chapter 11
“I can’t get caught like this!”
I slapped my feet against the ground as fast as I could, making sharp tapping sounds.
If I get caught like this, I might have to keep playing with them!
My hair fluttered wildly in the wind as I sped up. Since I’d already started, I just wanted to win no matter what.
“Your Highness!”
I had been running desperately, but suddenly there was a rustling sound behind me—and then a maid appeared.
…!
Not just one, but two of them.
“Your Highness, it’s dangerous to run!”
I glanced briefly at the maids who had suddenly appeared, but that was all. I had no intention whatsoever of stopping my run with Carlisle.
If anything, I only grew more anxious.
Because if I let the maids stop me, it would mean I’d lose.
“Huh?”
“It’s the Princess!”
I faintly heard the Fleur siblings’ voices near my ears, but I ignored them as well.
“Waaah!”
I had no idea what was so fun or exciting to those little kids.
“Your Highness, you might fall!”
Meanwhile, the maids, seemingly tireless, kept chasing after me, worried I might get hurt.
Their dresses fluttered wildly as they tried their best, but their efforts were useless—I had no intention of stopping.
Tap!
But perhaps my recklessness brought trouble upon me—I tripped over a stone.
Crash!
Carlisle and I tumbled together onto the grass. I sprawled forward with both arms stretched out, falling in the most ungraceful way possible.
“Ugh…”
The pain spread belatedly, and I groaned as I slowly pushed myself up.
When I checked, one of my knees throbbed sharply.
All that effort to escape for nothing.
I clicked my tongue inwardly as I examined the injury.
“Are you badly hurt?”
Carlisle, who had fallen with me, seemed to forget his own pain when he saw me injured. He checked on me first.
Tap!
Soon, the maids appeared on my right—and then a familiar face showed up on my left.
“Your Highness! Are you alright?!”
A man, looking distressed, lifted me up in his arms.
His identity—
Jeff’s right-hand man and closest aide, Essian Baldur Ingelbert.
Why did he suddenly show up? And where did he leave Jeff?
For someone who’s supposed to be a close aide, it was strange for him to be wandering around away from the person he served.
“Your Highness, are you alright?”
“Y-yeah… I’m fine.”
I answered quickly and looked at Essian.
“More importantly, why are you here? Where’s Father?”
“Ah… well… about that…”
He avoided my gaze and hesitated.
His suspicious behavior only made me more curious.
“As soon as the meeting ended, His Majesty said he needed to see you…”
According to Essian, Jeff had suddenly clutched his head with both hands, muttering that he needed to see “our Dazzling,” and even acted as if he collapsed.
He even turned pale, as if he might stop breathing at any moment.
Seriously… so he sent Essian to bring me, huh.
How pathetic. I let out a sigh.
“Alright, let’s go.”
At this point, the game was over. I looked at Ronowe, Beris, and Carlisle.
“That’s it for hide-and-seek today.”
As I declared the end, disappointment flickered in the children’s innocent eyes.
They even let out small sighs—it seemed they had really been enjoying themselves.
Oh right, Carlisle fell too.
Still, so what? I was about to turn away indifferently when I remembered.
“Carlisle, want to come and get some medicine applied?”
“I’m fine. I’m not seriously hurt.”
Even though I’d offered out of goodwill, Carlisle politely declined without showing any pain.
He bowed his head respectfully.
So composed. Carlisle, you’re going to be my future right-hand—I can’t have you getting hurt.
I reaffirmed my resolve as I looked at his calm face.
“Your Highness.”
Not long after, Sasha suddenly appeared between me and Carlisle.
“My father is waiting for me, so I think I should go first.”
“Alright. Then we’ll go too.”
And just like that, everyone went their separate ways.
Step, step.
I entered the palace with Essian to meet Jeff. The path to the room where he was waiting was just as it had been in my past life as emperor.
The red, beige, and gold decorations, along with the chandelier touched by sunlight streaming through the windows, gave a warm feeling.
“Wait a moment.”
Bored, I looked around—and then spotted a portrait that caught my eye.
That’s my portrait?
It was a portrait of me—from my past life as emperor.
