Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 158: Arc 4, Act I, - 3: Inaccurate Assessments
That frown curled up into a smile, "Forgive me for the excessive safety measures," she spoke; her voice melodious to the ears, polished and low in tone.
The room was dimly lit with lamps on the grey walls and a candelabra upon the table; three sets of doors were all closed. With what little light they had, they could see her enough.
Golds and bronzes trailed along the royal-purple of her dress. A gold chain with an amethyst amulet rested on her neck; to match, earrings of gold hung with purple gems—eyes a dark brown, light bronze skin, purple hair with some strands green.
The ends of her combed bangs were black and they could only assume the ends of her wavy hair that went below the table was as well. A golden tiara with purple gems sat atop her head.
Some light lipstick and blush, her eyeliner gold above black ending like sharp daggers which she stared at them with. She kept a finger curled above her lips, "Please, take a seat."
Two of the Royal Guard marched forward, clanking in metal with cloths atop their chests that adorned the symbol of Cravolta. They pulled back the four tall wooden seats that had cushions inlayed.
Jotou kept staring at the princess as Feyan walked over to her and bent down to whisper something in her ear. His eyes darted to the side to meet Jotou’s gaze—upon which he gulped.
Her majesty then glanced back to Jotou, "Is there something amiss Thundering Blade?" she raised a brow.
With glazed over eyes the blonde replied, "A lot of things actually... but I’ll play along with this." Fumeko shared the same suspicious squint Jotou had as she took a good look at the guards’ faces.
"Well, nothing we cannot discuss. You and your companions are permitted to sit," the princess put her hand out.
"Following your lead here," Fumeko whispered as she went forward and took a seat.
"Asobi?" Hotaru looked to.
"I’ll keep quiet for now," she leaned in close. Hotaru nodded. The two walked past the standing blonde to take a seat.
"Please be reasonable, don’t get us in trouble," Hotaru passed the message to Jotou in a hush.
"I’ll certainly try," Jotou took a breath as she walked forward to take a seat. The Royal Guard pushed them inwards before taking a few steps back to stand guard behind them.
The princess hummed in a smile as Feyan stood still. "First of all, allow me to formally thank you for your efforts in Hartamat.
Because of you four brave heroes, a disastrous weapon of catastrophic proportions has been subdued; something that could have spelled the possible destruction of Cravolta."
’What, did she memorize a dictionary before talking to us? This is getting ridiculous Daiyu.’
The princess gazed right at Jotou, "I am told you were quite driven to meet me as swift as possible. I must say, I am flattered.
What have I done to garner such attention from the Thundering Blade herself? This was my first appearance outside of the palace in months; have I caught your eyes?" she laid a hand on her chest.
Hotaru’s ears flickered as she narrowed her eyes on Jotou. Asobi had shut her eyes completely, but still sat straight, whilst Fumeko had her arms crossed as she slumped into the chair.
’Fine, we’re playing this game?’ "Well, your majesty, I can’t quite say that. My eyes are caught elsewhere. Though, the reason I simply had to see you was because of such a grand display.
An appearance from the princess herself and in a parade no less? All for me? I should be the one thanking you. However, something did catch my eye about you.
You have an interesting green complexion in your hair. I had a friend with the same idea to get green streaks in her hair. It looked weird at a first glance until I got used to it and realized it suited her," Jotou smirked.
The princess’s eyes widened and her brows furrowed; her hand clenched, "Are you... mocking me?" her voice quivered a bit.
Jotou shook her head, "Not at all." ’You don’t have much of a cover now that I think about it... You literally announced your actual name to the world. It’s time I flip this little prank in my favour Daiyu.’
"I just think it’s curious that royalty would have such simplicities as us commonfolk, such as dying parts of their hair a different shade."
"Oh, I see," the princess smiled, blinking six times before she exhaled, "However, your appearance pales in comparison to most of the noble families I’ve met; to call you commonfolk would be an insult.
Even if you carry yourself so messily. Perhaps I can request my hairstylist to help with those unruly blonde strands and my makeup artist could fix up your face as well.
I cannot help but notice that glower you sometimes carry yourself with. You give off the feeling that you might steal something from me."
