Charlotte's Confrontation

‘Hmm… Lady Celena and Master Kei had given me some time to shop on my own. But they are probably talking about something confidential. Hmm… A new master… huh… House Lestia must have committed a grave offence to the Master if it got to the point where they had to give up a maid with a High God’s blessing as an apology… Oh well, I just hope that the new master is as kind as Master Eric and Lady Lucia…?!’

As Charlotte was walking through the streets near the cafe whilst deep in thought, something had caught her attention. At one of the shops she recognised as one that Celena visits often, was a young man speaking extremely rudely with the old lady who runs the shop.

”Oy! I asked you a simple question, old hag! Has she visited? My sources say that she comes here daily!”

”Like I said, I haven’t seen her in days…”

”And like I said! I know that she has! Do you know who I am? Do you have any idea what happens to the people who defy me?!”

Approaching the young man who was scolding the old lady, she noticed that he had guards around him. Sensing that the tension was about to possibly escalate into violence, Charlotte put herself in between the young man and the shopkeeper.

“What are yo—… I see, you would certainly be more useful for my questions over this old hag!”

”Prince Sylas, what are you trying to do to this old lady?”

”I was merely asking a simple question that she apparently can’t get through to her thick skull, but now that you’ve appeared, I think it would be easier for me to get my answers!”

”Oh? And what would that be?”

”Where is Celena? If you are here, then the likelihood of her being nearby is high. You are her bodyguard after all! Now tell me, where is she?”

”First of, as of our last meeting, I have quit working for the Lestia household and now serve under a new lord. Secondly, even if I have not left the household, I would still not give you her whereabouts. In the first place, the terms set by our king still stand, Barghest royalty are not allowed to come close to our Kingdom, lest it be seen as a sign of aggression.”

As Charlotte had just stated, the young man standing in front of her was none other than Sylas, the second prince from the Holy Empire of Barghest. After Barghest had lost the previous war, they were forced to agree to terms set by Babel, one of the biggest being that any nobility or royalty from Barghest were barred from ever stepping foot in Babel.

”You expect me to believe that the Lestia Duchy gave away a servant who had the blessings from a High God?! That’s like handicapping themselves! And cut with the crap! That unfair treaty is the reason I am here in the first place! Now, tell me where she is or else!”

”Oh? Or else what?” Charlotte replied, now looking slightly more intimidating.

”What’s with that look? You want a go here?! You think your blessing is all that just because it's a blessing from a High Goddess?!”

”It may not be one of the strongest blessings when it comes to offensive power, but even the blessings from the weaker High Gods have the powers to level a city. What do you think would happen when you challenge a person with the blessings from an Olympian High God? And even if I can’t beat you quickly, do you think I’m the only person with a blessing in this city? You’re practically deep in enemy territory, so I suggest you tread lightly.”

”Tch... Hold your weapons, we're leaving. Count yourself lucky, maid.”

To that threat, Sylas stood down and gestured to his guards to do the same before proceeding to walk away. As she watched her enemy walk away, Charlotte could only wonder why the Prince would take the risk to come all the way into the enemy territory just to find one person. When she snapped out of her deep thoughts, it was too late as she realised that he was heading towards the cafe where Celena and Kei were at.