Royal Princess of Blood

I had nothing else better to do, and considering that there was no nature here whatsoever, the only place we could have as some sort of tourist attraction was the palace itself. Just enjoy the architecture and stuff… So yeah, there was nothing much to do and see. At least the architecture or the structure where we were staying was interesting.

Therefore, as I have nothing productive to do, I went along with Miyako to meet her close subordinates. To be precise, her assistants. Miyako was indeed a diligent one, having multiple assistants just to help her with her job. Guess I was the lazy daughter of a ruler that pretty much did nothing back home. Hehehe, boring is the best to have, you know. If there're stressful things happening, it’s stressful. So better for nothing to happen at all, I prefer it the most.

The moment I stepped inside the office, the reactions from the assistants were not surprising.

“Woah…” The guy among them let out a sigh of captivation.

The other assistant, however, I noticed was not captivated or had the same reaction as that guy. It was more like plain surprise — like the kind of surprise you’d feel when you never expected seeing something. That being said, this was something that could be attributed to seeing someone so beautiful, so fragile, to be a friend that helped Miyako.

“A-A friend of yours, milady?” the girl asked. “Is she among the friends that saved you?”

“She’s precisely the friend who saved me from my pursuers after the ambush. Her name’s Estelia, and she’s a princess from the continent.”

“P-Princess…?” the guy muttered. “Seriously? All the way here?”

Miyako smiled widely with an enthusiastic nod before turning a look towards me. “Estelia, he’s Shijo.”

The guy stepped forward and bowed his head. “G-Greetings, Lady Estelia. I’m Shijo, Lady Miyako’s assistant.” She seemed shy and a bit nervous, a little tinge of red on his cheeks. I observed him closely.

I extended my hand towards him with a small smile. “Nice to meet you, Shijo.”

He stared at my hand, hesitating. He couldn’t look me in the eye. “Y-Yes.” Hesitantly, he shook my hand. This was something to be expected if he was acting shy before me.

The moment he let go, the other assistant had already rushed over to me. Her eyes lit up with intense friendliness. “Hello, Lady Estelia! I’m Isaki. Nice to meet you. Been wanting to meet the people who saved Lady Miyako.”

She was radiating, outgoing, bold. The trace of the surprise she had before was now gone, after seemingly regaining her composure. I extended my hand. “Nice to meet you, Isaki.”

With no hesitation, she grabbed and shook my hand with enthusiasm and excitement. This was a quick switch in behavior though… Was this how she usually was? There was no way I would know right now. She was shaking my hand quite intensely, though.

“C-Careful, Isaki,” Miyako said, patting her on the shoulder to stop her. “Be gentle.”

“Ah! I’m sorry.” She quickly withdrew her hand.

“Sorry about Isaki. She always has quite an energy to her.”

I awkwardly chuckled. “Is that so?” My arm hurt a little because of that. Being fragile sucked ass. If I didn’t use Physical Enhancement, I could get hurt pretty easily. I was thankful that Miyako was being mindful of me and my fragility.

“I have a third assistant, but it appears she’s not here at the moment. Ah, please have a seat, Estelia.” She gestured towards Shijo, and he quickly fixed up a chair.

“Okay. But don’t pay too much attention to me, it seems you’re currently busy.” I sat down in the chair. It would be troubling if I held them back at their work. People often find that annoying, and I would not like to be hated right off the bat.

By the way, for Velar, I left him at the door outside.

“There’s no issue at all, Lady Estelia,” Isaki said. “We don’t mind you being here.”

Shijo merely chuckled as he subtly moved slightly away from me, seemingly still shy. Probably hearing I was a princess made him even more cautious about his actions.

“By the way, what are you all currently doing?” Miyako asked as she checked the papers.

“I’m drafting letters that I’m going to give to every department,” Shijo responded. “I figured it would be best if it’s put into paper. Let their superiors spread the word to their subordinates and lead them.”

“Aeko left to get some names and headcounts. I’m currently organizing the event, their schedules, and the groups. I didn’t get to ask you how long each group would be though,” Isaki said.

“Two hours each should suffice, but expect delays.”

“... I believe we can fit them in a day…”

“It has to be in a day, even if we reach nightfall.”

Well, they had to finish it as quickly as possible. Me and the crew were leaving soon, after all. Miyako needed me and the others for this one.

“... Understood. I’m curious what this is all about… But I already have a clear plan in my head, so you don’t have to worry, Lady Miyako!”

“I knew I could always rely on you guys.”

Isaki nodded energetically, then turned to look at me, clasping her hands together. “I never imagined I’d get to meet someone from the continent. I thought people from there do not come here, let alone a princess.”

There had been something quite bothering me for a long while now. There was no definite answer just yet but…

Let me try something.

“Things happened… I was kidnapped from my homeland.”

“Kidnapped?”

