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Siervian, who barely arrived at the Emperor’s Palace just in time for breakfast with her father, looked around blankly. She couldn’t believe that they’re expecting a child to eat breakfast so early in the morning like this.
She woke up not long before this.
“You’re here.”
“I gweet Your Majwesty.”
She bowed her head and curtsied. As she looked down, she felt that she could just sleep right then.
“Siervy.”
“Yees.”
Struggling to open her eyes, she looked up at her father. She was so drowsy that she couldn’t read the words on the status window properly.
“Siervy.”
“…Yeess.”
It was only then that she found it strange that her father had been calling her with that nickname again and again. When their eyes met, the Emperor walked towards her from the table without saying anything. It was only natural that Siervian began to question his actions.
What’s wrong now?
“I’ll carry you there, Siervy.”
“Okay…”
Even before she could take a step forward, she felt her body floating up. It was amazing because it felt like she was flying in the air before she was sat on the chair gently.
“Eat up, Siervy.”
Since it was early, the relatively simple table setting caught her eye. Nevertheless, the appetizing scent lingered at the tip of her nose. She was definitely still sleepy, but she became energized just a little bit.
‘Huh? It’s a little lighter?’
When she grabbed the spoon, she felt the difference in weight. The tableware at the Emperor’s Palace was always big and heavy, so they were usually difficult for her to use.
“Siervy, the silverware you’re using has been made exclusively for you. More sets were also sent to your palace.”
As soon as she looked at her plate, the Emperor said this casually.
The silverware had small, shining blue gems.
He noticed that the fork she used yesterday was heavy.
“Thank yew.”
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Favorability: +100
This kind of attention was something she had never even dreamed of in her previous life.
Perhaps because her hands felt lighter, she was more invigorated.
‘These fit perfectly in my hands. And they’re pretty!’
The meal went off without a hitch after that. They were served simple dishes that weren’t difficult to digest.
When she was full, she felt sleepy again. She didn’t know why she was so lethargic today.
“Your Highness, here is your dessert.”
“Yess.”
[ Paolo Velteman ]
Occupation: Grand Chamberlain of the Emperor’s Palace
Favorability: +20
So when the chamberlain served desserts, Siervian was already dozing off.
The desserts served were simple pastries and chocolate milk.
“This milk is especially nutritious. I hope it suits your tastes, Your Highness.”
[ Paolo Velteman ]
Thoughts: I put my heart and soul into these refreshments, so I hope you eat them well, our poor Princess.
When he saw the kitchen of the Princess’ Palace himself, it seemed like the chamberlain started paying more attention.
She was so sleepy that she wanted to skip drinking the milk, but she held onto her consciousness firmly. And when she took a sip, it was really…
Really incredible!
“So yummy!”
It was sweet and soft and without the usual bad stench of milk that she had before.
However, after she drank all of the milk, her limit finally came.
‘If I doze off here… No, I can’t…’
She had put down the glass earlier and she had her utensils in hand now, but her head was nodding off already. She tried to look at her father with her eyes open, but her body wouldn’t listen. It was more so because the milk she drank just now was warm.
“Siervy.”
“Yeaah.”
Oh, there’s a status window.
But she was so sleepy…
“Goodness.”
Her father’s voice sounded close, but soon, a warm feeling encased her. It felt like she was still sitting on the chair, but in her hazy view, she saw her father’s chin closeby.
‘It’s warm.’
It’s ridiculous how she disregarded her table manners. How could she doze off in the middle of eating? However, Siervian quickly succumbed to sleep in those warm arms.
* * *
“Mmm…”
“Princess, are you awake?”
“Eri.”
Before she knew it, she was already back in the Princess’ Palace, on her bed.
Siervian tried to scan her memories, but she was surprised that it really seemed like she fell asleep. No matter how young she was now, how could she do that?
“Eri, is His Majwesty…”
“Yes. His Majesty took the Princess here himself.”
She was about to ask if he looked angry, but she stopped herself mid-sentence. It was a habitual question, but strangely, she thought that her father wouldn’t have been angry about it.
It was amazing that her father wasn’t as scary as he used to be.
“Your Highness must have been really sleepy. You slept for a long time.”
“I should have woke up fwaster…”
“You need to sleep well to be healthy. It’s alright, Princess.”
“Okayy.”
She was worried because she might look lazy to other people these days, but Ellie was stubborn about this.
A child as young as she was didn’t have much work to do. She didn’t think about it like that in her previous life.
“By the way, we’ll be changing the furniture and the rest of the interior today. Fortunately, the palace’s budget has been allocated properly now.”
[ Ellie ]
Thoughts: I can do everything for you from now on, what a relief, huhu. I’ll fill this palace with things that will suit our Princess!
The budget that Ellie had been worried about must have been solved already. Siervian asked what was the most urgent thing that Ellie didn’t seem to be worrying about.
“Eri, you have to get your salawy.”
“Oh my, you know about that? Our Princess, you’re so smart.”
Siervian was worried that Ellie would forget to take care of herself.
[ Ellie ]
Favorability: +40
Thoughts: Towards this kind child, how could that Sarah— Huu, she’s really bad. Ah, I shouldn’t curse, but I’m still angry.
“His Majesty has already solved all of the issues with my salary. I received a lot of bonuses this time, too!”
“Yay!”
The two were excited about this and talked about different things.
Among the topics they talked about, the furniture that would be brought in came up.
“So I’m thinking of decorating the room according to Your Highness’ taste. What do you think?”
