Chapter 10: The Second Princess and the Mechanic
Parts Wenlianna had commissioned were being delivered from blacksmiths all over the kingdom; impellers and casings, rotors and shafts, and pulleys. Even the simple-seeming 'shaft keys' Daniel designed are a clever addition to what they're doing. They lock the shaft into the rotor and pulleys with a relatively simple design, allowing easy replacement of parts, while also ensuring a sturdy design, as long as it's assembled properly.
And now, Daniel and Wenlianna are staging parts with the help of servants and other craftsman interested in learning, while many of the nobles and Rikuto and Heralesse watch from nearby. Even Aramellianna is seated in a comfortable chair under an umbrella, comfortable to watch the whole show as fellow nobles try to butter her up, either for her own hand in marriage, or for that of her daughters.
Daniel passively observes a master flirt and charmer at work. Aramellianna would be right at home livestreaming on the internet, were she on Earth. She speaks delightfully and kindly, while masterfully deflecting all sorts of passes and curries of favor. Everyone is equally beneath her, especially if they're trying to get something from her. The blacksmiths dropping off fresh parts have an equal chance at her hand as the counts and ears cozying up to her -though, careful not to block her line of sight or disrupt her shade-. Daniel has only testified from afar as her personality shifts from socialite to cold-blooded dread-eater. Even the most foolish back off if they've tripped over her line.
Heralesse approaches Wenlianna. “Tell me, Duchess Wenlianna; how does this device work differently than the other pump? It looks smaller.”
Wenlianna explains, “Ahhh, I love a curious mind, Princess! It’s quite simple, actually. The piston pump spends half of its cycle pulling water in, and the other half pushing the water back out. By using this impeller;” The Magic Artisan gestures at the strange wheel with curved fins rising from one surface. “Water is constantly being flung out by the fins, and that motion alone draws more water in, all in the same cycle. Thus, rather than splitting half of its energy for each motion, it accomplishes both at the same time. And, the best part is, it’ll be a lot quieter.”
“Oh?”
Wenlianna nods confidently. She speaks as if she’s witnessed it first hand, though this will be the first centrifugal pump she’s seen as well. Daniel explained the theory as best as he could, while she helped draft the designs to pass to the blacksmiths. Without metering and measuring equipment, they’re a ways off of discussing pump theory on a numbers level, since Daniel only knows some of the equations and what they tell an operator and designer.
Heralesse asks, “Why didn’t you and Daniel start with this design, then?”
Rikuto and Wenlianna chuckle together, and Rikuto explains, “The piston pump was able to use wind crystals. The turbines we discussed will take a lot more time to build. This will use electrical power.”
Wenlianna nods in agreement.
Daniel adds as he approaches, “Unfortunately, I’m fuzzy on the math, so I’m adding in a sort of limiter until we find a way of measuring…”
SPLASH!
Everyone looks where something relatively heavy just hit the river from above, directly in front of the open portcullis of the castle’s river access. Judging by the splash and rings of waves, it would have to have been something roughly the size of a person, but no one comes to the surface or splashes. The rings are carried into the castle’s marina by the relatively moderate flow rate, and still no one pops up.
However, a glint catches Daniel’s eye, and he notices an armored body hit the water feet-first. Surprised, he looks up the castle wall to find another knight and a maid on the ramparts, though they’re inaudible.
As the people around him are asking quickly, “What’s happening!?”, the Guards form up around the nobles.
He hasn’t worn it, but he knows the Royal Guard knights are wearing steel armor and chainmail. They easily have over forty pounds of weight on them that’s difficult to remove. Additionally, they have clothing that restricts their movements without the armor in the way.
Wenlianna murmurs, “Why would…”
Daniel bolts. He’s still learning about this world. He barely knows anything in the grand scheme of things, other than the river is freshwater, meaning the human body alone is heavier. A guard leapt from the ramparts into the water.
Why? Why did he jump? The knights are all about honor, so they’d never stain their armor with suicide. He’d also know his chances of survival are higher in water than the ground. So, who did he jump in after?
Regardless, I have to get him to the surface fast.
Daniel throws any extraneous layers off as he can while he runs, keeping his work knife on his belt. He’ll likely need it.
