The atmosphere became strange.
The two continued their conversation without paying attention to the meal in front of them.
âYes. I also made an animal sculpture to Siervian as a gift and she loved it very much.â
âWhen a fork is made exclusively for the snow cake, itâs no fun for her because the fork will be gone after the cake is eaten.â
Thoughts: I canât believe I didnât think of that. How could I make such a mistake.
In fact, Siervian knew that the fork was just for eating that cake, and that it was a luxury to be able to eat the cake with a fork made with magic.
But she didnât have much experience with eating desserts, so he might be right.
âShe cherishes it so much that she asked me to put a conservation spell on it. And they said that sheâs decorated her room with it.â
âHa. Itâs not time for you to learn conservation magic yet. Itâs going to melt soon.â
âItâll be alright because I studied it in advance.â
Siervian grew nervous because the topic suddenly went to the Crown Princeâs magic skills. An Imperial Family memberâs magical ability was the same thing as their pride.
âIs that true, Siervy?â
Suddenly, their eyes were on her at once. Siervian, who was holding back as she looked at the steaming soup, gulped dryly.
âYees. Itâs pweety.â
The animal sculptures were neatly placed on the vanity table in her room. Everyday when Ellie combed her hair, she would look at them.
Of course, they didnât melt or break.
When the Crown Prince would grow older, he would even be a match for the Emperor, who was the strongest mage in the Empire. If Karmen, the next lord of the magic tower, was also considered, there would be three archmages in the Northern Empire alone.
âDid you bring them to your room, Siervian?â
As he heard this compliment, the Crown Princeâs lips were curled up in a smile that almost dripped honey. On the contrary, the Emperorâs expression became darker as he looked at his son in disapproval.
âYees. I like the bunny and the horsey a lot.â
Siervian felt much better as she recalled the cute ice sculptures that she saw everyday when her hair was being combed.
It was very cute to see the bunny being right next to the horse.
And when he heard her honest remarks, this was all that the Emperor said.
Then, their silent meal began.
All three people around the table werenât talkative in the first place while eating, so Siervian soon picked up her spoon, forgetting the strange atmosphere from earlier.
âIâm hungry already, so itâs a relief.â
In the meantime, the soup wasnât as hot as it was earlier, so she ate a lot today. However, the status windows of the two people at her sides sometimes made her wary. They were very odd.
Thoughts: Youâll just have breakfast without me. I need to find a way to come here every day.
Thoughts: Animal sculptures⌠Hmm, animalsâŚ
Why were they both being like this?
Even as she contemplated deeply, she really couldnât understand them. So, she just focused on eating.
Two days later in the afternoon, Siervian went on a stroll, her mind complicated.
After she reached adulthood, it would be best if she could live even with a small livelihood. Maybe she could live well while caring for flowers all her life.
Of course, she would still try to change many things before that, but it was still a problem she had to think about.
âWhat if I get framed again?â
The day that Siervian was framed for treason was a common day.
After it was pointed out that she seemed to have gained a little weight the other day, Siervian abstained from black tea that day.
Sarah, who had been working as her chief lady-in-waiting until Siervian was fifteen years old, disappeared one day without a word. It was only after her replacement arrivedâsent by the Empressâthat Siervian realized that Sarah had quit.
Around evening time, knights rushed to her bedroom. The captain of the knights calmly showed her the Emperorâs decree and apologized for the rudeness.
However, inside the Princessâ Palace, several black magic tools were found. And there was an altar that looked like a sacrifice table.
âThey were things that I had never seen before.â
She didnât even know what those things were for. In that ridiculous situation, Siervian was dragged away helplessly.
In the Empire where pure magic was the standard, using black magic was considered a felony. The new chief lady-in-waiting of the Princessâ Palace was also surprised as she saw them.
As long as the Empressâ favorability stayed low, Siervian had no other choice but to be suspicious of her.
It was probably a lie that the Empress claimed Siervianâs innocence while tears streamed down her face.
But could she do that just because Siervian bothered her?
She didnât know anything about it. It was too difficult to understand other people.
Itâs a relief that she could find some small happiness as she waited for mealtime these days. But otherwise, she wished even more that she could get out of here as soon as possible.
âWhere should I look next just to be safe?â
She suddenly thought that she was too naĂŻve.
All she learned in her past life was etiquette and some history. Siervian, who learned nothing about magic or Imperial history, only knew how to drink tea and to act elegantly.
âWhat do people usually do?â
There was so much she had to do to prepare for the future. She also wanted to find any clues pointing to the reason why she had to be executed.
