Storyteller Of Zero

by Kremant

For the Isekai lovers who love seeing someone else being summoned than the other guy! Louise will perform the ritual to summon her Familiar. Only this time, the one she will summon will be someone who will cause quite the shock and surprise all around him. And the only thing he brings along... Is a Tome? Just what kind of stories are about to be unleashed upon Halkeginia?

7. SOZ-Ep 6-A Storyteller's Arrangements

It is morning in the academy of magic, after the first class hour was over with, with the students leaving their classrooms free for now to rest till the next one begins.

The scene shows Louise, who was walking through the hallway and on the way that leads to her room, contemplating heavily about the last night.

She still can't believe that the Founder's religion itself has lies implemented by the church in it. She knows her Familiar would not lie about something so serious all of a sudden, so she has to trust his words. Just how many more of what she knows could be a lie in her respected belief...

And as if that's not enough to think about already, she discovered her Familiar wanting a harem all of a sudden. A harem! And even if he told her that he is not really breaking any actual law with that choice, it still doesn't sound any less depraved!

And Siesta doesn't make it feel any better, being all lovey dovey around him while performing her duties, and obviously supportive to that harem idea of his. Louise can understand that they have most definitely done something with the way she appears so absent minded when he is not around. Not to mention that Kirche is now apparently allowed to touch him freely, after literally slapping her attempts away all this time before. Even though Louise doesn't have that rivalry with the redhead Noble anymore, she still feels like a loser at the thought she shows to be close at being accepted in the harem by her Noble of a Familiar.

Why Aristidis turned out to be like that? Like such a womanizer?

She always thought that he...

Louise stops for a moment at that thought.

Wait, why does she even cares about what kind of relationships he has and plans to have? It's not like she has those kind of feelings for him, and feels it should have been only her or anything! She is engaged to Wardes, after all. Why should she care that her obviously powerful Noble of a Familiar plans to have a harem? He can do whatever he wants for all that she cares!

And after all, that doesn't change the fact that he is still a caring friend and teacher to her, who does everything in his literal power for her to always be happy and satisfied in her days ahead.

All those fun activities he introduced her into, the magic he fixed for her, the friends he helped her make, her bad reputation he turned completely upside down...

Louise smiles at the thought, with her mood changing to a more pleasant one.

That's right. Despite everything else, she still has the best Familiar she could ask for. Now if only she could make him forget about courting her...

She sweat drops as she remembers Aristidis constantly trying to seduce her, before she blushes heavily when thinking about the way he holded her close to him the last night at the carriage, and his I will make you love me, as much as I love you promise.

Louise shakes her head fast. "Stop thinking that!" She whispers somewhat aggressively to herself.

It doesn't matter how much he tries, she will not betray Wardes's trust and that's that!

"Once I go back to my room, where Aristidis is, I will order for a tremendous amount of stuff from him to offer and do for me as a way to get back at him for his constant flirting. Then we see how much he feels like courting me from then on." Louise says quietly to herself as she smiles mischievously at the devious to her idea.

Not long after, she reaches her room and opens the door, looking quite demanding as she does so. "Ari-"

Louise stops herself as she sees Aristidis crouched behind something that looks like a wide but thin, squared object with a glass-looking front, that is on top of a well-decorated wooden box with a rectangle opening in its middle, with his Tome being placed within it as he moves his hands about while obviously doing something behind there, with the maid Cinderella being seated at the end of the pink-haired Noble's bed, looking at the object's glassy surface.

"Are you sure you know how to make this work, Sir?" The orange-haired maid asks him.

"It is not a simple procedure, but if anyone can do it, it is obviously me." The pitch-black Storyteller says the last parts as he stops for a moment to indicate himself in a self-important way, before going back to whatever he was doing back there.

Louise goes to stand beside Cinderella while looking curiously at the object and Aristidis behind of it. "What are you doing there, Aristidis?"

"OH, my cute and charming Louise!" He says with a happy face while not taking his attention off his work. "Just finished with the first hour I see, great."

The pink-haired Noble blushes while being annoyed at him hyperbolically complimenting her like usual.

The mouthless Storyteller continues. "I was just about to put the finishing touches to this very special situation right here."

Louise even more curious now goes behind him, and sees that what he is doing is moving and connecting by hand to the back of the squared object and the inside of his Tome different colored rope-looking things, which appear to be made out of a material she doesn't recognize.

She raises an eyebrow confused, not understanding what he is doing exactly and for what purpose.

"And~... Done." Aristidis says after a small pause satisfied, having finished with the connections as he gets up and walks in front of it, with the pink-haired Noble following him.

"What is this thing exactly?" Louise finally questions while looking at it from the front now, after giving up on guessing herself.

The pitch-black Storyteller snaps his fingers, and a small rectangle object appears on his palm he takes ahold on, and then chuckles proudly. "Louise. Set your eyes upon this!" He says as he extends the small object toward the big squared in front of them as he pushes a button on it.

When he does that, the big glass on the said object brightens for an instant, before suddenly showing what can be described as a moving image, depicting an episode of The Flintstones.

Louise's eyes widen and her mouth opens slightly in surprise at what she sees. The girl approaches the moving image and touches it, seeing that the glass-like material is still in the way and not gone. "What...?"

"This is called Television." Aristidis tells her. "It is a contraption made to show people and places at different times via other means, that can be watched for entertainment purposes." He says but then raises a finger while looking quite pleased about. "Although, this one is a bit different in comparison to the original model. What I did is use magic to connect the Television with my Tome as needed, and thanks to that, every time it is connected with the contraption, we will be able to watch every single story existing within the said Tome as a show! I call this combination: Tome Television! Or simply Tome TV for short." Says the last part with a shrug.

The pink-haired girl turns to him, incredibly surprised at what she just heard. "You mean we can now watch your Tome's stories as if we were there ourselves to witness them?!"

"If by being there you mean witnessing them as if they were right outside of our very window, then yes." The mouthless Storyteller elaborates with a nod of his head.

Louise looks back at the TV as she smiles and exclaims from astonishment at the fact. So many stories from worlds she can now see unfolding before her very eyes... Just the thought is so exciting to her!

Aristidis pulls her by the shoulder with his free hand close to him, getting her attention back to him. "This is its Remote Control." Says as he raises the small rectangle object he holds to indicate it. "You can use it to look at other stories by pressing the left or right buttons on it to change channel, so you can do so." He tells her while pressing the said buttons to change the channels, which shows an episode from the Star VS. The Forces Of Evil, before getting it back to The Flintstones.

"Amazing!" The pink-haired girl says in further astonishment at how simple it is to change each story with just pressing one of those buttons as he calls them.

The pitch-black Storyteller hands her the remote control, which she immediately start using to change channels, seeing new unique worlds and characters for a moment, before changing to the next.

As Aristidis watches her really happy about doing that, he suddenly appears to remember something. "Ah- Wait, stop, Louise!" Says troubled as he places a hand above the remote control she holds to lower it a bit, with her looking at him confused.

He sweat drops as he lets her hand. "Better not change it to the left channels more like I see you about to. They have content not suitable for people below eighteen years old, with some not suitable for normal people at all. It can be way too scary and disturbing for you."

Louise seems somewhat upset by that. "Are you calling me a coward?" She says and then places an accusing finger on his chest, with him raising his hands defensively at that. "In case you haven't realized, I'm not just a small child who gets scared over whatever stuff she hears or being shown to. As if it's not enough already the way you always look and talk to me, making me feel awkward and all." Says the last part while blushing softly at the thought.

The mouthless Storyteller tries to not be amused at the fact as he attempts to warn her. "But, my sweet Louise-"

"See what I mean?!" The pink-haired Noble cuts him off, more upset now. "You always do what you want despite me telling you not to, so I will do what I want as well! And if I say that I want to watch what story is in the next channel, as you call it, then I WILL watch what story is next!" Says as she looks at the TV, before pressing the button to change the channel, much to Aristidis's concern.

~Ten Minutes Later~

The scene shows Aristidis turning off the TV with the remote control, before he sighs.

He then turns to look at Louise who is currently in fetal position upon her bed while trembling and muttering incoherently with wide open in great shock eyes, with the orange-haired maid standing to the side, sweat dropping at the expected reaction.

The pitch-black Storyteller folds his arms. "You had to stop at the Drukhari's Torture Documentary Channel, didn't you?"

"Th-Th-They we-we-were so a-a-awful..." Louise says while stuttering in her shock. "What they did t-t-to those people... T-T-T-To those small children..."

She pushes fast her upper half off the bed with her hands supporting her on it as she turns to look at Aristidis. "How can such beings even be allowed to exist?! And why have such a... Channel in that TV of yours to begin with?!"

"I can understand your feelings toward them. There are times I wonder about it myself." He admits before shivering from slight disgust for a moment at the thought.

He then sweat drops as he shrugs. "And as for the channel itself, I was trying the last hour to block it from ever being witnessed at all, among others, but it proved to be impossible in the end."

