Chapter 5
She clearly understood the meaning, but her body didn’t move. As soon as Fletta looked up, Cezanne spoke again.
“Aren’t you hungry? Have a meal.”
“…C, Can I really eat it?”
Looking at the food, Fletta gulped and made sure it was hers.
“Yes, it’s all yours, so eat it all.”
‘I can’t believe such a perfect meal is mine. Is it a dream?’
‘Can I eat all of this?’
Fletta hurriedly ate the hot meat stew and drank milk.
The savory bread and the tender lamb were so delicious. Chewing and tasting food was so much fun.
In the meantime, the meal given to Fletta was barely enough to satisfy her hunger, that even a piece of dried bread was eaten very well.
Because there were times when she had been given a dirty meal or a spoiled stew with bugs in it.
Cezanne narrowed her brow when she saw Fletta emptying the bowl in an instant.
‘Don’t tell me, is she mad?’
Fletta murmured out of habit, carefully examining Cezanne’s reaction.
“I’m sorry. I, I’m sorry.”
But what she heard was completely different from what she had expected.
“What? Do you want more?”
“Yes? Yes!”
“Here, bring me some more dessert.”
“Yes, princess.”
When the maid brought more food at Cezanne’s command, Fletta felt like she was dreaming.
She used to be a maid who avoided her like a bug, but now she was bringing her meals.
It was such a delicious meal!
Fletta, who was happy as she put the crispy apple pie in her mouth, suddenly had a scary thought.
The maid sent by the first princess also lured her by giving her snacks, then dragged her to a dark place.
Traces of being hit there still remained on Fletta’s body.
Fletta’s mouth, which was eagerly eating the baked pies, suddenly stopped.
Cezanne, who noticed it, asked.
“Why aren’t you eating? Was it not good?”
“…N, No.”
When Cezanne approached her with a raised hand, Fletta closed her eyes in fright.
“I’m sorry, please forgive me!”
However, she didn’t feel any pain. Surprised, Cezanne pointed to a piece of pie on Fletta’s head and said.
“There’s a piece of pie on your head.”
“Ah…”
Cezanne waved to the maid, who was waiting for her to finish her meal.
“Put away the meal and wash the child now.”
“Yes, princess…”
After answering, the maid looked at Fletta with a sullen face.
“Kylie.”
“Yes, head maid.”
“Help her too.”
At Mel’s order, Kylie, a member of the Second Imperial Palace, went pale.
While Cezanne waited while fanning, the two maids took Fletta to the next room and began to bathe her. But soon, there was a cry.
It was not the child’s voice, but the cries of the maids.
Cezanne tilted her head as she looked at Mel, and they then opened the next room.
Fletta was sitting with her eyes wide open in a bathtub full of black water, and the two maids were crying while washing their hands because they didn’t want to touch the child’s body.
She was shocked at the sight before her, but what caught her eye more was the countless wounds on Fletta’s naked body.
The whip marks, nail scratches, and black bruises on her frail body were difficult to look at with her own eyes.
Cezanne shook her head when she realized that tears were pooling in her eyes.
“…what the hell are you doing?”
When Mel scolded the maids in an angry voice, they knelt down and wept.
“I can’t do it.”
“What? How dare you make such a fuss in front of the princess? Are you crazy?”
Just in time, Fletta coughed loudly, and the two maids hugged each other and stepped back. It was like they were dealing with germs.
“Phew…”
Cezanne sighed and spoke coldly.
“Get out. Mel, take care of their mess.”
“Yes, I understand. But Princess?”
Seeing Cezanne roll up the sleeves of her long dress, it was only then that Mel understood what she meant.
“Princess, we will take care of her bath, so please leave it to us.”
“No, I’ll wash the child.”
“Yes?”
Mel and the other maids were astonished.
They knew she had been a lot nicer since yesterday, but could someone’s personality change like this overnight?’
Besides, Fletta was a child that everyone avoided in the Imperial Palace. It was Cezanne’s behavior that could not be easily understood, but it was still an imperial order nonetheless.
“Mel, take care of the maids and come back.”
Cezanne said with sleeves rolled up and a face that looked like she had no idea what to do first.
It was only natural that she had never had a drop of water on her hand since she was born.
“…well, I can just do it myself.”
Fletta blinked her big eyes and spoke in a mosquito-like voice, but Cezanne shook her head.
“No, hold on for a while.”
“…yes.”
Fletta nodded without turning her head.
Cezanne soaked the towel in warm water and began to wipe Fletta’s back.
It was the first time that someone had washed her body with such a warm touch, even though she was ashamed of her naked body.
It was warm, to the extent that tears filled her eyes.
