"The royal maid completely took over the palace and harassed the Princess. They said she only gave rotten food to the Princess's palace and put needles in her clothes."
"Okay, okay. I also heard this from a shoe shiner on the streets of the capital. What's worse is that the Princess couldn't stand it alone, so she gave some jewels to her maids and asked them to stop harassing her."
People tilted their heads. They couldn't believe it.
"Is that really true? She is a Princess in name and appearance, but how can a servant do this to her master?"
"Even if she were a Princess, she was orphaned and had no brother, the King. How else would she have a family to protect her? So those idiots were just looking at it in vain. Well, look. What can a girl younger than Emma here do on her own?"
The soldier said while stroking his daughter's head.
The girl with the braided hair was so big that it reached her father's chest.
However, the girl's hands were still small, and her cheeks, which still had baby flesh, were plump.
"Father?"
The girl looked at her father in confusion with round eyes.
It was a moment when everyone who had been spitting and talking passionately felt embarrassed.
People suddenly realized.
Cursed, greedy, parasite. They realized that the Princess whom they had been swearing at a moment ago was younger than that young girl.
What did they do now?
Did they pour all their resentment and anger into a young girl who didn't yet know the bitterness of the world?
"Just kill those damn people."
"No matter what, she is the King's sister, so do they treat Valdina's lineage like that?"
They spoke as if they were a little angry. It was also to ease the implicit feeling of guilt.
"By the way. But didn't you know that the Princess's uncle is him, the Prince Regent, Duke Claudio?"
Then, someone pointed it out.
"All the jewels the Princess sold were gifts from the Duke. I don't understand how someone as high as the Duke of Regent didn't know that his beloved niece was being bullied."
"This man, how ambitious was the Duke, or rather the King, when he was young?"
"After losing the throne to his nephew, his only remaining niece must have been like a thorn in his eyes. Who can't pretend to be pretty just in front of him?"
"Oh, I guess so."
"Anyway, that's why I feel sad without my parents. I feel sorry for the Princess too. She's cursed or something, because she was left alone at that young age."
The conversation turned to whether the Regent Claudio really cared for his niece, the Princess.
"Still, I don't like it. Everyone can't even trust the King who gave the seal to such a young girl in the first place."
"It's all because of this damn war. When will it end?"
"When will the Goddess of Victory come to our Valdina!"
The soldiers' conversation, which was as hot as a boiling pot, moved on to a never-ending topic.
Anyway, the loudspeaker that Medea gave to the maids did its job. As the rumors spread, the Valdina people's firm faith in the Prince Regent will gradually weaken.
Medea closed her eyes and leaned back.
She remembered her foolish past life. She promised. She will definitely make it different this time.
The sunlight from the setting sun illuminated her face.
It rattled. The carriage started again.
***
Finally, they arrived at Gilliforth's mansion.
"I meet Your Highness Princess Medea."
Following the guidance of the butler who bowed politely, Medea entered the mansion.
The mansion had a rustic yet dignified elegance, resembling the atmosphere of the owner who had left all power behind.
"My Lord waiting. Neril, you stay here."
The butler spoke in front of the thick mahogany door.
"I am also Her Highness's bodyguard. I have to stay by her side."
Neril shook her head resolutely and blocked Medea's path.
"Are you afraid that His Excellency might harm Her Highness the Princess? Are you going to tarnish your teacher's honor? Go back."
The butler coldly scolded Neril, but she did not step aside.
Was it because she was heartbroken by the people's harsh criticism of the owner that she heard earlier?
Neril looked sharp, like a mother bird protecting its young, and the legs that hung down on the carpet were as strong as an old tree.
"Your stubbornness remains the same."
The butler shook his head and turned to Medea.
"Your Royal Highness, I am offended, but my master said he would not see you unless you were alone. He also said that if you were worried about your safety, he would understand If you went back to the palace."
The butler was polite and unobtrusive as if he had prepared his answer in advance. Neril was greatly disappointed.
'Master, are you also trying to sit on your head? If this is the case, how is it any different from Prince Regent?'
"I didn't know Master would do this. If you were going to insult me like this, why did you reply to my letter?"
As Neril was about to protest with a stern expression, a small hand was placed on Neril's shoulder.
"It's okay, Neril."
Even though it was just that, the momentum that seemed about to explode at any moment calmed down.
