Slime Girl

- Princess Anvenia Nox Demi Aurealis -

They always brush me to the side if something important happens.

I'm not stupid.

I can tell if Mother is serious.

So I listened in and heard that Mother and Father were talking about Liqu and her rather possessive friend.

Those two apparently did something big in the town called Ekoras, which is located in the South, as I learned in my lessons.

The way they spoke, it seems to have been about something important.

Now they’ve been called again to a council.

There've been a lot of those recently.

I hear steps coming to the door.

They'll now, as usual, tell me they're going to leave, and I’m to be excluded.

I quickly run to my bed, as getting caught listening in at the door would be unbecoming.

"Creak"

The door opens.

"Anvenia..." (Parcian)

"Yes?" (Anvenia)

"Please, get ready. We are heading out." (Serenia)

What!?

"What!?" (Parcian)

Exactly!

"I want her to accompany us to the council. It's important." (Serenia)

I can't quite grasp my mother's intentions.

"You can't be serious! Bringing her there!" (Parcian)

"Do you think they'd make an attempt at her life there? We secured this part of the palace, and they may just as well go for us if they'd see any chance." (Serenia)

"And this is supposed to soothe me?" (Parcian)

"No, but it is to convince you to let me have my way." (Serenia)

"Are you going to instrumentalize my daughter?!" (Parcian)

"I only want to give her a chance to participate in the discussion about those two. It seems to be of personal interest to her." (Serenia)

Wait, does Mother know I was at the door?

More importantly, they are going to talk about something concerning Liqu and her friend?

"This will bring her right into their focus! You cannot put my daughter at risk like this." (Parcian)

"Last time I checked, she was my daughter as well. Which, incidentally, guarantees that she is already in their focus, due to her position. Yet in this sense, I'd like to add that I doubt they'll attack her in our presence. Your personal guard is, at the very least, loyal and somewhat competent. Therefore, she'll be safer with us than if we left her here. That is, if you don't give them a reason to see an opening. After all, it is only our unified front that keeps her safe, delaying another attempt on her. You surely don't believe that her whereabouts weren't already uncovered a long time ago, do you? Or was that messenger one of yours?" (Serenia)

They're fighting as usual.

"Our daughter won't be exposed to these people. Just because they haven’t acted, does not mean we flaunt her in front of them! Besides, she has no need to hear their treacherous lies. And what if they address her directly!?" (Parcian)

"Parcian, how is she going to rule if she's never challenged?" (Serenia)

But I have to act now!

"Please, allow me to go!" (Anvenia)

"Anvenia..." (Parcian)

"Liqu is my friend! If mother believes I can help, then I want to!" (Anvenia)

"Argh, but you don't know what risks you're taking. You can't just go." (Parcian)

"I know it's not safe. I know the bad people are targeting me." (Anvenia)

I'm not stupid.

Even if Father thinks I wouldn't notice, I know that those bad people want to do bad things to me.

It isn't so difficult.

"I-if you know, then you know it’s too dangerous." (Parcian)

"But I have to go nevertheless! How could I step away from supporting a friend? Am I to abandon those loyal to me?" (Anvenia)

"Well said." (Serenia)

Praise from Mother?

How extraordinary!

She doesn’t give that often.

"Hah... Fine, but you'll stay next to me and the guards the entire time. Never leave our sides. Never, you understand?" (Parcian)

"Yes, Father, of course." (Anvenia)

"Sigh. Just be safe." (Parcian)

I know Father doesn't like to be strict with me.

He’d much rather I play as I please while he’s away.

Yet I really need to go.

We walk together with a lot of guards.

Everyone goes to a room I am not familiar with, but I can tell it's an important one.

There are a lot of guards in front of the doorway, and inside, there's a long table with people who seem to be of higher status.

Ah, that person I recognize from the portrait in my lessons.

"Your majesties, I see you made it. Oh, and you brought her highness, the princess." (Chancellor)

Ugh, but I don't like this man.

He has an unpleasant feeling about him.

