CH 99

Damian was worried, so he sent most of the knights with her to protect Siervian. Meanwhile, Siervian was lost in her own thoughts as she quickly headed to the foundation with them.

She wondered why Navafal suddenly planted a spy, but the chance to know the truth had been shattered today.

However, it seemed like there was something that her father had hidden in the foundation. If she had such doubts, it wouldn’t be good to leave it like this.

“How is it, Princess?” asked Marco with a grim face while greeting Siervian.

She shook her head and decided to think positively.

“Where is Zecko?”

Only one thing was clear, all of those who had threatened Zecko were gone now.

This was because in addition to this encounter, all suspicious figures at the palace had been confirmed.

“He’s in the yard with the other children.”

“Yes.”

Siervian ran out in a hurry and expected him to be relieved after hearing the good news.

“Zecko!”

“Princess.”

Zecko had also been wandering around uneasily but saw her and ran toward her. And at that moment, Siervian discovered something very strange.

‘Huh? Zecko… why is he still a spy?’

[Zecko]

Occupation: Navafal’s spy

Mood: Anxious.

She only thought she should tell him the news, but she didn’t think about the status window.

However, subconsciously, she thought that Zecko’s occupation would be empty like other children.

‘Could it be that he hasn’t stopped spying yet? But that can’t be.’

Siervian was bewildered seeing the unexpected situation. How could it be?

[Zecko]

Mood: Frightened

Thoughts: Did things fail? What should I do? I should have told them as soon as I returned.

Even though he was often angry and had a fit, the people in the foundation were still good to him and worried about him.

Also he could see the princess’ frightened expression in front of him.

“I’ve caught everyone who could aim at you. But I failed to read the letter.”

Siervian automatically reassured him. No one knew yet that she could see their status window. So she couldn’t deceive him with such thoughts and tell him her honest feelings.

“I- I didn’t lie!”

“Yes, I know.”

So, she started thinking differently. Maybe Zecko needed another occupation to change the status window? The level hadn’t changed, instead it was absent.

“Then, right now…”

“Yes, don’t worry about it. My father has granted permission, so Zecko can keep staying at the foundation. Don’t worry about your parents’ treatment.”

However, just as she had noticed when she saw Lara’s status window, it didn’t tell her everything.

So she decided to take a closer look at Zecko for the time being. Maybe she could discover the problem.

‘What on earth was Navafal thinking?’

When she said not to worry, children who had been standing at a little distance flocked in instantly.

“Sniffle…”

“Zecko, good for you!”

“Yes, yes! Don’t cry!”

[Zecko]

Thoughts: These are tears of joy. I’m sure they don’t understand.

Perhaps a little relieved, Zecko started bluffing again. It was a very unconvincing bluff as she could see his crying face.

“Sniffle…”

“I was scared.”

“I- I’m not scared, sniffle.”

Perhaps he still had some questions, but the children politely remained silent. When she realized that fact, her heart filled with pride.

Siervian, who stood naturally among the children, smiled brightly.

* * *

“You’re doing quite a lot of things in the duke’s mansion.”

Shortly after searching for the spy, the Crown Prince summoned Duke Pacour. Hearing the summons, the duke entered the palace full of curiosity.

“I have a lot of responsibilities. Your Highness.”

However, the question he had asked was very strange. With a fake smile, the Duke tried to grasp the crown prince’s intentions.

“Mana scarcity.”

“……Yes, Your Highness.”

“I didn’t know you give Harmin tea to adults suffering from mana scarcity.”

Even though he had intentionally hit the nail on the head, the Duke’s expression didn’t change. He faked a smile resembling the smile the prince’s mother always wore.

“Well, that must be part of an ongoing research.”

“Are you saying you don’t know?”

“I don’t manage all the details.”

The evasive answer seemed impeccable for now. The prince clicked his tongue to himself and drank the tea in front of him. It was not Harmin tea, but nonetheless, he felt strange.

“Would you like me to do some research and give it to you?”

“No need.”

He already knew about it. Since there was nothing to blame, he just called the Duke to see his reaction.

It was not a good option to elaborate on Zecko’s story, because the search for spies was conducted strictly under the leadership of the Crown Prince and the Princess.

And most importantly, if the duke wanted to know something about the imperial family, he wouldn’t have needed to do such a thing.

