I smiled a little, as if restraining myself, as the maids placed delicacies on the table for us noble ladies to enjoy. They were all desserts, to my delight. Diabetes? What’s that? I can cast healing magic anyway, I could just heal the organ if I needed to. Wait, would that actually work? Now that's food for thought. Get it? Food…

Ahem. Anyways, they all looked delicious, and I expect the tastes would be too. To be fair, the kitchen staff were pretty good, pretty on par with the palace. No… actually, here it was actually better. Was it the fresh ingredients? Got to be.

I glanced at Mizia, smiling constantly as always, excited. Well, she had been preparing for this occasion for a while now. My eyes shifted towards the brightly colorful assorted desserts, cakes, cupcakes, chocolates, cookies, milk, of all kinds.

Seeing all of these made me long for ice cream.

Uuuugh, ice cream.

Someone please give me ice cream. I miss it so much. Can’t just have ice cream, not invented yet! I assumed that one, but that may be the case. That’s because I’ve never heard of it around here, ever!

“Now then before we start,” said Mizia just as the servants finished placing all the plates. She gave us all a kind and proud smile. “I would like to thank everyone for giving time to attend the tea party. The princess wanted to meet other noble ladies and make friends with you all. So, let us get along well, and I hope you enjoy the food.”

I smiled shyly at everyone and we started tasting the food.

“Mmm, this is quite delicious. Is this cupcake new, Lady Mizia? Never had quite like it last time we met.” Lady Arenza looked at the cupcake in her hand curiously.

My cousin nodded proudly. “Yes, we tried a different kind of combination from the last cupcake mother and I made.”

“Amazing, must have taken quite a while before you achieved perfection.”

“It was a rough experience. We had to determine the right amount of ingredients, how hot and how long should it be baked. We more or less ended up with more undercooked cupcakes.”

Villeta’s smile widened after swallowing a bite. “But in the end you reached your goal. Given this one’s taste, I say the hardship was worth it.”

“Thank you.”

I watched them like a gentle and quiet kitten while having a taste of this cupcake. And indeed, it was, as they say, delicious. Dammit, Allie could have made something better than this. Such a waste of talent.

“If I may ask, what is a knight doing here?” asked my etiquette teacher’s daughter, Shena. Her eyes pointed towards Rogan from far behind me.

“H-He’s my knight…” I said, my voice trailing off.

“Your knight? Do you mean a personal knight?” her eyes had a little bit of fierceness in them.

I nodded.

“I have heard that you took a personal knight, but I did not expect to see him here.”

“Princess Estelia must not be without a guard in any meeting or outdoor activity.” Mizia answered on my behalf.

“I see… But it should be safe in this place, right? Normally, there should have been no need for that.”

Shena… Really was Eleanore’s daughter. Strict on formal norms.

“Lady Shena,” said Lady Arenza, my dear music instructor’s daughter. “It is her highness’s first time on an occasion like this. So I believe being with her knight guard is understandable and tolerable.”

Shena frowned slightly. “... I suppose.”

“What’s his name, if I may ask, princess?” Villeta asked.

“Rogan Dorien.”

“Dorien?” Villeta looked towards him as if she was recalling something. “Oh, them. Now I remember him. Wow, I didn't expect him to reach this high of a status. Good for him.”

“I have heard of him once, but not much,” said Arenza.

“I have not.” Shena shrugged.

“He has quite the reputation.” Villeta chuckled.

Oh wow Rogan, you didn’t tell me you were famous with the ladies. No, wait, it’s not with the ladies, is it?

Villeta continued. “His family has been quite a bothersome crowd a few months ago. I understand why he would be rebellious against his own family.”

“Rebellious…?” I knew a bit about Rogan, but he never said much. Just that he didn’t want anything to do with them. Nor did I ever ask.

“I heard he ran away to the palace to become a knight to go against his family’s wishes,” said Villeta. “Although, I never delved deep into it.”

“I knew it. He is not all good news.” Mizia pouted.

Alright, hold back on your beef with him, dear cousin.

“But Mizia, he has been decent with me. I don’t think there is anything to be worried about.”

“Still…” her pout only deepened.

Villeta leaned forward a little. “So, princess, care to share how he became your personal knight?”

