(Alright, this is going to be hard to explain. Right now, I'm on my knees in the judgment hall, and there are two big executioners behind me holding massive axes. You can probably guess what's happening — they're about to chop off my head.)
"Where did you hide her? What condition is she in?!!!"
(Yeah, that's the king yelling at me. And seriously, I didn't do anything.)
King: "Speak! You insolent brat!"
Alex, kneeling in the judgment hall, surrounded by knights with two executioners standing beside him, lifts his head and says:
"Could you at least tell me what exactly you want from me? I already said I didn't do anything. I don't know where Melty is, and she's the one who kicked me in the balls before running off."
The king, puffed up on his throne, looks exasperated. Slowly, his face hardens as he says:
"Boy, this is no joke. Where did you put my beloved daughter?!!"
Alex looks up at him coldly and replies:
"I have no idea. If you want to see her again, release me, and I'll go find her. I'll bring your precious daughter back."
A tense silence fills the hall before the king finally says:
"So, you wish to test me, is that it? Then cut off his head!"
Alex (thinking): (Great, I'm screwed. What the hell do I do now? I thought that bluff would work… and now what?)
One of the executioners raises his axe, ready to strike. Alex shouts:
"Wait!!!!"
The king raises his hand, halting the executioner, and asks:
"So, you've finally decided to tell us where you hid my daughter?"
Alex: "No."
King: "Then you're wasting my time."
Alex: "But seriously, if you just let me search, I can find her."
The king glares down at him and says:
"Your problem is your insolence."
He lowers his arm to give the signal. Slowly, Alex watches death approaching and mutters in his head:
(He calls me insolent? That pompous bastard. He really thinks I'm gonna die here? He's dreaming.)
The axe descends slowly, but a smile creeps onto Alex's lips.
Two Days Earlier
Over time, Ella had gotten used to strolling through the castle courtyard after waking up. As she passed by the training grounds, she was surprised to find Alex shirtless, practicing swordsmanship with a long wooden staff.
Without making a sound, she approached and sat on a bench behind him, quietly observing. Without even turning around, Alex suddenly stopped and said:
"Morning, Ella. Strange seeing you here."
Ella, resting her chin on her hand, calmly replied:
"Hmm… Let's just say it's part of my routine. Normally, after I get ready for the day, I take a walk around the castle. But it's the first time I've found you here on your own — outside of the times Arthur forced you to train. I'm the one who's surprised."
Alex lowered his staff, turned around, and blinked in surprise.
Alex: "Wait, Ella, what's with that outfit? I've never seen you wear something like that."
Indeed, instead of her usual dresses, Ella was wearing gray pants and a white shirt, with a long white coat over it. Her hair was tied up neatly in a bun.
Ella: "I just wanted to try something different. Why?"
Alex: "Don't worry, it's just… it strangely reminds me of a trauma."
Ella (thinking): (A trauma???)
She frowned a little before saying:
"You're always weird, but tell me what you're doing here."
Alex twirled the staff in his hand and replied:
"Simple. I needed the practice. There's a specific sword I need to master, and this staff is perfect for training."
Ella: "I see. Then keep at it — I won't bother you."
Alex: "Suit yourself."
He raised the staff again, gripping it with both hands, and continued his practice. Behind him, Ella kept watching, thinking:
(He's still as strange as ever, but for some reason, I always feel calm when I'm near him… or when I watch him.)
And so, Alex continued training, while Ella stayed there.
When Alex finally finished and set the staff down, Ella asked:
"By the way, you never told me why Princess Melty needed you."
Alex turned his gaze toward the mage and said quietly:
"Ah, that. Let's just say she called me over to ruin my day."
Ella stood up and said:
"I know you're being sarcastic. But tell me the real reason."
Alex: "I'm serious. I showed up at her place, and she dumped this annoying part-time guard duty on me — and she's such a pain on top of that."
Ella: "That's all? In that case, just be careful. Anyway, I'll be going now."
She turned to leave, but Alex stopped her.
Alex: "Wait, should I be on guard or something?"
Ella: "Just… stay alert around her."
Then she walked away.
A few hours later, as Alex prepared to head to Melty's quarters, he muttered to himself:
(Why do I feel like I'm walking straight into a crocodile's mouth that's closing in on me? Damn it, this kind of thing always pisses me off...)
Before leaving, he took a quick bath, strapped on a light chestplate, and grabbed the one-handed sword Stone had given him.
When he opened his door, he bumped straight into a short girl with chocolate-colored hair, wearing a maid's apron and carrying a large basket.
Alex: "Judith?!"
The maid looked up at him and said:
"Alex? Where are you headed? You're usually still asleep at this hour, so I came to clean your room."
Alex: "Go ahead. I just have something to do. And don't overwork yourself — you already do too much for me."
He patted her head lightly and left.
Alex (thinking): (God, that was awkward. And wearing armor for this? So annoying. I just grabbed something light from the armory. Let's just get this over with.)
When Alex arrived at Melty's quarters, he was about to knock when a deep voice said:
"You can just go in."
He turned around and saw Karden — tall, silver hair down to his shoulders, violet eyes, black armor, and a scythe for a weapon. His tone was low and eerie.
Karden: "What? Do I look weird or something?"
Alex: "No."
Karden opened the door, and Alex thought to himself:
(I've never been able to stand this guy. Gray hair, purple eyes, black armor, a scythe, that gloomy aura… and he's taller than me, too. Yeah, he's creepy as hell.)
Inside the room, Princess Melty was reading as usual. When she saw them, she closed her book and smiled.
Melty: "Ah! Alex, Karden — welcome. I was just waiting for you both."
Alex (thinking): (And that's how my crappy job started.)
END OF CHAPTER
NEXT CHAPTER: The Princess's Assassination Attempt.