The pink-haired girl gets up surprised. "Impossible? I thought that for someone like you everything was possible."

The pitch-black Storyteller turns and bends down to take his Tome off the placement below the TV. "Well, there are things that even I cannot do, as much as I hate to admit." Says somewhat frustrated before straightening himself up as he currently looks away from her.

Things that he cannot do? Louise now is really curious as to what else her Noble of a Familiar cannot do despite having that Tome of his.

The moment she attempts to ask him, a knock on the door interrupts her, as they both turn toward it.

"Louise! It's us, Kirche and Tabitha, may we come in?" Kirche's voice is heard outside.

Aristidis signs with a hand at the door, and the maid Cinderella bows before going there, and opens it to reveal the redhead Noble, and Tabitha, who come inside together.

"Hey, Louise." Kirche tells her pink-haired friend with a smile, and then looks seductively at the pitch-black Storyteller, before moving close to take his arm around both hers, and placing it between her big breasts as well, clinging onto it. "And hey to you as well, darling Aristidis."

The mouthless Storyteller looks at her with a happy expression. "Happy to see you too, Kirche." He then turns to the blue-haired Noble with a respectful nod. "Tabitha."

Tabitha nods back at him.

Louise folds her arms as she looks annoyed at how Kirche is clinging onto Aristidis's arm, with him allowing it just like that nowadays. "Are you here just to make sweet eyes at my Familiar, Kirche?"

"Well, obviously." The redhead answers with a chuckle, before letting his arm and looking at the pink-haired Noble. "But I also came to ask you about what are you planning for the exhibition that comes in two days."

"Eh?" Louise utters confused, as the mouthless Storyteller listens with interest.

Kirche continues. "Since you have someone as incredible as Aristidis here, you must have something really amazing prepared to show to everyone that day."

"Trust me, I always have something grand to show to people when needed." Aristidis says with an air of self-importance. "But just to have all details, what is that exhibition we talk about?"

The pink-haired Noble begins. "It's an annual event. A campus-wide exhibition of the Familiar Spirits summoned by the second year Nobles to show their skills, talents, and training." After saying that, she sweat drops. "And I completely forgot about it..."

The pitch-black Storyteller appears enthusiastic at the sound of that. "OH! A talent show in other words- I SO love those!" He places a hand onto Louise's shoulder, gaining her attention, while looking in a determined manner at the empty space forward. "Don't you worry for even a single second, my dear. Your good Storyteller of a Familiar Aristidis will show something so spectacular to our honored audience, that they will remain with their mouths hanging wide open, if not outright applaud like crazy for us!"

Louise looks at him with wonder, trying to imagine just what wonders from his Tome he will show before everyone.

Kirche smiles. "Ah, so you learned about princess Henrietta coming to visit our academy for the special occasion."

Both look at her with wide open eyes in surprise, with the redhead being confused at their reaction.

"Th-The princess is coming you say?" The pink-haired girl questions.

"I was talking in general about whoever, actually." The pitch-black Storyteller says, before looking at Louise with some enthusiasm. "Quite the coincidence this is, isn't it?"

The pink-haired girl remains stunned by the revelation.

Aristidis raises an eyebrow as he sees that, and begins snapping his fingers in front of her, snapping the girl out of her surprise and gaining her attention. "It IS surprising, but you act more surprised than expected. How so?"

"Oh-" Louise realizes herself, before putting an awkward smile on. "N-No particular reason! I just have great respect for her highness, and her coming here was really unexpected."

"You do now?" The mouthless Storyteller questions as he rubs his chin, interested at knowing that Louise is a fan of that specific royal figure. "Tell me about that esteemed highness of yours."

"W-Well-" The pink-haired girl begins with a bit of stutter at being suddenly asked to speak about her, before genuinely smiling as she is about to explain. "She became a symbolic and respected figure for both Nobles and commoners after the previous ruler, her father, passed away. She always tries her best for Tristain and its people, so they can live happy and safe lives."

"I see." Aristidis says, before nodding. "An admirable person indeed." He opens his Tome and turns the pages fast as he looks at each. "I have to make this as special as I can, then. Might take me a while since I cannot use my more attention catching people and situations yet, but she will still appreciate it in the way I mentioned earlier, be sure about it."

Louise smiles happy at her Familiar's willingness to perform to the maximum of his capabilities to impress her highness after learning what a great person she is.

Kirche rubs the back of her head as she sweat drops. "Well, I suppose there is no actual chance for any of us to win against whatever you're going to bring out." Says before winking at him. "But I can at least try my best to impress YOU through my performance with my Familiar Flame. And Tabitha as well, right, Tabitha?" Says the last part as she turns to the blue-haired Noble, who just shrugs her shoulders uncaringly in response.

The mouthless Storyteller looks at them while rising a finger. "I expect you both to do as much, despite my obvious exceptionality." Says the last part with a hand upon his chest pompously.

All sweat drop at his known arrogant nature.

"By the way-" The redhead begins as she looks around curious. "Where is Siesta? Since she is now your maid, and part of your harem of course, I expected her to always be by your side."

Aristidis's expression turns happy. "She actually is." Says before lifting his Tome to make it apparent. "I placed her inside the Tome so she can learn new recipes and proper food preparations from some of my best chefs within."

"Eh?!" Kirche exclaims surprised.

"In the Tome you said?!" Questions an equally surprised Louise.

The scene then cuts within the Tome, where a smiling Siesta is seen holding and mixing with a stirrer something inside a bowl, as a slim, muscular, long-legged man with blond hair which he keeps brushed over the right side of his face, and thin, spiral eyebrows, who is wearing a black suit with golden buttons who does the same thing as the maid, stands beside her [Vinsmoke Sanji from One Piece, showing how it is done.], while in the meantime three others stand at an appropriate distance behind them, with them being Brock from Pokémon, Kronk from Emperor's New Groove, and a tall man of Indian descent with slate-gray eyes, and short, stark-white hair, with two long locks of his hair being adorned with beads. [Agni from Black Butler, watching with the other two for the moment.]

And all that while Jerry the brown mouse is carrying a bottle of some kind to them, wanting to be as helpful as possible.

"Yes, and let me tell you, she is enjoying her time in there quite a bit, and is making quite the progress as I hear too." The pitch-black Storyteller says off the screen, before the scene moves back to him and the rest at Louise's room again. "She will become a master chef before you even know it, and the likes this world's chefs will be jealous of." He says proudly.

"So other than yourself, even different people can get inside your Tome?" The pink-haired girl questions still a bit surprised at the fact.

"Of course." Aristidis simply tells her, and then opens his Tome at a random page, before placing a hand on it, which magically enters through and within. "If it is open, any living being can enter if much of their mass is pushed within. But that can prove quite the dangerous decision to make." Says the last part as he takes his hand out while closing the Tome at the same time.

Kirche appears confused by that. "Why so?"

The pitch-black Storyteller continues. "If you are someone completely unknown to me, or even worse, someone who has annoyed me much more than allowed, the entirety of the Tome within will treat you as an intruder and deal with you accordingly. Not to mention that without my guidance to a specific place in a story, people can end up wherever, and I believe you have an imagine as to how nasty some of my stories can be." Says the last bit while looking grimly at Louise, who shivers in response before placing her hands on her shoulders while trembling and scared at the reminder.

The other two look really confused back and forth at both the pink-haired girl's reaction, and Aristidis's scary-looking seriousness.

"Eh? What is this? Why is she like that all of a sudden, darling?" The redhead asks him.

The mouthless Storyteller goes beside Louise, and brings her close to him before he starts rubbing one of her shoulders with a hand in a comforting manner. "The poor girl saw something in the Television that was too wrong for her tastes. Oh by the way, I brought you the greatness that is Television." He says the last part happily as he turns to the contraption.

"Tele..." Kirche repeats the first part with a raised eyebrow.

"Vision?" Tabitha completes with a somewhat confused tilt of her head.

Aristidis places the Tome back to the place below the TV, grabs the remote control, and sits at the end of the bed, with Louise sitting right behind him to cover herself while looking with half an eye at the TV afraid. "Sit beside me, girls, and prepare to be amazed."

They do so as he says that, before he presses the button to start it, with the girls looking at it amazed.

~Many Hours Later~During The Night~

The scene moves at the tower where the Treasure Vault of this academy is. Outside of its big doors, Professor Jean Colbert is seen talking with the green-haired secretary Longueville, before the latter begins walking away after the end of their conversation.

Colbert smiles satisfied, knowing that everything is moving smoothly for the princess's visit tomorrow. He even reassigned the guards normally guarding the Treasure Vault to guard the main gate outside for the day of the event for extra security measures. They are not really required to guard the place anyway, since not even a Triangle-Class mage can break the spell protecting the doors and the tower itself just like that.

