[S3] Chapter 38: Princess

How can one snore so loudly? It doesn't bother me in itself. After our rather boozy evening, I fell asleep like a stone. Stupidly, we didn't close the blinds, and with the first ray of sunlight, I woke up briefly. Usually, it was not a problem, but then this loud noise came from the tent in which Kajsa is lying. Was that Luna's desperate attempt to protect us from these engine-like sounds?

It was Luna who announced vengeance after Kajsa and Eliza had spooked her. Still, it is the demon princess who is once again going on the offensive here. But it seems that I am the only one affected by her attack. Miko is curled up in her sleeping bag and sleeps, Eliza lies on her back like a corpse but seems to be in the land of dreams, too, and Luna is lying behind the tent, in front of the terrace door, so I can't actually see her.

I think I'll just get up. No sooner said than done. I try not to make any noise so as not to wake the others, although it's difficult to overpower the snoring in any way. My destination is the kitchen. Once I get there, I am greeted by a mixture of leftover food, empty and half-empty bottles, glasses, and clothes that have simply been left lying around. I'll start tidying up.

"What are you doing?"

I flinch but can suppress a scream. I don't have to turn around to know who's behind me, but I do anyway.

"Miko... did I wake you?"

"I felt you were missing. So, yes, in a way."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, let me help you."

Miko's hair looks a little ruffled, which adds a little more sweetness to her otherwise cool and beautiful look. While we separate bottles and garbage, I keep checking on her. As it could not be otherwise, she notices it, pouts for a moment, but refrains from commenting. In that sense, one of the biggest changes since we've been a couple is that she allows me to adore her a little, sometimes.

"It was fun, wasn't it?" I ask while I fold up someone's clothes.

"Yes, I think so. You enjoyed ogling the others a bit, didn't you?"

"Don't say it like that."

"After all, you are into women, so being surrounded by so many beauties must feel like heaven."

"And what about you?"

"I don't know if I'm into women. I just know that I love you."

"I'm sorry. "

"What are you apologizing for? I'm not jealous."

Why does she make such comments, then? I definitely feel guilty. I could blame it on the alcohol or on the fact that everyone was gawking as if there were no tomorrow... but I'm in a relationship. None of that is an excuse for my behavior.

Shit, that's it, the good vibes we've built up are gone again.

"Stop being so depressed. I didn't mean to upset you," she says so lightly. If I could, I wouldn't worry about so many things.

"I'm trying."

"By the way, I've decided to talk to Kajsa."

"About what?"

"My roots, about that, I'm supposed to be a princess from her world."

"Oh."

I can't think of anything else. I think it's good that she's dealing with this. But she never shared any of these thoughts with me; all the time, she seemed to be ignoring everything that had happened that day. Not once had we truly talked about Ayma or the things she told her.

"I asked Luna what she thinks about it. After all, Kajsa might not want to talk about her past. But she's sure that Kajsa wants to help."

With Luna? Of course. Why does it hurt me? There's nothing wrong with what Miko did, but it just hurts. The feeling lacks any kind of logic, and that's annoying me. I did the same with Maisy, talking about things and worries that Miko had never heard of. I didn't want to burden her any more than she already was. Maybe Miko thought the same thing when she didn't consult me.

"Kayla, what's going on? I don't know what it is, but something's bothering you, isn't it?"

Why would she think that? Maybe because I don't talk to her. I put on a smile and raise my eyebrows in confusion as if I didn't understand the nature of her question.

"Huh? No, everything's fine. I'm just a bit tired."

"Okay, sorry. My mistake." She also shows me a smile and we both know that things are not okay.

"I'm taking out the trash, "I announce and walk past Miko without looking at her. I open the kitchen door, in front of which Luna is standing and looking at me worriedly. Her face is the last thing I want to see.

"Good morning."

I ignore her and leave the house through the front door. I feel so stupid for behaving like this, but I can't help it. Fuck, I'm still wearing this stupid duck pajamas, I just hope nobody sees me. I quickly throw the garbage bags in the trash can and run back into the house, where I start laughing. I can't get over it, and I have tears in my eyes. I laugh at myself and feel the pressure that was weighing on me disappear. I go back to the kitchen, where Kajsa is now standing with Luna and Miko. While Kajsa waves at me with a cheerful smile, Miko and Luna look down with shame, their cheeks bright red.

"What happened?"

"When Kajsa came into the kitchen... something was hanging out of her dress..." Luna murmurs.

"What about Eliza?"

"She's sleeping soundly."

"So, she didn't see anything?"

"Nope."

◆◆◆

"Huuuuuuuh!?" Eliza's shocked expression echoes through the entire building. The first thing she heard when she woke up was how she had missed Kajsa's boobs. After standing up, she immediately threw herself on her knees and repeatedly slapped the floor with the flat of her hand.

"My life no longer makes any sense!"

Kajsa, who, like the rest of us, has put on regular clothes again, looks at Eliza with a rather blank expression. "Would it help if I show them to you?"

"No, thanks. The charm of surprise is what makes it so beautiful. It's not your boobs, although they are charming, of course."

