Rogan stood from the distance with firm feet, watching the princess mingle with other noble ladies. To be honest, he was both disturbed and relieved to see her smile. The princess was strict and uptight when things got serious or when it was with her usual circle of servants, so this scene looked pleasantly weird.

He saw through her eyes that she was indeed enjoying the company. She looked better this way. Way better than she was being all scary and full of rage and wrath. Particularly that time she magically choked everyone in the room without even realizing it. Were royals always that powerful? The king was pretty strong himself, but not as much as the princess had shown.

Rogan could hear what the ladies were talking about, and now they were talking about love life.

“I’ve been most curious about, princess.” Villeta smiled slyly. “Is there any man you like?”

Princess’s Estelia’s entire face loosened, her eyes wide. “L-Like, you mean…?”

“I mean, like, like. One that makes your heart beat faster. Turn your cheeks red and warm.”

The princess lowered her head, falling silent. Rogan took this as her in deep thought, but she did not smile. Almost as if she was put off. From the looks of it, she disliked the topic.

“No one in particular…” that was all she said.

“No one piqued the interest of the beautiful princess?” Arenza asked.

“Don’t you find even a few knights attractive?” Shena added.

The princess shook her head as she avoided everyone’s eyes. “... No one.”

The noble ladies looked at each other, pretty baffled by the princess’s reaction to the question.

But then Mizia asked something she seemed curious about. “What about Lucious?”

The princess jerked her head up at the mention of that name. “What about him…?”

“Huh, I quite expected he had made a significant move by now.”

“What do you mean, Mizia?”

“You’ve been friends since childhood, does he not have a special place in your heart?”

The princess did not immediately respond.

Rogan was well aware what was going on with those two’s relationship, sort of say. Lucious was quite so in love with the princess, and he admitted it. However, Rogan’s been noticing that the princess had been trying to keep some distance between them sometime after their date in the city. He thought they were getting along well. But then the changes to Princess Estelia.

He could not understand, and he was too scared to ask her.

Honestly, women… full of mysteries… I can’t even begin to truly comprehend them.

Almost reminded him of his feelings with Ayana, but he had been trying to forget about it. Years of memories and moments would be discarded, but nothing he could do. He couldn’t suffer the pain any much longer.

“... I… don’t know.”

Mizia blinked in confusion, perhaps she just didn’t understand it as well. “Uh-huh. I won’t interfere in any way. I’m just an observer.”

“The princess’s heart cannot be easily won, I see,” Villeta said with an amused smile. “If someone ever wins her heart, the heavens will sound their trumpets and sing their choirs.”

“Do not be so dramatic,” said Shena. “Perhaps he’s not her type.”

“Oh? What about you, Lady Shena? Any man in your heart?”

Lady Shena sipped her drink and answered after setting it down. “None. Mother is quite picky. And I have not talked with a man to my liking. Well, no, actually, I have talked with one once.”

“Oh, who is it?”

“... It’s…” she hesitated and glanced towards Princess Estelia for a brief moment. “I don’t know if I should say it…”

“Come now, we can keep secrets here.”

“Well…”

Princess Estelia unexpectedly chimed in. “Is it a brother of mine?”

Shena’s face froze for a moment.

“It is? Which one? Eleden is set to marry. It couldn’t be him?” For some reason, the princess was suddenly quite proactive.

Shena forced a smile and mildly shook her head.

“So it’s Estevan…” the princess cast her eyes away as if pondering. She faintly nodded. “Good to know.”

“Are you not displeased, your highness?” Shena warily asked.

“Why would I be?” the princess smiled kindly.

“W-Well…”

“There is nothing to worry about. I have no intention of becoming involved in anyone's love story.”

“Oh…”

“What about you, Villeta?” Lady Arenza asked abruptly.

“Me?” she grinned, proud. “I am promised to someone. Just recently, in fact.”

“Arranged?” Mizia asked.

“Yes.”

“You didn’t protest?”

“Nope. I like him. Well, I grew to like him. Gave him a chance. He’s quite charming.”

Shena looked down at Villeta’s hands. “I don’t see a ring?”

“He has not given me yet. We’re arranging a small party for the two households. He will give it to me at that time.”

“Love grows…? People really learn to love another with no fateful encounter. Or maybe, that was the fateful encounter itself.”

“You like that sort of thing, princess?” asked Villeta.

“I’m just curious… And fascinated.”

“Are you sure there is no one that holds an important place in your heart?”

The princess’s gaze shifted skyward. There was longing within them.

Strange.

“There… I don’t think it was of romance… but…” she sighed. “It’s in the past, nothing but a dream I could never return to. I hold many close within my heart.”

“Who are they? If I may ask?”

“... Firstly my family, of course… and some people.”

“Oh, of course.” Villeta’s eyes toured around until her eyes ended up at the youngest at the table. “What about you, young precious? Any boy you like.”

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Eh? Me?” the young girl blushed. “N-No one really.”

