Episode 85. The Princess's Tailor Shop (4)
Kalin's face turned pale as if she had realized it. She wanted to step on her until she turned blue.
However, making a fuss by accusing her of insulting the imperial family during a competition was not good for Her Highness.
"What do you want to do? Do you want to admit your mistake and apologize now, or should I formally report your words and actions?"
I lowered my voice gloomily.
"Including how you exploit your fellow cadets."
"What kind of person is Misha..."
"You shouldn't say 'Misha' in your mouth from now on. Let's weigh them. Which is heavier, Misha or insulting the imperial family?"
Kalin's breathing was ragged.
"I'm going to take this dress to Her Highness right now. If you're still here when I get back, then..."
"Wow... Aah!"
It happened in an instant. Her Highness Milliora burst out of the changing room in her petticoat, rushed at Kalin, and slapped her in the face.
The force was enough to make her long silver hair flutter and fly into the air.
Kalin was so shocked that she couldn’t even scream properly, so she covered her face and froze.
However, Her Highness Milliora was not satisfied and shouted.
“Why, is this your first time seeing an illegitimate child? It seems that the Viscount Ankart has never had an illegitimate child?”
There is no family without an illegitimate child. Because such a perfect world has never existed.
“That, that’s not it...”
“That is truly noble. All the men of the empire should follow the example of Ankart! Is it because you have such a noble mouth that you don’t fear for your life when you talk about me?”
Kalin Ankart’s hair, which had been neatly tied up, was disheveled and her face was pale as if all of her soul had been sucked out of it. It was a sight that didn’t even need an apology.
The Princess suddenly turned around and shouted at me.
“I told you to rest if you’re sick, didn’t I? Why did you run into something weird while wandering around? You made me feel bad!”
“I’m sorry...”
Before I could even apologize, the Princess looked at the dress in my arms and smiled with one corner of her mouth raised.
“My maid has already protected the dress, so let’s put it on. What are you doing?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
We left Kalin Ankart behind and went to the changing room.
Her delicate body, which was in the lead, looked so confident at that moment.
As we closed the changing room door, the manager and the clerk from earlier knelt in front of her. It seemed that the clerk had informed the manager of the situation and that the Princess had found out.
“I have hurt Your Highness’ feelings with this unpleasant incident! Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
However, the Princess only spoke coldly.
“What’s wrong with the manager? Isn’t the manager also having a hard time because of those kids? Put some clothes on. I think I’ll wear this and go to the party.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
The manager, who had escaped the lightning, brightened and began to serve her.
I sat down and watched her put on the dress.
I didn’t know that Kalin Ankart’s personality was originally so persistent and tenacious, but that blue dress was certainly tempting.
It seemed as if it was made to highlight the long, flowing silver hair of the Princess.
Not only was Her Highness Milliora beautiful, but I couldn’t believe what had just happened.
‘She’s stepping up for me...’
In fact, I had only thought of Her Highness Milliora as a childish and spoiled member of the royal family. However, her actions earlier were quite touching.
I thought of Prince Kydel without realizing it.
‘Your Majesty, this is how you make a woman fall in love with you!’
“Oh!”
Why did I think of that person and make a fuss? I shook my head in surprise at my behavior.
At that moment, Her Highness Milliora turned to me, fully dressed in her dress.
“How is it?”
“Oh my, you’re beautiful!”
“Huh. You always say that.”
“What can I do when you’re always beautiful! But today, you look especially good. Your eye for it is truly extraordinary.”
“The maid who noticed it also has the same eye for it.”
Perhaps because they had safely overcome what could have been a major crisis, the manager was in a good mood.
When we left the store, Kalin Ankart and the maid were nowhere to be seen.
The manager whispered to me that she had decided not to accept guests from the Ankarts anymore. She told me to tell Her Highness.
After I got into the carriage, I opened my mouth slightly.
“Your Highness, earlier...”
“What, that earlier incident? Done. I’ll protect my maid. Who else would? That Ankart girl is so arrogant because she’s so famous at the academy. Where’s that local Viscount! I should’ve discouraged her once.”
