Royal Assisting

The fly there, and the short wait for an opening in the Kings schedule went on without incident, as Nullawhy and Kline still made eyes at the other in the waiting room, the others waited patiently till they were seen.

Inside another large room, the King waited, this time on a less fancy chair, stationed behind a large polished and decorated table, with loads of paperwork all over it.

Each of those involved then gave their own account to the story, while Mai found out that rather than fly away, Lygawa remained over the camp all night, doing her best to listen in, till the dawn broke - then she shot home for the others.

She also learnt that Nullawhy had been the brains behind their return, already with a made plan to take out their more dangerous weapons, and also act as a distraction for Mai's rescue, that was swiftly done as soon as they returned.

With everything laid bare; the King mulled over their stories a little, made a few notes with his own hand and thanked them all, before turning to Mai in particular.

"Miss Misaki, I thank you for coming here today, but may I ask one more favour?"

"Yes sir."

Mai nodded.

"I have a matter... for just you Mai. So the rest of you may go."

As everyone else cleared out, Lygawa stood still, till Mai waved her off, then gave her a quick thumbs-up and a little nod.

The King waited till the room was empty and the heavy doors shut, leaving Mai alone with him before he spoke again.

"You are a woman, about your mid-twenties, correct?"

Well spotted...

"Yes sir."

"Good..."

He gave Mai his full attention.

"My daughter is about your age... so I was hoping that someone... perhaps nearer to her situation - could be of some help to the Princess..."

Mai waited for more detail.

"It is a private matter... so I'll let her fill you in. But please assist her, the best you can."

"I'll try my best... sir."

He smiled with appreciation.

"Thank-you. A very good job with those soldiers by the way too."

He started back on some of his stack of papers.

"Just knock on the doors - someone will let you out..."

Mai waited in a nearby room, sort of a lavish study, with two comfy couches in the centre of the well lit room, as Nullawhy had drifted off, with her gifted free time, she happily went after her new 'interest', while Lygawa had already gotten bored and asked to go see her friend, the orange dragon, apparently out by the gardens.

So Mai waited alone, in a massive castle, for a Princess, with a personal issue - whatever that could be, doing a favour for her powerful father, the King of the land.

I never would have expected this... I hope they don't think I'll just see her future or something, as those lousy 'visions' still aren't cooperating with me...

A lady in a simple blue dress walked by the opened doors nearby, then swiftly passed back again the other way, and then repeated the action again, grabbing Mai's notice.

I wonder who that is...?

A few moments later, she approached the doors, then quickly turned away to step out into the corridor again, before lightly slapping her cheeks behind her long black hair.

Looks like she's psyching herself up... to meet me...?

The younger lady finally entered, obviously still nervous.

"Uh excuse me, I didn't wish to intrude..."

She stepped toward the couch, now in the room and bowed a little to Mai.

"I just... wanted a quick word... if I may?"

Mai was already waiting.

"Sure."

Why not...?

"Thank-you so much! I heard you were here… Miss 'Seer'...?"

She hurried over and sat down beside her, in the fluttering long, plain blue dress.

"Just Mai is perfectly fine."

"Oh... pleasure to meet you. I'm Alice by the way... I just hoped you could give me some advice, is that okay?"

Mai nodded.

The woman who looked fairly similar to Mai in fact, just a little younger and with much longer hair, fiddled with her hands on her lap, and took a few more steadying breaths.

"Please, I... uh, need you to tell me; how to get along with someone..."

She blurted out in a hurry, closing her eyes tightly with nerves.

"You see I see her around, about the castle, and I wish to patch up our relationship, but she is so formal, proper and confident..."

She looked at Mai and faltered, then sniffled a little.

"...while I'm... the opposite, really."

She looked down and fiddled with her fingernails.

"I think she hates me..."

"What makes you think that?"

"She can't stand to be near me, won't talk to me... or even look my way..."

Mai certainly wasn't one to dole out relationship advice, but with nothing else to do, she needed more information before she felt she could offer anything.

"So you just want to get back to getting along, do you work here with her?"

"Oh no, I don't 'work' at all."

So you're a spoilt little Noble kid then...?

"Dose this other lady work here then?"

"... No... But she dose live here too."

So two then... and the others a snob perhaps...?

"You have tried talking with her... how does that go?"

Alice looked away ashamed.

"She refuses to speak with me, and even when I try - I can't even get near her at all nowadays..."

She turned back with tearful dark eyes.

"It's because I'm not good enough, I'm afraid..."

She went on in her misery.

"I don't wish to offend her further... but she is supposed to accompany me... to some formal events in the future... but I can't see that working now..."

Mai took a breath, and let Alice settle too.

"What you need is a good long sit down with her; just the two of you, somewhere where you feel safe, and just talk it out - find out what's the problem between you, then work on it from there."

Alice looked to her like she passed down some wise revelation.

"I'm afraid that's all the help I can offer at the moment."

"No It's more than enough, truly, I'm very grateful."

"Glad to hear it."

Mai looked briefly to the open doors behind the fellow black haired lady.

"So, are you expecting someone else?"

She inquired.

"Well yes, but their taking their sweet time about it... I'd expect Royalty to be prompt, but I guess the privileged go about things their own way."

"Oh?"

"Some fancy Princess is supposed to meet with me, but their so late, but thanks for passing the time with me Alice."

She looked worryingly at Mai for a silent moment.

"I thought you'd been told..."

Huh...?

"I'm that Princess... I am the third Princess - Alice Sakura Yamada."

Eh!?!