Finishing with what he was doing, he turns around and ready to walk downstairs, before seeing all of a sudden right in front of him one of Aristidis's serious-looking Oblivion Guards, highly startling the professor as a result. "Ah!"

Colbert snaps out of his fright fast as soon as he realizes relieved what this one is. "O-Oh, it's just one of you. You really scared me there."

The Oblivion Guard pulls a message with a hand beside him. "Message from the Storyteller." Says before extending the message toward him.

(From Aristidis?) The professor questions in his mind, before taking the message in his hands.

He then looks at Aristidis's guard who appears to be expecting him to read it.

Colbert confused with the whole thing decides to open the message, and read its content.

After reading it, the professor's eyes widen from surprise. "Wow, that's... Actually very generous of him." Says the last part pleased and with a smile as he looks at the Oblivion Guard. "Tell him that the academy would be more than happy to accept his further assistance for the upcoming event, and that we shall speak about details tomorrow morning."

Aristidis's guard nods at him in a respectful manner, before turning around to leave.

Colbert looks at the message one more time, the smile still upon his face. "This will certainly make things more manageable the next two days. That Aristidis fellow keeps on proving that he is indeed pretty great." He says quietly, but then sweat drops. "Now if only he was not so secretive about miss Valliere's element for some reason..."

He was not able to figure out the whole thing yet. Most definitely another day.

~The Next Day~

It was close to becoming midday, and in the courtyard, at an appropriate distance away from the main gate, all the students and young Nobles of the academy were split in two groups, with each on opposite sides of the pathway leading from it to the main building and the teaching stuff, who are standing in a straight line in front of it, waiting patiently after being informed earlier by a messenger, so they can properly do so.

The academy's guards are stationed at the gate and other key locations as extra security, with some other guards from the palace that came right after the messenger to check the place for dangers, to ensure the princess's safety.

At the front row in one of the two groups of students, Aristidis can be seen standing there with his Tome open, and with Louise, Kirche and Tabitha beside him, awaiting for the big moment.

Everything has been prepared accordingly for the princess's grand arrival.

More guards from the palace enter through the academy's gate, with one going forward and ready to announce. "Entering is the princess of the Tristain kingdom, her highness Henrietta!"

While being announced, there carriages enter through the gate, one behind the other, with the first and the third being purple and pulled by one horse each, and the middle carriage being a bit bigger, decorated in the colors of white and violet with a trim of gold, which is pulled four white unicorns, and with multiple cavalrymen, Chevaliers, and female Musketeers alike escorting each of the three carriages.

When they come to a stop in the middle of the pathway, the doors of the purple carriages open, with different esteemed Nobles of the palace coming out.

And finally, the door to the royal carriage opens, with a maid coming out, before offering a hand as the person everyone was waiting for grasps it, while being helped by the said maid off the carriage.

The princess has short purple hair, and wearing a silver diadem on her head decorated with three teal gems. Her outfit consists of a purple cloak tied around her neck, and a white silk dress, complete with white high-heeled shoes.

She smiles brightly while looking at the people around her, with some exclaiming softly but noticeably at her beauty.

Aristidis looks at her with wide open eyes, before bringing his free hand at the side of his head, grabs with two fingers something there, and moving his eyes upward as if they were a simple pair of glasses, revealing below the same set of wide open eyes, still at the same location. "Goodness. That is an impressive beauty your princess possesses." Says impressed.

"Eeh, you can't be serious now, Aristidis." Kirche tells him in disbelief, before flipping her hair pompously with a smile. "I'm obviously far better-looking than her, even you must admit as much."

Louise appears upset by that as she looks at her. "Don't insult the princess by comparing yourself to her!" Says while keeping her voice low enough to not cause a disturbance.

The mouthless Storyteller snaps his fingers, making the pair of eye-glasses vanish from his head, and looks at the redhead with a serious expression as he folds his arms. "Yes, that is highly disrespectful toward both royalty AND the image of the person who did no bad to you. Where are your manners now, Kirche?"

Kirche sweat drops at the sudden attack toward her, and it gets only worse when she turns to see Tabitha shaking her head at her in disapproval, with the redhead lowering her own in shame.

The scene moves to the princess, who is accompanied by some of her Chevaliers and Musketeers as she walks on the pathway toward the main building.

As she does so, she notices to the side at the front rows of students the tall pitch-black mouthless humanoid with the Tome in his hands and the luxurious stary cape around his neck and on his back, surprised at his entirety for a moment, till she turns her attention at the pink-haired girl right beside him.

Henrietta smiles, and turns her attention toward the kneeling teachers and the principal before her.

As they watch the princess conversing with them for the moment, Aristidis is seen having a hand on his chin and appears thoughtful for some reason.

"So..." He trails off, getting the attention of the three girls that are with him. "As I understand, the princess coming here is not really something that happens every time the exhibition is to be held. Right?"

"Well, not really." Kirche answers as she thinks about it.

Louise appears confused as to why he decided to question that. "What about it?"

Aristidis continues. "Well, since this is not how things usually move in this particular event, it raises the following question. Why the princess and eventual queen made the decision to visit the academy so unexpectedly for that very day?"

~Hours Later~During The Night~

In the dark of the night, a black-cloaked figure can be seen running from the courtyard within the main building, moving around quietly and carefully, while watching each corner for anyone who might be passing by.

The said figure is feminine, with two locks of purple hair barely being spotted through the hood over her head.

She is seen moving around for a bit more, till she reaches her destination outside of Louise's room.

When about to knock on the door with a hand, someone grabs her from behind by the mouth and right above the chest, with the hooded figure being startled.

Before she begins struggling for freedom, the unknown someone turns her around, revealing to be a blonde woman with short hair, white cloak with soft dark/green leather armor, a sword tied on her left hip, a flintlock on her right, and a somewhat fierce look on her face.

The cloaked figure appears surprised, as she shows to know the woman, with the said woman unhanding her to allow her speech and movement, before removing her hood to show that it was actually princess Henrietta herself. "Agnes?"

The Chevalier and Captain of the Musketeers Agnes keeps on her serious expression. "What do you think you're doing this late away from your temporary quarters, your Majesty? And without any protection, no less."

Henrietta looks at her for a moment, and then toward the door. "I wanted to visit a friend I have a long time seeing. Privately."

Agnes appears somewhat troubled at how serious the princess sounds about it. "Your Majesty, with all due respect-"

"I will have none of it, Agnes Chevalier De Milan." The princess cuts her off as she turns to look at her with a serious expression. "This is the very reason I have come to visit the academy of magic to begin with. I expect you to understand my feelings, and not prevent me from doing as much."

The blonde Musketeer sees how resolved the princess is, and sighs in defeat, not really wanting to oppose her. "Very well. But I will still stay by your side to ensure no harm comes onto you."

Henrietta smiles at her, pleased that she understood her feelings, and nods politely. "Thank you." She turns toward the door again. "Now- Huh?" She stops herself as she notices something odd.

"Is something the matter, your Majesty?" Agnes asks as she looks at the door as well.

"I just noticed..." The princess trails off, before the scene shows that the said door looks like a giant piece of playing card depicting the Ace Of Hearts.

She points at it while looking at the Musketeer Captain. "This door appears quite peculiar in comparison to the rest, don't you think so too, Agnes?"

Agnes sweat drops. "If by peculiar you mean odd..." She trails off, before examinating it a bit more carefully with a raised eyebrow. "There is not even a handle present."

Henrietta brings both her hands together as she smiles. "I was told that Louise's Familiar Spirit is a Noble that has knowledge the likes Halkeginia has never heard off before. Maybe he made this for her. How interesting." Says the last part as she prepares to knock with a hand at the door.

The Musketeer Captain puts a hand on her chin, still having a hard time finding the logic in this. "Still, why a door without-"

The princess doesn't wait for her to finish, and knocks on the door twice, which oddly barely makes any sound, before taking her hand back in surprise. "Eh? The door feels strange, as if made-out of a soft material or-"

Suddenly, the door shakes for a moment, startling Henrietta and making her step back, with two arms in red gloves coming out from its upper sides, and boots down below, with a head shaped like an upside-down heart-shape emerging above at the middle of the enlarged card, which turns to look at her. [A Card Soldier from Alice In Wonderland, blocking the way.]

Henrietta is outright surprised seeing something that appears to be a living human-sized playing card posing as a door.

Agnes pulls and places the princess behind her. "Stand back, your majesty!" Says as she unsheathes her sword alarmed, and ready to defend her.

Noticing that, the Card Soldier pulls fast from behind him a red spear, with its tip being the shape of an upside-down heart as well, and then jumps sideways while yelling its number, revealing another Card Soldiers that was standing behind him all this time, with him doing the same to show one more, and with that happening a few more times to reveal that they were ten in total all this time, of different types, in both terms of symbols, referring to Hearts, Tiles, Clovers and Pikes, and numbers shown on each such soldier.

