Chapter 4: A Pure Princess (Part 4)

Mera and I went back to the entrance of the garden, being done with my errand.

“That was a great trip.”

I said cheerfully as I thought of what I should do next.

“Ah! Let’s go to my brother!”

If they were training, then there would certainly be weapons. Yes, weapons!

“You still have plenty of energy left it seems, milady. Considering what happened earlier in the morning.”

She must be referring to the time I fell down the stairs earlier this morning.

“If you have energy to spare, might as well use it.”

I stepped forward.

“Let’s go to my brother.”

We went around the palace towards our destination. The place was big of course, with tall walls right by the outside. There were quite a lot of guards walking around, wearing their armor. Perhaps that was supposed to be expected. But it seems they were only plain soldiers, I have yet to encounter a knight.

Maybe there were a lot of places where my brother was having his training. I expect there should be a lot of men there. I smiled playfully internally.

Should I play with their hearts? I think I’ll do it.

If the knights were of good character, and if they were to see me as an innocent and defenseless girl, they would protect me with all their heart if we had a friendly relationship. 

They will be useful meatshields.

Yes, I’ll be a sheltered princess worthy of protecting.

Some young soldiers passed by and halted in their tracks. Their eyes wide and mouth agape as they stared at me, captivation evident in their eyes. There was even a delay of their bow when I walked past them.

I guess the flower by my ear boosted my attractiveness.

But of course being super attractive had its downsides. However, if I could at least train this body a bit and have a weapon, I should be fine. 

I’ll cut their excaliburs if I have to.

But to be honest, this beauty of mine was terrifying, wasn’t it? I mean, this level of beauty that puts other utterly beautiful women to shame should be illegal.

My old appearance could only level about more than half of it.

But oh well. At least this appearance was mine now.

Not for long, we arrived at the courtyard. I could hear the shouts of men as they delivered their strikes to the strawmen, and some to their sparring partner. Some men wore their knights armor which had the color set of dark bluish and white. I should say, the design of their armor was cool. 

It has style.

Then, amidst all that, I saw my brother, Estevan, having a spar with a young knight. They were not wearing their armor, but rather plain clothing. Sweat beaded their brows and wet their hair. They breathed heavily as they grew tired from their activities.

I glanced at Mera, whose eyes were uneasy as she looked all around. A playful smile crept up on my face, of course masked in a sweet smile.

“If I may ask, Mera.”

“... Milady?”

“There are quite a lot of good looking young lads around, isn’t it? So, which one do you think you prefer?”

She looked shocked by my question.

“M-Milady, what are you talking about?”

“Hm~... What do you say to the young man sparring with my brother?”

“Eh? Um,” she looked towards what I was pointing at. “Um…”

“What is the matter? Come on, this is our little secret conversation.”

I recall in my past life that girls always do this kind of thing in their youth. Talking about crushes and such. So, I sort of wanted to try that. How would that feel? What would it be like? Though I doubt I could feel attracted to anyone, perhaps the conversation would be interesting.

“Um…” Mera looked like she was hesitating, but then began to speak. “... I think he looks handsome. Yes, he looks quite charming.”

“Oh? Does the mere sight of him send your heart aflutter?”

Mera frantically looked at me.

“Uh, no… He may look charming, but it wouldn’t make me feel love immediately. It would only be something that is… attracting to the eyes. And I do not know him, so I don’t feel anything special.”

“Is that so? Is he your type?”

“... I don’t think so?”

“Think so? You don’t sound sure.”

“Well, I don’t know what I would like.”

“I see.”

I was a bit disappointed. This didn’t end up like I imagined. You know, girls yelping, blushing, something like that. Mera did not seem to be one of those types of girls. Oh well...

“What about you milady?”

I was taken aback for a bit when Mera asked me. I didn’t expect this.

Oh? Finally striking a conversation back? Well well, that’s good,

I had a delighted smile as I answered her.

“Let’s see. A lot of them are quite good looking, but nothing that would stroke my maiden’s heart.”

I peered around.

“Hm, wait. Wouldn’t one be so lucky if a princess like me looked favorably at them?”

“Oh, I think they would be so happy that their life would be fulfilled if they realize that,” she confidently said with a proud smile.

“I can imagine that. But… I guess my dear brother is the most handsome of them all. Then I think the type of man I like would be someone like my brother!”

“M-Milady…” Mera blinked in surprise. “I-Is that allowed? I mean in this type of conversation, those from the family wouldn’t do.”

“Is that how it is?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, okay. Then, I have nothing. There are a lot of handsome men there but, I doubt my heart would react to any of them, or anyone in that matter.”

But then again, my brother had intense beauty as a man, so that was great. But that was just the preference of looks. To be honest, this reminded me of that guy who killed me.

These damn pretty boys.

“Of course, only those worthy of you can win your heart, milady.”

I blankly looked at Mera after hearing that strange remark.

“No one can win my heart, Mera.”

“... Y-Your highness?”

Mera’s guard broke down when she heard my straight reply, her eyes wide.

I smiled and took a step forward, ignoring her puzzlement.

“Let’s go greet my brother.”

I said so, like a cute young girl eager to speak with her dearest brother.