Frey felt twice as woozy now, as she slowly dragged herself to her feet from where she now somehow sat on the floor, shivering from the draft in her room.

"AHHH! PRINCESS! F-Forgive me…"

Vishnal was on the ground as well, both of them covered in rice, curry sauce and orange juice. Frey was in a state of shock, recounting how she had gone to assist Vishnal with the tray, and how he was unable to regain his footing after slipping on the rug… the result? Two slightly sore, slightly messy castle individuals. Despite the cold that wracked her body, despite the now pain in her ass from how she landed, AND despite the pain of Doug still not being here this late… She let out a light spirited laugh. And when she began, she could not contain herself, eliciting bashful and confused glances from the ocean-haired butler.

"P-princess? Are you… alright?"

Frey leant forward, smiling warmly at a piece of chopped carrot which hung from the thick strand of hair covering his deep eyes. Vishnal felt a red hot warmth immediately spring to his cheeks as he noticed the Princess leaning forward toward him. He was very aware of how the neck of that thin nightgown suddenly bulged, giving him a better view of her bra… and what lay underneath…

NO! Bad butler… this is the princess!

Determination struck his features once again, and he held tense as Frey pulled out the chopped carrot and brushed his fringe back into place. He gave it his all to keep his eyes staring straight, but as she pulled away a draft blew through the room, and he was VERY aware that Frey's nipples were now visible under the garment.

"There!" She giggled sweetly.

A look of concern then sweeped across her face.

"I-I am sorry for laughing Vishnal. You just looked so… haha I don't know, cute covered in food apologizing. Ack, no offence was meant by that…" The Princess now looked down, her smile fading.

"Anyway, it must have been a lot of effort to get this together for me… and now it's a mess… I really appreciate this, Vishnal…"

The butler sprang to his feet, already feeling hot and overwhelmed by the situation, and by her words.

C-cute? A-appreciate? O-oh I need to calm myself down… b-before she notices this bulge… oh God… VISHNAL! St-stop thinking about her b-bre-

"Don't worry, I will be back to clean this up! U-unfortunately Clorica prepared this on my behalf, and I am afraid she would be well beyond waking up at this hour for a repeat. I-I will leave you to get cleaned up, Princess, before I deal with this mess!"

He ran toward the door, Frey hesitating to call after him. She wasn't sure what she had wanted to say, and maybe it would come back to her once he had returned to clean the would-be-meal.

Why was he awake at this hour?

She couldn't help the thought crossing her mind as she pulled her nightgown closer to her frame, shivering once more.

Doug eventually came home that night. It was after Vishnal and the Princess had cleaned themselves up, and the tiles of the palace floor were sparkly clean. He merely got into bed next to her, cuddled up to her for a bit then placed a chaste kiss on her neck before rolling over and passing out. He smelt like grape liqueur.

Frey had curled herself into a ball that night, a million questions on her lips, and many emotions surging through her body. How could he just come home with no explanation, acting like everything is back to normal?

The day played out as usual. Doug left early for work at Blossom's shop, and since he had begun to live in the castle, nobody dared give her a wake-up call for fear of what they may walk in on. Frey sighed.

Nothing exciting. Unfortunately.

She felt offended and truly hurt at why the red-haired dwarf never really responded to her touches anymore… he always brushed her hands away and said things like he was tired, making her feel like a nymphomaniac or just a plain pervert.

After various similar thoughts circulated in her head, she pulled herself out of bed and got dressed, ready to take care of the farm. She still felt a little sick, but it was a huge improvement-her head no longer was dizzy and the soreness in her throat was more or less gone, just leaving her with a slight sniffle.

Sweat dripped from her brow as she plowed the yielding earth, and every so often she would stop to tighten those mint-green ponytails to keep them out of the way. She glanced at her watch.

Damn, I better hurry up and harvest all of these; someone will be here soon to collect my shipped items!

With that, she strained herself pulling and plucking and was down to the last tomato plant when she felt overwhelmed with exhaustion.

M-maybe I am not as well as I thought I was…

She collapsed to her knees for a quick rest, panting with her hands outstretched before her.

"Oh, are you alright?"

Clorica's innocent, open gaze looked down at her, and a hand was extended to help her to her feet.

"Here, let me take these," Clorica giggled, taking the basket full of vegetables Frey had been collecting.

"Vishnal said that you were sick, so don't overdo it, ok Frey?"

"Right! Thanks Clorica! I was trying to get everything ready to ship."

"Well, I can just take it down now for you! Is this everything?"
Frey searched through her pockets, and surveyed the field once more. When she was satisfied, she nodded, and Clorica smiled, taking her crops to the shipping container.

"Hey, thanks again!"
Frey waved, but the absent butler-to-be was already snoring.

I wonder if she has a medical problem… maybe someone should check that out-

"FREY! What a great day, isn't it?"

"Oh, hello Mr. Volkanon. I didn't see you there."

"Frey, you should really take it easy today, focus on getting better. Vishnal is very concerned about you, and has gotten Clorica all worked up as well! And even myself!"
Frey laughed awkwardly, raising her hand to her neck…

"I'll be careful, I promise!"

Mr. Volkanon broke out in his manly tears, gripping the green-headed princess in a deadly hug.

"PRINCESS! … WAH!"

There is that dizziness again…

Vishnal was really worried about me… hmm

Frey paced along the bridge once again, caught up in the same thought. Doug looked over at her.

"You ok?"

Frey smiled, trying to fake it, trying to read his face and words for hints of genuine concern. He sounded more serious, and she knew his temper would flare up if she accused him of not taking her of her when she was under the weather.

"Yeah, fine…" she managed to get out, "just kind of hungry I guess. I didn't eat well last ni-"

"Yeah me too, I'm starving! Let's go to Porcoline's! I want to get some onigiri."

Frey looked slightly taken aback.

I-I made tempura rice barely an hour ago… Oh Doug.

She couldn't help but feel fond toward him, thinking of the lithe man's appetite. But a part of her was still hurt, and she felt that she had missed out on a good adventure last night. She felt a pang, and gave it her all to repress it and the tears which threatened to spill from her emerald eyes.

"Sure, let's go."

Doug raced off, but she knew he would be waiting for her at the entrance-it was just too bad he didn't wait, grasp her hand and stroll over there with her.

Because at this time, somebody watching certainly wanted to.