He dives headfirst into the river. Its deepest point in the marina is around twenty feet, as far as he knows, with around ten feet near the walls. The problem is; walls. The knight will have no way to escape the water in his armor without help.
Daniel pops his head in the water, finding the knight reaching up near the wall. Sure enough, he was able to get to the wall, but he can’t get up. Thankfully, he’s on his feet.
“YOU THERE! GET READY TO PULL THIS GUY OUT!” Daniel shouts at the guards and dockworkers, who are looking in surprise. He then takes a deep breath, diving down to the bottom. He sweeps under the knight’s legs, lifting him with his own feet on the rocky bottom now. He can feel the guard squirming, but he’s losing strength. Daniel shifts his posture, keeping the Guard’s chest to the wall. He hoists him as high as he can go, working up his legs.
Suddenly, the weight is lifted, and he looks up. The knight is being dragged out of the water, and Daniel scans downstream. The creek is clear, and he can see a large mass of fabric drifting in the deep part of the downstream of the marina.
He kicks up to the surface, catching his breath. “There’s someone else! I’m going after them!” He swims as the dockworkers run alongside him. The knight was coughing, but breathing well enough as those tending him strip his armor. Thankfully, he’s swimming downstream, and he glances in the water as he swims.
There! Is that…!? Erimaya!?
Daniel calls out, “It’s the Princess! Be ready for CPR!”
He can smell the foul stench of the castle’s sewer drains. He’s past the marina, and the waste water is entering the river now. But, he doesn’t care. It’s a relatively large body of water. Even with the buildup on the surface, contact alone won’t kill him, as long as it’s washed off promptly after.
The way is dark now, though. He’s under the groundwork built over the downstream to hide the smell. Daniel takes a quick breath, nearly gagging but forcing himself to bear it. He needs to get under the water quickly. He dives below the surface, swimming down to the princess. She’s almost at the bottom, and she’s not moving. He prays there’s still time. He scoops her body into his arms, planting his feet on the bottom, and then kicking towards the surface with all of his might. He swims upwards with his momentum, managing to get the second princess to the surface. Though, they breach in a rather thick layer of foul material, and he coughs. He tries to get her head above the water, but it’s clear she’s not breathing. He’s definitely running out of time.
Daniel’s back hits the portcullis on the outgoing portion of the wall. There’s a gap between the portcullis and the ground above them, meaning he could climb out. It’s dangerous, but it’ll take as much or more time to get to either side, and much longer to retreat upstream. Erimaya’s already nearly out of time.
Daniel hugs her close, climbing up the portcullis as he fights nausea. He’s down a hand, hugging the princess close with his right arm as he climbs. He moves as quickly as possible, and he can hear the guards and dockworkers above him; “A little further!” “We’re here, Daniel! Just a little further!”
He strains, fighting their combined weight, nausea, and his exertion getting to her.
“Daniel! Pass her over! We’ll grab her!”
“Princess! How could this happen!?”
“Shut up and hang onto me!”
The men at the edge of the tunnel’s overhead form up in lines, holding each other as a pair of guards hang out over the gap as far as they can, reaching for the Princess. Daniel pivots, holding her out as far as he can, working his hand up her chest to swing her arm out, and one of the suspended guards catches it. Working in tandem, they pull her away from Daniel, and the other guard catches her body. From there, the whole group lunges back, collapsing with her on the ground. They quickly scramble clear as another guard checks her for signs of life. The nobles, namely Rikuto and Heralesse, run up, and Heralesse screams, “ERI!”
Daniel kicks off of the portcullis, clearing the small gap on his own. He sits on his hands and knees as he vomits, coughing. He asks, “What are you doing? CPR! NOW!”
Rikuto looks at him with horror. He replies, “I… I’ve never…”
The guard checking for her heartbeat adds quietly, “She’s already gone…”
Heralesse screams, falling to her knees as she cries.
Daniel’s eyes widen, and he scrambles across the ground, drawing his knife. He shoves the guard away, beginning to cut Erimaya’s dress away. Heralesse screams, “WHAT ARE YOU-...!?”