I wryly smiled. “Um…. It’s…” I hesitated.

How was I supposed to explain? Can’t really say that it just somehow ended up that way because I elicited his help for the hunt of the traitor. Aaah, thinking about it made me feel nostalgic. Things were simpler back then, just hunt down one lone traitor — but now? Got an entire civilization after me. Eh.

“Princess?”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Well, it was my father who made him my knight.”

“Truly? Why, though? I don't understand. With that knight’s background?”

“Perhaps he valued excellence more than one’s history.” Yeah let’s leave it at that.

Villeta clasped her hands together. “Ah! His Majesty truly is wise. Indeed, I agree that one’s history does not always matter when they show promise.”

Shena smiled slightly. “Indeed. The past often does not matter in light of the present and future.”

Wow, I didn't expect that from Shena. But seeing how they praise my father, I couldn’t help but smile shyly.

I saw the youngest of us, Lyndsey, nodding with everyone. But she still hasn't talked. Shy.

At any rate, at least Rogan would have some hope to be on the bright side of these ladies. But to think his family would have that kind of negative impression with them. Just what have they been doing, exactly?

Now why don’t I know much about my knight’s family? Tch, why would I even care about them? I care not about his family at all. I mean, even Rogan didn't seem to care about them, so why should I? He was even trying to avoid them.

“Of course, Rogan is one of the elite knights,” I said. “Despite what his family might be, he has proven himself to be quite reliable.”

Villeta smiled. “Elite knight, huh. Fascinating.” she glanced towards Rogan with interest. “He has quite the gaze, looking at us so deeply. As if looking out for something. Are there perhaps you are on guard with, princess?”

“... He is just very careful. Sometimes quite overprotective.”

“I see.”

I ate a piece of a cake. Again, so delicious.

“Ah, I almost forgot. My mother wishes for me to convey a short message to you, your highness.” Shena smiled a little towards me.

“W-What is that?”

“She said that she hopes you have not forgotten what you have learned, and she hopes to meet you again in preparation for your debut.”

I wryly smiled, obviously nervous. “... What do you think, Shena? Am I carrying myself decently?”

“Hm, you are doing fine. However, you often appear to lose confidence. Keep your chin up, is what my mother would say.”

I giggled. “That is what she would definitely say.”

Shena’s smile widened. “Mother is mostly very strict — ah no, she is always strict. Very meticulous in every detail. She could easily see through me when I lose confidence.”

Lyndsey looked at her with interest.

Shena continued. “She then would say, it is alright to be nervous, we all feel that way. But at least show everyone how confident you can be in the face of tribulation, so keep your chin up.” Her gaze shifted to Lyndsey and gave her a comforting smile.

Lyndsey’s eyes widened for a moment before looking away, taking a subtle, deep breath. As if regaining a bit of courage, she straightened herself and… raised her chin. How adorable, like a child doing her best. Oh wait, she was a child.

“That goes for you too, your highness. I fear that mother would be furious once she sees you like this.”

Shut it, Shena. I am at my purest form when I get all timid.

But then again, she was right. As Estelia, I would at least try to act confident. After all, I have done it a few times already. And thus, I straightened myself. But of course I still show a timid smile. Can’t get rid of the adorable me that easily.

After scrutinizing me for a moment, Shena shrugged as if she just accepted it. At least she was not as strict as her mother. “I have been wondering, your highness. Why is it you have only shown yourself to society just recently? We have been curious about your existence ever since we first heard of you.”

Should I say it’s because I was too beautiful? Tempting, but no.

“Um… That is because I like being inside the palace more.”

Shena paused, as if surprised by my answer. “... I see.” She cast her gaze downward for a moment. “Mother holds your form in high regard. And brother has been… ob— he can’t take his mind off you.”

Hey, what was that word you cut off?

Villeta chuckled. “I am pretty charmed already just by seeing. Makes me wonder what the mysterious princess does in her everyday life. Care to share, your highness?”

I awkwardly smiled. “My… my life is not that interesting... I’m a bit embarrassed… But I started reading books recently.”

“Oh? Those are entertaining in their own ways. Although they are quite time consuming, so I don’t read much.” Villeta said.

