I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 48

(Miss Me?)

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Caw~ Caw~

The crows are returning to their nest saying goodnight to the world. Although it's dark outside, there are still red traces of the sun. 

I am walking in the hallway on the third floor. Mother said that the second and the third floor was only accessible for the Royals of Fellmirr. But a group of knights are still escorting me. Which is understandable. The security is tight as almost every Empire wants to bring Fellmirr down. And now I am a part of the Royal family of Fellmirr. There's nothing to lose for being too cautious after all.

Anyways I wonder what mother is doing on the first floor. She could just return with me. Her room is on the 2nd floor after all.

I finally reached my room after walking for 10 minutes.

"My Lady! You have returned!"

Ella exclaimed with joy.

So they have arrived. Now that I see Anne is here too. Ella, Cande, Anne and 5 other maids were in my room. 

"You must be tired."

Cande said with a worried face.

"Seat here, My Lady. We have prepared some snacks for you."

Ella said while showing the couch.

"Ah. Yes."

Now that I think about it, I have to get prepared for the feast too. It's more like a feast and a banquet. The first hours will have a banquet and then the feast.

Sigh~

This will be my schedule for the next 7 days. Welcome the Royals of other Kingdoms and Empires and Join them at feasts and banquets at night.

Well, I guess I won't be very busy tomorrow. As there are only 5 Empires and 10 Kingdoms in Waldore Continent. We have already welcomed Aristocrats from 2 Empires and 8 Kingdoms. I don't think all of them will arrive here tomorrow together. Or they might… 

And there is that… The Loire Empire…

"I wonder when they will arrive?"

I mumbled to myself.

"Do you need something, My Lady?"

Cande asked anxiously.

"Oh. That… No."

"So the Aristocrats from the Loire haven't arrived today."

Anne said with a smirk.

"Huh? And how do you know that?"

Ella asked her with a frown.

"That… I heard that from the maids working in this palace."

"Is that so? I didn't know the maids have so much time on their hands."

"An-Anyways My Lady misses her family very much. so I was just curious if they had arrived or not. Isn't that right, My Lady?"

Anne said while smiling at Isabella.

'What Bullsh*t! Miss them?! She trembles whenever someone mentions her family or anything about the Loire. And if they really cared about her, they wouldn't have sent Anne here as her personal maid.'

Both Ella and Cande thought while frowning.

"Ah- Yes."

Miss them? More like, I fear them. I am relieved to stay far away from them.

"My Lady. Why don't you see the dress you'll be wearing now."

Ella said cheerfully.

"Ah. Yes. Show me."

Soon a maid came in with an elegant red dress with works of golden laces.

"It's beautiful."

"Yes. It will look wonderful on you, My Lady."

Cande said with a smile.

"Today when you and the Empress wore the same dress… Both of you looked so adorable! Almost like a mother and daughter."

Ella said gaily.

"Is that so?"

I am delighted. 

"Hey! You should watch what you say!"

Anne complained loudly.

"What do you want now?"

"What do you mean? Do you want to make My Lady sad?"

"What?"

"Don't you know her mother died when she was just 11 months old?! It was probably because she became sick after giving birth to her."

Anne said with a pitiful voice.

I flinched after hearing. Ah… That's right. How can I forget! I was the reason my mother-

"You!"

Ella cursed inwardly.

'That b*tch is doing this on purpose!'

"M-My Lady!"

"Yes."

"Let's get you prepared for the feast."

"Oh. Okay."

After that, Ella and the other maids prepared me for the feast. As there were seven maids and they were very skilled, it took less time to get prepared. Although it still took 2 hours to put on the dress, tie up my hair, wear accessories like a head chain and earrings and so on.

Knock* Knock*

"Your Highness, the Crown Princess. It's time for you to go to the feast"

A knight from outside announced.

"Yes. I am coming."

I guess it's already time for me to leave.

"Then I am leaving."

"Yes. Take care, My Lady."

Ella said while bowing.

After that, I left the room and headed towards the hall on the first floor. Of course, a group of knights followed me from behind.

