14 Chapter 12: Sir Lincoln.

Chapter 12: Sir Lincoln.

Elizabeth's POV

My study of etiquette continued, balancing books upon my head as Victoria led me on how to properly bow my head towards guests.

"Now like how I showed you, Princess Elizabeth." (Victoria) had complied to my favor seeing that we were all alone inside the library, our little private spot to be in.

Victoria shows me how to properly balance the books on my head, holding a hand out on her dress, doing a proper curtsy bowing her head then smiling.

I smiled back hearing Victoria call my given name even if it was stuck with the title of the princess at least it wasn't your highness anymore.

The guards were standing outside keeping watch, I followed her actions and perfectly did a curtsy while having books on top of my head.

"Hah…" I breathed out trying to stay balanced and straightened my back after the curtsy.

"Well done, your highness." (Victoria) claps slightly looking at the outside.

"I believe we've gone through the time for your etiquette lesson for the day. Is there anything you would like to do today?"

It seems that I still have the whole afternoon to myself.

I decided to take it upon myself and explore the other sides of the castle. Surely they'll let me do that. So I glanced up at Victoria telling her what I wanted.

"I want to explore Victoria."

"Would you like to explore outside of the castle, have you gotten bored of the library?" (Victoria) asked curiously and I shook my head.

It was the opposite.

I have been getting attached to the library since it's my mission to finish the whole book of the place but even now and then I have to go outside. "Not for now. I want to see what parts I haven't come across yet. May I see your chambers?"

"The chambers for the maids? M-Maybe next time! My quarters are unkempt! But after I clean it- it will suit your highness' taste."

She stuttered as if she was hiding something in her chambers.

Hmm...

"You called me… 'your highness' but we're alone..." I tell her playfully but it seems Victoria didn't get the tone that I was teasing her.

"Forgive me, your highness-" She goes quiet after calling me my title for the second time and I see her body tense up.

She scratches her choker before looking down.

"I'm only kidding. You'll get used to it. Just take my name slowly. I can wait." I let out a small snicker.

Victoria is an interesting person.

"Yes, forgive me for that once again Princess Elizabeth, but where would you like to go?" (Victoria) asks, going back to the topic of where I would like to go.

"Hmm…"

I rest a hand on my chin thinking...

Where else can I gather information...

Who are the most influential people in this country and the most knowledgeable ones?

Of course, it's them!

"Take me to the council."

"P-Pardon?"

With no choice, she was like a trapped wolf tending a white rabbit to get what it wants.

I'm that rabbit.

We went to the other side of the castle with me accompanying her as we stood in front of the door. Hmm, no guards in sight other than mine.

Well, surely the council is powerful enough to protect themselves that they won't need guards.

"Please be at my side, your highness. I will get their attention first and permission to let you stay and observe."

I followed her instructions and stuck to her side like glue.

When she opened the doors I saw about five people sitting in chairs.

They seem to be planning something about the current war but when they saw us they stopped discussing and they turned in our direction.

"General Crumwell?" I heard the man in the middle say when he saw Victoria.

She can only bow and return a smile.

"Former General bug I suppose I can be called Victoria after my retirement. Sir Lincoln." Victoria smiles at him but I noticed that it was a little stiff.

"I see."

"However, what may have caused you to visit us in such an urgent matter? The other council members are out to plan a defense strategy and perhaps consult the other kingdoms about food trade since we can barely scrape by through the winter..." He continued while scratching his long white beard telling Victoria of some plans for the winter.

This man seems to be the wisest one of all.

From his white hair, someone with old age but he seems to be still fit for fighting.

"The princess wanted to observe the council rules over her kingdom while the king was away. I saw this as a learning opportunity for her to see and took her here." Victoria confidently answered me in my stead, the other council members didn't look like they liked her decision to bring me here inside the council.

Though I don't see why I can't be allowed to observe.

After all, since I recognize myself as someone reborn of royalty I might rule this place someday if the god of fate doesn't get to me first.

"The princess? She has come to visit, it seems." He suddenly finally notices me and a spark of shock on his face can be seen. Sir Lincoln stands up walking over to Victoria looking happy for her to be there.

"You could say I'm a bit surprised by the sudden visit. We can continue this meeting another time. Dismissed."

The four other people looked at each other before standing up and nodding.

Bidding salute before leaving.

I saw one specific person casting a glare at me before leaving completely and that was just weird...

"Now then. I should introduce myself." (Sir Lincoln) tells me, giving me a gentle salute.

"Your highness, I am Lincoln Auronia. I am the head of the council as well as the head general of your future kingdom. That is if I'm still alive." He joked around laughing heavily and smiling at me similar to what my grandfather usually makes.

"You can call me Sir Lincoln, like what my best student calls me. Isn't that right General Crumwell?" (Sir Lincoln) turns to Victoria, his best student.

Victoria chuckles feeling a bit more relaxed seeing that we were the only ones inside the room. "Sir Lincoln, with due respect I'm afraid I'm no longer your General but merely a maid. I'm afraid I'm no longer suited for that title."

"Nonsense. You are the best General I've ever raised, unlike those cowards who are all afraid to let this little one play outside and have fun. Hohoho." (Sir Lincoln)

For a second his Hohoho was something similar to Santa Claus laughing.

