As Diana opened the doors of the mansion wide, two majestic figures stepped inside. The first was a man who radiated an aura of dignity and authority. Following him was a young woman, barely older than Inera, dressed in an elegant light blue dress adorned with the emblem of a green rose.
The man wore a black suit that seemed to hail from an earlier fashion era, carrying himself with a gravitas that commanded respect. Despite its classic style, the suit accentuated his stature and reinforced his presence as a man of significant esteem and responsibility. Gray hair peeked out from under his gleaming golden crown, whose centerpiece was an emerald-green rose carved from gemstone.
The King stood tall and proud, his broad shoulders reflecting his dual role as a ceremonial figurehead and a man wielding considerable political and military influence.
Beside him, his daughter presented a stark contrast. While the King exuded an aura of power, the Princess conveyed a different kind of intensity that sent a shiver of nervousness through Inera. The Princess, impressive in her own right, stood nearly a head taller than Inera. A cascade of long, raven-black hair fell from her head, and her piercing eyes, which seemed sharp enough to cut steel, calmly surveyed the surroundings.
Beneath the fabric of her elegant dress, her athletic figure suggested an unusual strength for a Princess, yet it suited her royal lineage perfectly. But it was another striking feature that captivated Inera's attention—a scar that ran from the Princess's temple across her cheek.
Despite this blemish, the Princess's presence was undeniable. Her beauty, grace, and the scar itself contributed to an enigmatic allure. Of course, Inera had already known how both the King and the Princess looked - they were always on the big city screens and in the news, but seeing them in person was quite different.
Inera didn't pride herself on her appearance, but she knew she was not unattractive. However, her beauty was more gentle, while something about the Princess radiated an intimidating authority and confidence, even when standing next to the King.
'Frightening,' thought Inera quietly, 'What are they feeding them over there?'
With a subtle shift of her gaze, hoping to avoid drawing the Princess's attention, Inera mimicked the actions of her fellow maids. Together, they formed a neat line parallel to the entrance, with the Master and Mistress standing prominently at the forefront to welcome their distinguished guests.
"We welcome Your Majesty and the Princess," her master said in an extremely formal tone, but Inera detected a hint of nervousness in his voice.
The King, either indifferent to or unaware of the subtle nuances, responded in a deep, measured voice. "Hello, James," he greeted, acknowledging Inera's master before turning to her mistress with a respectful nod.
"Igraine," he said. The Princess stood silent and composed, only offering a brief but elegant curtsy.
Igraine returned the King's greeting, and a brief exchange of words followed. When it was time to proceed further into the mansion, Inera and her fellow maids executed the meticulously planned routine perfectly. While others rushed to the kitchen, set the table, or even prevented any reporters from following into the mansion, it was Inera's task to stay by Diana's side, ready to respond promptly to any command.
This suited her well, as following their employers and the royal guests at a respectful distance allowed Inera to overhear their conversation.
"...the others are still in an uproar," James remarked to the King, seemingly unconcerned about potential eavesdroppers. The King nodded in acknowledgment, prompting James to continue, "Since the breach, the council has been engulfed in chaos. There is no unity; everyone is convinced of their own proposals. These idiots are panicking over a few measly demons."
The King absorbed James's words and remained silent for a moment before sharing his own observations. "The tension is palpable throughout the city, even within my palace. The head mage has even suggested withdrawing more mages from the military to strengthen our security."
He shook his head dismissively. "This city will not fall under my reign. Nor after my time."
At this point, Igraine interjected, "Your Majesty, with all due respect, withdrawing mages from the military would be absurd. The royal palace is impenetrable to demons."
The King sighed deeply. "I am aware. But should another breach occur—and sadly I believe it will—we cannot afford more disasters like this. I had hoped the weeks would calm the uproar, but it has only worsened. The image of the royal family must not be further tarnished... we must not give them any opportunities."
Their conversation fell silent as they reached the master's study. The master spoke, but his words were not entirely clear to Inera. When he addressed the Princess, her expression sharpened, and her tone sounded almost irritated.
However, the King's authoritative voice prevailed, and the Princess seemed to accept his words, albeit with a reluctant sigh.
A moment later, the master signaled Diana. She hurried over, and the master seemed to give her several instructions. Diana then returned to Inera's side, with the Princess in tow, whose presence continued to make Inera nervous.
"Inera," Diana's voice interrupted her thoughts, "the master and mistress require privacy for their meeting with His Majesty."
Inera wanted to grimace, knowing what was coming next.
"During this time, you will be tasked with accompanying Princess Catherine."
Inera's pulse quickened as she met the Princess's gaze. Despite her inner confusion, she managed to mask her apprehension. The Princess's expression, however, revealed little about her feelings—she seemed rather dissatisfied, but perhaps that was just her usual demeanor.
'Lucky me,' Inera thought silently, but she would never question such an important order.
With grace and poise, Inera bowed deeply before the Princess. "May I have the honor of showing you around the estate, Your Highness?"
The Princess raised an eyebrow slightly, her mouth twitching faintly at Inera's formality. "Sure," she replied indifferently, and Inera felt a wave of relief wash over her. They would both have to play along for now. Inera nodded and gestured for the Princess to follow.
As they walked through the mansion, Inera couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that lingered in the Princess's presence. To keep the silence at bay, she started talking.
