No. 45 follows Dorothy closely from behind.
The two walk in silence. Only the quiet tap of their shoes echoed.
'This maid... The princess called her Dorothy, right?'
Apparently, there's no need for her to search so hard. It ends before it even starts. The senior she's looking for is right in front of her.
Even so, it didn't hurt to confirm the fact for herself.
"So..., your real na is Dorothy?" No. 45 tries to break the silence that hung between them.
Dorothy glanced over her shoulder, "Didn't you hear what princess just called ?"
No. 45 shrugged her shoulders, "It can be a nickna."
"Most nobles aren't kind enough to call their servants by na, let alone using nicknas. If they do, they probably have ulterior motives."
"You're right. Dorothy is pretty generic," No. 45 said absentmindedly, unaware of her inconsiderate words.
Dorothy's eyes twitched. But her patience still triumphs over her anger.
"Forgive for my generic na, young lady. Let tell you that I'm the only one with that na among the servants." Dorothy proudly told.
"I see," Dorothy replied erasing all doubt No. 45 had.
The conversation lapsed back into silence as Dorothy and No. 45 continued walking through the maze of palace corridors.
But the silence didn't last long. Dorothy speaks again, "If you take that path, you will reunite with people from Klover."
"Thank you," No. 45 doesn't really care about it. "By the way, do you have a friend nad Dunn?"
Dorothy froze for a brief second. It didn't escape No. 45's eyes.
"Dunn?" she asked.
"Yes. He's supposed to co here but is unable to. So, he entrusts with a letter to give to a maid nad Dorothy."
Dorothy looked at No. 45 with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. She tried to read the intentions behind this woman's words.
"I'm not sure anyone cos to mind though."
"I'm sure you can rember that old man." No. 45 persisted.
"The Dunn I rember is a humble fruitseller."
"See?! We are talking about the sa person." No. 45 said with a smile.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out the folded letter.
She handed it to Dorothy.
"He said it was important. Read it when you're alone," No. 45 added as she watched Dorothy take the letter and tuck it securely into her apron.
"Thank you," Dorothy replied, "You should go now before anyone notices us."
No. 45 couldn't help but show her disappointnt. "That's too bad. There's so much I want to talk to you about."
"Maybe next ti. In a safer place."
"True," No. 45 nodded.
The palace was a place where walls had ears. Any misstep could lead to disaster.
So, she took a step back, ready to exit, but paused for a mont longer.
"I've heard a lot about you, Dorothy. As your junior, I genuinely want to learn from you. It's too bad I had to postpone that idea."
"I'll find you in the capital. Not this capital."
No. 45 walked away. The letter was successfully delivered.
Dorothy watched No. 45 disappear down the corridor before finding a secluded place to read the letter.
It wasn't hard to find a place that t her criteria. There were countless of them.
After finding a suitable place, Dorothy withdrew the letter from her apron and began to read.
It was a piece of good news from Dunn after one long year of no contact.
Dunn had completed his mission and intended to leave Klover. He was thinking of going into hiding for a while.
As for her, Dunn only reminded her to stay close to the princess and act like usual.
She will most likely have to carry out a heavy task soon.
....
The port of Bideford was as busy as usual.
It was expanded multiple tis to accommodate the increasing number of vessels.
Its sprawling wharves and warehouses stretched as far as the eye could see.
On one of many incoming ships, Percival and Sarika watched the harbour grow larger and beco more detailed.
There's anticipation in their eyes. This is the place where they will start a new life.
"I've never seen a port as busy as this one." Percival looks around curiously.
Sarika nodded, "So do I. From what I've heard, almost everyone from the surrounding countries stops here at least once."
Unlike her father who's pretty relaxed, Sarika couldn't help but feel on edge.
She's returned to the country she had once fought against, a city she wished to conquer but failed.
"Hopefully nobody recognized ," said Sarika as she adjusted the large brim of her hat that was used to obstruct her face.
Percival gave her a reassuring smile, "You're worrying too much. This city is full of people who co and go all the ti. They're all minding their own business. No one's going to look at you."
Soon the ship docked and people onboard began to disembark.
Percival and Sarika found themselves swept along with the crowd.
Like many who arrived here for the first ti, the sheer magnitude of the cityscape was intimidating.
If the port area that's on the edge of the city was this busy, imagine the city centre.
"Where should we go?" Sarika asked.
"Hmm... Let's change so currency first. Then, find a place to live. We'll need sowhere to plan our next steps."
Money was not an imdiate concern for them.
Before leaving Klover, they take as many coins as they can. Moreover, Percival's wealth was not solely stored in the estate's vaults.
He too had a secret stash that nobody knew, including Johann.
"If that's the case, we should go to the bank," Sarika suggested.
"Let's do that."
Right when they were about to move, soone greeted them from behind.
"Good evening, Duke of Klover."
Startled, they turned around. A man with a polite smile is standing behind them.
He continued, "His Majesty, the King, wishes to et you."
[End of Volu 4]
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