Nis 3: Blossoms Amid Suspicion
"Oh my, this place hasn't changed a bit."
I couldn't help but gasp in admiration as I descended to the deepest level. It looked exactly the same as the last time I'd visited a thousand years ago. The ice pillars still stood elegantly, the icicles dripping from the ceiling shimmered like beautiful chandeliers, and the frost creeping along the walls traced delicate patterns like intricate lace.
Hmph... Still, my labyrinth is prettier. Of course, this place had its own charm. A cold yet refined aesthetic—pure Frostia through and through. Too restrained, maybe? If it were up to me, I'd deck it out with pearls everywhere and hang some glowing jellyfish... At least she hadn't plunged it into total darkness this time. Last visit, it was so dim my dress barely sparkled at all!
But why doesn't she keep Ricoris here? The thought suddenly crossed my mind. Those vibrant red petals of hers would make such a striking accent in this chilly space.
"Nis."
Frostia's icy voice cut through my thoughts abruptly.
"Yeees~?"
I replied with my usual playful lilt. But her expression was off—far from normal.
"Don't touch Ricoris carelessly."
My mind went blank. What the hell?
"Oh dear, what do you mean? I was just—"
BOOM!!!
Before I could finish, her fist slammed into the ice wall. The entire chamber shuddered with the impact, and several icicles shattered as they fell.
"Eek!"
A scream escaped me involuntarily. My hands trembled as they clutched my dress hem. Frostia's eyes had changed. This wasn't the cool gaze I'd known for millennia. It was raw killing intent, like she was staring down an enemy...
"I-I just thought Ricoris was so pretty and cute, I wanted to doll her up beautifully!"
My voice shook. I was truly wronged. All I'd done was...
"I swear...!"
Her distrustful glare stabbed at my heart. To think she'd doubt me like this!
"We've known each other for millennia—how could you...!"
My voice rose higher than usual. We'd bickered and teased plenty over the years, even gotten petty sometimes... but never to the point of outright suspicion like this.
Yes, I just...
I recalled first seeing Ricoris. Those stunning petals, that graceful poise. It had thrilled me, just like when I first took human form.
Frostia stared at me for a moment, then sighed.
"...Fine."
Her eyes still held doubt, but at least the murderous aura faded. Still, I felt hurt. Was this all our thousands of years of friendship amounted to?
"Let's head up."
She turned and started walking. I followed, lips pursed in a pout. The only sound in the silent chamber was my dress whispering against the ice floor.
As we ascended to the deeper levels, Ricoris and her bugs seemed to eye us warily. Then Frostia said...
"Worried? It was nothing. Just a little chat between old friends."
...Huh? I doubted my ears. Who was that? Was this really Frostia? Such a gentle tone?
No way... She was radiating killing intent at me just moments ago...
My resentment doubled. This was blatant favoritism!
That frosty ice princess, all soft like that. And to me, just now...
"Wait a second!"
Resolve surged through me. I had to clear this injustice!
"Let me decorate this place for you!"
Frostia shot me another suspicious look.
Again! That glare! What made me look so shady?
That's when I noticed Ricoris trembling slightly, like a child awaiting a gift, brimming with excitement. So cute...!
"Can I doll you up?"
Yes! I love it!
Even her handwriting was adorable. This kid would shine even more with some flair.
Frostia glanced at Ricoris's reaction and reluctantly nodded.
Hah! More favoritism! Terrifying to me, but she bends to Ricoris instantly.
I dove into my magic with glee. The pride of my abyssal labyrinth: vibrant glowing corals in every hue. Pearl-encrusted shells danced through the air. I even floated a few luminous jellyfish around...
"..."
Frostia watched with a frosty gaze.
"Gaudy. Doesn't suit this place at all."
Um... I think it's pretty...
Ugh... My pride stung. Everyone in Desmeer called these decorations beautiful!
"Hmph!"
I grumbled and swept them all away. Then I pondered. Something to complement this chill while highlighting Ricoris...
Yes... this!
This time, I conjured tiny flowers mimicking Ricoris. Crimson petals, jet-black stems... Each petal gleamed subtly, like stars scattered across the floor.
Ricoris's petals quivered happily.
Wow! So pretty!
The bugs flitted joyfully among the blooms. Even Frostia's expression softened.
There we go...!
I was about to sigh in relief when—
"These flowers... nothing strange in them, right?"
Suspicion again!
"Oh! They're just decorative, mimicking Ricoris! No abilities at all!"
So wronged... Truly, utterly wronged! When have I ever done anything untrustworthy?
