Mera straightened the fresh and clean maid dress after the last one had gotten wet and a bit dirty after bathing Allie. Thinking about it, it irked her whenever she heard or think that name. The worst whenever she utters it.

She was not exactly pleased when she was ordered to bathe that traitor. In fact, she wanted to refuse the task, but there was no way she would go against the order of the princess. And, it was absurd to disobey because she disliked the person.

“Want to drink some tea in the meantime, Mera? At least to rid that wrinkle on your brow.” One of her friends, Ellie, commented while leaning on the wall.

Like Mera, they also changed their clothes after bathing the traitor. Even though that they got ahead first, Ellie and Macey were kind enough to wait for her.

“I still have to return to my work.”

Mera walked towards the mirror, fixing and combing her hair.

“Oh… I just guessed you would like to cool off. You didn’t seem to particularly like what you were doing earlier, cleaning that girl.”

“...”

“That was rough,” spoke Macey. “Those scars, what sort of treatment did she receive down there? I couldn’t comprehend.”

For young noble ladies such as them, it was hard to imagine how prisoners would be treated, for they never saw the darker sides of society. When they saw that traitor earlier, they caught a glimpse of it, but they still had no idea of to what extent those in power would inflict suffering just to get what they want.

“Don’t think about it, Macey. It will only serve to stress you. If I have to say something, she was only given her due punishment,” Ellie shrugged.

“I suppose. Attempting to assassinate the princess, a royal, is no small crime.”

“But why is the princess even bringing her back to her wing?”

Ellie pointed an inquisitive look toward Mera, followed by Macey. Mera understood their concern, bringing a criminal back to her side would only serve to endanger her once more. More or less, it could be described as a foolish choice. But Mera didn’t want to question the princess’s decision.

“I don’t know. But I will be watching her closely. If she does something stupid, the moment I see it, I will handle her myself.”

The two maids flinched, taken aback by her words, in addition to doubt. It was hard to believe that the Mera they knew would do something so scary. However, it was not far from what Mera was capable of doing, setting aside if she would actually do something dangerous.

Knowing that Allie had no special abilities, Mera was confident she could take her out pretty easily. Mera has been practicing hard in Physical Enhancement. Even if she was struggling in spellcasting, her physical strength given by Physical Enhancement was something to be feared by a plain commoner.

If she could not even handle a dangerous normal person, then what was the point of all her training? She worked in obtaining special abilities to help where she could, bearing in mind that her colleagues with the princess were fighters themselves. Rogan was a knight, and Vernon may be a butler, but he was extremely capable himself. Even the princess was skillful. Only Mera was the one stuck at the back of them all.

She didn’t want to be a burden. She wanted to be useful. She didn’t want to be the one always left behind.

To be honest, she was not exactly intending to learn magic whatsoever at first. She was just about to be a normal maid. But then she was requested to learn magic as well, and add to it Physical Enhancement, she had no choice but to do so. Well not like she was against it, to begin with, it wouldn’t hurt to learn, especially if she would be training with the princess of the kingdom.

However, being overshadowed by the talented individuals around the princess made Mera feel inferior. It made her feel useless. Thus, she gained more motivation in improving. She wanted to catch up with her colleagues, to at least not fall behind.

“Woah, scary. You hate that girl, don’t you?”

“Huh? Why would you say that?”

“I mean, it’s quite obvious. And you now just threatened her, whatever you may be planning to do with her.”

“I wouldn’t say I resent her… just… I don’t like her. She tried to kill milady after all. I am just wary.”

“Nah, I sense resentment. Don’t you agree with me, Macey?”

“Yes. Mera must be really angry with that commoner girl.”

“... I… let’s not talk about this.”

“Aight, if you say so, madam.”

“And can you please stop calling me that? It’s embarrassing and bothersome.”

“It’s not that bad after you acted all bossy earlier,” Ellie chuckled. “But aren’t you technically our superior, you being the princess’s personal maid and all.”

“... Mm.” Ellie was right, her rank was higher than her friends. She could even order them whenever she wanted, and they would have no room to complain. “But… I prefer not to see it that way.”

“Aaaw, look at her, Macey. So sweet.~”

Macey gracefully covered her mouth and giggled.

“Stop it you two. Anyhow, I’m done here, I’ll be going.”

“Ah, before you go,” Macey stopped Mera for a moment. “I know you don’t like that commoner girl. But you should keep your emotions in check. Be professional.”

“What are you saying, Macey? Just as I said, I have no hatred, I just dislike her.”

Macey sighed with a shake of her head. “Whatever you say then…”

With a concerned look, Mera continued onward and left the room. She pondered what her friends had just said.

That’s not… I don’t hate her, don’t I?

