**Village of Armoura.**

  **BOOOOM!**

  The blast shook the wooden houses. Debris flew, dust rose into the air.

  A body was hurled against a wall, dragging across the ground before stopping.

  Pikonota coughed blood, her mouth and nose stained red. The liquid dripped and smeared the stones.

  From within the dust, Souta emerged, eyes firm, a sinister aura distorting the air around him.

  — *You… bitch.* — His voice was deep, heavy with hatred. — *It’s the first and last time you dare think of using Meliora as a bargaining chip.*

  Pikonota trembled, the bitter smile still stuck to her bloodied face.

  — *W-wait, Mister Spoon… I was joking… it wasn’t serious…*

  But Souta didn’t listen. His heavy steps echoed like hammer blows.

  Meliora rushed in front of him, nervous.

  — *Lord Kihara, what are you doing?!*

  — *Can’t you see? I’m going to kill her.* — His reply was dry, firm.

  Meliora’s eyes widened, unsettled.

  — *You’re… going to kill her? No, you can’t!*

  Souta kept advancing, without hesitation.

  — *Which princess? Two days ago you yourself almost killed her. And now you want me not to do the same?*

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  — *That’s different!* — Meliora shouted, her voice trembling. — *You’re not like this… Your eyes… they’re not smiling. You’ve got a face of hatred that scares me!*

  — *Step aside, Meliora.* — Souta’s gaze never wavered. — *I don’t want to hurt you. But I need to get rid of this thing. I don’t trust her. She’s breathed long enough. Anyone who threatens your life doesn’t deserve to live.*

  The tension was suffocating.

  Pikonota trembled, still with the bitter smile, as if accepting this could be her last day.

  Suddenly, a crack split the air.

  **BAM!**

  Souta blinked, confused. Meliora stood before him, holding a shoe heel in her right hand. The sole still smoked from the impact.

  — *Damn it, Souta! Why didn’t you listen to me? I’m the princess of this kingdom!* — she exploded.

  — *What are you doing, princ—*

  Another **BAM!**

  — *Who told you to speak?!* — Meliora screamed, furious.

  — *Pr—*

  **BAM!**

  Every time Souta tried to respond, he received another smack with the heel.

  By the seventh, he was submissive, holding his swollen cheek.

  — *I hate insistent women…* — he muttered.

  — *What did you say, Lord Kihara?* — Meliora narrowed her eyes.

  — *N-nothing…*

  — *Good. Now apologize to Pikonota. No complaints.*

  Souta frowned, grumbling like a scolded child.

  — *I… apologize for punching your face, Pikonota…*

  Meliora crossed her arms, satisfied.

  — *See? There was no need for violence. We’re not savages. We can solve things through dialogue.*

  Pikonota stood up, laughing in an almost irritating way.

  — *Ha… ha… ha…* — the laugh echoed strangely. — *Mister Spoo—*

  **BOOM!**

  A fist smashed into her face with brutal force, hurling her against another wall. Dust spread through the air.

  Pikonota’s eyes rolled back, blood dripping from her lips.

  When she regained her senses, she saw Meliora before her, fist still smoking, skin reddened from the impact.

  The princess’s voice seemed to burn the air:

  — *You bitch… it’s the last time you try to manipulate my Lord Kihara. Next time, I’ll kill you without hesitation.*

  Souta froze, blushing at the sight.

  He thought to himself, stunned:

  *Wow… Miss Meliora is way too cool…*