Chapter 514: Balcony Gathering
The Summer Solstice Festival was officially underway.
Naturally, this mattered little to the hoodlums who called Reitzlake their home, all of whom had been diligently emptying as many bars and taverns as possible so only they could make a mess of things.
Sadly, their efforts were in vain.
The visitors to my royal capital were not to be undone, and with the usual prohibitions regarding the sale of ale on the streets waived, only the halls of adventurers were a rowdier affair.
However, with darkness there was light.
From suspect alleys to shadowed corners, louts stumbled to and fro, bashing into walls and often each other. And so for a short time at least, the whispering, conspiracies and cackling fell silent, smothered by drunken slurring that thoroughly ruined the atmosphere.
A reprieve for the alley cats forced to hiss through the usual scheming, but also those who fought tirelessly against the plots brewing wherever a sewer grate could be found nearby.
And that meant … a well-deserved break!
Ding-a-ling-a-ling.
Indeed, Reitzlake was even more boisterous than usual.
However, amidst the cacophony was the melody of a tinkling bell, and it was the melody inviting me into a quaint cafe boasting a balcony overlooking the main promenade.
Although in truth, little about it stood out amongst the other eateries littering the area, it nonetheless boasted something none of the others did.
It had once hosted a gathering of royal siblings. And now it would do so again.
Especially since I definitely wasn’t late.
“Haah … haaah … haaah … ahhhh …”
I wiped the sweat from my brows as the door closed behind me.
Regardless, I still smiled as beautifully as the summer dress I wore, adorned with real roses that perfectly matched the colour of my cheeks. Something I had planned for before needing to hurry here.
Indeed, despite the rush, I remained the picture of a princess, drawing gasps from all who saw me as they were violently shoved aside by Coppelia–hence the swooning smile that greeted me from the lone staff member behind the counter.
… It also had nothing to do with the fact she was employed by my family.
“Welcome to The Buttercup Cafe,” said Renise Rimeaux, whose perfect curtsey matched the neatness of her own maid uniform. “It’s truly a delight to see you again, Miss Juli … Princess Juliette. You look as lovely as ever!”
I gulped down a breath of air, then straightened myself and a few strands of wayward hair.
“O-Ohoho … i-indeed, I do! Why, there’s simply no scenario in which I’d do anything as unseemly as hurry through the crowded streets while hoping my brothers and sisters haven’t left without me! … Speaking of which … ?”
“Your siblings are gathered on the balcony. I believe they’re currently deciding which tea to order.”
I clapped my hands in delight.
Why, if they were still deciding which tea to order, it meant we were still somewhere in the first six hours of lunch!
“Excellent! I shall join them at once, although I must say, it’s most pleasing to see you are here as well–and goodness, without a speck of dirt, mud or sewer on you as well! You look wonderful!”
Renise nodded, her cheeks joining mine in becoming slightly flushed.
“Yes … I suppose each time you’ve seen me, I’ve made a rather poor impression, haven’t I? I’m usually fleeing from something that’s trying to eat me, murder me or maybe a combination of both …”
“Well, that can hardly be helped. It’s a maiden’s curse to be pursued by those with ill intent. You’ve done well to survive until now.”
“Thank you, but my survival is wholly due to the kindness and courage you’ve shown. I wouldn’t be here without you. Although it is never enough, please allow me to offer my heartfelt gratitude once more.”
“The gratitude is unnecessary. With that said, I am now formally adding you to my personal retinue.”
Renise offered a small giggle.
I hardly saw why. Being added to my staff was the rarest of honours. But perhaps amusement was simply how some people expressed overwhelming joy.
“... Oh? I’d be all too happy to accept. But I fear my dullness will only cast a shadow.”
“There’s no shadow that can linger when I smile. And if there is, then it wouldn’t be cast by yourself. It’s a rare thing for me to converse with a daughter of nobility without once wishing to be kidnapped by a dragon. This means you’re officially not dull. Especially once you start wearing the updated uniform.”
“Excuse me?”
“Servant A,” I said, clicking my fingers. “Please present Miss Renise with her new attire.”
Silence passed in answer.
Behind me, Coppelia nudged the Summer Queen, who rebelliously failed to acknowledge her official title, such was her royal pride.
Even so, an agreement was an agreement.
Poof.
Stepping forth with a professional smile, she held up a neatly folded set of clothing identical to the one she and Coppelia wore, albeit this time in pastel lilac.
Renise simply blinked.
“Ah. You’re being serious.”
I raised a hand to my lips, barely covering my smile.
“Ohohoho … why, I’m always serious.”
For a moment, Renise simply stared at her new uniform.
When she took it, it was with just as much uncertainty regarding the colour as she was about the fact it’d been summoned into existence.
Which was admittedly a problem. For the Summer Queen.
