Chapter 36

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Chapter 36

“It’s been a long time since I’ve sensed such a strong mana scent. As Your Majesty knows…”

“Be careful with your words, Tower Lord,” the emperor said.

It was around the age of twelve that Siervian first met the tower lord in her previous life. Originally, he wasn’t one to attend such banquets.

At that time, she only greeted him because he was there to see her older brother. And he only passed by, as though he didn’t even hear her.

“Is the scent of the Princess’ mana that outstanding?”

“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress. That is…”

It seemed that the emperor was uncomfortable, and because he blocked the tower lord’s words, the tower lord started to feel wary.

Listening to the conversation that passed over her head, Siervian also had a serious expression.

There’s something weird here.

Obviously, she started studying magic when she was eight years old according to what was customary. However, it was found that she had no talent in it, so she had to refocus on other areas of study that the empress had recommended.

‘I wonder what happened. If I really have that strong of a mana scent right now, then back then, how…’

While contemplating amidst her confusion, the emperor’s ferocious voice boomed through the garden again.

“One’s mana scent can change as much as it could when growing up.”

“That is— however…”

The tower lord agreed, but had a slight look of frustration.

“I’m worried that Siervian will act rashly.”

But after the emperor’s harsh tone, it was the empress who spoke this time as she bowed her head.

Grasping the atmosphere, Siervian also nodded. It was also uncomfortable that the empress was smiling at Siervian as if she was behaving well.

‘Oh… It could have changed.’

Siervian didn’t know that one’s mana scent could change since she didn’t get further with her magic studies before.

‘Maybe that was the case for me, too. It was there when I was young, but it will disappear soon.’

Eventually, the hope she held ended in vain.

Nevertheless, she was still uncomfortable about something.

Unconsciously and with a gloomy heart, she looked over to her father, who still had a firm expression on his face. She did it unknowingly, but she looked at his status window to confirm that he wasn’t angry.

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Thoughts: There’s no reason to put unnecessary pressure on Siervy. And there’s also Aviche’s will, so should Siervy play to her heart’s content while she’s a child?

Seeing her mother’s name in his status window, her mouth gaped open slightly without realizing it.

Her mother left behind a will like that.

She was afraid that Siervian would have too much of a hard time studying while she was a child.

“But wouldn’t it be a waste, sire?”

“Siervy’s education will be enough once she’s eight.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

Siervian desperately tried not to shed the tears that had risen. She was happy that she heard about her mother. She didn’t want to cry about it.

And she now saw that her father didn’t neglect her even though he knew. He just wanted to give her a peaceful childhood.

‘You don’t know that my mana scent will disappear soon, so there’s nothing that could be done about it.’

It would be useless to learn magic at an early age if the blessing of mana within her would disappear anyway. Her resolution, which had been briefly wavered, soon became stronger.

But then—a strange status window appeared near the empress.

[ Cybelle Erveldote ]

Mood: Exceedingly shocked

Thoughts: The princess’ abilities are that good? How can this happen…

While her expression was calm as she even had a kind smile on, the empress’ thoughts did not match. Siervian couldn’t believe that the empress could manage her facial expressions so calmly even though her thoughts were so different.

Siervian was also nervous at the empress’ sudden vigilance. Was she thinking like that because she thought that Siervian would threaten the crown prince’s position?

“Anyway, there are more things to celebrate, Princess.”

[ Cybelle Erveldote ]

Favorability: -100

Holding her father’s collar even more tightly, Siervian managed to bow to express her gratitude.

‘I’m scared!’

Fortunately, what ensued after this was an ordinary tea party.

The crown prince, who came a little late, gave a serious and formal greeting to Siervian.

“Happy birthday, Siervian.”

“Yees.”

[ Damian Erveldote ]

Thoughts: I can’t even adore my younger sister even though she’s my younger sister. You’re so pretty right now, I want to sit close to you ㅠ^ㅠ

And at this, Siervian unconsciously nodded in agreement because his eyes that were constantly going back to look at her looked like he really felt it was unfair.

Perhaps understanding her nod, The crown prince’s face brightened up.

“Now, let the nobles come in.”

When the emperor’s order was heard, the knight guards who were keeping watch over the garden stepped back.

And the nobles entered in twos or threes gradually as if they were coming in order. Siervian was at a loss because they were being so cautious.

“Happy birthday, Princess.”

“Happy birthday.”

There were many familiar faces. Some of them carried bad memories, but today, their status windows were generally favorable.

It was at this moment that she realized how powerful it was to change rumors.

“Try this.”

And here, the emperor diligently brought snacks for her from far away through magic.

