"So... what is this kingdom like?"
"It's not a very welcoming place. Outsiders aren't very wanted there."
"Are you sure it's a good idea to go there then?"
"We need her help. It's our best chance."
"If you say so..."
The four girls were heading toward the corrupt kingdom. It was a very nervewracking journey. None of them knew what they might be getting into. What if they weren't accepted? What if the princess turned them away? They would possibly be killed by the people living in the kingdom for all they knew.
"How do we even get to the princess? We can't just waltz in there and go to her." Ren questioned.
"Right... hmm..."
"Maybe she'll be out and we can catch her?" Ruby suggested.
"Maybe?"
It took a while of travel, but they soon arrived at the kingdom. They remained outside of it. They needed a way to get to the princess now. However, they still hadn't found a single idea that would work.
"I doubt we'll get to the princess. No one would help us." Leah sighed.
"Could you use your status as royalty to get us in?" Keke asked.
"As if they'd work with me." Leah scoffed, "More likely they'd take my head off the moment they found out."
"Oh..."
"You want to see Chisato?" A girl stepped into their clearing.
"Um... yes?" Kanon said.
"I'm Shioriko. A... close friend of hers. What do you want from her exactly?"
"It's a long story. Basically, me and this one are runaway princesses and we need refuge. We just picked up some others along the way who happened to need it as well." Leah stated.
"Our kingdom doesn't like royalty outside of our own." Shioriko stated.
"I know. But we are not royalty anymore."
"I can take you to her, but no guarantee that she won't kick you out or kill you."
"It's a risk we're willing to take."
"Then follow me."
Shioriko led them through some backalleys until they reached the castle. She spoke to the knights and entered. Everyone nervously glanced at them as they walked inside.
"Chisato, you have some visitors who request your presence."
A girl appeared from a hall. She eyed them all up in distrust.
"What do you want?" She asked.
"We would like if you could help us. We are on the run and need a place to stay." Ruby took the lead.
"On the run from what?"
"Knights."
"Why?" Chisato didn't seem to trust them at all.
"Leah and I are... princesses who have run away."
Chisato's eyes went wide, "Shio! Why would you bring royalty to me."
The way she spat "royalty" did not sound good. They were not getting on her good side.
"They wanted an audience, I gave them an audience. I told them I couldn't guarantee what you would do to them." Shioriko replied, "What do you wish to do with them?"
"Get them out of my sight."
"Wait! Please... we aren't really royalty anymore."
"But your family still is."
"But..."
"My parents hate me." Leah spoke up, "They don't approve of my relationship with Ruby."
"Oh, so that's why you ran away." Chisato sighed, "I still don't like you. Shio, I want them all locked up in the jail. I want to think things over."
"Now?"
"Yes."
"Please just come peacefully." Shioriko said.
They did. If they had a chance to get any favor with Chisato, they had to take it. Even if that meant being locked in a jail. At least it wasn't as bad as being tossed out or killed.
"Do you think we have any chance with her?" Sumire asked Shioriko.
"Possibly. She has never sent someone to the jail without a sentence for death before." Shioriko replied, "You have a shot, I suppose."
"Can you give us any tips on how to persuade her that we aren't bad?"
"No."
"Because you don't want to or you can't?"
"Both."
"Do you trust us?"
Shioriko didn't answer the question. She just walked away from them.
"Do you think we'll get out of here alive?" Ruby asked quietly.
"Hopefully." Leah sighed, "She's being nicer than normal to us from the sound of it."
"I'm scared..." Keke whispered, "I don't want to die..."
"I'm sure we won't die. And besides, I can kill her with my magic if she tries anything." Sumire stated.
"Huh?"
Sumire sighed, "Right. So, I use black magic. I can kill her with it if I so choose."
"Black magic?!"
"Quiet! But yes, black magic." Sumire glared at them all.
"Why do you know it?" Leah questioned.
Sumire shrugged, "Cause I wanted to."
"You don't seem like the others who use it." Ren commented, "It's commong knowledge that those who use black magic are evil."
"Normally, yes. I'm a special case."
"You don't have to defend yourself from them." Kanon said, "If they don't like it, that's on them."
"It's fine, Kanon. They're just curious." Sumire reassured her.
"Why are you special?" Ruby asked.
"Simply put, I haven't been corrupted by the power and gone mad with it." Sumire replied, "That's why those who use this magic are evil. The magic makes them that way. It messes with your head and makes you believe things that you haven't before."
"Um... how do you get black magic?" Keke asked, "I don't know much about witches."
"You kill with magic and it turns it dark." Sumire answered, "The blood of those you murdered stain your magic in a way."
"That's interesting."
They fell quiet as they heard footsteps approaching. Chisato was back. She looked them all over.
"What can you offer me that I don't already have?" Chisato asked.
"Hmm... well, we know how royalty works. We could help you with conflicts." Leah said.
"I've never had a princess work with me before. I've had staff from the castles, but that's it." Chisato was talking to herself, "You have my interest."
"I'm a witch." Sumire stated, "Need one?"
"A witch? I have one, but I wouldn't say no to another. Especially one that is employed to me only and not to my parents as well."
Kanon, Ren, and Keke looked at each other. They didn't have anything really special about them to say.
"What did you do before coming here?" Chisato questioned them.
"I just lived alone in the woods with Sumire." Kanon answered.
"My family were farmers, but I never really learned much anyway." Keke said.
Ren sighed, "My family owns a brothel."
Chisato raised an eyebrow at her, "A brothel?"
Ren kept her eyes down and nodded, "Yes. I never liked what they do."
Chisato took a deep breath, "I will consider my options now. By tomorrow you will know my answer."
"Are we staying here until then?" Ruby asked.
Chisato nodded, "Yes. Shio will bring you some blankets and food in a little bit."
"You call her Shio all the time."
"It's a nickname I've called her that since we were little kids. It sounds wrong when I call her Shioriko." Chisato stated.
"Are there any other friends here of yours?" Kanon asked.
Chisato shrugged, "I can't say I call them my friends, but there are some others you may find interest in."
"Okay."
"I will see you tomorrow then." Chisato stated and left the area.
"So... think we've gotten some favor with her?" Ruby questioned.
"It seems like it." Leah replied.
"It seems she's debated if we can be of use to her."
"I hope she lets us stay with her."
"Yeah..."