I blinked several times as I woke up.

It didn’t help.

Amidst the starch clouding my vision, little could be seen of the crystalline roof of my fae four poster bed. And while that also meant nothing could be seen of the ceiling beyond it, it did little to rescue my bleary eyes from the rest of the room.

I slowly turned to the side.

Every blemish, crack and stain in the peeling woodwork leapt out at me, revealed by a shaft of sunlight pouring through a gap in the window shutters.

A very large gap.

In fact, it was so large that an insane elven woman could fit through it. And that meant the shaft of sunlight was actually a burning ray of divine light cast forth by the heavens.

Ordinarily, this would be my cue to pull up my duvet and surrender to the lullaby of sleep.

After all, for a princess to wake up tired was more than cruel. It was officially illegal. And as soon as I could convince my mother’s maids of this, I could also begin enacting justice. However early they liked to wake, I could wake them earlier. They’d never expect it. Especially when I was sleeping.

Instead … I listened.

I listened to the sounds of a village at work.

Of the hens as they pecked away at the ground. Of the traders as they pecked away at purses. Of the drunkards as they pecked away at dignity. Of the farmers as they shouted and grunted in whatever language only they and barkeepers understood.

And then came the odour.

The waft of sweat and poverty danced in the air, carried through the window with every breeze. Yet instead of trying once again to fix the shutters clinging on their hinges, I continued to accept every clamour and every smell, unmoving from beneath my duvet.

Then, taking care not to wake Coppelia or notice the line of drool accompanying her smile, I slowly emerged from the bed, before tip-toeing my way to the window.

I winced the moment I peeked outside. And not just because of the sunlight.

Why, it was truly awful.

With no fruit slimes to add colour to the village, only the occasional puff of smoke from a chimney was there to protest the monotony of aging woodwork and sagging rooftops. Everything was a shade of brown, including the carriages of the merchants as they were absorbed by the mud around them.

It was a dull village with utterly no memorable features whatsoever.

And that … was wonderful!

Ohohohohoho!

Indeed … here was the most ordinary sight in the world!

A village simply going about its day!

There was no black hole in the sky! No pirates threatening the horizon! No fae gathering in a forest! No scheming nobility! No witches and their summoned devils! No vampires with wigs! No errant adventurers, their borrowed goblin tribes or their moss cakes!

It was just a village.

And nothing … nothing was on fire!

“Oho … ohohoho … ohohohoho!!”

I raised a hand to my lips, barely covering my smile.

Unconcerned with those looking up in alarm, I leaned past the window, allowing my subjects to be warmed by my delight … just before stopping, waiting and listening.

Silence.

Here I was, openly goading the world … and only the din of shame came in response.

“M-My, how pitiful!!”

I was utterly stunned … and disappointed.

Was this it?

Truly?

Why, I had invited all the heavens, the hells and everything in-between to test my will … and this was all they had left? A last, desperate gambit to shatter the very ground?

Ohohohohoho! … If so, it wasn’t dwarves they needed! It was a shovel and their own sweat! That at least would have given me pause!

Smiling in joy as much as mockery, I stepped back from the window with a twirl, then skipped like a maiden in a meadow, round and round with what little space was afforded.

“... Eh?”

Coppelia woke up, her eyes blinking at the sight of me twirling.

She tilted her head in confusion.

And then–

“Wheeeeeeeeeee!”

She threw the duvet off, stood on the bed and began to spin.

Less like a clockwork doll and more a clockwork ballerina, she spun as though on a music box, inviting all the sounds of a peaceful village as her orchestra.

Eventually, dizziness came to claim us both. Or at least me.

I came to a stop, held out my arms for balance and smiled.

“Ohohoho … behold, Coppelia! A morning without blemish!”

“Great!” Coppelia gave a final twirl, then sat down on the bed. “... Is that why we’re spinning around?”

“Indeed it is! It means we’ve proven our dignity! Those who sought amusement at our expense have been cowed! Whether they be fae eating snacks or devils plying promises, they’ve all failed to best our resolve! And now as our reward, we wake to the sight of a kingdom without a single pending calamity!”

I paused.

“... Speaking of which, you have slightly better eyes than me. Do you happen to see any black holes in the sky? Perhaps something on fire? Or maybe a passing dragon?”

Coppelia giggled.

She raised a hand to her brows, peering past the window.

“Let’s have a look … nope! All I see is a bunch of rooftops at threat of structural collapse!”

