As soon as Princess Natalia's carriage came close to the entrance of the 5th Rock Leader's place, she could hear chants rising from the crowd.
"PRINCESS NATALIA! PRINCESS NATALIA! PRINCESS NATALIA! PRINCESS NATALIA! PRINCESS NATALIA!"
"Hehe, see? Everyone loves this princess!" Natalia beamed with satisfaction, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Now watch your big sister conquer these Crowns and sway all the houses in our favor, hehe." Princess Natalia spoke as she fixed her colorful royal attire, similar to what she wore for her speech, and slowly opened the carriage door.
She saw the Queen's guard experts already in position, standing on both sides with Alfie on one end, making the formation look slightly imperfect. Maid Emmy was there to help Natalia step down gracefully. But Natalia's eyes went immediately to the crowd. Many young people mixed with older ones, all chanting her name while smiling brightly.
Princess Natalia's eyes sparkled even brighter as she walked out of the carriage and waved at them warmly. "Thank you for coming, everyone! I hope we have a great meeting today!" Princess Natalia smiled brilliantly as she walked ahead, her guards behind her, and Little Princess at the very back, kept looking at her big sister's confident figure moving forward with admiration.
Princess Natalia greeted many people with charm and grace as she made her way through the welcoming crowd. Suddenly, a group of people around her age approached with excited expressions.
"Princess Natalia! Finally, we saw you in your true avatar, hehe! I'm happy for you!" One of her female friends came close and grabbed her hand in happiness, her face glowing with genuine excitement.
"Hey, hii! It feels like a lot of time has passed, hehe. After school got closed, we never got to meet. I'm happy you came here," Princess Natalia spoke brightly, returning the warm squeeze.
"Ahm, Natalia, your speech was great. I was in awe of your ferocity and gentleness at the same time." A male friend came forward and grabbed her hand, pushing away the female friend, and kissed Natalia's palm in a gentlemanly fashion.
"AH! Hey there, thank you for the compliment!" Princess Natalia spoke with slight redness blooming on her face and pulled her hand back quickly. "I see you're looking good and healthy. Are you here to cause trouble for your sweet friend?"
"Haha, I'm here to support you, Natalia." The male friend, who everyone called Little Man despite his towering height, came close and whispered in her ear. "I even convinced my father to support you. Don't worry, my house will forever be on your side." He winked at the end, making Natalia's eyes widen in shock.
"You did? Thanks a lot! You always help me Little man, I am truly blessed to have you by my side." Princess Natalia thanked him gratefully, genuinely touched by the gesture.
"Hey, just thanks? Why not give me special treatment and go on a date with me?" Little Man got closer to Natalia, smiling with his handsome face, his confidence unwavering.
TAK!
"Hey, stupid Little Man, move!" A second female friend came and hit him on his arm, shoving him away. "You weren't the only one giving support to her! Even my house is supportive of her, so why should she give you special treatment?"
"Oye, only our man is worthy of special treatment because he likes Natalia, and his house has always helped the Queen, so he deserves it!" A second male friend came and spoke loudly, backing up Little Man with enthusiasm.
"Haha, you guys, stop saying nonsense!" Princess Natalia spoke embarrassedly while glancing at Little Man, who just smiled hearing this, not saying anything but looking at her with warm eyes that made her heart flutter slightly.
"Who doesn't love her? There's a line of men waiting for her. She can choose whoever she wants!" A third female friend spoke while pointing at some desperate-looking men scattered throughout the crowd, all trying to catch Natalia's attention.
"Haha, now, now, don't make a scene! Let's go. I haven't talked to you guys for ages. Why don't I greet everyone as we talk?" Princess Natalia spoke happily while moving with them toward many Crown people, greeting them one by one and having small talk here and there.
One of the Crown ladies, when she got her chance, bowed and spoke slowly, glancing nervously here and there. "Umm, Princess, can you listen to my request here? I don't think my husband will allow me to speak during the meeting." The woman spoke desperately, her voice shaking, surprising Natalia with her anxiety.