I feel sometimes like this, and it was similar when that soldier attacked us on the way back home.

He just feels as if he's up to no good.

"Chancellor, I hope it's urgent. I have important business to attend to, so you'd better have a good reason for interrupting me." (Parcian)

Father is unusually stern with these people.

Nothing like with me.

"It certainly is. We need to discuss the newest transgression of your queen." (Chancellor)

"Ahem, the chancellor told us about things concerning your wife and how she involves herself with most questionable subjects." (?)

I think that was a northern noble.

I'm not quite familiar with all of them, but they must be part of the council.

My teachers explained to me how my father shares his power with his nobles, who limit the things he can do.

Yet from what I perceive, it might be a lot better for the country without them, so Mother and Father would have all the power.

The nobles shouldn't be left with the ability to get in his way when he tries to make things good.

"My, my. This sounds almost like an accusation. I wouldn't know what warrants this kind of hostility." (Serenia)

"You know perfectly well what does! You employed freaking slimes as your knights! A mockery to all that nobility stands for!" (Chancellor)

"Chancellor. This seems to be quite the far-fetched accusation. I mean, seriously, slimes?" (Northern noble)

"But it's true nonetheless, Lord Bohemon!" (Chancellor)

Ah, that was the name!

I think he owned a lot of land in the North, and a minor city, if I remember correctly.

"The whole capital is already talking about it! Humanoid slimes acting as the queen's agents!" (Chancellor)

Ugh, I don’t like how he looks after hearing what the Chancellor just said.

And he’s not the only one who reacts so negatively at the mention of my friend.

"Such a thing."

"Can it be true?"

"How shameful."

The other nobles in the room start speaking to each other.

It doesn't sound good.

Hopefully, Mother can do something about this.

She is good with words.

"Yet I fail to see where the accusation lies. I took those trusted subjects right from their service for Count Kahan, who personally vouched for them. Since then, their service has been nothing but exceptional. Why shouldn't I employ this kind of loyal subjects?" (Serenia)

"She doesn't deny it?"

"Unbelievable!"

"Because they're fucking monsters!" (Chancellor)

That's a bad word!

"Chancellor! Not this tone in front of my daughter!" (Parcian)

"Yes. Apologies, your Majesty. I was just so heated. It seems I lost my temper. But this still doesn't absolve your wife from her transgressions!" (Chancellor)

"I will say, as questionable as I found this decision of hers to be, it was ultimately her own choice to assign them as her knights. As is rightfully permitted for someone in her position. In this sense, the only counterpoint you may raise is the peculiar nature of the assigned individuals. Yet given their performance, there seems little reason for doubt." (Parcian)

"They are slimes!" (Chancellor)

"Ahem. Before we discuss this further, maybe it would be opportune to inform the assembled how such a thing could even be possible. I fear the mere idea of slimes in royal service, as knights no less, is far too outlandish to even consider. How would little blobs of, well, slime, be able to get into this position? I can't possibly imagine such a thing." (Lord Bohemon)

"This is a very good question, Lord Bohemon. Fitting of the one leading this assembly. Allow me to enlighten you. Those slimes are apparently of a variant that allows them to adopt a human shape and even think like humans. It even goes as far as them being able to speak and lead mindful conversations." (Serenia)

At this, a lot of the people catch their breath.

Yet Mother speaks true.

Those two are good talking partners.

Especially Liqu, who can be so fun.

"This sounds truly unlikely, even outlandish. To think monsters capable of mimicking humans exist, to the point that none of us could see through them, when they were inaugurated. Yet why would monsters even come to work for you? And at what cost?" (Lord Bohemon)

"All our lives, I tell you!" (Chancellor)

I really don't like him.

He's lying, and he's mean.

"Chancellor, please, let me answer. How they came to me is quite the extensive story. I may tell it another time in more detail. Yet I can verify their loyalty. Regarding the why, all they demand in return is that their basic needs are met. To devour till a certain requirement is reached. Meaning, I get two highly capable individuals fighting for me, for throwing them a literal bone, once in a while." (Serenia)

That's not right!

