[37 — Rule of Thunder (1)]

-ARIA-

>Year 336 — Kingdom of Lisarya: Royal Capital <

The first time I set foot in this castle, three years ago, I was overwhelmed by how different everything felt from the reality I knew.

"So this is the great castle of Lisarya..."

The surroundings were beautiful. So much so that it looked like all the wealth of the kingdom had been gathered in one grand hall.

"Incredible..."

It was truly impressive, but just standing so close to the royal family was suffocating. Even knowing the reason I had been brought here, I couldn't stop myself from feeling pressured.

"Aria, now that you've turned seventeen, your transfer has been decided. But don't worry. I've got great news! You were chosen by the king himself!"

I can still remember the excitement in my master's voice when he said that. The way he spoke, it was like I was headed for paradise, when in truth, it felt more like a prison.

Now that I think about it, I guess that was the last time I ever heard his voice.

"It's not that you can't leave; you just can't leave alone." Said the head maid.

Didn't take long to figure out that the only times I could step outside the royal property were during official events, and only then if we were accompanying our masters. The rules were so strict that if I hadn't been mentally prepared, I'm sure I would've panicked.

"Behavior and etiquette are crucial here, Aria. It's not complicated. Just remember one thing: you answer your master whenever called. If he asks you to run, you run. If he asks you to kill, you kill. If he asks you to spare, you spare... and so on."

I was basically a dog. Someone who had to lower her head whenever the owner demanded. My only function was to serve.

"You'll need to know a bit of everything. Your main duty is to guard your master, of course, but that doesn't free you from the rest."

Washing clothes, cleaning, cooking, defending. They even had me carrying things. There was no difference between me and any other personal tool. I practically breathed for the sake of royal blood.

But… why?

Why did I have to sacrifice my life for someone else?

Live for someone I didn't even know?

"Aria, since you're still young, you've been assigned to Prince Katou-sama. He's a little... different, but hopefully you two will get along. I'm counting on you!"

Back then, I didn't understand the smile on the head maid's face. I thought it was just sympathy when she introduced me to my new master.

"Greetings, Katou-sama. My name is Aria Deberia! I'll be under your care from now on!"

I had to bow my head and make a good impression. Remember, Aria! Etiquette first.

"Huh? Oh yeah! Right, I'm at the age where I need protection, huh? Got it, Aria."

"H-hai?"

It didn't take me long to figure out what the head maid had meant.

First of all: he was unbelievably irreverent.

"Katou-sama, your ethics lesson starts at 9 AM. If you don't get out of bed and change, you'll be late."

"Ugh, give me a break. Tell them I'll get up when they invent alarm clocks around here."

Every time I spoke to him, I felt like all my years of etiquette study had been useless. And each morning I tried to drag him out of bed, I doubted even more that he was truly a prince.

Still, I wouldn't let that discourage me. I wasn't going to give up so easily.

"Katou-sama, today is swordsmanship training. We need to be at the training grounds in the morning."

This time for sure! What boy doesn't dream of becoming a knight? Even if he hated studying, at least a spar would—

"Swordsmanship? Nah, trash."

"What did you—" I covered my mouth too late.

...Ah! I almost let it slip. I hope he didn't hear.

"Hoh?" He stood up from bed.

What's this?

Why is Katou-sama walking toward me?

"..."

Head down. Don't look him in the eyes.

"I said swordsmanship's boring as hell."

Ugh! C-control yourself, Aria. Don't take the bait.

"I understand… Katou-sama."

He was standing right in front of me now.

"Seriously, I just don't get why swinging a sword around is supposed to be such a big deal. Everyone acts like it's amazing, right?"

I held my breath.

"But to me? Total waste of time." Katou-sama leaned close to my ear. "Ridiculous. Why would anyone devote their entire life to—"

"Shut up! How can you say that to those who dedicate their entire lives to swordsmanship? Even the king values it! Who are you to belittle us?!"

"..."

My god, what did I just do? If he reports me, I'll be sent back. That's if I'm not imprisoned for insubordination.

"I… I… that's not what I meant. I was just saying that—"

"Pfft!" I felt his hand tap the top of my head. "Haha!"

"K-Katou-sama?"

"Relax, Aria. I was just messing with you."

"H-huh? M-messing with me? Why?"

"Why not?" He scratched his ear with a finger. "I can't stand people who get all stiff and bow to every word they hear. If I had to say, I like you way better like this."

What...

What kind of prince is this?

"Anyway, let's go."

"W-where are you going?"

"Where else? Didn't you just invite me to the training grounds?"

"Ah… yes!"

From that day on, he only got stranger. As if the laziness and irreverence weren't enough, Katou-sama seemed to find a new hobby: provoking me.

"Katou-sama, this is the fifth day we've come to the training grounds and you haven't even touched a sword. Aren't you going to at least try the techniques your instructor taught you?"

"Nope. Not in the mood. Why would I bother when I've got cheat-skills? hehe~"

If he wasn't in the mood, why even come?

"You really don't care about your brothers getting stronger? About the succession war? Even if I'm here for you, they still have their swords. You'll be left behind."

