IGIWS: FIRST DRAFT: Chapter 244

Rya felt someone watching her and she looked at Hilda.

'Tsk!... There's too many people talking... It's tough to hear what they're saying but I know this bitch is looking at me,' Rya thought.

She stared at Hilda and Hilda looked back.

Hilda wanted to slap that look off her face. But then the Dark Elf could retaliate without a care. Hilda saw what she did to Sir Darius, she wouldn't last a second against her.

Hilda was so focused that she didn't notice that Terenthiel, Zane, and Sir Darius were standing next to her and Terenthiel was glaring at the princess.

"Have you gone mad!?... You dare to throw away the true Gods for a false idol!... Once the Prophet hears of this sin he's going to—"

"To what!?..."

When Hilda first heard Terenthiel's voice she first was afraid. But the more he threatened her, the bolder and more confident she became. It came from out of nowhere, it was like a fire was burning inside of her.

She looked at Terenthiel and cut him off. Her face was fierce and she wasn't going to be talked down to a man that thinks so little of her.

Terenthiel has never seen this side to Hilda before. If she were a man he would have been intimidated by her, but a woman's job is to follow her husband and serve the gods.

The Foreign Prince recomposes himself and stares at her.

"That's another sin, Hilda... You know better than to talk back to me!... Now come with us... We are returning to the Marquess's Manor where you will pray to the Three for forgiveness... Now stop talking with this sinner and come with me now—"

"No!" Hilda pulled her hand away and squared off her shoulders.

"You dare defy me in front of—"

"I am staying right here! Within the palace walls..."

"Do you not know who I am!?"

"A man who couldn't stop the Dark Elf from accomplishing her goals!... I was chosen my the Prophet for a reason... And it's becoming clearer now that I see how much trouble our world is in," Hilda replied.

Terenthiel has never dealt with a woman who wasn't afraid to talk back to him. He was raised by the Holy Order and he was taught that women are to obey men.

Hilda was always the one girl that followed the rules and never gave him trouble. But with failure after failure, she knew she needed to be more assertive.

"I don't need a naive little girl to lecture me on the dangers of this world," Terenthiel glared.

"Oh!... Then perhaps I can enlighten you... If you are willing to listen to a woman!" Hilda was tired of the treatment she was receiving and a part of her that seemed buried deep within her, came out. She was ready to defend herself.

"Hmph!... This is what happens when a woman gets out of control... Her emotions become wild and unpredictable... It is why men must lead and guide them... Women are far too emotional to be left to their own devices... So, Princess... Please enlighten me in things I already know?" Terenthiel said out loud to intimidate her.

But she wasn't intimidated.

"Oh?... So if men are so powerful than how did she completely and utterly destroyed Sir Darius and the White Knights?..." Hilda said as she stared at Terenthiel.

Sir Darius gritted his teeth and looked down. He couldn't argue with her statement.

"How could she take on one of the Divine Three's strongest paladins in the world and beat him so badly that he was nothing but a mouse cowering before her?"

Sir Darius looked even more embarrassed and didn't say anything. He wanted to defend himself, but he couldn't. He was ashamed and angry at the same time that he couldn't even get close to the Dark Elf without her magic knocking him away.

"And you, Terenthiel... You say that I'm emotional because I'm a woman where you lost your mind when she turned your own words against you... The Dark Elf turned your insults into a compliment and that's how the mighty Fifth Son of the Holy Order was brought to his knees in disgrace," Hilda continued.

"How dare you talk back to me!" Terenthiel was now angry.

"You can't even deny the truth!... You stood up and thought that brandishing your sword, to do what exactly?... What do you think would have happened if you tried to attack her?... You think you could have done better than Sir Darius!?... And you call me mad!?... I was the only one who stayed calm while you lost your mind!..." Hilda retorted.

"You are mad!... And you are just a naive little girl if you think you can stand up to the Dark Elf's evil ways!"

"And doing it your way has worked out so splendidly. Doing things the man's way has worked out so great!" Hilda said sarcastically.

"Why you—"

"Was I not chosen by the Prophet by the Gods? Was I not brought here to bring peace to our people!? Did the Gods not bring me here to save the Prince?... Then wouldn't that be the biggest sin of all? Defying the Divine Three's orders?... I seen enough of what men can do to the likes of her, Terenthiel... The Dark Elf turned the allies of the Prime Minister against him. She turned you and our warriors into a laughing stock... And she's corrupted the Prince with her feminine wiles!... It's time for a different approach... One that's more feminine, Terenthiel," Hilda declared.

