When we entered the throne room, I saw Duke Oswald sitting on his throne with two beautiful women standing next to him.
Garmal, his...son...was sending nearby and talking to...Princess Cassandra...?
She looked both annoyed and disgusted at Garmal.
I mean, I would be as well if the equivalent of an obese frogman decided to continuously bother and harass me.
The Duke noticed us immediately and waved us over.
"Ah, you must be Mizik Iratus...and I see Cain also allowed your father to come as well. That's fine..." Duke Oswald said.
Suddenly, Princess Cassandra looked over at me and my eyes locked with hers.
Her expression went from utter disgust to one of pure joy as she looked at me.
Then she composed herself and strengthened her posture.
What was that...? Why did she look at me like that...?
{I have a theORy...}
The message only brought more questions as I approached Duke Oswald.
Suddenly, I realized that I was staring and looked away from Princess Cassandra.
Although...she didn't seem bothered by my gaze...
Stupid...don't stare! That's rude! That is a Princess!
"Umm...Princess Cassandra? Were you listening to me?" Garmal asked her.
"Please do not speak to me further, Garmal. I'm not interested in you or your advances," Princess Cassandra said coldly.
"Ah...I-"
"That's enough, Garmal. Do not embarrass me further in front of her Majesty!" Duke Oswald said angrily.
Garmal glared at me and walked away.
"Greetings...Mizik Iratus... Seriously, I can't believe your father up and had a child here. As if he wasn't already enough of a problem on his own... Now there are two of you...ugh..." Duke Oswald said.
Ulysses bowed to his knee and I followed.
"Although we have the same title of nobility, I wish to show my respect to you for letting me live here, Duke Oswald. And please know that my son shall not trouble you," Ulysses said.
I remained silent.
"He already has. For some reason, the beautiful Princess Cassandra wants to speak to Mizik instead of my beloved son Garmal. Can you believe that? Your son is the filthy spawn of Kalsa! And you dare to-"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!!! HOW DARE YOU SPEAK OF HIM IN SUCH A WAY!!!" Princess Cassandra shouted in rage.
Duke Oswald looked at her in surprise.
"You will leave this throne room NOW! I wish to speak to Mizik without your meddling!" Princess Cassandra said.
"Ah...f-fine...your Majesty..." Duke Oswald said.
I could see him shaking with rage as he stood up and walked away. He was followed by the two women that stood next to him.
"Ah...sorry about that! I really didn't want to use that tone with you around, darli...I mean, Sir Mizik. Please forgive my outburst!" Princess Cassandra said.
She approached me and gracefully bowed her head.
Princess Cassandra looked genuinely sorrowful.
Seeing such a beautiful woman bow her head to me...and a Princess no less...
I couldn't help but blush and feel bad at the same time. I wanted to tell her not to do that, but the messages started up again.
{WhAt? WhY iS sHe AcTiNg InNoCeNt!?}
{DeMoN wHoRe!!!}
{TheorY proVEN... I CaUght thAT...}
"Oh, please stand, won't you? I would prefer to speak with you face to face, Sir Mizik! You did come all this way to speak with me... It would be such a delight to hear your voice!" Princess Cassandra said.
I could feel my heart beginning to beat faster as she looked directly at me and smiled sweetly.
"Excuse me, your Majesty... Is there something you want with my son?" Ulysses asked.
"You must be Sir Ulysses! It's such a pleasure to meet the man who raised Mizik!" Cassandra said as she turned to face my father.
"I...see..." Ulysses said as he stood up.
I also stood up and saw Princess Cassandra glance at me. She immediately looked away and turned her gaze back to my father.
"Well, it is a delight to meet the kind and beautiful Princess of Albatross. It's an honor to stand before you, your Majesty," Ulysses said.
I could tell he was watching her. After all, she hadn't answered his question.
"You flatter me, Sir Ulysses. I am only the Second Princess... Alas, it is my sister who will take the throne. I am somewhat forgotten. But I still hold great power within Albatross."
"But of course, your Majesty. Now once again may I ask, what do you need from my son?" Ulysses said.
Princess Cassandra smiled at him.
"There is one thing... I will speak with you over there. I do not wish for Mizik to overhear yet..." Princess Cassandra said.
"Really...? It isn't bad, is it?" Ulysses said suspiciously.
Princess Cassandra seemed to realize something in his tone and bowed her head again.
"My deepest apologies! I mean you no harm! I assure you! It's just...embarrassing to say so soon..." Princess Cassandra said.
She was fidgeting for some reason.
Suddenly my father looked at me curiously. I shrugged, and he turned his gaze back to the Princess.
Why is she acting so strangely?
"Very well, I'll come with you. Mizik, stay here," he said.
