“I just have a lot on my mind,” I said as I rolled over and looked at her. “Jen, do you think I am trying to do too much?”
“Too much? What do you mean?” Jen asked as she got comfortable.
“Like… Do you think I am working too hard? As someone who is in the position to help those around me, I can’t help but want to reach out to the people and try to help make their lives easier. It seems I am doing everything for everyone else, but I am forgetting about myself….” Sometimes I wonder if I am not stopping to take a look at myself instead of those around me.“Mmmm…. I think it depends on the person. The Faith I knew before was someone who only cared about reading her books. The Faith I know now is no longer the Faith of the past. She is responsible and dependable, and will do anything she can for others. And…. I see you smile more often now than I have seen you do in the past. Faith you may not have realized it, but you draw people to you. You bring people together and are born to lead. You are caring and decisive. You know when to be tough and when to shed blood.
“I heard about what happened during the invasions. Both of them. You sacrifice yourself for the greater good, even if it means going in alone. People look up to you and even worship you. I have gone to the slums that you have slowly been reclaiming to see a bustling community with people smiling happily and working hard every day. Did you know that one of the people living there sculpted a statue in your honor? Faith, your actions help people in more ways than not, and you barely ask for anything in return.
“You have given people their lives back. You have given people a chance at a new life, and you have saved more lives than you can ever imagine. I think that you of now is worthy of people’s respect. There is even a good number of people who wish you would become the next ruler of the kingdom. I know you have not had time to get out, but what you have accomplished in the few years you have arrived in the capital is more than anyone can ever hope to do in their entire lives. And while doing all of this, you are smiling. You show expressions I never thought you could make.
“In truth, Faith, I am very happy for you, the friend who was so selfless that she would push me out of the way of an oncoming truck just to save me. And not only that, I am thankful to the you who saved me yet again from the loneliness that I have lived in this world since arriving here. So if you get burdened by the load you have taken, then stop and take a breather. No one will fault you, and no one will leave you because of it.” Jen took my hand and pressed it against her forehead. She was always my bestest friend, and she knew me better than anyone else. This is why hearing these words allowed me to feel a bit better about myself and the things I was doing.
“Maybe I will take a small break after I gather people….” I mumbled to myself.
“Oh? Faith is in bed with another woman?” Adel’s voice entered my ears, causing both me and Jen to turn to look at her. She was standing there with her arms crossed across her chest and a teasing look on her face. She normally would be freaking out, but now that we are dating, she has mellowed out a lot.
“Mmmm…. We were having a lot of fun too. Do you want to join?” I asked, teasing her back. Adel smiled and jumped on top of me, kissing my lips.“Should I leave?” Jen asked with a chuckle.
“No! I was just coming in to get changed. My father has sent me a message to go to the castle. He wants to speak with me alone.” Adel said as she crawled back off the bed. “Faith, do you know what my father wants to talk to me about? You were with him earlier, right?”
“Yeah, but I think it’s best that he tells you and not me. That old man can never sit still for a second.” I replied as I slowly sat up. “Take Sophie and Sei with you just in case.”
“Alright. I will.” Adel replied as she began to get undressed.
I watched for a minute before laying back down. I was tired and wanted to rest, but this thought was short lived because I once again sat back up. “I guess I should head to the lower city. Jen, you want to come?”
“I guess. Not like I have much to do.” Jen replied. With that, we all got ready to head out.
It was not just Jen who was coming with me this time but also Annie and X7 as well. We were all heading to Thurul’s place, which was now located next to the factory. He moved his entire shop just to be closer to the company itself. I really owe him a lot because he is practically the face of my company alongside Annie.
“Haha! Long time no see!” Thurul let out a joyful laugh as he saw me walk through the door of his shop. “What brings you down here, Princess?”
“Can you not call me princess? I already have it hard enough.” I said with a long, drawn out sigh as I flopped down onto his couch.
“Well, you can’t really go against what you are now. Anyway, why are you down here? I wasn’t expecting you for a month or so.” Thurul asked as he poured some tea.
“I need your help,” I said as I pulled out a crystal orb from my space and placed it on the table. I then put some mana into it, causing a bunch of pictures to appear in the air. “I need people. People who know how to combine magic and technology to reverse engineer everything you see here.”