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Chapter 14




Today marks my first year of life.
'So, this day has finally come.'
I felt like I was about to cry from the overwhelming emotion. The hardships and tears I had endured up until now flashed through my mind like a panorama. I thought that if I was born as a baby, the memories of my past life would be erased, but I was born with all of them. Thanks to this, I experienced all sorts of embarrassing things. When I was just a newborn, I couldn't move and felt like I was going to suffocate. I couldn't speak or move, and it was so frustrating...
“Phew.”
Still, thanks to my efforts over the past year, my situation has improved a lot. Let me list what I've accomplished so far. First, I started walking! I can walk a few steps before getting tired and sitting down, but now I can walk without holding onto anything. Second, I can babble more like a human. My pronunciation is still difficult because I only have four teeth—two on top and two on the bottom. But apparently, because the emperor keeps calling me a genius, people are only slightly surprised when I say words they haven't taught me or form sentences. Being called a genius has its uses. I still have a long way to go before I can fully act like a human...
‘Still, where am I?’
I fiddled with a toy while watching the busy people around me.
“Hey, Lalima. Don’t throw that away!”
“Is this something the princess scribbled on?”
“Yes, that’s why you shouldn’t throw it away.”
What Lalima was about to throw away were the scribbles I had made on paper while trying to learn how to write.
‘Why didn’t they throw this away? It’s just trash.’
Zavier, who had taken the box full of papers from Lalima’s hands, said solemnly,
“His Majesty ordered that all items related to the princess be stored.”
Oh, um... Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that. They said there would be a party to celebrate my first birthday today. Delegations from various countries are also coming to Ermano to celebrate, which is already making me nervous.
“Expect a grand gift, Mabel.”
This was due to what the emperor said yesterday. If this guy, who gives away duchies left and right, calls something ‘grand,’ how grand could it possibly be? I prayed earnestly. Please, let today pass without incident...
“Alright, Your Highness. Shall we get ready?”
The suddenly appearing governess picked me up. She then sat me on a chair with a high cushion. Slowly lifting my head, I opened my eyes wide. My reflection appeared in the mirror. Surprisingly, it was the first time I saw myself today. My cherry blossom-colored hair, which hadn’t been tied up, had grown quite a bit but was still fine. My eyes were a slightly lighter blue than the emperor’s. While the emperor has silver hair, I alone have light pink hair. Is this due to my biological mother’s influence? When I tilted my head, the baby in the mirror did the same. I cupped my white, chubby cheeks with my hands. It’s a bit embarrassing to say this, but...
‘...So cute!’
I could somewhat understand why everyone made such a fuss over me. As I stared blankly at my reflection, Zavier and Lalima stopped their work and approached.
“Is this the first time Your Highness has seen a mirror?”
“We put away all the mirrors because they might break. I almost died carrying this one over.”
“Tsk, stop exaggerating.”
They had put away the mirrors on purpose. I wanted to see my face, but there was no chance. I could only catch a glimpse of myself in the water while bathing.
“Does Your Highness know how adorable and lovable you are?”
“Lalima, stop chatting and go tidy up. We don’t have much time. Come back here when you’re done.”
The governess, who had reprimanded Lalima, approached with something in her hands. It was a white dress. However, it was embroidered with gold thread all over, making it far from simple. Just putting it on made me feel like I should bow and thank it.
“Isn’t it beautiful? It was specially prepared for today.”
“Mmm.”
Even if I grow up, I won’t be able to wear it. It seems like a waste of money. I always think this, but the scale of consumption in the royal palace is overwhelming for someone who used to be poor. I don’t know about the prices, but it’s clearly not normal...
“Alright, be good. I’ll dress you quickly.”
Unfortunately, the masterpiece that the seamstress had embroidered stitch by stitch was draped over my humble body.
‘I feel like I’ve committed a great sin.’
The dress was much more comfortable than it looked. It seemed to be intentionally made to be comfortable for a one-year-old. After dressing, it was time to style my hair. The governess skillfully brushed my hair, which had grown quite a bit.
“How can someone have such beautiful hair color? You look just like Her Majesty the Empress.”
The governess smiled bitterly, perhaps thinking of my deceased mother. She often had this expression when she looked at me. I didn’t know my mother, so I didn’t know what to say, but it didn’t feel good.
