Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 173: Arc 4, Act I, - 18: The Nature of Change
"The other two archdukes. Archduchess Treshalini Abioye of Galuvit; she is a serious woman and has shown no hostility towards the princess—she remains indifferent."
She is polite and as long as you carry yourself the same she will treat you with respect. The next, Archduke Haraynyes Filtrin—the one you should be careful with.
A friend of the late king and the Archduke of Alsham. He is not, particularly happy that there is a ’stranger’ on the throne. He has only met the princess once, but it was not a great meeting.
He talks a lot of his conquests in hunting and in small battles. Uhm, do not mention the ’small’ part. He also gets very, handsy with women; as if five wives are not enough."
One large entrance and no windows in the room they sat in. Soft cushions were padded all-over the walls in hues of golds and purples with the symbols of Cravolta stitched in.
A golden circle with a corona and four golden square-diamonds surrounding it like planets—the emblem of Cravolta.
The same symbol had decorated the ceilings and were displayed on the heads of the hundreds of chairs that all fit in one vast table that curved—little plaques sat on the table before each seat.
And in the complete opposite of the doors was a throne-like seat in purple and gold velvets, looking onto the open circle of a table; nine other chairs of less opulence next to it, but still lavish nonetheless.
"Probably has a few loose children he wants to get rid of," Fumeko held a hand to her chin.
"Where do you even get these theories from?" Hotaru squinted.
"Don’t question my intelligent work," she scoffed, flaunting her hair.
"What about the really happy guy at breakfast?" Asobi giddied.
"Him? He is the Archduke of Cravolta, the province of course. He is all for the princess and has made many visits to the palace. Anything you say would not make an offence to him unless you are trying. I would not worry about him."
"And the fourth province?" Jotou cocked a brow.
"Northern Cravolta has barely made a statement about the affairs here. The province has their hands full with the Vandlevela Regime alongside Avon.
The archduchess, Dalileh Farva has relayed that they will not interfere until the controversy comes to an end and has requested that she could oversee Northern Cravolta of her own accord.
Given that reports will be sent weekly and any emergency would be reported, the princess and the entire council approved of her request not too long ago.
A representative will arrive sure, but no one we need to be worried about. She is quite capable in handling the affairs in her province so nobody bothers her.
Anyhow, those will be the representatives sitting as the Royal Ministry alongside the princess, alongside Count and Countess Keya, Count Khalim, Admiral Kaveri, myself and Jotou."
Jotou’s eyes bubbled, "Me? Why am I in the Royal Ministry?"
"Oh, you are a technicality—an honoured guest. I just meant that the seats next to the princess will be filled by us and you."
"What? We’re not important enough?" Fumeko leered.
"It is, uh, just something the princess decided. I think it would do more good than harm to have Jotou by her side. It is in no way to underplay any of your aid of course, it is just, politics," Feyan shrunk as he replied to the other three.
"No, I see how it is. I’m the face of it all so that means my friends mean less? Honestly Feyan, I didn’t think you were this shallow," Jotou crossed her arms with a glare.
"What!? NO! NO! NO!"
"What do you mean no? Isn’t that exactly what you’re doing? Otherwise you’d put us all up there," Fumeko cocked her head.
"You, really think we’re not good enough Feyan...?" Asobi stared, holding her wand in both hands.
Feyan dropped his clipboard and kneeled down in a rush, "Please! That is not my meaning at all! I do not think lesser of any of you! I do apologize if I have given such an impression-"
Feyan halted for a moment and opened his closed eyes. The sound of Jotou’s laughter made him look up. Hotaru’s ears fell, "Feyan... please stand up."
Feyan got up hurriedly with his clipboard and dusted off his trousers, "Oh... Is this, the spiteful mischief I have heard about?"
"Oh, were we messing with him? I thought, Feyan really- I’m sorry," Asobi shifted her glance back and forth.
"Obviously dumbass," Fumeko snickered, "As much as I hate to admit it, Jotou’s the Thundering Blade and probably the one who should be up there."
"Right, cause all of us up there’d just be chaos," Hotaru remarked.
"Hey, I can behave you know," Fumeko glared.
"I, certainly hope you would not treat the other officials like this..." Feyan pouted in embarrassment.
"Of course I wouldn’t," Jotou gave a wink with her tongue out.
"Uh... it becomes hard to tell sometimes. You and the princess are similar enough in that regard. Although, she tends to continue much longer with her, ’pranks’..."
"Well, that’s because Daiyu’s competitive. She likes to see how long the game can go till she’s forced to stop. I just try to annoy.