Thanks to this, it looked like snacks were flying from a tea table in the distance.

“Yummy!”

“Cute…”

“Oh my, how wonderful.”

“Hm, hm. Wonderful, indeed…”

Suddenly, murmurs rang inside the garden.

[Favorability: +50] [Favorability: +20] [Favorability: +20] [Favorability: +30] [Favorability: +20] [Favorability: +50] [Favorability: +20]

Siervian felt a little self-conscious at first, but when she noticed that the general mood surrounding her was favorable, she calmed down.

In many ways, the status windows helped her enjoy this moment calmly.

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Thoughts: Everyone’s eyes seem to be working. Every time they were in cabinet meetings, I doubted whether their heads were screwed on straight. Perhaps the only thing working in their heads is their sense for appreciating beauty.

Reading her father’s very harsh assessment of the nobles, Siervian carefully held her fork again.

She had already finished her small cake that was especially made for children, but she kind of wanted more.

“Your Majesty, I’m afraid that our shy Princess will have an upset stomach. Let’s stop giving her food.”

However, Siervian froze up after hearing the empress’ voice.

“Hm?”

Her heart pounded. The words that the empress said to her over all those years paralyzed her.

Siervian thought she was doing better while she wasn’t under the empress’ gaze, but now that she was facing her, she was feeling afraid.

Eventually, Siervian put down the fork she was holding. It was a quick, reflexive action.

‘I can’t breathe.’

As expected, it’s because she was eating so well lately. Did she look strange because she was growing plumper?

The moment Siervian gulped unknowingly, the emperor’s indifferent voice flowed out as if breaking the cold ice in the air.

“What are you talking about, Empress.”

“…Your Majesty, I’m only worried for the Princess.”

The empress suddenly had the benevolent face of a mother as she said this. It really made her look as if she was truly concerned for Siervian.

In fact, the nobles also praised the empress, thinking that she seemed to care for the princess quite a bit when they weren’t even biologically related.

Looking clearly at their innermost thoughts, Siervian clenched her fists sadly.

“It’s fine. You don’t seem to know how well Siervy eats.”

“That is…”

“If you’re really looking over her with interest, then you would know how well she eats the palace chef’s food without complaining at all. It’s a shame.”

However, the atmosphere was quickly reversed the moment her father said this.

[ Thoughts: Goodness, I thought that Her Majesty Empress was taking good care of the Princess? ]

[ Thoughts: Indeed, Her Highness only had one small cake. Is Her Majesty criticizing the Princess? ]

[ Thoughts: The Princess doesn’t complain about food at such a young age? The children of our family should look up to Her Highness. ]

The thoughts of the nobles quickly passed by.

Until all of Siervian’s depressive thoughts went away.

“Come, bring what’s been prepared. The Princess seems thirsty.”

The emperor issued a new order while Siervian was still frozen with her fork in one hand.

He seemed to have thought that she was thirsty.

Soon, what the attendant brought was a glass of fruit juice that fit the garden’s refreshing atmosphere.

“Go ahead. You can still eat a lot more, right, Siervy?”

“Yees!”

With those supportive words, Siervian took the glass of juice with both hands, excited.

“……”

It was only the empress who did not appreciate how adorably Siervian picked up the glass with her cute hands.

‘It’s fine. It’s okay now.’

Her father was looking after her like this and everything was fine.

As the emperor continued to give out orders for a while, the quiet tea party became livelier again.

In the first place, parties like these were more of a place for socializing for nobles. Even more so when the main character of the day, the princess, was still so young.

So Siervian was able to look around the garden leisurely thanks to the slightly distanced interest in her.

‘The spell on the fountain is amazing. Is it a kind of forgotten magic?’

Although magic was extremely advanced in the continent, sometimes there was also forgotten magic.

They were either too difficult or too dangerous. For various reasons, those forgotten spells weren’t widely used nowadays.

In particular, there were many magical mysteries in the imperial palace.

‘It’s a good thing I could come here during the day. Since I only used to come here at night, I couldn’t even see this pretty scene!’

Not knowing when she could visit this place again, Siervian eagerly watched the fountain and the nearby flower fields.

‘Huh? What’s that?’

At that time, something suspicious came into her peripherals.

The attendant who brought Siervian’s drink earlier moved and a new person came in as if filling in his spot.

Though he was dressed for the part, the new person’s status window was weird.

[ Kashim ]

Occupation: Thief (Lv.85)

Mood: Nervous

Thoughts: Heck, why aren’t the aristocrats not gathering in one place?

…What? Thief?!

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