Chapter 7 - Interlude: Leah

The moment I met my lady, Princess Lydia Venyth, is still clear in my mind, even after all this time.

“What do you think you’re doing here, huh?” Children can be cruel, especially when they’ve been raised in the lap of luxury. Seven-year-old me had found herself surrounded by a group of higher-ranking noble children. I hadn’t been their only target at this gathering. I had seen them corning some of the other kids and knew a mere viscounts’s daughter like myself would be next. So I had done my best to hide on the outskirts, but it had been to no avail. Now, I found myself by the large fountain, as the mostly older kids threw insults at me.

“You should just go home! The royal family would never choose someone like you!”

“That’s right! You country nobles should stay on your farms!”

The rest of the children chorused agreements and flung some other insults. I tried to defend myself and my family. My parents worked really hard to research new agricultural techniques to improve our crop yield. My family had even earned grants directly from the royal family.

“I-I was invited just like everyone else! Y-You don’t get to say otherwise!” I was scared. The girls were laughing at me from behind their fans, and the boys were just smirking at me. But the royal family had sent invitations to all of the noble children around the princess’s age in the hopes she would make some friends. Being only three years older, I was actually closer to her in age than most of the children in attendance today. I certainly didn’t have any delusions about earning the princess’s favor, but my parents spoke favorably of the royal family and sent me to this tea party nonetheless.

“You dare speak back to me?” one of the bigger boys, the main perpetrator, stepped up to me aggressively. I think he was the son of an earl.

“P-Please… Just leave me alone…” I meekly replied. He only scoffed, then a terrible grin spread across his face as he got an idea.

“Sure, I can leave you alone.” Still scared but slightly more relieved, I tried to step away from him. “But only if you stay in there!” and I felt a push from behind. I couldn’t stop myself from tumbling into the ornate fountain.

I sat there, drenched from head to toe. My dress was ruined; this was one of the more expensive ones, too… Luckily, the water wasn’t deep, but it was enough. The spectators all laughed and pointed at me, and I fought back the tears desperately. Don’t cry… Don’t cry! But I could feel them start to drip from my eyes. Then, a voice cut through the crowd, and everyone fell silent.

“And what is going on here? Oh my?!” A little angel walked through the crowd, and they parted for her. Her eyes locked on me. Her blonde hair fell gracefully down her back, with the sides braided over her ears. Those emerald eyes widened in shock as she took in my pitiful condition.

“Your Highness! She lost her balance and fell in.” The boy who pushed me smiled slyly at her. “She’s just too clumsy for her own good; how embarrassing.” He snickered at me again, eliciting some more laughter from the other children, and I looked down in shame and anger.

“Is that so? And none of you deigned to help her? I find that even more embarrassing.” The crowd was silent yet again at her words, and then gasps sounded as the four-year-old princess climbed into the fountain. I gaped as she waded through the water, struggling against her now water-logged dress, before stopping in front of me. “Are you alright? What’s your name?”

“I-I am Leah Relford, Your Highness.”

“Relford? As in Viscount Relford's daughter?!” She asked excitedly. “Your family's research into agriculture is so very intriguing!” The absurd situation left me at a loss, and I didn’t respond. How is it that this little princess knows my family, never mind understands what we do? And we are both still in the fountain! She misinterpreted my silence and held her hand out. “Oh, where are my manners? This isn’t the time or place. Here, let me help you.” I could only nod as the younger girl pulled me up. It was then I noticed the aching and limped slowly to the ring of the fountain. Trying to be discreet, I slowly stepped out but winced when I put weight on my ankle.

“Are you injured? How awful!” She turned to the newly arrived maids, who were fretting over her soaked clothes. “Please take us inside and prepare some fresh clothes for us both.” A maid scooped the princess into her arms, and then I felt weightless before being settled into a princess carry. Me too?! I cried out in embarrassment, and the maid only smiled at me.

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“You hurt your ankle, right, my lady?”

“I-I did, but I can still walk…”

“Nonsense, you would only make it worse, and a cute lady like yourself should be free of pain as much as possible.” Her point-blank smile was dazzling, and I could only nod in acceptance. The little princess insisted on taking a bath together, and the maids scrubbed us both down from head to toe. They were extra careful around my sprained ankle, and I changed into a luxurious dress afterward. The whole experience was nerve-racking for me as our staff at home was small, and I usually bathed and changed myself.

