Chapter 16: King and Queen

Astravina Capital, Aquallia Palace

The large doors opened slowly as Aria led the way, with Shawn and Rikka following behind her—Rikka hiding nervously behind Shawn. As Aria took further steps, the people in the castle began chanting Aria's name. In front of them, the King and Queen stood up from their thrones, welcoming Aria warmly with large smiles as soon as she appeared. Celestia, standing beside them, seemed visibly irritated by her presence.

Reaching close to the thrones, Shawn and Rikka bowed while Aria remained standing, smiling at the royal couple.

“It’s been a while, King Markus, Queen Lian. I feel pleased seeing both of you well.”

“No, it is our honor to be in your presence, Aria-sama,” the King said as the Queen walked over, holding Aria's right hand between both of hers. “You really have grown up since I last saw you.”

“Well, I have learned many things after leaving this place. Thanks to the temple you established for me, I am able to guide the people along the correct path of heaven.”

“Haha… Just like always! You are always learning from every aspect. That’s something everyone should learn from the Sword Saint, right, Celestia?”

“Huh? Me…? I… I mean, yes, Father.” Celestia was shocked as he called her name so suddenly, but seeing his gaze, she nodded dejectedly.

Noticing her distracted state, the Queen glanced at her sternly. “Celestia, when you are in a royal chamber, you must always be conscious of your surroundings. Learn this from Aria-sama.”

Celestia clenched her fists and ground her teeth, whispering in a low voice, “Sorry, I will remember this.” With that, she rushed out of the chamber.

“Geez! That girl…” The Queen turned back to Aria. “Sorry, Aria-sama. She still acts immaturely. I am trying to fix her behavior, so please forgive her.”

Aria ignored her remark and turned her attention to Shawn. “Attendant, could you make sure Princess Celestia will be alright?”

“Yes…” He nodded, bowed to the royals, and rushed off toward Celestia's location.

Rikka tried to follow him to escape the uncomfortable situation, but the King spoke up. “Aria-sama, who is this beast girl? Your pet or something?”

“Looks like a slave to me…” the Queen added.

Rikka felt the crushing pressure and stood frozen, unable to stand up for herself, her eyes fixed on the floor.

Augh… I am feeling sick. This pressure… calling me a pet or even a slave is so frustrating. I want to run… but if I run, it might hurt Aria-sama's reputation too… Rikka thought, glancing up at Aria as she heard her firm voice break the silence.

“I apologize for being blunt, but I think you both need to apologize to Rikka here.”

“What…?” The Queen was stunned to hear this.

“Aria-sama, if we hurt your feelings, we apologize to you. Please stay calm,” the King said, panicking as Aria interrupted him.

“Not to me. Apologize to her right now, or you know what I am capable of.” Aria’s tone shifted completely as winds began to erupt from her feet.

“Eek… I apologize! Please don’t be angry, Aria-sama!” The King turned to Rikka and bowed. “I am sorry, beast girl, if we hurt your feelings.”

“Yeah, sorry,” the Queen added, bowing to Rikka as well.

“N-No! Please don’t bow to me, Your Majesty, Your Highness! I am not angry or upset by your words! Also, it is understandable that a nobody like me would seem like a pet or a slave next to our great Sword Saint!” Rikka said, frantically waving her hands in front of her.

“Rikka…” Aria called out to her without looking back.

Rikka nodded quickly. “Yes, Aria-sama?”

“Remember this: never underestimate yourself. Nature gave birth to us as equal beings. We bear status and responsibilities only after our birth, but that does not change the fact that in front of Mother Nature, we are all her equal children.”

“Ah… Yes!” She nodded.

“Anyway,” Aria continued, turning her sharp gaze back to the royal couple, “you must also apologize to Princess Celestia. By always comparing her to me, you are making her uncomfortable. Keep this in mind.”

“Yes…” They both nodded hastily.

“Good!” Aria clapped her hands as her tone returned to normal. “I have a request to make. Deem this as your punishment.”

“What is it, Aria-sama? We will do everything within our power, just say the word!” the King said.

