After all that happened, the royal guards took the princess to another room where she could be safe, Shiko and Asuka along with Ana, took Alba who was also unconscious to the same room where the princess was and at nightfall, Alba finally woke up. Very confused and still stunned, the young woman asked when she saw her friends -Am I... Alive? The princess... did we manage to rescue her? - Shiko, Asuka and Ana looked at each other and gave her a smile confirming that everything had gone well although after this... Alba began to cry... for she could scarcely assimilate the tragic event of her sister Lisa... Then the broken-hearted young woman stood up and hugged her sister, crying without being able to stop. Ana, with all her strength, tried not to shed a tear, hugged her sister and could only tell her – Everything will be fine... It's over. while Shiko and Asuka were watching the scene, the princess woke up and very scared to see these young people she did not know, she jumped, which made the two sisters turn to look and be happy to see her awake.
-Princess Mayla, before I must tell you all that has happened, I want to introduce you to these two young heroes who have helped in the whole time- Ana said to the princess very cheerfully, to which the princess replied:
-Oh! Are these young people who have helped me? So, it is not necessary for you to present them, I will do that first since I must give you, my gratitude.
The princess turned her gaze to Shiko and Asuka and thanked them:
-To begin with, I belong to the Adatto royal family, therefore my name is Adatto Mayla, but you don't need to be formal with me, you can call me Mayla. Well, if what my friend Ana has told me is true, I want to give you all my gratitude for helping me and by helping me you have helped the whole city, I would like to give you a reward young heroes... What are your names?
-Ana: That's why should let me introduce them!
-Shiko: My name is Masuda Shiko and she is Karasaki Asuka, but you can call us both by our names.
-Asuka: I'm surprised you remember my name... in any case, princess... Mayla? We don't want any reward, we feel good about having only helped.
-Mayla: You don't have to be so modest... Wait! There's something I want to ask you! Are you from this world? I know the question sounds a little strange but it's just that…
-Shiko: No, we come from the same place that Alba and Ana came from.
-Mayla: Wow! Tell me! What do you think of the magic system of their costumes? I know they have certain imperfections... but I can give them upgrades now that I know you!
-Asuka: Are you the one who designed these costumes!?
-Alba: Hey, Asuka! More respect!
-Mayla: I'm the only sorceress who knows the maximum level of "Creation" so yes, I did them. *Smile with pride*
-Asuka: I see... Can we see that tomorrow? We are very exhausted to be honest...
-Mayla: My apologies... Ana, I want you to give the order to the guards to prepare a room for this cute couple, today they will have dinner with us and rest here.
Shiko walked up to Asuka and whispered:
-Pss, don't you think she doesn't look like a princess with her manners? I expected her to speak a little more formally...
Asuka replied with the following:
-Maybe she grew up in a different way from the other princesses.
Ana left the bedroom to comply with Princess Mayla's order, it was then that she noticed Lisa's absence.
-Mayla: Lisa... Where is Lisa?
-Alba: Princess... although we have fought hard and been victorious... my sister... she did not manage to survive the combat...
Upon hearing these words, Mayla immediately got up to hug Alba and comfort her since she could imagine the pain her friend felt at the moment... After all, the princess was also very sad about the news, one of her friends was gone.
Sometime later, Princess Mayla took them all to the dining room for dinner and after this, each one took their way to their respective rooms, Shiko and Asuka being guided by guards to where they were going to sleep. When the pair of young people entered the room, they noticed that there was only one bed in the room so they immediately knew that they had to share it.
-Asuka: Hey... Apparently this room has hot springs right next to it... I'm going to take a bath, I feel very dirty. I hope you don't spy on me this time, okay?
-Shiko: I don't plan to do it...
-Asuka: Stop acting so shy with me!
-Shiko: I'm not acting shy!
After hearing these words, the young woman became very attached to Shiko making him very nervous, Asuka put him against the wall and said:
-Do not think that I have forgotten your words, it is impossible for me to do so any more, aswell that it is impossible for you to forget mine! - But... Even if it is like this, don't act this way, it feels strange...
