One week passed, I was feeling much better than before.
To be honest, I hate the idea of being cooped up in bed for five days. I was itching to go out and walk around, I don't normally do that when I'm healthy.
"..." I should really start exercising. I should build stamina, and strength. I looked out of the window. "Nevermind. Forget what I said." Even though it was spring, the sunlight was strong, I couldn't stand the heat. My pale skin could get several sunburn just standing outside for one hour. I guess I was born as a shut-in.
"Let's wait for winter?" It seems that summer in the castle is way warmer than in my old village?
Passing by, Blossom looked at me. "...Princess, you talk to yourself?.."
I looked at her with dead eyes. "You didn't know?"
She looked at me. "..." She turned and left. I could feel fake tears dripping.
I grabbed a tea cup and took a sip. "Ah!" It was too hot! Shouldn't it be cool? Don't tell me the window was the heating source. And why is it tea and tea everyday, every hour?! Can't I just drink normal water or juice?
I asked the closest person. "Lucy? Can we order curtains for all the windows?"
"Why? Isn't it better to let the air in?" She looked bored. Being at my side was meant to take care of me. Do I do anything interesting? Guess not. I'm passive, I hate getting in trouble.
My daily routine was eating, reading and sleeping. I'm a simple girl, afterall.
"..." I wonder who is the master between us? "Even with curtains, the air can come in."
She got the hint, I wanted another answer. "Our allowance is getting very low."
"..." I swear, all my expenses only make a dent to the money they give us every month, which could be considered very low, if we were comparing with the other members.
This means...The money was for feeding her!
"You are no longer permitted to eat with me! Eat with the others!"
"No!! Sniff sniff. Goodbye good food!"
I gave her a cold look. "Isn't the cafeteria's food and mine the same, maybe a little better?"
"Do you think it's as good as the head chef's cuisine?"
My meals were prepared for me, it was a higher quality than the servants. It was more expensive.
"The more people, the more ingredients! The more chefs! The more we pay!" I reasoned. "Do you think they work for free? I have to pay for them! Not the king!"
She gave me a sad face.
"Then I shall just eat the same food as the servant. Now you can't complain." It should save some money. Every cent matters.
"Alright..Hehe…"
The sad thing is that I have to pay for everything! I live in a different building than the family. I also have to manage this estate alone! Who in their right minds leaves a child as a landlord?
Well..There is...There was the head butler, whom I never met. He was supposed to do it in my place..Guess what? He retired, without any permissions.
The building is smaller than the main palace. It had two floors, the quality was..Not the best.
It takes a good ten minutes of walking to reach the palace.
The funny thing was, I was kicked out of the palace. The day I got the fever, the queen ordered me to move to this place. I was sleeping when they took the decision, and threw me out.
I can feel my soul fading. I should've died that day. Curse that new queen! She's on my enemies list! How dare she!
Well...It will make no difference if I live there or here. Just more work.
Plus..I don't have to meet the troublesome step-siblings anytime soon. And I get my personal library! … "I miss my cute Ava…" I pouted.
I sighed, I should go back and go work. My work consisted of employees management, food distribution, property management,and finance management, of course only for this building. It was pretty easy, I felt like it was extra homework, this place was in the king's territory, I only needed to give him reports. He'll do the rest, good for me. Grace has also been helping me. I really need to hire a head butler.
I glanced at the clock, dinner time. Lucy came in. "Here you go,princess."
I asked her to put it on the corner while I continued working.
===
I hate you, procrastinator old man! Not only did you leave, but you didn't even finish your late work! It's been two months you haven't finished a single report! Worst, the deadline is tomorrow!
I could feel my brain draining, I should take a break. I spot my dinner, a bowl of ragout with bread. I was disgusted..I hate ragout! And in this weather?
"Urgh! For the money..Money.. Moon, just eat it!"
It's been about a month since I stepped in the royal family. I have gone used to eating gourmets, this gives me the feeling of being back 'home'. The stew was simple, with a pinch of flavor, and with vegetables. It was better than my old cooking. I feel bad for mother, eating my cooking everyday. It's a good thing that it was barely 'edible'.
I finished my meal just in time for my etiquette class with Marchioness Agatha, also known as a sadist in my personal dictionary. "Let ME IN! OPEN THE DOOR you Filth!" I heard. Someone was kicking the door. I knew by her voice, it was her.
She barged in.
"Come in." I said, as if she didn't rudely open the door.
I was sitting on my chair, leaning on my desk. "Why. Hello. Marchioness. AGATHA." I smiled.
She saw me and uttered. "Tsk. I guess you haven't learned your lessons! You dare not stand up to greet me. You dare not assign me to a drawing room. You dare to make ME stand up."
"Come over here! Stand up! And lift up your skirt! You need a beating!" She roared.
I had been pretty lenient towards her during our past classes. I had to learn proper etiquettes for the ball, I didn't want to lose face there. Since that period was done, I don't need her anymore. I can just call someone else.
"What if I don't?" Did Ruby get taught by this woman? Is that why they are so similar?
She roared. "...You WILL COME HERE!"
"Oh my. Where did your calmness and grace go? Wasn't it rule number ten? Should you be taught again by your discipline?" I remarked. "You even broke rule three, making greetings to your higher one. Who between us is the higher one?"
"OF COURSE IT'S ME! YOU'RE JUST A COMMONER!!!" She screamed.
Just why do people forget my title?
"Oh! I thought I was a princess..A position higher than yours. Maybe I was just delusional? Oh, silly me. I forgot, the king announced it. Did you perhaps not go to the ball?"
"Mmh..But Grace, a baroness did come. I met almost everyone I knew, but not you? I can say my vision is pretty great..Did you not come?"
"Y-YOU!!"
"Rule five, be polite. Rule thirteen, don't scream.Fifteen, act respectful. " I said.
"And..Why should I stand up? Why should I prepare you a seat? You barged in like a hungry animal. You came into my territory without permission, nor announced.You say?You'll beat me?"
"You called me a hungry animal?! How dare you trash! I'm going to speak with the king."
"Hoho...You're so funny..Marchioness AGATHA. What makes you think you'll easily talk with the king? Even I have to wait to speak with him. Will he care about you? And if he does, what makes you think that you're going to win the fight? I have more evidence than you,plus it makes sense."
"W-What?!"
"Fufu..Don't act stupid. You left the door wide open. There are tons of witnesses, you can count them if you'd like. Nevermind, guards please throw out this crazy animal out of my sight."
They dragged her out. I, who was inside, could still hear her shout from here. God, she's so loud! Why am I surrounded by headaches? Poor me. Let me relax!