Chapter 05
It was the second morning at the hotel.
Mechanically, Taeri got up, washed her face, and opened the wardrobe, only to be speechless at how completely packed it was—so full that it seemed like it would burst after just one night.
Dresses arranged by color, robes and cloaks of even greater variety.
From the wizard’s iconic pointed hats to headdresses adorned with unknown bird feathers, every type of hat lined the glass cases…
“How do you like it?”
“Do you like it?”
Two girls, Lily and Machi, who had filled the wardrobes and trolleys with the clothes, waited eagerly for her to try them on.
“Uh… uh, well, th-thank you so much…?”
“No problem at all!”
“This is amazing. You’re all really talented.”
Was this magic at work? Taeri raised her thumb in genuine admiration, and the girls clapped their hands in delight.
They were so excited they even scattered flowers made of light in all directions.
Wow, this is amazing.
Even though they looked like little girls of about ten, a wizard is still a wizard.
Taeri’s eyes widened as she mimicked the girls’ playful demonstrations, and soon the room was filled with a faint, pleasant fragrance.
Finally, it was time to shed the shabby pajama dress she had been wearing in the corner of the room.
Before the overflowing wardrobe filled with affection, Taeri pulled out the most modern and neutral white blouse and a moderately long skirt.
Just then, Ansie, the hotel manager, came in pushing a breakfast trolley and smiled approvingly when she saw what Taeri had chosen.
‘Why does it feel like everyone came here just to watch me change?’
She was grateful for the help, but was it really such a big event that onlookers had gathered? A “princess dressing game,” perhaps?
“Um, excuse me, could you all turn around for a moment?”
They didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving, so she only asked for them to avert their eyes.
Next, she needed speed faster than her hands.
She shrugged off what she had been wearing as if shedding a skin and transformed into fresh clothes with a cozy scent.
Quickly shoving her old pajamas under the bed for later, she carefully pulled out the gray trench coat she had eyed from the beginning as her outfit for going out.
“Can I wear this too?”
“Of course, Princess! If anything’s missing, just tell us. We’d even sell the hotel doors to get you what you want…”
“No, no! There’s nothing missing, really. Leave the doors alone.”
The girls’ voices were so eager that Taeri quickly slipped her arms into the coat, buttoned it, and tied the belt tightly.
She wanted to show that this alone was sufficient, that she could live well as a one-outfit lady.
She wore a dark beret instead of the pointed hat, which felt too burdensome.
The eyes around her instantly sparkled.
They seemed eager to come closer and touch her, though they held themselves back. Awkwardly, she spread her arms and said:
“If you want to touch… you can come and touch.”
“Oh!”
Ansie was the first to rush forward.
She had been setting the food but somehow arrived instantly, wrapping Taeri in an embrace as if holding a small puppy and rubbing her cheek.
At that signal, Machi and Lily also spread their arms and hugged her tightly.
No, this isn’t what I meant by “touch.”
Yet Taeri didn’t struggle in this makeshift cage of hugs.
Even just feeling their warmth and careful contact, she could tell how much they loved and cared for the princess. Her nose tingled, even though she hadn’t done anything.
“We’re so happy the princess has returned. We missed you so much.”
Yes, they weren’t the person I had been waiting for… but still…
“I didn’t expect to see you again. I thought saying goodbye meant forever.”
That’s right, originally it should have been so…
Faced with the unconditional flood of longing and affection, Taeri bit her lip softly.
This is wonderful.
I’m really so grateful.
Am I hateful to them? Because of me…
While she silently moved her lips, Ansie stepped back and smiled softly.
“Seeing you in a coat, you’re going out, right? Where are you going? Shall I come with you?”
“No, Ansie, you’re busy. I can manage alone. Probably… I can.”
“Oh my, how admirable.”
Where else in the universe could an older woman receive praise for something so trivial?
Feeling embarrassed, Taeri recalled the purpose of today’s journey.
‘Claude said the herbalist street is east of the city, in the ruins.’
She had a vague idea of the ruins.
She’d gone there once or twice for quests, but only briefly, so she didn’t remember the details of the paths.
She hadn’t explored it before because it wasn’t needed for the game’s progress.
‘I can find my way anywhere in the forest with my eyes closed.’
Her memorized map was limited to the Black Forest.
