TPITT - Chapter 8






''I see.''

When a specific homunculus knight is called in the morning to escort a short and safe route, it isn't common.

'Rosie has been treating him personally even before the selection ceremony for her direct knight. It looks like she really likes him. Maybe it was Rosie herself who leaked the information to the gossip magazine.'

As I was thinking that, Sylvestian stepped forward.

''Meet Her Highness the 7th Princess.''

''Yes, that's enough. Lift your head up.''

The man named Sylvestian in front of me is currently the knight most coveted by Rosenit, but it will not be until a few years later.

He was also a man destined to be miserably abandoned by Rosenit like his devoted partner.

I wasn't in a good mood when I saw him.

''Lord Millard, I've heard a lot about you. A knight with great versatility in both swordsmanship and magic. You are definitely an excellent help for your master. I believe you will be one of the best knights. I sincerely hope you find a good owner.''

"..."

I showered him with well-wishing words in the hope that his wretched arms would stretch out even a little.

But for some reason, Sylvestian had no answer. Did it sound strange because I put too much sincerity into it?

I looked a little embarrassed and called him.

''Umm, Lord Millard?''

''Please forgive my rudeness. You said something so touching that I forgot to answer for a moment.''

''Isn't this something you often hear?" 

"When noble blood first saw me. Usually, people show interest in my hair.''

''Ah.''

While I let out an exclamation of realization, Rosenit shrugged her shoulder next to him.

It was obvious that one of the royal family members Sylvestian mentioned was Rosenit.

''Uh, um, I see.''

''Yes."

Originally, you were not supposed to look sideways at the person while talking behind their back. 

I remained in awkward silence. I just looked at Sylvestian's expressionless face, and only after a while did I look back at Rosenit.

''It's late, Rosie. Let’s go to the main palace quickly.’’

''Yes, sister.''

The fact that Rosenit's voice sounded low as she answered was probably not just due to her mood. The escorts were at the front and the attendants were at the back.

I and Rosenit walked side by side along the marble path, keeping a slight distance from Sylvestian and the maids.

It was time to water the lawn gardens on both sides of the road. Golem devices are decorated like statues throughout the garden. When the mana was supplied, water was sprayed in all directions. 

'This device called the watering golem, was a device of civilization created through alchemy and magic'

It uses magic stones as a power source and automatically waters the garden at set times.

The pretty rainbow was a bonus. In addition to the water aperture golem, there were countless devices used for the convenience of the empire.

In the empire, alchemy and magic were very closely related to daily life, and the imperial palace could be said to be a sacred place for alchemy.

The sound of shoes echoed on the marble. When we got halfway to the main palace, Rosenit made a noise of disgust.

''I think the main palace is too far away. Can't I go to the warp? My sister is a wizard.''

''Attack magic and warp magic without permission are prohibited in the imperial palace.''

''We are Princesses.''

''Yes. We're the Princesses, not His Majesty the Emperor, right?"

''Hmm, then wouldn't it be okay to specify the coordinates to a place with few people so that we don't get caught?"

''It's not possible because surveillance golems are watching from all directions of the imperial palace."

I pointed my finger to the sky. A silver-gray golem that looked like a cute tadpole was floating in the air.

They transformed the 'Guardian Golem', which alchemists used as a pet, and designed it to protect the entire imperial palace.

It was a surveillance device. She may have fully understood, but even after that, Rosenit continued to snort and ask for warp magic to be cast.

I whined.

'You should learn magic too.' 

The words rose up to my throat.

Of course, if I said that, I might end up on the front page of the Hadelun Times tomorrow with a provocative headline about Princess Anhamuin ignoring the White Rose of the Empire.

The time of patience was long. By finally arriving at the main palace, I was able to be freed from Rosenit's stranglehold.

The main palace, Royal Graysia Palace.

This main hall, which was made as grand and splendid as possible to preserve the Emperor's dignity, welcomed the Princesses.

''It has arrived. I'll be back then, Sylvestian.''

''Yes, Your Highness."

From the central hall of the main palace, only exclusive employees and direct knights were allowed to accompany them.

Rosenit did not send Sylvestian back but kept him on standby. Homunculus on guard approached and bowed first.

''Her Highness the Third Princess, Her Highness the Fourth Prince, and Her Highness the Fifth Prince have already arrived.''

''I guess we should hurry. Where is the greeting place today?''

