Chapter 56: Kyouka and Valora
While days went by in the prison dungeon, unaware of Nith’s development and struggles, Kyouka locked herself in her… kitchen!
She refused to sell potions or even concoct them, much to everyone’s dismay.
People were so used to her reliable potions and their cheap prices that buying them at regular prices hurt their souls more than their wallets.
Other alchemists noticed the opportunity and raised their prices.
Only loyal clients received discounts, though there weren’t that many of them. Nonetheless, it was clear that Kyouka was protesting!
When asked about it, her part-time worker told everyone, “Miss Kyouka refuses to sell her potions until she gets an audience with Princess Valora! For now, she said she will focus on making cookies and distributing them to the capital’s orphanage! It must be because of her beloved, Nightshade! He’s gone, and her mood has clearly been influenced by his absence! Since Miss Kyouka is baking cookies one after another, I think she wanted a child, but that hunched bastard refused and left her! I don’t know what it has to do with Princess Valora… ah! What if he eloped with her?! Is that why I haven’t seen her, too?!”
Adventurers listening to the yapper stared at her straight lips and empty eyes.
“When will she stop talking?”
“Where’s bro Night when we need him the most?”
“Only he has the heart to kick her in the stomach.”
“Yeah…”
It had been five days since Nith had been sentenced for life. At first, Kyouka barged into Princess Valora’s office, but found no one inside. She learned that the woman was on an adventure outside the kingdom, which meant there was no telling when she’d be back!
If Kyouka were to go to the king or someone else, who knew what would happen?! Kyouka thought of calling Princess Valora a bitch, too, but what if Nith needed her on the surface to accomplish some tasks?
There were so many “what ifs” that Kyouka swallowed her insults and cries and locked herself in the kitchen in a simple protest. It kept her busy and, hopefully, would force Princess Valora to listen to her case immediately.
She didn’t know how much longer she could endure, though.
“My poor Nith! What if he poisons the whole prison and becomes a mass killer?!” Kyouka lamented as she threw a cookie into her mouth.
She munched on it like a little bear.
“If he commits genocide, there’ll be no room for us in normal cities! Ah, I hope no one will be stupid enough to get under his skin! If that skin of his exudes venom…” Kyouka threw a few more cookies into her mouth before packing them up for the kids in the orphanage.
Munch! Munch! Munch!
Only a commotion outside could eclipse Kyouka’s munching. She’d heard many of them over the past five days, but this time, people’s cheers were louder.
She left the kitchen and saw her part-time student opening the store’s door for a blonde-haired woman. The woman Kyouka had been waiting for!
“Valora!” Kyouka shouted.
“I heard about what happened,” Valora replied calmly as she walked in. She looked over her shoulder at the part-time worker. “Could you leave us alone? Close the door on your way out.”
The yapper saluted, “Yes! Of course! With pleasure!”
Now that only the two of them were inside the store, Valora used one of the treasures that most nobles owned. It was a small, silver bell that, upon ringing, created a bubble to prevent others from listening to their conversation.
Kyouka sat down on the counter and crossed her arms. “I want Nightshade free!”
“Calm down,” Valora replied, her left hand on her waist, while the other gestured for the alchemist to remain calm. “I can get him out of prison. What are you willing to sacrifice for it?”
Upon hearing this question, Kyouka’s emotions vanished from her face.
She crossed her legs at the ankles and no longer kept her arms crossed. Instead, she supported her upper body on them as she threw them behind her, pushing out her ample chest and tilting her head, with a condescending expression twisting her face.
Her red eyes turned crimson, devoid of compassion. It was as if a crimson abyss stared down at Valora.
A slight surprise appeared on Valora’s face before she responded confidently, staring back at Kyouka.
“Is that your true self?” Valora asked.
“My true self? Amusing that you’d ask me this. Didn’t you just throw your values and the benefits of your guild to the bin to force a contract on me? A noble will always be a noble. You must be overjoyed that Nightshade called you a bitch. Not only did he get me into your guild, but he also gave you such a convenient way to pressure me.” Kyouka replied flatly. “True self? It’s fighting fire with fire. No compassion for a bitch like you. I’ve learned this much.”
“Sounds like you’ve gone through a few experiences before coming to our capital,” Valora smiled. “Your origins are suspicious, but none of us wanted to pry into them because of your occupation and business strategy. I’ll leave it at that. Back to our matter—if even your beloved couldn’t convince you to sell your potions for what they’re worth, I have no confidence that you’ll benefit my guild in the long run. I’ll ask you again. What are you willing to sacrifice for him?”
Kyouka spat, “I want to speak with Nightshade before offering you anything. This is our store. Pink Shades of Potions.” She twirled her pink hair, “Pink comes from me… Shade from him. We’re two.”
Valora smiled at her before turning around. “Come. I won’t make you wait any longer.”
Kyouka went upstairs to put on her alchemist robes and witch hat. She massaged her face before forcing a smile onto it—one that Nith would immediately recognize as fake.
Alas, she couldn’t genuinely smile before seeing him… not after Valora showed her true colors.
