Ever since the drinking incident, Marianne's eyes never left Fiona. It was subtle at first. A casual question here, an offhand comment there. But Fiona could feel it.
The woman was watching her. Studying her.
It was really make sensed that Marianne knew Jeannie better than anyone, because she was her most trusted and closest friend.
At breakfast, Fiona struggled to hold her spoon properly.
Marianne immediately noticed that unusual stuff.
"Jeannie, your grip is all wrong."
Fiona paused. "No, it's not."
Marianne could only rolled her eyes.
The next part was at sword training, Fiona blocked an attack in a slightly different stance.
Marianne's gaze sharpened.
"…Since when did you start favoring a left-tilted parry?"
"I've always done this," Fiona lied smoothly.
Marianne's frown deepened.
Then came the final straw.
"Jeannie," Marianne said one evening. "Do you remember what we promised last year?"
Fiona stiffened.
"…Of course!" she said, wanted to buying time as much as she could..
Marianne leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Oh? Then repeat it."
Fiona's mind blanked in a blink of an eye.
"A promise? From a year ago? What kind of ridiculous test was this?! Like hell i know, you idiot!", said her with intense hostility internally. But from the outside,she was awkwardly smiled.
She did the only thing she could
And so once again, she changed the subject immediately.
"You look very beautiful today, Marianne."
Marianne froze for a moment.
"…Excuse me? What did you just say? Am i dreaming?"
Fiona started to smile deep down inside.
'I got you, my friend!, now feel this ultimate moves ii called "Archdemon's smartest Trap"!!!!"
Fiona doubled down.
"You're beautiful, smart, and strong. I respect you greatly. To be honest, i always want to express my real thought about you like this.", Said Fiona with a beautiful smile she could Made.
Hearing this so suddenly only made Marianne's face turned red.
"I—I—Why did you always like this!? this isn't about me! Don't change the topic!" she sputtered and started to walk away quickly.
Fiona smirked internally.
'Humans were so easy to distract. Maybe learning this tricks is not a bad idea. Look at how shy she is. Poor girl, you are still a thousand years away from reaching me.'
She started to think that a compliment was the best way to fool humans.
Another day and another win for Fiona Elizabeth the Archdemon.
Just as she was breathing a sigh of relief after evading Marianne's questioning—
The worst possible news arrived.
Today was a normal day in the training ground,where knights gathered to started the training sessions and sparring match. Fiona and Marianne were also included, as they were the senior knights who took command in teaching the new recruits and ordinary knights.
The training ground was full of crowd and noise until the Head commander of the Knight's order arrived.
Fiona saw the familiar face, and she was caught off guard.
'Oh damn it! Isn't he an old man who gave me that much suffering not long ago !?What the hell is he doing here right now!?'
That face really traumatized her right into her soul. She remembered the day where she suffered too much pain by finishing her paper works and documents back then. All because of this old man, The knight commander, Alfonso Vareno.
"Everyone, Follow the order!! Assemble here, now!!", said one senior knight who accompanied Alfonso.
Every knights in the training ground started to gathered quickly and assembled with organized formation in front of Alfonso.
'Not bad at all...', said him with a small compliment inside, appreciated all new recruits and ordinary knights.
He then walked one step to the front, looking at all of them with serious face.
"Greetings,young men and women! Some of you probably confuse about my suddenly arrival here, but i have something important to tell you from our king..."
He paused a little. The knights were still look like the same expression,patiently waiting.
"Our majesty, The king himself,has moved up the evaluation," the Commander announced.
The knights muttered in concern.
Fiona's stomach dropped.
"Sir! What do you mean 'moved up'?" she then asked.
"The King will be personally inspecting all knights tomorrow," the Commander said.
Fiona almost passed out in a blink of an eye because of this sudden news.
''For the sake of God!!! Why did i have misfortune everyday!? I was nowhere near ready for this!!', She screamed internally.
After the knights gthering, it was night already. Everyone took the time for rest, but not with the Archdemon, Fiona Elizabeth.
She only had one night to prepare.
One night to learn everything about Jeannie's career, habits, and even her speech patterns.
If she failed, the King,or worse, Marianne would expose her.
She locked herself in her room with all of Jeannie's records, and then, she began memorizing every mission report, every knightly duty. Everything she could remember.
It was painstaking.
By dawn, her head was spinning.
But she had no choice.
At the morning....
There were many peoples outside the training ground. Most of them were ordinary peoples who wanted to see the king and watched the proccession. Some of them were merchants who sold various kind of stuff.
Of course, they were prohibited to step any closer to the training ground to avoided disturbing the royal inspection of the King.
The procession then began when the King entered the training grounds.
Knights lined up, standing at attention.
Fiona stood among them, back straight, heart pounding.
Then—The King stepped forward.
King Aldebrand III, a man that rules Vernetia.
He was tall, imposing, and radiated authority. His piercing blue eyes scanned the knights carefully.
Fiona held her breath.
She was really afraid that he would recognize that she was not Jeannie.
The King suddenly paused in front of her, standing right there and looked at her.
"…Jeannie Leonhartt," he said.
Fiona swallowed.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" she replied, perfectly controlled and straight face like a real knight.
The King's gaze lingered.
Fiona kept her face neutral.
After what felt like an eternity, he simply nodded.
"I heard that you have just recovered from your wounds after fighting a demon. Have you fully recovered ?", The king ask her with a softer tone.
She was a bit surprised about the change of the king's voice.
"Yes, Your Majesty!! However, a knight's duty is to protect our peoples anytime and anywhere they need. I only do my duties , Your Majesty, and i will always protect my beloved kingdom no matter what happens !!".
King Aldebrand III was impressed with Fiona's words. He then nodded with a rare smile in his face.
"You have not changed at all since the first time you were promoted to be a knight. I really appreciate all your efforts. But to protect this kingdom and Its peoples, you must fully recovered first! That's an order!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!!.", Fiona answered directly.
Then without wasting time, King Aldebrand III walked away and left her.
'Finally Its over!! I thought i was going to die!!!'
After the inspection, Fiona nearly collapsed from relief.
She had survived, at least for now.
The moment the evaluation ended, Marianne grabbed Fiona's arm.
"Jeannie."
Fiona mentally screamed.
"What is it, Marianne?" she asked sweetly.
Marianne dragged her into a secluded hallway.
"You're acting weird before, but when i saw you at the inspection, you did it well. Honestly,I don't know who you are this time, and i don't know what's wrong with you. " she said flatly.
Fiona froze.
"…What?"
Marianne's eyes were sharp.
"You're not Jeannie that i know."
Fiona's blood ran cold.
But before she could respond, Marianne suddenly grinned.
"But don't worry," she said. "I'll figure out exactly what had just happened to you."
And with that, she walked away.
Fiona stood there, completely hopeless.
'This girl Will never gives up as always....'