Good thing I insisted they hang up my younger self!
As I stared at it, memories came back, and I felt strangely nostalgic.
“This is His Late Majesty.”
Essian began explaining, smiling with admiration at my past self.
“He was a great ruler who rang victory bells across countless battlefields.”
He spoke proudly, but I barely listened.
You don’t need to tell me—I already know I was amazing.
I was already immersed in my own past greatness.
“In the distant future, when Your Highness becomes emperor, your portrait will be placed here as well.”
Essian politely gestured toward an empty spot.
I imagined a portrait of Jeff wearing a crown there—adorned with precious jewels and luxurious robes.
Hmm…
It looked quite fitting in my mind, and I nodded.
Bang!
Just then—
“Our Dazzling!”
The door in front of me burst open, and Jeff rushed out.
“?!”
He instantly ran over and snatched me from Essian’s arms.
“I can finally see your face!”
With tears in his eyes, Jeff rubbed his cheek against my head in emotional reunion.
Gah…!
Unable to push him away, I screamed internally.
“Kiss~.”
He even kissed my cheek to show his affection.
S-save me!
I broke into a cold sweat—it was something I wasn’t used to.
“D-Dazzling is hurt!”
Jeff soon noticed my injury and widened his eyes in shock.
“What happened? My poor daughter, how much it must have hurt!”
He looked as if I were on the verge of death, tears welling up.
“Could your leg be broken? We must call a doctor immediately!”
What is wrong with you?
“Call a doctor at once!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I sighed at his overreaction.
Here we go again.
So noisy. I frowned slightly and tugged at his clothes.
“I’m fine.”
“But what if you’re not?”
Jeff, the doting father, wouldn’t listen no matter what I said.
His worry was written all over his face.
“I’ll just apply some medicine.”
I said bluntly, staring at him as he fidgeted anxiously.
“But still—”
“I said just medicine!”
I tapped his chest firmly as I insisted.
“Seeing how composed you are…”
Jeff trailed off briefly, then suddenly brightened.
“I’m certain you’ll become a great ruler someday!”
Laughing and crying at the same time—was he alright?
Can’t his delusions be treated?
I leaned against him, hiding my uneasy expression.
“Let’s go apply medicine right away.”
Smiling, he carefully held me and hurried along.
“Still, call a doctor.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As we walked, Jeff quietly gave Essian the order.
We continued toward a new destination in silence.
At some point, the palace interior changed—the atmosphere became cooler and more austere.
Who’s that next to Sasha?
I noticed someone approaching from the opposite side. One I recognized, the other I didn’t—a tall man with brown hair, wearing a monocle, with a dignified presence.
Brown hair… could he be Duke Vladimir?
I decided to stay quiet.
“Shield of the South, Vladimir, greets the Hawk of Light.”
The tall man smiled gently and introduced himself.
“Duke Vladimir, are you heading back already?”
Jeff responded warmly with a laugh.
“Yes. I must return to my territory and look after my people. It’s a shame I cannot stay longer at such a meaningful occasion.”
With a pleasant impression, the Duke moved behind Sasha.
“Thanks to Your Majesty’s grace, I’ve learned much here in the imperial palace. I will strive to be of help to Her Highness the Princess.”
The atmosphere was warm and friendly as the Vladimir family and Jeff conversed.
“Oh, the statue Your Majesty ordered earlier should be completed in about two weeks.”
What is that about? I felt the urge to ask.
“That’s faster than expected. Then travel safely.”
But no further explanation followed.
Still in Jeff’s arms, I waited for them to pass.
A moment later—
As they passed by—
Waver—
I was startled.
A black and red, chilling, sinister force brushed against my senses.
I instinctively covered my mouth with both hands.
“Dazzling, what’s wrong? Does your injury hurt that much?”
Jeff misunderstood again, tears forming in his eyes.
What was that just now?
I forgot to answer and placed a hand over my heart. It was beating rapidly.
It was brief… but I felt the energy of the dead.
I watched the backs of Duke Vladimir and Sasha as they moved away.
Why?
A small ripple continued to spread within my heart.