Both the princess and the Musketeer Captain look around them troubled, as they notice that they are now surrounded by the living Card Soldiers, with the latter pulling with the free hand her flintlock, pointing it around at each of them, awaiting for the first to make a move.

One of them points at her alarmed. "She has a gun!"

Before Agnes makes a moves, another Card Soldier while her back was turned was already making its move, striking with a downward move of the spear the said flintlock off her hand, shocking her with its fast reaction, before another one grabs quickly with both hands the arm holding her sword, keeping her in place.

As she struggles to break the hold, another one grabs her by both the other arm and head, and together with the other Card Soldier pins her down with the chest and face upon the floor, with the sword falling off the Musketeer Captain's hand because of that, with a third one placing the shaft of the spear onto the back of her neck to further restrict her movements, with her now struggling wildly to break free.

"Agnes!" The princess yells highly concerned as she is about to go and help her somehow, only to be stopped by the rest of the Card Soldiers who are pointing their spears close to her neck, with her being greatly troubled with their current predicament. What is even this about?!

Meanwhile, the scene cuts inside Louise's room, where Aristidis and the pink-haired Noble are seated at the table and enjoying a bowl of rich-looking salad, along with Jerry the brown mouse who is enjoying some cheese in a plate upon the said table, as the personal maid Siesta is standing next to them. The salad consists of tomatoes, cucumber, onion, feta cheese, olives, salt, origins and olive oil.

Louise especially appears really pleased with the salad as she touches her own cheek from delight. "By the Founder, Siesta, this Horiatiki salad as you called it, is incredible! So fresh and well-made..."

The mouthless Storyteller looks at his maid with a very happy and somewhat surprised expression. "You were able to learn so much in so little time! I knew that from the day I met you, you were one of a kind, but you exceed even those expectations of mine."

The black-haired maid turns the other way shyly while placing both hands at her blushing cheeks. "Oh, you flatter me too much, Aristidis. I just-"

({Storyteller, sire?}) A voice in Aristidis's mind says, gaining his attention, before he signs with a hand toward Siesta to stop. "A moment, dearie, my guard Ace Of Hearts is speaking to me."

He puts two fingers at the side of his head, as the two girl and the mouse wonder what is this about in the middle of the night. ({What is it, friend?})

({We apprehended two women who tried to sneak into your room, sire.}) The Card Soldier explains. ({One of them pointed a sword, and even a gun at us! My word!})

The pitch-black Storyteller appears thoughtful about it as he places his other hand on his chin. ({That sounds concerning. And odd if you consider all the extra security currently around the academy. Let me have a look at them.})

After saying that, Aristidis sees through the hearty eye of the Card Soldier, witnessing the still struggling and wild-looking, and quite intriguing to him, blonde Musketeer Captain, and then is surprised to see dressed in a black cloak princess Henrietta of Tristain herself there as well. (Well... This ought to be interesting.) He says in his mind with much of interest.

The Storyteller turns to Louise and Siesta. "Girls, be ready for a very important and surprising visitor."

Both of them look at one another confused as to what he means by that, before the scene cuts outside at the Ace Of Hearts Card Soldier.

After a moment, he nods and lowers the hand from the side of his head, and turns at the rest. "Guards, our orders are to let them both be. Release them."

The Card Soldiers look at him for a moment, and unhand both of them as they take a step back, much to the women's confusion.

As Agnes gets up, the Card Soldiers move to the sides of the door, five at the left and five at the right, with the Ace Of Hearts placing his hand on the handle. "You may enter freely." Says before opening the door to the room.

Henrietta looks at the open door for a moment, and decides to walk toward it.

"Are you sure about this, your Majesty?" Agnes asks her, unsure about her safety within after all that happened earlier.

"Stay out here for the moment, Agnes, I will be back soon." The princess tells her as she walks through unconcerned, before the Card Soldier closes the door behind her.

The Musketeer Captain can't help but feel concerned letting her go alone. She hopes that Henrietta is right to not worry.

As she is thinking that, her attention then goes back to the Card Soldiers, with one of them pulling from behind his back a deck of playing cards, like them but actually normal, with the rest pointing at it, pretty much asking her to play with them a round or two.

Agnes sweat drops. "You have got to be kidding me."

The scene cuts inside Louise's room once more, where the pink-haired girl and the maid are shocked with the one who has just come inside.

"Your Highness?!" Louise yells really surprised.

Henrietta smiles brightly. "It has been a long time, Louise Francoise." Says as she approaches with open arms, and embraces the pink-haired girl, stunning everyone in the room with that action of hers, with Aristidis as exception who watches with much of interest as he makes his guesses in the matter.

"I missed you so much, Louise." Henrietta tells her as she happily continues embracing her.

Louise holds her by the shoulders and pushes her back a bit, breaking the hug, as she looks somewhat troubled at her. "You mustn't, your Highness." Says before kneeling before her. "You shouldn't come to such a low class place on your own."

(Firstly, she didn't really come alone, but I will not interrupt them about it, and secondly-) Aristidis stops his train of thought as he looks around the room real fast, with his eyes moving only. (She is right, I should put some appropriate decorations when I have the time. This is no place for people like us.) He think pompously.

The princess shakes her head. "Please stop with the formalities, Louise Francoise. We are friends."

That catches the attention of both the pitch-black Storyteller and Siesta.

The pink-haired Noble looks at the princess with a smile, flattered at her words. "Your kind words are too much for me, your Highness."

"Wait, you're friends with the princess, Louise?" The black-haired maid asks her, really surprised with the fact.

Aristidis crouches right beside Louise with wide open eyes. "The princess is your friend? Why didn't you say anything? I could prepare an appropriately amazing welcoming party for her arrival and all." Says the last parts while folding his arms in disappointment.

Louise looks at him somewhat troubled. "W-Well, it's just that I used to be her Highness's playmate when we were little, and I don't like feeling like bragging about it by mentioning it, using her good name and disrespecting her that way."

"I would still not mind." Henrietta tells her, gaining their attention once more, before putting both her hands together. "And I would prefer if instead of playmates, you called us childhood friends."

She then sighs while seemingly reminiscing about pleasant parts of the past as tears become apparent in her closed eyes. "I wanted to see you for so long..."

The pink-haired girl gets up, concerned at seeing the tears forming into the princess's eyes. "Your Highness."

Henrietta realizes herself, and wipes the tears off her with a hand. "I'm sorry. Ever since my father passed away, there hasn't been anyone I could talk openly to."

"Louise!" The pitch-black Storyteller yells, drawing everyone's attention as he looks with seriousness at Louise. "How can you be so heartless, she is your childhood friend, for Founder's sake."

"Ah-I-" Louise attempts troubled to explain herself, but is stopped by him as he grabs her by the shoulders.

"You heard her yourself. Cut the formalities, stop being rude, and give her an appropriate hug yourself." He says as he moves her right in front of Henrietta, much to the latter's surprise, before letting her there as he backs away with folded arms. "It is only us here after all, so it is not like anyone will judge you for acting like a proper friend due to status and stuff."

The pink-haired girl looks at him for a moment, who is seen expecting her impatiently to do the right thing, then at the princess, and finally decides to embrace her herself.

Henrietta happily with a smile returns the embrace just as soon, with Louise smiling as well at seeing her old friend happy, and with Siesta smiling at the scene before her.

"There, much better." Aristidis says pleased, with the two breaking the hug as they look at him. "Always remember to never let statuses get between the friendships you have created, for they are more precious than every single one combined."

The princess appears fascinated by his words. "Aah, what a great way to speak of it. You're very wise."

"We-he-ll, obviously." He says quite flattered in a self-important way while holding his head high, but then appears to remember something as he looks at Henrietta with a hand placed over his chest. "Oh, how impolite of me. I forgot to introduce myself before her Majesty."

Henrietta smiles. "I already know who you are, Aristidis Aristadis O Ellin Tis Ellas."

That catches the attention of the rest, at her Highness knowing his full name.

Aristidis's expression turns to that of glee. "It looks like my reputation precedes me. Or at least partially. I will be honest, I am somewhat surprised that the messenger of the palace was able to remember my entire name, not mentioning the proper phrasing too. I will also guess you needed a few tries before you can phrase the entire thing the right way too, no? I remember Louise having quite the trouble just saying the first part." Recalls the last part somewhat amused.

Louise looks at him upset and quite embarrassed. "Aristidi~s!"

The princess chuckles amused for a bit, her attention still at him. "Quite a few tries to be honest." Says before looking at him curiously. "I have never heard of that kind of Noble name in all of my time in the palace, or of any being with an appearance like yours- Without offending your looks of course!" She says the last part a bit worried that she ended up offending him.

The mouthless Storyteller lifts a hand in front of him with a raised palm. "It is completely understandable, worry not."

Henrietta continues normally. "It was quite the surprise to learn that my friend summoned a Familiar Spirit such as you. Tell me, where do you hail from exactly?"

