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Rednal29: I hope you like it. As a mater of fact, I really hope you'll like it. But if you've read my other stuff, prepare to be confused. Otherwise, don't worry. Oh, and review, please?

Servant of the Prince

Chapter 001-Selene

Inside of a high-tech lab, somewhere in the nation of Soria...

"It's complete. Finally... She's finished... The perfect cyborg... When I present her to the King, I'm sure to be rewarded most handsomely... They'll finally listen to my theories... Oh, how I've waited for this day. All that remains is for me to push that one tiny little button! And when she starts talking and moving, I'll be famous!" A Scientist said, cackling madly. He pressed a button on a console next to him, and all of the fluid inside a tank started draining out. As it drained away, the figure inside could be seen more clearly. It was a white-skinned girl of 14 years or so, with long silver hair. Her left eye was fiery red, and her right was icy blue. The Scientist had clothed her in a slightly revealing female maid's outfit, which was a blouse and skirt, plus long socks and some type of shoe. And underwear, of course, but that didn't show. She was very beautiful, just as she had been designed to be. Most of her mechanical components were either where some of her bones would be or hidden from sight. The only visible mechanical component of her body was a camoflauged slot on the back of her neck, where data could be inserted and downloaded. Otherwise, it was all covered by flesh. Her ears were pointed. She was half-elf, after all, the other half being literally mechanical.

"Uh..." the girl moaned. She blinked a few times.
"Ah... It worked!" the Scientist said jubilantly.
"Query. What worked?" the girl asked, looking at the Scientist.

"You, my dear, were created. Not born like most things, but created. By me. You're the first of a brand new group of beings!" the Scientist replied happily.
"...Illogical." the girl said, confused.

"I know it sounds like it is, but it's not. This is perfect!" the Scientist replied, almost dancing with joy.
"Illogical. Nothing is perfect." the girl said.

"What I mean is, you're working exactly as I had hoped you would." the Scientist explained, calming down enough to make sure the girl had no real visible mechanical parts.

"...Oh. Query. Would you expand my vocabulary so that I may better understand you?" the girl asked.
"Sure. Hold on a second." the Scientist said, going over to a table.

"Illogical. I cannot grasp time, since it is immaterial."

"..." was the Scientist's reply. After several long moments, he slapped himself on the forehead and pulled a chip out of a pocket, blew some lint off of it, and inserted it into a slot on the back of the girl's neck.

"Processing new data..................................... Upload of expanded vocabulary complete. Thank you." the girl said.
"You're welcome." the Scientist replied, removing the chip from the girl's neck. The insertion slot closed perfectly, to prevent anything from getting inside the girl. "Now, I am going to present you as a gift to the King and Queen of Soria."

"...You wish to gain favor in their eyes, and I am the means to that." the girl said, understanding completely. She didn't mind, either.

"Yes. Your skills are excellent in every aspect, so you should be able to do an admirable job!" the Scientist said happily.

"..........Query." the girl said, a little hesitantly.

"You can ask me anything at any time." the Scientist replied.

"What will occur if their majesties are not pleased with me?" the girl asked, traces of vervousness in her voice, a relatively strong showing of the elf part of her brain.
"Well, I do not think that will happen." the Scientist replied.

"Oh. Query. What is my name?" the girl asked, finally.
".............Let me think. I totally forgot about giving you a name." the Scientist muttered.

"A program must have a name in order to be saved." the girl said.

"Yes, I know. Hmm..... Do you like the name Selene?" the Scientist asked.
"Selene is acceptable. Saving data, name "Selene"." the girl, who was now Selene, said. Tiny lines of text ran across her pupils for a second or so.

"Well, shall we get going?" the Scientist asked, rubbing his hands together eagerly.
"Response. If that is your wish." Selene replied. They went over to a transport, and were teleported to the castle. Or, to be specific, a little ways outside the castle.

"Now, my dear, follow me." the Scientist said, getting out of the transport to walk towards the castle.

"Response. Yes, sir." Selene said, following him. They walked up to the front gate, where a pair of guards crossed their blades, directly across the entrance to prevent the two from passing.

