Chapter 20
TL/Editor: Zimming/gummy
“The empress said that from now on, she will continue to make trolleys that fit your height as you grow taller.”
“Huh? I-I’m alright, she doesn’t need to!”
I was surprised and flailed my hands around.
“That would be too much for me!”
“Nevertheless, it’s still the order of the Empress.”
The court lady who listened to my objections, replied gently saying,
“I think Her Highness would appreciate your gratitude rather than a rejection.”
“B-but…”
“Therefore, it would be better if you showed Her Highness a smile while using it.”
I felt indescribable joy as I looked down at the trolley.
The trolley stood to my belly and the handle was made thinner in consideration of the small hands of a child.
No matter how much I thought about it, the trolley was made specifically for me.
The court lady then pushed the trolley slightly to me.
“Go on then, try it out.”
I grabbed the handle of the trolley with both hands.
‘Wow…’
The handle fit perfectly in my hands!
I pushed the trolley with excitement.
The trolley rolled smoothly without even the slightest noise.
“This is perfect!”
I couldn’t hide my ecstatic expression after testing the trolley myself.
From a distance, the Empress nodded her head.
“Lize!”
“Your Majesty?!”
I raised my head at her call. The Empress, who walked gracefully my way, kneeled down until we were at eye level.
“What do you think? Do you like the trolley?”
“Yes!!”, I nodded my head while smiling.
“I’m very pleased. Thank you!”
In an instant, the Empress’ face relaxed.
“That’s a relief.”
“Yes! The height is just right, I don’t hear any noise when I drag it. This will make my job much easier!”
The empress, who had been listening to me, asked a question mischievously.
“By the way, is my Lize only going to say thank you?”
I was startled hearing her question.
“Th-then, I have to…”
With a playful smile, the Empress spread her arms wide.
“Ah!”
In an instant, I understood what she wanted.
“You should also show thanks with your actions!”
I immediately ran into the Empress’ arms as laughter rang throughout the room.
The Crown Prince Damian
I finally decided to go on an adventure to find the Crown Prince.
Now was the best time, since maid Weber gave me an errand.
It wasn’t very urgent, she only told me to go into the office to get the summer uniforms for the maids.
“I’m sorry, Lize. I’m a little busy today.”
Well, it’s not like I did the errand for free.
“If you help me, I’ll give you candies, how about that?”
With that, the maid gave me five candies and immediately left.
I put the candy in my mouth.
I absolutely loved the sweet taste that spread throughout my mouth.
I splayed my fingers and counted out the tasks to be done one by one.
‘First, let’s quickly get some clothes. Then…’
I clenched both of my fists.
This is an opportunity to visit the Crown Prince’s Palace without appearing suspicious!
‘Before returning to the Empress’ Palace, I can stop by the Crown Prince’s Palace. Perfect!’
I decided to stop by under the pretext of running an errand to avoid suspicion.
But in fact, if I was in the position of the imprisoned Crown Prince, I would find it very suspicious if a maid suddenly entered the desolate palace.
I munched on my candy and smiled.
‘I got lost on the way back from running an errand. Perfect excuse, isn’t it?’
Hehe, I’m a genius!
I continued to walk and praise myself throughout my journey.
I unconsciously hummed as I walked cheerfully.
***
After about thirty minutes, I quit the plan I had made earlier.
No, I had no choice but to give up.
I looked at the palace with a baffled face.
No, what kind of palace looks like this…
Can this even be called a palace?
Aside from the high, leaky walls, the main gate was forcibly closed.
‘Oh no…How can I proceed with my plan!’
I sighed and looked around.
It was obvious that no one cared about this palace.
Unlike the other dazzling palaces, this palace was depressing.
‘In such a gloomy palace, an eight-year-old kid is imprisoned all alone…’
Hmm.
I narrowed my eyes.
I decided that I would meet him, so I can’t give up like this.
I picked up the clothes I was tasked with retrieving and looked beyond the palace walls.
It seemed that the palace had been around for a long time, so there had to be a dog hole somewhere…
“Found it!”
I shouted happily.
Yes, this kind of palace had a dog hole!
The dog hole was covertly hidden under the shade of a tree.
I contemplated the size of the hole to see if I could pass through it.
It may be difficult for large adults to go through the hole, but luckily I am still small.
Could I do it?
“First of all, I should put the clothes somewhere safe.”
It was something that Court Lady Weber asked for, so I couldn’t lose the clothing.
After hiding the clothes, I looked around.
No one’s watching me right?
