Waste of Sweat and Blood
Anne looked up to the massive, regal ship floating on the lake. It can clearly carry a dozen of horse-carriage without a problem.
“Mia-sama, why don’t they just build a bridge to the island? That way, they don’t have to carry carriages and people by boat.”
“It seems that there used to be a bridge before. But there were too many disputes over checking admission documents and confirming the accompanying servants.”
No matter how wide or many bridges are, they are always a cause for traffic jams. Since all the students arrive on carriages on the same day, it was easy to imagine the congestion. Adding to that, the ones riding those carriages are children of nobilities or royalties, for whom the concept of “waiting” is totally foreign.
A mishandled dispute may cause the head of a supervisor to fly. Literally.
Similarly, widening and adding more bridges would be quite impractical given how infrequent they are being used.
“Even when they started carrying the carriages by a boat, arguments still broke out over the assigned cabins.”
The children of the royalty and nobles are people with very high pride. They would not allow for those families of lower or equal standing to have a better or bigger cabin than them. It was a nightmare for whoever was in charge.
“It’s terribly stupid to squabble over such matters.”
Mia said an impressive statement as if oblivious to the fact that in the past timeline she made a huge uproar on who gets to the boat first.
However, Anne, who does not know such a thing,
As expected of Mia-sama. She has such a noble heart!
It only made her loyalty for her mistress stronger.
Eventually, they arrived at the port. Upon disembarking, it was time to say goodbye to the coach driver and the guard knights who accompanied them in the journey.
“Everyone, thank you for your hard work of guarding me. May you have a safe journey home. I pray for your well-being.”
“Yes, Your Highness. We and the whole people of the empire, wish you well. May your new life at the academy be filled with God’s blessings.”
Mia once again gives a polite word of gratitude to the captain of the guard knight who bowed his head.
During the revolution, while most of the Imperial Army betrayed the royalty, the Imperial Guard Knights stayed loyal and gave up their lives to protect Mia and the imperial family.
In other words, they were the kind of useful friends that she needs to stay on good terms with. Therefore, she treated them with utmost respect.
“…Your Highness…”
The guard knights were impressed with the warm words that their princess showered on them. After all, it was the first time.
Their work was to guard the imperial family, and sometimes they even do assassinations. But that was considered part of their job. So whether they are injured or killed, it is not something that the ones that they are guarding are concerned with. It is after all, part of the job.
Even so, the little princess in front of was worried about them, and prayed for their safe return. It wasn’t much, but it moved them all the same. They set off back to the Imperial Capital with their hearts flaming with unwavering loyalty for their tiny master.
“Well then… let’s head to the academy.” Mia turned her eyes to Saint Noel Academy, which was going to be her battlefield.
The island in the lake where St. Noel Academy was located contained all the facilities necessary to function as an independent town. It was filled with various shops such as restaurants, clothing tailors, shoe stores, blacksmiths, jewelry stores and stationery stores. What’s more, all of them are super-luxury stores to satisfy the taste of noble children.
“Wow…” Anne said in a mixed tone of awe and aversion. “There are so many shops that look too scary to walk into…”
“Fufu, that’s right. But that’s only true for the main street. There are cheap shops that are meant for the general public that are living on this island. The academy also has its own store that sells most daily necessities at very reasonable prices.”
That is good because I can go there to buy things that I need for myself.
“So Anne, could you make a survey of the shops here starting tomorrow?”
“Huh?”
“In, particular, check out for shops that sell items of decent quality at reasonable prices.” Mia said in a tone as if it was normal.
“But, Mia-sama, you have more than enough allowance that you won’t have to worry about what you will buy.”
“Of course, as a princess of the empire, there are necessary expenses to protect the prestige. But…”
Mia looked around and frowned.
“My allowance is derived from taxes. And I’d rather not squander something that comes from sweat and blood.”
“Mia-sama…” Anne’s voice trembled with emotions as she watched her mistress softly whisper…
“I can’t waste money. I can’t waste sweat and blood. Absolutely not…”
For Mia, it wasn’t a metaphor. How she spends money will literally affect her blood on the guillotine. Every coin wasted was another step closer to the guillotine.
“Half of my allowance will be sent to Ludwig. He can make good use of it.”
Just then, Mia suddenly stopped.
“Mia-sama?”
“That is…”
What stood in front of her sight was…
Comments