Episode 10
Fortunately, the discussion about Rutana went really well, so that part was finally settled.
Even if the Seedling Research Lab started using money like water, the ducal house would still be able to survive thanks to Rutana.
Ilia smiled brightly.
Today, both Ruel and Lihil felt a little better, so everyone was eating together in the dining room.
‘Everything’s going well!’
Ilia’s small heart fluttered like a tiny bird.
Watching Lihil and Ruel slowly get healthier made her genuinely happy.
It felt like she was saving these kids in place of Doyoon—the brother she hadn’t been able to save in her past life.
Ilia, happy to not be eating alone, kept dimpling her cheeks as she smiled.
She cheerfully split food onto both boys’ plates.
“Here, this one’s good. Oh, and this one too.”
Lihil suddenly looked at her.
“…Ilia, aren’t you eating?”
She had been busy taking care of the kids and barely touched her own plate.
“Hm… I can eat slowly. It’s fine!”
Lihil observed Ilia’s thin arms compared to her chubby cheeks.
She was just as skinny as him—maybe even skinnier.
She really needed to eat more.
So Lihil looked over the dishes on the table.
He grew up in this mansion, so he knew exactly which foods tasted the best.
‘What does… my wife like?’
Cough.
He got embarrassed just thinking it.
He’d never called anyone “wife” before, but he remembered how his father called his mother that way.
Maybe someday, when the time was right…
For now, his job was to pick some tasty things for Ilia.
He picked a few dishes he used to like and placed them on her plate.
“Try these… um, Squirrel— no. Ilia. These are really good.”
Ilia’s eyes widened.
“Did you just call me a squirrel?”
“…Do you not like it?”
“Well, it’s not that…”
Ilia had read the novel and knew the author described her as squirrel-like, but she had never really looked in a mirror and thought that herself.
Still, her round eyes, puffed cheeks, and tiny fists pressed against her face…
Yeah, okay. She did kind of look like a squirrel.
Ruel suddenly chimed in, honest as always:
“Ilia looks like a squirrel! Cute!”
Ilia turned red and fidgeted with her fingers.
“N-No… Ruel’s cuter…”
Lihil swallowed the words he almost said:
“No… you’re the cutest.”
Meanwhile…
The ducal house had a long history of gathering great talent.
When the previous Duke and Duchess were alive, it was considered the dream workplace for every scholar from the Imperial Academy.
But after their deaths, graduates started leaving.
People saw the Crownhearts Duchy as a sinking ship.
Even those still working inside the duchy felt anxious.
The new Rutana business would breathe life back into it.
The long winter was ending, and a short summer was nearing.
It was almost time for the Imperial Academy’s graduation season.
To show the duchy was still strong, Ilia decided to attend the ceremony herself.
She and Norman planned to directly meet the graduates.
The maids were so nervous about Ilia being stressed that they stocked the carriage with sweet cookies and chocolates.
For today only, the head maid even said Ilia could have five cookies.
Because this outing was going to be tough for a small, fragile girl like her.
The carriage had been fully repaired and reinforced for Ilia:
extra-soft cushions
magically stabilized interior
wheels replaced to reduce shaking
a tiny magic refrigerator for snacks
This was all because the servants said:
“Our lady will be riding it!”
“We must make the strongest carriage in the world!”
“What if she gets motion sickness?! Reduce the shaking!!”
Ilia nibbled a cookie. The soft sweetness melted on her tongue.
At least the sugar helped calm her nerves a little.
She knew the truth:
As the unwanted “illegitimate princess,” her presence could damage the duchy’s reputation.
She had even told them she didn’t want to go.
But the servants all insisted:
“People’s hearts will change once they see you!”
“No one can hate you, my lady!”
“Just clench your tiny fist like this—yes! Like that! Perfect!!”
Ilia didn’t understand how her fist had anything to do with anything…
But every time she made a fist, the household cheered like she had defeated a dragon.
Norman insisted he had to accompany her personally, so Ilia had no choice but to get in the carriage.
“Do you think I can do well…?” Ilia asked nervously.
“Do well? My lady, you don’t have to do anything. Just be the same as always. Talk to me like this, relaxed and natural.”
“But… people don’t like my existence, Sir Norman. They might think I’m a burden to the duchy.”
Norman clutched his chest dramatically.
How could she be this perfect?
She was thoughtful, gentle, and spoke so sweetly.
With Ilia at their side, the duchy could conquer the empire—or maybe the whole world.
Norman firmly believed that attending the ceremony would help secure Ilia’s rightful place.
Once people saw her for themselves, they’d realize the rumors were lies, and the duchy had gained an incredibly capable, lovable princess—not a disgrace.
He leaned forward earnestly.
“It’s fine, my lady. People will see everything you’ve done for Crownhearts.
They’ll change their minds. They will like you.
People don’t hate someone who is competent.”
Ilia blinked and blushed.
“That’s… that’s only because Sir Norman thinks kindly of me.”
“That… is a huge misunderstanding!”
Ilia shook her head.
“It’s fine. You like me, Sir Norman.”
She gave him the sweetest smile.
Norman nearly passed out.
Heart attack incoming.
How could she be this precious?
The empire’s greatest achievement was giving birth to Ilia.
The second greatest achievement was sending her to Crownhearts.
“I—I truly admire and love you, my lady!”
Ilia jumped in surprise.
“O-Oh! Thank you!!”
Their voices accidentally got louder together.
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace…
The Avery Royal Family had three legitimate children besides Ilia, the “unwanted” princess:
Unia – First Princess (female)
Tail – Crown Prince (male)
Dave – Prince (male)
Crown Prince Tail had been appointed heir for 10 years now—he was already 17.
This year, he was the one assigned to visit the Academy graduates.
He skimmed the list lazily.
The Emperor warned him countless times:
“Crownhearts will try to keep their remaining talents.
You must steal them away before they do.”
Tail didn’t agree.
He believed talented people would naturally go where they belonged.
Then the Emperor added:
“If it doesn’t work… pressure Ilia.
She’s weak. If you tell her, she’ll obey.”
Tail’s jaw tightened.
Crack.
His servant froze at the sound.
Tail wasn’t looking at the papers anymore—he was thinking about Ilia Avery.
The princess the royal family treated like a disposable tool.
Even Tail himself had been the same once.
But not anymore.
Tail Avery was no longer the same person.
