/
“Do you like it, Princess?”
“Yeah…”
Ellie asked this when Siervian fiddled with the small drawer model for a long time. She also didn’t forget to write down the number of the model that the princess was looking at with shining eyes.
In the memo, there were also a few lines of Ellie’s own thoughts, such as how lovely the princess was today. This small hobby of hers started not too long ago.
‘Maybe she doesn’t like seeing me use the color of the Imperial family.’
Perhaps it wasn’t that the Empress didn’t like blue, but rather that she didn’t like Siervian using the color. And considering her favorability, it’s a possibility.
But for now, Siervian brushed the thought aside. In the future, she would try to avoid the Empress as much as she could.
“Princess, how about this chair?”
[ Ellie ]
Thoughts: This looks alright, but it should have more gems to embellish it. It’ll be placed in our pretty Princess’ bedroom after all, so only furniture that matches with her loveliness should be ordered.
Looking at the chair model that Ellie showed her, Siervian suddenly came back to the present. This chair was obviously a luxurious piece of furniture that had soft cushions, and just by looking at it, it was clear that the height was specifically crafted for children.
Wouldn’t something like this cost a lot of money?
‘Luxury is not allowed.’
As she held the chair model in her hands, she felt blood escaping from her fingertips.
Under no circumstances could the luxury of an Imperial family member be seen in a good light. Even if she got off scot-free from interfering with the Garambell incident, Siervian couldn’t expect the same luck happening twice.
“Noo, I dwon’t need it.”
But then suddenly, the doors opened and a different maid stepped in to bring another furniture model.
And inside the drawing room outside of her bedroom were countless other furniture models spread out in the middle.
‘That much!’
And come to think of it, Ellie also brought in several more catalogues.
Siervian thought that she would be wasting too much money redecorating her room.
“I dwon’t need many fuwniture. Jwust a little is okay.”
How much of the budget would be spent on this?
Actually, it was difficult for Siervian to guess the exact amount. Of course, in her previous life, she also never had the chance to learn how money worked.
[ Ellie ]
Thoughts: Hmm, isn’t there anything that Your Highness likes? It would be great if you speak your mind more…
Ellie didn’t understand what Siervian meant.
In the first place, these were things that the princess would have liked so far.
‘If I could understand better, I could have told Ellie more clearly.’
Tightly hugging the doll with her secret stash, Siervian felt troubled.
This just made her want even more to understand the world around her.
“Oh my, Your Highness. This isn’t a lot.”
When she told Ellie that she wanted only a few pieces of furniture, Ellie just said that this wasn’t a lot. And it didn’t seem to be a lie based on the status window.
But what’s important here was that Siervian would maintain her frugal attitude.
Trying to make her uncooperative tongue say the things she wanted to say, Siervian managed to bring up words that were similar to her thoughts.
“I cwan’t. I’ll waste too mwuch money.”
[ Ellie ]
Thoughts: Your Highness is still misunderstanding what happened last time. How can I explain it… Princess, we have a lot of money!
Rather, it was a misunderstanding that Ellie thought up on her own.
It’s not that Siervian was thinking that there was no budget in the Princess’ Palace like before, but that she didn’t want to use it up for nothing.
‘I want to speak more clearly. This is so frustrating!’
At that time, as if cutting off her train of thought, a maid from outside announced someone’s arrival.
“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”
The Emperor, who had little free time in his busy schedule, came to the Princess’ Palace.
“Siervy.”
Unexpectedly, her father would visit her many times.
As expected, she was still feeling shy because her body was following the mentality of a child.
“You didn’t come to my garden today either.”
“Yees.”
As if she was being interrogated, the Emperor narrowed his eyes as he looked down at his daughter.
Since she was used to his gaze by now, Siervian didn’t flinch away, only fiddling with her fingers a little.
“Are you still scared? That man will never appear in front of you again.”
The palace doctor advised that it was better to take a walk little by little and not to stay in bed too long.
However, Siervian didn’t want to go out yet, so she just stayed at the palace. Because of this, the Emperor seemed to have misunderstood.
“Yees.”
Even so, she just nodded to show that she understood what he said.
Of course, it was also true that she was relieved that Antonio would never appear before her again.
She really didn’t expect that he was doing such horrendous things.
‘I didn’t hear any rumors about it before.’
No one said it outright in front of Siervian, but because she could read the status windows of the people passing by, she found out about Antonio’s deeds.
‘Then in the previous life, how many children had to be sacrificed?’
It was a relief that it was discovered quickly this time. She had been so scared just meeting him once, but she was glad to have run into him if this was the result.
Thanks to this, more people were given help.
“Are you looking at catalogues?”
“Yees.”
Siervian was immersed in her thoughts, but she raised her eyes this time as what she’d been looking at was raised in the air.
Her father must have seen the furniture models in the other room on her way here. What if he thought that the princess was being extravagant?
“Your expression doesn’t look good.”
“Umm…”
He took one furniture model and touched a hard gem that passed by his fingertip.
With that touch, Siervian tried to think of what to say to regain her sense of stability. What excuse should she say so that she wouldn’t be misunderstood?
“……”
She stayed quiet for a while after that, and the Emperor glanced towards the chief lady-in-waiting next to the princess.
