**Tatiana's perspective**
As the first rays of dawn peeked through the curtains, I stirred from a restless sleep. Last night's lecture from Lily was still echoing in my mind, reminding me of her unwavering determination. She truly was the strongest and toughest among us, capable of lecturing for hours without a break.
Lily performed her meticulous health check on me for the third consecutive day. "It appears your health shows no signs of worry now," she said with an air of satisfaction.
Finally, the dreaded confinement was over, and life beckoned me back to normalcy.
"I feel much better now, Lily. All thanks to you." Her constant care and concern had nursed me back to full health.
"My duty is to serve my mistress," she responded, her tone laced with formality. "Will you be joining Lady Blanc for breakfast today?"
I responded with a nod, prompting Lily to assist me in getting ready. As she tenderly combed my hair, the reflection in the mirror serving as our silent companion, she broached a topic of the day, "Today, you have a meeting with the town's mayor. Remember?"
"Ah, yes... but couldn't Blanc or Sakuya attend in my stead?" I asked, considering their familiarity with my viewpoints. Conversations with strangers were never my strong suit.
"Really? Do you wish to witness Lady Blanc lose her composure upon being mistaken for a child, or Lady Sakuya, who would likely remain silent throughout the entire meeting?" Lily's question painted a vivid, albeit humorous, picture.
In my mind's eye, I imagined Blanc lashing out at the slightest provocation, while Sakuya would sit still, her silence echoing louder than words. "On second thought, I think I better handle it myself," I corrected myself, resigned to fulfill my responsibility.
Descending the staircase with Lily, I noticed Blanc seated at the dining table. "Good morning, Blan-…" my attempt to greet her was interrupted by her murmuring something about chess.
"B3 going one step forward, and F2 going for the queen, and that's a checkmate," she declared, as if she had triumphed over an imaginary adversary.
Curious about her peculiar behavior, I approached her and inquired, "May I ask who you were talking to just now?"
With a nonchalant shrug, she responded, "Oh, that was a chess game I was practicing."
Chess without an actual board? Intriguing, but a question to be explored later. We joined Blanc at the table, enjoying a hearty breakfast, the smell of fresh bread, the sizzling bacon, and fluffy omelettes making my mouth water.
As we finished breakfast, enjoying the aromatic brew of fresh tea, I noticed Sakuya's absence. "Lily, where's Sakuya?" I asked, glancing around the room.
"Hmm... usually, she would be off training by herself at this time," Lily answered, helping clear the table.
Training? Despite her impressive abilities, she continued to push herself. The thought was daunting; catching up to her might require a lifetime of dedication.
"So, princess, are you aware of our plan for the next step?" Blanc's voice brought me back from my reverie. Her teasing nickname for me was a gentle reminder of our camaraderie.
"Yes, of course, after my meeting today, we should prepare to head south, past the forest, right?" I responded, recalling Blanc's recommended strategy.
"Good, after your tasks for today, we'll need to discuss current and future plans. These would involve business, finances, supplies, and more," Blanc elaborated.
Her words added more items to my ever-growing to-do list. An afternoon packed with meetings and lessons awaited me - classic Blanc.
After a hearty breakfast, we made our way to the town mayor's house, which was not far from where we stayed. As we walked through the streets, I couldn't help but notice the bustling activity all around. The town seemed livelier than ever, bustling with business and a sense of renewed energy.
Amidst the hustle and bustle, I failed to notice a carriage approaching with a load of goods. The driver called out to get my attention, and I quickly stepped out of their way, bowing slightly in apology as they passed by. Lily reminded me to be cautious and not to stand in the middle of the streets, as it could be dangerous.
"I'll be more careful. I didn't realize the town had become so busy," I confessed to Lily, wondering what had caused such a significant change in the atmosphere.
Lily explained, "This is the result of Lady Tatiana's actions in the forest. News about the forest's revitalization has spread, attracting merchants and traders to visit the town and explore the southern regions near the forest."
It dawned on me that the forest's transformation had become a major event for the town, and its positive impact was evident in the increased activity and prosperity. Knowing that the town was flourishing because of my efforts filled me with joy and a sense of accomplishment.
"That's wonderful to hear. I'm glad the town is thriving and feeling lighter than before," I remarked, feeling a newfound sense of pride in the changes we had initiated.
Within the bustling hub of the town's administrative office, Mayor Robert Grimson handled a myriad of tasks related to town governance. With the well-being of the community at his heart, he worked tirelessly, making key decisions, organizing events, resolving disputes, and maintaining the town's infrastructure.
As we approached his homely abode, we were greeted by Mayor Grimson himself. He was a robust man, as befitting a town leader, his wifeFilia was a picture of beauty, her radiant orange hair impossible to miss. "Welcome, it's an honor to meet you. I'm Robert Grimson, the mayor of this humble town. You must be Princess Tatiana Tremaine, your highness."
In the bustling administrative hub of the town, Mayor Grimson sat, orchestrating the affairs of the day. The governance of the community was his to manage, from making critical decisions to mitigating disputes. As the mayor, he bridged the gap between the town's populace and higher echelons of authority, fighting for the town's interests while ensuring its continued growth and welfare. His duties stretched from event organization to dispute resolution and maintenance of the town's infrastructure, making him a pivotal figure.
"Welcome, it's an honor to meet you. I'm Robert Grimson, the mayor of this small town, and you must be Princess Tatiana Tremaine," he declared with a hint of excitement in his voice. I felt taken aback by the princess reference, but before I could correct him, Lily, who stood behind me, stepped in to explain.
