Chapter 11: Representative

The next day, in the dining room, Aria was sitting at the end of the table, having breakfast. With pure excitement, she devoured every single bite with joy. Across the table, Princess Celestia was feeling utterly furious, closing her eyes and munching on her food aggressively.

Shawn stood behind Aria, glancing first at her and then at Celestia. He could feel that something was deeply off.

Why does it seem like Princess Celestia is much angrier than yesterday? On the other hand… Aria seems so much more energetic. Did something happen between them while I was searching for Celestia last night? I am kind of curious.

“Sorry to interrupt, but did something happen last night while I was gone?” he asked, blinking in confusion.

“Oh… how should I say it…” Aria smiled embarrassedly as she hid her face behind her hands. “Princess Celestia was far too bold last night!”

Bold? What is that supposed to mean? Shawn thought for a moment. Suddenly, a highly suspicious, vague thought hit him. He stood stunned, looking over at Celestia.

“Don’t say it like that!” Celestia screamed. She threw a piece of bread across the table. It hit Aria squarely in the face, causing her to fall backward along with her chair.

Her face bright red with embarrassment, Celestia stormed over to Shawn with heavy, stomping steps. She leaned in dangerously close to his face and raised her voice.

“I am straight!” she declared.

“Huh?” Shawn blinked.

“I said, I am straight!” she repeated, glaring right into his eyes.

“Right… of course,” Shawn muttered.

Celestia marched back to her side of the table, sat down quietly, and continued eating her breakfast. Internally, her thoughts were in complete conflict.

Ugh!!!! What the hell did you do, Celestia?! Why were you sleeping on your enemy's lap?! And above all, I don’t even remember what I said to her last night! Also, why on earth was there a wine bottle in her room?!

Shawn leaned down and extended a hand to help Aria stand back up. With a slight nosebleed from the impact of the bread, Aria continued, “You are a meanie, Celestis. You were so cute when you used to call me 'Big Sister' back then.”

“That was because I was a child back then!” Celestia snapped. Clearing her throat, she tried to regain her composure. “Anyway, now that you are free, I must tell you the reason why I came to the Azure Temple.”

“Oh, right. I completely forgot that you were here for something important,” Shawn said.

“Yes, and I want to talk with Aria alone. So, if you don’t mind?” Celestia glanced at Shawn.

Shawn sighed in defeat. “Well, I suppose I must go count the clouds until then. I will return soon, Aria-sama.” He bowed respectfully to both of them and left the room, closing the door behind him.

“So, what do you want to talk about, Celestis?” Aria asked in a playful voice.

Celestia immediately corrected her. “I am Celestia, not Celestis! Anyway, the Grand Star-Fall Festival is right around the corner, and I want your representative for this year.”

“Grand Star? What?” Aria repeated, looking thoroughly confused.

“Did you forget the very same festival you win every single year?!” Celestia raised her voice in frustration.

“Winning? Festival... Festival...” Aria thought deeply, digging through her memories. “Oh! You mean that festival where the winner of the festival battles gets a chance to win the Sword Saint title match? I see, now I remember. That noisy crowd, chanting 'Fight! Fight! Fight!'”

“Why are you complaining? You were the one who suggested to my father that he should give everyone a chance to challenge the Sword Saint once in their lifetime.”

Huh? Did I suggest that? Aria thought. Maybe the King interpreted my words the wrong way. Well, back then I was just learning how to act divine, so I must have babbled something strange after they established an entire temple for me to live in. Anyway...

“So, what do you mean by a representative? I thought I was the one who had to accept their challenges each year,” Aria said, scratching her cheek.

“Well, Father and the other rulers have decided that your burden is already too high, and they don't want you to have to accept everyone's challenge. So this year, they announced a tournament where one warrior from every single region will participate. The final winner will be granted a single chance to fight the Sword Saint—meaning you—for your title.”

“I see… it kind of feels like WWE, a battle for the championship.”

“WWE?” Celestia asked, utterly confused.

Aria casually explained, “Well, one time while fighting someone, I ended up on Earth where I saw this thing inside a magical box.”

“Earth? A magical box?”

“Well, you see—”

As Aria began to explain, Celestia interrupted her. “I don’t want to hear any of your made-up stories. Just tell me who will be participating as your representative.”

“Everyone here in the temple is a priest, so I can't really suggest any of them. But... how about Shawn joins as my representative?”

“Huh?” Celestia’s eyes narrowed.

Right at that moment, the dining room doors burst open, and Shawn tumbled forward onto the floor. He had been eavesdropping against the wood the entire time.

Celestia looked down at him, completely furious. She unsheathed the sword resting at her waist. “Aria, I am sorry, but it seems your attendant completely lacks manners. I need to punish him.”

She walked toward him step by step, while Shawn desperately crawled backward on his hands and knees.

“Wait! Princess, I can explain this! Wait!—Aaaahh!” he screamed.

I wonder, Aria thought, taking another piece of bread from the table and chewing on it happily as she watched the drama unfold, if Shawn had chosen to serve Celestia over me, would she still treat him like this?