"Geez, it's so bloody and dirty!" the first female friend exclaimed with disgust. She picked up the worn book with just the tips of her fingers, as if it might contaminate her. She thrust it toward Maid Emmy, her nose wrinkling in distaste. "Oye, maid, go write the names on fresh paper and DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE ANY NAME OUT! Write EVERY name in this bloody list!"
Natalia nodded firmly to Emmy, silently confirming the order with her eyes.
"Sighhh, Natalia, your beautiful hands got dirty. Here, let me clean them," Little Man spoke gently, taking her hands in his with tender care. He pulled out his handkerchief and began wiping away the grime.
"Ah! Little Man, your cloth will get dirty too! Don't do it!" Princess Natalia spoke in alarm, watching as the once pristine handkerchief darkened with dirt.
"It's okay. It's just a cloth, but your hands are far more valuable," Little Man said softly. He brought her hand up slowly and kissed the top of her palm with deliberate affection, then winked at her playfully.
"Waah!" Princess Natalia felt her face grow hot, embarrassment flooding through her. "Stop being so flirty with me, otherwise I'll throw you off the rock! Humph!" She pulled her hand away quickly and pouted, trying to hide the blush creeping across her cheeks.
"Haha, you look cute, Natalia," Little Man flirted more, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction.
"Now stop your lovey-dovey nonsense! We're bored from seeing you like this for so long. You guys are like this every time in school. You don't know, but you're already a couple in the eyes of others!" the third female friend spoke mischievously, a knowing grin spreading across her face.
"WHAT? WE ARE NOT!" Princess Natalia spoke in a surprised voice, her eyes going wide. "We're just good friends, and this Little Man just loves to tease me!" She glared at him accusingly, but he just made an innocent face, as if he had no idea what she was talking about.
"Hahaha, now calm down, Natalia. Focus! Focus! You got the names, so make sure to hit them where it hurts!" the second male friend spoke with encouragement, his voice filled with anticipation.
"Hmm, I am planning to, but what if your family members' names come up? I can't be partial to you guys. You know that, right?" Princess Natalia spoke in distress, her brow furrowing with worry.
"It's okay. I saw one of my member's names in it. You can punish them all you want because I don't mind. He's rotten to the core anyway," Little Man spoke, his voice carrying a hint of sadness.
"What? There is? I'm sorry, my friend," Princess Natalia said sadly, placing her hand gently on his arm in comfort.
"Hmm, it's fine. Just do your work and let them know who you are, my Princess Natalia, hehe." Little Man held her hand and squeezed it reassuringly, offering her a warm smile.
.
NUM NUM NUM!
"Mother Isafold, NUM NUM, it looks like Brother Zack NUM NUM succeeded, but what's with Big Sister Nat? GULP GULP, BLURRRP!" Big Guy asked between massive bites of food, his cheeks stuffed completely full.
Mother Isafold smiled warmly and placed more food on his plate. "How is this old woman supposed to know what's happening in her head? We can only look after her. What road she takes depends on her. If we try to interfere, then it will make her more confused and everything will be ruined. Make sure to just keep an eye on her."
She paused, looking at him with amusement dancing in her eyes.
"And didn't you say you already ate a lot? Why are you hungry so soon?"
Mother Isafold smiled happily, watching Big Guy devour his meal with such enthusiasm.
"Mother, this is just, you know, extra energy," Big Guy spoke casually, making the other ladies sitting around the table laugh out loud.
"It's good! A child should eat a lot. They're growing now, so nothing is better than seeing a healthy child," one of the ladies spoke with approval, nodding her head.
"Sighhh, and there's my son who barely eats anything. I'm worried sometimes," another woman spoke, concern filling her voice.
"And my daughter! I don't know how much slimmer she wants to get, eating like an insect," a father said, rubbing his forehead in frustration.
"Haha, my sons and daughters always eat a good amount, except for a few," Mother Isafold smiled as she glanced at Natalia. Her expression shifted slightly, worry creeping into her eyes. "I hope this doesn't turn into a negative view on Malina herself. Sighhh." She looked in Natalia's direction with motherly concern weighing on her features.