“I CAN SAVE HER! KILL ME IF I FAIL!” Daniel doesn’t look up, dragging the knife down the back of the corset, severing the laces and pulling it free from the young girl. Unfortunately, he needs to remove it, as it’s a relatively rigid structure, and the nobles gasp as he does. The guards protest, but Rikuto orders them to stand down. Daniel’s thankful for that, at least.
Unfortunately, Daniel only ponders about halfway through how the whole process is going to look to this world. He presses his lips to Erimaya’s while pinching her nose -stealing her first kiss, were it a romantic situation-. He breathes twice, and then places his hands on her bare chest, defiling her pure body, were it a lascivious action. He begins bouncing his weight, and he can feel her ribs strain and crack. But, it’s necessary. He counts off the chest compressions, and then quickly breathes for her again.
After a moment, the nobles complain about the actions being wildly improper, and Daniel -the otherworlder- is desecrating her corpse.
She won’t be a corpse if I succeed. Come on, Princess! You should live three times longer than me, not the other way around.
After a minute or so, Daniel has an epiphany. “WENLIANNA!”
“H-Here!” Wenlianna jogs closer, and he shouts, “Lightning magic! I need you! Hurry!” He gives Erimaya another couple of breaths, continuing chest compressions.
“Wh-What would you have me do!?” Wenlianna kneels across from him, and he explains quickly by pointing, “Hand on her chest, hand on her back, here.” He quickly gives the princess more breaths and begins chest compressions. “Short pulse of lightning, weak. On my mark. Position your hands.”
Wenlianna nods quickly, placing her hands as Daniel indicates. “Wait for me not to be touching. Ready; NOW!”
He pulls his hands back, and Wenlianna shocks the princess. Her body jolts, and Daniel calls, “Stop!” Wenlianna pulls her hands back reflexively, and Daniel checks the princess’s breathing and heartbeat. He gives her two breaths and says quickly, “Twice as strong! Now!”
Wenlianna moves quickly, and she shocks Erimaya again. Her body tenses tightly, and Daniel calls, “Stop!”
Wenlianna recoils again. Daniel listens to her chest and feels for her breathing.
He sighs, laughing. He falls onto his back as he laughs, and Heralesse snarls, “WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING!?”
Wenlianna puts her ear to Erimaya’s chest. She gasps. “I-... It’s beating! Her heart’s beating!”
The nobles gasp, and someone faints. Heralesse asks, “What…?” Her voice is nearly a whisper.
Rikuto sighs, sinking to a seated position on the ground. Daniel sits up, and he pulls his shirt off, covering the Princess’s chest. He says softly, “Welcome back to the land of the living, Princess. Rest up.”
He sighs, saying, “Your Majesty, your Highness; I accept any punishment you see befitting my insolence. However, I must insist that I remain at the Princess’s side at least through the majority of her recovery. If she faces secondary drowning, I’ll need to perform CPR again.”
“I’ll stay too, then. With lightning magic-...”
Daniel replies, “Thank you, but not necessary, my Lady Duchess. Her heart’s beating again, so it’s not as crucial. Her lungs are more likely to fill with fluids again due to the damage from drowning. Rescue breaths and chest compressions will be enough. Her ribs are broken as well. I won’t need to be present specifically for that, but at least the next few days.”
Rikuto confirms. “Of course. Don’t move her yet. I’ll have a hard stretcher made so we can move her to her room for recovery. Summon the healers as well. We should use magic sparingly on broken bones, but she’ll need some medicine for certain.”
Daniel acknowledges Rikuto’s plan. “Understood. I’ll monitor her.”
Rikuto states, “No one is to harm Daniel or interfere. Knights, keep watch over them both. Guards, come with me to the marina. We’ll need to find something we can fashion a stretcher out of. Everyone else, disperse. Princess Erimaya is alive for the moment.”
“Are you certain we can leave her with… him?”
Rikuto replies curtly, “My only regret is that I lacked the knowledge required to resuscitate her myself. Let’s move. She’s not out of the woods yet.” Rikuto nods at Daniel, and he jogs towards the marina, followed by his Prime Minister and several guards.
Heralesse remains behind, growling as she holds Erimaya’s hand, “If you hurt her, Daniel, I’ll…”
“I broke most or all of her ribs. I might’ve nicked her with the knife. I’m not here to hide any of it. As I said. Punish me after she’s safe.”
