Chapter 17: Effective, the maid is competent
A reply came stating they want to schedule a meeting to retract their request and offer a prompt written apology.
I can understand how little my father paid attention to me and his tendency to quickly cut ties.
However, the fact that he offered to exchange me for Lilia shows that he at least saw some value in me. But I have no desire to go back to a place where I was only valued for my femininity.
I won’t return to a place where my life was deemed worthless.
Lilia is likely struggling now. They lost me, who they belittled, and now they want to swap her for me. It means they saw value in me and undervalued Lilia.
I’m used to being looked down upon, but I don’t think Lilia can handle it.
“I guess we have no choice but to accept it…”
We have a delicate peace agreement between our nations, so we must be careful not to jeopardize it. If we turn down everything, they may view it as a hostile act and think we’re gearing up for war.
The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Palace of the Baratonia Kingdom, a month from now.
I sat with His Highness over tea, with a worried expression on my face.
“Are you sure about this? They could bring up to 500 men, claiming they’re an escort.”
“I know. We have taken that into account. We proposed that only ten escorts be allowed to cross the border, as our country is secure.”
“War is… always a tragedy.”
“Yes, I have experienced war first-hand. I made the decision to fight and rallied the people and soldiers. Do you hold it against me?”
“No, it’s not fair to judge someone for fighting when they had no choice. If there had been adequate medical support at that time, you wouldn’t have felt the need to fight for independence, would you?”
In response to my inquiry, His Highness Auglia cast his gaze downward and gave a nod.
In times of sickness and disease, when lives are at stake, an empire that fails to support its vassal states is not worth living in. This is likely why conflicts and wars have arisen.
“I want to keep you safe… You put yourself in harm’s way. It’s not a joke, it means you’re in danger. But it’s strange not to have you at the conference.”
“Yes. I’m ready… I’m nervous. I… want to marry Your Highness Auglia…”
I said it and felt embarrassed. But he was the one who waited for me, fighting to be able to laugh again, and came to pick me up.
Someone who will always treat me kindly and accept me for who I am.
It’s impossible not to fall in love with him. I don’t understand why I keep being warned about infidelity, though.
“Don’t worry. Lord Balk is in charge of public security, and the maids assigned to you are all…You know?”
His Highness suddenly shifts his attention to the maids accompanying me. I follow his gaze and realize that they all have concealed weapons.
I’m taken aback. I never realized it before, but it seems these maids are skilled in combat.
“You’re putting yourself in harm’s way by being here, so I assigned these maids to protect you at all times in case of an intruder.”
“Your Highness…”
“These maids will take turns guarding you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week while you’re here. You can rest easy. And don’t go anywhere alone, okay?”
“Yes…By the way, will your younger brother be attending the meeting?”
His Highness Auglia’s expression is unreadable as I ask this question.
“He’ll come. Definitely…don’t cheat on me, okay?”
“I won’t do that!”
I wondered why he brought up infidelity here, but on the day of the meeting, I understood how it could be effective.
