I Will Protect You This Time

! Warning !

This episode contains strong language, violence and abuse which might be traumatizing for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.

Episode 39

(Rumours)

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"Hey, did you hear the rumours about the Crown Princess?"

"Which one? I mean, there are so many rumours about her."

"I know right! I heard she beat her own maid! Can you imagine!"

"Yes! I heard she beat that poor soul until bleeding!"

"Poor thing! She even followed her to Fellmirr…"

Some ladies were talking to each other in the street market.

"Hey! Do you have any idea what you are talking about? You are assaulting a Royal Family Member. It's a serious crime, don't you know?"

Cande said while frowning. She was in the town's market to buy something and heard a group of ladies gossiping about Isabella.

"Wha-What? We are just discussing what we heard!"

A lady said, panicking.

"Yes! And it's not just us!"

"Yes! The whole town's talking about the Princess!"

Cande: "What? Where did you guys even hear such a thing?"

"What do you mean 'where'? Of course, from a maid of the Castle!"

Cande: "A castle maid?"

"Yes. You don't know anything do you?"

"A castle maid was beaten up badly by the Princess."

"Yes! It is said her face was badly bruised and swollen."

"And there is also another rumour. Come here."

The lady gestures to Cande to come closer.

"It is said the lady had many affairs before marriage!"

The lady whispered.

"What? How outrageous!"

Cande burst into anger.

"Shh! Hey, lower your voice!"

"Phew~ Don't say this to anyone but they also said that she slept with different men every night!"

"What the-"

"That's not all. A castle maid said that she slept with a knight, that's why her imprint had blue rosebuds instead of red."

"Yes! They also said that the Crown Prince despises the Princess!"

"Yes! He never slept with her after their marriage."

"I know right! It is said that she despises Beastmen and refused to marry the Crown Prince at the beginning!"

"I heard that's the reason she didn't even show up at the Festival."

'What is going on? I don't understand. Why is everyone acting so weird? They are not like this? And who is even spreading all these vicious rumours?'

Cande thought worriedly.

Cande: "Hey, listen. There is nothing like that. The Crown Princess is really kind. She treats her maids like sisters!"

"What? What are you talking about?"

Cande: "Look, I work in the castle. And Her Highness never mistreated me!"

"Tch! You- You don't have to lie like that."

"Yes. Sigh~"

'What the- They are not even trying to listen to me. There's no use talking to them. I should talk to Ella about this. Meanwhile, we have to hide this matter from the Princess at all cost! Poor Princess. She suffered so much! I was so shocked when I heard how that b*tch Anne treated her. Sigh~'

After that Cande hurriedly bought what she needed and returned to the Castle.

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"Remember that an Empress plays an important role to control the Aristocrats. In the Royal Court, the Empress's opinion is highly respected."

Maria Lynx said while fixing her glasses. She is Adler Lynx's sister and also wants to be Isabella's Lady-in-waiting.

"I see."

"Then that's it for today's class. Then we will meet again in the next class, Your Highness."

Maria said while bowing. After that, she started walking out of the parlour.

"Princess! Don't forget about that!"

Maria halted halfway then spoke loudly. Isabella flinched at her sudden action.

"Huh? What?"

"See~ You forgot again! You have to make me your Lady-in-waiting!"

Maria sighed.

"Oh that~"

Isabella averted her eyes from Maria.

"Princess!"

"I will think about it."

"Okay! It's a promise then. Don't forget. Bye~"

Maria waved her hand with a smile, then left the room.

Phew~

Thank God she left. Maria is a kind and cheerful person. She is also very knowledgeable and good at her work. I really like her. 

But I don't think someone like me deserves her. It will be a waste of talent if she works under me.

Sigh~

"I am so tired."

Isabella sighed while stretching her arms.

It has been 6 months since I have arrived in the Capital. Many things have happened since then.

The common people held a week-long Welcoming Festival for me. But I couldn't attend as I was suddenly sick at that time. 

Anyways now, I am taking Lessons about the duties of a Crown Princess and an Empress from Maria. I also have to do a lot of paperwork.

Although I had to face some troubles for the first few days, I soon got the hang of it. 

To be honest, now I quite enjoy doing this. I feel like even I can be useful.

Anyways I also have regular tea-time with the Empress. No… Mother. 

Both the Emperor and the Empress treat me like their own daughter. I am blessed to meet them.

