TPITT - Chapter 140

Four days later, it was publicized, with evidence, that Ariadne, the ninth empress, had neglected Euclid's upbringing and mentally abused him.

The controversy in the Empress's Palace suddenly spread to the point where Ariadna's rights as a mother should be taken away.

Since it was a situation where the Empress's inherent rights were being discussed, the Emperor's mediation was essential. He had to intervene in the power struggles of the Empress's Palace.

Desmond II was in a very awkward position.

I, who happened to be visiting Desmond II's office to personally greet him, was there with him.

I cite the example of the royal family of the past, including Euclid's donation to the Academy.

I recommended admission, and Desmond II was very pleased with the promising solution.

'Yes. Now Euclid just has to work hard.'

Since I am already sponsoring him, I wanted to raise Euclid properly.

'What was the highest position a non-homunculus knight could attain? Was it Captain of the Imperial Guard?'

My hope was this. It remained to be seen whether Euclid himself would be able to realize this lofty goal.

'I'm sure you'll do well.'

I sat back on the couch, thinking optimistically.

Presently I was enjoying a teatime in the parlor, flanked on either side of me by cute little girls in ponytails, each with a teapot.

“Sister, no, Eve. This is a tea I made. I put in strawberry dice, orange peel, and rose hips.”

“Mmm, it’s fragrant and delicious. I wish it was a little shorter.”

“Ah! Eve, please try mine too. It’s a tea made with ginger and nuts.”

“It would be nice to drink it as milk tea. However, the nuts are blended with other teas. Keep in mind that it takes a short time for it to go rancid compared to the ingredients.”

“Yes, Eve!”

The twin Princesses, Bianca, and Aloisia, adapted quickly. They soon found themselves absorbed in their roles as maids.

The fresh green room was cool, the tinkering tools and materials were the ultimate boy's play set, and my half-sister was a god at the trendy strategy card game.

The twin Princesses' were very satisfied with their life as my maids.

'I originally planned to leave it to Michael.'

The twin Princesses actually clung to me. There were countless instances of people not returning to their rooms after work hours.

While playing in the marble bath, to avoid the tropical nights, they snuck into my bedroom and slept with me.

'The place has become very crowded.'

I didn't hate my cute step-siblings. We spent the whole day together.

They were also satisfied with learning how to deal with direct knights through me and improving their attitude.

'Don't be like Rosie.'

I looked dazed as I drank the tea my siblings had given me.

It was while I was spending such a peaceful summer afternoon.

“Hey, you shouldn’t be doing this... Ugh!"

Peony's screams were heard outside the living room. I checked for signs of an intruder.

Michael stood in the way of me and the twin Princesses, keeping a watchful eye over the doorway.

It was when I was still calmly taking a sip of tea.

Bam!

The door opened and an intruder appeared, accompanied by the pungent scent of flowers.

“...Evienrose.”

“Are you here, Betty?”

I greeted Brigitte calmly as if I had invited her.

The atmosphere in Brigitte was chilly as if an unseasonably cold wind had come in the middle of summer.

I gave orders to the twin Princesses hiding behind me and the nervous servants.

“Everyone, back off.”

Even Michael, who wanted to stay until the end, was sent out. Brigitte came alone. A private seat was created.

I sipped my tea alone without being invited to sit down. Brigitte, equally peaceful and unwilling to sit down, stood up straight and looked down at me.

“You keep interfering with everything.”

“It seems like there are a lot of mistakes. It’s a shame.”

Brigitte was so angry that even making potpourri was not enough to restrain herself.

The results were better than expected.

Euclid's contribution was great. Now Brigitte was acting like someone who had been bitten by her own dog.

At that moment, Brigitte opened her mouth in a much more calm tone.

“I have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

“What is this sudden wind blowing?”

It was a general question, but it was clear what she wanted to ask.

My amber eyes were wide with thought.

“I felt like I was giving up on things I could do. So now I just want to take responsibility.”

In the month before I died, I reflected on my past life and thought of countless turning points that could have changed my future.

The regrets of the hundreds and thousands of times I had said that back then still remained within me.

Brigitte said to me that it was a threat.

“Your foolish thoughts have led you astray. You will soon regret challenging me.”

Regret, that was such a useless word that I wanted to laugh.

