Chapter 21: [Ch. 21] Not Completely Useless
We moved to a new inn without a room that had been torn apart.
If I had the energy to care, I would have felt bad for Hatsuyo. Not only did he have to pay for the damages, but his face turned bright red when he realized everyone thought the room was trashed because we "had too much fun."
Of course, he didn't understand the meaning until I explained it to him.
After that, he didn't speak to me and jumped every time I came close to him. I was a bit relieved to have my quiet returned to me.
Sylvia was also nowhere to be seen, but I didn't pay it much mind. I knew her well enough to know that she was lurking around somewhere nearby. Hatsuyo, however, was very concerned by her disappearance.
He spoke anxiously, "Shouldn't we go look for her?"
I shook my head, "She doesn't want to be found."
He looked at me cautiously, "But…"
I forced on a smile as I knew what his look meant. He felt safe in Sylvia's presence. Although she only had one arm and a permanent limp, she was unbelievably strong. He didn't know it was due to her corpse-like abilities, but he knew enough to tell that he would be safe by her side.
On the other hand, I never displayed any strength like that. I always let Sylvia fight and never join in. My body was thin and small, and my looks were very delicate. He didn't know that I couldn't use magic, but he suspected it.
I spoke in a half-hearted attempt to calm him down, "Do not panic. If something happens, she will be here to save you. She would never allow you to get hurt."
He flushed and looked away bashfully, "T-That's not what I was worried about… I was just worried I wouldn't see her again."
My eyes narrowed as I watched him closely, "You don't need to worry about that. Since I am here, she will undoubtedly be here as well."
This didn't seem to calm him down. Instead, his expression grew cloudy. He spoke slowly, "You… You and her… Are you two…"
I raised an eyebrow, "Are we what?"
His blush deepened, "You know…"
The corners of my lips twitched, "We are not. We are just friends that are indebted to each other. We would never be anything more than that."
He let out a sigh, "I see. That's good then."
"Mmn."
He corrected himself quickly, "I-I didn't mean that in a bad way. I-I just meant-"
I interrupted, "I understand what you meant. The young master doesn't need to explain."
His eyes widened, "Y-Young master?"
I grinned and gave a nod, "Shouldn't I call you that? You are a Prince that I serve. It would only be appropriate for me to call you young master."
I attempted to draw a line in the sand in order for him to understand I worked for him only. However, he didn't catch on. He patted my back roughly, "Nonsense! You can call me Hatsuyo. Young master is too formal!"
My fake smile twitched, "No... I-"
He interrupted me with a twinkle in his eyes, "So you both won't leave me?"
Seeing his naive look, I couldn't help but let out a snicker. I guess I won't break his fragile heart yet.
I shook my head, "Not anytime soon."
He grinned with a sudden skip in his step, "Should we walk the streets and see the festival? We should have time before I meet with the Pheonix officials."
I nodded, "Mmn."
As we walked through the streets, his eyes lit up as he jumped from booth to booth. I felt a faint smile on my face as I watched him. I went to reach for my coin pouch and hesitated when I felt that it wasn't there. Of course, it isn't on me.
It is on the body of Moao.
I tightened my fist and followed him without expression.
He turned to me with a child-like expression, "Do you want anything?"
I shook my head. The items in these booths didn't even reach my eyes.
Why would I care for such useless things? It's not like I can bring them to my next life.
Suddenly, something small was stuffed into my mouth.
I frowned as the suffocatingly sweet taste assaulted my tongue. I recognized what it was immediately. My memories were clear as they always had been. I wanted to spit it out but choked back the temptation.
Hatusyo grinned at me, "Isn't it good? It's chocolate from the Kingdom Sadon. It is so rare, but I managed to get us both a piece."
I forced a smile as I swallowed it down, "Mmn."
Immediately, I felt sick to my stomach. I desperately wanted to drink a bitter tea to wash away the taste. Luckily, my stony expression never changed so he was unaware that I detested sweet things.
We continued down the market sampling dishes and watching street performers. Hatsuyo dragged me to a makeshift stage where the actors reenacted the battle at the Academy. It was the scene that signified the beginning of the war against Moao. I yawned as Hatsuyo watched with rapt attention. A bell rang out, alerting us that it was now midday.
He shouted in a panic, "Oh no! I am going to be late for the meeting!!! My father is going to scold me! He only allowed me to leave the palace in order to represent his spot at the council!"
I listened to Hatsuyo panic with a blank expression. He pulled me away from the stage before we could finish watching how it ended.
...Although I guess I already know the ending.
