“Pristin, I’m bored.”
Pristin, who was eating a small tomato she brought for dessert, turned her head. Claret had a slightly displeased look on her face. Pristin stopped trying to stuff the tomato into her mouth and asked Claret.
“Did you read all the books I brought you last time?”
The only thing the princess could do in exile was to stay inside the house and read books. Even that was made possible only with the kind cooperation of the soldiers, and ultimately, it became Pristin’s responsibility to attend to the princess’s pastime.
Of course, it was absolutely not an obligation, but Pristin already cared deeply about Claret, so naturally, she extended her kindness and assistance.
“No.”
“Ah… If you find it boring, shall I bring you another book? Or perhaps some drawing paper for you to sketch on…”
“No, Pristin. I’m not talking about that.”
In response to Claret’s words, Pristin looked at her with a puzzled expression. And a bewildering answer came back.
“I want to go outside.”
“…Princess, that’s…”
Pristin looked perplexed. Going out was not an area that Pristin could decide on. Claret said as if she knew that fact as well.
“Can’t Pristin ask the soldiers just once? I don’t even know if my brother is dead or alive, but even if I run away, where would I go? I’m not running away, Pristin. If I run away, more than anything else, Pristin will be in danger, so how can I run away…”
“…”
“Didn’t you say that you go through the mountains to gather herbs every day?”
Pristin’s occupation was that of an herbalist. She would often introduce herself as simply someone who gathers herbs, refusing to accept the title of an herbalist, considering it to be too grand for herself.
“I want to try it, too. I want to go outside a little!”
“Princess…”
“They said my face shouldn’t be recognized, but if I just stay in this area, it should be fine, right? If they’re worried about me running away, the soldiers can keep an eye on me. Huh? How could it go wrong?”
“…”
“It’s too much not to let me take a walk. This is not exile, this is confinement!”
“I don’t care, but…”
Pristin asked in a voice that she was not sure.
“Wouldn’t it be better for the princess to ask directly rather than me?”
“…Everyone doesn’t listen to me.”
Claret said, biting her lips.
“My authority has long since fallen. Who would notice the princess in a country like this?”
“…Princess.”
“It might work better for Pristin to talk about it. Because you’re a third party. Huh?”
“…”
“How could it go wrong? Huh?”
Claret asked Pristin with pleading eyes. Pristin found it difficult to say no. She wore a perplexed expression for a few moments before finally nodding, as if conceding that there was no other choice.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
First, take responsibility for the princess and take care of her so that she does not get hurt.
Second, keep an eye on the princess so that she doesn’t engage in nonsense.
Third, don’t go down the mountain.
Pristin was allowed to go out with Claret on the condition that she kept these three conditions. Claret complained that they were being too picky, but in Pristin’s eyes, the conditions weren’t that difficult to abide by.
‘It’s a pity that I can’t take you on a tour of the city, but…’
It was a matter of caution. It was impossible to predict what would happen if anyone knew the face of the princess. Pristin also thought it was right to be careful for Claret’s safety.
As they roamed through the mountains, Pristin asked in a worried voice.
“But are you really okay with this?”
“I never even expected to go out into town in the first place.”
When Pristin couldn’t say anything to that remark, Claret added playfully.
“I didn’t mean for the mood to get dark.”
“I’m worried because it seems like you’re not enjoying it.”
“Why? I’m actually looking forward to it!”
Claret continued in a cheerful voice.
“It’s also a first-time experience for me since I was born. When else would I have a chance to explore the mountains like this?”
It was a rare positive look. Pristin, considering it a good thing nonetheless, carried the basket and continued walking. Her eyes constantly sought out herbs. At one point, a herb caught Pristin’s eye.
“Resper.”
It was a good herb for respiratory diseases. Pristin quickly approached the tree and began to dig for herbs. Claret, who was watching from behind with a curious look, asked.
“Is this a herb, too?”
“It’s an herb called Resper. It’s an excellent herb for respiratory diseases.”
“Wow! You’re so smart, Pristin.”
Pristin smiled awkwardly at Claret’s compliment.
“If you wander in the mountains for a few months, even the princess will know.”
“No. I’m not smart enough.”
Claret shook her head and asked, with shining eyes.
“Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Here, right now? Do you know anything about herbs?”
“…I don’t know a thing.”
The embarrassed voice made Pristin perplexed. She was about to suggest that Claret simply stay put, but quickly changed her mind.
‘It’ll be boring if she just follows behind me.’
She needed to provide some activities. Pristin spoke gently.
“Try picking any plant. I’ll see if it’s an herb or not.”
“Okay!”
Claret’s eyes rejuvenated upon the mission. Claret broke away from Pristin and ran to the other side. Pristin concentrated on her original work again only after confirming that Claret was concentrating on digging herbs.
Then it was at some point.
“Kyaaaagh!”