Tears rolled down Fletta’s big eyes.
Cezanne asked cautiously, startled.
“…Does it hurt?”
Fletta shook her head.
“N, no. It doesn’t hurt!”
“Then why are you crying?”
“Something got into my eyes…”
Fletta’s eyes became blurred as she kept looking for excuses, and soon tears, as big as pearls, fell.
Cezanne, who saw it, also felt somewhat emotional. Cezanne patted Fletta on the back and spoke.
“Yes, cry as much as you want.”
At the warm words, Fletta shed tears for a long time. Before she knew it, Fletta, whose eyebrows and nose were red, wiped away her tears with her forearm.
A knock was heard, and Mel came in and spoke.
“The two maids were driven out of the palace.”
“Very well.”
Though clumsy, Cezanne was washing Fletta with a rather serious face. Mel couldn’t stay still, so she quickly rolled up her sleeves.
Fletta’s bath began in earnest.
How many times did she rinse her with water and wipe her off? Before she knew it, a towel was placed on the body of Fletta, who was washed thoroughly.
Cezanne spoke.
“Can you dry yourself off?”
“Yes.”
Seeing Fletta wiping her body roughly and quickly with a soft, fluffy towel, Mel spoke with a smile.
“You need to wipe it a little more thoroughly.”
“Ah…”
While Fletta blinked, Cezanne held out a robe.
“I threw away your clothes. Wear this.”
Even though it was a young maid’s clothes which had been brought in a hurry, Fletta looked pleased.
Fletta kept sniffing at the pleasant smell emanating from her body, finding it rather strange that her body no longer stinked.
After washing her clean, Fletta looked skinny, but small and cute.
She was like a curious baby animal, like a baby squirrel. Even the way she shook off the water from her wet hair was lovely.
Cezanne smiled naturally at Fletta.
‘Cute…’
Soon after, Fletta looked at her face and smiled shyly. She seemed somewhat embarrassed.
In fact, Fletta was just recalling what happened a moment ago.
The princess washed her with her warm hands. The touch was so soft that it didn’t feel real.
It was the first warm caress she received in her entire life.
Looking down at Fletta, Cezanne spoke.
“The meal and the bath are now all done. I have to go now.”
Today was truly a magical day. Princess Cezanne appeared suddenly and seemed to have granted all her wishes.
It was a really happy day. She felt a bit disappointed, but I guess she should go now.
Fletta nodded and bowed towards Cezanne in gratitude.
“Umm… The food was delicious, and it was nice to have a bath and be washed clean. Thank you so much, it was the best day ever. Really, thank you.”
Fletta thanked her, still bowing her head.
“You’re coming with me. Your room is gone.”
At Cezanne’s words, Fletta’s black eyes widened again.
*
“Stay here until your new room is ready.”
At Cezanne’s words, Fletta opened her mouth wide.
It was a luxurious room beyond imagination for Fletta, who lived in a narrow warehouse room that was no different from a prison.
It was also surprising that there was a window, and the soft silk curtains swayed gently in the wind.
“Wow.”
A large, fluffy, sky-blue bed was hung up to the ceiling, and the room was neatly lined with matching furniture and closets.
There were even three or four colorful cushions in one corner of the bed.
Fletta looked at Cezanne’s countenance to see if she could really stay here.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes, very much.”
Fletta nodded her head eagerly. It was a really wonderful room for Fletta.
“Then get some rest.”
“Ah…”
She wanted to thank the princess again, but before she could say anything, she already turned around.
“She’s gone.”
Click.
As soon as Cezanne closed the door, Fletta climbed onto the bed and looked. Even the sound of the door was beautiful.
The bed was so fluffy that it felt like she was on a cloud.
Fletta jumped as high as she could to the ceiling of the bed as if she were flying.
Boing. Boing.
She jumped up lightly, letting herself bounce on the bed. It was the first time in her life that she had such fun like this.
Thud!
Thud!
Creak!
Meanwhile, Cezanne, who was sitting downstairs and drinking tea, raised her head, wondering what the noise was.
“What is this noise?”
Bell also tilted her head in wonder at Cezanne’s question.
“I’m not sure.”
“You don’t think there’s a mouse, do you?
Cezanne narrowed her brow, making a guess. Mel went halfway up the stairs and soon smiled as if she knew.
“Miss Fletta seems to like the bed.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Cezanne picked up the teacup that Mel had given her with a bright face.
“Ah, right, you cannot miss tomorrow’s lesson.”
‘I got caught.’
Cezanne glanced at Mel and covered her face with a book, leaning her body onto the rocking chair and pretending not to know.
Seeing Cezanne’s actions, Mel smiled softly.