It’s more annoying to you as a minor inconvenience than a long running game. Why do you think she wants to spite me so badly? I’m just more spiteful I guess," Jotou shrugged with a chuckle.
"Honestly," Hotaru shook her head. She bit her lip before glaring to Jotou. Jotou looked back and gulped... The redhead’s ears and tail were spiked up.
"...Sorry. Should I get some chocolate as an apology?" whether her words were directed to Feyan or Hotaru was anybody’s guess as a grin grew on the blonde. Hotaru pursed her lips and looked away.
"It is alright... I should be used to this," Feyan held the bridge of his nose, "I suppose the princess got it from you then. That side of her does not show often at least."
"Daiyu? Are you kidding? She’d wait around every corner with a racket ready to swing. Not a lot keeps her down..." as she uttered, Jotou pondered where she was... A palace, a princess... ’If I think I’ve changed. Daiyu...’
"Time’s running low," Hotaru checked her watch.
"Uh, I suppose I have explained most of the important bits, but I have no doubt—maybe slight doubt—n-never mind. I wish you the best of luck in dealing with whoever you may speak with.
After the briefing people tend to mingle all over so I may not be able to rush to your side.
I must depart for now. Jotou, I believe it would be best to be by the side of the princess till you sit down for it to be natural; especially at the entrance ceremony."
"You tell me this now? Where’s Daiyu then?"
"I apologize, a lot of this has been planned overnight. The princess should be alongside the admiral in the main foyer."
"Alright, I’ll see you guys later then," Jotou bade as she left the conference room.
"Farewell. If you three would follow me to your seats; they are up front next to where the reporters sit," Feyan led them to the rows of chairs flanking the massive table.
_
Daiyu sighed, "Finally, couldn’t come any later?"
"You couldn’t tell me about this any sooner?"
"Feyan was supposed to tell you. You’re his replacement while he does other business."
"He literally told me just now."
"Of course he did, never mind," Daiyu stood with Arabella as Royal Guard went back and forth through the foyer. The staff rolled out a purple carpet with sides of gold from the main doors till another foyer—the inner foyer to be exact.
Arabella’s hair was down with her usual two feathers by the side and a silver circlet rested around her head whilst she wore her armour.
Count Khalim walked out from the inner foyer, "We have but a few minutes left. Awaiting anything else princess?"
"Not really."
"Then shall we open the doors?" that question was more of a request as he exclaimed it to the guards around. Arabella moved her finger in the air, issuing the same command.
The Royal Guard rushed, careful not to trample the carpets as two of them held each side of the door. One Royal Guard, tall and with strands of brown hair from his helmet held the keys up.
With the several locks around the door unlocked, he motioned the others to pull. The other Royal Guard opened the doors inwards. "TFF!!" It sounded until it hit the stoppers to which the Royal Guard fastened the doors to.
Dozens of the Royal Guard outside were stood at the ready, umbrellas in their grasps. They all swiftly turned with one step to face the palace.
The cameras began flashing, despite Daiyu or the Royal Ministry barely being in sight. Around the fountain multiple parked carriages—containing council members no doubt—awaited.
The storming rain had settled down into hardly present drizzle. The princess stepped out and the camera flashes grew tenfold, causing both her and Jotou to wince.
Arabella followed behind grabbing a couple of umbrellas from the guards. She handed them to the two. "So, what now?" Jotou opened it up.
"Well, we’re supposed to be in the inner foyer I just wanted to see what was going on here properly," tassels hung in front of Daiyu’s face.
The gates were just being shut as another carriage joined the row and beyond them, hundreds upon hundreds of citizens were cordoned off to the sides of the inclined path towards the palace.
The short wet grass squished to their footsteps as a volley of yells and screams resonated till the palace gates—many cheers, many boos. There were protestors with signs written in red.
"The hell’s going on over there," Jotou squinted and walked forward.
"Let’s go check it out," Daiyu walked ahead to which Arabella was about to protest to, but... sighed and walked along instead. The camera flashes only increased, and the crowds inside and outside only grew louder.
Jotou batted an eye—too many noises... Her toes tensed. Arabella raised a hand and began giving out orders, trying to get the paparazzi to cool it with the photographs.
The flashes lessened, but Daiyu’s brows were furrowed to the gates; perhaps the sign saying ’Death to the Pretender’ catching her attention the most... Before a Royal Guard accosted the individual in the crowd and took it away.
The guests in the carriages shifted their curtains, glancing through the misted up windows to the unexpected presence of her majesty.
