TWFLLYM Ch 5

Coincidences Are Simply Like That, Your Highness

[Clobell] "It has been hours. I am dying of boredom. Haaaa-aah."

They had been waiting in the audience chamber for three hours.

Clobellina, who had been dozing off on Roserikta’s lap, finally found even sleep tedious. She hopped down to the floor and stretched her body long.

Roserikta rubbed the bridge of her nose. Her legs were beginning to feel pins and needles.

[Clobell] "He acted like he would give you his own liver just a while ago, so why is he ignoring us now? Does he think we are just fish he has already caught?"

Having finished her stretch, she hopped onto the windowsill to peer outside.

Just a moment ago, she had been so dazzled by the immense luxury of the palace that she had run around rubbing her scent on everything. It seemed she was finally regaining her senses.

[Clobell] "If he is neglecting us already, what will happen to us? Is he going to starve us, too?"

Roserikta stretched her legs out beneath her skirt and replied.

[Roserikta] "Are you worried?"

[Clobell] "Are you not? We came all this way just to go hungry."

[Roserikta] "Then you should reflect on your actions. This entire disaster happened because of the mess you made."

She snorted. Her ability to remain shameless in any situation was one of her charms, alongside her plump front paws.

[Clobell] "I have thought about it carefully, and I believe this is more your fault. If you had just fed me properly in the first place, none of this would have happened."

[Roserikta] "That does not mean you should touch Grandmother’s medicines—especially a forbidden one."

Clobellina’s eyes wavered slightly, but she refused to utter a single word of apology.

[Clobell] "Then why did you leave it there? If it was so dangerous, you should have kept it under lock and key."

[Roserikta] "Stop being stubborn, Clobell."

She locked eyes with the cat. Clobellina shook her head and tried to look away, but since their gazes were already entangled, it was useless.

[Roserikta] "Think about why that medicine became forbidden. Think about how dangerous it must be. Countless humans have died from heart sickness after consuming a love potion."

[Clobell] "That was all a long time ago. And look at the Crown Prince. Does he look like the type of man who would wither away and die from love? He will not die."

Roserikta remained cold.

[Roserikta] "It would be better if he died that way."

[Clobell] "What?"

Her mouth hung open, shocked that Roserikta would say such a thing.

[Roserikta] "You heard him yesterday. Just the fact that you were in the palace was enough for him to threaten us with fire. He said he was allowed to do it. What do you think he will do if he finds out he consumed a forbidden witch’s potion? Do you think there is nothing more terrible in this world than being burned at the stake? Another witch hunt could break out."

[Clobell] "Me... meooow."

Instead of words, she let out a fragile whimper. It was a cry that had worked quite well when she was a scrawny kitten, but unfortunately, the current Clobellina was far too sturdy and substantial to be called fragile.

Regardless, it was a relief that she finally seemed to realize the weight of her actions.

[Roserikta] "A witch’s apothecary must take responsibility for the medicines she makes and sells. I must only sell what I can be responsible for. The fate of the Versaryl Pharmacy is at stake. I came all this way to stop that from happening, even though I know our lives are in danger. Do you understand what I am saying?"

[Clobell] "Meooow..."

[Roserikta] "From now on, no matter what happens here, you must endure it. We cannot go home until I create an antidote. And of course, you will eat nothing but boiled cabbage for every meal."

[Clobell] "No, isn't that a bit too much? A cat will die eating like that."

[Roserikta] "Clobellina."

When she used her full name in that stern tone, Clobellina pursed her lips.

Since it was all her fault, she had nothing to say. With an expression of deep reflection, she trudged toward a corner of the room.

Clack!

It was then that the doors to the audience chamber swung wide. The Head Maid appeared, her back stiff as a board, accompanied by a group of younger maids. Their expressions were grim.

Roserikta could feel their sharp hostility.

[Aldwin] "Follow me. I will show you to your room."

[Roserikta] "I understand. Clobell, come here."

At her gesture, Clobellina walked over with her tail held high.

[Aldwin] "Take all of your belongings. You cannot leave them here."

[Roserikta] "Yes."

She lifted the two bags she had brought from home. The two square wooden cases were tied together with leather straps, and she had tucked a broom between them to make it easier to carry.

[Aldwin] "And what is this?"

