9. Is It a Bunny?
Large lotus leaved were floating on the surface, and all kinds of summer flowers were in full bloom at the edge of the lake.
Pretty…
It was such a glorious sight that I could forget the heat for a moment. As I was enjoying the scenery in a daze, there was a dark shadow over my knee.
“You highness. Shall we go see a kitty?”
Xavier lifted me up and hugged me. As I hugged Xavier’s neck, I saw something in the distance.
Hidden behind a tree…Lissandro.
For a moment, I was worried if I was too cold, but I decided to be strong again.
‘If I don’t do this, Oscar will have no place to rest, so I can’t help it!’
As I stared at Lissandro with my eyes wide open, he had a somber look on his face and hid himself.
“You’re the same today as well, Your Highness.”
When I turned my head, Xavier laughed and patted me. It was not as hot as the lake because of the shade of the green forest.
“Is it not here today?”
Xavier glanced around and went a little inside the forest.
It was then.
“Meow.”
The divine beast appeared with a cat’s cry.
“Your highness, it’s your favorite kitty. With you coming again, the kitty is coming closer.”
“Ung.”
A cat with golden fur, it’s amazing.
The divine beast walked in fearlessly, as if to recognize me, and hovered around Xavier.
“I think it’s bigger than before.”
“Kitty.”
“That’s right. The kitty got very big, right?”
Xavier lowered himself so that I could see the divine beast closely. When I reached out my hand, the cat rubbed its forehand in my hand.
“……!”
Cute!
It was bigger than before, but it was about the size of a kitten because it had just hatched.
I was suddenly curious to see the cat fall while rubbing its body for a moment.
“Oom…”
The golden-haired cat divine beast, who hatched on the day I was born, had a subtle glow.
Is it a coincidence that it showed up as if it recognized me?
It occurred to me that it might also have something to do with the ‘oracle of the Holy Empire’ that I heard briefly last time.
Well…there’s nothing I know right now.
“Oooh…”
By the way, it’s too hot.
I whined and buried my face in Xavier’s arms. Xavier wiped my sweat with a handkerchief and smiled perplexedly.
“Then shall we play over there now? Say bye to the kitty. Bye-bye~”
‘Do I have to say bye-bye?’
I didn’t want to, but Xavier smiled kindly and kept waiting for me to say bye. I had no choice but to wave at the divine beast.
“Ba-ba.”
“Agu agu, good job!”
(T/N” Agu agu is something people do to babies, like peek-a-boo)
I felt embarrassed for no reason when Xavier continued to praise me.
‘Why do I get complimented for nothing?’
Xavier laughed as I buried my head in his arms.
It was when I was going to my seat.
[Come……again]
I heard someones voice.
I turned my head in surprise, but all I could see was the back of the divine beast, who slowly disappeared.
“Whats wrong?”
Xavier grinned as if he hadn’t heard anything.
‘Did I hear wrong?’
I must have heard voices because of the heat. I soon forgot about the strange voice from my head.
By the way, when are were going back to my room? Sneaking by the lake, the nanny and Lalima seemed busy talking about something.
It’s not a conversation, the nanny shoots back and Lalima sometimes makes excuses.
I don’t think I’m going back for a while, am I?
I can’t help it. I have no choice but to sacrifice myself for the poor socialites who have been out for a long time.
“Ooah!”
I piloted Xavier and circled around the lake.
As soon as I moved, it was dun to see the remote Lissandro follow me.
But the tired Xavier quickly fell apart. I sat far apart from Xavier, and gently put my arms on the ground.
‘No ones going to see it, right?’
When else would I practice crawling? I began to practice crawling stealthily.
Only a little further away, but the nanny caught my movements with the eyes of a hawks.
“Xavier. You’re watching her Highness well, right?”
“Yes…”
Xavier’s gaze touched me for a moment, but being tired, his eyes closed quickly.
‘Young brat……’
It must be the lack of exercise to fall just because of the lake.
I was crawling again, and something popped out of the bushes nearby.
‘What is it…?’
I glanced over the bushes and thought my heart was falling.
“Ah…!”
Devlin’s devil!
It must have been the boy I saw on my first walk.
What was more was the boy’s deceit. His whole body was covered with blood as if he had suffered.
He closed his eyes with a frown.
‘He’s not dead, is he?’
When I stared, I could see his chest moving up and down in a hurry. Fortunately, he didn’t die.
‘Why did you faint in a place like this?’
I’m sure he went somewhere last time because he was caught by the knights. Judging from the situation, it seemed as if he had escaped.
