CH 16

<Episode 16>

* * *

It has nearly been half-a-month since I entered the Haelian Duchy.

To briefly sum up the events until now; I have experienced no apparent bullying.

Except for the fact that sometimes the servants don’t reply to me when I talk to them, or they give me dirty looks in-between.

The reason, surprisingly, was Roberick.

“Edith, would you like to go see the gardens with your father? It’s full of pretty flowers that I’m sure you’ll like.”

“You saw that last time, right? Would you like to name it? Or take it with you?”

“..I heard Edith was left alone in her room everyday. Why don’t you just lock her up, huh? Take the door and lock it, because it seems that’s what you seem to want to do!”

Whenever he has time, he comes to bother me. Despite me not bringing it up first, he makes sarcastic remarks and reprimands the servants when it seems to him that I’ve been wronged and left alone.

“I’ve sinned terribly, I deserve to die, my lord! I will accept any punishment.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just…it seems that Lady Edith is not like usual children her age.”

At any rate, Roberick’s ungratefulness and careful actions that I did not ask for have led to me being a little isolated by the servants.

“You should have some snacks, m’lady.”

clattering.

Of course, they’re all still very rigid.

What a great display of loyalty to their true owner.

I scoffed as I poked the hot scones with my fork.

You won’t be able to make any friends here, so don’t even dream of living a cheerful and carefree life.

Did they plan such a strategy?

However, since I’d expected this to happen, it had no significant impact on me.

[Ugh, old meanie! Get the hell out of here!]

“…”

And all the more because there were spirits at my side who fought for me on my behalf without me having to say anything.

“Nyx, stop it.”

[But look at her eyes! She’s been looking at Edith in clear disgust!]

When the spirit’s hostile gaze landed on her, the old maid hurried out of the room with a white face.

[Nyx, I’m sure I told you to address Edith with honorifics.]

Naiad scolded Nyx in a cold voice.

Nyx ran away, bowing her little head in dismay.

“It’s all right, Naiad. I am rather happy since it feels like I have a friend my age.”

Naiad, who looked at me with pity in her eyes, turned her gaze to the door and spoke in a voice barely subduing the coldness inside her,

[Edith…shall we drown those damn humans in the ocean?]

“No, that’s a bit…”

Certainly, as one of the highest-classified spirits, Naiad’s character was most extraordinary.

Just like Nyx and Udine, she was very self-conscious and prideful; prone to belittling humans.

Although they were almost overly polite to me, considering that I was blessed by their ruler.

Anyways, the servants at the manor silently ostracized me, and Allea hadn’t spoken a word to me since that first day.

At the time, Roberick had told her to greet me, so that must be why she acted formally and kind. I’ve never had a proper conversation with Chastia, since whenever I encounter her, her face becomes ashen and she immediately leaves her spot.

…She seems to overlap me with Mariette.

[That woman with a weird name – she must be a scaredy cat. How could she tremble every time she sees a small kiddo like Edith?]

[Nyx! How dare you call Edith a kiddo? apologise!]

[Sorry…]

“It’s all right, Nyx. And no, it’s not because she’s a coward that she runs away from me…”

And in this worldview, the spiritualists are a very precious existence.

The ungifted, who make up the majority of humans, were afraid of even lower-level spirits such as Nyx and did not dare to make eye-contact.

Once, there was an incident in which I summoned Naiad and a maid we encountered while walking in the garden together passed out.

The ungifted, who had no talent or luck with spirits, said they felt instinctive fear from powerful spirits such as King Spirits, so in order to not cause unnecessary uproars, I decided not to summon Naiad or Ilipia for a while. Instead, I summoned water spirits just as Naiad wanted so I wouldn’t be too lonely.

I write letters to my grandfather every night, read books when I wake up, walk around the garden, or play with spirits.

I am leading a pretty decent life.

“Edith. It will not be long before you are formally ordained by His Majesty the Emperor.”

That night, Roberick, with a flushed countenance, called me out.

The title of the Grand Princess of Haelian is granted by the Emperor himself.

Therefore, I am not yet an official princess.

I heard the peerage ceremony will be held within a month.

“But?”

When I saw Roberick’s happy face, a sense of unease brewed in my chest.

Roberick unfolded the letter with the Imperial seal and showed it to me.

“Before the formal ceremony, the Emperor sent a message that he wanted to meet the previously hidden Grand Princess of the Haelian Duchy.”

