chapter 12
The next morning.
It was a clear, bright day, with blue skies and scattered clouds drifting pleasantly overhead.
As usual, Jeff appeared again, accompanied by a physician.
The elderly doctor, with black hair covered by a white cloth, carefully seated me on the bed and examined my leg in front of Jeff.
“Your Highness, how is the princess’s condition? Is anything broken?”
Jeff asked anxiously.
He clasped his hands tightly, fidgeting and twisting his body, unable to hide his nervousness.
“I’m fine. It doesn’t even hurt anymore.”
I reassured him.
‘Honestly, he’s so overdramatic.’
Yesterday’s events suddenly came to mind.
‘Because of Jeff making such a fuss, I ended up getting excessive treatment yesterday too.’
It was suffocating.
‘I don’t want to go through that again. Absolutely not!’
Outwardly, I just smiled at Jeff.
“As expected of my brave daughter!”
Jeff’s eyes sparkled with emotion.
“Please do not worry, Your Majesty.”
The physician, who had been waiting for the conversation to end, stood up and reported.
“I’ve carefully applied the ointment. It should heal completely within a day.”
I lightly swung my leg back and forth and turned my head.
‘Is that the ointment I used earlier?’
A small box sat on the table beside the bed.
‘It looks expensive.’
With gold plating and intricate patterns, it was obviously something very costly.
“I’m relieved to hear it will heal, but make sure to take great care so that no scar remains.”
Jeff, now fully back to his dignified emperor persona, spoke seriously.
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
The physician smiled gently and added,
“As per your command, today we used an ointment made from dragon’s breath. Not only is it effective, but only three remain in the entire world.”
He even held up three fingers for emphasis.
‘D-dragon’s breath?’
I had assumed it was just some expensive ointment, but what did I just hear?
It felt like being struck by lightning.
‘Dragons have been gone from this world for over 500 years, and he used something that rare?’
I looked up at Jeff in disbelief, but he just happily made a heart shape with his arms.
‘Jeff, you idiot!’
My head spun.
‘There’s no way he doesn’t know dragon’s breath can even revive the dead!’
Using something so precious on a minor injury felt like such a waste.
‘Did he knowingly use it on a bruise? Is he insane?’
What kind of thought process leads to this? I stared, mouth agape.
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
“Your Majesty, Sir Cain has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
Soon, the door creaked open, and a gray-haired attendant delivered more news.
“An alchemist named Milaton requests an audience with Your Majesty. What shall we do?”
Jeff rested his chin on one hand and replied,
“Milaton, you say? It would be better to meet him in my office rather than the audience chamber.”
“I will escort him there immediately.”
“Then I shall head there as well.”
Jeff nodded firmly and prepared to leave.
‘Aren’t alchemists supposed to be wanderers not tied to any place?’
Listening quietly, I grew curious.
“Why is the alchemist here?”
I tilted my head and asked.
“I asked him to do something for me. I’ll tell you more when I return.”
“Okay.”
As soon as I spoke, Jeff strode over, knelt on one knee to meet my eye level, and said,
“My dear daughter, even if you miss Daddy, don’t cry, okay?”
Then he kissed my forehead and turned to the maids.
‘I’m not going to cry!’
Who would cry over that? I rubbed the spot he kissed with the back of my hand.
‘How long do I have to endure this ridiculous affection?’
At this rate, I might get used to it.
“Do not let Dazzling approach the office area. Understood?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
A moment later, I noticed Jeff whispering something quietly to a maid, but I couldn’t hear clearly.
“Dazzling.”
After finishing, Jeff turned toward me.
“I’ll be back, sweetheart.”
He sent hearts and even winked. It sent chills down my spine.
Thud!
After Jeff left, the maids approached.
“Your Highness, shall we play the popular jingle dance today?”
One maid shook a rattle enthusiastically.
“Or would you like me to read you a fairy tale?”
Another suggested a more intellectual activity.
“Hmm~.”
I thought for a moment.