"State your name and business." the first guard said sternly.

"I am Professor Scilio, and I come bearing a gift for their majesties." the Scientist named Scilio said.

"Aye. I heard that you were going to be arriving soon, with a gift for their majesties. But I did not hear what." the second guard said, nodding.

"Well... My gift is this girl. She is part elf, part machine. The first of her kind." Scilio explained.

"..." was the second guard's response. He and the first guard looked at Selene closely. "Wow."

"Amazing. Maybe you're not crazy after all." the first guard said, stroking his stubbly beard.

"Who said that I was!?" Scilio demanded.

"Ah, just a rumor I heard. Pass, friend." the first guard said. He and the other guard uncrossed their blades, and Scilio and Selene walked into the castle, then into the audience hall. A messenger greeted them as they walked in.

"Please state your names and why you wish to see their majesties." the Messenger said.

"I am Professor Scilio, and I come with a gift for their majesties. Something that cannot be found anywhere else in the world." Scilio explained.

"I will return with their response." the Messenger said. He got up, went across the large hall, and spoke with the king for a moment. Then, he walked back over to Scilio and Selene.

"The King has granted you permission to approach." the Messenger said calmly. Scilio and Selene walked over to the King and Queen.

"Professor Scilio! Finally completed your work, have you?" the King asked, smiling.
"What strange thing have you made this time?" the Queen asked, somewhat interested.
"I call it a cyborg." Scilio replied politely.

"And... What is a cyborg?" the King asked.
"Part elf, part machine. It wasn't easy, your majesties. But I have completed the first one, an intelligent being. Nothing like it can be found anywhere else on the planet." Scilio explained.

"Where is it?" the King asked, very interested now.
"Right next to me. Her name is Selene." Scilio explained.

"You named... her? And why is it a her?" the Queen asked.

"Well... Being part machine, she thinks and such as a computer would. That should change as I create new programs, which will expand things like her vocabulary, cooking skills, and that sort of thing. But to computers, something must have a name in order to be saved. And being part elf, there has to be a gender. I felt that the first Cyborg should be female, so that's how she was made." Scilio explained. "It seemed fitting, as in a way she's the mother of a race. Her core data is what's going to go into every other Cyborg."

"Impressive. Approach, Selene." the King commanded.

"In presence of royalty. Activating appropriate greeting program." Selene said. She walked forward and kneeled in front of the King. "You are the esteemed King Dano and Queen Nora of Soria. It is an honor to meet you, your majesties."

"Well, she's even polite! Very impressive indeed, Professor Scilio." the Queen said, forgetting that Selene was a completely intelligent being.

"She is my gift to you." Scilio reminded them.

"Really?" the Queen asked. She hac completely forgotten about that. "Well... We would be honored to accept such a wonderful thing."

Selene was silent after these words were spoken.
"Thank you very much, milady. Ah, there is one more thing..." Scilio began.

"What?" the King asked promptly.
"She was completed only a little while ago, so it is possible that there may be a few bugs in her system that somehow evaded my scans. If she starts acting strange, all you need to do is send for me. I'll whip up a program that will set her right in a jiffy." Scilio explained. Selene got back up and moved back a few steps until she was back at her creator's side.

"Illogical. Why would you whip a program? A program is data, and whipping it would only damage its storage utility." Selene said.

"Huh?" the King asked. The Queen had a very similar reaction.
"She may be like that from time to time. The expanded vocabulary I installed a few minutes ago is still being uncoded, so she will not understand things such as common slang." Scilio explained.

"Ah. You have still done a very good job. What exactly does she do?" the King asked.
"I made her so that she would be able to do maidwork, healing, and a few other things. She's not built for physical combat, though. She can use a few spells, but nothing extremely destructive. They're mostly defense and healing ones. If you wish for soldier cyborgs, I can easily make some for you. But I couldn't make it so that she didn't need to eat and such, so she will need to be fed." Scilio replied calmly.

"I shall think about ordering some soldier ones. We are pleased with your work. You may go." the King said regally.

