âCanât IâŚâŚ? Iâm sorry I made a decision on my ownâŚâ
âHm, Lily.â
Ludia fell into contemplation.
Fjord Barat died at fifteen.
Baratâs greatest masterpiece.
She knew very little about him.
She only remembered that he had a terribly dark expression when she ran into him at the ducal familyâs house.
âOn top of that, there were rumours that heâs a libertine.â
He was said to enjoy hunting and gambling with rotten apples, much less studying.
As such, the son became the Barat Duchyâs scourge.
â Rizert only appeared because of his death.â
Was Rizert an illegitimate child?
People had such guesses.
However, because of Fjordâs death, she had no choice but to disclose the daughter that sheâd been raising as an illegitimate child to the public.
Although it was said that she was educated in a rural convent, it didnât seem like that at all.
She could be called Baratâs broken masterpiece.
That ruthless nature of hers was also completely distorted.
âSo heâs going to die.â
With that thought in mind, Ludia looked at her daughter.
An anxious gaze was looking back at her.
âLily, do you really need to be so close to Fjord?â
âWellâŚâŚâ
Lilica hesitated and averted her eyes. Ludia said.
âCome over here and whisper it to Mom.â
At that, Lilica got up from her seat and approached hesitantly.
Lilica checked several times and didnât spot any signs of anger on her motherâs face, but she still got nervous at times like this.
âThatâŚâ
âThat?â
Lilica whispered to her mother, who was listening, covering her mouth with her hand.
âBecause, heâs very prettyâŚâŚ.â
â!!â
Ludiaâs eyes widened in surprise and she turned to look at her daughter.
Lilicaâs cheeks were burning red.
âHe is?â
Ludia spoke that out unknowingly and couldnât help but burst into laughter.
Lilica clasped her hands together, at a loss of what to do.
Heâs pretty.
That wasnât everything, but she could only say that to summarise it all up.
The iridescent sunlight that scattered from his silver hair, and his elegant curtsey.
His somewhat unstable looking reddish-gold eyes, the way he matched her strides and how he called her the robin princessâŚ
âPrettyâ included all of those things.
âWell, in that case, what can I do?â
Ludia chuckled.
It was human nature to like pretty things.
Truthfully, âstrategically speakingâ, it wasnât a bad thing for Lilica to get along with Fjord.
If she was her past self, she would have used that here and there.
But that was then and this is now.
After much contemplation, Ludia said.
âItâs alright for now, but if thereâs a problem with Fjord later on⌠Then Mom will bar you from meeting him.â
Lilica nodded.
âWe wonât be able to meet each other then?â
âYes, thatâs right.â
âAlright, then itâs a promise.â
She took her motherâs outstretched hand and waved it up and down three times.
âThen itâll be alright for you both to meet casually. Oh, and if, by any chance.â
Her mother whispered in Lilicaâs ear.
âIf you find out if Fjord has any other siblings, wonât you let Mom know?â
âYes.â
Although she was surprised, Lilica nodded vigorously.
It doesnât matter, as long as her mother is willing to approve.
Ludia laughed and spoke quietly to Lilica.
âUva will be back by next week.â
âReally?!â
âYes, letâs look forward to what heâll bring back together.â
Lilica became excited at her motherâs words.
âI see. Itâs a relief that he managed to come back safely.â
âNow then, the sherbet will melt soon. Hurry and finish it all up.â
âYes!â
Lilica quickly ran back to her seat and moved the silver spoon diligently.
She became happier with the cold, sweet and sour lemon sherbet.
Lilica let out sighs of admiration continuously as she listened to her motherâs stories.
Then she said.
âI also canât wait to help Mother.â
âLily is already helping me sufficiently.â
âNo, more⌠Well⌠I can also open salons and meet with people like Mother does.â
âFor that to happen, you have to reach ten years old first.â
Lilica sighed softly.
âYes.â
She wanted to grow up and become an adult quickly.
Ludia looked at Lilica and said.
âIs there anything that you want? Would you like to order some new clothes? How about getting a cape this time?â
âWhat? No, Iâm fine.â
Lilica shook her head. Ludia spoke.
âDonât be like that. Iâm sure that you have something that you want, Lilica. Arenât we always getting things that Mom finds pretty? Is there anything that you like, Lilica?â
Lilica hesitated at Ludiaâs words.
While she was agonising over whether she should say it or not, her mother repeated again.
âAnything will do, so tell me.â
Lilica looked at the empty glass bowl and plucked up her courage.
âAâactually, I want to wear a crinoline dress.â
âWhat?â
It was an unexpected remark, so Ludia couldnât help but ask back.
She pictured crinoline in her head.
âThat tacky dress? A dress that has gone completely out of style? My daughter? No way!â
Although the words, âWhat happened to your aesthetic sense?â rose up her throat, but Ludai barely managed to hold it in.
Goodness.
