SDIWD - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The Queen was known for her frugality, but unfortunately, her younger brother, Grand Duke Hua Jian, was not like her and was often criticized for his extravagance. As the Grand Duke's only and most cherished daughter, and with the Queen unmarried, Hua Mu was destined to be the future heir to the throne. Her standard of living was undoubtedly the highest in the empire.

There were even absurd rumors that the Grand Duke's daughter couldn't use utensils and needed a handmaiden to wait on her.

Hua Mu, of course, knew how to use utensils. As a noble lady, she could dine with the utmost elegance and composure, adhering to the etiquette of any country. The part about being waited on by handmaidens, however, was no rumor. She had as many as six maids just to serve her meals—after all, they worked in shifts.

But Hua Mu genuinely didn't know how to relieve herself without a proper restroom, without a fully automatic toilet. Without the warm, comfortable stream of water, the gentle, perfectly heated drying air, or even soft, delicate wet wipes, what was she supposed to do afterward?!!

This problem stumped not only Hua Mu but also Bai Zhen—she had no idea how to explain it to the Young Lady. Not only was she naturally inarticulate and incredibly nervous around Hua Mu, but the issue itself seemed so trivial to her that she didn't know where to begin.

"Miss, are you... are you talking about the toilet paper... the toilet paper issue?"

Bai Zhen thought it over and concluded this was the biggest obstacle preventing Hua Mu from solving her current predicament.

Toilet paper!

It wasn't that Hua Mu was so ignorant she didn't know toilet paper was an option; she simply refused to think about it. How clean could one possibly get with just paper? Besides, they didn't even have any!

"That's one of the problems, I suppose..."

Bai Zhen fell silent for a moment before pulling a transparent, sealed bag from one of her pockets. Inside lay a neatly folded handkerchief.

Hua Mu stared at her in shock—because the handkerchief was excessively pink and delicate, completely unlike something a rough-and-tumble Sentinel like Bai Zhen would use; because it looked incredibly familiar, like one she had once owned and lost; and because Bai Zhen was handing it to her now... what on earth did she expect her to do with it???

Completely oblivious to Hua Mu's shock, Bai Zhen's usually expressionless face showed a rare hint of conflict and reluctance.

"Miss, do you... do you think this will work?"

So that's really what she meant???

Once the shock subsided, Hua Mu realized this was probably the best solution available. What was the alternative? Tearing a piece from her dress or clothes?

She fought back the urge to ask Bai Zhen where the handkerchief had come from and silently accepted it.

There were only the two of them on this island now. Some things were better left unsaid.

"So... if I can't sit, what do I do?"

Perhaps the muscles on Bai Zhen's face hadn't yet relaxed from her earlier conflict, because she now wore a look of surprise.

Hua Mu had no choice but to put on a stern face and adopt a haughty posture. "Royal etiquette," she declared.

Bai Zhen quickly lowered her head. "Miss, I can help you..."

Hearing only the words "help you," Hua Mu began to curse internally, using the few swear words she knew.

"...make a simple latrine. You can use it by squatting."

Hua Mu stopped cursing, her face flushing bright red with embarrassment.

"Th-then go. Go quickly, and come get me when it's ready. Don't stay too close... b-but don't go too far, either."

Bai Zhen, ever obedient, immediately turned to find a suitable spot. Fortunately, the moonlight was bright, making it possible to see a person's silhouette even from a distance.

Hua Mu watched Bai Zhen run toward the coastal reefs. After busying herself for a moment behind them, she quickly returned.

Sentinels had excellent night vision and could see clearly even on a moonless night. Watching Bai Zhen move about without any hindrance, Hua Mu felt a pang of envy.

"Miss, shall I carry you over?"

Hua Mu's foot was injured, and her shoes were long gone; she had relied on the Sentinel to move earlier. But how could she let Bai Zhen accompany her for something so private? There was no privacy in front of a Sentinel with such heightened senses!

"No need. Give me your shoes."

Bai Zhen had taken her shoes off before entering the sea, and they were nearly dry from being aired out. She hadn't put them back on, running around barefoot this whole time.

Hua Mu winced just looking at her.

Bai Zhen seemed to hesitate. Hua Mu, assuming she was reluctant to part with them, felt a surge of anger. If not for her pressing need, she would have thrown a fit.

"Bai Zhen!"

Bai Zhen recognized this as a prelude to Hua Mu's anger. She quickly took the shoes down from the branch where they were drying and felt around inside them for a good while before handing them over.

"Is something hidden inside? What's taking so long?" Hua Mu had clearly seen her empty them before setting them out to dry. For such a capable Sentinel, she was being awfully hesitant.

Bai Zhen seemed ashamed. "I was afraid they were dirty..."

Of course, she didn't mean she was afraid Hua Mu would dirty her shoes, but that her shoes might be dirty for Hua Mu's feet.

