Chapter 19

"Oh my, oh my, oh my...!"

"Hmm, I see."

"Princess, you're more... Oh."

The palace attendants glanced at Aristine and smirked.

For some reason, one of them even gave a thumbs up.

"Yes, something soft. I understand."

"Don't worry, just leave it to us. We'll prepare something that can withstand any shock or movement!"

"Exactly. Unshakable comfort!"

Hehehe, hohoho.

Aristine narrowed her eyes at the strange laughter.

'Why are they acting like this?'

Is liking something soft and comfortable really that kind of reaction?

Still, she was grateful for the attendants' enthusiasm.

After all, no one had ever asked her what she wanted or listened to her before.

"Thank you all."

"You're welcome."

"Hohoho, while soft is good, isn't something spacious also nice?"

"Oh, you!"

The attendants giggled.

"No, I don't particularly like spacious... As long as it's not too narrow, it's fine. If it's too wide, it just leaves empty space."

At Aristine's matter-of-fact response, the attendants' eyes sparkled.

Leaving empty space...

'She must really want to snuggle close!'

"Right, right. Why would it need to be wide? Pointlessly!"

"Exactly. A space to lie down is enough!"

"Recommending something wide. I was lacking. Princess, you are indeed wise."

'No, is this really something to call wise?'

Aristine felt more than just puzzled, but seeing the attendants' joy, she thought it might be okay.

'When the people around me are happy, I feel happy too.'

She realized this for the first time.

"Then we'll go find the perfect item."

"We'll prepare something that will surprise you, so look forward to it."

"Even His Majesty Tarkan will be surprised!"

What could be so exciting? The attendants giggled again.

'They really love their work.'

If she had such passionate employees, she'd want to recruit them for her business.

'If I tell them I'll give them a higher salary when my business succeeds, will they switch jobs?'

While thinking this, she watched the attendants leave.

Even as they headed for the door, they gave Aristine a strange look and chuckled.

Their gazes were somehow lecherous and suggestive.

The attendants, who were so busy eyeing Aristine, didn't notice the person standing by the door and were startled when they finally saw him.

"T-Tarkan Majesty."

The attendants quickly bowed.

Before Tarkan could say anything, they fled outside like they were running away.

Tarkan, who had been standing at an angle, entered the room.

"Welcome."

Aristine waved her hand happily.

With Tarkan here, tea would naturally be served, and with tea, dessert would naturally follow.

'I wonder what kind of tea and dessert we'll have today.'

The thought made her heart race.

Tarkan sat opposite Aristine.

Seeing her excited face, he frowned.

They had agreed to be a purely business-like couple, with no love involved.

"I heard your conversation with the attendants."

"Oh, you heard."

To his surprise, Aristine was delighted.

"I clearly said I like something soft."

She even emphasized it again.

Tarkan didn't know how to react.

Seeing his silence, Aristine frowned slightly.

"Do you understand?"

Aristine leaned closer to Tarkan to confirm.

Her long hair swayed lightly, and the fabric of her sleeve moved, revealing her white wrist and elbow.

Her violet eyes, reflecting the sunlight, seemed more mysterious than usual.

The distance made everything clearer.

It felt like the whole world was reflected in her sparkling eyes.

"You..."

With a creak, Tarkan abruptly stood up from his chair.

"There's no way that will happen with you."

His low voice was like a growl.

Leaving those words, Tarkan turned and left.

He usually walked with long strides, but now his steps were even faster than usual.

Confused by his behavior, Aristine rested her arms on the table and tilted her head.

'Why is he acting like this all of a sudden?'

The attendants were strange, and now Tarkan was strange too. Everyone seemed off today.

"What do you mean, 'no way that will happen'?"

Aristine asked Tarkan, who was just leaving the room.

He stopped abruptly, then left even faster than before.

His ear, visible through his hair, was red.

'What's wrong with him, not even answering?'

Her grumbling was forgotten the moment she saw the snacks the attendants had brought.

"Oh, His Majesty left? What about the tea?"

"Since we brought it, we might as well have it. Just give it to me."

"Yes, Princess."

Aristine inwardly cheered at the sight of the exquisite tea and scones on the table.

Today's jam was strawberry pepper jam and apricot compote, served with clotted cream, of course.

After sipping the fragrant tea, she spread the strawberry pepper jam and clotted cream on the warm scone, feeling happy already.

The rich, buttery flavor was deeply satisfying, and the clotted cream made everything smooth, while the pepper added a delightful spice.

'The scones seem even more delicious today, or is it just my imagination?'

Forgetting Tarkan and the attendants' strange behavior, Aristine happily enjoyed her tea and scones.

* * *

"His Majesty is really getting married."

"Why are you suddenly surprised about something decided months ago?"

"Maybe it's finally sinking in."

The warriors, taking a break at the training ground, were discussing their lord's upcoming marriage.

"But to the Princess of Silvanus!"

A warrior with a terrible scar over his left eye exclaimed.

"Why, is there a reason to dislike it?"

"When I heard it was the Princess of Silvanus, I was worried, but she's different from what I expected..."

"I was shocked when I saw her at the welcome banquet."

"Did you see the expression of the great Queen when the Princess spoke? It was hilarious."

"What about Duke Skiera? I felt sorry for him."

"If the floor had been a sword, he would have been covered in blood."

"I thought all Silvanus people were cowards, but to have such an excellent warrior..."

The warriors chuckled, recalling the official audience with the envoy.

Despite the general mood, one person continued to voice his dissatisfaction with Aristine.

It was the warrior with the scar over his left eye.

"Warrior? Using words is not the same as wielding a sword! Silvanus people are just smooth talkers."

"Mukali, why do you dislike the Princess so much?"