âIsnât the dress Mom is wearing right now much prettier than that? Hmm?â
âYesâŚâŚâ
Lilica nodded her head and her gaze dropped back to the glass bowl. Ludia became nervous.
For some reason, she felt uncomfortable. She would rather Lilica throw a tantrum and yell, âNo, I want to wear crinoline!ââ which apparently, all the other children did.
Ludia cleared her throat and asked.
âCrinoline would be rather uncomfortable, so which part of it do you like?â
ââŚâŚâ
âItâs alright, Iâm just asking, because Iâm quite curious.â
Lilica only spoke quietly when she reassured her that she wasnât trying to blame her.
âBecause it looks like the princessâs clothes thatâs on the playâs postersâŚâ
âAh.â
With a small exclamation, Ludia clenched her fist.
She didnât want her daughter to wear crinoline.
What would the remaining ladies of the aristocratic faction think?
They might think that the empress has surrendered.
Is it so important that the dress is to a childâs tastes?
The clothes that she was currently wearing were much prettier.
When Lilicaâs a little older, she would want to wear the most fashionable clothes of late, and even if she doesnât wear them nowâ
âItâs alright, my current clothes are also very pretty, and I like them a lot. Mother.â
As the silence lengthened, Lilica quickly raised her head and spoke softly.
âIâm sorry. Iâm being stubborn. I also think that bustles are much prettier, soâŚâŚâ
Lilica shook her head, wondering about what she should do if sheâd hurt the feelings of her mother, whoâd made the bustle dress fashionable.
At that, Ludia was unable to insist any further, so she forced the corners of her lips to curl up into a smile and said.
âSo you want to wear a dress that flares out, right?
âWhat? No. I like bustle dresses.â
âNo, I see. Mom will have one ordered. Iâll order for one right away.â
âWhat? BâbutâŚâŚ.â
âItâs alright, because it wonât be a crinoline dress. Thatâs too heavy and makes it hard for you to move. Even so, Mom will try her best to satisfy Lilica.â
Ludia gestured for the head lady-in-waiting to summon the designer into the palace.
âDonât worry, Mom will make clothes that Lily will like. Just leave the design to Mom.â
âYes.â
Lilica nodded.
Her expectations were raised by her motherâs confident words.
Although she said that it was fine, she was happy that she could wear a flared dress.
Ludia watched as joy spread across her daughterâs face.
âItâs healing.â
The stress she had been suffering recently due to Altheos, whoâd been talking nonsense about love, disappeared like ice on a summer day.
âHonestly, that man, no, that dragon.â
She didnât know where had he heard such strange words from.
âDidnât he write strange poems, send me bouquets of flowers, and gift me a jewellery box that heâd chosen personally?â
She laughed bitterly.
The strange thing about that series of odd actions was, his voice sounded really good when he recited that poem, so it sounded quite plausible, the bouquet was touching, and only a few of the very best were selected for the jewellery box, making it unobtrusive.
What she meant was, although it was rather amusing, the problematic part was that itâs plausible.
The ladies-in-waiting around would chuckle, while the noblewomen that drank tea with her would sigh and look at her enviously.
âHonestly?â
Heâs a pain in the ass.
With a smile, Ludia sighed and looked at Lilica. Lilica noticed her countenance and asked.
âIs something the matter?â
âHm, no. Itâs nothing.â
She shouldnât talk about this with Lilica.
Ludia shook her head and asked.
âSo, is there anything you would like to add to your dress?â
* * *
As she walked down the hallway, Lilica sighed to Brynn.
âItâs really fineâŚâŚâ
Instead of saying that itâs really fine, she said, âI like it, but is it really alright,â which caused Brynn to laugh.
âEven so, the Empress still wants to put the princessâs wishes first.â
Lilicaâs face turned red.
âIs that so?â
âYes, of course. The empress loves you very much.â
âHehe.â
Lilica pressed her chest with a bashful smile on her face.
Although the joy from dressing in a pretty gown was great, the joy from her mother thinking about her was larger than that.
It was a soft feeling.
It was slightly similar to the lemon sherbet she had earlier.
A happy yellow colour.
Just then, she spotted Pi walking over from the other side of the hallway.
âPi!â
âPrincess.â
Pi came over quickly, gave his greetings and asked.
âAre you on your way back to White Dragon Chamber? If time permits, please stop by the Black Dragon Chamber, Princess.â
âCome to think of it, Brann told me to come over and have some ice cream. Also to chat with His Highness.â
Pi immediately noticed the change in address and blinked. Brynn also asked with a tilted head.
âCome to think of it, youâve been calling the Crown Prince by his title since a while ago.â
âYes, His HighnessâŚâ
Lilica made a beckoning gesture and Brynn bent her knees. Lilica whispered softly.
âHe asked me if I was being servile because of my background.â
âOh, my, oh my, oh my.â
When Brynn repeated herself thrice, Lilica nodded.