Everyone in the House of the Major Lords was staring at the exchange between Terenthiel and Hilda. No one had ever seen the Princess of the Holy Alliance raise her voice before, let alone get mad. Duchess Leandra was enjoying the show as she stood up next to Hilda. Her face was stoic as she watched the Princess stand up for herself.

"It is time for a woman's approach on this problem. And if the Dark Elf is staying here in the palace then so am I... The longer she stay here the stronger the hold she'll have over the Prince," Hilda said.

Terenthiel and Darius both knew that Hilda had a point. The Dark Elf could have killed everyone but instead she let them live. She probably was trying to corrupt them all to her will.

Quinus was rubbing his temples as he knew what type of girl Hilda was and he was worried that she wasn't going to take no for an answer. Rya on the other hand was impressed by Hilda's attitude. If she wasn't trying to steal Quinus from her she'd probably get along great with her.

'I don't know why, but I really like this girl... But she keeps calling me evil! She better back off or I will make her life a living hell.' Rya thought as she narrowed her eyes at the Princess.

Hilda took a breath and calmed down. She stood up straight and smiled.

Terenthiel wasn't happy about how the Princess was taking charge.

"Listen here, Hilda... I can be here to protect you if she decides to attack you—"

"Oh, I'm not a monster, Terenthiel... But I appreciate how you care about me," Rya spoke up from the other side of the room.

Terenthiel was in a permanent state of frowning to the point that is was starting to hurt. He couldn't stand that the Dark Elf and the Princess wasn't helping him. After a moment of staring at the smiling Dark Elf he looked back at Hilda, "If you wish to stay here with that thing... Then so be it... Your brother will stay at the Marquess's Manor with Sir Darius and a few of are men... I need to return home to inform the Prophet and the High King of this... The Prophet is not going to be pleased with the Dark Elf still breathing... Nor will the High King... So... If you can do everything without my help, then so be it... Princess... My the Divine Three show mercy on your soul."

"Send my maid over to the palace at once... I will need her here to help me with my things... I'll be needing my wardrobe brought here as well," Hilda said.

"...Of course," Terenthiel said in a defeated tone.

With that said Terenthiel bowed before the Princess and left the room. Everyone was quiet as they watched Terenthiel leave the room except for Duval who chased after him. Hilda smiled to herself and looked at the Duchess who nodded at her. She didn't expect Terenthiel to back down so easily and this confidence came from out of nowhere. It was almost instinctual as if her subconscious had taken over her.

"I'm impressed... I didn't think that you had the balls to go up against Terenthiel, Princess. Not many women could stand up against a man like him," Leandra said with a smirk on her face.

"Yeah... I just hope I don't have to face the wrath of my father...," Hilda said as she realized the repercussions of her actions.

"Don't worry. Your father can't touch the next Queen of Fiafyr... You're under my protection now. As well as the rest of the council and the entire country will be soon," Leandra said.

"I hope you're right, my Lady," Hilda said as she sighed.

"I don't doubt the Duchess, Princess. You did good back there... To be a lady of the court is to always be assertive. Even the King must listen to his Council," Alaric said as he approached his wife.

The Duke talking to the Princess this set off alarm bells for Quinus, Rya, Johan, Tayna, Sir George, Percy, and Lord Brice. If the Duke took interest in someone it meant he was trying to use that person. And he was very good at using people.

Lord Brice came walking over to Quinus, with Gawain chasing after him. 

Brice began to whisper in the Prince's ear, "Your Highness... I was going to deny the Princess entry to the palace, but if she stays with your uncle and she becomes your—"

"I'm not marrying her..." Quinus interrupted.

"You may not have a choice... Especially if the Goddess doesn't show favor to Lady Rya, but shows it to Lady Hilda... Right now this is a delay tactic so we can try to come up with another plan to stop Duval. And I will help you find a loophole that will allow you and Lady Rya to be together. Because your mother was the last one to get favor from the goddess when the Idols eyes lit up... Otherwise the damn thing hasn't done anything even for you... Divine beings are fickle creatures and I can't think of any other reason for the gods or goddesses to bless two women with their powers," Brice whispered.