"Do stop by sometime for lunch, so you can explain exactly how this fascinating being works." the Queen added. Selene was silent while these words were spoken, at least verbaly.

Illogical. Why do they refer to me as if I do not have feelings? Her computer mind asked. Scilio, meantime, bowed very low and left.

"Well, Selene, I believe I shall have you be a servant to my son. Any objections?" the King asked.
"Response. None, sire." Selene replied.

"Good. Guard!" the King said. A guard walked up swiftly, obedient to his king's commands.

"Yes, sire?" the Guard asked.
"Please show her where Prince Rai's chambers are. She is a new servant here, and will be serving my son directly." the King said, indicating Selene as the target for escort.

"Yes, sire!" the Guard replied, saluting. "Follow me." he added to Selene.

"Response. Okay." Selene said, nodding. The Guard lead Selene to one of the towers, up a few sets of stairs, and into a small hall that had only one door. The door itself was of a rich mahogany wood, with gold on the borders of the frame. A large tapestry depicting a dragon atop a pile of treasure adorned the wall opposite the door. The Guard took off a metal glove and knocked on the door.

"What?" a young male voice called through the door.
"Their majesties have decreed that this girl is to be your personal servant." the Guard replied respectfully. The door to the room opened, revealing a boy about 14 years old, the same as Selene appeared to be. His hair was jet black, and reached the top of his neck. His eyes were golden, and seemed to be able to captivate almost any female who gazed into them, much to the boy's displeasure. His clothes were only somewhat fancy, and completely black, since he preferred to have simpler things instead of elaborate robes like his parents. He was an inch taller then Selene. As was the case with all of the royal family, he was an elf. As soon as she saw the prince's face, Selene bowed.

"Activating greeting program. Prince Rai of Soria, my new master." Selene said.

"The guy who made her, Professor Scilio, said something about her being half elf, half machine." the Guard explained.

"Really? Cool. Come on in." Rai said, opening the door wider. Selene stepped into the room, and Rai shut the door carefully. "So, you're really half machine?" Rai asked. Machines were new in his world, having been invented in a distant country.
"I am approximately half machine." Selene replied.

"...How do you work?" Rai asked, flopping onto the bed.
"The one who made me, Professor Scilio, found a way to fuse biological systems with mechanical ones." Selene explained. Rai noted that she hadn't really answer the question.

"...Well, whatever. You won't have too much work to do, so you can chill most of the time." Rai replied.

"...Illogical. I cannot lower the temperature of my body below a certain amount with my current systems." Selene said, very confused.

"...That's not what I meant. What I meant was "You can relax"."

"...Oh." Selene said, working to understand this use of the word 'Chill'.

"Well, this day has certainly been interesting. And my parents finally let me have my own servant... A hot chick, no less." Rai said, smiling.

"Illogical." Selene said, sitting down in a chair.

"Huh?" Rai asked, confused.
"I am neither much warmer then the avarage elf body temperature nor a young bird." Selene said.

"..........................I think that you need to have your vocabulary expanded to include slang." Rai said, looking at Selene carefully.

"Illogical course of action. Professor Scilio has already expanded my vocabulary. It has not finished being processed, though." Selene replied.

"...Oh. Well, maybe you'll understand when it finishes. By "hot chick", I meant "really cute girl"." Rai explained.

"...Query. How did "hot chick" come to mean "really cute young female"?" Selene asked.

"...Why would I know?" Rai replied.
"You said the phrase, and informed me as to its meaning, so logic says that you might know how it happened." Selene explained.

"'Might' being the keyword. I don't." Rai replied.

"Response. Understood." Selene said.

"What's your name?" Rai asked, changing the subject.

"Selene."

"Okay. Anyways, Selene, it's almost time for my sparring session. Do you want to watch?" Rai asked.
"Response. I am your servant, and obligated to follow and assist you." Selene replied.

"Forget your obligations. I'm asking if you want to or not." Rai said.

"Processing query. Answer: Yes." Selene said.

"Good. Follow me." Rai said, getting up. He and Selene went down to the area where a lot of young people were using wooden blades in swordplay practice.

