The First Legendary Beast Master

Chapter 1378 Cara Needs Volunteers

Princess Rue ate quietly for some time as the conversation turned to domestic affairs. Those were all things that she was too young to be involved in. Only once they grew close to adulthood did the Royal Family members gain roles within the government or bureaucracy.

Prince Lukas did his best to keep her in the loop, though. He quietly described the situation when others discussed official business, and the nuance behind relationships between Noble Families that were relevant to matters of state. By the time that the dessert course came around, it was no secret that the Crown Princess had taken a liking to the young Princess, and that he intended to groom her for a greater role than that of being married off to some rising Nobleman’s son.

The Gathuzan Royal Family wasn’t so particular about gender, as long as you had ability and power. But with dozens of Royals already half a century or more her senior, there weren’t many major roles open unless she became overwhelmingly strong.

It was a drawback of being among the youngest of a large family. Every good job was already taken by someone who had proven that they deserved it, and they were all family, so they wouldn’t be bumped out just to make space for you.

But Rue didn’t mind.

Now that she had Karl and Cara here to encourage and guide her, she was certain that she would find a way to get vengeance on everyone who had bullied her for being slow to awaken. Once she was done with that, she would definitely be able to find a good spot for herself.

Maybe that alliance with the Dwarves wouldn’t be too bad. The pained face on the Queen’s face made it a tempting option, even if it seemed unlikely to happen.

However, picking her future husband by who irritated her stepmother the most probably wasn’t the secret to a happy marriage.

It might be.

But most likely not.

Prince Lukas watched as Rue’s mind seemed to wander, and at first assumed that she simply couldn’t follow the domestic affairs conversation. However, when she commented about the current transport issues due to heavy rain, he realized that the issue wasn’t that she didn’t understand.

It was simply that none of this mattered to her.

“As part of your education effort, to catch up to your siblings, why don’t you accompany me to work during the afternoons this week?” He asked Rue, who was only vaguely paying attention to the conversation, as the contemplated all the possible foreign Royal Mages that would make her stepmother’s face scrunch up in that “I’m angry but can’t do anything about it” look.

“Oh, that sounds fun. You’re in charge of Palace Guard training, right?” She asked.

“And the daily operations of my own holdings. You’ll be there for a bit of both, and you’ll still have all morning to train with the Envoy.” Lukas agreed.

Rue’s excited smile made her siblings chuckle in amusement, before decades of ingrained suspicion kicked in and made them wonder whose position Crown Prince Lukas was training her to take over.

She wasn’t set to inherit any territories, so it wasn’t knowledge that she was in urgent need of, and if she had no lands and wasn’t going to be marrying a Royal, there was no need for her to know about the training process for a Palace Guard.

None of what he was saying boded well for them.

“Brother, wouldn’t it be better to leave her with her sisters? If we’re preparing her for a political wedding, surely she’s further behind in the areas we specialize in than in … whatever it is that you do.” The eldest Princess suggested.

A few of the other girls nodded sycophantically, as did the Queen.

Prince Lukas shook his head. “I’m afraid that she’s still some years from needing that particular bit of her training. First, it’s better that she understands how things work.

Did you not all start out with the basic training on how to run a household and budget a holding? That’s the basics of the basics for a Noble or Royal Bride, isn’t it?”

The other Princesses glared at him. He wasn’t wrong. But they had learned it during basic education from a tutor, not during practical training with the Crown Prince. In fact, even Rue should have learned what they did.

She was old enough that it should have already been in her basic education.

Rue smiled at Lukas. “If it’s going to be a problem or keep you from your duties, I can just ask Sister Cara all about it. She told me that she’s an expert when it comes to financial management.”

The Prince smiled, while a few of the other men at the table nearly choked on their dessert. The Chaos Badger offered to teach her about making money?

Did the creature even understand business on a level that didn’t involve robbery or murder?

In the courtyard of the Palace, where Cara had wandered, looking for interesting people, the badger sneezed.

[Someone is talking trash about me.] She insisted.

[Probably the blue dragons. Did you find the person that you went looking for?] Karl asked.

[Yep. He’s still eating. I’m looking for more people now.]

As soon as she finished messaging Karl, Cara found what she had been looking for.

The Red Dragon Orphanage, which doubled as daycare for Palace staff.

If this place didn’t have ‘volunteers’ nowhere would.

She learned that from Remi.

Cara pointedly ignored the glare from the red dragons as she transformed and skipped toward the front door in humanoid form.

“Oh no, you don’t. No visitors until all the dishes are done.” The matron insisted.

Cara looked her over. Overlord Rank Red Dragon, Cleric in class. Not a bad option.

“You will do too. I need volunteers for magical skills educational games and

sparring practice.” She declared.

“Excuse me?”

“You are excused. Now, how about six of them? That should be good. Any rank before adulthood is fine. And we will need you too. Now, can we leave

immediately, or are some of them still doing dishes?”

“Do you come with a translator?” The matron asked.

Cara nodded happily. “Of course. Bring the children and I will lead you to him. Librarian Barry should be there too.”