BXBX NOVEL Chapter 27
Therefore, as its first princess, Mia has unrivaled authority. The only exceptions are Prince Sion of the Sunkland Kingdom and one other person…..
But,
[You are…..]
Right in front of her appeared one such exception and Mia reflexively straightened herself.
[Rafina-sama]
Rafina Orca Belluga
The eldest daughter of Duke Orleans, who rules over the Duchy of Belluga, where St. Noel Academy is located.
If Mia’s memory serves her right, Rafina is fourteen. Two years older than her. She has been the Student Council’s President since she entered the school, and is the most influencial person in St. Noel Academy.
Not only that. Belluga is considered a holy land for the religion the neighboring countries follow. And having such a high position within it, Rafina is a person that even Mia can’t underestimate.
Or rather…., she is terrifying.
[Nice to meet you, Rafina-sama. I’m…..]
[Imperial Princess Mia Luna Tearmoon. It is very nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.]
Mia was taken aback by those words.
It was very shocking that Rafina knew her name.
In the previous timeline, Mia approached Rafina.
She as attracted to Rafina’s power and wanted to be her friend.
However, in spite of her best efforts, sitting near her at tea parties and giving her gifts, she was unable to make friends with her.
In fact, she didn’t even remember Mia’s name.
Whenever she looked at her as if she was walking garbage, her self-esteem was torn to pieces, and in the end, she ended up terrified.
And yet, ……
(How does this person know my name?)
Rafina smiled softly at Mia, who just stood there absentminded.
[If you just stand there like that, you will catch a cold. Let’s enjoy the bath together.]
Indeed, she realized her body was getting a bit cold. The thing is…..
(It is kinda of scary when she is being so nice.)
Still wary, Mia dip her foot in the bathtub.
[Th.. then, I will take you up on your offer.]
She suddenly realized something.
She was not the only one who could catch a cold. Anne was there as well, and they can’t bath together in front of Rafina.
The only solution is to send Anne back to her room, but by doing so, Mia and Rafina would be left alone in the bathtub.
(As if! There is no way I can something that scary!)
In the previous timeline, Mia was twenty years old. And the Rafina in front of her was fourteen.
She was younger than her. I would not be an exaggeration to call her a little girl.
Even then, Mia’s heart can’t help but tremble at the sense of magnificence that oozes from the other party.
[Your maid is welcome as well.]
Amidst the swirl of emotions, Mia turned her head at the unexpected offer.
[In this place, where we rid ourselfes from our clothes, there are no princesses, there are no nobles, there are no commoners. Here, we are all just people. Don’t you think so too, princess Mia?]
[Exactly! What Rafina said is right Anne. So, come and sit next to me!]
Mia took advantage of the situation.
[B.., but….]
At first, Anne was afraid, but as Mia pulled her hand more and more, she eventually gave up.
[Yes, I understand.]
She reluctantly entered the bathtub, staying on its edge.
[You won’t get warm in there. Como closer to me.]
Mia huged Anne’s arm and pulled her toward the middle. Rafina gave a small smile seeing the scene.
[He, he. You are really close, aren’t you?]
[Of course! Anne is my most trusted friend.]
So, if you decide to fight me, we will take you on two-on-one. No matter how influencial you are, she won’t betray me. That is what Mia was trying to imply.
[Tru… trusted Friend?]
Meanwhile, Anne was on the verge of tears.
Even if Anne served Mia whole-hearted, she never considered herself as a good maid. Rather, she made more blunders than not.
For her, Mia’s words were an outstanding of a reward.
……Ignorance is bliss.
Well. Mia wasn’t lying when she said “trusted friend”, so, even if Anne were to learn about Mia’s inner feelings, it wouldn’t be so bad.
[He, he. I see. You certainly live up to the title of Empire’s wisdom, princess Mia.]
Seeing their relationship, Rafina smiled.
Author’s notes about the setting:
A “duchy” is basically a country ruled by a “duke” of noble rank or by a branch of the royal family (“grand duke”), instead of by a
king or emperor.
You can think of it as a country whose authority is recognized by a larger country. But that is not the case for the Duchy of Belluga.
The reason the country is called a “duchy” is because the only king they follow is “God”, and the duke’s authority is given by God.
In other words, the duke who rules the country is not only the politics’ head, but also a priest.
Rafina is an idol-like girl who often helps her father in various religious cerimonies. She is very popular with the people. Definitely not someone you would want to make enemies with (LoL)
TL: When Mia says “trusted friend”, she uses the word [腹心]. This word can mean “trusted friend”, “confident”, “trusted retainer”, among other things.
I’m not sure on which one the author wanted to use, but it seems to me that Mia used it in the sense of friend/confident and Anne interpreted it as retainer. That is why there is a bit of a dissonance between what was said and Anne’s emotions and inner thoughs.
That said, it wouldn’t be strange if Mia considers Anne her most trusted retainer as well, considering all that happened in the old timeline.