Chapter 12. The most unexpected meeting
When I was still doubting whether I was really seeing what I was seeing, her casual voice reached me again.
— How are you feeling? Does anything hurt? — it seems that she was genuinely concerned about my condition.
This girl, whom I couldn't take my eyes off, looked like a celebrity that an ordinary person could only see on a TV screen. She had blue eyes and blond hair like molten gold. Her features were soft and graceful at the same time.
At that moment, I wasn't quite sure why I was experiencing the greatest shock: that I woke up in an unfamiliar place, or that the first person I saw was a goddess descending from heaven.
My throat is a little hoarse from excitement.
I muttered in confusion, continuing to stare at her for an indecently long time.
— Oh, right, — the concern on the girl's face was replaced by enlightenment, — I'm sorry, you must have been scared, — then she smiled warmly at me, — My name is Jerica de Ronan. Nice to meet you.
The girl held out her hand to shake mine, and I just stupidly stared at her outstretched palm. That's the name… Even if I had forgotten about everything in the world, this name was something that would definitely remain in my memory.
After all, this was, after all, the main character of this novel!
Beautiful appearance, matching the features of a member of the imperial family. A calm but majestic aura. Well, even if I didn't know her name, sooner or later I would still be able to come to this conclusion.
«Is this reality?!»
This was a circumstance where hiccups remained unavoidable.
I could hardly resist uttering an exclamation of excitement or doing any other not too decent thing in a fit of emotion.
When I realized that the main character of this novel was in front of me, my jaw literally dropped. After all, no matter how you look at it, a minor statistician like me shouldn't have had a chance to meet her. Moreover, it should happen under such ambiguous circumstances… What is Jerica de Ronan doing here…? No, rather, what am I doing here?!
— Are you okay? — when I froze like a statue for several seconds, the princess anxiously asked me this question.
— Ah… I… yes!
Belatedly, I finally realized what position I was in. And despite the fact that I regained consciousness only recently, I jerked out of bed to greet her.
— Camille de Walt welcomes Her Royal Highness!
I tried to say it as confidently as I could, but my voice was still shaking a lot. The main character, watching me, sighed softly.
— There is no need for these formalities. You're still too weak. You'd better lie back down.
— But… I stammered, unsure if I could really do that.
But the second princess took me by the elbow and sat me back on the bed. My anxiety resumed with renewed vigor, and it seemed that my heart was about to jump out of my chest.
«T-thank you, Your Highness…»
«It's all right,» the heroine smiled kindly at me again.
When I came to my senses, Jerica called one of the servants guarding the tent outside and told him to bring rice porridge and a strengthening tincture from the kitchen. When she asked if I needed anything else, I hurriedly shook my head. I was too embarrassed to eat something cooked by the royal chef. Also…
This is the first time that the inconspicuous me, whose existence is like the wind, has suddenly received so much attention. Especially from someone like the main character of this novel.
I ate my porridge in silence, feeling my strength gradually returning to me, while the second princess continued to stay near my resting place. This silence was getting more and more awkward for me.
Although I tried to restrain myself, the direction of my gaze involuntarily turned to Jerika. Actually, it was considered indecent to stare at someone so intently, especially a member of the royal family. But how could I stay calm while being next to the main character?!
This impossible mission turned out to be a failure for me when Jerica met my gaze directly at one point. I hiccuped and shyly hurried to lower my eyes.
«Lady de Walt, are you feeling better?» «What is it?» she asked solicitously.
— Oh… yes. Thank you! I feel much better now.
— I'm glad to hear that, — a charming smile appeared on the princess's face, which seemed to illuminate everything around like the sun, — I want to apologize to you for the inconvenience caused. You must have a lot of questions right now.
Well, there was hardly any arguing with that.
— You don't have to worry about one thing. I'm not going to hurt you. And being here, you can feel safe.
If any other person had told me this, in whose domain I suddenly came to my senses, then, of course, I would have strongly doubted this statement. But since she was the main character of this novel — a model of nobility and the purest spiritual thoughts, I did not hesitate to take her assurance at face value.
— Actually… Our meeting was not accidental,» the girl suddenly admitted.
— what?
— I've already heard a lot about who you are.
This statement put me in a stupor. So that the second princess of this Empire would know about the existence of some insignificant lady like me… How is this possible? But before I could ask anything, her blue eyes became more intense.
For some reason, I flinched at that moment.
«Lady de Walt, if you don't mind.» I would like to ask you for help in a matter,» the princess suddenly announced.
My pupils dilated.
— The case? I asked, «What other case?»
— Well… — without further ado, Jerica decided to tell me everything directly, — Lady de Walt, I would be very grateful if you could help me bring my older sister to justice for her crimes.