Daisuke sat in the bathtub like a sulking child, his eyes narrowed, cheeks inflated. But Princess Lumielle was nowhere to be seen—instead, her female attendants had been tasked with cleansing her honored guest in her place.
Naturally, Daisuke was outraged—
"Sighh~"
But as the servants worked with practiced grace and cheerful smiles, their gentle touch and soothing care began to erode his displeasure. Slowly, his scowl softened and he leaned back, surrendering to the heavenly comfort with an expression of utter bliss.
"Wow, your hair is so long and beautiful," one of the girls gushed as she lathered it with soap. "How do you keep it so perfectly straight?"
"And your skin… it's so silky and smooth," another chimed in, her hands gliding over Daisuke's arm. "You must bathe in Woolox milk every week!"
"Wait, really? Are you from a super wealthy house or something?" asked a third girl as she knelt by his feet, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"Amazing! Your skin is so silky, yet so toned at the same time," added another, practically glowing with admiration. "How do you achieve such a perfect balance?"
"Please, you have to tell us your secret," one of them begged, her plea triggering a chorus of excited agreements from the others.
Daisuke forced an awkward smile, glancing at the eager faces surrounding him. If they knew the truth—they'd probably keel over on the spot.
***
Lumielle was perched on the windowsill of her room, her gaze fixed on the garden below as the morning breeze billowed her coral pink hair. At her feet, the music box sat open, its melody weaving through the air.
Now that Haxks has finally arrived, she thought, her eyes narrowing with determination. It's time to proceed to the next phase of my plan.
But navigating the kingdom's challenges was easier said than done. Its vastness mirrored the extent of its troubles, stretching across the land like an intricate web, each strand fraught with peril. How could she untangle the complexities without becoming ensnared? One misstep could topple everything she had built, bringing down the fragile world she'd worked so tirelessly to shape.
With a weary sigh, Lumielle rested her head against the cold stone wall, allowing the soft melody to wash over her, easing the tension in her mind. As her eyes fluttered shut, the song gently transformed into the soothing croon of a woman's voice, evoking a memory that stirred deep within her, both sweet and sorrowful.
Tiny hands and pudgy fingers swayed clumsily in the air, stretching toward the silhouette of a beautiful woman. Though her face was shrouded in a gentle fog, the warmth of her affectionate smile was enough to draw the newborn's gaze, tiny hands desperately reaching for her, as if to touch the stars themselves.
"…Isn't that the same melody you were humming in the forest?" Daisuke asked softly as he entered the room.
The princess emerged from her reverie to a breathtaking sight. Daisuke stood in the door, almost unrecognizable. His silver hair cascaded down his shoulders in soft waves, framing his delicate features. The dress he wore was a powder blue with soft purple ruffles trimming the edges, the layered fabric swaying slightly with his every move. A high neckline was accented by a tied ribbon, and on his feet were knee-high stockings and adorable ankle-strap shoes with low heels.
Lumielle also spied the small, crimson earrings that glinted faintly on his earlobes. His demeanor was composed, though his eyes betrayed an unspoken discomfort with his attire.
Despite herself, the princess found her gaze drifting away, a flush creeping up her neck. She longed to compliment him, but the words eluded her. Her nerves betrayed her, and all she could manage was a quiet, "Th-The melody helps me to relax when I'm anxious."
Daisuke took a moment to admire the lovely space that surrounded them. The bedchamber exuded an air of lavishness and grace, its walls painted in soft hues of lavender and gold, illuminated by the warm glow of a mana crystal chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. The centerpiece of the room was an intricately carved canopy bed with plush, rose-pink bedding and a gilded headboard shaped like a royal crest. Flowing violet drapes framed the tall arched windows.
A luxurious rug, dyed in shades of lilac and pink, stretched across the polished marble floor, leading to an elegant seating area near the windows. Bouquets of fresh roses in ornate vases adorned the room, filling the air with a floral fragrance. Every corner of the chamber whispered refinement, from the golden accents on the furniture to the delicate embroidery on the curtains, making it a true haven befitting a princess.
