A week flew by like it was nothing and Malty had an interesting visitor, her little sister Melty, the future crown princess. Melty was upset that they were to trade roles and she was not ready, that was what she repeated, and she was fully supportive of Malty being the next in line. "I have told you Melty this was what Mother has wanted for a while yet, and you as the crown princess will put her mind at ease." Malty said, returning a book to its place in a bookcase in the palace's library. The two were in the middle of one of their pre-arranged meetings meant to have Malty teach everything that was expected from the crown to Melty. Still, like any other meeting they had it was as if Melty would resist only wanting to spend time with her sister and Filo, and that was driving Malty up a wall to the effect of her willing to play along with the child as long as it meant she would not resist the lessons taught to her.
"That's not true and you know it, sister." Melty began, nearly shouting. The fact that she was this combative about it was a frustrating but welcoming surprise for the princess. In Malty's nightmares from six years ago, Malty had always had gotten the idea that this was what her younger sister always wanted and the fact that she chose the shield to support her were things that that Malty had felt betrayed by, but now it brought her some comfort to think that her assumptions were misplaced somewhat. "Mother always wanted you to succeed her, it has to be you. Why? Why are you relinquishing your claim?" Melty walked with Malty to their desk featuring a blonde child Melty's age, questioning her sister.
"I am unfit for the crown, it's that simple little sister," was all that came out of Malty's mouth as she sat next to the blonde girl petting her long locks.
Melty Q Melromarc scoffed at Malty's claims as she took her seat across from her sister. She knew well enough that her sister was blowing smoke up her skirt, she looked up to the beautiful older sister who was compared to a flower and was a leader of men, she knew all about how hard Malty worked in the Queen's guard, and she knew all too well that at the age of eight, there was no way that she would match the standard that Malty set, she did not want to. Malty in her eyes was someone out of her reach at the moment and even trying to reach those heights at her age was to her impossible, she could not fathom the decision to make her heir. "That's not fair, sister." Melty spoke as if she was about to tear up. "If you are unfit… then… then… what does that make me?" Melty spoke.
Malty frowned at her little sister's small voice and face that screamed that she was upset, if it was the little girl that she saw in her nightmares, if it was the same twin-tailed pest, she would have just ignored the little brat… but this Melty was different, this Melty looked to her as an example of a princess, and she did not know what was worse. So just like any other time the two spoke she would thank her lucky stars that her sister was on her side for now like any other person that she would not fully dismiss, and now she was thankful that some of the Shield's party in her torment were loyal to her. "That does not matter, Melty. In many ways, you will come to have what I lack. And it is not as if you are taking over for Mother tomorrow, you have a long while yet if the gods are merciful. As for being unfit you will have me and Rein at your side, and no one in this world can tear us apart." She spoke, trying to give the little girl some reassurance.
Malty could tell in the look that Melty gave her that she was not believed even if it was a little, but that did not matter to her in the slightest, Malty S Melromarc sees no future that pleases her in this domain, her sights are far from this failing country. Though she sees no future here does not mean that she can't create one with her own hands. Her first challenge however, funny enough, is making sure that the ruler of her home is a capable person who will be considerate to her. Melty was surprised by Malty's claims she was not sure what her older sister saw in her. "Then… What has you so convinced? What makes you sure that I am… the better option than someone like you." Someone that she thought the world of.
Seeing the sincerity in the eyes of the future crown princess Malty sighed before explaining her reasons for relinquishing her claim, cursing at the resemblance that Melty had to their mother when she was serious. 'Why did that version of me think that relying on those in the three heroes church was a good idea.' Malty frowned thinking about the church's betrayal in the future. "If you want to know, you better work really hard in your duties as the crown princess, and you not question me further on my choice. Some would kill to be in your position Melty, swear to me that you will take all of this seriously and not lose your throne to anyone in the future."
"I swear sister, I will not disappoint. I swear even if it kills me that I will make you and Mother proud." Melty spoke with a hand at her chest.
Malty combed through her hair with her free hand, not too happy with the one thing that she would have to hide from the Shield when he is summoned, her truly nasty personality that is unfit for a long-lived sane ruler. "Pride and empathy." The only words that Malty spoke as she quickened the movements on her little blonde's head.
"I'm sorry." Melty spoke confusedly at her sister's words.
"You have pride in our line that surpasses mine, pride in your own word, and pride in the work that those beneath you do… And in that regard, you have empathy towards your fellow man, especially those who are not your equals. You may lack the wisdom that comes with experience but that's for our mother, Rein, and I to fill until you are ready…" Malty paused when the little blonde girl she was petting began to move, the girl's pure white wings fluttering in the nonexistent wind. "Oh did I wake you, Filo?"