.
TAAK TAAK!
First Miss Expert came to a house in the far corner of the rock and knocked on the door firmly.
CREEAK!
The door opened slowly, its hinges groaning with age. An old woman with deep wrinkles etched across her face came outside, her hair completely white. She walked a little slowly but with steady steps, her movements were very careful.
"Oh my, why has my dear granddaughter, who just went away this morning, come back so swiftly to meet this old woman? Is everything alright?" Grandmother spoke lovingly, stretching her hand out to touch Miss Expert's face. Miss Expert bent down a little, letting her touch her comfortably.
Grandmother fixed her short hair sweetly as Miss Expert spoke. "Grandmother, it seems you got yourself in trouble." Miss Expert explained the situation to her carefully, her voice coming out gentle making sure she doesn't make her grandmother feel bad.
Hearing this, Grandmother looked surprised for a second, but then smiled sweetly. "It looks like I put you in quite a bit of a problem. Sorry, dear. Your grandmother just couldn't resist that, and I ordered it with the help of others. I'm sorry to have hidden it from you, but I only ordered once and haven't even completed inhaling it. I'm sorry...I took it because it relieves my body pains. I didn't know it was such a problematic thing."
Grandmother closed the door behind her and walked toward the carriage, her back bent slightly with age. "Don't worry, dear. I will beg the Princess to punish me only, I don't want to affect you girls. I will take all the blame, so don't worry. I'm already at my deathbed anyway." She looked back and smiled sweetly, trying to ease her granddaughter's worry.
Miss Expert silently looked at her hunched back, memories flooding through her head. From her childhood till now, she saw her life as how Grandmother had single-handedly raised her four granddaughters to be so big and powerful. Yet she herself, in such a position, couldn't even live a life of peace at such an old age.
With slight tears forming in her eyes, Miss Expert helped her up into the carriage.
Inside, people of various ages all had looks of tiredness etched on their faces. Worry showed clearly in their expressions. Miss Expert closed the door gently and muttered quietly, "Please, Master Zack, I hope you will not be angry with us sisters for not being able to follow your command. And please treat my grandmother."
She prayed silently as the carriage rolled away.
.
Princess Natalia stood on the platform again, listening to various questions from the crowd.
"Umm, Princess, can you change the criteria of people eligible to live on the 5th rock? I know many talented people who deserve more but are stuck in a difficult life in other rocks. They're all incredibly skilled workers but couldn't get a decent home, and the only thing stopping them is lots of money!" one of the old men from the back seats spoke earnestly, his voice carrying hope.
"Mister, the rocks have limited space. The money criteria was put in place so that the city could have motivated people who contribute a lot. I respect talented skilled workers, but based on that, many people could come here. We need a place for higher-income people since they give the most tax to the Crown. It would be unfair to them to live in cramp places. I will work hard to improve other rock living conditions during my reign, but I couldn't change the criteria. Sorry, Mister."
Princess Natalia bowed slightly in apology, her voice coming out sincere.
"Next question."
"Princess, there's a problem with investing money in the overall market. These big houses overvalue certain companies, and then when normal people invest in those, they dump it down, making an unfair environment to trade," a woman in the middle row spoke. To this, many people just smirked knowingly, understanding the game all too well.
"Miss, there's always a risk associated with investing in those kinds of markets. It's not a fair system anyway. People getting into it are clearly told that they could lose money if not invested properly. I can't do anything in this regard when the risk is already mentioned. It's people's lack of effort that makes this problem," Princess Natalia responded firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"Next question."
"Next."
Slowly, some time passed as question after question was asked and answered.
.
"Can we go back? I'm nervous coming here. We don't even fit in here, so please, let's go back! Boss will get angry if he hears about it!" Subordinate Woman spoke anxiously as she was being dragged inside by Rugged Woman, surrounded by Crown people everywhere.
"Geez, don't be such a worry-wart! Let me see who this Princess is that made our boss so smitten over her," Rugged Woman smiled excitedly. Her eyes caught sight of 4th Miss Expert standing at the back. She laughed and ran toward her enthusiastically, the fearful Subordinate Woman trailing behind her.
