Chapter 57

***

One day, about two months after the hunting competition. An unexpected letter of Lady Freiselben was written in neat handwriting.

‘Dear Her Highness the Princess. With respect, Ai de Tarantena.’

For a moment, I was a little anxious about what would be written in a thick envelope, to the point that I was reluctant to open it. 

But I couldn’t postpone the letter that was sent yesterday anymore, so I sat on the sofa with a respectful attitude.

‘To Her Highness the Princess, 

I wonder if you’ve been well. I’m holding a pen after contemplating dozens of times whether it’s okay to send a letter like this. 

Thanks to you, I am having a comfortable life being the adopted daughter of the good-hearted Tarantena couple. Thank you for your efforts, Your Highness. 

* 

* 

* 

Therefore, if you don’t mind, Your Highness, I’d like to visit you to express my gratitude. 

I hope you reply with a generous heart. 

From, Ai de Tarantena.’

In the long letter that went over three pages, words about how she had been faring and how thankful she is towards me were written along with all kinds of flowery words. 

However, the most important words at the very bottom were like an inscription. The words about wanting to meet me. 

I immediately took out a sheet of stationery paper and began to write back.

* * * 

Two months is not a long time, but it looks like it was enough time to change a child to some extent. 

Looking at Young Lady Freiselben, who considerably gained weight, a smile came out automatically. 

“Is everything alright with Tarantena?” 

“Yes, both of them are very warm people.” 

Around the time the case was just over, I heard that the couple of Tarantena Viscounty, who had been married for 20 years but had no children, adopted her. 

Because obviously, as long as the details of the fake princess case is revealed and everyone in the family has been executed, the last name of Freiselben can no longer be used. 

The price of a crime that dares to target the Imperial family was heavy. The only exception is this child in front of my eyes who was brutally used. 

“Should I call you Lady Tarantena now?” 

“…….That’s alright but…..” 

The Tarantena couple’s proposal must have been an irresistible option for her, since she had nowhere to go and no one would step forward as a sponsor because she was at the center of a big case. 

As I stared at her, who was hesitating to continue her words, her mouth opened very slowly after a long time. 

“…… I would like it if you can call me Ai……” 

I don’t know if I’m mistaken, but somehow her cheeks were red. 

“Okay, I got it…… Ai.” 

Except for the people around me, it was a little awkward because I had never called anyone by their names. Especially my peers’ —of course, based on the age of my body— .I felt even more strange because I had never made a friend who was a girl. 

After contemplating what to talk about, I brought up what drove me crazy these days. 

“Do you have a dress for the ceremony?” 

“Yes, I stopped by the shop not too long ago to get it tailored. Have you prepared a dress, Your Highness?” 

“Not yet. I’ve been busy with the fitting. This is why Dortha is a problem.” 

I grumbled slightly while talking about Dortha. Talking like this between friends is okay, right? 

It was just an escort knight’s appointment ceremony, but I remembered how she was trying to prepare colorful clothes and me telling her to please take off some decorations. 

“Um…. If it’s Dortha, then is it ‘Apiachere’s’…?” 

Lady Tarantena opened her eyes wide and said in a cautious tone. 

“Yes, that’s right. Do you know her?” 

“Oh, my. Of course! No ladies who wear dresses don’t know about ‘Apiachere’s’ designer Dortha de Piachere.” 

I’ve never seen her with such a high voice before. 

Looking at her with a puzzled face, she gave a speech about how great Dortha was for more than half an hour after that… I shouldn’t talk about Dortha in the future. 

By the time I was a little uncomfortable and lost my concentration, the voice of Lady Tarantena subsided. Finally, the praising of Dortha seemed to have ended. 

She quietly spoke with a serious look. 

“…….Have you heard of what happened after the hunting contest?” 

“I’ve heard of it but,” 

I suddenly became unaware of the topic. She has been living a new life for only two months. 

I don’t think her wounds have healed yet, is it okay to talk about this? 

“Don’t worry. It’s just the past.” 

Perhaps because of the worried look on my face, Lady Tarantena seemed to comfort me. 

“The past huh….. I see you are a strong person, Lady Tarantena.” 

How can she smile and say that it’s just the past when I’m still being shackled by my unforgettable past? It was a moment where she looked amazing. 

“Because if you keep it in, it will fester. Besides, the Tarantena couple were very worried, so I didn’t get a chance to talk about this.” 

