Elinna

-Town of Romsey-

We arrived in the Town of Romsey, and I was in a very bad mood because of this damn period,

The Knights left me alone not wanting to agitate me even further while Doctor Edgar 'offers' as he is saying for the past few hours,

Me food, I craved for a lot of things while he just complies and buys me the stuff I want and need surprisingly, I never heard him complain even once.

"That's a surprise since Doctor Edgar is known to be-"

"Commander Alfonso"

Me and the second commander were talking about the Doctor, the commander is keeping me company since I felt lonely inside my room.

The Doctor arrived carrying a paper bag of fruits with him this world doesn't use plastic. Thank God the animals won't suffer because of plastic in this world.

"What were you talking about to the Princess?" He says with narrowed eyes.

"N-Nothing"

"Here you are your highness, you must intake the vitamins of the fruits in this world to keep yourself healthy"

"I want junk foods"

"If you arrive unhealthy at the Capital his majesty will have my head"

"Am I, THAT important?"

"You are, you are the most important person in this world right now, that is why we need to take you to the Capital safely"

"Translation to what he said, We keep you guarded and safe, while he keeps you healthy and in good condition"

"But he won't protect me in any kind of way?"

"I will protect you if it is necessary"

"Tomorrow we travel again right?"

"Yes, your highness"

"I just want to sleep, loaf around on a bed not travel any more"

"You will get proper rest soon, the moment you arrived in the Capital, please endure for just a bit longer"

"Okay"

I nod, continuing eating the fruits. I finished and bid good night to the two gentlemen, they left me alone and I went to the bed hiding in the covers.

(The Next Morning)

The maids prepared a bath for me and helped me washed, I wanted to refuse but I feel like a vegetable, no energy to struggle this time, the maids wash me with ease while I sink into the back of my mind not wanting to think that I'm being washed by the maids again,

They dressed me up and pulled my hair into a neat bun. After that the Doctor went inside the room with food, he presented me with porridge filled fruits, it had bananas, raspberries, sprinkled with nuts and orange slices on the side.

"Thank you, Doctor, what a healthy meal"

"It's breakfast, now please eat it all"

It didn't taste anything, it's bland if the fruits weren't there this would've been a boring breakfast.

"I want to cook my own breakfast next time"

The maid's gasps, the Doctor looked shocked as well, what did I do now? The Doctor shook his head.

"You cannot cook your meal, your highness, it is the jobs of the chefs to cook for you"

"But, I want to cook for myself, the food I want, since I doubt that the chefs here know the food in my world"

"You can instruct them, but you cannot lift a single utensil in the Kitchen that is the Royal rule of being a Princess"

I stared at him dumbfounded, so what the hell is a princess supposed to do?! Look pretty and be useless as any other fairy tale princess?!

('Your role is different, you are not simply for display-')

That makes me a lot better Doctor, Thank You.

I said with sarcasm, annoyed at what he said, after I ate the Doctor waved his hand to dismiss the Maid, I noted to myself that I'd do that too in the near future.

"Let's go, your highness" I hooked my arm on his, exiting the room when we arrived at where the carriage had parked a shout suddenly stopped me.

"Princess! Please!"

"?"

I turned around to see a battered, thin, pale skin, brunette-haired lady, she had bruises on her face and body, I raised a brow looking curiously at her.

"Step away peasant, her highness doesn't have the light of day to give to you!"

"Your highness, I had a sudden premonition that you will accept me as Lady-in-waiting, I am good with drawings of clothes that you will certainly like!"

Lady-in-waiting, I do need someone who will be by my side and help me with the things in this world.

"One Step more and we will resolve in-"

"Stop!"

I said to the Knight that was threatening her.

"Lower your weapon"

The Knights softened their stance, the brunette-haired lady came towards me and kneeled, to my shock at her sudden action.

"Your highness...please accept me as your lady-in-waiting, I will do everything that you want me to do, just please accept me"

"You said that you draw clothes that I will like, may I see them?"

She nods and pulls out a medium-size diary, she gives it to me with shaking hands.

