Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 14: Turning Point, Part 2
...—Nevada, Vermillion Empire—...
As Lilithia exited the throne room after talking to Nueva, her eyes met a gaze with Kanna's exotic blue bead that exuded worry. Lilithia had never seen such an expression on the princess's face before, but she was too apathetic to ask. Whatever it is that worries Kanna, it's none of her business.
“Commander Lilithia, shouldn't you be at Etharna with Xavier?” kanna asked with a frowning forehead.
“I just told Nueva about Vermyna's presence there. That's important to know. Now I'll go back there.”
“Vermyna come there? It's an unexpected situation. So, how's Xavier? Vermyna was too strong for her to handle.”
Lilithia raised her shoulders. “Vermyna had no intention of attacking Xavier; she came to save the devil from dying at Xavier's hands, then left.”
“...So? Alright. I'll ask you more when Xavier comes back. Now go back to Etharna, I want you to finish your business there quickly.”
Lilithia's eyes sharpened at the words of the command, but she did not let out a word. The First Commander only snorted and passed through Kanna. Then a mirror manifested before her, Lilithia entered it wordlessly.
Seeing the first commander disappear with his mirror from the tail of his eyes, Kanna immediately entered the throne room whose door was still slightly open. His eyes immediately stared at the emperor's red eyes. Although it was as red as Xavier's eyes, the luminous setting given was different.
“You look worried,” said Nueva with a slow volume, but it sounded clear in Kanna's ears.
“Just the messenger soldier Commander Zenith reported that the palace where Artemys lived was attacked,” Kanna said along with her footsteps. “All the workers there have been killed, but the bodies of Jenny and Artemys have not been found. Most likely they were taken away. The only meaningful trace found was an image of the flag of Emiliel Holy Kingdom made with blood there.”
“It was alarming,” Nueva's response was just as Kanna stopped a step ahead of the staircase separating the floor area and stop by. Despite saying alarmingly, Nueva's expression was as flat as her voice. “Lantas, why are you here? I've allowed you to do what you feel is necessary.”
Kanna refrained from frowning. That's a shitty response. At the very least, Kanna expected to hear a slight tone of worry. Artemys is her oldest daughter!
“I want to hear Dad's opinion,” Kanna's response without showing her emotions. “There is a possibility that this is the Holy Kingdom, but the chance of a third party is greater. It did not rule out this possibility of the Vampire Kingdom wanting to complain. Nor is it impossible that there is an unexpected force that we assume is responsible.”
“You've heard Achilles' opinion?” nueva asked, her voice still monotonous.
“But,” geleng Kanna. “Possibly soon I'll hear it.”
“Then, wait to hear from him. If Achilles also did not know the culprit, there was no need to do anything. If Artemys does not return with his servant any time soon, Xavier will meet me and ask permission to leave. Nothing you need to worry about.”
This time Kanna did not hide the wrinkles on the forehead. “Daddy just said that Xavier knew what was going on, when he was in Etharna?”
“Kanna.” This time the emotions were tucked away in Nueva's voice. “If you want Xavier to be your companion, you have to move fast. As your father, I totally agree that you chose Xavier. However, if you linger, Artemys will corner you. You certainly realize their closeness, don't you?”
“Just because I rarely show concern for my children, does not mean I do not follow their development.” Nueva continued before Kanna could make a sound. “Achilles tried to find out my secret, he also tried to persuade you to support him. Verissinia lately has become a little gentle in nature. And Artemys.I assume she has a romantic relationship with Xavier. You can prove my point. Xavier will meet me and ask for permission to find Artemys.”
“I-This is not the time to talk about it,” said Kanna trying to straighten out the conversation. “How can Xavier find out the location of Artemys? What if Artemys has already died?”
“...You have changed a lot compared to the past,” Nueva comments suddenly, but quickly she shook her head. “I want to continue to enjoy the calm,” he said, and without waiting for him immediately closed both eyes.
Kanna grinding her teeth. It was a form of indirect expulsion from Nueva. No matter what he said now, his father would not respond. And the emperor really expected himself to leave this room.
Sighing deeply, Kanna decided to turn around and step away ‒ she would only waste time if she were here. I'd better try to track his whereabouts, his mind when he comes out of the room.
...—Etharna, Favilifna Kingdom—...
Xavier who was looking through the books in the palace library spontaneously turned his eyes when the door of the room opened. Lilithia. The woman opened the door without knocking. However, since she had been here, it meant that Elmira and the others had already known of Lilithia's arrival.
“You're back quickly,” Xavier's comments soberly, re-exposing his gaze to the books.
“Kanna wants us to speed things up here,” Lilithia said in her step into the perpus—she walked straight to where Xavier was standing. “That means we can't wait for them to attack. We destroy the Knights Templar as soon as they enter the territory of Favilifna.”
Once again Xavier's attention moved away from the books. “I strongly approve of that,” her response, looking intensely at Lilithia who was already a step beside her. “I want to quickly finish the business here. Kanna's request was very helpful. Ah, first I have to tell Elmira first. He has his own plan, not good if we bertin—”
Xavier's words spontaneously came to a halt when suddenly Lilithia was already hugging him tightly.
“This is unfair,” muttered the woman. “Why are you impressed to keep your distance from me?”
…Xavier fell silent, his expression clearly showing incomprehension.
“I want to be upset, want to be angry. But every time I see your face, I can't. Why can't I be angry? Why can't I ignore you? Why am I not glad you're acting that way to me?”
Xavier lost the word. This isn't good. He could not say that he did not want to make Artemys unhappy; he could not say that he had done something that Artemys— should not have done that had worked. Nor did he want to say that he had no interest in Lilithia as Lilithia had in him.
It is very difficult not to hurt a woman, especially when she is surrounded by women.
“If you don't hug me back, I will destroy this place,” threatened Lilithia in her whisper. “I don't care the consequences.”
Xavier sighed. If he hadn't remembered his mother's incisive delicacy when he didn't ignore Monica, Xavier's hand wouldn't have followed Lilithia's threat.
…As Xavier's hand returned the hug, an angry shout rang out in another room in the same palace. But Xavier didn't listen to that. Only Miera was comforted to hear the slobbery coming out of Elmira—'s mouth that had secretly peeked at Xavier's activity with her crystal ball.