Chapter 2: By a Twist of Fate, I’m an Enforcer at the Prince’s Recommendation
“YOU’RE so shameless!” a girl younger than Cesia pointed at her and confronted her.
“And, by shameless…you mean what exactly…?” Cesia asked with a fed-up expression.
The capital of the kingdom of Emeroade, Esmeralda, was one of the world’s foremost maritime trading hubs. It had a sizable harbor and, taken together with the numerous other flourishing cities on the kingdom’s coast, the whole country was often said to be one large port. Naturally, in addition to all sorts of goods flowing in from other countries, the city served as a gateway for arts and culture, and its lively, thriving atmosphere attracted many tourists. On the other hand, growing illegal immigration had become a problem in recent years.
The room at Emeroade Castle they were in was designed with the preferences of a young girl in mind. The walls and ceiling had sparkling ornamentation, and the furnishings were all warm colors, like pale pink and orange.
“What’s with that look?! If you have something to say, then say it!” said the girl.
As the words flew toward Cesia one after the other, in the same rhythm they always did, she felt nostalgic. It’s like I’m home with family again. Cesia, who didn’t have a family home, changed her train of thought. What’s the best way to make this kid give in with the least effort?
Cesia Kathrin, now eighteen years old, had just begun working in the royal castle after her recent graduation from the Royal Academy. She was wearing her long black hair up in a ponytail and was in a government-supplied civil servant’s uniform. She had just started in the spring and was so new that she hadn’t even gotten her initial salary payment. Nevertheless, for some reason—while still a new hire even among other new hires—Cesia had received a summons from—believe it or not—the princess and been dragged away to her private quarters. Yes, dragged. She still had work to do!
Returning to the beginning, Cesia was being called names and shouted at by the kingdom of Emeroade’s own Princess Mavis. She was fiercely glaring at Cesia, but her soft hair, red like a burning flame, her pale skin, smooth as porcelain, and her sparkling, jade green eyes made the pretty young girl come off more like a harmless doll. She was the younger sister of Prince Marcus, the same prince Cesia had some connection with, and the two were well-known for being very close. She was the sister of, well, that.
“Is she obsessed with her brother?” Cesia murmured to herself.
“I can hear you, Cesia Kathrin!” Mavis yelled again. She was in perfect form and had sharp ears to pick up on Cesia’s grumblings.
Cesia readjusted her posture and bowed deeply. “Your Royal Highness, I’m currently working. With all due respect, may I inquire as to your business with me?”
“Hmph. Is your job more important than my summons?” Mavis swept her sleek, wavy hair over one shoulder.
Cesia could easily imagine from her physical appearance that she’d be an enchantingly beautiful woman when she was older, but the cheeky way she acted grown-up, despite her young age, was adorable.
“That depends on what you wish to ask of me. But, as a brand-new civil servant, I must make every effort to complete all of my assigned duties. Otherwise, I’ll immediately be let go.”
Mavis guiltily grimaced as Cesia meekly explained herself and asked, “Can’t you just tell your boss the princess wanted to see you?”
“Do you think he’ll believe a new person like me if I say something like that?”
Mavis hesitated. “That’s true…”
A brand-new civil servant with commoner origins claiming to be late because she was talking with the princess was an even more ridiculous excuse than saying she had to help out a woman who happened to go into labor. Cesia could hear Mavis humming with indecision behind her fan. Easy. And cute. She has a good heart, even though she’s that guy’s younger sister. Please, never change.
“Very well. Anita!”
At Mavis’s call, a woman stepped forward. “Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
“Cesia, this is my head maid, Anita,” the princess explained.
Many of the maids and lady’s maids in the room were around the same age, but the one who stepped forward was slightly older. That said, she definitely wasn’t old enough to be Cesia’s mother, which meant she was still young for a head maid. From only that, Cesia could tell she was talented. Being the princess’s head maid means that, even though she’s a servant, she’s probably a higher-ranking noblewoman than I am. Anita was composed and had the blonde hair and blue eyes common among the Emeroade nobility.
Mavis continued, “Anita, this is Cesia, that homewrecker my brother is so interested in.”
“Homewrecker?” Cesia mumbled. “Where did you pick up that one?”
You’re supposed to be a princess! And whose home am I wrecking? Cesia was silently staring at Mavis when Anita coughed lightly to draw her attention. Whoops, that was a close call. She’s a rude brat, but she’s a princess. She’s allowed to be rude.
On the other hand, Cesia was a green civil servant and only a commoner. She had to be careful with every word and glance lest she be seen as disrespectful.