“Your face says otherwise.”

The young girl, Lyndsey, lowered her head. “... He does not like me. He likes another girl.”

“Aaaaw, look at that, so adorable~.”

“I don’t think that’s appropriate right now to call her that,” Mizia curtly said.

Villeta giggled. “Reminds me of my childhood. Don’t worry, young one. Puppy love doesn't last long.”

“P-Puppy love…?” Lyndsey seemed clueless.

Villeta chuckled in amusement. “You’ll understand when you get older.”

“Oh…” she had no idea what it was truly about, but she ‌accepted her words, anyhow.

“I’m full. What does everyone say we have a walk around the garden? We have made a few improvements I would like to show.”

And of course, no one disagreed.

***

Rogan followed behind the group of ladies strolling in the forest-like garden, walking on the paved path. Given their extravagant dresses, they moved a little more carefully and slower than they usually did. It would be embarrassing if they slipped and tripped.

Lady Mizia showed the new flowers they had planted, they were brightly colored and full of life. A clear hint they were greatly taken care of. Still, Rogan found it both baffling and shocking that they would maintain a place such as this. Something to be in awe of.

As usual, Rogan’s eyes were glued to his charge, who was softly smiling as she stood at the center of the crowd. He closely watched the noble young ladies, their hands, their steps. Despite being on guard, he still didn’t think they would pose any threat, nor do they even have any motivation to do so. Even politically speaking.

They touched the flower petals.

“They are beautiful and healthy.” Arenza said, fascinated and impressed the most. “Maybe later we can talk and give me a few tips. I had a few of these right here, but sadly, they withered.”

“Of course.”

Princess Estelia gently touched a red-colored flower. There was a serene feeling in her eyes. From what Rogan has been observing, red must be her favorite color. She seemed to like hot chocolates too. Truth be told, he thought that her favorite color would be white. As a color that would fit her personality, pure. Well, if one ignores her strict side.

Later, after the flower sightseeing, they proceeded onward.

“The newly improved pond is close.”

It only took a couple of minutes before they arrived at the new scenery. There was a large pond at the center of the clearing, filled with fishes, big and small, swimming all around. Arching over the clear pond was a white-colored metal bridge, crafted with beautiful patterns. One could look down at the center of the pond at their delight.

“Wow,” the youngest among them, Lyndsey, sighed in awe. She rushed towards the edge of the pond and watched the swimming fishes with wide eyes. “There are so many of them there. You seem to feed them very well.”

The other noble young ladies caught up to her, and then Lady Mizia spoke. “They came from over the regions, others from other nations. Although we have to be picky, they must be able to co-exist.”

Lady Lyndsey nodded. “I can tell.”

Lady Villeta crouched down and dipped her finger into the water. “Is it safe to do this?”

“Oh yes.”

The fishes kept their distance, but observed.

The rest of the ladies tried beckoning the fishes, but to no avail. Strangely, Princess Estelia remained behind everyone, keeping away from the water. Rogan quite had an idea as to why. Even the reason why fishes seemed to love her was beyond him to understand.

The other ladies noticed Princess Estelia’s wariness. And Lady Arenza asked. “Is something wrong, your highness? There’s nothing to be scared about.”

The princess wryly smiled. “No, it’s not that. I want to go to the bridge.”

As she said, she made her way to the center of the bridge, walking in the gentlest manner. Rogan just stayed right by the edge of the bridge. It would be weird and quite invade her space if he stands behind her in that small pathway.

While she placed her hand on the white railing, the princess had this soft look on her face. As if she was at peace, taking in the view from where she stood. And she was immeasurably beautiful. More beautiful than the glimmering clear waters on a sunny day. More than the view of falling stars in the darkest night.

Indeed, she was better and less scary this way. Completely unlike how she was in the palace where she might suddenly get displeased or annoyed, or just wreck the place in her rage.

Her expression of peace was cut short, however, when her brows furrowed. Fishes suddenly gathered on the water below her. All of them. To think even at that place they would still go to her. She didn’t even touch the water.

The noble ladies watched the sight with awe-filled eyes.

“Princess…”

“By the gods.”

“How is this possible?”

“So pretty.”

Such were their words, falling into captivation of the princess’s divinity — as it gave off an air of that feeling.

The princess didn’t even seem happy about it. For a moment, Rogan almost felt like she glared at the fishes in displeasure. But that may have been his imagination, or just misunderstood it.

She walked away, heading to where Rogan was and she muttered. “I didn’t even do anything…”

“I think we should avoid ponds in the meantime.”

“I suppose.”

“But that’s good, princess. Anytime we need food, we could just make you stand around water and the fishes come.”

Her frown deepened, but she still looked very cute. “Hmph.”

The noble ladies quickly approached her.

“How did you do that?” Villeta asked, intrigued.

“I don’t know… They just like me, I think.”