"...Logical." Selene said, looking at them.

"What is?" Rai asked, beginning to get used to her odd way of speech.
"It is logical to use weapons made out of wood instead of using weapons made out of metal when training. If you get hit, then, you will not be severely injured." Selene explained.

"Exactly why we use wooden weapons." Rai said, grinning. He walked over to the Armsmaster, and waited several moments before he was noticed.

"Prince Rai! And..." the Armsmaster said, looking at Selene.

"My new servant, Selene. She's a little... odd." Rai said.

"Well, here everybody is odd. Every last one of them." the Armsmaster said, grinning as he indicated the in-training knights. Selene was silent as the Armsmaster tossed Rai a wooden sword, which Rai easily caught.

"Galin will be your opponent today. He's a tough one." the Armsmaster said, pointing to somebody who was just standing in the practice area.

"Probably not tough enough." Rai replied confidently. He went over to the only knight-in-training who wasn't fighting somebody else. This boy had quite large muscles, evidence of his heavy training. "You're Galin?"
"Yeah. Don't expect me to go easy on you just because you're royalty." Galin said, smirking.

"...Logical." Selene said. She quickly stepped backward so that she wouldn't interfere in the fight.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Rai said, smirking. He began sparring with Galin, using his own unique style.

"...Logical." Selene said, watching Rai carefully. "Master Rai has developed a style of fighting which allows him to penetrate an opening in the enemy's defense, and strike the enemy very quickly. It also seems to involve a minimum of effort on his part, so he could do it for a long time. Very logical, and hard to predict. Approval Rating: 9 out of 10." Rai heard this and smirked.

"She's really weird... In a good way." the boy said. He thrusted his blade forward, stopping it right before it would have struck Galin's neck. "I win."

"Logical. In sparring, a win is gained by a strike that would incapacitate or kill an opponent. A neck strike is enough to win." Selene said, stating the obvious.

"That servant girl is weird..." Galin said, looking at Selene.

"She's half machine. What do you expect?" Rai asked, shrugging. An arrow flew out of nowhere, and hit Rai in his right lung. "AAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHHH!!!!" the boy yelled, crumpling to the ground.
"Armsmaster! We need a medic! Prince Rai has been hit with an arrow!" Galin yelled. The Armsmaster had already left, knowing that staying would only lower Rai's chances of survival.

Master Rai has been shot. Query to self. Do I use my healing magic? Response. Yes. Selene said she thought with her computer mind, it took about a nanosecond. Selene rushed over to Rai, and bent over his chest.

"" Selene said, invoking an incantation for healing magic.The arrow popped out of Rai's side, and his wound began to heal at an incredible speed.

"Huh... That was interesting." Rai said, sitting up after several seconds.

"Tracking path of arrow. Area of origin... East Tower. Second floor." Selene said.

"I'll tell the guards!" Galin said, running towards the East Tower.

"An assassin?" Somebody asked.
"Why would they attack Prince Rai, and not one of his parents?" another kid asked.
"Pipe down, kids! Into the barracks! Prince Rai, do you need to rest?" the Swordsmaster, main teacher of the squires, asked, concerned.
"No, I'm fine. Selene's healing magic is quite potent." Rai said, waving the buff man off.

"Oh... Thank you, girl." the Swordsmaster said, more then a little grateful. He and everybody else respected Rai, and more then a little.

"Error." Selene said. "There is no need to thank me. It was my duty to save his life. Magic-weilding healers would not have arrived in time to save his life. My healing magic was strong enough to save him." the girl explained.

"Well, whatever. You have my thanks, anyway. Rai is a talented warrior, and it would be a shame to lose him." the Swordsmaster said.

"Processing." Selene said. There were several moments of silence after this. "Response. Logical. It would not be good for Master Rai to lose his life. There are no other people who could inherit the throne of Soria." After these words were spoken, everybody in the vicinity got a look on their faces suggesting they had absolutely no idea how to respond. Moments later, a team of healers, a group of guards, the King and Queen, various other people, and the Armsmaster ran in. And they all saw that Rai was perfectly fine.

