Episode 125. A Guest from the Distant Sea (3)
“That’s right, you married into a good family, so I'm harassing you... Sigh!”
“I’ll sleep over, Your Highness! I’ll go on a picnic with you tomorrow and then leave the palace. Yes?”
“Really?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“As expected of Lorisha! You know that, right? Once a maid, always a maid.”
“Hmm...”
Don’t you know?
But when Her Highness the Princess grabbed my hand and said something I’d never heard before, my heart softened and I couldn’t refuse.
Instead, Prince Kydel’s face kept circling around in my head.
He’d hate it if I told him I was staying out overnight.
“That’s right, you married into a good family, so I'm harassing you... Sigh!”
“I’ll sleep over, Your Highness! I’ll go on a picnic with you tomorrow and then leave the palace. Yes?”
“Really?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“As expected of Lorisha! You know that, right? Once a maid, always a maid.”
“Hmm...”
Don’t you know?
But when Her Highness the Princess grabbed my hand and said something I’d never heard before, my heart softened and I couldn’t refuse.
Instead, Prince Kydel’s face kept circling around in my head.
He’d hate it if I told him I was staying out overnight.
“Then I’ll go out and get ready, Your Highness.”
“Yes, yes. Hurry up and go.”
I went straight to the backyard.
Sir Rond, who had his shirt loosely unbuttoned and was swinging his wooden sword, looked much healthier than before.
He smiled brightly at me.
“Sir Rond!”
“Maid, no, Lady Kydel. What’s going on?”
“Because of the Smilean messenger.”
“Hmm.”
Lord Rond groaned with stress and stuck his wooden sword deep into the ground. I thought the wooden sword would disappear into the ground.
He was wiping his sweat indifferently, but for some reason, I felt scared of him today.
The Princess thinks that kind of man is cute. If we’re going to say cute, Prince Kydel would be better. If we compare objectively, that’s how it is.
Lord Rond furrowed one eyebrow as I absentmindedly lost myself in thought.
It seemed like everyone around me was rough today.
I asked, as if I was clearing my mind.
“You haven’t met that messenger yet, have you?”
“I saw him when I entered the Princess’s palace. He was exactly like a Smilean.”
I felt his hostility and continued the conversation awkwardly. It was rare for Lord Rond to show his emotions.
“It was strange that he had a sailor-like and noble look.”
“They are natural-born merchants. Lady Kydel should also be very careful.”
“Yes. I will.”
I was interested in Smilean, which had a complex culture at the junction of the continents, and studied it. However, judging from Her Highness the Princess and Lord Rond’s attitude, they did not have a favorable impression of Smilean.
“We decided to go on a picnic with the envoy to the forest of the palace tomorrow. You must come with me.”
“You decided to reinstate as a maid?”
“No way. That is why my position is difficult.”
He cut me off.
“Since you are here, please be nice. I think it would be nice not to have to see Young Lady Ankart treating me like her guard for a day.”
“What?”
She really seemed fearless, saying that to Lord Rond, who was part of the royal family.
When I was surprised, he simply added,
“Of course, that does not mean I agreed to it.”
“Of course, Lord Rond would not do that. Then, I will see you tomorrow.”
Since I was not a maid, I could not personally give instructions for the picnic preparations. So I sent word through Aria and returned to my old room.
The room I used as a maid was exactly the same as when I used it, except that my things were gone. It felt like time had gone back.
I felt hurt when I thought about why Her Highness the Princess had preserved my room. It felt like I had a younger sister who depended on me even though my mother didn’t give birth to her.
The sadness was short-lived, but when I turned my head and looked at the window, I couldn’t help but chuckle. I vividly remembered Prince Kydel climbing up the wall and coming in through that window.
Just like that...?
“Huh...”
Prince Kydel slammed the window shut nervously and approached me, grumbling.
“Do you really have to make your husband come like this?”
I mumbled, dumbfounded.
“Just come through the door... You’re coming to see your wife, so you don’t have to worry about what she thinks...”
I held back a laugh when I saw his eyes waver as if to say, “Oops.” He also often forgets that we're married.
He turned halfway to hide his flushed face and asked,
“What was Ryuel like?”
