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Published at 4th of July 2019 11:35:27 PM


Chapter 96

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That evening, Chelsea showed them to the guest rooms. While the soldiers had given Robin's party a less-than-heartfelt welcome, it seemed the maids took pride in how professionally they did their work, regardless of the guest.

Each room was just as comfortable as the rooms back in Ekkinshire. However, the furniture was not so embossed and plated in gold. The decoration was on a more streamlined, minimalistic style. In Robin's room, a large window on one wall made it possible to view the ocean outside.

After a tiring day, Robin was all set to go to bed. But, not even five minutes after Robin closed the door to turn in for the night, she heard a knock at the door. Robin sighed, then got up to go see who it was.

Chelsea stood outside the door. Even though the top half of her face was covered in a veil, Robin could tell that she was greatly excited.

"Chelsea? What's the matter?" She asked, not quite understanding what was going on.

"Ah, nothing much! This is just the first time I've had friends sleepover at my place. So, I'm a bit excited!" Chelsea honestly replied.

Robin, observing her, felt that Chelsea was a bit adorable, like a little sister. Robin had never had a little sister before, but the thought softened her expression up a bit.

"Is that so? Hmm, come to think of it, this is also my first time at a sleepover."

"Isn't that right!?" Chelsea nodded. "That's why, I thought that we could do something special and play a game before bed!"

"Just the two of us?" Robin asked.

"Of course not! We need to invite Jasmine, too, and then it'll be a girls' party with just us three!" Chelsea said eagerly.

Robin coughed. There was no guarantee that someone wouldn't accidentally overhear their conversation. So it was better to be safe than sorry. She asked. "You are okay with me barging in on your girls party?"

"What?" Chelsea asked, not understanding.

"If someone overhears this conversation, they might get the wrong impression of you." Robin explained.

"Oh, you were worried about me? I'm flattered, really, but it's not necessary." Chelsea waved it off. "After all, although the servants are aware of me, they are under a solemn oath not to reveal my existence. So no rumors will spread."

'I'm not worried about that! I'm worried about my reputation! I don't want word getting around that I'm a lascivious pervert!' Robin restrained from snapping out.

Even though Chelsea was most likely older than her, Chelsea's current appearance was of a young woman around 13 or 14 years old.

If one made a certain connection between Chelsea, and the cute 'little sister' that Robin had entertained at the ball...Robin might be mercilessly given the worst of all pervert titles. And, if people tried to attract her by using a honey trap on her...


It would be the worst. Just as she didn't want to be pursued by men. Even more so, she did not want to be pursued by women; most of all, by little girls. In any case, rabid fans are scary.

"Um, wouldn't it be better to play the game during our travels to relieve boredom?" Robin asked.

"No way! This is our first sleepover! We must play at least one game!" Chelsea was adamant, and began raising her voice.

"All right, all right! Fine! You don't have to yell!" Robin placated her, wearily massaging her forehead. "Just one game, then, okay?"

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"How did I get dragged into this, again?" Robin's eyes drooped as she struggled to stay awake.

The game they were currently playing was similar to a game of truth or dare, called 'Clarity' as suggested by Jasmine. A small top with an arrow painted on it was the prop. Whomever the arrow pointed to -after the top stopped spinning- would be allowed to ask one of the others a question. If it could be determined that the answer was false, they faced a penalty. The penalty was limited to small things that could be done inside the room.

Right now, it was Chelsea's turn again.

"Robin, please clarify things for me: is it true that you can use cocoa beans for cooking regular meals?"

Robin sighed. so far, all of Chelsea's questions had been about cooking and baking.

"It is true." Robin replied. "In fact there is a dish called curry which specifically uses chocolate-a processed form of the cocoa bean-in the stew to deepen the undertones and join the spices together. The curry dish has several different types ranging from mild to very spicy."

"What! Is that true!?" Jasmine asked.

"It is true." Chelsea asserted. No matter what was asked, or who answered, Chelsea was able to tell if the answer was true or false. Thus, she was currently winning.

"It's getting late." Robin yawned. "How about we end the game after nine more questions? if we divide them and go around the table, that's three questions for all of us."

"I agree. while the game has been fun, us girls need their beauty sleep." Jasmine nodded. "It's best not to overdo it."

"Oh, very well! For the sake of getting to bed faster, let us do away with the top." Chelsea sighed. She had wanted to play a bit longer. "Your turn, Robin! Three questions. You can ask either of us."

"Then, Chelsea, first question: how did you know about sleepovers?"Robin asked.

"Obviously, through brother's vision of your world." Chelsea answered easily.

"You must have learned a lot about my world, then. Is that where you got the information about cooking that you kept confirming with me?" Robin asked.

"Yes."Chelsea acknowledged.

"My last question." Robin began. "Will I be able to defeat the Trader, without losing my comrades?"

"...Oh, him, huh..." Chelsea replied, the corner of her mouth twitching distastefully. "That depends upon what you mean by 'defeat', but I can assure you that there will be no casualties during your struggles against him. As for you...it may not be the kind of defeat you wish for, though."

Robin's head ached. "Now I'm not so sure I want to know." She rubbed her forehead, ruefully. What other kind of 'defeat' could there possibly be!?

Jasmine cleared her throat. "I suppose it is my turn, then." She turned to Chelsea. "Does anyone else among our companions know the truth about Robin's gender?"

"There is one who suspects, but is not keen upon confirming." Chelsea replied.

"Is that person, Christian?" Jasmine asked.

"It is not."

"My last question:" Jasmine continued. "Will I ever find my one true love?"

"Eh?" Robin was surprised. Going by logical progression, wouldn't Jasmine ask for the identity of the person suspecting her?

"If he's not keen upon confirming, then that's fine. Besides, it's obvious that at least one of us needs to ask about such things during a game of clarity!" Jasmine justified to Robin. "Uncle and Aunt are getting worried about me."

"Oh." Robin scratched the back of her head.

As a girl, Robin felt that she had just been defeated, somehow. While normal girls would be concerned about their marriage, Robin wanted nothing to do with it, for the time being. Did this mean there was something wrong with her?

'Now's not the time for an existential crisis.' Robin quickly decided, setting her self reflections aside, as she returned her mind to the present.

"If everything goes as I have seen, then there is a good chance that yes, you will find your so-called one true love." Chelsea answered with a silly smile.

"Yes! Now I can keep Aunt Emmy from introducing more idiots to me!" Jasmine giggled gleefully.

"Aunt Emmy?" Robin asked.

"You know, your foster mother, the Queen?" Jasmine pointed out.

"Ah." Robin realized. Emmy was short for Emeline. "My condolences." Robin bowed her head, as she had somewhat of an inkling of what Jasmine must be going through.

"It's not your fault. Aunt Emmy has always been like this." Jasmine sighed. "She's tried matchmaking over half the kingdom, already. It's a matter of pride for her."

"That much, huh?" Robin said, feeling a small shiver at the thought. It was a good thing she had escaped-er left the kingdom while she still could. Otherwise, things would be somewhat of a nightmare.

"Ahem! I do believe it is my turn to ask some questions, right?" Chelsea interjected, bringing the topic back to the game.

"Oh, my apologies, yes it is!" Robin nodded.

"Do go ahead." Jasmine encouraged.

Suddenly, the air took on a somewhat heavy feeling, as Chelsea's smile seemed to change ever so slightly.

"My first question..." She began.




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