Adjustment period (not really) (Part 6)

Indeed, Luo Bing’ai’er truly understood the minds of her superiors; it was no wonder Father Emperor had promoted her to Head Maid.

I wondered how her ship-scuttling operation was progressing.

I set down my griffin pillow, slipped on my slippers, and tiptoed out of my bedchamber.

Only because the palace corridors were bathed in the warm glow of countless candles, even in the dead of night, did I dare to step out.

I noticed guards were still stationed there.

The security was incredibly tight, wasn’t it? That made me feel even more at ease.

I clasped my small hands behind my back, tilted my head, and looked up at them, asking, “Aren’t you tired, staying up so late?”

A moment of silence passed as the two of them seemed flustered, unsure how to react to such an unexpected inquiry.

One of them stammered in response: “It is our duty to protect you, Your Royal Highness.”

“Will someone relieve you?”

“They will, at dawn.”

“I see. Thank you for your hard work then.”

“Your Royal Highness, where are you going at such a late hour?”

“I can’t sleep, so I’m just taking a stroll. Whatever you do, don’t follow me!” With that, I quickly gathered my skirt and ran off.

I glanced back and saw that they hadn’t dared to follow.

It seemed my words, as the Princess, still carried considerable weight, didn’t they?

My chambers seemed to be quite high up. Could I gaze upon the harbor from here?

I walked towards the window, only to coincidentally find a frail-looking young boy standing there as well!

Though only his back was visible, I would recognize his blue top, shorts, and golden hair long enough to be tied into a braid anywhere, even if I were turned to ash!

After all, we argued every time we met, and over time, I had become intimately familiar with the sight of his angry retreating figure.

In the dead of night, what was he looking at with a telescope?

Utterly perplexed, I stealthily approached him from behind and lightly tapped his shoulder— “Hey, what are you doing?”

“W-wah!” His cowlick shot straight up in alarm.

His reaction was utterly adorable, making me chuckle.

For some reason, scaring him always brought me immense joy.

“It’s you?” He looked at me nervously, a hint of awkwardness in his gaze, likely due to our recent argument.

“Why are you so scared to see me?”

“It’s because you’re white from head to toe, like a ghost!”

“I think it’s not fear of ghosts, but a guilty conscience, isn’t it? What are you secretly watching with that telescope in the middle of the night?”

“Who’s secretly watching anything? Don’t make baseless accusations!”

I cast my gaze in that direction— “Isn’t that the direction of the harbor? What are you staring at the harbor for?”

“I… didn’t I tell you I’m leaving tomorrow? I’m merely inspecting the condition of the ship!” he declared, his voice full of righteous indignation.

Wait a minute…

Could this fellow have guessed I was planning to scuttle his ship?

Was he deliberately here to keep watch?

No, no, how could he possibly have guessed?

It must be a coincidence! Yes, yes, he must just be overly cautious, which only goes to show how desperately he wants to leave, right?

I couldn’t help but feel bewildered.

For someone like him, was it truly necessary to resort to a petty trick like scuttling his ship to keep him?

Perhaps it would be better to let him go, and for us to part on good terms?

However… it was probably too late for such thoughts now, wasn’t it?

Tomorrow morning, he would discover his ship stranded in the harbor.

Still, he could always just switch to another ship, I mused with a huff.

After all, there was no stopping someone truly determined to leave; he could even swim back to Britannia if he wished.

Just then, I heard the heavy, rhythmic thud of approaching footsteps. I turned back—

A large contingent of guards appeared!

And not only that, they were escorting Luo Bing’ai’er…

I couldn’t help but swallow nervously.

Hadn’t we agreed that this would be done without anyone noticing? How had she still been caught?

Oh no, I could only pray she wouldn’t implicate me now!

“Your Royal Highness, we are deeply sorry to disturb you at such a late hour. It is merely that this maid claims she was acting under your orders to scuttle the Prince of Britannia’s ship.”

She sold me out! And right in front of the Prince of Britannia, no less!

My face drained of color in utter shock.

At this very moment, my heart felt utterly shattered!

“The person in question is right beside me; couldn’t you have brought this up in a different setting…?”