Chapter 14

Chapter 14

She had only plucked her courage one time, but why did it have to come to this?

“Yes, I guess it will work if you’re around someone you know.”

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Thoughts: My lovely Siervian has to say yes.

It was a good idea. She didn’t know why he needed to hear her answer, but with an apprehensive expression, Siervian responded.

“Okaay…”

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Favorability: +100

Favorability: +100

The Emperor walked forward without saying anything. If not for the status window, she would have thought her father didn’t hear her.

‘How can he hide his emotions so well?’

If she looked very closely, she could see that the corners of her father’s lips were slightly turned up. Feeling strange, she continued to observe her father’s face impulsively.

“Then It can’t be helped. Since you look a bit downcast, I’ll have to stay with you, Siervian.”

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Favorability: +100

Favorability: +100

Thoughts: Hmm. My daughter, you didn’t run away as soon as you saw me.

However, the very faint smile on the Emperor’s lips soon disappeared, and he returned to his usual taciturn expression. Siervian, who usually escaped at just the sight of him, turned away as if she didn’t see this.

‘Let’s not hide next time.’

But when she didn’t answer, the Emperor, who had walked ahead, suddenly stopped. Hex and Ellie stopped walking as well, then stared at Siervian.

Looking up at the adults, she also found her father’s eyes that were full of anticipation.

“Umm… You’re right…”

“As expected, Your Highness.”

“You’re doing so well, Princess!”

Three status windows were popping up and being noisy at the same time.

But the status window that was the largest and brightest was the Emperor’s.

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Favorability: +100

Favorability: +100

Favorability: +100

Thoughts: It’ll be a good idea to walk together regularly. Maybe you’ll like me more that way. It can’t be helped. I’ll need to make more time for Siervian…

She once again vowed firmly not to hide from her father next time.

“But why did you come for a walk all the way here?”

“I’m jwust curious.”

She couldn’t talk about knowing the future or seeing status windows because she’d definitely get locked up in a magic rehabilitation center.

“Is it your first time here?”

“Yees, it’s the first twime.”

Just answer well today. Siervian surmised that this was what her father wanted.

Siervian dutifully followed her father with her hands clasped together as she just answered him politely when needed.

“Come to think of it, you haven’t been out of the Imperial Palace yet.”

“Yes, Your Majwesty.”

In her past life, she was forced out of the palace.

She didn’t want to be executed again, like she was in her previous life. She wanted to be happy.

But no matter how well she wanted things to work out, she might need to leave the palace when the time came.

‘Just in case, should I prepare myself to leave?’

With these thoughts swirling in her mind as she walked, her forehead hit something soft. It’s because the Emperor who was leading her suddenly stopped walking.

The Emperor helped her stand upright again, then continued to walk forward.

“……”

Because her head was lowered, she didn’t see her father’s status window properly. She wanted to see his thoughts.

‘I guess he stopped because I’m too slow…’

She moved her legs faster. She’d been struggling since earlier because she wanted to catch up with her father, but she kept going.

And so, their silent walk continued.

[ Ellie ]

Thoughts: The Princess must be having such a hard time…

While Ellie stared anxiously at her, Siervian was looking around the garden.

It was a small garden in the first place, so their walk was quick. This was a good thing for Siervian because her short legs struggled a lot.

‘My legs hurt…’

It was hard to keep up with her father’s long strides. Secretly behind her father, Siervian tapped her knees.

“First—”

The Emperor suddenly spoke. Surprised, Siervian straightened up and answered at once.

“Yees.”

“Let’s take a break here.”

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Thoughts: Your feet must hurt. I should have walked slower. I made a mistake.

But he didn’t even look at her. How did he know?

Siervian had an inquisitive look on her face, but the Emperor looked to the other side and spoke with an authoritative tone.

“Bring it here.”

Right away, people carrying big baskets appeared as though they’d been hiding all this time. They were all servants of the palace.

‘Since when have they been here?’

At the Emperor’s command, they moved in unison. A picnic spot was instantly created in the small garden.

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Thoughts: Were you surprised?

Siervian could feel his gaze from above, so she looked up and immediately saw the status window there, saying that they’d been hiding all this time because she was shy in front of people.

And it must have been her father who gave that order.

“Sit down.”

“Okaay.”

Her legs were aching now. Siervian cautiously went onto the picnic mat and sat in one corner. There were so many baskets in front of her.

Then, the servants left in a blink of an eye after setting up the picnic mat. The same was true for the other people who had been taking a stroll at the small garden earlier.

Perhaps they all left because they were afraid of her father.

She was reminded of the startled voices earlier when the Emperor suddenly appeared.

Anyway, this was fortunate for her. She could look around without drawing other people’s attention.

There’s somewhere else she needed to go. What’s a good excuse?

“Eat up.”