"Rai!" the Queen said, running over to Rai before embracing him fiercely. "What happened!? Where's the wound!?" she asked.

"It was an arrow in my right lung, mother. But Selene, the girl you assigned as my servant, used magic to heal it." Rai replied. A bunch of the guards ran off when Selene pointed to the East Tower, and said it was where the assassin had come from.

"....Impressive. Not even a scar. Professor Scilio made you very skilled with magic." the King said to Selene.

"Error. I am only skilled in restorative and defensive magic. My combat spells are very low level, limited to a small fireball, a small orb of water, a single needle of ice, a weak bolt of lightning, and a slight breeze." Selene said. "I am not suited for combat."

"Well, whatever. So he made you skilled in healing." the King said dismissively.

"So... We owe a great deal to you, girl." the Queen said thoughtfully.

"Error. I am owed nothing. I was assigned to assist Prince Rai, and I was the only one with healing magic close enough to be able to save his life." Selene replied.

"You saved his life, so you are entitled to something. Just name something you want, and I shall see what I can do." the Queen said, refusing to take 'no' as an answer.

"...Processing. Response. Dinner would be... nice... at this time." Selene said, looking up.

"Hmm... You're right! It is time for dinner! Come with us, girl, I shall let you sit at the main table." the Queen said, getting up.

"Illogical. Servants are resticted to the lower tables." Selene said, blinking.

"So I'll promote you to a resident of the castle, who is well known and always welcome." Rai said, grinning.

"...Illogical. I would no longer be a servant." Selene replied.

"You can be both." Rai countered.

"...Logical. Barely."

"Well, then... Let's go eat!" the Queen said. All of the knights-in-training cheered, since none of them had gone into the barracks as ordered.

"Finally!" one of the kids said.

"You kids get enough to eat, and you know it!" the Armsmaster snapped at the boy.
"So? Dinner's the best time of the day! We can sit down and chow down!" the same boy replied jubilantly.

"Processing information acquired earlier. Conclusion. The knights-in-training are somewhat odd. Cannot make full assesment due to lack of conclusive data from each knight-in-training." Selene said, smiling to herself.

"...She's weird. In a mechanical kind of way." the King said, raising an eyebrow in that way only a King can manage. Everybody went to the main hall, and a line of cooks started serving food. The eating place here was different from what most castles had. While most Castles were excessively formal at mealtimes, at Soria Palace it was a fun time. People were free to chat, even with the King if they wanted to. People mingled among all others, often of different ranks, and so forth. All in all, it was most people's favorite time of day.

"...Logical." Selene said, looking around from her seat ath the High Table.
"Huh?" Rai asked.
"Allowing a large amount of freedom to the guards, servants, and slaves improves their attitude towards the royal family. Thus, they are less likely to assist in an uprising or attempt assassination." Selene explained.

"Somebody tried to kill me earlier today." Rai pointed out.

"Response. The person who did that was not wearing the uniform of a guard. The person was also unusually dark skinned, with what I believe is called a "tan of the skin"." Selene explained.

"A tan, eh? Yeah..... Sounds about right." Rai said, not really explaining anything. He and Selene both let the matter drop. Soon, everybody was seated and began to exchange food, passing plates as requested. And, of course, they chatted with their friends. A messenger came in a few minutes after they started eating.

"Sire, Nobleman Dotho wishes to speak with you." the Messenger said. Since he was not a resident of the Castle, Dotho and those like him still had to go through procedures to see the King, even during meals.

"On what?" the King asked, popping a grape into his mouth.
"He would not say." the Messenger replied.

"Send him in." the King said, shrugging. The messenger bowed and left. A few minutes later, a new person walked in. He was human, like most of the servants, and looked like may have been in the sun a lot recently.

"...Query." Selene said, looking at him.

"Yes?" Rai asked.
"Is Nobleman Dotho a 'nice' person?" Selene asked.
"Not really. Why do you ask?" Rai replied.
"Mechanical system "Aura Sensor" reads a violent aura coming from him. Recommendation: Be cautious. Very cautious." Selene recommended.

