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*Outside Renner Private room*
Climb's patience snapped. With a swift motion, he drew his sword and lunged at Brain, his movements fueled by desperation and concern for Renner.
But Brain, who had been training rigorously under Yoriichi, was no longer the man he once was. His reflexes were sharper, his techniques more refined, and now he could afford to go easy on people without harming himself.
He sidestepped Climb's attack with ease, his blade flashing as he disarmed the knight in a single fluid motion. Climb stumbled, his sword clattering to the ground as Brain's blade came to rest at his throat.
"You're out of your depth," Brain said, his voice calm but firm. "Stand down."
Climb glared up at him, his chest heaving with frustration and fear. "What's going on? What are you doing to the princess? If you harm her, I swear I'll—"
"The princess is safe," Brain interrupted, his tone softening slightly. "I can't promise much, but if everything goes as planned, she'll be completely fine. You have my word."
Climb's eyes searched Brain's face, looking for any sign of deception. "Why should I trust you?"
Brain lowered his blade, stepping back to give Climb some space. "Because right now, you don't have a choice. But know this, I'm not your enemy. I'm just following orders."
Climb hesitated, his mind racing. He wanted to burst into the room, to ensure Renner's safety with his own eyes. But the cold reality of the situation was clear, he was outmatched.
Reluctantly, he picked up his sword and sheathed it, his eyes never leaving Brain's.
"If anything happens to her…" Climb began, his voice trembling with emotion.
"It won't," Brain said firmly. "Now go. Before someone less forgiving finds you here." He was thinking about Makima.
"No, I'm staying here until the princess finishes what she has to do. I need to see her." Climb was very loyal to the princess, he had to unsure she was safe as soon as possible.
Brain sighed and returned to his post, his expression unreadable. "Do as you please."
*Back into the room*
"What are your ambitions, Princess? What do you truly want?" Meliodas asked.
Renner's smile returned, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "My ambitions are simple. I want to support my father, the king, and ensure the prosperity of our kingdom. When the time comes for one of my brothers to take the throne, I will do everything in my power to assist him. My duty is to the people, and I will serve them to the best of my ability."
A sharp scoff escaped Meliodas as he stared at her with pure disgust. His previously casual demeanor shifted, and his purple eyes darkened with something sharper, something piercing. "You look disgusting when you fake that smile."
The room fell into utter silence. Renner blinked, her expression freezing for a moment as if she hadn't fully processed what he had just said. No one spoke to a princess like that. Even Makima shifted her gaze ever so slightly, curious about what would happen next.
Renner, after a beat, let out a soft, confused laugh. "I beg your pardon?" She asked, her voice still maintaining its usual sweetness, but there was an unmistakable edge of uncertainty underneath.
Meliodas didn't let up. "Oh, I know exactly who you are, Princess. Or rather, who you pretend to be. But the act? It's getting old. And frankly, it's insulting to my intelligence." His voice was commanding, leaving no room for escape.
A cold shiver ran down Renner's spine. Her heartbeat quickened. She wasn't sure if it was fear or excitement. For years, she had perfected her role and maintained her delicate mask. And now, this man... this stranger, was looking right through her. Seeing her for what she truly was. 'How? How did he know?'
Meliodas leaned forward slightly, his voice a mere whisper now, yet laced with undeniable authority. "If you don't show me your true face, I'll kill you right here and now."
There was no jest in his tone. No empty threat. Just a promise.
Something inside Renner snapped. Her shoulders trembled but not in fear. A slow, twisted grin began to stretch across her lips, her eyes widening in something that was neither terror nor confusion, but sheer exhilaration.
Her voice came out in a breathy, delighted whisper. "How?" She leaned forward now, her hands clutching the armrests of her chair. "How could you possibly know?"
Meliodas merely smirked. "This isn't a time for unnecessary questions. Answer me."
The shift was instantaneous. Gone was the graceful and humble princess. In her place sat something far more sinister, far more exhilarating, far more... Ambitious.
Her expression was one of sheer delight, could this be the spark of hope she needed?