Aristidis looks at her for a moment, and then turns to Louise. "Louise, would you like to have the honor of telling her Majesty about your Familiar?"

"Eh- Ah, o-of course!" Louise says somewhat caught off guard by that, and then turns to Henrietta with a smile. "See, your Highness, Aristidis here-"

~A Quick Explanation Later~

The princess was wide eyed. "My... And you say the stories and the worlds mentioned in your Tome are real?"

"As real as you, I, and the entirety of the world we stand on." The pitch-black Storyteller explains. "With the number of stories as many as the stars above, and the ones above even those."

Henrietta brings the image in her mind, and can hardly believe such a thing, not mentioning one more fact she just thought of. "As impressive as your Tome appears to be, it doesn't seem to be able to hold more than a few hundred of pages, yet you claim it hosts so much more than that."

"Correct." He simply tells her.

The princess appears really confused with his answer. "How is that possible?"

"Magic." Aristidis answers in the same manner like before, but with his head high in a self-important way.

"A~h." Henrietta exclaims softly in wonder at the sound of magic capable of doing that.

Louise sweat drops as she sighs from the inside somewhat annoyed. (Should have known he will use that as his answer again.) She says in her thoughts.

"Imagining about how many amazing things you can summon before us..." The princess trails off as she imagines in amazement, and then looks at him excited, but holding back herself enough to not make it too obvious. "May I see some of your amazing Tome Subjects as you call them?"

The pitch-black Storyteller raises a palm while holding his head high in a negative manner. "As much as I would like to show you some of the wonders my Tome possesses, it will not be right to amaze you way too much before the next day's event, else what I will show you then might end up not being as exciting in your eyes."

"Oh." Henrietta utters, understanding the logic in his words. "I see, you're quite right on that."

"I can still show you one that will be simple, yet interesting in your eyes, though." He says with an index finger up, and then looks at Jerry the brown mouse at the table, and signing with the same finger at him to approach, which the mouse responds with a smile before jumping onto the Storyteller's shoulder, with the princess looking at the small cute creature with interest.

Aristidis continues. "This is Jerry the mouse, one of the two protagonists of a story called Tom And Jerry. The story he is in is one of the simpler ones, revolving most of the time around the known cat vs mouse situation, but somewhat more bizarre than you can imagine. Quite entertaining to keep your eyes on."

"Ah I see, that sounds-" The princess begins with further interest but stops herself before taking a better look at the mouse. "Wait, he is a mouse you say? But he looks too..."

"Anthropomorphic?" The mouthless Storyteller guesses her thought.

"That, yes." Henrietta agrees.

"The world he is coming from is filled with a lot of animals that appear even in a sense more human than how they are most commonly known as in most worlds. There is no reason as to why, only that the universe there is built that way. There are many other universes out there that are so different in their own unique and crazy-looking ways, that their very sight will leave you with your eyes wide open in disbelief." Aristidis explains.

The more she listens to him, the more interested the princess gets at what he knows and can possibly show her.

"In any case, that is all from Jerry-" He continues as he takes the mouse carefully off his shoulder while placing him upon the table again, before looking mischievously at Henrietta. "And there is also the Playing Card Soldiers outside of course, who I am sure gave you and your Musketeer-Looking bodyguard quite the impression."

"That they did for sure." Henrietta says before laughing awkwardly at the reminder.

Louise looks at Aristidis confused. "Wait, what are you talking about? What Card Soldiers?"

The pitch-black Storyteller looks at her. "They are the new security addition I summoned to pose as our room's entrance guards. See, they noticed the princess and her bodyguard wanting to enter the room, the latter pulled a gun on them, and the Playing Card Soldiers thought they were assassins sent after our lives, which resulted in them apprehending them for that, till I ordered them to set them free."

"They... Her Highness..." The pink-haired girl trails off as she pales in what she just heard, before bowing deeply before the princess. "I am so sorry for being treated so lowly, your Highness! I-I will accept any punishment to make up for-"

"There is no need for such thing, Louise Francoise." The princess cuts her off with a smile, drawing Louise's confused attention, before crouching in front of her. "It is my fault for not realizing in time that they were there simply for your protection, so I can stop Agnes before she makes the wrong move. If anything, they showed just how capable they were as your guards, along with how capable the one who placed them there is." She says, and then places a hand on her shoulder. "You have certainly summoned a great Familiar Spirit to be by your side."

Louise is moved by her words. "Your Highness..."

Aristidis that moment extends his two hands toward them with a kind expression on his face, getting their attention as he offers them the said hands to help them stand up, which they accept as he does so. "You have no idea how much I appreciate your good words toward me, your Majesty." He then lets the pink-haired girl's hand, and places his other one upon the princess's hand he was still holding, which he holds with both hands now, as he looks at her seductively. "Also, this may be something you hear from most people all the time, but allow me to tell you that you are one of the most beautiful maidens I ever had the pleasure of setting my eyes upon."

Henrietta blushes softly flattered, but surprised at the sudden compliment. "O-Oh, that is very nice of you, Aristidis Aristadis."

"Please." He begins while still looking at her seductively, as he lifts her hand a bit closer in front of his face. "Simply Aristidis is enough, your Majesty."

Louise sees the way he looks at the princess, and her eyes widen in realization for a moment.

"No!" She yells upset, before getting between them, and breaks the handholding with her arms, much to the confusion of the two, and the maid's at the back, before turning toward to the pitch-black Storyteller as she taps her finger accusingly at his chest as he takes a step back with his hands raised while looking at her somewhat troubled. "I don't care if there is no law that forbids you from having that crazy idea of yours, don't you even DARE attempt that with the princess!"

The princess has a hard time following as she looks back and forth at the two. "Try what? What are you talking about?"

Louise turns at her while blushing and awkward. "Your Highness, I'm elated to have such a wondrous Familiar, but that one trait of his makes me feel really ashamed."

"What trait?" Henrietta asks, wondering what such a mannerly and amazing Noble of a Familiar could have as a downside.

"He..." The pink-haired Noble trails off as she blushes a bit more, feeling uncomfortable with saying it, till she finds the strength soon after to do it. "He is a womanizer, a-and even plans to have a harem of his own!"

The princess puts a hand over her mouth in surprise as she blushes about at the sound of that. "Oh my..."

Louise looks upset at him. "He already has Siesta the maid over there as his, and of course wants me as well as part of it from the very beginning, as if his obsession over me was not enough as it was. And with the way he looks at you, he obviously wants to make you part of it too."

Siesta is caught off guard by that. "Make the princess part of the harem?"

Aristidis looks at the pink-haired Noble with a kind expression. "Oh come on now, Louise, it is not as wrong as you make it sound. And after all, I am just conversing with her Majesty. You know, learn more about her, her learning more about me. See if things can work out for both individuals, pretty much." He walks toward the closed window. "We both are important people. She, being a beautiful and kind princess, and I, the greatest existence of this world, who can provide her with literally everything imaginable." Says that pompously while raising his Tome and placing the free hand upon his chest.

He turns around as he opens the Tome, with different letters floating above it in a bluish, sparkly, and soft mist. "Stories from worlds beyond hers." He turns fast around himself once, his Tome now closed as he flexes his free arm to show his newly grown biceps and triceps there, with his head raised arrogantly as his body sparkles about. "A powerful, good-looking man by her side to care and protect her." He turns around himself once more, his body back to normal, with the exception of a black like his body hairstyle that makes him resemble Beethoven, while one of his hands is now holding a cup of some kind of liquid with a small umbrella sticking out of it, and his other hand holding the small radio box which starts to emit a famous music while he shows a pleased expression. [The music is The 5th Symphony Of Ludwig Van Beethoven] "Beautifully unique music to listen to, along with luxury and treatment even better than what royalty in this world receives." He turns one last time around himself, his Tome upon one hand, with the items, along with the music and hairstyle, now gone. "And let us not forget to mention the precious company and friendship of the different, and unique in personality girls of the harem. Spending your free time will never have the chance to be dull again."

Everyone in the room sees all that with different feelings.

Louise who just looks at the pitch-black Storyteller in a serious manner, Siesta who is really intrigued to see all the wonders he didn't show them yet, Henrietta who sweat drops at how overwhelming all that sounds while unsure of how to respond appropriately to the situation she is in, and Jerry the mouse who rolls his eyes at what a show-off Aristidis is.

The mouthless Storyteller turns to the pink-haired Noble. "And since the time approaches fast for her to be a queen, she should be able to bend the rules enough so even the slightest issue with my proposal can be nonexistent. I mean, who will oppose the fairness that she is?" He then folds his arms and raises an eyebrow. "You are already receiving as much, dearie. No reason to be jealous for one more person receiving as much."

"I'm not jealous, you're indecent before her Highness, you overbearing skirt-chaser!" Louise yells while blushing, upset at him that he doesn't sees how absurd it is to even suggest to her Highness to be part of that ridiculous harem idea of his.