"I always am when Dotho is in the area." Rai replied, showing Selene a small dagger he had in one of his sleeves. Meanwhile, Dotho walked up to the main table, and knelt before the Royal Family for a moment. As he stood up, he noticed Selene sitting at the table.

"Is that... A servant... At the high table?" Dotho asked incredulously.
"She's my personal servant, and I've decided to keep her with me at all times." Rai replied, a slight warning tone in his voice.

"...I was under the impression that you already had servants." Dotho said.

"Those ones work for the castle, and were simply assigned to help me with stuff. Personal servants are completely different. They're to do whatever you tell them, and their loyalty is directly to you." Rai countered, the warning a little more forceful this time.

"Humph. But still... Seating her at the table reserved for royalty and the most honored guests?" Dotho asked.
"The girl saved my son's life a little while ago. She has earned a place at this table." the Queen said.

"I see." Dotho said musingly.

"Now, what is it that you wanted, besides some of this excellent cider?" the King asked, holding up a large jug.

"It has come to my attention that you recently ordered a tax decrease." Dotho said.

"We're making plenty of money. Besides, it is good to cut taxes now and then. If people have more money, they can be happier! And a kingdom whose citizens are happy is a successful one. They will object less or not at all if I start an ambitious project. They won't mind so much if we must start a draft for soldiers. On the contrary, they'll probably sign up if we must go to war! Happy and moderately wealthy citizens are a very good thing." the King replied.

"But... Cutting the food tax? That means less for us." Dotho asked.

"And more for them! We have plenty! Just look around. We can feast every night, and still have extra! In fact, I ought to lower the food tax again sometime. We don't need much extra food right now. We have enough to last us a year if we're ever under seige! What's the point of having more?" the King asked.
"That's not the point. If they get too relaxed, our enemies will see us as weak. We must rule them with an iron fist, or be destroyed." Dotho said fiercely.

"Illogical..." Selene said quietly.

"What?" Dotho asked, looking at her.
"Having a certain percent more food and gold will not weaken the kingdom of Soria. According to my calculations, it should make it stronger." Selene said.

"Who asked you, girl?" Dotho asked, sneering. Selene didn't reply. Instead, she looked away.

"Humph. If that's all... I don't see what you're complaining about. My father and my servant are absolutely correct. We will not be seen as weak. Instead, we will be envied for being so prosperous. It's the best course of action." Rai said, stubbornly.

"Humph. Well, if that's how you feel... Why were you attacked? It couldn't have been one of your happy little commoner friends..." Dotho replied. Rai was silent for a bit.

"Analyzing record of attacker........... Matching to known people............................." Selene whispered.

"What are you doing now?" Rai asked, watching streams of data fly across Selene's pupils and irises. "Wow. That look pretty cool."

"What is with that girl? She's possessed or something." Dotho said, eyeing Selene with distaste before stepping away from her.

"Nope. She's half machine." Rai replied. "I'll thank you to be more polite to her."

"Analysis complete. Um........................................... Query." Selene said, very hesitantly.

"Yes?" Rai prompted.
"Do you... think I would lie to you?" Selene asked, a tad nervously.

"You sound more like a normal person now. Maybe that vocabulary of yours is finally growing. No, I don't think you would lie to me. Why?" Rai of analysis may seem hard to believe.... It could be wrong. But there is only a 5 chance of that." Selene explained.

"So?" Rai replied. "Tell me what your computer is saying."
Selene whispered something into Rai's ear.

".........You must really trust that girl, if you've allowed her to become so close to your son." Dotho said.

"She has proven herself trustworthy." the Queen replied heatedly.

"Interesting. Selene, I do not find that hard to accept at all." Rai said to his servant.

"Illogical." Selene replied.

"How?" Rai asked.
"My word against his. I am but a servant, who most would never listen to." Selene explained to her Prince.

"So? Actually, your conclusion is very logical." Rai said.

".....Accessing video file." Selene muttered. A tiny picture appeared on her pupils, and Selene watched it very carefully. She didn't seem to have any trouble seeing it clearly.

