Chapter 8 - Are You Willing to ply?

  -In the Moonlit Tearoom Cafe-

  The Moonlit Tearoom Cafe was bustling with patrons, ughter, and the king of cups, but all I could feel was the weight of my mission pressing down on me.

  My, my ever-curious panion, broke the silence. “I still don't get why we're here, Princess.”

  “You'll know soon. Just follow me,” I replied, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me.

  As we sat down on a table, My raised her hand to get the waitress's attention. “Excuse me, Miss.”

  “Apologies for the dey. Please pce your order,” the waitress said, her tone professional yet distant.

  “Sit down,” I ordered, pointing to the chair opposite us, my voice sharper than I intended.

  “Hmm? Pardon?” the waitress stammered, looking perplexed.

  "I ordered you to sit down," I repeated, my tone firm.

  “Wh-why?” she questioned hesitantly, her eyes dartiween My and me.

  “Just shut up and do as My Lady says already!” My excimed, her frustration boiling over.

  What do they want from me? The waitress thought, feeling a mix of annoyand urgency. “Fine.”

  I removed the hood of my cloak, revealing my identity. The waitress's eyes widened in shock. “Yo-Your Ha-Highness!” she shouted, jumping up from her seat.

  “Shhhh!” I pced my index finger on my lips, urgio lower her voibsp;

  “What is Yhness doing here?” she whispered, her voice trembling as she sank bato her chair.

  “Leena,” I said, my tone firm, “I'd like for you to resolve my query.”

  Suddenly, Leena began to sob, her posure crumbling. “Yhness, it's all my fault...I couldn't even protect Her Late Majesty,...” Her tears flowed freely, and I felt a pang of empathy.

  “Leena, I implore you, this is not the moment for tears. We must remain posed and focused oask at hand,” I excimed, my voice steadying as I tried tain trol of the situation.

  Leena's sobs only intensified. “I was her Lady in Waiting! I was supposed to protect her!” The weight of her guilt hung heavily in the air.

  Leena Lobis, was actually My Mother's Lady in Waiting. My mother's most trusted fidant and attendant. Always by her side, Leena atteo her every whim, ensurimost fort. Her unwavering loyalty aioruly exceptional, making her an indispensable part of our household. It's no wonder she feels guilty and bmes herself for failing to protect my mother, as she was deeply ied in her well-being.

  If I recall, it was ary in Domino for the children of noble families to be sent to the temple to learn about God and his teags, in order to bee respected members of society. Thus, Leena was forced to lead a life of servitude aion iemple during the tumultuous flict between my mother and the e.

  Essentially, it was a strategic move on the part of the Lobis Household to distahemselves from the cshes within the Dominion Royal Family, to maintain their image and avoid any potential political entas. This was their primary means of survival, especially sidering the corruption that had taken root within the Lobis Family's head.

  “Leena, I must regrettably cut our versation short,” I said, my voice softening. “However, I assure you that I will make time to speak with you again soon. At present, there is a matter of greater urgency that I must attend to. I need information about a particur man eared to be a Holy Knight. He had striking golden eyes and vivid yellow-gold hair. His muscur build was notable, and even the pope seemed intimidated by his presence-”

  “Lord Heron!” Leena interrupted, her voice rising in arm. “That rascal!”

  “What about him?” I asked, intrigued.

  "Yhness, please do NOT associate with him at any cost. He's known for his deceitful ways and maniputive tactics, and he's led all ranking people to their path of destru. He ot be trusted under any circumstances. His charm and charisma may be entig, but do not be fooled by his facade. His ultimate ambition is always self-serving, and he will stop at nothing to achieve it, even if it means sacrifig others in the process. Stay vigint and protect yourself from falling victim to his manipution.

  From what I remember, he was always impulsive during his training. Not a single one of his oppos came out unharmed or unscratched. He always wao be at the top of the dder, be it in studies or society. Always doing whatever he to climb up the dder. And now that he's got a little wealth, he's bribing all those who he deems worthless or even a threat to his position. He's willing to do whatever it takes to maintain his status." said Leena.

