Walking around the grounds of the Academy, Ayla could physically feel the gazes and stares of others. Nobles, small and big, men and ladies alike, all glared at her, trying to pick her apart as though she was nothing more than a doll.
While the men's gazes were a bit easier to tell, the ladies didn't trail behind much either. One group wanted nothing more than see her naked on a bed, while the other wanted nothing more than tear her to pieces.
"My Lady..."
"My Lady..."
All, however, bowed their heads as she passed them by, followed closely by her closest and most trusted maid, who Ayla also considered a friend.
"My lady," Her maid started, peeking at the surrounding noble youths. "It might be better if you smiled or conversed with some of them. It reflects a bad image of the Royal family."
The maid seemed worried about something. Whether that was how her lady was seen by others or how the entire family was seen, only she knew.
Ayla snorted and did nothing, passing by a fat young noble.
"My princess..." The noble bowed low or tried to. His rolls acted as springs, pushing against his upper body.
Ayla internally grimaced as she unfortunately breathed in some of his... fragrance. The man didn't seem to have the most stellar hygiene, evident by his clear lack of discipline and self-control.
Unlike other nobles, who took pride in their appearances, this one thought his status would overshadow everything else... even the smell.
Keeping her features smooth, Ayla walked past this son of a viscount, not even looking his way. Unfortunately, her perception was high enough to track each of his movements.
Although she hated other people glancing at her due to her status or physical allure, it seems she abhorred how this fatty was looking at her. It felt as though she was submerged in a vat of slugs.
The viscount's eyes lingered on her ass and tits before reluctantly settling on her face, as though her only worth in his eyes was her body.
Bera behind her frowned deeply but kept her face hidden as she had her head lowered, as was the norm for maids and servants. But even if she were to openly show her displeasure, none of these nobles could speak out against the maid of the princess.
In their eyes, a maid of someone this prominent held higher status than a baron or even a weaker viscount.
"My Lady, princess," The fat viscount spoke up, seeing as Ayla completely ignored his presence.
Her actions might've wounded his pride, but it wasn't like the princess cared.
'It would be best if this ogre felt some shame or self-awareness.' Ayla thought, recounting how unpleasantly this viscount smelled.
If she could, she would walk away as though hearing nothing, but her status forced her to at least listen to other nobles. 'If only this bastard was a commoner.' The princess lamented as she steeled her nerves. Dealing with this pervert would strain her mental fortitude harder than any magical or physical training.
"Hehe, my Lady princess, I am Urul Rostrum (A/N: Snout in Latin). I've always yearned to meet the princess... the gods must favor me today."
As the viscount was babbling on, Ayla was growing more uncomfortable with the situation as time went on.
Not only once did she have to hide her face with her fan as she gagged due to his breath. If that wasn't bad enough, this ogre continued to inch closer to her.
Like a heavenly chime, one of the guards behind her stepped forward and shoved a gloved hand between Urul and the princess. "Step back. You're making the princess uncomfortable."
While Ayla usually hated having fully geared guards following her everywhere, she couldn't deny their use in situations like this. Taking a deep breath of fresh air, she felt her gaze clear slightly. Oxigen seemed to flow to her brain again, but that only served to make her remember the stinky conversation with the viscount.
"Oh... hehe... my apologies, my Lady princess." Urul bowed and rubbed greasy hands together, then wiped them on his white silk shirt that had yellow marks where his fingers rubbed on the fabric. "As I was saying, my family sends their regards to the King, Queen, and especially to the Princess." He said while lightly biting his upper lip.
It was a repulsive scene, considering his improper tone and gross action, but Ayla could do little more than ignore and try to forget this. It wasn't as though Urul openly insulted the Royal Family, but it certainly felt like it.
"May I be so blunt..."
It seemed the viscount was not done, however. He raised his head and looked deep into Ayla's deep-green eyes before shoving his hand into the chest pocket of his shirt.
He took out a comparatively clean envelope, which he handed to the princess, but it was actually Bera that stepped around Ayla and received the letter. The maid didn't seem too happy about touching anything this Urul touched, but she could only swallow her disgust.
The viscount frowned slightly, maybe thinking the princess of a kingdom would actually take a letter from a lower noble like him. The reality was different, however, so he could only swallow back his words and continue with what he was saying as though nothing had happened.
"... my family planned a grand banquet, and we would be ecstatic if a Royal member were to join us."
'So, it's an invitation to visit their household.' Ayla realized, but then something came to mind. 'Didn't Father visit their household half a year ago?'