“Now, this is the last thing.”
Finally, the governess put a lace bonnet on my head and tied a ribbon under my chin. The bonnet was thin, so my light pink hair was slightly visible.
“Wow, Your Highness...!”
When I came to my senses, Zavier and Lalima were gathered around me.
“You’re so cute!”
As soon as Lalima opened her arms to hug me, Zavier hurriedly blocked her.
“No touching the princess, Lalima!”
“Huh? Why?!”
“It will wrinkle her dress.”
Zavier’s firm words made Lalima huff but she couldn’t say anything. Knock, knock. The sudden knocking sound made the governess jump and check the time.
“Oh my, look at the time. It’s already this late.”
The governess carefully picked me up to avoid wrinkling the dress and hurriedly opened the door. As expected, the emperor was standing there. His formal attire, which I rarely saw him in, was quite unfamiliar. Moreover, he looked so young and handsome that it was hard to believe he was a father.
‘No matter how you look at it, he doesn’t look like someone who has a son and a daughter.’
“I greet His Majesty the Emperor.”
The governess greeted the emperor, who casually waved his hand and took me.
“Happy birthday, Mabel.”
I just blinked at the emperor’s sudden attack. Today is my birthday, but it was the first time I heard someone wish me a happy birthday. In my previous life, I didn’t tell anyone it was my birthday because I thought I should repay any gifts I received. It was fortunate that my birthday fell during the summer break, so I rarely heard birthday wishes.
“Mmm.”
It’s such a strange feeling to have someone celebrate my birth. It was an odd sensation.
***
As the emperor headed to the ballroom, he asked the following attendant,
“Where’s Oscar?”
“He has already entered with His Excellency, Duke Donovan.”
I wondered why I couldn’t see him, but he must have already entered. I was also eager to see Oscar, who had dressed up for the party. For some reason, the attendant, who was walking a few steps behind me, caught my attention. He looked like a man who was about to die, with his skin and bones showing, and a gaunt appearance. Perhaps there’s something wrong at home...? It made me feel sad just to look at him. Our eyes met as I glanced at him. The attendant smiled awkwardly, but it made him look even more tired.
“Cheer up!”
“Pardon?”
I tried to encourage him, but the emperor’s gaze, which I felt on me, made me look away. I could understand why he looked so tired, given that he was supposed to assist the emperor.
“Looking at such a person won’t do your eyes any good, Mabel.”
“Mmm?”
“We’re here.”
The sound of the orchestra was audible from not far away. I had been fine until now, but my heart suddenly started racing. Of course, there would be many people at a party. I had only met a handful of people regularly over the past year. So, it was scary to be in front of so many people. I knew they didn’t expect much from a baby, but the pressure was hard to ignore.
“Your expression is not good. Mabel?”
I buried my face in the emperor’s clothes. The emperor slowly stroked my back, a gesture filled with concern.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of, Mabel. The people you will meet today are those who need to impress you, not the other way around.”
“...Eh?”
Is that something you say to a one-year-old? What was even more surprising was that the emperor’s expression was incredibly serious after he finished speaking. Strangely, the fear and tension I felt towards the crowd dissipated, and I relaxed. The emperor smoothed out my hair, which had become messy from fidgeting, and nodded to a servant waiting by the door.
“The sun of the empire, His Majesty the Emperor and Mabel—”
“Hold on.”
The emperor brutally cut off the servant’s announcement. He then ordered,
“Remove ‘Winter.’”
Lalima, who had been startled, quickly understood what the emperor wanted.
“Yes, yes! The sun of the empire, His Majesty the Emperor and Princess Mabel Gadenia Ermano!”
The emperor walked through the dark corridor towards the bright ballroom. The dazzling chandelier lights made me squint and close my eyes. The room was deathly silent. The music from the orchestra had stopped. Slowly opening my eyes, I was greeted by the opulent ballroom. Everyone bowed their heads in unison. The emperor walked gracefully through the crowd towards the throne. Seeing two chairs prepared to the left of the throne, I assumed they were for Oscar and me. I thought I would be seated there, but...
“Sit down.”
“...?”
