Chapter 10: Travel

•Scarlett's POV•

[Squeak] [Squek]

The sound of a rabbit was heard in the dark void as their eyes glow in red, five times bigger than a height of a human surrounded a girl.

"Waah!!"-Scarlett

I shouted as I suddenly opened my eyes, sitting up from my bed as sweats started dripping down at the bridge of my nose.

Gasping for air as I sat there in daze, my back was full of sweat also the mattress that I slept on. Suddenly a headache visits me without a warning, I frowned as I held my head for support.

'Ughh….'

[knock][knock]

I heard a knock on my door causing my headache to hurt more, I narrowed my eye as I glance at the door.

"What?"

I spoke with irritation on my tone in hoarse voice, rubbing my front hair as I glance at the door.

There was a silence for a while before I heard Anne's voice outside the door.

"It's me, Anne, Princess, breakfast is ready"-Anne

She knocks again one more time before speaking, normally she would open the door after she knocks but this time she just stands still, waiting for my permission.

"Okay, I'll come over after I change"-Scarlett

I informed her as I got out from my bed while combing my hair with my finger in annoyance.

"Shall I help you Princess?"-Anne

She asks as she stand outside

I didn't answer for a while, I look myself in the mirror. Staring at my face, I let out a sigh before I answer Anne.

"Okay"-Scarlett

As soon as I give her my answer, Anne enters the room. I stand at the front of the mirror while my arms up in sideways as Anne quietly change my clothes.

It didn't take her some time to change my clothes as it was easy to wear, the maroon dress doesn't have a corset as it was only a short sleeve while the black skirt was only knee length, different from the noble ladies wore.

My closet was full of different dress to men's clothing as it was comfortable for me. Anne step back for a while as I fix the tie on my dress.

After that, Anne led me to sit down and proceed to fix my hair. As the usual, Anne makes my hair as the top half was braided and the lower half was just left untouched, Anne brushes the lower half of my hair to make it neat.

"It's done Princess"-Anne

She smiles at me as she steps out a little, giving me a bit of space to get out.

My mood lifted up a little, I said my gratitude towards Anne then proceed to walk out the room toward the dining room with a cold expression on my face.

---

"Ah, good morning Princess Scarlett"-Diana

Diana greeted me with a smile on her face while she sat down in the dining table.

"Good morning, Lady Diana. Are you prepared for today?"-Scarlett

I ask her with a smile on my face as I sat down on the chair.

"Yes, Julie prepared luggage for me, may I ask when are we going to head out?"-Diana

She asks as she look at me with hope in her eyes.

The maids started to put our breakfast in the table as they bow.

"We'll leave later in the afternoon, that's okay right?"-Scarlett

I replied to her question as I wonder if it was alright as I sip of the coffee that the maid brought.

"No, no, it's okay Princess, I'm fine anytime"-Diana

Diana responds with flustered on her voice as she waves her hand, while motioning to eat as she looks at me.

'Cute'

My mood went up a little but was still mad as I remembered my dream.

I subconsciously squeezed the spoon that I was holding causing it to bend…oops.

I called the maid to take a new spoon while I added them to bring some desserts and to pack some food for the trip.

I notice that Diana glance at me, as our eyes met, I smile at her then I saw her made a stiff expression for a while then smile at me before she went.

'hmm, cute'

The maid brought back a new spoon, the two of us ate quietly with peace in mind. However, the image still pops in my mind as soon as I close my eyes, I ate the dessert that the maid given to me with a smile on my face, enjoying the flavor of the cake.

---

"Aaaahhhhh, I'm full"-Scarlett

I yawned as I rub my belly. Diana who was with me, look at me with a slight smile on her face as Anne and Julie just look at each other as if they understand something.

As we walk quietly in the hallway, one of the knights came toward us. she kneeled down the floor to report something to me as she looks at me with loyalty in her eyes.

"Princess, as your command, we check the outside the walls as well as the forest and fortunately Princess Scarlett, there hasn't been any problem that may cause to prevent Your Highness to your trip"-Knight

The knight reports every detail without stuttering.