Is he Oscar’s age? His face, with his eyes closed in a cold sweat, was still bright and gentle, making me uncomfortable.
‘Did he suffer from torture?’
What I saw last time, him blowing away the knights was quite alarming.
But isn’t it too much to torture a child like this?
I’d like to wipe your blood, but my situation wasn’t that good either. It’s the end of my body, to crawl any more.
‘I can’t even speak!’
I’m worried he might die of excessive bleeding if I live him like this.
“Xavier. What if her highness picks up a leaf and eats.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Xavier who sighed, raised his body.
‘What should I do?’
With the dying man in front of me and Xavier coming from behind!
It was obvious he would be taken back to prison and tortured if he was caught escaping.
“Our cute highness. Don’t eat the leaves.”
The voice of Xavier grew closer and closer. I closed my eyes tightly.
‘Ey, I don’t know!’
I hurriedly gathered the leaves and threw them on the boy’s face. It was supposed to cover him up…
‘!’
A vacant red eye looked straight at me. Red eyes as if I was being sucked in.
I was staring at his eyes and then came to my senses.
I had to leave before Xavier found the boy. I got out of the bushes as quickly as I could and crawled toward Xavier.
“Agu, you’re covered in dirt. Did you have fun?”
“Abu.”
I was worried about my back, but I was quietly embraced by Xavier.
‘I did everything I could.’
I was worried about his wound, but I tried to forget about it.
***
I had a dream.
A long dream that I can’t even remember.
It was always in the dark.
Having lost control of my body every time, I slaughtered human beings at random.
The act didn’t reflect my intentions in the least. Like a murder weapon born only for slaughter. It was random.
But then I came to my senses.
Realizing that he was confined to a prison with his limbs tied to a mana stick, he immediately tried escape.
There was some excessive bleeding, but he didn’t care. His self-healing power, like a monsters ability, was also beyond the human category.
Having easily knocked the chasing soldiers, he easily guessed where he was.
“Is this the Imperial Palace of Ermano?”
Suddenly, my last memory came to mind.
Just as I was caught in the Imperial Palace, I attacked mercilessly the knights trying to control myself who had been in a frenzy.
Then suddenly my mind cleared up. What I saw soon as I opened my eyes in surprise-
‘…A baby?’
A small baby with light blue eyes.
The plump cheeks were flushed like nectar.
I was flustered and lost my memory at the same time watching it.
I probably fainted.
‘For a moment, I felt like I was free from all the restrictions I had.’
Just what was that?
Barely out of the chase, I hid behind the bushes. I lost a lot of blood right away so I felt dizzy. It was a wound that would make me feel better after a short break.
He closed his eyes and waited for his physical recovery.
Flutter.
I closed my eyes despite the weak pretense getting closer.
‘Is it a bunny?’
It’s too small. Small enough that you don’t need to kill it.
It was a presence that would never pose a threat to himself.
The little animal that was supposed to leave soon, strangely, did not leave his side.
‘The smell of blood is strong though.’
It was when I was thinking about whether it would be better to kick it out.
Rustle-!
Suddenly something fell on my face. When I opened my eyes reflexively, I could see leaves on my face.
Chubby cheeks. Fluffy pink hair that seems like it’ll melt.
And finally, the light blue eyes that looked like they were bewildered.
‘This baby…’
And at that moment, as soon as I recognized the baby’s existence, my mind that has always been hazy, became clear.
It was the first feeling I ever felt.
‘Forbidden restraints, loosened.’
While I was surprised, the baby was carried away by her servant. I watched the servant’s back as he drifted away from the bushes.
‘Just what did that baby…’
***
“It gets hotter as we go on, so let’s go back.”
At the nanny’s words, they prepared to return to the palace. I was exhausted and embraced by Xavier.
‘It was a rough walk.’
I said hello to the divine beat and hid the bloody boy.
I could be proud to have done a lot of work for a baby. It was just when we were almost packed up.
Suddenly it was dark in front of me.
“Ung?”
Shwaaa-
Before I could raise my head, heavy rain began to pour.
“Kyaak!”
Lalima and the nanny burst out screaming.
‘What is this, all of a sudden. It was just clear!’
The raindrops that hit the ground with a heavy blow drenched me helplessly.
“Huk. Your Highness, please hold on for a moment!”
Xavier ran protecting me, but he couldn’t stop me from getting wet.
In Xavier’s arms, I was thinking.
Is there a need to make such a fuss when it’s only showering?
There’s no way I’ll catch a cold in the summer.