I opened it, genuinely surprised at what I am seeing right now, designer clothes from my world are neatly drawn with small cute details.

Backless Dresses, Off-shoulder ones, One shouldered-ones, Balloon Gowns, Female dress shirts with a cravat, Black Slacks for females and many more designs, it even has cute shorts.

Damn, I'd kill to wear this kind of outfits again, not just these dresses, but the comfy clothes.

"You're a designer for clothes?"

"Yes, but because of how revealing it is, everyone ostracised, mocked, and ignored...my talents are not recognised, the people who hire me use my powers for their own gain, my premonition doesn't often come and it is at random, so whenever my employer wants a good premonition from me and it doesn't come they…"

Tears streamed down her cheeks, I inspected her appearance, she was wearing a brown dress.

I think it became brown because of the dirt, her hair is messy...her overall appearance isn't appealing to the eye.

"I'll wait for you, may I know what your name is?"

She looks up with big brown eyes, still crying.

"I-I apologise for not saying earlier, my name is Elinna"

"Go and bathe first, change into clean clothes, Commander Raulyn tell the maids to assist her, then escort her back here"

"But-"

"Please"

I gave a soft smile at the commander he nod's and led Elinna inside the inn. Doctor Edgar gave me a look.

"Your highness, are you sure about this?"

"Yes"

"You don't even know the girl and you trust what she says?"

"She's pretty brave to even confront me head-on, even though she knew of the danger that she's in, the Knights were ready to cut her into pieces on the spot"

"Yes but-"

"This is my decision, Doctor"

"...Please do a binding ritual with the girl"

"A what now?"

"She needs to swear loyalty to you, like a Knight, swears to his Master, using his sword"

"Is that necessary?"

"It is to make sure that she does not do anything to you, you cannot just take anyone in so suddenly your highness, especially a lady-in-waiting"

"I don't-" I was about to reason with them that Elinna doesn't look like she'd hurt a single fly.

"The Doctor is right", Commander Alfonso chided in"a peasant being a lady-in-waiting is suspicious, ladies-in-waiting are usually Marchioness or Viscountess, higher rank nobles, it is looked down upon if they know that you have taken a peasant as a Lady-in-waiting"

"Then let me change the view of people, if they are personally chosen to become a lady-in-waiting, everyone must agree, this very moment I choose Elinna, I'll do the loyalty thing with her so that you don't worry."

The Doctor and Second Commander looked at each other, they were about to say something when Elinna returned, fresh and clean, I greeted her with a smile.

"Welcome back"

She lowers herself on her knees, to my bewilderment.

"I would like to have a blood oath with you, your highness"

"...Blood Oath?" I said confused

"A blood oath will bind you to her highness for all eternity unless her highness breaks it, you can never escape from it"

"Yes"

"Your highness, do you accept her offer?" The first commander asks.

"Can we just do a regular oath? I don't see why we should do a blood oath"

"No. I want to never betray you or even cross my mind in betraying you, your highness, I know that everyone here is sceptical that I will be your lady-in-waiting this is why, I want the blood oath"

She looks at me with determination.

"How do we even do this?"

"You say what you want to say to her, then draw the sun symbol on her forehead with your blood"

"How do I draw blood?"

Commander Alfonso sheathe his sword, presenting it to me, the sharp tip pointing down and the blade of it facing me.

"Prick your finger with the blade of the sword, drawing a little blood"

"Okay" I nod and look at Elinna who lowered her head "Swear to me that you will not betray me or even have the thought of betraying me"

"I, Elinna a mere peasant, accept you as my Master, swearing loyalty, to never betray or even having the thought of betrayal, I will gladly accept punishment by death in your hands if your highness, think my loyalty is being questionable, or if your highness thinks that I am being disloyal. I accept everything with all of my heart"

I prick my hand on the sword that's presented to me, the blood oozes from the wound.

Draw a sun on her forehead right?

She lifts her head closing her eyes, I draw a sun pattern on her forehead using my blood, it seeps on her forehead disappearing. Suddenly my head throbbed.

