Chương 407: Chapter 380. Eve's Frustration

Eve Minerva's Point Of View" Welcome back, Princess." Daisy, my Personal Maid, greeted me as I made my return to the Royal Palace in Kristalbaum, the Capital City of Alfheim. In the Ancient Tongue that was lost to time, the word meant "Crystal Tree", it's quite fitting if you were to look at the tree behind the Royal Palace, a great tree has stood behind the Royal Palace since Our People can remember. While it might not look like a crystal, I can promise anyone that it's durability can easily compete with diamonds.

There have been tales of great invaders attempting to cut the tree, a symbol of Our People, down, only to fail each time. There's even tales of the tree breaking whatever weapons were used against it. The Great Tree has stood the test of time and has remained strong and is still standing to this day, just like Our People have. The reason I brought this all up, was the fact that I was currently in the garden looking at the Great Tree as I was immediately given a written order by my Father to come to the garden.

Daisy was the first to greet me as I arrived outside." Hello, Daisy, are you aware why I was brought here?"" Unfortunately, no, Princess. All that I'm aware of is that he's been in a cheerful mood since yesterday."" I see..."" Please, take a seat here, Princess Eve."

Daisy pulled out a chair for me after answering my question, the fact she didn't know why we were here somewhat irritated me, I'm not irritated at Daisy mind you, just at the fact that I'm being commanded to spend time here in the garden without a reason. A war is going to start soon and I'm being commanded to stare at flowers, now is not the time to appreciate nature and its beauty, it's time to prepare the body and mind for the battles to come, not spend time admiring the Great Tree.

Looking around, I could see that I wasn't the only one here in the garden. My Brothers were here as well, they were also sitting near me, we were all given our own table for our Personal Servants to sit with, for me, only Daisy was with me, so the round white table I was sitting at had quite a few seats open. Mother was sitting at the Royal Table in the garden, a place for the Royal Family to sit when we have parties in the garden. Along with My Family, most of the bigger names of the Military were also here...

The 10 Great Elves, as well as The High Elf Blades. Both Great and Prestigious Groups to be a part of, made up of the Finest Warriors in Alfheim who've proven to be Masters over different forms of combat and strategy. The only difference between the Groups was the fact that the Great Elves were all True Born Nobles while the High Elf Blades were Commoners who've risen through the Ranks of the Military through hard work and genuine talent to become Nobles in their own right.

This begs the question to me however, why are we, the Princess and Princes, sitting where the Lesser Nobility and Military Leaders would sit? Eventually, after around 10 minutes of me stewing in frustration at the questions I had, which had no answers, I could hear the sound of footsteps approaching, it sounded like there were 8 people coming towards us. Once the footsteps had gotten closer, I could see that my guess was correct. My Father and 7 of his Royal Guards had finally arrived in the garden.

Just as Daisy said, I could see that my Father was quite happy." Ah! Kids! Good to see everyone is here! I've got some great news today! However, my news pales in comparison to the news your Mother has!" My Father quickened his steps and sat down at the center of the table to the right of my Mother. Where an Elf King is supposed to sit. Together, they looked like the perfect Noble Elf couple. Both having long blonde hair and deep, dark-green eyes.

Father looking dashingly handsome as well as Mother wearing a form fitting, demure white dress that showed her slim figure, the envy of most High-Ranking Noblewomen here in Alfheim. It made me somewhat jealous as well, since I've seemed to have taken more to my Father's family genes, my chest and buttocks stuck out quite farther than my Mother's own body. But I shouldn't dwell on something like that, I should focus on why it was that we were called here." Which news will be given to us first, Father?"

Brandon, my Eldest Brother, was the first to ask the question that we all wanted to know the answer to." Hm? Well, I suppose it should be the most important order of business, shouldn't it? In that case, Wendy, would you like to tell them?"" Sure, Dear." My Parents were smiling at each other as they spoke. They seemed very happy... What exactly did they do? Does it involve the prisoner? Regardless of my wondering, Mother quickly explained the news to us." I'm pregnant!"