"You have a very beautiful voice," Daisuke said softly, offering a gentle smile. "Have you ever thought about singing professionally?"
Lumielle's gaze dropped, her lips pressing into a taut line. "…My mother loved to sing," she murmured, her voice almost lost in thought. "I began imitating her over time. I think… continuing her legacy helps ease the guilt I feel about her death."
Daisuke's eyes widened a tad at her words, and his lips parted to speak, but he swallowed the words down and shifted his chain of thought. "If you ask me… I think you're the embodiment of your mother's legacy."
The princess's heart skipped a beat at the claim. Without even realizing it, she allowed the heartfelt words to permeate throughout her mind, heart, and soul. Then she closed her eyes with a soft sigh, composing herself. Closing the lid of the music box, she stood and faced Daisuke, her countenance now stern and resolute.
"You must be famished after yesterday's ordeal," she said with a wan smile. "Let's make our way to the dining room, shall we?"
"Before that," Daisuke interrupted, halting the girl in her tracks. "I'm curious… who're the lucky bastards the kingdom's set on demolishing?"
Lumielle raised an eyebrow expectantly, and Daisuke sighed, rolling his eyes. "I've heard whispers about a war. Who are we up against, and what's the motive?"
The princess turned back around, clearly not enthused about what she was about to say. "Wavecrest, once a humble port town, thrived rapidly thanks to its prime coastal location. With their swift economic rise, my father had plans to make them a tributary town, hoping to forge a mutually beneficial relationship."
Her eyes sharpened, a bitter edge creeping into her voice. "But after the king's illness, the narrative shifted completely. Now, the kingdom aims to seize full control of Wavecrest, driven by nothing but greed. They've demanded an outrageous tribute from the town and imposed crippling tariffs on exports, all to stifle their economy and provoke conflict."
"…Which basically instigated a war between the two territories," Daisuke deduced.
"Not exactly," Lumielle corrected flatly.
"What do you mean?"
"That was merely the propaganda fed to the people to justify the kingdom's actions."
"Then?"
"In response to the oppressive tariffs, Wavecrest halted all trade with Wonderelle and Lunarel, redirecting their exports elsewhere. Their economy quickly stabilized. And, of course, they outright refused to become a tributary to the kingdom."
"Sounds like my kind of town," Daisuke smirked.
"I'm sure you can guess what happened next," Lumielle replied.
Daisuke cupped his chin thoughtfully. "So the kingdom still wants to take control of the town to profit from its maritime industry. And since the citizens are already conditioned…"
"Exactly," Lumielle confirmed with a nod. "Since we're on the subject, I should mention that today will mostly be focused on learning court etiquette from Lynn. After that, we'll dive into current affairs and a bit of history so you're prepared to hold your own in conversations with nobility.
Espionage is important, but maintaining a low profile and avoiding suspicion is far more critical in the long run. But before any of that, let's get something to eat."
***
Eggs, bacon, sausages, bread, fruits—just a small glimpse of the feast laid out before him. Yet, it was hard to enjoy the meal when the maids were standing attentively against the walls, their eyes shining like lanterns as they observed Daisuke's every move.
Lumielle took the time to introduce each one by name, though it was Arabelle who left the strongest impression. As the senior servant, she commanded authority over the entire staff—with the notable exception of Lyndoria, of course.
Daisuke's gaze flickered over to Lyndoria, his expression faltering under the weight of her constant death stares. Though the girl wore a maid's uniform, her role was far more than that of a simple servant. She was Lumielle's personal attendant and secretary, trained in combat and tasked with ensuring that the princess's affairs ran smoothly. She worked in tandem with Arabelle to maintain Lumielle's quarters and duties.
"This is Sophia Lorraine Everwinter," Lumielle said warmly, gesturing toward the silver-haired woman beside her. "She's a close friend of mine and will be staying with us for a while. Please see to it that she's well cared for."