Shari and Liqu are far more complicated than this.

Yet it would be wrong of me to speak against Mother in this situation.

"Hah! And here we are at my point! She merely claims that! Who knows what she promised them! What she allows them to do!" (Chancellor)

"Chancellor, you seem awfully focused on accusing my wife. The mere fact that you are yet to provide anything of substance, aside from your baseless accusations, doesn't speak well for you. If you are to charge someone of higher standing, you should be able to back up your claims." (Parcian)

Great, Father!

Just like this!

"You want evidence? Fine. How about that just shortly after they arrived in the palace, a maid promptly vanished without a trace? To me, that sounds like Her Majesty, at best, doesn't have them under control, or worse, now we know what kind of 'bone' she's throwing them." (Chancellor)

A maid?

Like Lorena?

Would they do that?

Well, I saw that Liqu can do that.

"Oh, that one? No, that wasn't anything of the sort you're suggesting. That maid was merely a disloyal wench that had to be removed. You can believe me, the slimes don't quite care what they are fed. Traitors work just as well as livestock for this purpose." (Serenia)

Now Mother looks at each of the men in the room.

I'm quite relieved that I'm not at the receiving end of her gaze.

"Whah?!" (noble)

"This was a threat!" (noble)

"How dare she?!" (noble)

They are all so hostile.

"Your Majesty, while the fate of a mere commoner isn't all that concerning, this still opens up a highly peculiar precedent. There is a protocol to be followed for such things." (Bohemon)

"A protocol, you say? For a common traitor within this very palace? I was certain that this kind of decision would be up to your rulers. Or am I wrong with this assumption?" (Serenia)

"Don't act as if you can just do as you please!" (Chancellor)

"Chancellor! You're acting out of your bounds!" (Parcian)

This made him actually go still.

Hopefully, he will remain so.

"Well, you aren't completely wrong, Your Majesty. It is certainly up to the rulers to decide the fates of their subjects. But it is certainly unbecoming to feed them to slimes. If anything, it proves that they are too dangerous to be left unattended and should be dealt with." (Bohemon)

"Right so!"

"Do something!"

"Kill them!"

Why are they so hostile?

The two are friendly and wouldn't attack anyone without a reason.

I've seen them!

"Like children." (Serenia)

"What?" (Bohemon)

"Nothing. I merely got the impression that you all behave like frightened little children over something that is completely safe." (Serenia)

"Safe, you say? Despite their act and shape, aren't they still monsters? Perhaps more dangerous because of their never-before-known traits? How could you possibly guarantee everyone's safety if they might go on a rampage? One commoner may not fall into weight, but if such a thing were to happen on palace grounds, the damage may not just be limited to them." (Bohemon)

"They sure are!"

"Why are we even discussing this?"

"Let's eradicate the pests!"

No!

These people are going to decide against them.

I need to do something!

"Stop it!!" (Anvenia)

They're all looking at me.

I can feel their judging gazes and contempt.

"Your Highness. You shouldn’t have such fits in public. As the future ruler of this country, this is unbecoming." (Bohemon)

"Your Majesties, maybe the princess is too young to attend such meetings?" (Chancellor)

No, I won't stay silent!

And I’m grown enough to help my friends!

I know how!

"By my name, Crown Princess Anvenia Nox Demi Aurealis, I promise that Liqu is nice! She always plays with me when able!" (Anvenia)

Hah!

They look shocked.

I’ve learned Mother’s lessons well.

Now they can’t say I didn’t address them properly!

"You... let your daughter meddle with these creatures?" (Chancellor)

Or maybe it’s not me they’re surprised about?

"As we already established, they pose no threat to their allies. Nonetheless, I certainly wasn't too elated about finding her completely submerged inside one of them." (Serenia)

Oh good.

Mother doesn't seem angry about me speaking.

Yet Father seems a bit concerned.

