Chapter 11 — Lynette’s Incursion

On one of her rest days, Fie had decided to take a leisurely stroll around the royal castle. Her stroll, however, was soon interrupted by what seemed to be voices arguing in the distance.

To be precise, said voices were coming from the back pavilion where Fie once used to live.

“Why would you not let me see Mistress Fie!?”

“As I said... it’s because that’s what King Roy has ordered...”

“Why would such an order be issued!!”

“You would have to ask King Roy to find out...”

Suddenly recognizing a familiar voice, Fie hid behind some trees, peeping out from behind them. What seemed to be a servant girl with a distinct bob haircut was currently staring daggers at the guards.

(L... Lynette...!?)

The shock from seeing someone familiar to her nearly caused Fie to bolt up from her hiding place.

Lynette was the maidservant who had always served Fie — she was also Fie’s friend. She was supposedly busy tending to Queen Fielle’s needs, and hence no longer had time for Fie. However, for reasons unknown, said maidservant was now standing before the pavilion where Fie was supposed to be, and was currently engaged in a staring match with the guards.

Upon closer inspection, Fie was surprised to find that it was Lynette who was one-sidedly intimidating the guards. Somehow, they were cowed by her presence.

“W-Well... we can’t let you pass...”

(This is bad... This is bad...!)

Fie could not help but panic, suppressing her gasps with a well-placed hand over her mouth.

If Lynette entered the back pavilion now, Fie’s escape and subsequent disappearance would be plain for all to see. Fie was not keen on losing the squire’s life that she had carved out for herself for the past few months.

(This is bad... This is so, so bad...!)

The guards, although visibly uncomfortable, were admirably standing in place. After maintaining her stare for an indeterminate amount of time, Lynette sighed, as if to relent.

“I understand...”

(Crisis averted...!)

Upon hearing those words, both the guards and Fie felt a heavy weight lift from their chests. However, no sooner had they relaxed than Lynette once again stared straight at the guards, speaking as she did so.

“Then I shall obtain permission from His Majesty tomorrow! I will ensure that he allows me to pass!” With that, and a sharp turn of the heel, Lynette began quickly retracing her steps back to the royal castle.

In the shade of some nearby trees, Fie sat down, hugging her knees in despair.

(Lynette’s going to come back tomorrow!? What do I do? If they find out I’ve escaped, they’ll be really angry for sure! Maybe I’ll even get expelled from the Royal Knights! I have to do something!!)

Lynette’s sudden visitation caused Fie to involuntarily shiver while continuing to hug her knees.

The very next morning, Fie was staying in bed.

“Are you all right? How is your fever?”

“I don’t... feel so good... But I should be okay...”

Remie was asking after his friend in a worried tone of voice, as Fie was currently coughing somewhat violently. A small washbasin filled with water sat next to a stack of towels, neatly positioned by Fie’s bed.

(I’m faking it... Sorry...)

Doing what she could to make her face appear red and act completely miserable, Fie made a heartfelt apology to the worried Remie in her mind.

“We’ll let the instructor know... so get some rest. I guess I’d better head off to training now.”

“Yeah. Thank you, Remie.”

To the Remie who had prepared a series of cold medications and towels for Fie first thing in the morning, Fie internally apologized once more, and waved goodbye as the squire made his way to his morning training routines.

Once she could no longer sense the presence of anyone else in the northern dormitory, Fie flew out of her bed.

“I have to hurry... before Lynette makes it to the pavilion!”

The squire’s rooms were located on the second floor of the dormitory. So, withdrawing her trusty hooked rope from her room, Fie attached the hooked end to her window. She then launched herself out and down with one breath, holding the rope to adjust her descent speed, finally adopting a rolling position to cancel out her momentum. After which, Fie took pains to move under the shadows of foliage, so as not to be seen by anyone from the castle.

Although she was employing methods of secretive movement she had learned from Cain, within the castle, it was kind of overkill. Cain had specifically taught her methods of movement that would not alert potential enemies in dangerous situations, but in the royal castle, where squires were commonplace, Fie’s covert movements ironically made her stand out more than usual.

Moving at a relatively fast speed, and yet not making a sound, Fie looped around to areas of the castle where there were no people present before finally approaching the pavilion.

The guards were already in front of the building, so Fie concluded that she would not be able to enter from that direction. However, the unmotivated guards only bothered to look straight ahead.

Taking care to erase her presence, Fie quietly crept up to the back of the palace, tossing her hooked rope upwards into the one of the pavilion’s walls — and then went all the way up and over it. Although Fie had made some degree of noise during her ascent, it seemed that the guards hadn’t noticed anything at all.

