224 Chapter 17
On a beautiful morning in one of the rooms within the Monarch Palace, Kalya was sitting enjoying her tea with Queen Jasmine. Even though their relationship was much better than before, there was still an awkward atmosphere around them.
Last night, Kalya arrived at Arcuz Grand Academy and was immediately ushered into a special room for the Elven Kingdom. There was already Queen Jasmine waiting for her. Laurell couldn’t come with Queen Jasmine because she had to guard the Elven Kingdom during the Queen’s absence. Kalya and her sister didn’t talk much even though they were alone in the room. Kalya did not actively initiate conversations with Queen Jasmine. She just kept quiet and passively answered the question that her sister asked.
Kalya was disappointed that she couldn’t meet Zenoa after arriving at the academy. She had received information from Queen Jasmine that Zenoa was still very busy preparing for the inauguration event of the Arcuz Grand Academy.
“How is your relationship with him?” Queen Jasmine asked Kalya. She held the teacup in her hand and sipped it elegantly.
“Very good.” Kalya answered briefly. She knew that the person referred to in Queen Jasmine’s question was Ziel.
“Do you not intend to formalize your relationship with him in public? Aren’t you afraid that another woman will steal him?” Queen Jasmine threw another question. She was used to Kalya’s cold tone toward her.
“It’s up to him, and I’ll follow his decision. He had a situation that didn’t allow him to stand out in public. But one thing I can tell you for sure. I am the most special woman in his heart now and forever. So, I’m not afraid that other women will snatch him from me because it’s impossible.” Kalya said confidently. There wasn’t the slightest hint of hesitation on her face when she said those words.
Even though Kalya wanted their relationship to be announced in front of many people, she understood Ziel’s situation. Currently, she is delighted to be by his side and can be the most special woman in his heart. But Kalya believes that one day they will be able to show their relationship in front of many people or maybe announce it to the entire Clorius continent.
Queen Jasmine was shocked after hearing Kalya’s statement. She didn’t know if those words matched Ziel’s true feelings for Kalya or if her sister had become a fool for loving Ziel too much.
“I understand.” Queen Jasmine could only answer briefly because she didn’t know how to respond to Kalya’s words.
Queen Jasmine didn’t want to say the wrong thing and ruin their relationship, which had begun to improve. After that, the room became silent again because neither started a conversation. But it didn’t last long as the silence in the room was broken by a knock on the door.
“I will open the door and see who comes into this room in the morning.” Kalya quickly stood up from her seat and walked toward the door.
Kalya thought that the person who had come might be the maid who had previously delivered breakfast for her and Queen Jasmine. The maid probably came back to pick up their dirty plates.
<br/>For some reason, Arcuz Grand Academy did not hold a banquet for the guests at the Monarch Palace. It would probably be after the academy’s inauguration event. But Kalya doesn’t care about that. She wanted to immediately meet her younger brother and quickly finish her business in that place. Even though it was only one night, Kalya really missed Ziel. When Kalya opened the door, she was surprised by the words of a veiled girl.
“I am honored to have met the most beautiful woman on the Clorius continent, Princess Cattleya!” The melodious voice of the veiled girl sounded in Kalya’s ears.
The words of praise did not make Kalya happy. Instead, Kalya frowned because she felt the sarcasm and hostility in the girl’s voice. She was sure that she had never met the girl in front of her.
Kalya looked closely at the girl’s face and tried to remember if maybe she had met her somewhere and had forgotten about her. Even though it was covered with a veil, Kalya could tell that the girl was beautiful by looking at her eyes and body.
“What do you mean by that?” Kalya narrowed her eyes and asked coldly.
“I don’t mean anything in my words. Ooh, could that sentence offend you? Then I apologize for my ignorance.” Azalia calmly answered Kalya’s question.