I wonder where Leonus is… He was supposed to be in this palace. He must be very busy.

Well, I will see him eventually. Even if it's the Hunting Festival.

After walking for a while I reached in front of the hall and a knight announced my presence.

"Her Highness, the Crown Princess Isabella Albus Carados Fellmirr is entering the hall."

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The hall was huge. The floor was made of beautiful white marble. A beautiful chandelier was hanging in the middle of the ceiling. It's probably lit up with magic. At one corner there were tables filled with different kinds of sweets and drinks.

Aristocrats from different Kingdoms and Empires were scattered around the hall and talking with each other.

"Greetings, Crown Princess."

A beautiful lady with brown hair and green eyes greeted me after a bow. A group of ladies did the same following her.

She sure has good social skills or she must be the social butterfly of her Empire. 

"Greetings."

"I am the Princess of the Thoria Empire, Vivian Alice Thoria. It's a pleasure to finally be able to talk to the Princess freely."

Vivian smiled and said.

I have a bad feeling about this… 

"It's my pleasure."

"You are really beautiful, Crown Princess."

"Thanks for the compliment."

"Oh No! What are you saying? You don't have any idea how much I wanted to see YOU, THE FIRST PRINCESS of Loire."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. You are beautiful! So I understand why they choose YOU as their Crown Princess. Although I don't think you are happy here either, Princess."

No. You are wrong! I am happier than ever. I love living here. I've got two loyal maids who are like sisters to me. I have a person who I can address as Mother. I am respected here. And I have him...

"You are wrong."

"Huh?"

"It's Crown Princess. Rather than the first Princess of Loire, I am the Crown Princess of Fellmirr. And I am happier than ever."

Yes. I can't be timid here. If they disrespect me, it's like being disrespectful to the Royals of Fellmirr. 

Vivian frowned and covered her face with a fan.

"You-"

She was going to say something but soon stopped and laughed.

"I see. But it's sad though."

"Hu-"

"You are the Crown Princess, yet you've entered the hall alone. Where is your companion?"

Pfft~

The ladies who were following her giggled among themselves.

I see… They are not disrespectful… They are mocking me. I thought I was used to it. But no matter what happens or how many times this happens, I can never get used to it. Their mocking gaze… Their cynical laughter…

I want to disa-

"Princess!"

My eyes widened at the familiar voice. I hurriedly looked behind. Leonus was walking towards me in a hurry. He was wearing a red outfit that had Golden embroidered works. His hair was a little dishevelled. I guess he came here in a hurry.

"There you are! I was looking for you everywhere."

Leonus said while grabbing my shoulder from behind.

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh. These ladi-"

"Greetings, Your Highness The Crown Prince! I am-"

Vivian bowed gracefully and said with a pure smile.

"Did I permit you to talk?"

"Huh?"

She looked confused hearing him.

"Or you don't have even the slightest manner? How dare you interrupt, when both of us are talking with each other! "

"Th-That…"

Vivian's face became pale at Leonus's cold voice. The same goes for the ladies who were following her.

"I didn't ask for your explanation. Apologize!"

"Huh?"

"Apologize, right this instance."

"That-"

"Tch! Don't make me repeat myself. Or are you deaf too?"

Leonus clicked his tongue and said with a cold voice. The other ladies trembled like rats in front of him.

Vivian's face turned red. She soon bowed and apologized with a trembling voice.

"I apologize for interrupting your conversation."

"Let's go from here, Princess. This place stinks."

"Ah. Yes."

After that Leonus escorted me to a corner where there were fewer people.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"Tch! I asked mother not to bring you here."

Leonus clicked his tongue and said while fixing his hair with one hand. 

"It's okay. I agreed with her to come. She was really tired with all the preparations for the hunting festival."

"That's so like you."

Leonus sighed.

"And you were here too..."

I mumbled.

Leonus's eyes shook for a moment. But soon he with a teasing voice,

"Oh? Did you miss me?

"Yes."

Aghh! My face feels hot. I can't believe I said that to him!