I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 46

(To The Beaulow Palace)

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"My Lady! Wake up!"

Ella said firmly but with a low voice.

"Yes. I am already awake."

How can I sleep?! When I know I have to see those people today.

<

After many days, the Empress and I had tea-time in the Empress's Parlour room yesterday. She looked really tired. Must be busy with all the work regarding the Hunting Festival.

"I am sorry, Bell. We couldn't meet for a week!"

"It's alright, Mother. You must have been busy with the preparation of the Hunting Festival."

"Yes. So tiresome~"

Empress Alicia replied with a sigh.

"Anyways Bell, I have to inform you about something very important."

The Empress said in a serious tone. It must be very important judging by her serious expression.

"What is it?"

"Please Bell. You have to welcome the Aristocrats of other Kingdoms and Empires with me! It's tiresome talking with those people."

The Empress said in a crying tone.

Ah- Huh? What? Welcoming the Aristocrats?!

"I know that you are supposed to go to the Beaulow Palace before the day of the Hunting Festival. But still! Won't you come with me? Pretty please~"

"I… That…"

"You won't~?"

Empress Alicia said in a pitiful tone.

"O-Of course, Mother. I will try my best."

"Good! It's decided then. We will wear matching dresses tomorrow. Fufu~"

Her expression changed 360° after hearing my answer.

"Oh. Okay."

Was it a trap?

"Kyaa~ You are the best!"

The empress said while cuddling me. 

"Then we will be departing tomorrow morning from the Castle. Normally we go to the Beaulow Palace 2 or 3 days before the Hunting Festival. But this time, as we are giving access to outsiders, we will have to go there before them to check on the security. So that, no one can do any harm to our Empire. That's the reason why Leon and Theo already went there."

"I see."

So that's why. It's reasonable I guess. The Fellmirr Empire has restricted access to other empires and kingdoms for centuries. So this is a big deal. If the security is not tight, some of the Empires or Kingdoms might do something bad. 

"So the males will check the outside security. And we will check the inside."

"Inside?"

"Yes. We will have to keep the Aristocrats in check. Don't worry though, we are not alone. The ladies of our Empire are more terrific than you can think."

Empress Alicia said with a wink.

"I see."

"So be bold, my girl. You have to act like the Crown Princess of Fellmirr who doesn't care about anything. Do you get it, child?"

"Yes."

>

Sigh~

And here I was planning to avoid them. 

"My Lady, we have already prepared a warm bath for you!"

Cande informed me after bowing.

"Already?"

Isn't that too fast?

"Of course! There are so many things to do today! You are going to welcome the Aristocrats of other Kingdoms! So of course, you have to suppress them with your beauty! Of course, you are beautiful even without any makeup."

Ella chattered excitedly.

"Yes. But we will do our best to bring out all your beauty today, My Lady!"

"Yes. Just you wait."

"And the Empress already sent the dress you will be wearing today."

"It's beautiful~"

"Is it? Let me see."

I asked as I was wondering what dress she would send.

"Of course. Wait a minute."

Saying that Cande ran out of my room then came back with a Royal Green coloured dress with white laces. 

The Empress's choice is gorgeous…

"Now My Lady. Shall we go to the bath?"

"S-Sure."

I can literally see a fire in their eyes. I-I hope I will survive today.

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"Hurry up. Bring the Jasmine Fragrance! It's not here."

Ella asked a maid rummaging through a basket of fragrance bottles. 

"Yes."

A maid replied while running out of the room.

"Where are the roses I asked for?!"

Cande asked while fixing my hair.

"Here."

Another maid gave a basket filled with blooming red roses. Then Cande tucked some roses to one side of my hair.

"Her dress is a little wrinkled down below."

Cande ordered a maid.

"Already fixing it."

Two maids replied simultaneously while fixing the dress.

That's not all. Some maids were rushing throughout the room bringing this and that. Some maids were busy removing unnecessary dresses and jewellery. Some were busy adjusting my dress. 

Sigh~

It's been like this since dusk. They made me bathe for 2 hours! With all kinds of massages, herbs, potions and many more things I haven't seen or even heard the name off.

After the bath, I had my breakfast. Then this war began. 

"The necklace? Where is the pearl necklace?! Oh. And the earrings too! Where are they?"

Ella asked in a hurry.

"It's in the box next to you."

"I see. Don't worry My Lady. You don't have to untie the chain."

"Oh. Okay."

I wasn't worried though. Seeing them so nervous and full of energy, I feel a lot better now. 

Yes. I shouldn't be nervous. The Empress will be there with me. 

The Aristocrats will stay in a place near the Beaulow Forest. They will arrive at noon. So we will have to reach there before that. 

