Beneath the Surviving Princess's Joyful Facade - Chapter 79

Before long, the carriage moved from the narrow path into the bustling city. As they entered the lively streets, Miesa, peeking out through a slightly opened curtain, called Gella over.

“That’s where I had my royal wedding with Eirik. Can you see it?”

“Wow, at the Grand Temple? As expected of a princess, the scale is entirely different,” Gella said, pressing close to the window to get a better look.

The first outing had been so nerve-wracking that Miesa hadn’t even thought to look out the window, but today, on her second outing, she felt much more at ease.

“A wedding at the Grand Temple, it must have been filled with the goddess’s blessings.”

“Yes, I think the goddess forgave me and allowed me to become Eirik’s wife,” Miesa said with a dreamy smile.

Gella, awkwardly standing and holding onto the carriage roof, felt her strength leave her at Miesa’s words and slowly sank into her seat.

“Madam, why would you say that…”

Still entranced by the view outside, Miesa didn’t answer and instead gestured excitedly. “Gella, look over there. What’s that?”

“…What is it?”

“It just passed by. It looked like this,” Miesa tried to explain hastily, her voice filled with frustration.

“When I sat on Eirik’s lap, it was comfortable. He would rest his chin on my head while we looked outside together.”

“Madam, I’d rather look from the other end,” Gella said, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

“Alright, if you prefer,” Miesa said.

Gella sat at the far end, lifting the curtain slightly to peer outside. Miesa continued to chatter excitedly.

“I always wondered who used those things sold at street stalls. Eirik said they were of poor quality.”

“Oh, madam. Even those are expensive, especially in this nice neighborhood,” Gella replied.

“Really? Then I must have said something silly back then,” Miesa laughed softly, recalling the moment. She had often made naïve or potentially offensive remarks, but Eirik had never shown any displeasure. Indeed, becoming his wife was a blessing from the goddess.

The carriage passed through the shopping district and entered the residential area.

“Is this the slums? Or the alley where they sell purple pork?”

“Madam, there aren’t any slums on this route. They say there are some to the north of the capital, but not here.”

“Really? I’d like to visit the slums sometime.”

“…That’s probably not possible. Should I ask anyway?” Gella hesitated but reached for the carriage wall.

“No, no!” Miesa quickly grabbed Gella’s hand, whispering, “Let’s ask Eirik first. If he says it’s okay.”

“Yes, that would be best. Although I’m sure he’ll say no.”

Gella was grateful for Miesa’s cautious nature and settled back into her seat. The carriage continued without incident, heading towards the turnaround point by the river.

“We’re turning around here, so we’ll head back the way we came. Was there anything you wanted to buy on the way?” Gella asked.

“……”

Hanging onto the curtain, Miesa muttered absentmindedly, “I wonder if that person has rouge on their face too.”

Gella looked outside and saw a woman and a girl walking together, likely from a significant family, given their fine attire and the two escorts following them.

“Maybe. Oh, do you remember that silly perfume name from last time? The one that said something about love on the box?” Gella grinned, ready to share a laugh with Miesa, but noticed her expression was a mix of embarrassment and disappointment.

Gella frowned, waving her hand dismissively, “Oh, madam, that’s just a sales tactic.”

“What’s a sales tactic?”

“A trick to sell more stuff. But you already have your husband’s love in abundance, so what more do you need?”

“…It’s not love. He’s kind because we’re family,” Miesa mumbled, looking out the window.

Gella chuckled, “Oh, madam, you don’t know. Who says that?”

Thinking there might not be anyone who’d say that to Miesa, Gella blinked and asked again, “Did the master say that? That he’s kind because you’re family?”

“Yes, exactly. He did.”

“He’s just shy. He adores you.”

“He’s never called me pretty. And he said he’s kind because we’re family.”

Miesa’s face brightened suddenly, “But he did say I was cute once. When I spoke with a Kazen accent.”

“Once? Is that all?”

Even Gella, who had been taking it lightly, was taken aback by that. Miesa’s face fell at Gella’s reaction. Realizing this, Gella quickly added, “Well… the master doesn’t express himself much. I mean, it’s probably just his personality, but I thought he’d be different with you.”

Gella thought it was strange. Hadn’t the master left plenty of embarrassing marks on her body?

“Weren’t the two of you really passionate as a couple?”

“What do you mean by passionate as a couple?”

Gella did her best to explain in a way that Miesa could understand. Listening intently, Miesa’s eyes widened, and her voice grew louder.

“Measure of affection? Intimacy?”

“Well, it’s just…”

“But now, nothing at all—”

“Shh! Keep your voice down.”

Gella gestured for silence, and Miesa quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

“It’s fine. They probably didn’t hear. And it’s not just that, but you two are close, aren’t you?”

The more Miesa learned, the more confused she felt. “Why is that so important? For validating the marriage, producing heirs, and confirming affection between spouses, is that all necessary?”

Miesa, whispering quickly, recalled recent events, her face falling. “But… not at all…”

“Madam, the master has had a lot going on recently, and he’s probably being cautious. Plus, he’s not in the best health right now.”

“Is that so?” Yet not all her doubts were resolved. “I even said it was okay to kiss, but he never did.”

“Well, that’s…”

“He’s never called me pretty.”

“Well… maybe he thinks it but just hasn’t said it out loud.”

“I’ve never received a love confession from him.”

“Well, I mean…”

“And I had to pester him for a long time to consummate the marriage.”

At Miesa’s last statement, Gella was at a loss for words. Miesa, turning anxiously to the window, spotted some well-dressed young women and bit her lip.

Resolving herself, she tapped Gella’s knee. “Go to that shop and buy cosmetics. Don’t forget the ‘Love in a Gift Box’ too.”

“But…”

“You said it’s just an excuse and the ingredients are the same. So go quickly.”

“But after what happened, aren’t you uncomfortable using cosmetics?”

Miesa’s eyes widened, but she replied calmly, “There are so many ways a person can die. If I worried about that, I couldn’t survive anywhere.”

“What?”

“Go quickly. Now.”

“What are you talking about? I wasn’t given such instructions,” Cullen said, his face contorting with confusion.

“No, really, the master gave me money to buy things,” Gella insisted, shaking the money pouch vigorously.

“Did you bring a weapon?” Cullen asked, his brow furrowing.

“Yes,” Gella replied, nodding.

“Then it’s better if you stay with her. I’ll go get the things,” Cullen said firmly.

“What? Why?” Gella asked, bewildered.

“I… can’t go inside the carriage. Stay by her side and keep watch,” Cullen explained, looking away.

“But if something happens, you should come in…” Gella persisted, her eyes filled with confusion.

“Where should I go and what should I buy?” Cullen asked, changing the subject.

“Go to the dressmaker’s shop from last time and get the cosmetics and perfume,” Gella answered.

“Oh…” Cullen’s face briefly showed discomfort at the thought of buying women’s items, but he didn’t change his mind. “Alright, just get the same things as last time?”

“Yes, and don’t forget the ‘Love in a Gift Box’ perfume,” Gella added quickly.

“Got it,” Cullen said, nodding.

Gella returned to the carriage, and Cullen climbed onto the coachman’s seat, his face set in a grim expression.

As the carriage came to a stop, Cullen’s ears caught fragments of the conversation inside, words that echoed in his mind: ‘measure of affection,’ ‘intimacy,’ ‘but now, nothing at all.’

Cosmetics and perfume. Is her husband neglecting her? Cullen wondered, his mind racing. Had she grown so lonely that she had turned her affections toward the commander?

Cullen felt a surge of anger towards the unknown husband, whose face he didn’t even know.