"Power," she purred, her voice dripping with raw, unfiltered desire. "I want enough power to become queen. I want to rule this kingdom. I want... Freedom" She leaned back, her fingers pressing against her lips in a delighted hum.
"And I don't care what I have to do to achieve it. If I have to kill my father, my brothers, the entire royal family so be it. If the people have to suffer for that to happen?" She chuckled. "Then let them, as long as I'm with him..." An image of Climb flashed in her mind.
Her gaze was alight with something almost intoxicating. "Of course," she added, smoothing down her dress, regaining some of her composure, "That would be too messy. I've worked too hard cultivating this pure, noble image of mine. A benevolent princess, adored by all, untouchable. I cannot tarnish that."
Meliodas watched her with a knowing smirk, satisfied. "Now that's more like it. And once you have the throne? What then?"
Renner's eyes gleamed with a dark, almost predatory light. "Then I'll reshape this kingdom into something greater. Something worthy of me. Some people will suffer, yes, but only for a time. In the end, they'll thank me. They'll see that everything I did was for the greater good."
Meliodas stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he began to laugh, the sound echoing through the chamber. "Hahahahaha! Now that's the Princess Renner I wanted to meet. No masks. Just the cold, calculating ambition you've been hiding all these years."
Renner's smile softened, though the darkness in her eyes remained. "If you did all these efforts to meet me and talk to me about this? Am I correct to assume that you will help me?"
Meliodas' smirk widened, his violet eyes gleaming with promise. "Oh, Princess. I think we're going to have a lot of fun together."
Meliodas leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze locked onto her blue eyes then continued. "You want power. You want the throne. You want freedom with your little toy. I'll help you achieve all of that." He let his words hang for a moment before continuing,
"But everything comes with a price. And what I demand in return is your loyalty."
Without hesitation, Renner responded, "Of course. That is a small price to pay for what I desire. I will do whatever is required."
Meliodas smirked, amused by her desperation. "Good. Then from this moment forward, you have my backing. You are free to use the name of the Obsidian Chains, as well as the Blue Rose group, to bolster your political standing."
Renner's eyes gleamed at the power he was handing her. "That is more than I expected," she admitted, barely able to contain her delight.
"Not only that," Meliodas continued, "I am assigning you a knight. One who will guarantee your safety and provide additional strength to your cause."
He turned his head slightly and called, "Brain."
Almost immediately, the door creaked open, and Brain entered, bowing respectfully. "You called for me, Lord Meliodas?"
Just behind him, Climb who had been standing anxiously outside leaned in, his voice filled with concern. "Princess, are you alright?"
Renner's practiced, gentle smile returned as she waved softly. "I am fine, Climb. You need not to worry."
Climb hesitated, his worry evident, but he stepped back as Brain proceeded into the room, shutting the door behind him.
Meliodas turned to Brain. "From today onward, you will serve as Princess Renner's knight. You will protect her and back her in whatever she needs until further notice. Of course, you will continue your training in the facility in your free time. Do you have any objections?"
Brain lowered his head slightly. "No objections. I am here to serve."
Meliodas grinned. "Good. This will be an interesting experience for you."
Renner studied Brain with curiosity. She had heard of his skill with the sword, and if Meliodas trusted him, he must have been a formidable warrior. This new arrangement only made her plans more feasible. She would have an even stronger position to execute her ambitions.
With their agreement sealed, Meliodas and Makima stepped back. "Now you have no excuses to get the throne, when you become the queen, I will come see you again." A swirling black mist engulfed both of them as Kurogiri's ability activated. "Good luck." Meliodas said, and in an instant, they vanished, leaving the princess and her new knight to prepare for the future that had now been set in motion.
"he... heh...haha... HAHA...HAHAHAHA...MUAHAHAHAHAHA!" Brain ignored the princess' sudden burst, his role was to protect her, he didn't care about anything else.
'This is it! It's finally happening... I will show them, I will... kill them!' Renner couldn't control her face anymore.
TO BE CONTINUED --->
Hey everyone! Author here.
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