~Chapter 92~
“Your Highness the Princess, it is an honor to meet you.”
It was early afternoon when Madam Eins visited the Prince’s Palace, just as scheduled.
Melona had told me that Madam Eins was once called the queen of the social world. And she really did prove it—her every movement was graceful and refined.
“It’s an honor for me too, Madam Eins. Thank you for coming such a long way.”
“Not at all, Your Highness. When I heard that the Crown Prince, who was famous for being picky as a child, got engaged, I simply had to see it with my own eyes.”
“So Richard was picky as a child.”
She was a cousin of the current Emperor, and apparently, both Bastian and Richard liked her a lot when they were young.
So, she knew what Richard was like as a boy—and might even know some of his weaknesses.
“Yes. He was a cute and kind child, but he was very clear about what he liked and disliked. He only liked a few things, but once he liked something, he would never let it go. Isn’t he still like that?”
Madam Eins smiled, covering her mouth with one hand.
Now that I thought about it, she was right.
He still had strong likes and dislikes, and when he decided someone was his, he was very affectionate. That matched how she described him as a child.
‘Richard as a little boy…’
I imagined a little Richard frowning and couldn’t help but smile.
“Now that I think about it, he hasn’t really changed.”
“Right? That’s why it makes sense that he chose you, Your Highness. Maybe he was so picky all this time because he was waiting to meet you.”
“Ah…”
The sudden compliment made my face feel hot.
She really was a queen of compliments, just like Melona said.
“Thank you for saying that. I know I have a lot to learn, so I’ll be counting on you.”
“Your Highness, you mustn’t be so humble. You’re part of the royal family now, so don’t bow too easily.”
“Ah, yes. I’ll remember that.”
“How could such a lovely person come to the imperial city?”
“You’re too kind—I’m embarrassed by all your compliments.”
Madam Eins looked at me as if I was her own niece.
Did she like Richard a lot?
It felt nice but also strange to be liked for nothing.
“I hope it’s not too much. Girls are precious in the royal family. Even His Majesty thinks so. I only have three sons, so I can’t help but think you’re adorable, too.”
“Thank you for being so kind.”
“If only Her Majesty the Empress felt the same way. I think her hopes for her son have grown a lot lately.”
Madam Eins said this with a smile, but her words had a deeper meaning.
“Lately” meant the Empress hadn’t always been like this.
“Has the Empress changed a lot?”
“…Honestly, I should tell you, since you should know. The Empress’s personality changed a lot. Before the Emperor’s illness got worse, she had no desire for the crown prince’s position at all.”
“What was she like before?”
“She was very gentle and warm. She loved the Crown Prince as much as the Prince.”
That was hard to imagine, thinking of the current Empress.
Now, even a little attention for Bastian made her upset.
How did she change so much?
Even if the Emperor stepped down, Richard and Bastian got along well, so it shouldn’t have been a threat.
It made me sad to hear she used to be friendly with Bastian.
“It’s upsetting to hear about the past.”
“Sometimes I can’t believe how things turned out either. It’s like she became a different person.”
“A different person…”
A thought crossed my mind.
‘Could she be possessed or something…?’
If someone changes completely, that’s the first thing I think of.
But Omok said I was the only possessor in this world, right?
I didn’t trust Omok 100%, but I didn’t have any real evidence, so I decided to ignore that idea for now.
“Did I scare you too much?”
Madam Eins smiled gently at me.
“No, I’m glad you told me. I didn’t know any of this.”
“Don’t worry, even if the Empress is strict. The Prince is by your side, and I’ll do my best to help you shine in the royal family and in society.”
“Thank you, Madam Eins.”
I really felt like I had found a strong ally.
As for the Empress, I could ask Richard or Omok about her soon.
After living here as a possessor, a little bit of worry like this was nothing anymore.
“You worked so hard today, Your Highness!”
After everything was done, Melona cheered me on.
It had been a tough day.
I met Madam Eins, learned from her, and even chose a frame for my portrait. It was already late in the evening.
Even just choosing a frame took so long because there were so many people to ask and so many choices.
“Melona, you worked hard too. Go and rest.”
“Not at all! I have to stay by your side until you go to bed, Your Highness.”
“You don’t need to do that tonight. I’m tired and want to stay in the bath a long time.”
“Ah, then I’ll leave early so I don’t disturb you!”
“Okay, see you tomorrow, Melona.”
Melona was quick to catch on.
She left the bedroom without arguing, so I got some time to myself.
“Your Highness, let me help you with your bath.”
“Huh? Where’s Sophia?”
After changing into my robe and heading to the bathroom, a new maid tried to follow me in.
Sophia usually took care of my bath, but she was nowhere to be seen.
“Sophia said she had a stomachache tonight and asked me to help instead. Will it be uncomfortable for you?”
“Um. No, not really…”
I’d never had anyone but Sophia help me with my bath before, so I was embarrassed!
But it felt awkward to say no.
And I’d probably have to get used to other people helping me, so I decided to just go along with it.
“Alright, I’ll leave it to you.”
I told myself it was just a bath.
I took off my clothes and got into the hot, steamy water that smelled like fresh herbs.
As I soaked, I felt the tiredness of the day melt away.
“You seem very tired, Your Highness. Would you like a massage?”
“That would be nice.”
“Tell me if it hurts.”
Whoa, these hands!
When the maid started massaging my shoulders, I felt a kind of relaxation I’d never known before.
Even professional physical therapy didn’t feel this good!
Her strong hands kneaded all my sore spots and it felt amazing.
“Wow… That’s really good…”
If I wasn’t trying to act like a proper princess, I would have cursed in pure delight.
Oh, right—Sophia said she was sick, didn’t she?
I’d gotten so lost in pleasure, I forgot about poor Sophia for a minute.
“Is Sophia really sick?”
“She probably ate something bad at dinner. But she’ll be fine after some rest, so you don’t have to worry.”
“I should check on her before I sleep. Oh—your massage is just too good!”
Sorry, Sophia.
I’d think about her again in a bit.
For now, I just focused on the wonderful massage.
But suddenly, just as the maid was rubbing my right shoulder blade, her hand stopped.
Srrrrng—
‘What was that sound?’
I listened closely as I heard something strange.
“Your Highness, close your eyes!”
Melona suddenly burst into the bathroom, breaking the peaceful mood.
