"Hiss..."

It was unclear if the water temperature was a bit low, or if "Princess Catherine" felt some sort of malice from the unknown. While taking a bath, she suddenly shivered violently, feeling a chill run through her body.

"Your Highness?"

Hearing the sounds coming from the bathing pool, the maid waiting outside the screen promptly inquired softly,

"Is the pool water not hot enough? Do you need me to add some hot water for you?"

"No!"

After refusing the maid's offer in a pinched voice, "Princess Catherine" picked up a comb by the pool, brushed out some tangled chest hair, quickly scrubbed her body, and climbed out of the pool with two hairy legs exposed. She grabbed the neatly folded towel and wiped herself down twice.

Goddamn... being a human is such a hassle; not bathing makes you sour!

Unaware of the true identity hidden under "Princess Catherine's" disguise, the maid waiting behind the screen hurried to help "Princess Catherine" change into a bathrobe once she heard the water sound from someone stepping out. Then, with eyes full of envy, she softly said,

"Your Highness, your skin is so beautiful. Under the slight shimmer of the pool lights, it looks as if it's glowing."

"..."

"And your figure, none of the sisters in the Dancing Society who dance daily have such perfect lines as you, especially your waist and hip curves, they're the most I've ever—"

"Alright!"

With some impatience, after snapping a little, seeing the maid visibly startled, Dongya had to lower her voice again. She tried hard to put on an elegant demeanor, knitting her eyebrows slightly as she explained,

"Sorry, I was just thinking about what happened during the day. That Evil Prince Lion Heart's reaction had me a little concerned, so my attitude wasn't great, and I scared you."

"Oh, no, no!"

Surprised that "Princess Catherine" actually apologized to her, the maid quickly shook her head to indicate it was alright, but didn't dare continue talking much. Instead, she picked up a pure white towel and deftly pantomimed drying the nonexistent hair.

Judging by her actions... she's probably drying "my" hair, right?

After watching the maid, who was holding a towel, wrap and repeatedly massage non-existent hair, "Princess Catherine" couldn't help but ask,

"In your eyes, what is that Prince Lion Heart like?"

"Huh?"

"Like his appearance, temperament, speech, and the feeling he gives you."

Considering that as a fellow human, the maid might find it easier to "understand" the Food God than she could, "Princess Catherine" patiently sat by the pool, allowing the maid to work on the nonexistent hair while asking,

"My perspective and yours are quite different. Since you happened to be in the hall at the time, I want to hear from your point of view what kind of person that Prince Lion Heart is."

"Well..."

After listening to "Princess Catherine's" question, the maid's hands paused momentarily before she hesitantly replied,

"That Prince Lion Heart... he has an ambitious aura, his gaze is very aggressive, especially when he looks into someone's eyes, like he can see right into your heart, making it a bit daunting to meet his eyes directly..."

"Hmm."

The taste of ambition was probably due to the influence of the Bedtime Story. As for the rest, that's likely just the Food God's traits, and that "aggressive" look is probably his focused thinking when analyzing someone, as the person seems to have a habit of constantly pondering over his opponents.

Satisfied with the maid's answer, "Princess Catherine" nodded and said,

"And what else?"

"And also..."

The maid hesitated upon hearing this, then mustered up the courage to say,

"I think he's probably quite lustful!"

"Huh?"

"Well, he kept staring at your... at your chest!"

Recalling the focus of "Prince Lion Heart's" gaze, the maid spoke with a slightly disdainful expression,

"Your position at the time might not have given you a clear view, but I was standing behind you, and his eyes were always glancing at your chest!"

Chest?

After glancing down at her own chest, "Princess Catherine" fell silent for a moment before realizing what the Food God might have been looking at.

In the eyes of an ordinary person who hasn't entered the Bedtime Story, her appearance and voice were identical to Princess Catherine, but to the Food God whose power was quite formidable and who had faintly touched the True God's threshold, even if her ability was sealed, some of these "disguises" could be seen through.

So he probably wasn't looking at her chest, but at the chest hair exposed due to wearing a dress, trying to discern her true form under the disguise—likely, the Food God doesn't possess a weakness for lust.

"What a pity."

Under the maid's dazed gaze, "Princess Catherine" cupped her chest and, with a subtle sigh full of regret, said,

"If only he were lustful."

"..."

(o_O)?!

What does that mean? What do you mean if only he were lustful? So your reason for rejecting marriage to that freckled-faced prince was simply not being into him, but instead you fancy that Prince Lion Heart?!

This... this... is not entirely unreasonable?

Thinking back to the appearance of the Evil Prince Lion Heart, even the maid who had significant prejudices against him had to admit—while not an unparalleled beauty, Prince Lion Heart was definitely young and handsome.

Moreover, with his muscular form clearly visible under the tailored suit, there was a youthful vigor unique to young men. Accompanied by steady features and an imposing gaze, he was indeed a man of considerable charm.

Besides, the usual men the princess encountered were not burly shamans painted all over, but hunched priests with long robes and beards, and colorful dancers dressed like pheasants, or bald-headed ascetic monks, nearly all of whom were over fifty.

After seeing such people for so long, suddenly encountering a young and handsome man with decent fashion sense, feeling a bit attracted seems quite reasonable?

...

"Alright, you can go now!"

Unaware of how many odd thoughts her words had conjured in the maid's mind, "Princess Catherine" waved her off and then changed into clothes, leaving the bath area.

"Your Highness!"

As Dongya, donned in a long dress, walked out with two rows of maids in tow, the waiting President of the Shaman Society hurriedly rushed over, reporting with a worried look:

"The issue with the Yarn Society has been clarified. They did not plan the assassination of the Great Shaman."

"Hmm?"

Hearing the Shaman Society President's words, "Princess Catherine" frowned, casting an unhappy glance at him.

There was no assassination plot against the Great Shaman to begin with! I merely wanted you to arrest those participating in the Yarn Society to prevent them from assisting that woman, Black Cat, in causing trouble. Who told you to actually investigate thoroughly?

Though internally quite dissatisfied, keeping in mind her persona as the "wise princess," Dongya had no choice but to return his words with a gentle smile, sighing with feigned contrition,

"So it wasn't them, after all? It seems I've unjustly blamed them..."

"Not unjustly! Your Highness! They're not entirely innocent!"

Seeing "Princess Catherine" exhibit such softness and introspection, even in this situation, the Shaman Society's President's face darkened, expressing frustration at the princess's leniency,

"Although they did not plan the assassination of the Great Shaman, their target is you!"

"?!!!"

"Your Highness, behind the Yarn Society is that Prince Lion Heart, and he's collaborating with the head of the Yarn Society, planning a kidnapping against you. They're currently recruiting people in the streets!"

Gazing at the suddenly wide-eyed "Princess Catherine," the Shaman Society President explained further, swiftly urging her with a tense expression,

"This matter is of grave importance. I can't move against that Prince Lion Heart, but you must quickly order his arrest! Immediately have him deported back to his country! And then permanently refuse him entry!"