I Ignored the Protagonists, Now They're After Me

Ch 12

I reached Mother and Father's room within a few minutes, knocking twice on their door. Inside, I could hear shuffling and low noises. I poised my hand to knock again when the door creaked open, revealing a disheveled looking Father.

"M-Maerie... darling, is there something you need?" Father stammered in a flustered manner.

I raised an eyebrow mentally before I said in a calm voice, "Father, can I go out with Fredrick and Allen to go see Captain Reynolds and King Kingsley?"

Father, please say no! Even though I'm curious, I really don't want to go with those idiots!

I waited while he stood hiding behind the door, his mouth slightly agape.

Hm? Why isn't he answering?

"Father?" I gave him a questioning glance.

"Arthur, who's at the door?" came a sultry voice from further in the room.

Ah...? Was that Mother?

Father seemed panicked. He turned from me to inside the room before looking back at me.

"Sweetie, I'll be right there—! Listen, darling, you can go, alright? Go play with your friends."

I felt displeased before nodding my head. "Okay, Father. See you in the evening."

"Yes, evening, right," he muttered before closing the door.

I stood in front of the door, completely stumped. The noises inside grew louder and more noticeable than before. I felt myself be slowly pulled away and guided back towards the lounge, my footsteps walking at a normal pace.

"Clara," I finally managed to squeeze out, "did I interrupt... something?"

Clara hesitated. "Well... perhaps, my Lady, it is best not to know."

Upon reaching the room, I stiffly nodded.

•••

"Clara, make sure to tell the chef I would like something savory for dinner. I'm particularly craving roasted chicken."

Because Miss Nimme's dresses haven't been finished, I decided to wear the previous white dress. This time, I added a faint peach blush to my cheeks while lining my eyes only enough to accent them. Because I've been taking care of my skin, it doesn't look as deathly pale and doesn't require much makeup. Plus, I'm only going to observe and listen to the Captain talk about his expedition. Light makeup will do fine.

"Yes, my Lady," Clara responded.

I placed a nude lipstick color faintly on my lips. My makeup collection has grown a bit from last time's shopping spree, so I have a few more colors now.

A maid curled my bangs while another tied a portion of my hair back with a ribbon that matched my makeup. I decided to keep my nails plain, since it'll be a hassle to wait for them to dry. I've already almost run out of patience by just sitting here and letting them doll me up.

"Maerie, are you ready yet? We've been waiting for hours," Fredrick called, barging into my room without the slightest bit of shame.

My face became stone after his rude entrance.

Huh, I find myself becoming less and less fond of these boys every day.

"Fredrick, you can't barge into a lady's room like that," sighed Allen, waltzing into my room.

Look at the pot calling the kettle black, heathen!

"It's... fine..." I lightly growled through gritted teeth, "Just perhaps, knock next time... haha."

Patience is a virtue, Maerie. Soon enough, you'll be able to leave this place!

My hands gripped my dress, my anger simmering down after that thought passed.

•••

I was assigned a knight named Samuel Knox. He's my personal guard that is suppose to follow my carriage on the way to the palace incase anything troubling happens.

However, me being stuck in the carriage with the insufferable Fredrick and the words-are-like-gold Allen...

Isn't that something troubling?

Right?

Mentally, I've already resigned to my fate. As the manor grew smaller and smaller behind us, I could only keep with Fredrick just barely. Numbingly, I answered all his statements with "Yes," "No," or, "I see."

He didn't seem to notice, babbling on without a care in the world. Allen was so quiet, I thought he was asleep. His eyes never seemed to be open in the first place, so it was hard to tell.

He only reacted when the carriage stopped in front of the palace, promptly getting off as soon as the door opened.

Fredrick followed shortly after. They both continued onwards, leaving me to step down with the help of my knight. At this, I heaved a grave sigh.

I seemed to not be a lady at all in their eyes, hm?

Not that I'd want them to help me down but... it'd still be nice to offer, you know?

Samuel seemed to be confused at my discontented attitude; his faced seemed to read, "Did I do something wrong?"

No, Samuel. You didn't. I'm just a bit disappointed at the other two.

•••

The palace certainly is glamorous. The inners were kept clean and neat, constantly bustling with the numerous workers of the Royal Family. I held back my slight uncomfortableness as I made my way through.

In the past, I was able to visit quite a few times. My Mother and the Queen were familiar with each other. They seemed to have a past that I'm not aware of.

We stopped visiting when I turned five years old. My Mother and Father had decided to live the life of a lesser noble, so that meant we weren't as freely to visit the palace.

As far as I can remember, the Queen said it was okay for us to keep visiting, but my Mother had turned her down.

For what reason, I don't know.

I caught up with Allen and Fredrick as elegantly as I could, greeting people as I passed. When I did, they stopped at the entrance of the Throne Hall.

The Throne Hall is exactly what it's name says it is; a hall where the King sits on his throne to take in guests.

Usually, he would have messengers from other countries, people of lesser importance, and others in this hall. This was because it was a wide area where multiple people could gather, and also a place where the King could show off his authority.

Through the closed, wooden doors, I faintly register the men talking at the far side of the hall. When I turned to ask Fredrick how we're to hear them, I noticed the boys have disappeared.

Dammit, you are the ones that brought me here! Why am I constantly being left behind?!

I pouted at their disappearance. Accepting my fate, I turned and tried to consider how I was suppose to get inside without the boys' help.

—

Please read this author's explanation on why this chapter is late on her page. Thank you.