Lady Mizia interjected. “The fishes might just have been expecting food from over the bridge. That is where we usually pour their food from.”

The nobles nodded at each, that might have been the case.

“It must be expensive to feed all the fishes in your garden?” asked Arenza.

“Well, it is manageable.” Mizia approached the edge of the pond and dipped her fingers in, pouting when the fishes still kept their distance from her. “We save a hefty amount when we buy in bulk from the merchants we always buy from, so it’s not that heavy in the pockets.”

Bet that’s dozens of gold coins in a month.

Which was still a lot. Even Rogan could never spend that much, even with a knight’s salary.

The ladies walked on through the bridge and stood at the center. To Rogan’s surprise, the princess came with them, and she stood at the center of the group. To be expected, it would be blatantly rude when they gathered and left the princess behind everyone.

Like before, the fishes gathered below them. Rogan realized that despite hating on standing there earlier, the princess did so again in hopes of covering that she was herself the cause of fishes gathering below them, supporting what her cousin just said as the reason.

“C-Can we feed them, Lady Mizia?”

Mizia smiled at the adorably asking Lady Lyndsey. “Of course, wait a moment.” She called out to a nearby manservant to bring a pack of fish food. A moment later, a servant returned with a filled pouch in hand.

Mizia received and opened it, revealing some sort of ground or crushed substances of different colors, but mostly dark brown.

“Oh, so that’s what they eat?” Estelia asked, intrigued. “Almost powder-like…”

“How else could they eat it otherwise?”

“Oh… yes.”

Lady Mizia pulled out a wooden scoop from the same pouch and scooped fish food. “I suggest we use the scoop if we don’t want our hands to smell. I often use my hands though during personal times. Feels better.”

She dropped the food into the water. The fishes immediately swam amidst the food, but apparently not enough for all of them.

“Interesting, let me try.” Shena received the scoop. After filling it, she slowly cast down the fish food, a delighted smile shining on her face. “Entertaining…”

The next to try was Arenza, likewise pleased. “They’re adorable.”

Then it was Villeta’s turn. She was less gradual than the others. “There, there, lovely fishes. Eat more. Is this not enough?”

“Nope, we need more.”

“I see.”

Next was Lyndsey, and surprisingly, she didn’t ask for the scoop. Rather, she used her hand to grab a handful. The other noble ladies looked at her in shock. Lyndsey didn’t seem to notice it.

She gently waved her hand forward, spreading out the fish food, reaching to the fishes unable to join in on the others. The amount of fish food she threw was plenty on each multiple swings, but she seemed incredibly pleased and enthusiastic.

Mizia stepped right beside her. “You look quite used to this, Lady Lyndsey.”

Lyndsey giggled. “We have ponds back home. I… It’s always nicer to feed the fishes by hand. It’s more satisfying and the food will be distributed better.”

“Your hand will smell.” Shena said.

“It’s not that terrible. Besides, I can just wash it off in this pond later.” And the fish food in her hand were all spent. “Ah.”

Everyone then turned towards the last one, the princess.

“Estelia?” Mizia extended the pouch towards her.

The princess glanced at the pouch, but she didn’t reach out. With a stiff smile, she gently shook her head. “I-I… No need.”

“You can use the scoop.” Villeta presented the wooden scoop.

“That’s…” she glanced at the scoop, then to the pouch, then to the water.

Considering what happened when she was just standing, who knows what the fishes would do if she even attempted to feed them. Curious as Rogan was, perhaps it would be less stressful for his charge to not do it.

Mizia seemed to understand, and she retracted. “Alright.”

“Your highness,” said Shena. “It is a pleasant experience.”

“Indeed, it would be a shame to miss it.” Villeta added.

“N-No, it’s okay.”

She was being pushed into a corner, the social pressure of being the only one left out. It was just so strange for the princess to refuse something so simple to do.

Alright… I could at least help her.

Just to get it over with.

Rogan stepped onto the bridge. “Pardon me, ladies. The princess is tired. Perhaps we could have her sit down somewhere and rest?”

Came in the judgemental looks from Shena and Villeta, it hurt him a bit to receive those gazes, and it was quite embarrassing. But there was just no way to escape from them now.

Aristocratic ladies really are scary sometimes.

They were different from knight ladies, but at least those he could get along well with. Ladies immersed in the aristocracy of things were just something else.

In contrast to the others, Princess Estelia smiled in relief towards him, and that was all that mattered.

Mizia showed her displeasure at Rogan, likely not for the reason like the others, but still she agreed with him. “Of course. I have a rest spot nearby. Follow me.” She gave the pouch back to the manservant.

“Please give me a moment to wash my hands.”

Once Lady Lyndsey was done, Mizia proceeded to lead everyone to the place she mentioned.

The princess walked behind the others for a moment and walked close to Rogan. She gave him an adorable and happy expression. “Thanks.” And with that, she rushed her steps and caught up with the others.

“Hm.”

Her thanks was more casual than he had expected.