"Then I'll start by making my rounds for security purposes."
"That won't be necessary. I conducted them early this morning."
"Now, now, a lady all by herself?"
"Conversely, if a thief had broken in, there would be no reason for them to target only me."
"Huh? Well, I'm a professional, so dangerous spots and such, you know?"
Revan showed no intention of mending his discourtesy.
Moreover, he continued to ignore me, the one he was supposed to protect.
Harty resisted, but he was persistent and unpleasant.
"Harty, please lock the rooms except for the Blue Room."
"As you wish, Lady Asha."
Following her lead, I also ignored Revan and spoke to Harty.
At that, Revan stepped in front of Harty to obstruct her.
"That's exactly what I, the bodyguard, should do. Now, hand over the keys."
"I hold these keys in His Majesty's name. You have no authority. Stand down."
"Wow, scary. If you don't have that kind of composure, you won't catch a new husband."
Seeing Harty mocked as a widow enraged even me, usually so mild-tempered.
After all, she had returned to her parents' home with a daughter in tow, but the viscountcy was already in her brother's generation and unable to support them, so my mother had consulted with my father to have her serve as my wet nurse.
She is precious to my parents; I cannot forgive her being mocked.
"Harty, go. I'll prepare the music."
As I spoke, I rose from my chair and moved in the opposite direction from Harty.
Revan hesitated, unsure whether he should attend to me or Harty.
Taking advantage of that opening, Harty moved away and began locking the Gold Room, the closest to Revan.
As for me, I had arbitrarily changed what was supposed to be a geography lesson with Harty.
Using the piano left in the Gold Room's salon for a music lesson—I thought this would draw the least interference.
"Hey, where are you going now? Please stay put."
When I ignored him, he tried to search the house on his own—you're the one trying to go somewhere.
That's why I have to move around to draw his attention.
Truly troublesome and irritating.
Even after starting the music lesson, he kept moving around and interrupting.
"Oh, someone's here. Go on, go greet them."
"Why must I leave you and Lady Asha alone together?"
"Oh, don't worry. I can look after a child, you know."
There was a knock at the Blue Room, but no sign of entry.
Normally, Ikt or Harty would respond immediately, but today Revan was here and Ikt was absent.
"It's fine, I tell you. What are you so wary of? Or is it someone who shouldn't be here?"
"If you think so, then you should open the door."
"Oh, come on. I'm the bodyguard. I can't leave this spot."
"Harty, go."
I prompted her while moving toward the window opposite the door leading to the Blue Room.
"It's surely Helkov."
"Ah, that former soldier."
Harty left the Gold Room looking worried.
Revan immediately began surveying the room, looking around and trying to open cabinets without permission.
However, there were few items to begin with—only a piano, chairs, and a table.
"Reducing your belongings so obviously is practically admitting you're hiding something."
He seemed to have a strange misunderstanding, but I paid it no mind and picked up a beaker left by the window.
"What's that glass?"
He didn't seem to know what a beaker was.
He'd probably never seen one before since there were no science lessons.
I'd left it there because the good sunlight made it easy to grow salt crystals.
I took out a salt crystal large enough to pinch between my fingers.
"A transparent stone? Is it some kind of curse?"
Yes, annoying.
While thinking of a way to kick him out due to such irritation and annoyance, Helkov arrived.
Harty had been forced to receive him, creating a situation where we were alone—this was Revan's doing.
I thought I had no choice but to use this.
"Like this?"
Measuring my timing, I headed toward the hard stone fireplace.
And since hesitation would be wasted, I cleared my mind and swung down, causing a violent sound of shattering glass to echo.
That was fine, but I had forgotten.
I looked down at the blood flowing from my hand and thought.
However, if this meant seeing the foolish face of that insolent palace guard Revan, who was alone with me in this Gold Room, then good!
"What was that sound!?"
"Lady Asha! Lady Asha!? Blood!"
Helkov and Harty rushed in from the direction of the Blue Room, their eyes widening at the wound on my hand.
"What is the meaning of this!?"
"Eh, I didn't...! Ugh!?"
When Harty screamed upon seeing blood seeping from my left hand, Helkov immediately seized Revan.
Revan, who had been about to make excuses, was pinned to the floor by the blood-rushed Helkov.
As expected of the former soldier scheduled to be my sword instructor—he neutralized him smoothly.
Even though Revan was the only one with a sword, he wasn't given time to draw it.
"Being injured while alone with the guard sent by Marquis Strategist is, I think, somewhat problematic."
While regretting that I had been making high-concentration salt water to create salt crystals, I announced with a smile.
