Chapter 28: My Dearest Miss Ailaira

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Andrea shielded her eyes with her palm, blocking everything below Trinis Verlendel’s head.

Setting aside her tattered clothes, her appearance alone did carry a certain dignity befitting a Princess of the Kingdom. In that instant, Andrea spun a royal melodrama in her mind.

She had infiltrated human lands and had done her homework specifically, collecting picture books about humans.

Many of those featured Princesses who were overlooked or bullied by other members of the royal family. When Andrea looked at Trinis again, she felt a sense of kinship, patting her on the shoulder in sympathy as she comforted her:

“You’ve had it tough too, but being able to escape is really something to be proud of.”

“You said earlier you’re here to find someone?”

Although Trinis didn’t understand why Andrea’s attitude suddenly changed, she still nodded, a faint blush of longing appearing on her lovely face.

“As long as I find that person, I think any difficulty I face can be overcome, right?”

“That impressive? Even the Royal Guard can’t stand in their way?”

“Easily.”

Andrea crossed her arms and shook her head in thought, rummaging through her few memories of humanity, trying to recall anyone that remarkable. Ailaira Green… It couldn’t be her, right? Though Ailaira really was impressive, and seemed to hold a high position, most of that came from her wicked research.

As for fighting strength, Andrea had only seen Ailaira act twice, and one of those times was against herself.

Taking on Royal Guards? Even for Ailaira, that’d be a tall order.

“But she knows far more people than I do. Maybe she’ll know! That’s it, let’s go, I’ll take you to meet someone with even broader horizons!”

Having made up her mind, Andrea grabbed Trinis’s arm and marched toward the mansion’s main entrance.

Trinis looked surprised but didn’t pull away, letting Andrea lead her along. Only when they were nearly in sight of others did she tap Andrea’s shoulder and gently caution:

“Your Excellency, if we use the main entrance, I’ll be spotted.”

Andrea stopped immediately, positioning herself in front of Trinis, utterly oblivious that she wasn’t tall enough to shield the Princess’s dazzling golden hair. “Then what do we do? I don’t know any other way out.”

Trinis covered her mouth and giggled, pointing at the second-floor terrace behind them. There just happened to be a sturdy tree reaching up to the balcony. “If we climb up there, we’ll end up right in the Banquet Hall.”

“So that’s it! Trinis, you’re a genius!”

“Your Excellency is adorable as well.”

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The scene returned to the Banquet Hall. By now, the perfume presentation was over, and Xidi was onstage introducing the origins and uses of other goods.

The price for the perfume hadn’t been announced for public sale; it seemed she wanted to let that tempting fragrance of wealth linger a bit longer.

Ailaira Green continued to sip her wine.

The table beside her was already crowded with over a dozen glasses of various sizes, and the Butler could barely keep up with clearing them. The gentle buzz of alcohol had reddened Ailaira’s eyes.

Apart from collecting payment, she’d also hoped to discover something of interest among tonight’s new products, but so far it had been a disappointment.

Feeling stifled by the heat, Ailaira loosened the buttons at her chest, letting a hint of dew-kissed allure show through.

She ignored the steady stream of people hoping to strike up conversation, opened the balcony doors, and stepped outside.

The cool evening breeze caressed her cheeks, carrying away her body’s heat. Ailaira exhaled a breath of stale air, gazing up at the bright moon, and suddenly addressed the lofty tree beside her:

“Had enough wandering? If you get your clothes dirty, your debt will only grow worse.”

The next moment, Andrea leapt from the tree’s crown, arms raised as she charged at Ailaira: “Prepare to die, villainess!”

“If you die, I won’t have to pay back my debt!”

Ailaira was utterly unfazed by Andrea’s surprise attacks by now. She countered easily, catching Andrea’s arm mid-lunge and, using Andrea’s own momentum, threw her aside.

“Ow!”

Andrea rolled across the ground, crashing into a stone balustrade and unfortunately getting her head wedged between the railings. Dazed, she still protested stubbornly: “That’s not fair… This round doesn’t count—ugh~”

“Just stay there and reflect for a bit.” Ailaira shot a glance at the tree’s leafy canopy, a rare trace of irritation flickering in her eyes.

“Honestly, such a troublemaker.”

“Since you’re here, why bother hiding?”

At her words, Trinis Verlendel slowly emerged from the foliage, like a woodland sprite, landing lightly before Ailaira. She lifted her skirt and greeted the one she’d longed to see, her voice elegant:

“Long time no see, Miss Ailaira.”

“You’re still so clingy, Trinis.”

Ailaira and Trinis locked eyes for a long moment, but the atmosphere steadily building between them was shattered by a discordant exclamation:

“Wait a second! You two know each other?!”

Andrea was so shocked she forgot to pull her head out of the railing, kicking her legs frantically to draw their attention.

Trinis laughed shyly, tracing circles on the floor with her toe like a bashful girl in love. “I’m just as surprised. Who would’ve thought the person you brought me to see is exactly the one I’ve been hoping to find?”

“Isn’t this fate? My dearest Miss Ailaira~”

Ailaira waved her hand dismissively, turning away to avoid Trinis’s heartfelt gaze. “Trinis, you’re still so naïve. I told you, it’s over between us.”

“But that’s just your decision. I don’t want to accept it.”

“Heh, everyone says that when they get dumped.”

A sudden crack interrupted their “reunion”—Andrea snapped the railings imprisoning her, burst between them, and glared at both with a sour expression:

“Stop ignoring me and just whispering to each other!”

“Someone explain what’s going on! Trinis, what are you and Ailaira to each other?!”

Trinis answered without hesitation, “We were lovers. Now, I suppose I’m the one clinging to Miss Ailaira.”

“Lies, it’s all an act.” Ailaira folded her arms, mercilessly popping the Princess’s rose-colored bubble.

Trinis’s eyes dimmed as she twisted the corner of her dress, her voice weak: “But for me, that time was real.”

“Then I must be a pretty good actress.”

Three times. Three times! I’ve been completely ignored!

Seeing them on the verge of entering their own private world yet again, Andrea, nearly furious beyond reason, shoved her claws between their faces, waving her arms:

“Enough already!!”