“Yes, I was kidnapped by demons.”

The assistants’ eyes widened.

“Demons, all the way to the continent?” Shijo muttered.

“... I heard demons are monstrous,” Isaki said. “H-How did you get away?”

“I killed them.” Well, to be precise, there was only one. But that’s not important.

Shijo gasped in astonishment. “You killed the demons? That’s… that’s incredible.”

For Isaki, I noticed her jaw stiffen for a brief moment before her eyes shone in amazement. “You must be incredibly strong, Lady Estelia!”

“You could say that.”

“And you saved Lady Miyako too,” Isaki nodded. “I’m deeply grateful for that. How lucky it is that you came across them.”

“... Indeed. The enemies they sent to ambush her were quite mighty. They almost got her, but good thing I was there.”

“If it weren’t for you, Lady Miyako might not have been here with us.”

“You care so much for your superior, I see.”

Isaki smiled. “Of course, she’s the best leader we know. The kindest and most tolerant of our shenanigans!”

Shijo scoffed. “What do you mean ‘our’? It’s all your shenanigans. Your casual attitude is borderline rude, you know that, right?”

“You speak nonsense, Shijo.” Isaki boastfully placed both her hands on her waist.

Miyako chuckled. “I don’t mind it. If we’re all too professional, it would have been too boring.”

“Indeed,” I said. “It’s good to be close to your subordinates. Friendship is always a need.” And it would be a good way to make sure that they’ll give away their lives for you. Your meat shields. However… as for Miyako’s case…

***

“You were in there for quite some time, Your Highness,” Velar said as we walked through the corridor, going back to our lodgings.

I wanted to get some sleep now.

“It wasn’t that long…” Just less than an hour. “I was just making friends and engaging in decent conversations.” Although I didn’t want to stay too long. They still had their jobs to do.

“I see.”

“Miyako is quite close with her subordinates, which is nice. But after all that she had experienced, she’s too low guarded towards them.”

“Low guarded?”

“Those assistants of hers had been working with her for years. Have proven their diligence. But, we can’t be too careful. She can’t be too careful until she has ensured everything is clean.”

“What did you notice, Your Highness?”

“Not much… Too narrow of a time. But I’ve been thinking about her ambush.”

“Miyako’s ambush? What of it?”

“... From what I heard, the attack was too… particular. Well-timed.”

From what Miyako said, it was as if the assassins knew her route, where she would be, and at what time she was docking. Using monsters to rattle them at first, forcing them to stop, then being attacked by people just enough to take care of the guards. They were so prepared and knew what to expect.

“What do you mean?”

“... We’ll find out tomorrow.”

It was as if there was someone that gave those assassins information in preparation for that day. For that, you have to be close to the people that were making the plans. I didn’t get to ask, but if her father was sick, then someone else had to arrange the convoy. And Miyako had to be closely involved in the planning, as the lord’s daughter and the one going. Additionally, it takes a long time for information to be sent out here. Therefore, whoever sent the information got the plans early.

Getting infiltrators close to you is a bother, truly.

If what I was guessing was right… Miyako would be in one hell of a surprise.

“I understand. Incidentally, Princess, should we get Nira?”

“Huh… She’s not come to find us, so she must be having fun with her new friend. Let’s leave her be.”

Besides, she could handle herself just fine.

***

It was late in the afternoon, and Miyako was alone in a training hall. She had changed into a combat outfit for the sake of training. Her brow was beaded with sweat. A single drop fell to the stone floor. She slowly took in a breath. She swung her katana in the air, fighting an imaginary enemy.

Then, fire coated her blade, and she swung it sideways, sending a wave of violent blue fire. It was for preparation for tomorrow, a warm-up. Getting used to her new sword. It was then that someone stepped into the training hall. Miyako stopped and turned towards the woman.

“Aeko.”

Aeko bowed her head. “Apologies for disturbing you, milady. I’m here to relay that the order has been completely sent out.”

“Any resistance?”

“... A few expressed their annoyance, but will be attending as required. The first will be the military officers who are stationed here.”

Miyako nodded. “Well done.”

“... You are training… For tomorrow?”

“... Yes.” She glanced down at her katana. “I lost my personal katana, and I have to use a new one. Although, my new personal katana is still being crafted…”

Aeko narrowed her eyes. “What is this gathering about, milady? You are… worrying me.”

“You have no need to be afraid, Aeko.”

Aeko lowered her gaze, grasping her hands together. “You are training here… Lady Miyako, who are you hunting?”

Miyako formed a small smile. It wasn’t surprising that she would realize that. “Just looking for particular things… Don’t mention what I’m doing to anyone.”

“... I understand. Please don’t overdo your training. You might need ample strength for tomorrow. Whatever it may be.”

“... I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Also, I brought water.” She presented a pouch of water.

Miyako chuckled. “Many thanks.”