The Lost Princess

*sigh* ...What to do...

Is something wrong?

There's a rumor going around that the princess has gone missing. Word is she got into a fight with the king and ran away.

Huh, I didn't know the king had a daughter. He must be getting worried.

About that... "Leave it. She can look after herself. She'll be back when she's ready."

...That's what he said, apparently.

(Oh, so that's what father thinks. So no one is coming after me after all...)

Hmm. So what kind of person is the princess?

Princess Mufilleux? I've heard she's a kind and cheerful young girl who can brighten up anyone's day.

Oh...is that so? Cheerful... How embarrassing.

Hmm? Miyu, why are you blushing?

Ah! It's nothing!

Well I've never met her myself, so all of this is based on hearsay really. It's not like a lowly guard like myself has many chances to meet the aristocracy.

But the princess must be scared all alone outside of the castle.

Right, she must be. After all, she likely won't be used to the ways of the world.

...Why do you think that?

If that's true, then maybe we should help look for her?

Huh?! Well...erm... Maybe we should leave her be...

I'm sure she must have had a reason to leave the castle like she did...

You think?

Yes, I think so.

The princess's reason... There are some who think that she ran away to have fun in the town.

People are saying that they've seen someone very lady-like in Rinde.

(That's...strange. Have I been to Rinde lately?)

Hmm...Rinde?

Let's go check it out.

O-Okay! Yes, you know I'm getting intrigued myself!

Let's go to Rinde!

We'd like to ask you some questions about Princess Mufilleux.

What's that? Princess Mufilleux?

Right. There's a rumor saying that she's run away to this town.

Hmm...

(He looks like he might know something...)

(I know. Let's ask around some more.)

Do you know anything?

Well actually... someone did stay in my inn recently...

How is today's dinner going?

Please try to make it a little more appetizing this time.

Last night's dinner didn't suit my palate one bit.

A-Apologies, Your Highness!

Do you really think such paltry offerings befit the Princess of Miglance? I'm offended.

O-Of course not. I'll try harder next time!

Y-Your Highness... There's something else...

I was wondering if you might pay for the ten nights you've spent here so far...

What was that?

I mean no disrespect. It's just, we're only a humble tavern, and these high-end ingredients are expensive...

That's your problem. Believe me, if you incur my displeasure, money will be the least of your worries.

Oh! I-I'm sorry, Your Highness...

Good. You can make up for it by serving a more fitting meal tonight.

Hey, if you're going to make that many demands, the least you could do is pay for your board, don't you think?

How dare you speak to me like that! I am a princess, you hear me? I won't forgive such insolence!

Wow, she's the total opposite of what we heard...

Y-Yes... She's a real piece of work, huh...

Listen, Princess. Can't you dial it back a little? Your father's a great man. You don't want to go around embarrassing him, do you?

How would you... Wait, do you know...my father?

Sure, I've met him a couple of times. What about it?

I-I see... Could you please keep the fact that I'm here a secret from him? We're having a little argument, and I really don't want to see him right now.

I'll pay what I owe, too.

In fact, I'll send my servant for the money right away. Excuse me for one moment...

Aldo, we have to go after her! She's going to make a run for it.

Huh? But she's a princess. Why would she need to run from us?

That girl is no princess. She's an imposter!

What? Seriously?!

Yes. Believe me, I know. Now hurry, before she gets away! She's probably heading for the Serena Coast.

You again! What do you want from me?

For a start, I'd like to know why you've been impersonating the princess.

Impersonating? How dare you! I AM the princess!

No, you're not. You're trying to fool the wrong person.

The real princess, in fact, all members of the royal family, have responsibilities. No true royal would go around demanding expensive meals at a time like this, when the people are suffering because of the war.

Acting like that would be a disgrace to the entire Miglance line! You're nothing but an opportunistic con artist!

......

Miyu, are you okay?

There's more to being royal than shiny crowns and pretty dresses. A head of state has to protect their citizens' way of life...

Urgh...

Shut up, shut up, shut up!

I'm a princess, I can do whatever I want! I won't let anyone tell me different!

......

She's sorely mistaken if she thinks being a princess means doing whatever she pleases without any thought for the consequences.

Miyu...

It's true that even I still can't fully understand how much the people are suffering, either.

But that girl needs to learn that royalty have their own problems, too.

Miyu...are you...

Waaaaaargh!

Let me go this instant, you ruffians. I am Mufilleux, daughter of King Miglance!

Oh, we know who you are! We could hear you screaming about being a princess from miles away. Never thought we'd stumble on such a valuable hostage during a simple recon mission!

Don't touch me!

You're kidding. She's got herself captured by beastfolk?

We can't let them do this...

No, please! Get away from me!

Let her go!

Urgh, figures she'd have a couple of bodyguards nearby. Keh heh heh, how about we compromise? I'll rip off a piece of your princess for you to take home!

Noooooo!

Now that's a good scream. We're gonna make you suffer for what your father's done to us.

Stop!

That girl has nothing to do with King Miglance.

If you want to kidnap a princess...

...I'm right here!

I am the true heir to His Majesty King Miglance VII, Mufilleux Miglance!

What?! Why would you tell us that? Are you planning something?

The only thing I am planning is to do my duty.

I will not let you harm one of my subjects.

I swear it, on my sword and on the good name of the Miglance Dynasty!

Wow...so you were the real one, huh?

I feel like such an idiot. I never thought I'd get caught out by the genuine princess, of all people.

I'm sorry for not telling you. I have my reasons for having to keep my identity secret...

Geez, why are you apologizing to me? I always thought a princess would be more full of herself. Then you go jumping into danger just to save a peasant like me. It's hard to believe...

All right, buddy, take me away. You're like, the royal bodyguard, right?

What? No, you've got it wrong. I'm just Miyu's traveling companion.

Ha! Sure, whatever you say.

It's true. Right now, Miyu's not a princess.

She's a traveling swordsman, just like me.

Right, Miyu?

Or...would you prefer to go back to the castle and your father?

I...

I want to continue my journey. I'll do everything in my power to help my subjects.

What this country needs right now isn't a princess who spends all day in the palace. It needs someone who can get things done!

As you wish. I've gotta say, it's plain to see that you're a born leader.

So...what are we going to do about this girl?

I besmirched the princess's good name. I know what's coming to me.

I've been thinking about it. What if I were to cover the bill for your lodgings? Not only that, I could get you a job working at the castle. If you want, that is.

What?! You mean...you actually forgive me?

Yes. But I must insist you don't tell anyone about what happened here.

If you can promise me that, I'll forget all about any damage you may have done to my reputation.

I'll write you a letter of recommendation right now.

Hey, I was wondering, why do you call yourself Miyu?

It's my nickname. When I was little, I couldn't pronounce "Mufilleux," so it just came out as Miyu.

My father and my close friends still call me Miyu to this day.

Oh, that's why.

Wait. Are you sure it's all right for me to call you Miyu, then?

Of course. I may not have known you very long, but you've done so much for me I count you as one of my very best friends.

There's something different about you.

Even after finding out about me being a princess, you haven't changed the way you treat me at all.

I guess. Maybe I've just seen too much to be surprised by it. I've got together with so many weird people on my journey, a runaway princess seems relatively normal, to be honest.

I see... Would you count me as one of your weird allies, then?

Yup. The more the merrier, right?

You can never have too many friends.