I don't know what happened but everyone held their breath for some reason, Elinna opened her eyes, a shade of blue circling in her brown eyes, my own eyes reflected on hers that's glowing?!

I stepped back, Doctor Edgar caught my arm.

"I think that's enough of that"

"My eyes" I touched my face in disbelief "my eyes were glowing…"

"You also made everyone felt the harsh intensity of your psych energy, now, both of you step inside the Carriage, Elinna is now your, lady-in-waiting, and she will know the status of your well-being, she cannot harm you or think of harming you so she is trustworthy"

"Okay"

"Here, Elinna"

The Doctor grabbed something from inside his belongings and gave it to Elinna

"Ointment for the bruises, apply it every night"

"Thank you"

"Let's be on our way"

The two of us stepped inside the cosy Carriage, she sat opposite to me and the lion cub was beside me.

"I've never seen a Holy Beast before, it's an honour"

"The thing is always sleeping, day and night...it follows me but I don't even notice it"

"Why don't you give the Holy Beast a name?"

"Why?" I said looking at the thing

"Naming a Holy Beast strengthens your bond and psych powers"

"Meow?"

The lion cub looks up at me with expectant eyes.

"I'm craving my favourite food, I'll name you Fries," I said to the lion cub now named Fries

"Meow?"

"Fries…?"

"It's a potato, deep-fried in oil then served"

"I've never heard of that food before"

"It doesn't exist in this world" I pointed out, "Elinna"

"Your highness?"

"Can you just call me Seraphine when we're alone?" She blushes

"I wouldn't dare!"

"It's just the two of us, I'm not used to being called, 'your highness' or 'Princess' it irritates me, but I need to get used to it, I just want to hear someone using my name for once"

"...Do I have permission then?"

"You have full permission"

"T-Then S-Seraphine…" I smiled

"Princess…" she added

"You'll get used to it too, eventually"

"I apologise"

"It's fine, I'm not going to force you to say it" She smiles at me then suddenly begins to sob. "Whoa! Why are you crying?! Oh shit, were you hungry?!" I take one of the baskets that have food in it that I haven't touched,

"Eat, sorry I forgot with all the things going on" I take out the fruit sandwich giving it to her.

"No…" She chuckles wiping away the tears.

"No, no, you haven't eaten yet, I know it. Take a bite first"

She nods, laughing but still crying, she eats slowly while I pat her back trying to calm her down. I notice the thick callus on both of her hands.

"You've worked hard, haven't you?" I said absent-mindedly she nods "sorry, I said that out loud"

"I am truly grateful that you have accepted me, your highness, I" She lowers the food and sobs.

"Hey, you're fine, you're safe," I reassured her.

"Thank you"

I patted her back, comforting her until she calmed down again, she continued eating while I sat beside her. She finishes then she cleared her throat.

"I'm sorry for the display of weakness"

"It's fine, it wasn't a weakness, you can cry in front of me whenever you like, I'm not going to judge you"

"I am thankful to you and my ability to see the future now. This time I am in the hands of someone kind. I promise I will be useful to you."

"Can I ask you though...where did you get those bruises in your face?"

"The last job that I had...I made a mistake on the size of the dress, and the owner got irritated at me" her lips trembled

"You don't have to continue-"

"I can continue your highness, thank you for worrying" I nod

"The owner grabbed a long wood and bashed me with it, I apologised repeatedly, but she never listened" She sniffed holding her tears, that is threatening to fall,

"I ran away from the area for three days, I scavenged for food, begged for it until I had a forced premonition of your highness...the moment your kind face flashed in my mind, I hailed you as my saviour and began looking for your highness" She went down from the seat and knelt "Thank you"

"No need for that!" I grabbed her arm and pulled her up "never do that again alright?!" She nods and sat beside me,

"trust me, I won't let anyone bully you, harm you, and you will eat three times a day like me, just don't kneel like that any more, you will also be paid like a lady-in-waiting should"

I have no idea where I will get the money, but I will pay you for sure.

"Rest assured now Elinna, okay?"

"Yes…"