"Understood. I'll wait," I said.
When I spoke, Princess Cassandra made a slight noise.
"Hnn..."
Hey...she's pretty weird for a Princess... The messages make it seem like she's evil, but...she's really nice.
I watched as the two of them talked for a few minutes. Suddenly, my father's eyes went wide and he smiled. He glanced at me and nodded.
Then he flashed me a thumbs up.
Should I be worried...?
When they had finished talking, they returned and my dad put his arm over my shoulder.
"You're a lucky man, Mizik. I'll meet you at the border as soon as I can. Don't worry, I'll tell everyone at the inn where you're going. Good luck!" Ulysses said.
"Wait...am I going somewhere?" I asked.
Suddenly, I felt a shadow come over me as I turned my head and saw Princess Cassandra standing close and smiling.
My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.
Ulysses let go of me and stepped back.
"It is...so nice to see you...Mizik..." Princess Cassandra said.
For some reason I got the impression that she was holding back tears. But she took a deep breath and hugged me.
"Ah...umm...P-princess!? I mean...y-your Majesty!?" I stammered.
She was pushing her chest against me. I couldn't think straight.
Then Princess Cassandra moved her mouth to my ear and whispered.
"Please, just call me Cassandra. I love it when you use my name..." She said.
I felt my face heat up as she pulled back and looked into my eyes. I looked away and she giggled.
Wh-what is with this girl!? She's a Princess! A PRINCESS!!! She's drop-dead gorgeous and way out of my league! Why is she acting like she has a crush on me!?!? Girls in Lorelei always ignore me! Why is the Princess of all people treating me like this!?
"Like I said, you're a lucky guy, Mizik. I'll see you later. We'll meet at the border after...well...yeah. Just send a letter every now and then!" Ulysses said.
He smiled and flashed me another thumbs up, then immediately left.
Wait... Don't leave me! Please don't go! I don't know how to talk to girls!!! ESPECIALLY THIS ONE!!!
I looked up to Cassandra, who was slightly taller than I was and her face turned red.
"L-let's...go to my carriage. W-we have a long trip ahead of us!" She said.
Then she took my hand and pulled me along with her.
I couldn't resist. Not at all...
She was so much stronger than I thought she'd be... Her hand was gently, yet very firmly attached to mine.
Soon, we got out of the castle and my father was nowhere in sight.
I felt like I was being kidnapped as Cassandra pulled me into the carriage. She sat me down away from the door and gently closed it behind us. Then she locked it.
Internally, I was panicking.
Yes, she was really nice and incredibly beautiful...but I didn't know anything about her!
Princess Cassandra tapped something at the front of the carriage and soon, it began to move...
I was still freezing cold and crossed my arms to warm up.
Then I looked over and almost bumped into her...
Her face was say too close to mine and I moved back.
I was already feeling nervous around her and the messages didn't help, either...
She was breathing heavily as she gazed into my eyes.
"You're so cute!" She said adoringly.
I backed away and she leaned forward slightly.
Even with the coat on...I could tell that she was definitely well endowed...
"Hmm...? Are you admiring me, Mizik? Please do! You can look at me as much as you want~!" Cassandra said.
I realized that I had been staring at her chest and quickly looked away.
"I...I am so sorry... I didn't mean to..."
Cassandra puffed her chest out slightly.
"I don't mind at all! Truly! The fact that you're interested makes me so happy! Please...stare as much as you want!" Cassandra said.
{We'Re GoInG tO dIe...}
{ThE dUnGeOn AwAiTs...}
{I lOvE yOu!!!}
{You caN tRust hER. DoN'T LeavE HEr Side.}
"Hmmm? Are you reading something?" She asked.
"Ah...umm..."
{TeLL hER.}
"Uhh...look... I have these m-messages... That tell me about things... They umm...say stuff about you..." I said.
She seemed to comprehend for a moment and sat up straight.
"What do they say?" She asked.
"We're going to die....the dungeon awaits....I love you...and you can trust her. Don't leave her side," I said.
She smiled to herself.
"Ignore the first two. Listen to the fourth message... And...umm...the third...i-if that's okay..." She said.
"Hey...Cassandra? What do you want with me?" I asked.
I have to know. A Princess doesn't just act like that to someone and abduct them for no reason...
"Oh...well, you see... I...I want to marry you!" Cassandra said as her face flushed deep red again.
MARRY ME!? WHAT!?
"Haaaah....I said it! I confessed!!! Kyaaa! I love you, Mizik! W-will you...accept me...?" She asked.
She looked almost ready to cry.
"I-I...think this is moving a bit...fast..." I said.
"You don't like me...?" She said.
She looked genuinely hurt by my words.
Seeing her cry was more likely the second...
