Chapter 40

"Princess"

The girl I saved from the dragon. She had fluffy brown hair and a very beautiful dress. And she was called "Your Highness."

I felt she was of high status, but it seemed she was a princess.

"I've heard that this country has a king, his queen, and three children. She might be the youngest princess."

I nodded in agreement with Samyu's explanation.

Her speech and demeanor were more mature than her appearance, and it made sense that she was a young princess. However, I had some doubts.

"Normally, would a princess come this far alone?"

Assuming that girl was a princess. Would a princess my age have a reason to come to Leoriga City alone?

To my question, Samyu nodded and said, "That's right."

"The capital is to the south from here, and it's not close. I don't think there's anything important enough for the princess to visit this area herself..."

"She was being chased by a dragon. Maybe that's related."

The reason for the young princess to leave the capital alone, and being chased by a dragon. I still don't know anything, but it feels like there's something going on. If it's just a trip, that's fine...

"Samyu, come sit here, and let's read the letter together."

I wanted to know the contents of the letter.

So, I patted the spot next to me, inviting Samyu, who was kneeling on the floor, to sit on the sofa.

However, Samyu looked confused...

"But..."

She frowned, looking troubled.

She must be hesitant about sitting next to me.

Samyu treats me with great care, but it must be tiring to always be so formal. I really want her to sit on the sofa.

So, I looked Samyu in the eye, tilted my head slightly, and said,

"Reni, I want Samyu to read it for me."

"Of course, I'd be happy to!!"

Samyu, who had been kneeling on the floor, made a dramatic exclamation and quickly moved to sit next to me.

Good, good. Samyu's cheeks were red, but it should be fine.

I opened the envelope and handed the letter to Samyu.

Samyu read it slowly, making sure I could follow along.

The handwriting was very neat, unlike mine, and it gave a sense of refinement.

The letter started with a proper greeting and then got to the main point. It was—

"An invitation to a tea party."

The princess's invitation.

After arriving in Leoriga City, the princess decided to hold a tea party and wrote this letter.

"I feel that the content is very considerate. It follows the etiquette of the royal family of this country."

"A formal invitation?"

"Yes. Normally, members of the royal family wouldn't show such respect to a passerby... But she must have been very grateful for being saved by Reni-sama."

"Right."

"It also mentions that the mayor of Leoriga City and the lord of the region will be present."

"Wow?"

"Yes... The lord, in particular, is a hereditary noble, entrusted with land and people by the royal family. He is governed by the Gyral Earl."

"So, the Gyral Earl will be at the tea party?"

"Yes. I think it's related to the princess..."

Samyu's expression was troubled as she spoke.

Samyu doesn't seem to have a good impression of the tea party.

"Samyu, are you against the tea party?"

"Not exactly against it, but..."

"Is it because the other party's status is too high?"

From Samyu's tone and expression, it might be better not to attend.

I thought it was just a tea party, but I don't understand etiquette, and I can't be with the princess.

When I asked, Samyu shook her head and looked at me seriously.

"Reni-sama. Although you are currently in hiding and without a title, if you return to the Elven kingdom, you can live as a princess. You are a noble person yourself."

"Oh, right."

That's true. My mother is the queen, so I am a princess.

"Therefore, I don't think there's a problem with having a tea party with a human princess. I don't think Reni-sama would be concerned about the other party's status, but I also don't think you need to worry about it. The humans don't know about the Elven situation, but their respectful treatment of Reni-sama is commendable. However..."

Samyu bit her lip tightly.

"I think that getting too close might become a burden."

"A burden?"

"Yes. If you want to stay in a position of power and rise in status, it might be useful. However, I feel that Reni-sama already has enough power. If the human authorities find out, it might cause trouble..."

"Would I not be able to travel?"

That would be a problem.

I frowned, and Samyu paused for a moment before speaking slowly—

"Reni-sama, I apologize. I have spent a long time as an elf, so I may not have a good impression of humans. There's no problem with Reni-sama interacting with the human world and gaining a position there. If traveling is something Reni-sama needs, it's important."

Samyu looked at me with a straight gaze.

"Whatever Reni-sama wishes."

Samyu's eyes are always a beautiful blue.

There's no lie or hesitation in them, and she truly respects my decisions.

Samyu has given me enough information and has also made it clear that her perspective is that of an elf.

I like this about Samyu.

Thanks to Samyu, I can think and make my own decisions.

So, I—

"Reni, because I made a promise, I will go to the tea party."

I don't want to dampen the princess's happy smile.

"But, I don't want to be with important people."

I just want to keep the promise I made with her.

I have no interest in the princess's status or the power of the lord and mayor.

I don't think I need any power to achieve my goal of traveling and seeing the world with my own eyes.

"So, I'll go as a cat."

The princess only knows me as a cat girl. I can wear the "Cat's Hand Gloves" and go.

"If something happens, I'll run away immediately. As a cat, I can transform, so I'll be fine."

If the "trouble" Samyu mentioned happens, I'll run away immediately!

So, when I smiled and said it would be fine, Samyu gave me a gentle look.

"Yes, I'll accompany you."

"Great! Then, let's write a reply."

—Let's go to the tea party!