Of course, no one would come near here.
I made up my mind and muttered resolutely, “Then, let’s go.”
I poked my head into the hole.
After crouching as much as I could, I began crawling.
Wow, really… Even a small body like mine had a hard time, imagine how difficult it would be for an adult body?
I crushed the grass beneath my hands, releasing the rich smell of soil.
After struggling for some time, I finally entered the palace.
“Ah, my shoulders hurt.”
As I patted my stiff shoulders, I stared at my apron wide-eyed.
“I need to make up another excuse…”
I scrunched my brows and brushed off my apron, which was dirtied from the soil and grass.
Unlike the Imperial Palace, where everything in sight was dazzling, the Crown Prince’s Palace was simply shabby.
Gardens overgrown with weeds, broken benches, and even a moldy fountain.
I thought that the inside of the palace would definitely be better than the outside.
‘Leaving an eight-year-old boy unattended in a place like this is child abuse.’
I took a deep breath and continued my journey…Until thin, cold metal grazed my neck.
In an instant, the hairs all over my body stood upright and my mouth became dry.
‘Am I going to die now?’
The blade felt like it could cut my neck effortlessly.
“…Who are you?” an ice-cold voice asked me.
Terrified, I glanced at the owner of the voice cautiously.
A sharp pair of eyes were scrutinizing me.
Ah, those eyes.
I forgot the fact that a sword was at my neck as if I was hypnotized by his golden eyes.
The protagonist of this world was standing in front of me.
It was the Crown Prince, Damian.
“Identify yourself.”
Hearing his voice, I came out of my stupor.
‘Um, who am I?’
I hurriedly opened my mouth.
“I-I…”
“Are you an assassin sent by the Emperor?”
‘Hey, isn’t he too suspicious of me!?’
I mean, who would send a little girl like me as an assassin!?
But I didn’t voice my thoughts due to the sword at my neck.
“No, that’s not it!”
“Then what?”
It seemed that Damian had no intention of letting me go until he received a definitive answer.
‘Excuse me, Prince! No matter how suspicious you are, what’s the use of pointing a sword towards a child like me?’
Are all the main characters of this world this absurd?!
But since I was afraid of him killing me, I shakily replied “I-I’m a maid from the Empress’ palace!”
Chapter 20
TL/Editor: Zimming/gummy
“The empress said that from now on, she will continue to make trolleys that fit your height as you grow taller.”
“Huh? I-I’m alright, she doesn’t need to!”
I was surprised and flailed my hands around.
“That would be too much for me!”
“Nevertheless, it’s still the order of the Empress.”
The court lady who listened to my objections, replied gently saying,
“I think Her Highness would appreciate your gratitude rather than a rejection.”
“B-but…”
“Therefore, it would be better if you showed Her Highness a smile while using it.”
I felt indescribable joy as I looked down at the trolley.
The trolley stood to my belly and the handle was made thinner in consideration of the small hands of a child.
No matter how much I thought about it, the trolley was made specifically for me.
The court lady then pushed the trolley slightly to me.
“Go on then, try it out.”
I grabbed the handle of the trolley with both hands.
‘Wow…’
The handle fit perfectly in my hands!
I pushed the trolley with excitement.
The trolley rolled smoothly without even the slightest noise.
“This is perfect!”
I couldn’t hide my ecstatic expression after testing the trolley myself.
From a distance, the Empress nodded her head.
“Lize!”
“Your Majesty?!”
I raised my head at her call. The Empress, who walked gracefully my way, kneeled down until we were at eye level.
“What do you think? Do you like the trolley?”
“Yes!!”, I nodded my head while smiling.
“I’m very pleased. Thank you!”
In an instant, the Empress’ face relaxed.
“That’s a relief.”
“Yes! The height is just right, I don’t hear any noise when I drag it. This will make my job much easier!”
The empress, who had been listening to me, asked a question mischievously.
“By the way, is my Lize only going to say thank you?”
I was startled hearing her question.
“Th-then, I have to…”
With a playful smile, the Empress spread her arms wide.
“Ah!”
In an instant, I understood what she wanted.
“You should also show thanks with your actions!”
I immediately ran into the Empress’ arms as laughter rang throughout the room.
The Crown Prince Damian
I finally decided to go on an adventure to find the Crown Prince.
Now was the best time, since maid Weber gave me an errand.
It wasn’t very urgent, she only told me to go into the office to get the summer uniforms for the maids.
“I’m sorry, Lize. I’m a little busy today.”