"Umm..." Henrietta utters, getting their attention, and then smiles somewhat awkwardly. "As much as I appreciate your great offers and good words, I'm afraid that I will have to decline your proposal, Aristidis. You see, I... Already have someone in my heart." Says the last part somewhat hesitantly and blushing about.

Everyone is surprised to hear that confession from her.

"You do, your Highness?" Louise asks her, still in some disbelief about the fact.

The princess puts her hands together in front of her as she sweat drops awkwardly. "I would really appreciate it if you say nothing to no one about it or ask me for details."

Aristidis appears highly interested. "Oh-ho? A forbidden love of some kind? I love those type of stories quite a bit." Says before his face turns neutral, and nods politely. "But in any case, I understand with the royal line of work why you want to keep such a thing secret, so I will not press this matter any further, and let you be."

Henrietta smiles at being understood by him. She is also relieved that her confessing something like that didn't backfired. Learning from Louise about his obsession with her, along with the harem part, made her think it would be the only way to ensure he will not act the same way with her without offending him. She has to think about her own love, after all.

The Storyteller approaches the princess that moment as he opens the Tome, and pulls with a hand magically from within a red rectangle bar, which he then extends toward her. "Please accept this Chocolate Bar as my apology for my rudeness toward you."

Henrietta blinks confused. "Chocolate?"

She takes the said bar in her hand, and notices how the said bar is covered in some sort of paper, and unwraps it carefully, revealing a hard-looking brown bar of the same shape.

"Give it a taste check, your Majesty." Aristidis tells her, as the rest wonder what exactly is this chocolate-thing.

The princess looks at him for a moment, then at the bar in her hands, before finally taking a small bite.

Her expression turns to surprise for a moment, before enjoyably chewing the bit in her mouth some more till gulped, and looks at the biten bar. "This is such a sweet and unique flavor."

The mouthless Storyteller appears happy with her satisfaction, with the other two getting interested at that bar her Highness liked.

Henrietta looks then at Aristidis. "What is this chocolate made of exactly?"

Aristidis begins. "Well, your majesty, it consists of milk, sugar, and of course the basic ingredient that is cocoa. Well, cocoa solids and butter more specifically." Says at the end, being too irritated to not specify the more detailed bits as well.

"Cocoa?" The princess repeats the name with a confused tilt of her head.

"It is made of Cocoa Seeds." He explains, before opening his Tome at a page to show the picture of the small tree it comes from. "They belong to the Theobroma Cacao, or more commonly known as Cocoa Tree, a small evergreen tree that in its maturity can produce lots of it every five to six months."

"That's quite fast for a tree!" Siesta says amazed, having a basic knowledge about those kind of things.

Aristidis turns back to Henrietta. "Other than that, there are a lot of factors needed to produce chocolate bars and more with the said seeds appropriately, with the exception of drinks that are quite simple to make even with your world's current level in technology."

As the girls wonder what that technology he speaks about is, he closes the Tome and turns around to walks toward the window again.

"I can provide you with enough seeds to grow many such trees as a starter." The pitch-black Storyteller says, getting the princess's attention mostly. "I will send them with some of my Tome personnel, two covered wagons filled with said seeds, thirty-three people as guards, and one more person to check and find the right climate in your land necessary to plant the said seeds. See it as my gift of good will, and extension of my apology."

Henrietta approaches Aristidis while smiling awkwardly. "Y-You don't have to go to so much trouble for-"

"Too late, already present and ready." He cuts her off as he continues looking outside the window.

The princess, with Louise and Siesta not far behind, and with Jerry upon the latter's shoulder now, look outside to where the Storyteller is looking, and see in the middle of the courtyard two big wagons covered with a canvas top, which is supported by bowed strips of wood, and each tied to two strong black horses, with boxes labeled as Cocoa Seeds being somewhat apparent from the opening on the back of the said wagons.

At the front and the back of the said covered wagons, are soldiers divided in each side by fifteen, holding one spear each, and wearing uniquely-designed full armor that covers their entire body, with their helmets covering even the back of the neck and front, but which appears to have a war face-like mask as protection, where only the soldiers' eyes being visible in their entire protective attire, with two extra such soldiers being the wagons' drivers. They also appear a bit bulkier than your usual full-armored soldiers, but not because of muscles. It mostly gives the impression as if they have extra layers of armor below their already full-armor. [Those are the Bulletproof Samurai from Shogun 2: Total War, ready to serve.]

The next is a man sitting beside one of the drivers, who is wearing a pair of glasses and a white coat of some kind. [I will skip the details and tell you that it's just your typical Αgronomist, ready to help in the way his name implies, obviously.]

And lastly, a person covered by a brown cloak and hood, who by the figure can be identified as a woman. The only thing able to be seen through the hood, are two sidelocks of burgundy-colored hair, and a cigarette she is currently smoking. [A mystery. For now.]

As the scene shows all those, it also shows at the background Siesta's stay, which is a small Japanese-Styled cottage right beside Aristidis's Spa Zone.

Henrietta is surprised, which increases as she sees some of her guards around looking at Aristidis's soldiers and covered wagons in great surprise, indicating that they saw them appearing suddenly out of nowhere. (So he can indeed make people appear out of nowhere. Incredible!) She thinks amazed.

Suddenly, the Tome Personnel there turn at the same time their heads upward to the window, startling the princess with their synchronized and sudden motion.

She watches for the moment as they just stare at her from the distance, with her being somewhat creeped out by that.

"My people will make sure the cocoa seeds will reach the capital city Tristania safely and without issues." Aristidis tells to Henrietta, before turning to look at her. "Just make sure to send some of your trusted guards with them, carrying along your mark of approval so the people of the palace can know that her Majesty has given them the freedom to plant wherever the land's soil is appropriate."

His expression then turns kind. "And once I have at some point in the future the appropriate preparations ready, I will inform you of my grand arrival, and then begin the process which will allow your people to have the many different chocolate types of sweets to enjoy for the first time in their lives, and let me not get started at how much gold your kingdom will make from trades thanks to those brand new products of yours- Simply sweet like chocolate!" Says the last part with some enthusiasm.

The princess at the sound of all that appears to be in wonder as she looks at him, before taking another bite from her chocolate bar. If everything made from those seeds is as good as this marvelous bar, then her kingdom will indeed prosper thanks to that factor.

She smiles and bows her head respectfully at him. "I would be more than happy to accept your generous gift, Aristidis."

Louise and Siesta smile enthusiastically at that. The former because her Noble of a Familiar has done something great to please her Highness, not mentioning making up for his inappropriate behavior toward her earlier, and the latter because she is simply happy for her loved one's offer being accepted by the princess, along with the fact that she is very interested in what sweets she will eventually try. Maybe one of his pastry chefs can teach her how to make the different sweets using chocolate! She will ask at the next meeting in the Tome.

"Wonderful!" The mouthless Storyteller says pleased with a clap of his hands, and then his expression turns neutral again. "Just remember, it will take a while till I have everything else ready before you can actually start the chocolate production process. Let us say approximately... Less than a year." Says the last part after calculating about it in his mind.

"That doesn't sounds too long." Henrietta tells him, somewhat surprised at how fast it will actually take till production can begin.

"Um, Aristidis?" Louise speaks his name, drawing the attention to her as she is seen bringing her hands up and forward in an expecting manner while smiling about. "Could I have some chocolate as well? I'm really curious to see how good it-"

"This late, and after half-eating your salad?" Aristidis cuts her off with a raised eyebrow and a serious tone, which catches her off guard. "I don't think so, young lady." He says while wagging his finger. "When morning comes we will talk about it."

The pink-haired girl appears troubled by that. "Bu-"

The Storyteller has his arms folded and keeps on staring at her with his serious expression, which makes her stop herself as she realizes he is indeed serious about this, and lowers her head sad. She really wanted to try some as well, since her Highness liked it so much.

Seeing her like that makes Aristidis feel somewhat bad.

He rolls his eyes as he sighs and snaps his fingers, making a small squared piece of chocolate appear between two of his fingers, drawing attention to him. "Very well, but just this once so you are not left wondering." Says before handing her the small piece, as she smiles brightly. "I don't want this becoming a habit, with you ending up having trouble sleeping properly. Sweets are for mostly late in the morning, midday and early in the afternoon, and never before bed. Alright?"

"Don't treat me as if I'm a child, I know." Louise tells him somewhat annoyed at his treatment, and then looks at the chocolate bit in her hands for a moment, before placing it in her mouth, uttering a delighted sound while tasting it, showing that she indeed liked it.

Henrietta barely holds an amused chuckle after witnessing the whole exchange, but finds her composure fast as she focuses on the pink-haired Noble. "A kind, caring, wise, AND powerful Familiar. You're very fortunate to receive one embodying all those traits, Louise."

The pink-haired Noble is happy with the princess's words, with the mouthless Storyteller just standing there with a hand on his chest and looking really proud of himself.