Having returned to the room in such a hurry, I took a clean bath and changed into new clothes.
I thought it was a little hotter than usual, but I thought it was because I went outside.
It was that evening that there was a problem.
I’m sure the thermostatic magic will be maintained, but my whole body is hot and my eyes are hazy.
“Oh my! Your Highness!”
The nanny, who touched my cheek, took a quick breath. I closed my eyes tightly and sneezed.
“Achoo!”
I think it’s a summer cold that even dogs don’t get.
***
“You have caught…a cold.”
The mood subsided heavily as if it had been heard by the doctor’s deep voice.
Madame Rupe, Xavier, and Lalima, who took Mabel for a walk, could not raise their heads.
Because they didn’t have the courage to face the angry Emperor.
Esteban looked at Mabel with complex eyes.
It was heartbreaking to see her fall asleep, breathing out hot breaths with her small body.
‘…it’s this small.’
Even if it’s a cold, it’ll be hard to hold out.
Esteban clasped Mabel’s hand. While asleep, her small hand opened slightly and then clenched his fist.
The doctor who arranged the medicine told him.
“Since she’s taken her medicine, her fever will go down, Your Majesty.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes? Yes…she took a fever reducer…”
If he could kill someone with his eyes, would he be dead?
It was Oscar, the first prince, who stood next to him, who saved the frightened doctor.
“Your Majesty. She took the medicine as the doctor said, Mabel will be fine soon. Rather, I think so many people her will be a hindrance.”
Then Esteban’s gaze on Mabel shifted to Oscar.
‘Your, Your Royal Highness the Prince!’
Everyone was wary of the rich. Wouldn’t sparks fly.
But nothing of concern happened.
With only the silence flowing, the aide Gustav rushed in.
“Your Majesty. An urgent report–!”
“Shh.”
‘Hub.’
In the cool eyes of the Emperor, Gustav hurriedly shut his mouth.
Only then did he realize that the place he had stepped in was the Princess’s bedroom. Mabel was even asleep.
‘I almost lost my life at the last minute.’
Gustav hurriedly bowed his head to save his life.
“I’m sorry. It was such an urgent matter that I didn’t consider the location.”
When Esteban shook his head, Gustav came close and reported in a small voice.
“Devlin’s devil has escaped.”
9. Is It a Bunny?
Large lotus leaved were floating on the surface, and all kinds of summer flowers were in full bloom at the edge of the lake.
Pretty…
It was such a glorious sight that I could forget the heat for a moment. As I was enjoying the scenery in a daze, there was a dark shadow over my knee.
“You highness. Shall we go see a kitty?”
Xavier lifted me up and hugged me. As I hugged Xavier’s neck, I saw something in the distance.
Hidden behind a tree…Lissandro.
For a moment, I was worried if I was too cold, but I decided to be strong again.
‘If I don’t do this, Oscar will have no place to rest, so I can’t help it!’
As I stared at Lissandro with my eyes wide open, he had a somber look on his face and hid himself.
“You’re the same today as well, Your Highness.”
When I turned my head, Xavier laughed and patted me. It was not as hot as the lake because of the shade of the green forest.
“Is it not here today?”
Xavier glanced around and went a little inside the forest.
It was then.
“Meow.”
The divine beast appeared with a cat’s cry.
“Your highness, it’s your favorite kitty. With you coming again, the kitty is coming closer.”
“Ung.”
A cat with golden fur, it’s amazing.
The divine beast walked in fearlessly, as if to recognize me, and hovered around Xavier.
“I think it’s bigger than before.”
“Kitty.”
“That’s right. The kitty got very big, right?”
Xavier lowered himself so that I could see the divine beast closely. When I reached out my hand, the cat rubbed its forehand in my hand.
“……!”
Cute!
It was bigger than before, but it was about the size of a kitten because it had just hatched.
I was suddenly curious to see the cat fall while rubbing its body for a moment.
“Oom…”
The golden-haired cat divine beast, who hatched on the day I was born, had a subtle glow.
Is it a coincidence that it showed up as if it recognized me?
It occurred to me that it might also have something to do with the ‘oracle of the Holy Empire’ that I heard briefly last time.
Well…there’s nothing I know right now.
“Oooh…”
By the way, it’s too hot.
I whined and buried my face in Xavier’s arms. Xavier wiped my sweat with a handkerchief and smiled perplexedly.
“Then shall we play over there now? Say bye to the kitty. Bye-bye~”
‘Do I have to say bye-bye?’
