Chapter 103

Now, she could finally prove the value of her existence to herself.

What was there left for her to fear?

Livra’s choice was to keep reaching forward—stretching her hand straight into that cage of flames.

If Princess Sheffy was testing her, then this was her answer.

Suspended in mid-air, the two princesses of their nations.

Ink and white and fire; sorrow and mercy and song.

This was a scene never before seen in the long river of history.

The endless epics behind them had already become the past. What Livra reached for was not the burning pain of the fire, but rather, knowing that beyond the pain of that burning, she would forge a peaceful era where even commoners could laugh freely.

This idiot...!

Sheffy hadn’t expected her to actually reach her hand out so directly—was she not afraid of getting burned?

But...

The burning pain she expected didn’t come.

Livra’s hand had already extended fully into the range of the flames.

Livra blinked, rotating her hand within the fire. The flames clearly danced with her movements, yet as if unwilling to burn this Emerald Princess, they lowered their heat on their own, tolerating her recklessness.

Of course, it wasn’t that the flames had emotions.

It was Sheffy who, at the moment she saw her reaching out, had reduced the heat of the flames to nothingness.

"This... didn’t burn me?"

"Tch, are you really a dimwitted dummy? I told you to talk, not to reach your hand out! Ugh... these flames only burn Demons, they don’t harm humans. Guess you’re lucky. Alright, alright... let’s say you got lucky, okay? I don’t mind cooperating a little, but if you mess this up or betray our agreement, I’ll still cut you down without hesitation."

"!"

Of course, the reason the flames hadn’t burned her was something Sheffy made up on the spot.

Sheffy spoke lightly, grumbling as if complaining, but her small hand had already reached forward, gently clasping Livra’s hand—sealing what could only be called the “Cage Pact” between the two princesses in this epic moment.

As time slowly ticked by...

Sheffy frowned slightly.

She was confused—why wasn’t this idiot Livra giving any reaction?!

Hadn’t she completed her task? At least say a few lines to wrap it up, right?

But when Sheffy turned her head...

She was startled!

—Livra’s large watery eyes sparkled like little stars. She stared intently at the joined hands between herself and Sheffy, her small mouth slightly agape in disbelief, looking utterly stunned and overjoyed to the point of brain shutdown.

If she had a tail, it would definitely be wagging with great force like a little puppy right now!

Ugh... how could Livra not be excited!

Surviving this high-stakes gamble where she could’ve died at any moment was one thing—but on top of that, she hadn’t let down her father and the others. She had accomplished something so unbelievable that even she couldn’t believe it herself!

Just how excited was she?

Sheffy tried to pull her hand back, only to realize it was being tightly gripped by Livra, who was so absorbed in the exhilaration of the moment that she forgot to let go of Sheffy’s hand.

You're gripping me—there’s no way I’m just going to let you keep holding on like that!

"Hey... let go, you idi... hey...?! Are you a moron or what!"

"Ah? I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m really, really sorry! I am a moron!"

"..."

Realizing her rudeness, Livra let go of Sheffy’s hand like she’d been electrocuted.

Sheffy had just been trying to pull her hand back—and the sudden release nearly sent her toppling backward from the recoil!

Thankfully... our Princess Sheffy, full of regal dignity, swiftly adjusted her posture mid-air, avoiding the humiliation of falling over with her limbs flailing.

Livra frantically nodded and apologized. Even if she had to admit she was a moron, she didn’t want her thoughtless behavior to ruin this hard-won communication. That would be way too regrettable!

Sheffy wasn’t that petty~

She just conjured a flame cluster without heat but full of impact force—like a finger flick—and gave Livra’s forehead a good little bounce~

"Ow...!!"

"That’s to teach you a lesson. Remember this—you’re lucky I’ve got a good temper. If it were someone else, you’d be dead already."

"Mm... I get it..." Livra rubbed her forehead, muttering to herself quietly, "Sorry... I just got carried away for a moment, because just now, what Princess Sheffy said... really reminded me of a friend of mine... just as ruthless."

"That’s your imagination."

And with that...

The verbal agreement could be considered sealed.

Livra didn’t have Sheffy’s ability to see through lies, but she was born with a certain intuition.

When it came to who was lying and who wasn’t, words felt to her like truths reflected in emerald.

Those things Princess Sheffy had just said... they were definitely sincere.

Thank you for being willing to give me—or rather, give both of us—such a chance.

Livra stood up on the spot. She was so happy she even forgot she was standing in mid-air. Right now, all she wanted was to show Princess Sheffy just how genuine she was.

"I will also keep my word, Princess Sheffy. I swear upon the royal bloodline of the Kingdom of Aurus—I will help you earn the chance to leave this place, to break free from your restraints, and return your freedom."

