Working

I was working on a small doll, it had pointed fingers and legs, allowing it to easily cling to surfaces. It was around the size of my palm. Its purpose would be stealth, for it would be sneaking in a specific place and meeting a specific person. Therefore, it had to be small and light enough that it would be quiet in its movements.

When it was time to escape from this place, I might need a big distraction. To give me time. And what was that distraction? The creatures from the Chamber of Mystics, the chimeras. And that paladin might be of help. Considering her fury towards us, I was sure she wouldn’t mind wreaking havoc.

That being said, I still needed to make sure she had not yet fallen into the clutches of insanity or had not yet been reprogrammed. If safe, we’d make a deal.

You better be reasonable, little paladin.

Otherwise, I would be in quite a pinch. Having a big distraction would keep the palace from sending more men to hunt me down, whether while escaping, or after. I would still need to make more small puppets. Just some mini armies just in case. Smaller puppets were faster to make. If my humanoid puppets were my quality, then these mini puppets shall be my quantity, simple but numerous.

Ah, that’s right, Vivienne’s request.

It was the request of making a doll version of her, to sit beside my mini version. I let out a sigh. She actually took my mini version, she must be displaying it somewhere in her room.

I’ll make time to make a mini-Vivienne.

Anyway, I paused working on the female puppet for the time being. Just searching for some inspiration. That was just how it was. If you hit a roadblock, you just pause it for a while and do something else. Inspiration should return eventually.

I looked at the clock.

Ah, it should be about time.

It was then that there were knocks on the door. “Princess, I bring you the list of servants I recommend.”

“Come in.”

“Y-Yes.”

Did I just hear hesitation in her voice? That’s interesting. The door opened, and entering inside was a maid. She was among the seniors. That was why I asked her to bring a list of servant names that would be reliable during the ritual outing.

She quietly stepped inside with a nervous expression, and approached me, handing ‌me a sheet of paper. I received it and skimmed through the list. They were people I did not know, of course. You don’t typically remember the names of servants.

From the looks of it, there were an equal number of maids and manservants. Two carriages for the servants should be enough. I glanced at the standing made, she appeared to be nervous — no, perhaps she was frightened. She ‌often glanced at the dolls scattered all over my room. There were bare plain dolls without designs, and Ripper was also here. Well, I was like that too, this place was quite creepy when I first arrived.

“You fear my dolls?”

She flinched. “A-Ah, n-no, Your Highness. N-Not at all.”

I smiled. “Are you sure? You’re becoming pale.”

“... I, I just grow restless around dolls, that’s all.”

“Is that so? They are quite frightening, aren’t they? But that’s the point.”

“R-Right…”

“But worry not, they won’t do anything.” The servants were quite aware that I could manipulate dolls or puppets. Now if I try to move one puppet, this maid here might either run away or faint. But I wouldn’t do anything bad to her. I pitied her already. “At any rate, please add Clarissa Ardelle to the list.”

She blinked in confusion, it would seem she knew her. “Clarissa? You know her? But she’s new, Princess. I don’t think she would be fitting for this task, not yet at least.”

“She’ll be fine. Please include her.”

She bowed. “Very well.”

I picked up a piece of fine paper from my drawer and started writing. The final touch was my signature. I handed it to the maid. “Here, a formal request for carriages to be used by the servants. Deliver this to the Coach Master.”

The maid received the letter. “Understood…”

“Also, please ask Alaric about the status of his security plans. We need the number of knights he’ll be bringing so we can determine how many carriages we need, and how many rations.”

“Yes, Princess.”

I nodded. “I think that’s it for now. You may go.”

Once she left the room, I pulled up a sheet of fancy paper. It was time to write the letters for the places where we would be conducting the ritual. It was essential they be made aware beforehand so they could prepare to welcome us.

And as significant as I was as a person, it was to be expected that the reception should be grand. Anything lower would be kind of rude.

***

It was nighttime, and it was time for dinner with the family. As usual, I was trying my best to keep it as normal as possible. Vivienne had also been acting a bit more normal, it would seem she had finished processing the situation, at least most of it.

Currently, Vivienne was gently rubbing my head as I sat down on my chair. “So, my sweet Avenelle, still busy with your puppets?”

“Yes, my sister.”

“Oh? What are you making?”

“Just some random dolls, nothing important.”

She nodded with a smile. “By the way, have you started working on my request?”

