HFY Audiobook: The Princess and the Human | Ch. 32
Entertainment
Introduction
Dawn had not yet come when Mita left her bed and donned her uniform, which felt like a second skin, as she made her way towards the Star Palace. Unlike the uniforms of servants in the Sun or Sky Palace—predominantly blue, the color of the king—Mita and her fellow workers in the Star Palace wore green, the princess's color. This choice of color displayed their direct service to her highness and symbolized the shifting power dynamics due to the princess's complete authority over human Foreign Affairs for three cycles.
The estate housing for the servants was located at the back of the palace, separate from the main building but connected via a broad canopied pathway illuminated by small down-facing lights, casting a comforting glow over the still-dark route. Mita was not alone; as the head maid stepped through the servant's entrance, she was greeted by the familiar sounds of steady business that noble inhabitants of the palace rarely heard.
After receiving the report from the earlier shift, Mita dismissed them and began assigning morning tasks, with cleaning the palace being the priority. This task required thoroughness to avoid embarrassing the princess before her guests. The cleaning needed to be completed quietly, preventing the use of most appliances, resulting in Mita joining her team in this early morning effort. She dusted off numerous pieces of foreign art lining the hallways, gifts from various cultures within The Alliance.
As she passed the door to Lady Naen's chamber, Mita paused, contemplating whether the noblewoman could hear them. Eight days had passed without any sign of Lady Naen, who had been different from any noble Mita had encountered, treating servants with respect and engaging in meaningful conversations. Mita had grown to care for her but felt uncertain about how to provide help.
A glance at the chronometer told Mita that her next task was due. She linked her datapad to the palace's central network, reviewing the messages from the night, mostly related to trade negotiations initiated after Lady Kler's arrival. Mita had been tasked with ensuring that the princess would see relevant requests, particularly concerning titanium.
Afterward, she headed to the kitchen, stopping briefly at Vaso's office to check for any help needed. With a busy kitchen team focused on preparing food for the day’s negotiations, Mita took her time eating her first meal, making estimates for future planning related to trade negotiations, which were now in their sixth day.
The day progressed, and Mita encountered Kyla, a member of the Sun Palace staff. Their interaction became tense when Kyla reminded Mita of her noble lineage, which Mita quickly countered, revealing that Kyla's family had lost their title before she was born. The kitchen fell silent as they exchanged heated words until they both retreated, temporarily ending the quarrel.
That evening, Princess Svani attempted to reach out to her brother via a video call. She expressed concern for Lady Naen, who had locked herself away in her room since returning. With her brother's encouragement to speak to Naen, Svani found herself climbing to the noblewoman’s window to make contact, helping to bridge the isolation that had taken hold over the past week.
In the star palace, Mita brought good news with her datapad for Naen, a sign of hope for improvement in the noblewoman’s demeanor. Naen expressed a desire to resume her lessons and requested additional resources, signaling a desire for connection and a return toward normalcy.
Keyword
- Mita
- Star Palace
- Princess
- Foreign Affairs
- Cleaning
- Trade Negotiations
- Lady Naen
- Svani
- Kyla
- Isolation
FAQ
Q: Who is Mita?
A: Mita is the head maid in the Star Palace, responsible for overseeing the service staff and managing household tasks.
Q: What color uniforms do the servants in the Star Palace wear?
A: Servants in the Star Palace wear predominantly green uniforms, symbolizing their service to the princess.
Q: What is the significance of Lady Naen's character?
A: Lady Naen is portrayed as a noblewoman who treats servants with respect and engages in conversations, making her different from typical nobles.
Q: What issues do the characters face regarding trade negotiations?
A: The characters are navigating difficulties in trade negotiations, particularly surrounding titanium, amidst the shifting power dynamics due to foreign relations.
Q: How does Princess Svani try to help Lady Naen?
A: Princess Svani attempts to reach out to Lady Naen, showing her concern and helping to bridge the isolation that Naen has faced since her return.