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Syrup Jellyfish
“Wow… So this is Sunkland’s royal castle…,” Anne whispered as she looked up at the towering ramparts.
It looked like it couldn’t be attacked at all because it was made of solid stone, but it wasn’t very wide. Even though Mia walks slowly, she could walk from one end to the other in less than ten minutes. This showed a pragmatic view that was almost the exact opposite of the Whitemoon Palace. The walls of the royal castle weren’t made to look good; they were built as a military building to keep out invaders, and that goal shaped every part of their design.
“That’s Solecsudo Castle. It’s my first time coming here too.” Mia said.
Even in her past life, this was the first time she had ever been to Sunkland, and the royal castle made a big impression on her.
Even from far away, it looks very grand. Even though I’m not from Sunkland, I almost feel proud to see it.
She was beginning to understand why Sunkland’s nobles were so arrogant. She could see how having such a beautiful building in their country would make people proud of it. Once the pride was there, it didn’t take long for people to start thinking that everyone would be better off living in its glory.
“Hm?” Anne was still looking at the keep, so Mia raised an eyebrow at her.
“Is there something wrong?”
“Oh, no milady… The only thing is… Hearing that this is also your first time here makes me feel like I’m part of something very special. Already, the fact that I get to work in the Whitemoon Palace of the powerful Tearmoon Empire is a miracle. The fact that I also get to go to Saint-Noel Academy is an even bigger wonder. Then you took me to the castle in Perujin, and now you’re taking me to Sunkland as well.”
Anne smiled as she thought about it. Mia nodded in agreement.
“Yes, these are probably not the kinds of things that a normal person would do.”
Anne had probably lived her whole life in the Tearmoon capital in the previous reality. She might have gone to a few places, but they would have all been inside the kingdom. She was now out and about in Sunkland. She had traveled a long way. A long way away from her family, Mia realized.
“Hey, um, Anne?” she asked, suddenly worried. “Uh…are you okay?”
“What do you mean, milady?” Anne was confused.
“You haven’t seen your family in a while, have you? I know I asked you to come to Saint-Noel with me, but you don’t have to follow me everywhere else. I’d like it if you stayed with me when I’m in Belluga, but you can leave when I’m not there and if you miss home.”
“No milady. Thank you, but that’s never going to happen.” Anne shook her head very hard. “It’s an honor to travel with you, milady. I’m always happy to be with you. Also, whenever I see Elise, I get to tell her all kinds of stories, which she loves.” She gave a grin. “So don’t worry. I’ll be with you no matter where you go. Always. Even if you say I shouldn’t.”
“Anne…” Mia laughed softly and gave up. “Oh, you would, of course. Since you are Anne. I wouldn’t want it to be any other way.” She looked up at the castle of Solecsudo. “All right, let’s see what’s inside this place!”
She walked with her head held high and Esmeralda and Tiona by her side into the castle. Sadly, her confidence didn’t last long. When she met the king, it ended not with a bang but with a whimper.
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“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. My name is Princess Mia Luna Tearmoon of the Tearmoon Empire.”
She and her friends went to the king’s viewing room to say their greetings. Each of them, including Mia, curtsied much more deeply than normal. Sunkland was on the same level as Tearmoon, so anything less than the top level of respect would be rude. Mia didn’t have any trouble with this, though. She was used to this kind of thing, so she put on her perfect princess smile right away.
“The pleasure is mine, Princess of Tearmoon. You’ve come a long way, and I’m thankful for that.” Abram Sol Sunkland, the king of Sunkland, smiled.
Mia looked at him. He looked about the same age as her father, and his smart-looking beard made him look even smarter. At first look, his smile was friendly, but it was also a little bit scary, that she shuffled uncomfortably.
S-So this is the king of Sunkland… He has a lot going for him. Even Father isn’t half as scary as him…
Even the air around him seemed purer and more royal. When Mia breathed it in, it made her head spin.
Who could blame her? Mia was, after all, part jellyfish. And not just any jellyfish, but a rare breed that lives in sugar water. She was a Syrup Jellyfish. Syrup Jellyfishes could not live in fresh water. Or any water for that matter, since they don’t really exist, but anyway…
We are bit.ly/3iBfjkV, find us on google.
Gah, pull yourself together! This is not the time to shrivel!
She smiled back and tried to be like her friend Rafina, who she had just had lunch with. She thought Rafina wouldn’t be scared of this king. Rafina would keep her sense of honor. Mia did the best she could.
“Please extend my greetings to your son, Prince Sion. He has been an amazing friend.”
“I shall. I’ve noticed that your greater wisdom seems to have had a good effect on him, so I’ve been interested in who you are. I am glad that I get to meet you so soon.”
Then King Abram looked at Tiona. “I think you are Tiona Rudolvon. On behalf of my son, thank you for your work on the student council at Saint-Noel Academy.”
“Y-You’re most welcome, Your Majesty.” Tiona had no idea what to say when he suddenly brought her up, so that was all she could say before she bowed her head.
The king’s eyes moved again, this time from Mia to Esmeralda.
“You must be Lady Esmeralda Etoile Greenmoon, right?”
“Y-Yes!” Esmeralda was about to jump.
On the other hand, Mia felt a sense of calm come over her. Seeing how nervous her friend has actually helped her own jitters settle down.
So, it looks like I’ll be the one to do all the heavy work here.
Mia became fired up. It was her turn to do something for her troublesome big sister.