‘I’m more curious about why Jeff called the alchemist than playing childish games.’
Pretending to consider, I devised a plan to gather information.
“The azaleas in the central garden are blooming beautifully—let’s go see them!”
Since the office was near the garden, I might spot something.
“?”
But the maids reacted strangely.
They hesitated and became flustered.
“The g-garden?”
Why were they trying to stop me?
“How about building blocks inside?”
“Y-yes! There are terrifying giant bees flying around the garden!”
What’s with them?
‘They’re stopping me from going near the office.’
Something was suspicious.
“Look at this, Your Highness!”
Soon, they even started performing tricks to distract me.
‘Fine, I’ll play along.’
“Then take me somewhere scenic so I can draw.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
They were clearly relieved. I clicked my tongue internally.
Clink.
A little later, inside the palace’s indoor garden.
“Come to think of it, Her Highness is already three years old.”
I sat in a small armchair, gently swinging my feet while watching the maids prepare canvas, paints, and brushes.
“Right. It feels like just yesterday she was crawling.”
“It’s already been three years since then.”
They spoke softly near a rose garden, so I couldn’t hear clearly again.
‘As long as they’re not gossiping about me, whatever.’
In my past life, I could hear distant conversations easily, but now my body was ordinary.
‘Back when I was emperor, hearing everything was stressful… this is better.’
I fiddled with a toy while they prepared.
“I hope she continues to grow safely like this, even though the war hasn’t ended yet.”
“Of course. Now we just have to wait for the Grand General to return.”
I observed them casually.
“I still don’t know how we managed to bring Her Highness to the imperial palace from there.”
‘Just hurry up already…’
I grew impatient.
“That day three years ago… it smelled of blood everywhere, and it was raining.”
My ears perked up at their reminiscing, but I quickly looked away.
“We helped the general give birth and ran to the palace with all our strength. Thinking about how she caught a fever from the rain still scares me.”
“The doctor said we might have to prepare for the worst… It’s a miracle she survived.”
“And now His Majesty finally obtained the medicine he’d been searching for, so we don’t have to worry like before.”
That was it. My patience ran out.
I got down and approached them.
“What kind of painting will you make, Your Highness?”
They guided me to the canvas.
‘Let’s begin.’
I climbed onto a cushioned chair and started painting.
‘My skills aren’t as good today.’
After finishing with paint smudged on my face, I threw the brush down.
“I’m done!”
I proudly showed them.
“Guess what it is! Whoever gets it right will receive a reward.”
The painting showed a strange creature—actually Jeff—standing on a green field with a rainbow behind him.
“A rock?”
“No.”
“A flower?”
Seriously?
“A tree spirit from a fairy tale?”
“No.”
“A mashed potato you ate this morning?”
“No. You don’t understand art.”
‘Is this how the god I once spoke to felt?’
It reminded me of my past life.
Back when I was the first human, exchanging questions with a god.
“Ah! Is it His Majesty the Emperor?”
“That’s disrespectful—!”
“Yes, that’s correct!”
“Wow, you actually get art. I’ll draw you next time as a reward.”
Then a maid arrived.
“Your Highness, His Majesty is calling for you.”
“Why?”
“I was only told to bring you to the office immediately.”
“Alright, I’m coming.”
‘Why didn’t he say earlier?’
‘I was just getting into my artistic mood…’
I headed off to meet Jeff.
Soon, I arrived at a room near Jeff’s office.
“Your Highness has arrived.”
“My daughter is here!”
Jeff approached happily.
“Just one kiss~.”
He took me from the maid and kissed me. My body stiffened.
It was horrifying.
“I prepared something for you—for when you start walking.”
“What is it?”
‘Wait, gifts are irresistible.’
My interest immediately piqued.
“Now, take a look!”
Holding me in one arm, Jeff pointed ahead.
“That is something made only for you, Dazzling.”
Where he pointed was a gift box decorated with red ribbons, pearls, and golden lace.