On the other hand, Azalia could tell that the woman who opened the door was Kalya because of the explanation she had heard from Princess Seira. She threw those words at Kalya to see how she reacted. But Azalia didn’t notice that she said it with a hint of hostility contained in her voice.
Kalya and Azalia looked at each other, and neither of them spoke. The atmosphere around the two girls became very tense. Princess Seira broke out in cold sweat and didn’t know what to do, while Prince Viron could only hide behind her. Princess Seira didn’t know why Azalia looked like she harbored hostility towards her aunt.
“Auntie, how about we look at the classes in Arcuz Grand Academy? We might be able to meet up with Zenoa’s uncle if he’s not too busy. Besides teaching the students in his class, he also had to participate with the other teachers in preparation for tomorrow’s inauguration.” Princess Seira tried to melt the tense atmosphere and immediately left the place. She hoped that the situation would get better.
“Okay. Shall I call your mother first?” Kalya turned her gaze towards Princess Seira after hearing Zenoa’s name being mentioned. She no longer cared about Azalia in front of her and intended to go inside the room to call for Queen Jasmine.
“Ah, you don’t need to call her. Last night my mother had told me that she would not be coming today. She wants to stay in her room until the academy’s inauguration day.” Princess Seira quickly stopped Kalya. Last night, she met Queen Jasmine and asked her to bring Kalya to Zenoa.
Azalia’s group assignment today was at Queen Jasmine’s request to Arcuz Grand Academy because she wanted Princess Seira to accompany Kalya to go around the Monarch palace and meet Zenoa.
“Is that so? If so, please show me the way. I’m sorry that I might trouble you today.” Kalya nodded slightly and closed the door of the room.
“It’s our job, so you don’t have to apologize, Princess Cattleya.” The person who answered Kalya’s words was not Princess Seira but Azalia. She looked annoyed that Kalya ignored her presence.
“We’d better go now.” Kalya pretended not to hear Azalia’s words and urged Princess Seira to leave the place immediately.
“I understand, aunt. We’re going to class A. Zenoa’s uncle is the homeroom teacher of that class. Actually, to see the academy classrooms before the inauguration event is forbidden. But because my mother has asked for special permission for you, then it is allowed.” Princess Seira couldn’t help but smile bitterly and walk first to lead Kalya to Class A.
The classrooms and practice rooms of the Arcuz Grand Academy were in a certain location within the Monarch Palace, and that area was heavily guarded. That’s because there are many valuable magic tools and artifacts in that area used for learning activities. In addition, strict security was in place to prevent unauthorized outsiders from entering the academy and disturbing the students.
Kalya nodded in response to Princess Seira’s explanation and followed her from behind. She ignored Azalia and Prince Viron because Kalya thought she had nothing to do with them.
(Just a woman from the elf race, and you dare to act like that in front of me!? Do you think you are the most beautiful woman in the world!?)
Azalia clicked her tongue because she was annoyed with Kalya’s attitude. She never expected that a woman from the elf race would dare to treat her like this. Then she walked after Kalya and tried to talk to her again.
“For a woman as beautiful as Princess Cattleya, surely you are only matched for an extraordinary man! Does Princess Cattleya already have it? If not, I have a lot of good-looking middle-aged male acquaintances who might suit you.” Azalia glanced at Kalya next to her and spoke in a joking tone. But Kalya was just silent as if she didn’t hear any sound.
(Didn’t you know that my aunt already has a fiancé!? What’s the point of you asking that!?)
After hearing Azalia’s words, Princess Seira screamed in her mind. She felt like Azalia intended to find trouble with Kalya. Azalia is currently not upset with Kalya ignoring her. She smiled mockingly behind her veil after seeing the slight change in Kalya’s expression.
“Could it be that Princess Cattleya likes a man younger than her?” Azalia slowly approached Kalya and said in a low voice. Her words were heard by Princess Seira and Prince Viron, who were not far in front of them. The two of them stumbled and almost fell after hearing Azalia’s words.