Typically, this conversation would have disturbed me, but after last night, it seemed all too natural. We all definitely grew a little closer.

While we were waiting for the bread rolls to bake in the oven, we restored the living room to its former state and sat down at the table. Miko wanted to use the time to talk from princess to princess.

"Luna said you wanted to talk about my world." The moment Kajsa says that, her tone changes. She usually comes across as a hyperactive teenage girl, but she grew up as the princess of a demon empire, and right now, you can tell.

"Ayma, Lilith's sister, had a conversation with me in the dungeon and told me that I used to be a princess from your world. I can't remember my childhood, but what she told me seemed quite plausible."

Kajsa sighs and nibbles on her lower lip.

"Unfortunately, I grew up in a very sheltered environment, and the information I received about our world was carefully selected. I knew about the two witch sisters who had made a name for themselves in our realm. But I only met Ayma two years ago. I had never seen Lilith before, and even when I saw her here, I didn't associate her with Ayma at all."

"So, you don't know anything about a human princess who has disappeared?"

"Unfortunately, not. I think I know which kingdom you mean. There are several across our territory, but only one has a population near the border."

"All right, thanks a lot. "

"Sorry, I can't help you more. You could ask Jora. He definitely spent more time in our world. And not as caged in as I was, I suppose. "

"Maybe I will, sometime." Miko definitely seems a little depressed but also relieved at the same time.

"Can you tell me a little about the kingdom? Maybe I'll remember something."

"It's not much, but I'll tell you everything I know."

The smell of bread buns wafts into my nose. I get up and go into the kitchen. I notice that Luna is following me. I give her a fleeting smile and take a look inside the oven. The rolls look good, so I turn the heat down but leave the lid closed.

"Do you have a problem with me? "Luna asks quietly but clearly. My stomach turns a little.

"No, why? "

"Am I not allowed to talk to your girlfriend? "

"Don't, we don't need a fight. "

"You're right. "

"I'm sorry I ignored you earlier."

"That's what I wanted to hear. And I'm sorry that I overheard you. It was more involuntary, but I still stopped at the door. "

"Everything's fine, thanks for helping Miko. "

"It's okay, even though I don't really like her. We're all friends somehow, aren't we?"

This is the first time I've heard Luna say she doesn't like Miko. Yes, the two of them hardly ever talk to each other, except for group meetings, but Miko at least feels somewhat positive towards Luna, maybe neutral.

"Don't look so shocked. You get on my nerves, too," Luna says with a grin. "If you ever want to talk, I'm also there for you, stupid."

"Thanks for the offer."

Somehow, I feel a bit oblivious because I always assume that the people around me actually like me. The idea that most of them are just being nice to me out of politeness makes me want to ask everyone how they feel about me.

Armed with hot, freshly baked goods, we return to the living room. The conversation between Miko and Kajsa seems to be over. I look at Eliza, who is drowsily gazing around. After a few seconds, she notices my stare and turns her head questioningly. "What's wrong?"

"You like me, don't you?"

"Of course. What kind of question is that?"

"Luna just told me that she thinks I'm stupid."

"You're a bit stupid sometimes, and I still like you. That's probably what she meant as well."

I glance over at Luna, who just shrugs her shoulders and pulls a face. What am I supposed to make of that? I wrinkle my nose, turn away, and put the food on the table. At that moment, Eliza gets up, disappears into the kitchen, and comes back with milk and a box of cereal.

"We've got cereal?" Miko asks with bright eyes and stands up. "Is there anyone else who needs a bowl and spoon?"

One by one, we shyly raise our hands. Once we sit with the bowls in front of us, we look silently at the rolls that we have baked, especially for this breakfast. Am I ashamed of having abandoned them the moment I heard about the cereal? Maybe.

"Oh. The box is empty," Kajsa says quietly, looking slightly defeated. We all have some in our bowls already, and Luna filled hers right before Kajsa and knowingly passed on the empty box. Without words, we try to convince her to share some with her demon friend, but she shakes her head firmly with furrowed eyebrows.

"You can have mine." It is Eliza who hands her bowl to Kajsa.

"Are you sure? Do you want to see my boobs in exchange?"

"Yes! And no!" Eliza blushes a little, grabs a bread roll, and bites into it. With her mouth full, she rumbles, "Why doesh everyone shuddenly thinksh I'm a pervert?"

"Nobody said that," Miko comments and pours milk into her bowl with a smile before the last drops trickle out of the carton. "We still have another one, right?"

After a round of dry cereal and a bread roll, my breakfast is over. Kajsa has apparently made it her mission not to waste anything on the table. Eliza is mostly drinking coffee, as she is now on her fourth cup, and Miko is stirring around in her bowl, which now only contains a mushy mass.

"Are you nervous, Eliza? "Luna asks, seemingly out of nowhere.

"Why? "

"You're shaking a bit. "

"Must be the caffeine," I say with a grin, looking at Eliza, who seems worryingly pale." Hey, are you okay?"

She takes a deep breath and puts her cup down. "I have to tell you something."

Nothing good ever started that way. She can't even look at us. For a moment, it feels as if my heart has stopped beating.

"I'm sorry, but our guild is being disbanded."