Chapter 10
Luckily, the boy didn’t run away. He just ignored me.
‘…Is this something I should be happy about?’
I felt strangely uneasy and pouted. Then, I looked at his expression. He looked obviously flustered.
But still, I gathered my courage and extended my right hand.
“Hi! I’m Ligenia. What’s your name?”
I thought he would ignore me again, but the boy looked at me with wide eyes and shook my hand.
“…Leon.”
I smiled happily at hearing his name.
“Thanks for telling me, Leon. And nice to meet you!”
But Leon seemed a bit uncomfortable and blushed, keeping quiet.
Tch. He’s a tricky one…
Still, I didn’t give up. I sat down next to him and started a conversation. Even if my bottom was a little cold, I didn’t mind.
Sigh. My life’s on the line.
“Leon, what are you doing here? Could it be…”
“…?”
“You’re looking for coins too?”
I was so impressed that Leon’s face turned to confusion.
‘Did I guess it right, or is he just shy?’
If it’s the latter, I should teach him my coin-searching skills in a natural way.
I whispered secretly.
“This is a trade secret, but… There aren’t many coins hidden here.”
“…How do you know that?”
Leon’s eyes looked at me like I was a poor beggar, but I stayed strong. I leaned in even closer and spoke in a lower voice.
“That’s also a secret. But… do you wanna know?”
“…Hmm.”
I put my hand on my forehead and sighed.
“Sigh… I knew it.”
“…”
“I’ll tell you anyway.”
“You don’t have to…”
Leon tried to decline, but I raised my hand to stop him.
“Don’t be shy. By the way, is it a good time now?”
“Is it…?”
I gave him an unsure look.
“Why are you asking me?”
Leon sighed and nodded reluctantly.
“…It’s fine.”
“Oh, actually, I’m not available right now.”
“…”
The mood turned cold, and I scratched my head. Leon looked like he was about to scold me.
Okay, okay. I have my reasons for this.
I tilted my head with a confident smile.
“Let’s meet in a week. I’ll show you then. You’ll be surprised.”
“…Do we really have to meet?”
“No, that’s not what I meant. There’s no choice!”
Of course, all of this was for my life’s sake.
I looked at him firmly, rejecting any further refusal.
“Don’t worry. I won’t eat you, so let’s meet in a week. I’ll show you where there are more coins.”
“…Alright.”
“Really?”
“You said we should meet.”
‘What? I thought you would reject me again…’
With my big win, I smiled brightly.
“Great! But how should I tell you the meeting place?”
I pretended to think, even though I already had a plan. I just needed to guide the conversation in that direction.
Now seemed like the perfect time.
I carefully said.
“Or… could you send me a letter first? I’ll reply to the address on the letter.”
Leon hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“Okay. I’ll send it first.”
“Great! Just send it to the Nehiris Duchy.”
“Nehiris…?”
‘Yeah, the famous Nehiris Duchy. You got that right! Hahaha… I’m telling you this because it’s you.’
But I acted normally despite my inner thoughts.
“Yep, Nehiris. What? Is there a problem?”
“No… nothing.”
“Come on, you have to send it, okay?”
“Okay.”
With that, Leon nodded, and I stood up from the stairs. I brushed my bottom and waved goodbye.
“Leon, I’m leaving now.”
“Already?”
I patted his shoulder as he looked disappointed.
“We’ll meet again. It was short, but I had fun today.”
I was about to be in big trouble with Mom if I stayed too long.
I swallowed the words I wanted to say, waved my hand, and left.
“Take care, Leon.”
“Yeah, you too, Ligenia.”
He said my name, and I gave him a small smile before hurrying off.
Faster than anyone else… differently!
Inside the cold and quiet carriage, I rolled my eyes and sighed quietly.
‘Ugh… I knew there was a bodyguard around, but…’
Still, I had acted on my own without permission, so I kept my mouth shut. There was nothing to say. I lowered my head more.
After some time had passed, the carriage arrived at the Duke’s estate.
“Mom…?”
I called Mom urgently, but she didn’t look back and stepped out of the carriage.
‘This is why Grandpa ran away…!’
“Aga. Beg, beg her properly!!”
Hilet, who gave that advice, quickly ran off.
What was I supposed to do with a grandpa who ran off? At least I should cut ties with him.
I grumbled to myself while running into Dad’s arms.
Dad looked at Mom, who was heading into the estate, and spoke to me.
“Hello, daughter.”
“Hi, Dad.”
We looked at each other and sighed at the same time. But then, Dad did something unexpected.
“Princess. I don’t think I can help you.”
I jumped in surprise.
“Eek! If you don’t help me, who will…!”
But Dad was firm. He looked away, avoiding my gaze.
“…Sorry.”
I understood. There probably wasn’t much Dad could do.
But still, with such a hopeless future ahead, I grabbed my head and muttered.
“I’m doomed…”
“I’m sorry, Mom…! I messed up…!!!”
I was bowing in front of the door.
I thought Mom would calm down quickly, but I was wrong. She hadn’t moved from the room for hours.
‘Ugh. I did this for world peace…’
But that didn’t make me feel better. Thinking about how pale Mom’s face was, I realized keeping quiet was my best option.
‘Being four years old is my only crime…’
I rubbed my stiff legs and sighed. Meanwhile, Carmen, the maid, chewed on her handkerchief and cried.
“My lady’s precious knees… sob…”
Carmen’s pathetic look was met with Mom’s disappointed gaze. Then, she came over to kneel beside me.
I looked at her, confused.
“Why is the maid kneeling?”
“My lady.”
Mom’s cold voice made me flinch.
“Hmm?”
“You were allowed to do this because of my mistake. I should be punished.”
I shook my head and protested.
“It’s not your fault. I ran off alone…!”
She shook her head and mumbled.
“Because I wasn’t careful, you ran off, my lady. And you’re only four, the Princess of Nehiris.”
Her words made me tremble. Sometimes, I felt like the maid was the most ruthless.
I lowered my head, whispering.
“Don’t guilt-trip me…”
Just then, the huge door, which had seemed impossible to open, slowly creaked open. Mom was standing there.
I stared, my eyes wide in surprise.
“Mom…”
I whispered, but she didn’t move.
After a few minutes of silence, I slowly raised my head.
What I saw was Mom with open arms.
I didn’t understand at first, but then I hesitated, waving my fingers.
The maid whispered.
“Go to her, my lady.”
With the maid’s encouragement, I smiled brightly and looked at Mom.
She nodded slightly.
I ran into her arms, tears welling up in my eyes.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I’ll ask for permission next time.”
Honestly, I was really frustrated. It felt like I was being scolded for trying to do something good. I didn’t care if they scolded me.
My feelings were too complicated for anyone to understand.
The truth was, I was at my breaking point. After meeting Slake in my dream, each day felt like hell.
Destruction, chaos, the Demon Lord, and the hidden secrets about my reincarnation.
All of these were too much for me to handle at once.
I wasn’t someone special, and I couldn’t deal with it all.
But somehow, the only person who could prevent the destruction was me…?
I felt suffocated.
But after meeting Leon, I made a promise to myself.
I couldn’t crumble here. I had a family that gave me warmth and love. If I fell apart, everything I loved would be lost.
And so, I decided to protect my family with my own hands.
Even if the end was death, I would say I was okay with it.
That was my love for my family.
After breakfast, Hilet was looking at us, his eyes swollen from crying, as Mom and I ate cake.
He didn’t expect the cake he bought for us to have such a positive effect.
Just then, Ligenia spoke with enthusiasm.
“Mmm… After crying, cake is the best…! Mom, you should try this too. It’s so good!”
“Really? Hmmm… It is good.”
“Right? Angel Desserts is the best, right after Matthew.”
“Haha, Matthew would love to hear that… Ah!”
Mom suddenly sighed loudly.
Ligenia looked at her with a puzzled look.
“Mom, what’s wrong?”
Mom shook her head.
“It’s not a problem. Ligenia, did you make any friends?”
“Ah. How did you know? Yes, I’m going to meet up later.”
Hilet cleared his throat twice.
“Ahem. Ahem.”
He turned serious as he looked at me.
“Ligenia, I have a question…”
“Yes, what is it?”
Hilet took a deep breath.
“Is that friend… your boyfriend?”
“No? He’s my friend, but he’s a boy.”
Suddenly, a loud noise echoed through the dining room. Hilet slammed his hand on the table.
But Ligenia and Mom ignored him and kept talking.
“Is he handsome?”
“Who… Leon? Honestly, he’s really handsome. He’s easy to talk to, too.”
Hilet raised one eyebrow at the compliment.
But the conversation continued.
“Why don’t you invite him to the estate sometime? It’s your first time making a friend your age, and Mom should help with this.”
“Wow, really? Mom, you’re the best! I’ll definitely ask Leon!”
Hilet quietly watched us leave the dining room, leaning on the table with his elbow.
“Leon, huh…”
He seemed deep in thought before walking out quickly. His lips were slightly twisted.
At the Duke’s office, Hilet grabbed Carmen, who was waiting, and said,
“Investigate this Leon boy right away.”
