion progressed with Schwii. The bathroom was made from granite and marble, glass planes separating the shower from the toilet.
The living room was carpeted, Sequencee had to take off his shoes at the entrance. There was a large couch, a shelf of books and a complimentary plate of small snacks with a glass covering over it.
The bedroom was just a little further in, furnished with a desk where one could do work, a canopy bed with thick blankets, and storage space for personal space. The cupboard for clothes was open, filled with garments Sequencee thought would fit the image of nobility quite well– except that these were all custom made for him.
There was a note on the desk.
Escaping from your feelings is not an option– Quilin Roux.
"Yeah.. I'm definitely being set up."
Schwii could be heard pondering from the other side.
"I don't know what to do, really. They're assuming that I still like the princess and am just hiding my feelings for her."
["Don't be fooled."]
"Interesting. In this situation, I believe I could be of great help, no?" a saccharine voice echoed.
"Why the hell are you here.."
["Sequencee? What's wrong?"]
"I'm your sword, remember?" Reese whispered, embracing Sequencee from behind.
As for the countermeasures to prevent something like this from happening again, Iona mentioned that she would take responsibility for it– though it seemed her attempts were less than ineffective.
Sequencee could feel her soft chest pressed against his back, the smell of black-lavender tickled his nose.
"Schwii, did Iona not do anything about Reese?"
"Jeez. Do you hate me so much? That maid tried to kill me even though all I did was try to protect you."
[".. Use her."]
"What? Schwii, are you sure.."
["What other choice do we have anyways?"]
The guilt of being in cahoot with another woman weighed down his heart.
["Remember what you told me. I trust you Sequencee."]
The light in the pendant faded.
'Is she angry? Disappointed?'
"Reese. Get off."
"Whoops. Okay, okay. No need to be so mad now~"
"What do you think you can do to help by coming here anyways?" Sequencee asked in a displeased manner.
"My, don't be so mad. Let's get our agendas aligned first shall we? With the current situation at hand, it seems that the princess wants you quite badly. Scheming with her brother and sister, this plan to ensnare you here, possibly to take away your virginity and force responsibility upon you to.."
Sequencee's glare had her falter for a moment.
".. or perhaps she would force you into compliance using His Majesty's authority. In whichever case, I should play the role as your meat-slave-assassin maid who is overprotective of my master as an attempt to denounce your image before His Majesty in hopes he would have no choice but to persuade the princess to give up on her puppy love."
"..."
"Otherwise.. my ability to manipulate people to your favor should be of use to you.."
"Reese.. were you always this peculiar?"
"Yup."
'I shouldn't have asked..'
Reese showed an unabashed smile full of pride.
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