Though Angelina spoke grandly, what she said still exposed the little princess's secret. Before long, Leisha sent her downstairs to rest with the maids. Leisha still did not mention the new Saturday lessons to Shade that night, and she and Dorothy planned to discuss it after the New Year arrived:
"Then how many people will be in this bedroom during the Year-End Festival?"
Her Royal Highness the Princess said to Shade with a smile:
"Grand-Aunt and the others said they wanted to expand your house. I think it would be better to find a way to make this bed bigger. Speaking of which, do I look like I've gained weight recently, or lost it?"
The lights in the bedroom had already been put out. Though the curtains were not fully drawn, there was almost no starlight or moonlight on that snowy night. In the darkness, Shade looked towards the red-haired princess he loved. Though he had not noticed any change in Leisha, he felt it was better to be cautious:
"You seem to have lost a little weight. Has studying been too exhausting lately? You need to take care of your health."
Leisha smiled and hugged Shade, then whispered in his ear:
"I feel like I've gotten a little thinner too, especially... Check carefully. Whenever I lose weight, it always changes there first. It's really troubling."
After Shade's careful examination and confirmation, however, Leisha's changes were not particularly significant:
"Then when you gain weight, does it change there first too?"
"Shade, I'm truly sorry, but I can't reach the level of Grand-Aunt's Head Maid. Still, what a pity. On Red Butterfly Day last month, Dorothy and I failed in our attempt with you at the hot spring."
She lay on her back on the bed, her red hair spilling over