Princess Rhiannon

Looking outside the window, there seems to be quite a fuss going on. Several groups of elves are marching from one point to another.

“The king is preparing to go on the offensive.” Arin mutters under his breath.

I look at these elves’ faces and notice a dreary atmosphere looming all over them. Is this what the innkeeper was talking about? Are these elves forced to fight?

On the way towards the palace, it’s the same sight all over. During my weeks of studying about this world, I’ve read up on Glimmerholm and how it’s a place of culture. You couldn’t even see a hint of that anymore, even if you try.

I look towards Arin, who’s clearly in distress. I guess him being in good relations with humans would fill him with anxiety after seeing this bleak environment.

Soon, the carriage came to a halt–we had reached our destination. I guess this is it.

Arin reached out to me for one last time–his hand on mine.

“Naoki. Before you go, I want you to take this.” He gives me a necklace of some kind.

“Consider it a lucky charm of sorts.”

“Thanks, Arin.” I wore the necklace and hid it underneath my clothes.

“And also… I apologize for earlier; yesterday as well. I want you to know that I have your back, Naoki.”

“I appreciate that, Arin.” We shake hands–we’ve set aside our differences.

The door to the carriage opens. It’s time.

“Let’s go.” Arin commanded.

Ahead of us is a long path taking us to the palace itself. On this path are elven guards safeguarding the area.

They wore an expression of pure disgust and anger as I pass by. I try not to mind. This is their home after all, and I’m a human.

Felaris and Elvina walked in front of us while Arin walked closely by my side, forming a barrier of sorts. I definitely appreciate it! I feel like one of these guards are going to lunge at me at any second.

The palace has seen better days and it was quite obvious. Everything seemed so grey, like the life is being sucked out of the place.

We reached the inside of the palace without any issue, to what seemed like a lounge of sorts, but now’s the hard part. Arin has to relinquish me to the elven authority.

It’s something that I tried not to think about too much but now that I’m here, I wish I did.

Arin talked with the officials—he’s looking for his contact, but there seems to be an issue. The commotion eventually ended when a familiar, yet frightening face enters the room.

All the elves went down on one knee as a sign of respect–even Arin was brought to his knees.

“What’s all the commotion about? Oh? If it isn’t the despicable whelp.” The woman lets out a sadistic chuckle.

A chill runs down my spine. Back then, I didn’t understand it at the time but she kept saying a phrase over and over while she and her cousin tortured me.

As I learned the language, I found out she was calling me a “despicable whelp”–whether as a sign of twisted endearment or she’s the type to play with her prey.

Nonetheless, just hearing that phrase is enough to send me into a panic, as if I’m being sent back to that time.

Arin stands back up and positions himself between us, blocking her line of sight on me.

“Princess Rhiannon, what a pleasant surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?” Arin proclaimed. It seems he has dealt with the princess countless of times before.

“Lord Arin. It seems you’re doing well, and you held your end of the bargain.”

Bargain? What does she mean by that?

I sneak a glance at Arin but, being his back turned against me, I cannot read his face. Maybe she’s referring to me appearing in high court?

“Of course, my lady. I do not go back on my word.” Arin responds in full confidence.

“Still, I expected the whelp to escape during your care. To think that he’d be standing here right now—you even dressed him up.” She chuckled smugly, as if provoking.

My heart started beating so fast that it feels like it’s about to burst from my chest. My breathing has become erratic that I feel like I’m about to faint.

“My lady, I kindly ask that you stop with your interference, unless you want me to make mention of this in high court? Even those lot wouldn’t be so kind to you.”

“Oh please, Arin. It was clearly in jest.”

“I do not appreciate your jokes, princess. To begin with, he is no whelp. He is different from all the humans we’ve all seen, that much I can attest.” Arin’s demeanor shifts.

“Are you trying to provoke your princess, Lord Arin?”

“Perhaps so. It seems the king has been lacking in disciplining his stupid daughter.”

“Just because you gained the favor of my father does not give you the right to talk to me this way, Arin!” Swords started forming around her. It’s the same spell she used when I met her for the first time!

“Oh? Are you forgetting who you’re talking to? Did you also forget that you’ve never won a single battle against me?” Violent gales of wind manifested around Arin.

The air around us quickly changed, probably due to the intense magic suddenly appearing in a cramped space. There’s pressure that has left me powerless to move–I tried to fight it to no avail, leaving me on all fours.

The palace officials surrounded us, with their weapons unsheathed. Elvina and Felaris quickly separated the princess and Arin, respectively.

“Don’t do this, princess.” Elvina cried.

“My lord, you mustn’t.” Felaris uttered.

Slowly, the pressure dissipates, and I carefully stand back up.

“Hmph!” The princess exclaimed.

Her magical swords, along with Arin’s magic dissipated into thin air. It seems they’ve calmed down, or at least started to. The princess still seemed irritated.

The officials sheathed their swords and continued with their duties.

“Human! Tell me, what is your name!” Princess Rhiannon demanded.

“Huh?” I muttered under my breath, dumbfounded.

“YOUR. NAME. What is it–what do they call you?” She got irritated by my inaction.

“Naoki! Naoki Kusunoki.” I opted to start with my given name first as opposed to my family name when introducing myself. I’m not in Japan anymore. People will definitely misunderstand.

“I am Princess Rhiannon of Eldergrove. You would do well to remember it.” Her face had a look of annoyance, yet no malice behind it.

I mean… I would still remember it even if I didn’t want to. How could anyone, really.

“Don’t get it twisted! I do not want to mingle with the likes of you, but Lord Arin speaks highly of you, and his words carry a lot of weight–in and outside of Eldergrove.” She aggressively points a finger towards me as she speaks.

“Hmph!” Princess Rhiannon exclaims one last time as she scurries away.

What?... Is… Is the princess… a tsundere?!