I put down my teacup and got up from the couch.

Brigitte was no longer someone to look up to.

I looked up at my arrogant half-sister and said, “I'm sorry".

“If the biggest regret of my life is going against my sister, then I guess I’ve lived well.”

“Ha. How cheeky.”

Brigitte spat out the provoked words.

“You've been with Rosie for so many years, it's no wonder you're so nostalgic.”

“...It’s a bit much to tie it up like that.”

This definitely upset me too.

“If you have nothing to say, please leave. Guys, the guests are leaving.”

The door to the reception room opened wide with the order to get out. The entrance to this place opened as if telling Brigitte to hurry up and leave.

All the doors opened to give way.

“Take a look, Sister.”

“...Leave today’s work alone. There will come a day when you, too, will lose your temper and barge into my place."

“Yes, of course.”

The exit was extremely villainous.

Leaving behind a comment suggesting that she would wait and see, Brigitte turned her back with a loud noise and disappeared.

Cedella, representing the household, approached me with a worried expression on her face.

“Are you alright, Your Highness?”

“It’s okay. I feel better when I see Betty’s face after taking medicine. She's even going so far as to say that.”

“Your Highness, too.”

Since when did a precious Princess start to consider even the other person's malicious reaction as a reward?

Cedella was a little worried about me, but she thought it was better for me to be cheerful than to be gloomy for no reason.

“I feel good. Should we have a tea party?”

“Good idea, Your Highness.”

It was just a small commotion.

A cheerful atmosphere once again filled the room where Brigitte had disappeared.

Another summer day passed like that. The time was approaching when we had to greet the end of the hot and intense season.

***

It was already early August. The heat was still raging on with no sign of abating.

The palace's dependence on the Philosopher's Stone for power was too high to keep its functions frozen indefinitely.

Desmond II has resumed the supply of mana. This restored some of the palace's facilities to normalcy, allowing the ministries to operate their cold wind golems.

However, it was difficult to endure the sweltering heat without the cooling magic stone.

Thanks to this, the palace officials were eagerly waiting for the rainy season.

Considering how taboo the rainy season was in the Empire, it was easy to see how desperate they were now.

“We will stop here for today, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Lord Fenrir.”

That morning, as usual, there was swordsmanship training.

After two months of hard work, I had gained some physical strength. Valencia was also beginning to consider whether or not to give me a wooden sword.

I thought this was the moment and proudly showed off my arms.

“Sir Fenrir, I’ve gained muscle in those arms. Should I be able to lift a lightweight wooden sword?”

I need to quickly pick up the wooden sword and make progress.

The day to hold the real sword is approaching. It is looking cool, including the sword.

There was an impure goal of wanting to learn the movements.

Valencia was also pleased with the transformation of the frail Princess.

“There is no reward more honest than your body. In that sense, you have really worked hard.”

My face brightened at the praise for my great progress. But that was all.

“Okay, then let’s train harder. So let’s make sure that energy is also infused into the waist and thighs.”

Suddenly, I remembered Peony saying a while ago that she felt proud when the person she served was beautiful.

Perhaps, for the subjects, chastity is a similar attribute to beauty.

I don't know. It seems that the more energetic the person serving is, the more loyalty is inspired.

“Then I will see you again tomorrow, Your Highness.”

“Yes. Take a look, Lord Fenrir.”

I quickly adjusted my body temperature with a warming magic and headed to my quarters.

I try not to use magic when I train my body, but even in this hot weather, it would be foolish not to use the magic power.

'It was a good thing that I gave Michael the warming magic stone as a gift.'

It may not seem like much, but in fact, a magic stone that not only cools the room but also dissipates heat was quite valuable.

I was pleased with my own foresight in predicting the heatwave that would hit the palace this year.

As soon as I crossed the threshold of the Green Room, I returned to being a competent Princess who was busy with work.

I didn't even have time to enjoy the marble bathroom I had painstakingly created but quickly washed up and went straight to my office.

As I was picking up the papers, Cedella gave me an unexpected report.

“Your Highness, we have an honored guest. I invited you to the reception room.”

"Who?"

“It’s Lord Redmon.”

“Alben at this hour?”

A person who was supposed to be working in the protocol department came to visit me without notice.

There was no doubt that something unusual had happened.

Previous                Next

Support Novellate!