“Well, in the downtown area from here, there is a rundown noodle shop owned by an elderly lady. I want you to sponsor her in the Grand Star Festival and provide her with a stall in the tournament area.”

“Of course!” The King clapped his hands, and a servant appeared. “Do whatever Aria-sama asked.” The servant nodded and exited.

“Anything else, Aria-sama?”

“Nah… that’s okay for today. I want to rest now. Could you send someone to show us to our rooms?” Aria asked as a maid appeared and led both Rikka and Aria to their quarters.

Training Ground

Celestia stood holding a wooden sword, relentlessly beating a training dummy in pure frustration.

“Augh!!! What is the problem with both of you?! Why can’t you see how hard your daughter is trying her best!”

She struck the dummy with all her strength, channeling her magic so that sharp ice coated the wooden blade. The dummy burst under the impact. She panted heavily, looking down at the ground, dejected.

“I really am… a pathetic one.”

“Princess Celestia…” Shawn whispered, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Whaaa?!”

Startled, Celestia swung her sword blindly. Shawn barely dodged in time, ducking his head as a sharp wave of ice spread through the air from the swing, stabbing into the trees behind him.

“What are you doing, Princess?! Are you trying to kill me!” Shawn raised his voice, catching his breath.

“Well, this is your fault! Why did you appear and whisper behind me like a ghost!” she shot back, complaining before letting out a tired sigh. “Anyway, what are you doing here? You should be beside your Sword Saint.”

“You're right, but Aria-sama herself sent me to check on you,” he replied.

“Huh? Why? Is she showing pity to me now?”

“It's not that. She is genuinely worried about you. I think you should change your perspective toward Aria…” Shawn was saying, but he was cut off by Celestia’s dark, heavy tone.

“Why…” Her bangs fell over her face, covering her eyes.

“Huh?”

“Why… must I change? Why is it always my way of thinking that is wrong…” Her voice began to break. “I am their daughter, right? They should be on my side, but they treat me like I am an unwanted burden to them!”

Her legs gave out and she dropped to the ground, covering her face as tears fell. “I hate them! I hate her! And I hate that she sent you here to show pity to me!”

Shawn stood speechless at the sight. He tried to find the right words to calm her down, but nothing came to mind. He let out a sigh and scratched his hand.

“If you really hate them that much, then why not tell them?”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Celestia looked up at him as he continued.

“It’s simple. Just tell them that you hate them treating you like a puppet, trying to make you act like a perfect doll.”

“But if I do that, they will surely stop talking to me! They'll treat me as if my existence doesn't even matter to them. To them, if I'm not perfect like Aria, then I don't matter!”

“Perfect being, huh?” he muttered under his breath before adding, “Do you want to know what Aria's shortcomings are?”

“You are telling me that?” she asked, surprised.

“Well, I’ll only tell you a little, but… Aria is super clumsy. She might act tough, but sometimes she behaves like a complete child.”

“Childish? Aria? I can’t…” As she started to deny it, a faint memory flashed in her mind of Aria acting like a spoiled child.

Noticing she might be realizing the truth, Shawn gritted his teeth with a small grin. “Now do you understand? The image of Aria changes when I point those things out. Just like that, if you point out to your parents the things you are far superior at compared to Aria, they will start admiring you too. Understand?”

Celestia narrowed her eyes in utter confusion. “I don’t understand…”

“Hahaha…” He laughed awkwardly, scratching his cheek as he tried to think of another way to explain it to her.

Suddenly, Celestia stood up. “I don’t understand, but I have a guess as to what you are trying to say.” A new spark of determination shone in her eyes as she added, “You are saying that I must show them her clumsiness and her weaknesses so they stop giving her all the attention, right?”

“Huh? Wait, I never said—”

“Don’t say another word! I know you must be frustrated by her too, which is why you told me her weaknesses. Don’t worry, I won’t let your effort go to waste!” With that, she dashed off toward the castle.

“Princess Celestia! Wait!”

Shawn sighed, rubbing his forehead as she disappeared. Aria, I’m sorry… but it seems like saying the right words to a person at the right time is really not my strong suit.