Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 21
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 21
“…Wow.”
Heidi, standing in front of the mirror, let out a quiet exclamation.
Frida, who had been adjusting the dress hem beside her, asked.
“Do you like it?”
Do I like it?
Heidi stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror.
The dress that softly embraced her shoulders was a bright golden color that shimmered with a subtle luster with every movement. The skirt was made of layers upon layers of airy fabric that moved gracefully like blooming petals with each delicate step.
Her skillfully pinned-up hair was scattered with pearl ornaments like stars. Around her pure white nape hung a diamond necklace.
This really was.
“…I look like a princess.”
Frida smiled brightly and nodded.
“You really do! Would you like to turn around slowly?”
When Heidi turned around once, Frida clapped her hands with a satisfied expression.
“Perfect. You’re so beautiful!”
Heidi, embarrassed by the praise, smiled bashfully. Frida wrapped her arm around her shoulder and said.
“Shall we get Desion’s opinion, who entrusted you to me? He must be getting bored waiting.”
Heidi’s cheeks flushed red as she nodded.
* * *
Glance.
Desion checked his pocket watch and let out a short sigh.
‘It’s taking longer than I thought.’
He had finished reading the newspaper long ago.
Desion picked up his teacup. The tea had already gone cold and lost its original fragrance, but he habitually took a sip before setting it down.
Actually, it was fine if it took a long time. It was no different from having traveled this far for this purpose.
Before Heidi entered society, preparing the clothes she would wear and the items she would need was the biggest purpose of this visit.
‘If we had bought such things in Panther, rumors would surely have spread. There shouldn’t be any unnecessary noise.’
The second purpose was to broaden Heidi’s artistic knowledge.
Laurence Evan Pretium, whom Heidi needed to win over, was someone with considerable interest and refinement in the arts.
In comparison, Heidi had never even watched a play once, so it seemed better for her to experience various things while in Aras.
And lastly.
That was perhaps the most personal reason.
A small reward for Heidi, who had done her best despite the bewildering situation.
‘…I didn’t know her seasickness would be that severe.’
He set down his tea and suddenly remembered.
Heidi, who despite being pale and sick, had taken in the endlessly stretching horizon with her eyes. The scene of her eventually growing tired and closing her eyes, sleeping soundly to the sound of the waves.
Her clear face. Her defenseless expression.
The moment when the strings of emotion he habitually kept tightly bound suddenly loosened.
His hand gripping the teacup handle unconsciously tightened.
That’s when it happened.
Knock knock.
A cheerful knocking sound cut through his reverie. Desion erased the scenes that had been messily circling in his head and straightened his back.
“Please come in.”
The moment the tightly closed door opened, Desion immediately met Heidi’s eyes.
“…!”
For a moment, he couldn’t say anything.
“Have you been waiting long?”
Heidi, wearing a pale dress with a faint golden shimmer, smiled awkwardly.
With each step she took, her dress hem bloomed like petals. Heidi approached gracefully and stopped in front of him.
‘Oh.’
Desion belatedly rose from his seat. But even then, Desion couldn’t easily open his mouth.
Countless words rose and scattered repeatedly in his mouth. The appropriate words wouldn’t organize themselves.
“…Is it too fancy?”
Heidi asked cautiously, fidgeting with her dress hem.
“It doesn’t seem to suit me very well….”
Only then did Desion open his mouth.
“No.”
He composed his expression and offered a brief compliment.
“You’re beautiful.”
Despite the stingy praise, Heidi’s expression instantly brightened. Seeing the corners of her mouth curve upward, his chest somehow felt a pang.
Just then, Frida entered, closing the door behind her.
“Right?”
She hummed softly and whispered while adjusting Heidi’s hair ornament again.
“There are few men with as discerning an aesthetic sense as Desion. If he finds you beautiful, anyone in society would think so too.”
“Yes.”
“Desion, could you spare me a moment?”
Desion looked at Heidi a little longer, then nodded.
Frida led him out of the room and said.
“I’ll have the clothes finished by the date you mentioned. Since time is tight, you’ll need to prepare generous wages for the tailors.”
“Of course. If there’s anything Heidi showed particular interest in, add that to the bill as well.”
“Oh my.”
Glancing sideways at Desion, Frida asked slyly.
“You wouldn’t have personal feelings involved, would you? It sounds rather romantic to me.”
“That’s impossible.”
Desion answered immediately. Romance, what an absurd notion.
Then Frida’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“…Well, if you say it’s not, then it’s not. Perhaps it’s been so long since I’ve had feelings for someone that my instincts have dulled.”
“….”
“I’ve prepared a few of my dresses for you to wear during your stay in Aras. This is a gift of friendship, so please accept it comfortably. Well then, I’ll see you in ten days.”
* * *
“Ah, I feel alive again.”
Heidi slowly leaned back into the bathtub floating with rose petals.
As the warm water rose above her shoulders, she felt tension melting away throughout her body. She let out a small breath and closed her eyes.
Splash splash.
As she absentmindedly played with the water, she could feel the deep fragrance of oils enveloping her entire body.
Her legs and shoulders, tired from the long journey, gradually relaxed in the water.
A bathtub large enough for four or five people to use together, soft steam, dense bubbles and red petals.
‘There’s no end to luxury.’
Heidi, receiving bathing assistance from a maid, somehow found herself laughing.
The days when she had to crouch in a wooden tub barely big enough when squatting, filling it with water she boiled herself, felt like a dream.
‘Could I go back to those times?’
It’s so easy for people to become accustomed to comfort, but it’s difficult to get used to discomfort again.
Heidi came out of the bathtub and entered the bedroom. The maid who had been helping her throughout asked politely.
“Would you like some tea before bed, miss?”
Heidi shook her head.
“No, that’s enough. I want to rest alone.”
“Yes, if you need anything, please pull the bell cord anytime. Have a comfortable night.”
When the maid withdrew, a quiet stillness settled over the room. Heidi’s eyes sparkled.
‘Finally, I’m alone!’
Heidi, throwing off her elegant and refined pretense, quickly slipped her feet into slippers. She had been itching to explore since the moment she entered the hotel room.
“This is my first time in a place like this. It’s just like a palace.”
The guest room where Heidi was staying was a spacious room with a bedroom, bathroom, dressing room, and even a small reception room.
Heidi threw herself onto the plush bed, rolled around on the wide sofa, and even grabbed pillars to spin around, savoring the freedom given to her.
‘Thrilling! This is the best!’
Finally, as she looked around the reception room, she stood before a door large enough to fill the entire wall. The door with its gleaming golden handle gave the impression that it led to some special place.
‘What’s this door? Is there another room?’
Heidi’s hand flung the door wide open. And the next moment.
“…!”
Heidi’s eyes widened to their limit.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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