After Elysia gathered up their clothes into a basket, she turned to the big wolf who was already dozing off again by the fireplace and said, “Watch over the house for me, Keel,” before heading out with Donna.
They went to the river together with the other neighborhood women to do the washing. The water in February was cold, and their hands would grow numb if they didn’t take breaks. Even so, back at the inner palace, she’d heard the court ladies complain many times about how the water was piercing cold when they did the laundry. It made her think that although it was also winter here, it was probably much better to do it here in the warm southern region of the empire. Neither Elysia nor the women around her had any frostbite or cracked skin.
Best of all, they completely forgot about the cold and difficulty of the work as they chatted merrily. Naturally, their conversations usually revolved around domestic complaints.
“So Zen stops you from learning needlework all because you pricked yourself a few times?”
“He’s so overprotective.”
It was Elysia’s turn. When she talked about what had happened that morning, although the ladies were slightly baffled, they smiled too.
Looking exasperated, Donna recounted a past episode. “Mr. Zen also made a huge fuss to me back when Elysia started cooking. He told me not to let her use a kitchen knife.”
“What a stubborn man.”
“I wonder if all city folks are like that?” The women all stifled laughs.
“You have good looks and a good personality, right, Elysia? If you become good at embroidery on top of that, I’m sure men will be rushing in to make you their bride. I wonder if Mr. Zen doesn’t want that?”
“Fathers really hate marrying off their daughters.”
“My husband just can’t let go of our kids. It’s so ridiculous!”
As they all playfully bad-mouthed the people in their lives and cheerfully laughed, they vented their daily frustrations. Elysia found this frank atmosphere extremely comfortable. She would never have experienced this in the inner palace.
“Putting your father aside, what about you, Elysia?”
“Do you have a boy you like?”
“If you give him a handkerchief with some embroidery—even a simple design you sewed—any boy would fall for you easily.”
Elysia giggled. “Hee hee. Unfortunately, I don’t right now.” If she came out and said that she was interested in her “father,” there was no doubt it’d cause a huge disturbance. That was why she vaguely dodged the question with a smile.
However, seemingly driven by indignation, Donna exclaimed, “That’s also where Mr. Zen’s too overprotective of you! When they redid the New Year’s festival recently, he kept dancing with you without letting you go. No boy is ever gonna approach you like that.”
The other ladies spoke up warmly.
“Ignore your father, Elysia, and go out and have fun more often.”
“It’s good that you take care of the house by yourself, but it’s also important for you to let your hair down.”
“You’re still young.”
And they had even more to say.
“What about my son? You’re only two years apart, and he’s a hard worker.”
“Hey, that’s sneaky of you to suggest that!”
“Then how about you meet my nephew? I’m not just biased. He is handsome.”
“But he’s a total skirt chaser. We can’t let him have Elysia!”
“On the subject—my cousin’s eldest son works at Nazalf City’s government office and is on the path to success. I recommend him!”
One after another, they suddenly started trying to set her up with various people. Actually, they were all closing in on her.
“Uhh...” Elysia sat back, overwhelmed.
“Hey now, cut it out,” Donna scolded them. “I’m sure Elysia will snag the best man out there for herself, so it ain’t none of your business. And it’s indecent for you to be so partial to recommending your relatives!”
If Donna hadn’t lent her a helping hand, things could’ve gotten messy. Th-That’s how much everyone wants to welcome me as a bride? They were all already thinking about it? Elysia was truly stunned.
She wasn’t necessarily bothered, but she also couldn’t respond, of course. She already had Zen in mind as someone she loved. And as previously stated, she wasn’t in the position to give herself permission to marry regardless.
Thank you, Mrs. Donna.
No problem.
Elysia and Donna exchanged gazes as teacher and student. At the same time, Donna suddenly said, “But enough about Elysia. Does Mr. Zen still not wanna settle down?”
With their eyes sparkling, the other ladies latched onto the topic.
“Oh, that’s right. If he could find himself a pretty wife and get absorbed in his new marriage, maybe he could let go of his daughter a little.”
“Mr. Zen’s the kind of good man that’s hard to find in the countryside like this.”
“How are things going there, Elysia?”
“I-I don’t know.” With the rush of these inquisitive gazes, Elysia was once again overwhelmed.
Although it’d actually be his first marriage, not second, she seriously had no idea what Zen thought about getting married. If anything, she was too scared to ask. Maybe he just hadn’t found someone he was interested in and he’d be willing if he did find a good woman. Or maybe he was prioritizing his role as the imperial princess’s father and was completely prepared to miss his chance at marriage. If it was the former, she’d feel a bit displeased, and she’d feel unbearably sorry if it was the latter.
Of course, if Zen honestly wanted to marry someone, Elysia had no right to stop him. Zen was sheltering and protecting her solely out of the kindness of his heart, not because it was his job.
If Sir Zen ever tells me he wants to introduce me to a girl he likes... Ugh, I don’t want to think about it... She decided to shut down that train of thought.
However, Elysia was unaware that, even now, a woman’s shadow was approaching Zen.