novelraw Chapter 2
Chapter 2
2~ Visit~
"Princess? Princess?..."
Being forcibly booted up first thing in the morning didn't feel good at all, like her head had been filled with lead, dizzy and heavy.
"What is it? I haven't slept enough yet..."
She hadn't slept all night, finally managing to fall asleep close to dawn, and now she was woken up again by the Maid Xiao Xi.
"But it's almost past breakfast time. Considering your physical condition, I believe it's necessary to wake you for breakfast."
"No!"
I've already been sealed by the blanket! Before I've slept enough today, no one can pull me out of the blanket!
Although she knew Xiao Xi was worried about her health, she really was so sleepy right now!
"...Princess, we are currently in the Scarlet Phoenix Nation's imperial palace..."
"So what? Even if it were in my own bedroom! Even if my father the King came! No one can pull me out of the blanket!"
The girl curled up in the blanket refused to come out no matter what, giving the Maid Xiao Xi a headache.
The Princess's bed-clinging appearance was cute enough, but not eating breakfast was bad for her health. Considering that the Princess had been frail and sickly since childhood, today she had to make the Princess wash up and sit at the dining table no matter what! By any means necessary!
Having secretly made up her mind, the Maid Xiao Xi directly reached her hands into the blanket and scooped the Princess out in a princess carry.
"Mmph?? Put me down quickly!"
"My apologies, Princess."
"This is murdering a royal princess! You'll be beheaded for this! Your whole family will be executed!"
"Oh."
The Maid Xiao Xi responded lightly, as if already accustomed to it, ignoring the undignified Princess's orders and resolutely walking toward the bathroom, quickly getting the Princess into the bathtub.
Morning bathing, mainly because a certain princess kept insisting she was tired and wanted to sleep last night and refused to bathe...
"Princess..."
"...I know! I'll do it myself! Hurry up and get out!"
The Princess commanded with her face flushed red.
"Understood."
The Maid Xiao Xi respectfully withdrew from the bathroom.
In any case, the Princess seemed to be awake now, so bathing herself shouldn't be a problem.
"Phew..."
The slender girl curled up in the bathtub, flush spreading across her face, half her face sinking into the water, blowing bubbles like a goldfish.
If she hadn't had zero talent in magical arts, she wouldn't have fallen to the point where she couldn't even resist her own little maid!
Might as well sleep a bit more. Leaning against the edge of the tub in this hot water soak, her whole body shouldn't slide into the water.
Thinking this, she gradually fell asleep...
...
"Your Majesty, please review."
Sitting before a large office desk, the girl stared at the document in the attendant's hand.
"...Don't make me handle such trivial matters personally. Or are those people in the Council all good-for-nothings?"
"No, this is a document concerning the Glaze Nation's territory..."
The girl frowned and took the document, then dismissed the attendant.
Opening the document and scanning the contents once, she roughly understood why this document that should have been handled by the Council was sent to her.
[Large undeveloped black gold ore vein discovered within Glaze Nation's territory...]
A precious metal that counted as a strategic resource in any nation, the primary material for crafting high-grade enchanted equipment.
"..."
A large black gold ore vein?
She put down the document in her hand, picked up the seal beside her and stamped it forcefully. That was it, handled.
She couldn't approve any more documents. Might as well leave them for tomorrow, since she'd already approved all the important ones. The remaining matters wouldn't be implemented immediately even if she approved them, so approving them a day earlier or later didn't make much difference.
Perfect timing to go see that little thing...
...
...
"Princess!"
"Eep?!"
As soon as she opened her eyes, what met her gaze was the Maid Xiao Xi's somewhat angry face.
"Princess! This is what you call washing yourself?! I know you have ways to deal with Divine Punishment, but please cherish your body!"
"I..."
She didn't know how to explain, because it really was her fault.
As if she had completely forgotten her dignity, she counted on her fingers aggrievedly. In front of this maid, she had none of the bearing a princess should have, instead appearing unusually childish.
This maid was appointed by her father the King to be at her side and care for her. With the Emperor's orders backing her, she was uncompromising. As long as it concerned a certain princess's daily life, she basically made all the decisions.
"Enough, Princess. If you don't cherish your own body like this, don't blame me for using forceful measures!"
The task His Majesty entrusted to me must be completed no matter what methods are used!
"Wh-what are you going to do?!"
"Do what? Of course..."
The Maid Xiao Xi extended her sinful hands.
"Eep?!"
Knock knock knock—
The Maid Xiao Xi stopped her movements, wondering who would be knocking at this hour?
Saved! At least, temporarily saved...
The girl curled up in the bathtub breathed a sigh of relief at the maid's departure.
"!!!"
The Maid Xiao Xi had just opened the door and nearly froze in place. Why was the Scarlet Phoenix Nation's Empress here at this time?!
"Ahem, Your Majesty the Empress."
She lowered her head respectfully.
On someone else's territory, one had to show submission, not to mention this Scarlet Phoenix Nation Empress's goal was to keep her Princess under house arrest in the Scarlet Phoenix Nation's palace.
"Is she here?"
No need to think twice about who "she" referred to.
"In the bathroom."
The Empress frowned and walked straight toward the half-open bathroom door.
"..."
May fortune be with you, Princess!
She, a mere personal maid to the princess, dared not obstruct. However, at least it was confirmed that this Empress wanted the Princess alive, so there was no need to worry about the Princess's life.
"Hmph! Stupid Xiao Xi! What are you coming back for? I'm angry! The kind that can't be coaxed no matter what!"
The girl curled up in the bathtub had her back to the door, speaking angrily.
Seeing only footsteps behind her without any other sound, she was about to shout some more when a pair of hands landed on her shoulders.
"?"
"Mo."
"!!!"
The Empress?!
In an instant, the angry expression on her face vanished into thin air, replaced by the expression from yesterday's negotiation in the great hall. Her hands covered her chest.
"Your expression control is quite good? Looks like you've practiced plenty before."
"...Then may I ask what business the Empress of Scarlet Phoenix Nation has?"
She wasn't the least bit surprised this Empress could say her name, since before departure she had roughly sensed "dogs" conducting surveillance on her.
"Of course to pay my respects to your nation's princess."
To this, the "your nation's princess" from the Empress's mouth, Mo, only wanted to say one thing: Give a damn about your concern!
She'd already been placed under house arrest here, and still talking about concern? And she'd driven all the other diplomatic envoys who came with her back to Glaze Nation too!
"Well, thank you so much for the concern..."
Mo smiled without warmth.
Although yours are quite large, I still prefer them petite... Bah!
In any case, being under house arrest made her particularly unhappy. Only able to move about within the palace, and the moment she stepped out of her room door there were "dogs" secretly monitoring her. This feeling really made it hard not to feel irritable.