A Spirit's Destination

2. Say what?!

"Ah, Ah!", The old man sighed as he scurried on towards us, "Thank goodness you are here", he sounded a lot worried than he should've, "Please stop running off wherever you want.

"Well I-"

"I can go off whenever and wherever I want, it's of no business to you, Kikotei"

So that question wasn't directed at me, god more embarrassment.

The girl sounded a lot more dignified.

I quietly scooted off towards the group but the old man grabbed my wrist suddenly. What's with him?

"Do you realize who she is?"

No. And I dont really care.

Short recap of what happened here is that I got separated from my group and got lost so I started running off in a random direction (I know I'm dumb), when I crash into this girl who pesteringly hangs onto my arm 'commanding' me to apologise to her properly. The capital is just a lot of trouble.

"She's the damn princess and her life is more precious than you, insect"

So I've been dragging the princess of this kingdom around all this time...

I'VE BEEN DRAGGING THE PRINCESS AROUND ALL. THIS. TIME????

I'm definitely getting the death penalty.

"Wh-w-what?"

"Akemi Sylvestia, the genius princess, and the god damn heir to the ROYAL THRONE"

WHY DID NOBODY TELL ME.

I started sweating heavily.

My mind went blank.

The old man bowed down and made me bow down as well as deep as he could in front of the princess.

"I a-apologise milady"

Those were the only words i could sputter out.

I was trembling in fear. Even such a petty act such as making the princess follow you can result in a multitude of consequences.

For you, it might not seem much authority, but the Kingdom of Sylvestia is so huge that it extends over 7 different Island countries, each named after gemstones.

Where we were, is the Diamond island, where the capital is.

My village, Mazashi wasn't near the capital, but it was still close enough to reach in 2 whole week by bullock carts.

Now I didn't have much interest in geography, nor do i plan to have, but this much knowledge is quite nessesary to have in this era.

Given the king's authority, the princess' authority would be not much lesser.

"Milady, give me the punishment in place of this naïve boy"

Wh-what! Wait, no it's for the better.

His days are already numbered.

"...You're being let off, but this is the final time"

Her voice sounded a bit shaky.

You're being too lenient, princess, at least give a couple of whips.

Wait, if she's really the princess, what was she doing outside the castle, out in the streets.

Better not ask now.

We both thanked the princess for her 'kindness' and got up.

I didn't see her face until now because my head was touching the ground.

Her eyes were looking somewhere else and seemed a bit embarrassed.

Maybe it was her first time giving orders? Nah I'm too dumb to figure it out.

Anyways I shouldn't use my brain much

The old man dragged me to the rest of the group, where the other boys didn't even mock me. For a matter of fact, they didn't even talk to me the entire journey.

It's sort of fine, I'm used to it.

Well they all are commoners or nobles, nobody wants to mingle with a mere peasant right?

The huge gate opened, revealing, yet another gate, can't have less security these days.

The huge castle courtyard was filled with fountains and beautiful gardens.

Can't have less decoration either.

We walked through, the princess in tow behind us, with royal guards escorting us.

Finally I felt that I was of some importance.

We were led in through the main entrance to the audience hall.

It. Was. Amazing.

Important people were sitting high on either side of the huge hall, chairs and pillars coated with gold.

Or maybe they are just made out of gold.

The King was wearing jewellery and clothing probably worth more than our entire village.

His throne was jacked out with sparkling diamonds and gold. Maybe I'll just sand off a bit of that when no one's around. They should have sandpaper around here.

"Long live the King", the old man and the other children bowed down, and so did I.

"Have you finished recruiting the spirit hosts from Diamond Island?"

The king's voice was like a typical king. Dignified and glorious.

"Yes, your majesty", he scooted over to the side exposing us to the golden eyes of the king.

It was hard to keep my head down, so much gold, if I could just get my hand on just one chair here, we could probably build a well close to the village or maybe build a proper infirmary.

The king was examining us as if we were specimens of an experiment, wait, we probably are. Well, as I said, too late now.

"Very well, for now, take them to the rest houses and wait for my further orders"

"Very well, your majesty", the old man bowed down a bit more then finally got up and started walking while we followed.

We exited the audience hall and entered the corridor. It was complete marble, not the cheap kind either, it was like walking on clouds.

I was too fascinated by my surroundings and I didn't notice the princess going up behind me in the audience hall towards her dad, the king and saying something in his ear.

Wait did she lie earlier, is she really gonna execute me?

Ah guess I'm dead.

If luck allows let me have the guillotine please. Seems like the quickest death.

Wait but I have protagonist plot armor, nothing's gonna happen to me...
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right?