A Righteous Female Knight Never Compromises!-Chapter 37 : Atala Really Changed
Chapter 37 - Atala Really Changed
Time always flies by quickly, and it feels like they have been sitting in the shop for over an hour.
No matter how much they talked, there will always be an end to the conversation. Although the conversation with Princess Mia was pleasant and Anna had learned a lot, it was time to part ways.
“Then, I'll await your good news, Anna,” Princess Mia said politely, bowing slightly as the two of them reached the door of the shop.
“I... we will naturally do our best,” Anna nodded.
The two exchanged a smile and then went their separate ways.
Anna watched as Princess Mia walked into the distance, followed by two tall women in casual clothes who appeared beside her, who seemed engaged in some conversation.
Halfway through their exchange, one of them looked up and glanced at Anna standing in the distance, then seemed to freeze for a moment.
Not just her, even Anna was momentarily stunned.
[Isn't that Angelina?]
Wow, her roommate had now become the princess's bodyguard?
After responding to each other, Anna gave a slight wave, and Angelina nodded in response.
This wasn't the time for a lengthy conversation. After glancing around and seeing no suspicious figures, Anna headed straight home.
On the other side, Princess Mia also noticed Angelina's small gesture.
“Angelina, you know Anna, don't you?”
This wasn't a question but more of a routine inquiry with a conclusion already drawn.
After all, Princess Mia had sent someone to investigate Anna's background yesterday, so she naturally knew about Anna's social circle and who her roommates were.
In fact, the reason Angelina was among the designated bodyguards for today's outing was because Princess Mia had specifically requested her presence.
“...Yes, Anna Garland and I were roommates at the Knight Academy.”
When the princess asked, there was no point in hiding anything.
Angelina had no intention of hiding it either. In her eyes, it was a good thing that she seemed diligent but actually a lazy roommate, whose dream was to laser around and wait for death, had caught the princess's attention.
In Angelina's view, Anna becoming a free knight was a waste of her talent. If she could join the Royal Knights, she could better achieve her dream of lazing around and waiting for death.
She also had to work hard herself, so she could look after her roommate in the future. After all, years of roommate friendship weren't something you could just forget... especially since Anna had saved her life before.
If she had really followed John Burrito back then, she might have died in that kidnapping incident targeting the duke.
After all, Angelina had been one of the Investigators at the scene and knew full well that there were enemies she couldn't handle.
This life-saving favor only deepened their friendship.
Angelina, she's really... I'm moved to tears (×).
“Is that so... What else do you know about Anna? Tell me everything.”
Seeing that Angelina seemed truly happy to have such a friend, Princess Mia smiled and asked this question.
“Yes, I'll tell you everything I know.”
As for what Angelina told Princess Mia and how Anna's image was in Angelina's mind, it had nothing to do with Anna, who had already returned home.
“You smell heavily of perfume.”
“Where did you go fooling around?”
One after another, a human and an elf, Helga and Atala, immediately launched an interrogation as soon as Anna returned—
Wait, Helga was one thing, but why was Atala joining in now?
Was it because they had played games together that Atala's jealousy had grown?
You weren't like this before!
And... perfume? Why would I have perfume on me?
Although Princess Mia had a unique rose scent, I specifically checked myself when I got back, and I didn't smell like that.
Anna wanted to explain, but then Louise, who had just woken up and was still yawning, appeared.
“What's going on here...?”
After hearing Helga and Atala's descriptions, Louise rubbed her eyes and came over to take a sniff—
“Mia's perfume?”
“How do you know!?”
Can childhood friends even recognize each other's perfume?
"Only Mia in the entire kingdom uses this unique rose scent. This rose perfume is also very expensive. I have a bottle of the perfume Mia gave me at home," Louise explained. “And this scent lingers. Even if you wash it off completely and can't smell it yourself, others can still detect it. It's quite a magical perfume.”
“...Did she add magic to the perfume or something?”
Mia, you've set me up!
“So, what happened this afternoon?” Louise's expression suddenly turned stern. “Did you go on a date with Mia?”
“Is my good friend now trying to steal you away?”
