Chapter 18: Jealous

‘Could she be… getting cuckolded?’

Everything that happened on Leah’s side did not escape Winnidith’s observation.

Especially when she saw Vilda follow Olivier into the carriage without looking back, she felt as if Leah’s blonde hair was turning a vibrant shade of green.

After all, no matter how much Olivier’s appearance resembled a woman’s, he was a genuine male — he had just said so himself!

They did not even need to think to know what might happen when a man and a woman were alone together in a room.

In an instant, the way everyone looked at Princess Leah was filled with pity.

Even those who had been annoyed by her attitude earlier no longer felt much of anything.

How pitiful.

Winnidith clasped her hands together in silent prayer for her.

After all, she quite liked this outspoken elf beauty, whose chest was smaller than her own.

She only hoped the princess would not be completely devastated by this.

“Sigh, what a mess this all is,” Winnidith muttered.

After finishing her prayer, Winnidith flopped onto the sofa and sighed with melancholy.

She had thought that since they brought such a large security force, no one would be foolish enough to cause trouble.

In the end, they had not even entered the Natural Forest yet, and such a massive problem had already broken out.

If they actually entered the forest and so many factions gathered together, things would be even more chaotic.

She really did prefer staying in the Imperial Capital and living her life as a shut-in.

Next time, she would not come out no matter what Bella said!

However… why was Bella still not back yet?

Unable to suppress her curiosity, Winnidith poked her head out of the window.

As it turned out, it would have been better if she had not looked, for the sight nearly made her faint from anger.

Isabella, who had just been accidentally injured by Astria, had not returned to the carriage to seek treatment or comfort.

Instead, after simply healing her wounds, she took Arns and walked toward Leah — the very person who had hurt her.

In an instant, Winnidith felt the hair framing her own face turning a vibrant green.

The flames in her heart burned hotter and hotter, and she could not hold back any longer.

She flew directly out of the carriage and shouted.

“You, stop right there!”

Isabella heard the familiar voice and obediently halted her steps.

Immediately after, she saw Winnidith — whose face was flushed (from anger) and whose eyes were teary (blown out by the wind) — use magic to land in front of her.

Winnidith placed her hands on her small waist and questioned her sharply.

“Bella, are you going to keep that Elf Princess company?”

“Huh?”

Isabella, Arns, and the nearby guards were all stunned.

They did not understand why Winnidith, who had been resting in the carriage the whole time, would suddenly say something so nonsensical.

However, Isabella was truly the person who understood Winnidith best.

After a brief moment of thought, she realized exactly what was going on.

A mischievous idea sprouted in her mind.

Isabella swallowed the explanation that was about to come out and instead twirled a lock of blonde hair over her chest, speaking in a flat tone.

“Yes. Leah is the Elf Princess, after all. She is currently in an emotional void because her maid left. This is a great opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two of us, and it will also be a major help in maintaining the friendly neighborly relations between the Empire and the Natural Forest.”

“Do not forget the purpose of our trip, Wendy.”

Her tone was calm, and her attitude was casual.

Isabella’s purely professional demeanor caused the expressions of Arns beside her and Aaron, who had followed behind, to twist slightly.

Even they knew that they should be comforting the angry Winnidith right now.

How could the usually sophisticated Princess be so dense at a time like this?

But Winnidith was not actually angry because of her attitude.

In fact, the moment Isabella said those two syllables, Winnidith was too angry to hear anything else.

Leah!

Isabella actually called her Leah!

Are the two of you so close that you can use such an intimate name?

In an instant, all sorts of emotions exploded at once.

If someone could observe emotions, they would find that Winnidith’s current state was like a palette — colorful and chaotic.

In terms of behavior, Winnidith’s cheeks puffed out as if she were stuffing two steamed buns into them.

Isabella, who was looking at her openly, had to try her hardest to suppress the urge to reach out and pinch them.

After all, one did not get to see Wendy’s cute, jealous side every day.