Frostia eyed me dubiously once more. I could only sigh.
Friends, my ass... How could she...
But seeing Ricoris so happy eased it a bit. Frostia's distrust hurt, but if this beauty loved it, that was enough.
Still resented it! You called me here!
Then—a black shadow flashed like lightning.
"Eek!"
I clutched my dress reflexively. My heart pounded.
Icicle Arachne. The ice spider. Its translucent body sparkled prettily under normal circumstances, but...
Spiders are spiders!
The spider before Ricoris waved its forelegs frantically, trying to convey something. Its eight legs danced in the air—like a courtly waltz, maybe, but to me, pure nightmare fuel.
Ugh... stop flailing those legs...
Ricoris watched intently, oblivious to my horror. Then the lead butterfly—elegant as ever—fluttered to her petals on translucent wings that gleamed like embroidery on my dress. It sipped the sweet nectar flowing from her.
Flower and butterfly communing like a living painting. I stared, entranced.
Oh, they can connect like that...
I finally understood what Frostia meant. Ricoris was truly special.
Lots of humans have entered the upper levels.
Her roots scratched words into the floor—still in that cute script.
Ah, the spider was a scout.
Impressive! Such organized forces. Commanding bugs so masterfully, even using that creepy spider for recon—pure genius!
"Hah. Fearless fools."
Frostia spat coldly. The air grew even icier.
"Truly. Weaklings through and through..."
I agreed. Humans... chasing beauty was fine, but their fleeting, fragile lives...
Aha! Opportunity!
A brilliant idea hit. This could dispel Frostia's doubts too.
"Shall I clear them out? One gesture, and poof—dust."
This'll prove my sincerity, right? And Ricoris gets human mana—win-win!
No! Don't!
Ricoris's roots flailed in panic—like a flustered girl.
I want to meet the humans...
The scraping sounded urgent. Even this was cute...
"Fine, do as you like. We're here with you."
Her gentle tone stung again. Terrifying to me earlier, motherly now...
Definite favoritism!
The lead butterfly and others fluttered signals. The red one—Cecilia, Ricoris called her—stayed put. In an instant, swarms of bugs poured out orderly.
The precision awed me.
"Huh? Where are they off to?"
To monitor the humans!
Amazing... A perfect legion commander!
"How long till the humans reach here?"
I asked Ricoris. It'd take time to delve this deep.
A day in the upper levels, another in the middle... probably four days total...
Her roots scratched thoughtfully—like a scholar calculating.
"Mind if I stick around then?"
Frostia gave me that look again.
God, when will this suspicion end?
But Ricoris's petals swayed happily.
Yes! Please stay!
And so the first day began. Ricoris communicated ceaselessly with her bugs, orchestrating like a chess master.
"Oh my, look at that."
I tugged Frostia's sleeve lightly. The bugs moved like shadows, relaying intel flawlessly.
Got their numbers. Knights... about 40?
"Wow... incredible."
Her intel network was unreal. Sorry, Deiana, but Ricoris wins the minion showdown in my head. Mine couldn't pull this off...
Day two. The bugs' movements grew even more precise.
They're heading to the middle levels. Told everyone not to show themselves.
Her roots wrote confidently. Nectar-fed butterflies vanished into shadows and reemerged rhythmically.
"Like a dance."
Even Frostia looked pleased.
Hmph! So cold to me...
Day three. Knights entered the lower levels.
Almost time...
Her petals quivered. Tense? Excited?
"Ricoris, shall we spruce this place up more?"
Huh? Oh, yes! Sounds good!
I got excited, aiming for something even Frostia would love.
"Nis, too much."
Ugh...
Her chill critique drooped my shoulders.
Final day. Knights reached the deep entrance.
I lured them with flower scent. This passage...
"Oh my, brilliant!"
Then inspiration struck.
"Frostia."
I sidled close, whispering slyly like a tempting serpent. (Well, I am one.)
"What if we hide and watch secretly? If we're here, humans will fixate on us."
Another suspicious glance.
Ugh, seriously...
It was wearing me down. Hurt, but I held it in. She nodded soon enough—curious, clearly.
"Ricoris, have a good talk with the humans."
Not her usual frost—a mother's worried tone. Frostia had really changed.
Okay!
Her petals swayed joyfully—like a kid before a field trip.
We concealed ourselves in the passage to the depths, masking our presence. Perfect spot: full view of Ricoris, out of human sight.
So, what will you do, Ricoris?
Excitement bubbled in my chest, like awaiting a theater premiere. I peeked at Frostia—she felt it too.
The humans would arrive soon... What show would Ricoris put on?