The noble young ladies said their goodbyes as they headed for their carriages waiting in front of the mansion. They waved their hands with wide, friendly smiles before they stepped inside. The beautiful princess Estelia waved back at them with a longing smile.

From what Rogan gathered by observing her, she quite enjoyed the company of her fellows. After all, this might be the first time she socialized with a group of women she could potentially be friends with. He was happy for her that she could experience something like this. But then he was reminded of her other, scarier side. And he doubted whether or not she truly enjoyed it.

Still, he had the feeling that she was indeed happy about the experience. Regardless of her dark side. She just restrains herself sometimes. Or was that merely wishful thinking from him?

Once the guests had all left, the princess sighed tiredly.

Mizia gently held her hand. “Exhausting, huh?”

Princess Estelia gently nodded. “Talking with people is nerve-wracking.”

“You did good. So, what do you think of them?”

“They’re nice… A different range of characters, I must say. But friendly nonetheless. I look forward to meeting them again in the future.”

“You certainly will. If you invite them, they will certainly come to meet.”

“Okay…”

“I will need to check how things are going inside, in case they need my supervision. Coming along?”

“Can I take a look around this front garden of yours? I’ve been meaning to since I arrived.”

“Sure, then I’ll go inside… Unless you want me to accompany you?”

Rogan didn’t think that it would be necessary for Lady Mizia to oversee the cleanup. But perhaps she’s just someone that likes to look at things personally and make sure things go well. A good quality perhaps for being a leader. She took after her father, it seems.

“No need, I’m going to be alright.”

Mizia eyed Rogan for a moment before slowly nodding. “Very well. See you later.”

With a small smile, the princess saw her cousin off. Rogan then followed her to the garden filled with colorful flowers, which he had no idea what even their names were. Nor did he care, to be honest. However, the princess seemed to be fond of them. She always hung around the garden in the palace whenever she wanted to have a peace of mind.

“You’re tired, aren’t you, princess?”

She paused and gave him a small smile. “A bit.”

“I see.”

“But this is actually better compared back home.”

“Things are stressful there, huh?”

She nodded. “I also got to meet new people here.” She touched a flower petal.

“Indeed, they’re pretty charming, in some aspects, considering they don’t seem to like me that much.”

Princess Estelia chuckled adorably. “Villeta seems interested in you, though.”

“Lady Villeta seems like a sly woman. I would not take that at face value.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“That’s quite frank of you.”

“Please don’t tell her I said that…”

With a smile, she said, “Alright, it’s our secret.”

“Thanks,” he awkwardly chuckled. “But it’s good you finally made some friends.”

The princess lowered her head. “Friends… I’m… not so sure. It’s hard to say, we just met… It would be hard to share my honest thoughts with people like them.”

Rogan stepped close beside her. She looked conflicted. “Your thoughts…? I suppose. Those women are deep into politics, can’t trust them so easily.”

“That’s… that’s part of the reason.”

From what Rogan could see, she might indeed be trying to find a friend to share her thoughts with. After all what she had experienced, someone to express her feelings would be nice to have.

“This reminds me of the time you went wild,” he said humorously.

The princess looked at him with a frown. “Went wild…?”

“You know, the time you learned why the enemies are hunting you. Despite you choking the life out of me, I heard what you said.”

“.... Oh… I’m sorry about that.” her expression softened.

Rogan smiled. “You were quite scary.”

“I didn’t mean to…”

“But that’s not the point. You exploded in rage. I took it you have been bottling up your feelings, frustrations, and that’s not healthy.”

Rogan knew that was the case, he had been by her side for some time now. She may express a few, but not most, not the ones that mattered. She was too repressed.

The princess remained silent, but she listened.

“Princess, if you have things you want to share, feelings to express, your frustrations, irritations, things you want to do, anything, you can share it with me. I will listen.”

So she wouldn’t hold back, for her to be more open. And opening up to those who you can, can remove some weight off of one’s heart.

With wide eyes, Princess Estelia stared at him. “You would listen…?”

“Of course, what are friends for?”

“Friends?”

“W-Well, after all our time together, despite our difference in status, I have always thought we have become friends somewhat. That’s how it normally goes, right? Of course if you thought otherwise, that would be awkward…” he chuckled with a stiff smile.

The princess lowered her head once again, in thought, rubbing her hands together as if nervous. And she looked him in the eyes. “Are you a true friend of mine, Rogan?”

Rogan felt something different from her, there was a different type of gaze in her eyes. As if a different person were looking through them. But he pushed that thought aside quickly.

“Of course, princess. Throughout the end of time.”

The princess’s cheek trembled for a moment, like how one would resist a smile. As she lowered her head once again, Rogan’s eyes widened, for he saw a glimpse of a different kind of smile, so different from what she usually showed. It was so genuine, full of happiness. How could he have seen this smile from her just now?

But that was only for a mere brief moment, so brief, as she covered her mouth swiftly. Why was she hiding that smile? Rogan could not understand. He noticed her face had reddened slightly.

Rogan smiled, softly looking at her. The princess was happy, and that was all that mattered.

A few seconds later, as if she had regained her composure, the princess removed her hand from her mouth and looked up at Rogan with a small delighted smile. “Thank you, Rogan. From the bottom of my heart, I’m glad to have you on my side.”

Rogan felt a pleasant warmth within his heart.

***

There was someone listening and watching, hiding behind one of the shrubs of green. She had just returned from helping the servants and was allowed by Lady Mizia to return to her lady’s side. This young woman in a maid uniform was Mera.

She had her hand on her chest, there was great pain in her heart. Was it jealousy? Or her heart cracking apart?

She saw them, Rogan and her lady, Princess Estelia, speaking softly at each other… No, it was sweetly. The way the princess looked at him, the way the princess talked to him, it was nowhere close to how she had once done with Mera.

True friends…?

That intensified the pain in her heart, like a sword digging through it, and twisting. She had never felt pain like this her entire life.

Why can’t the princess look at her the way she looked at the knight? What can’t she speak the way she spoke to the knight with Mera? Why did the princess look so happy with him?

Unable to endure the burning in her eyes, tears began welling up, flowing down her cheeks. It was hard to breathe. She wanted to be where Rogan was. She should be there in his place. To receive the princess’s words, her gaze, her heart.

But no, she was here, hiding in the shadows.

This place was suffocating her, and thus she ran away. She had no destination in mind, just anywhere. And as she fled, she kept rubbing her eyes with the sleeves of her dress, but there was no end to the tears.

Before she knew it, she was under the shade of a tree, and no one else was around. She sat down by the tree trunk and folded her knees, hugging them tight. She sobbed uncontrollably. The pain gnawed all over her entire heart and soul.

The moment of those two kept swirling in her thoughts, never leaving, and it only inflicted even more pain.

There, all alone, the maid in love wept.