Chapter 22: Princess Mia...Takes a Dagger from Tatiana (in Her Heart)

“So this is Crolio Pond... It’s quite the scenic place,” said Mia.

Rania led their group to a man-made pond. Unlike the castle with its predominantly wooden architecture, this was made with layers of stone. It was also well-maintained, and the flowing of its beautifully clear water made for a soothing ambience that invited visitors to doze off to the peaceful atmosphere.

“I told everyone else to refrain from entering, so we can wash off here.”

The pond was covered on all four sides, affording plenty of privacy.

“Hmm... It’s almost like a bath chamber. The lack of a roof bothers me a little, but it’ll certainly do for cleansing ourselves.”

Mia promptly kicked off her shoes and slipped out of her clothes, throwing them in a heap on the ground. With Anne’s help, she quickly changed into a one-piece bathing garment.

“Come on, Bel. You’re coming in for a dip too. Tatiana as well. We’re attending a banquet tonight, so make sure you’re both nice and clean,” she said, acting like the big sister to the pair of girls.

Her facade of maturity lasted all but a few seconds until she laid eyes on the pile of fabric at Bel’s feet. The pile of neatly folded fabric.

“Okay, Miss Mia!” Bel, who’d already removed all her clothes, answered in an eager tone.

To her side was Tatiana who, though still in the midst of changing, was also folding each discarded piece of clothing. In fact, perhaps due to a fastidiousness of character common in the medically-inclined, her pile was even neater than Bel’s.

Mia wordlessly glanced down at her own messy mound of clothes, at the summit of which lay a carelessly scrunched dress.

It should be reiterated that Mia was the princess of Tearmoon. As a proud bearer of imperial blood, she was accustomed to being serviced by attendants. There had never been any need for her to pay attention to what happened to her clothes after she removed them. She trusted Anne to tidy them up after, and Anne had always done so. But...

Mia hastily and surreptitiously straightened out her own pile.

It wasn’t about need. It was about being the big sister to the two younger girls. The welfare of her ego was on the line!

“All right, now that you’re all ready, it’s time to jump in!” she declared as if she’d been waiting on the girls to finish folding their clothes all this time. Then, with evidence of her sloppiness duly destroyed, she marched confidently toward the edge of the pond.

First, she touched a toe into the water. It wasn’t as cold as she’d expected. She plunged her whole foot in. The mild chilliness felt refreshing on her sun-warmed skin. Next, she submerged her legs up to the knees. Already, the itchy stinging on her soles was beginning to fade. The speed at which the water took effect was almost magical.

“Wow, this really does work wonders. What’s with this water?”

“I heard it’s because this spring water contains substances that have therapeutic effects on wounds and fatigue,” explained Tatiana as she walked up to the edge as well.

“My, therapeutic substances...”

Mia pulled one foot out of the water and looked at it. As far as she could tell...it didn’t look special.

I mean, it stings a bit, but it doesn’t really bother me that much. Especially considering how I’ve cut my feet on the dungeon floor before. Those rocks were pretty jagged.

For Mia, who’d gone through the character-building experiences of dungeons and guillotines, wheat-induced dermatitis was hardly worthy of concern.

“How do you feel, milady? Should I maybe...?” said Anne, leaning worriedly in.

At that, Tatiana raised her hand. “Oh, if you don’t mind, I can maybe take a look.”

“Ah, that’s right. You know some medicine, right?” said Mia. “In that case, Anne, could you look after Bel for me? Give her a good scrub, okay? I want her to be not just presentable but spotless.”

“I... Okay, I understand.”

There was a brief moment in which Anne seemed to catch her breath. Then, she nodded.

Hm? That was odd. That was when Mia noticed a general lack of cheerfulness on Anne’s part. I hope it’s just because she’s tired... Either way, this deserves some attention. I’ll ask her about it after I finish my bath.

A prompt response seemed prudent. The confrontation with Shalloak was still waiting for her later in the evening. She’d rather not be blindsided by a problem in her own camp then. As she mulled her options, she lifted a foot for Tatiana to inspect.

The younger girl examined the bottom of her foot for a while, then gave her calf a few squeezes. Her brows furrowed, and her lips protruded. “Oh? Is it swollen all the way up there?”

“No, I think it’s stiff from all the walking...” mumbled Tatiana as she began to rub it more vigorously.

“My, you can do massages too? It feels very nice.”

As a test, Mia tried giving her other calf a few squeezes in the same fashion. It felt...a little more fleshy than she remembered, but she figured it was just a trickery of the mind. Until Tatiana’s next statement, that is.

“Um, Your Highness, I know that is a very improper thing to say, but if I may be so bold...”

Mia looked up to find Tatiana gazing at her with a very serious expression. Her stomach fluttered at the thought of the prickly wheat having done more damage than expected.

“What is it?” she asked nervously.