I didn’t want to, but Xavier smiled kindly and kept waiting for me to say bye. I had no choice but to wave at the divine beast.
“Ba-ba.”
“Agu agu, good job!”
(T/N” Agu agu is something people do to babies, like peek-a-boo)
I felt embarrassed for no reason when Xavier continued to praise me.
‘Why do I get complimented for nothing?’
Xavier laughed as I buried my head in his arms.
It was when I was going to my seat.
[Come……again]
I heard someones voice.
I turned my head in surprise, but all I could see was the back of the divine beast, who slowly disappeared.
“Whats wrong?”
Xavier grinned as if he hadn’t heard anything.
‘Did I hear wrong?’
I must have heard voices because of the heat. I soon forgot about the strange voice from my head.
By the way, when are were going back to my room? Sneaking by the lake, the nanny and Lalima seemed busy talking about something.
It’s not a conversation, the nanny shoots back and Lalima sometimes makes excuses.
I don’t think I’m going back for a while, am I?
I can’t help it. I have no choice but to sacrifice myself for the poor socialites who have been out for a long time.
“Ooah!”
I piloted Xavier and circled around the lake.
As soon as I moved, it was dun to see the remote Lissandro follow me.
But the tired Xavier quickly fell apart. I sat far apart from Xavier, and gently put my arms on the ground.
‘No ones going to see it, right?’
When else would I practice crawling? I began to practice crawling stealthily.
Only a little further away, but the nanny caught my movements with the eyes of a hawks.
“Xavier. You’re watching her Highness well, right?”
“Yes…”
Xavier’s gaze touched me for a moment, but being tired, his eyes closed quickly.
‘Young brat……’
It must be the lack of exercise to fall just because of the lake.
I was crawling again, and something popped out of the bushes nearby.
‘What is it…?’
I glanced over the bushes and thought my heart was falling.
“Ah…!”
Devlin’s devil!
It must have been the boy I saw on my first walk.
What was more was the boy’s deceit. His whole body was covered with blood as if he had suffered.
He closed his eyes with a frown.
‘He’s not dead, is he?’
When I stared, I could see his chest moving up and down in a hurry. Fortunately, he didn’t die.
‘Why did you faint in a place like this?’
I’m sure he went somewhere last time because he was caught by the knights. Judging from the situation, it seemed as if he had escaped.
Is he Oscar’s age? His face, with his eyes closed in a cold sweat, was still bright and gentle, making me uncomfortable.
‘Did he suffer from torture?’
What I saw last time, him blowing away the knights was quite alarming.
But isn’t it too much to torture a child like this?
I’d like to wipe your blood, but my situation wasn’t that good either. It’s the end of my body, to crawl any more.
‘I can’t even speak!’
I’m worried he might die of excessive bleeding if I live him like this.
“Xavier. What if her highness picks up a leaf and eats.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Xavier who sighed, raised his body.
‘What should I do?’
With the dying man in front of me and Xavier coming from behind!
It was obvious he would be taken back to prison and tortured if he was caught escaping.
“Our cute highness. Don’t eat the leaves.”
The voice of Xavier grew closer and closer. I closed my eyes tightly.
‘Ey, I don’t know!’
I hurriedly gathered the leaves and threw them on the boy’s face. It was supposed to cover him up…
‘!’
A vacant red eye looked straight at me. Red eyes as if I was being sucked in.
I was staring at his eyes and then came to my senses.
I had to leave before Xavier found the boy. I got out of the bushes as quickly as I could and crawled toward Xavier.
“Agu, you’re covered in dirt. Did you have fun?”
“Abu.”
I was worried about my back, but I was quietly embraced by Xavier.
‘I did everything I could.’
I was worried about his wound, but I tried to forget about it.
***
I had a dream.
A long dream that I can’t even remember.
It was always in the dark.
Having lost control of my body every time, I slaughtered human beings at random.
The act didn’t reflect my intentions in the least. Like a murder weapon born only for slaughter. It was random.
But then I came to my senses.
Realizing that he was confined to a prison with his limbs tied to a mana stick, he immediately tried escape.
There was some excessive bleeding, but he didn’t care. His self-healing power, like a monsters ability, was also beyond the human category.
Having easily knocked the chasing soldiers, he easily guessed where he was.
“Is this the Imperial Palace of Ermano?”
Suddenly, my last memory came to mind.
Just as I was caught in the Imperial Palace, I attacked mercilessly the knights trying to control myself who had been in a frenzy.
Then suddenly my mind cleared up. What I saw soon as I opened my eyes in surprise-
‘…A baby?’
