– Little … Why do you think I should have wings?
– This is how a good princess is …
Her lively expression seemed to leave no room for debate about it.
– ……? This … Have you seen other princesses before?
– Yes! – She nodded excitedly – When I sleep …
– ………
– She is super beautiful and always carries me … mmm … or so I think … – She wrinkled her forehead, thoughtful – Anyway … She is the best princess!
– Kuhum … I see … – she nodded gently before the girl’s tender imagination – However, not all princesses have wings …
Tiana patiently explained with a smile, and apparently had some success, because Quin was doubtful and finally put on a somewhat resigned expression.
– I see … so you are a princess without wings. – After accepting this fact, she suddenly put on a radiant and sweet smile, while raising her little thumb towards Tiana – Don’t worry, things will improve …
– ……….
What is that supposed to mean?
~ Clank
A door opened nearby, and Quin turned immediately.
– Yey! …
~ Tap Tap Tap
– ~ The cake … of Cake … is my cake … ~ – she hummed as she scampered towards the incoming Airy.
– ………
As the questions accumulated in Tiana’s mind, a thin mask appeared again in her field of vision.
– An interesting piece. You have a good helper …
She looked at the mysterious man who would hardly be his own age, and retrieved the precious object. Despite the serenity and ease with which Lehm acted, she had the feeling that this brief compliment was not a frequent act.
– Kuhum … maybe you are not an erudite, but at least you recognize the work of one … – elegantly returning to sit, while Lehm did the same.
There was a moment of silence, where Quin’s avid chewing was the most predominant.
– Woah … ~ ñom ñom ~. Cake, you are the best cook. I wish you could go to my house… Oh! It’s true … We have a house! You must go, you must go … – She encouraged excitedly.
– That’s great, I’m very happy for you. But, sorry Quin, I must attend to the princess and soon we will leave … – she lamented sincerely.
– Mmm … well … – she shakes her head, unwilling. Then she seemed to remember something and returned to the battle – Teacher is there too, you can sleep more times with him if you go … – she tempted with candid innocence.
~ Pfffff
A few meters away, Tiana was about to spill the tea she had just had, and looked at Airy with a surprised expression.
– No! … this is … a misunderstanding … Misunderstanding! … – She waved her hands quickly as she dealt with embarrassment to somehow explain what had happened.
This official explanation finally reached Violet’s ears too, who maintained her dignified posture behind Tiana. It could be said that it somehow served to relax her attitude towards Lehm, but it was evident that she was not entirely ready to cease hostilities.
– Let’s get to the point. – Tiana declared a moment later – In summary … you met my maid by chance, and due to her good deed a favor was granted.
– A story as concise as it is accurate …
– And she invited you to meet me, since maintaining good relations with certain figures is something that I see with good eyes. Especially if that someone is the size of an erudite …
She made a silence waiting for some change, but Lehm only took his cup with the same calm and indifferent expression, as if the subject had nothing to do with him.
– This is so because the empire is enormous … but the wise recognized scarce. In fact … – she continued in a significant tone – … I thought I could list them one by one …
Although this time she had been quite explicit in the intention of her words, she could not find any change or concern in her interlocutor. She was even beginning to wonder if he had a hearing problem.
– But … I’ve never heard of such a young erudite. – She continued, not having a response – I do not think that knowledge, strength and age are inseparable … but in practice they are qualities gathered in every living erudite. And you … openly lack at least two of them …
– I see … – Lehm finally spoke, letting her cup rest for a moment on the table – Is that a no?
– ………
Faced with this casual attitude towards an open accusation, Tiana could only show finally some signs of perplexity. She seemed to begin to understand the reasons why someone like Violet had lost her temper in such a short time.
Still, seeing through her mask was enough of an achievement to retain some patience and not be taken lightly.
– Kuhum … what I mean is that the doubts about your title and influence are reasonable. It will not be disrespectful to ask you to display the official emblem to confirm such appointment.
– Mmm … – He scratched his head a little sorry – I’m afraid that will not be possible …
– How? – raising an eyebrow – Are you saying that you don’t have the recognition of the empire?
– Certainly…
– ……? – puzzled by the ease of such a statement – That is the same as declaring yourself a liar … unless you want to insinuate that you do not belong to Ongard.
– You can see it like this … – He agreed.
– Do you expect us to believe that? – Violet finally spoke, with renewed annoyance – You say that you are not from here … and that you have no emblem … but that at your age you are a wandering erudite … Isn’t that too convenient and vague …?
A raised hand held back her momentum, but this time Tiana’s expression was no longer so understanding and tolerant. It was clear that she shared the same thought and the situation had exceeded the range of her patience.
– You are really lucky, you know. For having the grace of my maid, and for meeting me. If I were my mother, your head would be decorating the center of this table for lying to a member of royalty. – She stated coldly, as a fact rather than a threat.
– It doesn’t sound very reasonable …
– Obviously you don’t know the queen. Anyway … I’ve wasted enough time on this …
With clear disappointment, she slowly got up and turned to Violet, who gladly understood her princess’s silent command. Nothing would make her happier right now than dispatching that man as far as possible.
– Certainly … I do not know the queen … – he replied at the time, leaving his empty cup on the table – And neither did your mother. – added casually.
~ Ñon Ñom Ñom
– Teacher, if I eat a lot, I can do the energy thing before.
After much mandibular work, little Quin launched another of her spontaneous and curious questions.
– Don’t be in a hurry. – He rejected with a gentle and serene smile – Soon you will receive the first task that I have prepared for you …
– Task with reward? … – Very interested.
– Naturally …
– Yey!
Although a pleasant master-disciple exchange was taking place on the surface, the environment around had suddenly become as heavy as a mountain. Even Bran had been shaken from his apathy and was staring intently at Lehm in genuine puzzlement.
The princess was static, as if time had frozen, and Violet’s expression towards Lehm had regained all hostility in the fraction of a second, but … this time … there was something really dangerous in her gaze.
Slowly, Tiana rolled her profile until Lehm re-entered her vision, and the intensity in her eyes was one that had never appeared before.
– What … did you just say?