“No, that’s not it...”
I opened my mouth to naturally thank her. However, when Her Highness Milliora started to show off, I wanted to tease her a little. When I said that wasn’t the case, Her Highness’s face immediately distorted.
I quickly said,
“That’s right. Just as I fought to protect Your Highness’ dress, Your Highness should protect me. You just threw your arms in the air, and I felt so relieved! You did a great job, Your Highness!”
“Ha... This is very...!”
“What I mean is, I met Prince Kydel in the waiting room earlier.”
“Huh? Didn’t the manager say that my brother came?”
“I thought he came alone? I don’t know the circumstances, but I just wanted to tell you that I ran into him. I think His Highness Grayon is also interested in this party.”
“Hmm, really?”
The Princess said and turned her head out the window.
I told her about my meeting with Prince Kydel first because it was for the sake of the future.
I didn’t want Her Highness to think that I was secretly meeting him behind her back.
I approached her, who had become sullen, and said,
“I was so touched that you protected me earlier...”
Milliora shrugged her shoulders at my words, but didn’t look back at me.
“Your Highness was just as dependable as Sir Rond earlier! Thank you very much, Your Highness.”
“Huh. Of course. What do you think of me as?”
“Oh, that’s right. I was wrong, Your Highness. You’ve always been a brave person.”
I saw a slight blush on her cheeks. I felt that she was somehow taking a liking to me.
The fourth contest question was probably going to be revealed after this visit from the messenger. There was still a week left until the party, so I thought I could take it easy a little.
It might have been because of Misha’s visit, but I actually wanted to see the Count.
When I returned to the Count’s residence, my room was as clean as ever. It was thanks to Teria.
“Lorisha.”
The Count came to my room before I went to say hello and hugged me tightly.
I was taken aback by the sudden action, but I didn’t hate it because I felt that the Count missed me and was worried about me.
The Count let me go and said, as if he were angry.
“Was it that hard to send a letter?”
“I thought the Count would know everything about the palace... Actually, there wasn’t much good news.”
The Count answered with a drooling voice.
My palace life had been full of ups and downs, starting with the beatings from the chief maid. It wouldn’t have been easy for the Count to pretend not to know about it, even though he knew all about it.
“I’m still doing it somehow...”
“Somehow?”
The Count’s voice rose sharply, and I unconsciously straightened my back and swallowed hard.
“No one could have done better than that, Lorisha.”
“...!”
I muttered a curse under my breath. Tears welled up in my eyes.
I don’t think I’ve ever expected any support or recognition from the Count before, but why did those words make my heart swell so much... When I finally turned around and wiped away my tears, the Count reached out his hand in embarrassment. But I smiled again and sat down in front of him.
“It seems the competition has been suspended for the time being. The results of the third competition haven’t even been announced... Didn’t you hear anything, Count?”
“Lorisha. When you get home, clear your mind. It’s very important to distinguish between work and rest.”
Home.
My heart pounded at those words.
I was living a life where tomorrow was unpredictable, and I didn’t know when I would be able to leave the palace. I felt I had to say it now.
“I... After the competition is over and I leave the palace, I’m thinking of looking for a place to live. The salary I get from the palace isn’t that low. I’m thinking of getting a small room in the city and then looking for a tutor position.”
“...”
The Count moved his lips several times, but he couldn’t continue speaking easily.
“Is that your decision?”
“No. It’s my dream.”
“...You rascal.”
I gasped. Those were the harshest words I’d ever heard from the Count.
I bit my lip as tears welled up in my eyes. I was puzzled as to why I was acting like this.
It’s not like an adult would cry over living alone, but I guess I wasn’t an adult yet.
The Count stared at the wall for a while in silence before opening his mouth.
“What do you think the contest will be like?”
“I think the results will be announced once the Agael messenger returns and iron production gets back on track, but I have a feeling that His Majesty is wasting time.”
“Lorisha. The contest is still ongoing.”
“...?”
“The third contest isn’t over yet.”
I got up from my seat, a chill running down my spine.
