I wonder if I've always been envious of Rishya?

N-no! Not just of her chest!

She's always been around.

I think it's actually just that. I'm a no-good princess that can't hold a fork right and likes twirling a spear, and I always was. I remember that she was introduced after I managed to scare off five other girls meant to be my playmates.

But unlike those other girls, no matter how scared she was, or how I made her cry, she never stopped. When everyone shook their heads at me and started to give up, she was still there.

At some point, I realised she would never leave me. And then, I spent an hour crying on her lap, with her stroking my head. I think she may have even saved me back then.

I'm a coward, really. I avoided her because I knew she would follow me, no questions asked.

"Have you fallen in love with the Etranger, Aria?" Rishya questions, suddenly pinning me against the wall, making a big splash.

Whatthehellisthatholysendervilhavemercythiseviliseverywhere.

"W-what the hell are you blathering about!" I spit.

Her red eyes narrow and I look away, focusing on the water.

"I thought so!" She crows triumphantly, flicking water at me.

"Whatever you thought is wrong!" I roar, blowing her away under an abrupt tsunami from my super strength.

As she surfaces she looks like a drowned rat, and splorts out a jet of water from her nose, but then starts giggling furiously. For some reason, it's infectious and I'm also soon laughing myself to death.

After we calm down, she pats me on the shoulder as rivulets of water roll down her peaches.

"You're an idiot, Aria. Whatever is there to like about that shameless dolt? His face?"

I sigh, and I tell her of all the things he has done for me these past few days. Afterwards, she has her fingers on her temple and eyes shut.

"It is hard for me to picture all this, Aria. His first move to me was to grope me and then describe sex in detail." She quips.

"Rishya... you brought that on yourself. The other girls were always talking behind your back about your dumb fantasy about lovemaking. And you know it!"

"But! It would have been nice to dream a little longer. It is most likely my fate to be sold out to the highest bidder. If that had been the point my fantasy shattered, I could have lived easier with it..." she looks morose.

"Not if I can help it! And your father is not the sort to just exchange you for deeds and territory!" I exclaim.

"Not without my consent, no." She shakes her head. "But that is ultimately the fate of all noble daughters. Even princesses. Even Yuuzu. She is running off to be an adventurer as well... but she is just playing for time."

We both sigh and spend about another five minutes lounging in the steaming water. Even though I'm used to getting smelly in the adventuring life, I'll never not enjoy a bath, especially in Mullight estate, which apparently abuses magical power to form an artificial hot spring.

"I suppose all this is worthless worrying. First... we must stop the demons after all. And for that... only an Etranger will work. Cadence already died. Melody might as well be dead. So Elijah is the last chance. I am the last chance." I say.

Rishya looks sad, and hugs me.

"Well... I still don't like him." She whispers in my ear. "But he shares your burden, as I do. So perhaps he warrants further observation. I will tolerate him for now." She states imperiously.

"I'm sure he'll have his hooks in you as well, Rish-chan." I give her a wry smile as she lets me go.

"I... I won't allow it! E-even his eyes are lewd! Hmmph!" She denies it, crossing her arms protectively across her chest.

We'll see. I have an eye for people, and my competition is already fierce...

A knock resounds on the exterior door. It is the head housemaid, Catarina.

"Your majesty! Ojou-sama! Your dresses are ready!"

Well, times up. I was about to shrivel up from the heat anyway. Let’s get ready!