Chapter 5 - Swan Castle, Princess Odette

***

A cold drop fell on his face.

Kazuki slowly regained consciousness and again became vaguely aware of something soft and warm.

Right before his eyes, the girl he was searching for was currently lying on top of him. His hand was also coincidentally placed on Odette's butt.

He had to admit that her figure was indeed quite fiery and hot.

"Princess Odette, what happened here?" Kazuki was referring to why he suddenly woke up to find Odette lying on top of him.

Her face flushed a slow deepening red as she sat up.

"I was walking along the banks of the Azure Lake when I chanced upon you. It seems you were hurt quite badly..."

Her face reddened as she continued--

"Your injuries weren't life-threatening but you were knocked out..I could have healed you normally but this particular magic works quickly and more efficiently t-through... ...through direct body contact... ...There was no other meaning behind it."

She started to trail off at the end of her explanation.

Kazuki looked around as he propped himself up on his hands.

"Thank you very much Princess. You saved my life." He expressed his gratitude but when Kazuki tried to stand up--

He looked down and realized that Odette was still sitting on top of him. His head was also perfectly lined up with her chest.

Odette, who realized she was still mounting Kazuki, immediately stood up as she helped Kazuki up.

Although he was pretty sure he knew where he was, Kazuki feigned ignorance as he asked--

"Where is this place?"

The two of them were currently heading through a tunnel.

"We are..." Odette suddenly paused for a moment before she turned to Kazuki.

"Forgive me but I haven't asked for your name yet. How may I address you?" The slight tilt she did with her head brought her cuteness levels up by several folds.

"Oh sorry, I forgot to introduce myself even though her Highness already did. My name is Kazuki." Kazuki did a light bow. She was royalty so Kazuki thought he needed to be polite when introducing himself but as he looked up, a flicker of loneliness flashed across Odette's face.

However, she instantly regained her composure.

"So it's Kazuki...What an interesting name. It's alright, you can simply call me Odette." Her tone carried itself and a sense of dignity and aura could be felt from it. Unlike Guinevere, who was also somewhat of a Princess, the way Odette spoke truly highlighted her royalty.

Kazuki could not help but ask--

"You are not going to ask where I come from?" Her deep emerald eyes lapsed into thought as she pondered for a moment.

Finally, she looked forward as she replied with an unwavering tone.

"When the time is right, everything will come in place and all questions will be answered. Just like our meeting...destiny triggered a series of events that led to it. Finding you on the shore of the Azure lake and healing you was also a part of this interlocked chain. As to where you come from, I'm sure I will arrive at that answer without the need of asking you that question." Odette smiled warmly at Kazuki and he was charmed by her friendly smile. However, hidden beneath those breathtaking eyes and features, was a layer of solitude.

"You have a really nice smile." Kazuki had no ulterior motives hidden in his words. He truly was captivated by her smile.

"Eh, r-really? U-Umm..." Since she was a princess, Odette had gotten used to receiving compliments. The nobles, messengers and even commoners praised her beauty at every turn. Her smile was said to be contagious and she was universally admired. Hence, she was able to master the art of discerning people's true intentions.

And that was precisely why she was able to tell Kazuki sincerely meant every word he uttered. The only other people that complimented her sincerely were her family, so she wasn't used to wholehearted genuine praise.

Noticing the effect his words were causing her, Kazuki smiled wryly while his internal brain camera captured her flustered state, saving it in his memory bank.

"What happened to you, Kazuki? What were you doing up in these mountains?" She tried to pass off her embarrassed state with a question.

"I was actually planning to head to the Moniyan Empire but certain circumstances brought me to the edge of these mountains. However, I was careless. I was caught in a trap by one of the monsters inhabiting these mountains." He didn't exactly lie but neither was he telling the exact truth.

"Trap?"

Kazuki nodded his head.

"There was a magic circle engraved on it's body. The explosion I was caught up in was due to that."

Odette didn't really seem too surprised.

"I see. Recently, there are some strange monsters that have appeared in these mountains. I believe they are creatures belonging to the Dark Wizards association. The monster you encountered may be related as well..."

Dark Wizards?

Kazuki had no idea what she was talking about.

They were finally approaching the end of the tunnel.

Odette noticed Kazuki's confusion and spun her words before he could ask--

"I will explain it to you later. As to your question earlier--"

Odette suddenly grabbed Kazuki's hand as she pulled him along.

"We are now heading to my home. The Castle of the Swans."

***

An aesthetic sight soon shimmered into view.

Kazuki let out a whistle.

'So this is Swan Castle...'

Rather than calling it a Castle, it was more of a city.

The walls and buildings were all built from a milky-white material and pillars of light jutted from the walls at regular intervals. The pillars of light curved into each other and converged high in the sky, creating a dome that covered the city.

Whenever anything hit the dome, ripples spread from the point of impact, as if someone had thrown a stone into a pond. It made for a wondrous sight.

Odette turned towards Kazuki as she started explaining and she pointed towards the dome.