"No no no! That's not it at all! I just... I don't know you very well is all! You're really...umm...pretty...and nice too..." I said.
I couldn't stop staring at her.
Why did it seem like she got more beautiful by the second!?
She almost seemed to shimmer in the dim light of the carriage.
Why can't I tear my eyes away from her!?
"Oh...so you want to get closer, first?" She asked.
A way out. Yes...finally! I'll take what I can get!
"Yeah! We can just get closer... Then, once we get to know each other better, I don't think I'll be so opposed to the idea... N-not that I'm opposed! Haha...wow, it's really cold in here, isn't it!?" I said.
I wanted to change the subject so badly...
But then...
She suddenly undid the front of her coat and lunged at me.
She grabbed my arm and pulled me against her, then wrapped me in her coat.
This is where I die. This woman is actually going to give me a heart attack...
{STOP GOOFING OFF, DAMMIT!!! HElp mE!!!}
I couldn't tell who the message was for. Me or her. I couldn't think straight as she lovingly held me against her chest. She smelled so nice...and the fabric of her dress was so soft...
I could hear my own heart beating hard as she pressed me against her.
"Hnnn!!! You're so cuuuute!!! Sure! We can be closer! I'll keep you warm and safe. My coat is enchanted to keep whoever is inside it nice and warm. You can trust me, Mizik! You look tired! You haven't been sleeping well lately, have you?" Cassandra said happily.
"H-how...did you know!?"
"Haah...darling, I've been staring at you so much that I noticed the dark circles under your eyes. You need rest, Mizik! Please, sleep as much as you like on my chest! Let your worries fade away!"
Then I received a party invite from her.
I reluctantly accepted it and saw that...
She was level 100.
Princess Cassandra was a higher level than my father.
By the gods... Who the hell is this woman!?
"See? I'm level 100! I can protect you really well! I won't ever leave your side, Mizik! My...darling Mizik... I'm so glad...so glad that you're safe..." She said.
Then...she rested her head on mine and started silently weeping.
I didn't know what to say, but...
I felt myself drifting off.
Since I didn't get enough sleep last night, I was already tired. And it was just so warm inside her coat...
It was so soft and comforting. I had a familiar feeling of security that I didn't recognize as well.
Gradually, my heartbeat slowed and I felt my eyelids grow heavy.
Parts of me felt overwhelming terror and anger at this girl, but...
Why?
She was really sweet.
Her touch was gentle as she stroked my hair...
There were a few faint parts that knew for a fact that they loved her. And I could tell without a doubt that I trusted her.
Not long after I had these thoughts, I actually began to calm down, surprisingly. When I thought about it rationally, it wasn't so bad. Although any moment, I believed I might wake up...
Regardless, instead of waking up, I calmed down enough to actually fall asleep in her arms.
* * *
Since Leiso and I had fallen in love, we sort of got married in one of the camps.
The war against Nexus was going very well. We had obliterated many of their military bases.
And by we, I mean all of us.
The Enforcers split up for the most part, but we remained in teams of two and three. Carlos went with Michael, Gavin went with Dante and Jallah.
Jallah was still recovering from being part of the Abyss Engine and Iris was keeping an eye on him.
Soon, we made it to Central...
I felt happy that I had finally found love after losing Isabella. I still didn't feel like I would ever get over it, though.
We fought as hard as we could...but my power wasn't enough...
Draiko...the newest Overlord with the Ultra Aspect of the Vampire...
He killed Leiso right before my eyes when he lunged at Iris. She just...instinctively protected Iris. It was part of our job, so I couldn't fault her.
Even after I killed Draiko in my rage, Novak appeared.
Currently...I lay on the ground broken again... My heart was shattered when Leiso lost her life...
My will to fight simply vanished...
Why did I have to suffer so much?
I had come so far only to be reminded of how much of a failure I was...
And as Novak stood over me with his flaming whip in hand, he glared at me.
"You ruined everything... You damn Warmage!" He growled.
"..."
I couldn't speak... He had used his power to take over my body.
If you're going to kill me, just do it... I don't care anymore.
As Novak raised his whip, I remembered the short time I had spent with my wife, Leiso.
Despite being so terrifying, she was really gentle. Very loving, protecting, and highly respectful.
The nights we spent together in our camps were some of the most comforting I'd ever had.
I was already looking forward to being reunited with her.
{JuSt EnD iT...}
Novak swung his whip down and I never felt the impact.
{BaCk To LoReLeI...}
My consciousness faded, and I felt myself floating.
[Heartbreak is something you truly must learn to overcome. Do not give up simply because your loved ones die. Use their sacrifice! Use them to fuel your rage and lethality! Now forget who you are... Let go of your memories and return to the place where it begins.]