Your Majesty, Please Don’t Kill Me Again - Chapter 24

Chapter 24

“Hey…”

Huh?

I frowned when I heard the man’s voice calling me. He’s an adult, but why does his voice sound so much like a child’s?

I opened my eyes, shocked that it wasn’t a dream. Rupert’s bedroom was at the receiving end of the harshly shining sun.

I blinked my eyes several times to shake the sleepiness away. The dream wasn’t very long, but it was already morning. I noticed the odd decorations. The walls were neatly arranged with guns displayed from one end to the other… an odd design choice. As I looked around the room, I belatedly noticed something in front of me: a beauty, with soft wavy blonde hair neatly covering her white porcelain forehead.

Who is this beautiful girl in front of me?

“Get off.”

“Yes?”

“I said, get off.”

The smooth, pretty forehead, no, the forehead’s owner ordered coldly. I lowered my head and looked at the hand I was holding to see who it belonged to. It was fine and white, but the bones were sharp and visible.

I’m holding Rupert’s arm.

I was so startled that I forgot to breathe, so I let go of his hand and took a step back. I scooted away so quickly that I fell out of bed, but it didn’t hurt.

What is this craziness, Lariette?!

“Ow!”

“…”

“I’m sorry!”

When I was sleeping, the wind came through the window and I thought it was cold, but I never thought that I would climb into his bed in my sleep, though.

Because I don’t move much while I sleep.

Rupert looked at me with a frown. My hands were on the ground, and my mouth was set in a hard line. Fortunately, I don’t think he’s mad that I dared to climb into his bed and held his hand… He’s still acting like a girl.

“Idiot.”

A foul mouth as always.

Oh, I’m glad.

I bowed my head because I didn’t want him to get angrier.

“I’m so sorry! I fell asleep…”

“Forget it… just go outside and call Tori.”

Maybe it was the effects of my herbs that made him feel better, or maybe he was kinder than I thought.

I thought he would grab one of the guns on the wall and shoot me on the spot because he saw me as a threat.

“Yes… Yes!”

I got up quickly and used my hands to wipe my dry lips. Then I felt my butt hurt from the fall.

If he had acted as a prince instead of a princess, then the situation would be really bad news for me. I would have to get married in four months. I originally never had a wedding, but I almost did this time. [^note1]

I took a deep breath of relief and thanked him very much for his disguise of wearing women’s clothing.

Rupert gave me an annoyed look when I called Tori, as if to ask, “Why are you just standing there?”

He was able to get up this morning feeling refreshed thanks to me or to be more exact, because of my medicine, but he’s an ignorant scumbag. I was tempted to say something by his lack of gratitude, but I couldn’t help but laugh outwardly.

“Your Highness, do you feel fine now?”

“No matter what… don’t let her come here at night ever again.”

Rupert, who acted as if he didn’t hear my question, speaks instead to Tori who runs up to him and pets her head like an animal’s.

A no-brainer.

I pretended to be polite by bowing my head to hide my wrinkled nose and twisted expression.

Tori signed after hearing his words.

“Your Highness, you should say thanks first.”

“What?”

Rupert’s eyebrows went up at an angle when Tori spoke.

This ungrateful bastard… he even needs someone to tell him what to do… It’s regretful, but I guess I’ll leave you sick next time.

“Your fever has gone down, Your Highness, because Lariette gave you some medicine.”

“Huh?”

From his look of confusion, I don’t think he even remembers last night when I fed him the medicine. I thought it was a chance to talk, so I spoke up quickly.

“Because I’m weak, I always carry a first aid kit around me… please let me know in the future if you don’t want to call for someone else.”

“Why should I believe in that medicine you gave me?”

“I gave it to you, and you’re just fine.”

I told him nervously while smiling. Look at him, I helped his ass recover and he still doubts me.

But he’s fine, so he shuts his mouth while just keeping his thoughts inside. I gave him a nice smile and stood beside him, just like Tori.

“Your Highness.”

“What.”

Rupert’s face stiffens as my smile gets bigger. As I went about with a smile on my face, he couldn’t stand it and threatened me.

“Why are you smiling like that… what the heck do you want?”

“I’m just glad that you’re fine.”

“Don’t worry about the medicine because I’ll pay for it.”

“Can you pay for my medicine and I’ll flaunt it?”

Glare.

Oh no, I think I went too far. Rupert’s face was scrunched up violently as if he was ready to kill me with a gun. In fact, I shrugged as he could stand up at any moment and grab one of the guns hanging on the walls not far from where he was sleeping.

“Your Highness… I’m joking. Can I just ask for one thing? I’m your maid.”

“Don’t say nonsense. What do you want?”

“What do you mean, nonsense? I am your maid…”

“Damn it… do you take me as a fool that I don’t even know my own maid? What do you want?”

He said the words so quickly that I didn’t even have time to properly react.

He said it.

