– Wait … it can’t be that …
– No! That is not … what happened … – she rejected nervously.
– No?…
Lehm’s soft voice reached her ears making her skin stand on end and lower her head.
– Well… yes… – She mumbled under her breath, like a little bird – But … but …
– Enough! I don’t need to hear more. I fully understand what happened …
Violet covered her with her arm and interrupted her rambling. Then she turned to Lehm with visible and great hostility.
– How dare you take advantage of our innocent and sweet maid? … – She accused without hesitation.
– I am wrongly blamed. – He replied without losing his calm and maintaining an honest expression – She fell asleep in my arms after a lot of activity. Nothing to be ashamed of …
-A lot … activity … – she repeated, clenching her teeth – You are really a vulgar person, coarse and without the least decorum …
Before he could respond, the sweet voice of a curious girl added to the dialogue.
– Mmm … teacher … Was it wrong for Cake to sleep with you?
– Of course not … it is normal in that situation …
– You! What do you teach this girl? Young lady, don’t listen to this person … what he did is not a good thing …
– Huh? – Not very convinced – But if I saw that she seemed to be having a good time …
– That you have done what?!! – Opening her eyes wide in disbelief.
– It’s true … – she insisted, lifting her nose proudly – I’m not lying, my word is worth … mmm … like the moon. I even played around with her a little … hehe … – scratching her head.
– ……… !!
For a moment Violet’s complexion turned white and her words didn’t come out. Then she looked back at Lehm, and this time she seemed to want to bury him in a coffin a thousand meters deep.
– You are a monster! Airy … let me teach this scum a lesson he will never forget. Believe me, it’s for your own good …
~ Knock!
Before Violet took any action, it was the blonde-haired young woman herself who stepped up to Lehm and with an embarrassed face kicked him innocently at the ankle.
– Evil…
It was all she managed to say, before turning and crossing her arms in a pout.
– Jiji … teacher … people act strange with you. – amused.
– You see it. There are many irrational people around there … – he agreed, as if he were a victim of the situation.
– Irrational you say ?!
The only person present who had not yet been carried by the tide was Bran. He was currently looking up at the sky as he rolled his eyes, wondering how a person who just enjoyed watching the world go wild had survived that long.
– What is all this fuss about?
The sudden voice of a woman interrupted the hilarious exchange. Its owner was approaching on the sidewalk looking back, like someone who runs away after making a prank.
– My lady!…
– Welcome back.
Despite the warm welcome of the two women, the truth is that one could be surprised and with good reason to see the appearance of the other party. Her clothes were common by comparison, and she appeared to be a little older than Violet, but she was not half as graceful and her face could well be intoned at the helm of any street stall. Very short hair did not help much in the matter.
Still, after speeding up to reach the inner side of the mansion, she turned to the three guests with a clearly overbearing attitude.
– and the gentleman is?
– Yes! Madam, this is the young erudite I was talking about, Mister Lehm. – Airy introduced cheerfully – Mr. Lehm, this is my lady … Tiana …
– I thought so … – she murmured with a nod.
– Mister Lehm is a young man, but very skillful and intelligent … – Airy continued announcing, while she shot pleading glances at Lehm, imploring that he gave a good image.
– Be careful, he is a … dangerous man … – Violet warned beside her, with a complicated expression.
– ……?
As Tiana raised an eyebrow at that early warning, Lehm stared at her as he rubbed at her chin. After a somewhat less invasive analysis than Violet’s, he tilted his head in an unusual gesture of curiosity.
– Can you take off what you have?
~ Crack
Violet’s eyes lit up violently and she took a step toward him.
– It is already decided. He is a dead erudite …
– Stop …
Tiana crossed her arm and stopped the advance. Then she turned to her, and a great surprise could be seen on his face. She was not used to seeing Violet act so emotionally and impulsively. How could that man have managed to alter her so much in just a few minutes?
She seemed to notice this, and backed away again with a somewhat embarrassed gesture, but kept looking at Lehm with unpleasant vibes.
– Tell me … Why would you be interested in seeing the body of a woman like me? – She inquired, maintaining her composure with dignity.
– Body? Oh, no … I’m not interested in the content … – he refused, rubbing his cheek – … just the wrapper.
– ………!