"Hey, Miss Expert!" Rugged Woman boldly shouted, making Miss Expert turn around in surprise.
"You guys? What are you doing here?" Miss Expert asked, her eyes going wide. Oliver and Alfie also looked at them curiously, interest lighting up their faces.
"Queen sent us here to meet the Princess, so we came, hehe," Rugged Woman said cheerfully, standing straight before bowing respectfully. Subordinate Woman also bowed nervously beside her.
Oliver and Alfie greeted them back with polite bows.
"Ah! They're the people who helped Master Zack. If not for them, Master Zack would have been killed. They played a huge role in bringing the book," Miss Expert introduced them to the others, gratitude filling her voice.
"Oh, you're the women who stick close to Brother Zack! I see, I see. Things are becoming more dangerous! Hahaha!" Alfie laughed stupidly, his grin stretching wide across his face.
"Don't be rude, Alfie!" Oliver scolded, his tone sharp. "Sorry, Miss. This guy is Alfie Barret, and I am Oliver Coghian. We're pleased to meet you and thank you for everything you've done for our brother." Oliver bowed again in sincere gratitude, his posture respectful.
"Sir, it's an honor," Subordinate Woman bowed gracefully, her movements coming out precise and trained.
Oliver noticed the smoothness of her movements and instantly realized something. He wanted to ask more, but Subordinate Woman just smiled, shaking her head slightly. He sighed, deciding not to dive deep into her private life.
"Hey, I heard you fought an enhanced man with Brother Zack! What was he like? I heard you're strong, so care for a fight?" Alfie asked enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Oh my, we have a fiery brother of Boss! Hehe, I like you! Sure, sure, why not!" Rugged Woman laughed heartily, her voice booming.
TAK! TAK!
"OW! OW!"
Both of them got hit on the head by Oliver and Subordinate Woman respectively.
"Hey, stupid Oliver, stop hitting me! Otherwise, I'll make you bald! Learn from Brother Zack because he clearly made three women fall for him, while you're just single, struggling to even please Big Sister Emmy!" Alfie roared, rubbing his sore head with indignation.
Subordinate Woman's head turned red as she muttered quietly, "Why does everyone already know about us even before meeting?! Mooo!" She looked around with embarrassment written all over her face. Suddenly, her eyes caught sight of someone, and she shrank back in fear, hiding behind Rugged Woman.
"Haha, what can I do? I'm trying my best," Oliver said with a forced smile, shaking his head. He glanced at Emmy from across the space in the courtyard, and his heart pierced with pain as her earlier words echoed in his mind. He could barely stabilize himself in front of others.
Emmy, do you hate me that much? he thought sadly. His eyes filled with sadness as he kept looking at Emmy.
A spoiled brat playing around with women.
Oliver muttered the words and thought of Gracie. Well, it's true. I did play around with her feelings despite knowing everything about her….. Emmy is not wrong. Sighhh... we get what we deserve.
Oliver smiled sadly, then looked back at the others.
"Miss Subordinate and Miss Rugged, since you haven't said your names, I'll call you this for now.... Ahm! I think meeting her is not good at this time. She's kind of moody today because it's her important day, and a rival coming to meet her will devastate her," Oliver spoke his words carefully, trying to be diplomatic about the situation.
Subordinate Woman and Rugged Woman looked at the Princess speaking on the platform, then looked at each other and nodded in agreement. "Fine, but we can stay here and listen to her, right?" Rugged Woman asked with a smile, her tone hopeful.
Oliver and Alfie nodded. "Of course."
They continued talking with each other, getting to know one another as the session continued on the platform.
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END OF CHAPTER
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Author Blabbering
I feel like my capacity for reading and writing has been increased, well after doing 100 chapters this Author is getting into the Zone of Madman! HOHOHOHO!!!
Well If you are enjoying the story then consider supporting me on Patreon!
In there I think I am 15++ chapters ahead or more by the time you are reading this!
So yeah that's all for today Go away! Shuu shuu!
Stay Safe and Keep Smiling!