"Ahh…that feels nice." (Mizuki)
I can't help but voice my feelings as I slip into the bath at our room back in Elmesia. After we parted ways with Dargo, Nina was quite intent to spend the next hour in her royal guest room together.
Since I'm meeting the Queen again tonight, I figured that I should clean up, but my guest room had no bath. So, I left Nina napping and came back here.
I think that when I get back to Avalon, I'll collect Alto and visit Ilina. Maybe we can locate the royal palace library and start some reading.
Eventually, I climb out of the bath and head to the wardrobe in the room. I've recently picked up a few nicer clothes, remembering how Ilina thought I looked too poor to stay here.
My standard white tunic and brown trousers probably wouldn't fly for tonight with the Queen. Instead, I now have several silk short-sleeved shirts and leather pants. They're comfortable enough for everyday wear, but nice enough that I don't look like a peasant.
I don my nice clothes, and I put all my weapons and other clothes in my item box. Then, I teleport back to my room in Avalon.
I walk over to Alto's room and knock. After a moment, Zara answers the door with a look of surprise. They decided to room together after all, I guess.
"Mizuki? What is it?" (Zara)
"Nothing urgent, I promise. I was going to see if Alto wanted to accompany me to the palace library." (Mizuki)
As I say this, I hear scuffling inside the room and a wide-eyed Alto comes running up behind Zara.
"You mean it, Mizuki!? Right now?" (Alto)
"Fufufufu…yes, Alto. My policy of never lying to you is permanently in effect. Also, Zara, we were going to try finding Ilina first, so you could come with us and try asking Klaus about sword training, if you want?" (Mizuki)
Zara nods vigorously. Then, we all take off together.
I use magic sense to locate Ilina's obnoxious power level, and I start navigating us to her through the hallways. After a few minutes, we arrive at a door with Klaus standing outside it. Seeing us approach, he waves and smiles nervously.
"Hi, Mizuki, should I be concerned or happy to see you?" (Klaus)
"Probably both…you've heard of nervous excitement, right? Anyways, we wanted to investigate some things, so we came to Ilina as Her Highness suggested." (Mizuki)
Klaus nods and knocks on the door behind him. After a moment, Ilina emerges in a dark grey dress like her mother's from earlier. Common royal attire, maybe?
"Hello, Mizuki, is there something I can do for you?" (Ilina)
Ilina addresses me politely, with raised eyebrows. Oh, right…we're doing the barely acquaintances schtick. I can at least have some fun with it.
I give her a deep bow.
"Good afternoon, Princess Ilina, it is good to see you again. You honor me with your courteous inquiry. As it happens, we had a couple of requests on behalf of Lady Nedonera, if we could trouble you for such assistance?" (Mizuki)
As I rise from my bow, I can see Ilina glaring at me with an annoyed expression, and Klaus is trying desperately to suppress his laughter. I hear Alto faintly chuckling next to me as well.
[Hey now, don't get mad at me! You said to pretend we weren't friends! How else would you expect me to treat you, wise and beautiful Second Princess Ilina Ophelle of the Elven Kingdom?] (Mizuki)
Ilina's face looks even more annoyed after my thought message, then conflicted, and then she closes her eyes and sighs deeply.
"Of course, what requests would you make of me, Mizuki? Also, I give you permission to refer to me as Ilina when it's just gatherings like this." (Ilina)
"Well, the first request was about whether there was a palace library that we could use? I'd like to do some research on the histories of the demons and the elves. Regarding my address of you, Princess Ilina, I'm not so sure I am worthy of such familiarity. Sir Klaus, do you think me dropping the princess's honorifics would be appropriate, given my station?" (Mizuki)
Klaus stares straight forward as he responds, with his face reddening from the strain of trying not to laugh.
"Nay, Sir Mizuki, it would not be appropriate. I believe you've chosen the correct course of action on this matter." (Klaus)
Ilina chooses to ignore us.
"That should be fine – I can take you there shortly. What was the other request?" (Ilina)
"Well, Zara here was hoping to learn better short sword technique from an actual sword master. Bringing knowledge about weapon use into the wolf-kin and other demi-human tribes is important to her. We were wondering if Klaus would be available for something like that?" (Mizuki)
Klaus gets all serious now.
"Oh, sorry Mizuki, but I-" (Klaus)
Ilina cuts him off.
"I think that's a wonderful idea! Why, just a few moments ago I was ruminating on how Klaus should be somewhere else entirely. Klaus, I order you to comply with their request. I'll get another guard to take over your duties while you're away." (Ilina)
Klaus nods dejectedly. Somehow, I doubt he regrets teasing her though.
"Wonderful, we gratefully accept your assistance with this matter, Princess Ilina. Please lead the way, we'll be in your care." (Mizuki)
I swear that I hear Ilina mutter a not very princess-like word under her breath at me, but then she smiles and gestures for us to follow her. So, I guess I imagined it.