Princess Mia shows no mercy!
After the welcoming feast, Mia spent the night in the village. Mia and Anne were taken care of by an elderly woman’s hut. It wasn’t luxurious but it was clean and comfortable. Besides, Mia can sleep soundly without a bed. This was a skill she picked up during her dungeon days. Back then, all she had was a filthy blanket and a cold, stone floor. She couldn’t sleep at first, but it lasted only ten days and her exhaustion drove her to sleep. So compared to those times…
“Hmm… this is quite good.”
Mia woke up comfortable the next morning to the chirping of the birds. She gave her bed a few inquisitive pats.
“I wonder what’s in this. It’s nice to touch, it’s nice to wrap around, and it’s warm… I’ve never really been particular about bedding. But now that I think about it, I spend a considerable part of my life on the bed, so it might be wise to start paying attention to that…”
Somehow, Mia got up while muttering something dubious like a peddler who sells expensive futons.
Her body felt a little sweaty, and there was a lingering smoke on her. It was probably from the bonfire last night.
“I could really use a bath right now.”
While she was talking to Anne, the host came in and arranged for the women of the village to take her to a nearby stream for bathing. After being cleaned up, she put on the clothes that had been prepared for her. They were tribal clothes. She felt refreshed in body and soul.
“Lulu’s clothes are pretty cute too.”
It was a fluffy garment made from the fur of some animal. Mia giggled in glee at the fluffy feeling.
“You’ve taken care of me very well.”
Mia smiled at the chieftain who bowed.
“Your Highness…always welcome in our village… come whenever you like.”
“But I would be imposing on you.”
“No… My grandson will be happy too…”
“Is that so? Then, could you allow me to stay in the village until I can meet the sage?”
“Permission…not needed…You are the benefactor… of the tribe…Treat as your own.” After saying that, the chieftain paused as if an idea had just come to him. “That’s right, is there something… you would like… for tonight, Your Highness?”
“Something I want to eat… hmmm. As for sweets, I received fruit yesterday too… honey or something… ah, that’s right!” Mia clapped her hands. She remembered her talk with Ludwig yesterday. “Rabbit stew, I’d want to eat that again!”
“Hou, rabbit stew…”
The patriarch nodded after hearing the traits of rabbits from Mia.
“I’ll tell the villagers… look for them as much as possible.”
“Thank you very much, Chieftain.”
With another tasty dinner guaranteed, Mia was in a good mood as she departed for her second attempt to meet the Wandering Sage.
“Good morning. Wandering Sage. Are you here?”
Mia went to the front of the tent and called out. But she called out in a low voice that the person inside might not hear her. This was of course, her point.
I’d rather you don’t show up. So if you really in there, could you please not come out.
She waited while hoping that the tent would remain shut. There was silence… then her lips parted in a sly grin.
“Then, we shall wait here for a while.”
Saying that, Mia straightens her posture and stood in attention before the tent.
“Your Highness, please have a seat.” Seeing Mia like that, Ludwig took off his jacket and spread it on the ground. “Please, come over here.”
When Mia looked down at it, she picked up her jacket and patted the blades that were stuck in it.
“No need, Ludwig. Since I will be waiting, I shall do it standing with the form and propriety that befits my position. As the one who is asking for a favor, I should be displaying the utmost respect.”
“Well, I suppose that is true. But… I don’t think my teacher would ask you to go that far. So please…”
Mia quietly shook her head at Ludwig.
“Ludwig, isn’t that up to your master to decide?”
Mia believed that when it comes to criticizing someone, identifying the problem was never the difficult part. That the more disadvantageous one’s position is, the more they will scrutinize their opponent’s flaws. This was simple human nature. Or at least, Mia’s nature.
It is extremely rude not to come out to answer when someone comes to visit. Mia was going to use this as a bargaining material for the future talks. At the moment, she is piling on her advantage upon advantage. So she gets in the perfect waiting posture. A posture wherein nobody can complain about from any angle. This way, her opponent can’t find a single fault from her.
Ufufu. You won’t find any weakness in me. And in this way, I will be holding all the cards.
Mia laughed triumphantly and said to Ludwig.
“I’m standing here waiting because I need to do it. I do appreciate your sentiment. But I stand here… because it is worth it.”
Because it is worth it…
Ludwig was moved by Mia’s words. Through those four words, Mia conveyed her depths of trust in him. Mia has no direct connection with Ludwig’s teacher. All the information she have has been obtained through Ludwig.
And yet, here she is, putting all her effort into persuading a perfect stranger to become the headmaster. A man she has decided was worth the trouble. Because I, Ludwig, had said so. This just shows how much she trusts me.
Ludwig vowed to make Mia’s plan come true, while being genuinely happy hearing Mia’s words.