Kalya’s face suddenly became severe, and she released her spirit power to suppress Azalia. But unexpectedly, Azalia remained calm under pressure. Kalya quickly realized that Azalia’s power was not below her or maybe above her.
“Who are you? You seem to know a lot about me?” Kalya glared at Azalia and asked coldly. Kalya realized that Azalia’s previous question showed that she knew about her relationship with Ziel.
Princess Seira and Prince Viron panicked after seeing the situation becoming increasingly tense, and the two women seemed to be able to fight at any moment.
“Hmm? What are you saying, Princess Cattleya? I don’t understand what your question means at all. I’m kind enough to introduce someone. If it offended you, then I apologize.” Azalia put on an innocent face and pretended not to know what Kalya’s words meant, but in her heart, she was laughing with satisfaction at Kalya’s reaction. Azalia realized that she was being childish, but she didn’t care because she felt that it would relieve her stress a bit.
“If you want to keep pretending, I just have to force you to say it.” Kalya’s voice grew colder, and she released all her spirit power. She was worried that Azalia was Ziel’s enemy and intended to harm the girls around him. Therefore she had to force Azalia to reveal her motives at all costs. In addition, Kalya also wants to know how Azalia found out about her relationship with Ziel.
“Hee⦠you can try it if you can.” Azalia said to provoke her.
A large spirit circle appeared behind Kalya. It was much bigger than when Kalya showed it in the Cirlus Kingdom. Kalya hadn’t even joined Silphy yet, but her current strength was already on par with a demi-god.
The drastic increase in Kalya’s strength was thanks to intensive training and consumption of the Leviathan flesh given by Ziel. Apart from that, another factor that increased her strength was her determination to become stronger so that she deserved to stand beside Ziel and not become a burden to him. After Azalia merged with Silphy, her strength even approached the level of a true god.
The increase in strength does not only happen to Kalya. Clara and the girls around Ziel also experienced the same thing. Ziel gave them Leviathan flesh to speed up their growth. The girls started their rigorous training right after the incident in the Cirlus Kingdom ended. Their goal is the same as Kalya’s: to make them worthy of Ziel and not be constantly protected by him.
Azalia raises her eyebrows after feeling Kalya’s strength that keeps soaring. But it didn’t stop there. From the ring that Kalya was wearing, a gray light overflowed and enveloped her entire body. Kalya formed a bow from her spirit power and pulled the bowstring.
Ziel had increased the power of the artifact ring that Kalya wore after the academy people returned from the Cirlus Kingdom. Not only Kalya’s ring but also Princess Aishia’s bracelet, Princess Freya’s pendant, and also Clara’s hairpin had significantly increased strength. Their artifact grade changed to god rank.
Azalia’s face sank after feeling the power that Kalya released. Although the attack couldn’t kill her, she would be seriously injured if the attack hit her directly. Azalia was surprised not only because Kalya’s power was beyond her expectation but also because the power released from Kalya’s ring felt familiar to her.
(That’s Ken’s power!)
Azalia quickly found out whose power it was. She gritted her teeth as jealousy welled up from deep within her heart. Her gaze on Kalya grew extremely cold, and she took out a silver sword from her space storage. Milky white light overflowed from her body and clashed with the emerald green glow of Kalya.
“Aze! Aunt! Please stop it! You can destroy this palace if you fight here!” Princess Seira screamed in panic. She didn’t expect the two girls’ bickering to turn into a big fight like this. She wanted to stop them immediately, but Azalia and Kalya ignored her words.
On the other hand, Prince Viron’s face was full of terror, and he was speechless and couldn’t even move because of the pressure from the clash of the two forces.
[Thunderstorm Dragon]
[Breaking the Sky]
Kalya released her arrow as Azalia slashed her sword. The two attacks shot out with astonishing speed. Although the two women did not attack with their full strength, their clash of attacks was strong enough to turn the Monarch Palace into ruins.