80. Overprotection
80. Overprotection
[Chapter 80] - Overprotection
As Titania went off to get dressed, and I waited for the maids to help me with my own preparations, I took off my earring and looked at Ainsel. I absolutely needed Ainsel's help for this masquerade ball.
"I told you before, I can't wear earrings to this ball. I'm trying to hide my identity as much as possible. I won't be taking my eyes off Titania at the ball, but..."
-I know. Since you can't wear earrings, you're going to replace them with a necklace, right? And you're saying you might not be able to hear my voice because it'll be tucked inside your clothes? So you want me to protect the Princess well... and shout loudly if anything happens... My ears are going to get calloused from hearing this.
"...Right, I'm really counting on you this time. If anything happens, shout loudly."
-You... you're really overly protective. Honestly speaking, this is just spying on the Princess, isn't it? I've told you until my ears got calloused too...
"I know. You're saying Titania is grown up enough now, so I should get used to letting her go, right? I'll try, but..."
I sighed softly and looked at Ainsel.
It wasn't easy to let Titania go from my side. It was to the point where I wondered if I was the one obsessed with Titania. I knew she was a child who would eventually leave my side, but...
"...Even if it looks a bit pathetic, bear with me. Just until Titania enters the Academy. You know, right? Once that time comes, I'll..."
-I didn't say it was pathetic. I'm just worried that even when that time comes, you won't be able to leave the Princess's side as promised. Honestly, I don't think you really need to leave...
I smiled bitterly at Ainsel's gaze, which looked truly worried. I knew what Ainsel wanted to say to me.
As Titania grew, I had a vague feeling that it wasn't Titania who was dependent on me, but me who was dependent on Titania.
The reason I exist here is for Titania. I decided that from the beginning. So, I had no choice but to depend on Titania.
Because that child is my whole life.
However, the more I depend on Titania, the more Titania depends on me. Then I depend on Titania even more, and Titania depends on me again, and depends, and depends... it was like a snake biting its own tail.
Is that why? Lately, the thought that I wouldn't be able to leave Titania's side if things went on like this started to slowly fill my head.
Isn't that so? Titania will eventually become Queen, get married, and leave my side, but I can't keep depending on Titania when that time comes. I didn't want to become a parent who is obsessed with their child.
Knowing that I shouldn't, I had to keep the promise I made to the Queen Dowager. Because me staying by Titania's side even after she grows up is like poison to both Titania and me.
So, I...
*
"Mother! Look at this!"
While I was surrounded by maids getting dressed, Titania burst through the door. She must have finished getting ready, as she approached me with quick steps, fully costumed for the masquerade ball.
Instead of a dress, Titania was wearing a pure white blouse and a bright red skirt, the kind commoners might wear. On top of that, she had a bright red cape draped over her, and in one hand, she held a basket containing snacks.
Plus, a bright red mask that covered half her face.
As if to show off, Titania grabbed the hem of her skirt, spun around in a circle, and flaunted her costume. The look Titania had chosen was that of 'Little Red Riding Hood' from the fairy tale.
"It suits you well. So, you decided on Little Red Riding Hood in the end?"
"Yes, I liked this one the best."
Since most of the participants in this masquerade ball were children, Hailey had set the theme for this masquerade ball as 'Fairy Tale' or 'Fairy'. Of course, my influence might have played a part in that too.
Titania said it was a bit childish, but it was still much healthier than the adults' masquerade balls. Usually, in a masquerade ball, it doesn't matter what kind of mask you wear unless the host sets a theme.
Because the mask there is just used to show off one's wealth. In a masquerade ball where hiding one's identity is the rule, their masks weren't for the purpose of hiding their identity.
Embedding jewels in the mask or using high-end fabric. Hiring artisans to make clothes to make the costume look real. In adults' masquerade balls, costumes were no different from 'competition' with others.
Moreover, those masquerade balls were usually lewd events where people pretended to be noble on the outside while enjoying lewd and debauched things behind the scenes, so honestly, it was an event where Titania had absolutely nothing to learn.
So, even now, just before the masquerade ball started, I was slightly regretting it. No matter how much it was an event only for children, it felt like the wrong decision to allow the masquerade ball.
