Lilia's Tale

Chapter 18: The Mirror

"So you are Lilia, the one who has requested to have the opportunity to enter into the Chamber of the Property Mirror. Is that right?" he asked me directly with his overpoweringly deep voice.

"Y-Yes, your majesty. The request itself was done by Father, the Great Summoner, but it is indeed for me to enter."

He stared right into my soul for a short moment, then followed with:

"You, who has befriended the Eldest Hydra. I shall permit your entry. You need incredible magic power to be recognized by such a creature as a friend, an equal. Additionally, I have heard of the prowess of a young girl, having easily dispatched of two A-rank adventurers using matter manipulation magic without giving them so much as a chance to fight back. May I assume it was your doing?"

"It was. I do not wish to seem arrogant nor overly humble, so I would like not to further this conversation."

He stared into my eyes once more, only making me more uncomfortable than I already was. My legs were starting to visibly shake, but I kept my cool as much as I could.

"Please excuse me if I am to ask anything rude to you, but may I know of your age?"

"I am ten, your highness."

"Ten?" he repeated, surprised. "You are ten and you already managed to beat such powerful adventurers? This is quite the surprise."

"Lilia, my daughter, has proven herself to have incredibly potent magic. As such, I would like her to go to the Mirror despite her young age," Father suddenly said with a confident voice.

Father was stared at the same way as I was. Eventually, the King answered with:

"It shall be permitted. Tomorrow, in the morning, you are to come to the palace to meet me."

"Yes, your highness," I replied as calmly as I could.

"You may accompany her. However, as you might be aware, Great One, you will not be permitted inside of the Chamber," the King told Father.

"It is as was planned, your majesty," he replied.

The dwarven squad then retreated their royalty back into the capital. I let myself calm down, sighing and taking deep breaths.

"You seem nervous, Lilia," Miyu suddenly asked.

"Yeah. I'm not used to talking to royalty, so I'm scared I will say something rude or similar."

"Don't worry. You're ten, I'm sure he doesn't expect you to know how to talk to him. You're doing quite good, actually."

"Well, I'm trying my best," I replied, laughing awkwardly.

"We should go in and rest for tomorrow."

"I agree," Father followed.

"Let's go then. I don't know where we'll be staying so I'll just follow you two, okay?" I said.

"We're staying at my house today," Miyu explained. "I'll get us some food and we'll go sleep. Are you two fine sleeping in the same room, though?"

"I don't mind so long Father doesn't do anything to me," I answered.

"I don't mind eith-... wait Lilia! You know I wouldn't do anything to you!"

"Better safe than sorry," I shot with a smug expression.

Miyu laughed a bit and headed towards the capital. I simply followed her, giggling at Father's both embarrassed and saddened face, while he lagged behind us. Eventually, we entered the tunnel that lead us to the capital.