The Princess is Going on Strike - Chapter 2
Chapter 2
{Never show your face in front of other people and live your entire life wearing that mask. Don’t even think for a second that you are a part of our family. You’re nothing but a monster.}
I don’t remember whose it was, but the words were spoken as if hammered into my head. No matter how absurd and unjust the world was, I still struggled to be recognized by that voice. But the ending result was the worst.
A wise sage once held my hand and told me that I would be able to see the light one day, but no such thing has happened in the last 20 years. Instead, for my loyalty, I was betrayed by my own family.
My ears were once again bombarded with that same voice, echoing loudly inside of my head as I sank into the darkness.
Please stop! I’m dead now, so leave me alone!
“ -rylle.”
Please stop! I beg of you!
“Miss. Wake up, Miss Aerylle!”
Wake….. Up? Miss?
I opened my eyes in the darkness and felt something warm and soft on my back.
What’s going on?
I slightly lifted my body and felt the movement of soft cloth. Then a voice spoke from outside.
“Quickly come out! His Grace will give you a hard time if you’re late! Did you not hear that Sir Velfore will be visiting today? Come out quickly! Come, come!”
It was a voice that I longed for and was familiar with.
Wait, why am I hearing that voice?
I slowly reached out my hand and fumbled my fingers around in the dark until I felt a familiar sensation. I grabbed it and placed it on my face then looked at my surroundings as I got out of bed.
“Miss.”
The world that I could see through my mask was extremely limited and narrow, but I knew that I was in my bedroom. And it was the room that I had used when I was young. It was small and shabby compared to my siblings’, but it was cozy.
There I saw Nanny Aubera who was opening the window curtains.
Why was she here when she died in an accident 4 years ago?
“Nanny.”
Has my voice gotten softer?
I looked at Nanny Aubera and asked her,
“Have you committed a lot of sins, Nanny? Why are you in hell?”
“…..Hell?”
“Since everyone said I would go to hell, I thought it must be so, but didn’t you live a good life for 70 years? Why are you in hell? Did you commit many sins without me knowing?”
Nanny wrinkled her forehead as she looked at me bewildered.
Why is she looking at me like that?
“I understand that you want this nanny to die because she’s so old, but isn’t it a bit much for you to say that you want me to go to hell?”
“No, I don’t wish for it, it’s just that we’re in hell right now, so…..”
“Oh dear! So you are telling me to die now that I’m old! Fine! Then Nanny will leave to die while you have a nice life, Miss!”
I hurriedly grabbed Nanny as she headed for the door, pounding her chest in frustration. I didn’t wear any slippers and the cold floor pierced through the bottom of my feet. It didn’t feel bad at all as I realized that my senses felt normal. Plus, it had been a long time since I saw Nanny sulk like this.
What in the world is going on?
Nanny looked at me with disapproving eyes and clicked her tongue while my head was racked in confusion.
“I’ll make my way to hell on my own, so you should quickly get changed, Miss.”
“Why do I have to change?”
“Didn’t I tell you earlier? Sir Velfor is coming today.”
“Ah, Velfor.”
He used to come and go. He was a man in charge of the supply of military units. But when he comes and why am I……. I glanced into the mirror. a little shorter height And my hair got a bit shorter hair. It was a hair that I had never cut before. But it’s cut off?
I do remember that man being around a lot. He was the one who supplied the army, but why is he coming for me…?
I turned my gaze towards the mirror and looked at myself. My height had gotten slightly shorter and so was my hair.
I’ve never cut it before, so why’s it shorter?
“…..Nanny. Did you cut my hair?”
“How can I touch your hair, that you treat like gold, without permission?”
“Right…..?”
I touched my hair and tilted my head. I felt as if I was unable to further comprehend the situation, but it wasn’t as if I knew what I had to do at that moment.
“Nanny.”
“Yes, Miss? Which dress would you like to-”
“Forget the dress.”
“What?”
I smiled at her as she looked at me with a stunned expression. Of course, it went unnoticed due to the mask.
“Go tell him that I cannot go out today as I am unwell.”
“Are you unwell, Miss?”
“No.”
“Then why…..?”
She looked at me, shocked, because of the awkward situation as I had always been obedient in the past. Her reaction was understandable since she was worried my behavior could cause trouble as my father, Oledin, was reputed to be a cranky and impatient man.
I lazily stretched my body then sat on my bed.
“I’m going to sleep a bit longer.”
I just wanted to rest now.
I took off my stuffy mask after Nanny Aubera left. For some reason, the mask, which I then placed at a distance where I could reach from my bed, now felt uncomfortable; like clothes which didn’t fit my body.
Or perhaps it was always uncomfortable?
I opened my window and a cool breeze invaded my room which was located high on the 4th floor.
How long has it been since the last time I felt the wind with my bare face?
The last memory I remembered as if it were a dream, was where people were yelling curses at me after I had taken off my mask. I wasn’t sure whether it was real or a dream, but the displeasure and anger were embedded into my heart. So deeply that it could never be erased.
After looking out the window, I slowly started to turn.
“Huh?”
Did I see something in the window pane? Why does it feel differe-
I looked at the window pane again. It was faint, but the glass reflected my face. The image wasn’t clear, but it caught my eye. I traced the side of my face with my hand, slowly. The tips of my fingers felt the warmth and the smoothness of my skin. But I couldn’t tell from this. Biting my trembling lips, I turned around and looked for a mirror. I quickly ran to one that was hanging on the wall and saw my reflection clearly. I knew now.
“My spot is…..”
I caressed and pinched my face with my fingers, but there were no spots on it. I thought that I was maybe seeing things, so I continued to look for either a small piece of glass or something that could reflect like a mirror. But what I saw was the same.
Regalius Tome: Hi, this is the two-man team of Jewlz and Eclise. We do all the translations and proofreading ourselves, and will do our best to stick to our schedule. Any amount of donations or words of encouragement are welcome! It also helps to motivate us!