Chapter 60……
“What kind of half-baked trial is this now?”
It was fine up until the point the Emperor carried me out of Yevgeny’s palace on his back. Whatever the case, I didn’t want to stay in that unpleasant place a moment longer.
But why had I been brought not to my own palace, nor to the infirmary, but to the Emperor’s office?
And now, the Emperor had seated me on the sofa and was kneeling on one knee before me, tending to my wound himself.
My gaze shifted awkwardly to the simple first-aid tools in his hand.
“You could just call for the palace physician.”
“No need. They’re busy.”
“Their job is to take care of the royal family. They’d be glad to. Your Majesty shouldn’t trouble yourself with this kind of menial task—”
“The princess talks a lot about strange things.”
…
And whose fault is it that I’ve started talking so much?
It’s because you’re treating my wound yourself.
Does he even realize how indifferent he was to me before I turned back time?
During the royal hunt, when I was mauled by a bear thanks to Iabel’s schemes… when the Empress threatened to assassinate me… when Yevgeny isolated me from high society…
This man never once stepped forward to protect me. He was a cold, unfeeling father.
So why are you acting like this now?
One moment he’s curt, the next, if I tell him not to worry, he frowns… and now he’s painstakingly tending to a wound that would heal with just a dab of spit.
I’m more used to the Emperor looking down on me with detached eyes. When he acts kindly like this, I have no idea how to respond.
As he seemed to be finishing up, he brushed my bangs aside and gently touched my forehead.
“Apply ointment regularly so it doesn’t scar.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t skip it just because you’re lazy.”
“I’m not a child.”
“You are.”
“If I can think like an adult, then I can be considered grown.”
“Most people would just think you’re a child pretending to be mature.”
…
I frowned in protest.
I really am an adult.
Feeling like I’d lost the verbal spar and my pride was stung, I was about to retort when he gently rubbed the crease between my brows.
“Such a tiny child shouldn’t be making that face.”
“Your Majesty makes it all the time.”
“That’s because I see many things that annoy me. You don’t.”
His gaze, once lazily drifting, suddenly settled on the large bandage covering part of my forehead, darkening with a deep thought.
“…It’s irritating, so focus on treating your wound.”
“Yes.”
“Good girl.”
“…Pardon?”
I reacted as if I’d misheard, and he looked a little embarrassed.
He gave my head a couple of awkward pats, then called in Renald and the waiting maids to escort me away.
Illia and Mullin smiled brightly, carefully taking my hand.
Just as I was about to leave the Emperor’s office, I locked eyes with Cecil, who looked unusually downcast.
“Your Highness, is your forehead all right?”
“Yes, His Majesty treated it himself. More importantly, we’ve been granted permission to return. You should come with—”
“No. Leave Cecil Blonmind behind, Princess.”
“…What?”
When I asked in disbelief, he replied:
“I have to hold her accountable for failing to protect you properly.”
“But… it was unavoidable—”
“The Emperor is correct, Your Highness,” Cecil interjected.
“Wait, Cecil—”
“My duty is to serve you, Princess. I shouldn’t have hesitated just because the opponent was royalty.”
But I had told her to hold back.
If everyone saw me injured, it would help isolate that person.
I’d deliberately told her not to step in so my plan wouldn’t be disrupted.
The thought that she might be punished for this made me feel guilty. I stepped in front of Cecil and looked the Emperor squarely in the eyes.
Lifting my chin high, I put all the force I could into my gaze.
“If you take her away, I won’t take care of my forehead and it’ll scar.”
“…Huh?”
“You gave me this knight. I heard that taking back a gift is the pettiest thing one can do.”
“Uh…”
“P–Princess…”
“Y–Your Highness…!”
Illia, Mullin, and Cecil all looked at me in shock, but I met their eyes with a What? I’m just telling the truth. I have nothing to be ashamed of look.
A smirk spread across his face.
“Don’t hurt her.”
“Anyone watching would think I’m trying to kill Cecil Blonmind.”
“I know you wouldn’t, but you’ll still do something similar, won’t you?”
…
“No. You can’t have her. She’s the first person I’ve ever received from you, my only ‘person.’”
“I’ll appoint another knight.”
“No. It has to be Cecil.”
“Princess…”
Cecil called my name with emotion, and we gripped each other’s hands tightly, both breaking into a nervous sweat.
The Emperor said nothing, but Renald, Illia, and Mullin were looking on anxiously.
Finally…
“…Tsk. Fine, I won’t take her. You have my word.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Cecil and I exchanged delighted looks—
“But there’s a condition.”
“…?”
“…Do it.”
“Pardon?”
His voice was so low I didn’t catch it. But Cecil and Renald’s eyes went wide, pupils dilating.
Renald turned away to hide a laugh, while Cecil froze like a statue.
What’s wrong with everyone…?
Then the answer came:
“Come to my palace once a week.”
“…Me? To Your Majesty’s palace…?”
“That’s the condition for me not taking Cecil’s title away.”
…Huh?
“You can come whenever it’s convenient for you. I’ll make time. Now, go.”
Wait, he drops a bomb like that and tells me to leave?
“Your Majesty, what do you—”
“I’m busy. Go.”
You’re the one who brought me here…!
And just like that, Cecil and I were thrown out, and I screamed inwardly.
What on earth is happening…!
By saving Cecil, I’d apparently earned myself a punishment from the Emperor.
