Chapter 4 - Part 16 (Book 1 - Fantasy World)

Han basked in the warmth of the tea, not able to stop himself from smiling.

Seeing Han enjoy his tea, Helania proceeded to pour a cup and prepare a serving for Queen.

Queen nodded and gave a slight smile, "Thank you."

Helania turned to look at Brittany, "Would you care for a cup?"

"I will continue to serve My Master," Brittany dismissed the offer, not even stopping her fingers from continuing to devotedly massage Han's face.

Helania smiled at Brittany before going to serve herself some of the tea.

Enjoying the tea and his creation taking care of him, Han stayed out of the exchange between Helania and Brittany. It wasn't challenging to sense that tension existed between his creations. The friction stemming due to their differences in how to serve him. With this in mind, talking to Brittany didn't seem necessary. He knew that Brittany was a kind woman at heart, even if her devotion may appear to be extreme to others. Han sensed that Helania and Queen also understood the attitude Brittany had, letting it continue.

Taking another sip of the tea, Han sighed with contentment as Brittany's fingers continued to drain any fatigue from his mind. With her massage, the tea, and the aerotherapeutics, the overall experience helped him to feel content.

A soft knock was heard on the door.

Han smiled, knowing it couldn't have belonged to the Lady Knight. From their brief interaction, it was likely that the woman would've hammered on the wood while demanding an audience with him.

One of his maids made her way toward the door.

Doing a brief inspection of the room from where he sat, Han made sure that nothing too conspicuous would cause awkward questions to be asked. Despite the actions performed, it was his desire to keep a moderately low profile.

"Though, I do not mind responding to anyone's attempt to ruin my fun," Han snickered as he took a sip.

The sound of the door being opened could be heard before it was closed. Returning to the main social area, the maid bowed, "Master, there is a woman who would like to speak with you. She asserts that you had agreed to a meeting earlier."

Han nodded and waved a hand.

The clanking of armor invaded the peaceful environment of the room.

Likened to the first time they had met, this time, the Lady knight had removed her helmet, allowing her long blonde hair to cascade down her back. She slowly scanned the room and mentally noted everyone before falling on Han. They slightly widened upon seeing him but soon narrowed. Her blue eyes didn't quite reach what would be considered a glare, but just above it.

Gruffly courtesying to Han, "My Lord, I appreciate you granting me an audience to speak with you."

Han noticed that her anger was turned down several notches to a low simmer. Seeing how she behaved, he wondered how much it was due to being in the presence of a noble or his youthful appearance. But it was clear that she expected to be listened to, regardless of his social standing. It was like she were a teacher catching a misbehaving student in the middle of breaking the rules.

The Lady Knight was only giving him the bare minimum. Even then, it was tenuously held in place due to the circumstances.

"How may I be of assistance to the Lady Knight of Illumin?" Han slowly took in her appearance. "Or should I call you Valessandria?"

He didn't mean to be flippant, but the way she stood at the entrance to his room made him imagine she would take out some formal document to interrogate him. It wasn't difficult to notice that she didn't enjoy having to be deferential to nobles.

“I have come to request that you provide me the information you promised me,” Valessandria spat out the words as she grimaced, her brows furrowed.

The temperature of the room dropped by several degrees. Around them, the maids slightly shifted their body weight, the air shimmering as though charged. Some of the beast people maids snarled with their hair raised and tails straight.

Helania and Queen were much calmer, with Queen only making a slight frown. This was a stark contrast to Helania, whose eyebrows and lips were a flat line.

Raising her cup, Helania took a simple sip as her eyes stayed watching the Lady Knight.

Han didn't need to see Brittany's expression since it felt like an inky black void of viscous murderous rage bubbled behind him. But even with the air feeling thick to make any human have difficulty breathing, the fingers on his head remained gentle and loving as they slowly massaged him.

The Lady Knight's face slowly drained of blood as her shoulders raised from her taking deeper breaths. Her jaws were clenched, and a small trickle of blood spilled down her lips.

Raising the saucer and moving his hand past the armrest, the saucer and cup were immediately taken from his hand by one of the maids. Despite the heightened tension in the room, it made him happy to know that they made sure to take care of their duties.

Han noticed that the Lady Knight's face was beginning to have a blue tinge.

"I do not believe I understand what you expect from me?" Han raised his eyebrows as he spread his hands apart.

Hearing his words, the Lady Knight grunted as she glared at him. There was the sound of grinding metal as her armored gloves clenched tighter into a fist.

Han mentally congratulated the woman.

But despite her efforts, her eyes appeared to drunkenly swim for a moment before regaining control as she shifted her weight and straightened her posture defiantly.

"What were you doing there then? When everyone was being evacuated, you were at the other entrance where that pyramid now exists." Her words were spoken through her clenched teeth.

Seeing that the woman wasn't changing her behavior, the room dropped a few more degrees, and the air was like a soup with how much killing intent soaked the room. Like a shadow draped across everything, the light darkened with a sinister aura, sapping away any life from the immediate area.

Han could understand her frustration, considering what she would've discovered after going past the pyramid. It was also reasonable that she wanted to gain answers to the questions plaguing her mind. But her mannerism and accusatory eyes made him want to heckle her. After everything he experienced, he didn't care to be treated in such a manner as though he was obligated to obey her.

"Please...," The Lady Knight finally raggedly breathed out. Her body began to tremble. A muted clang was heard as her helmet, cradled in her arm, fell to the floor and rolled a bit from the impact.

Though he heard her plea, Han sat in his seat and watched before he smiled and slightly raised a hand.

Immediately, the room brightened, and all traces of what had just occurred faded, like a storm breaking to allow the sun to flood the lands below it. Once again, the essential oils could be smelled as they wafted in the air.

"Have a seat," Han motioned to the open couch.

Valessandria swayed as she breathed heavily, the blue in her skin beginning to recede after a few seconds. Her mouth slightly opened, no longer clenched.

One of the maids walked to Valessandria and gently guided her to the sofa.

As though in a daze, Valessandria didn't even attempt to pick up her helmet. She appeared apathetic about her appearance while staggering toward the couch. Instead of taking a seat, the Lady Knight collapsed on the cushion, the couch making a slight creaking sound upon taking the sudden weight.

Han observed as Valessandria leaned against the armrest on her right side while trying to recover from the experience.