Secrets in the Princess's Smiles

The next day.

One of the king’s servants knocked on the door; we were all already awake, and I opened the door for him. The servant had brought our breakfast.

The breakfast was very good, but something was bothering me. The servant sat on a chair in the room and stayed there. Was he waiting to take the dishes and the rest of the things we used for dinner yesterday and breakfast today?

We finished our breakfast, and at that exact moment the king’s servant stood up from the chair.

— Yukiko, Masahiko, and Ayano. I need you three to accompany me to the training hall, the king already has your equipment ready, — said the king’s servant.

— But what about my equipment?! — Araya shouted desperately.

What is going on here?

— For now, the king only wants to see those three, but soon he will call you. — said the king’s servant.

Don’t tell me the king intends to leave me aside just because of my ability?

I then quickly ran out of the room.

— Wait! — said the king’s servant desperately.

I went to the audience hall, but the king wasn’t there; he was probably already in the training hall waiting for those three fools. So I ran through the corridor looking for the king, trying to open the doors to the rooms, but all of them were locked. There were still two doors left, so I opened one. The room I had just entered was very fragrant and luxurious — it was Princess Margarida’s room.

Princess Margarida was sleeping in a huge bed, covered up to her neck with a sheet. Suddenly, I felt a hand grab my right shoulder — it was the king’s servant who had caught up with me.

— What are you doing in the princess’s room?! — said the king’s servant.

— I’m looking for the king! — I said angrily.

With all the noise the servant and I were making, Princess Margarida ended up waking up. She was startled when she saw us.

I then explained the situation to her. She was a little shocked and explained that she had forgotten to lock the door before sleeping. Forgetting to lock it was dangerous.

— Forgive me for not telling you, but the reason you weren’t called immediately was because we haven’t found a weapon and equipment suitable for your ability yet, — said Margarida.

— But couldn’t I just receive some high-level items and be done with it? — I replied indignantly.

But the princess explained that I couldn’t use just any equipment, since they needed to be compatible with abilities.

— I thought it was your duty to help the heroes get good weapons and equipment so they could save the kingdom, — I said seriously.

— Again, I apologize for this. We’re doing our best to find something of better quality for you, but unfortunately, no hero with a copy ability has ever appeared here before, — said Margarida.

Wait a minute, am I the first one to get this useless ability?

I took a breath, then pulled the sheet off the princess and threw it on the floor. She was wearing a wine-colored nightgown and blushed deeply.

— Time to get to work, princess. I don’t have all day, I need to go on my first adventure in this world, — I said impatiently.

The king’s servant was about to restrain me, but the princess ordered him not to. He obeyed.

— I understand how you feel. As an apology, I’ll speak to my father when he returns to the audience hall. But for now, I have another offer for you, — said Margarida with a smile.

The princess then had the audacity to offer me a tour of the kingdom with her. While those three idiots grow stronger, I’d be strolling around? Still, it’s not such a bad idea to get to know this medieval kingdom. Besides, if what she said was true, then for now there’s nothing they can do to provide me with equipment.

— I’ll just change clothes and have my breakfast first, — said Margarida.

— I’ll wait for you outside the door, — I replied.

So the servant and I left the princess’s room. Minutes later, the servant was in the hallway with a cart full of trays, probably an excellent breakfast banquet for Princess Margarida.

That gave me a great idea, because this morning I found three diuretic pills on Masahiko’s bed. Certainly, the people he bullied were forced to swallow them. Diuretic pills make people need to pee more frequently.

— Hey man, you look tired. Want me to deliver this to the princess? — I asked him.

— As if I’d let a stranger like you deliver the princess’s breakfast and be alone with her, — the servant replied furiously.

I smiled.

— Do you think the king would prefer a servant or a hero in the princess’s room? — I said with a grin.

Usually, a maid delivers the princess’s breakfast, but this guy probably wanted to be alone with her. Too bad for him — if the king and princess intended to manipulate me and Masahiko, it would be more beneficial for them if the princess spent time alone with one of us instead.

— Fine, I’m leaving only because I don’t want trouble with the king, — said the servant furiously.

Once he was gone, I opened the trays and looked for where to put the pills. I found some bread, cut it with a knife from the tray, put the three pills inside, and added some cheese to disguise them so she wouldn’t notice.

The door to Margarida’s room opened. The princess was wearing a long pink dress. She looked at me, puzzled, seeing me with the cart and trays. I explained to her that the servant seemed busy and I had offered to deliver them — of course, it was a lie.

— Later I’ll scold him, because a hero shouldn’t be doing this kind of work, — said the princess.

She opened the trays, picked up the coffee, and drank it. Then she picked up the bread and took a big bite. She began to choke while chewing it.

— Gerf... Gerf... Gerf. — Margarida.

Then she swallowed the bread.

— Glub... Glub... Glub. — Margarida.

I asked if she was okay, and she said yes.

— I just choked because I’m in such a hurry to go for a walk with you. I feel honored to stroll with you, — said Margarida with a smile.

What a fake smile. You just met me and already want to go on a walk with me? Go lie to someone else.

But don’t worry, I’ll find a way to uncover how many lies you’re telling me.