Claret’s screams came from somewhere.
Pristin quickly looked for Claret with surprised eyes.
And the sight that caught her eyes made her stiff.
A large, slender snake was rushing toward Claret.
‘Of all times…’
Seeing that the head was triangular, Pristin was certain that it was venomous. She quickly thought about what to do.
“T-The snake…!”
“Stay where you are, princess.”
Pristin quickly found a branch with a split end around it. In the meantime, the venomous snake was advancing toward Claret without stopping.
At last, it was the moment when the venomous snake was about to rush to Claret. Pristin used the split end of the stick to press the snake’s head tightly. Then the serpent couldn’t move and struggled on the spot. Pristin didn’t miss the chance and quickly stabbed the venomous snake with a knife.
The venomous snake wriggled for a few seconds and soon drooped. Only then did Pristin run straight to Claret.
“Princess!”
“Pristin…”
Relieved from the tension, Claret sat down on the spot. Pristin asked urgently.
“Are you hurt? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine…”
However, as if she was very surprised, Claret immediately began to hiccup.
Pristin opened her mouth with a serious expression, as if to say that they should go back now.
“It would be better for us to head back for today.”
“B, but…!”
“There will be another chance to go out next time. It’s hard the first time, but it’s easy the second time, right?”
Pristin tried to reassure Claret by speaking in a soft voice.
“Don’t worry too much. You’re very surprised right now, so if you overdo it, your body may suffer later on. I think it’s better to stop here today and go back.”
“…All right.”
There was a look of regret on Claret’s face, but she nodded without any particular defiance. She couldn’t send the surprised princess back to her house alone, so Pristin naturally went back with her.
Throughout the journey back, Claret kept apologizing, feeling like she had only been a hindrance to Pristin’s work, while Pristin continued to deny it, sweating to convince her otherwise.
When they finally arrived at Claret’s house, Claret looked slightly flushed as she spoke to Pristin.
“I’m really grateful for today, my savior.”
“…Your savior?”
“You saved my life today!”
“It was no big deal.”
Pristin replied with a slightly awkward expression.
“And strictly speaking, what happened today is my fault. I should have paid more attention to you…”
“Don’t say that. What happened earlier was just an accident.”
Claret shook her head and said to Pristin.
“The important thing is that Pristin saved my life today! Thank you very, very much.”
“Anyway, I’m so glad you’re okay today. You must have been very surprised, but rest well today, princess.”
“Thank you, Pristin.”
In any case, their first outing ended without much incident.
So Pristin never expected what would happen in a few days.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
On that day, Pristin, as usual, packed breakfast and went to Claret’s place.
But a different atmosphere greeted her.
“You can’t get in.”
The soldier blocked Pristin from entering Claret’s house.
Pristin asked with a bewildered look.
“Why are you blocking access?”
“You can’t go in today. It is the order of His Majesty the Emperor.”
“What do you mean by His Majesty’s orders? I’m sure when you first came to see me, you asked me to take care Her Highness.”
Pristin was taken aback.
‘Following the ban on going out, is it now also a ban on visits?’
It was a bad sign. Pristin’s expression changed dramatically.
“Is contact with the outside world forbidden at all?”
“There was an order from His Majesty the Emperor not to let you meet Her Highness the Princess.”
The soldier responded, his tone resolute. Pristin’s bafflement grew.
“Why on earth…”
“I don’t know why. Anyway, the imperial decree has been issued, so don’t come here anymore. If you don’t listen and continue to act recklessly, we won’t be able to stay still either.”
“If you’re going to do this, you shouldn’t have come to me from the beginning.”
Pristin said in a voice that rattled with anger.
“Are you saying that the princess should live there alone, without anyone’s help? For who knows how long, during an exile period with no clear end? She’s still young. She’s just eleven years old!”
“You’re noisy. We are only following the orders of His Majesty the Emperor.”
The soldier spoke in a stern and blunt voice.
“You’d better leave now while I’m speaking nicely.”
She had enough of the same threatening tone as the first time. Pristin looked at the soldier with a bewildered look. However, the soldier’s expression was as expressionless as in the beginning.
‘He means it.’
Only then did Pristin realize that this situation was no joke. And she began to think as realistically as possible. After a while she opened her mouth.
“All right. I won’t ask you to see the princess.”
“…”
“But let me bring her meals every day. His Majesty didn’t order you to stop that.”
Pristin asked, looking persistently at the soldier.
“Can’t you?”
At Pristin’s request, the soldiers hesitated and began to stir for a while. And they whispered something into each other’s ears.
After a while.
“Fine. We can arrange for the food to be delivered, but meeting in person is impossible.”
“I understand. That’s all right. Just deliver the food properly.”
Pristin responded, slightly relieved that she could at least have meals. However, she couldn’t hide her bewilderment at being unable to meet with Claret. Pristin frowned, her expression serious.
