Chapter 87

The sound of a whip cracking echoed in the air.

A smile. It was supposed to be her usual gentle, warm, and reliable smile. But the flames roared. This must be a hallucination.

"I'm sorry, Lady Shina. I know it's wrong to doubt my master's words, but I must ask. Is what you just told me true?"

I'm scared.

Kir and I have faced and defeated many tough monsters in the Glass Forest.

But right now, I feel the greatest threat to my life. It's that scary. Kir stands beside me, tense, as if ready for battle.

"Yes... It's true, Maria."

The strongest ally. Kir was talking to Maria, the head maid of the Marita Kingdom. Though she doesn't hold a high rank, her abilities, recognized by the king, led to her early appointment as head maid. Her skills are widely known both domestically and internationally. Even the difficult ministers of the Marita Kingdom treat Maria with respect and stand at attention. Some even add "Yes, ma'am" at the end of their sentences out of fear. It's a mystery how she tames such a tough, muscular man.

She looks like a beautiful witch of indeterminate age, but inside, she's like a strong-willed mother. Both Kir and I look up to Maria. Especially me, who often worries and causes trouble, so much so that I can't even sleep with my legs facing her, just like my mother from my previous life, Yoneko.

After Prince Rolf left. Kir secretly contacted the head maid, and she and her confidante, Vanessa, quickly arrived. Kir wrapped me in a blanket, and the head maid and Vanessa gathered the minimum necessities. Surrounded by the head maid's trusted guards, we were taken to another room. It was very strict.

Then, I consulted Maria and Vanessa about my conversation with Prince Rolf and my anxieties. As I spoke, Vanessa's face became increasingly expressionless, while Maria's smile grew wider, which was scary.

"Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen..."

Maria's smile grows wider the angrier she gets. It's a calm anger, like a still surface of water, but beneath it, the magma is boiling. Vanessa remains expressionless, her true face.

"Sorry, Maria, Vanessa. I consulted you, but now you're getting involved too..."

My head was spinning, and I ended up consulting Maria and Vanessa, who always help me. But they serve the king and queen. If I involve them in this, it will go against the king and queen's wishes, and they might be in a difficult position.

Why can't I even think of such simple things? Maybe that's why I'm not suitable to be a princess. I'm trying hard to study to become a princess, but as a commoner, I can't catch up with the elegance and common sense that a pure noble lady naturally possesses. Jin says it's not the case, but I think he finds me unreliable.

Feeling self-loathing and guilt, I tightly closed my eyes and bowed my head. I sensed a presence in front of me. Slowly opening my eyes, I saw Maria standing there with a gentle smile.

"Kind Lady Shina. You are worried about us."

She touched my cheek gently, as if handling a fragile object.

"Lady Shina. I am honored that you remember my offer to listen to you, no matter how presumptuous it may be. Though I am of low status, I will do my best for you."

Maria chuckled.

"We are commanded to serve and care for you, Lady Shina, more than the king and queen. Even if this matter is for your safety, if it clouds your heart, it is not for your benefit."

Her smile remained, but her eyes narrowed sharply, like a demon's face.

"When our master acts wrongly, a true servant has the duty to advise them, even if it is the respected king and queen."

"Maria...?"

"Even for Lady Shina's safety, to propose marriage to that scoundrel? While Prince Zinklett may be a bit of a wimp, he has shown growth day by day. Most importantly, anyone who sees Lady Shina can tell that he has deep affection for her! To tear that apart! And to choose that despicable scoundrel as a partner! I've heard he is skilled in martial arts and strategy, but do you know how many of our maids he has made cry?"

Rage burned from Maria, and I could see flames rising. Someone! Call the fire brigade! Looking at Vanessa for help, she too was expressionless but angry.

While Jin's evaluation is pretty bad among Maria and the others, Prince Rolf's is even worse. The strict Maria is calling a prince a scoundrel.

"Is he really that bad? Prince Rolf..."

"Indeed, he has chosen only those who can have a casual relationship. But that doesn't mean the maids have no feelings. Some have fallen in love deeply because of his kindness and charm."

The mother of the maids twisted her face in sadness. Even if the maids were willing, she must have felt pain seeing them in love with no future.

"Some have quit because they couldn't move on. Some have cried and cried and married elsewhere. Though I can't interfere in the affairs of men and women, I can't help but dislike him when I think of those girls."

Though her words were humble, her feelings were clear. She's a strict but very kind mother, and she must have supported the crying maids until they recovered.

I've heard that Prince Rolf is an excellent person. He carries the responsibility of a royal and leads the army to protect the country, supporting his brother, the king, and guiding his nephew, the crown prince, with strictness and kindness. He is popular among the people and soldiers. With his cool beauty and gentlemanly attitude, his romantic relationships are seen positively, as a skilled adult.

"I can't handle someone like that."

If he were a distant idol from my previous life, I might be able to cheer and say he's cool. But for me, who only had jerks as boyfriends in my previous life, he's too advanced. I can't handle it; it's beyond my capacity.

"Cheating and doubting would be too much trouble, and besides, I wouldn't even match with someone like that..."

I realized tears were streaming down my cheeks.

No, no, it's not that. I don't like it, no matter how cool the person is.

It's not Jin.

Imagining myself with someone else and Jin with someone else made my chest feel like it was being squeezed in pain.

"I don't want anyone else. I want to be Jin's wife..."

"Oh, Lady Shina!"

Maria hugged me as my tears wouldn't stop. Her embrace was soft, nostalgic, warm, and comforting. It reminded me of Yoneko.

"To think you care so much for that wimp...! Yes, yes. Lady Shina is too good for that wimp, but if you care for him so much, there's no choice. We will take responsibility for training him and making him a proper man. Still, for a wimp to keep secrets from Lady Shina... He needs a good scolding."

Maria has been raising the Marita Kingdom's royal siblings since they were children. She is like a second mother, and I've heard she disciplined them without mercy when they misbehaved.

"His intention to protect you is good, but hiding everything causes problems. Men often underestimate a woman's ability to sense secrets. Hiding things is obvious. How much do they underestimate women, really?"

Maria sighed deeply and pointed her finger.

"Lady Shina, do you understand? The first step is crucial. As they say, strike while the iron is hot. You must make it clear to the prince that you know everything he does and that if he hides things, he must be prepared for the consequences. To become a proper lady, you must have the resolve to discipline Prince Zinklett."

She smiled, a graceful and gentle smile.

Behind her, Vanessa finally removed her mask and showed a compassionate smile.

Kir is always right.

It seems I have gained a terrifyingly powerful ally.