“Books are peaceful.” I sweetly smiled. “They bring me to worlds beyond my own… beyond what I have seen all my life.”

The power of imagination, one of the most powerful there was in the universe. Brings wonder and joy, and most of all… hope. Heh, look at me, Estelia being poetic. But yes, imaginations were beautiful. Imaginations were my escape in the past when I was young, where there were only nightmares to experience in the real world.

For some reason, they all looked weirdly at me, as though showing pity. Mizia included.

Villeta softly smiled. “It’s surprising to see the princess like this…” she muttered.

“If you wish so, your highness, I could bring you along a little away from the city.” Shena surprisingly offered to me. “I often take in the fresh air of the plains to the south.”

Lyndsey then surprisingly followed. “My family has ponds with colorful fishes. I-If you like, you could come and see it.”

Huh, they were all so kind to me. I thought it would be like one of those ass types of nobles. Granted that I was the princess, but they were showing genuine concern for me.

“Thank you, everyone… I’ll consider it.”

I might get to take those once everything settles down, but not now. For things will become a bit chaotic in the aristocratic society. With that, I would not be able to go visit noble houses so casually until it was over.

Who knows, maybe one of these girls’ families will be persecuted for a reason… Except for Mizia , of course, she was by my side. She’s not a friend, she’s family.

“You truly are more extraordinary than I expected you would be, your highness.” Villeta said.

I merely looked at her without a reply.

She continued. “The people I talked with had quite the imaginations when you were brought into the topic.”

“... What sort of imaginations?”

“One example is that you never existed. Nothing but a rumor, a story.”

“I am very real.”

“And as such was finally debunked when you appeared during the festival, for the first time in all of history.”

“Why would they ever think I never existed? I believed that my parents announced that I do exist.”

“Even I have thought one time that you were merely a lie.”

“That is rude, Villeta.” Mizia said with a smile.

“Indeed, almost an insult.” Shena added.

Villeta awkwardly smiled. “I deeply apologize,” she bowed her head to me. “But I never met the princess, nor has my family had any prior personal encounters with her. Well, except after my father attended the meeting for the festival preparations. And that was pretty recent.”

“I see. What else are the gossips about my dear cousin?”

“Well, one of the good things? The princess was just too valuable to be seen by the common eye. Common eye also refers to the nobles themselves.”

At least that was true.

“That is not too bad,” said Mizia. “But allow me to tell you the reason why she was kept from the public, nor anyone.”

All the guests leaned a bit closer.

“It’s because Estelia is too good for the world. Her heart is fragile, and the outside is dangerous. She is not to be played into the nobles’ game of politics. In short, she was being kept safe inside the palace. The treasure of Wisteria.”

“... The Pure Princess, I have heard what other aristocrats call her.”

“You mean those that have the fortune to have a glimpse of her. My Mother and brother called her that a few times.”

“I-I think I have h-heard that once…?”

Heeey, I’m right here! Stop embarrassing me.

“And now that treasure herself is out and about.” Villeta remarked. “Things must have become too boring in the palace, I assume?”

“I am merely curious about how it is outside.” I smiled innocently.

My gaze shifted towards Rogan when a knight of mine came to approach and whisper something to him. He nodded to the knight and immediately walked towards me.

“Pardon me, ladies.”

The ladies silently stared at him. Villeta merely smiled, as if in kindness. However, both Mizia and Shena gave him stern gazes. Lyndsey on the other hand, well nothing much from her, she’s still pretty stiff.

Rogan approached closer and whispered to my ear. “They have begun moving out to hunt.”

I kept a plain and soft face and nodded at Rogan. I was expecting this, I gave the instructions to notify me when the new operation had begun. One operation out of two.

This one I dubbed as Operation: Hunter’s Playground. Like hunters hunting for animals to hunt in the forest.

He left and returned to his post.

“What was that about?” Mizia asked a bit bitterly.

“Nothing too important. Just some personal matters. Lady Villeta, if you would please tell me more what others think of me. I am more curious now.”

“Certainly, but others may not be very polite.”

“I will not take offense.”

“Very well…”

Let’s hope this one ends well. Ah, what was I saying? Of course everything would be good. An extermination always ends well.

I wonder how the other operation is holding up.