n

n

nRieta thanked her father for his remarkable decline in reproductive capacity.

n‘I have asked several times whether I should send the clothes and goods left in your palace to the Empire, but the king did not give me an answer because he was busy for the above reasons.’

nHe had probably fallen for the new concubine and forgotten that the maid asked him that.

nEven if it was Rieta’s luggage, nothing was expensive. The king wouldn’t have been interested.

nRieta was fine without it, though.

nThe scent of the Imperial family’s flowers felt even sweeter.

n***

n‘I’ve got the Princess’ luggage neatly packed and ready to go.’

nShe prepared it?

nRieta rubbed her eyes and read the line again.

n

n

nIt’s hard to get royal belongings out of the palace.

nNo matter how small they are.

n‘I’ve packed everything, so I’m going to get it to you, Princess.. I don’t know if you need it… But it’s ready if the Princess wants it.’

nShe really appreciated that. But how were they gonna get it to her?

n‘It is important, and can’t just be left at the post office, so I sent it with a chaperone. Alicia will probably be at the Empire by the time this letter arrives.’

n“Alicia’s coming?!”

nRieta screamed with surprise, and soon Noel asked who it was.

n“My maid’s only precious child. But Alicia’s too young to travel alone. I’m worried, if it’s going to be okay…”

n“How old is she?”

n“12 years old.”

n“……is it a trend in the Kingdom of Liz to travel alone these days? The Princess also did it.”

n“Hm, Alicia’s smart, so it’s probably going to be okay.”

n“Smart?”

n“Yes, Alicia is also very kind and incredibly cool, truly well-liked by everyone.”

nRieta’s gaze briefly turned away.

nIt was clear that she was recalling a moment in the past.

n“Well.”

nNoel fiddled with the blanket for no reason.

n“Anyway, the messenger named Alicia is coming, right?

n“What messenger! Alicia is like a friend of mine.”

n“It’s amazing that the maid’s child and the Princess can be friends.”

n“What can’t be done. Besides, my maid is a member of the Vassal family.”

nIt was a little different from an ordinary maid because she was the one who served the Princess before her.

nAlthough they could not be called ‘noble’, Alicia was part of the family that had been loyal to the Royal family for generations.

n“More than anything, I really enjoy it when we spend time together. Alicia’s so nice to everyone. I assure you, Noel’s gonna like Alicia too.”

n“How do you know that?”

n“It’s simple.”

nRieta folded the letter she had finished reading and put it back in the envelope. Like caring for a precious treasure.

n“Noel’s my friend too. And all my friends are good people.”

nWhen Rieta asked, ‘Right, Duke?’ he nodded.

n“Noel is a gentleman who knows how to be polite to the Princess’ friends.”

n“Look, the Duke says so, too.”

n“Ah, alright I know. You can do it well.”

n“You have to be close to Alicia, okay?

n“Uh… Well, okay.”

nNoel nodded while pulling on a thick blanket.

nActually, he was a little curious.

nSince he had never seen Rieta play with a female friend.

n******

n‘Maybe, by the time this letter arrives, Alicia will have already arrived at the Empire,’ and it was true.

nOn the same afternoon that the letter was received, a person came to the wall surrounding the capital.

n

n

nSomeone had come to see the Princess.

nDuke Mayer was willing to be Alicia’s guarantor and sent the Duke’s carriage to pick them up.

nWith the news that Alicia would soon arrive at the mansion, Rieta rushed to her room.

nShe washed her face and her hands thoroughly.

nAnd, of course, she didn’t forget to tidy up her hair.

nThen she hung around the front door and waited for Alicia to come.

n“Look, Noel. Do I look like a Princess?

nThroughout the whole wait, she checked several times to see if her outfit was bad.

nOf course, Noel wanted to say, ‘You’ve never been seen as a Princess.’

nBut today, he decided to become the ‘good gentleman Noel,’ so he tried to show some of the virtues of a cultured man.

n