“Hmm. He’s attractive.”
“What?”
I didn’t immediately notice that Prince Kydel’s voice was twisted because I was thinking about Ryuel.
“A man with a bold and refreshing smile? He’s decisive and smart, so I think he would be a good negotiator or matchmaker.”
And then my body suddenly turned around. He turned my body toward him and said sternly,
“Lorisha.”
“Huh...?”
“Attractive? Do you think it’s appropriate to use words you wouldn’t even use with your own husband, towards a foreigner you’ve never met before?”
What are you talking about?
I furrowed my brows and asked.
“What’s inappropriate? It’s not like I’m going to marry that messenger.”
“...Is that so?”
“I’ve already married Your Excellency. The problem now is with Her Highness, Milliora.”
How did he understand my answer? Prince Kydel went to his chair with a complicated and mysterious expression on his face. That’s why I couldn’t see his face clearly.
“How is Her Highness Milliora?”
“She panicked. She was so nervous.”
“Understandable.”
“Yes. Both you and I can understand this.”
“No, I don’t understand.”
“Huh?”
“Even if it was the Princess’s order, shouldn’t you notify your husband first of your stay?”
“That’s why I asked Eria to tell you... That’s why Your Excellency climbed over the wall and came..."
“Ha!”
Prince Kydel let out a strange groan again.
I thought I should comfort him this time, but I didn’t quite understand the situation, so I stayed still.
Anyway, I decided to apologize because he seemed quite offended by the situation.
“From now on, when I stay out overnight, I must first...”
“You shouldn’t stay out overnight!”
Prince Kydel cut me off, threw off his jacket nervously, and went into bed.
“Your Excellency...?”
“His Highness Grayon said he wanted to see me tomorrow morning. Before my academy class! Since it’s come to this, I’ll just sleep here and go.”
“This is the Princess’s palace...”
“Is it a problem for me to sleep in my wife’s room?”
He gave a somewhat unconvincing tantrum and went into my bed, pulling the blanket over me and lying down.
I crawled into the other half of the bed, mumbling in my head.
‘Should I thank him for leaving me a spot...?’
Anyway, married life was complicated.
After breakfast, I went to Her Highness the Princess, mentally preparing myself. It was also possible that Kalin would come out first today and say she would accompany her.
However, it was Eria who greeted me.
“Her Highness is waiting.”
“What about Miss Ankart?”
I whispered, and Eria whispered back.
“She was summoned by the chief maid as soon as the sun rose. She was to be punished for breaking her probation.”
“I see.”
I shook my head, disgusted at the thought of seeing the chief maid again. However, this time, there was no excuse for it; it was Kalin Ankart’s greed.
When I entered, Her Highness was wearing a simple outdoor dress. She looked like an excited girl with her hair slightly curled and her cheeks powdered.
‘Have you changed your mind overnight?’
“Yes, yes. Hurry up and go.”
I went straight to the backyard.
Sir Rond, who had his shirt loosely unbuttoned and was swinging his wooden sword, looked much healthier than before.
He smiled brightly at me.
“Sir Rond!”
“Maid, no, Lady Kydel. What’s going on?”
“Because of the Smilean messenger.”
“Hmm.”
Lord Rond groaned with stress and stuck his wooden sword deep into the ground. I thought the wooden sword would disappear into the ground.
He was wiping his sweat indifferently, but for some reason, I felt scared of him today.
The Princess thinks that kind of man is cute. If we’re going to say cute, Prince Kydel would be better. If we compare objectively, that’s how it is.
Lord Rond furrowed one eyebrow as I absentmindedly lost myself in thought.
It seemed like everyone around me was rough today.
I asked, as if I was clearing my mind.
“You haven’t met that messenger yet, have you?”
“I saw him when I entered the Princess’s palace. He was exactly like a Smilean.”
I felt his hostility and continued the conversation awkwardly. It was rare for Lord Rond to show his emotions.
“It was strange that he had a sailor-like and noble look.”
“They are natural-born merchants. Lady Kydel should also be very careful.”
“Yes. I will.”