The Filolial Queen stretched in her seat next to Malty all the while yawning. She looked at a piece of graphite and parchments on the table in front of her, instantly shuttering in fear. "I'm sorry Mama I did not mean to." Filo cried, her pale blue eyes beginning to water at the thought of her taking a nap during her lessons disappointing the woman that hatched her. She had heard many stories about Malty from servants who would look after her when Rein and Malty were busy and what they said scared Filo despite not seeing any of the things that were said for herself. She ignored the hand on her head, grabbing her writing tool with a fist and continuing where she had left off, scared about what might happen if Malty were to get angry with her.
The reaction was unexpected, the current crown princess let go of her Filo's head resting her own head on her arms on the desk amused at Filo's appearance. "It's quite alright sweet girl we have plenty of time, besides if you are tired it is alright to take a rest if you need it. A sharp well rested mind was far better than an overworked one. While I finish up with Melty you can go play or you can go find Rein… the alphabet can wait for another day. We are in no rush."
Filo frowned, feeling Malty's hand return to her head again, looking at Melty with a large book opened in front of her made the Filolial feel worse. Melty and her were roughly the same size and in Filo's mind, she saw Melty as someone who should be younger than her as far as their physical age was concerned, despite the opposite being true. The fact that Filo couldn't read or write yet was a deep insecurity for her, so she remained quiet as Malty comforted her.
While this happened Melty watched as the pair interacted with a smile plastered on her face. She thought over Malty's reasoning, finding only one flaw. She knew from the time that she watched her sister in the last three years that those reasons she gave were not the full truth, from her time watching the Queen's guard train under Malty and her sister interact with Rein, the other maids, and their servants she knew that if Malty tried she would be an excellent queen even now. 'Liar…' She thought as she returned to her studies getting her sister's attention. "I promise, sister, that no matter what, I will live up to your expectations." She spoke under her breath.
(…)
"I hate to admit it but I don't care for the adventurer Mein that much, you know."
Malty scoffed as she sat in the room of her new friend Asalea after not seeing her for a week. The small lifeless room was filled with several maids and two women from her regiment. The brown-haired knight, Sophia, chuckled under her breath as the blue-haired mage smiled at Asalea's disapproval. Just now Asalea had been getting her measurements done for the Queen's guard uniform by Rein while Malty leered over, and scrutinized her body and measurements. "That's funny, as long as you keep those udders to yourself I don't have any problems with you." Malty spoke, staring a hole at the tanned skin of the inn worker's chest.
"We have only been friends a week and you are already threatened by my presents, princess." Asalea spoke in a mock teasing tone, covering her clothed chest with her arms as if going further to protect her modesty. "And what is wrong with the body that I was born with, It's not that I am the largest in this room." Asalea said, throwing one of Malty's maids under the carriage.
The princess did not pay any mind to the servant, choosing to continue to challenge the woman in front of her. Malty wanted to make sure that any woman who found themselves by Naofumi's side, would understand one thing, without the first princess' permission no other woman than her could court the Shield Hero. "I am just taking stock of every loose variable in my mother's guard before I assign you to anything important."
Asalea taking the time to process the words smiled at Malty, getting the meaning behind them. She loosened up moving closer to the princess from across the room. "You don't have to worry about me, Princess. I rarely betray my friends' trust, your interests are safe with me. And if I come to like the same things I will make sure that you are the first to know." She finished, chuckling at the rosy tint that now graced the princess' face.
"Do I want to know what that is all about?" Sophia asks Rein as the vice commander packs her tools. The adventurer knight was unaware of Asalea and her presents until today, in her eyes the pair seemed thick as thieves like the princess and Rein, but somehow different.
Rein shrugged, though she knew the nature of their relationship, Malty and her speaking to each other about every little occurrence, she was not at liberty to say. "I have no clue, Miss Asalea just joined us last week. And I have no idea what goes through our commander's mind at any given moment."
"Oh come on, Rein. You got to know something! I feel like I am the only girl in our regiment that does not have a special relationship with the Princess. You and Malty have been friends since childhood." Sophia began counting the women and noting their relationships with Malty. "Little Filo is basically Commander Malty's child, and Brooke has that alluring elder sister air about her when the two are together, it's not fair."
Brooke chuckled at being called the older sister of the group, she and Sophia were not that far apart in age. "That's where you are wrong Sophie, the princess chose you for a reason. Whatever you think is happening is by design. The princess would not have invited you to come with us if it wasn't. Why do you think that you and our new recruit are here? It is just that, unlike the recruit, you have not gotten used to the princess' way of thinking yet."