Beneath the Surviving Princess's Joyful Facade - Chapter 110

As evening approached, Eirik received several new updates.

The main one was that his parents still hadn’t regained consciousness, making long-distance travel impossible. Therefore, they were still at the hunting tournament camp, with Gella’s master taking care of them with all his might.

The one bit of good news was that Gella herself delivered this information. Captain Tilberg, having received the report from a guard, remembered the commoner maid from Cladnier’s residence who had trained as a doctor. Though she underwent a simple body search, she safely arrived at the guest room where the queen and her future consort were staying together.

“Consort, sir…?”

Gella, with a bandaged head and a bewildered expression, clumsily bowed. Eirik waved his hand dismissively. “Typically, the title should be based on rank. And strictly speaking, I’m not yet the consort.”

It seemed there were some formal procedures to follow. Gella nodded in understanding and bowed politely. “Congratulations, my lord. Is Her Majesty sleeping?”

In the sitting room stood two young maids, hastily added by Viscountess Manere. Judging by Gella’s plain attire and manner of speaking, the young maids frowned.

However, Viscountess Manere had witnessed firsthand how devotedly Gella cared for Miesa during their time at the Cladnier mansion and how much Miesa relied on her.

Thus, the Viscountess warmly greeted Gella as soon as Eirik returned to the bedroom.

“Gella. It’s good to see you. I heard you were hurt; are you okay?”

“Ah, Madam Manere, please speak comfortably. I’m surprised you remember my name…”

“Of course, I remember. How could I forget Gella, whom Her Majesty cherishes the most?”

At this, Viscountess Manere subtly gestured with her eyes, prompting the young maids to hurriedly raise their smiles.

Miesa woke up only in the evening. As soon as she awoke, she reached out for Eirik, who was sitting on a chair next to the bed, keeping watch. He approached and gently caressed her face.

“I’d like to let you sleep more, but you need to eat something,” he said.

“I just woke up; I can’t eat much.”

“Just try a bite from each plate. Otherwise, you’ll only have had two meals today.”

Having two meals at the palace was a good deal, but Miesa nodded quietly. She smiled, thinking that now that she was the queen, she could have three or even four meals if she wanted.

Eirik rang the bell to alert those outside the room that the queen had woken up. Not knowing her thoughts, he seriously added, “After a major event, it’s common to feel unwell when the tension fades. You need to keep your strength up just in case.”

“Understood.” Miesa nodded obediently, and soon, the maids entered with the meal. When Miesa saw Gella among them, she jumped up and spread her arms wide.

“Gella!”

“Your Majesty!”

“Gellaaaa!”

“Your Majestyyyy!”

The two called out each other’s names and embraced tightly. Viscountess Manere quickly sent the other maids out of the room to maintain the queen’s dignity, though she was still surprised by the unexpected display.

“Gella, are you okay? Why is your bandage rolled so thickly around your head?”

“It’s not rolled, Your Majesty, it’s wrapped. I had to do it myself because there was no one to help, so it ended up like this. I’ll take it off by tomorrow.”

Standing quietly nearby, Viscountess Manere carefully listened to the queen’s childlike manner of speaking and choice of words.

The Viscountess had interrogated the attendants who had accompanied the hunting party whenever she had the chance. She found it hard to believe that the woman who had acted so majestically overnight had once been someone who rolled around the palace hallways.

Now, seeing the queen up close, she was sure there was something more to it. She attentively observed the new queen caressing the commoner maid’s face, and the maid, in turn, freely held the queen’s hand and raised her voice.

“When I came to in the early morning, I heard that Your Majesty had become the queen!”

“Yes, I am the queen now.”

The queen smiled triumphantly like a child. Watching this, Viscountess Manere became certain. The queen was just a figurehead, and it seemed the true power lay with the Margrave who appeared to control things from behind the scenes.

If she could bypass the Margrave’s scrutiny and manipulate the seemingly naive queen, it wouldn’t be difficult. Meanwhile, the commoner maid chattered excitedly to the queen.

“You’re truly amazing. I knew you could do anything, but I never imagined you’d become the queen…”

“What? Did you not mean it?” Miesa frowned slightly but then smiled, mimicking Eirik’s incredulous yet amused expression.

Gella hurriedly added in defense, “Oh, no. I mean… You know, I sometimes get ahead of myself… Anyway, it’s such a relief!”