I was interested in Smilean, which had a complex culture at the junction of the continents, and studied it. However, judging from Her Highness the Princess and Lord Rond’s attitude, they did not have a favorable impression of Smilean.
“We decided to go on a picnic with the envoy to the forest of the palace tomorrow. You must come with me.”
“You decided to reinstate as a maid?”
“No way. That is why my position is difficult.”
He cut me off.
“Since you are here, please be nice. I think it would be nice not to have to see Young Lady Ankart treating me like her guard for a day.”
“What?”
She really seemed fearless, saying that to Lord Rond, who was part of the royal family.
When I was surprised, he simply added,
“Of course, that does not mean I agreed to it.”
“Of course, Lord Rond would not do that. Then, I will see you tomorrow.”
***
Since I was not a maid, I could not personally give instructions for the picnic preparations. So I sent word through Aria and returned to my old room.
The room I used as a maid was exactly the same as when I used it, except that my things were gone. It felt like time had gone back.
I felt hurt when I thought about why Her Highness the Princess had preserved my room. It felt like I had a younger sister who depended on me even though my mother didn’t give birth to her.
The sadness was short-lived, but when I turned my head and looked at the window, I couldn’t help but chuckle. I vividly remembered Prince Kydel climbing up the wall and coming in through that window.
Just like that...?
“Huh...”
Prince Kydel slammed the window shut nervously and approached me, grumbling.
“Do you really have to make your husband come like this?”
I mumbled, dumbfounded.
“Just come through the door... You’re coming to see your wife, so you don’t have to worry about what she thinks...”
I held back a laugh when I saw his eyes waver as if to say, “Oops.” He also often forgets that we're married.
He turned halfway to hide his flushed face and asked,
“What was Ryuel like?”
“Hmm. He’s attractive.”
“What?”
I didn’t immediately notice that Prince Kydel’s voice was twisted because I was thinking about Ryuel.
“A man with a bold and refreshing smile? He’s decisive and smart, so I think he would be a good negotiator or matchmaker.”
And then my body suddenly turned around. He turned my body toward him and said sternly,
“Lorisha.”
“Huh...?”
“Attractive? Do you think it’s appropriate to use words you wouldn’t even use with your own husband, towards a foreigner you’ve never met before?”
What are you talking about?
I furrowed my brows and asked.
“What’s inappropriate? It’s not like I’m going to marry that messenger.”
“...Is that so?”
“I’ve already married Your Excellency. The problem now is with Her Highness, Milliora.”
How did he understand my answer? Prince Kydel went to his chair with a complicated and mysterious expression on his face. That’s why I couldn’t see his face clearly.
“How is Her Highness Milliora?”
“She panicked. She was so nervous.”
“Understandable.”
“Yes. Both you and I can understand this.”
“No, I don’t understand.”
“Huh?”
“Even if it was the Princess’s order, shouldn’t you notify your husband first of your stay?”
“That’s why I asked Eria to tell you... That’s why Your Excellency climbed over the wall and came..."
“Ha!”
Prince Kydel let out a strange groan again.
I thought I should comfort him this time, but I didn’t quite understand the situation, so I stayed still.
Anyway, I decided to apologize because he seemed quite offended by the situation.
“From now on, when I stay out overnight, I must first...”
“You shouldn’t stay out overnight!”
Prince Kydel cut me off, threw off his jacket nervously, and went into bed.
“Your Excellency...?”
“His Highness Grayon said he wanted to see me tomorrow morning. Before my academy class! Since it’s come to this, I’ll just sleep here and go.”
“This is the Princess’s palace...”
“Is it a problem for me to sleep in my wife’s room?”
He gave a somewhat unconvincing tantrum and went into my bed, pulling the blanket over me and lying down.
I crawled into the other half of the bed, mumbling in my head.
‘Should I thank him for leaving me a spot...?’
Anyway, married life was complicated.
***
After breakfast, I went to Her Highness the Princess, mentally preparing myself. It was also possible that Kalin would come out first today and say she would accompany her.
However, it was Eria who greeted me.
“Her Highness is waiting.”
“What about Miss Ankart?”
I whispered, and Eria whispered back.