She just didn’t like being near the traitor.

But perhaps, if that was what her friends were saying, then perhaps it was true. That notion lingered in her mind as she kept contemplating what she truly felt about the situation — to her, dislike was different from hatred.

A moment later, she arrived at the princess’s study room, where the group was already. The princess sat on a chair, her hand held out. What surprised Mera was that the princess’s hand was covered in white mist, a mist of cold. She tilted her hand, and the white mist moved with it.

“This part of the spell is simple, but casting the other parts will prove to be a challenge.”

Mera closed the door, and the princess glanced at her for but a moment when Rogan spoke.

“Learning another spell again, you sure like to work fast, princess.”

“Just feeling it out, I have yet to even develop the other spells I know. Aside from spells, I am still struggling with physical enhancement it seems. I will need to give more time to practicing it lest I damage myself.”

“Which reminds me,” Vernon interjected. “You will have your academics again soon in a few days. Given that you will be busy, what is your plan for that?”

“I will tell Father later to pause my lessons for the meantime. As we are about to speak again after I suddenly had Allie set free, I will bring up the topic.”

“Honestly, your highness, you shouldn’t make such a crucial decision without consulting the king.”

“I have full jurisdiction over Allie, I should have no need to tell that I plan to bring her out. But yes, it should be proper etiquette to tell my father about it. But I don’t want to debate my plan, so I decided to make it a surprise.”

“Still, I never thought you would just give her back her old job, just like that.” Vernon sighed.

“I did not give it back, I just let her have some time of peace.”

“The very thought of giving your assassin a time of peace baffles me so. Am I to take you have forgiven her?”

The princess merely shrugged. “Allie is a sweet girl.”

Mera, upon hearing that, flinched.

“Is it your kindness the reason behind his action?” Vernon asked.

The princess curiously looked up at him. “Kindness…? Yes, perhaps. In the end, I can’t bear to watch someone suffer too much even if I act unbothered… Yes… perhaps that is the reason.”

The princess lowered her gaze with a sad smile. It would appear the pure princess still had the mercy to give to the one who attempted to assassinate her. Thinking about it disturbed Mera. Why would the princess even give that traitor a second chance? The chance even allowed the traitor to face the princess again.

Vernon observed the princess with slightly narrowed eyes before looking away as if he was pondering something he was puzzled with.

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“By the way, I talked with that girl,” said Rogan. “Yeah, she seemed nice. Although she does… how do I say this… broken? But I guess suffering does break a person. I surely don’t want to experience something like that.”

“Oh really, Sir Rogan?” the princess shifted her eyes towards Rogan, an intrigued smile on her face. “Would you not suffer for me when it is necessary?” she pouted a little.

Rogan upon seeing the princess’s face chuckled with a wry smile. “Princess what are you saying? Does that even need to be asked? Of course, if I have to suffer for you, I will do it with no hesitation.”

“But I t-thought you don’t want to experience something like it.”

“That was a different case, princess. If my suffering has meaning, so be it. If its meaning is for you, then I will throw myself into it head first.”

“Rogan…” the mist on her hand froze. The princess averted her gaze with a tiny smile, her cheeks turning red a little. “Oh my, you do know how to flatter.”

“Flatter? Oh no, I was not intending to flatter, it is the truth.”

“Well… it, um, it did put me at ease to know how far you will go… for… for me.”

“I’m glad to put you at ease.”

Seeing them, Mera grasped her hands together tightly and stiffened her face. She resisted the tinge of pain in her heart.

“But don’t worry, Sir Rogan. I won’t drag you to a place that will cause you suffering.”

“To be honest, I am quite relieved.” Rogan grinned.

“Although you might get hurt a little.”

“Sure... I can take that.”

The princess, with a smile, fixed her posture as she returned her gaze to the mist in her hand. Amidst the mist then formed tiny pieces of ice. So tiny that they swirled with the swirling mist.

“It is manageable on a small scale. But, still needs a lot of work.” the princess finally shifted her gaze towards Mera. “Good work, Mera. Ah, I forgot to tell you. Convey my thanks to your friends that helped with Allie.”

“Y-Yes, I will convey your message.”

“Hm…?” The princess looked at Mera, seemingly puzzled upon noticing something. But then merely nodded her head. “Thank you. For now, let’s have a peaceful time. Mera, you should take this opportunity to practice.”

“Of course…”

Mera gazed at Vernon to which the latter nodded. After walking next to Vernon, Mera controlled her mana. Mera’s strength appeared to be in physical enhancement, thus Vernon had suddenly become her coach. She didn’t know how precisely it happened, but it just ended up this way.

