Chapter 15

Arhan was one of the most trusted leaders of the Itala tribe, the largest tribe in the desert kingdom of Kalain, serving the Sultan with utmost loyalty. Despite being called a tribe, Itala was more like a massive city built upon the desert, serving as one of the strongest powers for the Sultan. The same could be said for Bahan, the prince of the Kingdom of Kalain.

That’s why Bahan asked the most reliable Arhan for help. What kind of princess would appear just to bring in a coloring book from the Empire? As Bahan’s thoughts raced, Arhan dashed toward the maid with a smile on his face. In the Kingdom of Kalain, could a mere maid ever stand against a warrior ranked among the top five? Bahan thought not a chance.

Of course, he was aware of the rumors about her. The tale of how she single-handedly subdued two knights from the Endain Principality. But Bahan didn’t really believe those rumors. After all, how could such delicate arms and waist possibly confront knights? Though Bahan himself enjoyed indulging in books and wasn’t especially muscular, he had trained as a part of the desert culture.

Given that, he understood that the woman in front of him lacked any muscle to effectively exert strength. No, being well-versed in theory made Bahan even more aware that if Arhan clashed with this maid, it would be the maid who would end up shattered.

“Hey, wait… Arhan!”

Bahan attempted to call out to him. However, Arhan, seemingly oblivious, collided with the maid. Just as Bahan squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the gruesome sight that was about to unfold, something astonishing happened.

The maid’s arms moved. She deflected the punch aimed at her with her palm. The smoothness of her motion was like that of a butterfly. Sidestepping gracefully, she perfectly evaded the strike and extended her other hand.

Arhan, not having trained for show, was taken aback but was quick to regain his composure, blocking the maid’s outstretched hand. But that block turned out to be a mistake.

“You should’ve caught it.”

With Bahan’s mutter, the maid used the recoil from Arhan’s block to launch a powerful strike with her opposite hand. Before anyone knew it, her fist connected squarely with Arhan’s jaw. Thud! What he had assumed was a blow without power produced a surprisingly loud sound that filled the air.

Amidst their back-and-forth exchange, Arhan staggered but didn’t faint. Instead, he wore a grin that seemed to indicate he was enjoying it and lunged at the maid again like a bull seeing red, while the maid, with her characteristic expressionless face, blocked Arhan’s punches. After a few exchanges, Arhan seemed to sense that he could not keep this up forever, and he glanced over at Bahan.

“Can I take it a bit more seriously? Your Highness.”

“…Do you think that’s going to happen?!”

Bahan jumped up in shock as he finally regained his senses, and Arhan looked at the maid with disappointment. Yet the maid merely checked her outfit with a blank expression.

“Huh. I see. Maid.”

“…Is that so?”

The maid, having regained her stance, stood before the princess as if she were a ghost. Was that how maids of the Empire usually moved?

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you’re wrong.”

“Your Highness.”

“Right. Prince Bahan. I believe the items you brought in are quite unsatisfactory. Am I correct?”

“Uh, well, yes.”

After all, it was the Empire’s coloring book, so that was to be expected. As Bahan awkwardly splashed his face with water, the princess gained confidence from his flustered expression and spoke boldly.

“Alright then. Let’s confirm what you’ve brought. Catherine!”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Check what items have come in!”

“Wait a moment. Didn’t you already have an idea?!”

“Am I supposed to know the items you’re bringing in?”

“Oh, that’s not good…” In that moment, a thought flashed through Bahan’s mind. However, Arhan already seemed to have given up and stepped back, while the maid was opening a chest. Inside it were all sorts of items. Everything from standard books to food ingredients for covering up the coloring book.

“Hmmm, nothing unusual here.”

“Wait a second. Isn’t that enough?”

“No. Based on your earlier reaction, there must be something criminal in there. I must find it.”

Criminal? Was it really? It wasn’t entirely untrue; after all, distributing coloring books in the Empire was illegal. Though it circulated among commoners, such items weren’t suitable for a prince of a kingdom. Realizing that, Bahan hurriedly dashed toward the chest.

“Arhan! Help me!”

“I think I’ve found it, Your Highness.”

“Oh no!”