“I must inform you that ever since the beginning of this journey, I’ve been keeping an eye on your diet and...I think you’re eating too much.”

“...Huh?”

Mia’s jaw dropped. She sat there in stunned silence as Tatiana continued to massage her calves. Eventually, after what must have been sufficient flesh-kneading, she nodded with the aura of a doctor coming to a conclusive diagnosis.

Wh-What’s with that nod? What did she figure out?!

“Eating too many sweets will do bad things to your body. Obesity is harmful to your health.”

“D-Did you just say...obesity?”

“Yes. We haven’t reached that point yet, but if you eat too many sweet things, you’ll gain too much weight and damage your health.”

She hadn’t reached that point yet. Embedded in that statement was the implication that eventually...she might. She hadn’t crossed the line, but she’d inched close enough to warrant a mention. Tatiana’s merciless verdict left her reeling. As she ruminated anxiously on the girl’s pronouncement, each word echoing like thunder, she wordlessly gave the underside of Bel’s upper arm a squeeze.

“Eeek! M-Miss Mia, that tickles!”

Ignoring her granddaughter’s giggling squeal, Mia then squeezed the same part of her own upper arm. In comparing their relative corpulence, she realized with a gasp that...hers was chubbier! With no more excuses left to hide behind, she had no choice but to accept the crushing reality that she’d failed in her judgment—she’d been overeating!

“I strongly advise Your Highness to pay more attention to what and how much you eat. Your health is very important, after all,” said Tatiana in an increasingly serious tone.

“O-Oho ho, of course. You’re right. I...appreciate your willingness to give admonishment when necessary. It takes courage to do so, and it’s certainly an important quality for doctors to have...” replied Mia, trying to keep her voice from trembling too much. “I-I commend your frankness, and...hope you will never lose this invaluable aspect of your character. Should you, uh...ever run into trouble from speaking your mind in this fashion, do come to me. I will help you. That, I promise.”

In general, Mia was someone who could take advice. However, being told “Your Highness, you’re getting a little porky, so you’d better start watching what you eat!” was a tad too much to swallow. After all, she was the only victim of this advice. Such uneven distribution of pain was unacceptable! If she had to take a dagger, other people should have to as well. So she gave Tatiana a friendly push, encouraging her to continue doling out her frank, heart-wrenching advice to whichever poor soul would end up her next victim. When it came to suffering, Mia was a big proponent of sharing—obligatory, whether-you-like-it-or-not sharing.

I bet Esmeralda and her friends are closet overeaters too. I know they are! They must all have flabby bits somewhere. Hmph, I’m going to give them all a taste of my humiliation!

Another thought then occurred to her.

Hmm... On that note, Perujin vegetables are very fresh, and their fruits are all nice, juicy things that look really healthy to eat too... There’s still time until the banquet. Maybe a brief snacking session won’t hurt too much. I’ve come all the way to the capital, and the place is known for its tasty snacks. I wouldn’t want to disrespect their culture...

Before long, she was already entertaining ideas that flew in the face of Tatiana’s admonishment.

With her pond bath concluded, Mia returned to her room. She left Bel—who’d wanted to go sightseeing—with Tatiana and asked Ludwig to take them out on a tour. Being Mia, she also reminded them to research the local delicacies and report back to her.

It’s important to figure out which are the ones I can take back home, and which I need to try while I’m here.

She’d already shaken off the shock of being told she was overeating. For the record, Mia was someone who accepted honest and truthful advice. Like Tatiana had said, she’d eaten too much on this journey. That much, she admitted. It was bad for her health, and it endowed her upper arm with a squishiness she didn’t much appreciate. All this, she humbly acknowledged. Which was why she resolved to fix things...after this trip ended.

Trips are special. You only go on trips every once in a while, and there are sweets that can only be eaten— I mean, there are experiences that can only be had here in Perujin. It’d be a waste not to enjoy them while I can!

That was her compromise. For the duration of this trip, she’d turn off her guilty conscience. For what was supposed to be a hardening of resolve, it sounded exceedingly similar to the usual “I’ll do it tomorrow” excuse used by slackers everywhere, but regardless, her resolve had hardened.

But before going any further, there was one more thing she needed to sort out.

“Anne, do you have a moment?”

“...Yes? What is it, milady?” Anne gave her a curious look as she combed her still-wet hair. Though no longer apparent, Anne hadn’t looked her usual self at the pond. Now seemed a good opportunity to ask if something was bothering her, but at the same time, a more cheerful atmosphere might be more conducive to a heartfelt talk. Mia considered her options.

“Would you mind if we went out shopping for a bit? Before the evening banquet?”

“No, that won’t do! Your feet are still injured. Please stay here and rest until it’s time to head out.”

“Huh?”

Mia was taken aback by Anne’s unusually stern refusal.

