RNFTOP 06

Chapter 6

 Departure for the Empire

“The princess has arrived last. Sit down.”

Father, Mother, Shade, Daymond, Rachel, and Cedric were all already seated.

As soon as I sat, the dinner began. The first appetizer came out: mashed tomatoes on toasted bread. A few fruits and jams were served with the bread.

“Duke, was the journey here tiring?”

“No, Your Majesty. It was manageable.”

“In the days before teleportation existed, they say it took a full month on horseback. Thanks to teleportation, life has become much more convenient for the people of the kingdom.”

Daymond chimed in. Compared to Daymond, I had nothing to add. I focused instead on the bread before me. I scooped more of the tomatoes onto my slice.

“Hmm.”

Father paused briefly. During that moment, the second appetizer was brought out—barley noodles twirled into a bite-sized roll with truffle sauce on top. I picked up the middle of the rolled noodles with my fork and put it in my mouth in one bite.

The meal proceeded in the customary way. The chefs had prepared their best dishes for the guests, and people made casual conversation around the table.

Quietly, I sliced my chicken steak, the main dish.

I only joined the table conversation once dessert began to be served.

I stabbed a square of milk flan with my fork and placed it in my mouth. On the plate it held its soft shape, but inside my mouth it melted instantly.

“Daisy, would you like some more flan?”

Mother spoke gently. Today’s milk flan was especially delicious. Since I focused on eating, the flan on my plate disappeared quickly.

I signaled to the attendant behind me. The attendant sent a servant to bring more flan. A bowl of flan was placed at the center of the table.

The attendant served some into my plate. I pressed the flan with my spoon, cutting through it, and ate it. Nutty and sweet. I smiled with my eyes as I savored it.

Then my eyes met Cedric’s. He turned his head away without expression.

“You look happy. I’m a bit jealous.”

Rachel added brightly. Had I looked too obsessed with the food in front of the guests? Feeling awkward, I quietly slowed my movements.

Father also brought up something related to me.

“I believe the Duke has already been informed, but the princess will accompany you to Owen.”

“Yes. His Imperial Majesty ordered me to escort the princess safely.”

“The emperor has shown his concern.”

Father glanced at me briefly before looking at Cedric again.

“I feel reassured with you here, Duke. I look forward to your care.”

“I will do my utmost.”

I spoke with a gentle smile, and Cedric responded like a line straight from an etiquette textbook. Mother then added something regarding my trip to the Empire.

“Princess Daisy has only lived within the palace. Unlike the princes, she did not attend the academy as a boarder. I believe this will be a good opportunity for her to experience the Empire’s culture and learn much.”

Cedric, who had been maintaining eye contact with the others as he conversed, briefly turned his gaze to me. Then he faced Mother again.

“The princess is already admirable as she is. I will simply assist her if she requires anything.”

It sounded like a polite formality. Even when he offered his help, his tone was completely devoid of emotion.

“Oh! Duke Deighton, that’s a wonderful idea.”

Rachel suddenly spoke louder than necessary. She smiled brightly. Everyone’s attention shifted to her.

“I’ve actually been worrying about where the princess would stay. Since I’m the one inviting her, I felt responsible. But hearing the duke’s words, I thought—wouldn’t it be perfect for the princess to stay at the Deighton ducal residence in the capital? What do you think?”

I froze in surprise.

I hadn’t given the matter much thought, but I had assumed I would stay in the Imperial Palace. Yet now that Rachel had brought up another location, I couldn’t very well insist on the palace. Cedric’s eyes brushed toward me.

“Would it not be inconvenient for the duke? I’m worried that asking him here, in front of everyone, might make it hard for him to refuse.”

“But the princess doesn’t have anywhere else to stay, does she?”

Rachel spoke as if the Imperial Palace had never even crossed her mind.

“I wouldn’t mind renting a small house temporarily. I grew up in a place always filled with family and attendants, so I’m looking forward to staying somewhere quiet.”

“Even if you bring a few knights, wouldn’t safety still be a concern? If the Deighton residence is inconvenient, shall I look for another noble house for you?”

Rachel smiled sharply. Saying the Deighton estate was uncomfortable in front of Duke Cedric Deighton would have been rude. Flustered, I waved my hands quickly to deny it.

