Chapter 18

The Princess Chronicles of Saint Mia

There is a book called The Princess Chronicles of Saint Mia. It is a work of non-fiction and its contents were pure and unbridles fabrications that glorified Mia. The author of this work was the renowned writer Elise Littstein. She single-handedly established the fantasy-genre in the Tearmoon Empire and pushed it to prominence. Employed as court author by Princess Mia, she was also the sister of Anne Littstein, who served for countless years as the princess exclusive maid.

The book began like this.

I first met Her Highness when I was just twelve years old. At that time, I was too weak to play outside with my friends of the same age. I turn instead, my interest to writing. I began to write stories – not novels, they were far too crude to be called one. Writing became my outlet for my desires and frustrations. They were the escape of a poor girl who had little else in her world.

Her Highness scanned lightly my manuscript, then she decided to make me her royal author. In that quick skim, she grasped the entirety of my story. I was left speechless by the speed at which she read. It was a talent that defied common sense. In fact, it was a brilliance that defied any description. It is my belief that this episode offered an early glimpse at the abundant genius of Her Highness.

Just to confirm again, these are all Elise’s misunderstanding. No. Her delusions. Since not a single piece of truth was written there. Regardless, this book sold well! This event was probably the first sign of the empire in decline.

Granted, the book also ends up saving Mia’s life... but that’s a story for another time.

“Royal Author... to Your Highness?” Elise was caught off guard by Mia’s sudden offer.

The system of being a royal author involved a member of the royal family becoming a sponsor for an artist and supporting his or her livelihood. Gaining a good sponsor meant freedom from financial worries and the ability to focus completely on one’s creative work. It was a very coveted position.

Elise shook her head eventhough she had just been offered the best job a writer could have.

“Please, I’d rather not.”

“What?” Mia was surprised by Elise’s answer. “Why? I believe it is an offer that you stand to benefit from.”

If she becomes Mia’s royal author, then she can gain access to the Grand Library in the castle. There it should be easy for her to collect research materials.

“I don’t want you to patronize me just because I am Anne’s sister.”

“Elise! How can you say that to Mia-sama?”

Heavenly moons! I just slipped up badly.

That’s right, the story Mia knows is a few years from now.

It felt so terribly food to talk about it that I wasn’t thinking at all about what I was saying.

Having realized she had made a blunder, she started to panic. However, a helping hand came from an unexpected place.

“What’s so surprising about that, Elise?” It was Anne who spoke up for Mia. “This is Mia-sama we are talking about. She only has to read a few chapters to be able to guess where to story is going.”

It seems that it wasn’t only Ludwig that is suffering from Terminal Mia Syndrome. Anne seems to have been infected badly as well. In Anne’s mind, Mia’s significance had reached ridiculous heights. If the weather was good, it was all thanks to Mia. If it rained, then Mia was looking after the farmers. In summary, Anne had become a true Mia fanatic.

“Right, Mia-sama?” Anne asked Mia with a big smile. Mia could do nothing but nod reflexively.

“Of course! What you said is absolutely right.”

Absolutely what? What even in the dark moons is she talking about?

Even from Mia’s perspective, Anne’s reasoning was nonsense. However, since this will help her, she decided to just go with it. It was too late to back down.

“I’ll say it again. Elise, be my writer, and finish this story.”

“..Your Highness... Anne-neesama”

Elise looked from Mia to her sister. Faced with the pair’s absurd logic...

“Thank you so much.”

She cracked and gave in.

Thus did the Empire see the birth of yet another Mia fanatic.