The Princess in the Chicken Coop - Chapter 2.12
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Soria spoke while subtly leaning backward.
[Oh my? I can’t remember anything at all? Did something happen yesterday?]
There’s a saying that staying still is better than nothing.
Soria’s acting was exactly that. Lenok gazed with complicated emotions at the chicken who wouldn’t even look his way while claiming with a trembling voice to remember nothing.
“You know what?”
[What?]
“Since you’re a chicken, your expressions shouldn’t be visible…”
Soria tilted her head to the side.
Lenok reached out with an expression that suggested he wasn’t sure whether to laugh, turning Soria’s head toward him.
His red eyes drew a crimson line as they stared directly into Soria’s eyes.
“I can see yours.”
[What do you mean…]
“Your expressions are crystal clear. I can plainly see you remember everything, so stop pretending.”
At his playful voice, Soria’s eyes flashed dangerously. Since Lenok wasn’t one to fall for the same trick thrice, he withdrew his hand in time. He clicked his tongue at Soria’s beak, which was regretfully eyeing where his hand had been.
Despite appearances, Lenok was being quite considerate of her.
Though he was teasing her a bit, it was clear that he was accommodating her.
He had stamped the documents recognizing Syenn Kingdom’s independence, overlooked her wetting his clothes, and ignored her pecking. Yet why was this princess throwing gratitude to the wind and looking up at him with such a defiant gaze?
Lenok shook his head with a complicated expression, recalling Soria’s curseless form he had glimpsed last night.
“Anyway. Lady Mabeline will visit this afternoon.”
[That…]
Soria was about to ask if she meant the person who gave him that absurd book but swallowed her words at Lenok’s gaze.
[You mean the Duchess? The one who married Diowell?]
“Yes.”
[Why? …Because I flew?]
Soria’s beak trembled finely as she spoke. If one had to describe it, it was quivering, pitifully.
Deep wrinkles formed between his brows.
Lenok covered his mouth with his hand and slowly steadied his breath to suppress his laughter.
He had truly seen countless princesses. From those trying to become the empire’s empress by impressing him, to those showing openly hostile attitudes.
So he thought nothing could surprise him anymore.
But…
“You are, really, pff, no, pfft…!”
Soria was truly different from all others.
Soria shouted, blushing at Lenok’s laughter.
[I heard she dominates social circles!! I thought she was coming to scold me!]
Ah, this was the limit. Lenok gave up trying to hold it in.
“─Puhahaha!!”
His boisterous laughter filled the room. Those waiting outside the door exchanged strange glances at their lord’s sudden outburst of laughter.
And Soria chased out the heartily laughing Lenok.
***
By afternoon, Soria moved to the garden to meet Mabeline. However, even after sitting at the tea table, Soria’s anger hadn’t subsided.
‘People can have drinking habits! Show me someone in this world without drinking habits, I dare you!’
Though she had come out because she needed to meet Mabeline, the more she dwelled on it, the more unfair it felt. What felt even more unfair was that her alcohol tolerance had decreased.
Since she hadn’t had any chances to drink after being cursed, Soria’s period of abstinence had exceeded a hundred years.
Alcohol tolerance decreases when you quit. The only problem was that she learned this fact yesterday.
‘…The rumors must have spread everywhere. Good heavens. Running around in that form. And in broad daylight no less!’
She was certain these thoughts would keep popping up for decades to come. Each time, she’d probably end up kicking her blankets in frustration.
Soria observed the woman approaching the tea table while trying to soothe her gloomy mood. Though no one introduced her as Lady Mabeline, it was obvious just by looking at her.
Her dress was elegant yet restrained, and rather than being overwhelmed by the atmosphere around her, her gaze naturally seemed to look down upon it.
When their eyes met, she stopped in place with a gentle smile.
The series of movements as she slightly lifted her dress hem and bowed her head flowed naturally.
Soria took a liking to this point. Despite her being merely a white chicken in appearance, regardless of her true identity as a princess, this woman showed no hesitation in maintaining proper etiquette.
“Pleased to meet you, I am Mabeline Monk Leon. Please, call me Mabeline if you don’t mind.”
[I appreciate your kindness. It’s pleasant to meet the wife of that Diowell.]
Megan, who had guided Mabeline, stepped in to serve as interpreter.
Megan wore a complex expression, having become the first person in continental history to interpret chicken sounds.
“The princess expresses her gratitude for your kindness. She also says she’s very pleased to meet you today.”
“My goodness! I’m the one who should be grateful for such a warm welcome.”
In any case, their mutually courteous introductions soon came to an end.
Mabeline, seated across from Soria, didn’t beat around the bush.
“I’ve come today because there’s something I’d like to ask you, Princess.”
Soria’s eyes trembled with anxiety. She worried it might be about yesterday’s incident. However, she couldn’t bring herself to ask directly.
Yet she couldn’t run away either.
With all escape routes blocked, what else could she do but face it head-on? Soria nodded with a grave expression and answered.
[I’ll answer honestly whatever I know.]
Megan noticed Soria’s voice was unusually tense, but she simply tilted her head and relayed the message to Mabeline.
“The Princess says to ask anything.”
“I’m grateful for your cooperation. Princess, what do you think of His Majesty?”
[Huh?]
Megan, feeling a cold sweat form, opened her mouth.
“The Princess says ‘huh?'”
And with that response, which went beyond simple like or dislike, Mabeline immediately abandoned her expectations regarding Lenok.
Though she confirmed Soria had no attraction to Lenok whatsoever, Mabeline wasn’t particularly disappointed. She couldn’t be disappointed since she had somewhat anticipated this.
Muttering that it might be quite remarkable to be unpopular despite such perfect appearances, Mabeline promptly changed direction.
“…For instance, it’s no exaggeration to say that His Majesty the Emperor of the Crotia Empire wields absolute power in the current Muo Continent. If he commands it, finding where the scattered citizens of the Syenn Kingdom live wouldn’t be difficult at all. Moreover, having the Crotia Empire as an ally would greatly benefit the Syenn Kingdom’s prosperity.”
If he lacks personal charm, what can you do? Better to emphasize what he does have.
Mabeline’s eyes began to sparkle as she started listing off how amazing Lenok was.
“Also, I’m certain he would provide numerous talents and resources to help Princess Soria catch up on lost time. If we resolve the drought in the southern regions and restore flow to the dried-up Syenn River, His Majesty would surely spare no expense in support. He has both the ability and generosity for such matters.”
Mabeline wasn’t making empty promises.
