Orania had been caught in a chaotic whirlwind; what had transpired today completely shook her worldview to its core.
I can’t believe Princess Mia had thought this through so thoroughly...
Rafina had told (tall) tales of Mia’s countless, amazing feats, and even the fishing tournament today had been predicated on a secret, deeper meaning.
Not only does she want to cultivate fish...she found a way to convince other nations to adopt that practice. She doesn’t look like she’s thinking about anything at all! Not one bit, but...
She was deeply shocked, but at the same time...it just worked. Orania knew from her own experiences that her own keen eyes and common sense couldn’t be trusted. She watched as Yanna, now thoroughly cleaned, hesitantly dipped into the bath, the tattoo on her forehead on full display, yet...
I didn’t need to be so scared... There’s no way that girl is a frightening pirate.
How could a pirate possibly not know how to fish? How could they be so squeamish with bait, or not know how to swim? They wouldn’t obediently listen to a scolding from the woman who saved their drowning brother. Yanna couldn’t be a pirate!
That’s when Orania realized something. I was so clueless... About Princess Mia, about everything...
She once again directed her gaze at Tearmoon’s princess. Beyond the thin veil of the steam rising from the bathwater, she folded her arms, closed her eyes, and furrowed her brow, looking quite...imposing. It was a huge shock to Orania considering she had been half-convinced Mia was nothing but a ditzy airhead.
I can’t believe my morals could be uprooted so easily. If that’s the case, then...
Orania decided to ask a question. “How can a princess try so hard for her people...?”
Was it to live up to her father’s expectations, or perhaps her mother’s? Maybe it was the expectations of the others around her—her friends or vassals. She must be trying to meet the expectations of someone she cared for, right?
Orania was dreadfully wrong.
“For myself, of course!”
“For...yourself?” Orania couldn’t help but gulp down her breath and question her. Does she mean for her own pride...? Or maybe she has some other circumstances...?
As she looked into Mia’s eyes, she immediately received the answer she sought. Mia pridefully nodded her head, lacking even a smidgen of shame. Her imposing figure immediately assured Orania that it had to be the former—that she worked so hard for the sake of her own pride.
Her following words only confirmed that conviction. “I’d like to continue to live as Tearmoon’s princess, and thus live as a princess of Tearmoon should.”
To live as a princess should... In other words, to not bring shame to her title. That was her motivation.
Orania was enchanted. Mia spoke without pretense, bearing only the slightest hint of shyness. Her words were clear. How...can she see things that way?
That question never left Orania’s mouth, yet somehow, Mia managed to answer. “I was given the privilege of being born as a princess. It would be a waste to live my life ignorant of what a princess can do.” Because Mia had the means to extend a helping hand to those who suffered, it would be a shame to waste the power that came with being at the top.
“I’m not looking for praise, just to live the life I want to lead. I don’t need any validation from anyone else.”
“Validation from others...? Oh, I see...” Those words cut deep, hitting Orania right where it hurt. Once, she had strived to be an excellent princess to live up to her mother’s expectations, and once, her resolve to do so had been broken by her indifferent father. Orania was a shell of the girl she had once been, and Mia had told that very girl that validation didn’t matter—that she must live life for her own sake.
I always thought my existence didn’t matter... Mother didn’t need me, and neither did father. I thought there was no place for me, nor any role I could serve...
Back on the ship, Mia had taken Orania’s hand in her own and said, “I’m so glad you were here, Orania.” Back then, she had served a purpose—she had saved Kiryl—but none had asked her to serve it. I did it because I wanted to. Then, Mia had acknowledged her role, thanking her for her mere presence.
Now, Orania thought differently. If she believed there was no purpose for her, it was only because she lived a life of no purpose; not just because no one had granted her it, but because purpose was something you only found when taking a step forward yourself. Without even knowing it, Orania had taken that step forward, and Mia had taken notice. She acknowledged her efforts.
So this is Tearmoon’s Great Sage of the Empire, the girl my father fears, and the girl Miss Esmeralda so adores... Orania turned to face Mia. I want to live a life I can be proud of. I want to live as a princess should...! Fortunately, the perfect example of that was right before her. The path ahead was clear. I need to choose the road I won’t regret.
Thus, she quietly opened her mouth. “Princess Mia... No...” Orania cut off her words and took another deep breath. “Master Mia! Please teach me how to live as a princess!”
Mia stared back at her, simply blinking her eyes and looking absolutely flabbergasted.