"................Chance of conclusion being wrong has receeded to 1." the girl said upon completion of watching the video clip.

"What the heck is she talking about?" Dotho asked.
"The archer who shot Master Rai earlier had a scar running across the edge of his right hand's middle finger." Selene said.

"You saw that?" the King asked earnestly.
"Affirmative." Selene said.

"That's interesting. Dotho has one exactly like that." the Queen said, raising her eyebrows.

"You think that I shot the Prince!?" Dotho asked, slamming his fist down on the table. "That's absurd!"

"Yes, I think you did shoot me. It's exactly the type of thing you would do." Rai said, folding his arms.

"What is this!? You would believe the words of that slip of a servant girl over mine, a nobleman appointed by the King's own hand!? I would never attack the Prince!" Dotho protested. Selene was silent at the barely concealed insult in Dotho's words.

"Well, why should we believe you? You've always wanted the commoners to have less wealth and less food, so that you could have more." Rai said.

"This-- This is outrageous! All of you have gone mad!" Dotho said.

"Illogical. The members of the royal family of Soria are all calm at this time, not enraged." Selene said.

"You... Girl... You've cast some sort of spell over them! You want my power!" Dotho said, pointing at her.
"Illogical. I do not desire the authority to rule over others. It goes against my programming." Selene replied calmly.

"...Programming? What is she, a computer?" Dotho asked.
"Partly. Didn't you hear what I said earlier?" Rai said.

"Guards! Arrest this traitorous dog!" the King shouted, pointing at Dotho. A bunch of guards quickly surrounded Dotho and dragged him off. He yelled and fought them the whole way. "Hmm.........."

"He sure is a rotten egg." the Queen said.

"Illogical. People cannot be eggs, and only rot when they cease to function." Selene said, blinking.

"It's an expression, dear." the Queen said patiently.

"...Note to self. Ask Professor Scilio to make sure expanded vocabulary includes "slang" terminology." Selene muttered.

"Hmm... I'll tell him that via messenger tomorrow morning. Who's still eating?" the King asked. Nobody replied. "Then you can go back to your duties, everybody!" the King said. Most of the Servants bustled out.

"Selene..." the Queen began.

"Yes, milady?" Selene asked.

"We need to find you a room. You'll need a bed and some blankets." the Queen said.

"That will not be necessary." Selene replied politely.

"Why?" the Queen asked.
"If needed, I can heat myself by engaging one of my systems." Selene said.

"But you still need somewhere to sleep." the Queen pointed out.

"An area near Master Rai's room would be beneficial to him. It does not matter to me where I rest." Selene said.

"Hmm.... I know! I'll probably be wanting her services in the morning." Rai said, in a 'Eureka!' moment.

"So..." the Queen prompted.

"She can use that spare room that's connected to mine!" Rai said.

"W-what!?" the King sputtered.

"Well, it's not like she'll be in the same room, so it's not improper. And I can call for her easily." Rai said, looking at his father as if he was slightly crazy.

"Processing data........." Selene said quietly.

"Well... If she doesn't mind... I suppose we could try it." the Queen said.

"Conclusion. Acceptable and Logical." Selene said, nodding.

"Well, then, I'll get a few of the servants bring up a mattress, some sheets, and several blankets." the King said. "I'm afraid we can't fit a full bed into the room you can use, but it shouldn't be an issue." He clapped his hands, and a trio of servants appeared.

"Yes, your majesty?" the first one asked.
"Bring a mattress, a pillow, and a set of sheets and blankets to the spare room that's connected to my son's main room." the King ordered.

"It shall be done immediately, sir." the second one said. All three bowed and hurried off.

"Well, everything should be ready by the time you two go upstairs to sleep for the night." the King said.
"Actually, I was planning on going upstairs pretty soon. Some reading before bed." Rai said.

"About what?" the Queen asked.

"Whatever seems interesting." Rai said, shrugging.

"Accessing image file... I saw no books inside your resting chamber. Were they in a chest?" Selene asked.
"No. I was going to the library to get a book." Rai said.

"...Logical."

