The Elemental Sword Demon King
Episode 239: Rival of Childhood Friends
The aura is indifferent to socially controlled adult interactions. His emerald green eyes were staring right behind Duke Lionstein.
Ponytail like a bobbing animal tail. The girl in white seemed to curl up behind the duke.
(What's wrong with him?)
The aura sharpened his gaze and the girl shrank even more. He's like a little rabbit.
(He was not as expected of a daughter of a high noble family.) Aura judged him like that at their first meeting.
"Victoria, greet Fredin Neidfrost and Miss Aura."
"D-dad!?" The girl widened her ruby eyes and panicked.
"U-umm, that, me..."
"Victoria, relax."
"D-yes."
Victoria took a deep breath and she gripped the end of her skirt and lowered her head, "I am the second daughter of the Li-Lionstein family, Victoria Lionstein."
"Haha, sweet princess."
"No, it's quite a shame that she has a deadly fear of strangers." Duke Lionstein shook his head with a wry smile.
Aura mercilessly observed the girl in front of him. Red ponytail tied behind the tip of his head. Ruby's eyes peeked out. That white dress perfectly matched her slender body.
(She's amazingly beautiful, that's undeniable. But beyond that, he's not very attractive.)
That was Aura's honest thinking.
(I hope a little because he is a family member of the famous «Queen Api».)
Aura had already lost interest in Victoria.
"In hindsight, where is your other daughter?" Fredin Neidfrost voiced his question.
"I'm sorry. He fainted from offering the ritual to the earth spirit. After the great ritual, he always slept for three days."
"Your daughter has been entrusted with the earth spirit ritual?" Fredin Neidfrost spoke in surprise and Aura also widened her emerald eyes.
There should only be a three-year age difference between her and the eldest daughter of the Lionstein household, Monica Lionstein.
As expected, it was shocking that the earth spirit ritual was handed over to someone who was only nine years old.
"It appears that my eldest daughter has potential as Queen. I plan to put it in «Divine Obsession» Ritual next year."
"Ohh, «Divine Ritual Obsession». That's pretty big."
The Lionstein family has a history in producing many «Queens of Api». The eldest daughter may become the future Queen candidate.
(Sister Monica is amazing. Very different from his sister.)
The little sister smiled slightly, probably because she was glad that her brother was being praised.
"Then, Fredin Neidfrost, let's discuss the ritual this time in the upper living room."
"Yes. Aura, you're playing with Miss Victoria."
"Eh? Wh-dad!?" The aura showed a rare confused condition.
(I have to play with him? This is no joke!)
"U-umm..." Victoria was confused too.
"Aura, you're an honorable noble, so you can't shirk your responsibilities. Now, let's go, Duke Lionstein."
"That-can't be! Dad..."
As if cutting Aura's plea, the door was ruthlessly closed.
****
POV: Kirigaya Kaizo
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"Umm, wait. Just a minute." Kaizo placed the tea cup on the table with a clack sound and interrupted Aura's story.
"What's that?" He knitted his brows, seemingly dissatisfied that his story was cut.
"No, well, is that really Victoria?" Kaizo asked with a half-believing, half-disbelieving expression. What she's heard so far doesn't sound like Victoria at all right now.
(Instead, it's like a completely different person.)
"That sounds unbelievable, but that's the truth. That girl used to be shy and submissive."
"Me, is that it?"
(Well, even now she has some areas that resemble fear of strangers and she also knows she has soft and feminine points. Even so, I know if he.).
"Can I continue?" Aura cleared her throat.
"D-yes." Kaizo nodded while still confused.
****
_____________________________________
When Duke Lionstein and Fredin Neidfrost came out of the guest room, already a few minutes had passed. Victoria hid behind the curtains and seemed to be observing the mood of Aura twirling her hair with her finger.
(Haaa, I'm bored.)
Although Aura was nearing her limit, not much time passed should have been.
"Hey, Victoria?"
"Eh?" Victoria's shoulders trembled as if frightened as Aura called out to her.
"I'm your honored guest. Can you at least get me some black tea?"
"Gee! Y-yeah!" Victoria nodded and hurriedly brought back the teapot. Inside the teapot was a small fragment of fire spirit crystal that warmed him up.
"Ohh, you used a pretty good tea leaf." Aura voiced her praise honestly and Victoria smiled happily.
"Yes, we used the best black tea because there were guests coming."
Aura looked at Victoria as she was jolted by something she remembered in her mind.
"Ahh, we also have a snack. So delicious!" Saying that, Victoria ran away and came back with a plate of cake from somewhere.
"seems delicious. Did you make it?"
"No, it's the souvenirs that you bought in the capital. I really like snacks there."
"Hmmm..."
Aura elegantly took the cake with her fingertips and placed it in her mouth.
"This taste is pretty good. I like it."
"I'm happy." Victoria was relieved because she was nervous.
While Aura was sipping black tea, she looked around the living room. As expected of the leading imperial family, the interior design was outstanding. The taste of the furniture is also good. Unfortunately, however, nothing can take away his boredom.
"Haa, I'm bored." Holding his head on the table, he sighed.
"U-umm..." Victoria started muttering as if trying to say something.
"What's wrong? If you're a noble's daughter, say clearly what you want."
"U-umm..." Victoria repeatedly opened her mouth and sighed as if she had decided on something.
"I, I have a doll!"
"Dollies?"
"Y-yeah, I'll take them now!" Victoria nodded happily and ran out of the room.
"What?"
Staring blankly, she waited and finally, Victoria returned with both of her arms stuffed with toy dolls. All are beautiful cat dolls.
"This. Choose a cat you like." Victoria lined the cat doll on the carpet, and she pushed a soft red cat into the bewildered Aura.
"I'll lend you this. This is my favorite cat."
"His, nya♪"
"His?"
In an annoyed tone, Aura threw away the cat doll, "Are you making fun of me?"
"Eh?"
"Something childish like playing a doll, there's no way I'm doing it!"
"Sorry." Victoria once again became pouting.
(I, I might be a little too hard right now.)
Being shown such a sad expression, he clearly felt bad. Aura cleared her throat and said agitatedly, "Other than a puppet, is there anything else that can dispel my boredom?"
"Y-yeah, umm, then is it okay with story books?"
"Tale book?" Aura asked without thinking.
"Are you, by any chance, reading a book?"
"Yes, Brother Monica taught me how!" While saying that, Victoria ran away again and this time came back with a stack of books.
...
*Connected.....
*Note: This story is fictitious. If there is a similarity in the name of the character, the scene, or the story, it is a mere coincidence and there is no element of intentionality.