Versatile: Alternate World

The sun is about to set when I came back with the others to the cabin carrying the monster we hunted and gutted for our barbecue for tonight. It took some time to find a wild boar since most of the monsters found in the forest are either insect hybrids or just monsters that possess poison, paralysis liquid, and any kind of harmful things. When we managed to hunt one, it was already quite late.

Nevertheless, the hunt is successful and we returned with a bounty in our hands. As we returned, Tina is already waiting for us alongside Cotton. Her face is looking much better than before and it seems like she has finally got the answer she is looking for. I didn't press the matter and just waited for her response on that and began our little work for our dinner.

In the end, our first day on Aquagius Continent's Insect Kingdom didn't progress much as we just stay in our place. Though it wasn't so bad as we enjoyed the barbecue with everyone.

The next day though is different.

After yesterday's little debacle of what Tina's decision is going to be, she ended up with the decision of ultimately facing her parents head-on. She prepared herself and despite the little hesitation, she is now more determined to meet them compared to before. And since she has changed her attitude now, our next course of action is, of course, going to the Insect Kingdom's king and queen.

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When we arrived in the city though, the reactions of the NPCs started to annoy me. Their eyes have judgemental looks on them as we continue to move our way to reach the castle grounds of the Insect Kingdom. It seems that the citizens have already known that the princess of the Insect Kingdom will return.

Because Tina didn't use her regal form so we don't garner attention, it seems that retaining her old form seems to be doing the opposite effect. Not only did the populace of the Insect Kingdom knows Tina, but it seems they also resent her for appearing. After all, they didn't know that the ones who saved them from the demon control is none other than the princess that they despises the most.

And since no one from them seems to have remembered the regal form of Tina, it's also very clear that they have no recollection of that day as well. This is why their minds still retain their hatred for Tina who is still on the form where she still hasn't awakened. In their eyes, Tina is not fit to be the princess.

Thankfully, it seems that Tina is used to the stares she receives and didn't mind all of them.

"Are you alright? I can tell that the populace didn't like your presence here," Lina taps the back of Tina.

"No worries, Lina-chan. I am used to it and its little stigma against me. It's always been like this so it doesn't matter much to me. However, I already knew how they treat me. If they still treat me like crap when I am in this form, they don't deserve to be treated well as well once I activated my regal form."

I grinned at Tina's way of thinking. After all, it's quite smart to know who is the one who is thinking differently at you when you are in low status and if you are in a high status. Knowing who is your allies and who is your true enemies.

The players are oblivious to what is happening so it felt like a silent war between the populace and Tina. I didn't think that it would be this intense though.

I thought things would at least lighten up once we arrive through the castle grounds where the eyes of the public are little and most of the eyes left are those from the guards but I was wrong as the situation is just the same as before. Not a single soldier is looking at Tina with respect. The guards are deliberately doing disrespectful things as well to Tina. I was so close to pulling out my Versatile Weapon but thanks to Tina, stopping me, I didn't continue what I was about to do.

"Don't do that Master. Don't get provoked for my sake. They are not worth the time to be offended of."

We continue to the castle grounds until we arrived at the front gate where two guards block the gate.

"Princess. Welcome back, we know that you are arriving so please come inside."

I was surprised as the two guards didn't seem to show any animosity toward the others. As we entered the gates, Tina chuckled seeing my bewilderment.

"Haha, Master, don't be surprised. Even though I was mostly hated by the populace, I am not hated by everyone here in the palace. Those two in particular don't show any animosity toward me as they are on the neutral side. Even if they hated me, they will remain in the same position. After all, being a guard of the royal family does not mean they can impose their ideals on everyone. They needed to be in neutral stance if they want to remain to guard the gates."

"Hoh? Really? That's something new to me."

"It's an unwritten rule to the guardians of the palace. Unless you are guilty of a crime, they will not show any kind of emotions and will remain in the neutral path."

As we talked, we arrived at the hall where we are greeted by the butler who is a praying mantis.

"Welcome back, my lady. We have already expected your arrival. We will inform his and her majesty about you here so please wait in the visitor's room."

"Is my room still intact, butler?" Tina asked.

"...Unfortunately, Princess Tina, your room is no longer present due to some things that happened in the past."

"I see. Well, that was something I already expected, so no surprises here but knowing it is just pretty much a disappointment."

The butler didn't say anything but he left after talking to us so that he can inform the king and queen.

"The castle did not change much but to think they immediately removed my room after I vacated just means everything. Master, I don't know what will happen next but based on my little assumptions and some random guesses, things will not go that smoothly in the future."

I didn't say anything nor did the others about it. Tina's grudge might be something I don't have much idea of since I didn't experience it first hand but seeing what it was now, perhaps, her grudge is justified somehow.