……. Is this your second time in life, Lady Tarantena? The girl who was fiddling with the handle of the teacup for a while, carefully opened her mouth. 

“……. It was the death penalty, wasn’t it?” 

“That’s right.” 

It didn’t take long for the fact that her silver hair and blue eyes were made to resemble me to spread throughout the Empire. 

The cause was revealed as soon as the investigation began. He had a huge gambling debt, enough to buy a castle.

There were three main figures involved including Baron Freiselben. The ones he met at the gambling house; A man who was good at herbal medicine and a viscount of a noble family with slight power who wanted a position in the capital.

“Who would have thought that it was only a gambling debt that led to the fake princess case?” 

In fact, the very simple incident lasted for a month because two accomplices stowed away as soon as they heard the news of the Baron’s arrest, but this ridiculous opportunity also played a part. 

To think that it was his personal debt that  made him think of stealing* from the Imperial family. Even those who had started the investigation couldn’t believe it and checked it countless times. 

[*make money from deceiving the Imperial family] 

“Besides…..” 

What he did to his daughter for his goals was so terrible. I didn’t know if it was okay to talk about that, so I just gulped down the tea. 

“He was in possession of drugs that were illegal on the Central Continent.” 

“Yes, that was a serious matter.” 

Of course, it was to be able to use his daughter. The medicine wasn’t just about making the hair white and making the color of the iris to resemble me, the princess. 

It was revealed in Baron Freiselben’s safe that it’s a poison that doesn’t cause any problem when taken in small amounts, but the more you take it, the more poison accumulates inside the body, leading to death. 

Baron Freiselben deliberately poisoned his daughter in case she wouldn’t listen, and gave her only a small amount of antidote so that she wouldn’t die. 

I wondered why she was so eager to become Empress in the [Prince!] series, it was because she had no choice. 

I brought up her changes to refresh the atmosphere a little. 

“By the way, is this your original look, my lady?” 

The white hair and murky eyes disappeared, and instead she had lavender-like light purple hair and pale blue eyes. Lady Tarantena, who had her long hair lightly trimmed, smiled and replied. 

“My eyes were originally a darker blue, but they said they’d come back a little later because the medicine was very effective. However, thanks to the Tarantena couple taking good care of me, I’ve recovered a lot.” 

“That’s a relief.” 

“By the way, is that rumor true?” 

“That rumor?”

“Yes. That rumor.” 

There was no need to think about what the rumor Lady Tarantena was talking about. There was only one rumor that became the talk of the town as much as the fake princess case. 

“It’s probably true?” 

I didn’t see it with my eyes, but I remember the maid saying it countless times as if saying “they deserved it”.

“I heard it was a very tall tree, who would do something like that…..?” 

“I’m sure it wasn’t an ordinary person.” 

The heads of the main culprits were hung on a tree, it is said that the heads were horribly crushed by someone’s hands before the birds or beasts could even damage it. 

Whatever it may be…. 

“……..I only hope it’s not my family.” 

“Pardon?” 

“Oh, it’s nothing. By the way, how does the tea taste?” 

As she heard my murmur, I quickly changed the subject. Fortunately, her eyes went straight back to the teacup. 

“It’s very fragrant. You must have used good tea leaves.” 

“Right? The tea leaves are from Mt. Rubana.” 

Mt. Rubana’s tea, which is delivered only to the Imperial family, was my favorite tea. As soon as I took a sip, as expected, a happy scent spread throughout my mouth. 

I was enjoying the pleasure, but I saw Lady Tarantena’s face suddenly turning pale. 

“What’s wrong?” 

“Is it okay for me to drink this…..?” 

“Of course.” 

“Oh, come to think of it, Your Highness, I prepared a present for you…..” 

She wiggled her fingers and looked nervous. I sliced a mouthful of cheesecake and put it in my mouth, then asked back. 

“Present?” 

“Yes, to thank you.” 

What she pulled out of her arms was a butterfly-shaped hairpin with blue jewels. 

“That, I thought it would go well with Your highness’ hair color.” 

“I’ll use it well, thank you.” 

Looking at the hairpin, I had a hunch that the future would change significantly. This is because I became friends with Lady Tarantena, who would not be on good terms with me if it had gone as the original. 

Looking at the hairpin on my palm, I lightly prayed, hoping that whatever happens in the future, it would be solved well.