Now Malyn’s tone was openly sarcastic. However, the princess simply nodded, picked up the box, and opened it. Inside were the pearls and gold trinkets Malyn had taken from her hair. The gold earrings, the necklace with the blue gemstone, and the golden tiara were all clearly visible. Malyn looked at the princess silently.

“Among these, the necklace with the blue gemstone is off-limits because it was a gift from my mother.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“It means, except for the necklace, I want to give everything else to you.”

Malyn’s eyes widened in surprise before narrowing suspiciously. There had to be a reason why the princess was suddenly offering her such a large amount of wealth. The sweeter the offer, the bigger the catch – Malyn knew that only too well, even at the age of twenty. She had been deceived before, lured by promises of warm white bread and a cosy place to sleep in the dead of winter, only to end up in terrible situations. This wasn’t the first or second time.

“The price is too great; it frightens me. Please, Your Highness, give me a task more suited to my standing.”

Malyn said, waving her hand as if scared. But the princess shook her head.

“Seeing you act like this only makes me trust you more. And this is just the smallest reward you’ll receive.”

“…What is it that you want me to do?”

“Something worth far more than… this golden crown.”

The princess held up the tiara. It was crafted as delicately as possible, though still too heavy to be considered truly elegant. Malyn’s eyes followed it.

“You could end up wearing a golden crown ten times heavier than this one, you know.”

“…Are you saying…”

Princess Layla’s pale complexion stood in stark contrast to the yellow-gold crown, and Malyn found the contrast strangely peculiar. Princess Layla spoke slowly.

“…I am asking if you would consider becoming the queen of Veldam.”

That was the meaning behind her words about a crown ten times heavier. Malyn was stunned, falling flat on the ground in shock.

“What are you saying, Your Highness? How could someone like me, a mere commoner, possibly do such a thing?”

“No. It is possible.”

“But, Your Highness, even if you say that…”

Malyn, who had spoken without thinking, bit her tongue. Essentially, what she had implied was, ‘Even if you tell the king of Veldam to take me as his queen, would the king really listen to someone like you?’—a highly disrespectful statement. The princess let out a brief, dry laugh, and Malyn swallowed hard, quickly bowing her forehead to the ground.

“I’ve committed an unforgivable offense!”

Thud, thud. Malyn kept banging her forehead on the ground, but by the fourth time, she felt something firm grasp her head. It was the princess’s hand—the same strength she had used earlier to cover Malyn’s mouth. Princess Layla’s long, slender, yet solidly-boned hand held Malyn’s forehead, stopping her from hitting the ground again. The princess spoke calmly.

“Stop that.”

“I’ve committed an unforgivable…”

“No, you haven’t.”

Malyn’s eyes darted in confusion, but she eventually lifted herself upright. The princess let go of her head in one smooth motion and remained silent for a moment before continuing.

“If the princess has a wound on her forehead, wouldn’t the people of Veldam find it strange?”

Malyn’s eyes widened. She immediately understood what the princess was implying. Princess Layla observed Malyn’s reaction and nodded with satisfaction.

“Yes, you catch on quickly.”

“B-but…”

“Marmarly.”

Princess Layla slowly wrapped her arms around her frail frame.

“I saw you at the fountain, taking off your hat and brushing your hair. You looked beautiful.”

Malyn’s gaze wavered. She remembered the time she had taken off her triangular hat to fix her hair, only to be startled by the princess’s sudden call. She had no idea the princess had thought that way back then. Layla continued.

“And just now, I looked at my reflection in the stream and then looked at your face again.”

“…”

“You look more like a princess than I do right now.”

Malyn had no answer. There was some truth in what Princess Layla had said. Malyn was considered beautiful, even in Dion Castle. Layla, on the other hand – thin, pale and awkwardly tall – was hard to call beautiful, even as a compliment. It was her fine clothes that gave her a princess-like appearance, but now, running from the bandits, she looked pitiful.

“But…”

“The head maid said she’d give you three gold coins each year, didn’t she?”

“…”

“Being the queen of Veldam means that three gold coins are nothing to you.”

Even though she had a mouth, Malyn found it hard to say anything. She had many thoughts, but none of them seemed to be the right words. Ignoring Malyn’s confusion, Layla continued.

“You will be the princess in my place, Marmarly.”

Malyn had no interest in becoming a princess—she could swear to that. But as soon as she heard Layla’s next words, it felt as if her mind had caught fire.

“And I will be your maid.”

Malyn was flustered and didn’t know what to do.

“Y-Your H-Highness, what are you saying…”

“It’s Your Highness.”

Layla corrected calmly. It was almost amusing that someone who insisted on calling her Marmarly would correct her formality, but Malyn wasn’t in the mood to laugh. Princess Layla spoke again.

“You will wear the crown in my place and ride Paradi.”

“Who said that’s okay?”

Paradi neighed in protest, but Layla lifted her chin and spoke with pride.

“Paradi, you were given a reward from my mother. So until you fulfill my wish, you must obey me.”

“Damn it.”

“That way, at the end of this tiresome life, you too might finally gain your freedom.”

Paradi snorted in protest but didn’t resist any further. Layla looked at Malyn again, her pale face giving her an almost inhuman appearance. Malyn realized she was clenching her teeth tightly and tried to relax her jaw, though it wasn’t easy. Instead of forcing herself to stay calm, she let her thoughts spill out in the form of questions.

“But what do you gain from this, Your Highness?”

“I’ll be honest with you, Marmarly. I don’t want to give my body to that king.”

The princess lowered her eyelashes. They were long but sparse, shimmering faintly and casting shadows over her melancholy face.

“I’m not naive, so I’ve learned everything I could about that king. They say he’s cursed, but despite that, he governs the kingdom well and meets with his subjects.”

Logically, there shouldn’t have been any reason to refuse. But as if reading Malyn’s thoughts, the princess gave a faint smile and continued.

“But, Marmarly, I don’t want to be married off to someone I don’t love.”

“Hah.”

Malyn let out a sound – a mixture of a laugh and a sigh – from her slightly parted lips. The princess’s eyes flashed with annoyance at the disrespect of a maid who dared to show disapproval. However, the princess seemed to quickly remember that she was seeking help from this very maid, and softened her expression, smiling regretfully instead.

“You must think it’s absurd. Until yesterday morning, I too thought my innocence foolish. I know very well the duties I have to fulfil as a child of Dion… And yet.”

“…”

“Last night I despaired at the attack, but as the morning sun rose I began to wonder if this might be my last chance.”

It was incredible. As she shivered in the morning dew, refusing even Malyn’s warmth, the princess had thought this. Malyn wanted to scoff and sigh at the naivete of someone born into such privilege. Not wanting to be married to someone she didn’t love – only a princess in a fairy tale would say that.

‘Has she been raised so delicately that she’s lost her mind?’