Quinus wasn't happy about that possibility but he couldn't deny that Lord Brice was given him a hard truth, "Then it seems I have no choice but to entertain the Princess until we can come up with something... Haah... I guess I'll order the servants to ready a room for her."

"I know that you are not happy, Your Highness... But keep in mind that you should try to build up a rapport with her... The less time she spends with the Revelia's, the better off we'll all be," Lord Brice whispered.

Quinus was silent trying to think about what to do. He glanced at Rya who was watching the Duke and Duchess talk with Hilda. Quinus felt the overwhelming need to kiss Rya. He needed to reassure her that no matter what, he'd find a way for them to be together.

Rya was able to hear everything that Quinus and Brice were saying. She wasn't worried. She had faith in Quinus and her own powers. And even if more obstacles came their way, Rya would face them. This Princess wasn't a threat to Rya if she was left to her own devices but she will become a nuisance if she gets help from the Revelia's.

The Revelia's were already plotting a way to ruin the wedding between Rya and Quinus. They were going to use the Princess to break apart the engagement and make Hilda the next Queen of Fiafyr.

Rya had been watching the Duchess and Duke ever since they started talking to the Princess. They had the Princess enthralled.

'Lord Brice is right... I can keep an eye on her if she's closer... It'll be easier to see their moves against Quinus and the council. Plus the closer she is, the harder it'll be for her to meet with the Duke and Duchess. And knowing how cunning the Duke is can be an issue. He doesn't seem like a guy who makes the same mistake twice. The Duke could try to trick her into betraying the Prince, or use her as a shield for when he finally decide to stop me from marrying Quin... I won't let them get away with it.'

Rya turned to look at him, "What?... She might be annoying but we can handle her. As long as you're not alone with her... And if you can get her to fall in love with a handsome stranger, that will buy us even more time with the nobles," Rya whispered.

Quinus stared at her with shock and confusion while Lord Brice smirked, "She is a brave one... I'm beginning to see what made you start liking her."

Quinus' face became hot and blushed, "Y-yeah... she's special."

Rya grinned at Quin's embarrassment. Lord Brice smacked the Prince's shoulder to break him out of it.

Quinus glared at Brice and growled, "What was that for!?"

"Oh... Sorry, Sire... Just be careful with her, your Highness," Brice whispered.

The Duke and Duchess were done talking and were walking towards the Prince and his friends. Hilda was staring at Rya, and she didn't look happy about Rya being around her Prince.

"Well, nephew... You better buy enjoy the life you have been given... Because my son can't enjoy his own life," the Duke hissed.

"Yes, uncle... I shall remember your words," the Prince said coldly.

"Well... We'll be off... We will let the Princess stay at the Divalo Manor if you don't have-"

"She can stay here in the palace... It would be rude to turn down a guest... Even a forced one," the Prince said, interrupting the Duke.

Hilda felt something strange when the prince had spoken. The way he had said 'guest' made her heart skip a beat. He sounded so charming and dashing. It sent a shiver down her spine and caused her knees to buckle. She felt hot and weak.

'What's going on with me?... W-When I being trained to become his wife, I dreaded the day when I would be married to the Prince. B-but now... I'm feeling excited... Excited for our future... I-I must save him...'

Quinus glanced at her and tried to frown but her face looking all dazed made him smile a bit, "Hilda..."

She didn't respond to him. She was too lost in her thoughts. Quinus sighed, 'This is going to be difficult.'

"Come along, Princess Hilda... I'll have one of the servants show you to your room," Lord Brice offered.

Hilda shook her head and then nodded. She looked up at him, "Thank you... Lord Brice, was it? It is nice to meet you."

"It's a pleasure, Lady Hilda. Now come this way... You will have a wonderful view of the Palace from your window," Lord Brice smiled.

Rya, Quinus, Alaric, Leandra, and all of Rya's friends watched as Hilda was escorted out of the chamber by Lord Brice.

"Well... It seems like you aren't that weak hearted boy that I once remembered... I underestimated you once, nephew... I shall not do that again," the Duke stated coldly.

"Is this really the first time you underestimated, my fiance, Alaric?... I mean it doesn't make a difference because you already lost... You're just in denial, aren't you?" Rya said in a mocking tone.

Alaric and Leandra just looked at Rya with the dry nobility smiles that she wasn't expecting.

