>> “It’s only been just a day, but a lot of things happen...” walking behind of the Queen, Abigor suddenly spoke.

In the wide hallway of the castle, servants are busy decorating the windows by putting velvet curtains. However, they stopped for the meantime and took a bow as the Queen passed.

“It is, indeed. And it’s the day of commemoration of my birth. I never expect this to happen.”

Astarte replied, full of enthusiasm on her voice. “Now, that I finally found my ‘King’, the fulfillment of our marriage should be plan ahead.”

Abigor suddenly halted as Astarte gave that thought out. “Huh?” she asked.

Astarte then turns to her gave a quizzical gaze. “What do you mean, ‘huh?’”

“I mean, isn’t it too fast for you to decide for that? I mean, you just met awhile ago. Please, consider that thought, Your Highness.”

Abigor pleaded. “Why should I halt it? I mean, he’s the man already destined for me. There’s no doubt about it.”

“But still... you must also consider his feelings.”

Her hands clenched tightly on the hem of her pinafore apron, all while gazing at the Queen.

Astarte then avert her eyes off the maid and pondered for a bit. “I know it wasn’t easy at all.” She utters.

“Your Highness, it’s not that I don’t want you to get married. In fact, it would be my happiness to see you happy.”

Abigor then walked forward and holds the hands of the Queen. “Yet, please... let’s take this slowly. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Her eyes plead to the Queen for the confirmation of understanding. Abigor has been serving her for years now. She knows Astarte like the back of her hand.

“..... Quite difficult for this to accept, Abigor.” Astarte speaks out. “Your Highness...” she whispers.

“I appreciate your concern to me, I really do. You’re a family to me, not just a servant.”

With a painstaking smile, Astarte announced to the servant. “All right, I will think of this further.”

“Your Highness...” bursting out of joy, Abigor’s eyes moistened with tears. “Thank you! I promise to help you arrange everything when it’s all settled.”

Both nods in agreement as they giggled. “Looks like you two got in an agreement, huh?”

Cracking in between their moment, a familiar voice chided in. Abigor and Astarte turns synchronously to the one who spoke. Right that moment, Abigor, quickly fix herself and bows.

“Mashtema...” Astarte called. “Your Highness, just because we, your confidants agreed to your proposition in this Kingdom, doesn’t mean you should take everything like a play.”

Her voice firmed out from those words. “Some of us here are against of you choosing a mortal to be betrothed.”

Eerie silence engulfed over as Mashtema added further. “This has never been happened in our history. Our predecessors have failed many times to make peace over the mortals.”

Every word she let out, it’s like a knife stabbing on Astarte’s chest. It’s the truth, after all. No Demon would accept a mortal in this realm.

There’s nothing she can falsify it; hence justification would be just superficial. “.... So, what will you do now, Your Highness? A part of our vassals here can’t accept a human will be your husband and the next Demon King.”

Her chest clumps tight; her hands clenched while holding on the hem of her dress.

“.... A great ruler should be resilient in this kind of situation. It’s you who’s responsible for the prosperity or downfall of this Kingdom.”

Still, no reply comes out from the Queen. She got meek, there’s nothing she can say ‘bout it.

Mashtema then sighs tepidly and walked towards the Queen. Each trot cracking the floor, Astesia’s body starts trembling. “You’re still naïve girl inside.”

As it was expecting for her to say harsh words, Mashtema’s voice suddenly turned mellow.

“... Huh?” Astarte lifts her head and look at the confidant. Its face show gentleness, as she reached the Queen’s face. “A naïve girl, indeed. Still need a guidance by our Queen...”

Mashtema utters as she caresses her cheeks. Then, she suddenly pinched it.

“Ouch!” Astarte exclaimed. “Don’t be downhearted on the words your people say.”

“Ehh?” while caressing her cheeks, Astarte mumbled. “It’s you who make the final decisions in everything. As a Queen, you should stand firm to your words.”

Those words flow like a cold water, rushing throughout her body. Astarte felt the sincerity of the confidant who entrusted her loyalty.

It’s not the words she must understand, but the feelings she has for the decision that should be stand.

“Mashtema.” Her voice quivers. “Your Highness, it’s true that you’re still new on this responsibility. But always remember that we’re here, your trusted confidants.”

“I know, but... still, I am in doubt if my proposition would be reached out for everyone. I am afraid, that they dethroned me because of my selfishness.”

“Your Highness...” Abigor walked beside Astarte and looked into her eyes. “No matter what your decisions be, I will always stand firm by your side.”

Astarte turns sideward to look at Abigor, as the servant shows a sensual smile. “I always believe in your ability, no... we, all the people here in this Kingdom believes in you.”

“Abigor...” she mumbled, her voice quivers.

“All right. The lecture’s done for this day. It’s your day of commemoration, Your Highness.”

Astarte nods to the confidant full of agreement as she smiles. “Yeah. I should be happy now that this is a very special day.”

The two agreed on her statement. “You should prepare now. The guests are arriving soon. You are the center of this day.”

Astarte then leaves together with Abigor with a smile on her lips. Mashtema remains standing as she watches the Queen walked away. “.... You’re getting much stronger, my Queen. If only Juno is here.”

A faint smile carved on her lips. All while shaking her head sideward, Mashtema followed the path where the Queen walked.