Chapter 97

It could not be helped that everyone in the room froze up . The younger maids had basically been caught slacking off . And Maki and Chiharu had already met Chouze as Saintesses . Of course, they had tried to keep a distance from her as they were annoyed . So they did not have that strong of an impression of her .

“Oh, so you’re the one they were talking about . ”

There was no tradition of kneeling before royalty in this world, so Maki just bowed politely .

“My, what unusual hair and eyes . The thin jaw and long eyelashes . You’re just as the maids described!”

The maids looked away uncomfortably . They had not intended for their gossip to be heard by their master .

Hmm . While it was true that Maki made a pretty boy, Chiharu had the same eyes, thin jaw, and long lashes . They even had the same wig color . So it was odd that Maki was the only one to get so much attention . Such were the thoughts in Chiharu’s head .

Maki seemed a little disturbed by the excitement on Chouze’s face . However, this was taken favorably, as it was apparently the natural reaction of a boy that age . After all, she had not noticed that they were Saintesses .

“Um, I think it’s time I take my sister and leave . Thank you for everything . ”

Maki quickly thanked her and then signaled to Chiharu . Chiharu picked up the orange that was left after feeding Norfe, and rushed towards Maki .

“Oh, you’re the child that my brother was carrying earlier . ”

Chouze said as she looked at the orange .

Maki was known as the youth with a beautiful face, but Chiharu was just the orange girl . That didn’t seem very fair at all!

“It’s good that you’re feeling better now . Oh, I know . I’ll let you see the merman before my brother finishes getting changed . ”

“Princess Chouze!”

One of the maids practically screamed .

“I just want someone beautiful to meet someone beautiful . What could be wrong with that?”

“The merman being here is supposed to be a secret . ”

“It’s not a secret, though? After all, he is here by his own free will . ”

“However, such a fish…”

Apparently, the maids were scared of the merman and did not want Maki to meet him .

“Oh, surely you do want to meet him?”

Chouze asked Maki innocently . This was a great opportunity . However, it might affect their plans tonight . Maki hesitated .

“The merfolk are legendary . So I would like to meet one . But I’m not important enough . ”

She said with a shake of her head .

“Oh, how modest of you . Well, Amia can refuse if he wants . And you . Orange girl . He might just like oranges, so you can come too . ”

Chiharu, now known as ‘orange girl,’ looked at Maki . What should we do? We have no choice but to go . And so they decided to take her up on the offer .

“As for the rest of you, stop slacking off and go back to work . ”

Chouze did not forget to rebuke the maids as she took Maki and Chiharu to the room that was four rooms down the hall .

The guards looked displeased when they saw Maki and Chiharu, but they could not go against Chouze . She knocked on the door and then entered without waiting for a reply . Maki and Chiharu stepped inside hesitantly .

“Prince Amia . I brought something very unusual today . ”

Chouze said in an excited voice .

“That is unusual . ”

Came the lazy voice . There, on the sofa, was sprawled a large merman with glimmering, milky white scales . Chiharu couldn’t help but mutter to herself .

“It’s a big tuna…”

“Shh . That’s even worse than me calling someone ‘Rasche . ’”

Maki said frantically .

“Oh, Prince Amia is interested . ”

“Are those Soluna oranges?”

Chouze looked at Chiharu with shining eyes . To be precise, she was looking at the orange that Chiharu was holding . See? Didn’t I say so? That’s what it looked like she was saying . Chiharu had no choice but to nod as if she was impressed .

“Let me eat that . ”

Amia said . And so Chiharu tried to pass the orange to Chouze .

“You . I want you to peel it for me . ”

He said . Chouze nodded gracefully . It was only natural, since this was the kind of work that maids would do .

And so Chiharu was forced to approach Amia . He told her where to stand with his eyes, as he did not want Chouze to see him as he ate . Chiharu moved hesitantly as if she was afraid .

“Why are you here, beloved child?”

Amia whispered . Chiharu peeled the orange and separated the pieces as she answered .

“I should be asking you that, Amia . Saia is worried . ”

“I knew it . This is bad . ”

Amia muttered with a troubled expression . His tail slapped the sofa weakly .

“Ah, Princess Chouze . Merfolk really are as beautiful as they say . ”

Maki coughed and then addressed her . Now was the time .

“We’ll come to rescue you tonight, on the lakeside . It’s time for you to return . ”

“I don’t need help . But I suppose I have no choice . I really am tired now . ”

Amia said as he opened his mouth .

“Huh?”

“Orange . ”

“You’re really going to eat it?”

“It’s my favorite . ”

Chiharu sighed and started tossing them into his mouth .

“Delicious . ”

Amia said loudly . Then he opened his mouth again . Chiharu threw more orange pieces inside .

“Well, it was a good thing I brought the orange girl with us . ”

Yes, yes . The orange girl who fed the prince and the merfolk chief . That’s me . Chiharu couldn’t help but be a little sulky . Once the oranges were gone, Amia said,

“Mm . ”

“Huh?”

“Mm . ”

What did he mean by leaning forward like that? Chiharu rummaged in her pockets for a handkerchief and then wiped his mouth .

“Mm . ”

She supposed that was a satisfied grunt . Just then, someone knocked on the door and then entered without waiting for a reply .

“Excuse me . ”

The person who came in was Norfe . Both of them came in without waiting . They were very rude siblings .

“Norfe!”

Chouze brightened up at the sight of him . Norfe glanced at her before turning to Amia . Then his eyes widened . Chiharu was used to seeing them, but she supposed that it was different for most people .

“Merman and orange girl . ”

Enough with the ‘orange girl’! Chiharu’s shoulders dropped . Then Maki interrupted them .

“Well, we best be going now . Princess Chouze, thank you for letting us see such a beautiful person . ”

Chouze then gave them permission to leave, though she seemed very reluctant to do so .

“Yes, I suppose you must . You may leave . ”

Chiharu rushed to where Maki was standing . Then they both bowed and hurried out of the room . The guards glared at them as they ran down the hallway and to the door . When Maki was sure that no one was watching, she whispered to Chiharu .

“I don’t think Edwy and Aaron will come, since they would be recognized . We have to leave town . Or the whole plan will be ruined . ”

“Yes . ”

“Also, you’re going to get lectured later, Chiharu!”

“What? But it was out of my control!”

She groaned . And so they ran from the villa, got made fun of in the market square, reunited with Edwy, and then left the town . Not returning immediately would have invited suspicion .