I realized that I had unintentionally revealed my true feelings.
I belatedly covered my lips with both hands and looked around, but it was already too late. The servants were watching us suspiciously with narrowed eyes, as if they had never smiled so happily.
“Anyway, I did it recklessly...”
“I told you, it’s okay. No, no, I’m not saying it’ll be okay right away.”
Laskan's face, which had been relaxed at the words "okay", immediately hardened at the words "it can't be okay". What on earth do you want me to do?
Since he looked young, I could read his facial expressions well. It was a new experience for me, who was used to seeing him always looking sharp, but it seemed like the young Princess wasn't like that.
I sighed as if I was frustrated and gestured to him. When Laskan awkwardly bent his waist, I stood on tiptoe and put my hands together to his ears.
“If you feel so sorry, just grant me one wish.”
“What is that...”
“Let's go out.”
“...Right now?”
“Hey. Let’s run away!”
When he couldn't answer easily, I whispered as if I were frustrated.
“I mean, our next class is history.”
Laskan's expression became serious. He said he was whispering, but it was a high-pitched voice typical of a child, so it echoed. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the servants slowly gathering in front of the door.
Laskan looked down at me, then at the position of the attendants, the half-open door, and the maids passing by.
And finally, he looked down at me with a determined face.
“Just for today.”
"Yes?"
“Excuse me.”
As soon as he finished speaking, my feet lifted off the ground. Ny vision seemed to go up, and my face fell on his shoulder. There was no other way to express it.
Even though he was more skilled in manners than his peers, Laskan was only twelve years old, and twelve-year-old boys were far from gentle.
“Good!”
But despite the harsh treatment, I seemed very happy.
After confirming that I was holding Laskan's neck tightly with both arms, he started to run through the Princess's palace, weaving his way through the gaps of the terrified attendants blocking his way.
"Your Highness!"
“You must not go!”
“Your Highness! This will be problematic!”
The voices of the attendants who had been running behind her were gradually getting further and further away.
He didn't catch his breath while running from the Princess's palace to the garden, which was quite far away. Even though I was almost giving in to him because my arms were weak...
Even though he was holding me tightly as if he were annoyed by my falling down, his running speed did not slow down. Well, since our physical differences were this big...
I looked around and then tapped him on the shoulder to stop him.
“This should be enough.”
“Shall I give it to you?”
"Good."
He carefully lowered me to the floor.
I straightened my crumpled skirt and tangled hair with my plump maple leaf-like hands.
It seemed like I wanted to somehow regain some dignity and respect, but no one would feel that way from a five-year-old who looked like a mess.
The expression on Laskan's face, blurred as if he thought even that appearance was cute, was truly a sight to behold.
“Let me help you.”
While I was saying, “Huh?” he came over and skillfully straightened the hem of my dress that had turned inside out.
It seemed like it wasn't just a first or second time since it had settled down in an instant after just a few taps. The tangled hair was straightened and tied back into a single ponytail.
I raised my face in satisfaction.
“It was a great help.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. That’s why I didn’t do my history homework yesterday.”
Laskan was still smiling as if everything was fine. It was a bit strange to see him like that.
He said it as if a thought had suddenly occurred to him.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t yet told you the reason why I came to see Your Highness today.”
He knelt down on one knee and met my gaze. I was short for a five-year-old, and he was tall for a twelve-year-old.
His height, which had grown rapidly in just one year, made him look like a slender tree. He said, holding out a small box with a ribbon.
“Happy birthday.”
“Are you giving it to me?”
"Yes."
“The banquet is next week!”
“I’ll give you something better next time.”
I carefully untied the ribbon. I thought it was a solid box with a lid, but as soon as I untied the ribbon, the box fell open.
It was a small, egg-shaped, delicately crafted object. The sky-blue surface had a beautiful gold-decorated pattern.
I think I've seen it somewhere, but where was it...?
I opened my closed eyes
It was a dream, a dream. I looked around, drenched in sweat. One by one, images began to form in my vision that had been immersed in water.
It was still the Princess's palace, but it was different from the dream I had just had a moment ago.
The catalogs that Irina and the others had selected until dawn were scattered on the table and under the couch, and several of the dresses that had been left out according to the schedule were hung side by side on one side.
I rubbed my forehead with trembling hands. Now my hands and arms were moving as I pleased again.
I immediately got out of bed and stood barefoot on the cold marble floor.
That feeling gave me a sense of security. It was my body, but the feeling of being used by something other than my body was something I couldn't handle anymore. No matter how warm and good the dream was, it felt like a nightmare.
“Your Highness, shall I bring you some hot water?”
The maid opened the door and came in, sensing my presence. I was about to refuse today, but changed my mind and nodded.
“A few days ago, I received a gift of Berthesan black tea leaves. Would you like to make some with them? Just give me one cup, and you can drink the rest.”
