"AAAHHH! COLD!" Sophia screamed as she jumped up from her chair and tried to grab her sword, which we had removed earlier.
"Calm down, Sophia. We did that to wake you up," I said, trying not to laugh at her reaction.
"Wake me up? From what? And that's Lady Sophia to yo-" she started to ask, but when she saw me and Volt, she instantly froze.
Just before she could say anything bad about either of us, Miranda jumped in.
"The Spirit only did that because you insulted him, Sophia. If I remember correctly, insulting a summoner and/or calling a Spirit a monster is a crime in this kingdom, as the King himself declared it. So I would hold your tongue if I were you, or mine might just slip," Miranda said, threatening Sophia.
I smiled, happy that I had family who would stand up for me.
Miranda made it very clear that if either me or Volt were insulted again, she wouldn't hesitate to report her behavior.
Sophia paled when she heard I was a summoner. She knew that we were rare, so rare that kingdoms had gone to war over just one of us. So, me having a bad relationship with the Royal Court could be catastrophic.
(Sophia knows this, but Jack doesn't. He knows summoners are rare but not to that extent.)
She excused herself for a minute to collect herself. When she re-entered, she seemed calm, but I could sense uneasiness from her, and she never made eye contact with either me or Volt.
"I apologize for earlier. My behavior was unacceptable. I was unaware that you had a Summoner here and mistakenly thought it was a monster," she said, kneeling down to Miranda and Erik.
"Volt isn't an it, he's a 'he,'" I said, adding a bit of extra embarrassment to Sophia.
"Right, sorry. I thought 'he' was a monster," she said, correcting herself.
"I understand if you are angry, but please, can this remain between us?" she pleaded.
Miranda took a minute to respond, causing Sophia's anxiety to rocket every second. Just as she was about to break, Miranda said, "So long as you don't cause any more problems for me and my family, then yes."
Sophia let out a sigh of relief.
"Now, why are you here exactly?" Erik asked.
Sophia stood up but looked a little uncomfortable answering, but relented. "I do suppose I owe you an answer."
"My squad and I are escorting the 4th Princess, Elisebeth Rumia, to the port city of Levin."
"When the Princess heard about the attacks on nearby villages, she decided we would help, even though I told her we were unable to do so at the time."
"She has a big heart but is too young to understand arriving on time or that we are limited on resources and that we can't help everyone."
Miranda nodded and said, "I am surprised you would disclose that information to us so easily."
"Think of it as reparations for earlier," she said, lowering her head.
Miranda nodded, and Erik spoke up. "To appease the princess, we are planning on heading towards a village that was attacked a few days ago. It's on the way to Leven. Maybe this will be a way to teach her she can't do everything."
Sophia took a moment and thought about it, then nodded. "It will sate her want to help. I thank you for the offer. If you give me some time, I will collect the princess, and we can discuss the plan properly, if that's okay with you, of course."
They both nodded, and Sophia got up and left the room.
After she left, I did say to everyone else, "Don't let them know I am related to the Rondo family. If the Princess is immature, she could expose a secret I don't want out, to survivors of Thornbranch."
Everyone turned to me with confused expressions.
I explained, "Mom told only a few people from Thornbranch she was a noble. Most of the people there don't like nobles, and the fact a former noble was living in a village like Thornbranch as an adventurer could cause unwanted rumors and attention."
Everyone took a moment but nodded. They knew many people didn't like nobles, as many were corrupt and greedy. The main members of the Rondo family aren't, but people live to judge and criticize rather than believe and trust.
"Now, on to more pressing matters. Is it really okay to bring a Princess with us to Thornbranch?" I asked.
"It may not be the best idea, but it will have to do," Miranda said.
"From what I have heard about the 4th Princess, she is a dreamer and idealist. She wishes for world peace and nothing bad to ever happen but doesn't understand how difficult that is," Miranda explained.
"She has been doted on since she was a baby, so giving her a dose of reality might do her some good... or break her beyond repair," Erik said, adding a joke at the end.