“She was summoned by the chief maid as soon as the sun rose. She was to be punished for breaking her probation.”
“I see.”
I shook my head, disgusted at the thought of seeing the chief maid again. However, this time, there was no excuse for it; it was Kalin Ankart’s greed.
When I entered, Her Highness was wearing a simple outdoor dress. She looked like an excited girl with her hair slightly curled and her cheeks powdered.
‘Have you changed your mind overnight?’
“Your Highness, you look beautiful today.”
“Oh my, am I the only one who looks beautiful today?”
“Hmm, you look beautiful today, perfect for a picnic.”
“I see? That’s good. Let’s go, Lorisha.”
I followed behind Her Highness Milliora, nodding.
“Are you out? Your Highness.”
“Yes. I’m out.”
As Lord Rond, who had grown up after a long time, gave a curt greeting and avoided eye contact, Her Highness the Princess turned her head coldly. I thought we had become close, but it didn’t seem to be the case. Her Highness the Princess is not the type to reveal her true feelings, so it’s hard to make a hasty judgment.
As we approached the entrance to the palace forest, the Smilean messenger Ryuel appeared with an interpreter. Ryuel was wearing a Smilean jacket that resembled a gown, and underneath the gown, I could see a long dagger worn by sailors. Come to think of it, he wasn’t accompanied by an escort. I introduced Sir Rond to him.
“This is Sir Rond, who is in charge of escorting Her Highness the Princess.”
Sir Rond and Ryuel exchanged simple greetings in Smilean. Then they immediately turned away from each other. I tried hard not to see the two men with cold attitudes and led them.
“Then shall we go?”
We headed to the stream in the palace forest. In the wide, knee-deep pool, there was a large stone stepping stone, creating a charming atmosphere. The surrounding area was covered with wide shade from the trees, and as the sun rose, the stream sparkled and the babbling sound was pleasant, making it a perfect picnic spot. We enjoyed tea and snacks there and chatted. Lord Rond stood a little away from the Princess like a statue, looking around. Today, too, it was Ryuel who led the conversation, and the Princess listened quietly and occasionally asked questions.
It was a simple question about Prince Smilean’s favorite food, whether he was good at hunting, and whether he enjoyed drinking.
Then Ryuel answered coolly. Prince Peilan said that he liked to hunt bears and that he liked to make a feast with the meat of the bears he caught.
When she asked if he liked fish dishes, Ryuel laughed loudly, saying that there were more than just the seaside in Smilean.
It was a hearty laugh that made me smile without realizing it, perhaps because it was the first time I had seen a man in the empire who smiled so thoughtlessly.
However, after watching Ryuel with interest for a moment, I could see that His Highness Milliora’s eyes were gradually sinking into gloomy tones.
She said,
“I need to stretch my legs for a moment. I’ll go for a walk and come back, so tell me more about Smilean then.”
It was a simple question about Prince Smilean’s favorite food, whether he was good at hunting, and whether he enjoyed drinking.
Then Ryuel answered coolly. Prince Peilan said that he liked to hunt bears and that he liked to make a feast with the meat of the bears he caught.
When she asked if he liked fish dishes, Ryuel laughed loudly, saying that there were more than just the seaside in Smilean.
It was a hearty laugh that made me smile without realizing it, perhaps because it was the first time I had seen a man in the empire who smiled so thoughtlessly.
However, after watching Ryuel with interest for a moment, I could see that His Highness Milliora’s eyes were gradually sinking into gloomy tones.
She said,
“I need to stretch my legs for a moment. I’ll go for a walk and come back, so tell me more about Smilean then.”
When I got up without thinking, His Highness Milliora was slightly embarrassed.
Sir Rond should have followed her, but if I went too, it would have left the guests alone. I couldn't be rude to the messenger.
I said quickly.
"Then I will take care of Lord Ryuel. Your Highness."
"Please, Lorisha. Let's go, Lord Rond."
Sir Rond should have followed her, but if I went too, it would have left the guests alone. I couldn't be rude to the messenger.
I said quickly.
"Then I will take care of Lord Ryuel. Your Highness."
"Please, Lorisha. Let's go, Lord Rond."
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