“My, how wonderful! Then it seems our foes have truly chosen to slink away! Now that my orchard is so near, they’ve nothing left in the barrel to hurl at us!”

“I mean, I don’t think we’ve reached the end just yet. And as we say in Ouzelia, as long as there’s time, then there’s always a chance for something to explode!”

“In Ouzelia, yes. But here, anything more would be utterly garish. Why, I can practically feel the shame of our foes! They’ll all be desperate to keep what little pride they have left.”

“Oooooh~ you’re so confident!”

Coppelia’s eyes sparkled in admiration … all the while she leaned slightly away.

I pursed my lips.

“W-With that said, there’s no need to invite any catastrophes … while it’s true that I can see our foes dipping their heads, it would be remiss of us not to keep our eyes on the road.”

“And in the sky!”

“And in the sky, yes.”

My eyes glanced at the window.

This was partly because I knew dragons could approach with stealth if need be. But also because somewhere over the horizon, my petunias were waiting.

Indeed!

Now that my quality of life was secure, all that remained was to return home and indulge in the fruits of my labour … and that meant the only concern was ensuring Coppelia’s impression of me remained true and accurate!

As my loyal handmaiden, many trials awaited her. She’d be quizzed by the visiting dignitaries concerning her opinion of me. If she ever mistakenly let slip that I was anything but a gentle princess who had never once punted a fruit slime, eyebrows would be raised.

Thus, I placed my hand to my chest and smiled.

“Still, we needn’t overly fear. I truly believe that the worst of our troubles are behind us. If possible, I would therefore like you to take the time to admire the many sights and colours of my kingdom–”

“All I see is mud.”

“–the many sights and colours of my kingdom outside this specific village–”

“Every village is muddy. It’s actually impressive how uniform they are.”

“–outside the many villages and towns which care not for petty aesthetics, but rather the spirit of togetherness and adoration for its princesses. There shall be many opportunities. Why, I intend to pause whenever possible, taking the time to hear the concerns of the people while soothing their ills. There is no rush when it comes to the joy of my subjects.”

Coppelia blinked.

And then–

“Ahahahahahahahahaha~”

“C-Coppelia?! Why are you laughing?!”

My semi-loyal handmaiden fell back on the bed, her mirth overtaking her.

I was shocked.

Clearly, it’s possible that in my haste to right the wrongs of random hoodlums, I hadn’t shown the side of me which truly represented my gentle nature … but no matter!

I could fix this!

This … This truly was the only chance I had left!

I absolutely needed to ensure that before reaching the Royal Villa, Coppelia saw my regal nature!

Knock. Knock.

Suddenly, my mind blanked as a set of knuckles rapped against the door.

An instinctive horror took hold of me at once. Even Coppelia’s laughter came to an abrupt halt.

“... Hm?” came the voice on the other side. “Is something blocking the way? … Hello? Guests? Are you there? It’s past midday and we need to ready the room. Is everything well? Will you be staying another night?”

I dared to swallow a gulp.

“My apologies. We’re about to leave.”

“Oh, that’s fine. I don’t mean to rush you, but just know that you’ll need to reserve another night if you wish to stay much longer. The common room is open to all, though.”

“I understand. Thank you very much.”

I waited for the footsteps to pass.

Then, I nodded … just before heading to the window.

“Very well! Let’s leave.”

“Eh? Are we leaving through the window?”

“Yes.”

“Why? Is something wrong with the door?”

“No, nothing’s wrong with the door. It just takes a few seconds longer.”

“Ehhh?! What happened to taking the time to admire your kingdom?!”

“Coppelia.” I turned to her with a look of utmost seriousness. “We are not safe.” Follow current novᴇls on novel★fire.net

Yes.

I wasn’t wiser, more beautiful or more modest since I’d left my bedroom tower. That was impossible. My points in all these things had long met the threshold.

But I was more experienced … and if there was anything that reminded me that only the walls of the Royal Villa could keep out the doom which followed me, it was a knock on the door when all seemed well!

“Hup.”

Thus, I did what any princess would do.

I climbed out of the window, before searching for something suitably sturdy to cling onto. I found the nearest wooden beam, hugged it, then began to slide with the grace of a falling rose petal.

Indeed, there was no time to waste!

Spring was at an end.

Summer had officially begun.

And it was time to return home, where nothing bad possibly awaited.