Beastkin Kingdom.
Royal Capital Outskirts.
"Hyaaa!"
Princess Mimi vaulted gracefully over the tall palace wall, her movents light and fluid as a cat. Her soft boots barely touched the stone before she whistled sharply.
A loud squawked answered from beyond the garden.
Her Pekko, sleek, white-feathered raced toward her. The mont it reached the wall, Mimi leapt, landing perfectly on its saddle with the ease of long practice.
"Let’s go, Jiko!" she grinned, tugging the reins.
But behind her.
"Princess Mimi!!" shouted a royal guard from the courtyard, his voice echoing through the still air. "You don’t have permission from Her Highness or His Majesty King Lioness!"
Another voice joined in, breathless from running.
"Princess! Please! You still need the proper travel docunts!" cried the royal advisor, waving a handful of parchnt like a flag of desperation.
Mimi turned slightly in the saddle, her long tail flicking with delight as her golden eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Bweekkk~!" she stuck out her tongue playfully. "I don’t think the future wife of my husband needs permission, nya~!"
The guards froze. "Future... what!?"
But it was too late.
"Jiko! Dash!" Mimi shout, pulling the reins forward.
"Cuquawked!!"
With a powerful kick, Jiko launched forward, leaving a cloud of dust, and several stunned guards, in her wake.
The advisor’s voice echoed faintly behind her. "P-Princess Mimi!!! Co back!!"
Mimi only laughed, wind rushing through her hair as she leaned low over her Pekko.
"I will secure my number three spot!" Mimi shouted over the rushing wind, her voice full of determination and mischief.
"Big sister Felicia won’t get it! And neither will Delya!"
Her tail swished wildly in excitent, her grin radiant as she leaned closer to Jiko.
"Nyaaa~! Husband-sama! I’m coming!!"
"Cuquawked!!" Jiko cried proudly, racing faster across the grassy plains, leaving the capital far behind.
In the royal palace.
Felicia stood by the balcony, her eyes narrowed as she watched the distant speck of her younger sister vanishing beyond the horizon atop a Pekko.
She bit her thumb in frustration. "Ugh! Mimi’s going alone!? That fool, she’ll try to take the number three spot, I’m sure of it!"
Her ears twitched sharply as she growled under her breath. "Liana and Gloria already said I’m number three! Grrrrrr!"
But the mont footsteps echoed behind her, she straightened instantly, graceful, composed, and every bit the noble princess once more. Her tone shifted like magic, soft and proper.
Two beastkin maids entered, both with fluffy fox tails swaying behind them. They bowed deeply.
"Princess Felicia," one said respectfully.
Felicia turned toward them, calm and dignified. "Yes?"
"The Queen requests your appearance, Your Highness."
Felicia nodded gracefully, her voice polite and refined. "Very well. I shall attend Her Majesty at once."
Yet even as she turned to leave, her tail betrayed her mood, swaying sharply side to side, the tip flicking with irritation.
Inside her thoughts, her expression shifted once again.
"Mimi... you little brat. I won’t let you steal that spot. If anyone’s going to be number three... it’s !"
Royal Demon Palace.
Throne Hall.
"If you’ll excuse , Your Majesty, I will take my leave now."
Veldrac leaned back on his throne, the crimson glow of his eyes softening as he gazed upon the petite figure standing before him. The dark stone hall shimred faintly under floating crimson crystals, their light casting elegant reflections on the obsidian floor.
"Are you sure you want to go alone, little sister?" His voice carried a mix of fondness and quiet worry.
Delya smiled, her posture perfectly composed. "Yes, Your Majesty. I believe the Pekko need ti to rest in Armand. They grow restless if they don’t return there at least once every three months."
Veldrac’s lean lazily behind the throne. "I understand," he said, exhaling slowly, "but you should at least bring an escort. Who knows what could happen before you reach the Armand Region?"
He leaned his cheek against his palm, his tone deepening with genuine concern.
"Once you arrive, I have no worries. Garius would never let harm co to any guest in his land. But the road between our kingdoms is long... and not without danger."
Delya tilted her head slightly, smiling with quiet confidence.
"I’ll be fine, Brother. You’ve trained well. And besides," she added softly, her eyes gleaming faintly with excitent, "I’ve been aning to visit the Armand estate again... and see him."
Veldrac raised an eyebrow, a faint grin forming. "He’s going to be your husband in the future, what could possibly go wrong?"
Delya bowed her head politely, but her tone softened with a rare touch of honesty.
"Your Majesty, even love needs to be maintained. Just because sothing is promised... doesn’t an it’s secured."
Veldrac chuckled under his breath, a deep, rumbling sound that filled the throne hall.
"You speak as if you’ve already lived a century. Fine then, little sister. I won’t stop you."
His grin curved slightly. "But don’t cause trouble for Garius. He already has enough to handle without a mischievous demon princess sneaking around his estate."
Delya smiled sweetly, clasping her hands behind her back. "I promise, Brother. I’ll behave."
"Sohow, that doesn’t reassure ," Veldrac muttered dryly as she turned and walked toward the great doors.
The towering doors shut behind her with a deep boom.
And the mont she stepped into the sunlit corridor outside, Delya’s composure lted away instantly.
"Ah~ Danna-sama~!" she whispered dreamily, spinning once in excitent, her long hair fluttering.
"Your third wife is coming to et you~!"
Her eyes sparkled with mischief and joy.
"I missed you so much, Danna-sama~!"
Armand Estate.
The main dining room was filled with the soft clatter of cutlery and the quiet hum of conversation.
Javier sat at the end of the table, his usual spot.
A fork in one hand, halfway through a bite of roasted at when a sudden chill ran down his spine. His whole body stiffened.
!!!!
He glanced left. Then right.
Everyone at the table turned to look at him.
Francesca, seated gracefully near her husband, tilted her head with a gentle smile. "What’s wrong, honeybun?" she asked sweetly, her voice calm and tender as always.
Javier blinked, forcing a smile while still feeling that creeping dread. "Ah... I don’t know, Mother. I just... felt sothing."
Across the table, Marcellus raised an eyebrow. Cedric paused mid-drink. Even Athine and Aelius exchanged a glance.
Francesca giggled, covering her mouth. "Oh my, what could make my little honeybun so nervous?"
But before Javier could say sothing.
Garius sighed and set down his fork, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Javier..." he said in his calm, commanding tone, "eat your al."
"Yes, Father..." Javier muttered obediently, returning to his plate, though the unease didn’t fade.
( End Of Chapter )
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