Chapter 28: Getting Anxious

“I see…”

Mahina’s voice was as calm as water. She quietly watched Merlyn, who was curled up motionless in Lucia’s arms.

She smiled gently, with a benevolence one might show when watching two children playing, and then turned to leave.

“As long as you’re happy. I have class next, so I’ll be going now.”

Mahina elegantly adjusted the hem of her skirt and her bow tie.

Merlyn watched as Mahina left with such politeness.

Honestly, what was the point of provoking Mahina for no reason? Besides, she didn’t care about Merlyn at all; didn’t she already have a fiancé?

Looking at Mahina’s expression just now, did she think Merlyn was some kind of little girl? Why did she look at her with such benevolent eyes?

She had been rejected by her back when she was a boy, and now that she had become a girl, had those feelings disappeared entirely?

At the start of the school year, she had looked so aggrieved. Honestly, Merlyn was the one who had been abandoned, right?

Though Merlyn was annoyed by Mahina’s attitude, being treated like a child was even more frustrating.

Merlyn felt like she had lost completely. She also didn’t understand why Lucia had suddenly engaged in such a provocative display.

“What are you doing, Princess Lucia?”

Lucia still held her in her arms, her voice filled with satisfied lethargy, like a cat that had eaten its fill.

“What am I doing? Just defending you. She said you were a bad girl, so I talked back to her.”

The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, as if something wonderful had happened.

Was she really that happy holding her? It was the same with the upperclassman from before—why did they all love interacting with her so much?

Merlyn wiggled her body back and forth, trying to struggle out of Lucia’s embrace.

Hmph, she wasn’t some small animal to be hugged all day long.

When she was a boy, none of them were this proactive in their interactions.

Lucia didn’t want to lose Merlyn’s favor so soon after meeting, so she sensibly let go.

In any case, as long as it wasn’t too frequent, Merlyn-lia probably wouldn’t hate that level of interaction, right?

That was what Lucia thought.

There would be other chances.

She had seen something good today.

She wondered if Merlyn had noticed. Though it was only a subtle change in expression, it was withdrawn in an instant before she turned around.

Heh, the “incompetent” Student Council President?

How amusing.

It was hilarious—she slapped Merlyn at the start of school, yet she was jealous just now?

That was definitely jealousy.

It seemed Merlyn really was special to her; something must have happened between those two in the past.

Otherwise… if you like someone, just say so.

Regaining her freedom, Merlyn immediately took two steps back and straightened her wrinkled dress.

She looked up at Lucia and found the other woman watching her with a thoughtful gaze.

“Do you have anything else?”

“Let’s leave this place first.”

Lucia smiled slightly and made a “please” gesture.

***

They climbed the spiral staircase and entered a small, exquisitely decorated room. Sunlight filtered through the window, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, subtly blending with the floral fragrance on Lucia.

It was likely Lucia’s private lounge at the school. After the two of them sat down in cushioned armchairs, Mary, who had been following quietly, wordlessly brewed tea for them. Her movements were precise, and even the sound of the teacups hitting the saucers was barely audible.

“Thank you for the candy and the incense. The effect was quite good.”

“I’m glad they were useful.”

Merlyn nodded slightly. Hearing that the things she had made were effective, the corners of her lips unconsciously curved into a satisfied smile.

The smile was like melting snow in early spring—brief but moving.

Lucia glanced at Mary.

“Hey, hey, this is way too cute. If the boys at school saw this, they’d be sunk in a second.”

Mary nodded quietly beside her, as if to say she had felt the same way before.

“However, there is good news and bad news.”

“What is it?”

She had only met this princess twice; what could possibly have happened?

“The good news is that the new medicine you gave me last night worked even better.”

“That’s good, then.”

“The bad news is that Mary tried to make the medicine according to the recipe you gave, but the results were mediocre. According to her, she followed the process exactly as she recorded it.”

“Mediocre?”

“Because I had been taking the first bottle you gave me during the expedition a few days ago, if we use that as the standard… the new ones you made are better, while Mary’s are worse.”

Merlyn’s fingertips unconsciously brushed the edge of her teacup. In her memory, the production process that day was no different, except that the final shaping was left to Mary.

Besides, would shaping the candy affect the medicinal potency?

Did the potency weaken because Mary made it?

Lucia added at the right moment, her voice as soft as if she were comforting a startled bird.

“Sorry, I’m not doubting you. Since Mary was there that day, I believe she wouldn’t remember the process incorrectly.”

“Hmm…”

Merlyn fell into deep thought, her long eyelashes casting fine shadows on her cheeks.

What exactly went wrong?

Ah…

If she used the process of elimination…

The biggest change was likely that she had become a girl.

Lucia seemed to misunderstand Merlyn’s silence.

“Don’t worry, I don’t intend to pry into the secrets of the elves. I only hope you can continue to make sleep aids for me regularly, just like before.”

“Alright, no problem.”

“Of course, I will continue to provide all the raw materials. I know the Elven Royal Family isn’t short on money, so as I said before, you can come to me if you need help with anything.”

“Understood.”

Merlyn noticed Lucia’s gaze.

“What is it?”

Lucia rested her chin on one hand, her fingertips lightly tapping her jaw, her eyes swirling with thoughtful light.

“Your voice is very pleasant.”

“Thank you.”

“You are one of the few whose voice I don’t find grating.”

Merlyn was somewhat puzzled.

“Grating?”

“Yes, grating. Because of my poor sleep, hearing sounds gives me a headache, even now. I especially get headaches from the shrill voices of girls. Hearing them screaming and shouting at school over some trivial nonsense makes me want to beat them up. Actually, I have beaten them up.”

“I see…”

Merlyn’s fingertips tightened unconsciously. It seemed the rumors of this princess’s short temper were well-founded.

“They’re always starting things with a war cry. It’s annoying as hell.”

Lucia drained the tea in her cup.

“But you are an exception. Your voice is clear without being shrill, your volume isn’t loud, and you don’t start screaming like a war cry for no reason. At least, talking to you is comfortable.”

“Thank you.”

Lucia shook her head slightly, her expression suddenly turning a bit more serious.

“There’s no need for that. Even if you aren’t used to it, you are a princess. Please remember your status at all times. Otherwise, you’ll be the one embarrassing your people in public.”

Merlyn relaxed a little as she saw Lucia’s satisfied look.

“If it’s knowledge related to etiquette, I can provide some advice, or you can ask Mary.”

Lucia stood up to leave.

“Well then, see you next time.”

“See you next time.”