D(EATH)-DAY (2)

The carriage passed under a humongous gate. We drove past the avenue seeing spring flowers beginning to replace winter ones– diamond-arrangement brick paths became the construct of the street the moment we came into the inner districts. Different from the cobblestone streets we were used to.

Our carriage had a little stop at a checkpoint. The knights in-charge examined the validity of our invitation before allowing us to pass.

Normally.. wouldn't a checkpoint like this cause issues? You know, nobles that have high ego thinking that they are being mistreated because of the lack of trust? I don't know. Maybe I'm making baseless assumptions. There are still elements about this world that are grounded.

As the carriage rolled across the vast open courtyard, we saw the castle walls spread out in front of us. Ivory towers, large spirals with small windows, behemoth sized gates, lookout towers, forts, gardens, peep windows–

It looks amazing.The closer we got to it, the more I realized how intricate each detail crafted, and put into the construction of this had been. At the open courtyard leading up to the castle, when viewed from high above, the interlocking bricks actually arranged themselves into the insignia of Erudite Kingdom. The front gates of the castle were adorned with fine ivory carvings of flowers and ivy. Pillars with alabaster spheres at the base supporting the overhanging structures each had carvings of the dragons, various figures of Gods and Goddesses and even depiction of war. One glance and you could tell each part of the castle had its own history.

We got off the carriage and entered through the entrance into this sparkling hall– the entire floor was covered with a glowing marble-like material. Potted hedges interspersed intermittently on both sides of the carpet leading up to the end of the hall where the stairs laid. The arrangement of armor stands and various other decorative jewels were just enough to break the symmetry with some randomness. Hundreds of rectangular crystals hung from the ceiling above, and gigantic picture frames showcasing the previous kings could be seen hung high up on the wall.

I searched for His Majesty's face during the Darcia Kingdom era .. none of the faces matched the person I had in mind.

Hundreds of nobles crowded this massive hall, their chattering was unending.

"This isn't where the banquet will be held, follow me," Laura looked at this extravagance as if it were an everyday occurrence.

"Pardon me, but Her Highness had requested that she wanted to meet them," El said.

"Is that so?"

"I believe Her Highness would like it too if you accompanied us."

"Then I will take up the offer."

Through this maze of a castle, we ended up somewhere in the inner courtyard. I felt a sense of deja vu. We came to the cloister of the castle. My eyes were immediately drawn to the structure in the center of the garden. Therelain a humongous ivory fountain as the centerpiece. Small streams of water branched off, small bridges connected jig-saw stonework pavements whenever it intersected a brook. Plentiful of flora, a library of flowers and various species of trees watched over this green realm. Magic floor lights added to the enchanting atmosphere.

I can't believe that the last time I saw this place, it was put under restriction as a biohazard zone.

I observed as the amalgamation of coloured glass fragments come together to create numerous glass works. Each hung where two pillars laid, each piece depicted a time in history, as we traversed across the colonnade.

"Fuck."

We were led back into the castle through the entrance at the end of the walkway. This was a smaller circular hall, but was likewise as extravagant as the previous one. A spiral staircase led upwards.. upwards.. upwards..

Instead of taking the stairs, we took the magic elevator.

Yes. The magic elevator. It's a circular cut-out on the floor and by operating a touch panel, the chunk of the floor we were standing on broke off and rose upwards. There were gold guardrails in place of course.

And then we reached an unknown floor. Following a masterfully calculated path– we would pass by huge french windows, murals, acrylic paintings and in-built hearths. Then– we finally reached her room.

Her Highness Siesta's room.

The maid, El, knocked twice.

Swoosh. The door was thrown open in a rough manner. Inside was a platinum blonde-haired girl with her hair left an absolute mess..

"Your Highness, what were you doing?"

"I-I was busy learning how to see in the dark!"

I slapped myself.

"Noel?"

"Sorry.."

Couldn't help it. After being amazed to the point of blank awe by the monumental architecture of the castle, seeing this princess in this dilapidated condition blew up a fuse in my mind.

In any case, we were led into said princess' room.

"Please give us a moment," Miss El bowed, dragging Her Highness behind a door.

Huh. It's like she's got a whole apartment to herself. We're at the living quarters, which was also her bedroom. Her bed is way over there on the other side of the room.

Fuck.

This is a castle?

"What do you say during times like this?" Prune asked.

"Speechless."

"Same here.."

"Amazing."

"Fuck."

"That's inappropriate."

"But honestly though. This place is like… it's so grand."

"You're not wrong there.. this place is mindblowing."

"A palace right? Or castle?"

"Whichever works I think. I feel like walking in the garden. Did you see those glowing butterflies on the way?'

"There were butterflies?"

"Yeah, look. I took a photo," Nine pulled up the camerawidget.

"No way.."

"Yes way."

I squeezed Liliath's hand.

She squeezed back, trembling a little.

"It's alright."

"I understand.. that.."

"What's wrong?" Laura asked.

"She's finally going to meet her brother after more than a year since she was kidnapped."

"I.. never heard that story before?"

"It's complicated but that's the general gist of it.." I turned, and called out to the other demon lord who looked like some frozen stone statue. "Rin?"

"I-I'm alright.. slightly uncomfortable with the extravagance of it all.. I don't feel like I belong here," she gulped.

"You're not the only one who feels like that," I said.

She nodded.

===

"So you're going to take advantage of the fact that you're his possible fiancé to allow us to get close to him?"

Her Highness nodded, "I believe I have yet to inform you of this. In the earlier days of the winter season, it was an engagement letter that I received from His Highness."

Liliath looked surprised, clearly.

"So.. you're not going to accept it right?" Nine asked.

"Of course not.. even more so with a rumor I caught wind of. Let's make a deal," Her Highness Siesta wore a luxurious white wedding dress. I have a feeling she crossed her legs under all that white fabric– hard to tell. A cryptic smile bloomed on her face, "In exchange for that opportunity, I would like it if you could persuade him to revoke the engagement. My name may be used however you see fit."

"I understand. However.. in what light he sees me in will greatly determine my chances of persuading him.." Liliath clenched her hands into a fist. I brought my hands over, she then shifted to holding my hands.

"Now, as for the rumor. It's unknown from exactly it's source is, however, the contents are that the demon lord and Toren Kingdom have decided on a peace treaty."

Liliath's grip on my hands became tighter.

"What do you.. mean.. by that."

"I don't know enough about the details, I apologize," Her Highness Siesta said. "However, it's something being considered by the parliament. I'm sure His Highness Kyoshi had advocated for a similar outcome as he went to visit each individual kingdom to announce the news."

Liliath closed her eyes, and shivered.