âGraecito says he really likes you, Princess.â
âReally?â
Why was I not surprised? He was being so obvious. Of course, I donât like it, but oh well.
âYes, he said itâs a secret which heâs only telling me.â
Serira whispered while winking an eye; something was a little suspicious to her behavior so I couldnât believe her right away
âI donât believe it! Tell him to say things like that to me directly.â
âOh, princess. That would be too embarrassing.â
âWhy? Iâm so pretty!â
Two people laughed in my reply. What, why were they two laughing at me? I frowned and looked at them alternately.
âWhy are you laughing? Am I funny?â
I feel offended when they started to laugh at my serious answer. Why the hell were they laughing? Did they think I was a comedian? You shouldnât laugh at a princess like that! However, no matter how I frowned, they would not stop laughing.
⌠Yes, they should just do as they pleased. I guessed I was the punching bag!
âPrincess!â
I was skeptical about my life, wondering if I could continue to trust these people, but the door suddenly burst open and the maid ran into the room. Whatâs wrong with her? Just relax a little. I wasnât running away anyway.
âThe Emperor has returned!â
However, it was me who became impatient at the next moment when the maid shouted. I left the room in a flash and started running; I couldnât pay any attention to Serira and Eleneâs voices as they called me.
Where was he? Where was he coming from?
I just ran without thinking. He left from Estella palace, so he should be returning to Estella palace. Right? The maids and the servants who found me followed me by calling my name, but now I didnât have any time to think. My brain was blank.
âPapa!â
It was really in Estella palace. It was the same place where he left before. The aristocrats there were surprised to see me. I knew how rude I was, but I couldnât afford to think about it.
Now I could see him from afar. The face I had seen every day since I was born came into my sight. I felt something spreading inside me. Was this what they called relief? All my fear melted away instantly.
I had been denying it all this time. I could never accept it. However, I couldnât deny it now, not anymore. I knew once I saw his face just how much Iâd been waiting for him.
As soon as he saw me, Caitel smiled. That smile was familiar to me as it always had been. I moved my body without realizing it when I saw his gesture telling me to come down. I realized when his two strong arms held me so tightlyâŚ
Only then had I realizedâŚ
How much I missed him.
âI missed you.â
Caitel stiffened his face at my small voice. Looking at his expression, I could feel tears in my eyes for some reason. He said he would be back in three months. This was pretty early too, but stillâŚoh, I didnât know anymore.
Caitel laughed as I burst into his arms with an embarrassment. He reached out to me and lifted my face. His long fingers swept away the tears around my eyes. Finally, I could hear Caitelâs voice that I missed so much.