The princess moves and sits at the side of the bed, and signs Louise to sit beside her as well, which she does so. "So tell me, how have you been since the last time we've seen each other? The academy of magic must have treated you in the best way possible from the first day knowing its reputation, right?"

Louise sweat drops at that. "Well, about that..." Says before suddenly remembering something as she smiles with enthusiasm. "OH, how could I forget?! You see, your Highness, I used to have problem with my magic, and in the end it was proven by Aristidis to be-"

Before she can finish that sentence, Aristidis with a serious expression comes from behind and closes with his hand her mouth while crouching as he turns her toward him, much to everyone's surprise. "Louise, what do you think you are doing?" He asks her with a whisper.

The pink-haired girl just utters in a muffled and confused way, not understanding the issue at all.

"Is everything alright? Why did you stop her, Aristidis?" Henrietta asks just as confused.

The pitch-black Storyteller looks at her for a moment, and then lets Louise's mouth free while straightening himself up. "You see, your Majesty, the truth is that my dear Louise here had issues with her magic from the very first day, not being able to cast her spells properly, and earning her classmates', and most of the academy's students', mocking and harmful words for as long."

The princess puts a hand over her mouth shocked, as Louise looks down to the side saddened at the memory. "By the Founder, that's horrible."

"Quite." Aristidis agrees with a nod, before he continues, with his usual feel of self-importance showing. "But after I found out about it, some days after being summoned through the ritual, I solved the problem, and even made her stronger than ever."

"That's great." Henrietta responds happy, glad to hear that her childhood friend's problem was taken care of, but then appears confused again. "But wait, why get to the trouble of stopping her from speaking about it herself?"

The pitch-black Storyteller sweat drops. "This is a bit uncomfortable for me to tell, but to do that, I had to share part of my magic with her for this to work properly. Nevertheless, worth it to see her smile so brightly." Says the last part with a kind expression.

The princess's eyes widen with surprise at hearing that, as Louise blushes at the last comment. To think he would go that far as to solve the problem with the magic of Louise, the one who summoned him, who he has shown to love so much, and without regretting at all that decision of his...

Henrietta blushes softly as she smiles while thinking about how poetic that sounds.

Aristidis puts on his neutral expression as he continues. "As you can understand, I can't have simply anyone knowing about this temporary weakness of mine. I am getting my lost power slowly back, I am still capable of great deeds, but I don't need people to know that, with the most sly ones thinking of it as an opportunity to end me before I become a danger to whatever plans they might think of making." Says the last parts while looking at the pink-haired Noble with a serious expression, which makes her understand that he is trying to keep the Void part a secret from the princess by saying half the truth. But why?

He turns to Henrietta. "The last thing I want is for any random person deciding to become an annoying inconvenience for me, Louise and the rest. So like we are keeping the secret about your hidden love as such, I hope you will keep mine the same way as well."

"Of course!" The princess responds with a quick nod in understanding. "I would even if you didn't ask me to. I will speak of this with no one, you have my word as a princess."

After saying that, she looks at Louise with a smile. "And as a friend."

The pink-haired girl feels emotional at how much Henrietta shows to care for her.

The pitch-black Storyteller appears happy with that. "I am glad to hear you think the same way. Anyway, I apologize for my previous rude interruption, you may continue now, my ladies." He says the last part with a bow as he backs away, before placing his elbow at the wall beside Siesta, while looking at her seductively. "Hey."

The black-haired maid blushes as she awkwardly giggles, and being shy about in response to his approach, with the princess sweat dropping and smiling awkwardly at the scene.

Louise though doesn't seem amused, as she looks at him with a serious expression. Not because of how he acts right now, but rather for the fact he made clear that he wants her Void element to remain a secret to her Highness.

She is getting answers for this later.

The time passes as the two childhood friends chat about, mostly about the old good times as children together, and unfortunately the moment has come for the princess to go back to her temporary quarters.

The scene moves outside of the room, where the Musketeer Captain Agnes is seen seated at a table along with three of the Playing Card Soldiers, just beside the door and with a set of cards in their hands, as the other seven are keeping an eye out like the proper guards they are, with her apparently having trouble winning for quite a few turns.

After a few seconds, the said door opens, with the Playing Card Soldiers getting up in a saluting posture toward it as Agnes gets up almost as soon as well, and princess Henrietta walks out, being followed by Louise and Aristidis, with the latter surprising the blonde Musketeer Captain due to his tall, pitch-black and mouthless appearance.

(What kind of Noble is that even?) Agnes questions in her mind, before finding her composure again to finally salute the princess.

Henrietta smiles and then turns to the pink-haired girl to hold both her hands, much to the short-lived surprise of the latter. "It has been the most enjoyable time of the past few years for me." She says as she hugs her, with her childhood friend returning the gesture with a smile. "Thank you, Louise Francoise."

Louise is happy herself for getting to see and talk with her childhood friend as well. "For me too, your Highness."

"Aww..." Aristidis utters with a hand to his chest, drawing everyone's attention at him as he realizes himself. "Oh, a thousand apologies, I really like witnessing emotionally filled moment." Says while slightly bowing his head.

The pink-haired Noble sweat drops, with the princess giggling amused for a moment, as the Musketeer Captain looks at him with a serious expression.

Henrietta breaks the hug and turns to him with a smile. "And as for you, Aristidis, I wish you luck for tomorrow's exhibition."

"Luck?" The mouthless Storyteller says with a raised eyebrow, before he closes his eyes and starts wagging his finger amused. "Oh no, no, no. This exhibition has already been decided, your Majesty." Says the last part as he raises his head to the side in a self-important way.

The princess is confused by that. "Eh? What do you mean?"

Aristidis looks at her with glee. "Let us just say that when my turn in the next day's event comes, it will be quite the spectacle to watch. I wish you a good and calm night till then." He says the last part with a polite nod of his head.

"I-I see..." She trails off as she sweat drops at his excessive confidence in himself, but then smiles. "Then I look forward to see what you will show us tomorrow. May you have a good night as well, Aristidis." Says before turning to her childhood friend. "Louise."

Louise bows with a smile in response. "Goodnight."

Henrietta turns to Agnes. "Let's go, Agnes."

The Musketeer Captain salutes. "Yes, your Majesty."

The princess begins walking away as she puts her hood over her head like before, with Agnes about to follow but stopping to look with a serious expression at the pitch-black Storyteller one more time, with him winking at her in response, which causes her to flinch for a moment at the unexpected act, before she narrows her eyes at him, till she decides to turn and follow Henrietta like before.

When closing the distance, the Musketeer Captain goes beside her as they walk away. "Did that man do anything weird while you were inside, your Majesty?"

"Hm?" The princess utters somewhat confused. "No, he was as much of a gentleman as he could be. Why you ask?"

"I don't like the way he was looking at us." Agnes tells her while feeling both uncomfortable and irritated at remembering mostly of the way he winked at her.

Henrietta finds her statement amusing. "You don't have to worry about a thing, Agnes. I can assure you that Louise's Familiar is a trustworthy, and great Noble to know."

The Musketeer Captain still appears a bit mistrustful about him, but remembering the way he looks brings another question in her mind as she looks at the princess with quite a baffled expression. "What IS he exactly?"

The princess smiles at her. "He is someone entirely new to our world, who only wants enjoy life with those close to him. Oh by the way, he gave me one more for you." She says the last part as she takes out of the cloak's pocket a chocolate bar, like the one she was given not long ago, before they both stop walking.

Agnes takes it in her hands as she examines it with a raised eyebrow, and then looks at her Highness confused as to what she is given.

"Come on, unwrap and try it." Henrietta encourages her somewhat enthusiastically.

The Musketeer Captain is quite confused by the princess's sudden insistence in her trying whatever she gave her, but not wanting to go against her wishes, she unwraps the strange-looking paper, looks for a moment at the brown bar it was covering, and takes a bite.

Agnes is surprised for a moment, and then shows a more pleased face as she keeps on chewing the piece in her mouth, enjoying the sweet and unique taste.

The princess giggles at her enjoyment. "I see you like it quite a bit."

The blonde woman realizes herself before turning to the side embarrassed for a moment as she gulps, and then turns flabbergasted at Henrietta. "I have never tasted something like this before. What is it?"

"I will tell you details once back to our quarters." Henrietta tells her, and then puts a hand on her shoulder. "For now I will need you to prepare five of your musketeers to escort two wagons back to Tristania, along with a parchment carrying my seal of approval."

"Eh? For what purpose, your Majesty?" Agnes questions confused at the out of nowhere order, as she wonders even more confused when did her Majesty even find the chance to arrange for anything- She was with her all day long!

The princess smiles brightly. "For something that by the end of this, not only we will enjoy for a long time, but that will also help Tristain's economy for sure."