“How dare I? I’ll have the tea ready in a moment.”
The maid answered meekly and stepped aside. I stared blankly at her back and then stretched.
“Are you awake?”
The door opened without a sound, and Thalia poked her head out. Irina followed her in.
What are they doing up so early?
I'm used to waking up early, but those two are true aristocrats through and through. People who don't understand that they can get out of bed before ten o'clock.
I asked, bewildered.
“Why are you up so early? The official schedule starts in the afternoon anyway.”
They exchanged secret glances.
I quickly realized that they were hiding something behind their backs. Their unnatural gait, their suspicious gestures... It was stranger not to know.
Perhaps it was because I had a strange dream. I became extremely tense, as was my habit in the back alley.
As they approached, I stepped back, but Thalia quickly jumped in and closed the distance that had not been closed before.
“Your Highness! Congratulations!”
“Happy birthday!”
A small cake appeared behind them with a popping sound.
It was a cake that had been somehow decorated with fresh flowers, trying to fix the dented and slightly uneven cream in some places. I was speechless for a moment.
“...Did you make it yourself?”
"Sure!"
“I used only the best ingredients. But please don’t eat it.”
“I burned it a little bit inside while I was making it, but it was the best I could make...”
The two took turns adding their excuses.
I was a bit taken aback when they gave it to me, but it was still amazing. Today was Princess Anastasia's birthday...
Although we now have mountains of sweets, Olga and I only had cake once a year in George, which was just a little bit of jam spread on a piece of bread baked with a lot of sugar.
Oddly enough, that day was neither Olga's birthday nor my birthday, January 1st.
So, every year, on the 16th day of the second summer, which in capital terms was the 56th day of summer...
My lips trembled at the sudden thought.
“Surely not, today is...”
“It’s the 56th day of summer!”
Thalia answered as if she were happy, but I bit my lip, not knowing how to take it.
Could this be just a coincidence? Perhaps... it might be a bit of a leap, but wasn’t it the case that Olga was convinced from the beginning that I was the real Princess?
The reason she hid the fact until the very end, even though she knew about it, was probably because it was hard for anyone to believe. At the time, rumors were going around that the Crown Princess' family had been assassinated, and the mastermind had not been caught.
Of course, since it was not officially recognized, few people believed it...
When I thought about it that way, it made perfect sense. Olga had no connections to high-ranking officials, and there would have been no clever way to protect the Princess from assassins.
It was a very common occurrence in George for people to go around talking about the circumstances of their loved ones without any notice, and then die without anyone knowing.
The past dream, the craftsmanship that I didn't even know how to open, and even Olga...
My head was in a tangle. I couldn't ignore it any longer. Maybe it was time to seriously think about the possibility that I might really be the Princess.
Irina quickly added, perhaps thinking that the darkened expression was due to the crude cake.
“I told the chef to prepare the food separately.”
“That’s right, Your Highness. You can open the gift later! Irina and I split the cost.”
“I think His Majesty will give you a special birthday present. I heard he placed a custom order at Sidria’s workshop last month.”
“To the workshop of Sidria? Your Highness, I am so looking forward to it!”
"I know."
I tried to smile and agreed with them.
Emboldened by that smile, Irina and Thalia started chatting about my birthday present.
“Yes, everyone, you can all go out now. You two should eat now.”
Until Lisa couldn't stand it anymore and kicked them out.
I stared at the cake and gift box they had left behind for a very long time.
From the North, a messenger from Laskan arrived. After all his votes were counted, the second round of contest results were officially announced. The winner was, without any major surprises, Princess Veronica.
Duke Kairak was already walking around with his head held high as if his daughter were the Emperor, even though I was still ahead by two votes in votes.
Duke Kairak, who occupied the highest seat in the banquet hall next to the Emperor's, surrounded by followers and smiling arrogantly, was truly an eyesore.
I looked at him with displeasure and turned my head away. On a day of a happy banquet, looking at such things is not good for emotional development. Of course not.
Today's ball was to celebrate Laskan's first victory on the Northern Front.
However, to put it bluntly, it was just a battle against barbarians. The event commemorating it was excessive, and the scale itself was unusually grand.
This was proof that the northern front was not simple. In the past, they had suppressed the rabble that did not even have a ruling system, but now all the northern barbarians, called the 'Tariq tribe', are said to have united under one ruler.
That alone is tricky enough, but the vendors who provide them with weapons are from the Kingdom of Sedrak and the Duchy of Thylasen...
The Empire held a charity auction with a ball to show its willingness to escalate into full-scale war between the nations at any time if there was any support for the Tariq tribe.
On the surface, it was intended to provide relief to the suffering citizens of the Even region in the north and to send essential supplies to the soldiers, but in reality, it was an event to raise funds for the war.
