The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 5.7

It was near sunset when Koji invited Keigetsu for a walk.

At that time, Keigetsu was reading the first poem in the poetry book Rogyoku had lent, just as instructed.

When she turned around, she saw Gijou standing behind Koji.

“I believe you are not yet familiar with this place, Koji-san. If you don’t mind, I can guide you.”

It seemed that Koji had noticed Keigetsu feeling a bit overwhelmed by life here and wanted to take her somewhere for a break. However, since he wasn’t very familiar with the area, he had asked Gijou for advice. Understanding this, Gijou offered to accompany them as a guide.

Keigetsu felt bad for troubling them, but since Rogyoku had already given permission, she accepted the invitation.

“Keigetsu-sama, do you like flowers?”

While assigning three female attendants to accompany them, Gijou asked the question.

“I’ve never really thought about it, but I don’t dislike them.”

To Keigetsu, plants and flowers were ingredients for medicine rather than something to admire. She would pick and dry them, then either sell them to apothecaries or share them with acquaintances upon request.

She didn’t mention this, but Gijou seemed to sense something and gave a slight smile.

“Iris flowers are past their peak, but there are some late-blooming ones in the inner palace. They are still in full bloom. Would you like to see them?”

Keigetsu knew white irises for their medicinal properties, like calming effects and pain relief, but she wasn’t familiar with them as flowers. She nodded in response.

With that, Gijou led the way.

As they walked, Gijou pointed out various landmarks, explaining what was in each direction. Keigetsu appreciated the information and tried to memorize the layout. The palace was too vast and its buildings were arranged in a complicated manner.

She didn’t want to get lost and trouble others. Perhaps noticing her effort, Gijou smiled kindly.

“There’s no need to worry so much. You will get used to it soon. The places you visit will be limited, and if you need anything, you can simply call for a maid.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You are a candidate to become the next queen—oh, though that is still uncertain for now. Even so, given your position, there is no need to be overly concerned about causing trouble for others. You should carry yourself with confidence.”

Keigetsu took this as valuable advice on how to behave in the palace and nodded in gratitude.

Of course, if she acted recklessly, even the lower-ranking servants who couldn’t openly oppose her might hold resentment and find subtle ways to make things difficult. However, she had no intention of behaving selfishly. The point was to act with dignity.

Her late mother and friends had often told her to be more assertive. While she wasn’t exactly shy, she did tend to be a little reserved. She reminded herself to be more mindful of that.

Keigetsu’s current status in the palace was that of a candidate for Crown Princess. More importantly, she had been personally chosen by the Crown Prince, Enshou.

That meant her actions could affect his reputation.

Keigetsu was just a poor village girl. That alone was already a disadvantage. If she also lacked proper manners, people would certainly disapprove of her. If she were in their position, she too would be disappointed if such a person were to become their mistress.

If she truly decided to accept Enshou’s proposal, she wanted to carry herself in a way that wouldn’t let people down.

Perhaps she should learn from Gijou. Looking ahead at the slender maid walking in front of her, she made up her mind.

“Um…”

Keigetsu spoke hesitantly, and Gijou, with sharp ears, quickly turned around.

“What does it mean to behave like a proper princess?”

Summoning her courage, Keigetsu asked the question. Gijou stopped in her tracks, looking surprised. Even Koji turned around.

Keigetsu grew anxious, wondering if she had said something wrong. But they were not offended—just genuinely surprised.

“What it means to act like a princess… I’m afraid even I don’t know the exact answer,” Gijou said with an apologetic smile.

That was because every concubine and queen had different personalities and ways of behaving. There was no single correct way.

“When you visited the Queen earlier today, she must have told you what it means to be a woman of the inner palace. Based on that, are you asking about how to lead and manage people?”

Keigetsu nodded firmly. As expected of Gijou, the head maid serving the Queen—she accurately understood Keigetsu’s clumsy question.

Gijou hummed thoughtfully and then looked at Koji.

“If it’s about managing people, then Koji-san is more experienced. She would be the best person to ask.”

Now that she mentioned it, it made sense. Though Koji had come to the palace as Keigetsu’s lady-in-waiting, she was originally a noble lady from a wealthy household, accustomed to having many servants.

Understanding this, Keigetsu turned to Koji, who gave a small sigh and shrugged.

“Well, even if you say that, I was always a bit unconventional. I don’t think I’m the best example.”

“That’s fine. Please teach me,” Keigetsu said earnestly.

Seeing her determination, Koji gave in with a sigh. “…Alright.”

“Then first, let’s do something about your outfit.”

Koji’s half-lidded eyes scanned Keigetsu from head to toe.

“Huh?” Keigetsu looked down at her robe in confusion. The other maids, including Gijou, exchanged knowing glances and nodded.

“Where did you get that robe? It looks like a cleaning maid’s uniform.”

“A cleaning maid’s…”

That was harsh.

This robe was made from fine fabric that Enshou had purchased for her when she arrived in Rokugen. She had sewn it herself. Though she wasn’t as skilled as her late mother or her friend Gekka, she could at least make her own clothes. She never thought it looked like a servant’s uniform.

Feeling slightly hurt, she saw Koji shake her head in dismay.

“I heard from His Highness that you don’t like dressing up, but this is the inner palace.

If you don’t want the maids to look down on you, you need to dress more elegantly.”

At Koji’s words, Gijou and the other maids all nodded in agreement. Keigetsu sank further in embarrassment.

Realizing she might have been too harsh, Koji cleared her throat.

“Well, if you’re just staying in your room, comfortable clothing is fine. Right, Gijou-sama?”

“Yes, uncomfortable outfits can be tiring, both physically and mentally.”

With that, they decided that Keigetsu needed to have proper outerwear prepared as soon as possible. She could only nod in agreement.

“Please step aside.”

A sharp voice called out to them.

Turning around, Keigetsu saw a group of beautifully dressed palace maids glaring at them.

“The princess is passing. Move aside, you rude people.”

An older woman in the group sneered as she spoke.

It seemed they had mistaken them for idling maids. The air grew tense, but Gijou alone showed a slight look of disdain and narrowed her eyes.

Just as Keigetsu was about to step aside, Gijou grabbed her arm.

“This is the Crown Princess candidate’s path. The road is wide enough. You may take the other side.”

Indeed, the path was spacious. There was no need for them to move.

Realizing that Gijou had spoken, the princess’s attendants immediately paled. As the Queen’s head maid, Gijou held authority second only to the Chief Lady-in-Waiting.

Beyond the flustered attendants, a young woman glared at them with intense eyes.

Noticing her gaze, Keigetsu’s eyes widened.

“…Gekka?”