Capítulo 41: The Hard-working Princess
"Your Highness, these would cover the debts we owe in a glance. Why are we sending it back?" Margaret could not help but ask.
Laina shook her head as she folded her arm, "I cannot just accept a hand out like this. I would become a joke amongst the other royals."
She knew more money would only solve the surface issue. It would not change the way Kinshearth earns and sustains itself. While she was glad to have received this helping hand, she was not about to accept it.
But sending Dante's gift back to him was also a feat on its own. How was she going to transport everything back to him? Lucky for her, the items had been delivered using a spatial storage box. A magical item that could store a large number of items in a small box.
All they needed to do was to return everything into it. As the items were being placed back into the box, an item, in particular, caught Laina's attention. She stopped the servants who were moving them so that she could take a closer look.
It was a beautiful painting of breathtaking scenery. There was something very unique about the painting that captured Laina's attention. In the sky, was both the sun and moon. One side of the painting was of a picturesque sunny day with warm light.
On the other side, was the elegant beauty of the night with a crescent moon in the sky. Twinkling stars covered the darkened night sky. In the foreground, there was the shadow o a couple, holding hands.
Laina crouched down to admire the painting up close. As she tilted her head from side to side, she noticed that there was a layer of glitter over the paint. Laina's eyes sparkled. She had an idea.
"Your Highness, we are done with the packing, all that's left is the painting," a servant informed Laina, bringing her out of her thoughts.
Looking back at the painting, she bit her lip.
"The painting will remain. I would like it moved to my bedroom," she instructed without much thought.
Margaret, who silently watched as things unfolded, could not help but smile a little. No matter how much she tried to hide it, it was clear that Laina liked Dante's gift.
-He has always been your weakness.- she thought to herself.
Laina arranged for the spatial storage box to be sent to her quarters too, for safekeeping. She wanted to return it to Dante in person, and to also express her gratitude for his kind gesture in person.
But right now, she had the bigger task at hand to accomplish. Since it was already getting late, Laina decided to retire for the day and continue her work in the morning. But later that night, Laina tossed and turned in bed.
She could not sleep.
The gears in her mind were turning and moving. She had ideas and she had adrenaline pumping in her veins. Though it was late into the night, Laina got up and tied up her hair. She moved over to the writing desk in her room, lit a lamp, and got to work.
Past midnight, Margaret came over to check on Laina, as she usually does. It was the duty of the handmaiden to ensure her mistress was well taken care of. She was surprised to find Laina hunched over the writing desk, writing and flipping through papers.
"Laina, it's late, what are you doing?" she asked as she walked over.
Laina was so focused on her work that she did not hear Margaret. She only realized her handmaid's presence when she stood right next to her. Laina almost jolted out of her seat, surprised to see her.
"My goodness, Margaret, you scared me!" Laina exclaimed as she rubbed her chest to calm her palpitating heart.
The handmaid chuckled, "My apologies, your highness. You were so engrossed in your work, you did not even hear me enter. What are you doing up so late? You still have the morning court session to attend later."
Laina leaned back in her chair and let out a yawn. Looking over to the ticking clock on the wall, she realized how late it was. But her mind was still churning out ideas. Laina wanted to write them all down before they disappeared.
"I need you to bring me some documents, Margaret," Laina asked her handmaiden to bring her the finance documents from the Royal Office.
Margaret placed a hand on Laina's shoulder, "Princess Laina, these can wait till tomorrow. You need your beauty sleep, my princess."
But the princess was not about to back down. She was on a roll with the work she was doing. All the papers she had laid out before her were going to be part of her plan. Laina wanted to keep working on it until it was complete.
Seeing her working so hard, Margaret did not stop her from doing so any further. The handmaid did as her princess had asked. On top of that, she also returned with a piping hot pot of coffee and a plate of cookies.
Margaret sat by Laina's side as she worked, silently watching Laina as she worked. When the sun rose the next morning, Laina finally put down the pen in her hand and stood up from her seat.
The handmaid had dozed off but as soon as Laina stood up, she woke up.
"Your Highness, your work is complete?" she asked before letting out a yawn.
Laina shook her head as she took another sip of coffee, "Far from it, there is still much to be done."
Just then, a loud growl and tummy rumble could be heard from Laina's stomach. The handmaid and princess looked at one another for a moment before bursting into laughter. Margaret got up from her seat.
"I think it is safe to say that the work should continue after the hungry demon in your belly is subdued, your Highness," she teased.
Laina chuckled, "I guess you are right. Could you get the kitchen to make something quick and bring it here? I will take a quick nap while you're at it."
"Very well, Your Highness. I will be back shortly."
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
ValestriaMoon
ValestriaMoon Our dear Crown Princess Laina is hard at work trying to get her Kingdom back up on her feet! Sometimes I wish I was as hardworking as her. XD
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Capítulo 42: Is Something On Fire?
"Why can't I see her?" Grand General Tobias asked Margaret.
