Foxtails and Fairytales: Facades and Fables of the Phantom Prince

[Arc 4] Ch. 8 Lovestruck Maidens

Dova

What was I doing?

I followed the blonde fox sisters all the way to a café in the shopping district and even got a table within eavesdropping range. This is perfectly innocent thought, right? I'm just getting lunch like I planned. Yeah. That's it. I'd be here anyway if Vlad had come to lunch with me.

I was handed a menu and when I saw the prices, I got sick again. Of course, the Princesses would come here and when my stomach growled, I had no easy 'I'm not that hungry' excuse.

I ordered something and mourned my wallet. Even with the teacher discount I probably should have settled for burnt oatmeal or the free cafeteria food.

I can't help but sigh at my predicament. At least if I order something sweet it may help me feel better.

"So tell me about what's on your mind, sis." Meela opens the conversation as I order my food.

"There is boy I met recently, and I can't stop thinking about him. When I do my heart beats faster even if I'm not running and I feel really light." Tiera replied analytically.

"Okay how did you meet him?"

"He walked into my shop and insulted my masterpiece."

Meela coughed on her class of water. "That expensive sword made out of all those rare metals, ori-something-"

"Orichalcum from the dwarves, Mithril from the dark elves, Adamantite from the demonkin, refined demon core from the wolves, Titan Brass from Jaktonde Shan, a lucky lead bullet that pierced the pirate queen Blackbeard, Holy Crimson Ore imported from Ty'r Brenin, An Ancient Scale of Shar'lita from the dragons, refined iron exposed to the Phantom Prince's unique magic, Leviathan oil from the Cats for quenching, and crafted over the Nimbus Ley line under lake Viviane with the assistance of eleven elven master blacksmiths over 9 Months in dragonfyre brought from the legendary Vulcan forge in the heart of the dwarven mines." Tiera stated softly knowing full well the value of the materials alone.

"Inari's armpit, you don't mess around!" Meela cursed. "What did he say about it?"

"He said the sword and scabbard didn't match."

"That's understandable considering what you went through to craft the sword itself."

"But he... told me a story. A tragedy about a king, a mighty sword, and it's magical scabbard. A wise man in the story claimed that the scabbard was more valuable since it would preserve his life. Although the sword proved his claim to kingship was legitimate and he didn't cherish the scabbard and lost it. The king was a good man, but he was betrayed by those closest to him and killed by his own kin. When he died the kingdom fell apart." Tiera explained.

"How morbid. What point was he trying to make?"

"I'm not sure, but instead of coveting it. It made him sad, so I took down the display." Tiera said.

"That's very considerate... in its own way. I guess."

"I didn't do it to be considerate." Tiera said flatly. "I... want to remake the scabbard. I want to show him it can be beautiful too."

"Is that the only reason?"

"I... don't know any other way to make him happy. I want to see him smile." Tiera said. "Remember when we first met Sebas? I knew very early that I was different. I learned that I was a Vuldred Sage a person who would once become an amazing general. I was treated differently, everyone went out of their way to appease or avoid me. I accepted my fate, that my life would be full of conflict, war, and solitude. Then that silly brother of ours showed up. He..."