She looks away.
Wenlianna asks softly, “Daniel… Is there anything I should be doing to help right now?”
He smiles wearily. “Much appreciated, but I think the main things are taken care of. I wouldn’t presume to ask you to fetch something to wrap her in.”
“What do you care?” asks Heralesse sourly. “You’re the one who assaulted her dignity.”
Daniel lets it blow right by him though. He replies plainly, “She’ll get cold.”
Heralesse flinches. She remains silent, though.
Wenlianna climbs to her feet, “Leave it to me. I’ll go find one.” She jogs towards the castle.
Daniel regularly checks Erimaya’s heartbeat and breathing. She’s stable -or as stable as he can hope for, given the totality of circumstances-. He still feels sick from the waste water, which has both of them soaked and stained. But, it seems they’re through the worst of it.
Saving a princess in another world. Daniel was a blue-collar worker on Earth. A rather well-trained blue collar worker, but no one particularly special. He never expected to meet a princess, let alone save her life.
Now, he’s directly responsible for keeping one alive.
**************
“Why would I save a world that dragged me into it against my will?”
“I had no idea… please understand! W-We didn’t know what else to do…”
“And, how is that my problem?”
“W-Well… you’re stuck here, so please… I’ll give you anything! Please forgive me…”
“I think it’s only fair to hear all offers available…”
Erimaya opens her eyes, finding tears on her cheeks. She reaches up to wipe them, but her chest suddenly surges pain, and she whimpers.
“Relax, Princess. Allow me.”
It’s Xiannelle, Erimaya’s long-time maid. She dabs Erimaya’s cheeks, and the Princess tilts her head gently to look. Her eyes widen. Sleeping in a chair nearby is the otherworlder known as Daniel, summoned on Erimaya’s suggestion. He didn’t ask to come to their world, and he was caught by surprise. However, he has given his all to improve the lives of people he has no loyalty or attachment to. And, for some reason, she feels a deep-seated sense of gratitude towards him, as if, in a dream before that terrible last one, he had done her a priceless favor.
Xiannelle asks, “How are you feeling, Princess? Try not to move too much.”
Erimaya wiggles her toes and fingers, and she murmurs with a hoarse voice, “My chest hurts a lot… I think… that’s all…”
Xiannelle nods as she hears out the princess. “Your ribs are broken, and your lungs were filled with water, Princess. Rest, and ask for anything you need.”
Erimaya stares at her for a long time. She recalls now. She was falling from the castle wall, and she vaguely remembers hitting the water. After that, there’s nothing.
“I… fell in the river…” Erimaya begins coughing, and Daniel stirs from his slumber in the chair he’s sitting in.
Xiannelle pays him no mind, nodding. “Yes. It was terrifying. You were under the water for a dreadfully long time. Thankfully, Duchess Wenlianna was able to save you before Death could claim your soul.”
Erimaya stares at her with wide eyes, but she notices Daniel shift. He was paying attention, but he then shifts back to lying in the chair, trying to go back to sleep.
“Why is Daniel here, then?” asks the princess wearily.
Xiannelle flinches. She grumbles, “He claims you are still at risk of drowning, even out of water, and insists on being present. But, after what he did to you, he should be rotting in the worst prison cell.”
Erimaya coughs, processing the words for a moment. Xiannelle switches from bitterness to maternal, gingerly petting Erimaya’s head. “Rest, Princess.”
“Daniel,... Tell me in your words what happened?”
Daniel opens one eye. He replies softly, “I tore your clothes off and performed a process that broke most of your ribs in exchange for keeping your brain alive long enough for Wenlianna to save your life.”
Xiannelle glares at him, but Erimaya smiles. “You pulled me from the water, didn’t you?”
Daniel is silent. The maid urges, “Princess, what good deeds were performed are surely overshadowed by his lecherous deeds. He used it as a pretext for his perversion.”
“Is that true, Daniel?”
“As you can clearly see, your Highness, it is true. At least, as far as how it was perceived.”
Xiannelle adds, “Which is why, I’d like you to send him out.”
