I Will Protect You This Time

Episode: 23

*

*

*

I was sitting still for a few minutes before finally getting out of bed.

Even though it was freezing outside, the room was surprisingly warm.

I went near the fireplace and sat on the couch. I think I forgot something…

What is it…

What did I...

Gasp!

The baby beast! Aghh! I was so surprised to see Leonus beside me that I totally forgot about that.

I got up from the couch and looked around the room. I searched every nook and cranny of the room but still couldn't find it.

"Not a single trace of it… Was it a dream?"

Now that I think about it, Leonus did say he found me asleep on the bed. Then was it really a dream? But it was so vivid. I still remember the beast's purring, its beautiful colour, the dark eyes… Everything. I can remember everything clearly.

Sigh~

I shouldn't think about it anymore.

Suddenly-

Knock* Knock*

"My Lady, it's me, Ella. May I come in?"

"Yes."

Creak~

"Greetings, My lady. I brought water for you to freshen up."

Ella bowed and said. Then she put a water bowl in front of the table.

"Uh… Yes."

I then washed my face and my mouth with the water. As the water was lukewarm, it felt good while washing up.

After that, Ella brought a warm breakfast. I finished it happily.

"Thank you for serving me such a delicious meal, Ella."

"Oh my! Don't say that, Princess. You don't know how happy I am to serve you."

I smiled awkwardly. It was the first time someone said that to me. Never did Anne-

Wait… Anne?! I totally forgot about her.

"Umm… Ella."

"Yes, My Lady?"

"Do you know where Anne is?"

"Don't worry about her, My Lady. She is travelling comfortably."

"What?"

"Oh! You didn't know?"

"Know what?"

"A group of knights were already sent yesterday to inform the people about our arrival beforehand. So that people can prepare to welcome you in the capital. And the others are staying here in order to protect the Princess in case of emergency."

"I see."

"Anne was sent to the capital to prepare and organize your things beforehand. His Highness wants you to feel comfortable living here, Princ- I mean My Lady."

'How come I don't know any of that? Why would he tell something like that to someone like me, to begin with? Well, it's not like I can do anything knowing that. But why does my heart feel so heavy?'

"....Lady."

"My Lady!"

"Oh yes. What is it?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. I was just thinking about something useless."

"Hmm. Do you want to take a bath? You will feel better if you do so. Should I prepare your bath?"

"Yes."

I replied slowly.

"Yes. I will prepare your bath right away."

*

*

*

After a while, Ella prepared a warm bath. Then she started taking off my nightgown.

I then got into the tub. The water was warm.

Haaa~

It feels so good. It makes me forget about my worries. Ella was right.

Ella then washed me with different kinds of ointments and fragrant oils. Although it was not as excessive as the maids used in the banquet or the wedding day in the Loire.

"Your hair is gorgeous, Princ- I mean My Lady."

Ella keeps forgetting that we are incognito. That's a cute side of her.

Chuckle~

Ella froze there for a moment. Because it was her first time seeing Isabella's smile like that. Her slightly curved wet long hair, long eyelashes, red lips, rosy cheeks…

"Are you a human?"

Gasp! Realizing what she said, Ella covered her mouth with both hands.

'I must have gone crazy! What did I just say to the Princess! What if she-'

"I am. I am a mere human."

Isabella said slowly.

'Somehow she looks sad. Why? I should have been careful opening my mouth. Stupid me!'

"My Lady, do you know there will be a festival in the capital to welcome you?"

"What? A festival?"

"Yes! The people and beastmen can't wait to see their Crown Princess."

"I see."

I smiled softly.

'Phew~ Thanks to the Lord! She seems better now.'

After a while, I finished bathing. I feel so fresh now.

Ella brought a light yellow dress and started to help me wear it. After that Ella braided my hair, then put on a hair chain and an earring.

"You look beautiful, My Lady."

"Ah- Is that so? Thank you."

It's embarrassing when someone says that to me. I looked in front of the mirror. I guess I do.

"Then please excuse me."

"Ah. Yes. Thanks for your hard work, Ella."

"It's my pleasure, Princess."

Ella then bowed and left the room.

*

*

*

Ella was walking in the hallway of the inn. She remembers the first time she saw Isabella.

It was snowing. Although it was nothing compared to the snowfall in our Fellmirr.

His Highness ordered me to serve the Princess that morning. I wonder why? Even though I heard the Princess brought a maid with her from the Loire. Isn't it better if that maid serves the Princess instead of me? I mean, she will be more comfortable if a familiar person serves her.

