CHAPTER 65……………….
. Subduing Without Magic (3)
Three weeks after arriving at the Autumn Palace.
“Phew……”
I took a deep breath as I looked up at the bright autumn morning sky.
‘So the time has finally come.’
The time to unleash the fire I’d been holding back!
Of course, while staying here, I’d had as much fun as I did at the Persen Palace.
Kallion and Ares trained by the lake every day and studied with me afterward.
But in between, I made my own preparations for today’s tea party.
Like now, reviewing the guest list while getting my hair styled.
I clutched the list in my small hand and studied it hard.
“Altine, Alkeino, Berent, Tisano……”
I repeated the names of the houses that had replied they’d attend.
Lette, who was fixing my hair, gave me a helpless smile.
“Princess, I’ll be right by your side to remind you. You don’t need to worry so much.”
“Nuh-uh, no!”
If grown-ups were gossiping about me behind my back, I had to know exactly who they were.
“There, all done!”
As Lette lifted her hands from my hair, the other maids quickly stepped back.
Their eyes sparkled with excitement as they looked at me through the mirror.
“The deep navy suits you so well!”
“Ah, I’ll miss seeing you in black though……”
“But since it’s just a tea party, we can’t make it too formal.”
Apparently, today’s outfit had been a very tough assignment for Lette and the maids.
Normally, royalty preferred wearing black at official events.
But since this was only a tea party, they said I couldn’t go too overboard.
Even so, the high-collared navy dress looked elegant, even on a child.
The delicate lace neckline was adorned with a pink jeweled ribbon.
From the waist down to the hem, golden floral and vine patterns shimmered with every movement.
Lette murmured wistfully beside me.
“Ahh, if only we could call in a court painter right now……”
“Ugh, next time.”
I liked how I looked too, but not today.
If I even had my portrait done, I wouldn’t look like a child at a tea party.
I’d look more like I was heading into battle.
Even the boys waiting for me hesitated when they saw me.
“Shion. Your expression is kind of scary.”
“Shion, are you all right?”
“You two, I’m fine. I’m just being serious today.”
I clenched my fist.
This big sister is full of motivation to stomp out whoever’s been spreading those dumb rumors.
But Ares laced his hands behind his head and muttered.
“At a party with cookies and cake? Were you really that hungry?”
Behind us, attendants struggled to stifle their laughter.
I shot Ares a glare as he whistled innocently.
Ugh, this brat. Thanks to you, everyone’s laughing!
But there was no time to scold him as usual.
Because when we stepped outside, the garden with the best lake view was already full of people.
Picnic awnings and tea tables dotted the area, where nobles chatted among familiar groups.
And the moment I stepped out with my companions—
“……!”
All eyes from the southern nobles fixed on me.
But within a single second, they bowed with proper decorum, leaving only birdsong in the garden.
They would stay that way until I greeted them first.
Hmph. I’m super nervous…… but no, I can’t show it. Some of them are the very ones mocking me as lacking.
Climbing the little dais prepared for me, I hypnotized myself.
They’re tomatoes. Cucumbers. Pumpkins. A bunch of asparagus in fancy clothes.
……Perfect!
“Hello, everyone.”
I smiled brightly at the vegetable army.
“This is my first time outside Core, and I’m happy it’s with all of you.”
At that, the Count and Countess of Tereine were the first to respond.
The Count looked fit to burst with excitement.
Unlike his slender, glamorous wife, he was short, round, and as cute as a sparrow.
“It is our honor to be called upon by the sole heir of Tartarus!”
“Thank you, Count. I hope everyone enjoys today.”
At those words, people slowly rose.
I swept my gaze over their faces.
Some looked genuinely delighted to see a royal family member.
Some gazed in hushed admiration.
Some even blushed awkwardly.
Hmph, they must’ve just realized the rumors were lies.
Rumors that I was slow to speak and slow to develop.
But when I spoke clearly, without any lisp, they were surely surprised.
Soon, people began eagerly approaching to greet me.
“To think we’d see Your Highness up close……!”
“That you came to the South first, we’re deeply grateful, Your Highness.”
“Please, allow us the honor of hosting you at our estate someday—”
“No, no, the next turn must be ours!”
It felt like flocks of birds were fluttering around me.
Ugh, dizzy!
Even with Lette stepping in to cut things off, it took ages to get through all the greetings.
Just then, Kallion, who had been quietly standing at my side, flinched.
He whispered into my ear.
“Shion. Someone suspicious is approaching……”
“Ah.”
The Epikus sisters straightened their backs too—so it was time.
The three most powerful and wealthy houses in the South were:
The Altine family, long-established natives of the land.
The Tereine family.
And the Stenel family.
I watched silently as the Stenels and the Altines approached.
Even nobles who had already greeted me glanced nervously at them.
That’s when Kallion let out a stifled groan.
“Urgh.”
He kept the sound quiet, but his face had gone pale.
Those were the very ones said to disguise their malice as “concern” while spreading the nastiest gossip about me.
And we still don’t know exactly who’s leading the smear campaign……
Since Kallion looked unwell, maybe I should brush them off quickly.
But then Count Stenel bowed slightly first.
With his thick chin and large frame, he looked like an affable man.
Both his eyes and mouth smiled warmly, like a kindly uncle.
“Greetings to the Princess of Tartarus.”
“……”
“It is the greatest honor to welcome you to our South.”
“I’m glad to see you too, Count Stenel.”
Both of us exchanged polite smiles.
After him, the Countess and the Altine couple followed with their greetings.
I felt their subtle probing glances, but that moment passed without incident.
Once they withdrew, we made our way to the tea table in the center.
I lightly grasped Kallion’s sleeve as he steadied his breathing.
“Kallion. Are you okay?”
“Huh? Oh, yes, I’m fine.”
He shook his head, face reddening, clearly embarrassed I was worried.
“All that noisy crowd just made me a little dizzy for a moment.”
Beside us, Ares snorted disapprovingly.
“Hah, some prince—weak as a kitten.”
“Shut it, gnat.”
I sighed and slid dessert plates toward the two of them.
“Both of you, stop fighting……”
Nothing happened—thank goodness—but honestly, I felt a little, ‘That’s it?’
I came in all fired up, but they didn’t say a word to my face?
I had expected some kind of open power play.
Later, as the tea party ripened, it was time for the families to present their gifts to me.
Each house took turns showing off trinkets or artworks before stepping back.
Then one couple approached—it was the Altines, who had greeted me earlier.
They smiled radiantly.
“Princess, we are the Altines, whom you met earlier.”
“Yes. Are you enjoying yourselves?”
“Very much so!”
Then the Countess offered me a box she had been carrying.
“This is what we prepared. We thought it might suit our adorable Princess.”
A maid accepted the box from them.
Inside was a soft, pale pink rabbit doll.
Its eyes were made of red rubies, and it wore an expensive white lace dress.
It was undeniably a charming gift.
Hmm……
But I raised an eyebrow at the sight of the doll.
Well, well, look at these two.
Still smiling sweetly, the Count and Countess said—
“To think such a cute little one is our Princess—we’re so proud.”
“……”
I only smiled back, without much reaction.
Accepting ‘cute’ at face value would be foolish.
Who calls the daughter of a king cute, anyway?