Erimaya is silent for a moment. “Why did you insist on remaining by my side, Daniel?”
Daniel is quiet for a moment, and a knock at the door precedes someone entering. It’s Wenlianna, the Magic Artisan, and she has a simple meal on a tray. “I’ve brought food for Daniel. Is he-... Oh! Princess! You’re awake.” She curtsies while keeping the tray balanced. “Forgive my intrusion.”
Erimaya smiles. “No need, Lady Wenlianna. Thank you for saving my life.”
“Dawww! I didn’t do much of anything! I might as well have been a magic crystal. Daniel’s the one who saved you.”
There’s an awkward silence in the room, and Erimaya smirks. She looks at Daniel, saying softly, “You lied to me?”
“Not maliciously, your Highness.”
She pouts, but states, “Lady We-Wenlianna. Please tell me the truthful recounting of events.”
Xiannelle tries to cut in, “Princess, you should res-...”
“Don’t speak again, Xiannelle.”
Everyone flinches a little. The soft-spoken princess just turned as hard and cold as ice, similar to the Grand Duchess. Xiannelle bows her head, sitting silently.
Wenlianna hands the meal to Daniel, explaining, “Uh… Where to begin. Well, apparently, you fell from the ramparts of the castle, and landed in the river. From there, one of your knights followed you in to try to save you, but his armor was too heavy, and he almost drowned. Daniel lifted the knight out of the water, and then retrieved you. You… had stopped breathing, your Highness. Daniel insisted he knew a way to save you, which Rikuto confirmed, but could not perform, apparently. In order to do it… Daniel had to remove your corset and breathe for you into your… uh… mouth. He then pushed on your chest, which serves to make your blood circulate and lengthen the time for revival. Next, he asked me to apply lightning magic across your heart. To… all of our surprise… your heart began beating again. The process was not gentle, but… you’re alive. I hope you can forgive us.”
Erimaya nods gratefully. “I’m thankful to be alive. Thank you, Wenlianna. Thank you, Daniel.”
Both of them nod.
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Wenlianna explains, “Your lungs were damaged by drowning and coughing, so blood and other fluids have been draining into your lungs. You drowned again twice in the last three days, and Daniel was able to keep you alive while helping you expel the fluid.”
“I see… Then, why is Xiannelle being hostile?” She looks at the maid, nodding for her to speak.
Xiannelle answers, “Your Highness, I don’t believe this… man needed to remove your clothes in the first place, nor did he have to be the one to ‘breathe for you’. It’s highly improper. Even now, discussions are ongoing amongst the nobles about your purity.”
Wenlianna retorts coldly, “The Princess was dead by our standards. It’s not like she’s with child for an assailant. She was granted a second chance at life.”
“You’re likely right, my Lady. Which raises the other concern within the rumors.” She looks at the Princess, “Whether or not the Princess came back at all.”
“Daniel is NOT a necromancer. The fact that the Princess can speak should be proof of that.”
“I do not believe such things, my Lady, your Highness. I am only confessing the facts of the situation. A situation the otherworlder’s inappropriate handling caused. If the men are given free action under the guise of ‘saving the princess’s life’, then next time, she COULD be with child out of wedlock.”
Wenlianna growls, but Erimaya retorts instantly, “If that were the case, I would simply marry him. That would alleviate that issue, wouldn’t it?” She begins coughing, and Wenlianna and Xiannelle both frown, though for different reasons.
Suddenly, when she can speak, Erimaya pieces it all together. “Wait, are… are you saying they *cough* they actually are discussing punishing Mister Daniel?”
Wenlianna looks away, and Xiannelle nods. Erimaya looks at Daniel, and he confirms as well. He murmurs, “Some here seem to believe that to die with dignity is better than living without. What is dignity worth when you’re dead?”
The princess stares at him, and he relaxes back into his chair, having not touched the meal yet. “I’m glad you’re alive, Princess. That’s all that really matters. But, as a bonus, they probably won’t kill me, which they definitely would have if I had failed. Get some rest. We’ll be watching over you until you’re recovered.”