But it's not like I can ask or say that. I sighed and agreed with His Highness. Well, to begin with, I came here to serve the Crown Princess.

But before that, I wanted to meet her maid. So that, I could know about her like-dislike before serving her. But to my surprise-

"What? What does she like you say?"

Scoff~

"Just give her anything. She will be fine with anything."

"Oka-"

But the maid cut my word in the middle and said-

"No. Bring her bread, butter and soup. She is an extremely selfish person. Sob* She beats me up if I don't listen to one of her commands. You don't have any idea how cruel she is! So be careful."

The maids' attitude totally changed. She was sobbing and saying everything with a pitiful voice. Is she telling the truth?

The maid with freckles then told many horrific stories about her. Like how she tortures maids of the palace. Ripping of nails, skin, hair, cutting off fingers, beating till the person bleeds and so on. Ughh! So horrible!

What if she really is like that! What if she beats me too!

Then I carefully prepared her breakfast and went to the carriage.

"Princess, the Crown Prince sent me to help you get prepared."

Gulp*

"Come in."

'Well, she has a pretty voice! Sigh~'

A knight then slowly opened the carriage door.

Creak~

And I got in the carriage and bowed. In the whole process, I only looked down.

Aghh! I don't want to look at her!

"Greetings, Crown Princess."

"Greetings. Raise your head."

Sigh~ Life never goes the way I want it to be. I slowly raised my head. And

Thump-

Slightly curled long golden hair, reddish-purple eyes, long golden lashes, red lips… How can someone be so pretty! She looks like an angel! Hard to believe, someone with such angelic beauty can do something so cruel!

After a moment, I came back to my senses. Then I helped her freshen up. Her skin was soft as a feather.

Anyways, I tried to put on her jewellery. She didn't want to wear them for some reason except for the headpiece. I then did a ponytail with her hair. Her hair was really silky. It reaches her ankle. So it was kind of hard to do her hair.

As I was nervous, I once pulled out one of her hair. But to my surprise, she didn't say anything to me.

"Umm. Do you know where Anne is?"

"Oh! That maid with freckles?"

I didn't know her name was Anne.

"Yes."

"She is cooking for everyone."

"I see. Can you call her for a moment?"

"Pardon me, Princess. The Crown Prince himself ordered her to do that."

"Oh. I apologize for bothering you then."

'What? Is this for real? Why is she apologizing! Is she really a bad person!'

"No way. It's an honour to serve you, Princess."

The princess smiled softly. So pretty! I blushed without even realizing it.

She is so beautiful! She must be an angel.

Please step on me!

Ahh- I can't say that.

"Then excuse me. I will be back in a moment."

After that, I brought her breakfast as the maid Anne said.

She seemed to be enjoying her meal. Anyways, after a while, she finished her meal. Then she asked what my name was.

"What is your name?"

"Ella."

"When will we continue the journey, Ella?"

"After the Knights finish their meal."

"I see. Can I go out for a bit?"

Is she bored? Well, it is normal to be. She has been staying in the carriage for so long! And she does look a bit lonely.

"Of course, Crown Princess. But wait here for a bit."

I then got out of the carriage and brought a shawl. Then wrapped it around her. I don't want her to catch a cold.

"You can go out now, princess."

I don't know why. I don't know if she is a bad person. But that day for some reason I felt sympathetic for her. I wanted to take care of her.

After that, I went to serve her several times. She never raised her voice at me. She always talked to me gently. Even gave me a shawl. Even my own family doesn't treat me that well.

My family is raccoon-beastmen. Those shits! It was a good idea to leave those thieves and work in the Royal Castle.

That damn Anne! She must have lied. But why? Why would she frame such a sweet person!

She is so sweet and loveable! I love her. Uhmm. Don't get me wrong! I don't love her that way.

Even if it was that way, anybody will fall in love with her after spending time with her.

Tch! That cold and expressionless prince doesn't deserve her!

It was a good idea to send that damn Anne to the capital. Suffer in the cold you b*tch.

Anyways, My Lady looked sad for some reason. Her eyes… That seems soulless sometimes. Her eyes… That seems like it's in despair. Her eyes… That drowns in sadness.

Hmm~ What should I do to make her happy? I don't know much about her.

Even though she is gentle, there seems to be an iron wall that surrounds her. No matter though. I will always be loyal to her. I hope one day she will open up to me.

Oh, my dear Lady… How I wish for you to be happy.