Meanwhile the scene cuts back inside to Louise's room, at the moment where both the pink-haired Noble and the pitch-black Storyteller entered, with the latter moving toward the bed and with the former stopping a few steps after passing through the entrance, as the black-haired maid closes the door behind them.

"Well, that was an enjoyable meeting." Aristidis says pleased as he faces the window above the bed.

Louise looks at him with an incredulous expression. "I can't BELIEVE you tried to seduce the princess."

"And her bodyguard." He points out as he raises a finger.

"Are you serious now?!" The pink-haired Noble yells at him in both frustration and disbelief.

Aristidis turns half his body toward her and shrugs. "I mean, why not? She is quite the unique type of beauty as well."

One of Louise's eyes starts twitching for the moment due to the frustration she feels toward his shamelessness, with Siesta smiling awkwardly at his boldness considering the obviously heated situation.

The pink-haired girls takes a big breath in, and then exhales, calming down enough to focus at a more important question she wanted to ask him all this time. "Nevermind that now, why did you hide the truth about my element from the princess? I can understand keeping it a secret from people we don't know about, but from her of all people? Are you telling me that the one I used to be close to from a long time back and play with is not trustworthy enough?!" She ends up yelling at him upset, feeling really offended at the very thought.

The mouthless Storyteller turns fully toward her with a neutral face and his hands behind the back. "It is not that I don't trust her, she is your childhood friend after all who even went to the trouble to visit you despite her position." He says, with his expression then turning serious. "But I know nothing of the ones around her."

Louise is taken aback as she now begins to understand his reasoning.

He begins walking slowly toward her. "If I was more powerful, I would not have a problem with telling her. But it is too risky to do that now." Says, before stopping right in front of her, putting his hands on her shoulders, and crouches down enough to be at her height level. "Till I feel that we are safe enough to tell her Majesty, you will not speak of this with her, or anyone else. Your life is too important just to let it go to waste because of an overly religious madman that might hear of your unique element, and take actions against you due to that. And even if she CAN provide us with much needed necessary help, I can already imagine that you would not like feeling like a burden at the back of your close friend and Majesty."

The pink-haired girl lowers her head saddened at that, because he is right. She wouldn't like that at all. Henrietta must already have her hands full with leading the county, and forcing her to deal with even more troubles is just...

Siesta, and Jerry at the table, feels bad at seeing Louise saddened like that, and can only imagine the pain she feels of having to keep secrets from a precious friend.

"It should not take long till actual safety is at hand." Aristidis continues. "But for now I hope you understand that your secret must remain as such even from her. Understood, Louise?"

She hates the fact that she has to keep it a secret even from her childhood friend, but fully understands and nods in agreement with the thought.

Aristidis is happy with that. "I am glad that you understand."

He straightens himself up while unhanding her, and walks to the side toward the wall beside the bed. "And if this makes you happy, know that I already have an idea prepared for the next day's eve~nt." Says the last bit with quite the enthusiasm.

Louise perks up at the sound of that as she looks at him. "Really? That's great!"

"May we see?" Siesta asks him with almost as much enthusiasm.

The pitch-black Storyteller turns toward them as he pulls his luxurious cape with a hand onto his opposite shoulder, covering himself from the nose and down, with a seductive look in his eyes. "With great pleasure, my ladies." He says before he puts a sand-yellow safari hat on his head.

After that, he flips his cape out of the way, revealing two animals at the floor beside him, him standing between them, with the first one appearing to be a small Meerkat that has tan fur with stripes, and red-coral hair, and the second animal being an obese-looking Warthog with brownish-red fur, two big white tusks on the top of his mouth, black mane, and quite a big pinkish snout. [The duo is Timon And Pumbaa, mostly known from The Lion King, here and ready to show what they got.]

The two girls look curiously at the two, wondering what he will do with them.

Aristidis looks at the two animals. "Ready, boys?"

"We were literally born for this." Timon says proud with a smile, before turning to the warthog. "Right, Pumbaa?"

Pumbaa nods in complete agreement. "Totally!"

The Storyteller snaps his fingers as he points at the brown mouse at the table beside the girls. "Hit it, Jerry!"

At that, Jerry pushes the button of the small radio box close to him, and music begins to play [Do I even need to say that it is obviously playing the Hakuna Matata?], with the background behind them changing to that of a jungle.

"Hakuna Matata!" The meerkat begins.

Aristidis that moment with a palm lifts the quite smaller Timon from his feet at head level as they look at each other with the former nodding. "Quite the wonderful phrase."

"Hakuna Matata!" The warthog continues as he jumps to get between them, with the Storyteller catching him somewhat clumsily between his arm's end and the biceps, making the meerkat to almost lose his balance upon the palm.

"Ain't no passing cra~ze!" The trio sings now together happily. "It means no worri~es, for the rest of your da~ys! It's our problem free~, philosophy~! Hakuna Matata!"

The singing continues on, with the three in the middle of it pulling different crazy stunts, like rolling onto a bunch of bowling pins, flipping around the trees, or dancing in an erratic manner while on top of a running elephant with a crazy-looking monkey carrying a staff. [A momentary appearance of Rafiki from the same movie like the other two.]

And all that as the pink-haired girl is looking with wide open eyes at everything she is witnessing, with the black-haired maid clapping her hands with the rhythm of the music while smiling and obviously enjoying it.

After roughly thirty seconds, Louise had enough as she shakes her head fast while snapping out of the random craziness she is witnessing. "Stop, stop! Jerry, stop the music, now!" She says the last part as she turns to the brown mouse, with the little one obliging hastily by pressing the button on the contraption.

The music stops abruptly, which makes the jungle background to vanish offscreen and turn back to the original room's wall, with the singing/dancing trio realizing that almost as soon, before they turn to the Noble.

"Hey now, why the interruption?" The pitch-black Storyteller asks her with his arms folded. "I didn't even get to show the lions coming at the very next part of the song yet."

"What was all that craziness?!" The pink-haired Noble yells her question, still feeling quite flabbergasted at her Familiar's performance.

"Craziness?" Timon repeats the word with a raised eyebrow as he and Pumbaa look at each other confused.

Aristidis blinks a few times, till he decides to explain. "Well, after listening to the talk between you and the princess, I could understand that she is going through a lot of pressure due to her duties and other factors, so I wanted to sing her something happy and exciting. And what better than a song describing the lack of worrying!" He says the last part joyously, before he looks at the ceiling with a wishful expression. "You could say that through that song, I do not just plan to lift her spirits, but also wish her that no actual worries may find her during her reign as eventual queen of the country."

He looks at her. "Because it is obvious she deserves as much."

Siesta puts both hands on her chest emotionally moved and smiling. "Ahh, that's so very sweet and thoughtful of you, Aristidis!"

Louise sweat drops as she looks at the maid, not quite liking the way she supports him at everything he does.

She sighs. "Look, as much as I appreciate the thought you're putting into it, you can't just perform in such a ridiculous manner. The Nobles will think of you as a clown if they witness you dancing like that!"

Timon looks offended by that. "Hey! I'll have you know that our choreography is top notch!"

"Yeah!" Pumba agrees equally offended.

The pink-haired Noble turns to them annoyed. "I don't care! HE as a Noble needs to be more considered about his image, and mine since he represents me in this. I won't have him act like that, and that's final!"

Aristidis puts a hand on his chin as he rethinks about it. "Hmm, I suppose you are not wrong. Many of those old-fashioned Nobles are most likely not going to appreciate this great performance of ours indeed."

He sighs disappointed as he removes his savannnah hat and places it magically inside his open Tome, before turning at the two animals. "I am sorry, guys, but your services will not be required in this one."

"Eh, it's ok, tall guy, don't feel too bad about it." Timon tells him with a dismissive move of his hand in understanding.

"Yeah, we can always try at another occasion." Pumbaa reassures him.

The pitch-black Storyteller places his Tome down on the floor, and the warthog jumps gracefully inside.

The meerkat waves his hand at Aristidis and the girls. "Have fun at the talent show!" Says before jumping within the pages of the Tome as well, with Aristidis then closing it and picking it up.

Siesta looks at him somewhat worried. "I suppose you have to think of something else for tomorrow, huh? That doesn't sound very-"

"Oh, I already have another one prepared." Aristidis cuts her off in a reassuring manner.

The maid appears surprised by that. "That fast?"

Louise points at him in a serious and wary manner. "It's not something crazy again, is it?"

The pitch-black Storyteller raises a palm, signing her to stay calm. "Don't you worry, what I have prepared is something the Noble masses and her Majesty will surely enjoy."

He suddenly turns enthusiastically to the hypothetical screen. "In the next episode!"

The pink-haired girl is confused with what he said. "Hu-" Is all that could be heard from her before the screen turns black.

{To Be Continued}

[I know, you were expecting more action in this one, but bear with me. The chapter ended up being so long, that I had to cut it short. On the upside, the next one will have both the other half AND the situation after! A half and one in one. Lucky you! See you soon.]