This Is a Battle, and Mia’s Only Option Is to Stand Her Ground!
The comb glided smoothly through her hair. Mia smiled in the mirror at Anne, who was brushing with great care.
“You’ve become quite good at this, Anne.”
“Thank you very much, Mia-sama,” replied Anne, nodding with the dignity of a veteran maid.
Their eyes suddenly met in the mirror, and both of them burst out laughing.
“But Mia-sama’s hair is so easy to brush, it’s such a relief.”
“Ah, that’s because the shampoo with the horse mark is really good. Hehehe.”
Smiling in good spirits, Mia suddenly rubbed her stomach.
“Hmm…”
Until a little while ago, her stomach had felt a little heavy, but perhaps it was just her imagination. Mia’s energetic stomach had already begun to complain of hunger.
Eating well and sleeping well, Mia was a healthy child.
“Well, isn’t it time for breakfast yet?”
As Mia rubbed her stomach, Anne looked at her with a worried expression on her face.
“Mia-sama, are you okay? You were eating quite late at the banquet last night.”
“Oh, no. I think it was just right. After all, it is polite etiquette to eat everything you are served, without leaving any leftovers. Although, I do tend to overeat a little too much. Hehehe, but that is also part of the job.”
“But if you keep doing that, Mia-sama’s body will…”
“I just need to make up for it with exercise. It’s tough, but it doesn’t happen all the time. Can’t help that there will be such times. Ah, that’s right. If you don’t mind, can you join me for some exercise later?”
Anne was moved by Mia’s serious words, and she clenched her fists in determination.
“Of course. I will assist you.”
Anne replied in a spirited voice.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})Mia’s group sat at the breakfast table with Malong of the Forest Clan. Before them was the traditional soup of the Equestrian Kingdom, giving off a tingling aroma of spices. The soup was topped with stuffed wheat dumplings shaped like little white moons.
‘If I recall correctly, this dish is made with lamb, vegetables… and mushrooms. Hehe, I am going to fully savour the mushrooms of the Equestrian Kingdom.’
It was typical of Mia to do her homework before coming to the Equestrian Kingdom.
“So, Miss Mia, how was yesterday?” Malong called out to Mia.
“Ah, Malong-senpai. Good day!”
Mia let out a sigh as she remembered the Wind Clan banquet from last night.
“Although I had done some research beforehand, I was splendidly outdone. That was the feeling I got.”
‘When I encountered the ingredients of the Equestrian Kingdom in Sunkland, I knew they would be very delicious. However, I ended up underestimating them. It’s incredible that I would let my guard down to such an extent and indulge myself. That caused me to make a fool of myself in front of the Serpent Priestess. I can’t face her like this.’
“I see. Miss Mia, you researched various things beforehand. As expected.”
“Of course. Advance preparation is important.”
Even for Mia, it would be impossible to devour everything in the Equestrian Kingdom. Therefore, it was important for her to research what she wanted to eat and what she absolutely had to eat.
“In any case, I was outwitted. I need to think of something now to make a recovery…”
“Is it possible to make a recovery?”
Mia nodded reassuringly in response to that question.
“Of course.”
Mia was determined.
‘After all, I will be meeting Abel’s sister. It should be a piece of cake to get fit before that.’
Mia thought to herself but immediately shook her head.
‘No, that’s not true. Whether it’s easy or not is not the issue here.
The question is whether I do it or not.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})This is a battle where I can’t back down.
After all, exercise is important. It’s close to impossible not to enjoy delicious food in the Equestrian Kingdom.’
Mia knew herself well.
‘Indeed, if I limit the portion size, I might get quick results. However, given the food in the Equestrian Kingdom, I can’t do it. If you already know that it’s impossible, then you shouldn’t even consider that possibility.’
In that case, there was only one thing Mia could do, and that was exercise.
‘I already asked Anne, as effective exercise is essential. However, the question is, what kind of exercise should I do? Hmm, that’s a difficult problem.’
“I see. As expected of Miss Mia. Does that mean you haven’t given up yet?”
“Of course. There are situations where you can’t back down.”
The showdown with Abel’s sister was inevitable. In that case, there was no choice but to go through with it.
Malong looked straight into Mia’s motivated eyes and gave a big nod.
“Understood. I will also do everything that I possibly can. Miss Mia, you should do as you see fit. I think Father will also support you as much as he can.”
“Um? Well, I appreciate your cooperation…”
Then, Mia couldn’t help but smile wryly.
“But I must say, Malong-senpai, as usual, you are very caring.”
Mia wanted to get fit quickly before she met Abel’s sister. Malong offered his help with an earnest expression on his face.
‘Still, isn’t he being a little over-caring,’ thought Mia as she smiled.
On the other hand, Malong made a strange face at Mia’s comment.
“It is strange to hear that coming from someone who is far more caring than me.”
Malong murmured softly, though his words did not reach Mia’s ears.
‘But, first things first. We need to ensure reconciliation with the Fire Clan at the Meeting of Chiefs. Exercise comes later. It’s best not to worry about it now.’
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})Thus, the fateful Meeting of Chiefs was about to begin—the legendary meeting known as the last meeting of the Twelve Clans.