"Hey, don't casually approach Princess Natalia!" The first female friend spoke with slight irritation, stepping forward protectively. "There's time allotted for asking questions, so ask there. If you can't speak in front of others, that's your problem. Don't waste time for the Princess."
Hearing this, the woman panicked. She sweated a little and looked side to side, trying to come closer to Princess Natalia. "PLEASE LISTEN! I... I want to..."
THAP!
"Miss, please behave as a Crown! Don't act like an uneducated person." Little Man came forward and pulled Natalia back by her hand, his chest touching her back as he held her waist protectively with one hand and put his other hand out in front of her like a barrier. "Go, otherwise I'll call the Queen's guards." Little Man glared at the woman with cold authority.
Princess Natalia, surprised by the sudden heavy atmosphere, stammered her voice, "Umm, maybe I should listen to her?" She spoke as she watched the woman embarrassedly retreat, her face flushed with shame and disappointment.
"Natalia, you're the Princess. If you keep agreeing to everyone, then you'll get tired as soon as you start your day." Little Man looked down at Natalia's face, still holding her close. "A princess has to choose her words carefully." He slightly squeezed her waist for emphasis.
"AH!" Princess Natalia suddenly realized that she was in his embrace, feeling the warmth of his hand on her waist. She quickly put some distance between them and glanced back, speaking embarrassedly, "Don't joke around Little Man, and don't lecture this princess! Humph!" She pouted in annoyance, her cheeks burning bright red.
"Haha, Little Man? I'm taller than you. In fact, much taller." Little Man brought his hand to his forehead and teased Princess Natalia by showing just how much she lacked in height compared to him, his grin widening.
"You're just way too tall! Don't compare others with you!" The second female friend spoke irritatedly as she pulled Natalia away protectively and went ahead.
"BLEEH!!" Princess Natalia sneakily stuck out her tongue at him, teasing him right back with a playful expression.
"Hehe, cute," Little Man smiled warmly, watching her go, his eyes soft with affection.
"Hey, hey, when are you going to propose to her?" The second male friend came and asked while walking beside him.
"Hmm, soon enough. And I hope she accepts it." Little Man smiled, his eyes never leaving Natalia's back as she moved through the crowd, her laughter ringing out like music.
"I'm sure she will. As far as I know, she doesn't have a boyfriend. You're the best man among her potential suitors. I'm sure she likes you too. Don't worry, I'm cheering for you!" The second male friend supported him enthusiastically, clapping him on the shoulder.
"Yes, she will, for sure!" Little Man smiled warmly, hope and determination burning in his chest.
.
.
"Hey, you two, behave and don't put yourselves in danger! And Mr. Dreak, please take care of our daughters!" Mother Veny and Mother Julia waved enthusiastically as the carriage flew away toward the underground entrance, leaving Fia, Maren, and one of the husbands behind.
Another carriage flew past as Big Guy shouted loudly, "Big sister, take care of yourself!" Mother Isafold also nodded firmly to her husband as they went inside the 5th Rock meeting zone.
Another carriage flew by as two other husbands made stupid faces at them and waved goodbye dramatically. The trio waved back with blank expressions, unsure how to react to the silliness.
"Ahm, my beautiful daughters! It'll take time for things to finish here, so why don't you guys relax somewhere?" One husband spoke cheerfully. "When Nat's time comes to visit the underground place, we'll move. Until then, just do whatever you want! I'll sneak in and eat some food while I'm here, haha! FREE FOOD, HERE I COOMMMEE!!" The husband, without wasting a single moment, got mixed into the Crown people and walked inside eagerly, practically bouncing with excitement.
Now the duo stood there blankly, watching all the people going in.
"Umm, why do I feel like I'm a beggar waiting for something?" Maren spoke dejectedly, her shoulders slumping.
"Well, you are a beggar," Fia taunted from the side, expressionless.
"I'm already rich because of you," Maren counter-attacked smoothly, flipping her hair.
"Maybe I should send you to the arena," Fia smirked, glancing at her sideways.
"GAH! I don't want to bully those poor people with my strength. You're enough for those little people! With your little strength!" Maren spoke with mock confidence, puffing out her chest proudly.
