Royal Capital, Main Street.
Ever since running into Priscilla, the woman had clung to Shendu like sticky taffy, showing absolutely no intention of keeping her distance.
That left Shendu with no interest in maintaining even superficial courtesy. In any case, Priscilla was not the sort of woman who cared whether she was disliked.
"Wait! Please wait. I have something important to discuss with you!"
"As Emilia's supporter, you wouldn't want to face a new enemy, would you?"
Just before their figures disappeared from sight, Priscilla shouted those two sentences, finally causing Shendu to stop walking.
"Hah... I had to run quite a distance. This is all your fault."
Seeing that Shendu and Akane had stopped, Priscilla finally let out a breath of relief. Shendu, however, said nothing.
"Oh? Didn't you say you wanted to talk?"
"There's a teahouse nearby. We can sit there."
Shendu pointed toward a teahouse ahead and spoke without expression.
In truth, the teahouses of this other world were not much different from those in her previous life. People gathered to drink tea, and there were even storytellers recounting tales of ancient heroes.
Shendu had not yet had the chance to visit one before. Now that this troublesome woman had appeared, she might as well sit down for a while.
"Hm. Since you are inviting me so sincerely, I shall accept. It is rare to meet a woman like you who never plays by the rules. I find myself increasingly intrigued."
Priscilla snapped open her folding fan. Dressed in a crimson gown that accentuated her striking figure, she was undeniably attractive. Unfortunately, Shendu was not moved in the slightest.
Beautiful as she was, her personality was far too unpleasant. No matter how one looked at it, Shendu simply did not enjoy interacting with her.
The three of them entered a private room and sat down. They ordered a pot of premium black tea along with some pastries.
Before long, a server brought the tea. Priscilla, however, began nitpicking the surroundings.
"What a teahouse fit only for commoners. The decor is not the least bit magnificent. I refuse to lower myself to such mundanity."
Every word from Priscilla buzzed around like an annoying fly, like a monk chanting endlessly. Shendu felt her patience wearing thin.
"Miss Priscilla, if you do not intend to discuss serious matters, then let us end this here."
Shendu's expression turned solemn as she rose to her feet, clearly not joking.
She was truly fed up with this woman who acted as though heaven ranked first, earth second, and she herself third. It was hardly a charming disposition.
Compared to the pure and gentle Emilia, she was simply irritating.
"Very well, very well. Let us begin."
Realizing that Shendu had seized control of the conversation, Priscilla revealed a trace of helplessness and chose to compromise.
Given the circumstances, she could only focus on the matter at hand. She valued this young woman greatly and wished to learn more through her.
"I wish to know what your relationship with that half-elf candidate Emilia is. Are you her younger sister, or perhaps some relative?"
This question had long lingered in Priscilla's mind. Rumors had been spreading throughout the Royal Capital that a silver-haired traveler served as Emilia's knight.
Generally speaking, only elves or half-elves bore silver hair. Shendu shared the same hair color, which had naturally drawn Priscilla's attention.
If they were related, certain matters would be unavoidable and would undoubtedly place tremendous pressure on the other candidates.
"No. I met Emilia for the first time here. It is also my first time visiting the Royal Capital. Otherwise, why would I have left her side?"
Shendu shook her head. She could not discern this woman's intentions and merely regarded her curiously, unsure why she was asking such unnecessary questions.
"Hehe. Just as I thought."
Priscilla's eyes lit up, sensing an opportunity. Shendu was not only beautiful in appearance but also exceptionally powerful.
Perhaps recruiting her to her own camp and using her to intimidate the other candidates would be an excellent strategy.
"Then why do you support that silver-haired half-elf Emilia? Surely you have heard the legend of the Witch of Envy. Is it simply because you both have silver hair that you remain at her side?"
A hint of jealousy crept into Priscilla's voice. She lamented her own poor fortune. Whenever that silver-haired half-elf encountered danger, someone always stepped forward to help her, someone willing to speak honestly to her.
Meanwhile, those around Priscilla were nothing but flatterers, which she found distasteful.
Yet she never considered that, with her dreadful personality, it would be a miracle if anyone dared to speak the truth to her.
They merely chose pleasant words, allowing her to remain immersed in her princess fantasy, unable to extricate herself.
"No. There are many reasons why I support Emilia."
Shendu narrowed her eyes and spoke of her impressions during their time together. "Emilia is gentle and kind. She never makes others feel troubled. I support her as a traveler, nothing more."
After hearing this, Priscilla grew even more irritated. In Shendu's heart, was she nothing but a spoiled and willful woman?
To be fair, that was precisely how Shendu saw her.
"If you are merely a traveler, then supporting me is no different. Whatever that woman can do, I can do as well."
Priscilla opened her fan and looked at Shendu confidently, staring directly into her eyes. "Join me. Status, wealth, anything you desire, I will grant you the finest of it all."
"No. I have no interest in such things. I only care that during the Royal Selection, you would do well not to provoke Emilia."
Shendu shook her head, intending to reason with her.
If this woman had the sense to step back, sparing her life would not be impossible. Otherwise, she would have to resort to another method.
"I am a candidate. How could I possibly refrain from taking action?"
Priscilla smiled faintly and slowly approached Shendu. Gazing at the girl before her, she spoke thoughtfully.
"If you possess a way to persuade me, then try. If you succeed, I would not mind listening to you."
Though their discussion had made little progress, Priscilla found herself increasingly intrigued by Shendu, even if she was a silver-haired girl many found detestable.
She did not care in the least. With a half-smile, she continued watching Shendu, wishing to prolong their conversation.
However, the impatience on Shendu's face grew ever more pronounced. After all that had been said, it felt entirely pointless. They were not even on the same wavelength.
Priscilla's true intention was to recruit her, turning her into someone on her side. That had nothing to do with the earlier topic.
"Then our negotiation has failed. Farewell, Miss Priscilla."
Concluding that further discussion held no value, Shendu snapped her fingers. A spatial gate appeared behind her. Before Priscilla could react, an unseen force pushed her through the portal.
Watching the woman vanish, Akane finally let out a sigh of relief. She truly disliked women of that temperament.