For her spellcasting, she could cast a couple of basic spells, fireball, palm shield, and healing. Fireball was nothing too powerful but should be enough to damage a normal soldier. Palm shield however, she could only cast about half of her body, and the strength of the shield was not powerful at all. A knight could break her shield pretty easily. For her healing magic, it was below average, but would be usable in emergencies.

Given that she had a better affinity for Physical Enhancement, she should be focusing her training on that part. This was suggested at first by Vernon, Mera could never make that kind of suggestion, she was just following what she was told. Truth be told, she did find it more pleasant to use Physical Enhancement.

Hearing this suggestion, the princess had no qualms and let them do as they pleased.

Although, Mera thought it was weird that she would be casting mana on her body to become physically stronger. As a lady, she found it more elegant and appropriate to be going into spellcasting. She found it a bit comical imagining that she would be punching something in her dress.

But nothing can be done about it, she just had to use what she could. Not like focusing on Physical Enhancement meant she would stop with spellcasting. When she becomes more proficient in Physical Enhancement, she planned to practice more on spellcasting.

“M-Milady, I have a matter I should tell you.”

“That is?”

“About… about the traitor… My friends expressed their concerns about the scars on her body.”

“Scars, on Allie’s? How bad?”

“They are quite terrible. I mean to ask if the scars should be healed. Macey is adept in healing magic, she should be able to erase the scars.”

The traitor’s wounds basically had been healed, thus with Mera’s level of healing magic, she wouldn’t be able to properly erase the scars. She would need someone’s help to do it, and someone with Macey’s skill in healing should be enough.

“...” the princess seemed to be pondering. “I will speak to Allie about it.”

Mera bowed her head, not for the sake of the traitor, but only to thank the princess for listening to her words. Indeed, Mera was disturbed by the scars, but only because she was surprised at how much the traitor was made to suffer, not because she pitied her.

In truth, she didn’t want anything to do with that traitor. She wanted to keep her distance, for she was worried that she may come to realize the hate she was feeling, as what was implied by her friends. However, as the princess’s maid, she would be ordered what she may dislike, so she took what Macey said to heart. To keep it professional.

***

Allie was at the moment rubbing some plates clean with a clean white cloth, ones she had been using. She was feeling a bit tired, even so, there was still excitement. Spending all the time she had for cooking, and eating a dish just enough for one person, for herself.

Truth be told, she had thought of cooking for the princess for dinner. But she felt like she was still not in that place, nor was she requested to do so. The people of the palace wouldn’t trust her yet as the one who poisoned her cooking in an attempt to kill the princess.

It saddened her of course, but she was well aware of the threat she possessed.

In the end, she decided to cook with what ingredients she had, just for herself. It was more or less for her to feel how it was in the past again. She cooked and tasted her own food. Aside from that, she arranged the kitchen, the wares, and stuff to her liking.

She had her preferred arrangement and she did arrange this kitchen in the past. Of course, given that she was incarcerated, the maids cleaned this place up.

Rearranging this kitchen to her own design was quite fun, a smile would blossom on her face whenever she did. She was proud and grateful. However, she felt something was lacking, something was missing. And she realized it immediately.

She was with no purpose.

A chef’s purpose was to cook for someone. She did cook for herself, but she didn’t feel completely fulfilled, she lacked something much more.

Her purpose was once to cook for the royal family. And then to the princess herself. But that was in the past. And at present, she was not given a formal position, and who she was to officially serve. Although, she was under the impression that she was serving the princess again, that was not yet official.

Allie was still ultimately a criminal under a watchful gaze. If she did something suspicious, she feared she would be struck down, or thrown back to that dreadful dungeon. She didn’t want to go back there again. The thought of being inside that prison cell again made her shudder.

She put down the white cloth and grasped her hands together, to warm them up from the feeling of coldness, and stop the trembling. She took in a sharp shaking breath.

Stop thinking about it… stop…stop.

She told herself.

But removing them from her mind was easier said than done. She bit her lip and closed her eyes. Even now, in this small peaceful, and joyful time, the nightmares that haunt her while awake never left her. She touched the scars through the fabric of her clothes, she flinched at a touch as she remembered how those scars were formed, the pain and the blood.

That hell.

It was then that knocking sounded on the door. Allie jerked in surprise and frantically rubbed her eyes to remove the tears.

The door opened just after Allie fixed herself. Entered a familiar face, the maid Mera, wearing a neutral expression. Her eyes gazed around before fixing themselves on Allie.

“... I will be taking you to your room.”

Allie felt a little surprised that she actually had a room to use, she half expected she would be sleeping here in the kitchen. That she wouldn’t mind. But to be honest, she felt relieved.

“Finish what you’re doing, I will only give you a moment.”

