Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 198: Arc 4, Act I, - 43: What the Heart Wants
"Oh." ’Fragmenting Lightning? KING!?’ "Uhhh, what brings you here?" ’The gala Sherlock.’ "So early I mean; it’s a pleasure to meet your highness as well."
"Ah," he turned his head enough to catch a glimpse of Daiyu, "I arrived last night via railway and thought to visit before the festivities begin," a pleasant smile he wore for the tone of a gentle giant.
"Then welcome to Tamara Palace, though I assume the welcoming committee has been more than hospitable," she softened her tone and had put on a barely noticeable posh accent, "Will you be staying here then?"
"No, I have my own estate in Cravolta City where I will be staying. It is truly your words that convinced me to visit earlier than I did.
After I read the morning paper during a grand Cravoltan breakfast, I was intrigued what type of person the Undying Princess was.
It is, sad to hear of the tale of the late King and Queen Tamara; I have had many a dealing with them in the past and to see such heroes to be, killed on the battlefield in non-combat... At any rate, I wanted to meet her majesty myself and extend my greetings proper.
I have never met her in the past and I believe your words ring true. I look forward to the dealings to come, however, I must busy myself Thundering Blade," he bowed his head by a few degrees.
His guards circled him once more and the front few bowed to Jotou. Jotou bowed back and stepped aside, "I look forward to as well." The king nodded before moving along.
"There are still matters to discuss princess, I advise we catch up with his highness. Good morning Ms Jotou, I do not think the princess has much time to chat."
"I know it’s busy Feyan," the blonde replied.
"But I got a minute," Daiyu waved her hand in the air, "The king. The king!?"
"I know!"
Daiyu let out a panicked groan, "I knew he was coming, but I thought we had more time," she quickly hugged Jotou, "I saw the papers, thank you!"
"Hm, you’re welcome..." Jotou patted back, noticing the others nearby.
Daiyu pulled back just as Jotou felt a spark go over her hair. Jotou raised her hand in defence before Daiyu went for a punch on the shoulder, hard.
Daiyu had her arm out straight, twisting her body into it—a perfect form. Jotou only managed to lessen the blow by moving her arm a smidgen, "The hell!?"
"That’s for doing nice things and making me hug you! You three didn’t see anything I did impulsively."
"Our lips are sealed..." Hotaru’s eyes glazed over.
"Fine, I’ll bash you in the next paper." Jotou rubbed her shoulder, "What d’you call me for?"
"To meet the king, duh. He has a lightning-based affinity apparently."
"I could assume..."
"Where were you?"
"I was with the countess, she was yelling at the staff about something. I also saw Count Keya, he’s manning all the entrance décor."
"Of course she was. Anyway, gala tonight, you ready to mingle?"
Jotou took a deep breath, "I’ve charged up my batteries, I can probably last the whole gala—I hope."
"Do not worry, they should not be overwhelming you like before. There are Royal Guard at the ready in case and there are lot more prominent figures attending that should take attention away from you."
"Yeah Feyan’s right, you’re like a rising star with a new face, probs why people came flocking. You got this," Daiyu held Jotou’s shoulders and shook her steady with the jingle of bangles.
"I’ll be fine, seriously. I wasn’t expecting it last time, I’ll do better now. Go, don’t keep a king waiting."
"You’re probably right, see ya at the party loser. Come on Ara, I only got one security, it looks more badass." Arabella rolled her eyes before following; she gave a glance of hello to Jotou.
Feyan trailed behind with a goodbye to catch up, leaving only one other person with the blonde... "You’ve been busy."
"Yeah, it’s nice to do this though; I like it actually." Hotaru’s nose wrinkled and she winced an eye in her grin, "But I still prefer going on adventurers with you all."
"I’m sure we’ll be back on an adventure in a month or two. Lots of unpredictable things. What’s been going on, on your end?"
"Hmm, I’ve been dealing with unpredictable things," she checked her clipboard with a sigh. "A lot of guests coming to the gala, even the regimes.
I hope everyone can be diplomatic... There’s even allergies some of them have and we’ve had to change the menu—twice."
"All the more reason to look good I guess. The hairdresser and makeup artist told me to come to a dressing chamber at noon; they said it’d take six hours and could fit in a light lunch... ugh."
Hotaru chuckled, "Me too, but I’ll be in our room. I’ll have to see you at the gala then. Asobi’s practicing for her show, so that should go well. We have the Purplegeits as a second performance."
"Purplegeits?"
"A band, they play classical and traditional songs, but also have their own styles apparently? Daiyu picked them.
What else... A lot of the guests have teleported through the Maleficos Ordinate building and are scheduled to arrive soon. And, oh yes, almost forgot," Hotaru glanced up with bristled ears.
"What is it?"
"Do you have a date for the gala?"
"Uhm, no."
"Would you like to go with me?" Hotaru had to have had practice to keep a straight face, right? Jotou looked at her, caught surprised...
The blonde’s eyes scanned the ceiling for but a second before looking into those brilliant blue pools, "Sure!" she beamed with a twitch of her shoulders.
"Great!" her tail fanned air behind her till she held an arm back and pinched it, "I was actually, hoping to also practice some dancing, if you’d like to."
"Uhm... if you have the time, our room in an hour?"
"Done."