(I guess they really don’t care about their job, huh...)

Fie could not help but be disgusted at what she saw, occasionally pausing during her ascent to stare at the guards.

After making her way up, Fie utilized the same means of descent that she had used while escaping from her dormitory — and soon, she had successfully infiltrated the back pavilion.

Fie quickly entered the building, and into the room where she had left her dress. Withdrawing the dress frantically, Fie changed into it without too much trouble.

Lynette showed up approximately two hours after Fie had changed — at least, it took that long for Fie to finally sense another human presence in the pavilion.

“Mistress Fie, are you in? It is Lynette.” Lynette’s voice rang out clearly throughout the building.

“Hello Lynette. I’m glad you came. It’s been a while.”

Fie poked her head out of the door to her room, greeting Lynette with an innocent expression.

“Mistress Fie!” Upon seeing Fie’s face, Lynette’s eyes filled with tears, and she quickly rushed to Fie’s side — but then the maidservant’s eyes opened wide in apparent shock. “Mistress Fie... your hair...”

“Ah, yeah. Long hair is troublesome after all, so I cut it! Ah ha ha.”

Fie’s heart started beating a little louder than it should after having her short hair pointed out immediately by her visitor.

(She doesn’t think it’s suspicious, right...?)

For her part, Fie had not intended to keep her recent activities a secret from Lynette forever. She had thought about explaining her situation to Lynette one day, as she had always been kind to her during her time in Daeman. However, she had intended to do this after some more time had passed.

Lynette would probably raise some objections with regards to her being a knight, saying that it was dangerous. Currently, Fie’s career was rife with what she thought to be failures, and she could not in good faith claim that she was a model squire. With this thought in mind, Fie had intended to explain her circumstances only after she had grown to a certain extent. In which case, even if Lynette did have objections, she would be summarily convinced by Fie’s achievements.

It was also worth noting that Lynette was now currently supposed to be serving Queen Fielle instead, and must have been busy. So Fie did not want to worry her friend with unnecessary thoughts.

Furrowing her brows slightly, Lynette stared long and hard at Fie.

(Is... Is she suspicions of me?)

Beads of cold sweat begun forming on Fie’s forehead.

After staring at Fie’s face for an extended period of time, the frown on Lynette’s brow deepened, after which she promptly asked after Fie’s recent circumstances.

“Do you ever feel like living here is restrictive? Have they by any chance been ill-treating you?”

“Oh, no, nothing like that. Every day is really fu... I mean, living here is fine!” Fie struck an enthusiastic pose, attempting to convince her friend.

Fie had realized that it would sound strange for her daily life in such a confined place to be “really fun” on a daily basis at the very last minute, changing her statement as she did so.

In reality, however, Fie was greatly pleased and satisfied with her current life in Orstoll — although that was her life as a squire, not as Princess Fie.

She had encountered people who needed her, and she had come to like everyone in the 18th knights. On top of all that, Fie had even made friends with her fellow squires in the dormitories, and was living her life to the fullest. Her training sessions and other new experiences gave Fie a strange sense of fulfillment.

Fie thought that coming to Orstoll was one of the best things that had ever happened to her.

“Is that really true...? If there is anything you are not satisfied with, I will raise a formal complaint with his Majesty King Roy—”

“No, no! I’m fine! I’m really fine!”

Upon hearing that Lynette intended to complain to King Roy, Fie started panicking once more. After all if Lynette really did such a thing, her new life as a squire, which she had worked so hard to achieve, could all disappear in a puff of smoke.

In addition, Fie did not want to endanger Lynette’s social position — she had finally become one of Queen Fielle’s personal servants, and Fie did not want Lynette to somehow incur the wrath of her husband, the King.

“Ahh, don’t you worry, about old Heath, I can take care—”

“Heath...?”

(Eek!!)

Accidentally using her fake name, Fie nearly jumped out of her skin.

“Eh... Eheheh. I mean. I am absolutely fine. Don’t worry.” Fie hoped from the bottom of her heart that Lynette wouldn’t see her behavior as suspicious.

Leaning in to inspect Fie’s face, Lynette looked unconvinced, touching her face and observing Fie closely.

“It seems like... you have been having your meals, as you should...”

That was true as Fie did have a hearty meal yesterday — although it was in the dormitory canteen.

“There seems to be... a good color to your cheeks...”

That would also be true as Fie had been decidedly healthy ever since she last collapsed from overexertion.

Moving her gaze from Fie’s face to her clothing, Lynette frowned once more.

