Chapter 329

”… I won’t.”

That’s too mean.

She wouldn’t betray Rieta’s father even though he didn’t pay her, but she would betray Rieta, who fed her separately.

How could she win Agnes’ heart?

Rieta, completely surrendering herself to the maids, began to ponder what her father gave Agnes that she couldn’t give.

Of course, before Rieta came to a conclusion, the maids had already made Rieta into a gorgeous bride.

“Look, Princess!”

They led Rieta in front of a large mirror.

The loose top was secured with pins, so it looked pretty good.

Beneath it, the long hem, patched with several thin fabrics, flowed abundantly

Rieta looked back and forth at the dress and chuckled. Those idiotic ‘knights’ were right, after all.

Even without the jewels they had stolen, nothing seemed out of place. Because the dress itself was very pretty.

“You would have looked even more like a fairy if the jewels weren’t lost.”

“But you’re still very, very beautiful.”

As the maids were fussing, Rieta went silent without giving any reply.

Perhaps there was something she didn’t like? The maids were anxious, but then, Rieta sighed softly with a heavy expression.

“My mother… What was she thinking when she wore this dress?”

Hearing her faint voice, the maids clasped their hands together, feeling sorry for her.

They had only been having fun dressing Rieta in her mother’s clothes, but it seemed to have evoked her sadness.

“…Princess…”

Rieta shook her head gently as the maids approached cautiously.

“Can you… leave for a while?”

The maids all nodded.

Agnes, too, said she would stand outside the door.

“Thank you.”

Rieta smiled a little, not taking her eyes off the mirror.

Soon, the room was quiet and empty.

She stayed silent for a little while, then let out a big sigh.

“…Really…”

She didn’t want to use her mother to lie.

Rieta immediately ran to the window and opened it wide.

There was no one in front.

She leaned over the window sill, sticking her head out. Then she saw a man squatting under the window sill.

Rieta spoke while pouting.

“Deceiver.”

She spoke in the Imperial language. The other person neatly raised his hands above his head.

“Eh, I’m sorry. Forgive me.”

The apology was clearly insincere, but Rieta only nodded her head helplessly.

“Fine, just come in.”

It would be a big deal if someone came out into the garden and saw this.

“BB.”

When she called his name, he lifted his head with a big smile.

***

It was only when Mrs. Maureen mentioned the ‘Imperial Botanist’ that Rieta thought of BB.

BB said that he often crossed borders to collect plants, and in the process, he would freely invent another job or status.

Of course, it was possible that Mrs. Maureen had met a real Imperial botanist, but it was unlikely that they would be friendly enough to give information that would be useful to Rieta.

Anyway, up to that point, it was just wishful thinking.

[There is a botanist from the Empire. He’ll be greeting you soon.]

And when her two younger brothers said that…

Rieta was sure the man must be BB.

What kind of mad botanist would help the Princess escape? Even engaging in crime in a foreign country.

“BB. You said you had no relationship with my brothers.”

Rieta immediately questioned BB, who jumped through the window and entered her room.

He scratched his head shyly.

“There was no such thing, it just happened.”

So he really had no relationship with them at the time Rieta asked the question?

“…I’m sorry.”

She quickly changed her attitude and apologized.

Come to think of it, it seemed that it was too much to argue with the person who came all the way here to help Rieta.

“Seeing BB made me feel strangely relieved… and it also made me feel like complaining.”

“That’s okay. You should complain more.”

Rieta slapped his arm for no reason, replying to his generous words with a troubled expression.

“You’re mean, BB.”

“Seeing how hard you hit me, I’m relieved to see that you seem to be in good health.”

“How did you get into the palace?”

“I drank a lot with the south gatekeeper yesterday and we formed a brotherly bond.”

“…”

“Seeing the Princess’ incredulous expression, I really want to tell you that it was a joke… but I’m telling the truth. This country is rotten.”

For real.

“So, what happens after I get out of here?”

“We will travel by horse from the castle to the border. The wizard will be there.”

“You mean… I’m traveling to the empire by way of movement magic?” Rieta asked in surprise.

Only those past the age of sixteen were allowed to use movement magic.

Rieta was a few months away anyway, but that small difference was still important, legally.

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