"They, they did what?" (Bohemon)

"Liqu is great at games!" (Anvenia)

"You see, those two are highly infatuated with my daughter and will do anything to see her safe. If that may be something such as getting a town like Ekoras back under royal control, then so be it." (Serenia)

"What does it matter?! They're still monsters, not knights, and have to be removed! And you will be punished for acting out!" (Chancellor)

It's barely hidden at this point, how little he thinks of my family, yet Mother stands firm.

"You may have misunderstood me, Chancellor. What I was trying to prove to every single one of you was that my new knights are so unquestionably subject to me that I'd even trust my own daughter to be plunged within them without batting as much as an eye. As such, you should all be able to see with what kind of conviction I command them. Or to be more precise, to what effect I'll send them against my enemies. Nobody should assume they're safely out of their reach. No, they certainly aren't. This maid wasn't, and Viscount Loria wasn't as well." (Serenia)

Urgh.

Further outrage.

All of these nobles are so loud.

"You... you did what?" (Bohemon)

"I took the dear viscount captive. He definitely deserved it and worse, as he by now confessed to all his crimes. I wanted to reveal this in a more appropriate manner, but as we are already assembled, I may just let you know now." (Serenia)

"You, you cannot do this." (Chancellor)

"Oh, but I did. As I would do to everyone threatening my country! He ordered my daughter to be attacked, and those who pose a threat to my family will be rightfully disposed of. In the way I see fit. He was dragged right through his toilet, as I was told. A messy deed, I am sure, yet fortunately, I had just the right individuals to carry it out." (Serenia)

The toilet?

That's nasty.

The others seem to think the same.

Even Father.

"So let me say, knowing all this, my dear chancellor, you should now be aware that all we discussed till this point was merely the pretext to clarify, without a doubt, that my husband and I are the unchallenged rulers of all of Rakis and decide on our terms whatever we please. And whoever dares to object will regret it. Anything to add, my dear?" (Serenia)

"What would there be left, Darling?" (Parcian)

"Great. In this sense, taking the two most powerful beings I could find into my service is certainly not beyond my limits, as there simply are no limits. Whoever speaks up next may do so with this exact consideration and face the respective consequences. Any objections?" (Serenia)

They all just stare at my mother, with even a similar look to how I feel when I get scolded by her.

Even this loud, bad man isn't talking anymore, but merely angry.

"And now to you, my dear chancellor. Your act certainly left a lot to be desired. In this sense, I think it's only appropriate that you spend about a week confined in the ruby wing. This may help you understand your position better and help you reconsider how you conduct yourself towards your rightful rulers. I'm sure you'll find this a very enlightening experience." (Serenia)

Mother steps closer to him, pulls out some kind of plate, and presses a button on it.

"Serenia..." (Parcian)

"Wha-what did you just do?!" (Chancellor)

"Oh, don't worry. I'll soon send you a very special gift and make you understand very well what this button is for. We'll have a lot of fun then." (Serenia)

I don't quite understand this.

I thought Mother doesn’t like this man.

So why would she want to do something for him?

"Come, Anvenia. It seems your mother has everything well in hand." (Parcian)

"Yes, Father." (Anvenia)

Father takes my hand, and together with Mother we walk back to my room.

Once we get there, while still kinda upset, Father seems, in general, relieved now.

"Seems like this incident has been settled, honey. Did I promise too much?" (Serenia)

"If anything, you revealed too little of how far you already went. Yet I suppose you were right in a way about your 'agents'. If they continue showing results, the nobles will remain intimidated for the time being. If we can maintain this conundrum till their position worsens a little more, we may halt their rebellion before they even dare to start it." (Parcian)

"As I said, it's just a question of how you sell the story. Which makes it all the more important that next we send out people into every tavern and spread a funny little tale about the Queen's new pets." (Serenia)

I don't think it's appropriate to call them that.

"Yet now I should ascertain that my knights are indeed acting as ordered, as well as revise the plan on how to handle them from here on out." (Serenia)