[Pratik]: What?!
He stared at me with a strangely confused expression.
Didn't he hear what I just said?
[Pratik]: In that case, I need to get there quickly.
He immediately tried to run out of the room.
[Mala]: Do you even know the way?
I asked with a straight face.
He turned toward me with an embarrassed expression.
[Pratik]: Nope...
[Mala]: Then put some clothes on first. I'll guide you there. And don't cause any trouble once we arrive.
[Pratik]: Haha, I promise.
For some reason, I believed him.
He hurried back toward the bed.
After searching beneath the blanket for a few moments, he finally found his clothes.
They looked completely clean and neatly folded.
I continued staring without saying anything.
Before removing the towel wrapped around his waist, he suddenly glanced at me.
Why?
[Pratik]: Hey... um... could you turn around?
Oh.
Right.
Although his entire body was already covered in bandages, I turned away anyway.
He has become surprisingly shy lately.
Not that it's any of my concern.
I started whistling while facing the opposite direction.
Then curiosity struck me.
Maybe a little mischief wouldn't hurt.
Slowly, I began turning my head.
It's just a harmless prank.
Nothing strange about that, right?
No.
I should have some self-control.
But...
One small peek couldn't hurt.
I smiled to myself.
Just as I finally gathered the courage to turn around—
[Pratik]: Ready to go!
He stood there with a cheerful smile.
I nearly lost my balance.
What?!
He finished changing in two seconds?!
He had already put everything back on, including his Standard-Class uniform.
Technically, he was still an Apprentice Class A-grade sorcerer, just like us.
However, Sir Krishna had personally given him that uniform during the Dragon Empire mission after his previous one had been completely destroyed.
The fabric could regenerate itself, even after suffering extreme damage.
Its reconstruction speed was significantly faster than the rate at which it could be destroyed.
At first glance, it almost seemed impossible to damage.
And honestly...
I wanted one.
The polished surface.
The self-repairing material.
Everything about it fascinated me.
I'll earn that rank myself after graduating from ISFC this year.
I silently renewed my determination.
[Pratik]: Shall we go, Mala?
I nodded.
As we walked side by side, I noticed something.
He was still shorter than me.
For some reason, that felt strangely amusing.
I hope we stay friends.
After walking for what felt like an eternity, we finally reached the palace gates.
And no...
We hadn't even reached the courtroom yet.
That was only the entrance.
Everything in the Greto Empire was enormous.
Even the gates were large enough to resemble entire buildings.
Green fields stretched endlessly around us.
The trees were perfectly maintained.
The sky was crystal clear.
Everything radiated prosperity.
And the guards...
There were so many of them.
Or maybe it only felt that way.
After another long walk, we finally reached the courtroom itself.
Two Gretoling guards pushed the massive doors open using nothing but brute strength.
I like strength.
We stepped inside.
According to Grimori, this was a Familial Courtroom.
Or whatever they called it.
Apparently, it was reserved exclusively for members of the royal bloodline.
Beyond the entrance lay an enormous open chamber surrounded by elevated platforms where members of the royal family sat.
At the far end stood a long staircase leading toward a magnificent throne.
It appeared to be made of gold.
Or perhaps it wasn't.
It only looked like gold.
Whatever material it was made from, it was undoubtedly far stronger.
Many members of the royal family had already taken their seats.
On one of the judgment platforms, I spotted Grimori, Kel, and Lila.
[Pratik]: Are we supposed to stand there too?
[Mala]: Yep.
We walked over and took our places.
A few moments later, everyone suddenly stood up.
Well...
Almost everyone.
Pratik was sitting comfortably on the floor of the platform.
The very place that was meant for people to stand during court proceedings.
Honestly...
This guy had absolutely no sense of timing.
A royal herald stepped forward.
"Hark and pay homage! Presenting Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Chandrika of the Empire of Greto—Chosen Heir to the High Throne above all kin, Absolute Sovereign of the Realm, and Supreme Authority of Greto! Let all in attendance—kin of the Imperial Bloodline, honored guests, and foreign envoys alike—bow before the High Chair of Justice!"
Everyone bowed.
Even Grimori.
Even Kel.
Even Lila.
I wasn't planning to bow before anyone.
And surprisingly...
Neither was Pratik.
That's the spirit.
Then the Empress entered.
My eyes widened.
What...
What is this?
Before I could even process what was happening...
I realized I was already bowing.
Even Pratik stood up in stunned silence and lowered his head.
How?
How did this happen?
Her very presence demanded respect.
She was...
Beautiful.
No.
Beautiful wasn't enough to describe her.
She wore a brilliant yellow garment that covered her from neck to feet.
She looked almost unreal.
Like something that had stepped out of a dream.
For a moment, I genuinely felt as though I was looking at the most beautiful woman in existence.
And then...
I felt something unexpected.
Jealousy.
I had never cared much about beauty.
Strength.
Willpower.
Those were the only things that ever mattered to me.
But seeing her...
I finally understood why people valued beauty.
Her green hair suited her perfectly.
Her blue eyes radiated dignity.
This...
This was Yash's mother.
No wonder he looked the way he did.
He had definitely inherited his appearance from her.
She also seemed calm.
Patient.
Understanding.
And for some reason, that only made me more jealous.
While I was drowning in my own thoughts, she had already climbed the staircase and taken her seat upon the throne.
Everyone else sat down.
Except me.
[Pratik]: Hey... how long are you planning to keep bowing?
I froze.
I was still bowing.
I hadn't even realized it.
Embarrassed, I quickly straightened my clothes and looked away.
[Pratik]: She looks calm and understanding. I hope she won't be too harsh on Yash.
He smiled.
Honestly...
I hoped so too.
Wait.
When did Yash get there?
He was standing on the platform opposite ours.
The platform we occupied represented the witnesses.
The one where Yash stood represented the accused.
The accused?
I thought this was supposed to be a family matter.
So much for calm and understanding.
Whispers spread throughout the courtroom.
Conversations overlapped.
Questions circulated among the nobles.
Then—
"Silence! The court is now in session!"
The royal herald's voice echoed throughout the chamber.
And suddenly...
The atmosphere became much heavier.
To be continued...