The Count looked straight at me and spoke.
Kalin's face turned pale as if she had realized it. She wanted to step on her until she turned blue.
However, making a fuss by accusing her of insulting the imperial family during a competition was not good for Her Highness.
"What do you want to do? Do you want to admit your mistake and apologize now, or should I formally report your words and actions?"
I lowered my voice gloomily.
"Including how you exploit your fellow cadets."
"What kind of person is Misha..."
"You shouldn't say 'Misha' in your mouth from now on. Let's weigh them. Which is heavier, Misha or insulting the imperial family?"
Kalin's breathing was ragged.
"I'm going to take this dress to Her Highness right now. If you're still here when I get back, then..."
"Wow... Aah!"
It happened in an instant. Her Highness Milliora burst out of the changing room in her petticoat, rushed at Kalin, and slapped her in the face.
The force was enough to make her long silver hair flutter and fly into the air.
Kalin was so shocked that she couldn’t even scream properly, so she covered her face and froze.
However, Her Highness Milliora was not satisfied and shouted.
“Why, is this your first time seeing an illegitimate child? It seems that the Viscount Ankart has never had an illegitimate child?”
There is no family without an illegitimate child. Because such a perfect world has never existed.
“That, that’s not it...”
“That is truly noble. All the men of the empire should follow the example of Ankart! Is it because you have such a noble mouth that you don’t fear for your life when you talk about me?”
Kalin Ankart’s hair, which had been neatly tied up, was disheveled and her face was pale as if all of her soul had been sucked out of it. It was a sight that didn’t even need an apology.
The Princess suddenly turned around and shouted at me.
“I told you to rest if you’re sick, didn’t I? Why did you run into something weird while wandering around? You made me feel bad!”
“I’m sorry...”
Before I could even apologize, the Princess looked at the dress in my arms and smiled with one corner of her mouth raised.
“My maid has already protected the dress, so let’s put it on. What are you doing?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
We left Kalin Ankart behind and went to the changing room.
Her delicate body, which was in the lead, looked so confident at that moment.
As we closed the changing room door, the manager and the clerk from earlier knelt in front of her. It seemed that the clerk had informed the manager of the situation and that the Princess had found out.
“I have hurt Your Highness’ feelings with this unpleasant incident! Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
However, the Princess only spoke coldly.
“What’s wrong with the manager? Isn’t the manager also having a hard time because of those kids? Put some clothes on. I think I’ll wear this and go to the party.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
The manager, who had escaped the lightning, brightened and began to serve her.
I sat down and watched her put on the dress.
I didn’t know that Kalin Ankart’s personality was originally so persistent and tenacious, but that blue dress was certainly tempting.
It seemed as if it was made to highlight the long, flowing silver hair of the Princess.
Not only was Her Highness Milliora beautiful, but I couldn’t believe what had just happened.
‘She’s stepping up for me...’
In fact, I had only thought of Her Highness Milliora as a childish and spoiled member of the royal family. However, her actions earlier were quite touching.
I thought of Prince Kydel without realizing it.
‘Your Majesty, this is how you make a woman fall in love with you!’
“Oh!”
Why did I think of that person and make a fuss? I shook my head in surprise at my behavior.
At that moment, Her Highness Milliora turned to me, fully dressed in her dress.
“How is it?”
“Oh my, you’re beautiful!”
“Huh. You always say that.”
“What can I do when you’re always beautiful! But today, you look especially good. Your eye for it is truly extraordinary.”
“The maid who noticed it also has the same eye for it.”
Perhaps because they had safely overcome what could have been a major crisis, the manager was in a good mood.
When we left the store, Kalin Ankart and the maid were nowhere to be seen.
The manager whispered to me that she had decided not to accept guests from the Ankarts anymore. She told me to tell Her Highness.
After I got into the carriage, I opened my mouth slightly.
“Your Highness, earlier...”
“What, that earlier incident? Done. I’ll protect my maid. Who else would? That Ankart girl is so arrogant because she’s so famous at the academy. Where’s that local Viscount! I should’ve discouraged her once.”
