So Many Choices
Because I can’t walk very fast in my small form, manya carries me to our room. The walls on our way there are all beautifully decorated with different paintings and murals. There is almost no place that is just left bare.There also seem to be many servants running around on our way there that all stop and bow or curtsy when they see us.
Whispering to manya I say, “With all these people bowing it almost feels like we’re celebrities.”
This causes manya to laugh and answer, “That’s because we are. It’s not everyday that you see two princesses from a far away and powerful country.”
“I guess that’s true…”
After walking for at least five minutes we reach an elevator, “Look manya, they have elevators here!”
“Kikikiki, Most nobles have elevators, Rose.”
“Really? Woah…”
Going inside one of the servants puts their hand on the magic crystal and asks, “Where to, your Grace?”
“The sixth floor.”
“Right away.”
The crystal begins to glow and we move upwards, when the room stops moving the doors open up again and we find ourselves in a hallway that somehow looks even more luxurious than the one we were in before.
“This is our guest floor, feel free to choose any room you wish, your Highnesses.”
“Thank you very much Countess, we will take a look. Are there any rooms you would recommend?”
“Generally speaking the western rooms are decorated more to a Lady’s liking while the eastern rooms are decorated for Gentlemen. So I’d recommend the West rooms.”
“Understood, thank you Countess.”
“You’re welcome. Marcus!?”
A Squirrel Beastkin butler suddenly appears, quickly strutting towards us, “Yes, my Lady?”
“Please serve our guests for the next few days.”
“Why of course. Every room has magical bells for you to call me or a servant, your Highnesses. Please don’t hesitate to do so and feel at home during your stay.”
“Seeing as you are in good hands now I shall return to my husband. I’m looking forward to meeting you again during dinner.” The Duchess says as she disappears in the elevator.
“So, wanna go around and look at the different designs, Rose?”
“Sure!”
“Then let’s see first what the men are hiding from us, kikikiki.” Manya says opening a door to an east side room.
Inside it looks very rustic, similar to the restaurant we were in. Even though there is a big fireplace it seems pretty dark. It is decorated with a bear rug and many hunting trophies adorning the walls. The room faintly smells of cigars and alcohol.
“What do you think of this room, Rose?”
“It’s big and fancy…”
“Do you like it?”
“No…Even though it seems expensive I don’t really get how anyone would want to sleep in here.”
“Right!? Thank the Gods we’re not men and find this sorta thing appealing, huh? Let’s see what the Lady’s side offers us.”
Opening a door to a west side room we peek inside and find a cremé colored, well lit room with a walk in closet and more modern looking furniture. The room is decorated with flowers, paintings and vases and has a slight floral scent to it.
“I like this one a lot more, manya!”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Then let’s take this one!”
“Pfft, calm down, we haven’t even seen the other options! There might be an even better room, so let’s go explore.”
“Okay!”
Looking through different rooms we find that they’re all slightly differently decorated but not by much. Eventually we end up choosing a room with a great view of the garden and lay down on the bed together.
“Huff Even just finding a room here is really exhausting.”
“Pfft, But it’s fun, right?”
“Yeah! When are John, Sher Aka and Rayla getting here?”
“Hmm, Rayla should be arriving soon. As for John and Sher Aka, they're staying at the Servant’s Quarters.”
“But aren’t there more than enough rooms for them?”
“Yes, but they aren’t nobles so they aren’t allowed to stay here.”
“I’m not a noble either, though.”
“What are you talking about? You’re a Princess, that’s two steps removed from being Queen.”
“I…I guess. I don’t really feel special though.”
“That’s because you made a lot of very bad experiences, Rose. But the more good experiences you’ll make, the more you’ll come to see yourself as special as you really are.”
“Thanks manya, I love you.”
“I love you too, Rose!” Scarlet says, giving me a hug.
Knock Knock
“Sigh They always interrupt us during the best moments…Yes!?”
The butler’s voice answers, “The nanny has arrived, your Highness. May I let her in?”
“Nanny? What Nanny?”
“I believe her name is Sher Aka.”
Excited, I answer, “Yes, let her in please!”
The door opens and Sher Aka enters the room wearing a maid uniform.
Giving me a wink, she does a curtsy and says, “Greetings, your Highness. I’ve come to attend to you.”
Jumping off the bed I run over to her and give her a hug, “I thought you weren’t allowed to stay with us.”
“As a nanny it is of course my job to stay by your Highness’ side even if I am but a commoner.”
The butler then quietly leaves and closes the door. Right after that Sher Aka picks me up and gives me a hug.
“Is there a reason you decided to be in your cute form, Rose?”
“Yeah, it just makes it easier with how people treat me.”
“I see!”
In an annoyed voice Scarlet interrupts, “So…’Nanny’, huh? Since when do you have that title?”
“Well, the staff asked us what our primary functions are and I thought Nanny would explain it best. They then quickly gave me this uniform and sent me up here.”
“I like your uniform, Sher Aka. It makes you look even prettier.”
“Why thank you, Rose!”
“You are aware that impersonating a royal nanny could get you executed, right?”
“I trust that won’t happen. After all, it would make Rose really sad.”
“Yeah! Don’t joke about that sorta stuff, manya! What if people take it seriously?”
Manya then mumbles something so I ask, “What did you say?”
She looks almost offended as she answers,“Nothing…”
“So Rose, now that we have some time together is there anything you want to do?”
“Hmm I was actually thinking of taking a nap. I’m pretty exhausted after all that happened…Oh! Wait you don’t know yet! I talked to mama, she said she’ll protect me from papa and she will support me with money and anything I need from afar! Papa is not going to force me to do anything, anymore!”
“Really!? That’s amazing news, Rose!”
“Yeah!”
“Then how about we celebrate by taking a nap together?”
“Okay!”
A little disappointed Scarlet says, “But…I thought we were going to take a nap together…”
“We can all take one together! The bed is really big after all.”
“Tsk It’s fine. You go have fun with Sher Aka. I’ll be back soon.”
“Alright, see you later manya.”
“Yeah…See ya.”