Inside the accounting room of the side hall, the oil lamp had been burning for most of the night.
Princess Vasha sat before a mountain of parchment scrolls. Those hands, which were usually used for dressing up, were now clutching a modified fine-tip plush pen, her fingertips turning slightly white from the excessive force she applied.
"Miss Vasha, this entry is the firewood fee allocated to Kree Village. It needs to be verified against the fingerprint left by One-Eyed Dragon," Willow said, sitting to the side. Her voice was gentle but extremely rigorous.
Not letting others call her 'Princess' was Vasha's own idea. She wanted to discard the identity of a princess to get things done.
Although this was Vasha's first time encountering such tedious accounting work, the resilience and meticulousness of a Royal First Princess engraved in her bones allowed her to display amazing talent. She not only learned extremely fast, but she even began attempting to use a more intuitive 'bar recording method' to organize this data that was as messy as hemp.
However, because Vasha was a Princess of the Kingdom of Orr and hadn't completely detached herself from Orr, Willow currently only gave Vasha some unimportant matters to look at.
As for this princess who might take away a portion of her work after growing into the role, Willow was not very worried. She had served Her Majesty since she was a princess. Although she had been somewhat afraid of Her Majesty before, worship had ultimately conquered fear.
Therefore, Willow was extremely proficient in the various methods of serving people and helping Her Majesty relieve stress that she had learned.
Willow confidently believed: No one can serve Her Majesty better than I can!
Managing small accounts was a trivial matter; it didn't matter even if it was handed over to Vasha.
"Her Majesty was right. I am not mediocre."
Vasha pushed back a strand of hair that had slipped down her forehead, her eyes crystal bright.
"These numbers are not rigid symbols; they are the lifeblood of the Kingdom of Mason. As long as I calculate every single coin clearly, I am paving the red carpet leading to the rules of the new world for Her Majesty. This is the magic named 'Order' that belongs to me!"
Watching Vasha's fanatical appearance, where she would blame herself for half a day even if she miscalculated a single copper coin, Willow couldn't help but cover her mouth and snicker, sighing with emotion in her heart.
Her Majesty is truly amazing. With just two or three sentences, she turned a pampered princess into someone even more desperate than me... uh, what was that term Miss Irene used with me before?
Right, an overtime maniac.
Seeing this situation, Daphne, who had originally been at peace with herself, appeared somewhat depressed recently.
As a Magical Girl who had once saved the world, Daphne's bones flowed with blood that was awe-inspiringly just, steadfast, and full of vitality.
After coming to the Mason Palace, she wore that Saintess long skirt washed to a shine every day, carrying a small satchel filled with medicinal herbs, patrolling the Palace with burning eyes.
But the results were very frustrating for her.
The soldiers were as strong as oxen, not even catching a cold. Although Irene blew up laboratories every day, her escape skills were maxed out; at most, her face got smoked black, but she was rarely injured. Willow and Vasha were so busy their feet didn't touch the ground, having absolutely no time to get sick.
Could it be that I'm the only freeloader left?
Daphne squatted on the stone steps of the garden like a dejected golden kitten, her emerald eyes full of unwillingness.
"I came to follow the light, not to be a flower vase! The righteous Magical Girl will absolutely not admit defeat!"
Clearly, even though Daphne had been locked up for several years, she still hadn't lost her vitality. Just raising her in Mason for a few days had caused the spirit belonging to a Magical Girl to return.
Just then, she looked in the direction of the Bedchamber.
"Wait! Her Majesty is always paralyzed; aside from drinking milk, she eats meat, and she often rubs her neck. Could it be that Her Majesty is actually the person who needs saving the most?!"
Thus, Daphne immediately stood up abruptly.
"Your Majesty! Please, you must let Daphne examine your body!"
Sophia was sitting on the reclining chair. Before she even had time to take a bite of the steaming hot small cake, she was startled by a burst of energetic shouting.
Daphne rushed into the side hall like a gust of golden wind, her eyes serious and solemn, even carrying a bit of the sacred feeling of a Magical Girl before transforming.
Sophia froze for a moment, her pale golden pupils filled with helplessness.
This Queen just wants to be a salted fish in peace. Why does this child look like she's about to perform craniotomy on me?
"This Queen is fine."
"No! Your Majesty is the spine of Mason. Any slight weakness is a threat to Order!" Daphne said with awe-inspiring justice.
Amidst Daphne's eyes, which shifted from steadfastness to slight sadness, Sophia nodded.
The next second, Daphne happily put her palms together, and brilliant emerald light slowly bloomed from her palms.
Sophia only felt a stream of warmth instantly wrap around her whole body, as if she were soaking in gentle spring water. The fatigue from days of travel and the long-term muscle stiffness actually melted away rapidly under this light.
Daphne closed her eyes, brows slightly furrowed, a magic circle spinning lightly beneath her feet.
"Found it!"
Daphne suddenly opened her eyes, her green pupils filled with heartache.
"Your Majesty's body has accumulated a massive amount of fatigue. There is some kind of unknown emotion in your meridians causing Your Majesty to be exceptionally prone to lethargy and low spirits. Furthermore, your spleen and stomach are somewhat cold and deficient, your Qi and blood are insufficient, and so on... various reasons are causing Your Majesty to dislike moving and have low moods.
"Your Majesty, you must have overworked yourself for this country, to the point where even your soul is being affected by this high-intensity decision-making!"
Sophia: "..."
No, that's really just laziness.
"Please rest assured! From today on, Daphne will be responsible for regulating Your Majesty's Saint Body!"
Daphne clenched her small fist, swearing an oath full of vitality. It was as if the cautious Daphne from the dungeon a few days ago had been eaten.
In the following few hours, she dove headfirst into that small laboratory belonging to her, taking some things and tinkering with them.
At dusk, Daphne walked into the Bedchamber carrying a glazed cup emitting a faint golden light.
"Your Majesty, this is Daphne's specially made 'Saint Glory Strengthening Liquid'. I added Holy Light Dew from the magical world, and after applying magic, I also added honey and wild fruit juice I purified with magic. This way, the taste will be very good. It's delicious and simultaneously very good for the body."
Daphne looked expectant, her eyes sparkling.
Sophia looked at the pink-gold liquid, which was even bubbling with cute little bubbles, and hesitated slightly.
"Is it really drinkable?"
"Absolutely drinkable, and absolutely delicious! A Magical Girl never lies!"
Sophia took a small sip.
Sweet and sour, carrying a rich aroma of wild berries. It felt warm as it slid down her throat, as if the exhaustion of the entire day had been cleansed by this sweetness.
"Mm, not bad."
Sophia revealed a satisfied expression.
"Make it this flavor from now on."
Sweet and sour wild berry juice with a hint of honey. Delicious!
"Yes! I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!"
Daphne hopped happily in place, then instructed with a solemn little face.
"But Your Majesty is not allowed to secretly stay up late reading those strange folk albums anymore! The supervision of justice is everywhere!"
Watching Daphne's vitality-filled retreating back, Sophia sank into the chair again, taking a big gulp of the potion with satisfaction.
An inventor building things, a housekeeper counting bills, a maid serving, bodyguards protecting, and even a Magical Girl becoming a private nutritionist...
This kind of life, aside from the occasional explosion, is simply the perfect rehearsal for retirement.
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