"Oh."

"......"

Your... your response is truly indifferent, huh.

What else did you expect?

I was free to begin with—it’s because you suddenly decided to come here that I ended up being locked up for several hours. Go reflect on your actions in the corner!

Though her response was curt and cold, the mutual promise of freedom and peace—this was now established.

Having completed her task, Livra felt a wave of relief wash over her.

Even though they were underground, as she stretched and looked upward, it was as if she could see a vast blue sky.

"How wonderful... Princess Sheffy, I know I’m talking a lot right now... but please, allow me to say one more thing—just one sentence."

"If you say two, you’re getting flicked on the forehead again."

"Then I’ll choose my words carefully... um..."

"You’ve already said one."

"!"

That seemed a bit unreasonable!

Seeing Princess Sheffy suddenly hiding behind her wings, quietly giggling, Livra became even more certain—this Demon Clan Princess, so infamous for her cruelty, really did have a mischievous and humorous side.

So... even if she finished what she wanted to say now, she probably wouldn’t get hit.

Livra tilted her head back, gazing toward the stone ceiling lit by the flames.

A shimmer welled up in her eyes, reflecting countless memories.

She reached into the sea of memory to pluck the most precious and radiant pearl, offering it to Sheffy at this pivotal moment.

And to herself as well.

"I truly feel... this is the most meaningful thing I’ve ever done in my life. I... I never imagined that someone as weak as me could even slightly accomplish what that dear old friend once told me—‘Become strong, protect those you cherish.’ I’m still not as powerful as she was... but now, I think I can somewhat stand up against evil and protect my family, right?"

"?"

At first, Sheffy had little interest in whatever Livra was going to say. Just some sentimentality—what did that have to do with her?

But after Livra finished speaking...

Sheffy paused in thought.

Huh?

That’s odd.

What Livra just said... why did it sound kind of familiar?

As Livra lowered her head after her reflection, she suddenly realized—she was still high up in the air!

She hurriedly dropped into a panicked kneel on the stone pillar, her legs going weak.

Whew... thank goodness! If she’d gone any further overboard just now, she might have been so overjoyed she’d fall to her death!

And with that, her words came to an end.

Livra had already said all that needed to be said.

What remained was to do her best to fulfill Princess Sheffy’s needs.

"Princess Sheffy, it might take a day or two to arrange your release. Lady Xiarette may also need some time to make preparations. But, but... if there’s anything you need, just tell me! I may not be smart... but I am a princess at least... I’ll do everything I can to help!"

"Are you sure?"

"I’m sure!"

Hey, what do you know.

I do have something for you to help with!

Under Livra’s attentive gaze, Sheffy folded in her six wings.

She wore an amused expression, raising one finger—not so much as if she were "making a request," but more like she was "placing an order"!

"I’m doing fine, but there’s something that’s been on my mind."

"Please speak freely, Your Highness."

"Just now, I heard you mention that you know that girl named Shaya, right? She’s a good kid. Even though she was the one in charge of sealing me, she treated me with courtesy and respect. I think quite highly of her."

"Y-yes, Miss Shaya is very capable. I admire her a lot too."

"Alright then. Tsk... it’s just a pity the child had such a rough start in life. She’s suffered quite a bit. Sometimes, she might want something but feel too embarrassed to ask the Hero for it. So here’s what you do—she’s already told me the things she likes. Prepare two wagons of strawberry donuts for her. Also, put half a lake’s worth of live fish back into the lake on the surface. She told me the fish there are running low. That girl insists on living self-sufficiently and catches her own meals. Take care of this as soon as you can."

"Leave it to me! I’ll definitely make it happen! Let’s see... two wagons of donuts..."

"You misheard. It’s three wagons."

"Got it!"

20. Leave it to me!

The Livra who entered the door and the Livra who exited were like two completely different people.

Before entering, she was nervous and timid; after coming out, she was full of spirit and ready to punch through walls!

When Livra slipped out from the stone door, her steps were hurried—like a dog was about to bite her from behind.

Creak~~~

But when the stone door closed and Livra saw Lady Xiarette and Miss Shaya again...

Her frightened expression gradually vanished, replaced by a proud, upright posture with her hands on her hips—practically the brightest little sun in the sky at that moment!

Xiarette, as the “director” of this whole farce, naturally knew how everything had gone.

Still, for the sake of formality and seeing things through properly, she asked anyway.

"Princess Livra, did your negotiations go smoothly...? Uh."

Whether things went smoothly or not was practically written all over Livra’s face.

Livra blinked her large eyes in frantic signals—Praise me, praise me!

That look—saying nothing, just blinking and beaming brightly—was certainly brimming with energy...

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