Cedric took a sip of his drink. Setting his glass down slowly, he spoke.

“I have no problem with it. You may stay comfortably at my residence.”

Outwardly, Cedric truly looked like he didn’t mind in the slightest.

“With the duke being so thoughtful, I really don’t know how to repay you.”

“There is no need for repayment. It is only natural.”

Since the master of the house himself said it was fine, there was no reason to refuse further. Truthfully, I didn’t mind where I stayed. If anything, it seemed better to stay somewhere with someone who knew nothing of my true identity or my purpose in the Empire, rather than near the Imperial family, who knew everything.

“As a princess, I’m used to receiving others’ goodwill. So I’ll gratefully accept your offer, Duke.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Should I call you… ‘Lord of the House’ then?”

Cedric had said during the pact that he knew nothing about relocating treasures. He had claimed he did not share Rachel’s intentions.

And yet here he was, willing to accept the inconvenience of hosting a royal guest in his home. I felt grateful.

Wanting to express that, I made a half-joking remark—one that came to me out of habit—but silence briefly followed. The others quieted because they were listening, but Cedric himself seemed the type who didn’t really understand jokes.

Cedric quietly looked into my eyes. His cherry-red irises were vivid. I smiled at him without thinking. He answered in a relaxed tone.

“Very well.”

“Being called ‘Lord of the House,’ you mean?”

“Call me whatever you find comfortable.”

His cherry-colored eyes were so deep they felt like they were pulling me in. Yet his face remained completely expressionless.

I carefully turned my gaze away—and met Rachel’s. Rachel, with her curly red hair, and Cedric, with his ripe cherry-like eyes.

Placed together in a painting, a painter would surely consider them the most harmonious blend of colors. They suited each other that well.

Rachel’s eyes sparkled. She raised the corners of her lips. She was looking at Cedric with a delighted, almost mischievous expression.

Daymond, who had spent the entire day following me around, vehemently insisting, “You absolutely cannot stay at the Deighton estate.”

Shade, who made time every day to drink tea with me. Father, who couldn’t hide his worried expression whenever I greeted him.

And Mother, who kept packing everything she could think of out of worry—since it was the first time sending a child abroad.

Time passed in the blink of an eye.

Rachel seemed to occasionally meet with Father or Mother, but I never encountered her myself.

The last time I saw Cedric was at the dinner. He seemed to have no interest in the kingdom or in me. In these five days, he could have engaged with the nobles socially or gotten to know me, who would be living in his house—but Duke Cedric Deighton did none of that.

And so today, the day came to depart for the Empire.

I stood in front of the carriage and bid farewell to my family. Rachel and Cedric had already finished giving their formal greetings to the royal household.

“I think I received more affection in these past few days than I did in the last twenty years.”

“It makes me happy to hear you say you felt loved.”

Mother hugged me tightly as she spoke. While I was in her arms, Daymond held my hand from the side.

I stepped out of Mother’s embrace with a bright smile. She kissed my forehead. As I turned to climb into the carriage, Shade approached and whispered in my ear.

“Contact me anytime. I’ll come get you.”

“Haha!”

I couldn’t help laughing out loud that time. I knew that was Shade’s way of showing sincerity.

I had no intention of returning within three years, but I still felt as though I had secured a reliable backing.

“Thank you, Crown Prince.”

I clasped Shade’s right hand between both of mine before letting go. His fingertips were cold.

From the moment I was born, my family had never once given me any reason to doubt their love. I looked at each of their faces, memorizing them carefully.

Three years wasn’t a long time, but it was long enough to change many things.

I might change in Owen. But my love for my family, and the immense love they gave me—those would not change. I etched those beliefs into my heart alongside their faces.

It was truly time to leave. I turned away briskly, trying not to look reluctant.

Cedric stood before the carriage. He extended his hand to me. Coolly detached, impeccably polite, and the master of the house I would be arriving at. I placed my hand atop his with a smile.

Cedric held my hand. This time, he enclosed it in his palm, and I realized how much larger and broader his hand was than mine.

He supported me as I stepped into the carriage—without applying excessive strength. Very gentlemanly.

And so, I was truly departing for the Empire.