I smiled at her as I let her go back to her work, I look at Diana then smiles at her.

"Lady Diana, I shall be going now and Anne will knock on your room to inform you when we'll be leaving, its unfortunate that we can't spend our time together as I have still some works to go for."-Scarlett

I stated to Diana with regrets on my voice as I spoke politely.

It was one of my habit to speak politely to someone, it was hard getting rid of that habit as I'm a Princess and need to mind my manner.

However, I'm not a person who cares about manners and socials but I still have to as my father would scold me about it.

"I understand Princess"-Diana

Diana smiles back as to let me know she understand it.

I was grateful at her then left to go toward my office to took some document with me.

It took me quite awhile to process the important document that I needed. I heard a knock on my door causing me to stop at my actions, I glance down in the door.

"What is it?"-Scarlett

I ask as I went back from sorting the documents.

"Princess I've prepared a snack for you"-Maid

It wasn't Anne who spoke but one of the maids that my grandmother pick, as to why I trusted them.

"Enter, did you also bring some snacks for Lady Diana?"-Scarlett

I ask as I heard the door open, I didn't glance to the door and focus on the documents as I'm almost finish.

"Yes, Princess, Lady Diana like it and would like to thank you Your Highness"-Maid

She replied to me as she places the snacks on the coffee table where it places at the center of the couches.

"Hm, is that so? Ah, call Anne tell her to inform Lady Diana"-Scarlett

I look at her with a smile on my face as I speak, she nodded with a slight smile on her face and then excuse herself as she leaves the room.

After endless of packing my documents, I sat down on my couch that was place at the center of the room. I pick up the cup and drink the tea leisurely, sitting in crossed leg while looking at the clock.

'Ahhh, this is a bliss'

I thought to myself as I ate the snacks with a smile on my face, humming as I enjoy the foods.

I suddenly stop my actions as I thought of something, I slowly look towards the window and stare in daze for seconds.

Why---

Suddenly a knock was heard, I stop dazing at the window and look at the door with a smile on my face.

I opened the window, as I expected, it was Lady Diana who knock on the door.

"Lady Diana! Are you prepared?"-Scarlett

I ask her cheerfully, as I hold both the side of my waist.

Diana who looks at me nodded as she spoke.

"Yes, Princess"-Scarlett

I glance at her outfit then to mine; I smile wryly as soon as we met each other's eye.

"Excuse me for now Lady Diana, I'm going to change clothes, Wait for me!"

I slightly yelled as I hurriedly walk toward my room to change.

I opened my closet to pick the clothes that I pick earlier. It was a red dress with a black tie with the Kingdom's crest embraided at the middle. The red dress has a black skirt with a pair of black leather belt.

As I wore it without anyone's help, I pick up the black coat with white fur. I gave myself a look in the mirror, seeing that I was satisfied with it, I took the black leather boots and wear my black gloves.

It's a good thing that my hair wasn't mess up while I was changing.

'Alright!'

I thought to myself as I smile while leaving my room and walk toward my office. I slowly open the door; there I saw Diana reading one of my books.

Somehow, I didn't feel annoyance at her actions, even in the last couple of days.

'Was it because were similar?'

I thought to myself, amuse to my reaction.

I walk toward Diana and it seems that she didn't notice me as she continue to emerged herself on the book.

"You can bring that to the carriage, Lady Diana"-Scarlett

I spoke causing Diana to shriek in shock as I saw her body flinch.

"P-Princess Scarlett!! You scared me to death, please don't do that"-Diana

Diana spoke with a startle expression on her face, I look at her face then smile.

"Your cute when you have that expression"-Scarlett

I said to her with a little bit of teasing as I pat her head with a smile on my head.

Diana was quiet when I compliment, I saw her head lower.

'Aren't you suppose to say thank you when you get a compliment?'

I thought to myself as I tilt my head a little.

Before I could speak, a knock of the door interrupted me. It was Anne who knock on the door.

"What is it?"-Scarlett

I ask, I saw Diana look toward the door while her face was red.

'Is she embarrass?'