I nodded, thinking that logic did make sense, but the result depended on how coddled she was.
While we were waiting for Sophia to return, we discussed what my cover story would be so they wouldn't know I was related to the Rondo family.
After a few minutes, Sophia returned and held open the door for a young girl who entered after her.
The young girl looked to be around the age of 9 or 10. She had long golden-blonde hair, green eyes, and wore a simple yet regal bright red dress.
She looked around the room and smiled when she saw me and Terra. Volt had left at this point to take care of something he didn't tell me about, only saying I would learn later on.
We had a chair set up for her opposite Aunt Miranda, with Erik sitting on the left, me and Terra sitting opposite him on the right, and Sophia standing behind the Princess.
Sophia took the opportunity to introduce herself.
"Introducing the 4th Princess of the kingdom of Rumia, Elisabeth Rumia," she said in a regal but calm voice, making sure she didn't speak too loudly.
"It is an honor to meet you, Princess," Miranda said, while both she and Erik gave a slight bow.
Terra followed her parent's example and gave a slight bow, while I gave a simple nod. (I don't give respect to those who haven't earned it.)
She looked confused that I didn't bow but didn't say anything.
"It is very nice to meet you. I would have met you sooner, but my guards didn't let me leave the carriage," she said.
Miranda nodded and asked, "What have you been told about the Orc situation, Princess Elisabeth?"
"Oh, you can just call me Elisabeth," the Princess said, waving her hand. "I am not much one for formality."
"I see. Well then, Elisabeth, what do you know about the current situation?"
She smiled. "I know that orcs have attacked a number of villages. I would like to lend my assistance as a member of the royal family."
Hearing the Princess speak filled me with concern and fascination.
'either this girl is a brilliant strategist who plans on being the savior of a destroyed village and boosting her standing among the people to take the throne, or she is just a naive girl who thinks that fairytales are the same as real life and that everything will work out if the princess comes to save the day.'
(to be fair, some fairytales are real in this world, but they aren't as child-friendly as one might think.)
"Well, that is good to hear. Tomorrow we are sending out a group to the village of Thornbranch. It was just attacked by a wandering tribe of Orcs and needs help.
"To assist in searching for survivors and determine if the village can be rebuilt, my husband and daughter will be leading the expedition with a few of our guards."
"This young man here is Jackson. He is a survivor of the attack on Thornbranch. Miraculously, he managed to reach us yesterday unharmed and informed us about it. He is familiar with the area surrounding the village and knows where people might go to hide, so he will help with the search."
Elisabeth looked astonished when the subject changed to me, and I could feel a weird sensation when she looked at me.
"That is good to know. We will accompany you along the way and help in any way we can, no matter how long it takes!" Elisabeth said excitedly.
Sophia looked uncomfortable and leaned over to whisper into the princess's ear, but she was still loud enough to where I could hear.
"Um, Princess, we are limited on time due to our original goal. We can only afford a 1-day delay, then we must leave," Sophia whispered.
The princess pouted but said, "2 days."
Sophia sighed but said, "Fine. 2 days."
I saw both of them smirk, the Princess 'thinking' she won an argument so easily and Sophia because she tricked the princess so easily.
"It is decided then. Everyone will leave at 10 a.m. tomorrow and will reach Thornbranch in 3 days. 2 days after you arrive, you will depart to take care of your own business. During the time you are at the village, your guards will assist in the search of survivors and defend them in case of monster attacks. If you have any problems with that plan, please speak now."
No one said anything.
"Very well then. Princess, if you need a room, please let us know."
"If it isn't a bother, please," she said.
Miranda got up and guided the princess away, while the rest of us remained.
"I thought you were a member of the Rondo family. You called Lady Miranda, Aunt Miranda, earlier, correct?" Sophia asked me, confused.
I flinched. I didn't think she could remember that.
I sighed and answered, "My mother is Alexandra Rondo. She didn't like being a noble, so she left the Noble title behind and became an adventurer, married my father, and had me."
"Very few people know that, so keep it a secret, okay?" I warned.
She nodded with fear in her eyes.