  So the Royal Family's got no clue about the Temple's hidden orchestrator and the fact that Leena called him a Rascal. She definitely is hiding something. Rather...this is getting pretty fun. I thought, smirking.

  “Thank you, Leena. I will e visit aime. Until then, please take care of yourself,” I said, rising from my seat.

  "Ah, Yhness, one more thing. If you ever enter him, and he says something bad to you, then just say "Vareena". The name Vareena will make him stop immediately."

  "I'd like to stop by, and ask what's the reasoning behind her name, but unfortunately, it'll have to wait."

  "I uand. But Yhness, if you're perhaps pnning t dowemple, you have my full support. Additionally, I'll give you updates oemple's affair, if possible."

  "Once again, Thank you. I'll really appreciate that." I replied.

  -In the Carriage-

  As we settled into the carriage, My broke the silence. “Woah, to think a Temple Maid was w in a cafe!” she excimed, her voice filled with disbelief.

  Ah, the Princess doesn't seem to be in a good mood anymore.......but I'm....My thought.

  I could sense My's curiosity bubblih the surface. “Is there something you're curious about, My?” I asked, gng at her.

  “Huh? How’d you know?” she stammered, her cheeks flushing.

  “Your facial expression tells it all,” I said, a hint of amusement creeping into my tone.

  "Huh? Oh God! I o get a hold of myself!” she muttered, spping her cheeks in a futile attempt to pose herself.

  “Please cease inflig harm upon yourself,” I replied, my voice ft as I turned my gaze out the window, the sery blurring past.

  “Yhness, I wao know about the Lobis household. From what I know, the head didn’t go corrupt; rather, he was framed for crimes he didn’t it. I believe there’s more to the story than what meets the eye, and it may be worth iigating further,” My suggested, her brow furrowing in thought.

  “...” I remained silent, pting her words.

  “Yhness, I suggest looking into the Lobis household situation further to uhe truth behind the framing of the head. It could reveal a deeper spiracy that needs addressing. I suspect that waitress; her expression when you ordered her to sit down was so...unforeseen,” My added, her eyes glinting with intrigue.

  “I agree with your st statement,” I affirmed, my mind rag with possibilities as I tio gaze out the window.

  “Yhness, we’ve arrived at the destination,” the an announced, pulling me from my thoughts.

  “My, I want you to remain in the carriage,” I requested, my tone firm.

  “Alright, Princess,” she replied, her voice tinged with . I could sense her worry for me, but I o face this challenge alone.

  -At the Bar-

  As I stepped into the bar, the atmosphere struck me like a wave. Wow. Look at them. Drinking as if they have been stranded in the desert for days. It's only happy hour, but they're already knog back shots like there's no tomorrow. It's almost like they're trying to escape from something, drowning their sorrows in alcohol. I thought, gng around.

  I sed the room, and my gaze nded on a man. Oh! Seems like that man's not drinking. I guess he's the only one sane here right now. I thought, striding towards him.

  “Hello,” I voiced, raising my voice above the cacophony of drunken ughter and raucous versations.

  “Greetings. And what might a prestigious dy like yourself be doing in such a shabby pce?” he replied, his voice hoarse, his head bowed low.

  “I have a job offer for you,” I decred, my voice steady and anding. “I’d like to hire you as my hen. Are you willing to ply?”

  “Why would aeemed dy choose a filthy man like myself?” he questioned, skepticism g his tone.

  “You will be paid the sum of your wish,” I replied, my eyes narrowing as I gauged his rea.

  “Sum of my wish? I have no wish,” he said, a hint of defian his voice.

  "The one." I ordered.

  “How? Will you help me?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

  “It depends on your performance,” I said, my tone leaving no room for doubt.

  He scoffed, a smirk pying on his lips. “Very well then, I’ll ply with you, My Lady.”

  "Then follow me." I added.

  -Infront of the Carriage-

  “Get in,” I ordered as roached the carriage.

  “Seems like the dy’s got...” he began, but I cut him off.

  “Shut up and do as I say,” I interrupted, my voice firm.

  Hmm....the dy's got real guts herself. I wonder what neter will unfold in my life from here on out! He thought, stepping in the carriage.

  To be tinued...