“Ah—”

Anne seemed equally surprised at her own outburst. Both of them froze for a moment. Then, after a quivering of her lips, Anne’s head plunged downward in penitence, pulling her upper body along.

“I-I’m terribly sorry!”

She spun on her heels and made to leave the room.

“Wai— Anne! Stop!” Mia grabbed Anne’s arm in a panic. “You can’t just run off on your own.”

“I...”

This wasn’t Saint-Noel or Lunatear. They were strangers in a foreign land. Heading out without a guide would doubtlessly leave her stranded and lost.

She glanced, eyes wide, back at Mia, who gave her a soft giggle and a small smile.

“You’ve been so reliable lately I almost forgot that deep down, you have a clumsy side. That was very reckless of you, you know?” said Mia. She closed her eyes before continuing. “But, well, you have a good point. If you tell me to rest here, then I’ll rest here. Could I ask you to finish up my hair?”

“Yes, of course... I’m sorry.” Anne bowed again. Her voice regained its earlier blueness.

“Tell me, Anne. Is something bothering you? You’ve looked down for the past while,” asked Mia.

The question caused Anne’s breath to catch. A few seconds later, words began trickling out of her quivering lips.

“When you...started walking on the wheat...I couldn’t stop you. And as a result, your feet are... And I didn’t even notice...”

“Ah, that’s, uh...true. I’m very sorry I caused an undue amount of concern. I’ve reflected on my actions, and I do admit that I’ve been a little too reckless this time.”

“That’s...not all...” Anne’s voice began trembling as well. “What Miss Tatiana said to you... It was something that I should have said. It’s my responsibility to keep milady from overeating. But I didn’t. I failed at my duty...” She hung her head. Tears began to well in her eyes. “I need to do better... Become like Miss Tatiana...and take care of your health...”

“Anne...” Mia gently placed a hand on Anne’s shoulder. Th-This is not good!

On the inside, panic was taking hold. It took all her will to keep herself from digging her fingers into Anne’s skin.

If Anne starts comparing herself to Tatiana, she might start refusing to let me have any sweets whatsoever! That would be an absolute nightmare!

Mia was of course aware of the dangers of surrounding herself with people who only said what she wanted to hear. She wanted Anne to speak her mind and, if necessary, deliver frank admonishment. But on top of all of that, she also wanted Anne to spoil her just a little. The ideal Anne was one who fearlessly cautioned her when the need arose, but in all other situations, remained her usual self—that is, nice and forgiving when it came to indulging Mia’s habits. Anne’s thoughts were currently heading in a very undesirable direction. Somehow, she needed to pry Anne’s thoughts away from Tatiana.

So, Mia mentally scrambled for options. Soon, she began smiling. It was the same smile she always wore when trying to fudge a difficult issue.

“Thank you for telling me your thoughts, Anne. I’m really glad you care about me so much. Despite that, there’s something I must say.” With her brain working at full power, she desperately pieced together the thing that must be said. “Tell me something, Anne. Who...are you?”

“Huh? I... I’m...”

“You...are yourself. You’re not Tatiana, and you’re not Ludwig. You are Anne. My right hand, my confidant, and the person I trust more than any other.”

Anne wasn’t Tatiana; they were different. Therefore, Anne didn’t need to be so strict about eating sweets. That was the message Mia fervently wished to get across.

“I want you to be none other than yourself, standing by my side like you’ve always done. Of course, I won’t stop you from improving your arithmetic, getting better at cooking, learning how to ride horses, or anything like that. But, there’s absolutely no need for you to become someone else.”

“M-Milady...”

Anne’s eyes blinked a few times, shedding the tears that had been welling within. Mia gently brushed them from her cheeks with a finger and said, “Just always be yourself, all right, Anne? There is nothing that would make me happier.”

“Yes... Yes, milady! Thank you very much...” said Anne, voice shaking with emotion.

Mia sighed inwardly, figuring her job here was done.

...But it wasn’t nearly that simple.

“Your Highness, we have concluded our outing.”

Ludwig returned with Bel and Tatiana under a vermillion sky.

“Oh, you’re all back. Did you have fun?” asked Mia.

Bel swung her arms excitedly.

“It was so much fun, Miss Mia! I’ve never had anything so tasty in my life. I’m so full.”

“My, is that so? What about tonight’s banquet?”

“What about it?” asked Bel, as if it were the strangest question. “Oh, you mean my tummy? Come on, Miss Mia, everyone knows there’s always room for dinner!”

Mia reflexively pinched the underside of Bel’s upper arm and pulled probingly at the soft skin.

“Eeek! M-Miss Mia, that tickles!”

“This doesn’t make any sense... Is it because she keeps swinging her arms around all the time? Ugh, how terribly upsetting...”

After grumbling under her breath, she turned to Ludwig.

“So, you went to survey the crops, right? How did it go?”

