episode_0132

The meeting with the Padishah, which was impressive in many ways, continued for a while and then ended.

“Then Abamama, the girl will now step aside.”

“Okay, teach the students well, and see you again later.”

It’s a fairly ordinary greeting between an emperor and a princess.

It was literally no different from any other farewell between a father and a daughter.

After the two people finished greeting each other, Zeros also bowed his head respectfully to Padishah.

“Thank you very much for your valuable time, Your Majesty.”

“I am grateful that you gave me a more meaningful time than I expected. I hope you will continue to take good care of my daughter.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will do so.”

So, from Zero’s perspective, it felt like he was visiting his girlfriend’s house and saying goodbye to her father, and the two of them left Padishah’s residence and began moving to another part of the castle.

The two of them passed through the heavily guarded path, passed through the large door, and came out into the hallway again.

Immediately after that, Princess Maeb spoke quietly to Zeros next to her.

“..Thank you Zeros.”

“Yes?..”

Zeros felt a little embarrassed by the sudden thanks and asked.

“What do you mean?”

“..just..everything.”

And, Princess Maeb responds to Zeros’ words with a faint smile.

With such a light question in his mind, Zeros followed Maev as he had done until now and headed somewhere.

I thought maybe I should just go out like this, but looking at the direction, that wasn’t the case.

And after a while, the place Zeros arrived at after following Maev was…

‘..hmm..’

What he saw was a room where armed female warriors were standing guard.

It’s not as fancy as Padishah’s room, but it’s a place that feels quite luxurious at first glance.

As soon as Princess Maeb stopped in front of the gate, the female warriors there immediately bowed their heads and showed their respect.

“Open it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The female warriors politely opened the door at the princess’s short words.

Then Maev entered without hesitation, and Zeros followed behind her cautiously.

‘What is this place? Are we going to meet the royal family or someone else?’

With that thought in mind, Zeros begins to look around cautiously.

It was a surprisingly large space, despite the door not looking that big.

A place decorated with red carpets throughout, while also being adorned with gorgeous furniture and ornaments.

Just by looking at them, Zeros could guess that the people here were probably of fairly high status.

at that time.

“Sit comfortably. This is my room, so there’s no need to be concerned.”

“Huh? Oh.. I see..”

Princess Maeb gives an immediate answer to Zeros’ curiosity.

Then, Zeros sat down on the chair next to her as she had suggested, and the princess leaned back comfortably on the chair opposite him with a familiar feeling.

‘Well… it’s hard to imagine the owner of such a luxurious place being anyone other than a princess. There were quite a few feminine things, such as decorations.’

While thinking about that, Zeros suddenly blinked as he noticed a red ruby embedded in the armrest of the chair he was sitting on.

‘This… isn’t fake, right? Well, it’s not even modern times, and in this day and age, most jewelry is probably real. Hmm… When I think about it like that, I feel a little burdened just sitting on this chair.’

Although Zeros had worked for the Duke’s household for quite some time, there was certainly a significant difference between the Duke’s household and the Imperial Family.

If I had to name a keyword for the Duke, I would say it is frugality.

They don’t spend a lot of money decorating their home, and their clothing is clean but not flashy.

This followed the personality of Duchess Rosebetta, who had been in charge of supporting the Duke’s family, and the same was true of her daughters, Elios, Senel, and Cattlena.

In fact, even in the case of Sofia, the capital of the principality, it was large in scale but did not feel particularly splendid or majestic.

the other side,

The imperial family and the empire here… and the appearance of this system…

In particular, the items in Princess Maeb’s room alone were more splendid and precious than all the decorations in the Duke’s house combined.

Starting with the chair he’s sitting in, with the ruby the size of a duck’s egg set into it.

Silk drapes the walls and carpets on the floor are embroidered with intricate patterns.

And then there are things like dressing tables and bedside clocks.

There were only so-called luxury items that were clearly of enormous value.

‘Honestly, this is… not only because the Duke’s family is much more frugal, but I have a very strong feeling that it’s because the Imperial Family likes extravagance.’

However, from Zero’s perspective, it was difficult to judge which side was better.

The charm and human likability that frugality brings are also good things.

The visual pleasure that comes from glamour and luxury cannot be ignored.

Above all, he also thought that this was necessary to some extent in demonstrating the authority of the empire.

While touching the ruby as big as a duck’s egg, Zeros was once again realizing the wealth of the imperial family…

Looking at such a Zero, Princess Maeb spoke in a calm voice.

“So. How did you feel about touring the system over the past few days?”

“I thought it was a really cool city. A splendid and majestic place with power and authority.. Literally.. It was a place that reminded me of Princess Maev.”

“Haha, really? Thanks for saying that.”

Zeros, who does not just say things out loud, but sincerely conveys his thoughts.

Princess Maeb let out a small laugh at Zeros’ words.

“Certainly.. this place is a wonderful place. It is a place with power and majesty that makes those who see it automatically bow their heads. And.. it may be natural that we resemble each other since I am the princess who grew up here.”

“Yes, that’s right, Your Highness.”

Zeros agrees with Maev’s words.

But… the next moment.

Looking at such a Zero, the princess’s face began to take on a slightly dark expression.

“But you know.. Isn’t that Zero?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

The princess’s appearance suddenly changed.

At this, Zeros expressed his doubts, and Princess Maeb spoke in a calm voice while looking at him.

“I… Actually, I don’t like this place… this system… very much. And… this palace too.”

“Yes?”

Zeros looked surprised at Princess Maeb’s rather unexpected words.

“The power and authority that makes others bow their heads.. It may look flashy and wonderful on the outside. But, you know.. People with that kind of power and authority.. are always lonely.”

“… Princess.”

Princess Maeb speaks with sincerity

Looking at her appearance, Zeros was able to catch a glimpse of an emotion similar to the tired look Padishah had shown him earlier.

“Making others bow their heads is, in other words, like building a wall between that person and me. That person is different from me. He is someone I cannot approach… That kind of psychological wall. And since I was young, I had to live trapped inside that wall. Even though everyone bows their heads and smiles in front of me… There were only a handful of people who actually treated me as I was.”

With those words, Princess Maev’s gaze turned to Zeros’ face.

An expression of loneliness, different from the one just now when she was asserting her authority as a princess.

But at the same time, something began to appear on her face that was slowly pushing away such feelings, as if the sun were rising and driving away the darkness.

“And that’s why I fell in love with you, Zeros. You, the man.”

“Ah… ”

Zeros blushed slightly at her words.

And… seeing him like this, Princess Maeb’s mind once again began to reminisce about the times she had spent with him.

Even when they first met… when he saved her life at Benet’s… and when he met her again as a teacher.

The man before her eyes has always maintained his convictions without yielding even when faced with power and authority that he cannot handle on his own.

And, seeing him like this, Princess Maeb naturally became fascinated with him… and that brought her to this moment today.

As she realized that fact again, a warm smile began to form on Princess Maev’s lips, and Zeros began to blush without realizing it.