And Leonus is there too…

"Phew! It's done."

Ella sighed with relief.

"Look, My Lady!"

Cande said while moving the mirror in front of me.

Wow~ 

I can't even recognize myself. I look really pretty. 

"Thanks for your hard work everyone!"

I thanked them with a smile.

"It was our pleasure to work for you, My Lady!"

"Yes, My Lady!"

"And you look really beautiful! Like a Goddess~"

A maid said with a cheerful voice.

Knock* Knock*

"Her Highness, the Crown Princess. The Knights are here to escort you!"

A knight announced from outside.

"Yes. I am coming."

"We will go there by another carriage in the afternoon. So don't worry, My Lady. "

Ella said with a smile.

"Yes."

After that, I got out of my room. 5 knights were already waiting outside. I see some familiar faces.

"Greetings, Her Highness!"

The Knights bowed and greeted me after seeing me coming out of my room.

"Greetings. Ah… Sir Blaine?"

"Yes, My Lady?"

"You are here? Weren't you supposed to be with Leo- I mean with the Crown Prince?"

"Ah. Yes. His Highness the Crown Prince sent me to escort you there."

"Oh. I see…. Umm. He will be there, right?"

"Yes. Both the Crown Prince and the Emperor are already there. As a result, their Aides are dying doing their work here."

Blaine replied in a crying tone.

"Anyways, we should go now, My Lady."

"Ah. Yes. Let's go."

After that, we walked downstairs. The Empress was already standing in front of the Courtyard. She was also wearing a Royal Green coloured dress. 

"Greetings, Her Highness. I apologize for my tardiness."

"It's okay. You look marvellous today, Crown Princess."

"Thank you. But I am nothing compared to your beauty."

It was true. She looked gorgeous as always. Her silver hair and Silver eyes… They are bewitching.

"Pfft~ Such sweet talk. We can talk in the carriage. So let's get in for now."

"As you wish, Your Highness."

After that, we got in the beautiful carriage that was in front of us. And in a minute, it started moving.

Rattle* Rattle*

"I knew it! You look so good in this dress."

Empress Alicia said in a cheerful voice. She was sitting next to me.

"Thank you for choosing this for me. It made me really happy."

"What are you saying, child?! I am the one who should be thankful. I always wanted a daughter like you. Then we would wear matching dresses together. But…"

Empress Alicia became silent for a while.

"Mother?"

"Ah. I apologize. I was lost in thoughts for a moment. Nevermind that. Just forget what I said just now."

"Oh. Okay."

To be honest, I am curious. But I don't want to make her uncomfortable.

"You know when I first heard Leonus would be mated to someone from another Empire… I wasn't so sure about it. I was wondering what kind of girl you might be. But I was excited at the same time. To be honest, I thought you would hate me. As you know how some Wizards think lowly of Beastmen."

"What? I dare not to. How can anyone hate you! You are so kind."

"Is that so? You are a kind child. When I first saw you, do you know what I thought?"

"No. What did you think?"

"I just thought you are too beautiful and good for my arrogant son. Pfft~'

Empress Alicia said with a chuckle.

"Ah… Th-Thank you."

I feel shy now.

"And cute too. The aura around you is so pure and calming."

"Aura?"

"Ah. Nevermind that. So what I am saying is, I am happy to have you as my daughter-in-law. And it feels nice to have someone to talk to."

Empress Alicia said with a gentle smile.

"And you didn't even complain when I said we would wear matching dresses. When I ask Leon to do so, it doesn't even take a second for him to refuse. Sigh~."

Empress Alicia added vigorously. She must've been lonely in this place. 

"Anyways we will wear matching dresses there too, okay?"

"Alright."

"By the way, Isabella. When can I see my grandchild?"

My eyes widened. Child-Children?

"I want to see my grandchildren soon."

"Why are you blushing, dear? It's just a matter of time. If possible, I want to have at least 6 grandchildren."

"That-"

Ughh! What am I supposed to say?!

"Pfft~ You will turn into a tomato if this goes on. Hahaha~ Don't worry. I won't tease you anymore."

"..."

"But. I am serious about Grandchildren. Have as many cubs as you can have. I will take care of them, if necessary."

Empress Alicia said with a smile.

And like that, we continued our journey. It took us 3 hours to reach the Palace near the Beaulow Forest. And during those times, the Empress and I talked about a lot of things. 

I feel like we grew a lot closer. I am happy. I hope we can continue living like this. Everyone here is so nice. I want to make them happy. I hope things will go on like this from now on…

But at that time, I didn't know the tragedy that was going to happen at the Festival. The tragedy that will change my life… And will change me to the core… The tragedy that will kill the naive Isabella.... Where I will lose him and her and her…