"..."

Perfect. A direct hit to his pride. Let's see how he reacts now.

He yawned. "I don't care. I didn't like the ending of that route anyway. I'd rather a hundred times over just rest here while my 'poor royal family' kills each other over power."

He always came out with weird stuff like that.

"Well, you wouldn't understand even if I explained— wait, why that face? Don't tell me you're actually mad?"

"W-what do I have to do to make you take this seriously?" I bit my lip so hard I almost tasted iron on my tongue.

"What was that, Aria? I don't think I heard—"

"I SAID, WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO MAKE YOU STOP FOOLING AROUND AND TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY?!"

"Whoa, why're you yelling? Trying to make me deaf?"

He was so infuriating I nearly cried. I'd never met anyone like him.

"Well… there actually is a way, Aria."

"A-a way? You swear there's a way?"

"Hah, of course there is."

Unfortunately, back then I couldn't know how much I'd regret asking that question.

"Here's the deal, Aria. If you can beat me in any game at all, I'll do exactly what you want. How about that?"

"Are you serious? How do I know you're not lying?"

"Oi! Are you saying royalty would lie? You really think I'd do that? Huh?!"

…Your face says exactly that, Katou-sama.

"Well, if you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. Guess I'll just head back to be—"

"Wait, Katou-sama! Wait!" I grabbed his shirt. "I... I'll do it. Fine. Just tell me what game."

Looking back, maybe I should've just let him be. That decision was nowhere near a good one.

We spent months playing every game I could think of. I challenged him to chess, alquerque, cards—even games I made up on the spot. With each loss, my goal slipped further away.

"Wow, Aria. You're amazing. I didn't know it was possible for someone to lose that many times in a single day. If they made a prize for it, you'd be champion."

Game after game, I couldn't even get close to winning. Katou-sama always found a way to stay on top.

At this rate, years slipped by before I knew it. And, unbelievably, Katou-sama never set foot on the training grounds again. Or rather, I never managed to drag him there.

Every day we spent hours together. Playing, arguing, or straight-up bickering (that last one more often). Every time I lost, he'd provoke me and use the chance to humiliate me further. At first, I thought he just wanted to assert his superiority, showing he could beat me even if he gave me a knight and three pawns to start (which he actually did, more than once). But over time, I realized... he wasn't really that bad. Whether he meant to or not, it felt like he was trying to teach me something new.

"Listen up, Aria. Before I explain the rules of this game, there's something important you need to know. It's about the two types of people I hate the most. You listening?"

"Ah, y-yes, Katou-sama!"

The two types he hates the most? What could he mean?

"…"

Suddenly, his expression turned serious.

For the first time, it really felt like I was standing before royalty.

"Gulp. Please, go on, Katou-sama."

"The first type of person I hate the most are those who start talking and never finish what they're going to say. And the second…" He stopped mid-sentence.

"W-what's the second, Katou-sama?"

"Well, I'll be off now."

"Huh?! What? Come back! Finish what you were going to say!!!"

Alright, maybe he really was just doing it to tease me and amuse himself with my reactions. Still... I kind of… started enjoying the time with him.

I mean, he acted so differently from anyone else in the castle—no, not just the castle, but from anyone I had ever met in my life.

Even with the teasing, he never mistreated me or forced me to do something against my will.

"Tell me, Aria, what's the point of braiding your hair every day if you just suffer undoing it at night? Isn't that just silly?"

"Because I like doing it, that's why. No, wait—why are you in my room, Katou-sama? Didn't I say I'd meet you after I was done getting ready?"

"Sigh… you take too long." He stepped closer.

"W-what are you doing?! Can't you wait until I'm finished before you start with your antics?! What are you planning to do with my hair?"

"What antics? I'm helping you undo your braids. You really think everything I do is just fooling around?"

His touch on my hair caught me off guard. It was so gentle. My heart started pounding out of nowhere. I couldn't understand him.

"K-Katou-sama… is it really okay for you to do this for someone like me? What will people think if they see you?"

After all, I was nothing but an obje—

"What's wrong with being you? I don't see any difference. Besides, no one else is here. I'm not gonna tell. So unless you do, there's no way anyone finds out. Now stop overthinking and face forward, I'm trying to figure this out."

"... O-okay."

"And don't get the wrong idea, Aria. The only reason I'm doing this is because you always take forever. I'm already sleepy, but I'm not going to bed before another match."

"W-who's g-getting the w-wrong i-idea?! If you're done, then get out! Wait for me with the board ready! I'll show you who's going to lose this time!"

No, I couldn't let his kindness trick me. I wouldn't have peace until I finally beat him. I needed this no matter what. The humiliation piled up so much that I started dreaming of the day I'd finally rub it in his face and mock him the same way he mocked me.

That's what I thought back then. But unfortunately… all I managed to rack up in the three years I spent at the castle was an absurdly high score of losses. Not even a single draw.

"But that ends here!"

This would be the day it all changed. The year 336 would be remembered as the year Aria Deberia finally turned the tables.