Although Hua Mu could be arrogant, quick-tempered, and looked down on her Sentinel, she wasn't a fool who couldn't tell right from wrong. She instantly understood Bai Zhen's meaning, and a mix of emotions washed over her.

Setting aside all the injuries Bai Zhen had suffered and the hardships she had endured for her in the past, setting aside her unwavering loyalty, her conduct since they'd been stranded on this island alone—her steadfast, obedient, and uncomplaining attitude—deserved some praise.

Hua Mu lowered her gaze, fumbling with the boots as she muttered, "What kind of person do you take me for? In a situation like this, would I really complain about you...?"

The military boots were difficult to put on. A pampered young lady like her struggled for a long time to no avail. In the end, Bai Zhen had to kneel and help her.

Her conscience having been pricked, Hua Mu's tone softened considerably.

"Your feet are so big."

The boots were on, but her toes couldn't even reach the front. Hua Mu had never worn such ill-fitting footwear; they were terribly abrasive.

How could Bai Zhen possibly answer that? The thought of Hua Mu's delicate feet, so small they could be encircled by one hand, swimming inside her own boots made her feel deeply ashamed.

"I'm sorry..."

Hua Mu had only been making a casual remark. Seeing Bai Zhen hunch over, looking as if she had shrunk, she lost interest in teasing her.

"I never said being bigger was a bad thing. It's good for a girl to be bigger, and even better for a Sentinel. Stop slouching. Don't soldiers from the Tower know how to stand up straight?"

In the Tower, Bai Zhen never forgot the principles of a soldier. But after becoming Hua Mu's guard, she was meant to be more of a robot than a soldier. If necessary, she would do more than just slouch; she would die for Hua Mu without a word of complaint.

"Yes, Miss!" Bai Zhen lifted her head, squared her shoulders, and snapped a military salute. Hua Mu stared, her eyes wide.

Gods, I just said bigger was good, but this was too good. That figure, that face, those muscles... what on earth did this foolish Sentinel have to be insecure about?

The Young Lady glanced down at her own meager chest and was so annoyed she almost lost the urge to relieve herself.

"Miss..." Seeing her standing there in a daze, Bai Zhen grew worried. She had been in such a hurry just a moment ago, but now... Could it be that she...!

Hua Mu snapped out of it, suddenly feeling this damned Sentinel deserved no sympathy whatsoever. "I'm going," she said fiercely. "Don't follow me."

"But..."

"No buts!"

"Yes..."

Walking on the sand with small feet in oversized boots was more than just awkward. Hua Mu struggled. As she moved a little farther away, a gust of sea wind blew past. The sight of the unfathomable night sea and the grotesque, scorched cliffs sent a chill down her spine.

She hadn't even dared to be alone during the day; what was she trying to prove now, at night?

She peeked back and saw Bai Zhen standing like a tower by the fire, her gaze fixed on her. Her heart settled slightly.

After a moment's hesitation, she waved to Bai Zhen. The Sentinel seemed to have been waiting for the summons, because she was in front of her in an instant. Hua Mu didn't even see how she took off, or how a person could run with the ferocity of a wolf.

"Miss!"

Bai Zhen's expression was as blank as ever, but for some reason, Hua Mu could tell from her voice that she was happy.

Like a big dog, neglected for a long time, finally remembered by its master.

Hua Mu cleared her throat. "Where did you make it? Take me there."

"Let me carry you, then." She had seen Hua Mu struggling and, for once, made a suggestion herself.

Although Hua Mu usually did her utmost to avoid physical contact with her Sentinel, she couldn't afford to be picky now. The wound on her foot was throbbing, and she didn't want to suffer any longer, let alone risk a scar.

"Mm."

Hua Mu watched Bai Zhen turn and crouch down. The faint outline of her back muscles was so striking that Hua Mu subconsciously swallowed.

Who on earth wrote the textbooks? The claim that there was no fundamental physical difference between Sentinels and ordinary people had to be a lie.

Although Hua Mu had never been to the Tower and hadn't paid much attention in her Guide classes, she had a solid grasp of the common knowledge taught in compulsory education.

According to genetic research, neither Sentinels nor Guides possessed any inherent physical advantages over ordinary people. Only when channeling their spirit animal did a Sentinel gain a more powerful physique, while a Guide gained the ability to mount psychic defenses and attacks.

The public stereotype of Sentinels being physically powerful existed simply because they had to perform high-intensity missions, which required them to build strong bodies through rigorous training.

Bai Zhen undoubtedly fit this public image of a Sentinel: taller than the average woman, with a lean body, powerful muscle definition, and an expression that remained resolute and detached no matter the situation.

As Hua Mu climbed onto Bai Zhen's back, a feeling of security inevitably bloomed alongside her envy and jealousy.

While not short, Hua Mu had been raised as a noblewoman, expected to be not only beautiful and elegant but also slender and delicate. She had tasted the world's finest delicacies, but she also adhered to an almost cruelly strict diet.

The two of them together, even if not quite a "Beauty and the Beast" scenario, created a stark visual contrast.

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