Chapter 7: The Princess Who Wouldn’t Sleep

Although the wind blowing against her was still icy and bone-chilling, at least during the daytime there was sunlight, which felt warm when it touched her skin.

“Hmm… like this, then like that…”

By a lake deep within the forest.

Ulysses sat upright on a rock, while Moe tended to her somewhat disheveled sky-blue hair from behind.

Moe’s fingertips gently passed through the silky strands again and again, carefully combing them.

She knew her hands were clumsy, but to avoid hurting the princess, she had practiced this simple action hundreds of times.

This delicate and gentle touch made Ulysses close her eyes comfortably, savoring the tenderness at Moe’s fingertips.

“Princess, your hair is really beautiful.”

While working, Moe couldn’t help but compliment her—she had learned this slick little trick as well.

Recalling how she had been when they first met, Moe had truly been like a stray wildcat: aimless, lazy, and shirking her maid duties whenever something troubled her.

She would simply abandon her work and sneak off elsewhere to slack off.

Back then, she had none of the qualities expected of a proper maid.

Now, though her hands remained clumsy, she had at least become a qualified maid.

“Hmm, that should do it!”

To keep Ulysses’ hair from being ruffled by the wind, Moe had tied it into a high ponytail.

Now Ulysses looked more youthful and lively—of course, if one didn’t look into her dull, lifeless eyes, that youthful vibe might be even stronger.

Moe’s fingertips still carried the faint fragrance of Ulysses’ hair.

She liked the princess’ scent—not overpowering like the extravagant perfumes worn by noblewomen, nor too childish like those of young ladies, but like flowers in a garden, a subtle fragrance that gently tugged at the heart, making one want to breathe in more.

Ulysses slowly stood, turning to face Moe with a gentle smile.

“Let me do your hair for a bit.”

“Eh?! Princess, you want to do Moe’s hair? No, no, that’s too presumptuous! Moe thinks Moe’s hair is fine just the way it is!”

As she spoke, a strand of hair on her head suddenly stuck up.

Moe hurriedly fixed it and then laughed awkwardly twice.

“It’s really not good at all…”

Ulysses walked behind her, gently forcing her down onto the rock.

“Be good, it’ll be over soon.”

She said softly, her hands already touching the ebony strands.

Having the princess personally tend to her hair was something Moe never dared to imagine.

First, their differences in status wouldn’t allow it; second, she was afraid the princess might see the two small horns on her forehead.

If the princess were to dislike her because of that, she was sure she’d cry out loud.

But faced with the princess’ somewhat firm attitude, she couldn’t refuse and covered the small horns on her forehead, letting the princess work on her hair.

Ulysses’ hands were skillful—much better than Moe’s—and before long, her hair was neat and tidy, with a small braid tied on the left side of her bangs, looking playful and cute—quite endearing.

Looking at her reflection on the lake’s surface, Moe blinked with sparkling eyes and happily said, “Oh, Princess really is amazing at everything she does!”

“Is… that so.”

A faint, bitter smile appeared at the corner of Ulysses’ mouth.

Amazing at everything?

Why did she feel like the princess was just barely holding herself together no matter what she did?

“Wait… that hair tie, it’s your favorite one, isn’t it, Princess?”

“Yes. So you have to take good care of it.”

“Moe… Moe really…”

“All right, just keep it safe for me, okay?”

After that simple reply, Ulysses naturally took Moe’s hand.

“Let’s keep moving. There’s still a long way to Kakege Village.”

“There are occasional signs of monsters or large creatures in this forest, and the Knight Order has already come to hunt them more than once. So we have to find a place to stay before night falls.”

Moe’s eyes lit up at Ulysses’ words.

Monsters?

She didn’t believe their claws were truly sharp—if she met one, maybe she could have a good meal.

After all, they hadn’t eaten for almost a whole day.

“It’s all right, Princess!”

Suddenly straightening her back, Moe showed off her pale, soft arm and patted it hard.

“If we really run into something, Moe will definitely protect you!”

Seeing her arm reddening from the pat, Ulysses chuckled softly.

“Then it’s up to you, my little maid.”

Those words seemed to make Moe very happy.

She summoned her courage and said, “Leave it to Moe!”

Her somewhat silly demeanor made the princess’ heart ache with affection.

She seemed to have forgotten that she was skilled in both swordsmanship and magic—if real danger came, it would probably be her who needed protecting, not Moe.

“Let’s go.”

Ulysses squeezed her hand tightly and headed deeper into the forest.

The night remained cold.

They failed to find a cave but came upon an abandoned small cabin.

Though drafty with wind whistling through the gaps, and the wooden boards creaked annoyingly, it was still better than sleeping exposed outside.

With Ulysses’ magic, they lit a fire inside the cabin.

The silent night was filled only with the howling wind outside and the crackling of the flames.

Moe disliked the somewhat heavy atmosphere and took the initiative to start a conversation.

She told amusing stories and jokes she had heard in the castle, but the princess just listened quietly, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on Moe’s face.

She knew the princess often stared at her like this; though she didn’t understand why, as long as the princess was happy, it was enough.

As she talked, she mentioned her early days as a maid.

Ulysses seemed to recall their first meeting and suddenly asked a question she apparently never had before.

“Moe…”

“Yes, Princess?”

Moe stopped her chatter and looked at the princess, puzzled.

“Why did you come to work as a maid in the castle? Was… life difficult back then?” she asked cautiously.

“Hmm, life in the Orphanage was tight, but not so bad that we had to work as maids to earn money.”

“So then…”

“I followed someone I liked.”

“Eh?”

“Eh?”

They exchanged glances, and the princess’ expression darkened.

“You… someone you like?”

Ulysses repeated uncertainly.

“Hehe, actually it was my childhood friend. A knight from the Knight Order passing by took her away when we were little.”

“I missed her so much. To see her again, I worked hard to pass the maid’s examination!”

The princess fell silent, her expression growing more troubled.

“P-Princess?”

Suddenly turning around, she lay down beside the fire with her back to Moe, her voice cold.

“I’m tired. I’m going to sleep.”

There was a trace of anger in her voice—Moe could tell.

“Eh? Did Moe say something wrong?”

Ulysses said nothing more.

Curling up, she pretended to be asleep, but if one looked closely, tears—long absent—trickled down her cheeks…