Zakalen finally spoke up, unable to listen any longer.

"Isn't it strange to like someone from Silvanus, whose intentions we don't know?"

"The Princess is not like that. She is..."

Zakalen, who had investigated Aristine for Tarkan, fell silent.

Though he enjoyed cutting off the hands of monsters, he was fundamentally a good person.

He didn't like spreading others' misfortunes to third parties.

"She's what? Are you completely on her side? Did you fall for her just because she's pretty? You're not Prince Marten, you know."

"Comparing her to Prince Marten..."

"You're right, that was a bit harsh."

Mukali hesitated at his comrades' criticism.

"That... I apologize."

"Since you apologized so quickly, I'll accept it. Buy us some meat and alcohol."

Mukali nodded glumly.

Even he thought comparing her to Marten was a bit much.

Zakalen patted Mukali's shoulder with his fist.

Despite his scarred, fierce face, Mukali was a simple friend.

Being loyal and simple can sometimes be frustrating for those around him.

Wasn't that comment just funny?

'Why are you taking the Princess's side?' is something only a child would say.

The idea of taking sides is childish, but it also reflects Mukali's emphasis on loyalty.

'I don't dislike such a person.'

Zakalen smiled and said to Mukali.

"I quite like the Princess."

When he first encountered her through documents and information, he felt a bit sorry for her.

But he was more concerned that she wouldn't be politically beneficial to Tarkan.

Why did it have to be the eldest Princess?

His mind was filled with such thoughts.

But after meeting Aristine in person and understanding her as a real person, not just words on paper, his opinion changed.

She was intelligent and articulate, which would be helpful to Tarkan, but more than that, she was personally charming.

"The attendants also like the Princess. There's a reason why people who see her every day like her."

Mukali snorted.

"They just like small and pretty things. They were all saying how pretty she is when they were chatting."

Standing among the large Irlugons, the Princess looked like a small fairy.

Her delicate features and light silver hair, in contrast to the dark hair of the Irlugons, made her even more so.

Having a special person to serve is quite inspiring.

"Maybe, but I think there's more to it than that."

Aristine was not a demanding mistress.

She didn't make requests or set up barriers based on status.

She must have been a breath of fresh air for the attendants, who were often intimidated by Tarkan's presence.

"Yeah, I think she's a pretty good match for the lord."

"Not bad."

"Better than expected."

"What's so good about her!"

Mukali shouted.

"Don't give your heart so easily."

If it were a normal person, they might have been intimidated by Mukali's fierce face and nodded, but not these men.

"What heart are you talking about?"

"Didn't you feel satisfied when the Duke was silenced and his tail tucked?"

"That... I did."

Mukali nodded without thinking.

To be honest, it wasn't just satisfying; it was incredibly satisfying.

"See, she's fine, right?"

"I hope she does it again next time."

"She seems to fit well with His Majesty too."

"I've never seen the lord like this."

Watching the dark-skinned men chatting amicably, Mukali frowned.

'How long has it been since he met the Princess...'

Small and delicate things naturally stimulate a protective instinct.

He must be enchanted by her appearance.

"But she's from Silvanus. She must have some sinister motives. We need to protect the lord."

"If she has sinister motives, then we should. But does she? From how she treats the Queen and Duke Skiera, it doesn't seem so."

"You can't know a person. You haven't even talked to her directly. You've only seen her passing by."

"Then we should ask someone who has talked to her. What do you think, Durante?"

Durante, who had been silently cleaning his sword, looked up.

"Let's end the idle talk here. Back to work."

Rising quietly, the others clicked their tongues.

"Boring."

"We still have some time left."

Mumbling, they got up to return to work.

As everyone left, Mukali also moved to manage his subordinates.

"Am I late?"

Hearing a voice behind him, Mukali turned around.

"Diona."

Diona smiled, brushing back her navy blue hair.

"I brought sandwiches for you to have a snack, but I'm too late."

"You didn't have to go through all that trouble..."

"How can you say that? You're all like my big brothers."

Seeing Diona's smile, Mukali's face showed a mix of pain, longing, bitterness, and guilt.

It couldn't be helped.

Diona's real big brother, and Mukali's comrade, Chantara, was already dead.

It was a tough battle.

If they continued, they would lose half their warriors to the monsters.

That's when Tarkan devised a plan.

Uncharacteristically, he took his time before revealing a strategy that would inevitably result in the sacrifice of some of his men.

But it was a necessary sacrifice to minimize the loss of life.

Chantara was the one who stepped forward.

The battle ended in victory, but Chantara was lost.

Mukali felt a sense of debt to Chantara, which often manifested as protectiveness towards Diona.

"Thank you."

"I came to match the break time, but I'm too late. Everyone's gone..."

"They were just unlucky. I'm lucky. Come, give me the sandwiches. I have time for a quick snack."

Since Durante had cleaned up before the break was over, there was still some time left.

Mukali and Diona sat on a bench together.

As he repeatedly said how delicious the sandwiches were, Diona's expression was clearly not good.

Though she was smiling, the shadows in her eyes were unmistakable.

"Diona, is something wrong?"

"Me? No, no."

Diona quickly forced a smile and shook her head.

But her expression clearly showed she was not okay.

Mukali put down the sandwich.

"I told you to think of me as your big brother. Tell me what's wrong."

Hesitating for a moment, Diona finally spoke.

"It's... about the Princess..."

She paused, then remained silent for a long time.

Mukali waited patiently for her to speak.

"Do you know that I really think of you as my big brother?"

"Of course, I know."

"That's why I'm telling you. It's about the Princess... It's not a good story."

Mukali's eyes widened.

"The Princess?"

"It's... I heard that the Princess is infatuated with some man and is investigating him."

Her husband is gone, and now she's trying to make money.