The Princess is Going on Strike - Chapter 35
Chapter 35
The festival ended with the closing of the ball. The carriage returning to the mansion was literally in chaos because Asterin had the title of the Flowers of the Ball, which she was aiming for, stolen from her by a woman wearing a Gerrick Aldman dress. When she threw a tantrum saying that her position was taken away because Oledin failed to get her a Gerrick Alman dress, Asterin calmed down after being scolded by Verissa. Her daughter’s immature behavior despite the passing of time caused wrinkles to form on Duchess Lorraine’s forehead. Furthermore, all kinds of letters were sent to the family due to Verictus casting amorous glances at many of the ladies during the banquet. From protests, proposals of marriage, complaints of how their daughter collapsed due to a hunger strike, etc…. It was a disaster. Oledin showed an especially peeved expression due to the money he lost at the gambling house. It was interesting seeing the three of them, Lorraine, Verissa, and Oledin sigh, each displaying their distress with their own unique expressions.
How can they all live so recklessly?
If Oledin wasn’t born into a ducal family, then it wouldn’t be strange if he went bankrupt right away. I felt sorry and pathetic for myself in the past for struggling to want to save such people.
It’s a good thing I realize it now.
I stared at my family who were entering the mansion from behind and clicked my tongue. That was when Verissa made eye contact with me as she picked up her luggage.
“…..”
Verissa straightened her back and looked at me with a small suitcase in her hand. The conversation I had with her at the masquerade suddenly crossed my mind.
I wonder what Verissa was trying to say.
I stared at her from behind my mask when she shifted her eyes away and disappeared into the mansion. I couldn’t figure out what she was thinking. I watched as the rest of the family disappeared into the mansion then turned and walked towards the annex building. When I entered the front door and headed up the stairs to go to my room, I saw Nanny Aubera’s back facing me. It felt nice seeing her again after an entire week had passed. I approached her with a smile and called her.
“Nanny Au…..bera?”
I approached her and looked at her face while calling her name, but what I saw was her unfocused gaze. I had never seen Nanny Aubera make that expression before and narrowed my forehead. Suspicious, I carefully studied Nanny’s face and called her again.
“Nanny?”
“Ah.”
When I called out to her again, Nanny’s eyes shifted in slight exclamation. Her deeply wrinkled eyes shifted down and the corners of her mouth flinched. It seemed that she was trying to smile, but I noticed her making a strange expression of complication.
“You’re home, Miss.”
“Yes, but what’s wrong? You don’t look…..”
When I asked her with a frown, Nanny Aubera sighed. I grabbed her arm, led her into my room, and sat her on a chair. I handed her a glass of cold water, watched her take a sip before asking carefully.
“Is something wrong? You look like you’re going to die when you’ve gone on vacation, leaving me behind. Did something happen?”
“What could happen? Don’t worry about this old woman.”
She replied slyly and tried to get up from her seat, but I held her down with both of my hands on her shoulders. I stared closely at Nanny Aubera and asked again.
“Nanny, are you unwell?”
In the past, Nanny left me because of a sudden accident. Her weak body caused her to fall down the stairs, and died after suffering from her injuries. Her death may have been sudden, but I knew that she was suffering from a disease that was getting worse. I was just too busy and indifferent to care for her then. I stared at Nanny’s face.
Her complexion looks fine and it doesn’t look like she has any injuries, so why…..?
“Oh, don’t you worry about me. I must’ve lived long enough to see the Miss worry about this old lady now. Don’t worry about it. You must be tired after your long trip, so let me get your bath ready. Now now, go and change your clothes.”
She may have been old, but Nanny was still big and strong enough to push me back. Which surprised me as she stood up from her seat. I stared at her back as she headed into the bathroom and placed my hand on my waist.
What’re you hiding?
* * * * * * *
I warmed myself in the bathtub which was prepared by Nanny. When I sunk my entire body inside the water and tilted my head back on the walls of the tub, it felt as if my exhaustion washed away. I may have washed myself at the palace, but it wasn’t comfortable as it wasn’t my own space. I sat leisurely in the bathtub without being disturbed by anyone and became lost in thought. I contemplated my concern for Nanny and how I should solve the problems in the future when Ethan’s face suddenly flashed in my mind.
‘Which is why I believe I need more time to get to know you.’
I was so surprised at those words, that I didn’t give him a reply.
[Sigh…]
I swept my hair back and took a deep breath. I didn’t know what his intentions were for saying that but it was definitely imprinted in my mind. Ethan’s voice and face didn’t leave my head. I had no idea when we’d meet again, but I recalled the plans we made together during our chat as I sunk deeper into the tub. The water rose right below my chin when I looked up. I thought about the conversation I just had with Nanny as I stared at the rising steam.
“…..Is there really something going on?”
Nanny Aubera was the only person left who was kind to me after Sebeth Ludin left. Everyone else was either afraid of, despised, or mocked me. For me who was without my mother, Nanny Aubera was like a mother and a friend. It was undeniable that her death had a great influence on me. After her death, I had no one to lean on and I ended up hanging onto Oledin as if I had become obsessed with him and worked like crazy.
Maybe that was when I became broken?
My memory right after Nanny’s death was hazy. All I remember was the feeling that I was being chased….. No, as if I were running, chasing after something.
If she left me again, would I be able to accept it?
I know that I’d be paying more attention to Nanny’s health from now on, but it was a fact that she was already aging.
Would it be better for her to retire and go back to her hometown to rest?
I looked at the evening sky then closed my eyes.
Regalius Tome: Sending us some kofi is much appreciated!