"Of course it is. You coming?" Rai asked.
"Affirmative." Selene said, nodding. The two got up and left, Selene following Rai obediently.

"I should hire Professor Scilio. That creation of his is absolutely wonderful. Rai has never been so... open... before. He's usually so reserved." the King said, smiling.

"Our son's social skills seem to have greatly improved in such a little time... That girl is a marvel. We should definitely keep her around." the Queen added, nodding.

"Indeed." the King said.

Rai and Selene, a few minutes later, walked into the Royal Library. A librarian instantly went over and bowed to Rai.

"Are you looking for anything in particular, Prince Rai?" the Librarian asked.
"Not really. Maybe something with a bit of action, something exciting." Rai said.

"Those books will be in the back, on the right." the Librarian said, pointing.

"Thank you." Rai said. He and Selene went over to the back area, and Rai started looking around for a good book. "I didn't know we had this many of the fantasy type..." the boy muttered. "What looks interesting to you?" he added to Selene. The girl reached out a hand and pulled out a book that was about some Knight and how he became good friends with a mighty dragon, and ended up saving the world.

"This one would appear to be different from the usual flow of stories, and keep your interest." Selene said.

"Okay. We'll just take that one upstairs." Rai said.

"Error. We must first check it out, if I accessed the data about libraries correctly." Selene said.
"..I was going to do that." Rai said.

"...Oh." Selene said, somewhat embarassed. They went over to the checkout area, checked-out the book, and went upstairs to Rai's room. "Query. Will my services be required any more today?"
"I don't think so. You can relax, and do whatever you want." Rai said. Selene was silent for several moments, thinking for about 3 seconds. Which, considering that her thoughts were thought at pretty much the speed of light when she used her computer's processor, meant that she thought a great deal.

"Query. Where may I acquire a brush for my hair?" the Girl asked.
"There should be one in the bathroom somewhere. I had the servants stock the place with everything they could think of." Rai said.

"Thank you." Selene said. She went into the bathroom, returned with a brush, and starts to brush her hair. Rai started reading.

"So, you are a little vain after all." Rai said, hiding a grin.

"...I like my hair, and intend for it to look good. Dirty and unkempt hair will degrade me in the eyes of others." Selene explained. Rai raised an eyebrow at this remark.

"What about making them think better of you?" the Prince asked.
"I wish to have that happen by my actions, not my looks or words." Selene answered. She brushed her hair for about 20 minutes, making sure it was very nice looking, even though she would probably mess it up during the night. "Query."

"Hm?" Rai asked.
"Were you planning to take a shower at this time?" Selene asked.
"Nope. I'm guessing that you want to, though." Rai replied, grinning.
"Affirmative." Selene said, nodding.

"Go ahead. I shower in the morning."

"Saving data." Selene said quietly. Tiny lines of text once again run across her pupils and irises.

"...That looks so weird." Rai commented. Selene looked at him, confused. "That text going across your pupils..."

"Oh." Selene said. She went into the bathroom, took a shower, and re-emerged in some nightclothes. She looked somewhat cleaner, and smelled cleaner too. Her normal clothes were bundled up and being carried by her rather strong arms. Rai didn't make a sound, he was still reading his book. "Good night, Master Rai. If you need me, just call my name."

"Right."

"...Query." Selene said after several moments.

"Shoot." Rai said.

"Illogical."

"It means "Go ahead, ask"." Rai replied, used to her lack of understanding for slang by now.

"Oh. Would you be averse to me erecting a protective shield around your bed for the night, so that assassins cannot harm you?" the girl asked.
"Go ahead."

"Affirmative. " Selene said. A half-circle of energy appeared around Rai's bed. "It will dissapate at seven in the morning. Air will flow through it, but nothing else can get in."

"Cool. Thanks." Rai said, looking at it, impressed. Selene bowed and went into her room. Because of how it was set up, Rai could hear everything she did or said.

"Saving data of day's events to memory." the boy heard Selene say. A moment later, he heard Selene slide under the covers of her makeshift bed. She rather quickly fell asleep.

"Interesting." Rai said

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