The two stared at each other in the middle of the hallway—the wind gently drifting, the guards roaming around the vicinity... "I’ll... uh, see you there."
Hotaru stared into the browns of the blonde’s irises, "I’ll be there in an hour. Might be busy so, add on a clause of ten minutes if I’m late."
Jotou nodded and paced past, "Bye-"
"Bye-"
The two replied in squeaks, shrinking in their shoulders. Hotaru bit her lip, a little pep in her step down the hall without even a rejuvenate spell.
Jotou rushed the other way, to quell her fast-beating heart and take a gulp of breath. She held her chin high, going in no particular direction with a goofy grin and a flutter of warmth over her skin.
_
Merely a few minutes passed, before Hotaru caught up. However her ears pricked and picked up something, "Psst, hey, wolfy."
Hotaru took a couple of steps back, looking towards one of the corners of the hallway. Once the princess and king were out of sight, Fumeko popped up in front of the redhead. "What?"
"Why are you smiling?" Fumeko squinted.
"Hm? Was I?" Hotaru sucked in her cheeks and shifted her jaw to check.
"That’s the King of Luxinor... He’s, really big. And I saw his guards, they have swords under their coats and pistols."
"Yeah, don’t worry it’s all been checked."
"Wasn’t worrying, just keeping track. Anyway, if everything’s fine, have you seen Jotou anywhere?"
"Yes, I just asked her to the gala, she went that way in a hurry," Hotaru pointed.
"Oh okay, I want to ask her- WAIT WHAT!? ... ...DID SHE SAY YES!?!?!?!?!?"
_
Jotou strode down the hall, "Wait, where am I going...?" she halted and glanced around, "Which, oh boy..." she tried to recognize the doors and surrounding walls.
"Welp, can’t go wrong if I keep going one way," she took one step and paused to something forming in front of her.
A shadowy ball of fury appeared and spiralled into a form of a raging brunette who leapt out like she was escaping from its clutches.
"AHHHH!!!!"
"Meko!?"
"AHHH!!!" she swung her hand forward. Jotou raised her arms, only for Fumeko to not have a fist, and instead grabbed onto the left side of Jotou’s chest. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
"What the..."
"You, you!" Fumeko looked up, heavily breathing with twitching eyes, one leg in the air, her arm stuck in the motion of a punch onto Jotou, "YOU’RE TAKING HOTARU TO THE GALA!?"
"...Yes...?"
"I..." Fumeko’s voice cracked, "I was gonna ask you... YOU BROKE MY HEART!!!"
"I’m sorry detective... But what’s holding my chest gonna do for you exactly...?"
Fumeko glanced up, shivering, "This," she gripped tighter, "THIS IS WHERE YOUR HEART IS!"
"Are you, having a breakdown right now...?"
"I can’t believe you!" Fumeko fell to the floor, holding her hands to her face.
"Hey, will you get up," Jotou held her shoulders and pulled Fumeko back up and she wearily stood on her feet. "I thought I asked you to get over me?"
"I didn’t," the brunette stared, frowning akin to a sad puppy.
"Then whose fault is that?" Jotou knitted her brows.
"Ma, ma, ma- MINE! GAHH!!!" Fumeko dropped to the floor again.
"Okay-" Jotou pursed her lips and pulled Fumeko back up, "Stop acting like this, look, you maybe should’ve asked earlier, but I told you back in Hartamat detective-"
"I know! I know..." she slumped her shoulders into a sigh, "It’s not easy you know..."
"Well, I’m sorry I already have a date." ’First time I’ve said that.’ "What about Asobi? I doubt she’s asked anyone."
"She hasn’t, she’s been practicing her magic with the countess and then doing things for her magic show." a depressed detective replied.
"Then take her as a date."
"Noooo!"
"You can just take her as a friend."
"That’s just sad."
Jotou sighed, watching her emotions spiral like a spring filled balloon. ’It’s not like I got over crushes easily. Hell, it took months... But it’s not the end of the world, I learned that the hard way. Sigh... I hope you find someone for you Meko. But till then.’
"I, wanted to go with you..." the brunette muttered to the floor.
"Look," she held the brunette by the shoulder and leaned down to meet her eyesight, "This is a gathering of the nations, not a, college party.
Dates are something you just bring into the gala, but we’re gonna be talking with so many other people and doing other things; I heard there was gonna be a dance too.
So tell you what, I can’t be your date into the gala, but I can save you a dance if you’re up for it? It’ll be fun," the blonde smiled, shifting her bangs.
Fumeko stared—what conclusion came into that mind of hers was anyone’s guess. A glimmer of hope shadowed in her eye.
"Okay, yeah," she walked backwards, standing more confident and flaunting her hair, "Hmph, I shouldn’t doubt my charms. Detective Namora, I steal your dates~" she blushed at the cheeks before she blinked away in shadow.
"I mean, there’ll be a few songs, we can switch partners in between," Jotou shrugged, speaking to nothing before her, "Ai, ai, ai..."
"Should I get flowers? There must be thundering blitzes around, it storms all the time here. No wait, Aru likes sea dandelions; where the hell do I get those?
Maybe a florist in the city? I haven’t been into the city it might take too long and I have an appointment after... Maybe I can ask some of the staff," the paranoiac ran off.