“There is a crease on the sleeve of your dress. I have mentioned multiple times that you must not rush when putting clothing on, Mistress Fie...” Lynette reached for the creased sleeve in Fie’s dress, and moved to fix it with her hands.

Seeing this, Fie could not help but smile to herself.

“This takes me back... You really cared about things like this even back in Daeman.”

Lynette, however, broke into a slight pout upon hearing Fie’s statement.

“You make it sound like I was always hassling and nagging at you back then, Mistress Fie.”

“Haha. Sorry, sorry.”

Fie however, was aware that Lynette had always looked out for her in various ways, even if she did indeed hassle and nag at times.

“I am really grateful to you, Lynette. After all, no one else really cared about me.”

Back in Daeman, the absolute minimum in terms of servants were granted to Fie — and they did, for their part, do the absolute minimum. That is to say, they basically did not teach Fie a single thing. In fact, Fie realized that it was perhaps Lynette who taught her everything she knew — from the correct way of wearing a dress to her table manners.

“Thanks for everything.” Fie earnestly and sincerely smiled, thanking the maidservant who had made such a difference in her life. Lynette, however, quickly turned red upon receiving this praise.

“It... It’s nothing to make such a fuss over. I-I’m going to make some tea. I won’t be long.”

“You don’t have to overexert yourself if you’re busy with other things...”

“I am not overexerting myself!” said Lynette. She quickly made her way to the food preparation area, attempting to hide her embarrassment.

Heaving a sigh of relief at somehow having managed to hide the truth, Fie found herself looking forward to Lynette’s tea. In the past, Lynette had prepared tea for her when she was with her sister, Fielle, or when Lynette had time in her schedule. Although Lynette was a maidservant who was skilled in many fields, and thus served the royal family well, Lynette’s tea was a specialty even amongst her many skills.

After her preparations, the two of them sat, drinking the tea that Lynette had brewed. Lynette had initially refused to sit opposite Fie, but eventually relented after Fie had stated it would be lonely sitting alone.

“Maidservants are not permitted to sit at the same table as their betters, you know.”

Lynette reluctantly took a seat opposite, facing Fie. The nostalgic and familiar smell of the tea Lynette brewed wafted past Fie’s nose, reminding her of how much she had liked it in the past.

“How is Fielle doing...?”

For one reason or another, Fie decided to ask after her sister.

“Y-Yes. She has mentioned wanting to come see you, Mistress Fie!”

“I see... But I guess she’s busy, so she never really visits after all.”

“Yes...” Lynette’s eyes took on a sad gaze at Fie’s words.

Fie guessed that her sister was busy after taking on the formal duties and appointments of the Queen of Orstoll. She thought it reasonable to assume that Fielle would be busy for at least a year after becoming Queen, and not even have personal time for herself, let alone time to visit her sister.

In fact, Fie was perhaps the most surprised at how Fielle’s closest maidservant, Lynette, had taken the time to journey all the way to where she was. However, above all else, Fie noticed that Lynette’s demeanor seemed to change, becoming more sullen upon talk of Fielle.

“Did something happen? You can always talk to me. I can’t do very much but I can listen, you know?”

Lynette, however, shook her head.

“No, I am fine. You too, Mistress Fie. If there is anything at all that is bothering you, do feel free to speak to me.”

Lynette was fussing over Fie, even now. To Fie, Lynette was a great person and friend. Even back when they were together in Daeman, Lynette would often worry about Fie one way or another.

This was exactly why Fie had no intention of telling Lynette or Fielle about her situation right now. She wouldn’t have even said anything even if she had stayed cooped up in the back pavilion. After all, Fielle was King Roy’s lover and partner, and Lynette was her closest maidservant and lady-in-waiting. Fie did not want to drag down both her sister and friend with talk of her circumstances. In fact, doing so would just make her feel bad...

Fie had become a squire and was working at improving various facets of her life and person in hopes of one day becoming a model knight — and then, when both Fielle and Lynette’s situation had stabilized, she would tell them both.

Fie and Lynette had a peaceful and enjoyable tea session. As expected, however, Lynette was indeed busy, and after having their tea together, was already making preparations to return.

“I had originally wanted to stay for much longer than this...”

“No, that’s quite all right. Don’t worry about me, please take care of Fielle.”

“Yes, Mistress...” Lynette could only nod at Fie’s words. “I’ll come again when I can find the time...”

Sweat began to form on Fie’s brow once more.

(I-If possible... you shouldn’t visit too often at all...)

Fie didn’t dislike Lynette. In fact, she was happy that Lynette cared about her well-being. To be absolutely frank, however, Lynette visiting her posed a real problem as she was currently living as a squire.