"That barrier protects us from any outsiders. It also hinders the vision of others so they will not be able to see or sense this place. This is how we have been living all this time, obscured away from the rest of the world."

Kazuki nodded his head as he admired the sight that came into existence. Great big tress grew all around and there were entire squares that had been converted into gardens. To the East, was their agricultural district.

"We grow many of our own food here. Many fruit species thrive under our watch and there are some you would not be able to find in the outside world."

The city square was bustling with people, haggling over fruit and fish prices while others simply roamed about leisurely without a care in the world.

Finally, Kazuki landed his sight to the North, where the name of Swan Castle came into place. Unlike the milky-white stone that seemed to be favored in the rest of the city, the palace was made of pure white marble, setting it apart from the rest of the city.

Odette grabbed Kazuki's hand as she smiled.

"Let's go to the palace first."

Kazuki nodded and the pair started heading North.

***

A crescent moon hung in the night sky. Also known as the horned moon, it was the first phase of the moon one saw after the new moon.

Two soldiers on patrol walked across the castle grounds.

"Haaah... All the big shots are probably at the ball right now ... living it up and eating all the good food."

"Hey, cut the chatter. If we get caught for dereliction of duty, I'll be punished with you."

The first soldier sighed as he looked wistfully up at the castle. Dozens of lights dotted the central tower, where the ball was being held.

His partner frowned, but it seemed the reason for his displeasure wasn't solely because he was worried about being punished. If anything, he was annoyed because he'd been made even more conscious of the fact that they were stuck working while other people got to have all the fun. In truth, he was thinking the exact same thing his partner was.

"Don't you wish you could get promoted enough to be invited to one of those?"

"Well, yeah ... If I was important enough to attend a ball like that, I'd be able to get all the money and women I want ..."

"I know, right? It'd be great if I could go to a fancy party like that and spend the night in the arms of a noble lady. Aaah, I wish I wasn't stuck here doing these useless patrols. I wanna fuck a girl. And the star of the show this time is Lady Guinevere. If only I was the one marrying her..."

"Hey don't spout nonsense. You will be sentenced for saying such things."

"I know I know..."

***

Guinevere's welcome ball was as magnificent and ostentatious as one would expect a royal ball to be. The food was served buffet style, and hundred of dishes, from savory to sweet, covered the massive table that was to one side of the hall. Every dish imaginable had been placed atop the pure white tablecloth for the guest's enjoyment. The hall's decorations, too, were absolutely stunning. Tapestries and chandeliers draped the walls and ceiling.

Miya, who was dressed in a periwinkle blue dress, was staring half-heartedly at the opulence around her. Every time she moved, her slender shapely legs peeked out. She was attending this ball as Guinevere's friend so she had to dress up as well. Though the bottom half of her dress revealed a fair amount of skin, it didn't feel the least bit indecent and emphasized both her natural beauty and cuteness.

Sipping a glass of expensive wine, she glanced around with a bored expression, ignoring the people who came up to her with different ulterior motives in mind. Never mind the fact that she was an Elf, but Miya was a beauty that could put every idol and celebrity to shame. She spent a considerable amount of time fending off the horde of smiling nobles who tried to get close to her.

As for why Miya had such an expression on her face--

It was mainly due to one reason.

'What's taking him so long...'

That's right. Her boyfriend was currently still missing and although she had the utmost faith that he would return, she was still sulking that Kazuki wasn't here and couldn't admire her outfit. She was sure that if he was here right now, he would be thoroughly smitten with her appearance.

The hall suddenly broke out in excited muttering as Miya turned her head towards the commotion. Guinevere and her fiancé, had arrived. The guard at the gate announced their entrance in a loud and dignified voice.

Guinevere walked through the grand double doors and into the hall proper, wearing a jet black one piece that seemed to suck in the surrounding light. It was unusual for her to wear such dark clothing considering the ball was held in her honor but right now, she had no feeling to dress up appropriately for the occasion. After all, she didn't want to marry her fiancé. It was simply an engagement arranged without her knowledge between her family and the Paxleys.

Her expression made it clear that she was only attending because it was her duty. That, combined with her imposing dress, created a wall around her that made it difficult for others to approach.

Eventually, the crowd started to applaud. Amidst the clapping, the two of them made their way to the center stage and the chamberlain overseeing the ball bade the guests to resume partying.

Guinevere would now be busy dancing with various dignitaries and introducing herself over and over. Elegant orchestra music filled the ballroom as men and women made their way to the center of the hall and started dancing as they pleased. Guinevere's first dance went to Boris, but her expression made it clear that she would rather be doing something else. Any time Boris tried to pull her close, Guinevere would match her steps to the tempo of the music and create some distance between them, causing her fiancé to scowl angrily.

Once the first song finished, Guinevere fled from Boris and quickly found another partner to dance with her. Her departure irritated Boris, but greeting others during a dance was an integral part of high society, so he couldn't do anything to stop her.

***

'After all, she will be mine after tonight.' Boris licked his lips as he imagined what he would be able to do with Guinevere soon.