Chapter 41
“Wow! Amazing! This is really amazing, Tia! The triangle shrank!”
Adel’s eyes widened, and she clapped her hands as if she had just had a great revelation.
“So from now on, we’ll always get along! Got it?”
“Yeah, Tia! Got it!”
Adel smiled so brightly that it was almost blinding, as if she had never cried at all. Watching the beautifully folded corners of her eyes, Killian came to mind.
It would have been nice if Killian had been called too. Hopefully, he isn’t sulking just because it was only the two of us. Once he sulks, it lasts a while—he’s so stubborn about it.
Putting aside a little disappointment and a hint of worry, Adel and I enjoyed a girlish pajama party just for the two of us. Though, realistically, it was only a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows.
The next morning, the Marquess of Luwendip came to see me early. He arrived unannounced, and being forcibly woken up was not exactly a pleasant way to start the day. I had been having such a nice dream.
“Haahm. Marquess?”
“Hahaha! Your Highness! Did you sleep well last night? Hahaha! I wonder if Adel had a good dream? Hahaha! I truly apologize for yesterday’s commotion. Hahaha!”
I wondered why he kept laughing so awkwardly—it seems he felt guilty.
“Luckily, this works out well. Using Adel as an excuse, I can see Your Highness this early in the morning.”
“But Adel’s still asleep.”
“Yes, exactly.”
Was this some kind of tricky question?
The Marquess of Luwendip… long words are difficult, and short words are just as tricky.
“I don’t quite understand what you mean.”
I had just woken up, and my head felt fuzzy. I hadn’t understood his intention at all. Scratching my head and speaking honestly, the Marquess lowered his voice.
“I’m referring to what you asked me for, Your Highness.”
Ah! Right!
As I straightened my posture, the Marquess pulled something out from his arms.
“Here. These are the records of the Duke’s movements so far. They may not seem particularly special, but if there’s any part you want to examine more closely, please let me know.”
He handed me a thick stack of documents.
“Ugh, why are there so many?”
I let out a short breath, and the Marquess explained:
“I wrote everything in large letters so Your Highness could read comfortably, which made it a bit lengthy. Also, as you’ll see, detailed explanations of the Duke’s visited locations are included.”
Hahaha. There were many places a child wouldn’t need to know about, so it was a bit of a struggle. Hahaha.
I nodded at the Marquess muttering to himself and began flipping through the pages.
Just as I was about to comment that even my grandmother, who always used a magnifying glass, wouldn’t need letters this large, Liz approached.
“Adelaide Luwendip, Marquess’ daughter, is awake, Your Highness.”
“Really? Got it!”
After carefully putting the documents in the drawer, I gestured to the Marquess, who tidied himself and followed me to the bedroom.
“Adel! Did you sleep well?”
“Yeah, Tia! Did you sleep well too?”
“Of course. Adel, look who’s here. A welcome guest, isn’t it?”
At my words, the Marquess peeked shyly from behind the door.
“Daddy! Daddy!”
Adel threw off the thick blanket in one sweep and ran into the Marquess’ arms.
“Come here, my lovely Adel. Even this morning, your eyes dazzle as ever. I should have worn tinted glasses, but I was too excited to see you that I forgot. Oh dear! I might be blinded, so I’ll just close my eyes for a moment.”
Wow, the Marquess really knows how to exaggerate.
Adel smiled at me from her father’s embrace, and I returned a smile, my mouth still agape from seeing her.
I felt sorry for the doting father, but it was time for us to part ways.
“Marquess, are your greetings done?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I also wish to thank you again. Our Adel may not be a shabby child, but to be invited and accommodated in such a precious place… Your Highness, we are truly grateful. Adel’s tears are completely dried thanks to you. Truly, Your Highness, you are the radiant light illuminating this empire.”
“Alright, alright, just go. We have a lot to do—busy!”
If I listened any longer, I’d be blinded by his praises. Either he would fade, or I would.