"Lady Tatiana, we have already discussed your character's backstory as the fallen aristocrat. However, it appears that some in the town have mistaken you for a princess. Shall we go along with this misconception?" she suggested, trying to diffuse the situation politely.
"Princess?" I queried, taken aback by the sudden royal attribution. Was it a misunderstanding or a playful jest?
"Lady Tatiana," Mayor Grimson began, his tone serious. "We were informed about your backstory, the fallen aristocrat. But it seems the town has mistaken you for a princess. Shall we carry on with that illusion?"
While I had encountered princesses before, I had never claimed to be one, and I didn't want to perpetuate the misunderstanding. "Please, there's no need for honorifics. I'm just a normal person," I replied, hoping to clarify the matter.
I remember my true backstory – a fallen aristocrat, pursued by her brother and his men, all eager to seize control over our family's heritage. I had no idea where Blanc had contrived such an elaborate tale, but it was time to dispel the fiction.
As I began recounting my character's story as a fallen aristocrat, it seemed that Mayor Grimson and his wife, Filia, were understanding the mix-up. "So, the rumors about your endeavors were true?" Mayor Grimson said with a touch of sadness in his voice.
"Yes, unfortunately, they were all true," I confirmed, grateful that they were starting to comprehend the truth.
As the air cleared and my true identity was revealed, I felt relieved that they would no longer consider me a princess. However, I couldn't help but notice Mayor Grimson's sorrowful expression. "It's so sad that such injustice happened to an innocent girl like you, a princess next in line to the throne, banished by your own kingdom. How could the world be so cruel?" he mused, visibly touched by the narrative.
His empathetic words almost made me spill my tea. The depth of their compassion for a fictional character was touching, yet unsettling.
Filia, with tears in her eyes, echoed her husband's sentiment. "She was the pillar of peace, loved by her people. It is sad to hear how her brother, threatened by her popularity, plotted against her."
Their sympathy was heartfelt, yet misplaced. I found myself silently apologizing to the non-existent brother who had been villainized in the process.
Mayor Grimson finally broke the silence. "All this time, you were alone, battling these ordeals?"
"If I'm being honest, I couldn't have managed it without my friends here and others. Their support has been invaluable," I expressed, gesturing toward Lily, who responded with a respectful bow.
"Such kind words, Your Highness," Lily chimed in, bowing gently. She seemed to have fully embraced this unusual role-play, which only added to my frustration.
"Friend?" The term seemed to perplex Mayor Grimson. Was it strange for someone of my alleged stature to refer to her companions as friends? Did they see through my facade, or were they merely humoring me?
"Your Highness," Mayor Grimson began, his tone sympathetic, "it is truly unique and commendable that someone of your position considers their subjects as friends. This is a rare sentiment, one that is not often seen. Their loyalty to you is no doubt a testament to your kindness and camaraderie."
I couldn't help but let out a frustrated chuckle. "Ahaha…" I managed to force a smile, but inside, I was exasperated. No matter how much I tried to clarify, they seemed so invested in the fantasy of Princess Tatiana that they couldn't see the truth.
I wanted to scream, to tell them that I was just a fallen aristocrat on the run, not a princess with a dramatic past. But I couldn't bring myself to shatter the illusion they held so dear. Their sympathy for a fictional princess was touching in its own way, but it was also maddening to be misunderstood so thoroughly.
Filia took a dainty sip of her tea, her gaze still fixed on me. Clearing her throat delicately, she straightened up in her chair.
"Your highness," she began, "I fear we have been keeping you captive with our idle chatter. Someone of your importance must have plenty of pressing matters to attend to. Please, accept our apologies and gratitude. Your noble efforts to clear our forest have been a lifeline to this town."
Both she and Robert bowed their heads, a gesture so earnest it momentarily caught me off guard. This was no casual thanks; it was heartfelt gratitude from the representatives of a town whose livelihoods were dependent on the forest.
"Please," I stammered, unprepared for such formality, "there is no need for that. I accept your thanks."
I quickly moved on to inform them of our next destination - the town to the south, beyond the Everwood forest. They pondered this, exchanging thoughtful glances before Filia clapped her hands together in sudden inspiration.
"Why not ask your friend in the southern town to provide accommodations for our dear princess?" she suggested.
Robert looked skeptical, however. "Well, we haven't exactly been on the best of terms since the incident..."
Filia, however, wouldn't hear of it. "Robert! You need to speak to him. For her sake!"
Sighing in resignation, Robert agreed. "Alright, I suppose it's been a while since I made the trip down there anyway, especially now that the forest has been cleared."
The relief that washed over me was immediate. "Thank you both so much. That's incredibly kind of you," I said, quickly forgetting my royal role and bowing slightly. The prospect of a safe place to stay was a substantial burden lifted from our shoulders.
Satisfied with our progress, Lily and I excused ourselves. As we made our way back to the inn, Lily couldn't help teasing me. "Good work, Princess Tatiana."
Despite the challenges, I couldn't help feeling a little triumphant. I'd managed to secure our accommodation without causing a ruckus. Surely Blanc would have to admit that I'd done well? Upon returning, I was eager to share our good news.
Blanc, in her usual fashion, offered a lukewarm response. "Hmph, that was to be expected of you, at least you're good for something." In retaliation, I playfully lunged at her, grabbing her hand and rubbing my face against it. Her defeat was a victory in itself.
As the day of our departure drew closer, I made it a point to say my goodbyes to those who I'd gotten to know. Each farewell was tinged with a bittersweet sentiment, marking the end of one adventure and the beginning of another.
-Chapter 24 End-