Mera sounded a bit mean, and Allie slightly nodded and rushed to finish her work. Allie recalled the time when Mera and her first interacted, comparing now, how much it changed.

Amidst while working, she stole a glance at Mera, but when the latter seemed to have realized it, Allie frantically looked away.

A moment later, Allie was done with her work, and Mera led her to her personal quarter, which was still on the first floor. A knight was following behind them, Allie’s guard, one she wasn’t familiar with. It wasn’t comfortable to know that if she whenever decides to go out of her room, she would be followed.

But at least the guard was silent and wasn’t doing anything harsh to her.

They arrived, and Mera opened the door with a key in hand to unlock it. After the lock clicked open, she pulled out the key and presented it to Allie.

“Here is the key to your room.”

Allie received it while dumbfounded. Everything was almost as if it was back to normal. Like having a room of her own.

“The princess said to have a pleasant sleep, you will be having breakfast together tomorrow and a talk.”

“... Y-Yes.”

“Bear in mind that you will be guarded at all times. If you decide to leave your room, you must always have a guard. If you are discovered without one, it will spell trouble for you.”

Allie glanced at her guard before Mera added.

“The shift will change shortly, so expect a different face.”

Of course a different guard would be assigned at night. Even a knight had to rest.

“It is advised to lock your room when you sleep.”

She may have said advised, but it was something she must do.

“There are also clothes for you in the cabinet… And that will be all from me. You may rest.”

Mera began walking away, but Allie called out to her with hesitation.

“W-Wait, Mera—”

“What?”

Allie swallowed as she received an exasperated gaze from the maid.

“... No, f-forgive me. There is nothing.”

Without giving a response, Mera walked away.

Allie called out to her because she wanted to talk, even for just a little. But seeing that Mera was displeased about it, Allie changed her mind. For her own, and Mera’s sake.

She pursed her lips and clenched the key in her hand tight before entering her room. Upon closing the door, she took a deep breath, learning the smell of the room. Her eyes scanned around, on the far side was a window, curtains apart, the darkness on the other side.

There was a small desk in the corner, and a bed big enough for one person. Everything was neat and clean. This room was different from the one she had before, this one seemed to be much better. The bed may be enough for one person, but she could freely roll around on it, one can even perhaps fit another person there.

She walked towards a drawer right beside her bed and placed the key on top of it. Her gaze then turned to a cabinet, which she opened and confirmed that there were indeed clothes hanging inside it. There was even a chef’s outfit in there.

She raised her hand and touched the fabric of the outfit. Her chest warmed up, the soft sensation on her skin as it rubbed against the fabric was both pleasant and nostalgic. She closed her hand and forced herself to close the cabinet.

She heaved a deep sigh before walking and sitting down on the bed. After removing her boots, she lied her back on the soft surface, indeed so soft. Her body sank a little due to the sheer softness of the bed, and the sheets were so pleasant to feel.

It was almost heavenly.

She grabbed a pillow and hugged it tightly. A small smile formed on her lips.

This bed was heaven, worlds apart, compared to the rough, hard, and dirty floor of that dark chamber. In there, there were no sheets to cover herself from the cold but had to use her arms and fold herself. No pillow for her head to lay on but the stone cold floor, and there was no soft cushion for her back to lie upon.

This moment right now was so wonderful.

She caressed the pillow with the tips of her fingers, how pleasing it was. So comforting.

And the root cause of that comfort was the princess.

She recalled what Mera said about meeting tomorrow with the princess. It must be about something serious.

It must have something to do with the deal she made with her. One about tracking down her friends. She knew what deal she made, and agreed with her own decision wholeheartedly. Truth be told, she still felt bitter about her friends never even attempting to save her.

Her trust in them degraded. There was even some thought that they might have only used her. It made her wonder, did Oryn truly love her? Or was he only playing with her heart to have what they wanted?

Allie did fall in love with Oryn, she loved him so much that she was willing to go far for him, even if he had already died. However, because of all the suffering, she couldn’t feel the warmth of love anymore. Even with all the kisses, the hug, and the intimate touch she had with Oryn. The words, the whispers, the warmth, the joy, all good things with him. It was hard to believe that her love had faded, but it did.

How could despair erase such wonderful things from her mind and heart? And how doubt can make one distrust people very important to them. How terrifying.

Even so, she had hoped that Oryn had at least cared about her. She hoped that he valued the time they had together.

However, now was not the time to think about the past, for it hurt her greatly.

For now, it was time to think about the future and the present.

Allie was willing to listen to the princess and will help if it was in her ability.

Even so, betrayal was not an easy thing to do if some things were genuine.

She was feeling tired, and thus she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.