“Very well. As expected of Perujin, I discovered numerous crops I’ve never seen before,” answered Ludwig, whose lips then tightened into a grimace. “I also...learned many things I didn’t know about before. It is indeed as my master said—there is much in the world one cannot understand without seeing it in person. I...still have a long way to go.”

“My, what’s gotten into you?”

“I must apologize for my behavior earlier, Your Highness. I was unaware of the characteristics of wheat.”

He hung his head, causing Mia to recoil slightly in surprise.

“Moons, what is happening? First Anne, now you?”

“...I’m sorry?”

“Uh, never mind.” Mia gave her head a quick shake before letting out a droning, pensive hmph.

Huh. A despondent Ludwig. Now that’s a rare sight. It’s actually sort of fun, seeing him beat himself up...but I do need him to play an active role in the ensuing matters. More importantly...

She stole a glance at him as a sense of unease crept up on her.

For some reason, I have a bad feeling about all this...

By nature, Ludwig was a devotee of knowledge. While he performed brilliantly as a government official, he was fundamentally a scholarly type who loved to study. That in itself was not concerning. The problem was that he was also keen on teaching others, and Mia knew all too well who tended to be on the receiving end when he decided to play teacher.

What happened earlier would have been impossible if anyone understood the characteristics of wheat. Oh, no! I can already see how this is going to end. In order to make sure I don’t take another risk like this, he’s going to make me study up on all sorts of things. I need to stop him from going down that line of thought!

Driven by a sense of impending crisis, she said, “Ludwig, I believe that it’s ultimately impossible for a mere mortal to know everything there is to know in the world.”

“Indeed. I am aware that even one such as yourself has gaps in your vast trove of knowledge. I am equally aware that it is my duty to fill those gaps, and yet...”

“Listen to me, Ludwig. I sought you for your knowledge. This is true. However, I have never asked you to become an omniscient seer. I know that there’s very little I can do on my own. Naturally, I also don’t ask you to be capable of doing everything, nor would I ever expect you to.” Mia laid a hand over her chest. “Of course, I won’t stop you from seeking knowledge to satisfy your love of learning. Personally, though... My goal has never been to become an all-knowing, all-capable being. I think it’s fine to rely on others to compensate for my own shortcomings. Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”

Translating from Mia-speak, basically, she was saying that if Ludwig wanted to bury himself in books and study himself to death, then he was free to do that. She, however, was just going to save herself some pain and borrow other people’s wisdom.

It was a bold statement, and one she delivered with panache.

It took a few seconds for Ludwig to regather his wits. Mia’s statement had hit like a sack of bricks; it touched on something he’d never considered before. Until now, he’d always felt that he didn’t care what he did, so long as he could serve the empire by working at Mia’s side. Be it menial labor or physical toil, if it aided Mia, he’d do it willingly. That had been and still was how he operated. He’d effectively positioned himself as her all-rounder aide, running to and fro in service of whatever matter needed his attention at the time. However...

Is Her Highness saying that...the role she wishes for me to fill isn’t that of the all-rounder aide?

What Mia instead hinted at was someone who sought not specialized knowledge but the ability to gather and manage those who possessed it—the conductor to an orchestra of individually talented experts.

In other words, she wishes for me to step up to a position of greater power. To take on a leadership role. That of chancellor, for example...

Having spent so much of his time thinking about helping Mia become empress, it sounded to Ludwig like she was asking for a declaration of resolve. It was an “are you with me?” moment. Was he, she seemed to be asking, prepared to become someone who relied on delegation to fill his shortcomings? Not one of the empire’s many talented specialists and capable officials, but the one who led them?

Chancellor of the Empire was a position traditionally reserved for peerage. Even with Mia’s backing, it would be an extremely difficult title for a commoner like Ludwig to obtain. Furthermore, he’d have to first convince the very cohort of fellow disciples he’d rallied that he was fit to lead them. These were not people who accepted mediocrity from their superiors. If he wanted to wield authority over them, he’d have to prove his worth.

It was arguably an even taller order than working himself into the ground as Mia’s hands and feet. Diligence and grit alone would no longer suffice. He needed to have an eye for people, demonstrate leadership, and approach subordinates with patience and forbearance.

I was the one who asked Sir Dion to go higher. To climb the precarious ladder of power. Perhaps the time has come for me to do the same.

Future scholars would mark this as the historic moment when the famed Chancellor of the Empire, Ludwig Hewitt, first set his sights on the position.

Thus, after many choice words, Mia successfully leveled up Anne’s loyalty, Ludwig’s resolve, and her own degree of hunger.

Ugh, there goes my chance to go on a shop-and-snack spree... There’s only one thing to do now. I’m going to eat enough during the welcome banquet to make up for it!

Determined to come out with no regrets—stomach-wise, at least—Mia prepared to attend a most fateful banquet.