She tries to sit up, exclaiming as much as her weak voice will allow, “No! I must-...” She winces and cries when her chest burns, and both Daniel and Xiannelle jump up to stop her. Daniel states, “Your ribs need to heal. There’s nothing you can do. There’s nothing that needs to be done. I don’t regret saving you, Princess. So, don’t throw it away.”
Her eyes water, but she doesn’t have the strength to overpower him. She relaxes, nodding silently. He eases back, and she asks, “Is… is that… fried egg?”
Daniel glances at the meal. “Oh. Uh, looks like it. Would you like some?”
Xiannelle flinches. “Unacceptable. I shall-...”
“Yes please…” Squeaks the princess.
Daniel obeys her, and as he’s walking the meal to her, he takes a bite. He smiles, saying, “There. If Wenlianna poisoned it, she’ll have to have at least one dose of the antidote, right?”
Wenlianna whines, “I would never! Magic could kill you both just fine, thank you.”
Princess Erimaya smiles, opening her mouth.
Daniel murmurs, “Uh…”
“It hurts to move my arms too much. If you insist I rest, do what must be done.” She opens her mouth expectantly once more.
Wenlianna and Xiannelle both flinch in shock.
Daniel hesitates, and Erimaya frowns. “Your mouth was already on mine, right? Take responsibility.”
Daniel scoffs. “Very well, Princess.” He begins feeding her the fried eggs and grain, something similar to rice. She hums happily, relaxing in her bed. Wenlianna fidgets, grumbling, “I made that for you, Daniel.”
Daniel replies gratefully, “Much appreciated. The bite I had was really good.” Erimaya nods in agreement.
The young princess remarks innocently, “You’ll make an excellent wife someday, Duchess.”
Wenlianna flinches and blushes. “I-... I’m not interested in such things. I only made it because Daniel’s stuck watching over you. He even has to use a chamberpot right outside the door.” She crosses her arms. “You’d think the second princess’s savior would warrant better treatment than a knight. Even the servants in the castle have toilets now.” She glares at Xiannelle, asking rhetorically, “I wonder who’s responsible for that?”
Daniel remarks softly, “None of that matters. No one’s dead.”
Erimaya swallows, asking softly, “Wh-... What happened to my knights and Miss Nora?”
Wenlianna explains, “Sir Horaston has been awarded for his bravery in jumping to your rescue. Last I heard, he was to be awarded a formal title and a larger domain. Sir Natamolden took custody of Miss Nora, but she claims she was trying to rescue you from falling. Both of them are being investigated.”
Erimaya remains silent, pondering the statement. Neither of them seemed to mean any harm to her, but then, she wasn’t doing anything particularly dangerous. And, in spite of that, she ended up in the river far below where she was.
The young princess murmurs, “I wish I could remember…”
Daniel smiles. “Just focus on healing. Regardless of what happened, you’re alright. That’s what matters.”
She smiles at him, blushing a little. “If I knew I’d be spoiled like this, I’d have fallen a long time ago…”
He scoffs, and Wenlianna and Xiannelle both grumble. Daniel retorts warmly, “Don’t say that, Princess. As much as I’d love to be able to save everyone I encounter, you got extremely lucky. We got extremely lucky. Don’t risk your life for a little pampering. Just ask nicely.”
She blushes. “S-... Some people, I’m not allowed to ask.”
Wenlianna suddenly crowds close to Daniel, saying warmly, “Daniel, since the Princess seems to be in the clear from drowning again, why don’t you take a break. I’ll watch over her.”
The otherworlder replies with a gentle smile, “It can be sudden. I don’t have anywhere else to be. A couple more days to be sure.”
Xiannelle huffs in disgust, but she says nothing, taking the moment to tidy the room up.
“Daniel?”
Daniel looks at the princess who spoke as he prepares another spoonful of the meal for her. “Yes, your Highness?”
“You don’t have my permission to go anywhere. I’ll determine when you’re allowed to leave.”
“I shall stay as long as I am permitted, your Highness.”
She nods contentedly, enjoying the rest of the meal. She’s aware it’s a little rude that she ate the entirety of a meal meant for Daniel, but he allowed her to, and it made her a little happy to be doted on so.
A few days of paradise are the reward for her enduring the aches and pains in her chest from being saved. It honestly makes her immensely happy.
But then, one morning, it all changes.
**************