"You make it sound like she has done something bad to hide," I pointed out as I let out an amused chuckle.

"Tha-- The lady knows what I meant!" she then blushed profusely and warily looked around. Probably feeling afraid that she had offended someone out there.

"But wow. Queen Regina showed up?" Mari commented in wonder.

I spilled the cold tea into another cup and accepted Freesia's offer of a newly brewed one.

"Mhmm. She's pretty," I noted and sipped.

"Oh, I don't remember anymore. But I heard she was a beauty, yes," Erin responded and tapped her fingers on the tray that she was holding against her chest-- "I can't quite recall if I saw her during one of the empire's parties..."

.

Mari sneaked a glance at us, "But I heard that Empress Yulia was more beautiful though, according to the gossip before. Please don't placate me."

Erin looked at her, "How can you say something so controversial?"

I tried to think back from last night and compared the visuals I saw. If my memory serves me right, and if my eyes gave them justice and I'm not being swallowed by the influence of alcohol, then...

"In my own opinion, the Queen is more beautiful? I mean, in my taste, that is. She looked mysteriously enchanting for some reason..." I declared and watched all of their reactions afterward.

"Milady..." Erin muttered.

What? That's what I observed. Auntie looked beautiful, of course, it's already in our genes--Ahem--She possesses a timeless beauty. But the Queen has this sort of charm that is rather sensual? I think... Hmmm... She looked like a vamp. Period. As if she never aged for a day.

I wonder what's her secret? Does locking yourself in the palace make you young? Hmmm...

"The Queen left her palace and attended the ball. Does that mean that she's also going to show up to every event now?" Amy voiced out after some considerable time had passed when no one was speaking.

I then shrugged my shoulders, "Who knows."

"I'm really curious though!" Amy exclaimed.

"Yeah! I want to see her!" Lily seconded.

"I remember seeing her from afar but I still don't recall what she looked like," Erin butted in. "But if it's true that Her Majesty would start appearing again, that's great news, isn't it?"

"Maybe the Queen can bear another child soon?" Mari added, earning a gasp from Erin who moved like lightning to cover her mouth.

"Oh my goodness! Let's not talk as if we know anything! If someone hears us, what would you think will happen?" Erin nervously stated, giving Mari the eyes.

Oh, the tides have been reversed. Mari is the one being reprimanded now...

"But I mean, we only have one sixth-generation royal lineage. Plus, the Empress can't--" Mari wasn't going to stop, apparently.

"Stop right there! You should mind whatever you want to say next, even if there are no prying ears around!" Erin scolded her.

Amy blinked, "Is it disrespectful?"

"I don't know but maybe," Erin answered.

"Yeah, you have to be always careful Amy," Freesia also joined the fray.

"That goes for everyone," Erin preached.

I watched the five of them start bickering against each other. Erin and Mari were preaching about what and not to do and some more things about being considerate and all. Freesia was also providing a brief commentary now and then while the two, Lily and Amy, listened attentively.

I found them cute for how focused they are. As if everything that came out of these girls' mouths is worth every inch of their attention. Like a gospel. Well, these three seemed really just eager to teach them because they are older than them and wiser in a way. After all, those two are only in their teens.

Kuro suddenly looked up and nuzzled my leg, also wanting attention from me. I smiled down at him and ruffled his smooth furry head. His tails then started wagging from side to side as a sign of happiness. It was very impressive to look at because Kuro has a lot of tails. It even made a sound as it hit the air.

*Whump. Whump. Whump*

I bet if someone gets slapped with those tails of his, that someone could actually die. Kuro is already big as it is. He's huge! And he's still growing! I won't be surprised that one day, he would actually start to resemble a freaking stallion.

"Hmm? Did you grow another tail?"

Is he seriously a nine-tailed fox? Do they really exist though? I mean, I have read too little about divine animas and shiet because there's just no way of acquiring books that have it all. Except for the Arcane Tower, of course.

Hmmm...

Before, just thinking about the Tower of Magic gives me the creeps but now, it looks like it's not the case for me anymore. I'm actually kind of excited?

I mean... I have already met the magician who was supposed to kill me but nothing of the sort happened. He's actually pretty chill... to me at least. Also, I haven't done anything that would cause me trouble and we have no enmity against each other anyway. Doesn't that mean that I can now visit the tower and find all the things that have been bothering me for years?

The Tower has the archives that may or may not contain all the necessary complete information that I have been deprived of from the start. I can answer all the questions I have now and I'm pretty sure I could learn everything that I still lack.

I can look for information about these so-called animas, maybe I could also find something about my mother and her bloodline. I could also gather more information about the things that I should know as part of our empire's citizens. In case that there would be a repeat of last night's shock upon knowing that we actually have a Queen.

What if I messed up big time? I fear for my life, you know...

'That's right. Brother said he would take me to the tower if I want to go.'

I remember him saying that to me before, yes.

My eyes sparkled in an instant with the idea of finally visiting the tower. Even though I was shaking in my boots before, I still couldn't erase the curiosity in me. I was definitely wondering what the tower would look like inside. I have only seen it from afar and only the outside which was visible to our eyes.

Who knows what the interior will be like? Is it magical? Is it filled with magic devices or such? A big library with flying books and glowing stones?

"Fufufufufufu~"

I was so deep into my fantasy that when I was about to stand up and look for Nathaniel, so I could drag him towards the tower, that's when I remembered he's not here at the moment. And my excitement just crash-landed straight down the disappointment forest.

My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.

Now, what am I supposed to do?