For some reason, Tiana’s calm expression changed from day to night and she turned violently towards Violet, as if demanding an explanation with a big question mark on her face. However, what she received was an equally shocked complexion that she shakes her head in complete bewilderment.
Then she looked at Lehm again, but this time her casual and unimportant attitude was completely renewed. At least, that mysterious young man of whom she had no initial expectation had just caught his attention.
– This is … something unexpected. Mister Lehm … huh? – looking at the two young companions. A pretty girl and a silent young man – Well, in any case, this is not the place for any dialogue. Airy, escort the guests …
– Yes, yes … as you order. – in a relieved and happy tone.
One by one they advanced, and finally the big door closed again, restoring its temporary silence to the sidewalk.
–
–
Already inside the mansion, they had been transferred to a luxurious room with long and comfortable armchairs facing a round table. Tiana returned with Violet, now dressed in expensive clothes, more typical of the place where she lived. Still, that failed to change her unsophisticated complexion.
She sat delicately in front of the group, while Violet held position behind as a mother who protects her calf from possible dangers.
– How did you know? – She inquired without much ado.
– That kind of tricks are not done to avoid my eyes.
– ……… – she raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by his casual confidence transmitted with total ease – You say it as if secrets were not made for you.
– Huh? Does the lady hide a secret? – Quin inquired, arousing her interest.
– You can say that hides something. But it is only a small curiosity that we could ignore.
– Oh … well … – she nodded, losing interest – So … When does the food arrive?
– ………
Tiana was temporarily speechless at this casual display of disinterest.
So “just” a little curiosity … Huh?
Somewhat outraged, she shifted her gaze to Bran, who had stayed with Quin the entire time, and who had shown no change in expression before or after entering the mansion.
– ………
Where did this group of weirdos come from?
With a somewhat challenging attitude, she stood up again and faced Lehm.
– All right. I can fulfill your request in this “little curiosity”.
– Tiana … really … – Violet demanded immediately.
– It’s my decision … and he has earned it. – She rejected with a wave of her hand – Besides, it is not appropriate to converse in this way.
– ……… – With a slight sigh, she seemed to give in to her wishes – Good. Just … don’t give her much credit …
She smiled at this unusual insistence, and brought her hand to her face, as Violet stepped forward and took a formal posture.
– Wooah … Are you going to show the little secret? – Clapped Quin, again interested.
Even Bran showed some attention to the outcome of this mystery.
At that moment Tiana’s complexion began to show a faint glow, and was crossed by several lines of strange engravings. A few seconds later her entire appearance had changed, and in her hand she held a mask-like object.
And boy had it changed! She held that piece while looking proudly at the trio. She was a young woman in her twenties, similar to Lehm, with the beautiful appearance of an exquisite lineage. While Violet was a “mature beauty,” she conveyed the vivacious aura of youthful radiance, with long black hair and honey eyes, her delicate complexion being appropriate for a fairy tale. Her slender body now matched perfectly with the rest of the ensemble.
She balanced his hair and ordered it, holding it with a red butterfly, while anticipating the desired reaction and Violet worthily extended her hand towards the group.
– Greet! With you … Tiana Hermbarg. Second in line, and the only imperial princess of the great Ongard Empire.
The first to react was Lehm, who had previously sat up and took the offered mask without hesitation. Oblivious to the glowing display of the princess, he focused his eyes on the mysterious material, giving it little twists from time to time.
– ………
Making an effort to ignore it, Tiana looked at Bran, knowing that her display of beauty and status would be particularly effective on such young men. What she received in return was a brief gesture of curiosity, coupled with a vague formal shake of the head.
– Hello…
– ………………
– P-P … Princess ?!
The stars had begun to accumulate in Quin’s eyes upon hearing that word, and she finally jumped out of his seat to watch her with excitement, while circling around so as not to miss any detail.
– How cuteeee …!
A brief smile finally showed on Tiana’s lips. It seemed that at least some of them were able to react normally. She under her eyes to smile at that beautiful little girl who had already walked around her three times, and would certainly be delighted to meet a royal princess.
However, what she found was a confused face looking at her questioningly as she rubbed her little chin.
– Mmm … if you are a princess … Why don’t you have wings? – She inquired, with some disappointment in her tone.
– ………………………
What happens to these people ?!