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Thoughts: It was prepared in a hurry. I know it’s not enough.

After looking sideways at the status window, she turned to the baskets in front of her.

The scent of mustard prickled at the tip of her nose, and sure enough, there were various sandwiches inside when she opened one of the baskets.

‘Looks delicious.’

Due to walking around for a long time, she now felt hungry. Ellie said she could eat everything her father gave her, but was it really okay?

“Go ahead.”

“Thank yew for the food…”

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Favorability: +100

After seeing her father’s favorability rise, she felt brave enough to reach for one sandwich. It was a chicken sandwich that had been a great temptation for her since earlier, but now it was in her hands.

It was actually too big even when she was holding it with both of her hands.

‘How do I eat it?’

Then, someone took the sandwich from her.

“My…!”

“…I’m not taking it away.”

Siervian, who was about to shout, ‘My sandwich!’ promptly closed her mouth. She was still so embarrassed about what happened with the meat last time. She’s glad she didn’t make the same mistake a second time.

The sandwich was soon sliced to fit Siervian’s small hands. She picked up one of the pieces and took a big bite.

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Favorability: +100

Favorability: +100

[ Ellie ]

Thoughts: Goodness, our Princess. Please don’t eat too much. I can’t believe it’s already been cut so small, but you still can’t chew it easily.

[ Hex ]

Favorability: +10

Thoughts: His Majesty always brags about the Princess. As expected, you’re very cute.

After taking a bite, she looked around and lowered her hand. Tasting the moist chicken and the mustard that wasn’t spicy at all, she suddenly felt sad.

“What’s wrong?”

And when Siervian stopped eating, the Emperor immediately asked her.

“Uuuumph…”

She wanted to say that there’s nothing wrong, but a strange sound came out of her lips because her mouth was full of food. She shouldn’t have been so rude…

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Thoughts: So cute that I can’t breathe…

[ Ellie ]

Thoughts: Ahh how cute… Our Princess’ cheeks are stuffed…!

[ Hex ]

Thoughts: Just how cute are you!

‘…I guess not?’

Unable to resist the temptation of the perfectly good sandwich in her hands, she took another big bite. She kept her head down because the status windows were being so noisy.

“You’ve been going out more often lately.”

While she was absorbed with eating the sandwich, the Emperor’s words fell like a bomb over her head.

‘What should I answer?’

Maybe it was because she walked around without getting permission first.

Even though Ellie said it was alright, maybe her father thought differently. Maybe his purpose in seeking her out today was because he found out that she went out without permission.

‘I did something wrong again.’

Today was exhausting enough, but keeping her thoughts to herself was even harder than she realized. She couldn’t control her emotions well.

“I made a mwistake…”

She put down the sandwich she was holding and clasped her hands together cautiously, hoping that she looked courteous enough.

“…Mm.”

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Thoughts: No, why—all of a sudden…

Did that mean she wasn’t doing anything wrong this whole time? Siervian couldn’t see the next words on the status window because tears kept flooding her eyes. She continued to beg for forgiveness.

“I-I’m sowwy…”

Hex, who had been standing politely at one side, suddenly rushed forward.

“Your Highness! His Majesty doesn’t blame you for going out! His Majesty is actually very happy that Your Highness seems to be more active these days!”

…Really? Can Siervian trust him?

[ Hex ]

Favorability: +20

Thoughts: Oh, our lovely Princess. It’ll be a huge problem if you cry.

Wanting to see if Hex’s words were true, she looked over to her father, but her tears fell down her cheeks every time she blinked.

Why was she crying so much?

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Thoughts: I don’t know what to do… Did I say something wrong…?

Never having been so flustered in his life, the Emperor had an agitated expression on his face as he covered his mouth. Then, he gestured to the servant behind him.

“Bring that here.”

And what he ordered to be brought were macarons.

A plate of various macarons stacked up like a mountain was placed before Siervian.

“Eat up.”

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Thoughts: I’m not blaming you at all, why did you think that way? But I know it’s my fault that you had a misunderstanding. Siervian didn’t do anything wrong.

So it was a misunderstanding. She just got scared right away and immediately thought of the worst again.

“Go ahead now.”

“Okaay… hiic.”

Feeling a bit better, Siervian picked up one macaron. The small bite-sized macaron had a subtle lemon scent to it.

She liked the sweet taste that fluttered in her mouth.

“I’ll give you something more delicious next time.”

“Hiic, hicc…”

She only nodded because she was still sobbing.

Ellie, who was watching from a short distance, came closer and brought Siervian a cup of milk. The warm milk went well with the chocolate macaron she ate just now.

“…You can finish eating your sandwich, too.”

She nodded, whimpered, and sniffled all in that order.

She picked up the sandwich that she had set down earlier. It was still delicious even as her tears continued to drip down her face.