Ah.

“You will go to the Imperial Palace. Aren’t you looking forward to it, Edith? Your father is really looking forward to it, haha.”

…damn it.

“I was just thinking about getting a new suit fitted. Good, let’s get the designer to match your dress with my clothes this time. I also bought accessories for you. Since it’s your first time, I didn’t want to go overboard, so there’s only about 100 pieces.”

You can just quietly do the ceremony, what would you gain by seeing my face in advance?

* * *

Emperor Oswald Tristan Ruairí.

He was the 20th emperor of the Rothian Empire, the setting of the original novel.

His family had bad blood with the male lead, Roberick.

‘Let’s not let the bad past between our parents affect our friendship.’

‘Bless you for your magnanimous heart, Roberick.’

Not only did the former Emperor accused Roberick’s father, the former Archduke of Haelian as a traitor and had him executed – he also violently abused his own son, Oswald, because of jealousy. They built a friendship upon their vengeful relationship with the ex-emperor.

Oswald was Roberick’s best friend and political partner.

He also helped Chastia, whose status was her flaw, to marry Roberick most out of anyone.

“…You’re still young, but you have an excellent figure, m’lady. I’m sure when you grow, you’ll become as beautiful as the princess.”

“Of course she is, she’s my daughter. Please have the clothes we ordered today ready within the week.”

“Very well, Grand Duke. Then, if you’ll excuse me, Grand Princess Edith.”

In other words, to me, he was an enemy – no different than Roberick, Chastia, or Perion.

Do I have to dress up so elaborately to meet such a man?

I looked at myself in the mirror with skepticism.

My lavender-colored hair hung beautifully to the back.

Large eyes, a sharp nose, and cute lips like pansy flowers in a white and small face were in harmony.

At first glance, I look gentle and innocent, but my eyes are slightly raised – giving a sharp impression.

“You’re very pretty, my daughter.”

They had the same brilliant red color as Roberick, who was looking at me in the mirror with a smile.

I was bound to be pretty since I inherited the superior genes of Mariette, whose beauty no one could deny, and Roberick, the most handsome man in the world.

…I’d loved my extraordinary appearance until I found out the secret of my birth.

Knock knock.

“Duke, it’s Leila.”

“Oh, come on in.”

I heard the quiet turning of the door knob.

Leilla. It was the name of one of Chastia’s personal maids.

The maid, who walked in silently, politely bowed and opened her mouth.

“Regarding the visit to the Imperial Palace…your wife has ordered me to tell you that she’s not feeling well at the moment, and won’t be joining you.”

After I came to the Grand Palace, Chastia had been in apparent pain all the time.

She was usually confined to a select few spots so she wouldn’t have to see me.

When she did by chance see my face, she staggered and became pale all of a sudden, like she was really sick.

…It wasn’t a completely incomprehensible reaction, but frankly, I didn’t feel good.

I didn’t do anything.

I was just standing still, but she showed all this pain and distress as if she’d seen something she wasn’t ever meant to see.

Anyways, it’s rather lucky if she doesn’t go with me.

Roberick was much easier to deal with than Chastia.

“Instead, Grand Princess Allea said she would accompany his excellency…and Miss Edith.”

What?

“Really? That’s a relief. Alea is so wide-hearted.”

Roberick said with delight.

Why are you sticking into this out of nowhere…my head throbbed.

I swallowed the pain while pressing my forehead.

“Edith, if Allea goes with you, it will be of great help to you. Alea is a close friend of His Royal Highness, the prince, so it will be easy to get along with him.”

I have to go to the Imperial Palace with a kid who didn’t give me a second look after meeting me that first day?

…this is rather ominous.

I finally feel like waking up from my peaceful days.

* * *

Rothian Empire.

Light, earth, water, wind, fire, forest, electricity, Ice.

Among the eight spirit kings that form each part of mother nature, the Rothian Empire was blessed by the Phoenix, the spirit of fire.

[Dear Alanode, you and your descendants will live forever in my unbroken blessing.]

As written in the Book of the Founder, all descendants of the Emperor Alanode Ruairí were born with the blessing of the Spirit of Fire.

An unbroken line of spiritualists.

It was like promising eternal prosperity to the Royal Family.

“Be careful.”

“…I can walk on my own.”

Oh my word.

As soon as we climbed the stairs of the Imperial Palace, Phoenix statues on both sides greeted us.