“I’m just about to start. Don’t worry, I’ll finish it.”

Alaric leaned towards me, his eyes narrowed as though he heard something he was quite puzzled about. “You requested something, Vivienne?”

Vivienne nodded. “Indeed, I requested Avenelle to make me a doll.”

“What? Why are you taking her request and not mine?!”

I directed a scowl at him. “Her request was not lecherous like yours, big brother.” If he requested a mini-Alaric doll, I would be delighted to do so, maybe. However, all he ever requested were… sexy hot dolls. So no way I would take his requests.

“Oh, come on, Avenelle, that’s ridiculous.”

Vivienne cackled. “If you at least act like a decent person, she might have at least considered your request.”

No, I don’t think I would ever if it’s still the same request…

“I am decent!”

It was then that the door opened. I turned around to see that it was Saviel.

“I’m sorry I’m late.”

I smiled at him. “Doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you’re here.”

He fondly smiled and patted my head. “That’s sweet of you. And Vivienne, I think that’s enough clinging on Avenelle. Let’s proceed with our dinner.”

“Very well, younger brother.”

Vivienne returned to her seat, and Saviel sat down as well.

“Good of you to join us‌ tonight, Saviel,” Alaric said.

“I heard you’re doing some work. Finally.”

Alaric raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

“Helping with Avenelle’s ritual.”

“Hm, not my choice. It was Avenelle who put me to it.”

I nodded. “Security and fighting are not my expertise, so I left the matter to Alaric.”

“That’s good, Avenelle. Give the job to those who are familiar and can do it efficiently. Finally stepping into a leadership role, I see.”

I wryly smiled. “I wouldn’t say it’s some sort of leadership.”

I was just thinking about what we were missing and what steps to take. In short, I was just winging it. Was this leadership…? Perhaps in a way, because I was issuing the orders. But it wasn’t a true leadership type of thing. I was just doing what needed to be done with this.

“Heh, if you say so, little sister.”

“How did you even know anyway? I thought you were busy outside.”

“I hear things.”

“... Hm…”

It was then that Mother finally spoke. “Alright, that is enough. It is time to eat.”

The food was brought in by the servants. Once that was done, we immediately started eating.

“Avenelle.”

I paused my eating as my mother called me. “Y-Yes, Mother?”

“Are you making good progress in preparation for the ritual?”

“Yes, Mother. I have taken a list of servants. I’ll need the total number of people coming along before I can proceed. So I’m just waiting for Alaric to give his report.”

My mother slowly shifted her gaze to Alaric, who was busy eating. “Alaric.”

“Mother?”

“That task given to you by Avenelle?”

“Ah, I’m almost done. I should be ready to give a list tomorrow. I’ve been very careful in choosing who to pick.”

Alaric may act like an idiotic pervert, but he was still a warrior, a knight. He could be trusted in picking up the right men for the job on security. In fact, he got along very well with the knights. So he knew them well and knew who was most reliable. Furthermore, Alaric was among the best warriors in the palace. Given that he was a royal, he was indeed powerful.

In short, he was quite reliable if he wasn’t acting like a… you know.

“That is good.” Mother turned back at me. “And the letters?”

“They’re all ready to be sent tomorrow.”

Mother nodded. “It would seem I have nothing to worry about.”

My father lowered his spoon. “Avenelle has been acting quite dependable, hasn't she?”

Huh?

“Is that so, my dear?” Mother glanced at Father.

“She has proven herself to be quite a fast learner during the mock battles.”

“You mentioned that.”

“Yes, she’ll be good for the ritual in case something dangerous happens. However, it is best to train some more. You can never be too ready. Our enemies are not to be underestimated.”

Indeed, yeah, you people are my enemies here. And believe me, I am not underestimating you at all. In fact, I’m sweating bullets just thinking about facing you when the time comes.

If your life is on the line, you’d also be a fast learner.

“Therefore, if you have free time, daughter, come and train.”

“... Yes, Father. I’ll try.”

I still had a lot of things to do. But if I had the free time, perhaps I would take the chance to train.

“Ah yes, Avenelle,” Mother said. “How is your training in performing the ritual?”

“It has come back to me completely, Mother. I already did plenty of practice. I think I’ll be fine for the real thing.”

“Good, good.” She lowered her head. “You’ve truly grown…” she muttered.

I slightly tilted my head.