I had initially tried to brush him off and drive him away casually, but yes.
At my sarcasm, Revan frowned from the floor.
I want to frown too.
The salt water from the broken beaker hurts terribly.
"Now, we must call a physician. However, I do not wish to make a fuss. Please convey this matter to the Marquis along with Helkov. It would be good if he could bring a physician from his side."
Harty is glaring at me slightly.
This means a scolding later.
Helkov also realized it was staged and sighed.
"Come on, let's go. You can't deny that you, a guard, allowed an injury to happen."
"B-but, that's... unreasonable!?"
"Shut up!"
Dragged away by Helkov, Revan made his exit.
I thought it would take time, but while I was washing away the salt water and examining the wound, Helkov returned.
Revan appeared again too, and if Ikt was there, so was the purple-haired Marquis Strategist.
Plus a bearded uncle carrying what looked like a physician's bag.
"We deeply apologize for this incident. This was an error in our personnel selection."
While being treated by the physician sent by the Marquis, Marquis Strategist readily admitted fault.
Well, actually, a six-year-old was injured while alone with the guard they sent.
Moreover, because I used my left hand, my control of force was poor and I cut it rather deeply.
The moment I asked the physician if it would heal before meeting my father, the Marquis apologized.
It was simply an honest question, not a threat.
He probably wants to avoid the Emperor learning of this as a matter of responsibility.
"Sending someone completely lacking in manners who couldn't even offer a proper greeting."
Harty listed Revan's misconduct, including her anger toward me.
Of course, she also blamed Revan for creating a situation where he and I were alone, so I remained as silent as possible.
Revan stood straight and offered no rebuttal, as if his earlier noisiness had been a lie.
Thus, the insolent palace guard named Revan was sent back with an apology from Marquis Strategist.
After that, it was time for me to be scolded.
"You broke it yourself!"
"And with salt water, no less!"
"What were you doing while I was away!?"
Wearrel came too, and oh, what a fuss.
Then Ikt, who had gone out once with Marquis Strategist, returned and said:
"I heard various things, so well, I can infer Your Highness's actions. That aside, since the method was rather violent this time, I have seized the discretion to arrange guards around Your Highness."
It seems my recklessness was worth it.
With this, my peace seems secure—good, good.
After that, it became a four-person scolding session...
Daily updates
Next: The Lost Princess 1 "Then I'll start by making my rounds for security purposes."
"That won't be necessary. I conducted them early this morning."
"Now, now, a lady all by herself?"
"Conversely, if a thief had broken in, there would be no reason for them to target only me."
"Huh? Well, I'm a professional, so dangerous spots and such, you know?"
Revan showed no intention of mending his discourtesy. Moreover, he continued to ignore me, the one he was supposed to protect. Harty resisted, but he was persistent and unpleasant.
"Harty, please lock the rooms except for the Blue Room."
"As you wish, Lady Asha."
Following her lead, I also ignored Revan and spoke to Harty. At that, Revan stepped in front of Harty to obstruct her.
"That's exactly what I, the bodyguard, should do. Now, hand over the keys."
"I hold these keys in His Majesty's name. You have no authority. Stand down."
"Wow, scary. If you don't have that kind of composure, you won't catch a new husband."
Seeing Harty mocked as a widow enraged even me, usually so mild-tempered. After all, she had returned to her parents' home with a daughter in tow, but the viscountcy was already in her brother's generation and unable to support them, so my mother had consulted with my father to have her serve as my wet nurse. She is precious to my parents; I cannot forgive her being mocked.
"Harty, go. I'll prepare the music."
As I spoke, I rose from my chair and moved in the opposite direction from Harty. Revan hesitated, unsure whether he should attend to me or Harty. Taking advantage of that opening, Harty moved away and began locking the Gold Room, the closest to Revan.
As for me, I had arbitrarily changed what was supposed to be a geography lesson with Harty. Using the piano left in the Gold Room's salon for a music lesson—I thought this would draw the least interference.
"Hey, where are you going now? Please stay put."
When I ignored him, he tried to search the house on his own—you're the one trying to go somewhere. That's why I have to move around to draw his attention. Truly troublesome and irritating.
Even after starting the music lesson, he kept moving around and interrupting.
"Oh, someone's here. Go on, go greet them."
"Why must I leave you and Lady Asha alone together?"
"Oh, don't worry. I can look after a child, you know."
There was a knock at the Blue Room, but no sign of entry. Normally, Ikt or Harty would respond immediately, but today Revan was here and Ikt was absent.
