Chapter 42: Carma's Scoldings.

  Carma: “Celia, Father, apologies for being so late. There was quite the uppity diplomat, which took… some time to deal with.” She said remorsefully after sitting down.

  Mein: “Oh, no… Did he survive?” He nervously asked, already knowing the answer.

  Carma: “Yes.” She nodded in reply.

  Mein: “That so? You’re maturing, my dear daugh…” His words stopped here. Why?…

  Carma: “But the expenses he’ll have to pay to get a Healer to restore his arm will be… quite high.” She nonchalantly answered, turning her attention to Celia.

  Mein: “( ’-’ ~)”

  Like Empress Rien, Carma, the heir of this kingdom, was slowly taking control of it. By this point, Mein was almost a king in name solely… Anyway, Carma gazed at Celia, who looked confused. Ria then, unprompted, ratted the king out to her via telepathy.

  Carma: “Father, don’t you have… some business to attend to?” She asked, her eyes partially closed, tone upset.

  Mein: “Hm? No, I made sure to keep my schedule open to meet my new…” Got cut off once more.

  Carma: “King Mein, you do have a meeting. It wouldn’t do to be late, would it?” She sternly repeated.

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  Mein: “My daughter… you’re correct! When did I get so forgetful? Truly, you should be the one on the throne, not me!!” He quickly replied, sitting up, and fleeing the scene.

  Celia: “???”

  Carma only refers to him by name and title when she is upset, so though he wasn’t sure what happened, Mein knew to do as the princess ordered. Leaving Carma, Celia, and some maids alone in the room, which soon had food brought in to it.

  Carma: “Celia, please enjoy your food.” She gently suggested.

  Celia: “O-okay.” She replied, not certain why she now felt some fear from her sister.

  Munch!

  At the first bite, Celia’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t help but start to take many more bites. The food at this castle was always superb, but this meal, steak and mashed potatoes, for some reason, were better tasting than ever before.

  Carma: “Like it? I made a few deals, getting monthly supplies of superior ingredients and spices delivered to us. I’ll never let my beloved sister eat a dull meal ever again.” She said with a bright smile, gently staring at her sister, the girl who was enjoying wondrous food.

  Celia was eating too fast to reply, not even hearing Carma’s words. But the princess (Carma) didn’t really care. Instead, she was greatly delighted to watch Celia wolf down the food. “She is still a growing girl, after all.” She mused, finding Celia’s puffed up, food-filled cheeks to be absolutely adorable.

  A Meal Later.

  Carma: “…Should she really be sleeping this much?” She asked, now worried to high hell.

  Ria: “She was a malnourished orphan, a victim of an assassination attempt, and what that Robbie did to her…” She said with worry in her tone and expression, tenderly carrying her sleeping charge like a princess.

  Lem: “Rather than being worried about Lady Celia needing to sleep so much, we should be grateful that she eats well, and can put a smile on her beautiful face.” She added, trying to coax her own charge’s emotions.

  Carma: “…”