The Marquess gave Adel a string of kisses and bowed politely to me before leaving.
“Wow…”
The morning was intense. Did I get eyelids in my eyes?
Rubbing my eyes, I headed to the dining room with Adel, who had quickly washed up.
Killian would be arriving soon, so we had to eat quickly and prepare. Receiving my favorite guest required a holy mindset.
“This is my first breakfast at the princess’ palace—I’m so excited, Tia.”
“Indeed. Let’s have these moments often, Adel. It’s so much fun!”
“Yes! It was so happy, just like being in Dearc.”
“Next time, we should have a proper pajama party. Killian must be invited too.”
“Uh, yeah! Of course!”
Her answer had a slightly forceful tone, but Adel nodded happily.
In the dining room, we enjoyed moderately warmed milk, freshly squeezed pineapple juice, a sweet and soft salad of mashed corn, peas, and potatoes, and freshly baked, warm, and crispy waffles. For dessert, yogurt piled with fruit was served.
Stuffed to the brim, we changed clothes and headed to the training ground just on time.
I was already excited, hoping Killian would be surprised to see me.
When sunlight shone on his silver hair, a rainbow seemed to stir in my heart.
When my reflection appeared in his clear, shining eyes, I felt as if I were flying.
Every time he called me, I adored the neat shape of his lips drawing out my nickname, Tia.
Like a tutu, maybe—every time he spoke, his lips would have pushed forward a bit. Still, even that would look cute.
With all my anticipation packed into my steps, we dashed to the training ground…!
“Sir Brivon? Master?”
“Your Highness! You’re here. Lady Adel came along too.”
“Where’s Killian? Where is he?”
He should have arrived long ago, but there was no sign of Killian. Brivon spoke quietly in my ear as I searched the training ground.
“We received word he’s unwell and couldn’t come.”
“Killian’s sick? Where? How bad? Since when?!”
Perhaps noticing my intense reaction, Brivon stepped back, apologetically lowering his head.
“It was just a simple message from the Merhen Duke’s house, so we don’t have details. My apologies, Your Highness.”
“But he came the day before. He wasn’t hurt then, right? Think carefully, Sir Brivon.”
“No, Your Highness. He attended class and private training well and returned safely. There were no injuries.”
As I spoke sharply, Adel held my hand tightly.
“That’s right, Tia. He was a bit quieter and calmer than usual, but he didn’t look sick.”
Suddenly, all the strength drained from my body.
What are you doing, Celestia Mond?
You promised to lay out a flower path for your favorite… yet you sent him away from the palace, knowing he would feel uncomfortable every moment he stayed.
And, stubbornly, insisted that the two must be close, as in the original story.
Who do you think you are! Who do you think you are, you little thing!
Not noticing he’s sick! What are you trying to do! What the hell are you trying to do!
A high-pitched ringing filled my ears, and soon, everything went numb.
Swordsmanship class was canceled. I had collapsed.
“Ughhhh.”
“Tia! Are you awake? Thank heavens. Can you see Daddy?”
“Yes… Dad…”
Tears filled his eyes as he held my hand tightly, nodding.
“That’s right, Tia. Daddy is here.”
“Ki, Killian? He’s sick.”
Dad let out a small cough, smiling bitterly, and pinched my nose lightly.
“You cheeky little daughter. First thing you do upon waking is look for another boy? Daddy feels so left out. Killian Merhen won’t do. I’ll have to send him far away. I’m so jealous!”
Oh. Sorry for being a wicked daughter.
I shook my head weakly. My head still felt heavy, my mind foggy.
“I… I’m worried that Killian is sick because of something I did wrong.”
“You, Tia? You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s not your fault.”
“If Killian is sick because I couldn’t protect him…”
I had promised to always be by his side…
I said my best, but my murmured words scattered weakly into the air.
“Tia…”
Daddy’s voice calling me grew faint. Once again, I was swallowed by deep darkness.