It was the first time he recognized me as his maid.

He doesn’t want to talk about it so it’s a surprise for me. I’ve been his maid for several months now, but I never heard him call me ‘my maid’.

These words that came from his mouth are new to me.

I looked into his eyes carefully and took a chance.

“If that’s what you want… I… Can you grant me a day off on the 15th?”

“Why?”

“The medicine you took yesterday cost a lot of money.”

Rupert hit the pillow.

What’s with that temper?

“Do you want me to pay for the medicine now?!”

“My brother who is younger than me is going to the Military Academy. He’s in the Capital so I thought I would visit him.”

“You sure take good care of your brother.”

Rupert said that.

Did he say it with sarcasm?

I’m actually not sure, but I just waited.

I can’t go if he says no.

I can’t because I think he’ll catch me if I try to do something.

But I really want to go.

It’s been half a year now, and I miss Bellua and my family very much.

“Go.”

His permission made my unkempt hair fall down as I bow once again.

I smiled softly.

“Don’t squish the dumpling.”

I’m smiling, yes, but he still managed to spit out words of bullying.

But no worries about that, it’s nice to see Lehan after a long time.

The attendants and maids, who are said to be the closest aides of any member of the royal family, were allowed to freely enter the palace without a special pass from the palace manager.

Since I moved into the palace, I haven’t gone out or spent any money so I went to the treasury to see how much of my salary had been saved up, and I was shocked. I’ve never earned money on my own before, so this is the first time I’ve felt this way.

I’m so proud of myself that I could almost touch the sky!

Great job Lariette! [^note2]

This salary would make my father happy. Even though it’s not nearly enough, I might soon be able to help the County’s livelihood. With such a small silly thought, I moved forward.

The distance between the Military Academy and the palace is quite far, even if they are both located in the Capital. To get there on time, I need to hire a prao carriage.

While looking around to see where I could higher a carriage for cheap, I saw a flower shop.

Can I give flowers at the entrance ceremony?

I know that it’s a tradition to give flowers at the graduation ceremony, but not at the entrance ceremony. After some thought, I decided it was better to be embarrassed about bringing flowers than being embarrassed about not having them, so I entered the flower shop.

The other children are each holding a pretty flower, but Lehan would be upset if he was the only one without one.

The flower shop built out of luxurious yellow bricks seemed a little excessive, but maybe it’s because it’s located in the Capital. I hum in glee when I smell the nice flowers coming from the expensive shop. I’m so happy to find that daffodils, Lehan’s favorite, are available.

“Hello young lady… where are you off to?”

“My brother got accepted into the Military Academy!”

“Oh my… your brother is so amazing! It’s hard to enter that school!”

“Ever since he was a child, everyone saw his talent for swords! He’s smart!”

I can see myself being the mother who always bragged about her child while talking about the prodigal Lehan. Unlike me, who had nothing but a sensitive and hasty temperament, Lehan was a very good child.

Even though he’ll be crooked when he hits puberty, that doesn’t mean that he’ll lose all of his great skills.

After being greeted by a friendly florist, I felt better, so I bought daffodils and a small flower pot that Lehan could easily grow in his dorm room.

It was my first impulse buy, but it’s alright because I decided to treat myself. Lariette, the extravagant Lariette… oh what a wonderful adjective befitting my aristocratic status.

“So your young handsome brother is good with a sword as well? Wow, Young Lady, how nice!”

“Uhm… I didn’t say that he’s handsome, so how did you know?! But yes, my brother is the most handsome of them all.”

Lehan was only twelve and a little too young to be called handsome, but he was sure to grow up to be the most handsome man in Bellua. Even in the Capital City!

After trying to forget how handsome Rupert was, I smiled triumphantly and nodded my head when the old woman spoke.

“Oh… I thought that your brother was handsome because the young lady is so pretty as well.”

The woman from the flower shop was great at her trade. I became embarrassed at the compliments I’d never heard of before, except when my maid or my family gave me compliments. At the age of thirteen, everyone told me I looked cute, but I was very happy because I had never been told I was pretty before. Since Rupert always called me dumplings and pressed my cheeks while saying ‘the dumpling is about to burst.’

“Ayyy, thank you!”

“The young lady is so pretty so I’ll give you extra daffodils… what color of ribbon would you like to add?”

The lady laid out a bunch of ribbons on the table, and I chose a dark brown one.

Brown is Bellua’s color.

It’s the perfect color for Lehan.

[^note1]: As a very conservative Southerner, plus no prior romantic experience, Lari is very shy with anything remotely scandalous or intimate. To Southerners, if an unmarried man and woman were found in bed together, it would cause a scandal and it’s expected for the two to marry within a few months to maintain their family’s honor. Right now, Rupert is the last person Lari would ever think about marrying.

[^note2]: A running joke is that Lari is very happy with the high salary she receives as Rupert’s maid. She doesn’t use it much and saves it all though.