Well, it’s not like I did the errand for free.
“If you help me, I’ll give you candies, how about that?”
With that, the maid gave me five candies and immediately left.
I put the candy in my mouth.
I absolutely loved the sweet taste that spread throughout my mouth.
I splayed my fingers and counted out the tasks to be done one by one.
‘First, let’s quickly get some clothes. Then…’
I clenched both of my fists.
This is an opportunity to visit the Crown Prince’s Palace without appearing suspicious!
‘Before returning to the Empress’ Palace, I can stop by the Crown Prince’s Palace. Perfect!’
I decided to stop by under the pretext of running an errand to avoid suspicion.
But in fact, if I was in the position of the imprisoned Crown Prince, I would find it very suspicious if a maid suddenly entered the desolate palace.
I munched on my candy and smiled.
‘I got lost on the way back from running an errand. Perfect excuse, isn’t it?’
Hehe, I’m a genius!
I continued to walk and praise myself throughout my journey.
I unconsciously hummed as I walked cheerfully.
***
After about thirty minutes, I quit the plan I had made earlier.
No, I had no choice but to give up.
I looked at the palace with a baffled face.
No, what kind of palace looks like this…
Can this even be called a palace?
Aside from the high, leaky walls, the main gate was forcibly closed.
‘Oh no…How can I proceed with my plan!’
I sighed and looked around.
It was obvious that no one cared about this palace.
Unlike the other dazzling palaces, this palace was depressing.
‘In such a gloomy palace, an eight-year-old kid is imprisoned all alone…’
Hmm.
I narrowed my eyes.
I decided that I would meet him, so I can’t give up like this.
I picked up the clothes I was tasked with retrieving and looked beyond the palace walls.
It seemed that the palace had been around for a long time, so there had to be a dog hole somewhere…
“Found it!”
I shouted happily.
Yes, this kind of palace had a dog hole!
The dog hole was covertly hidden under the shade of a tree.
I contemplated the size of the hole to see if I could pass through it.
It may be difficult for large adults to go through the hole, but luckily I am still small.
Could I do it?
“First of all, I should put the clothes somewhere safe.”
It was something that Court Lady Weber asked for, so I couldn’t lose the clothing.
After hiding the clothes, I looked around.
No one’s watching me right?
Of course, no one would come near here.
I made up my mind and muttered resolutely, “Then, let’s go.”
I poked my head into the hole.
After crouching as much as I could, I began crawling.
Wow, really… Even a small body like mine had a hard time, imagine how difficult it would be for an adult body?
I crushed the grass beneath my hands, releasing the rich smell of soil.
After struggling for some time, I finally entered the palace.
“Ah, my shoulders hurt.”
As I patted my stiff shoulders, I stared at my apron wide-eyed.
“I need to make up another excuse…”
I scrunched my brows and brushed off my apron, which was dirtied from the soil and grass.
Unlike the Imperial Palace, where everything in sight was dazzling, the Crown Prince’s Palace was simply shabby.
Gardens overgrown with weeds, broken benches, and even a moldy fountain.
I thought that the inside of the palace would definitely be better than the outside.
‘Leaving an eight-year-old boy unattended in a place like this is child abuse.’
I took a deep breath and continued my journey…Until thin, cold metal grazed my neck.
In an instant, the hairs all over my body stood upright and my mouth became dry.
‘Am I going to die now?’
The blade felt like it could cut my neck effortlessly.
“…Who are you?” an ice-cold voice asked me.
Terrified, I glanced at the owner of the voice cautiously.
A sharp pair of eyes were scrutinizing me.
Ah, those eyes.
I forgot the fact that a sword was at my neck as if I was hypnotized by his golden eyes.
The protagonist of this world was standing in front of me.
It was the Crown Prince, Damian.
“Identify yourself.”
Hearing his voice, I came out of my stupor.
‘Um, who am I?’
I hurriedly opened my mouth.
“I-I…”
“Are you an assassin sent by the Emperor?”
‘Hey, isn’t he too suspicious of me!?’
I mean, who would send a little girl like me as an assassin!?
But I didn’t voice my thoughts due to the sword at my neck.
“No, that’s not it!”
“Then what?”
It seemed that Damian had no intention of letting me go until he received a definitive answer.
‘Excuse me, Prince! No matter how suspicious you are, what’s the use of pointing a sword towards a child like me?’
Are all the main characters of this world this absurd?!
But since I was afraid of him killing me, I shakily replied “I-I’m a maid from the Empress’ palace!”