I belatedly covered my lips with both hands and looked around, but it was already too late. The servants were watching us suspiciously with narrowed eyes, as if they had never smiled so happily.
“Anyway, I did it recklessly...”
“I told you, it’s okay. No, no, I’m not saying it’ll be okay right away.”
Laskan's face, which had been relaxed at the words "okay", immediately hardened at the words "it can't be okay". What on earth do you want me to do?
Since he looked young, I could read his facial expressions well. It was a new experience for me, who was used to seeing him always looking sharp, but it seemed like the young Princess wasn't like that.
I sighed as if I was frustrated and gestured to him. When Laskan awkwardly bent his waist, I stood on tiptoe and put my hands together to his ears.
“If you feel so sorry, just grant me one wish.”
“What is that...”
“Let's go out.”
“...Right now?”
“Hey. Let’s run away!”
When he couldn't answer easily, I whispered as if I were frustrated.
“I mean, our next class is history.”
Laskan's expression became serious. He said he was whispering, but it was a high-pitched voice typical of a child, so it echoed. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the servants slowly gathering in front of the door.
Laskan looked down at me, then at the position of the attendants, the half-open door, and the maids passing by.
And finally, he looked down at me with a determined face.
“Just for today.”
"Yes?"
“Excuse me.”
As soon as he finished speaking, my feet lifted off the ground. Ny vision seemed to go up, and my face fell on his shoulder. There was no other way to express it.
Even though he was more skilled in manners than his peers, Laskan was only twelve years old, and twelve-year-old boys were far from gentle.
“Good!”
But despite the harsh treatment, I seemed very happy.
After confirming that I was holding Laskan's neck tightly with both arms, he started to run through the Princess's palace, weaving his way through the gaps of the terrified attendants blocking his way.
"Your Highness!"
“You must not go!”
“Your Highness! This will be problematic!”
The voices of the attendants who had been running behind her were gradually getting further and further away.
He didn't catch his breath while running from the Princess's palace to the garden, which was quite far away. Even though I was almost giving in to him because my arms were weak...
Even though he was holding me tightly as if he were annoyed by my falling down, his running speed did not slow down. Well, since our physical differences were this big...
I looked around and then tapped him on the shoulder to stop him.
“This should be enough.”
“Shall I give it to you?”
"Good."
He carefully lowered me to the floor.
I straightened my crumpled skirt and tangled hair with my plump maple leaf-like hands.
It seemed like I wanted to somehow regain some dignity and respect, but no one would feel that way from a five-year-old who looked like a mess.
The expression on Laskan's face, blurred as if he thought even that appearance was cute, was truly a sight to behold.
“Let me help you.”
While I was saying, “Huh?” he came over and skillfully straightened the hem of my dress that had turned inside out.
It seemed like it wasn't just a first or second time since it had settled down in an instant after just a few taps. The tangled hair was straightened and tied back into a single ponytail.
I raised my face in satisfaction.
“It was a great help.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. That’s why I didn’t do my history homework yesterday.”
Laskan was still smiling as if everything was fine. It was a bit strange to see him like that.
He said it as if a thought had suddenly occurred to him.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t yet told you the reason why I came to see Your Highness today.”
He knelt down on one knee and met my gaze. I was short for a five-year-old, and he was tall for a twelve-year-old.
His height, which had grown rapidly in just one year, made him look like a slender tree. He said, holding out a small box with a ribbon.
“Happy birthday.”
“Are you giving it to me?”
"Yes."
“The banquet is next week!”
“I’ll give you something better next time.”
I carefully untied the ribbon. I thought it was a solid box with a lid, but as soon as I untied the ribbon, the box fell open.
It was a small, egg-shaped, delicately crafted object. The sky-blue surface had a beautiful gold-decorated pattern.
I think I've seen it somewhere, but where was it...?
***
I opened my closed eyes
It was a dream, a dream. I looked around, drenched in sweat. One by one, images began to form in my vision that had been immersed in water.
It was still the Princess's palace, but it was different from the dream I had just had a moment ago.
The catalogs that Irina and the others had selected until dawn were scattered on the table and under the couch, and several of the dresses that had been left out according to the schedule were hung side by side on one side.
I rubbed my forehead with trembling hands. Now my hands and arms were moving as I pleased again.
I immediately got out of bed and stood barefoot on the cold marble floor.
That feeling gave me a sense of security. It was my body, but the feeling of being used by something other than my body was something I couldn't handle anymore. No matter how warm and good the dream was, it felt like a nightmare.
“Your Highness, shall I bring you some hot water?”
The maid opened the door and came in, sensing my presence. I was about to refuse today, but changed my mind and nodded.
“A few days ago, I received a gift of Berthesan black tea leaves. Would you like to make some with them? Just give me one cup, and you can drink the rest.”