I pondered to myself as I took a glance at her.

"Princess the carriage is ready"-Anne

Anne spoke through the door and slowly open it.

"Let's go then!"-Scarlett

I cheerfully spoke, then I look at Diana and reach out my hand with a smile on my face.

"Let's go"-Scarlett

Diana seems to be in dazed for a second before she touches my hand let me lead her to the carriage

'I feel like I forget something important'

---

"Princess, here's the document that you wanted"-Anne

Anne gave me the document who was sitting besides me. It was fortunate that Diana agreed to Julie and Anne to sit together in the carriage.

I took the documents from Anne hand's and began to read it. The whole carriage was quiet, the atmosphere wasn't awkward in fact it was peaceful. Diana was reading the book that I lent her while Julie and Anne were quiet the whole time although I felt that they are talking mentally, is that a part of becoming a maid?

As the time pass, we arrive at the nearest city, it would take 2 days for the carriage to arrive from North Lophis City to the Capital.

"Ahh, my body are all stiff"-Scarlett

I groan as I stretch my body as soon as I left the carriage. Beside me was Diana who slightly stretch her body while next one who got off the carriage was Julie and Anne.

"Please mind your manners Princess, there are many people watching"-Anne

Anne remark as she looks at me dead in the face.

"Eh, it's not that they knew me"-Scarlett

I responded lazily, scratching my ears as I ignore her.

Anne could only sigh as she watches me walk toward the elegant inn with Diana behind me.

"Lady Diana don't worry I already have a reservation in the inn!"-Scarlett

I smile at Diana as I look at her with a proud look on my face.

[Kling]

The sound of the bell on top of the door was heard by the staff and others. As I open the door, we were met with stares of the people inside the building.

We walk toward reception and was welcome by the receptionist, he was full of smile as he saw our outfit. He looks at our faces with dumbfounded face on his expression as if he was stunned to see us.

"Here"-Scarlett

I spoke with a smile on my face as I gave him a badge with the kingdom's crest, his smile stiffens for a moment before he gave us a bow.

"Please wait for a while Your Highness and…Lady Diana, this humble servant will check for your rooms"-Receptionist

He politely spoke to us however; he slightly pauses when he spoke Diana's name.

'What an annoyance'

"Hm?"-Receptionist

He let out a puzzle voice as he looks at the book, he tilts his head as he goes back-to-back to the pages, looking as if he's checking something.

"Is something wrong?"-Anne

It was Anne who ask the receptionist, although she wears a simple dress it didn't hinder her beauty.

"N-no it just that, it seems Your Highness only reserve 2 rooms with 1 bed"-Receptionist

The receptionist was startled for a moment when he looks at Anne before he stated the situation.

The atmosphere was quiet except for the noise in the inside but it didn't ruin the atmosphere.

"Ah, so that's why I felt that I forgot something important"-Scarlett

I was the one who broke the quiet atmosphere, hitting the palm of my hand with the side of my other hand.

The three looks at me while the receptionist look at me bewildered.

"It's unusual for you to forget something Princess"-Anne

Anne let out a sigh as she wipes her forehead.

"Well, is there extra rooms available?"-Julie

This time Julie asks the receptionist, moving forward to the desk.

Julie wasn't different to us, as she is also a beautiful person.

"Unfortunately, that all of the rooms are reserve and has been used, we really hope that Your Highness would forgive us as this situation cannot be help"-Receptionist

He bows his head as he spoke apologetically, I could see his hand was shaking in fear.

"It can't be help"-Scarlett

I let out a sigh, I look at Diana.

"Are fine with sharing a room with me Lady Diana?"-Scarlett

I ask her as I tilted my head.

"Yes, I'm fine with that Princess"-Scarlett

She nodded as she answered my question.

"Great! How about you Julie?"-Scarlett

I glance at Julie who was beside Anne.

"Yes Princes, I'm fine sharing a room with Anne if your fine with it?"-Julie

She glances at Anne while Anne nodded in agreement.

"Alright!"-Scarlett

I cheerfully smiled to them.