Still, I can't help but laugh a little too, feeling relaxed by his presence.

I can tell he's a good person because he reminds me of my grandfather for some reason.

"I'm thankful to Sir Lincoln. For permitting me to study swordsmanship once I am old enough to wield a sword that is." I said offering a courtesy. He can only smile at me and offer me a pat on the head.

"Well, who said women are only suited in palaces sitting on a throne and children cannot learn how to defend themselves? Such stupidity. They are only giving them disadvantages for them to be weak and uneducated. A prey to be haunted and devoured." (Sir Lincoln)

This guy certainly knows his wisdom!

"Well with General Crumwell in your care I suppose there's nothing to worry about. This young gal defeated all my best soldiers! She was my right-hand man after all. Or would you call that right-hand woman?" (Sir Lincoln) nudges Victoria's sides laughing continuously.

"Hohoho I love making jokes."

"..." I can feel Victoria's awkwardness as her face palmed from embarrassment perhaps. "You're making me look like a fool in front of the princess! Sir Lincoln!"

Sir Lincoln also patted her on the head and I saw Victoria pout.

He sure does like giving pats no matter who it is huh?

"You're already doing a good enough job making a fool out of yourself without my help. Ain't that right young one?" (Sir Lincoln) gestured to me laughing.

I feel like friendship has been formed as I gave him a smirk and a thumbs up. As a sign of agreement.

"Yep."

"P-Princess not you too!" (Victoria) looked at me like I was a traitor who stabbed her in the back.

Well, I sort of did but I was rather enjoying her little flustered face.

"For a young one, I'm glad you understand my kind of humor. You are their daughter. You got your humor from your mother. Your father didn't like my humor at all. That man was bogus!" (Sir Lincoln) compliments my mother and insults my father.

So he was close to my parents?

"Well, I have to address my duties now and General Crumwell. There will always be a place for you at the council again, you know where to find me." He smiled at Victoria and she gave her a look of respect, and admiration for this man and I can't help but do the same.

"As for you, young one. I believe you're far too young to be hearing about politics. So this will be the last time you can set foot in this place until your coronation for the title of princess publicly."

"Then you can partake in royalty duties that are a pain in the ass- I mean butt. Pain in the butt." (Sir Lincoln) almost gave out a bad word looking guilty that he cursed in front of the princess- but I think I know all the cussing needed. It's still nice he stopped before he did worse in front of a kid.

"Yes, Sir Lincoln!" As I tried imitating their salute I did a cute stomp while trying to straighten my back for it. Victoria took another tissue out of her pocket and wiped off her nose.

"This is heaven. I might die from blood loss though."

I heard that.

He gave another old Santa Claus laugh and gave me a salute back.

"I'll be off now. Take care, young ones." With the clank of his armor, he walked out of the room. He was a nice grandpa...

I almost didn't notice Victoria also did a salute as a goodbye.

Guess she still has that knightly habit in her.

I suppose I can't wait for my coronation because that's when I'll be publicly seen by the whole kingdom.

And to see what my magic attribute is.

"Victoria. Can you carry me back to the library now?"

"Gladly, your highness." (Victoria) Carried me along with her chest and started leaving the council room.

As she closed the door I can't help but look back because I won't be able to set foot in there for the next five or six years.

"By the way, he seems to be a different person than all the rest that I have met. He gives off the vibe of a grandfather... If I'm going, to be honest with you."

Her eyes showed worry at first then sadness. "You see Princess Elizabeth, his daughter was just traumatized from the hands of... a bad person who wanted to do bad disgusting things to her. I'll explain more when you're older."

Oh… so that's why.

For a person so happy I wouldn't have thought- he had experienced something like that.

"However, I believe Sir Lincoln regretted that he never taught her daughter how to fight back. I've met his daughter a few times and she was... the nicest girl I've ever known."

"That explains a lot." I cradle in Victoria's arms.

While trying to keep up with where we're going.

"Back then he acted like a jerk but it was all just a test to see if you're loyal and deserving. I just wished I followed through."

"He sounds like a very nice person indeed," I said genuinely to her and she smiled.

"He's like a father to me really. If you count me dating his daughter before." (Victoria) just dropped an important information, my head immediately turned to her looking expectant.

"Wait, what? You- You dated his daughter?"

Victoria smiles and pats my head affectionately, "It was when times were difficult and relationships between two girls and boys weren't accepted. Sir Lincoln wasn't supportive of us."

"That's... somehow I understand," I replied.

Thinking back on earth in my time. In Japan, it was seen as a pretty taboo thing to talk about too. Homosexuality even in my time was still a sensitive topic to have.

"Do you still love her?" I asked.

"Yes, she's waiting for me in the city but you're my priority first, Princess Elizabeth. I swore to my dear friend and Empress that I'll take care of you like you were my daughter." Victoria leads us to the library as I nuzzled a little more into her.

Feeling happy at hearing those words.

I rarely had people like Victoria back on earth, the only one who treated me this way was my grandfather.

I looked at Victoria once again and just smiled.

"Thank you," I whispered hoping she couldn't have heard that nonetheless she still kept walking until we reached our destination.