“No... it's really not like that...”
...
After a lot of chaos, Anna finally managed to explain what had happened that afternoon.
“I didn't know Mia had such a hobby... This is the first time I've heard of it,” Louise, now calmed down, seemed a bit surprised after hearing Anna's account. “Take me there next time.”
“That cat cafe, Luca's... is it the one we went to last time?”
Atala immediately knew where it was.
“That's the one... I thought since I had nothing to do in the afternoon and didn't know where to go shopping, I might as well go there and sit for a while...”
At this point, Anna felt a bit wronged.
Isn't it because none of you were with me that I went there and ended up meeting Princess Mia?!
“She actually accepted the proposal... Now we really need to get moving,” Louise continued, then looked around.
The all-purpose maid suddenly appeared in front of Anna and the others, almost scaring Anna off her seat.
“You're a professional too?”
When she came to the royal city by carriage, she said she had some combat skills when she was the driver, does that mean she's a professional?!
“I was recently promoted to an F-rank assassin, not before,” the maid explained.
“Alright, go inform the household, especially the old butler. The plan we discussed earlier needs to be set in motion.”
“Yes!”
“...Wait, what plan?”
Anna, still clueless, was completely lost.
“...Since Mia has accepted our proposal, the plan to win over the nobles should be put on the agenda,” Louise didn't expect to have to explain this to Anna again. “We can't personally visit each one, right? So we'll send our subordinates to contact the lower-ranking nobles.”
“You're right.”
“Then... after notifying everyone, it's Helga's turn to act.”
“You don't have to tell me,” Helga snorted. “I've been going home every day these past few days exactly for this reason.”
“...What's this about?”
Anna remained confused.
“The Bartham family is planning to host a banquet seven days from now.”
Helga didn't explain the reason but clarified what she was doing.
“...???”
Now Anna, whose brain wasn't particularly sharp to begin with, was even more confused.
“How should I put it... We probably need a setting to figure out who among the royal faction is a friend, who's an enemy, who's worth winning over, and who can be abandoned..." Louise patiently explained. “And a banquet hosted by a major noble with a sufficient number of invitees is a good setting.”
“Fine, you guys can discuss this yourselves.”
“It's alright, Anna. You just stay at home, drink tea, and sleep,” Louise couldn't help but pinch Anna's ear, the strong sensation making Anna's face turn red. “We'll handle everything.”
“Th-that so...”
Is this the pleasure of freeloading?
Anna had never imagined that she'd ever be able to freeload, and now... she was actually doing it?!
No, no, it's not just one meal, it's three whole meals of freeloading!
“I need to... calm down.”
“Sure, take your time,” Helga waved her hand dismissively.
Atala, on the other hand, had already pulled Anna into her arms.
Miraculously, neither Louise nor Helga objected to Atala's actions... perhaps because Atala's presence was usually so low-key that they felt it was fine for her to be a bit more assertive...
[After all, with so much interference, Helga probably doesn't have the energy anymore. Tonight, my senior is definitely mine!] by Louise Latimir.
[A single day of interference can't stop me! Today, I must get my revenge in the game! Hehe, Anna is mine tonight!] by Helga Bartham.
Although these two had their own ulterior motives and were determined to win Anna over tonight, the small interaction between Anna and Atala felt like a moment of peace.
Being held in Atala's arms, Anna's mind became foggy, and she immediately became submerged in Atala's embrace, not wanting to break free at all.
Who would have thought that Atala, who always seemed like a background character, had already made her move last night?
Looking at Anna in her arms, Atala, who had already tasted the sweetness, felt a bit restless. Her mind couldn't help but recall the wild gaming session from last night.
Staying up late playing games might be harmful, but it's truly enjoyable!
[Should I go find Anna tonight? I absolutely can't let her touch my ears today.] by Atala Amastacia.
Sad news: the once pure, low-key, and understanding Atala has now become a game enthusiast who loves playing games with Anna every day.
Is this the so-called corruption of the elves often mentioned in the novels Anna reads? (×)
.
!
Chapter 37 : Atala Really Changed
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