Chapter 21 - Throne Room

Von and Lei were very hard to catch, I could even assume that they were running away from us!

If it's not only for my super speed and Fily's super knowledge we wouldn't be able to outrun them!

"Why were you running away from us!??" I scowled, not really happy about the running unlike them who was seemingly having fun.

"How are you still so fast even while carrying Fily? I didn't know your thin limbs had some hidden muscles in them." I was unsure if I should take Von's remark as an insult or a compliment but the former would be easier to believe.

"Want a taste of this!?" I showed him my fist, confident that even if they're slim, I could still exert more damage than his lame punches!

"Venedette asked us to look for the both of you." Fily butted in. "She wants to tell us something important after her talk with a visitor."

"A visitor?" Lei opened his mouth which took me back a little, I've totally forgotten the fact that he could still talk but just chooses not to, making me unfamiliar with his heavy but bright voice that felt fresher than a breeze of cold air.

"Yes, I'm guessing an organizer from the association.."

"By association- you mean..." Von stiffened and was alarmed, his chunky laughs were replaced by a frown that looked worse than when he decided to save me from falling down.

"Where are they?"

"In the throne ro-" My sentence was still undone but Von already ran ahead of us.

"Who else thinks that he's going to make a fuss?" Fily tried to smile despite the worry while I was caught staring at Lei's earrings too much.

"You're wearing a Stat-hut." He stated after glancing at me who was then woken up from being mesmerized to his uniquely designed Stat-hut.

"Y-yeah." I looked away from him, my cheeks blushing from the embarrassment as we took our time, walking through the corridors to the throne room.

"Venedette told us to wait at the library but Von went straight to the throne room. Should we really follow him or go straight to the library instead?" It was me who broke the silence between us while arriving at the hallway that separates the direction between where the throne room was and the library.

Lei shrugged and Fily looked at me with confusion. "T-to the throne room?" She awkwardly pointed at the archway on the right where the throne room would be.

"Aaaah, I think Venedette won't like this but we need to take Von with us."

Lei was the first one to walk towards the throne room and opened the door as we follow from behind.

This is the first time ever that I'll get to visit the throne room because this place was strictly for business purposes only.

After the tall gates, was a wide red carpet that was stretched until the end of the room where three seats are located.

Venedette was seated on the largest golden throne with stunning details of fire and dragons in a red accent. To her side was a slightly smaller throne where Von was seated like a king.

I zoomed in my vision to see their expressions from where I was standing and saw a slightly exasperated Venedette forcing a laugh that contrasted her child's discontent attitude.

Lei was confident upon walking through the carpets which made me look very little and overwhelmed compared to him for hiding behind Fily.

"F-Fily... I don't think we're supposed to be here." I wandered my eyes to the corinthian columns on the side that has medieval wall lights in between each column and other intricate decorations in red and gold respectively, making this spacious room look so full and elegant.

Lei bowed down upon reaching the end of the carpets and went to stand beside Von.

I was tugging Fily's sleeves to make her come with me outside but she insisted on walking continuously as a 'courtesy to the room', expanding more on the 'manners' subject and what we should do when we arrive at the end of the carpet.

Venedette was not wearing proper clothes. Well, that is according to what I feel like. Even Von was wearing casual clothes while sitting on his throne.

The maids who were standing in a line for the left and right looked very poised and wearing proper maid attires, unlike the two who were seated on the throne.

"What are you doing here kids?" I think Venedette didn't like our presence here at all.

"Fily, let's go out.."

"We can't. Now bow down." Fily crossed her legs and held her skirt as she bowed down gracefully.

I was confused if I should be copying her style of bowing down or just bend my body forwards as Lei did?

"Come on bow down." Fily went to me and guided my hands to my skirt, she also kicked my left foot to cross it to my other foot and then pushed my back to make me bend my right knees slightly.

The maids were looking at me like I was doing something disrespectful but Venedette was lenient on me.

"That's okay you may pass."

Fily shook her head and urged me to follow the direction where Venedette swung her hands. It was to the right of Venedette, which is where Lei is standing beside where Von was seated.

I didn't notice it from the ground but the man that was talking to Venedette was actually on the left side of the carpet, bowing down as he slowly read the contents of the scroll that he was holding.

I didn't understand anything that he was saying because it was in another language so I looked at Fily to translate for me.

But Fily was silent. Actually, everybody was silent.

I guess it is not allowed to talk while someone is reading something here?

After the man ended his speech, Von stood up and got into an argument with Venedette who was still calm and composed while answering his whims.

"Mom what is this!? You don't need to join that tournament! We are safe here! I promise you!"

"No. I need to take back what's ours Von. It is only right. No more questions I will discuss this later on with you and the kids at the library. Now if you must please, get out of this room with your friends. This is not a place for children."

"I am a prince I have the right to be here." He slouched lazily on his throne with arms crossed.

And a series of Venedette trying to get him out of that room continued until she finally asked Lei and the other men to take him out of there forcefully, also telling us to accompany him to the library.

"I am the prince here! You have no right to bring me out like this!!" He really is stubborn.

"Our deepest apologies young master but we need to follow the Princess' orders."

Lei helped the guards in taking Von out which finally made him go out on his own.

"Tch I can't believe mom did this without even consulting us first!" The guards locked the door of the throne room from the four of us, which I really didn't mind because I want to know what the heck is going on already.

"Fily? Please..." After a series of begging and Fily sighing heavily, she finally decided to let me in on what is happening.

"Remember the tournament?" She finally talked while we were strolling behind Lei and Von to the library.

"The Deka-"

"Yes, that. The man just read the letter of confirmation for Venedette's guild."

"A guild? What is it for?"

"It seems like Venedette really is creating a squad for the upcoming tournament which will happen in 5 years."

"She already told this to us, didn't she?"

"But that was just a speculation. Now that it's confirmed, I don't know how to react to this."

"Do you still think you're not fit to be part of Venedette's guild?"

"N-no... It's not that... You don't understand." I was slightly hurt by what she said but I didn't take it to the heart deeply.

"Then make me," I told her, reaching my right hand to her left hand, as if trying to tell her to trust me and that I need her.

"O-okay..."

I don't know what the problem might be Fily, but you are now my friend and I won't let my friends turn into ashes again. Not again.