Mother wore a deeply happy smile on her face as she rubbed her belly." Do you know what it'll be?" Edwin, the 2nd Eldest, was the next to ask a question, this one also drew my attention seeing as my Mother and I are the only women in our immediate Family. It might be nice to have both a younger Brother and Sister? I wonder if Mother knows? Mother looked at Big Brother Ed and shook her head." The Doctors tell us it's going to be a girl!"

With Mother's words, everyone was smiling at the news, even Daisy and I were quite happy. A new addition to the Family will be the cherry on top after we wipe out the Demons and Dark Elves... Ah! I suppose the Beastmen will be added to the list as well? Either way, it'll be a Great Achievement. I just wish Uncle Cain could forgive Father for whatever it was that angered him so. I mean, Father's method was effective, the enemy is still scrambling to figure out a response to what we've done."

Now with the most important news out of the way, I'd like to bring up the last bit of news, this is also quite good for us as well! It'll make the celebration all the sweeter!" Father interrupted everyone's chatter to announce his own news. What could it be? No doubt everyone here was wondering what it could be?" Charles! Come now!" My Father yells for Charles to come to us, Charles was the Chief Torturer, wasn't he? Ah! So, the news is about our prisoner!

Maybe we've finally broken him and he's told Father all the secrets he knows? Sooner rather than later, Charles arrived, still looking quite gaunt no matter how much he eats, he's always reminded me more of a Skeleton Monster one would find in a Dungeon than an Elf of his high pedigree would suggest. But the truly interesting sight was what was behind him. Wrapped in chains and the garb of a prisoner, was the Human that's been the talk of the Royal Palace for days on end since I captured him back at the Summit.

You could tell that he was quite dirty, his hair had grown into a shaggy mess of black curls and his body looked extremely pale. I couldn't see his eyes as he only looked down at the floor. For some reason, this caused me to feel irritated. Instead of surviving and preparing to fight on the field of battle... He... He foolishly protected everyone else and worried about himself last, like a novice.

As the fighting began to rage on and around the destroyed remains of that horrifically built castle, I stumbled upon his body in the wreckage. Something made me wish to find him. To laugh at his foolishness most likely... No... It was for the hope that he and I would fight again! But he caused that hope to be crushed as I found him quite quickly. At first, I thought him dead, but I saw his deep breaths as the fighting raged on, I could tell that he had only fainted from the shock of that giant explosion.

I felt that instead of having some random Solider of ours kill him, capturing him and humiliating him would be much better. Unfortunately, my Father chose to give him to the Chief Torturer instead. My mood hasn't really improved since then. A sense of dissatisfaction continued to build in me, even to today. And it's only continued to build as I looked at his figure as he walked. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere."

Yes, Your Majesty, I, Charles Ingram, have brought the fool along with me as you've requested."" Yes, Charles! Please do bring yourself and it up here." Charles and my Father continued to trade pleasantries as he walked towards the center of the dining space of the garden. Once he had arrived in front of my Father, along with our prisoner, my Father began to fill us in on what the great news was." Now then! The news is quite simple! We've succeeded in our goals! He's been broken by Charles Mind Magic!"

My Father announced to us the completion of his goal. Once the prisoner was handed over to Charles, my Father commanded Charles to bend him to our will. It took 5 weeks to do it. Not a bad feat considering most only take 2 weeks to fully break. I wonder what kept him so strong for so long? Regardless of this seeming victory, I could feel that my frustration was still growing." How did you do it, Sir Charles?" Shane was the one to ask that question. I guess he doesn't know about Charles usual methods?"

Well, Prince Shane, it's funny of you to bring that up! You see, as a Torturer, I have many ways to make any man or woman break under my work. But this one was different, your Father, His Majesty, didn't wish for me to physically alter him, this meant I couldn't use my normal methods. Instead, I had to rely entirely on my Magic for a change. This was quite an arduous task. My Mind Magic Skills are quite tiring. Even more so since our subject was quite resistant. It seems it has to do with Its Job as a Paladin.

From the reports of our Ancestors, it was clear to me that the Paladins had great Durability and Defenses, both Physically, Mentally and Magically. Because of that, I had to use a "death by a thousand cuts". I had to slowly and methodically break away its sense of self and everything it held dear. It took time, but as of yesterday, I now have finished the project assigned to me, the prisoner is broken, he'll answer any questions His Majesty could possibly have."" Hahaha! That's fantastic, Charles!"