It has been three days since anyone last saw Crown Princess Laina. Rumour has it, she has been holed up in her room and no one knows why. Some say she was sick in bed, others suspect something might have happened to her.
"I'm sorry, general, but it's the Crown Princess's orders. She will not see anyone unless she has specifically called for you," just as Margaret finished her sentence, Finance Minister Nitser arrived.
He bowed respectfully to the general, before announcing his arrival. Margaret opened the door and let him in while keeping the general strictly on the outside. The general was outraged. The finance minister could see her but he could not?
What on earth was going on?
He tried to force his way in, but Margaret blocked the door with her body. In a fit of rage, Tobias drew his weapon, a great sword, and aimed it at the handmaiden. She did not move nor was she afraid.
Margaret simply stood there unmoving.
"Is this how you want to go about this, Grand General Tobias?" she asked.
Most people were not aware of the handmaid's powers. Margaret would have preferred to keep it that way as well but if it is required, she will not hesitate to use them. People often see her as just the princess's servant, but Margaret wielded far more influence and power than that.
The soldiers who guarded the princess's room were on high alert. They too have drawn their weapons at the general.
"Let me in, Lady Margaret. And no one has to get hurt." Tobias threatened.
"You want me to disobey the princess's direct orders? The answer is no, General Tobias. You better leave now, so you don't get hurt." she snapped back at him.
Just as Tobias was about to make the first move, the door behind Margaret opened slowly. Laina was the one who opened the door. Her piercing gaze and unmoving expression sent chills down the general's spine.
Upon seeing her, Tobias immediately kept his weapon and knelt down before her.
"Your Highness-"
"Grand General Tobias, is Kinshearth on fire?" she asked him sternly.
Surprised by Laina's sudden unrelated question, the general did not know how to reply.
"Did you not hear my question? Is Kinshearth on fire, a simple yes or no will suffice, general," she asked again.
Tobias shook his head as he followed up with a reply, "No… of course not, your highness…"
"Alright, then what are you doing here?"
The general tried to explain himself, "Your highness, I… your subjects are worried about you. No one has seen you leave your quarters in three days, you have not been attending the court sessions…"
Laina sighed as she stepped out of the room with her arms folded. Not only was she annoyed to have been distracted from her work, but she was also annoyed that it was over such a trivial thing.
"Tobias, while I appreciate your concern and the concern of my subjects, Lady Margaret was acting on my direct orders yet you have raised your weapon at her? That is equivalent to raising your weapon at me, my dear general," she warned him sternly.
Shocked by the princess's statements, Tobias wanted to defend himself but Laina stopped him before he could even open his mouth.
"You've seen me, I am well. I would appreciate it if you continue with your duties, Grand General Tobias, rather than worrying about me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I will return to my work. Margaret."
"Yes, your highness?"
"Please send the general off, and bring me a fresh pot of tea, the current one has gone cold."
"Right away, your highness," Margaret turned to Tobias and said, "Grand General Tobias, this way please."
Laina dived back into her work. Two days later, all the plans she had were written out and ready to be implemented. Margaret helped her sort through all the documents and prepared the letters and scrolls.
"Is that ready?" Laina asked as Margaret wrote the finishing touches on a document.
"Yes, your Highness," she replied swiftly as the ink began to dry.
Laina stood up and stretched her body. She had spent far too much time seated at her desk. It was midday. Laina let out a long yawn as she walked over to her bed and laid down. Her eyes were just about ready to close when Margaret came over.
"Everything is ready, your Highness," she informed the princess.
"Good, send out my orders immediately. We need to," Laina yawned once more before continuing, "get all of these started at once."
"Understood. Princess Laina, you, on the other hand, need rest. You've been up for too many days without proper sleep. A princess needs her beauty sleep," Margaret reminded her.
Laina smiled. Laying down on the soft bed was making her incredibly sleepy. As she turned towards the side table, Laina noticed the letter Dante had sent.
"I have not returned Dante's gift yet…" she muttered to herself.
Laina sat up in bed and picked up the letter. She walked over to the spatial storage box and bit her lip. It was still midday after all.
"I'll rest after I get back."
When Margaret returned to the room, she arrived with a glass of warm milk, hoping it would help Laina sleep better. However, she was surprised to find that she was nowhere to be found. She was not on the balcony, or in the bathroom.
"Where could she have gone…"
Dread washed over Margaret, had the princess gone missing yet again? Just then, Titan walked over to her with a letter in his mouth. She placed the glass of milk on the table and crouched down to give him a pat on the head.
The letter was addressed to her. Margaret took it from Titan and read it.
<Dear Margaret,
Do not worry, I have not gone missing yet again. I have gone to Dracona to return Dante his gift. I will be back shortly.
See you soon!
Laina>
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ValestriaMoon
ValestriaMoon
Laina is going to Dracona? Oh my, I wonder if anything exciting is going to happen. :P
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