"You chose to wrong man... But you're too shallow to realize that, aren't you?" Leandra whispered.

'Oh!? This is a first... She thinks this is going to make me get pissed, but I was born a man and cheap shots like this doesn't affect me... Pfft!... Me shallow... I'm as deep as a ocean!... Yeah!... I'm so not shallow at all... Nope! Not me!... No! She's the shallow one!... SHE'S THE ONE WHO IS SHALLOW!!! SHE'S—Whoa!... D-Did I just get offended... Shit!?... Don't tell me that this part of me has changed too!? Damn it! Why does it hurt when someone lies about my character?... Fuck! My feelings are getting hurt, aren't they?... Don't let them get to you, Rya. Ignore them. Ignore them, damn it!... Shit! Why do I feel so emotional? Is this a feminine emotion or is this something else?'

What Rya thought was her feminine emotions were actually her body's hormones changing and reacting to the fetus slowly growing inside her. This type of comment wouldn't have bugged her in the past but now that she's pregnant her emotions were starting to change.

Rya didn't want to show them her emotions, so she kept a cold, calm, and collected face.

"Oh?... How would you know how shallow I am, Duchess Revelia?" Rya said calmly keeping herself from crying.

"Oh, dear, girl... I have seen your type before... A lowly commoner girl who wants a noble's title and wealth. But, I know your kind won't be able to handle the life of a Queen. Your little charade will fall apart, and you will leave my nephew's side, and he will become the laughing stock of the nobility," Leandra replied in a smug tone.

'Hold it together Rya!... Put her in her place!... You can't let her get away with this!... You know she's lying!... Oh, Gods, I'm not going to cry!'

"That's rich?... Tell me, Leandra?... When you are stripped of everything that makes you a noble, how long do you think you can last? Will you survive a day? A week? Or maybe you won't be able to last even a couple hours without some form of help? How about you don't act like you're better than me when you don't even know the first thing about me?... Oh! That's right! I've seen your type before... Your just a shallow old hag who thought she was good enough to be a Queen... But she didn't have what it took and instead she became an old, washed up, has been," Rya said as she got her emotions in check.

Leandra was fuming with anger. Her fake smile twitched as she held in her rage.

"Why you little—"

"That's enough, Dear... Don't fall for her tricks... She's clever with her words. She knows just what to say to get under your skin," Alaric said calmly.

"Yeah! And I'm the one who's the shallow one, right?" Rya said mockingly.

"That's not for me to judge... I just hope you don't regret your choices in life... Lady Rya... You better protect her nephew... It's not easy to be a Royal... And you better not cause a civil war over your stupidity, or the whole Kingdom will suffer," the Duke stated coldly and then he and his wife left the chamber.

"What an asshole," Dalia cursed.

"Indeed, he is. But there's nothing we can do about it now. I'll plan something with Johan, Douglas, and Lord Brice... We need to put the Duke and Duchess in their place," Quinus replied.

"You have our support, My Lord," Johan said as he bowed.

"I'll see what we can do... And here I thought we would need to make a daring escape when the Prime Minister seemed to have everything to expel, Lady Rya," Douglas commented.

"Yeah, that was close... I was worried for a moment, but I keep forgetting that this is her Ladyship we're talking about... She's proven me wrong in the past," Tayna said.

"I can't believe that the Duchess said such things. She must be part snake to say such lies to my daughter's face," Yuliana stated.

Rya had a bit of doubt on her face while everyone was talking.

"Huh?... Hey, Sis... Are you okay?" Nieren asked as she was the first to notice.

"Hmm?... Oh, yeah, I'm fine... B-But you guys would tell me if I was shallow, right?..." Rya asked nervously.

Everyone went quiet and looked at her before they burst into laughter.

"You're anything but shallow," Sir George commented.

"And we wouldn't trade you for any other woman in the Kingdom," Percy replied.

"You have such a beautiful soul. Anyone who would think differently doesn't deserve your love or friendship," Yuliana said.

"Awe! Come on, Alpha!... You helped everyone, including me... You give more second chances to those stupid humans and demi-humans than anyone should, but that's one of the reasons why your my chieftain of this tribe... And if you ever forget that, I'll be there to remind you," Dalia replied.

Rya was feeling way better and her smile was bright and contagious.