While she wanted to refuse the offer, as she knew what this young man wanted, being in a public setting such as this, she couldn't do it.
"I will pass the invitation to His Majesty."
Instead, she could avoid an answer altogether. Whether the king would accept or refuse this offer, it didn't matter, as Ayla got this mess out of her hands.
It was clear this wasn't the answer Urul was after, going by his deep frown, but there was nothing he could say to change Ayla's mind. Since she had given her word, the fat young man could only bow and excuse himself, allowing the air to clear.
"What a disgusting pig!" Bera said softly, shoving the invitation into an empty pouch before taking out a handkerchief and wiping her hands. Fortunately, she walked behind the guard, and her action wasn't seen by others, not that it mattered. Everyone realized how gross that viscount was and wouldn't blame Bera for what she did.
"Let's go!" Ayla ordered before turning around and walking towards the large gates leading out of the institution.
It was already early evening, and while there were still classes she could attend, a princess had other matters that required her attention.
"Are you not going to meet with the Heirs, My Lady?"
Bera asked, seeing the princess head for the exit. Initially, Ayla wanted to meet with the heirs of various major noble families, but for what purpose only she knew.
Ayla shook her head and continued walking, arriving at the gates a few moments later.
"Have you found what you were looking for, My Lady?"
Bera asked as soon as she and Ayla stepped inside their carriage, a well-protected one that was provided by the king. Although the maid wanted to inquire further into the princess' intentions, she knew her place.
If her employer would deem it worth sharing, Bera would gladly listen. That way, she would also have a subject to gossip about with the other maid in the castle.
Ayla released a few cords of her dress, releasing some pressure and letting out a relieved breath.
Bera seeing her mistress' actions, almost jumped from her seat, trying to cover Ayla with her body. "My Lady, there might be people watching."
The princess ignored her maid and rotated her shoulders and head before replying to Bera's previous question. "I have achieved my goal with this visit to the academy, yes."
"May I ask what My Lady was looking for?" Although she knew better not to pry, the curiosity ate the maid alive. How she wished to know something the others did not. Since they knew each other for years already, and being around the same age, Bera thought - hoped - the princess wouldn't mind her question.
"You may," Ayla answered promptly.
As the poor maid began thinking the mistress wouldn't answer her question, Ayla spoke without reserve. It was like a dam had broken, the princess' words flowing without end.
"I was looking at all my potential future husbands. I started wondering who would be the lucky man my father would marry me to. So, I had to at least meet them. To, at least, know who I would have to spend the rest of my days with."
Ayla made a disgruntled expression and quickly sighed afterward. "Tell me, Bera, what is a normal family like? How are your parents treating you?"
"P-pardon, Princess?" Bera stuttered, clearly unprepared to deal with this massive amount of information this quickly,
"Oh, please," Ayla waved a hand and ordered the driver to head to the castle. Turning her attention back to Bera, who, by now, had regained her bearings somewhat, Ayla continued. "We know each other for how long? Seven, eight years, now? You can speak freely. It's not as if I would punish you for it. It would certainly be more entertaining than speaking with some men with their heads filled with fantasies about their future."
"I'm not sure how to start..."
"Well then, let me ask, and you respond. Better?"
Seeing as her maid was still reluctant to let her tongue loose, Ayla decided on another way to approach this Bera. The princess didn't wait for a response as she opened her mouth to ask.
"What are your parents expectations of you?"
Bera opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water. "Umm..."
"Hmm, too vague of a question?" Ayla asked, thinking her question was too vague to answer clearly. 'It didn't seem too vague to me.'
"Let's go with an easier one, shall we? Do your parents care how you're seen by other people?"
The maid took a moment to gather herself. She took a deep breath and processed her mistress' words. Finally, she nodded slightly, a mere bob of her head. "They do. At least they do not want me to embarrass them in front of our neighbors. They say I should act like a lady and be polite to others... Other than that, they allow me to do as I please."
Hearing Bera answer, Ayla leaned forward. Something made her frown, and she quickly asked. "Your parents don't care how you speak to others?"
"Um... no?"
Suddenly, Bera yelped as something completely unexpected happened. "My Lady..." She said quietly, her eyes angled down at her hands which were clasped in between the princess' own.
Ayla ignored her maid's outburst, or she didn't even register it and glared into Bera's eyes, making the poor girl shrink back and away from Ayla. "You must tell me everything." She said before an even better idea came to mind. "Actually, tonight, you must come to my quarters. There's a lot of things we must talk about."
Whether it was the princess' sparkling eyes or the sheer pressure of the order she received, Bera shrunk into a ball and nodded faintly.