But she wouldnât be able to learn anything if she continued like this either.
Everyone said she didnât need anything else. Siervian Erveldote was an incompetent princess anyway.
ââŚBut was I incompetent because I really was incompetent, or because I couldnât learn anything?â
As she left the Princessâ Palace, she heard the Emperorâs voice in front of her.
âWhere are you going?â
Siervian looked up in surprise at her father. And when he saw how surprised his daughter was, the Emperor glared at Hex, who was behind him.
Thoughts: My daughter was startled because of this guy.
Actually, she was startled because of her father, but she decided not to show this.
Her gaze met her fatherâs as he looked down, waiting for her answer. But she wasnât going to say that she was out to find something she could do.
âJwust to play outside.â
Or would it be better if she could ask her father?
Considering her father, perhaps it would be better for her to disappear. Especially since she knew in advance that she was an Imperial Family member who couldnât live up to his legacy of magical ability.
And as she thought this, her heart stung a little.
âDid you promise to meet someone?â
As she shook her head gently, she put aside these thoughts.
Even if itâs only a little, she wanted to experience the warmth she was receiving now.
âOfficial education starts at the age of eight.â
By then, her father would know anyway.
Rather, if she just stayed humble as she looked at his status window, she hoped she could continue reading his kind thoughts.
âHm. Then follow me.â
Thoughts: You can look forward to it.
When she was asked out of the blue, Siervian forgot what she was worried about and wondered about what she read.
Looking down at his daughter, Alderuan took the lead and walked forward.
Siervian quickly ran to her fatherâs side. Thinking of the sweet dessert, her body couldnât hide her anticipation.
âI guess my stamina improved a lot.â
As soon as she followed him, she felt more comfortable now as she followed her fatherâs stride.
They arrived at the Emperorâs private garden.
And as soon as they entered, Siervian was surprised.
In the middle of the garden was a beautiful fountain with a sculpture of the Mana Fairy in the middle. And nearby, there were more sculptures the size of a house.
And they were all made of ice.
Their coldness reached her skin.
Thoughts: My gift to you.
Thoughts: Goodness, Your Imperial Majesty.
The Emperorâs expression, as he looked at Siervian, was filled with indescribable anticipation.
I couldnât believe he gave me a present. It was unimaginable to her in her previous life. Nevertheless, Siervian nodded stiffly.
âYou donât like it?â
Thoughts: I tried my best to make animal sculptures because you like them⌠Should I have made a rabbit?
Her father even made this huge horse sculpture himself. So it became even more difficult for her. What should she do?
âUh-uh. I like the horsey. So pwetty. But⌠Siervian cwanât do magicâŚâ
She didnât want to see his disappointed face so she quickly made an excuse. She couldnât bear to keep this to herself because of her conscience.
âHm? Of course. Arenât you still young?â
Naturally, the Emperor understood Siervian words and that she was still young so she couldnât wield magic yet. Since sheâs part of the Imperial Family, her magical abilities would naturally come later.
After noticing this, Siervian tried hard to hide her bitter smile.
âItâs too big so I cwanât take it with meâŚâ
The horse was silver, and it glimmered subtly, perhaps because it was made of ice. She liked it because it was a big sculpture that was very similar to the real thing. And it was like Peros, the famous steed of the First Emperor.
If she wouldnât receive a gift given to her, the giver would misunderstand that she didnât like it. Indeed, the Emperorâs expression was very stiff right now.
Since the age of five, the Crown Prince had already been receiving early education because of his astounding talent in magic. He was one of the most exceptional in the Imperial bloodline. For him, it was simple to make things float.
Siervian, who raised her bowed head once more, was surprised at what she saw.
Thoughts: Youâre trying to solve everything yourself. I knew youâd be a great example as a member of the Imperial Family in the future. As expected of my daughter.
âYou can just come here to see it.â
At the unexpected words, Siervian asked blankly.
Not just anyone can enter the Emperorâs private garden thoughâŚ?
âYes. You can come and see it anytime.â
Her heart fluttered after getting his permission. She realized that it was okay.
Thoughts: You like this� Well, our Princess has a broad heart.
The Emperorâs private garden was famous for its beautiful blossoms. She couldnât believe that she was allowed to keep coming here. It was like a dream.
âHmm. Come this way.â
Thoughts: You seem to like it. I knew it, I was right.
While Siervian was quietly delighted, the Emperor pointed to the other side of the garden. It was a table next to the horse sculpture.