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CHAPTER 5 — "Royal Maids and Highly Unorthodox Methods"
The silence that followed the introductions lasted only a few seconds.
Ana was still sitting on the bed, half-awake, trying to process far too much information at once: palace, magic, ears, red eyes, white eyes, nobility, personal maids… and a prince who had left her behind like an unresolved administrative issue.
Yeana was the first to react.
"Very well," she said calmly. "We have little time. His Highness expects you to be presentable before noon."
Ana blinked.
"…Presentable for what?"
"For existing officially," Yeana replied as she was already inspecting the wardrobe. "No one exists here without proper attire."
Meanwhile, Nella had taken control of the opposite side of the room. She opened chests, examined fabrics, jewelry, and boxes sealed with magical markings.
"Confirmed," she added. "This is a logistical nightmare. Who approved these purchases?"
"The prince," Yeana answered without looking up.
"Oh. That explains everything."
Ana let out a small, nervous laugh.
Yeana turned toward her.
"Please stand up."
"Huh?"
Before Ana could react, Yeana slipped her arms beneath hers and lifted her with surprising ease, as if she weighed nothing.
"H–hey!" Ana exclaimed, instinctively grabbing Yeana's sleeve.
"Please do not resist," Yeana said naturally. "The bath should already be at the correct temperature."
"…The bath?"
"Yes. Come with me."
And without further explanation, Yeana carried her toward the side door that led to the private bathroom.
Ana glanced back at Nella over her shoulder.
Nella simply raised one hand calmly.
"Don't worry," she said. "If you scream, I'll come."
That did not help at all.
---
The bathroom was enormous.
Soft steam lingered in the air, and the crystal-clear water of the central pool shimmered faintly blue with cleansing enchantments.
Ana swallowed.
"This is… too much."
"I know," Yeana replied while activating an artifact that adjusted the temperature. "But it is efficient."
She removed Ana's clothes with quick but respectful movements, deliberately avoiding looking at her more than necessary. Ana noticed that detail… and relaxed slightly.
Yeana wasn't observing her as something strange.
She was observing her as a responsibility.
"Your skin is very dark," Yeana commented suddenly, without malice. "And you lack wolf ears, horns, or scales."
Ana stiffened slightly.
"Ah… well…"
Yeana tilted her head.
"You have an unusual appearance."
"…I see," Ana murmured.
"And your bone structure is curious," Yeana continued. "More compact. Less adapted to ambient magic."
Ana took a deep breath.
"I'm… human."
Yeana nodded slowly.
"That explains several things."
Then, as if it were the most logical conclusion in the world, she asked:
"Tell me… is the legend true that humans descend from monkeys?"
Ana nearly choked on her own saliva.
"W–what?"
"I've read ancient texts," Yeana continued. "Some suggest your race evolved from more primitive creatures. That would explain the similarities."
A loud thud came from the other room.
"YEANA!" Nella shouted.
Ana saw Nella appear in the bathroom doorway, her expression dangerously calm.
"That's inappropriate," Nella said firmly. "You're discriminating against her for being a different species."
"I'm making a historical observation," Yeana replied.
"No. You're being rude."
Ana immediately raised her hands.
"I–it's fine, I don't mind that much—"
Nella looked at her.
"It's not up to you to decide whether it's appropriate," she said. "But…"
She turned back to Ana with clear curiosity.
"Speaking of which… is what Yeana asked actually true?"
Ana hesitated.
"Well… kind of. More or less."
Absolute silence.
Yeana's eyes widened slowly.
"I knew it."
Then she turned toward Nella.
"And why were you about to ask the same thing, yet you scolded me for it?"
Nella clicked her tongue.
"Because it's not the question—it's the way you ask it," she replied. "And besides, we must respect the integrity of this…"
She looked at Ana.
"What did you say your race was called?"
Ana swallowed.
"H–humans, ma'am."
"Humans," Nella repeated. "Very well."
Yeana nodded thoughtfully.
"Humans…"
To her own surprise, Ana didn't feel uncomfortable.
Or attacked.
Just… tired.
And strangely safe.
---
While Yeana finished the bath and began drying Ana with gentle wind magic, Nella returned to the main room.
She activated a floating, translucent magical communication device.
"I need full inventories," she ordered. "Daily wear, formal wear, ceremonial clothing. Comfortable and durable footwear. Hygiene products suitable for non-magical skin. Basic food without excess mana."
The device responded with flickering lights.
"I'll also need books on basic etiquette," she continued. "Level: foreigner with no cultural knowledge. Immediate delivery."
She disconnected and sighed.
"This will be a long job."
But one done properly.
---
When Yeana finished, she guided Ana back into the room and began dressing her.
The dress was elegant yet flexible. It didn't restrict movement. It wasn't heavy.
"This is… comfortable," Ana admitted.
"My choice," Yeana replied. "Elegance should not be a prison."
Nella watched from the side, arms crossed.
"Listen carefully," she said. "Your situation is delicate. You are under royal protection—but also under observation."
Ana nodded.
"I understand."
"While you are here," Nella continued, "you will follow basic rules. No provoking conflict. No using unknown abilities without supervision. No attempting to flee."
Ana lowered her gaze.
"I don't plan to."
Yeana fastened the final clasp.
"Your personality is… compliant," she commented. "That simplifies matters."
Ana smiled faintly.
"I just… don't want trouble."
And she meant it.
She didn't resent them.
The one responsible for her situation was Leo.
A strange prince. Too kind. Too harmless.
They, on the other hand…
Yeana looked like someone who would not hesitate to use highly unorthodox methods to fulfill her duty perfectly.
And Nella…
Nella was someone you definitely wouldn't want to face—even as a joke.
And yet…
Ana watched how they moved together. How one spoke while the other was already acting.
So different. So opposite.
Yet perfectly synchronized.
"Finished," Yeana said at last.
Ana looked at herself in the mirror.
She didn't recognize herself.
But for the first time since arriving in this world…
She didn't feel alone.
And without realizing it…
She had just been caught at the center of a dynamic as dangerous as it was efficient.
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