“May I talk about the visit to the Mosae Kingdom? I’ve prepared a report just in case.”

“As expected, I believe the Duke would realize my intention.”

The crown prince also faked a smile like his mother.

“As Your Highness is going this time…”

The crown prince smiled inside as he listened to the upcoming massive national project. He thought of his sister who would be very happy to hear this news.

* * *

“Really? Truly?”

“Yes. Siervy, it’s true.”

“Wow…!”

Summer was just around the corner. Normally, it would have been a season to focus only on studying magic. That would have been the case if her brother hadn’t brought exciting news to the Imperial Palace.

“Can I really go to the Mosae Kingdom with you?”

“Haha. You like it that much?”

He said it clearly. Because of the etiquette lessons that she had started to learn these days, she barely endured the cheers. Siervian had never been out of the empire in her previous life. She had hardly escaped from the Imperial Palace, let alone the Empire. Thinking about it, having no outside activity was bizarre.

“Then can I see the sea?”

“Well, I heard there’s an ocean in Mosae, I’ll try to help you.”

Siervian’s eyes glistened. Maybe she’ll finally be able to see the sea.

“I like it so much, Brother!”

[Damian Elverdotte]

Favorability: +100

Thoughts: I should make a schedule to go to the sea even if it’ll take some time.

Of course, even if much had changed from her previous life, it was very unusual for a princess to leave the empire.

‘The Prince of Garambell is really inviting us!’

Prince Abrel of Garambell had accompanied the envoys and strongly requested to meet Siervian. She originally intended to invite him as promised, but for various reasons, it was agreed that they would meet in the kingdom of Mosae.

“I’m curious about the kingdom of Garambell, but I can’t help it because my father is worried.”

There were still more issues to coordinate with the kingdom of Mosae regarding the grain agreement anyway. This was because the emperor vowed to phase out transactions with the southern kingdom.

“I didn’t know the agreement would become this important.”

The crown prince had been selected as a representative. Siervian had only started studying for a few months, so it was too much to take on such a heavy responsibility.

“Are you going with Karmen?”

“Well, I think Karmen will remain here because his job is important.”

She thought he intentionally pushed Karmen to overwork like last time, but this time it didn’t seem like it. Siervian heard rumors, too. The Kurchad mine had more reserves than expected.

‘It won’t be taken over by monsters like last time, so good for him.’

She talked for a long time with a pounding heart, but it suddenly became noisy outside.

“Your Majesty the Emperor.”

“Dad!”

“Siervy.”

Siervian could not control her excitement and ran straight into her father’s arms. Of course she merely followed her heart, but soon regretted it. Now that she was taking etiquette classes, shouldn’t she behave more maturely?

[Alderuan Erveldotte]

Thoughts: That’s a relief. I was worried that she wouldn’t even give me a hug because of those etiquette lessons. That would have made me reconsider the need for imperial etiquette.

……She’s fine.

Among the nobles, Emperor Alderuan was famous for his ruthless temper. In particular, he was a person known to despise even a minute error in etiquette. This was also why Siervian in her previous life had desperately hung onto the forms of etiquette. But now, her father loved her, regardless of whether she was good at etiquette or not. Siervian was very happy with that fact.

“Hehe.”

“Do you want to go to Garambell that much?”

“Dad, you’re the best!”

“Hmm.”

Of course, she wanted to go to Garambell very much, but she said it just now because she liked her father. When she spoke confidently, her father only nodded as if it was something natural.

[Alderuan Erveldotte]

Favorability: +100

Favorability: +100

Thoughts: I’m upset that I can’t go with you. ……Can’t I go?

Inside, he was scheming a way to go with her.

“Isn’t it time for the meeting?”

Hence, Siervian tried to make him forget it. At this rate, it would be difficult in many ways if the emperor himself said he would join the trip to the kingdom of Mosae. It would be nice, but it would be a big deal for the others.

“Take this.”

“What’s this?”

What her father handed her was an unknown pendant. The round silver decoration looked like it would be great as a necklace, but there was no necklace on it.

“It’s a magic shield.”

“A magic shield?”

Siervian opened her eyes wide at the sudden remark. She was only thinking of going to Mosae with a light heart, but what was this about?