Chapter 16

Lirika met her mother four days later. She had heard that the meeting had ended, but thinking her mother might be tired, she decided to visit later. However, her mother called her.

Rudia was dressed in a robe, her hair loosely tied back. She looked very tired as she kissed her daughter and said, "Nothing happened while I was away?"

"No, nothing at all."

"That's good, my dear."

Rudia tried to embrace Lirika but winced and patted her back instead.

"Are you okay?"

Rudia nodded, waving her hand. "I'm fine, just tired. Do I look that bad?"

Rudia covered her cheeks with her hands and laughed. Lirika shook her head vigorously.

"No, Mother, you still look beautiful!"

Rudia chuckled, "Hehe." Seeing her mother's smile, Lirika marveled again at how beautiful she was. Despite looking tired, her skin had a strange luster, and her cheeks were slightly flushed, making her look very lovely. Staring at her mother, Lirika frowned.

"Mother, it looks like you've been bitten by a bug. Are you okay?"

"Huh?"

"Right here—"

She tapped her own neck, and Rudia quickly pulled her robe closed.

"It's quite red and swollen. Does it itch?"

"Ah, ah, I'm fine. Really, I'm fine."

Rudia waved her hand nervously, and Lirika nodded, thinking she must be embarrassed. There was no need to be, though.

Rudia cleared her throat and adjusted her robe collar. "While I was away, a reply came from Barat. He's coming to teach you. Is that okay?"

"Really?"

"Yes. It seems Fjord Barat will come."

"Wow—!"

Lirika clapped her hands in pure joy, and Rudia smiled.

"You're that happy?"

"Yes!"

"Also—"

Rudia yawned and continued, "Attil decided to pick new guards for you when he picks his. You can go to the Royal Guard and choose someone you like. You can also ask Captain Tan to pick someone good for you."

Rudia yawned again, and Lirika said, "The meeting must have been very tiring."

"Meeting?"

"Yes, you were with His Majesty for the meeting."

"Oh, yes. It was a one-sided meeting... one-sided... hehe. But, the talks are roughly over."

Thinking about how exhausting it must have been for her mother, Lirika felt heavy-hearted. Still, she was happy that her mother called her right away.

Lirika stood up and hugged her mother tightly. "I understand. Get some rest now. I'll hear the rest later."

"Okay, I'll just rest a bit. Take the letter from Barat's side to the steward."

"Yes."

As Lirika left the room, the steward handed the letter to Brin. It was a letter with a beautiful floral crest.

'The crest represents the family's ancestor. So, Barat's ancestor is a flower?'

Could a flower be an ancestor?

'But it makes sense.'

Thinking of Fjord's appearance, it really did seem possible. Maybe he had a flower fairy or something as an ancestor?

After examining the envelope, Lirika arrived at the stairs and glanced around. She cleared her throat.

"Brin."

"Yes, Princess."

"Is anyone around?"

"No one is watching."

Lirika subtly looked at the railing. Brin asked politely, "Would you like to slide down?"

"Is it okay?"

"It should be fine."

"Alright, then."

Encouraged by Brin, Lirika sat on the large, wide marble railing.

"Wow—!"

She immediately gained speed and slid down the railing.

'What? Ah, ah?'

The stairs were longer and the speed faster than she expected. What if she couldn't land properly?

"Ah!"

She was going to fly off!

At the curved part of the railing, Lirika let out a small scream and closed her eyes tightly.

Someone caught her with a thud. Opening her eyes slightly, she saw His Majesty standing there.

"You shouldn't close your eyes at the end. You need to keep your eyes on the landing spot until the very end."

"Your Majesty!"

Lirika's eyes widened in surprise, and he lifted her up. Altears looked at Lirika, who was blushing.

"I'm sorry..."

"For cleaning the railing?"

"No, for sliding down the railing..."

"Why are you sorry for that?"

Lirika looked at him with a troubled expression. Altears frowned and said, "Ah."

"I'm not interrogating you to confess something. I really don't understand why you're sorry."

He looked into Lirika's eyes for a moment.

"Did you see your mother?"

"Yes, she looked tired."

"Hmm."

Lirika couldn't help but look at Altears' face. Her mother looked tired, but His Majesty seemed polished and smooth.

"Did the meeting go well?"

"What meeting?"

"The one with your mother..."

"Oh."

Altears rolled his eyes and nodded.

"It was very satisfying."

"I see."

"Lirika."

"Yes."

"Did you ask your mother about the meeting?"

"Huh?"

"The meeting."

"Oh, yes."

Altears cleared his throat.

"What did she say?"

"Um..."

Lirika thought about how to answer.

"She said the talks went well."

"That's all?"

"Yes, and..."

Lirika looked at his reaction, and Altears smiled, "Be honest."

"She said it was a one-sided meeting..."

"One-sided. Hmm... I see. Hmm..."

Altears said, "Then I'll have to work on making future meetings mutually satisfying."

As he set Lirika down, he noticed the letter in her hand.

"Barat?"

"Huh? Oh, yes. I'm inviting Fjord Barat as a guest."

"Fjord Barat?"

"Yes."

Altears thought for a moment and held out his hand. Lirika handed him the letter.

The envelope had Barat's crest clearly drawn and the silver dragon crest indicating the recipient.

"Sometimes, often, I wonder what the Empress is thinking."

Muttering, he handed the letter back to Lirika.

"Go on."

Altears turned and walked away, his steps quick and confident.

Lirika looked at the invitation and then asked Brin, "Is His Majesty angry?"

"No, if he were angry, he would have killed one of us. Or both of us."

"..."

Seeing Brin's smiling face, Lirika thought, 'Being a noble is tough,' and put the letter in Brin's apron pocket. She felt it was better if no one else saw it.