The broom inherited from her grandmother performed perfectly, but it certainly showed its age. To the eyes of an ordinary human, it looked like nothing more than a worn-out piece of trash.

[Aldwin] "Did you bring that because you feared the Imperial Palace lacked brooms?"

[Roserikta] "No. It is not that..."

The Head Maid scowled and raised her voice.

[Aldwin] "There is a limit to how much one can lack common sense. How dare you bring such a filthy object into the Crown Prince’s palace... Throw it away at once!"

Startled, Roserikta gripped the handle of the broom tightly.

[Roserikta] "Pardon? No, I cannot do that."

[Aldwin] "What did you say?"

Aldwin’s anger flared, and the other maids surrounded Roserikta.

[Maid] "You had better hand it over quietly."

[Maid] "Do you not know what happens to a servant who ignores the Head Maid?"

[Maid] "This is what happens when people enter the palace without knowing their place."

The maids tried to seize the broom by force. Surprised, Roserikta held onto it and refused to let go.

[Clobell] "Hiss!"

Clobellina, who had been tense, let out a sharp cry. It was then that an idea struck her.

[Roserikta] "Wait, Clobellina. My Lady, this is not a broom."

[Aldwin] "What? What nonsense is that?"

[Roserikta] "This is a 'scratcher.' It is a tool for the cat to sharpen her claws."

She gave Clobellina a subtle look. The clever cat understood immediately and began to scratch the end of the broom vigorously.

[Roserikta] "Cats have a habit of grooming their own claws. That is why they need a tool like this. If they do not have one, they will scratch anything they can find..."

She glanced at the items in the audience chamber with a troubled expression. She looked at the magnificent tables, the sofas, and the cabinets crafted by the imperial furniture masters.

Following her gaze, the Head Maid looked at the priceless furniture and realized the implication. Her face turned pale.

[Aldwin] "That... such a terrifying... no, such an impious act. Should you not stop her from doing that?"

[Roserikta] "It is an animal's instinct. Just as you cannot tell a dog not to wag its tail, I cannot tell a cat not to sharpen its claws, My Lady."

Her calm manner of speaking was incredibly effective even when she was lying. Hearing that clear, pure voice made one feel as though everything she said was the unblemished truth.

Part of it was her natural personality, but it was also due to her profession as a pharmacist. Because a single misplaced drop of an ingredient could ruin a medicine’s effect, Roserikta had to be cautious and composed in everything she did.

Essentially, her voice, expression, and attitude combined to make her exceptionally persuasive.

[Aldwin] "Then... it cannot be helped. I will allow you to keep that object. However, you must never let it be seen by His Imperial Highness."

Roserikta smiled brightly and bowed slightly. She did not know the exact reason, but she could tell that the Head Maid and the other maids were not friendly toward her. Since she knew there was nothing she could do about it now, her best option was to remain obedient.

[Roserikta] "Thank you very much, My Lady."

It was said that only a truly evil person would spit on a face that was smiling kindly.

The Head Maid, who was far from evil and merely possessed a deep loyalty to the imperial family, could only clear her throat awkwardly at her response.

[Aldwin] "Ahem, cough. However, if even a single scratch appears on the furniture of the Crown Prince’s palace, I will punish you severely."

[Roserikta] "I will do my absolute best to ensure no such accident occurs."

[Aldwin] "If you understand, then follow me."

[Roserikta] "Yes."

The Head Maid turned on her heel with a sharp rustle of her skirts. She led the way, and the other maids followed with quick, small steps. Roserikta and Clobellina followed quietly behind them.

[Clobell] "Ugh. Why is she being so mean? How are we supposed to live here if it’s this scary?"

Watching the grumbling Clobellina, she thought to herself.

Living here will not be easy.

Creating the antidote as quickly as possible was the only answer.

---

The place they were led to was the bedroom of the Crown Princess. The maids following behind stopped at the door. As servants, it was a space they were not permitted to enter.

The fact that such a sacred place was being given to a commoner of unknown origin and a cat made Aldwin feel as if her blood was boiling.

[Aldwin] "I will say this once more: this is a place where you are not even worthy to set foot. Since His Highness has ordered it, I am forced to allow it, but you must never, ever touch or use anything in this room. Do you understand?"

At those words, Clobellina stopped wiggling her hindquarters.

[Clobell] "What is she saying? If we aren't allowed to use anything, why did she give us this room?"

