Chapter 10

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 10

Chapter Title: Lily Palace's Treasured Nuisance (2)

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“Princess, you still aren't feeling well, so you need to rest.”

Roxiana's doll-like eyes turned toward Petria. Only then did Petria realize she hadn't introduced herself.

“I'm the maid—no, handmaid—who will serve you from now on... Petria.”

Petria came from a woodcutter's family and had no surname, so she worried about how to respond if Roxiana asked which house she was from. But Roxiana asked nothing and quietly sat up on the bed.

She moved exactly as instructed, like her soul had vanished, leaving only an empty shell behind. Her fragile form seemed like it would wear away and scatter in the wind, evoking pity.

“Princess, I'll have the kitchen send up some food. Is there anything you'd like to eat?”

“I'm not a princess.”

Roxiana's lips parted, though she had seemed immobile.

“Pardon?”

“I'm not a princess. Can't you see this?”

Roxiana tugged at the neckline of her dress. The already low-cut fabric slipped further, revealing more of her pale skin and her prominent collarbones.

Petria stared at the sunflower etched into Roxiana's collarbone. Against her white skin, the slave brand stood out starkly.

The one who branded her there was truly vile. To mark such a visible spot.

Feeling anger toward an unknown foe, Petria said,

“His Highness called you Princess, so you are one to me.”

Petria meant it sincerely. She didn't care what the other servants thought of Roxiana. She resolved to treat this princess, whom the Grand Duke fretted over, as such herself.

Perhaps then this brittle princess might one day grow stronger. Petria harbored that hope.

But that wasn't what Roxiana wanted, it seemed. Her expressionless face twisted, raw pain spilling out.

“No, no, no no. No. I'm not a princess anymore, Petria. My kingdom is gone, and my family is all dead. The Franche Royal Family failed to protect its people, and Kanta has become a Gania colony. How could I be a princess? How can someone who failed to protect her family and people be a princess?”

“Princess...”

“Please, please. Don't call me princess anymore. I beg you. I'm not a princess.”

Petria realized the title "princess" cut into Roxiana like a blade. She couldn't know the despair of failing to protect a nation and its people, but she could somewhat grasp the pain of losing family.

If she'd been called princess while surrounded by family, the title must sting unbearably now that they were gone.

“Then what should I call you?”

“Slave wench, you there, whatever. Call me anything—just not princess.”

“Then... Roxiana, ma'am.”

“No, I...”

“Please, Roxiana, ma'am. If I don't serve you with all my heart, His Highness will be furious. And when he gets angry, it's terrifying.”

Fortunately, Roxiana was reasonable. Realizing she'd been harsh with Petria, she lowered her gaze. Her long lashes cast deep shadows beneath her eyes.

“I'm sorry.”

Roxiana said.

“I only thought of my own position. I was so rude. I'm sorry.”

Deep sorrow often stripped away reason. Amid it all, Roxiana's sincere apology—considering a subordinate's feelings—earned Petria's goodwill.

Even without Floyd's orders, Petria wanted to treat her kindly. So that one day Roxiana might reclaim her light and smile.

“Roxiana, ma'am, please lie down a bit longer. I'll bring food right away.”

Roxiana didn't stop Petria as she left.

She had no appetite. Everything she ate would come right back up. Even the air she breathed felt nauseating.

But she didn't want to trouble Petria further. Petria was innocent. If anyone was guilty, it was herself—for praying in the Grand Temple, oblivious to her family's deaths.

So she alone had to bear all this guilt and grief.

Roxiana lay back as Petria wished, pulling the blanket up to her chin.

'If I could just die in my sleep, and they tossed my body anywhere... that would be a mercy...'

Floyd Latan Grand Duke's office was made entirely of steel—from the desk and chairs to the bookshelves. Nothing climbable had been brought in, leaving a stark space without even a rug, tapestry, or curtain.

This was precisely to prepare for moments like this.

A shimmering heat haze rose fiercely around Floyd, seated at the head of the long conference table.

Floyd was furious, though even he couldn't pinpoint the exact reason.

'That damned princess!'

He'd saved her from being sold into slavery. If left alone, she'd have ended up under some brute who abused female slaves mercilessly, suffering until death.

Rescued from that fate and given the finest quarters in Lily Palace, shouldn't she be grateful and resolved to embrace her new life? Wasn't that normal?

Even having lost kingdom and family, one should endure the grief and vow to live on. What was with that attitude?

Fine, suppose he generously understood even her wish to die. But to demand her body be discarded? What nonsense.

What? And for that, she'd be his sword, his shield, his bed warmer?

What an outrageous princess. It was so absurd it made him this angry.

As Floyd glared at the table, replaying his conversation with Roxiana, the knight captains watched him warily.

Hexston yawned carelessly, rested his elbow on the table, then yelped, “Ow, hot!” and pulled away.

The steel table was glowing red from the heat radiating from Floyd's body. Kain blinked his remaining eye and cautiously spoke up.

“Um, my lord. It's too hot.”

Floyd's gray eyes snapped toward Kain from the table. As Kain flinched back, Floyd said flatly,

“Sorry.”

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The scorching heat that had heated the air enough to roast everyone gradually subsided.

Seizing the moment, Arsen quickly reported.

“My lord. The merchant ship's owner claims he didn't know it carried slaves. The captain hired some hands recently—likely bribed. We'll compensate for repairs once the investigation confirms it.”

Floyd nodded, eyes still closed. Adrian continued,

“The slaves—excluding, uh... Kanta's princess... total seventeen. Ten want to stay in Torkan, the rest to return home. I left it to the handler. And...”

Adrian glanced at Kain to continue, but Kain looked away. Adrian stretched his foot under the table and kicked Kain's shin. Kain gritted his teeth and glared at Adrian with his one eye.

Even with eyes closed, Floyd sensed it all and snapped his eyes open.

“If you have something to say, spit it out properly!”

Adrian looked at Kain again, but Kain stared fixedly at a blank wall as if discovering something profound. Adrian sighed and said,

“My lord, what will you do with that woman?”

“That woman?”

“The... Kanta princess.”

“The princess I saved—why does it matter what I do?”

Heat shimmer rose from Floyd again, but Adrian pressed on undaunted.

“It does matter. Kanta's supposedly dead princess is alive and branded a slave. She wouldn't have done it herself, nor been caught fleeing. So Lucas Pellur must have arranged it and announced her death. If we take her in now, it'll cause friction with Gania for sure.”

“Friction? Am I supposed to hold back what I want out of fear of Gania? Cower because of that bastard Lucas?”

“Not fear of Gania per se. But we're short-handed dealing with magical beasts. If they send troops to 'handle' the Franche Royal Family's last survivor, it'll complicate things. With Kanta as a colony, their knights absorbed, Gania has plenty of manpower.”

Floyd glared at Adrian.

“So what are you saying?”

“Once she's recovered, give her some money and send her out of Torkan.”

Bang!

Floyd slammed both fists on the table. The long, heavy slab teetered under the force. Hexston grabbed the end but cried, “Hot!” and let go.

Kirshan Lepe, standing beside Floyd, steadied the shaking table with his scabbard and said,

“My lord, calm down.”

“Calm down? Do I look calm? The men I handpicked for captain are trembling at Gania, telling me to chase out a poor woman betrayed by her fiancé, losing kingdom and family—and you want me to calm down? Or is it a joke? If I laugh now, does this bullshit end?”