"Oh, it comes with being an adventurer really. Can’t be dressed up like a doll to fight in a desert now, can I? I suppose what I lack in that department I make up for in my combat.
I’m sure sitting in your palace all day does not allow you to participate in athleticism much. Besides, I had no idea I would be invited so hastily to Cravolta City to meet you princess.
So forgive my tardiness a little if you may. Honestly, with how the guards spoke, it seemed like you were more in a hurry to meet with me princess.
I was practically rushed into that train to arrive as soon as possible. Once I heard your name, I was caught a little off guard. Where does such a name hail from? Luxinor perhaps?"
The three of them watched idly, staring back and forth between their conversation—except Asobi of course. Feyan pressed his lips together as he watched with his eyes half-closed.
The Royal Guard raised their brows or darted their eyes between them a couple of times, but remained steady as per their orders.
The princess smiled, "My name? It does hail from Luxinor. You see, my parents once visited a little town in between the borders of Luxinor and Cravolta.
They had heard that name being shouted across the streets and were fascinated by it; hence, they gave me the beautiful name."
It was then that Jotou’s smiled faded, "Likely story." ’I have no doubt it’s you now.’
"Uh, princess," Feyan spoke up.
"Now, now," the princess put her hand up, "I am aware of what the Thundering Blade is doing. This playful ribbing helps ease the tension in the room as well as strengthen our relations.
It is quite the bold and clever strategy she has developed. However, it is not a likely story Thundering Blade, I assure you," her face saddened a little.
"Sure, sure," Jotou smirked. Hotaru pouted in concern, Asobi opened an eye to see. "Though, you have another name it would seem; the, Undying Princess I believe?
How did you obtain such a title? Perhaps you came back from the dead?"
"Ms Howllett... that is a sensitive topic..." Feyan barely made a sound.
"Ah, my title..." the princess looked down, as if reminiscing something. She took a deep breath, forcing a smile, "I suppose ’unyielding’ would be a better substitute."
"Sorry to interrupt," Fumeko was not really sorry, "I can’t help but notice your hair has black ends. Is it genetic or something?" she sat up, putting her elbows on the table.
"Meko..." Hotaru growled softly.
"It’s fine," Jotou replied to the redhead, "I’m curious as well."
"We should, avoid that topic," before Feyan could suggest, the princess sniffled a little.
She held back the tears in a gulp, "Please... it is a magical accident. The one that... It is not, genetic," she still answered.
"Okay," Jotou leaned forward in a sigh, "I was willing to play along with your little game Daiyu, but trying to make yourself cry? Come on, it’s getting pathetic."
"Little, game?" the princess’s eyebrows raised as Feyan handed her a clean cloth to wipe her eyes.
"Seriously, enough. If this is the best you can do to mess with me, you’ve successfully failed, ’your majesty’. You thought I’d be paranoid and worried with all the blindfolding and keeping everything secret?
Guess what? Didn’t work. Your butler gave away most of it and I have a detective on my side. And what? Put me in this quiet room without even turning on the lights was to make me feel even more anxious?
I know it’s you, so enough with the mind games. You can’t win this little prank," Jotou glared.
The Royal Guard slowly approached behind the four and Feyan took back the cloth as the princess handed it to him. "No, no," the princess called off the guards.
"Those were all for security reasons," she sobbed a little, "You do realize we are currently at war Thundering Blade? I cannot be so foolhardy with my safety... I believe, you are mistaking me for someone else."
"I’m not mistaking you for anyone," Jotou gritted her teeth and screeched the share back. "I think I would know my best friend of sixteen damn years!" the blonde’s hands pressed down on the table.
"Jotou-" Hotaru tried to grab her arm.
"Enough! Do you have any idea what it’s been like here!? I don’t wanna play these stupid games right now!!!" her blonde eyebrows arched, a lingering sadness inlaid upon the anger.
The room fell silent, Jotou’s enraged panting being the only sound being made. The princess stared to the standing blonde, about to bawl her eyes out.
"I request everyone but the Thundering Blade and I to leave the room please," the princess uttered.
"But your majesty... I cannot allow you to be here when the Thundering Blade is acting so-"
"It is alright Artevik. Please leave us be," she glanced back to him. "If anything happens, I can defend myself. Now, do you deny my orders?" she hushed.
