Chapter 65 - Growing up (2/2)

"I give free back rubs!"

"Get away pervert!"

The Princess breathed a sigh of relief and started laughing at the sight of this. She was happy that everyone seemed so normal compared to the rigidity they had shown earlier. The Princess picked a random girl just because she seemed like they were of similar age. The Princess never had any friends close to her age as her mother, the Queen, sheltered her most of her life. If it wasn't for Chuhan Jwi, Princess Bang-gwi might not have ever been able to leave the palace without a guard… that and Jwi's Taekwondo skills could be considered masterful.

"My name is Xiǎng Pigu! Princess Bang-gwi, it is an honor to meet you in person!"

Xiǎng Pigu was of Chinese descent and appeared to be about the same age as Princess Bang-gwi. She kept her black hair short and had a rounded face with dimples whenever she smiled. The Princess thought she was adorable since she was barely 1 and a quarter meters tall and was brimming with positive energy. The black military jumpsuit didn't suit her, but at the same time it added to the adorableness by being something she would probably never wear on her own.

The Princess smiled at her and said "Please, just call me Ban!" (Pronounced Bahn)

"That… that won't do! My Xiǎng family are merely commoners and it would be inappropriate!"

"The Marquis said we're all equals here, so treat me as an equal." The Princess said while smiling.

"Ok Princess… I mean… Ban… Then call me Pi or Pigu, whatever you like! We need to get warmed up, the obstacle course is merely basic training since most of us are fresh recruits."

Everyone spent about 20 minutes helping each other stretch and limber up, Princess Bang-gwi noticed a lot of the male soldiers were still stealing glances at her but it didn't faze her as she was used to it. What did slightly disturb the Princess is the ones that seemed to look at her in disdain.

"Pi… why are some of them looking at me in a bad way?" The Princess asked with concern.

"That's…" Xiǎng Pigu didn't answer any further than that causing the Princess to get even more concerned.

"What is it? Please tell me! I want to get along with everyone!"

"Well, some feel you are here just to play soldier and they consider it an insult to other soldiers." Xiǎng Pigu explained. "But don't worry, most of us, like myself, we were forced to join and consider you to be in the same situation as us."

"What?!? I'm… I'm not playing around!" The Princess said.

A large guy with a crew haircut and arms thicker than the Princess's thighs stomped up to Xiǎng Pigu and the Princess and said angrily "This is all a game to you royals and nobles! We would be better off if you just stayed in your palace!"

"How… DARE YOU!" the Princess, having a short temper like her mother, stood up and glared menacingly at the large man. "I dare you to say that again!"

"You heard me, 'Princess', this is just a game to you and the nobility." The man said while gritting his teeth. "Just go back and put on another concert, your last one had such a great finale!"

The Princess was seething with anger at this point. "You… what is your name?"

"Why? Planning on having my family become commoners? We already are!"

"No, I need to know which family to send condolences too for their loss!" The Princess lunged at the guy and threw an uppercut that caught him in the nose. He appeared unfazed despite the little bit of blood that was trickling down it. After receiving that uppercut, the man grabbed her wrist forcefully.

"Vincent Pierce, engrave it in your mind!" He then picked up the Princess by her wrist and tossed her down on the ground.

From behind him came a woman's voice "Hey, muscle brains!"

The last thing Vincent saw was the bottom of a foot as Chuhan Jwi had already started her Spinning Hook Kick, causing Vincent to get knocked off his feet and crash into the ground while foaming slightly at the mouth. After seeing Vincent was knocked out, Chuhan Jwi went to help the Princess up but she refused to let her and instead stood up on her own.

The Princess dusted off her uniform and said "Thank you, but I've already been coddled too long, I need to grow up and not live in this fantasy anymore…"

Chuhan Jwi watched the Princess walk away from her slowly while Xiǎng Pigu continued to try and cheer up the Princess as they headed to the obstacle course.

Chuhan Jwi thought with a sad expression on her face "I'm happy to see you grow up, but also a little sad, the day you no longer need me is approaching…"