Princess of Elysium

“Y-YOU A-ARE A P-PRINCESS?!”
Kia crossed her arms in pride.
“Not just any princess, but THE princess of Elysium. You would do well to remember that fact.”
She raised her head and triumphantly puffed her nose.
So, this entire time I spent walking alongside someone of royalty.
And even worse, I made her look after me like she was my babysitter.
“If I had known, I…”
I wanted to say that I would’ve been more helpful, but I knew that would be a lie.
Especially after seeing her defeat that Heldebeast, I became clearly aware of that fact.
Pensively, I bit my lip, trying to repress these feelings of uselessness gnawing away at me.
“Is everything all right, Shako?”
With no idea how to respond, I shrugged my shoulders in fatigue.
“I simply can’t help but feel so useless. I’ve died not once, but twice. And both times, I couldn’t do anything to prevent it. I was fortunate that you found me and wanted to help me, but once we encountered that Heldebeast, I couldn’t even move my feet. What’s the point in living such a shameful life?”
A small sigh escaped her lips, before a moment of silence interrupted us.
“Shako, please look at me.”
My face was aimed at the ground.
I was too scared to look her in the eyes, because I didn’t want to see the glare of disappointment she’d likely show me.
Unexpectedly, I felt two slender hands grab my cheeks as they tilted up my head.
“No matter how troubled you may be, that does not justify you forfeiting your life. I do not know what you experienced in your previous life, but what I do know is that everyone has the right to live. Even if they themselves believe they do not.”
After consoling me, Kia grabbed my hand and insisted we should go inside.
Once she had shown me around, she would explain as much about her world and answer as many of my questions as she could.

Two guards were stationed at the entrance of the building.
Kia approached them and exchanged some words with them.
As they did, I noticed that the guard on the right was looking scornfully at me.
I tried to shrug it off, although it didn’t make me feel very welcome here.
When Kia was done talking, the two guards turned around and opened the door for us, revealing a long hallway.
Red carpet covered the floor, the walls were decorated with many colourful paintings, and from the ceiling hung a series of small chandeliers.
Besides that, marble statues were placed in set intervals at each side of the hallway.
We spent about a minute walking before we reached the other side, where the main hall was located.
Maids and butlers, dressed in Victorian-style attire, were performing their duties there.
Dusting off portraits, cleaning the floor, or watering the plants, everything was being addressed.
One maid in particular noticed our arrival and approached us.
“My heart may rest now that I know you’re safe, My Lady.”
“Astress, how wonderful seeing you again!”
The maid looked about my age.
Her posture was pretty slim, and she was just a bit taller than me.
She had black, half-long hair and her eyes were a bright violet that got accentuated by the purple eyeshadow around it.
Also, the blush on her cheeks made the paleness of her skin less noticeable.
“Those feelings are mutual. I see you brought along a guest. May I know your name, good sir?”
I bowed and gave her my name.
“Shako Ikitayashi.”
“Hmm. That is quite an unusual name, if I may say so?”
“Well, you see, Shako here is a Wanderer.”
Astress’s eyes widened as she heard Kia tell her that.
“A Wanderer?”
As soon as she said this, all the workers paused their work and turned around in shock.
Once more, I could feel disapproving stares being aimed towards me.
Astress turned from being happy to looking disgusted at me, as if seeing me birthed some inner hatred inside of her.
Before the mood could get any worse, Kia grabbed her by the shoulders and took Astress with her, behind one of the columns carrying the roof.
I saw her whisper something to her, but I didn’t hear what she was telling her.
After they returned, Astress made a formal bow and offered an apology.
“*Ahem* I want to apologize for my indecent behaviour just now. My name is Astress Belluvi. Pleased to make your acquaintance. May I have the honour of showing you around?”
I could tell her words were forced through the tone of her voice.
And if that didn’t give her away, the expression on her face surely did.
With a stretched smile and tense frown on her forehead, she was trying her hardest to look welcoming.
Before I could take her up on her offer however, another worker ran up to us and addressed Kia.
“Your Highness, I am here to relay the wish of His Majesty to speak to you. He will be expecting you at the throne room.”
The joy on Kia’s face vanished, and instead now showed great displeasure.
Both Astress and I looked at her as she dropped her shoulders and let out a heavy sigh.
“Kia?”
I wanted to ask her what was going on but hesitated.
“Shako, would you mind coming along with me?”
“Sure, but where are we going?”
“To see His Majesty Azazel III, my father.” she answered, with a venomous undertone.