Why am I sitting on the throne? I checked again, but it was indeed the throne. I shot a questioning look, but the emperor, standing, turned his gaze to the crowd.
“Don’t be afraid, Mabel. This is a place where everyone needs to impress you, not the other way around.”
“...Eh?”
Is that something you say to a one-year-old? The emperor’s expression was even more serious after he finished speaking. The fear and tension I felt towards the crowd dissipated, and I relaxed. The emperor smoothed out my hair, which had become messy from fidgeting, and nodded to a servant waiting by the door.
“Princess Mabel, you look so cute today, really.”
Oscar, who had approached, shook my hand and showered me with compliments. But Oscar himself was incredibly cute. At seven years old, Oscar had grown taller and more mature. His formal attire, though less elaborate than the emperor’s, made him look handsome and adorable.
“Eh-dew-i-yo-oh.” (You’re cute too.)
“Really? You knew that, Mabel?”
My babbling was misinterpreted again. Sigh, I should just stop talking. Oscar, seemingly uninterested in the party, sat next to me and started playing with my hand.
“Oh, right. Mabel, happy birthday.”
“Mmm?”
“The emperor said he would be the first to wish you a happy birthday, so he banned me from mentioning it... No, never mind.”
Oscar’s expression turned pale as he glanced behind me and quickly finished his sentence. Behind me was the emperor... I could guess the situation without looking. To ban someone from wishing me a happy birthday first... It was incredibly childish.
“Instead, I’ll be the first to give you a birthday gift.”
“Oscar.”
The emperor called Oscar’s name softly, but the boy ignored him and pulled something out of his pocket. Something shimmered and fell from his small hand. It was a necklace with a green gemstone on a silver chain.
“Mogoi?” (Necklace?)
Oscar’s eyes widened in surprise at my unintentional question.
“Yes, it’s a necklace. You didn’t know the word ‘necklace,’ so how did you know?”
Oscar smiled and put the necklace around my neck. It was long, not made for a baby. The green gemstone reminded me of Oscar’s green eyes. I fiddled with the necklace and stared at it. I was still not used to receiving gifts, as I rarely did in my previous life.
“...Don’t you like it?”
Oscar’s disappointed tone made me jump, and I shook my head.
“No, no, I don’t like it... Do you really like it?”
“Mmm. Mogoi joa!” (Yes, I like the necklace!)
Finally, when I said I liked it, Oscar’s expression relaxed.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Mmm...”
Oscar looked happy, so it was fine. I sighed in relief.
‘It’s hard to play with a seven-year-old.’
Oscar, who was sitting next to me and chattering away, pointed to something.
“Mabel, those are all your gifts. There are so many, right?”
“Hemmu?” (Gifts?)
It was a mountain of boxes so high it was overwhelming. I thought they were just part of the decor, but they were all for me? I didn’t know how to react to the gifts Oscar was giving me, let alone gifts from people I didn’t know. It was too much pressure. They must have given gifts because they wanted something in return. I didn’t think I could reciprocate. As I stared at the gifts, the emperor placed his hand on my head.
“Disappointed by the lack of gifts, Mabel?”
No, no, no! I shook my head vigorously, but it was ignored.
“Don’t worry, Mabel. I have a wonderful gift for you.”
I had forgotten. He did say he had prepared a grand gift yesterday. Was this the moment it would be revealed? The emperor stood up, sat me back on the throne, and drew everyone’s attention. Everyone in the ballroom looked at us. The music that had been playing softly stopped. As I looked around, I felt a particular gaze piercing me. It was from the group of priests from Abellard. Among them, the man who had been wearing his robe pulled down over his face... Our eyes met for a moment. His eyes were so beautiful and red that I was momentarily stunned. But when I blinked, the image was gone.
“I have an announcement to make on the occasion of the princess’s first birthday.”
During this time, the emperor began his speech. An announcement? A gift...? The emperor looked down at me and leaned in. He whispered in my ear,
“Mabel, I will give you this country.”
“...?”
What did I just hear...? It was so absurd that I immediately dismissed it as a dream.
‘It must be a dream, a dream.’
But despite my wishes, the emperor announced it loudly.
“I will abdicate the throne to Mabel Gadenia Ermano.”
Oh my God.