When Your Feathers Flutter Down to Me

Chapter Four: The Princess And Insults

Despite the covering on the roof, the cold air still seeped in plenty, causing the night to be quite miserable for Elisia. Initially, she had been grateful that someone had come to save her, but the more she shivered, the less gratitude she felt. Instead, she began to get irritated.

"Why did she have to break through the roof anyways?" Elisia complained to herself. "Of course, if she's one of them, then I suppose I shouldn't expect anything. It's only natural for a savage to use brute force instead of common sense."

Although, when Elisia thought about force, she immediately recalled the display the mystery woman had put on. "She was... quite strong," Elisia admitted. Even with her magic, she had her doubts that she'd be able to beat the woman in a fight. Where the former princess had completely failed, the woman had swooped in and taken care of all three assailants in a matter of seconds. "Perhaps if I had put more effort into my physical education classes, I could've done the same..." Elisia grumbled. Most of her studying time had gone into magic, and when those who could teach her to use martial arts or weapons insisted she try harder, she'd always respond with the following: "I'm only even learning magic because it seemed fun. What use would I have for something as boring as fighting with my fists, especially when someone else will always fight for me?"

Looking back now, Elisia felt quite foolish. She could've never imagined she'd end up in the situation she was in, but now that she was, she wished she hadn't been so arrogant. It seemed that in Dehl Village, she was truly powerless. Elisia had hardly any skill with weapons or martial arts, and she had no idea how many more people possessed those anti-magic crystals. There was also the issue of most of the magic she could use to fight with potentially requiring enough mana to have to justify herself to a council. With her title stripped, her power gone, and her skills useless, Elisia had essentially become nothing more than a common woman.

She grit her teeth in frustration. "How could this happen?" she asked herself. "How could I be so careless? How could father cast me out so easily?" Elisia had many questions, but no answers. All she could do was stew away in the cold, broken jail hut.

By the time morning came, she was beyond exhausted. Between the events of the day, the events of the night, and her raging emotions, Elisia wanted nothing more than to flop onto a soft, comfy bed and sleep for hours. Alas, all she had available to her was the hard ground underneath her.

At the sound of footsteps approaching, Elisia quickly stood up. Considering what had happened, she was very on-guard against people. Readying herself in the best fighting stance she could manage, she waited for the individual to show their face. However, when she saw the face of an elderly man, her guard dropped, if only a little.

"Good morning Elisia," Gorose said calmly, seemingly not bothered at all by Elisia's hostile pose.

"...good morning..." she muttered back.

"You still seem quite tired," Gorose observed, drawing a snort from Elisia.

"Of course I am. How could anyone sleep in such wretched conditions?"

"Indeed," Gorose agreed. "Though being the age I am, I suppose I find sleep quite easily," he laughed.

Elisia rolled her eyes. "No doubt because he seems to be some sort of turtle man," she thought.

"Now, I do have a bit of business with you," Gorose said, getting the former princess's attention. "It would appear, either at some point in the night or during our interrogation of your assailants, that a part of your branding spell has become common knowledge. Specifically, the people of the village have become aware that calling you a princess will cause you pain."