“I apologize deeply, but it seems that the Princess is worried about the budget.”
“Hm?”
Ellie, no!
At this rate, it would seem like she was asking for more money.
Siervian hurriedly grabbed her father’s sleeve, who was still standing there.
Since she was sitting on her bed, her hand reached out easily.
“Alright, I’ll sit down.”
And her father naturally beckoned someone from the side. A maid brought a chair that was far away from the bed.
‘But I didn’t ask you to sit beside me!’
“Why is Siervy worried about the budget?”
Her father sat down beside her in earnest, then he turned his gaze towards Ellie to press her.
With a nervous heart, Siervian clutched her father’s sleeve more tightly so that his gaze would stay on her.
But the Emperor just glanced at her for a moment and patted her head once.
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Favorability: +100
Thoughts: My daughter must be whining a little. How cute.
That’s not it!
There was no time to feel the warmth that touched her head.
Siervian looked nervously at Ellie, but Ellie opened her lips with a grim look.
“Well… I believe that Her Highness is misunderstanding because of what happened before.”
“Ah.”
The Emperor’s expression suddenly darkened.
Feeling that the atmosphere took a downward turn, Siervian clenched her doll with her other hand.
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Thoughts: Right. Because it’s a memory that couldn’t be easily forgotten. No, it’s because this foolish father allowed it.
Ah, what to do?
“That’s a useless concern.”
He had been lost in thought for a moment, but he soon spoke firmly.
However, unlike the cold voice, he took his daughter’s small hand and held it gently.
“If it’s difficult to choose which furniture models she wants, just decorate her room differently once a day and let her spend the day like that. She’s still young, but she has good judgement.”
Is… Is that okay?
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Ellie replied instead.
Fumbling with her hand, Siervian was surprised by her father’s words.
It was such a waste!
“After this, don’t think about how much money it costs. Just redesign her chambers however she likes.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Ellie accepted the Emperor’s order with a determined face.
Watching their exchange, Siervian couldn’t help but shout loudly.
“You cwan’t!”
“What’s wrong, Siervy?”
She was grateful that her father wasn’t thinking that she was being wasteful and was just taking care of her like this.
But what she was frightened of was the gazes of other people. She didn’t want to be branded as a princess of unnecessary opulence again.
“I-It’s a waste. You cwan’t waste things.”
She desperately tried to convey her thoughts.
‘Listen to me, my young body!’
“Do you mean that it’s a waste for things to be used once only to be thrown away?”
“Yees.”
Great!
Siervian thought that her father finally understood what she was trying to say, so her expression got brighter.
However, as soon as she read her father’s thoughts, she became anxious again.
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Favorability: +100
Mood: ♡ My daughter ♡ I’m – so – touched
Thoughts: I can’t believe you’re so thoughtful.
Huh?
She was just scared of the rumors…
“Alright. Then I’ll pay for it.”
“Huuh?”
“Then it won’t be a waste.”
“But…”
The budget she received was already more than enough.
When she heard Ellie talking to Jane, Siervian heard that the funds for redesigning the palace was quite considerable.
But why was he giving her more again?
“I’ll place the order, so take care of it.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Ellie replied.
No, this is still a waste!
But at this, Ellie seemed to look more motivated.
Thanks to this, Siervian had to think hard about which models she really wanted because Ellie might just redecorate one day after another, just as her father said.
* * *
Siervian was troubled with decorating the palace for a few days after that, but she was also preoccupied with other things.
“Princess, please look this way for a moment.”
“Oh my! This color looks so good on you, Your Highness.”
“Right? I knew it, this fabric would go well with accessories like this around it…”
“Yes, and at the back of the dress…”
Ellie and Jane were very excited as they talked to the princess while draping various fabrics over her body.
She was so cute that everything went well with her, and their status windows kept popping up now and again as though it was a big deal.
‘It feels weird.’
They’re preparing for Siervian’s upcoming birthday celebration.
She had never spent her birthday with such a commotion surrounding it.
Especially on her sixth birthday. In her previous life, it passed by without even a small dinner.
“How about this, Princess?”
“Mmh, it’s nwice.”
“Wouldn’t this be heavy though?”
“Ah, that’s right.”
When it came to birthdays, there were many things that came to her mind.
No place for her in the large hall, large presents.
A stifling meal.
People whispering around her. Their piercing gazes.
‘But it might be a little different this time.’
For now, neither the food waste incident happened, and the fall of Garambell disappeared.
That’s why the birthday of the princess would be held customarily. Just this much was a huge change.
“I heard that this celebration is going to be very magnificent.”
“Oh my. Isn’t this great news, Princess?”
There must already be rumors that the birthday banquet would be grand.
However, Siervian didn’t think about it much. She can’t just believe all rumors.
‘I shouldn’t raise my expectations just to be disappointed later.’
Right now, Siervian was satisfied just with the fact that she wouldn’t spend her birthday alone.
* * *
Alderuan sat on his throne with a condescending expression on his face.
His apathetic gaze rested on the servants bowing their heads in front of him as they waited for their orders.
They were all very nervous as the Emperor continued to contemplate.
Obviously, a very important command was about to be issued.
“Make it so that the Princess’ birthday party this year shall be the most magnificent one compared to any other.”
Accompanied with a tenacious will, a resolute command was issued.