Former village girl and the Flag Crusher Prince

Chapter 16: Two new personal maids.

Afternoon.
After my physic education class and taking a bath, I stood in front of the large wardrobe full of dresses and jewelry.

Today's morning classes are over.
Magical Studies and Economics classes were difficult, and the homework too.
But this! It's a challenge, and one not easy to overcome, you've to give all of you!

Sadly, I couldn't defeat such strong opponent.

Two years ago, I tried my best to avoid this, but I was defeated.
I really prefer Classic Literature classes, even when I hate them so much, but I hate this even more.
Well, there is no choice, so I straightened my back, and prepare to endure the suffering.

"Well, well, well. Let's try this one for now. It's lovely, right Azalea?"

Queen Gabrielle smiles and picks up the blue-purple dress that was lined up on the far right.

The merchant who was waiting behind Her Majesty, the Queen, quickly offered several shoes and jewelry to match the dress.
The two maids - newcomers Lilly and Isabella - take them and carry me to another room.

I obey their orders meekly and prepare myself.
The start of the show, 'Dress you own Azalea puppet!' for Queen Gabrielle, the merchant and maids.

********

"I'm tired. I don't want to move anymore."

A few hours later, temporarily freed from Queen Gabrielle, I took refuge in my room.
I had been forced to wear dozens of dresses, and I'm already exhausted.

As I complained and relaxed on the couch, Isabella, who has the same age as I, said sheepishly, "Oh my, what do I do with you?."

"Lady Azalea, please stand up! We haven't finished yet. The dress you are wearing now is lovely but if you sleep with it wrinkles will appear. We still need to check which cosmetics match your skin, so don't relax too much."

I reluctantly adjusted my posture, though unwillingly, after being cautioned by the new maid, who entered three months ago.

Choosing a dress for the annual... no, now it's a monthly event. At the beginning of the month, I have to ride on Kuro's back and circle the skies over the royal city.
The reason why I do this is an accident that happened two years ago.

To me, it's just a dragon that is always of bad mood, but for the world, the Holy Dragon is a sacred being.
Apparently, there were a lot of religious-political problems before, but thanks to Kuro's presence it was resolved peacefully.

His Highness Lotus, a dragon rider was said to be born one in a hundred year, but... For the first time in history, there are two dragon riders.
Yes, it's me, I'm the second dragon's rider.
The church didn't believe it so easily and thinking I was an impostor asked me to ride Kuro in front of them, and even though I had a hunch that it would be troublesome, I couldn't say no.

I thought that Kuro wouldn't listen to me anyway, she doesn't fly without His Highness' orders, but it backfired me.
That evil dragon knows exactly what I don't want to do, and she does it!!!
Of course, the event two years ago was no exception.
She stood out greatly as she flew in a generous circling motion over the royal city.
Apparently, the residents of the royal city were so excited when saw Kuro's flight that many people asked the church to do it again.

The Church and the Queen of Gabrielle noticed that the people were excited by the spectacle and decided that "they need more proofs" so now I've to fly once a month!

They were quick to act!
And the Queen too, she immediately pulled out a convenient sentence from the catechism and began to say that I was a blessing to the country, introduced me to several merchants, and had them bring me a large quantity of new dresses and shoes.

As I was unable to swallow the situation, Her Majesty offered me a potion for seasickness.
When I was drinking it, I heard her announcing.

"Azalea, will ride on the Sacred Dragon Kuro once more and will fly over all the royal city."

There was no veto power.
Thus, I have become a public advertisement for the new dresses of a trade association between the church, the Queen and some merchants.

I heard that it worked and the dresses I wore sold like hotcakes.
This is how I became an advertiser.

Thus, due to the Queen's idea, she spends half a day every month picking out dresses and accessories that look good on me.

"The future Queen can't dress up in a pathetic way"

She said, but I think she really wants to play 'dressing dolls' with me because Her Majesty's eyes sparkle when she's choosing a dress, she's definitely having fun.

At first, trying new dresses was fun but when I was exhausted, and they didn't let me go... My impression about it, changed drastically.

Truly, I only wish they would reduce the amount of dresses to try... Just a little... I'm desperate, please do!

As I was thinking that they would be trying various things on me again after this short break, Lilly was preparing a cup of tea for me.
She was pouring the tea when she said.

"Thank you for waiting, Lady Azalea."

"Thank you, Lilly. I'm sorry I asked you to do this out of sheer exhaustion."

"Why? This is my job, after all."

Lilly was expressionless as she replied.
Isabella called her name as an admonition to her attitude, which could be taken as rude.

Lilly prepared a cup of tea and offered it to me, which I accepted and thanked her.

Did I do something to upset her?
Lilly is someone I only met once before.
I'll never forget the girl I met two years ago when the prince was choosing his fiancée.

Her personality then was different, I had the impression that she was more ... emotional before, but now she is calm and expressionless.

Even so, I cannot say if it was just my wrong impression, she changed or it isn't the real her.

Then I met her eyes as she was cutting the cake and serving it in a plate.

"...wasn't it good enough for your taste?"

Lilly said as she looked at my hand.
Her expression has not changed, it is somehow dull.

Come to think of it, this is the first time Lilly brew tea for me.
Oh no! I hadn't taken a sip yet, maybe she is nervous, I decided to smile to reassure her.

"No, I'm going to have some now."

Someone glances at me from behind, maybe it's Isabella.
Perhaps she is also worried.

The tea is something I asked for, so I won't criticize it even if it doesn't taste good.
Not matter what, I'll tell them that I liked it... If it's too bitter I'll say I'm more fond of some other kind of tea, but never criticize!

When I put my mouth on the cup.

* Crashh *

"Yay!　Azalea!　I'm back! I'm fine! How are you?!"

Something jumped out of the orange water and hit my nose.

"~~!"

Due to the sudden pain, I dropped the cup and pressed my nose with both hands.
The teacup rolling on the floor was making a stain on the carpet.

"A, Azalea-sama. Are you okay?"

As I writhed my nose in pain, Isabella peeked in worriedly.
Holding my nose, I tried to look in the voice's direction to discover who was it.

"Undine! Why are you, spirits, here in the human world??!"

Undine, a water spirit, stuttered and laughed at me as she fled to the teapot. She can manipulate the size of her body in any way she wants, so she slips in through the spout and lifts the lid with a snap to reveal her face.

She is like a fairy, human-like but with the same scales and fins as a fish.

Looking at me, she grinned mischievously.

"He called! Lotus, he called us. So... Let's play!!"

"Ah...?"

Undine laughed and disappeared into the teapot, not listening to any of my questions.
Lilly took the lid and checked inside, but the spirit had already disappeared.

And the screams of the servants coming from behind the door, followed by the sound of something crumbling and cracking.

"...Azalea-sama?"

Isabella worried, called out my name, the anger was making my face turn red so maybe that was the reason of her worries.
Forgetting the pain in my nose, I said.

"Where is His Highness Lotus now?"

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