...I'd just be complaining again, and it wouldn't end. It felt like Ainsel's voice shouting 'Stop being overprotective!!' was already stuck in my ears.
'Besides... she wouldn't be able to enjoy the masquerade ball as much as she expected anyway. This masquerade ball will also be an opportunity for Titania to face reality.'
With thoughts that didn't reach a conclusion, I sighed deeply and looked at Titania. Certainly, the costumed look that I couldn't usually see was cute. If I weren't in the middle of getting dressed, I would have hugged her right away.
I sighed softly and asked Titania with a worried expression.
"Titania. Do you remember what I said?"
"Yes, I remember everything. You told me until my ears got calloused."
"I'll say it again, make sure to bring at least two masks that look different. Make sure the cape covers up to your face. And since you can't dance, regarding the first dance..."
As I nagged again, Titania sighed deeply, saying her ears were going to get calloused, and let my nagging go in one ear and out the other. What's the point of me talking until my mouth hurts? She really needs to experience it to know.
Perhaps Titania didn't like my attitude of treating her like a small child, so she straightened her waist and chest to look taller, thumped her chest with her fist, and looked at me. What is she doing now?
"Mother, don't worry. It's just a masquerade ball with kids my age, isn't it? You worry too much, Mother. I'm practically a grown lady now, aren't I?"
"W-what??? You're a lady??? Pfft, pfft-haha, ahahahaha!"
I burst out laughing at the word 'lady'.
A mere thirteen-year-old child, what kind of lady?
She must have read another strange novel and is acting like that. Was the 'practically' a grown lady at the end Titania's small conscience?
When I burst into loud laughter, the maids helping me with my preparations also trembled their shoulders.
The maids tried to hold back the laughter that was about to burst out, but in the end, they couldn't hold it in, and faint laughter burst out between their slightly parted lips.
"Oh, Your Majesty the Queen, Princess, we are so sorry. We just thought the Princess was so cute..."
"Whew... that look just now was undeniably cute..."
Since most of them were maids who had children of their own, they seemed even more unable to hold it in. Since they were maids who usually treated Titania like their own child, I had no intention of scolding them at all.
As I and the maids giggled and burst into laughter, Titania's face turned bright red. Her skirt, cape, and mask were all bright red, and even her face turned bright red, so she looked exactly like a ripe apple.
Seeing Titania trembling all over, whether from anger or embarrassment, I thought, 'Oh no,' quickly calmed my laughter with a deep breath, and apologized to Titania.
"I'm sorry. However, in my eyes, you are still a child. You're only thirteen, and you're still a child who loses sleep at night if you don't sleep with me. If you want to call yourself a lady, shouldn't you first get into the habit of sleeping separately from me and go through your debutante after you're fifteen?"
At my point, Titania went 'Ugh,' and couldn't refute it.
I don't know why the word 'lady' keeps coming up, but even considering that the definition of a lady is 'a woman with culture, manners, and dignity, a beautiful term for a woman who has reached adulthood,' it was definitely not a term to refer to Titania, who hadn't even had her coming-of-age ceremony.
'Well... her face is slowly starting to lose its childishness... but she's still a long way from being a lady.'
I held back the laughter leaking out and patted the back of Titania, who looked like she was about to burst into tears.
"Don't cry, go to the ballroom first. It's the masquerade ball you've been looking forward to so much, it would be troublesome if you're late because you have to redo your makeup."
"...What about you, Mother? What kind of costume are you going to wear?"
"Me?"
I pretended to think for a moment, cupped my chin with my fingers, grinned, and smacked Titania's butt! Titania, startled, jumped in place, puffed out her cheeks, and glared at me.
"I told you it's a secret. Unless I speak to you first, you won't be able to recognize me."
"No hints...?"
"None. So, act while thinking that I'm always watching you. You know what happens if you do something bad, right?"
"Yes..."
Titania rubbed her butt a few times, as if the place I hit hurt, and then walked out of the room with a slightly sulky expression. My makeup was almost done too, so once I put on my outfit, the disguise would be complete.
"Well then... time to..."
I finished my makeup, stood up from my seat, and looked into the closet that the maid had opened. The outfit I had secretly asked Hailey and Yvette to prepare for today. I couldn't help but chuckle at the outfit I had never worn before.
"Let's get ready. It'll be troublesome if we're late."