Karina was baffled when she saw Seraphiel.
This woman was not a simple commoner, she was probably more beautiful than her and most women in this continent.
However, what shocked her most was not her beauty, but her temperament, it was obvious that she was here as a deterrent, but she showed no obvious signs of it.
She could feel the aura that came from her body, and it was as Calux said, a C- rank awakener.
Is this woman really just a B rank potential awakener?
It's unusual for a B rank awakener to be so advanced in so little time, even with resources at hand.
These were the thoughts of Calista, as an A rank awakener.
She knew how hard it was to rank up, and the truth was that the potential and talent actually helped in how fast you progressed because of bottlenecks.
Someone showing no rate of bottlenecks meant that they had extraordinary potential, and bottlenecks only appear when they are nearing their end potential.
"Nice to meet you miss Seraphiel."
Karina said while looking at her with a deathly glare.
However, she was not to be outdone, she would mark her territory here and now.
"As girls we should help each other, should we not?"
Seraphiel looked at Karina questioningly but played along.
"Sure, if there's a bully, women should stand together, but who would dare bully the Princess?"
Seraphiel was playing a dangerous game here, and she knew it, but she trusted Calux wouldn't fall into this woman's scheme.
"Perfect! Well Calux here seems to not want to let a simple misunderstanding pass, can you believe it? He has the Princess of this kingdom asking for another chance and he is being adamant about not giving us a chance! What do you think, shouldn't he forgive and forget? Especially when I was forced into it!"
When she finished speaking, Seraphiel's face hardened.
She no longer wanted to play this game, it was obvious this woman didn't understand the severity of her words.
"I apologize if I sound rude Princess.. However, if the words I heard from Calux and Celine are the words and actions you took, I have to disagree with you."
Karina quickly gritted her teeth, how dare this woman!
"Moreover, Calux is an amazing man, I would dare say that every man in this kingdom fall short in looks to him, let alone talent. But let's not talk about that, he is gentle, kind, and protective... To hurt him as you did, and for the reasons you did, if I were him I would also not want to go back, and do you know why?"
There was a small pause as if to let the words sink in...
"Because if you could go against your family now, if you could pursue him now, why didn't you do it then? If your feelings were real then, why didn't you take the same actions you are taking today on that day?"
A deafening silence covered the room after she finished speaking.
Calux was honestly surprised by her words, and honestly touched.
Because of his mother, he had started to look at her differently, trying to allow his defenses down around her, and she had honestly succeeded, all they needed was time, but her words now resonated with him.
This woman had clearly thought about these things even before this meeting, clearly there was anger in her words, anger she felt for this woman because she had hurt him, and for this first time in his life, apart from his mother, he felt someone else was trying to protect him, it felt good.
Karina on the other hand, was fuming with rage.
This woman, this commoner, how dare she talk to me like this?!
Calm down Karina, if you lash out now it won't leave a good impression, some of her words ring true and you have no one else to blame.
"You may be right... However, I will not let this go."
She looked at Calux with determination in her eyes.
"I have already told my parents I will not go through with their original plans, the truth is I have loved you since we were kids, and perhaps... I was blinded because of my parent's words for some time, but after the words were spoken I felt as if my heart had shattered, and it was there I knew that no matter what words I spoke, my heart would always ache for you."
Taking a breath to calm herself and not allow herself to cry, she continued.
"I will spend my life in suffering if I don't try my best, therefore Calux, know this. I will win you back."
With those words, she looked at Seraphiel, then at Calux, and walked away followed by a shocked Calista.
Calista was honestly surprised at Karina's assertiveness.
If the kingdom knew she was acting like this for a man, every man in the kingdom would go crazy, but even Calista couldn't help but agree with Seraphiel's words, as they were very true.
..
After they were gone, Calux and Seraphiel sat down in silence for a few seconds before he took a breath and looked at Seraphiel tenderly.
"Did you mean those words Seraphiel, or were they said to anger the Princess?"
Seraphiel widened her eyes in shock, not expecting the gaze being directed at her with those words paired together.
She swallowed hard, calming her nerves, because if not she knew for a fact that she'd stumble in her words.
"Yes... I apologize if they were out of line, but I couldn't take it any longer, she doesn't deserve you.."
Calux could not help but smile.
A smile that completely destroyed any shred of resolve Seraphiel had, and filled her with nervousness.
Then, to widen the shock, he picked up her hand, something he had never done.
This filled her with anticipation, nervousness, shyness, and excitement.
Then, words that made her tremble in nervousness were spoken.
"And who do you think deserves me then Sera?"
The words were spoken in a way that conveyed affection, curiosity, and definitely a hint of teasing.
She wanted to punch this bastard, she knew what he wanted her to say, she knew what she wanted to say as well!
But how could the words be spoken so casually?
"M-Me...", she said meekly.
The voice was so low, that a normal human would be unable to hear the words, but Calux wasn't a normal human of course, but would he let it go?
Of course not.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't catch that. Can you say it in a louder tone please?"
She trembled in anger, she really wanted to punch this man's perfect face, and pummel him into the ground.
"I said ME okay!"
After she said it, she could see the smile that was plastered on Calux's face.
Suddenly, she was pulled over and suddenly felt herself being embraced.
She stiffened at the sudden contact, but she couldn't help but feel happiness.
What does this mean?
Did he accept my confession?
What's going on?
She couldn't help but think a thousand questions with her multiple minds in play here.
"How do you feel about going on a date with me Sera? Would you give me a chance to take you out?"
Calux said after separating from her and looking intently into her eyes.
Sera trembled in excitement.
Those words, words she thought she had to ask herself, were actually spoken by him.
She couldn't contain her excitement, and hugged him, tighter this time around.
"Of course, I'd love to..."
The words were spoken in a hush enough tone that both of them heard it, but they stayed there for a while, just embracing each other, knowing that from now on, things would slowly improve for the better.