But today, she decided to wander in the city a bit, partly to familiarize herself with the geography.
“Actually, I’m planning to go to the herbalist street.”
For a moment, everyone’s faces shook.
“Oh, is that not allowed?”
“No, of course not. We just didn’t expect you’d want to go so soon… Everyone will be happy if you go, they’ve been waiting eagerly.”
Ansie’s face truly looked happy as she said this.
“In that case, I should give a little gift.”
She plucked the hairpin she was wearing and waved it lightly. It grew rapidly and transformed into a massive metallic staff.
“Wow, wow, wow…”
She never expected to see something like this in real life.
Even movies couldn’t reproduce such vivid effects, because this was magic—real magic.
The crystal of power gathered at the staff’s tip was absorbed into the beret atop her head.
“Huh?”
Suddenly, a different person appeared in the mirror.
Her appearance hadn’t changed, but just the black hair and black eyes gave her a completely different aura.
“Wow, what is this?”
Taeri repeatedly put the hat on and took it off in front of the mirror, marveling at how her hair and eye color changed each time.
Then everyone praised her endlessly, shouting, “You’re amazing, the best, incredible!”
Ansie’s face flushed at the princess’s over-the-top compliments.
“Hoho, I’m an illusion witch. I gave you a simple disguise so that if you go out, you won’t become someone’s target. Take off the hat, and you’ll return to normal. Do you like it?”
“Completely, completely!”
“There are countless wannabe heroes everywhere here, so it could get bothersome.”
“Wannabe heroes?”
“Yes, those who dare insult the princess in front of the hotel and make a fuss.”
After the monster gate opened, the Black Forest became a famed spot across the continent.
Adventurers from all countries and races flocked here, dreaming of becoming heroes and solving the curse.
Some came seeking pure justice and honor, but many did not.
“I see, I’ll be careful.”
“You don’t have to be. Princess, do whatever you want. The disguise is just in case something troublesome happens, but if you feel like using your power, that’s fine too.”
“Oh…?”
“And if you meet any rude, foul-mouthed thugs, make sure to tell me.”
“Why?”
This time, Machi and Lily eagerly interrupted.
“We’ll pull out their tongues!”
“And get rid of any nasty bugs in their heads too!”
Guys…?
Weren’t you just showing me pretty flowers a moment ago?
Having made all preparations, Taeri was about to leave the hotel when Ansie decided she couldn’t send her off alone and assigned a guide for the day.
At the front gate, the carriage door was wide open. The guide for the day was already waiting.
“Turns out you really came back, huh?”
The woman looked around Taeri’s age and wore a red satin dress.
She held a luxurious fan in front of her mouth and glanced downward with a slender smile.
That face looked familiar…
While Taeri dug through her hazy memory, Ansie barked out the visitor’s name sharply.
“Bridget! Can’t you come down properly? Behave politely for the princess!”
Bridget!
‘Plague Doctor Bridget?’
Taeri screamed internally.
Bridget. Bridget Dewey. Memories flooded back like a tide.
She was the doctor NPC who sold potions, elixirs, and antidotes at a strange tea shop in the New City. The title “Plague Doctor Bridget” always hovered over her head.
‘Not a doctor, but a wizard?’
Taeri had thought she was just the eccentric owner selling suspicious potions. The real setup was completely unexpected.
Meanwhile, the forcibly brought-down Bridget stood in front of Taeri with a sulky expression.
“Princess, this is my niece, Bridget. You may remember her as your childhood companion and maid—”
“Ah, forget it. Would I even remember you?”
Cutting her off casually, she chuckled, confident that Bridget wouldn’t recognize her.
From her experience with the game, this was not an opponent to be underestimated.
Clearing her throat, she acted naturally and pretended familiarity.
“Long time no see.”
At that, Bridget’s eyes curved slightly.
“What, you really remember me? Hmm, you must have had dozens of maids as friends back then.”
As expected, she didn’t believe it immediately.
‘Then a direct approach is a cheat code.’
At the second gate, Taeri immediately pressed her advantage.
“You run a tea shop, right? I’m surprised. I always thought you had talent in magical potions since you were little. Of course, you don’t have to choose that profession exactly.”
“…!”
Her mischievous grin vanished, and after a moment, her eyes softened gradually.
