The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 5.3
Tsukika stood on her toes, squinting her eyes, trying to get a good look at the woman’s face.
However, she couldn’t see clearly. The woman had deliberately covered her face with a thin silk veil, making even her profile impossible to discern.
What was she being so secretive about? Tsukika scoffed inwardly, feeling both amused and annoyed. After all, she had gone out of her way to take a look.
Realizing it was pointless, Tsukika turned on her heel. The woman had no intention of revealing her face here, making this entire endeavor a waste of time.
She decided to return to her quarters and wait for the palace maids she had sent to observe. Since she had been pretending to be uninterested, she needed to be present when they returned.
Avoiding prying eyes, Tsukika swiftly made her way back. She sat down before an unfinished embroidery piece and picked up her needle. Just as she did, she sensed the maids beginning to return. Before long, the palace maids assigned to her arrived.
“We have returned.”
“Thank you for allowing us to go.”
Tsukika nodded in response to their greetings and casually asked, “What was she like?”
“She seemed like a quiet person.”
One of the maids hesitated, adding, “Though we didn’t speak with her, she had a rather tense expression, which might have given that impression.”
Hearing this, Tsukika stiffened slightly.
“Her features were rather plain compared to you, Princess, but her large eyes were quite striking.”
“She had a slightly darker complexion, though.”
The maids chuckled quietly among themselves.
Tsukika tensed even more, her hand trembling as she held the needle.
“You… saw her face?”
Her voice quivered, unable to conceal her unease.
The maids nodded. “Yes. We happened to be standing in her path, so we got a fairly good look.”
They had bowed respectfully, of course, but they had taken a quick sideways glance. Since the other maids had done the same, there had been no risk of reprimand.
“I see…” Tsukika murmured, finally placing the needle back onto the pincushion. Her hands were shaking too much to continue.
(Large eyes and a dark complexion…)
She repeated the words in her mind and recalled Kouji, the attendant who had accompanied the palanquin. The woman, rumored to be the Crown Princess-to-be, seemed to be about the same height as Kouji, with her head reaching just about the level of his nose.
(A woman of average height…)
The only person that came to mind was her sister. Tsukika had surpassed her sister’s height three years ago.
There was no proof. Yet, every detail she gathered pointed to her sister, making her increasingly anxious.
Should she have acted differently earlier? Instead of feigning indifference, should she have confronted the woman directly and seen her face? No—that would have revealed her own identity.
Frustration and unease gnawed at Tsukika. She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
Still, she forced a composed expression and turned back to the maids.
“Big eyes… How enviable. She must be quite pretty.”
She smiled as she spoke, and the maids exchanged glances before breaking into small smiles.
“Yes, indeed.”
“His Highness seems to find her especially charming.”
“They looked so affectionate together.”
Tilting her head slightly, Tsukika watched as the maids stifled their laughter and continued.
“His Highness the Crown Prince personally came to greet her.”
It turned out that shortly after Tsukika had left, Enshou had arrived to welcome his beloved.
The Crown Prince, known for his dislike of women, had approached her with a beaming smile, extending his hand to lead her forward. The attending maids and officials had been stunned, watching in disbelief. His joy was evident, making it clear how deeply he cared for the woman.
Seeing the maids bask in this warm atmosphere, Tsukika subtly furrowed her brows.
What was this softness, this calmness in the air? Why were they all so at ease, while she felt nothing but turmoil and frustration?
Perhaps it was a relief that the long-vacant position of Crown Princess had finally been filled. But that woman was of low birth. A girl from a poor and humble background—hardly fit to be the wife of a future king. And yet, everyone accepted her so readily, smiling and embracing this absurdity.
She bit her nail in irritation.
By now, that woman was probably meeting with Queen Rougyoku.
She hoped something would go wrong. That she would make a mistake, earn the Queen’s disfavor, and lose her place in the palace.
Such a cruel thought crossed her mind, and then—
(Ah… Yes. That’s it.)
Why hadn’t she thought of this before? Instead of trembling in fear, wondering if the woman was her sister, she should have acted first.
With a plan forming in her mind, Tsukika averted her gaze from the cheerful maids and let out a quiet, sorrowful sigh.
Naturally, the sharp-eyed Bihou noticed immediately. She always paid close attention to Tsukika.
“What’s the matter, Princess?”
Tsukika lifted her head as if startled, her eyes shimmering with sadness. “No, it’s nothing,” she said, looking away—an intentionally dramatic gesture meant to draw Bihou’s concern.
As Tsukika had expected, Bihou moved closer, worriedly peering into her face.
“You seem troubled… Is something weighing on your heart?”
A lady-in-waiting’s duty was to ease her mistress’s burdens. Bihou’s sincere expression made it clear she intended to uncover the truth.
Lowering her gaze, Tsukika blinked a few times before biting her lip, making it tremble slightly. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at Bihou.
“…I’m afraid.”
Her voice was barely a whisper, and Bihou’s concern deepened.
“Afraid? Afraid of what? What troubles you so much?”
Bihou’s gentle yet probing voice showed her deep care for Tsukika.
Tsukika blinked again, discreetly wiping her damp eyes with her sleeve.
“I… was raised in Harin.”
“Yes, I remember.”
Bihou had heard about Tsukika’s past when she first arrived—a humble life with her mother, struggling but living modestly.
“After my mother passed, a kind family took me in… But they did not treat me well.”
“Yes, I recall hearing that.”
“There was a girl my age… She often scolded me, struck me.”
“What?!”
Bihou’s eyes widened in shock. For a mere commoner to lay hands on a princess—such audacity was unforgivable.
She was furious.
“You endured such hardships… How cruel.”
Bihou gripped Tsukika’s hands with heartfelt sympathy, her expression full of sorrow.
Tsukika’s eyes welled up once more.
The maids, who had been chatting excitedly about the new Crown Princess, now gathered around with concern. Tsukika blinked again, letting a single tear fall. Bihou gripped her hands tighter, shaking her head as if rejecting the pain.
“No one will ever harm you again, Princess. You need not dwell on the past.”
“Thank you… But I can’t help but worry.”
“Worry? About what?”
“What if… the woman my brother brought here is that girl?”
“Impossible!”
Bihou was genuinely horrified.
She muttered, “Impossible…” again, but then fell silent, lost in thought. The other maids exchanged uneasy whispers.
“…I hope it’s just my imagination,” Tsukika murmured, forcing a fragile smile.