My Father laughed full of joy at Charles's explanation to Shane. Again, I should be glad, but I'm not. I feel I was robbed of my chance to fight him honestly. Our previous battle wasn't enough for me." Continuing on, I'll begin my questioning." Charles bowed his head as my Father announced that he would be questioning the prisoner." How many Demons man the Border Castles around Diablos, slave?" My Father chose to name him "slave"? This is ridiculous to hear to me.

My Father knows I wished to fight him on the battlefield..." 9000 Demons work on the Borders, Your Majesty." A lifeless answer came from the prisoner. Emotionless, without a drop of his personality attached to his answer. Did I really lose My enemy for this war?" How many Beastmen and Dark Elves are going to join with the Demons when we battle?"" I do not know. Those numbers were not for a Marquess to know, Your Majesty."" Useless..." My Father grumbled at the answer that he was given."

What about your town of Paradise, who protects it now that you're no longer present?"" The job would be given to the Noble's Wife. In this case, I have 2."" Yes, the 1st princess and a maid I believe?"" Yes, Your Majesty."" What are their Jobs?"" Magic Spearman and Druid, Your Majesty."" Do they possess any other Jobs?"" No, Your Majesty, 2nd Jobs are rare in Diablos, the King fears his people may overthrow him if he were to give them too much power."" You mean there's unrest in Diablos?"" Yes, Your Majesty.""

How so?"" From what was spoke to me by my 1st Wife, the traitor known as Dardus had begun to seek Alliances with the High Nobles still living in the Country. The King fears a hostile takeover, which makes this war a terrible distraction from his wish to keep the Throne, Your Majesty. It's even effecting his relationship with the Beast King. To the point where he's forced the Beast King to keep his Eldest Princess in Diablos as a political Hostage."" What a lowly and cowardly way of ruling!" My Father was outraged!

As was I! How could a King use a Princess as a Political Hostage!?" What about you, slave?"" What about me, Your Majesty?"" Do you possess a 2nd Job?"" Yes, Your Majesty, my 2nd Job is Summoner."" How many Contracts do you possess?"" 2, Your Majesty."" What are they?"" A Dark Pixie and a Courier Wolf."" Wow, you must lack talent to Contract to such simple Spirits." My frustration was mounting, my battle with the person I wanted to kill was gone... Something just isn't right! I couldn't take it! I had to leave.

I waited for a break in the conversation." May I please leave?"" Why would you want to leave, Eve?"" I'm feeling unwell, Mother."" Fine, take your leave, Eve. I'll have your dinner brought to your room." With my answer to my Mother's question, my Father quickly gave me my leave. Daisy and I quickly returned to my room." What's wrong, Eve? What kind of medicine should I grab!?"" None! Daisy! I'm not sick! I'm angry!"" Angry? Why?"" I... I just am! Nothing about this is satisfying!

I wanted to kill him in the heat of battle! But now... He's just a lifeless husk!"" I... I see... Well... I'm here if you wish to vent." With Daisy's words, a smile came to my face." Yes, Daisy. I think I'll take you up on that offer." Daisy smiled at me and then I proceeded to do as she suggested. It was quite late into the night once I had finally calmed down." But wait? What didn't feel right to you while he was answering your Father's questions, Eve?"

Daisy took a sip of the still warm tea as she asked a question that puzzled her... No... It puzzled me as well... Why was I so bothered at the end? Why do I feel as if I'm forgetting something? /THOOOMMMMM! /" WOAH!" / CRACK! SMASH! SHATTER! / Daisy jumped under the table as we heard a giant explosion taking place, it was like the Magical Device we'd used at the Summit.

The glass of my room's window had shattered from the explosion, I could feel the night breeze entering my warm room, quickly sucking the comforting heat out of it. I quickly looked out the now broken window to look at where the explosion was... It was the Southwestern side of the Royal Palace... it's where the Royal Dungeon is... No! It's the part of the Southwest that meets the Supplementary Armory as well!" Ah!" That's when it clicked for me. When we were doing recognizance a year ago...

He Summoned the Rose Queen for his farming in that barren land he was governing... He... He lied to my Father...