It took me a few hours to finally complete my tasks for today. It wasn't this taxing before, but my workload was added because of how Zinnia's parents acknowledged me. It's quite exhausting but also fulfilling.
This means that I can finally show them I'm not a burden in this palace!
As I stood up, Ade abruptly opened the door to my room, making me jolt.
"Zinnia! Let's make preparations!" Ade said excitedly.
"Geez, Ade, you scared me," I pouted.
Ade quickly ran towards me and grabbed me by the shoulder. "Now, let's go wash up!"
"Wai-"
Ade then pushed me towards the bathroom.
"All done!" She glimmered.
Only after a few minutes, I was done dressing up. Ade was like doing a marathon to see who could scrub a person in under fifteen minutes; she could win a Guinness Book of Records for that.
I looked at the mirror and could see my face shining from all that scrubbing.
"Thanks, Ade! Now I'm finally clean and ready to go!"
"Great! Now off you go!"
I tilted my head in confusion.
"What do you mean? You're coming with me, silly!" I said and put both my hands on my hips.
Ade started fiddling with her fingers and looked away.
"Err, well, you see, I uh..."
"What?"
"My wife actually has a day off today, which is a big miracle since she doesn't get much time off work, and I was hoping I could spend my time with her after you left. Teehee," she said while trying to act cute.
"Ohh, and you didn't even tell me earlier?" I grumbled.
"Well, I was panicking! And I know you'd like to be alone with the Grand Duke too!"
"And why do you think that?"
"Well, you did say he was cute, so..." Ade started to sweat profusely.
"Hmmm, so that's why you were so excited for me to get ready, huh?"
True, I honestly would like to be alone with him, but I'm pretty sure Xyriel would have a maid follow us from afar. That should be fine.
"Alright, fine, I'll go by myself."
Ade's eyes sparkled, and she held both my hands.
"Really?"
"Yes, really. You can take your leave for today. How long does your wife get time off work?"
"She said only for a week; they gave them time off work because they will go on an expedition after that."
I sighed, "Alright, you can take your vacation leave as well for a week. I don't mind."
"Is that really okay?" Her eyes became bigger after I said 'vacation leave'.
"But, how about you? Should I get you a different maid to take care of you while I'm gone?"
"No need, I can handle myself. And honestly, it's been a while to be all by myself for once."
"You mean you don't need me anymore?" Ade is now looking at me with a sad expression.
I giggled, "Pfftt what'd ya mean? You deserve a rest too since you've been helping me all this time! But I do need you, though. I just want to assure you that I'll be okay with being by myself for a couple of days." I said and squished her cheeks, making her pout.
"Plus, if your wife is going on an expedition, then she won't be home for quite a while, right? Go ahead and be lovey-dovey somewhere I can't see the both of you!"
"Hemk yu, bemya!" She cheerfully said while I still played with her cheeks. (She said 'Thank you, Zinnia,' if you all weren't clear on that.)
We both laughed after that, and I went inside the carriage, and we both waved goodbye to each other.
A few minutes later, I arrived in front of Grand Duke Xyriel's mansion, and there he stood, looking incredibly handsome, smiling at me. I smiled back and waved.
A butler then opened the door of my carriage and assisted me in getting down.
"Greetings, Princess Zinnia!" Both maids and butlers greeted me in unison.
Xyriel then walked towards me.
"Good afternoon, Princess Zinnia. It's lovely to see you again," greeted Xyriel.
"Greetings, Grand Duke Xyriel. It's wonderful to see you too!" I said and curtsied.
"Shall we?" He said and extended his hand.
I gently placed my hand in his. "And we shall!" I said, and he giggled.