4-02: An Inevitable Catastrophe (1/3)

4-02: An Inevitable Catastrophe (1/3)

In the mansion.

Although the room Lilisha spent most of her time in wasnt that far from the study, it still required some walking.

That was partly because the villa was just too big, but it was also because she was hesitant to use the master room, which belonged to the king, when she was just a princess.

The study was close to the masters room, but the rest of the family rooms were some ways away.

It was a floor arrangement that took into consideration her position as the second princess.

Along the way

Hey, Stella Did you intentionally appear at that timing?

The princess happiness was visible even from behind, but she suddenly turned around and asked Stella that question, who nodded matter-of-factly.

Yes, I wont ask what you were planning to talk about, but with all due respect, Lillisha-sama, you trust him too much.

I would lose to you in that regard, though.

What do you mean?

The princess continued walking backwards even after turning but stopped when Stella said those words.

Her voice was filled with genuine confusion, and that shocked Lilisha.

Youre not aware? I heard he gave you a pendant and you immediately put it on while barely asking any questions.

Who told you that? I just think he can be trusted when it comes to troublesome matters.

Evidently, there were some rats with lips too loose. Stella resolved herself to investigate the matter and hand out punishment accordingly.

But of course, she didnt forget to answer the princess inquiries briefly and promptly.

See? I knew it!

But for some reason, the princess looked elated, as though her words did not get through her.

At the same time, she smiled a smile filled with an oppressive aura, as though she wouldnt allow her, her servant, to deceive her.

It wasnt a powerful aura by any means to Stella, but she nonetheless felt it.

It has only been half a month, yet the changes brought about by that black-hearted yet natural airhead of a boy was nothing short of extraordinary.

I am grateful to him. Not only did he rid us of our arrogance, he brought back that carefree smile of yours as well, Lilisha-sama. Its a pity that you also learned to smile so nastily, however, Stella said.

What could you be talking about? Lilisha said with a composed face, yes, the very face in question. Sigh Well fine. I am grateful as well.

There were indescribable difficulties and constraints in the royal palace where she grew up.

Especially when the queen, the mother of the princesses, passed away. It was as if the light had left them.

The countrys hardships and the factional struggles that followed was like a domino effect, and they mercilessly dragged the feelings of the Earthgant princesses with them, transforming the yet young Lilishas smile to become something else altogether.

Thats why she could only maintain a silent attitude that neither denied nor affirmed anything.

However, Stella couldnt endure the heavy silence that followed, so she jokingly pointed out the problem that would arise if they were to leave.

But then who will take care of you, Lilisha-sama?

Oh? Has it already been decided that all of you will be serving Shin?

Huh?

Stella was stunned to see her master turn to her with a smile and point that out.

She thought back to what she said, and her expressionless mask crumbled.

I cant believe I just said that!

Fu fu, ahaha! To think that that Stella would make such a weird face!

That was indeed the kind of smile she wanted to see the princess make, but the way she laughed while clutching her stomach was completely void of the elegance a lady ought to have.

Whats so funny, Princess?

It was Stellas duty to admonish the princess for her unladylike manner, so she gave voice to her annoyance with much frustration and with considerable pressure, but the princess just shrugged her shoulders.

Oh, how scary. But if thats the case, then once everything has been dealt with, I might as well change job and become a maid myself. Do you think it would be a problem for a maid to be a former princess and be capable of using cataclysmic class spells?

Lilisha suggested with a smug expression, and Stella snorted.

Hah

You snorted!?

My dear princess, you cant even brew a cup of tea properly, how could you possibly become a maid?

And it wasnt just tea too. When Stella pointed out all the things that the princess struggled with, Lilisha could only drop her shoulders in disappointment. But then again, she was the princess of a great power.

It was only normal for her to be lacking in such things, but the realization that her chance of becoming a maid was nil was surprisingly shocking.

But

Dont worry. That just means well have to train you from scratch, so please do prepare yourself.

Thats A rather terrifying proposition.

The head maid was basically her second older sister, and when she showed her concern in that manner, Princess Lilisha couldnt help but shudder and wonder what kind of terrible fate awaited her.

Both of them knew that such a future was impossible, of course, but they still shared a smile.

The occasional delusion(what-if) wouldnt hurt anyone.

Especially, since they knew that something bad would happen soon.

After all, as unfortunate as it was, Shinichis intuition had never once failed them in this half month that theyve spent together.