Chapter 6 — The Princesses of the Beeatriz Kingdom  

While the war raged outside…  

Souta fought another battle.  

He gripped an ornate sword.  

Tried to wield it.  

It broke.  

— Ah… I give up.  

He threw the pieces to the ground.  

Felt a pressure behind him.  

The atmosphere grew heavy.  

He turned.  

The princesses of the kingdom were there.  

**Stingara** at the front.  

The queen’s successor.  

Black and red dress.  

An aura of dominance.  

Eyes that tore through souls.  

Behind her, the twins.  

**Meliora** — radiant, gentle, a purple dress with honeycomb details.  

**Melisara** — distracted, innocent, vacant gaze, a blue dress with honeycombs.  

Souta faced the trio.  

He felt small.  

Insignificant.  

Determined, Souta returned to training.  

No weapon worked.  

Sweat.  

Tremors.  

Persistence.  

— You’re trying so hard…  

The voice was soft.  

Meliora stepped closer.  

— I am Meliora… princess of the Beeatriz Kingdom.  

— And you are…  

— Kihara Souta. — But I’m not anyone important, he replied, looking away.  

She tilted her head.  

Curious eyes.  

— That’s not what I see.  

— Your determination is… admirable.  

— You’re searching for something, aren’t you?  

Souta laughed nervously.  

— Yes.  

— I want to be a firefighter.  

— To protect people.  

— I’m not like the heroes of the kingdom.  

— But it’s my dream.  

Meliora thought.  

— A firefighter?...  

*“What is a firefighter?”*  

— I have a dream too.  

— I don’t want to remain trapped in this kingdom.  

— I want to travel.  

— To see the world.  

— Do you think I ever will?  

They lost themselves in conversation.  

Shared aspirations.  

Sincerity.  

Kindness.  

Meliora was charmed by Souta.  

Souta began to see the princess behind the crown.  

— Meliora!  

The voice cut through the moment.  

Stingara approached.  

The first princess of the kingdom…  

— Didn’t Mother ask you to speak with the Hero of the Sword?  

Meliora blushed.  

Looked at Souta.  

Guilt.  

Embarrassment.  

— But…  

Stingara, impassive.  

— That one isn’t even a real hero.  

— Don’t you have something better to do, sir?...  

Souta tried to contain his shame.  

— Kihara Souta.  

— Forgive me…  

— I was the one who distracted the princess.  

— I’ll take my leave.  

He bowed.  

Began to walk away.  

— How rude! — said Meliora.  

— You just love being in command, don’t you?  

She left calmly.  

Firm posture.  

Indignation visible.  

Stingara still stared at Souta.  

A malicious smile.  

She thought to herself:  

*“This man… I must find a way to make him mine.”*  

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