CH 97

It could not be helped that everyone in the room froze up. The younger maids had basically been caught slacking off. And Maki and Chiharu had already met Chouze as Saintesses. Of course, they had tried to keep a distance from her as they were annoyed. So they did not have that strong of an impression of her.

“Oh, so you’re the one they were talking about.”

There was no tradition of kneeling before royalty in this world, so Maki just bowed politely.

“My, what unusual hair and eyes. The thin jaw and long eyelashes. You’re just as the maids described!”

The maids looked away uncomfortably. They had not intended for their gossip to be heard by their master.

Hmm. While it was true that Maki made a pretty boy, Chiharu had the same eyes, thin jaw, and long lashes. They even had the same wig color. So it was odd that Maki was the only one to get so much attention. Such were the thoughts in Chiharu’s head.

Maki seemed a little disturbed by the excitement on Chouze’s face. However, this was taken favorably, as it was apparently the natural reaction of a boy that age. After all, she had not noticed that they were Saintesses.

“Um, I think it’s time I take my sister and leave. Thank you for everything.”

Maki quickly thanked her and then signaled to Chiharu. Chiharu picked up the orange that was left after feeding Norfe, and rushed towards Maki.

“Oh, you’re the child that my brother was carrying earlier.”

Chouze said as she looked at the orange.

Maki was known as the youth with a beautiful face, but Chiharu was just the orange girl. That didn’t seem very fair at all!

“It’s good that you’re feeling better now. Oh, I know. I’ll let you see the merman before my brother finishes getting changed.”

“Princess Chouze!”

One of the maids practically screamed.

“I just want someone beautiful to meet someone beautiful. What could be wrong with that?”

“The merman being here is supposed to be a secret.”

“It’s not a secret, though? After all, he is here by his own free will.”

“However, such a fish…”

Apparently, the maids were scared of the merman and did not want Maki to meet him.

“Oh, surely you do want to meet him?”

Chouze asked Maki innocently. This was a great opportunity. However, it might affect their plans tonight. Maki hesitated.

“The merfolk are legendary. So I would like to meet one. But I’m not important enough.”

She said with a shake of her head.

“Oh, how modest of you. Well, Amia can refuse if he wants. And you. Orange girl. He might just like oranges, so you can come too.”

Chiharu, now known as ‘orange girl,’ looked at Maki. What should we do? We have no choice but to go. And so they decided to take her up on the offer.

“As for the rest of you, stop slacking off and go back to work.”

Chouze did not forget to rebuke the maids as she took Maki and Chiharu to the room that was four rooms down the hall.

The guards looked displeased when they saw Maki and Chiharu, but they could not go against Chouze. She knocked on the door and then entered without waiting for a reply. Maki and Chiharu stepped inside hesitantly.

“Prince Amia. I brought something very unusual today.”

Chouze said in an excited voice.

“That is unusual.”

Came the lazy voice. There, on the sofa, was sprawled a large merman with glimmering, milky white scales. Chiharu couldn’t help but mutter to herself.

“It’s a big tuna…”

“Shh. That’s even worse than me calling someone ‘Rasche.’”

Maki said frantically.

“Oh, Prince Amia is interested.”

“Are those Soluna oranges?”

Chouze looked at Chiharu with shining eyes. To be precise, she was looking at the orange that Chiharu was holding. See? Didn’t I say so? That’s what it looked like she was saying. Chiharu had no choice but to nod as if she was impressed.

“Let me eat that.”

Amia said. And so Chiharu tried to pass the orange to Chouze.

“You. I want you to peel it for me.”

He said. Chouze nodded gracefully. It was only natural, since this was the kind of work that maids would do.

And so Chiharu was forced to approach Amia. He told her where to stand with his eyes, as he did not want Chouze to see him as he ate. Chiharu moved hesitantly as if she was afraid.

“Why are you here, beloved child?”

Amia whispered. Chiharu peeled the orange and separated the pieces as she answered.

“I should be asking you that, Amia. Saia is worried.”

“I knew it. This is bad.”

Amia muttered with a troubled expression. His tail slapped the sofa weakly.

“Ah, Princess Chouze. Merfolk really are as beautiful as they say.”

Maki coughed and then addressed her. Now was the time.

“We’ll come to rescue you tonight, on the lakeside. It’s time for you to return.”

“I don’t need help. But I suppose I have no choice. I really am tired now.”

Amia said as he opened his mouth.

“Huh?”

“Orange.”

“You’re really going to eat it?”

“It’s my favorite.”

Chiharu sighed and started tossing them into his mouth.

“Delicious.”

Amia said loudly. Then he opened his mouth again. Chiharu threw more orange pieces inside.

“Well, it was a good thing I brought the orange girl with us.”

Yes, yes. The orange girl who fed the prince and the merfolk chief. That’s me. Chiharu couldn’t help but be a little sulky. Once the oranges were gone, Amia said,

“Mm.”

“Huh?”

“Mm.”

What did he mean by leaning forward like that? Chiharu rummaged in her pockets for a handkerchief and then wiped his mouth.

“Mm.”

She supposed that was a satisfied grunt. Just then, someone knocked on the door and then entered without waiting for a reply.

“Excuse me.”

The person who came in was Norfe. Both of them came in without waiting. They were very rude siblings.

“Norfe!”

Chouze brightened up at the sight of him. Norfe glanced at her before turning to Amia. Then his eyes widened. Chiharu was used to seeing them, but she supposed that it was different for most people.

“Merman and orange girl.”

Enough with the ‘orange girl’! Chiharu’s shoulders dropped. Then Maki interrupted them.

“Well, we best be going now. Princess Chouze, thank you for letting us see such a beautiful person.”

Chouze then gave them permission to leave, though she seemed very reluctant to do so.

“Yes, I suppose you must. You may leave.”

Chiharu rushed to where Maki was standing. Then they both bowed and hurried out of the room. The guards glared at them as they ran down the hallway and to the door. When Maki was sure that no one was watching, she whispered to Chiharu.

“I don’t think Edwy and Aaron will come, since they would be recognized. We have to leave town. Or the whole plan will be ruined.”

“Yes.”

“Also, you’re going to get lectured later, Chiharu!”

“What? But it was out of my control!”

She groaned. And so they ran from the villa, got made fun of in the market square, reunited with Edwy, and then left the town. Not returning immediately would have invited suspicion.