"Young miss Cranberry."

The queen entered the room without any of the courtesy that her son showed when he arrived, she just straight up entered and spoke up from the position of power - already used to people kneeling at her sight.

​​

She was a tall, slim woman, with long and straight dark blond hair, sharp gray eyes, and we'll defined facial features that made her look like a marble statue of an ancient beauty.

"Madam Greed."

But what the said beauty wasn't expecting, was the welcome given by the young red-haired freckled girl with a mocking smirk - there were so many things wrong with her greeting that it was almost impossible to believe that this girl was brought up in a noble household...

Or maybe it was actually expected since she was a Pride.

First of all, the red-haired girl didn't even stand up.

The blond-haired queen never expected the Pride's to kneel or even curtsy or bow - not after she learned that all the reports weren't overestimating but rather severely underestimating her - but to greet her, the queen while seated?

And then there was the way the Pride's the girl addressed her.

Not your majesty.

Not my queen.

Not even just lady Greed.

She called her madam Greed.

Madam.

Calling someone lord or lady was a sign of respect reserved for those of higher social positions.

It could be used for those of equal standing if the person saying that respected the other one a great deal too.

And then there was sir, madam, and miss.

Amongst the nobility, it was a way to address someone of equal status, but more commonly it was used when speaking to the nobles of lower status.

With that in mind, the tone of voice that the red-haired girl used while speaking to the queen didn't suggest that she had even a slight bit of respect for the acting ruler of the country she was brought up in...!

"Mother!"

At least Roan, her son, was trying to get up from his seat.

...trying was a keyword there since he was unable to because of the red and black smoke hand of the robust blue-skinned corpse puppet weighing down on his shoulders.

"Oh! I remember her now! She was trying to give us a hard time during the first kill party but got outwitted! Khahaha! Good times!"

And said corpse puppet raised its brows and laughed in amusement.

"That said... kneel."

"!!!!!!"

*thump*

...that said, all would be fine and dandy if not for that the next moment seemed to get annoyed over something and frowned, glaring at the queen, and pointed his index finger at the floor while growling out a command.

A command that made the high and mighty fearsome queen of the kingdom of Fruit Salad drop down and slam her kneecaps against the cold hardwood floor.

"MOTHER?!"

Roan shouted in shock - never in his life did he expect that there was someone who could force his mother to bend her knees in front of them!

"Oh, shush it, weakling prince. It's not like I asked her to lick my shoes or anything..."

Zombie shrugged his shoulders.

"...though, now that I've mentioned it, they could use a bit more polish..."

He furrowed his brows and glanced at the already shining heels of his boots of the phoenix.

"...haa... Zombie."

Cranberry sighed and started massaging her forehead.

"Yes?"

The blue undead tilted his head with a bright innocent smile plastered all over his face.

"It's okay, you don't need to try to make me feel any better. Madam Greed is looking to be our ally, so hold back a bit."

The red-haired girl gave a benevolent smile to her blue undead and waved her hand as if she was swiping a bit of dust from the armchair's armrest.

"Oh, that was just a little test of who is stronger. You know - just a little royal rumble."

Zombie dropped the innocent act and his smile changed into a mocking grin.

"Haa... Zombie, your king of pride title was given to you by the system after you met the specific condition, madam Greed received hers by succeeding her parents. There were no doubts that you are more powerful at any point."

Cranberry sighed deeply and smirked back at the blue undead after shaking her head at him.

"...Z-Zombie is a king-rank monster now?!"

Roan flinched and suddenly started sweating profusely, only then fully realizing that maybe being so casual with the blue-skinned corpse puppet wasn't such a good idea after all.

"...oh... well, I guess you're right - you can get up."

The blue undead furrowed his brows and nodded before turning to the speechless queen - who just continued staring at the floor.

"Interesting... you two really are proving yourself more and more incredible - fellow king, would you be able to do the same thing even to someone with MDF in the four digits?"

Surprisingly enough, once the queen was able to stand back up, she didn't seem angry at all.

Quite the opposite.

She gracefully turned towards the blue undead and asked in a very polite tone.

"Four digits... how strong that would be? It certainly worked on that trash who hurt or daughter..."

Zombie tilted his head and answered truthfully.

"Da-daughter?!"

"...!"

At his words both the mother and son's eyes widened, though probably not from being impressed since they had no idea who Zombie was talking about.

"Yes. Our daughter. You've met her already, Roan. The cute blue girl griffin, Blueberry."

"...!"

The blue undead explained without batting an eye, while the red-haired Cranberry fidgeted and blushed on her fancy armchair.

"Haa... enough with the small talk. Madam Greed, what exactly is the deal you have prepared for us? I hope it's not something annoying - and just to be sure I'll tell you outright. I am not going to marry anyone with a pulse."

But the red-haired girl wasn't going to just sit on tight on her spot and say nothing, she breathed out and declared, glaring down at the blond-haired queen.

"Oh, miss Pride, I had no intention of forcing you into anything, but as you've said - I do have a deal for you that I hope you'll find acceptable."

"...!"

The queen lightly shook herself and smiled softly, ignoring her son who looked down in disappointment at the mention of Cranberry not intending to marry anyone.