“In that case... could you do this for me, Lynette? On the afternoon of the day before you decide to visit, please hang a scarf on a castle balcony — one that is visible from where I am.”

“A... scarf? Why such a thing...?”

Fie had expected that Lynette would find such a request strange.

“Well, think about it this way... It’s fun if you visit me, but if you tell me the day before, I can spend more time anticipating your visit, right...?”

“...I understand.”

Fie herself thought that her request was too outlandish — but Lynette simply accepted her request with a nod, without questioning her further.

(I’m glad it worked out... Hiding my actual situation from Lynette wasn’t easy, but I did it...)

Now armed with a means of entry to the back pavilion, Fie thought that she could somehow make things work out if she knew when Lynette would show up. On top of that, Lynette did seem busy, and so she probably wouldn’t visit too often.

Much like the strategy she had employed today, Fie thought that future occurrences of unprecedented colds should help her keep up the charade adequately.

“Well, Mistress Fie... I must go, but I will definitely come back to see you again.”

“All right, Lynette. See you!”

With a look of longing, Lynette turned around and waved one last time at Fie. It would seem that Lynette was in fact very busy, as she quickly departed through the gates after waving goodbye. It was obvious that Lynette had done a lot to even make time to visit in the first place.

Fie heaved a final sigh of relief upon having successfully fended off Lynette’s curiosity on her first visit. However, she also felt grateful that Lynette had made time for her on such a busy schedule.

Upon leaving the palace, Lynette quickened her pace, making her way to her Mistress, Fielle.

However, Lynette’s heart was instead filled with thoughts of Mistress Fie.

(She pretends she’s fine... But the matter of that scarf... She must be so terribly lonely...!)

Although she had been adequately fed, there was nary a servant nor decoration in the back pavilion, and it was dusty and unkempt. Fie’s room itself looked like it hadn’t been cleaned, and the guards did not really seem to care for the sole inhabitant of the building they were guarding. Lynette came to the conclusion that if anything, Fie had been treated coldly.

However, Fie had obviously pretended to be doing well to not make her worry — Lynette noticed that much.

(At least... if those girls were sent to Mistress Fie’s side... they would be able to provide her with a very basic level of support...)

Lynette bit down on the nail of her thumb in frustration. Images of the numerous maidservants who had flat-out refused to serve Fie filled her mind. Although there was no work to be done today, those good-for-nothing maidservants would do anything but serve Fie, even if it meant hiding themselves in one room of the royal castle or another, pretending that they were doing work to pass the time.

(But... No... I can’t possibly leave the care of Mistress Fie to those kinds of people...)

In addition, the maidservants of this country, despite not knowing anything about Fie’s background, had seen it fit to bad-mouth her. If she were by Fie’s side, she would never have let Fie experience such things — and to begin with, she had wanted to work for Mistress Fie in the first place.

Standing still, Lynette laughed at herself, amidst her own thoughts on the situation.

(But then... to Mistress Fie, I am probably no different than the other maidservants... In the end, I could not be by her side...)

Lynette had, after all, chosen to follow Fielle instead.

King Roy’s visage floated into Lynette’s mind. Rumors had spread across the kingdom that King Roy was not particularly fond of, and had actually given the cold shoulder to his second queen. Lynette, however, understood why this was a given.

(The King of Orstoll wishes to protect Mistress Fielle. And for that, I am grateful... But... the way that he treats Mistress Fie is not something I can accept.)

The King had flat-out misunderstood Fie’s true nature. If only they would meet once, he would understand. However, he did not try to do so, not even once. In fact, the people of Orstoll, too, had never actually bothered finding out more about Fie.

Lynette eventually found herself shaking her head at her own thoughts.

(No... Although I can’t accept that, we are indebted to His Majesty with regards to the matter of Mistress Fielle. We cannot possibly wish for or ask for any more. At the very least, not from the King. I have to do something about this situation — to let them all see how wonderful of a person Mistress Fie is, without all these preconceived notions and views.)

(But... I currently do not have the time to move freely... However... Somehow, I will find the time... And I will show the people of this country just how wonderful and kind Mistress Fie is. If I do that... She will no longer be treated in that terrible way.)

With those thoughts burning bright in her heart, Lynette finally departed the back pavilion.

Sir Crow’s Journal

Seems like Heath caught a cold... so I went to see him.

The weather hasn’t even been that cold recently. Has he been overdoing it again? I brought him some medicines and herbs to deal with his cold, but he just ended up looking very apologetic.

I mean, he is my junior, he shouldn’t have to hold back on accepting stuff like this. Anyway, I went back before I infected him with any new illnesses or something. I hope he gets better soon.