The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 6.1

Even though dinner was finished and she was fully prepared for bed, Keigetsu was spending a sleepless night. She didn’t even feel like getting into bed.

At times like this, polishing a kettle or doing some mending would help her distract herself, but unfortunately, this wasn’t a place where she could do such things.

She had a book borrowed from Rougyoku at hand, but she wasn’t in the right state of mind to read. She opened it several times, but the words didn’t sink in, making it impossible for her to focus on the assigned task.

Noticing her restless and uneasy expression, Kouji and the other maidservants exchanged concerned glances.

“If you don’t go to sleep soon, it won’t be good for your health.”

She was gently urged to rest, but Keigetsu only sighed and shook her head.

“If you don’t rest, the maidservants won’t be able to either.”

Hearing that, Keigetsu looked up in surprise and glanced around the room at the waiting maidservants. They all wore worried expressions, and some even looked a little sleepy.

As part of their duty, they couldn’t go to bed before their mistress, Keigetsu. In the mornings, they woke up even earlier than she did to prepare for the day. Since Keigetsu was an unusually early riser, their sleeping hours had likely been reduced compared to before.

“I’m sorry,” Keigetsu apologized and hurried to her bed.

“You don’t have to force yourself to sleep. If you just lie down with the curtains closed, we will consider you resting.”

Perhaps sensing her concern, Kouji offered this advice. Feeling bad, Keigetsu nodded and let the sheer canopy be lowered around her.

“Oh, Kouji.”

Just before the curtains were fully closed, Keigetsu quickly called out, making Kouji tilt her head curiously.

“About the message I asked you to deliver…”

Hesitantly, she asked, and Kouji smiled reassuringly.

“It’s all taken care of. I’ve told my brother. I also made sure he received your letter, so he’ll deliver it responsibly.”

Hearing that, Keigetsu felt relieved. She thanked her and finally allowed the curtains to be closed before lying down.

Kouji’s older brother, Junkei, acted as the contact point for communicating with her father. This arrangement had been made thanks to Enshou’s assistance. Before leaving the village, her father had agreed to visit the Ju family when he arrived at Ryokugan, allowing Junkei and Kouji to serve as intermediaries for information exchange.

Even though this was the inner palace, the only restriction was on men entering, while the maidservants could go outside freely for errands. It was said that the concubines were also allowed to go out if they had guards, but since Keigetsu had only recently arrived, she had been advised by Gijouu to stay quiet until she became more familiar with the place. If people didn’t recognize her, she could be stopped at the gate unless she was wearing official palace attire, making entry and exit troublesome.

In her place, Kouji had been running errands for her. She had laughed and said that was her role here, but Keigetsu couldn’t help feeling guilty about having the daughter of a prominent noble family act as a messenger.

Despite Keigetsu’s concerns, Kouji didn’t seem to mind at all. She had a personality that made her eager to take action when something caught her interest, so Keigetsu decided to accept her help for now.

The letter about Gekka had been safely delivered to Junkei, meaning all she could do now was wait for her father to arrive in Ryokugan.

Her father had promised to contact her when he arrived, but there had been no word yet.

After their mother’s funeral, he had said he had some things to take care of in the village and had borrowed one of Enshou’s guards before sending Keigetsu ahead. But what was he doing?

(Hurry and come, Father…! I don’t know what to do.)

Keigetsu pressed a hand to her aching chest and quietly closed her eyes. She didn’t feel like sleeping, but she had to rest at least a little.

Even though Gekka had been found, she had ignored Keigetsu and left without even looking at her or responding. Keigetsu didn’t understand why.

Gijouu had called her “Princess Houbai.” Princess Houbai was the long-lost daughter of the king, who had been separated from him before birth and was only recently discovered a couple of months ago.

That didn’t make sense. If that were true, it would mean their mother had carried another man’s child. But Keigetsu clearly remembered when Gekka was born—she wasn’t adopted. She was undoubtedly their mother’s child.

Besides, Gekka looked just like their mother. The only thing she inherited from their father was her golden-tinged eyes. Keigetsu, who resembled neither parent much, had often envied Gekka for having traits from both.

Keigetsu suddenly gasped.

What color were that princess’s eyes?

Gekka had their father’s rare-colored eyes, which shimmered like a cat’s in the light.

Keigetsu had never seen anyone else with eyes like that, aside from their father and Gekka.

Even in the grand city of Harin, most people had dark-colored eyes, except for the occasional western foreigners. Eyes that gleamed golden in the sunlight were unheard of.
If only she could get close enough to see. Then she could confirm it for herself.

(Would I be refused if I asked to see her?)

Considering how completely she had avoided Keigetsu earlier, it seemed unlikely she would listen.

Still, she had to find a way to get close and ask. Otherwise, she’d never know the truth.

If it turned out to be a mistake, then that was fine. She would sincerely apologize for her misunderstanding.

But if it really was Gekka, then there were so many things she needed to ask.

Why had she left without a word? What had she been doing all this time? And why was she being called a princess in the royal palace?

(That’s right.) Keigetsu nodded to herself.

She had so many questions. She had to confirm if that girl was really Gekka or not. Her father, outside the palace, couldn’t do that—only she could.

Gekka had always told little lies when she was in trouble. If she tried to avoid answering, maybe Kouji, who had met her after she ran away, could help confirm her identity. If the two of them worked together, they might have a slight advantage.

One way or another, she had to create an opportunity to see her face up close.

(Tomorrow, I’ll talk to Kouji. And to Gijouu.)

After Keigetsu had cried like a child after their earlier encounter, Gijouu had listened to her with great sympathy. She might be willing to help.

Gijouu was trusted by Oborogyoku, the most powerful figure in the inner palace. Having her support would be reassuring.

It wasn’t about taking advantage of authority, but in a place as unfamiliar as this, having someone influential on her side would be a great relief.

Feeling somewhat reassured, Keigetsu finally drifted into a quiet sleep.

Despite thinking she wouldn’t be able to rest, the tension and fatigue of adjusting to a new environment had caught up with her, allowing her to sleep deeply until dawn.