A vacation? I asked.
Yes. Or do you not want to let me have a vacation? asked Luna.
I nodded and then placed down my cup of tea. I touched my chin and said, Yes, mm, youre right You should have a vacation to rest You have one year and ten days worth of vacation time But I dont know why you chose to take a vacation now all of a sudden.
It was fine for Luna to have a vacation. I didnt think itd be good for her health if she continued working all the time, either. It was just that I didnt know why then, when it wasnt a festival or her birthday.
My expression read, Why does Luna want to take a vacation now? Could it be that she wants to go on a holiday or have I made a mistake somewhere and shes angry?
Luna softly giggled. She explained, You do not need to worry, Your Majesty. I am not planning anything. I just want to have a break. It will not be for long. I will be back after three days. I just want to go to Troy City to soak in the hot springs and have a rest.
Nier looked at Luna then turned away without saying anything. Nier seemed to be a little displeased. Lucia, on the other hand, was excited. She then looked to me and exclaimed, Your Highness! I want to go the hot springs, too! I really want to go, too.
I apologetically laughed: You want to go with Luna, then? If you want to go with me, youll have to wait until winter.
Lucia looked at Nier. Nier looked back at Lucia with eyes brimming with hope. Nier eagerly waved her hand: Go, go. You really want to go to the hot springs, dont you? Luna is going, as well, so you might as well go with her. Its fine. Ill take care of Nona and Vera for you. Go, go.
As if Im going! Lucia pulled a funny face at Nier. Lucia then said to me, Ill wait until winter, then. I wanted to go to the hot springs with you, Your Highness. Having you with me is the important part.
Luna nodded with a smile then bowed: Sorry, Your Majesty, but I shall be back in three days, then. I have already selected a maid to take care of you during this time. She is new, but she is diligent. She is also very reassuring. Is that all right with you?
I nodded: If youre the one recommending her, then Im fine. I dont have many requirements for personal servants. I just need them to be absolutely loyal. And, since youre recommending her, I dont mind. That said, Ive never seen this maid. Is she here right now? I want to see her.
All right.
It feels so strange in a human body My heart is racing Hes just an idiot I get to see every day. Hes just an elf. Im a King just as he is. Im of equal status. Normally, I wouldnt need to be afraid of anything. Hes a radiant King to others, but to me, hes just an ordinary elf.
Why, though, do I feel so weird in front of him? This is my first time looking at him straight in the face. Why is my heart beating so fast? Why? Why is my heart hurting so much? Why am I so scared? Why do I feel so embarrassed that I just want to run away?
This is not me. This is not how I normally am. Why am I shy? Why do I not even dare to raise my head? Why cant I look him in the face? This isnt me. This isnt the real me. Why do I feel so shy and become so scared of meeting his eyes when Im in my human form? Why? frantically pondered the maid standing in front of Troy.
I looked at the quivering maid before me and spaced out for a bit. I had never seen her before, and she looked as though she had a weak constitution. Her face was pale. She was so thin that she was akin to a coat hanger. Personal servants and maids had incredibly tiring jobs. They were busy from day till night. Under normal circumstances, maids and personal servants werent thin. I couldnt help but feel that the maid wasnt qualified.
This maid is? I asked.
The young girl with short hair was quivering ever so slightly. Her hair by her forehead covered her face that she had down. I couldnt see her expression. She gripped her clothing tight as though she was going to rip it. She just made a few utterances that didnt mean anything. I had no idea what she was trying to articulate. She just trembled with her head down. Her behaviour led to Nier revealing a mocking smile. Nier almost laughed.
Luna looked at the speechless maid. After some hesitation, she spoke up on her behalf: Her name is, um Bai Lu Bai Lu
Bai Lu, was it? I repeated.
The name was indeed slightly weird. It wasnt a name from this side of the world; it sounded more similar to a name from Ying and Xias side. Perhaps she was a maid from there. I nodded: Bai Lu, was it? You dont need to be nervous. You mustve seen me before, since youre a maid in the Imperial Palace. You dont need to be nervous. Im just an ordinary person at the end of the day. I dont easily get angry, either, so you have no need to worry.
