Without You, The Beginning of Magic {Magical AU}

Chapter 16: Shattering (Part 3)

I walked, but only enough for him to announce the rest of them. "Announcing her squad. The adamantine adventures, Lial, Sylvar, Kytrose, and Fiara. Along with the platinum adventurers Mikeal and Minori." I looked behind me to see their nervousness before smiling and making our way down. They announced the rest at once again, which was upsetting, but there was nothing I could do about it.

I blinked as Gengi blocked me as I was soon surrounded while the others were pushed to the sidelines. I half laughed, but flinched as I saw Eustass walking up. "Greetings to the light of our kingdom, Princess Lyda." I simply nodded and turned as Luffy ran up, "Iri!" I smiled as he offered his hand, "Let's go." I smiled softly, but turned and curtsied to them, "Excuse me, but I have many people to greet." I then walked with him as he led me to the table where everyone was eating and the others were avoiding.

He plopped in a seat next to Minori, "So you're Iri's friends, right?" He grinned, "That means you're mine too now, ok?" I began laughing as they gaped, but I turned as I saw a few ladies talking with Nami and Nojiko. I walked up as I saw them flushed red and embarrassed. "Excuse me, but what's the issue?" It was a redhead woman with fiery red eyes, "These insolent fools dared to get in my way. I was simply putting them in their place." I looked her up and down before laughing, "I apologize, but their place is by my side as they're my friends. If you have a problem with them, I suggest you bring it to me. Roseland-sama."

My eyebrow twitched as she smirked, "At least you know your place." My eyes glowed, but I began laughing, catching other attention. "Roseland-sama you're too much! There's no way you're saying you're above me in my own country at my welcoming home party!" I looked up glaring, but smiling, "There's no way you would say something that could spark a war. I find it funny, but I suggest you leave that humor outside."

I leaned closer at her flushed red face, "Roseland-sama... I think it'd be best for you to rest now. You don't look too well." I motioned for a guard, "Please take Princess Roseland to a drawing room to rest." I looked up as a man walked up that looked just like her, but I flinched as he smiled, "Please don't be so upset princess. It's not healthy for you to fight with your future sister-in-law."

My eyes flashed and shined with anger, but I simply laughed, "Looks like the Roseland family is full of jokes. I'm glad that our country has such good relations to be able to joke about such things. After all, there's no way a prince would woo a princess from another country that's eng-" I glared as he smiled, "I am indeed interested in your highness. You're not officially engaged, so there's a possibility that you won't be with them. I want to be that person. I believe you'll make the wise choice. Considering your love for your country, there is indeed no need to make jokes of war."

I looked down, so he smirked, but shivered at my glare. I jerked as Gengi put his hand on my shoulder, "Watch how you speak. You are speaking to Yarisa-sama's, our moon goddess, chosen one. You should be grateful she did not demand you to bow and grovel at her feet. As her familiar, it's my duty to enforce her and Yarisa-sama's will. Do you dare to go against Yarisa-sama's chosen one?" The room was dead quiet before I sighed and walked away, "... I've grown tired of your jokes..." Gengi followed along with Nami and Nojiko, "Have a nice rest, Eugene-san. Kyte-san."

I made my way up to Sengoku as he smiled at me and motioned me to sit on my throne. I looked at him as he motioned for the music to continue. "... Goddess Yarisa's chosen one, huh? I suppose that's why your hair has turned silver and your eyes are different." I looked down at my squad as they took glances at me and were talking. I looked down and closed my eyes, "... It's just like my birthday that year... I notice the difference in status all too well and I dislike it." I looked up as I leaned back, "... Only three months... In three months I'll be on my way to the Magic Academy..."

I flinched when he asked, "That eager to leave?" I smiled softly, "Not necessarily... I've been through a lot these past years and... I just want to see my brother and friends. Having Nami and Nojiko as well as everyone else is amazing, but I want to see them." I looked down again, "... I miss them... Maybe too much." He sighed softly, "I understand Iri, so don't look so sad." I looked up and giggled, "I missed you as well though Uncle Sen. Uncle Shanks and Art too. Nami, Nojiko, Bell-mère-san, all of them... I just..." I looked up, "I want to see them too..."

I smiled at him, "That's why I want to make the most with my family before then. So I could be with my family and then with my friends and brother. While not feeling regretful..." I looked down at my squad, "... You can't be by somebody's side forever... You have to part ways eventually." I giggled as I looked at him, "However, you can always see each other again!"

I felt him ruffle my hair, so I held it and puffed my cheek, "Uncle Sen! It took forever to do my hair!" He patted my back, "Go play then. Your friends are waiting for you." I smiled and got up, "... I want to talk to you about it tomorrow... I'll go hang out with my friends a little more and talk to you then." I walked down and went to make my way over, but stopped as a few girls stopped me and bowed, "Greetings Princess Lyda. Welcome home." I smiled, "Thank you..."

I huffed as one asked, "Is it true that you went to that barbaric place?" She asked with obvious animosity, "Are you sure you're mentally stable? I'm sure there was a lot of blood. I don't believe that's befitting our country's princess." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, "Indeed there was a lot of blood... There were a lot of tears and sweat... There were smiles and joy as well as pain and heartache." I looked at her, "I bet the worst pain you've ever felt... Is the breaking of your fingernail... Very few people here know pain." I walked past her, "You're not one of them..." I gently tapped the woman behind her, "... I suggest you make new friends Jessica-san." I then left for the table with my squad.

I sat down next to Mikeal and Nami. I sighed softly, "I want tonight to be over with..." I looked at Nami and Nojiko, "... Do you want to spend the night? I still want to teach you more about mana manipulation and I want to talk to Nami about something too... Plus..." I puffed my cheek and pointed to my squad, "I need some girl time. Mikeal's not enough for me." I laughed softly as he gently punched my arm, "Good thing I'm not a girl."

I looked up as Gengi appeared on my shoulder, "Where'd you go?" He nuzzled my cheek. I had to take care of something, but it's alright now. I cocked a brow before kissing his forehead, "I don't mind you going places, but tell me first... I'll worry when I don't know where you are..." He hopped into my lap and curled up. Alright, I will. I looked up as Nami smiled, "Sure! I'll tell Bell-mère!" I grinned, "Great!" I looked at Minori as he sighed, "Iri... Are you going to be ok?" I looked at the crowd's disgusted gaze at our table then down, "... It seems I made you guys more uncomfortable than I thought... I didn't want to come alone, but it seems it caused more trouble than good."