“Still, I can’t believe they would push you like that! How disgraceful.” I found myself perplexed for an entirely new reason now. As I sat across from the princess, having tea and snacks, she ranted about the children who bullied me. “They shouldn’t be surprised if they never receive an invitation ever again!” Her tirade was adorable, and I stifled a giggle as she finally started to act her age.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. But I’m fine now! So we should forgive them.” A friendly older gentleman had stopped by to heal my ankle with magic so it no longer hurt.

“I suppose so… It is the noble thing to do, after all. Still… being excluded from the next event will be a suitable punishment, I think.” Her mischievous smile turned toward the maid who carried me. “Will you inform Mother, please?” The woman bowed before taking her leave, and the princess’s gaze returned to me. I noticed a cookie crumb on her face and reached over to wipe it off with a napkin. That paled as I realized what I had done.

“I-I beg your pardon, Your Highness. You had a crumb…” I trailed off, bracing myself for her anger that never came. She only laughed cutely at me.

“I only have brothers, you know, and they like to tease me, so it’s nice.” Her hands twisted nervously as she looked at me. “If it’d be alright with you, I’d love to be your friend, lady Relford.” Cuteness overload! The little princess really tickled my sisterly instincts, and I nodded quickly.

“I’d love that, Your Highness.”

“Yay!” she exclaimed before circling the table to give me a hug. “I hope we have lots of fun!”

***

The years passed, with me going to the castle frequently to play with the princess. When I was ten, the position of lady-in-waiting became available, and I was accepted immediately. From then on, I was by her side every minute of the day.

“Leah, I know what I want to do… I’m going to stand alongside my brothers to make this kingdom a better place for everyone.” The ten-year-old princess had declared to me one night. Her ambition only grew as she took on more lessons, immersing herself in etiquette and politics. I supported her with everything I had and the more challenges she conquered, the more certain I became. This is someone who could change the world.

I went with her when she started at the academy at twelve. At fourteen, She cried into my arms, and I consoled her after her first heartbreak. She never opened herself to romance again after that and redirected even more energy into her studies.

At sixteen, She became a fully certified mage, one of the youngest in the history of the kingdom. When the certification was presented, we hugged and laughed together, jumping in place like children. Every day that passed, my love and respect for her only grew. And now…

The nostalgic thoughts faded as I peeked through the door. Dame Lucia hovered above, also smiling warmly at the scene. The princess and Audrey were tightly embracing while giggling together. I couldn’t fully see her face, but I could sense how happy she was. I’ve never seen my lady so radiant before… not even during her first love. My lady has always been a cheerful girl. Precocious and outgoing. But fighting against society's expectations for her has always weighed her down, as much as she pretends otherwise. Her saving Audrey had initially been out of a sense of duty as a royal, but over time… it became something more. Even if they themselves have yet to realize or accept it, the way they look at each other, even in this private moment… can only be love. It feels meant to be, and I’m going to do everything I can to ensure their happiness.

I would give my life to make it happen if that’s what it took. Same-sex relationships weren’t all that uncommon, and many nobles, men and women alike, indulged in secret rendezvous from time to time. A lot of commoners were even open about their preferences. But by virtue of my lady’s status, it won’t be an easy road for them.

Dame Lucia and I quietly pulled away from the door, letting it silently close. We were all relieved Audrey was doing alright after she locked herself away and fell asleep. Having finished informing the kitchen of the added plate, I stumbled across the heartwarming scene. Audrey had quickly become like a little sister to me as well, and it filled me with joy to see them together like this.

The knight and I chatted quietly, allowing the ladies some more time alone. When I finally knocked, I found them sitting on the sofas, sipping some tea. Both their faces were flushed, and I pretended not to notice. My sisterly instincts made me want to tease them, but I fought the urge down.

After the meal, my lady and Audrey informed us of Audrey’s circumstances. Hearing the heartwrenching tale made my resolve to support them even stronger. It was likely things were about to get incredibly complicated moving forward. The night ended in a slumber party, and we talked and laughed until we wore ourselves out. Staring at their sleeping faces, I renewed my promise. As their older sister, I will protect them without fail.

None of us could have predicted what was to come.