Because we are going on a long trip and at times undercover, along with the prince we took a bit of luggage with us. In the trunk we had spare civilian clothes along with our fancy dresses. Also we carefully packed down extra health potions in case we get attacked. As for money we only took with us 500 gold coins. It would be too weighty to carry all our of money along.

The trip by carriage to the boat we are supposed to board was fairly uneventful. The massive amount escort which the prince took along him quickly dispatched any animals or bandits too dumb to live. Since we have not yet met the prince in person it will be interesting to see how he look.

Also Izumi looked unusually collected today. No signs of nervousness at all. Make me wonder if he changed a bit or he is afraid of me losing it again? As for the girls they killed time by playing games or engaging in hobbies such as sewing.

Once we arrived we finally got to meet the prince face to face. With great care secured the escort the area before letting him out. Only until he had exited was we allowed to come outside.

Prince Laurel Parishé looked exactly like how a fairytale prince was imagined as. Tall and fit with masculine features. Blonde short hair slicked back. Enchanting light blue eyes. And a pretty face which had hints of feminimity in it.

As I exited the carriage after Izumi, his previously uninterested eyes lit up as he gazed at me. He blinked a few times in order to ensure what he saw was real. Because we had been ordered to be undercover during the boat trip, I wore the dress I had on our night out. My golden stone lich crown probably made me look like a ghostly princess in the dress.

I think I gained a fan today. One in high places too!

Izumi then approached Laurel to greet him. The prince then snapped out of his daydream.

”Excuse us your majesty, it is my party who will escort you.”

With a sign of submission Izumi greeted the prince. The prince then threw me a quick glance. Stop it, it’s creepy!

”I- I see. I will be in your care, Izumi.”

Laurel then moved out with his personal bodyguards to the boat. It was two very masculine knights in what I assume is formal wear. They had handsome looking facial hair and their hair was tied in ponytails. We shortly followed after. Our luggage was taken care of the port crew which is very convenient.

The boat itself looked like a steam passenger cruiser. It was about 300 meters long and 30 meters tall from water level. Truly a marvel of engineering. I guess they use magic instead of steam power to propulse the ship forward. Considering I have only ever seen coal being used in furnaces and fireplaces. It is not thought of more than just fuel I guess. Besides magic can replicate most needs for Earthly sciences.

During our boarding it took quite a while to find our cabin. But eventually we found it. It seems like we got one with a huge king sized bed. I wonder who pulled the strings to get us that? Whatever, it is going to be many days out on sea before we arrive. So it might as well be comforting. It was nothing like cruise ships on earth though. There is no toilet or shower here. We have to use a communal one during the trip. Well, maybe the prince won’t have to with his luxury suite.

The boat would not leave until eight hours had passed, so we took the chance to making us home in the cabin. Our luggage containing our adventuring gear and clothes had arrived to our room finally. So before we headed out to further brief with the prince we ensured everything was order. Nothing was unusual, so we then went outside and locked the door before heading to the prince.

Smooth sailing so far.

Before we made ourselves comfortable, the prince had noticed that he would be at the cruising ships upper class cocktail bar. So finding him was not hard. On the other hand to even get in there the guards outside required Izumi to show his [Adventurer Card]. It was a valid way of identifying so we all got let in.

Inside the upper class cocktail bar sat at least thirty people with very expensive clothes and chatted. I guess they also had very expensive drinks from the looks of it. Many had cups of coffee with a sweet by it. And others had drinks in all manner of fantastic colors. The decoration and furnishing also screamed upper class. They did not spare any expenses in order to please their passengers here.

When our party walked toward the prince, the men as usual in the lounge gawked at us girls. Mine and Seris eyecatching dresses probably was a lot of eyecandy for them. Seris where her boobs nearly fell out of her dress competed with my young maiden beauty. The women in their company was not as pleased though, so they slapped their men to get them to stop. Took a few smacks before they averted their eyes. Looks like I will have to get used to this. Why did not god make me average looking?

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”Welcome, Izumi.”

Laurel the prince greeted our master. He could not stop peeking at us girls though.

”My pleasure.”

Izumi replied to him and bowed down. Important with manners when dealing with kings and nobles.

”As for your job here on the boat; You will shadow me while one of you accompany me.”

He then gave a content smile to him. Then looked at me.

”...for company I want to have your pale beauty.”

At that moment my Phylactery emitted out a sudden beat of light. What is the prince asking me of!? Izumi did not seem bothered at all though. How strange.

”Be my guest, I am sure she will take good care of you.”

Izumi said as he looked at me. Then he took my hand toward the prince’s hand. Is this only because I do not have romantic feelings for you, that you are not hesitating!? I looked speechless during this whole exchange.

”What is your name, miss?”

He said as he wrapped his left arm around my waist. At this point one of the women in the lounge paid attention to me.

”L- Lotus... Master gave me it...”

Laurel then stroked my cheek after I answered him. Now he is hitting on me...

”That is a beautiful name.”

He then stopped stroking my cheek and looked at his bodyguards.

”Looks like this diplomatic mission to the southern empire won’t be such a drag after all.”

With his arm still wrapped around my waist he accompanied me to a seat. And there we sat down together. Izumi and the other girls sat somewhere else inconspiciously and kept watch.

I do not know how I should feel now. Gah!

”Miss Lotus. Tell me your story, you have got my interest.”

The prince then quickly changed tone from a serious to casual. He sat beside me and looked as if he was madly in love.

At that point I told him how I reincarnated from earth, how I got captured and enslaved, how I adventured with Izumi and evolved into a Lich. During the entire session he interjected with more detailed questions like my relationship with the party. And before we knew it one hour had flied by.

”So how is life in the castle?”

I asked Laurel, whom I now felt more comfortable in dealing with.

”Boring. Because I am the second son they mostly let me deal with all paperwork. My brother, who is in line of succession for the throne is very rarely at the castle. He is always obsessed with the military, so when he is not out dealing with troops, he is with his concubines at the castle.”

The prince spoke in a very bored way when he answered my question. Also during this entire time, he never let off his arm around my waist. He is very attached to me it seems...

”I see... Have you tried letting someone else to share your paperwork load?”

I innocently followed up with a question.

”Trust me. I tried... The only talented people who can perform it are mainly nobles. And they are of great shortage. Those who can do not want to do it either. They would rather spend their time socializing with other nobles at the castle.”

He spaced out as he talked about such a dull subject. Then he squeezed his other fist as it laid on the table.

”M- Maybe if schools were opened for just that? Fund it with the kingdoms treasury?”

My idea made great sense I thought as I talked with him. Then he slammed his fist with all might he could muster on the table, and made a pained grunt.

”Do you really think the nobles would want commoners to replace them? I even tried suggesting that idea several years ago! Yet those intervening nobles ruin all my plans that would benefit me and the kingdom.”

He looked visibly upset. He stopped holding my waist and clutched his fist which got hurt during his outburst. It looked quite painful.

”Let me have a look at that...”

I said, and I used my [Touch of Life] skill on his fist. I felt how some of my positive energy left me and flow into Laurel’s hand. And within seconds the hand was as good as new and the pain is gone.

”W- What did you do?”

He looked at me in amazement. I just smiled.

”That is a Holy Lich for you.”

I quietly told him.

After that we conversed about random things to pass time. While he was still interested in me, our relationship became more a casual one, than one of potentional lovers. Because I never responded to his moves It looks like he gave up for now.

I wonder how far this ”accompany” thing go. Hope it stops at the bedroom, I am not one for casual sex with strangers. Especially with a prince.