-Shiko: It's just that... I have no idea how to act... Now that I know you can reciprocate my feelings... It's strange because I feel that starting a relationship is the least appropriate thing to do at this time...
-Asuka: … Well... Act normal and that's it! Simply... show the usual attitude and confidence as always... After all, that's what I like about you.
Asuka blushed and lowered her head so as not to stare at Shiko.
-Shiko: … You're right... it's not like I want to forget what happened, well now go take a bath, you smell bad!
-Asuka: That's the worst thing you can say to a girl!
-Shiko: Maybe, but you said to act with the confidence you always have, right?
-Asuka: … You're an idiot...
Then Asuka retired to the hot spring room to take a bath, once she returned Shiko decided to bathe too. After some time, it was time to sleep and as they had thought, they both slept together.
-Shiko: … …This is the first time I've slept next to a girl.
-Asuka: Are you serious?
-Shiko: Have you already slept with a guy?
-Asuka: …No…
-Shiko: It's not like I'm happy about it...
-Asuka: Since when have you been acting as an anime protagonist?
-Shiko: What do you mean?
-Asuka: You don't need to act tsundere with me, hehe...
Shiko suddenly hugged Asuka, making this girl very surprised and she blushed.
-Shiko: So, I must act normal and do the things I want, right? I wanted to hug you and that's what I've done.
-Asuka I-i-i-idiot! At least let us know! It doesn't bother me to be honest... but it was sudden...
At the moment, they both stared at each other and slowly Shiko joined her lips very gently with Asuka's. After the kiss, Asuka also hugged Shiko.
-Asuka: Even though it's been a few days, I feel that even this is too fast...
-Shiko: It is, but I think that, despite being only a few days, we have gotten to know each other very well. It's strange that he says it, but you know someone a lot when you fight by their side.
-Asuka: Although it sounds strange... it's true... well, let's go to sleep... don't even think about dropping me, okay? I'm afraid of the dark.
-Shiko: At seventeen? What a fact hahaha...
-Asuka: Stop laughing about it and sleep!
Shiko continued to laugh for a while, when he stopped, he hugged Asuka tightly and they both slept without saying anything else to each other. The next day, they were both awakened by sounds of knocking on the door, Shiko still drowsy opened the door and it was Mayla, who herself went to pick them up to invite them to breakfast with Alba, Ana and herself. All sleepy, they agreed to go with the princess, had breakfast and before leaving Mayla addressed them again.
-Mayla: I want you to go take a bath quickly and say goodbye to those outfits you currently have!
-Asuka: What are you plotting?
-Mayla: I already have their new clothes for them to continue your adventure. And another surprise... you got have two new members!
-Shiko: New members?
-Mayla: That's right! I have decided together with Alba to join you!
-Ana: I have to remain as the king's bodyguard... therefore I cannot accompany them.
-Shiko: I see... Well, for us better, we still have two other friends waiting in the fore... Shit!
-Ana: Don't say those words in front of the princess who she may then learn from you!
-Asuka: Don't worry Shiko, they must have looked for a way to get by, Zene knows about those things.
-Shiko: You're right... well, let's take a bath, try on the new outfits and then leave and search for Lyn and Zene.
Shiko and Asuka went to take a bath... The princess went to see her father to inform him of her journey, leaving the two sisters alone in the dining room, who said goodbye to each other.
-Alba: Ana... Can't I stay with you?
-Ana: Don't worry, they need you.
-Alba: But... you're going to be alone... and you were always in Lisa's company...
-Ana: ¡Stop that now! I said I'm going to be fine!
Alba felt bad because Ana raised her voice, but immediately after this her sister gave her a hug and before going to the king's chamber she said:
-Sister... You're a strong girl, and I know you'll be able to handle all of this... It's difficult, it hurts me like you have no idea, but this whole continent in which we have been living for a long time is in danger and needs you... So, you have to fight.
With that, Alba held back her tears and said goodbye to her sister, leaving outside the castle where she planned to see Shiko, Asuka, and Princess Mayla hours later...
To be continued…