If it suddenly vanished, I’d be visiting her home once again, and it’d be more than a day of public embarrassment I’d be demanding.
“The uniform will suit you well,” said the Summer Queen, appearing proud despite the fact she’d technically been fired 16 times over the past few minutes. “It’s woven from the essence of your own tale, and will protect you from the daggers seeking to undo it.”
“... Huh?”
“It’s also not an ordeal to put on, and therefore doesn’t involve any laces that are more tedious to manage than the thousand-year war I fought with my youngest sister over the right to a single blade of grass.”
I offered a warm smile to the Summer Queen, now fired for the 17th time.
“Oh? Then perhaps you should seek your own maids for advice regarding how laces work. As a queen, you’re expected to know the basics of these things. Only a princess can bask in ignorance.”
“There is ignorance, and then there is wilful disobedience. I cannot dress you if you complain every passing moment that you’re dissatisfied with my careful handling.”
“I complain to ensure I can still suck in air. Do not think I didn’t see you trying to subtly murder me. Other maids have tried and failed with such crass methods.”
Coppelia nodded enthusiastically.
“Yeah, it’s true! It’s actually amazing how many servants try to assassinate her in the funniest ways. The most popular is burning her with a [Sunlight] attack at dawn. I’m always looking forward to more.”
“Please don’t. You’re supposed to defend me from my mother’s maids, not watch them as they assail my eyes. That also applies to those on temporary work placements. At the very least, it means no betrayals.”
“Betrayals are the lifeblood of every tale,” said the Summer Queen, who I’d be recommending to my nobility for hire. “But rest assured, none of that will occur with me. Unlike my sisters, I’m honourable.”
Renise looked between everyone present.
She then did the most sensible thing–smiling uncertainly.
“I’m delighted to see you as well, Miss Coppelia. You are as lively as ever. And I see there’s another handmaiden who I’m not acquainted with as well.”
“Servant A is not a handmaiden. For one thing, her official title forbids it. She’s the Summer Queen.”
“The … Summer Queen?”
“Yes.”
“... As in, the Summer Queen … of the Fae Realm … ?”
“Yes.”
“And she’s now your … servant?”
“The Summer Queen has temporarily been elevated to the position of prospective hireling. She will serve me for the day before being deported.”
Renise stared.
And then she stared some more.
A few moments passed, during which her mouth opened wordlessly.
And then–
“I see,” she said simply. “This seems like a very Juliette thing.”
“The princess speaks true,” said the Summer Queen, as I was left confused over what a ‘Juliette thing’ was. “I’m now little more than an underling, far below yourself. It is therefore a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Renise.”
Renise blinked.
“You … You know of me?”
“I know of all my sisters’ doings, despite their best efforts to hide them. The Spring Queen released your mother and father from her realm of eternal laziness after they’d sampled the Winter Queen’s atrocious wine. I trust there were no issues afterwards? To have been touched by those two is a poor omen for anyone, let alone mortals.”
“No, um … there are not any issues.”
Renise paused.
“I think,” she added. “... But so far, they’re quite sprightly. They now work for the kingdom in order to repay their debts, just as I am.”
I clapped my hands in delight.
“My, is that so? I’m overjoyed for you! I hope that by diligently working under your expert tutelage, they can make amends for any wrongdoings they may have committed.”
“Well, I’m not certain if I’m best positioned to tutor my own parents … but they are earnest in their wishes to better the kingdom and the lives of all who reside within it. By their own admission, it took quite a bit for them to wake up from their nap. It is a debt they will repay. All of us will.”
Renise nodded with determination, all the while her smile returned brighter than ever.
“... And, well, if not, I suppose there’s also Soap Island,” she said, her optimism betrayed by the clear worry that at least one of her parents might show their sticky fingers once again. “Fortunately, it’s become quite the luxury spot. Or at least as far as pirate islands go.”
My joy lit up the surroundings, as any mention of Soap Island’s burgeoning development would do.
“Oh? I believe I have you to thank for that as well. I understand you’ve been advising Florella.”
“Advising is a little stronger than I would use … but I’ve been providing insight when it has been asked. Even so, I believe the 1st Princess would do just as well without any assistance. With her diligence, she has ensured the witches have fully settled in, the goblin castle is being built without incident and the port itself has been almost fully rebuilt.”
“Goodness, that is wonderful to hear! At this rate, it sounds like Soap Island will soon become prosperous on its own merits!”
“I believe so as well. I’ve never seen such a large scale project being completed so swiftly. But I suppose with goblin creativeness and witchly magic, nothing is impossible. In fact, the only issue seems to be the port’s name.”
“Excuse me?”
“The port itself doesn’t have an official name. Some of the original residents refer to it by what the pirates did, but there’s a common consensus that this is inappropriate. The merchant guilds decided to launch a public consultation in order to seek further clarity and to present it to Princess Florella.”
