Chapter 415 – The Right Person to Ask!
"I see that you've brought my friend too! Good job, peasant."
"Lily is the one who needs a bit of help and advice. It's natural to bring her."
"Peachy, thank you for agreeing to talk to us," Lily said as she smiled.
Princess Peach looked flustered when she was called Peachy.
"W-Who are you calling Peachy?!"
"Huh?" Lily tilted her head, "Weren't you the one who told me to call you that?"
"That's only when we're alone or with Leticia. There is a commoner here!"
"Max is my boyfriend. He's not a peasant. If we go with a character setting, White Lily is a Queen, you know? Max is my partner so doesn't that make him a King? We're mightier than a Princess."
Lily's reasoning put Princess Peach to silence. Her mouth was opened and closed like a fish, her face beet red from embarrassment.
"I am just kidding. We're all equal here." Lily giggled playfully, hiding her lips behind her hand.
"U-Umu, you're right. Everyone is equal in my Kingdom! It doesn't matter whether they are a King, a Noble, or a Peasant!" Princess Peach exclaimed with her hands on her hips. She nodded repeatedly to convince herself.
Max's lips curled into a wry smile.
'Lily has a bad side on her, huh? After she is out of her own shell, everything is laid bare. Ferin's influence also surfaced. What a bundle of a cute mess.'
"A-Anyway, let's head inside the castle."
Princess Peach turned and walked toward the castle's entrance.
"Follow me."
Max and Lily nodded at each other before following Princess Peach. He had to admit this Lobby was impressive. The Princess probably bought the Lobby expansion for $500 to host the castle and the garden around it.
Still, there was one more thing that Max had to admit.
'Flexy's castle is more luxurious than Princess Peach. He even has a basement and all. Maybe he should call himself Prince Orange? That would be hilarious.'
He should contact his friend for the fun of it.
Entering the castle, Max looked around curiously. The decoration was luxurious, just like the castle's exterior. It didn't need to be said that Princess Peach or Bamboo Talent spent a lot for her.
They were brought to what seemed like a drawing room to serve a guest.
Sitting around a luxurious table, Princess Peach crossed her legs and put her hands on top of her thighs.
"So, what do you want to talk about? Is it something so important that you have to ask for this Princess' help?"
Max looked at Lily and gestured that she could talk about it. Of course, if she wanted to keep it a secret, they could make an NDA first before talking.
However, Lily seemed to trust Princess Peach as her friend and readily talked about it.
"I am planning to hold a concert on the 9th of July."
"A concert…" Princess Peach murmured. Then, her brain caught up and she slammed the table with her hands, creating a thunderous thud. "You mean White Lily's concert?! Are you serious?!"
Her face beamed in happiness, eyes sparkling. That look… Max was familiar with it.
'A fan.' He guessed as his lips curled up into a smirk.
"We want to talk about that and ask for your help." He said, raising his hand. "Among people I know, only you have held a concert before. That's why I reached out to you, Princess Peach. Also, I believe that you can be trusted with this consultation."
"Y-You're right. I am indeed the best person to ask for consultation regarding this matter." Princess Peach sat down again and nodded a few times.
'White Lily's concert, huh? I need to watch it. No, I must help! This is a big chance!' She added in his mind, making a gut pose as she tried her best to maintain her roleplay. 'But I shouldn't show it. Compensation… Yes.
A fitting compensation is needed.'
"Cough, I can't agree that easy. What kind of compensation do you have in mind in exchange for my help?"
"Huh? We're talking about that?" Max asked exageratedly. His eyes widened in surprise.
"Of course!" Princess Peach exclaimed, seemingly not noticing the sarcasm and joke in his tone. "I am a Princess from Bamboo Talent's agency! Of course, you need to prepare compensation for my help, no?"
"Umm, I can talk–"
"Really?! Is our relationship really that shallow for us to talk about that? Isn't money enough for your help?"
Before Lily could say anything, Max interrupted her. He covered his face with his hands and faked a sad expression.
"In the past, I helped someone's program out of goodwill and just a bit of money. But then, this someone asked for compensation for her help! Is this my fate? Is this the fate of a good person? It's okay. We have nothing to offer except for money so I think we will just ask for someone else's help.
Someone else's goodwill."
Princess Peach blinked. She didn't expect that Max would react like that.
'W-What should I do? I wanted to help but I also don't want to look cheap! My persona won't allow me. T-This is bad. He's standing up and wanting to leave!'
She panicked. Her persona cracked up and her good and shy personality began to surface. She held out her hand and called out to Max.
"W-Wait, don't leave! This Princess has rethought her decision. I will decrease the need for compensation for a friend!"
Max shook his head, "It's no use… Lily, let's go. We will try to figure this out with your brother ourselves. I believe the concert will still turn out great even without Princess Peach's help."
"But, Max–"
"Let's go. We shouldn't impose on this castle any longer. Princess Peach is busy."
Once again, Max interrupted Lily and took her hand gently, gesturing for her to follow him.
This only made Princess Peach panic more. Sweat poured from her back as she desperately shouted.
"An autograph! Yes, just give me White Lily's autograph on top of the consultation fee! I will help you with that much."
Max stopped on his track and looked at Princess Peach.
"Really? Aren't you busy?"
"U-Umu, I am sure." Princess Peach nodded, but her expression said that she was still panicking. "This Princess has a kind heart. For her friend, she will help without asking for anything more!"
"Are you sure we don't impose you with our request on you?" Max asked once again, looking straight at her eyes.
"You don't."
At this point, Princess Peach just answered automatically. She was already overwhelmed.
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"I will also contact my agency, so don't worry. Tomorrow, everything will be ready! We can talk about a lot of stuff regarding the concert. I assure you White Lily's first concert will be a successful one! I swear on my name!"
Hearing that, Max smirked. He had been waiting for this.
'So easy.' He thought, a low chuckle escaping his lips.
Lily, who stood beside him, let out a sigh.
'My boyfriend is so evil.' She commented in her mind. 'Even though I love him, I feel bad for Peachy. I will invite her to my livestream in the future. Maybe it can help her grow her audience. Yes, that's good.'