Chapter 234 - Worthy (1/2)

'We should be grateful for everything the royal family has done for us. In exchange, there is only one thing I can think of. My only daughter, you must protect the Princess.'

Back then, before she met Princess Lyn, Pupillam imagined a Princess with vibrant hair, jewel-colored eyes, and skin as soft as snow. Somebody who carried herself with such elegance despite her situation. However, while she did get that, there was something more to the Princess. People often felt sorry for her, because she was a girl and born into a family who made weapons. They often said it was a shame because her appearance was one of her strong points. However, Pupillam always smiled and told them she never regretted it. Because she didn't, if she weren't a member of her family, she would never have met Princess Lyn.

At the funeral of a noble, Pupillam laid her eyes on the young Princess for the first time. She gave off a strong and dignified air.

--

Year 40XX Military Academy

”Pupillam Consillaro.”

Pupillam turned and spotted a guy with short blonde hair and a gentle smile on his face. This person is the third son of the famous household.

”Ah, good morning.”

”Yes, I heard that you'd be attending here for a while.”

Pupillam nodded, ”Before I serve the Princess, I must get a qualification first.”

Lucas chuckled, ”Surely, you don't need that?”

”It's a mere formality; people are aware that I have sufficient skills.”

”But the Princess your serving...”

”I'm sure you've been informed about her. It's the second Princess.”

”The Princess who is living in isolation,” Lucas nodded, ”When I heard about it I was surprised. But it is not uncommon for elite families to hide a child or two. She's the legit child of Queen Orthez though, so I do not understand why they keep her away.”

Certainly, Lucas made a point there, royal families only hideaway children because they are illegitimate. There is no need to hide a legal child, ”Perhaps her abilities fall short of what's expected?”

Pupillam shook her head, ”It's probably the opposite.”

Lucas paused but then nodded, ”If so, you'll have to do your best protecting her.”

Pupillam nodded. If it's the opposite, then the instructions those people gave her made a lot of sense. 'Ensure that she is within sight at all times, call for help if need be.' If it were a simple guarding the Princess job, such instructions would be considered unusual. That's why Pupillam felt there was more to it than what they said. So she thought long and hard about it, this was the only conclusion she could come up with.

”I heard your brother was hurt recently,” Pupillam decided to change the topic. Thankfully, Lucas didn't question her.

”He's very careless. I haven't seen him in so long myself, but he went ahead and got hurt.”

”He's studying in another country, right? Are you okay with that?”

”Were half brothers, and his mother's new husband lives there, so it's only natural he stays there. But I'm very worried about him.”

”It does seem like he gets into a lot of trouble.”

”Indeed, but I'm glad he is so lively,” Lucas trailed off. ” You'll be serving the Princess in the castle soon, are you not bothered? Your lifestyle will be restricted too.”

”It's an honor for me to serve her. My parents told me to act as her companion too, so it makes me wonder what kind of life she's lived until now.”

The mysterious Princess, what sort of person is she?

”And you? What will you do when these six months are over?”

”I was thinking; I'd serve at the main castle too...” Lucas trailed off, ”Has your family name ever disgusted you?”

”It hasn't, you...”

Lucas smiled bitterly, ”I see. It feels like I've lost the proud feeling I once had towards my family name. But I do understand; without my family name, I'm nothing.”

----