''You can go to the Emerald Hall on the 7th floor.'' 

There was an endless spiral staircase on both sides of the main hall, but I didn't go there. Following the guidance of the guard, I stood on the disk in the center of the hall. Soon the mana circuit activated and the disk moved upwards.

It passed through the open ceiling several times and transported the two Princesses and three maids to the 7th floor in one go.

Gorgeous green doors opened on both sides. I took a deep breath, feeling like I was going to war.

'It's the beginning.' 

Beautifully named Emerald Hall. A gorgeous room decorated in light green tones brings me and Rosenitt together.

"Welcomed." 

As I heard, Brigitte, Rubens, and Icalys had already arrived.

Since the morning greeting also served as tea time, they were all sitting around the set table.

The position was naturally determined according to the order of succession to the throne.

I gazed at the person sitting at the head of the table, excluding the Emperor.

There was a woman there with platinum-blond hair braided up and wearing a white indoor dress with blue accents.

The cool yet elegant beauty was none other than Brigitte.

From behind, Cedella again whispered a small exclamation.

''Oh my God. Her Highness the Third Princess really wore braided hair."

Brigitte is a strong candidate for Crown Princess, and she has already been involved in the administrative work of the system for Desmond II.

Several things were being delegated and processed. Even while she was busy consolidating her political position, Brigitte was thorough in management.

In the past, I admired this kind of attitude.

So I thought she would do well as the Crown Princess, but alas.

"Sister! Why did you ruin the country like that??"

Of course, there was no answer.

I came to my senses and slightly bent my knees in greeting. 

''Sister, meet my brother. Have a nice day.''

''Sister Betty, Brother Rubens, Brother Icalys, hello.''

Since Desmond II has not yet arrived, the order of succession to the throne is the highest. Brigette had the right to respond to greetings.

''Come on, sit down, you two."

''Thank you."

As soon as they sat down, Rubens and Icalys opened their mouths with excitement. Of course, they are interested in Rosenit. 

"Oh Rosie, it’s been a while!"

''I missed you, Rosie!''

Although Rosenit had no direct political power within the imperial palace, she was a Princess who was loved by her subjects.

The popularity created through consistent exposure to gossip magazines and image management could itself become a kind of power.

The two Princes tried to manipulate Rosenit in hopes of getting in trouble with them in some way.

''The white rose of the Empire has been dyed with today's colors. Wearing a light pink dress, you look like a neat and clean rose."

''Yes, Rosie. Don’t all the grass and leaves in the garden of the Imperial Palace exist to support the beauty of the flower called you?"

''It's not just the blades of grass in the garden. Look around you right now. Everything green in this emerald hall! These are all just decorations to make you stand out!''

Rubens and Icalys raised their voices and flattered Rosenit. And the flattery was about me.

There was a subtle sarcasm.

The green wallpaper of the Emerald Hall was suddenly reduced to Rosenit's decoration by the two Princes' sugar-coating.

It wasn't just jewelry decoration.

They were talking metaphorically about my hair color who was sitting next to Rosenit.

It is standard for royal family members to be born with platinum blonde or honey blonde hair, but my hair color is lime blonde with a greenish tint.

For this reason, when I was looked down on for not being of legitimate royal blood, or when my appearance was compared to the Princesses, including Rosenit, the color of my hair was mainly mentioned.

Even now, the two Princes were using my greenish-blonde hair to belittle me in return for giving Rosenit a boost.

'Wow, people are playing.'

I didn't react. Rather, it is now used to keep powerful enemies called Brigitte and Rosenit in check.

I had to concentrate.

After a while, the door to the Emerald Hall opened.

“Your Majesty the Emperor is entering!”

All the Princesses and Princes stood up.

A middle-aged man with platinum-blond hair appeared, leading numerous attendants and guards like a peacock's tail feathers.

Desmond II, who was in his mid-50s, had a very handsome appearance, and at first glance, he seemed more like a fighter than an alchemist.

He looked like a knight.

'You Majesty, Father."

My father was the first to die as soon as the rebellion broke out.

When I saw him again, my amber eyes were filled with a faint light. I shouted inwardly.

'Ah, Father...! Why did you choose Betty to be the next Emperor after you built your children's farm to be a bountiful harvest...? The imperial family, which was worth revising during Father's era, completely collapsed. You did it!'


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