I was utterly horrified.
A public consultation was outrageous.
Not only was such a thing one step away from democracy, but Soap Island had been claimed through my hardship–and also my queasy tummy as I was forced to experience shipfaring for the first time.
If anyone were to name the port, it would be me!
“The merchant guilds do not have the right to name so much as a pebble,” I said immediately. “If they wish to submit suggestions, then they may do so by filling out a form that comes with a hefty administrative fee. I will not consider anything else.”
Renise let out a sigh of relief.
“That’s reassuring to hear. In truth, while I understand the merchant guilds wish for clarity, I’ve heard rumours that the result of the public consultation is … well, slightly unorthodox.”
“Why? What is it? I won’t accept it, but I’ll at least hear what the guilds have wasted crowns on.”
“Um … I believe it is Goblin Invasion Staging Ground.”
“... Hm? Can you say that again?”
Renise smiled with embarrassment
“Goblin Invasion Staging Ground. It seems the goblins thought it would be amusing. As did many others. Naturally, it is purely advisory … but I should let you know that my contacts on Soap Island have reported voting irregularities. Specifically, large sums were being offered by the goblins for matters unofficially related to the consultation, but I believe there is a strong likelihood they were linked.”
My mouth widened.
“T-That is ridiculous! … We cannot name the port Goblin Invasion Staging Ground!”
“Of course. I’m certain the goblins will understand.”
“Indeed, for it should be Goblin Invasion Staging Ground #2.”
“... Huh?”
“If it’s Goblin Invasion Staging Ground, then everyone will know exactly where to be wary. But if it’s #2, every kingdom will be frantically searching their garden for where the first impending invasion is coming from. Every ruler on the continent will lose sleep over it.”
Renise stared at me.
“I … I see … ? So this is your official recommendation …?”
“It is, yes.” I placed a hand to my chest and nodded. “Indeed, as a princess, I famously make few demands. But as one who helped found Soap Island and all it represents, I believe it is in our interests to maintain cordial relations with the goblins who have been integral to its development.”
“Pffffffffft.”
Behind me, I heard as a loyal handmaiden and a prospective maid both tried and failed to stifle the strange noises coming from them.
They clearly both had a lot to learn, for when dealing with matters as serious as naming conventions, they needed to wear a look of sombreness and mild dismay.
Indeed, just as Renise was!
“... Well, um, in that case, I suppose all that’s left is to discuss it with the 1st Princess,” she said, her smile bravely returning.
“Indeed, there is. But I’m certain she’ll agree. Soap Island is a place of entrepreneurship, after all. And if anyone wishes to suggest a better name for the port in the future, then both myself and the Royal Treasury are always open to hearing about it.”
I nodded at Renise, then happily turned towards the stairs.
She was already making her way around the counter to accompany me.
I was delighted, of course.
With Coppelia by my side and Countess Miriam having likely joined Clarise in her arrival to Reitzlake, I would soon be in the presence of all I could depend on most.
Indeed, it was finally time to enjoy a long overdue gathering!
Smoothing down my dress, I wore my finest smile as I made my way up the stairs, where more than the thought of any delicately made tea or cake, it was the promise of warmth that drew my expectation the most.
Crash.
… But just in case I wanted the tea or cake, I could also find it scattered on the balcony floor.
Through the open door, I saw a sight only too typical when my siblings were involved.
There was a waitress desperately apologising, then swooning as Roland knelt down, gently offering to help pick up the scattered bits of several broken plates.
There was another waitress drowning in her own sweat as Tristan gestured by stroking his chin that he only wanted a slice of lemon tart.
There was Clarise showing off one of her own teapots, all the while the proprietor of the cafe trembled while peering at all the wooden veneer around her.
And there was Florella whistling while several waiters were lying unconscious at her feet, as often happened without explanation when men approached too close to her gentle aura.
Indeed, amidst the chaos of the royal capital, here was an oasis of tranquility … and it was missing the final piece!
“Salutations,” I said brightly, stepping onto the balcony. “My apologies for the delay. I hope I haven't missed anything.”
“Juliette!” Florella stepped over the comatose waiters as she practically hopped out of her chair. “There you are! We were just waiting for you.”
“Come, Juliette,” said Roland, even as he expertly held a fainting waitress with one hand. “The menu is quite extensive. We’ll need your guidance choosing which cakes to sample.”
I nodded in response, ready for the task.
Quack, quack.
As were a pair of ducks.
Suddenly, silence came over the balcony as a pair of familiar guests appeared, their white wings flapping as they landed on the edge of the balcony.
I came to a stop at once.
Then, I offered a curtsey to my puzzled siblings–just before doing as any princess would do.
"Please excuse me for a moment."
I grabbed the ducks and sped away.