When Your Feathers Flutter Down to Me

Chapter Four: The Princess And Insults

"Humility?" Elisia repeated mockingly. "Please. I have no need for humility or humbleness when it comes to you people."

"Remember that next time you end up on your back like you did today," Gorose said with a small chuckle. "Now, why don't you get some food as well?"

"Tch. As if I'd want to put anything into my mouth made by those dirty hands," the former princess scoffed.

"You ate last night though, didn't you?" Gorose pointed out, confused.

"T-That was different!" Elisia claimed. "I was quite famished, and since it was brought by you, I figured it was probably safe..."

"Hm," Gorose let out, taking note of Elisia's words.

"But," she continued. "This is just food for the masses. I'm sure there are all sorts of diseases in that big pot, not to mention any poison that might end up in my share."

"Hey, you hear that everyone?" someone called out. "The princess thinks we're all disease-ridden!" Realizing her words had not only been overheard, but also misconstrued, Elisia tried to cover for herself after gritting her teeth through the pain in her shoulder.

"No... that's not what I said. I said the pot is probably full of diseases. Though, I wouldn't be surprised if the people here were as well." Next to her, Gorose sighed.

"Then here's hoping this gets you sick!" another person yelled. From somewhere in the crowd, a small brown bowl flew through the air. Sticking up his scepter, Gorose swatted it away, but unfortunately, he could do little about the contents. The white, porridge-like substance shot out from its container, expanding in all directions before at least some of it landed on Elisia. Seeing that, a few in the crowd let out cheers, but were silenced by a strong look from Gorose.

"Are you alright, Elisia? It didn't burn you, did it?" Gorose asked with concern.

"...d it..." she said, not audibly as she stared down at her basic, worn brown shoes.

"I'm sorry?" Gorose said. Then, fiercely, Elisia's face shot up.

"I'VE HAD IT!" she screamed.

"I knew I was right about all of you! You do nothing but say barbaric things, attack without cause like wild beasts and constantly cause pain! I don't need to put up with this! I don't need to suffer through all of this torment for one little mistake!"

"...So what will you do, Elisia? Fight us all?" Gorose asked with a stern tone.

"No," Elisia said. "Even I can recognize strength in numbers, and in order to win, I'd have to use an amount of mana that would trigger an alert. So, just this once, I'll cede some of my pride."

"Meaning?" Gorose asked. Elisia looked at him.

"Meaning I wash my hands of all of you."

Turning, Elisia began to head in the direction she believed to be north. "...Will you attempt to walk back to the capital?" Gorose asked.

"It's better than staying here," Elisia said bitterly. "You filthy mongrels can just stay and rot out here."

"And how do you think you'll get back when that nasty spell won't let you?" Gorose asked as he followed after her.

"I'll just endure it," Elisia said defiantly.

"I don't mean to dampen your spirit, but I've seen you collapse just from people using a certain word to address you. It may be possible that the condition of trying to leave the outskirts is stronger than the consequence you've already been experiencing."