Twenty-three

As the conversation unfolded, Alice, their daughter, entered the room, curiosity piqued by their discussion. "What are you talking about?" she inquired, her voice filled with innocence and curiosity.

The Human King's voice turned stern, attempting to dismiss Alice's presence. "Nothing special, my dear. Go back to your room, please," he requested, his voice carrying a tone of authority.

Alice persisted, wanting to speak with her mother. "Wait, Daddy. I just want to talk with Mummy," she pleaded, her voice carrying a sense of urgency and longing.

The Queen of Humans, recognizing Alice's desire, intervened with a gesture of invitation. "Yes, of course. There is no problem. Come on," she encouraged, her voice holding a touch of warmth and understanding.

As the King and Clara exited the room, the Queen turned her attention to Alice, ready to listen to her concerns. "What did you want to talk to me about, Alice?" she inquired, her voice filled with attentiveness and care.

Alice's cheeks flushed, a mixture of embarrassment and excitement coloring her face. "I met someone who was really nice, but when it came time to help someone, she just acted like nothing happened," she confessed, her voice carrying a sense of admiration and disappointment.

The Queen leaned in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Oh, tell me all about this person," she encouraged, her voice conveying a genuine interest and intrigue.

Alice's voice trembled with a hint of awe as she began to describe the person who had captured her attention. "She is beautiful, kind, brave, and very strong," Alice shared, her voice filled with admiration and a glimmer of hope.

The Queen, her voice gentle, deduced the nature of Alice's affection. "I gather that she is a girl. Tell me, are you not in love with her?" she inquired, her voice carrying a knowing tone.

Alice blushed furiously, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red. "No, Mum, stop saying that," she protested, her voice a mix of embarrassment and denial.

The Queen of Humans, her smile warm and understanding, reassured Alice. "What I say is the truth. The way you're blushing, you must be madly in love," she teased, her voice carrying a hint of playfulness and love.

Alice's protests grew weaker, a small smile playing on her lips. "Well, maybe just a little. But please, Mum, stop it," she pleaded, her voice revealing a blend of shyness and affection.

The Queen chuckled softly, her voice brimming with tenderness. "Don't worry, my dear. Love is a beautiful thing. Just remember to follow your heart," she advised, her words carrying a mix of wisdom and maternal love.

Alice nodded, her smile widening as she embraced her mother's guidance. "Thank you, Mum. I will," she promised, her voice filled with determination and gratitude.

Maria's heart pounded in her chest, its rhythmic beats echoing in her ears as she hurriedly made her way back home through the dimly lit streets of the city. The sun, behind a thin layer of clouds, cast an ethereal glow over the deserted alleyways, adding an air of mystery to the scene. The weight of anticipation hung heavy in the air, as Maria's mind swirled with a mixture of emotions.

With anticipation as she made her way back home after the mission. She believed that Eloise was dead, and Maria couldn't help but feel a surge of joy at the thought. Finally, she could breathe a sigh of relief knowing that her objective was complete.

"Now that the mission is over," Maria thought to herself, "I should attend the council meeting." She knew that her presence was necessary as a member of the council of ten, a group of talented individuals with extraordinary abilities. As she entered the meeting room, her eyes scanned the faces of her fellow council members.

"Good morning, everyone," Maria greeted, her voice filled with warmth and confidence.

Jade, one of the council members, responded with a lackluster tone, "Yes, hello..."

Maria frowned, sensing that something was amiss with Jade. Concern etched across her face, she inquired, "What's wrong with you, Jade? You're not your usual self."

Jade hesitated for a moment before responding, "We'll talk about it after the meeting, Maria."

Respecting Jade's request, Maria decided to focus on the agenda at hand. The council meeting was underway, and Maria took charge, calling the gathering to order. She knew that their next task was to brainstorm ideas for an upcoming event. As the meeting progressed, the council members deliberated on various proposals.

Naoka, the highest-ranked member, initiated the discussion, "Well, we're going to start a new event soon. Do you have any suggestions or ideas?"

Akira eagerly chimed in, "Let's organize a tournament where we can all compete against each other. It will be a test of strength and skill."

Shun, supporting Akira's idea, added, "Yes, that's a good idea. Let's see who's the strongest among us."

Jade, seemingly intrigued, voiced her agreement, "Why not? It would be nice to have some friendly competition."

Maria, however, raised a valid concern, "Yes, but isn't it too early to organize a tournament? The first-year students are not yet ready for such intense battles."

Naoka nodded in agreement, appreciating Maria's insight. "You're right, Maria. We need to find something else that accommodates all levels of skill and experience."

Hiro, a thoughtful member, interjected with a suggestion, "I have an idea. Let's conduct a treasure hunt. We can create a star system, where each participant receives a star. They can challenge each other, and the winner takes the loser's star. No one can refuse a challenge."

Ryu, enthusiastic about the idea, added, "That's brilliant! And to challenge a council member, they'll need to have a certain number of stars. For example, to challenge the tenth-ranked member, they'll need ten stars."

Naoka, pleased with the proposal, said, "Excellent idea, Hiro. We can decide on the specific number of stars required later. But for now, let's form groups and start planning for the event, which will take place next month."

The council members unanimously agreed, energized by the prospect of this new event. After the meeting, as the others dispersed, Maria found herself alone with Jade, still curious about her friend's unusual behavior.

"Now that the meeting is over, I would like to know why you weren't your usual self, Jade," Maria inquired gently.