(EP-343.2) Of Heart #12
343 – Queen of Heart #12
Unlike our prickly first encounter, the Nymph Queen turned out to be quite talkative, chattering on endlessly.
"This box here? I took it from the palace's kitchen. When you stack two of them together, it turns into a bed. Amazing, right? And if you press this button, rainwater from the roof flows down through this sand-gravel filter into a cup."
"Truly remarkable, Your Majesty!"
Perhaps she was pleased with being treated like a queen. Or maybe she was just happy to have someone to talk to after so long. Either way, she freely shared details we hadn't even asked.
From that, it was safe to say that she had been living alone in this hidden space for quite some time. Days? Months? No, it seemed even longer than that.
"So, what brings Your Majesty to reside in this place? Someone as capable as yourself surely must have a grand and perfect plan."
Did she like my flattery?
The nymph let out a long hmm through her nose and narrowed both eyes. Then, as if making a decision, she began rummaging through the box.
What she pulled out were the papers and maps she had hastily shoved away earlier.
She spread them out on the makeshift box bed and began piecing them together.
Even Mirna and Elga, who had been grumbling about her "childish queen act," fell silent in focus.
Perhaps it was because they were curious about the Queen of Hearts at the center. Though, the maps and sketches were scribbled messily—it was really like a child's drawings.
The nymph queen then said.
"I'm searching for treasure. I think I was trying to steal something from the palace… but when I came to my senses, I was badly wounded and started wandering through the halls."
She paused, murmuring that she had been lucky to find this place. Her blue eyes were slightly clouded, as if she could still feel the pain from back then.
That was when Elga spoke up.
"So, you're a thief who sneaked into the palace, got caught by the guards, got beaten and now you can't fully remember what happened?"
It was a reasonable theory.
But the Nymph Queen clearly didn't appreciate it, snapping at Elga with a glare.
"Hey, who said you could speak?!"
"Tch. You really are a pain."
Elga shrugged and sharply turned her head away. It seemed that the headstrong nymph and the equally headstrong Elga were too similar to get along.
Or maybe… they actually looked a bit alike?
As I studied their faces, Mirna interjected.
"So, the thing you're looking for is located at the spot marked in the center of this map. Can you tell us what it is, Y-Your Majesty?"
Her acting was awkward, but the Nymph Queen was more generous than expected.
"You've got a keen eye. That's right. Whenever I had time, I scoured every corner of the palace to remember why I came here. And I learned many secrets."
The secrets of the palace.
At those words, Mirna's gaze turned more serious.
"What kind of secrets?"
"Well, for starters, there's a massive labyrinth beneath the palace. And deep within it, a terrifying monster is guarding a magnificent chest."
A labyrinth, a monster, and a chest.
It sounded just like a dungeon.
The Nymph Queen then added a few more words.
"The thing I'm looking for is definitely inside that chest. If they went so far as to have a monster guard it, then it must be something incredible. Maybe it's even this queen's magic heart!"
While I was still trying to process the unfamiliar term, Mirna chuckled.
"By magic heart, you must be referring to a life vessel. Mages often hide their remains or hearts in secret locations to become liches."
"Lich? Vessel? I don't know what you're talking about. All I know is that it's some incredible treasure. And once I get my hands on it, I'll finally understand why I'm here!"
It was an interesting story.
At the same time, it left me uneasy.
It was only natural to wonder if the goal this blonde Nymph Queen was searching for was the same as ours.
Mirna seemed to have the same thought, as she whispered to me in a low voice.
"Sir Theo, this might have something to do with Ars Nova."
Elga, who had been listening intently with a serious expression, suddenly spoke up.
"Can I say something?"
The Nymph Queen gave a nod.
Her permission was granted rather easily.
But Elga's expression remained serious and solemn.
"This is just something I was curious about. You called it the queen's heart, right? But if you wrote that in the common language, shouldn't it be 'Heart of Queen'?"
"This way, it becomes 'Queen of Heart.' I don't think you didn't know that, so I was wondering why you named it ."
When Elga finished, silence fell over us. Mirna and I exchanged glances, but neither of us said a word.
Just then, a hissing noise came from somewhere. It sounded like a kettle boiling, with steam coming out, so I turned my head and saw the nymph shaking with her face flushed bright red.
"I, I know that! You idiot! I just, I did it on purpose! Of course, I know the common language of the continent! And I don't like you! Don't talk anymore!"
Her reaction was intense.
Elga, however, merely muttered under her breath, "She definitely didn't know. I was being polite by pointing it out, but she still got mad. She must not have had a good upbringing. No wonder she's resorted to stealing."
The Nymph's hair bristled as she snapped at Elga. Did she hear her murmur? Before long, the two were bickering loudly.
Even if this place was cut off from the outside, I was getting worried that it would be noticeable if they were this loud…
Aira, who had been curled up on the bed, covered her ears and slipped behind me.
She buried her face against my back, sneaking glances like a child who was scared of adults fighting.
It was such an unfitting sight for Aira that we all stopped—just staring at her in stunned silence.