“No, that’s not it...”
I opened my mouth to naturally thank her. However, when Her Highness Milliora started to show off, I wanted to tease her a little. When I said that wasn’t the case, Her Highness’s face immediately distorted.
I quickly said,
“That’s right. Just as I fought to protect Your Highness’ dress, Your Highness should protect me. You just threw your arms in the air, and I felt so relieved! You did a great job, Your Highness!”
“Ha... This is very...!”
“What I mean is, I met Prince Kydel in the waiting room earlier.”
“Huh? Didn’t the manager say that my brother came?”
“I thought he came alone? I don’t know the circumstances, but I just wanted to tell you that I ran into him. I think His Highness Grayon is also interested in this party.”
“Hmm, really?”
The Princess said and turned her head out the window.
I told her about my meeting with Prince Kydel first because it was for the sake of the future.
I didn’t want Her Highness to think that I was secretly meeting him behind her back.
I approached her, who had become sullen, and said,
“I was so touched that you protected me earlier...”
Milliora shrugged her shoulders at my words, but didn’t look back at me.
“Your Highness was just as dependable as Sir Rond earlier! Thank you very much, Your Highness.”
“Huh. Of course. What do you think of me as?”
“Oh, that’s right. I was wrong, Your Highness. You’ve always been a brave person.”
I saw a slight blush on her cheeks. I felt that she was somehow taking a liking to me.
***
The fourth contest question was probably going to be revealed after this visit from the messenger. There was still a week left until the party, so I thought I could take it easy a little.
It might have been because of Misha’s visit, but I actually wanted to see the Count.
When I returned to the Count’s residence, my room was as clean as ever. It was thanks to Teria.
“Lorisha.”
The Count came to my room before I went to say hello and hugged me tightly.
I was taken aback by the sudden action, but I didn’t hate it because I felt that the Count missed me and was worried about me.
The Count let me go and said, as if he were angry.
“Was it that hard to send a letter?”
“I thought the Count would know everything about the palace... Actually, there wasn’t much good news.”
The Count answered with a drooling voice.
My palace life had been full of ups and downs, starting with the beatings from the chief maid. It wouldn’t have been easy for the Count to pretend not to know about it, even though he knew all about it.
“I’m still doing it somehow...”
“Somehow?”
The Count’s voice rose sharply, and I unconsciously straightened my back and swallowed hard.
“No one could have done better than that, Lorisha.”
“...!”
I muttered a curse under my breath. Tears welled up in my eyes.
I don’t think I’ve ever expected any support or recognition from the Count before, but why did those words make my heart swell so much... When I finally turned around and wiped away my tears, the Count reached out his hand in embarrassment. But I smiled again and sat down in front of him.
“It seems the competition has been suspended for the time being. The results of the third competition haven’t even been announced... Didn’t you hear anything, Count?”
“Lorisha. When you get home, clear your mind. It’s very important to distinguish between work and rest.”
Home.
My heart pounded at those words.
I was living a life where tomorrow was unpredictable, and I didn’t know when I would be able to leave the palace. I felt I had to say it now.
“I... After the competition is over and I leave the palace, I’m thinking of looking for a place to live. The salary I get from the palace isn’t that low. I’m thinking of getting a small room in the city and then looking for a tutor position.”
“...”
The Count moved his lips several times, but he couldn’t continue speaking easily.
“Is that your decision?”
“No. It’s my dream.”
“...You rascal.”
I gasped. Those were the harshest words I’d ever heard from the Count.
I bit my lip as tears welled up in my eyes. I was puzzled as to why I was acting like this.
It’s not like an adult would cry over living alone, but I guess I wasn’t an adult yet.
The Count stared at the wall for a while in silence before opening his mouth.
“What do you think the contest will be like?”
“I think the results will be announced once the Agael messenger returns and iron production gets back on track, but I have a feeling that His Majesty is wasting time.”
“Lorisha. The contest is still ongoing.”
“...?”
“The third contest isn’t over yet.”
I got up from my seat, a chill running down my spine.
The Count looked straight at me and spoke.
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