Neril, who read the Princess's intentions, stepped back.
"Go in."
There was no word. It actually made her feel like the owner of this place.
"Yes, Your Highness."
The butler did his best to hide his surprise at the sight of the young Princess who, like a seasoned old tree, did not lose control of the situation.
Sarr.
The interior was quiet as if the only sound was the sound of the hem of Medea's dress lightly dragging the ground.
The room she entered had a heavy atmosphere.
A feeling of pressure pressing down on her shoulders.
In the midst of this, there is a sharp atmosphere that makes it impossible to relax.
As expected of a warrior who once taught knights and was active on the front lines of the battlefield, various weapons were hung on all sides of the Marquis' room.
Medea looked at the old man with his back to the window.
Rather than his still bulky figure, her eyes first caught the leather straps that meticulously tied his graying hair and his lush beard.
"Your Royal Highness."
Former Guard Captain Gilliforth turned around. Even in his old age, his back was straight.
"It's been a while, Gilliforth."
"The years have passed."
Marquis Gilliforth looked at the Princess. The little girl who had been crying and holding her pillowcase had grown up and was coming to see him alone.
"You are still the same."
But she was still fluffy.
The thin eyebrows, round face, and small body reminded him of an immature fawn.
So Gilliforth did not completely believe the rumor.
That frail girl who looked as if she could hold a silver spoon shakily whipped the head maid?
'I think that's a bit of an exaggeration.'
"I heard the news. You saved my poor student. The old man will give you a belated thank you."
"Neril is mine, so I have no reason to be grateful to you."
Gilliforth felt relieved at the Princess's answer.
Even though she is a naive and foolish Princess, she still seems to take care of her people, so he doesn't think his student will be put to death.
"Since you took this difficult step, even I will be honest with you."
As if that was the end of the unnecessary greetings, Gilliforth opened his mouth.
"It is a good thing that Your Highness has been resurrected, albeit late. One, I have left government affairs for a long time and have no intention of returning."
"..."
"If you are looking for me as are placement for the Prince Regent, I tell you that I cannot dare to bear that weight."
'She must have been anxious because she had a conflict with the head maid.'
Gilliforth thought that the reason the Princess came to see him was because she wanted his help.
'Otherwise, how could she possibly have tried to meet me so secretly and risk such a long journey?'
A bitter feeling rose up from within. It was a disappointment for the child of his Lord, whom he had served his whole life.
'A Princess is so weak looking for someone to lean on again.'
The Lord was certainly a great man worthy of respect, but his bloodline, Gilliforth thought, had failed him.
The late King's younger brother was a wolf aiming for the throne, his son was a stubborn man buried in war, and his daughter was a thin simpleton.
"If the previous King had been alive, It wouldn't have ended up like this. Do you ignore Valdina?"
Valdina has lost its shine. And it seemed like it would be a long time before it could sparkle again.
Gilliforth, losing hope, left politics.
So now he had no intention of going back into the mud of power.
"I'm is now older and has more things to protect. It's hard to survive on my own. so how can I handle Your Majesty's great work?"
Medea could see that Gilliforth's long open eyes were observing her.
"You may be wondering what is more regrettable after living so long, but please remember the last request of an old man whose dream is to live a long and thin life."
Gilliforth nailed it.
He did not hide his will to avoid Medea using the excuse of old age and infirmity.
'Is it your dream to live a long, thin life?'
Gilliforth, who says so, died in her last life when a swarm of demonic beasts attacked Valdina while preventing the demonic beasts from entering the castle.
Even though all the nobles, including the Prince Regent, ran away, he stayed and protected Valdina until the end.
"I understand what you think afterward."
One of his eyebrows rose.
Medea's expression was as usual. She didn't seem disappointed or angry.
A look of surprise appeared on Gilliforth's face.
'I thought I was confident in my ability to see people.'
Strangely enough, he couldn't read anything on the expression of the young Princess in front of him.
At that time, Medea placed a bundle of paper on the desk.
It was when Gilliforth narrowed his eyes to read the words on the paper.
"It's all my property. I have something to ask you."
He knew it.
Gilliforth sighed at the Princess's reaction, which was as expected.
"Your Highness, I'll tell you again, no matter what you offer, I have no intention of leaving this place..."
"No. What I need is not your protection or support."
Medea decisively interrupted him.
"What...?"
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