A small baby with light blue eyes.
The plump cheeks were flushed like nectar.
I was flustered and lost my memory at the same time watching it.
I probably fainted.
‘For a moment, I felt like I was free from all the restrictions I had.’
Just what was that?
Barely out of the chase, I hid behind the bushes. I lost a lot of blood right away so I felt dizzy. It was a wound that would make me feel better after a short break.
He closed his eyes and waited for his physical recovery.
Flutter.
I closed my eyes despite the weak pretense getting closer.
‘Is it a bunny?’
It’s too small. Small enough that you don’t need to kill it.
It was a presence that would never pose a threat to himself.
The little animal that was supposed to leave soon, strangely, did not leave his side.
‘The smell of blood is strong though.’
It was when I was thinking about whether it would be better to kick it out.
Rustle-!
Suddenly something fell on my face. When I opened my eyes reflexively, I could see leaves on my face.
Chubby cheeks. Fluffy pink hair that seems like it’ll melt.
And finally, the light blue eyes that looked like they were bewildered.
‘This baby…’
And at that moment, as soon as I recognized the baby’s existence, my mind that has always been hazy, became clear.
It was the first feeling I ever felt.
‘Forbidden restraints, loosened.’
While I was surprised, the baby was carried away by her servant. I watched the servant’s back as he drifted away from the bushes.
‘Just what did that baby…’
***
“It gets hotter as we go on, so let’s go back.”
At the nanny’s words, they prepared to return to the palace. I was exhausted and embraced by Xavier.
‘It was a rough walk.’
I said hello to the divine beat and hid the bloody boy.
I could be proud to have done a lot of work for a baby. It was just when we were almost packed up.
Suddenly it was dark in front of me.
“Ung?”
Shwaaa-
Before I could raise my head, heavy rain began to pour.
“Kyaak!”
Lalima and the nanny burst out screaming.
‘What is this, all of a sudden. It was just clear!’
The raindrops that hit the ground with a heavy blow drenched me helplessly.
“Huk. Your Highness, please hold on for a moment!”
Xavier ran protecting me, but he couldn’t stop me from getting wet.
In Xavier’s arms, I was thinking.
Is there a need to make such a fuss when it’s only showering?
There’s no way I’ll catch a cold in the summer.
Having returned to the room in such a hurry, I took a clean bath and changed into new clothes.
I thought it was a little hotter than usual, but I thought it was because I went outside.
It was that evening that there was a problem.
I’m sure the thermostatic magic will be maintained, but my whole body is hot and my eyes are hazy.
“Oh my! Your Highness!”
The nanny, who touched my cheek, took a quick breath. I closed my eyes tightly and sneezed.
“Achoo!”
I think it’s a summer cold that even dogs don’t get.
***
“You have caught…a cold.”
The mood subsided heavily as if it had been heard by the doctor’s deep voice.
Madame Rupe, Xavier, and Lalima, who took Mabel for a walk, could not raise their heads.
Because they didn’t have the courage to face the angry Emperor.
Esteban looked at Mabel with complex eyes.
It was heartbreaking to see her fall asleep, breathing out hot breaths with her small body.
‘…it’s this small.’
Even if it’s a cold, it’ll be hard to hold out.
Esteban clasped Mabel’s hand. While asleep, her small hand opened slightly and then clenched his fist.
The doctor who arranged the medicine told him.
“Since she’s taken her medicine, her fever will go down, Your Majesty.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes? Yes…she took a fever reducer…”
If he could kill someone with his eyes, would he be dead?
It was Oscar, the first prince, who stood next to him, who saved the frightened doctor.
“Your Majesty. She took the medicine as the doctor said, Mabel will be fine soon. Rather, I think so many people her will be a hindrance.”
Then Esteban’s gaze on Mabel shifted to Oscar.
‘Your, Your Royal Highness the Prince!’
Everyone was wary of the rich. Wouldn’t sparks fly.
But nothing of concern happened.
With only the silence flowing, the aide Gustav rushed in.
“Your Majesty. An urgent report–!”
“Shh.”
‘Hub.’
In the cool eyes of the Emperor, Gustav hurriedly shut his mouth.
Only then did he realize that the place he had stepped in was the Princess’s bedroom. Mabel was even asleep.
‘I almost lost my life at the last minute.’
Gustav hurriedly bowed his head to save his life.
“I’m sorry. It was such an urgent matter that I didn’t consider the location.”
When Esteban shook his head, Gustav came close and reported in a small voice.
“Devlin’s devil has escaped.”
