Chapter 21: Confrontation (5)
".. Why is there... No one here?"
I asked the Directive Knight as I also looked around at my surroundings.
I was confused by the empty halls in front of me.
I thought that it might be crowded since this is the Central Directive.
But it turns out I was completely wrong.
"Lady Althea Genetta Third Order is currently on the second floor. Just continue to follow us."
I just nodded at the statement and started stepping forward.
I continued to follow the two knights that proceed their steps by showing me the second floor.
I slightly kept my distance from them while I listened along with the echoes the knights' steps made through the empty first floor.
My eyes were losing focus as I changed my gaze from the Directive Knights to the open-wide hall surrounding our walks.
I was amazed that the outside isn't much different from the inside.
The inside of the hall is absolutely luxurious and beautiful even though it's all plain white.
"Please watch your step."
The knight instructed me as I nodded and looked down at the first set of steps.
I climbed up the stairs while I tried reaching the second floor and finally arrived on the second floor after many steps I went.
My eyes slightly widened and I stopped at my track for the time being when I saw Althea, who is currently talking with another Directive Knight.
"Lady Genetta, Her Highness, Dorothy Lucretia O'bell, is here to speak with you."
The knight politely exclaimed just like he always did.
Althea raised an eyebrow while turning her head towards me.
Her lips curved into a smile when her eyes noticed my presence.
"Oh! Your Highness. I didn't expect your visit! What brings you here!?"
She asked with a tone that was filled with excitement and exhilaration.
She slightly skips as she goes her way towards me.
I looked at her with a neutral expression and coughed at her behavior while trying to resemble myself as a noble princess and act formally.
"Lady Genetta, I heard that you brought Cristo Oswald here."
Her eyes blinked for a second as she smirked pleasantly.
"Yes. That is true."
I was quite taken back by how casual she answered.
Without much thought, I asked solemnly about this matter.
"May I ask what the reason is?"
"Hmm~ Well--"
"Did he violate the order?"
I quickly cut off her chance of speaking and glancing at her while observing her gestures and expressions that are shown.
In a glimpse of a second, she was slightly frowning afterward continuing her childish persona but with a more serious side appeared.
"... No, of course, he's not violating anything, Your Highness. However, he posses something that is forbidden inside this kingdom. With that knowledge, we, Directive Special Knights never allowed that. After all, it is our sworn duty to protect the citizens in this kingdom that is still abiding by peace."
She explained it thoroughly.
I raised my brow when she mentioned Cristo didn't have the right to have something in this kingdom.
'.. Does she mean mana? Mana inside Cristo?'
I looked again toward her.
"Can you explain what he has?"
I politely asked.
She sighed desperately at my response.
"Geez, you sure talk a lot."
She complained about the following frown expression once again.
That blunt outburst made me a bit taken aback as I furrowed my eyebrow at that statement.
"Cristo Oswald is currently under my care by law and approval. In addition to this, I have the right to ask for everything that is connected to him."
I reasoned her confidently.
My reasoning causes Althea's frown on her face to disappear, which is replaced by an amused smile.
"Oh~ If Your Highness is currently his guardian, then all I have to say is that he's completely in good health and has absolutely been taking good care of."
She playfully explained as I sighed in which I asked her something straight to the point.
"Where is he?"
Althea stopped her talking in which she casually replied.
"Inside a cell. But you don't have to worry, it's comfortable there."
"Will you execute him?"
I straight asked.
She was just listening to my words carefully afterward shrugged.
"Well, he did fight me but it's probably because I started the fight-- Oopsie~"
She hit her forehead slightly as she followed up with a chuckle.
I didn't react in the same way. My eyes just went wide when I heard the statement.
'.. The two of them were engaged in battle!?'
Althea put her hand on her chin, pretending to think about the case.
"Well, to be honest, he didn't violate the order. It's just that he has something forbidden and dangerous that is supposed to disappear a long time ago.."
Even though she uses other words to disguise the actual meaning, I know that she was talking about mana.
Cristo's mana.
'.. Azrael's plan was perfect. However, he didn't calculate that mana users can sense other mana users considering he doesn't have mana in the first place.'
I thought as I remembered his plan on getting Cristo out of the basement not too long ago.
"Lady Genetta, please say it specifically. You have to explain clearly and logically as to why he should be here. Otherwise, I won't understand the exact issue."
'However, I could use the advantage of everyone not knowing about mana. She couldn't just take Cristo for an unexplained and unjustified reason or just said because he has mana.'
She stayed silent while looking at me.
Her playful and amused smile was gone, replaced by a serious one.
"So, Lady Genetta? Could you slowly explain what is going on? Is there something wrong?"
I slowly pushed her with words with a warm smile, trying to get her to give up or just to make her came up with another unreasonable explanation.
She can't tell me about mana and there's no particular reason why she should keep Cristo inside the cell.
It was all smoothing safely according to my plan.
But what surprised me more is that there is actually a third person that will be joining this conversation.
".. Since Cristo Oswald is not violating against the orders, it's best to just let him go."
My eyes widened when another voice came out of nowhere.
Both of us turned our heads to be greeted by another Directive Special Knight that I'm quite familiar with.
Dean Silver Fourth Order.
"Dean, are you siding Her Highness now?"
Althea asked as she crosses her arms across her chest with a frown plastered on her face.
"I'm not siding with anyone. It is the truth that you brought the young man here without any particular reason."
He spoke in his serious tone that sounds harsh and demanding.
Althea only clicks her tongue in annoyance.
"Lady Althea, that is an inappropriate attitude towards Her Highness considering she is the future Queen of this Kingdom."
Dean exclaimed as he stared into Althea.
I could hear Althea finally sigh of defeat.
"... You there,"
She pointed out one of the Directive Knight.
"Release Cristo Oswald from his imprisonment."
She said while keeping her gaze on Dean, trying to prove that she eventually let Cristo go even though something big is kept from him.
"I understand."
The Directive Knight bows politely as he went his way, disappearing into the long hallway.
'.. Thank goodness that Dean is here even though he's technically a Directive Special Knight. But I guess this not really over since Althea will probably tell Dean what is going on and I know that Dean already knew.'
I sighed with relief.
"Then, all the misunderstanding is clear. I truly apologize if Cristo acted inappropriately towards Lady Althea."
I cross my legs and ankles while standing, then bend my knees slightly. Lift the fabric of my dress out to my sides politely.
"I deeply apologize for today."
I form a gentle smile towards Althea and slightly bow at Dean.
"Now that all of this is over, may I leave?"
I asked as politely as I can.
Dean nodded in approval.
I thanked him and Althea gazed somewhere else.
I made my way downstairs as I was waiting for Cristo.
'.. I know that they won't let this go easily.'
I thought, convincing myself that I shouldn't let my guard down easily.
While waiting on the first floor, the sound of multiple footsteps is approaching towards my direction.
I turned my back to find a Directive Knight and Cristo who seems quite surprised by my sudden presence.
"Why are you.."
Cristo was confused about the current situation as I form a reassuring smile.
"Let's go."
I softly exclaimed and reach my hand to hold his hand.
"We will have dinner together and I don't want to miss it."
I chuckled as he stayed silent.
".. What did you do to made them release me?"
"Well, they don't really have a specific reason to lock you up here or to execute you, right? Besides, I already promised to make you stay alive and to have a meal together."
I casually explained as he simply nodded.
Suddenly, a strange feeling came out of nowhere that is quite uncomfortable for me.
"By the way.."
I started as I look around the building that seems to grow darker and darker from my imagination.
".. This building.. feels a bit weird, don't you think so?"
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Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone