I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 56

(The Feast)

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"My Lad-"

"My Lady! You have returned!"

Anne asked, blocking Cande with an energetic voice.

"Anne?"

As soon as I entered my tent, I saw Anne welcoming me with a cheerful voice. I was quite surprised at her sudden behaviour.

'What the f*ck? Why is she behaving this way? If it was another day, she would've been standing at a corner looking at her nails.'

Ella thought looking at Anne with a disgusted look.

"My Lady! I have pre-"

"My Lady! I have prepared warm water for your bath."

Again Anne interrupted Cande's words in the middle and said with a smile.

'What the f*ck is she talking about?! It was me who had done all the hard work. She just put flowers on the tub!'

Cande thought inwardly at Anne's white lie.

"I-Is that so?"

I asked awkwardly. Although Cande is smiling, I can see a fire burning through her. 

"Yes!"

"Th-Thank you."

"Anyways, My Lady! I have something to confess!"

Anne said with a sad tone. I wonder what she wants to confess… 

"Please forgive me, My Lady! I have been neglecting my duties as your Personal Maid for a long time! Sob* Please forgive me! I want to be your real Personal Maid from now on."

Anne crouched on the floor and said in a pleading manner.

My eyes widened at her sudden confession. Anne…

"I know it's hard to believe me right away. Sob* But I will try my best to win back your favour, My Lady!"

"..."

Ella and Cande were also surprised at Anne's sudden behaviour. 

"Anne. Get up."

I reached out my hand and helped her get up.

"It's okay. I understand. To be honest, I was already grateful that you agreed to serve me. Even more, when you said you would accompany me to Fellmirr. I was truly happy. So thank you."

I said while smiling as brightly as I could. I hope she understands my sincerity. It's enough that she knows her mistake.

"T-Thank you, My Lady."

Anne sobbed.

Both Ella and Cande shivered at Anne's acting. 

'Ughh! She is definitely acting!'

Cande thought to herself.

'A person can never change in a day! Just yesterday she was so full of herself. MEANS she disappeared the entire day! And now she is apologizing? What bulls*it!'

Ella thought with disgust.

"Ahem! My Lady, it's getting late. You should really take a bath now, or else you might catch a cold."

Cande said while composing herself.

"Ah. Alright."

After that, the three of them helped me to take a bath. After the bath, I ate slightly then took a rest for a moment. 

"My Lady! It's time for you to prepare for the Banquet."

Ella informed with a smile.

"Ah. Yes." 

Sigh~ 

What an exhausting day!

Suddenly-

PoPoo~

A loud horn rang. I wonder that is for…

"The participants are returning from the Forest."

Cande said hearing the sound. 

I see. So that's what it was for.

Then did Leonus return? I wonder… 

They will meet today. Leonus and Rubena… 

Come to think of it, she was furious today. I hope she won't do anything tonight.

"My Lady! We should really hurry up! If the participants have already returned, that means there isn't much time left before the Banquet!"

"Ah- Yes."

Saying that I got up from the couch. 

After that, Ella clapped her hand and 4 maids entered the tent with a beautiful Royal Purple dress.

"This is the dress you will wear for the banquet."

The dress had pearl decorations on the waist and pearl sleeves. 

So beautiful~

"Alright."

"Then Let's get started shall we?"

Ella said with a smile. I can see fire in her eyes. Honestly, where does she get so much energy…?

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Half an Hour Ago…

The Royal Tents Of Loire Empire.

Princess Rubena's Tent.

Aghh~*

"D*mn it! F*ck you, Isabella! How dare she! How dare she humiliate me in front of those filthy animals! And those d*mn b*tches! How dare they try to ignore ME! ME!"

Rubena screamed and threw away the cups which were on the table she was sitting on.

"Calm Down, Ruby."

Helena took a sip from her cup of tea and said with a calm voice.

"Mother! How can you say that?! Do you have any idea how I felt!"

Rubena exclaimed while looking at Helena with exploding eyes. She couldn't believe her mother took so lightly of her feelings. 

"Yes. I do."

"What?"

Rubena asked while frowning.

"..."

But Helena remained silent with a calm expression and continued drinking her tea. Seeing that, Rubena had a sudden realization.

"Don't tell me… Those Fellmirr animals! Did they ignore you too?"

A crack was seen in Helena's calm face. 

"Those wretched Beastmen! Arrogant sh*ts!"

Helena said with a cruel expression. Today she was also humiliated by the Aristocrats of Fellmirr. When Rubena was trying to get along with the Young Ladies of Fellmirr. Helena was also trying to do the same with middle-aged Ladies. She thought they would be like other Aristocrats of other Kingdoms and Empires. 

But she forgot that it's FELLMIRR. The largest and the strongest Empire of the Waldor Continent. Even the Marquise Family of Fellmirr owns land like that of a small kingdom. And of course, they are stronger than them. As a result, they are that much Arrogant. 

So of course Helena failed miserably and ended up getting humiliated. 

"Mother…"

"No matter though. I will make them cry tears of blood."

Helena said while strongly grabbing the empty cup of tea. Her strong cracked the cup.

"Yes, Mother. WE will make them cry tears of blood."

Rubena said with a cruel smile.

"Now let's get prepared for the banquet."

"Yes. I will. Just you wait, Mother. I will be the most beautiful person at tonight's banquet. Pfft~ I can't wait to see that b*tch Isabella's face when his husband looks only at me. Although I have to bear with his ugly face for a while. But it will be worth it! Hahaha~"

"Hahaha~ That's my daughter!"

And the two continued their laughter.

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It's half an hour past evening. Almost time for the banquet.

Aghh! I have to see them again. Although for some reason, I am not as afraid as before.

"It's done, My Lady!"

Ella said proudly.

Ah. Finally! I have been sitting on a chair like this for an hour. 

"Look, My Lady!"

Anne said while showing me the long mirror.

Wow~

The maids sure have magic in their hands. Or else how can they make me look so pretty?!

Ella: "You look be-"

Anne: "Beautiful as usual, My Lady!"

Cande: "You will be the most be-"

Anne: "The most beautiful lady in the banquet."

'That b*tch!'

Ella and Cande cursed at the same time.

"Your Highness, The Crown Princess. It's time for you to join the Banquet."

A knight announced from outside.

It's already time…

Phew~ 

Don't worry, Isabella. Everything will be fine.

"Then I will be going."

Ella: "Yes. Take Care, My Lady."

After that, I left the tent and started walking towards the Centre of the plain land where the Banquet will be held.

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Young Lady 1: "You look beautiful as usual, Princess!"

Young Lady 2: "Yes! How can you look so pretty!"

Vivian: "Give us some advice too."

"Oh my! Please don't say that! You ladies are making me shy!"

Some young ladies from other empires were praising Rubena. Vivian was one of them. 

There is a reason for that, of course. The Loire was the strongest Empire after Fellmirr. And Vivian was unable to gain favour from any ladies of Fellmirr. So she was now after Rubena. As all the ladies of other Empire and Kingdom were also sucking up to Rubena for the SAME reason. So now, Rubena was the lady who got the most attention at this banquet.

Even Men from other Empires and Kingdoms were also trying to gain her favour. The first reason was that she was pretty and cute. She gained their interest by her innocent act. And the other reason was that Rubena is now the Only Princess of Loire and is also loved by Emperor Mathias. So it was their chance to connect with the Loire Empire.

Of course, Rubena was happy about it.

'Hah! This is it! Those animals should've acted like this! Like dogs!'

Rubena thought to himself. 

"I don't like her."

Sarah said while frowning at Rubena. She and her group were standing on the opposite side of the banquet tent. 

Madeleine: "I know right! She is definitely rude!"

Kayleigh: "Yeah! Like how she didn't even greet the Crown Princess!"

Druella: "True. If she really liked the Crown Princess as her sister, she would've respected her in front of us."

Sarah: "I know, right? She is looking down on the Crown Princess."

"And her aura… It stinks."

Azleza who was silent the whole time said while frowning.

Kayleigh: "Yes. She is definitely acting innocent."

After that, the girls became silent and continued drinking wine from the glass.

"Her Highness, the Crown Princess of Fellmirr, Isabella Albus Carados Fellmirr is entering!"

And soon Isabella entered the hall gracefully.

'What the f*ck! Why does she look like that! That wh*re! Did she also use transformation magic! Aghh!'

"Princess? Are you okay?"

Vivian asked with a worried face.

"Ah! Yes. I am alright."

'Calm down, Rubena! Look at her closely… She is entering alone! Pfft! That's right! She is entering alone!'

Rubena smirked inwardly.

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Phew~

The banquet has just started but it sure is crowded with people.

Both the Emperor and the Empress aren't here yet…

"Princess!"

I looked behind hearing the voice. Azleza and her group are here.

"Greetings, Her Highness the Crown Princess!"

All of them greeted me with a slight bow.

"Ah. Greetings! You don't have to bow from now on!"

"That's really kind of you, Princess. But, No. It's our duty to show our respect towards the Crown Princess."

Azleza replied with a calm tone.

"Anyways, you are finally here, Princess! We have waited for you so long!"

Druella said while shaking hands with Isabella.

"Now you have to spend the rest of the time with us!"

Sarah said while holding my hand.

"That-"

I was going to say yes but someone else interrupted my words in the middle.

"That won't be possible!"

I looked behind hearing the voice. 

Standing right behind me, was Leonus.

"As she is going to spend the rest of the night with me."