âIâm going to be a little petty, and wouldnât he be upset if I called him by his name?â
Brynn covered her mouth and laughed lightly.
âI think that this merits it.â
âRight?â
As he watched the two ladies laugh, Pi swallowed back the urge to smile bitterly.
Although they were speaking quietly, it was at a volume that Pi could hear.
Heâd just seen Atilâs worriesâof course heâd definitely pretended not to beâand came out afterwards, so he had mixed thoughts.
âBut gradually becoming softer is quite a welcome tendency.â
To Pi, who was both Atilâs conversational partner and future confidant, Atilâs distrust of humans being gradually eased with Lilicaâs help was something worth being grateful for.
Although itâs not like Atil had to trust people, it was difficult if he completely distrusted people.
First off, he himself must be extremely exhausted.
âHis Highness was actually very worried.â
Pi opened his mouth.
They were words that Atil would never speak aloud, so it was his duty, as Atilâs conversational partner, to mention this.
âReally?â
Lilica began walking with a smile.
Pi stood beside her, while Brynn took a step backwards.
âYes, very much. Of course, he would never say words like those ostensibly.â
Lilica grinned softly at Piâs addition.
As they walked through the hallway, those that encountered the party retreated to the shadows and curtseyed in greeting.
As she passed by them, Lilica asked Pi.
âDoes Pi and His Highness meet people at Sky Palace? Iâve also met some people at the Sun Palace, but theyâve never struck up a conversation.â
âItâs because those that are low in status cannot start a conversation with those that are highborns.â
âMm, thatâs a relief, but⌠Is it really alright to continue ignoring them like this?â
If the other party engages in conversation, what kind of conversation would they have?
But on the contrary, it was worrying to continue ignoring them.
What would people think of her?
If she was an outstanding princess, shouldnât she be talking with them?
She would occasionally see children of similar ageâthat were surely over ten âgiving their greetings.
âThere are kids that seem to be of a similar age to me.â
Pi laughed.
âThatâs to make it convenient for the princess or His Highness to start a conversation.â
âWhat?â
When she looked at Pi in surprise, Pi continued to explain in a gentle tone.
His bright cream-coloured hair continued gleaming, in the illuminated and shadowed portions of the hallway, eventually becoming indistinct.
âWhy did they have to bring their children to the palace? Itâs because they hoped that the princess would spot them and start a conversation.â
âReally?â
âOf course.â
Pi stopped and turned towards Lilica.
As he stood under the pillarâs shadow, he whispered to the princess, who was standing in the dazzling sunlight.
âAt the Imperial Palace, thereâs no such thing as a coincidence.â
Lilicaâs bright turquoise eyes looked at him in astonishment.
He slowly raised a finger and placed it on his curved lips.
âThereâs no such thing as a perfect secret either.â
His fingers dropped down to tap his own chest.
He pointed to himself and said.
âIt is a perfect secret, only when itâs kept to yourself.â
As he said those words, Lilica became rather conscious of the pendant in her pocket.
âThen the fact that Iâm a wizard too. I see, because His Majesty knows.â
If the both of them are keeping it a secret, was it not considered a secret?
Pi smiled at the sight of Lilicaâs slightly troubled and complicated expression.
âIt seems like you have a secret.â
âHuh? Huhh?
Startled, she began stuttering, which caused Pi to laugh again.
âKeep it to yourself as much as possible, my princess.â
When Lilica nodded her head lightly, Pi couldnât help but reveal a relieved smile.
The princess was so good at nodding in assent.
His younger siblings would either fall silent or refute his words.
Lilica stepped into the shadow and stood beside Pi.
She spoke quietly.
âBut Pi.â
âYes.â
âIf you donât share your secrets with someone, you wonât be able to find someone that you can trust.â
Her soft voice gave Pi a heavy blow.
While he was shocked, the urge to laugh rose and he bit his lip to stop himself from doing so.
âThis princess.â
She wasnât being naive or friendly without any countermeasures.
Lilica looked at Pi with a tilted head.
Pi nodded.
âThatâs right. Itâs a way to distinguish the gems from the pebbles.â
There were also many other ways to find the person that leaked the secret or to use it in reverse.
Although Lilica didnât mention that far, her words implied that.
She didnât say that he could find a traitor by leaking secrets, but that he could find those that were worth trusting by sharing his secrets.
It wasnât like she discussed the light without an inkling of the darkness, but she was talking about the light while being fully aware of the darkness.
âThatâs true.â
Whether itâs the darkness of the slums, or the darkness beneath the palaceâs splendour, darkness was darkness.
âIâve said something that I shouldnât have.â
âNo, didnât Pi say that out of worry for me?â
âThank you for saying so. Then shall we hurry? His Highness has been waiting for a while now.â
At Piâs words, Lilica laughed and walked faster.
As her strides were still that of a childâs, Pi asked.
âIf you donât mind, Princessââ
Now that she knew what would follow without even hearing it, Lilica nodded.