A magnificent canopy hung like a dream over the large, plush bed. To a cat’s eyes, it looked like an amusement park in heaven. Clobellina, who had been dying to hang from the fabric, scowled.

[Aldwin] "And above all else, you must not touch that bed. That is where the future Crown Princess will rest."

[Clobell] "What is this? If I cannot sleep on the bed, where am I supposed to sleep?"

[Aldwin] "However, since His Highness ordered you to stay in this room, you must sleep somewhere. You will sleep on a blanket on the floor."

Clobellina flattened her ears and growled.

[Clobell] "Wow. So this is the legendary 'hazing.' Why are the people in this neighborhood so cold-hearted? Let’s tell the Crown Prince. Let’s get this woman kicked out."

Roserikta felt that Clobellina, who was already talking about kicking out the Head Maid as if she were a superior, was also part of the problem.

[Roserikta] "Clobell. There is etiquette in the palace that you do not know. And manners are important here."

After soothing her, Roserikta nodded.

[Roserikta] "Yes, My Lady. I will do as you say."

[Aldwin] "Good. Hide your bags somewhere out of sight. I do not know when His Highness might stop by to see the cat."

[Roserikta] "I understand."

[Aldwin] "There is one hour left until dinner. He has not said anything yet, but His Highness might look for the cat at mealtime, so bathe her and groom her in advance."

[Clobell] "What? Did she say a bath?"

She jumped.

[Clobell] "How can these servants be so ignorant? Cats are animals that do not need baths. I am extremely clean."

That was the opinion of a cat who despised water, but a bath was necessary about once a month.

The Head Maid gave a stern warning.

[Aldwin] "Since this is a cat from outside, you must be even more diligent about cleanliness. It would be a disaster if she passed any germs to His Highness. If that happens, the cat’s head will be cut off on the spot without a trial. Do you understand me clearly?"

That was a bit terrifying. Roserikta picked up Clobellina and asked.

[Roserikta] "I understand, My Lady. Where should I bathe her?"

[Aldwin] "Use the one in the annex."

There were three bathhouses in the Crown Prince’s palace. One was used by the Prince himself, and another was used by the palace staff. The last one was located in an annex completely separated from the main palace.

It was a place that took over thirty minutes just to reach. However, Aldwin believed that a person who was not a noble could not use the bathhouse with the other servants.

[Aldwin] "Since it is your first day, pay even more attention to her grooming. I will not tolerate even the slightest mistake."

[Roserikta] "I will do my best."

As soon as the Head Maid disappeared after giving directions to the annex, Clobellina looked as if she were about to cry.

[Clobell] "Do I really have to take a bath? It hasn't even been a week since the last one, right?"

[Roserikta] "It has been exactly a month."

[Clobell] "What? Do not lie. That cannot be true."

[Roserikta] "Weren't you the one who said you wanted to live in the palace? Then you must follow the rules here. Let’s go, Clobell."

She picked up Clobellina, who was resisting with all the strength in her front paws, and headed toward the annex bathhouse.

By the time she felt she had to put Clobellina down because her arms were aching, the annex appeared.

---

However, there was already someone at the annex bathhouse.

[Eaton] "The Head Maid will not be pleased if she finds out you used this place, Your Highness."

He spoke as he gathered the clothes Kalart had tossed aside.

It was widely believed that the annex bathhouse was rarely used, but that was not actually the case. When using his private bathhouse, Kalart found it tedious to have two or three servants hovering over him, so he often chose to bathe here instead.

[Kalart] "I don't care."

Kalart, now completely bare, wrapped a towel around his waist and entered the bath.

The water, which had not been preheated, was incredibly cold. Eaton winced as if he had been splashed with the cold water himself, but Kalart seemed unbothered.

[Kalart] "……."

Or perhaps, he simply had too many thoughts. He submerged himself completely in the water. At times like this, he looked like a man hoping his many thoughts would dissolve and vanish into the water.

[Eaton] "Your Highness."

He called out in a panicked voice.

[Eaton] "The water is cold."

A hand moved slightly beneath the water. It was a gesture telling him not to bother with useless words.

[Kalart] "……."

Eaton, his brow furrowed with worry, took a step back.

[Eaton] "Then I will go and bring some warm water, Your Highness."

Once he disappeared, Kalart was left alone in the bathhouse, completely unaware of who was approaching.

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