Of course, she had to admire it as much as possible right now.

It was just a pity that the “camera” Wendy had conceptualized had not been researched yet.

Otherwise, she would definitely take a photo of Wendy’s current appearance to take back and enjoy later.

Isabella thought with a bit of regret.

And so, the scene reached a stalemate.

On the Empire’s side, everyone was at a loss because the eldest miss of the Trenton family was throwing a fit; on the Alandin Kingdom’s side, they were on high alert because Olivier was receiving treatment; and in the center, Astria was anxious because Vilda had not returned yet, but because of the instructions left before Vilda’s departure, she could only stand there in a daze, worrying for nothing.

Slowly, Winnidith also realized that her emotions were a bit excessive.

The goal of the delegation’s trip was to deepen the friendship between the Empire and the Natural Forest.

It was perfectly reasonable for Isabella to offer a few words of concern during the Elf Princess’s moment of sadness and anxiety.

But reasonable as it was, she still felt a little defiant.

Why should Isabella have to say kind words to her when that girl was the one who injured her?

The more Winnidith thought about it, the more dissatisfied she became.

She stepped directly past Isabella.

“Then I will do it instead of you! I am a direct descendant of the Duke of Trenton, after all. I have the right to speak with the Elf Princess as an equal!”

After saying that, she abandoned the guards behind her and marched forward blindly.

Aaron wanted to say something, but seeing her like this, he could only follow by her side first.

If they played any more, it would go too far.

Knowing it was not the time for games, Isabella reached out and grabbed Winnidith.

Then, with a tug of her arm, the defenseless and physically weak mage was pulled into her embrace.

But even in her arms, Winnidith was not well-behaved.

Her movements were just much smaller, making it look a bit like they were flirting.

“What? Are you the only one allowed to sacrifice for the country? My Trenton family has always been loyal subjects of the Empire. As a direct member of the family, I have an obligation to contribute to the nation.”

Hearing this, Isabella knew the girl in her arms was still being stubborn.

After sighing inwardly that she had taken the joke a bit too far this time, she patted her back and comforted her softly.

“The Trenton family is naturally the pride of the Empire. But Wendy, I am the head of the delegation. In this situation, as a member of the imperial family, I must lead by example.”

“Then…”

Before Winnidith could say anything, Isabella quickly interrupted her.

“But I am so scared by myself, Wendy. As my best friend, can you accompany me? I will feel very much at ease with you by my side.”

The movement in her arms stopped, and a flush of crimson quietly climbed up Winnidith’s ears.

She was embarrassed.

She quickly broke free from Isabella’s embrace, turned around, and began to tidy her slightly messy silver hair as if nothing had happened.

“If… if you put it that way, then I have no choice. I will accompany you just this once. Listen well! this is the last time I am helping you! Next time, I will not listen no matter what you say!”

“Yes, yes.”

Isabella nodded dotingly.

Since they were children, she had lost count of how many times Wendy had said those words.

When the next time came, she would still help her despite her words.

But Wendy was very cute like this, too.

“However, Princess, Miss Winnidith…”

While Winnidith was pretending to tidy her hair and Isabella was watching her clumsy disguise, the atmosphere around them was slightly romantic.

But at that moment, Arns’s words were like a sudden rainstorm, instantly extinguishing the pink flames burning between the two.

“Miss Vilda has already returned to Princess Leah’s side. It seems the opportunity you mentioned has disappeared.”

‘Eh? Since when!’

Isabella and Winnidith were both stunned, and they both whipped their heads around at the same time.

They saw that Vilda had indeed returned to Leah’s side from Olivier’s convoy and was being frantically checked for injuries.

“Alright, alright. Prince Olivier really did not do anything to me. Do not worry, Leah.”

Vilda pushed down Leah’s wandering hands.

The smile on her face was exactly the same as usual, and Leah was finally at ease.

“A lot of time has been wasted. Let us set off quickly, or we will not make it to the banquet.”