"This room is the mistress's favorite," Inera said, trying to appear as relaxed as possible. "She personally designed it, and it features a rare artifact from the old world, a game machine called 'Pac-Man.' Although it is a unique piece here, I imagine the royal palace has an even more impressive collection of such antiquities."
The Princess looked at the room with detached interest. "I had something similar in my chambers," she remarked nonchalantly. "My father claimed it was the last of its kind, but I found it to be nothing more than a space-consuming trinket."
She looked Inera straight in the eyes as she continued, "I threw it out the window."
Inera's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why would Your Highness discard such a rare artifact?"
With a sly smile, the Princess replied, "It had no practical use. Why keep something that merely takes up space?"
Inera, visibly surprised, stammered, "But... it must have been invaluable."
The Princess smile remained unwavering as she challenged Inera, "Do you really think so?"
She affirmed, "Certainly, there are collectors who would treasure such a piece from a bygone era. Many citizens would go to great lengths to possess such a rarity, even if only for its financial value."
The Princess paused, contemplating Inera's words before dismissing them with a nonchalant shrug. "Then those people don't know what truly matters."
Inera's patience began to fray. The Princess was openly disregarding the sentiments of ordinary citizens. Did she truly think she was better than everyone else?
"Perhaps Your Highness is unaware of the significance such items hold for the ordinary citizens of Tarus, both emotionally and financially. It seems you have been given too many toys in your pretty rooms," she retorted, her voice betraying her irritation.
In the next moment, Inera realized the boldness of her words, and the color drained from her face. She bowed deeply and hastily, her apology tumbling out. "Your Highness, I deeply regret my choice of words. Please allow me to find another maid to attend to you. I beg your forgiveness."
Time seemed to stand still as Inera waited for the consequences of her impulsive outburst. The laws of Tarus might not be overly strict regarding the royal family, but she knew all too well the risks of showing such disrespect. Holding her breath, she braced herself for the outcome of her candid moment.
The Princess remained silent for a while before furrowing her brow slightly. "You regret not your words, but your choice of words?"
Inera felt beads of sweat forming on her forehead. "I..."
Normally, she would never have made such a mistake... certainly not a second time. Spending time with Arthur must have loosened the screws on her tongue a bit too much.
"So, you would have voiced your thoughts regardless, but you would have preferred to do so in a way that hid your disdain for me?" the Princess continued.
Inera closed her eyes, realizing that this moment could very well cost her entire career.
But instead of showing serious disapproval, the Princess suddenly burst into hearty laughter. Inera, surprised, slowly lifted her gaze and saw the Princess genuinely amused—a sight that combined her striking beauty with her impressive presence, creating an unforgettable image.
Inera struggled for words, overwhelmed by the Princess's reaction.
"Oh, I can't," the Princess managed between laughs, her gaze suddenly warm and focused on Inera. "First, you speak so boldly and then nearly piss your pants."
Inera searched for words, "Your Highness, I—"
"Drop the formalities," the Princess interrupted, her smile persistent but her tone firm. "I was just beginning to appreciate you."
Inera's thoughts swirled. "What?"
The Princess... liked her? The situation was evolving in an unexpected direction. No, wait, this felt somewhat familiar. Did she have this effect on people? No, that couldn't be it.
She looked up at the scarred face of the gracefully beautiful Princess, who was struggling to contain her laughter. No, it wasn't her fault; it was just that the people she interacted with were all too strange.
The Princess leaned closer, clearly enjoying the moment. "You know, I noticed your gaze in the entrance hall, as if I were some exotic animal. Most people don't dare look at my scar."
She gently traced the scar with her finger, her eyes reflecting a hint of curiosity. "It intrigued me. What else would the girl dare? Our conversation confirmed my suspicions about your character."
As Inera stood there, bewildered, the Princess's amusement was palpable. "That was my intention—to provoke you," she confessed.
"Provoke?" Inera repeated, still stunned, but then realization dawned. "You lied!"
The Princess's laughter filled the room once more. "Of course I lied! But honestly, I did have such an object, though I only saw it as clutter. It wasn't discarded thoughtlessly; I made sure it found a place in the museum," she explained, wiping away a tear from her laughter.
"And yet, you boldly challenged me. Such encounters are rare for me and, frankly, quite refreshing. I assume you are Inera, correct? The other maid mentioned your name," the Princess remarked, her voice now warm with an unexpected friendliness.
Despite the Princess's intimidating aura, Inera suddenly felt less daunted. She nodded in confirmation, "Yes, I am Inera, Your Highness."
The Princess then extended her hand—an unexpected gesture.
"I'm Catherine, the, in my humble opinion, best Princess of Tarus, as you probably know," she introduced herself, friendly yet unmistakably self-assured. She knew who she was.
Gradually, Inera's tension began to melt away in the light of Catherine's unexpected transformation. Despite her royal lineage, Princess Catherine proved to be a remarkably engaging companion.
"It's an honor, Your Highness," Inera replied, maintaining a respectful tone but daring not to refuse the handshake.
Catherine raised an eyebrow, "I didn't reveal my name for formality's sake."
It took a moment for Inera to grasp the Princess's implication.
"How could I!" Inera exclaimed, but quickly reconsidered her response. A sense of familiarity enveloped her, reminiscent of another cherished relationship.
"Your Highness… Catherine, you remind me of someone special."
A knowing smile played on Catherine's lips as she noticed the depth in Inera's expression. "They must be quite extraordinary."
Inera nodded affirmatively, her heart warmed by the thought. "Yes, they are... a wonderful friend."