I followed quickly behind him as he ran to the location where he would meet the other leaders. We arrived at a gate heavily guarded with fierce-looking individuals who had their weapons ready. A guard recognized Hatsuyo, "Prince Hatsuyo, who is this delinquent with you?"
Hatsuyo was out of breath as he spoke, "This is Mo Zao. He is my bodyguard."
The guard looked me up in down, "What could this beansprout possibly protect you from?"
I forced on a smile, giving nothing away.
Hatsuyo ignored his comment, "Is everyone here?"
"Mostly everyone. I will have a servant escort you to the hall where the meeting is taking place."
He nodded and we were soon escorted inside. Just as the guard had said, only two spots were empty as everyone else was already there. They all sat at a low desk with only a pillow cushioning their knees and legs. Hatsuyo blushed as all eyes turned to him as he entered the room. He quickly rushed to the desk assigned to him. As he sat down, I stood behind him with a forced smile that didn't reach my eyes.
I looked around the room and noticed there were people from every nation there. This was clearly an event for the top leaders from the ruling nations. My eyes scanned the crowd, carefully memorizing everyone's face. Some I recognized, some I didn't. My eyes stopped when I caught sight of an arrogant-looking young man with the Kingdom Sadon's royal crest embroidered on his suit.
He had a permanent scowl on his handsome face. His clean, brushed-back silver hair didn't have a strand out of place as his emerald eyes glared around the room as if challenging anyone who dared meet his eyes.
The corner of my lips twitched.
How interesting. That stubborn idiot must have taken my advice.
Kuro broke the silence, "Prince Hatsuyo. You made it. We were worried you got hurt along the way."
Hatusyo chuckled dryly, "Sorry about that… I got distracted on the way here…"
Kuro chuckled with a carefree expression, "You don't need to worry about it. You aren't the only one who is late."
My eyes glanced at the only empty table left in the room.
The young man with silver hair spat out impatiently, "Speaking of that, can't we just get started?! My legs are going to fall off if I sit on this pillow any longer!!"
An official from the Pheonix nation looked at him smugly, "You should try sitting on it correctly."
"Haaah!?" The silver-haired man looked as if he was going to explode, "You wanna fight?!"
The official glared back, "Let's see if you have the courage!"
An individual from the Northern Kingdom spoke in an emotionless tone, "Don't yell."
"The Prince of the Kingdom Sadon is correct." An official from the Scholar's nation spoke aloud to get their attention. He spoke while stroking his beard, "We shouldn't delay any longer."
Kuro nodded, "Then let's start. Let us discuss the attacks taking place in our respective nations first."
As they spoke about the war and gave updates, I tuned them out feeling rather bored. I didn't care about the state of affairs in the continent any longer. It was interesting to know which locations were being attacked, but I had no intention of investigating it. I maintained my forced smile, not because I wanted to, but because I was worried someone here would be able to realize it was me by my behavior.
Although I didn't care if someone discovered me, I would rather not have to deal with the headache. It took too much energy to be hated.
As I stared into space in a daze, a sudden movement caught my attention. A servant was serving tea to everyone one by one. She moved to Hatsuyo to put down a cup of tea.
I grabbed it from her hand immediately, causing her to jump. I smiled ominously as I smashed the cup in my palm. The warm liquid poured down my hand, mixing with the blood from the cuts. I held a piece of sharp ceramic in my hand.
I slammed it into her neck without another thought.
She collapsed on the ground, twitching and thrashing as she held her bleeding throat. Only gargles could be heard as she struggled for air.
I hadn't noticed that everyone had stopped speaking and watched me in shock.
I didn't pay them any attention as I grabbed another tea kettle and elegantly poured Hatsuyo a cup of tea. I added in the amount of sugar and milk he usually put in as if I was a dutiful servant who understood every bit of his personality.
This kind of thing wasn't hard for me.
It's not like I had a hard time memorizing everyone's eating and drinking habits.
His mouth hung open as he watched me. I tapped his chin with a smile, "Drink up."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Nekoru
Nekoru Which nation do you think you belong to?
A. The Northern nation: You like the cold and not having to deal with people's BS.
B. The Kingdom Sadon: You are always trying to start fights or show off how great you are.
C. The Phoenix nation: You are not afraid to call someone out. You don't start fights, you finish them.
D. The Scholar's nation: You just want to read a book and learn more about life.
E. The Eastern Nation: You just want to stand off to the side and watch as everyone fights around you.
F. The Dragon Clan: You are never involved because you are playing with dragons.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone