Chapter 150………………………………………….
That day, the price of saving the life of my “enemy-like” friend was… quite brutal.
First of all, the dads began guarding me 24 hours a day.
Judging by Mom’s silence, it seemed she was on the same page with them.
I can’t believe even Mom is in cahoots with the dads.
Unlike the dads, Mom had never stopped me from playing with boys.
She had always treated Per kindly too.
How shocking must that scene have been…
Recalling it now made me shake my head in haste.
Yes, it was shocking.
Honestly, even I was stunned at the time.
Even now, just thinking about it makes my heart pound.
-C.C.’s face turned red, yep.
Meanwhile, Yeppi tilted her head curiously and commented.
Just the memory alone made my face red.
“It’s nothing.”
I quickly shook it off again and began scratching between Yeppi’s eyebrows with my finger.
Anyway, back to the main point.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, I was given a temporary ban on going outside.
This was a personal punishment imposed by the dads.
Officially, I hadn’t sneaked out of the palace, after all.
I guess Grandma Mago must have figured it out, though.
True enough, Derek’s dad no longer wandered outside, and the other dads clung to me as if monitoring me, so Grandma could easily deduce what was happening.
“The sights outside the palace must be plenty, Yeppi…”
-Sure, there were lots of things to see, yep. It was completely different from before entering the palace, and it was fun to explore, yep.
“I’m just glad at least you can move around freely…”
“Well, if you hadn’t gone off on your own, we would’ve taken you along long ago.”
Kyle’s dad, listening to our conversation, poked his ear with his finger as he spoke.
“Liar!”
I turned my lips into a pout and whirled around.
If I hadn’t gone out, I wouldn’t have even met Grandpa Aaron!
And he wouldn’t have properly played with me either.
What’s the point of having the dads around?
Everyone’s busy with their own tasks!
I glanced surreptitiously at Harzen’s dad handling official matters.
He had even brought his desk and chair into my bedroom.
Kyle’s dad had placed his research stand in the corner.
If only the room were smaller, I could’ve claimed it’s too cramped for them to come in.
But the room was unnecessarily huge, so there was nothing I could do.
Sighing, I looked at the dads and let out a long exhale.
“I’m bored.”
Without Per, life suddenly felt dull.
Normally, Per would take me outside to play.
“Oh my, our princess’s lower lip is about to touch the throne.”
While Yeppi pressed and released my head, Zion’s dad suddenly scooped me up.
“If you’re bored, shall we go to sword training with Dad?”
“No, I don’t want to. It’s boring.”
It’s only fun if I can compete with Per.
Even if I lose most of the time, still!
“But, C.C…”
Zion’s dad lightly patted my head and spoke.
“Training isn’t meant to be fun. Now, let’s go!”
“Waaah!”
I struggled to escape from Zion’s dad’s hold immediately.
Of course, it was futile.
No matter how much I struggled, I couldn’t break free from his grip.
“You said you wanted to learn swordsmanship first, C.C. You wanted to be as amazing as Dad.”
“That’s true, but…”
“A princess never goes back on her word.”
“That’s also true, but…”
“Now, we have to go, right? You can walk to the training ground confidently, can’t you?”
Finally, he set me down and smiled gently.
At this point, I have no choice.
Per isn’t going to suddenly appear.
And since I did say I wanted to learn swordsmanship first, running away because it’s “boring” isn’t proper lady behavior.
“Fine, let’s go!”
I clenched both fists, resolving myself.
Dad gave me a fond look, then spoke quietly.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Per lately. Is that why our princess is so grumpy?”
Gasp! I was poking the hornet’s nest myself.
“That’s because it’s obvious the dads won’t leave Per alone…”
No wonder they’re watching me all day.
I pouted and grumbled sulkily.
This time, Zion’s dad wore an apologetic smile.
“Back then, Mom and Dad were just so flustered, that’s all.”
“Not now? Can you promise nothing will happen if Per appears in front of us?”
“Honestly, I can’t guarantee the other dads will make that promise.”
“Exactly.”
That’s why they’re not allowed to come.
I folded my brief hope and lightly tapped the floor with my foot.
Judging from this, Zion’s dad seemed slightly calmer now.
The other dads are far more extreme, so it will take much longer.
They might even recall it later and cause Per trouble again.
“Do you like Per, C.C.?”
While my shoulders slumped in this grim future, Zion’s dad asked again.
“Yes, I do.”
“What do you like about him?”
“Hmm…”
What do I like about him?
“First, he communicates well with me, he’s always on my side… he understands what I do…”
“Dad thought you liked Per’s face.”
That counts for some extra points.
I didn’t deny it and rolled my eyes.
Even if I get mad, seeing his face calms me a little.
“Since our princess can’t meet the friend she likes so much, how upsetting it must be.”
Zion’s dad ruffled my hair and chuckled softly.
As before, it was a laugh full of apology.
“I hope Mom and Dad don’t dislike Per.”
Hearing that, my heart felt strangely unguarded.
I whispered my feelings quietly.
“Even if I meet other friends, no one will be as good as Per.”
“…As a friend?”
“Yes, as a friend.”
Even though the sudden kiss incident made my heart pound, it didn’t change the fact that Per was my best friend.
Of course, Per’s feelings also matter…
He did say it’s up to him how he interprets things.
If I say I only want to remain friends, he would surely respect that.
I had that certainty.
“…About Mom and Dad, C.C.”
Zion’s dad fell silent for a long moment, then quietly spoke.
“We fuss so much because we don’t want you growing up too fast.”
“…”
“We’re worried you might grow up and leave our care.”
Not that what we did was necessarily right.
Softly, he added with a gentle smile:
“I’m sorry we prevented you from seeing the friend you like because of our selfishness, little one.”
In his gently curved blue eyes shone unwavering love… and apology.
“When you train in swordsmanship, it’s fine to call Per without worry.”
