NOVEL NEXT 53. Two girls talk
Hmm〜 fluffy. Julia embraced the fluffy thing that had pressed itself against her. Enjoying sleeping in a soft bed wrapped in a nice warm blanket, as well as having a heating stone heating up inside of her tent, made her once again grateful to be born as royalty.
The others who were encamped here like her were sleeping in simple tents under thin blankets. So, in that regard, Julia was truly lucky. Though she would have preferred her bed in the palace over the one she was sleeping in, but given the circumstances, she can’t be picky.
One of the reasons she definitely didn’t want to complain was her personal bed warmer that she was now hugging, or more precisely, her tail. Lily was, after all, the best source of warmth and comfort that Julia could get in this place. Not even the heating stone provided to her by virtue of being a princess could compete with Lily in this regard.
To Julia, Lily was just a cute bundle of happiness, mainly because she didn’t have to worry about anything around her. Loriam, of course, was in a special category of her own. Julia knew she could count on Loriam for anything. be it in the day or in the middle of the night; be it a matter of life or death or just something as silly as a bad dream. Loriam was always ready to help her in any way she could. And though Julia never said so aloud, she did appreciate it.
Though saying so aloud felt like she would betray her adoptive mother, who treated her like her own. Who raised her and took great care of her.
That may be a rather stupid worry for her, but she couldn’t help it. She liked both of her mothers, but showing it just felt like stabbing the other one in the back.
"I don’t get it. Can’t they just both be with the master?"
A whisper reached Julia’s ears, and simultaneously, something small and light was placed on her. The voice sounded baffled by something.
"It is not so simple."
Another voice responded emotionlessly but with a slight hint of a sigh. Kana and Lily? What are they talking about? Julia continued pretending to sleep as she listened to the two secretly. While ignoring that the two girls were placing something on her body.
"Having more than one person as a partner is generally frowned upon. And even though the master is a princess and could have as many lovers as she chooses, they don’t have to want to share."
Kana said sounding as if it made no sense to her. Likewise, Lily seemed to agree with Kana’s unspoken opinion.
"Why wouldn’t they like it? if they want to be with master, then they should just shut up and share."
Lily placed another item on Julia and added to her statement.
"Just like we do."
"That is different."
Julia imagined Kana shaking her head. She wondered why these two were discussing her romantic life. Or why were they talking about Julia having a harem, not that the thought didn’t appeal to her.
"Both of us are faithful to the master, both in body and soul. What she wishes is like a law to us."
Kana’s emotionless voice sounded like that of a philosopher who has arrived at the meaning of life.
"On top of that, each of us has a designated place with master."
"You mean her lap for me and her hips for you?"
Lily asked, placing another piece of something on Julia yet again. At the same time, Lily’s tail brushed across Julia’s face.
"Yes. The others around the master thought, can’t really do that."
Kana almost sounded sad as she talked. Of course, they can’t do that. The two of you are the only people in the world that would be okay with something like that. Julia thought while enjoying the softness of Lily’s tail.
"Your Highness! The city."
Julia lifted her head, grumpy that she had to part with Lily’s tail. Kana had taken her sword form and was lying on the bed right next to Julia’s leg. As she lifted her head, now Julia got to see what it was that Lily and Kana were placing on her. Why were you playing cards on top of me? Julia glanced at the cards and then at Lily. Who, on her part, was merely pretending to be an innocent puppy.
"What is with the city?"
Julia turned her attention to the young woman in armor that decided to interrupt her leisurely morning. It was clear on the woman’s face that something big happened, but Julia couldn’t see what could-
"Did they get reinforcements?"
Julia asked for confirmation of her worries. But the woman shook her head.
"There is a battle in the city, but the thing is… there is our flag flying."
Julia stared at the young woman silently for a few seconds. During those few seconds, the woman got more and more nervous.
"Come again?"
Julia decided that she had heard wrong and asked her to repeat herself. Of course, there was no way that Julia heard it right.
"There is the flag of our nation flying above a few places within the city."
Yet she said the same thing again.
With a sigh, Julia climbed out of the bed and changed her clothes. Once she put on something more fitting for leading the troops, Julia quickly petted Lily and left the tent.
"What is the situation?"
The officers that had assembled bowed to her before handing her a binocular. Julia looked through it and checked on the situation in the city.
A thick pillar of smoke rose from the city, and above the city gate, a scarlet flag of vampires waved in the wind. In the streets, Julia could see figures that seemed not to be vampires fighting against the city’s garrison.
"Those aren’t ours, are they?"
Julia murmured. A deep sense of unease came over her as she looked at the battle happening in the city she was supposed to take over. It would be good if it were soldiers sent by her mother, but that was pointless hope.
"Whatever is happening there is in our favor. So just keep an eye on the situation for now."
"As you wish, your highness."
One of the officers saluted and immediately began organizing his subordinates. Julia took another quick glance at the city. Hopefully, it will not end like the last time.