“Umm, it’s all big and scawy, so smaller things are nicer.”
“Goodness me. Then it must have been scary at night?”
“Yees.”
The protruding and large, heavy furniture was strange to have in a child’s bedroom. Apart from that, the furniture wasn’t easy on the eyes either because they didn’t come in a set.
[ Ellie ]
Thoughts: Seriously. I can’t believe the room is filled with furniture like this. What a terrible thing to do.
Siervian thought that Ellie really understands her well. She would be less scared at night when she’s about to sleep now. She’s excited about the change.
“I’ll get some catalogues soon. They’re small books, but it’s easy to choose from there because there are illustrations.”
“Okay!”
Siervian had only ever looked at a catalogue to pick her dress back then. Other than that, she usually wore what the Empress had chosen for her, so she never had a chance to see one personally. Even if she wasn’t picking clothes, it seemed like this would be fun.
Right then, someone knocked on the door.
“Oh my, I think the new ladies-in-waiting are here to greet Your Highness. Should I tell them to come in?”
She recalled the maids who surrounded her bed when she was sick. And when the knights entered right after.
However, Siervian soon straightened her posture and nodded.
‘It’s going to be different from before.’
When she nodded, Ellie went to the door and opened it.
[ Jane Millas ]
Occupation: Lady-in-waiting (Lv.80)
Favorability: 3,055
Thoughts: Oh my goodness, the Princess is so cute.
About five ladies-in-waiting came in. And Jane, who was standing in front, had smiling eyes.
“I greet Your Imperial Highness the Princess.”
They were all generally favorable of Siervian.
Standing next to her, Ellie calmly introduced them and explained that the five most senior ladies-in-waiting came as representatives first. The rest were scheduled to greet the princess gradually.
“Umm, nwice to meet yew.”
“Oh my.”
[ Jane Millas ]
Favorability: +20
While Siervian wrung her fingers together and said this, everyone’s apprehension seemed to have disappeared. Compared to the rumors, she was a prettier and younger princess from what they heard.
‘That’s a relief. I think I left a good first impression.’
The ladies-in-waiting quickly left to attend to their duties to be done, but when Ellie was left with Siervian alone in the room, she was deeply troubled.
“Princess, what do you think of the lady-in-waiting named Jane just now?”
She remembered Jane’s sad tone. And her favorability seemed a little higher compared to other people.
“She seems kwind.”
When Siervian answered honestly, Ellie nodded. Then, with a determined expression, she spoke to the princess.
“Princess. Jane is the most experienced and the best among all of us… Maybe it would be better to have Jane take up the position of chief lady-in-waiting.”
[ Ellie ]
Occupation: Chief Lady-in-waiting (Lv.50)
Thoughts: Jane would do a better job than me with this position.
However, Siervian shook her head immediately.
Certainly, as she looked at Ellie’s status window, her level fell slightly after getting the new position of ‘chief lady-in-waiting’. She was at level 60 when she was an ordinary lady-in-waiting, but even that was lower than Jane’s.
“Dun wanna. I like Eri.”
“…Thank you, Princess.”
Still, considering that Sarah, the previous chief lady-in-waiting, was only level 14, Ellie was leaps and bounds better.
So Siervian believed that she would improve gradually.
“I’ll do my best.”
Instead of answering, Siervian hugged Ellie instead, swelling with feelings of gratitude.
* * *
Since then, the Princess’ Palace has changed rapidly.
The biggest change could also be noticed as the garden was remodeled.
‘It’s clean now!’
And naturally, there were more employees working here.
Siervian walked pleasantly along the small promenade in the Princess’ Palace.
‘I hope they can plant flowers, too.’
It would be nice if there were many flowers nearby.
The flowers would remind her of the lilacs she saw not too long ago, and the handsome Karmen beneath the lilac tree.
‘I’m sure he’s learning magic well.’
Siervian quickly cleared her mind of him because there wouldn’t be any more meetings between them in the future anyway.
Instead, she recalled something else. She decided to go to another garden somewhere else.
“Oh my, will Your Highness be going out?”
“Yeah!”
Jane, who had a stack of bedcovers in her arms, noticed Siervian. She was one of the people who didn’t act differently from her thoughts, like Ellie, and the more Siervian met her, the better she thought the older woman’s personality was.
“Please have a safe trip.”
“Okay!”
The motivated Siervian headed out of the Princess Palace for the first time in a long while. Ellie followed right beside her. There was nothing better than a walk so that she could organize her thoughts.
‘From now on, what should I do?’
The food waste incident was resolved, but there was no guarantee that it would be alright now.
She knew well enough how people were easily swayed by rumors.
‘Hmm. As expected, I’ll have to make better use of the status window so that I won’t be hated.’
Being a princess was a precarious position to have.
If she had excellent magic skills, she could go anywhere and act as the Emperor’s reliable hands and feet. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option for her.
‘Oh, he said I smelled like mana.’
Suddenly, she remembered what Karmen said. But she soon shook her head. She was afraid to set expectations, only to be returned with disappointment later.
“Princess.”
At that time, Ellie stopped and called out to Siervian with a small voice. As Siervian lifted her head, she made eye contact with the Crown Prince who was walking nearby.
‘I should’ve taken a different path.’
——
t/n:
I previously translated Ellie’s position as head maid, but this was wrong. She’s actually the chief lady-in-waiting, and will be addressed as such from here on out. Sorry for the confusion.