Chapter 67: I Command You
Caramy had thought his improvised plan would earn Diana’s praise, but it was dismissed. However, Diana, having convinced herself, approved his plan.
“I agree. I have to admit, you are somewhat useful!”
Diana’s mood was fickle. She playfully patted Caramy’s bottom, like a creepy old man groping a young boy.
“Go, now, bring Calsas to me. You know who I’m talking about.”
“The rising star who keeps winning scholarships, the genius boy said to be the most likely to reach the legendary rank in the history of the empire?”
Caramy had some impression of him.
His family elders always boasted about Calsas’s excellence, prompting Caramy to investigate out of spite. The conclusion was as they said, Calsas was truly strong, talented, intelligent, and driven, a born protagonist. It was a pity he wasn’t the hero; someone else held that title.
So, Diana intended to use Calsas as insurance?
“Mm-hmm, the weakling’s brain isn’t completely useless. Tell him I summoned him, he wouldn’t dare refuse.”
“Yes, Your Highness…”
Caramy left, the empty hallway silent and lonely.
Diana whistled smugly, her violet ponytail shimmering in the setting sun.
Looking out the window, she saw a gray figure approaching, like a descending disaster.
“S-senior Weakling, what is she doing here?! Caramy!! Calsas!! Come back!!”
Diana wanted to find someone, but most of her followers were still maintaining order in the previous classroom, and now even her only reliable subordinate, Caramy, was gone…
She froze.
“…Wait, where am I?”
Her heart raced, the crimson sunset casting a long shadow behind her solitary figure.
“Ca! Ra! My!!! Where the hell did he take me?!”
She gritted her teeth, suppressing her fury as she watched the gray-haired figure approach.
Calm down, she had to stay calm!
What if Caramy hadn’t betrayed her, but had actually gone to get reinforcements? Lena’s appearance was just a coincidence, the plan was still in motion…
After careful consideration, Diana decided to confront Lena head-on.
…
Lena’s pace was slow, her movements graceful like a gray cat. As she stepped into the abandoned hallway, Diana realized her languid and relaxed demeanor wasn’t something an ordinary young lady could imitate; it was the aura of someone in a position of power.
Diana was all too familiar with it.
“Hmph~ Weakling~”
“Your Highness, Diana.”
Lena met her gaze, responding to Diana’s rudeness with a smile. “May I ask why Your Highness is here?”
“Admiring the scenery, is that a problem?” Diana puffed out her flat chest, her voice haughty. “Senior Weakling is so nosy, such a clueless weakling~ so stupid~ such an idiot~”
“Then would Your Highness allow me to join you?”
Lena walked over to the giggling little devil, half-kneeling. “A beautiful sunset should be enjoyed with a beautiful companion. I brought some wine and snacks, would Your Highness care for a drink?”
“Eh?” Diana’s smile froze.
“Oh right, Your Highness is still young and can’t drink alcohol. What a pity, I brought this imported honey monkey wine and crispy butter cookies, how thoughtless of me.”
Lena feigned regret, standing up.
Diana’s expression changed rapidly.
Was Lena implying that she was short, small, and flat, not worthy of being Lena’s companion?!
How dare she!!
Diana hated being called short. She was still growing! And there were other children her age in the academy, why look down on her…?
A wave of resentment welled up within her, and Diana grabbed Lena’s sleeve. “W-who said I can’t drink?! Senior Weakling is such an idiot! Hmph! You know nothing and yet you dare belittle me, you useless idiot! I’ll drink it right now and show you!”
“Please don’t be hasty, Your Highness. I’ve brought a suitable cup for you.”
Lena smiled, taking out a glass dish, pouring a small amount of honey monkey wine, and placing a few cookies beside it.
“Ta-da~ A special limited edition children’s set, with a wonderful toy as a gift~”
Lena blew on the paper pinwheel, handing it to Diana, gently stroking her head. “Your Highness is so adorable and charming, even I can’t resist your allure. What happened yesterday was just a mistake I made to get Your Highness’s attention. I hope Your Highness can be merciful and forgive my rudeness…”
“Senior Weakling?”
Diana blinked, her cherry-colored lips pouting unconsciously. She clutched the pinwheel, then puffed out her cheeks. “I’m not a child, I’m growing taller every day. I’m already half an adult.”
“Indeed, Your Highness is a talented young lady, no longer a child. Even now, one can see your future brilliance.”
Diana’s small hand grasped Lena’s finger, which was holding the pinwheel. This novel toy, never before seen in the empire, captivated her…
A very interesting object.
She wanted it, to study it closely…
“That won’t do.” Lena pulled the pinwheel away with her free hand, her voice firm. “Your Highness just said you’re already half an adult, so how could you like such a childish toy? Ah, could it be that this toy, suitable only for preschoolers, has captured Your Highness’s heart? My apologies, I’ll repent when I return…”
“S-senior Weakling is such a joker…”
Diana stammered, unsure what to do.
Lena’s sincere expression didn’t seem like a lie, and that interesting pinwheel… she really wanted it…
Hmph~
If she wanted it, she would just take it! Why bother with all this nonsense!
“In the name of the Imperial Princess, I command you to hand it over to me.”
[Countdown: 30 seconds until the body bind is released]
An ethereal voice echoed, as if from the heavens, filling her ears.
Diana’s Word Spirit Magic activated, a mental attack that couldn’t be avoided, its power absolute.
Such special professions were always shrouded in mystery.
Lena’s fingers curled involuntarily, and she watched helplessly as the painstakingly folded pinwheel was taken from her.
However, her expression remained unchanged, as if this was all perfectly normal. “As expected of the imperial bloodline, inheriting the Word Spirit Magic. How fascinating.”
“Hmph~ Senior Weakling is truly a weakling. How could you understand such profound and mysterious magic? Stupid~ weakling~ silly big sister, keep racking your brains forever~”
Diana, holding the pinwheel, beamed, her face radiant like the setting sun.
For a moment, Lena felt like she was back in her past life.
The same paper pinwheel, the same Word Spirit Magic control, the same helplessness.
But this time, Lena’s stiff fingers began to loosen, and gradually, she broke free from the spell’s control, her bones shifting, her numb shoulders relaxing…
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