And also Leonus… 

Sigh~

He has been cold to me since that day. He is so busy that I can barely see his face. Even if we meet somehow, he always ignores me after a greeting.

"My Lady. Here. Drink some tea."

Ella said while giving Isabella a cup of green tea.

"Thank you, Ella."

"You've worked hard, My Lady."

Anne said with a gentle smile.

'My foot. You were just reading some paper.'

"Where is Cande?"

"She is at the town market to buy something. Anyways My Lady! It's almost time for your tea-time with the Empress.

"Ah-Yes. I assume I should get prepared."

"Yes."

After that Ella and Anne helped me change my dress into a yellow one with short sleeves. Then they braided my hair.

"My Lady, I will accompany you to the Empress today."

Anne said vigorously.

"Oh. Okay."

"Then me too. I will accompany you too."

"You should work instead of running around here and there."

Anne scoffed.

"What did you say?"

"Anne. You shouldn't say that. Ella, take some rest today. Don't worry. I will be okay."

"Yes. I will be taking care of My Lady."

"Then I will be going now."

"A.."

Ella tried to say something but didn't.

"Okay then. Oh Anne, take good care of My Lady. You didn't forget what I said, right?"

Anne frowned and said,

"No. I didn't. Let's go, My Lady."

"Yes."

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Isabella and Anne were walking on the Corridor of the ground floor which was open on one side. 

It's a beautiful afternoon. I can smell the nostalgic scent of grass through the breeze. The sky is cloudy. 

"My Lady."

"What is it, Anne?"

"There are some rumours that have been circulating in the castle."

"Rumours?"

"Yes. It's said that the Crown Prince loved his previous fiance."

Isabella halted. Anne smirked at her action.

What? What did she just say? His previous fiance?

"You probably don't know but for a long time, the Empress is always from the Silver-Wolf Clan. Empress Alicia is also from the Silver-Wolf Clan. Everyone thought that Lady Azleza Erlshade would be the Crown Prince. But you came between them just like you did to Grand Duke Roberto and Princess Rubena."

Thump* Thump*

My heart is beating so fast. 

"There are more. But I don't know how to tell you that."

"It's okay. You don't have to."

I don't want to listen.

"No. Let me tell you what people think about you."

Anne said with a creepy voice.

"They say you are a wh*re who slept with different men every night."

No stop! I don't want to listen!

Huff* Huff*

Isabella was breathing roughly. Her eyes lost all light as if she was in despair. She was sweating. 

"And because of that, you have Blue Imprint instead of Red. Because the Crown Prince hated you from the beginning. The buds of the imprint bloom as the couple gets closer. But guess what? The Crown Prince detests you. "

Isabella covered her ears with both hands.

"What are you doing? You have to listen."

Anne said while tightly grabbing Isabella's hand. She had an evil expression on her face. As if she was a demon rather than a human.

Isabella instinctively jerked off her hand from Anne's grip. 

"Ouch* My Lady! What are you doing? It hurts! Sob*"

Isabella flinched at Anne's scream.

"I-I am sorry."

Gasp*

"So it was true!"

"She really beats her maid."

"What a monster!"

The servants who were present nearby started whispering.

What? No that's not true.

"Oh! I forgot to tell you another one. It is also rumoured that you beat your maid."

Anne said in a low tone so that only Isabella could hear it. She had an evil smirk on her teary face.

Isabella had goosebumps all over her body at the creepy sight of Anne.

Who is she? I don't know her. 

Huff* Huff*

I can't breathe. I can feel everyone's disgusted gaze. It's so suffocating!

Why? Why does it feel like I am back to Loire again? I want to get out. 

Isabella hurriedly ran away from the corridor.

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"What? That's outrageous! How the fu*k such rumours spread?!"

Ella exclaimed with a loud voice.

"What should we do now, El?"

Cande said while biting her fingernails.

"I-I don't know. It's not something we can control, Can. Not only the Castle's servants but also the town's people."

"I'm scared. It was as if they were possessed by something! No matter what I said, it seemed like it wouldn't reach out to them."

"F-For now we have to make sure My Lady doesn't know anything about it! She has just started getting better."

"But El… Where is the Princess?!"

"She went to visit the Empress with Anne-"

Ella stopped as if realising something horrifying.

"What? With Anne?! El, are you serious?!"

"Sh*t!"

Ella hurriedly ran out of Isabella's room while cursing.

'Please~! I hope I am not too late! Please let her be okay!'