"It's fine, I tell you. What are you so wary of? Or is it someone who shouldn't be here?"
"If you think so, then you should open the door."
"Oh, come on. I'm the bodyguard. I can't leave this spot."
"Harty, go."
I prompted her while moving toward the window opposite the door leading to the Blue Room.
"It's surely Helkov."
"Ah, that former soldier."
Harty left the Gold Room looking worried. Revan immediately began surveying the room, looking around and trying to open cabinets without permission. However, there were few items to begin with—only a piano, chairs, and a table.
"Reducing your belongings so obviously is practically admitting you're hiding something."
He seemed to have a strange misunderstanding, but I paid it no mind and picked up a beaker left by the window.
"What's that glass?"
He didn't seem to know what a beaker was. He'd probably never seen one before since there were no science lessons. I'd left it there because the good sunlight made it easy to grow salt crystals. I took out a salt crystal large enough to pinch between my fingers.
"A transparent stone? Is it some kind of curse?"
Yes, annoying. While thinking of a way to kick him out due to such irritation and annoyance, Helkov arrived. Harty had been forced to receive him, creating a situation where we were alone—this was Revan's doing. I thought I had no choice but to use this.
"Like this?"
Measuring my timing, I headed toward the hard stone fireplace. And since hesitation would be wasted, I cleared my mind and swung down, causing a violent sound of shattering glass to echo. That was fine, but I had forgotten. I looked down at the blood flowing from my hand and thought. However, if this meant seeing the foolish face of that insolent palace guard Revan, who was alone with me in this Gold Room, then good!
"What was that sound!?"
"Lady Asha! Lady Asha!? Blood!"
Helkov and Harty rushed in from the direction of the Blue Room, their eyes widening at the wound on my hand.
"What is the meaning of this!?"
"Eh, I didn't...! Ugh!?"
When Harty screamed upon seeing blood seeping from my left hand, Helkov immediately seized Revan. Revan, who had been about to make excuses, was pinned to the floor by the blood-rushed Helkov. As expected of the former soldier scheduled to be my sword instructor—he neutralized him smoothly. Even though Revan was the only one with a sword, he wasn't given time to draw it.
"Being injured while alone with the guard sent by Marquis Stratege is, I think, somewhat problematic."
While regretting that I had been making high-concentration salt water to create salt crystals, I announced with a smile. I had initially tried to brush him off and drive him away casually, but yes. At my sarcasm, Revan frowned from the floor. I want to frown too. The salt water from the broken beaker hurts terribly.
"Now, we must call a physician. However, I do not wish to make a fuss. Please convey this matter to the Marquis along with Helkov. It would be good if he could bring a physician from his side."
Harty is glaring at me slightly. This means a scolding later. Helkov also realized it was staged and sighed.
"Come on, let's go. You can't deny that you, a guard, allowed an injury to happen."
"B-but, that's... unreasonable!?"
"Shut up!"
Dragged away by Helkov, Revan made his exit. I thought it would take time, but while I was washing away the salt water and examining the wound, Helkov returned. Revan appeared again too, and if Ikt was there, so was the purple-haired Marquis Stratege. Plus a bearded uncle carrying what looked like a physician's bag.
"We deeply apologize for this incident. This was an error in our personnel selection."
While being treated by the physician sent by the Marquis, Marquis Stratege readily admitted fault. Well, actually, a six-year-old was injured while alone with the guard they sent. Moreover, because I used my left hand, my control of force was poor and I cut it rather deeply. The moment I asked the physician if it would heal before meeting my father, the Marquis apologized. It was simply an honest question, not a threat. He probably wants to avoid the Emperor learning of this as a matter of responsibility.
"Sending someone completely lacking in manners who couldn't even offer a proper greeting."
Harty listed Revan's misconduct, including her anger toward me. Of course, she also blamed Revan for creating a situation where he and I were alone, so I remained as silent as possible. Revan stood straight and offered no rebuttal, as if his earlier noisiness had been a lie. Thus, the insolent palace guard named Revan was sent back with an apology from Marquis Stratege.
After that, it was time for me to be scolded.
"You broke it yourself!"
"And with salt water, no less!"
"What were you doing while I was away!?"
Wearrel came too, and oh, what a fuss. Then Ikt, who had gone out once with Marquis Stratege, returned and said:
"I heard various things, so well, I can infer Your Highness's actions. That aside, since the method was rather violent this time, I have seized the discretion to arrange guards around Your Highness."
It seems my recklessness was worth it. With this, my peace seems secure—good, good.
After that, it became a four-person scolding session...
Daily updates
Next: The Lost Princess 1