Chapter 3

Maria's hand caressed over the page in the large book as she watched the original words change to what she preferred in the tome. This was one of Kyoko's ideas. She wasn't sure if it would be convincing enough or if the individual that would read it in the future would have a way of detecting that it was changed with magic. It was one of the more complete and popular editions of the weapons compendiums in the kingdom. Mage Fuwa did not live in their kingdom, so Maria suspected that it was possible that he really didn't read that particular book or had encountered it. It was a rather new one so hopefully it would be convincing enough when he read that the crystal sword had been destroyed 150 years ago. Which was around the time when it had found its way to the LoveME Kingdom.

She glanced over at Kyoko and smiled. "Along with my enchantment on you and what's been changed in this book, you should be safe for now." She assured the sword that now sported a brand new, filigreed bronze hilt or so that's what it appeared to be according to the disguise spell. She'd tried to disguise the crystal blade too, to no avail. The spell had been soundly rejected by the crystal, bouncing off and turning a bowl of strawberries into a highly polished steel bowl of lumps. Thankfully she'd dodged that one. She wasn't sure what would have happened had it hit her or her clothing. That would have been a nightmare.

"Thank you, Maria. I'm very grateful. No one has ever thought to do anything for me." She paused for a moment a little sad at those thoughts. "I wish I was normal again. I could grant you a wish or something. As it stands, I suppose I will have to remain in your debt. I'm very sorry."

Maria smiled softly. "It's alright. I'm just glad Kimiko didn't steal you last night. She's one of those stupid Lord's daughters that volunteered to be a maid in the palace to get near Sir Ren. I should have turned her into a toad, but Grandfather forbade me from doing so. I really hope it comes to nothing." She pondered worriedly.

"If it does…" Kyoko sighed. "Please don't fight him. I don't want anything bad to happen to you. Just give me to him and I'll find a way to get free again." She told her. She was growing really fond of this human child that had done so much for her.

Maria sighed and shook her head. "I think you would be safer if Sir Ren kept you near him. He is a knight and a champion one at that. I'm sure he could keep you safe and sound." Maria told her.

Kyoko thought on it for a while and finally conceded. "I suppose you're right. I really don't know how much that jerk has developed in his magic, and Sir Ren doesn't seem so bad." If you don't count the thorough groping when he first took me from the scabbard. She groused inwardly.

Over the past few months, living with Maria, she had grown quite comfortable. However, she also realized that she was putting the little mage in danger by staying with her. So here she was now, wholeheartedly agreeing to be placed at Sir Ren's side. The man wasn't entirely disagreeable. He did have quite a few more good points than bad. He was somewhat kind, considerate, very gentlemanly, and almost as beautiful as one of her own people. Well, he was as beautiful, if not more, than one of her own fairy compatriots. Although, one certainly would not hear her even whisper a word of it.

"Are you sure you're okay with this?" He asked, wanting to make sure that she would be completely okay with staying at his side.

"Mmhm. I'm fine with it as long as you don't try touching my blade like you did when we first met." Her voice sounded somewhat indignant at the thought of the incident.

Ren let out a little cough of embarrassment and the tips of his ears turned pink. Maria had explained to him in private why he shouldn't do something like that again, unless she was coated in mud or blood, which he didn't see happening any time in the near or distant future. "I'll agree."

"Good, good." King Lory announced with a wide smile. "Very well, let's get down to business." He started sifting through some papers on his desk after Maria and Ren sat down before him.

He glanced at the sheathed sword laying before them on the desk. "Are you certain that you're comfortable like that, Your Highness?" He asked regarding her being covered, taking into consideration how she had complained about being in the other scabbard before.

"I'm fine. This scabbard doesn't restrict me, and there's no need for you to address me in such high regard. I'm no longer considered royalty and I have no people to rule." She answered in a bit of a sad tone at the end. It wasn't that she was addicted to power or anything, she just missed caring for others as she had when she was queen.

Lory shook his head and smiled sadly. "Once a monarch, always one, my dear."

Ren froze internally at the thought, realizing exactly how inconsiderate and brusque he'd been with her earlier on. She was a bonafide queen. Not one of his ancestors, she hadn't made it that far into her reign, but she was definitely higher on the food chain than he was, and he'd been so disrespectful to her. At least that's the way he saw it. On the other hand, she couldn't have cared about it any less than she already did. That had been another life, almost 300 years ago.

"Now then, I'm not very comfortable with you leaving the kingdom with her, but what's done is done, and he will most likely come in search of you, Your Highness. Our best bet is to make sure that you are elsewhere when that does happen. I have a friend that may be able to hide you two for a period of time. His name is Hiroaki Ogata. He comes from a long line of very powerful elves. He may even have some connections or ideas on your predicament." He informed her. "Are you willing to accompany Ren?"

She really didn't have much of a choice in the matter, but it warmed her heart that they had actually asked her opinion in the matter. No one had actually really cared before to do such a thing. Everyone she'd met in this wonderful kingdom thus far, had been very accommodating to her and her opinions. "I will. Thank you for taking me into consideration." She responded with her jewel glinting a beautiful amber color from the original blue.

Ren stood from his seat prepared to leave the room, but hesitated for a moment when it came time to take her into his possession. He was conflicted on how to pick her up, how to fasten the scabbard to his belt and leg, or even just how he was going to transport her. She was a queen for heaven's sake. How humiliating it must be to be toted around like so much baggage. Like an object. When she actually was so much more than something like that. She deserved to be treated with reverence and respect.

Kyoko groaned inwardly, knowing what he was thinking. "Just get it over with." She commanded. "I'm just a sword, an object, a tool to use in battle. Just like any other." She informed him in a dry tone. After what Maria had told her about the enchantment, she certainly didn't see herself as anything else. She had resigned herself to the fact that this would be her permanent form and after 300 years, she had finally accepted that there was definitely not going to be any cure to her situation, because no one would fall in love with a talking sword or a cursed fairy queen.