Suddenly, a blue flash appears. My eyes instantly shut for the high brightness – may cause blindness. A sound as if the cube was shattered into pieces rings in my ear. I slowly open my eyes, just for my sight to be hazy from the thick dust and smoke.
"Cough! Cough!" A few coughs exit my throat and my eyes shut tight once again as the air around me is highly dangerous and polluted to breathe. One of my hands covers my mouth and nose, acting as a mask while the other brushes away the smoke and dust in front of me.
After it's almost clear and safe, I quickly run and scold angrily at Sir Felix. "Did you have fun attempting to murder me?!"
He doesn't react, frozen. My fingers curl into fists. "Are you ignoring me or just deaf?" I insult him with a glare, yet still no reaction.
Then, I notice his gaze is focusing on something. Something that's located behind me. Curious, I turn around.
"…!"
My mind goes blank like a sheet of plain paper, a c
"Want some, Master?" Theron asks, her voice isn't far from me. I open my eyes, seeing Theron flying right on top of me while holding a fruit tart using her mouth. I smile. How considerate. "It's okay. You eat it. Those are for you after all." Without any second thought, she swallows the whole thing. Her moving cheeks are quite visible from munching on the tart. I softly chuckle. Quite a big appetite, this dragon has. The cakes and tarts I had asked for are enough for three people to eat. Guess she's famished. I sit back up, beside the flying Theron. The wind from her flapping wings brushes my face, like a small portable fan. "Didn't know you're a sweet tooth." "My teeth aren't sweet." "Hahaha…!" I laugh out loud at her ridiculous reply. Surely she did not just translate the meaning solely from the word? "Sweet tooth means someone who likes to eat sweet things." I explain, wiping the tears that harbor in my eyelids. "Oh…
"Ah!" Julian gasps as his sword is thrown to the side, falling on the grassy ground. I smirk in satisfaction. He must've didn't see that coming. "I'm impressed. Your swordsmanship skills are getting better." He compliments, both hands on his waist. "Thanks. I've been practicing a lot lately." I say. Truthfully, it's all thanks to Theron. My stamina, agility, and strength had increased rapidly because I'm a liv. The first time I tried exercising in this body, less than one full lap around the training grounds, my energy was fully drained and my body ached for 3 days. The original Airis was indeed not the athletic type, but that's understandable considering other noble ladies are also like that. Even so, I'm lacking skills, so I go to the training grounds regularly. As of now, I haven't awakened my power yet. Theron said there's no need to push and they'll come when the time is right. Perhaps I'm being too impatient. "I know. The knights talked
I constantly put on a smile despite the uncomfortable feeling flowing and dancing within me. ‘Seriously, how the hell did this happen?! Things are okay just a while ago!’ After leaving the training grounds with Azher, I went straight to my room to get changed. I certainly can’t meet him as to how I did with Felix. But when I arrived, the atmosphere is weirdly very tense and murderous. Turns out, Aiden was there too! He waited long for me in the guest lounge for he didn’t want to disturb my training. Azher’s untold visit is shocking enough, and now, Aiden too?! “Is the tea to Your Highnesses’ tastes?” I ask, a huge smile showing. I’m trying to break this tension. One is my potential killer and the other is someone who can save me from being killed. Just what kind of drama plot is this? “It’s good.” An immediate response from Azher, though he hasn’t even touched his cup. “This tea is very nice.” Aiden replies in a friendly tone. Again, s