"You are not shallow. If anything, the Duchess is shallow and she is the one that should be ashamed of herself. And if it was the other way around, I would have punched her in the face," Nieren replied.

"Nieren!?... Your a princess... You don't do that anymore now that we are back in the nobility... Even if it's a human nobility," Yuliana exclaimed.

"Mom!?... What is it with you and being a princess?... Just because I'm a princess, doesn't mean I can't punch someone in the face when they are being a jerk... Besides, she's not the queen of anything, she's the wife of a Duke, and a enemy of the Crown," Nieren said.

"She's not wrong," Quinus added.

"I still don't want you punching anyone in the face unless it's life and death, young lady," Yuliana replied.

Earl Nathaniel was watching the whole thing with a smile.

"Well, your Highness... It seems things are going to change around here... Just remember that there are those who will wish to stop it the protect the system they are used to. Be careful and don't let them get to you. But I do hope we can have another party sometime. It was nice meeting you and your entourage, My Lady," Earl Nathaniel said as he bowed and then he left.

They didn't realize that they were the only ones left in the House of the Major Lords and the sun was already past high noon.

"Wow... Time flies when you're having fun," Percy said.

"Gamma!?... It was boring!... And all the humans kept asking questions," Dalia replied.

"Sorry, Dalia. Humans tend to be nosy... You need to get used to it from here on our," Rya replied.

"Agh!... Don't tell me that, Alpha!... It is making my body—"

*Groan!*

Dalia was cut off by her sudden growling stomach.

"Hahahahaha!"

They all started laughing and it made Dalia smile.

"Jeez! Dalia... You need to control that stomach of—"

*GROAN!*

Rya's growling stomach echoed Dalia's and it caused everyone to laugh.

"It looks like the both of you are hungry," Johan said.

"Come on. Let's get some lunch together... We deserve to relax after everything we've been through," Quinus replied.

"Oh!... And after lunch! I can finally teach my daughters in the way of the Green Word. Oh! I've been waiting for this day," Yuliana commented with excitement.

"Ugh... Mom! Do I have too!?" Nieren complained.

"Yes, my daughter... It's a right of passage for the females in our family and I would very much like to spend some time with you and Rya," Yuliana replied.

"Come on, Nieren... It should be fun and we can spend some time with our mom... Plus, I want to see a pro in action," Rya said.

This inflated Yuliana's ego and her smile grew brighter.

"Fine... But just this once," Nieren replied.

Yuliana's eyes were glowing with anticipation.

"Awe!?... But what am I supposed to do?... You guys will be leaving me to do boring stuff again," Dalia pouted.

"Well?... You can join us. But you would have to sit in the corner drinking tea and sweets while we study," Yuliana said.

Dalia was in when she heard sweets.

"YES!... That sounds great!... Can I, Alpha!?... Can I, can I, can I, can I!?... Pleeease!" Dalia begged.

"Sure," Rya replied with a chuckle.

"WHEEE!!!"

Dalia was jumping for joy which made her first trimester baby bump wobble a bit.

'Oh no... Dalia is going to cause problems when she gets bored after eating all the sweets... Hold on! I have an idea.' Rya thought as she looked at Tayna.

"Uhmm. Hey, Tayna. If you're not busy. Would you mind hanging out with us as well? I could use your information on the political climate. And you can give me advice on how to avoid problems. Plus, I think Dalia will be excited if she has someone to talk too," Rya said.

"Huh!?... Well if I'm not a burden. I'd love to," Tayna replied.

"Thanks, Tayna... You're the best," Rya said.

Tayna blushed.

Rya was feeling better as she was following Quinus toward the dining room, until her stomach growled again.

'D-Damn!?... All this mental energy must have distracted me from the pain of hunger. I need to remember to eat more,' Rya thought as she rubbed her stomach.

It wasn't very noticable but Rya could swear that her lower abdomen seemed a little bloated than usual.

'Damn!... Am I getting fat? I mean it's not really that noticeable but still. It's kinda weird and a little worrisome... Ugh... Maybe I should go on a diet?' Rya thought.

Then her stomach groaned again causing to rub her belly with two hands.

'Ah!... No!... No diets! I'd rather eat all the food I can and deal with the consequences. But still... Is there something I'm missing? Hmmm. I guess I'll think about it later.' Rya thought and then shook her head and followed the others to the dining room were they had a fine lunch before splitting off to do their own activities.