"Is that so? Then it's even better, right? We can easily win, then maybe get a chance to know more about the source, hehe." Fia laughed evilly, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
"UGGH! Don't send me there. They'll die just from seeing my cuteness! I can't have blood on my beautiful hands!" Maren teasingly came closer to her and showed her cute face dramatically, making exaggerated expressions with wide eyes and pouty lips.
Fia looked at her face and subconsciously found herself staring at Maren's lips. They were normal now, but she couldn't help but stare, remembering the carriage incident vividly. Maren suddenly felt something shift in the air as she stared at Fia's eyes. Both stood in one place for some seconds as Fia looked back at her, eye to eye, the world around them fading away into nothing.
Suddenly, both flinched and turned their faces away from each other, hearts racing wildly.
"GAA! Why are you staring at me like that!" Maren spoke embarrassedly and loudly, her voice cracking slightly.
"What do you mean, I stared? I was just thinking how to punch your stupid face, that's all!" Fia also spoke loudly, her usual calm demeanour vanishing as she put her arm across her face, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Whatever! Let's go. Don't stand here!" Maren huffed while her face turned red, and she walked ahead with Fia following behind. Both didn't speak as they went somewhere close by, near a public resting area to relax.
They sat inside a dome structure. There were similar structures like these surrounded by lush vegetation throughout the area.
"Sigghh, this place is quite good. Lots of effort must be taken into taking care of these plants," Maren sighed as she looked around while sitting cross-legged and admiring the nature around them.
"Hmm, true. Vegetation can't grow on top of the rock. Clearly a place worthy of rich people." Fia also nodded in agreement, taking in the carefully maintained gardens with appreciation.
They kept quiet for a while, the silence comfortable yet charged with unspoken tension. Fia stood up and stretched a little. "I'll exercise a bit and warm up before the fight," Fia spoke as she brought her hands up and stretched her body, her muscles flexing beneath her clothing.
Maren glanced at her, and her eyes couldn't help but stare at Fia's abdomen. Because of the stretching, her tight shirt got stuck to her abs and made a clear silhouette outside, showing every defined line and curve. Maren stared at her and gulped down hard, then moved her head away irritably. "I'll sleep. Don't disturb me." Maren positioned herself with her face toward the support wall and was about to lie down when Fia said something that made her freeze.
"Wait, how will you sleep? Your neck will get hurt there. Here, use my shirt for some support." Hearing this, Fia started undressing her shirt, pulling it over her head.
"Wait, wait! What if someone sees you?" Maren suddenly looked behind and saw Fia already removing her shirt. Underneath, she wore a full tank top sticking tightly to her body. Her firm breasts stood proudly, making a noticeable cleavage on the tank top, and the fabric clung to every curve of her toned torso.
"Hehe, don't worry! I have a tank top on underneath, and no one's here right now due to the meeting, so it's okay." Fia smiled as she offered her shirt casually, her movements relaxed and natural.
Maren looked at her, then grabbed the shirt. Her eyes subconsciously checked out Fia's ripped, strong biceps, the way the muscles moved as she handed over the fabric. She swiftly took the shirt and placed it on the stone sitting base, then lay down and closed her eyes. "Fine. Thank you. Do your thing. AND Don't disturb me!!!." Maren spoke while she positioned her face against the back support structure, her back turned to Fia's side.
Fia looked at Maren's back and smiled softly as she started exercising, moving through stretches and movements with practiced ease.
Maren slowly opened her eyes and glanced down at the shirt beneath her head. She slowly moved her head down and sniffed it a little, breathing in Fia's scent deeply.
"It stinks, you bitch," Maren muttered irritatedly, but still smiled as she drifted into sleep, the warmth of Fia's shirt and her presence nearby making her feel strangely safe and content.
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END OF CHAPTER
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Author Blabbering
siggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....it happened!! My free Grok just went Money mode. Everyone knew this day would come as nothing is free in this world but I will Miss creating chapter images. Maybe someday I will take it's subscription but right now I can't do anything. There are some places where I can generate good images but Grok was the best in terms of ease and quality so yeah.....
So bye bye my AI slop images this author will miss you , sniff sniff.
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