Bahan glanced back frantically at Arhan, desperately signaling for help, but Arhan merely shook his head in amusement.

“Just accept it like a man, Your Highness.”

“Ahhhhh!”

Bahan’s face turned crimson, and the maid’s expression changed peculiarly as she opened a book. No, she was still expressionless, but something about her reaction made it clear she had seen something shocking. The maid, who had acted tough up until now, reacting like this was indeed bizarre. The princess, feeling odd at this turn of events, tilted her head and approached the maid.

“Hm? A book? What kind of book is it? Political? Or philosophical?”

“…Do you want to see for yourself?”

“No, not at all, Your Highness. Really, you can’t.”

“Ah, come on! I need to find out what that book is!”

The princess kicked Bahan away, who was clinging to her pant leg, and slowly opened the book. The moment the embarrassing illustrations became visible, she slammed the book shut.

“T-this is!”

“Yes. It’s a coloring book.”

“Wh-what kind of book are you bringing in?!”

“I-I told you it’s not allowed!”

“Is this really the time for you to be angry?!”

“…The prince’s hand touched my thigh. Ah, ahhh, this simply cannot be! Your Highness.”

“What are you reading out loud like that?!”

Soon enough, the princess snatched the book from the maid, who had started reading aloud, and let out an exasperated sigh. The lack of emotion in her demeanor somehow made her more infuriating.

“F-First, this is confiscated.”

“You sure seem quite clueless, Your Highness.”

“…Say another word, and I will exert my authority.”

“…”

The princess, having elegantly twisted the words about how she would suppress him with her power, tucked the book into her belongings. The maid looked as if she wanted to say something but then quickly closed her mouth again. Bahan sighed heavily at the scene.

“Either way, that’s the situation.”

“Nothing like drugs or weapons, huh….”

“Who brings something dangerous like that into the Academy?!”

“Prince Bellus.”

“Prince Bellus?”

This time, Bahan’s eyes widened in genuine surprise, and he tilted his head back, chuckling softly.

“Come on, that can’t be true! Who else is such a goody-two-shoes?”

“Goody-two-shoes?”

“Yes. Well, we haven’t been friends for long, but he’s the type who wouldn’t even say a bad word. Do you really think he would smuggle in drugs or weapons?”

“…Then who told you about this place?”

“A senior. One year above me.”

“Hmmm.”

The princess frowned at Bahan’s answer. While this was happening, the maid had already gathered all the coloring books and approached the princess with them. Bahan wanted to cry at the thought of his treasures being confiscated, but he didn’t want to throw a tantrum over losing some racy books, so he kept his mouth shut.

“Alright. I’ll let this one slide, but if you’re caught smuggling again, I will bring it up to the officials properly.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

“Right then.”

With a sigh, the princess and maid began to walk away. After watching them leave for a while, Bahan finally sank to the ground with a thunk.

“Phew, I’m alive.”

“Should’ve been more careful.”

“Shut it, Arhan. By the way, was that maid really that strong? Enough to use weapons?”

“Yeah. That Baktus Martial Art of hers is probably on par with most people. At her age, if she’s that skilled, she must be a genius, even if she’s trained since childhood.”

Bahan’s eyes widened in surprise at Arhan’s assessment. That maid, who seemed utterly devoid of muscle?

“…If she’s that capable, why is she working as a maid for the House of Portus?”

“It’s the House of Portus, after all.”

“Well, that makes sense.”

With a single phrase, whatever antics they got up to could be wrapped up neatly, thanks to the name of the House of Portus. It was dubious whether that name was a good one or not.

“…Anyway, head back. I don’t know when I’ll be able to use this place again, so wait for my next contact.”

“After all that, you’re doing it again?”

“I lost it, didn’t I? Agh! Seriously, who’s spreading the word around?! Damn it.”

Kicking a stone that had fallen on the ground, Bahan shot a glance at Arhan.

“Either way, thanks for your help today.”

“Yeah, Your Highness.”

After seeing Arhan disappear into the distance, Bahan took off in the opposite direction. He had gained nothing, and the day had left him with nothing but a growing curiosity about who had informed the princess about this place and the true identity of the maid.