The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 6.2
“I understand this is impolite, but we have a request to make.”
Just as Oboro Tama finished her breakfast, several palace maids serving the princess approached her and spoke these words.
“Go ahead,” Oboro Tama nodded calmly.
She didn’t know how the former queens handled things, but as the head of the harem, she made it a point to listen to the palace maids as well. Even if they came with complaints or grievances, she was open-minded enough to address any issues that could be improved.
That was why the maids had come as usual, expecting her to listen.
“Please drive that woman out of the palace!”
The leading maid spoke in a desperate tone, as if she could no longer endure the situation.
“That woman?”
It seemed this was yet another complaint stemming from personal conflicts. Hearing their words, Oboro Tama tilted her head slightly, frowning.
“Yes!” The maids, their faces flushed with emotion, nodded eagerly.
“The woman that the Crown Prince brought with him!”
At those words, Oboro Tama’s frown deepened—not out of suspicion, but from clear displeasure.
However, the young maids, unaware of the slight shift in the queen’s mood, continued speaking with even more enthusiasm.
“That low-born woman is terrible! When Her Highness was still living among the common people, that woman tormented her, insulted her, and even beat her!”
“Our poor princess had to face that cruel woman again, and now she is terrified and heartbroken!”
“If this continues, Her Highness will suffer too much!”
One after another, the maids took turns speaking, their faces flushed red. Then, as if they had rehearsed it, they all pleaded in unison, “Please drive that woman out of the palace!”
Oboro Tama observed their overly dramatic performance with a cold gaze. Beside her, her trusted maid Gijouu also looked on in disbelief.
“Raise your heads,” Oboro Tama said after a brief silence.
In perfect synchronization, the maids lifted their heads, their expressions bright with confidence.
Because they were still young, their emotions were easy to read. They believed they had spoken their minds, and that their request had been accepted. They looked triumphant—so childish.
“I have heard your plea,” Oboro Tama said. “Now, let me ask you this—did the princess personally order you to come forward with this request?”
Again, in perfect synchronization, the maids shook their heads and replied, “No.”
“Her Highness is a very kind person. She would never say such a thing.”
“The Crown Prince chose this woman, and Their Majesties allowed it. Her Highness said she had no choice but to accept it. But she sounded so sad…”
“She said she only had to endure it herself. That was heartbreaking to hear!”
Their well-rehearsed appeal made Oboro Tama frown slightly.
“The princess said that, did she?”
“Yes!”
The maids nodded firmly at her murmured question.
Princess Hou Bai endured everything silently, shedding tears so that things could remain peaceful. She was kind, always considerate of others. And yet, that woman who had caused her pain was still here—unforgivable. Their faces clearly expressed this sentiment.
Oboro Tama let out a small sigh.
“That is quite strange.”
“Huh?” The maids looked puzzled.
“When we decided to welcome Keigetsu—the Crown Princess—into the palace, the princess strongly opposed it with a furious outburst,” Oboro Tama said calmly. “She did not act weak or say she would simply endure it. Instead, she shouted that she would never accept a low-born woman as the Crown Princess.”
She couldn’t help but find it amusing.
The maids, who had only ever seen their princess as a gentle, delicate flower, couldn’t imagine her shouting in anger. They looked confused, exchanging glances with one another.
Eventually, one of them hesitantly spoke up.
“But… that was because she thought the woman was her tormentor…”
“Even though we never told her the woman’s name?”
Oboro Tama cut her off with a sharp question. The maids immediately fell silent.
“Just from hearing where the woman was found, the princess somehow realized she was the same person who tormented her? Does she have supernatural vision?”
Pressed further, the maids became even more flustered. They knew it was impossible, but they had no answer.
They exchanged nervous glances. The way the queen described the princess didn’t match the person they knew.
Was the queen making up a story to confuse them? That doubt crept into their minds just as Oboro Tama sighed again.
“I understand your loyalty. You truly care for the princess.”
Hearing what seemed like praise, the maids hesitated. What was she getting at?
“However, I cannot grant your request. This is a matter for the princess herself. If she wishes to make an appeal, she must come to me directly. I cannot allow palace maids to overstep their bounds. It would disrupt order.”
There was no way she would expel the Crown Princess simply based on claims that might not even be true.
Besides, once a woman was brought into the royal harem, she could not be removed so easily. That was the nature of the palace.
“Gijouu,” Oboro Tama called out.
Ignoring the maids’ clear disappointment, she turned to her trusted maid.
“Go with them to the princess’s quarters and summon her to me immediately. Even if she is unwell, she must come now.”
“As you command.”
Their voices carried a firm tone. Finally realizing the gravity of the situation, the maids paled.
They had never imagined their actions would displease the queen. Until now, whenever they made requests, she always listened patiently and resolved matters kindly but firmly.
Because they were young, they had failed to understand how unusual it was to directly appeal to the queen. They had treated it as if they were simply complaining to a mother.
Sensing their thoughts, Gijouu remained calm and said, “Stand up.”
Since these maids served the princess, they must have come from noble families. As a result, they were somewhat sheltered, unfamiliar with the realities of palace life, and sometimes spoke disrespectfully to their superiors. Because of their status, this had been overlooked in the past—but now it had backfired.
As Gijouu ushered them out, Oboro Tama watched their retreating figures and let out another sigh.
Foolish girls.
They probably just wanted to show their devotion to the princess, but they had handled it poorly. As queen, she would not overlook such disrespect.
(Well then… how will you respond, Princess Hou Bai—or should I say, Haku Gekka?)
In truth, Oboro Tama would have preferred to wait for the investigator she sent to Harin to return with proper information. However, given the way the maids had acted, she feared they might take direct action against Keigetsu. She wanted to prevent that.
Last night, she had already heard from Gijouu about the conversation between Keigetsu and Kouji. She had also sent people to confirm details with Enshou and Junkei. Their accounts matched closely, suggesting they were telling the truth.
Recently, the princess’s behavior had become suspicious. Between her and Keigetsu, who was terrible at lying, which one was telling the truth?
Even if lies got someone through the moment, the truth would eventually come to light.
For now, she needed to prepare herself. Calling for her maids, she ordered them to bring her makeup box.