Feyan’s eyes widened, "...No princess..." he stood up straight. "Guards, escort the Thundering Blade’s companions outside please."
"It will only take a few minutes," the princess added. The guards nodded and went forward to pull back their chairs.
Hotaru stood up, "This is getting out of hand Jotou," she uttered gently, "I don’t think that’s your friend."
"Trust me, I know what I’m doing," the blonde’s glare never left sight of the princess.
"Maybe I can put on a show so that everyone can ease up a bit!" Asobi cheered, putting her wand up in the air.
"Let’s go miss, her majesty has ordered us to leave," the Royal Guard spoke.
"Let’s go Sobi," Hotaru ushered the magician out.
"I think she’s lying," Fumeko glanced up to Jotou as she left.
"I’m aware," Jotou replied. The three of them left the room, followed by the four Royal Guard. Feyan sighed, opening one of the side entrances to depart.
The doors shut and the two were left alone. The princess stood up, frowning at Jotou.
"Was this all some sort of cover you have going on? You already announced your name to Cravolta City and the previous, actual, princess’s name must’ve been known by the country well before she died."
"I apologize, but I do not know who you are. I have only just heard of you Thundering Blade. And what is this about a cover?" she tilted her head.
"Stop, calling me that. You clearly don’t have any cover so why hide it from me if you’re not trying to mess with me? Your hair ends in black and your eyes are the same colour Daiyu.
I died and came into this world, same as you. See?" Jotou brought her ponytail forward, showing the black ends.
"Please, I would prefer if you call me princess... What makes you so sure that I am this friend of yours when I am clearly not? Do you require some rest? I do apologize for requesting your presence so hastily," she glanced to the floor.
"And I’d prefer if you call me Jotou. And besides the obvious evidence of your name, eyes and hair colour? One, you haven’t made a presence in months, probably because you came back to life after dying.
Two, security my ass, Feyan tried his best to make up a story for you, but that failed the second he opened his mouth.
Three, I’d only let a handful of people mock me for looking like I was going to steal something. That ’playful ribbing’ pretty much gave you away.
Nice try though, I almost believed you, but you can’t outsmart-ass me Daiyu. So, would you please just stop this act already?" Jotou sighed.
The princess stared, like she was staring at someone who had gone mad. "I am sorry I mocked your appearance, but I believed you were doing the same to me...
Feyan can be quite nervous in nature, but he has never meant any harm if that is the case. And I have not made a presence in months because... my parents died not too long ago..." tears rolled down her cheeks.
’...Did I mess up...? There’s no way she isn’t Daiyu... I... shit...’ Jotou’s brows softened as she stepped back a little from the table, "Did you, lose your memories or something...?" ’That has to be it...’
"Memories?" the princess faced Jotou, "Are you telling me that I may have lost memories of you somehow...? I do not believe that is the case Thundering- I mean, Jotou."
’...Maybe I got too used to fixing my mistakes with that time egg...’ "I-I’m sorry... If you, lost all your memories... I shouldn’t approach you like this..."
’Maybe she doesn’t remember our old world like I do... Or maybe...’ "You’re not the Xia Lan Daiyu I know..." Jotou spoke into the silent air, eyes slanting downwards.
The princess wiped her tears with her palm as she turned around and folded her arms, "I see you have found your mistake..."
"S-sorry... I heard the name of my friend and, I couldn’t believe anything otherwise... I hope you can just, forget such a rude conversation..." Jotou stared at her back.
The princess continued staring at the wall, "I suppose I can excuse you Jotou... Heavens know what being on the battlefield has put you through."
The blonde could feel needles piercing into her heart as she stared to the floor. ’I messed up... I completely messed up...’ "I just, missed my friend so much... I apologize again..."
"You are forgiven Jotou, do not worry yourself any longer," the princess spoke again. "Jotou..." she squinted, "If you separate your name it almost sounds like Joey Toes," she smirked.
Jotou felt her heartbeat quicken, a sudden rush of adrenaline and hope as she faced up, her hair slapping the air, "Daiyu..."
Daiyu gave a little devious cackle, "I can’t believe I made you of all people back down," her tone and voice had no melody nor elegance.
