Under the midsumr sun, a carriage was driving through the adows of Agartha. The carriage was guarded by dozens of cavalryn, and at first glance, it appeared to be a lord of Agartha or his family heading for the capital. However, upon closer inspection, the carriage gives the impression of a certain strangeness, as its windows are tightly closed even though it is mid-sumr. If there were people in the carriage, one would think that it would be very hot and humid.
In fact, the inside of the carriage was a steam bath. Inside were Queen Salfate and two princesses, but at the queen's insistence they were not allowed to open the windows, and the three of them were drenched in sweat.
In the carriage, there was a woman who was riding her horse at a close distance from the carriage, as if they were leaning against each other. Needless to say, it was Princess Rufana. She was worried about her mother's condition in the carriage, and occasionally offered water and other things she had prepared for her in the carriage while the horses were still running. Without her help, the queen and the two princesses would have been dehydrated for sure.
Originally, they were supposed to take it easy on the way to the capital, following their retainers who were on foot. However, the queen insisted on moving as soon as possible. Therefore, those who were supposed to go on foot were left behind, and they were making their way far behind the queens who had preceded them.
Thanks to this forced march without any rest, they were able to reach the capital before the sun went down in the west. When Rinos received the report, he shouted half-heartedly in his office.
What impatience! We have our own reasons.
With these words, he hurriedly put away the papers on his desk and slowly stood up.
"Mother ......"
The queen's party arrived at the guest house and froze in the room to which they were ushered. All eyes in the room were fixed on the Queen. She opens her mouth in a faltering tone, moving her eyes from side to side in an agitated manner, not trying to hide her dismay.
"......, then, take good care of it."
Hearing these words, everyone's tension suddenly relaxed.
It all started as soon as we arrived at the guest house. Minsi, the manager, saw that the girls, especially the queen and the two princesses, were drenched in sweat and imdiately suggested that they take a bath to wash off their sweat and change their clothes. The queen, however, did not take this suggestion seriously. The reason was that she had not expected such a situation, and she was so self-loathing because she had co without her ladies that she could not even reply. It was a ridiculous idea for the queen, who had been served by a large number of retainers since her birth, to take a bath by herself. At this point, the princesses' frustration exploded.
"That's why I said it! Let's all take our ti! That's why this is happening!"
Please wait a mont. It does not an that you must seek an audience with the king of Agartha right now. His attendants will arrive by daybreak at the latest. Wait for them and you may have an audience tomorrow.
Real, the military attaché, opened his mouth in an attempt to sohow soften the icy air. But even his words could not calm the anger of the princesses.
Real! You shut your mouth! It was your fault to begin with! No matter how much your mother commands you, you will not take such an unreasonable order! Why don't you admonish them to co with us! You are responsible for this, too!"
"Mayu, stop. It's not ...... Real's fault."
The queen turns to her second daughter without effort. However, she could not find any further words, and she was at a loss for what to say. Princess Rufana, unable to see this situation, opens her mouth.
"Mother, sister, ......".
She spoke in a gentle, admonishing voice. The three of them turn around with a startled look on their faces.
"I am here to help you, if I may. Please do not worry.
The three of them looked at each other with a blank stare, unable to grasp the aning of Rufana's words. She continued to speak as they looked at her.
I will take care of your mother and sister. There is nothing to worry about.
"Rufana ...... what kind of ......"
"I have been in military school since I was a child, so I can do most things. Besides, I have been here in Agartha for a year and I can bathe and dress myself. I may not be as good as those in the inner palace, but I can do it well. ....... Even so, it is far better than leaving them in the hands of my older sisters, ...... and I can also protect them in tis of need."
"Oh, thank you, Master Rufana. Let's go unard in that ...... bath. You protect your queen with your bare hands ......?"
From Real's point of view, Rufana alone was not enough. He thought that he should wait for the arrival of the maids of honor. The attendants of the queen were all trained in combat. It was obvious that it would be better to have more than one person guarding the queen. However, despite his concerns, Rufana stated emphatically and unequivocally that the queen's ladies-in-waiting were not to be sent alone.
"I will take a bath with my sword.
"If you ...... do that, the sword will ......"
"I would not trade my life for your mother's."
The queen, who was watching the scene, shook her head slowly and muttered weakly.
"Then ...... take good care of it. Rufana ....... I'll ask you to do it for . ....... Real, you will ask for an audience with the king of Agartha.
At the queen's imploring gaze, he had no choice but to bow his head in silence. In the end, Rufana was put in charge of bathing the queen, and the two sisters, not wanting to expose their own skin to their sister, were assisted by the Siljus, the staff of the guest house. For the two princesses, this was a complete rebuke to Rufana, but it gave the queen so peace of mind. A skilled bodyguard always wearing a sword, and a daughter of her own blood, even if she had treated her coldly. She left the room slowly, with Rufana taking her hand.
"I'm ...... sorry, sir."
Real tried to follow the queen into the room with her, but the beautiful Siljus refused to let him in. She bowed reverently to his questioning and opened her mouth firmly.
From this point on, the bathrooms are for won only. Gentlen, please refrain from entering.
"......Oh, okay. Then I will wait here.
He leaves the door and strikes a standing posture with his back against the wall. But Siljus smiles at him and continues.
"The fact that you are waiting for in front of that ...... room is ......"
"But I'm ......"
"You have nothing to worry about."
Suddenly, a voice cos from behind . We turned around in surprise to find the manager woman who had just shown us around standing there.
She said, "This room is for won's use, including bathrooms and dressing rooms, and many won pass through here. I am sorry, but it will be difficult for all of you to use the rooms if you co in here wearing armor and swords. I understand that it is your duty, but could you please leave this to and wait in this room?"
Overwheld by her condescension, Leal reluctantly left.
The room he had expected to be shown to seed to be located a short distance from the bathroom. He turned the corner of several corridors and kept walking. At this rate, he would not be able to get there imdiately if sothing were to happen. Just as he was about to ask to be allowed to return to the room he had just been in, Minsi's footsteps stopped.
This way, sir. Please co in.
Watching her bow reverently, he entered through the open door. The room was dimly lit, and just as he wondered what the room was about, the door behind him closed noiselessly.
"Welco. I've been waiting for you.
He shudders and turns his head in the direction of the voice with a surprised expression on his face.
He turns his head in the direction of the voice with a startled look on his face. ...... There, he finds a startling sight.
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