“Well, yes. It’s all good.” Miesa inadvertently used one of Gella’s expressions.

Listening quietly, Eirik raised his hand to intervene. “Your Majesty, while it’s fine to speak casually among a small group, please remember to maintain proper speech in public.”

“I know. Speaking like a queen isn’t difficult,” Miesa replied lightly, as if it were no big deal, then hugged Gella again.

Viscountess Manere’s suspicions were confirmed by Eirik’s words. Now, she stood more relaxed, envisioning a rosy future.

Pleasing the queen seemed as easy as twisting a child’s wrist, and she pictured herself becoming the chief lady-in-waiting and enjoying wealth and honor.

“Are the former Margrave and Margravine alright?” Even as she asked, Miesa held Gella’s hand.

“They haven’t regained consciousness yet, but their complexion and breathing are improving. They’ll wake up soon.”

“Good. That’s a relief. A real relief.”

“It looks like you’re alright. Now, Your Majesty, please eat something.”

When Miesa and Eirik sat at the table, the maids re-entered to serve the meal. Viscountess Manere, observing Miesa using utensils with impeccable grace, found it surprising.

As the meal neared its end, she respectfully bowed and said, “Your Majesty, we urgently need to prepare for the coronation. A day has already passed, so we should start with the dress.”

“Of course.”

Agreeing readily, Miesa returned to the room that once belonged to Vermel’s mother. There, the royal tailor, summoned by Viscountess Manere, was waiting.

Miesa, already briefed while walking through the hallway, stared at the dress hanging on the rack.

“Your Majesty, shall we start by trying on the dress?” With practiced movements, Viscountess Manere guided Miesa behind a screen to help her into the dress.

Standing before the mirror in her mother’s dress, Miesa felt a strange mix of emotions. The plain dress symbolized many things she vaguely understood. Despite its simplicity, it fits Miesa perfectly.

“Thankfully, your body shape is quite similar,” the royal tailor said, “However, the back…”

The royal tailor was taken aback by the scars exposed on her back, but Viscountess Manere quickly intervened. “You’ll wear the mantle from the start. The focus will be on the crown, so no one will question it.”

Having settled the matter, Viscountess Manere discreetly gauged Eirik’s reaction. Satisfied with his approval, she smiled quietly.

“Fortunately, since the former queen wore it in late autumn, the fabric will be quite suitable.”

The royal tailor enthusiastically agreed. However, Miesa’s expression remained somber. Noticing her mood, Eirik approached and knelt beside her.

“You seem tired; let’s stop here for today.”

Eirik, removing Miesa’s shoes as he spoke, received a nod of agreement from Tilberg.

“We’ll also simplify tomorrow’s schedule.”

“Is there a schedule for tomorrow?” Miesa asked.

“Several heads of noble families have requested an audience,” Tilberg replied. “The Marquise Crispin, the Duke of Salachez, and the Grand Justiciar, Marquis Britz…”

As Tilberg trailed off, Eirik stood slowly, a wry smile on his face. “Given their loyalty, they’ve likely rushed to request an audience. And Marquis Britz, he was quite quick for someone who only helped nullify the royal marriage.”

After a moment of hesitation, Miesa asked, “Has there been any contact from the Count of Halitea or the Viscount of Miretta in the Halieti region?”

Both Tilberg and Eirik paused at her inquiry about her mother’s family. Carefully, Tilberg replied, “The news likely hasn’t reached Halieti yet. Even if it arrives by tomorrow morning, it would take three to four days to travel here…”

“But those weaker families might hesitate,” Eirik added. “If you wish to see them before the coronation, it would be best to summon them personally.”

Reflecting on Eirik’s suggestion, Miesa nodded. “Yes, let’s do that.”

By now, the tailor had left, and Miesa, with the help of Viscountess Manere, changed into comfortable loungewear made at the Cladnier estate. While the clothes were well-made and soft, they were not fit for the ruler of the nation, prompting Viscountess Manere to whisper, “I have ordered new attire for Your Majesty.”

“…Good. Thank you.”

Viscountess Manere smiled, finding Miesa’s attempt at regal speech rather endearing.

Wearing indoor shoes, Miesa once again stood before Eirik and Tilberg. Before Tilberg could suggest rest, she interrupted.

“No.”

Having napped all day, Miesa had something she needed to do.

“I want a private meeting with Manere first.”