Right after Aiden leaves, Theron appears. “I did good, right, Master?” Theron asks, her body bouncing up and down, expecting praise. “Was it you?!” My eyes widen. “Yes. I thought Master hated the sight of him.” …Unbelievable. I hug Theron tightly. “Thank you! I’ll prepare lots of sweets just for you!” “M-Mas… Master…” Realizing I am choking Theron, I let go. “Sorry. I got a little carried away, didn’t I?” “Yes, you did.” Azher slips in, pinpointing his existence which I already forget. Hence, I introduce both of them. “Your Highness, meet Theron, my inner spirit. Theron, this is the fourth prince of Ardiane, Prince Azher Alexander Ambrose.” “Throughout all our secret meetings, you have never once introduced me to your inner spirit.” He says, a sheer sarcasm in his tone. I look down, being hit on the nail. “Sorry…” “From the dragon clan. Impressive.” Azher compliments, scanning Theron’s figures. “Thank yo
“Wear it.” He orders. “Pardon?” “As your dragon said, I… want you to wear it.” He admits shyly, avoiding my eyes and touching his chin. I chuckle, seeing this oddly cute side of his. Granting his wish, I take out the necklace. As I am about to try wearing the necklace myself, Azher snatches it from my hand from behind. I startle. ‘Eh? Since when was he standing there?’ “It’s hard to wear it by yourself.” He speaks, hands already at the back of my neck, helping me wear it. I flinch at his unexpected action. A lemon-mint scent spikes my nostrils along with the warmth felt behind my neck. Strands of my back hair are brushed to the side gently by him. I flush by this kind gesture. My heart is beating like a roller coaster. I first think I might have lost my senses, but thinking back, maybe it’s because I’ve never gotten close to any boy other than my brothers and cousins in my previous life. After finishing helping me, he takes a l
After Azher’s leave, I go relax in my bedroom. The term ‘relaxing’ is actually me replanning my plan, enjoying snacks, and finishing some paperwork. I insist on doing some of the duchy’s paperwork to find opportunities for Azher and useful information. I’m still lacking intel on the nobility world and Ardiane’s situation. While signing my signature on a document, Theron rants suddenly. “Master, take off that necklace.” “What’s with the sudden change of heart? Earlier, you liked it more than I do.” I say, not averting from the document. “I sensed magic in it. I’m sure it’s to keep you in check.” Hearing that, my hand halts, the black ink stains the paper, ruining my signature. I cast the magic detector spell taught by Theron before – the most basic and simplest spell. “You’re right. There’s a detect location spell.” I’m sure Felix is the caster. “You know it too, so take off that necklace!” Theron pounces on me, pulling the necklace usi
“What kind of dirty tricks you used on Julian, huh?!” Cecilia shouts in anger. The glasses that are stacked in a triangle form can barely handle breaking from her high pitch tone. Even my eardrums are suffering from her high-pitched voice despite plugging them using my fingers. “Please calm down, Lady Cecilia.” Yuri remains rational, trying to calm this angry bull. “He would never choose you over me! You must have used black magic and seduced him!” Her ranting continues, now wildly accusing Yuri. “Lady Cecilia, I didn’t do any of those.” “Liar!” Cecilia raises her hand on Yuri. Seeing how this might be getting out of hand, I step in between, grasping her wrist tightly. I can slamdunk her and break her wrist now if I want, but good for her, maintaining my reputation and influence is holding me from doing so. “L-Lady Airis!” Cecilia gasps in shock. She must’ve expected I would only watch from the sidelines – since the original Airis only
“My lady looks gorgeous. It reminds me of my young days.” Olivia praises me while making my hair. I already said it’s fine and a maid can do it, but she keeps on insisting. “My beauty is no match to Miss Olivia’s.” I carefully glance back to not ruin the hard work she put in. “You flatter me, my lady.” I changed into a golden yellow dress, one of Her Majesty’s old yet new dresses, still fashionable. I thought they’ll give me a simple dress to wear. Olivia finishes styling my hair with a long twisted crown braid style. It’s done very neatly. After finishing giving me a makeover like a doll, Olivia escorts me back to the banquet hall. We were having a good chat until bumped into Azher on the way. “Good afternoon, Your Highness. Are you on the way to the banquet too?” Olivia asks. Judging by her tone, it seems she’s very much familiar with Azher. Not that questionable since she’s Her Majesty’s lady-in-waiting. “Yes. I have to settle some