“How dare I? I’ll have the tea ready in a moment.”
The maid answered meekly and stepped aside. I stared blankly at her back and then stretched.
“Are you awake?”
The door opened without a sound, and Thalia poked her head out. Irina followed her in.
What are they doing up so early?
I'm used to waking up early, but those two are true aristocrats through and through. People who don't understand that they can get out of bed before ten o'clock.
I asked, bewildered.
“Why are you up so early? The official schedule starts in the afternoon anyway.”
They exchanged secret glances.
I quickly realized that they were hiding something behind their backs. Their unnatural gait, their suspicious gestures... It was stranger not to know.
Perhaps it was because I had a strange dream. I became extremely tense, as was my habit in the back alley.
As they approached, I stepped back, but Thalia quickly jumped in and closed the distance that had not been closed before.
“Your Highness! Congratulations!”
“Happy birthday!”
A small cake appeared behind them with a popping sound.
It was a cake that had been somehow decorated with fresh flowers, trying to fix the dented and slightly uneven cream in some places. I was speechless for a moment.
“...Did you make it yourself?”
"Sure!"
“I used only the best ingredients. But please don’t eat it.”
“I burned it a little bit inside while I was making it, but it was the best I could make...”
The two took turns adding their excuses.
I was a bit taken aback when they gave it to me, but it was still amazing. Today was Princess Anastasia's birthday...
Although we now have mountains of sweets, Olga and I only had cake once a year in George, which was just a little bit of jam spread on a piece of bread baked with a lot of sugar.
Oddly enough, that day was neither Olga's birthday nor my birthday, January 1st.
So, every year, on the 16th day of the second summer, which in capital terms was the 56th day of summer...
My lips trembled at the sudden thought.
“Surely not, today is...”
“It’s the 56th day of summer!”
Thalia answered as if she were happy, but I bit my lip, not knowing how to take it.
Could this be just a coincidence? Perhaps... it might be a bit of a leap, but wasn’t it the case that Olga was convinced from the beginning that I was the real Princess?
The reason she hid the fact until the very end, even though she knew about it, was probably because it was hard for anyone to believe. At the time, rumors were going around that the Crown Princess' family had been assassinated, and the mastermind had not been caught.
Of course, since it was not officially recognized, few people believed it...
When I thought about it that way, it made perfect sense. Olga had no connections to high-ranking officials, and there would have been no clever way to protect the Princess from assassins.
It was a very common occurrence in George for people to go around talking about the circumstances of their loved ones without any notice, and then die without anyone knowing.
The past dream, the craftsmanship that I didn't even know how to open, and even Olga...
My head was in a tangle. I couldn't ignore it any longer. Maybe it was time to seriously think about the possibility that I might really be the Princess.
Irina quickly added, perhaps thinking that the darkened expression was due to the crude cake.
“I told the chef to prepare the food separately.”
“That’s right, Your Highness. You can open the gift later! Irina and I split the cost.”
“I think His Majesty will give you a special birthday present. I heard he placed a custom order at Sidria’s workshop last month.”
“To the workshop of Sidria? Your Highness, I am so looking forward to it!”
"I know."
I tried to smile and agreed with them.
Emboldened by that smile, Irina and Thalia started chatting about my birthday present.
“Yes, everyone, you can all go out now. You two should eat now.”
Until Lisa couldn't stand it anymore and kicked them out.
I stared at the cake and gift box they had left behind for a very long time.
***
From the North, a messenger from Laskan arrived. After all his votes were counted, the second round of contest results were officially announced. The winner was, without any major surprises, Princess Veronica.
Duke Kairak was already walking around with his head held high as if his daughter were the Emperor, even though I was still ahead by two votes in votes.
Duke Kairak, who occupied the highest seat in the banquet hall next to the Emperor's, surrounded by followers and smiling arrogantly, was truly an eyesore.
I looked at him with displeasure and turned my head away. On a day of a happy banquet, looking at such things is not good for emotional development. Of course not.
Today's ball was to celebrate Laskan's first victory on the Northern Front.
However, to put it bluntly, it was just a battle against barbarians. The event commemorating it was excessive, and the scale itself was unusually grand.
This was proof that the northern front was not simple. In the past, they had suppressed the rabble that did not even have a ruling system, but now all the northern barbarians, called the 'Tariq tribe', are said to have united under one ruler.
That alone is tricky enough, but the vendors who provide them with weapons are from the Kingdom of Sedrak and the Duchy of Thylasen...
The Empire held a charity auction with a ball to show its willingness to escalate into full-scale war between the nations at any time if there was any support for the Tariq tribe.
On the surface, it was intended to provide relief to the suffering citizens of the Even region in the north and to send essential supplies to the soldiers, but in reality, it was an event to raise funds for the war.
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