"Hey, you’re okay right?" Jotou gently placed a hand on Daiyu’s shoulder.
She shook out of it, "Fine. Too many people?"
"I’m fine. What a bunch of bastards," Jotou huffed to the crowds.
"Technically I’m the bastard," Daiyu chuckled.
"Daiyu don’t-" Jotou looked to her, only to see nothing but a painted smile across the princess’s face. ’Since when does she care about- ugh... You can’t do anything with the situation like this; something needs to change.’
Arabella caught back up and surveyed the commotion. "NO WORTH ON THE THRONE!" one yelled in the middle somewhere.
Someone else turned, "JUST BECAUSE SHE CAN’T REMEMBER DOESN’T MEAN SHE’S NOT THE PRINCESS!" there seemed to be opposing protestors as well...
People were shuffling more, a riot was brewing. "HEY!" someone was punched and it served as the catalyst... The crowd outside were now at unrest, scuffling and kicking whilst bystanders tried to get out.
"Ara, you need to stop this please," Daiyu grunted.
People fell, no doubt were about to be trampled. Arabella ran forward to the gates, the sense of alarm written in both Daiyu and Jotou’s eyes as they hastily followed.
More Royal Guard fanned out into the crowds and began dispersing the crowds around anyone who potentially fell, but the revolt was not lost.
Jotou stared with knitted brows and then glared to Daiyu... Who simply stood? No, she was simply acting; keeping in a flurry of words behind her gritted teeth, her fist clenched so tight it could crush metal.
The blonde looked back to the beginnings of the chaos and glanced around to concoct a solution. Many of the council were in those carriages, waiting to see what would occur...
She looked to the guard posts to the sides of the gates with lotus-like roofs, the crowd on the other side right below, the colourful pebbles that decorated the surroundings...
She peered back to Daiyu. ’This isn’t you. I understand, you can’t do much without ruining your reputation.’ The blonde threw the umbrella aside and drew her blade; she ran for the right guard post.
"Jotou?" Daiyu turned, following behind with the umbrella. Jotou leaned down till she could pick up a pebble in her sprint and came to face the wall of the post.
"Can you give me a lift?"
"I’m wearing all of this, a drop of rain’ll ruin my face, there’s people watching and you want me to give you a boost?"
Jotou turned her head with glazed over eyes, "When did you get this prissy?"
She half-closed her right eye- "THUD!" She stomped her feet onto the ground. "SHRUCK!" And a flat surface of the ground spiked up right below Jotou.
"DAH!" launching her into the air lightly, enough for her to grab onto the roof of the post. ’That worked a little too well...’ Jotou hung on and climbed atop.
Daiyu huffed as the spiked earth fell back down into the ground like nothing was ever disturbed; except the cracks that had formed around it.
The blonde stood on top and held out the pebble in the air. Some of the crowd glanced up, many too preoccupied with the guards coming through or fighting someone else.
’Just gotta send the sound upwards.’ She threw the pebble in the air and swung her blade as the lightning began to fizzle around her forearms. She swung her blade upwards. ’THUNDERING STRIKE!’
A flash of lightning pierced through the pebble as the blade made contact, sending yellow streaks across the clouds...
"BBLLLAAAASSSTTT!!!!!"
The thunder resounded across the sky and throughout Cravolta City; not a window or a camera lens cracked while they were busy taking pictures.
The crowd inside and out, the Royal Guard, the carriage drivers and Daiyu all looked up at the Thundering Blade, whose her hair still arced with jolts of electricity; everything stood at a standstill...
The vibrations shook through the spines of everyone. Daiyu glanced back down while Jotou caught her breath. The camera clicks had stopped for a second; the agitated horses were being calmed down by their drivers.
The princess looked back at the crowd, who were in a state of inaction from either fear or awe... She walked back to the gates and stomped her foot down once more... If change was to occur-
"Rummm...bbBle!" The earth began to quake, just enough to shake everyone out of their stupor. "Guards, assist anyone who requires medical attention and escort them off the premises!" emboldened by the lightning, she acted.
Only once it felt like time had resumed, did she feel the weight of the situation... Daiyu sighed back into a smile and tried to avoid attention as she rushed back into the palace.
Jotou glanced down to all those present, as the Royal Guard began to help those they could while some of the protestors backed off with gulps.
With a scowl and a glare, she leapt back down from the post. She smiled watching Daiyu rushed back into the palace. Arabella came from behind, hooking Jotou by the arm.
She nodded to the palace with no smile nor scowl before dragging the blonde along. "Ohp, okay."
