Just as the sun rose in the sky, Aqua and Sheira made their way out of the servants' chambers. Sheira led the way, closely followed by Aqua. They passed by many servants whose whispers reached the duo's ears, yet neither girl cared about it.
"Isn't that princess Sheira?..."
"It is. What is she doing in the servant's chambers?"
"Did not expect her to be indecent with her own attendant…"
On the contrary, Sheira wore a smug expression despite the fact that a rumor of her exiting her tutor's chambers in the early morning would spread. There was no point in trying to suppress something that would inevitably reach many ears.
Everyone would have their own interpretation; some would accuse her of fornicating with servants, some would call her a pervert, yet it did not matter. Even if she had done anything like that, it would be less when compared to most of her siblings.
Sorry about that, Aqua, but it will be very funny! She squealed slightly as they rushed toward the palace garden where the queen usually spent her free time.
However, Aqua did not even acknowledge the rumors; after all, they were inconsequential. She, Sheira, and Soleah were to meet and speak about a way to finally put an end to Lira's scheme.
Despite the boiling anger she had felt every moment that Lira took breath, Aqua suppressed it. For her new friends and adoptive daughter, she had to do it. She lifted her hand in front of her as she trailed Sheira.
The fist clenched as Aqua thought of what she would put Lira through. She could turn her into a rat or a snake and force her to experience the worst moments of her life ten thousand times.
Her mind could join Gabriel in the eternal hell of her own making, Aqua's lips stretched into a smirk.
My more sadistic tendencies are showing. She exhaled audibly.
She was never merciful to her enemies, while those she held dear would only know her kindness; those who dared threaten her would suffer and be eradicated.
After all, it was the only way to survive; there was no space for mercy in a world ruled by the supreme god. While she was willing to extend a hand to those who surrendered and abandoned the tyrant, it was such a rarity that she could count the number of times it happened on one hand.
The duo passed through the halls and toward the entrance of the garden. Unlike most times, where it had one guard, the walls were lined with a dozen.
A gasp escaped Sheira's throat before she pulled Aqua behind the corner.
"I guess Mom and Dad are in there." The princess nudged Aqua with her elbow, "Do you think you can make us invisible so we can enter the garden without being noticed?"
"Why?"
"I want to spy on them."
Aqua blinked slowly, "Sheira…" A low grumble reached the princess.
"Come on! They love their garden and they like to talk about a lot of important things in there that they never tell me, so this would be an ideal opportunity!"
"Just this once." Aqua stepped back.
"Thanks so much, Aqua!"
The things I do for people I cherish. She waved her hand, and [Beyond the Veil] fell on both, yet they could see and hear each other.
"Oh, I can still see you. Did the spell fail?" Sheira stared at her arms and then at Aqua.
"No, it just can be seen by those who are allowed. It would be a rather ineffective spell if it weren't selective."
"I guess so. It's very handy… Teach me eventually!" The princess giggled as she wrapped her hand around Aqua's and pulled her past the guards and into the garden.
The heroine merely nodded as she let herself be pulled by her daughter. Very quickly, they made their way into the garden.
Inside was tranquil as usual, yet it was not as empty as usual.
Both Soleah and Sheira's father stood next to the mountain, yet Sheira's jaw dropped as she saw what they were doing.
Her parents' lips were interlocked, and her Dad's hand was on Soleah's waist.
"Aqua… I think we made a mistake." Sheira's voice shook as her face became red. The princess turned toward Aqua, who wore the same blush as she did.
"You are correct…"
Just as the two girls were about to leave, the royal couple separated.
"Darling… are you sure we can't trust Lira? She had served me for such a long time."
The name they had uttered made both girls turn back, and their ears twitched.
"Ah… ok, we stay after all!" Sheira's ears twitched; it always felt uncomfortable seeing her parents being intimate, despite it being necessary, as proven by her very existence.
"Somah, my beloved…" Soleah slid her hands behind his neck and pushed his forehead against hers. "I have spent a long time investigating her, and she had lied… so much information she had given us had proven to be false, I do not want you to be used by her."
"I believe you, my love… I trust you with my life, but Lira is the only reason we are able to outmaneuver the savages."
Soleah smiled before she pushed her lips against her husband's. "We can manage without her. I know you called the council for tomorrow. I wish to present my evidence and denounce the entirety of the council."
"Why entirely?"
"They are all under Lira's thumb; we do not need them to make our home powerful, and then once we crush the beasts in the south, we will finally have time just for the two of us~" Soleah giggled.
"I… would love that… We haven't been intimate in a while."
"We could get another child~" Soleah placed her finger on Somah's lips.
Sheira plugged her ears and turned to Aqua. "Lalalalala, I can't hear this!"
"I…" Aqua blushed before hugging bashful Sheira. "Did not expect you to be so shy. Considering how much you tease Azure."
"How could I not! They are talking about making another sibling for me right in front of me! It's embarrassing! And teasing Azure is different!"
"Sure." Aqua smiled as she continued to stare at the royals. They were jumping from Intimate topics to important politics as if it were a game. It confused her, yet she tuned out everything other than information about Lira.
"Darling, make sure not to let her see you suspect her. She is dangerous, and the only reason you are safe around her is because she thinks you do not know anything about her schemes."
"I promise, I will be careful. I would hate to die and leave you alone in this world, my beloved." Somah sighed as his wife separated from him.
"You are such a puppy, Somah~" Soleah pecked him on the lips. "So, let's return to the Lira issue. When the council gathers tomorrow, let her speak and dig herself into as big a hole as possible."
"Sure."
"Good, now who is my good king?"
"I am!"
"Aqua, we are leaving!" Sheira grabbed Aqua's hand and pulled her out of the garden. The princess had not learned much, but at least she knew that Lira's expiration date was mere day away.
Aqua nodded as the duo rushed toward the kitchen. "I haven't felt hungry ever since you turned me into a goddess, but I think we should go and have breakfast, it just feels right to eat anyway…" The princess hid her face, and her ears turned red.
The spell cast by Aqua slowly faded as the duo became visible.
"Sheira." Aqua's lips widened into a thin line. "You are adorable."
However, Sheira ignored the comment and dragged Aqua. Some servants stared, but the duo made their way into the kitchen and took a seat.
A familiar face approached the table, "Ah, Lady Aqua, Lady Sheira. It's a pleasure to see you." Lucia bowed deeply.
"Lucia, I am glad to see you are doing well." Aqua smiled as she leaned slightly forward.
"Of course, my Lady, um, I mean Aqua!" She stopped for a moment, making sure to analyze the moods of the two ladies. "I will tell Adam that both his new favourite pupil and the princess are here and that they are waiting for food." Lucia seemed to stutter at the pupil comment, yet she quickly suppressed it as she ran into the kitchen.
"Pupil?!" Sheira slammed her hands on the table and leaned over.
"He is teaching me how to cook," Aqua answered calmly.
"Since when?!" Sheira looked around; the nobility that usually ate here stared at her, so she slid into her seat. "Sorry for my shock, just did not expect anyone here to be able to even begin teaching you."
"Hmmm… recently, a couple of days, maybe, and there are many things I cannot do, don't think I am omnipotent." She scratched her cheek as her ears slumped.
"Hah, I know who you are learning, someone is going to be very happy~." Sheira grinned and leaned back into her chair.
Aqua tilted her head in confusion.
Sheira groaned, "Dense as usual. Oh well, let's just enjoy our food."