You Don't Understand

As Professor Heidi arrived at the Queen's study, she noticed that the woman who escorted princess Licha home had already spoken with the Queen. As they passed through each other, they bowed as respect of courtesy but didn't utter a word to one another.

Professor Heidi gasped as she saw the woman but then thought, "No, the Princess comes first."

She politely requested, "Your Majesty, may I enter?"

The Queen replied from inside, "If that's the imperial mentor, send her in!"

As Professor Heidi entered, she found the Queen and Princess Licha with grave expressions on their faces and recognized their hostility towards one another.

The Queen asked, "You knew about this, Heidi? That Licha had been working in town?"

Professor Heidi replied, "Yes, I intended to discuss this matter with you today."

The Queen clarified, "There's no need for that, I already heard the story from Countess Rosenthal."

Professor Heidi thought, "So that woman was the Countess, eh?"

The Queen looked over at Licha and continued, "Oh Licha, what is the matter with you? Even for you, this is too far!"

Licha glared at her as a response. Professor Heidi countered, "If I may, Your Majesty, I observed Her Highness while at work; she takes it very earnestly; it is not a game. I'd like to hear what's in her mind."

The Queen considered for a moment and decided to hear out her daughter. Licha spoke, "At first, it was just a silly game. I always heard the boys of how beautiful the girls were; the ones who took the measurements. That was the most menial task in the establishment. When they first hired me, I was horrible, I couldn't even get the measurements right. But everyone was patient, and thanks to them, I learned how to do the job well, and frankly, I like it a lot. I will not quit! The store means too much to me! I don't care what anybody says, I'm keeping that job!"

The Queen answered, "I'm afraid I cannot allow that to happen, Licha."

Licha shrieked in anger, "Why not?! Is it not enough that I want to do the work, mother!? Being out there gives my natural talents to blossom!"

The Queen elucidated, "That has nothing to do with it! The halls you regularly frequent are exclusive to aristocrats. There, you are guaranteed a minimum of safety. If your identity as a Princess is revealed, you will find yourself completely exposed. If danger finds you in your place of work, I'm afraid I can't protect you and neither can anyone from the royal guard!" She held her daughter tightly by her shoulders and explained with sincerity and anger, "Listen to me! You need to be more aware of your position as a royal! If anything were to happen to you, it would jeopardize the royal line! Please, Licha--"

Licha interrupted by screaming with tears in her eyes, "When I was little, I got sick, and I always doodled sketches in my scrapbook. You don't even know what I did in my room alone all day! And you know what I remember most? That you never came to visit me! I was nothing but a fifth Princess who was a runt of the litter to you! You never cared about me! And now you want to play the role of a good mother who would talk about protecting me when all you want to protect is your stupid royal line! Did you ever try to understand me! NO!!"

Licha trailed as she burst into tears, keeping all her concealed feelings in her heart for too long that it had finally come out.

The Queen consoled her, "Relax, my child. Talk to me."

Licha yelled, STOP! THERE IS NO POINT!" and ran away from the study immediately. The Queen and Professor Heidi were at a loss for words. The Queen was dismayed, and tears filled her eyes. Without a word, she quickly grabbed her coat and chased after her daughter, followed by Heidi.

*IN TOWN*

Licha thought, "I ran away without a plan. What do I do know? Worse comes to worst, I suppose I could stay with one of the boys. Not really, no, they're all related to some noble or the other. Looks like there is only one place I can truly count on, and what would be this shop that I work in. I suppose the master could give me a place to reside for the night. I'll ask when my shift is over, I could work at the shop and support myself with the money I make there. It wouldn't be a bad life at all."

At the last thought, Licha heard someone calling out her name. It was none other than her mother and Professor Heidi! Heidi descended the horse and said, "Let's return to the palace, where we can calmly discuss this."

Licha replied with arrogance, "No, thanks! I said what I had to say! There's no way I'm ever going back in that prison!"

The Queen descended the horse as well and commented, "If you're going to be this obstinate, then I have a plan of my own!"

Licha turned around and asked with anxiety, crawling up her entire body, "Plan?! What are you going to do?!"

At that moment, the master of the shop came out and asked in concern, "Rachel? You're quite late, where have you been? And who is this woman standing beside the horse?"

The Queen answered gracefully while covering up her identity at the same time, "A pleasure to meet you, sir. Rachel is my daughter."

The master replied, "I'm the owner of this establishment, your daughter has been a tremendous help, ma'am."

The Queen responded, "The owner? Excellent! I have something to ask you, my friend."

Licha witnessed their conversation and thought, "Oh no! She's gonna make him fire me!"

Licha screamed while running towards them, "Wait! Don't do this, please!"

The Queen, however, continued, "I wonder, sir if you'd be willing to take me on as a worker in your establishment for a while?"

The master, Licha and Professor Heidi were surprised by the sudden request. There was a long moment of awkward silence.