âOkay? Your job is to serve the future Crown Princess with all your heart. The happiness of those two is connected to the future of our country, therefore serve with care. You understand, right?â
As Head Court Lady informed us with a serious face, the five of us who had been chosen as Crown Princessâs court ladies deeply bowed.
âââ
Born as the second daughter of a wealthy merchant house I had entered the Royal Palace as a court lady, just how many years has it been already. Of course, by that time rumors about the flawless Crown Prince had already been famous, flawless beauty coupled with a calm personality made him an object of yearning of women of marriageable age all over the country.
Crown Prince whom I caught sight of once in a while was a breathtakingly handsome man. Along with his close aide Alexei-sama at his side, them inducing sighs of admiration was the usual state of things.
But while my fellow court ladies were all enraptured, only I couldnât help but find Crown Prince frightening.
The eyes that seem to smile without meaning it.
The eyes like deep sea that in reality reflect no one.
I think heâs a very beautiful person, but the eyes that showed no interest in anything frightened me.
I couldnât help but find it strange why everybodyâs hearts could beat fast.
With such a reason I wanted to avoid Crown Prince as much as possible.
I had become a court lady at great pains. During my service, I hope to be introduced to a good marriage partner. Thereâs no way I wanted to get close to a person who scared me.
⊠And yet.
âAnnie. You will be appointed as Princess Consortâs court ladyâ
One day I was summoned by Head Court Lady Grimm and whatâs worse appointed to Princess Consort.
âI⊠I will be?â
âThatâs right. The plan is to have four more ladies. For now, Princess Consort is still coming here occasionally, but in half a year sheâll officially marry His Highness and enter the Royal Palace. Until then strive to earn Princess Consortâs trust as much as possibleâ
âYe⊠yesâ
As a mere court lady, I couldnât refuse. Thinking normally, itâs a promotion. It means Iâll be become a court lady attached to Princess Consort.
Actually, when I reported it, Father and Mother were both overjoyed.
But, after all I was scared.
Being attached to Princess Consort also means having to meet that Crown Princes. When I thought of those eyes that truly didnât look at anyone, I couldnât be happy.
Thatâs why, when I first saw Crown Prince alongside Princess Consort, I was truly surprised. I could even say I was shocked.
Crown Princeâs face, as he looked with charmed eyes at Princess Consort, was as sweet as water saturated with sugar, it was completely different from the past inhuman face.
I recalled Head Court Lady talk about how itâs not a marriage of convenience. And that Crown Prince himself wished for the engagement.
With the infatuation thrust before me, I realized that the unthinkable story had actually been true.
Honestly, I was relieved.
Thereâs nothing scary about Crown Prince who favors Princess Consort.
Like this, I thought I may manage somehow.
âââ
Tighten the corset to prepare Princess Consort.
Since sheâs attending the audience of a foreign visitor today, Head Court Lady has been motivated since morning.
Her determination spread onto us.
Iâve only met her a few times, but Princess Consort seems like an amiable person.
She talks with me with a friendly smile on her face.
At first, I was perplexed by her frankness unbefitting the princess of the foremost ducal house, but I came to understand sheâs a big hearted person.
Slender, graceful limbs.
Her skin with a fine smooth texture as expected of the princess of the ducal house had me sigh in admiration.
Worthy of special mention is her thin waist.
Princess Consortâs waist is so thin it could be called the aspiration of maidens.
I found it unfortunate that I still had to tighten the corset, but this is work. Exactly as Head Court Lady ordered, I tightened the corset by three centimeters.
For the sake of her honor Iâll pretend I didnât hear Princess Consort groan gufu .
More importantly.
What surprised me more than anything were red bruises left all over Princess Consortâs body.
Theyâre miraculously scattered where theyâll be hidden by a dress.
Of course, I wonât pretend I donât know what they are.
Princess Consort, who already had the âKingâs Flowerâ, thatâs the proof of marriage, etched, naturally spends nights with Crown Prince.
In the morning when I prepare breakfast, even if I donât want to, I catch sight of traces of the love affair on her body, thereâs no doubt itâs Crown Prince who made those bruises.
Just looking at the obsession of Crown Prince who seems to claim her his own makes me embarrassed. Itâs the same for the other four court ladies.
Since Princess Consort doesnât seem to notice, nobody is saying anything, but we try to avoid looking her in the face as much as possible.
With the corset tightened and slender dress put on, Princess Consort was sat in front of a mirror and us five arranged her makeup and hair.
Princess Consortâs clear facial features go well with makeup. As instructed by Head Court Lady, she was prettily embellished.
The result neednât be said. With good source, naturally the degree of perfection also rises.
Looking at Princess Consort standing in front of the mirror once again, I thought the time spent was well worth it.
When Crown Prince came pick her up at that good timing, we bowed our heads.
Crown Prince who approached Princess Consort looked only at her and praised the result.
Princess Consort flushed and hung her head.
That bashful look was lovely, deep down I was surprised.
⊠I see, I feel I understand Princess Consortâs feelings a little.