I tried to comfort Bai Lu. She maintained her head down position and continued shaking. Honestly, I was a little dissatisfied by then. How was she supposed to be my personal servant if she didnt even dare to raise her head? If I urgently needed her, was I supposed to spend a long time try to get her to warm up to me? Moreover, I had never seen her before. Could she really fulfil the duties of a personal servant, I questioned.
She is a new maid. Though she is very shy, there is no room for questioning her loyalty. However, I hope you can forgive her if she makes mistakes. She has always wished to see you, so she is really nervous right now.
Lunas expression looked as though she was somewhat dreading it, as well. I looked to Bai Lu. Indeed, I couldnt sense any malicious will from her; but nonetheless, I never saw her eyes, so I was a tad suspicious. I walked up to her and grabbed her chin. She shuddered and let out a soft moan. I lifted her chin. Her shaky eyes that had fear written on them focused on my face. Her face virtually burnt up when she saw me. She stuttered as if she was going to cry. I wondered, Is she that shy?
I couldnt see any schemes or malicious will from Bai Lus eyes. All I saw was overwhelming fear and nervousness. I let go and turned to Luna: All right. Except, can she complete her duties as a maid? If I have to personally do things that my personal servant should be doing, I may as well not have one.
That
Luna revealed an awkward expression. She did say Bai Lu was new; however, my impression told me that Bai Lu wasnt new. I was quite certain Bai Lu suddenly appeared in the Imperial Palace. Id never seen her before, and I hadnt recruited maids recently.
I can!!
I heard a weak voice. It was supposed to be strong, but it sounded timid when it came from the young girl. I looked at her with a blank look. Bai Lu raised her head up again. She had her fists tightly clenched. She nervously stammered, I can! I can!! Your Majesty, I-I c-cang
I smiled, and then touched her head. I turned around and said, Good, then. Since youre determined, I think youll do well. Luna, hand over your duties to her before you leave.
Understood. Luna bowed then let out a breath of relief before dragging Bai Lu off with her.
I sat back down at the dining table, only to see Lucias odd gaze on me. She snorted: Your Highness, you must certainly like this sort of meek looking girl, huh? Shes your cup of tea, isnt she?
Says who?! I exclaimed. I smiled helplessly: I dont have that sort of agenda. Its my first time seeing her, too. I dont have any sorts of ideas for her.
Exactly. His Majesty prefers women with relatively ample goods. How could he like a young girl whos as thin as a sheet of paper? Dont you agree, Lucia? How embarrassing, I bet Nona will have a more impressive body than yours when she grows up. Your daughter might surpass you.
Nier proudly puffed her chest out, while Lucia gritted her teeth tightly, though she didnt say anything. I smiled helplessly again: I didnt say anything. I cant force Luna to stay if she wants a vacation, right? Also, its normal for her to want a break. Ive never seen the girl before, but I dont see a problem with her. I dont really care if maids cant do jobs. I just need them to be loyal.
Lucia nodded: True that. After all, you do lots of things yourself. Nonetheless, it is a little dangerous to have this maid weve never seen before be your personal servant. After all, we dont know where shes from. I think we need to ask Freya.
I nodded: Ill go ask Freya a bit later.
========
One hour later.
Freya looked through the roster and responded with a smile, There has been, indeed. She is not new, either. To be correct, she has been with you since your time at Troy City. It sounds to me as though you do not pay attention to the maids around you. That is not good news to me. That means you would not notice if somebody sent a disguised maid to assassinate you.
I chuckled: I dont think thatll happen. I dont sense any hostility from the maid. In any case, thats reassuring to know.
I turned to leave, while Freya revealed a strange smile from behind. She then shut the document and tossed it into the rubbish bin. It was fake, anyway, so it didnt matter.
Glossary
*C-Cang
That is a deliberate typo during the White Deer Kings stuttering.

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