Chapter 14: Lunchtime with the Princess

“That’s all for today’s lesson.”

Reginald placed the chalk on the podium and turned to Silia and Chloe.

“Did you both take notes on the board?”

Seeing his gaze, Silia hurriedly closed her notebook and nodded repeatedly.

“Good.”

With that, Reginald wiped the blackboard clean.

Watching the board full of notes get erased, Chloe felt a mix of regret and guilt.

If you flipped open Silia’s notebook, you’d find pages filled with messy tic-tac-toe grids.

They’d played tic-tac-toe the entire class…

‘I came here to learn!’ Chloe thought. ‘How did I end up playing games with the princess?’

She glanced at the wall clock. It was 11 a.m.

Lunchtime!

Chloe packed her textbook and slung her small bag over her shoulder.

“Little Chloe, where’re you going?”

“Your Highness, I’m heading to the cafeteria to eat.”

“Reginald’s gone. Just call me Silia.”

“Oh, got it.”

Silia finished packing too.

“Let’s go. I’m eating too.”

They left the classroom and headed to the stairs.

On the way down, Chloe felt something odd.

Normally, the princess took her meals in the private dining room she shared with Larvia. Why was she following Chloe to the cafeteria?

She glanced at Silia, who seemed oblivious to the oddity.

“Silia, I think you’re going the wrong way,” Chloe whispered.

Silia shook her head.

“Nope, I’m eating in the cafeteria today.”

“Huh?”

Chloe tilted her head, puzzled.

Why’s the princess acting so weird today?

“Because I want to eat with little Chloe.”

“With me?”

Chloe pointed at herself, flattered.

“I’m not sure why, but I feel really comfortable around you.”

“Um…”

Chloe didn’t know how to respond. After a moment, she ventured, “I’m honored?”

“Don’t be so formal.”

Silia grabbed Chloe’s hand and winked.

“Wait here. I’ll grab something tasty for you.”

Tasty?

Chloe’s eyes lit up with anticipation.

But a bad feeling started brewing in her gut…

Silia led Chloe to a table in the cafeteria, then left mysteriously.

Soon, she returned with a small basket.

Chloe eagerly opened it.

A strange smell hit her instantly.

Durian pastries again!

Her raised eyebrows drooped.

Glancing around, she noticed the nearby tables had quietly emptied, as if everyone knew what was coming.

“Don’t worry, they don’t like it, so no one’ll steal any.”

Silia licked her lips, grabbed a durian pastry, and popped it into her mouth.

After swallowing, she picked up another and held it to Chloe’s lips.

“Little Chloe, your turn!”

Staring at the pastry inches away, Chloe wanted to cry.

‘Miss, forget that no one likes it—who’d dare steal from the princess?’

The steaming pastry was right there. Chloe glanced at Silia, whose eyes sparkled with expectation.

With the princess personally feeding her, she couldn’t refuse.

‘Here goes!’

She bit into the pastry.

Unlike the cold ones Silia brought last time, which had a muted flavor, these were fresh from the oven, piping hot. The intense durian taste made Chloe’s vision blur, nearly choking her.

“Ugh… so good…”

Chloe forced the pastry down, wiping tears from her eyes.

“Little Chloe, you don’t have to be like that.”

‘Huh?’

Chloe paused.

‘Did the princess figure out I don’t like it?’

“If you want to eat, I can bring you more every day. No need to get so emotional—you’re crying!”

“I…” More tears welled up. “Thank you, Your Highness…”

Nearby, onlookers shot Chloe pitying glances.

Suppressing the urge to gag, she finished the pastry and chugged the accompanying blood to wash out the taste. Finally, she got to normal food.

“By the way, little Chloe, why’re you taking classes?”

Silia looked curious.

“Well… I didn’t join through normal channels.”

Chloe spoke slowly, buying time to craft an excuse.

“A while back, Her Majesty found me. And, um… she saw I looked like you, Silia, felt pity, and brought me here, giving me this job…”

Perfect, airtight!

“I thought Mother snuck in an illegitimate daughter. Scared me for a sec.”

Silia patted her flat chest.

“Speaking of, you really do look like me. You’re not actually her secret kid, right?” she teased.

“No way, impossible!”

Chloe laughed it off.

How could she be Larvia’s daughter?

She was the human Sword Saint, with zero connection to Larvia!

“So, will you keep taking classes with me?”

Silia grabbed Chloe’s arm, eyes hopeful.

She’d taken alchemy for years, and this was the first time it felt fun.

It’d be great if she could always study with little Chloe!

Chloe thought for a moment.

“Should be fine, I guess.”

Larvia wouldn’t arrange private lessons for a maid, so she’d likely piggyback on Silia’s classes.

“Sweet! Then Monday, join me for combat training?”

“Monday… probably not.”

“Why?”

Silia’s disappointment was palpable.

“I’ve got work.” Chloe looked sheepish. “Lady Sheffield said she’s taking me shopping too.”

“Sh-Shopping?!”