PAMF 17

Chapter 17

The Reward for Enduring a Boring Lesson

Squeak—.

I turned my head away from Lilis and left the hall.

“Do we have any next appointments or something?”

I asked while walking down the corridor with the maid, my footsteps echoing along the gleaming hallway. Even for a young royal, once you’re old enough to walk and speak, at least a day’s schedule would usually be laid out in some simple form.

“Shall we say you’ll attend a general education class first?”

The maid, walking slowly to match my pace, cautiously replied as she placed her foot on the stairs lined with a red carpet.

“Alright. Let’s stop by your room first.”

I quickly agreed, thinking it would be better than rolling around on the bed, adjusting my hold on Poppy.

Chirp, chirp—.

A little later, outside the bedroom we arrived at leisurely, the birds sang. I absentmindedly watched the birds flitting around the pink flowers blooming outside the window before turning my head.

“You look amazing!”

The maid waited briefly, then praised me as soon as I glanced at the mirror again, her work on my hair complete.

“I prepared something comfortable for you, in case it might be inconvenient during your class.”

The maids, hands folded over their chests, seemed delighted, practically glowing with excitement. From the blush on their cheeks, it was clear I wore the new outfit and accessories perfectly.

“Today’s general education class will cover only history and military studies.”

As I dismissed the usual flattery, a maid who had been standing slightly further back informed me of the afternoon schedule.

‘History and military? That’s way too easy.’

I had expected the content for a princess to be different, but as soon as I heard the subject names, I snorted.

‘Finally, it’s time to show off my intelligence!’

I straightened my shoulders with a sense of pride. Naturally, the reason my nose lifted so high was all thanks to my past life as an emperor.

‘I should bring that one along too.’

Before leaving the bedroom, I noticed Poppy in the mirror one last time. The little creature could entertain itself when I wasn’t around, but since Jeff had provided Poppy as a protective companion, I couldn’t just leave him behind.

“Poppy, come here.”

“Quack?”

I followed Poppy’s movements with my eyes before calling him over. The innocent Poppy immediately turned toward me, a curious expression on his face.

“Is it alright if Poppy comes along?”

I asked the maid, pointing to Poppy.

“Of course, Your Highness.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”

The maids immediately responded affirmatively.

“This palace operates entirely according to your wishes.”

They politely clasped their hands and bowed their heads slightly.

“You can do anything you desire.”

Of course. Swallowing the rest of my remark, I turned to Poppy.

“Poppy, you must not shoot any beams from there.”

“Quack!”

Poppy seemed to understand, letting out a loud cry and jumping up with his short arms raised.

“Your Highness, Princess.”

A little later, having arrived early at the classroom and lost in thought, someone approached and spoke.

“I am Elaila Lune Barsha, responsible for Your Highness’s academic and political lessons.”

I was caught off guard, frozen for a moment. The elderly noble with gray hair introducing herself had been my aide in my previous life.

‘El… it’s really Elaila?’

I couldn’t believe she hadn’t retired. Elaila had been one of my closest aides when I was emperor. Now, she had aged and her face was lined with wrinkles.

“I will serve as your teaching assistant.”

“Oh? You came too.”

Oops. I had been so focused on Elaila that I had only just noticed Sasha. I greeted him at once, and Poppy quietly pressed up against me.

‘Why did this one come?’

Although supposedly my classmate in education, I felt a bit of a disconnect.

‘A little kid already acting as a teaching assistant. Smart, I see.’

It wasn’t wrong for him to assist in class under the guise of helping with studies. So I had nothing more to say.

‘But still, he’s just a child.’

Yet I felt strangely uneasy.

‘I wonder if I’ll learn anything from him.’

I spoke with a restless feeling.

“Take a seat.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”

Sasha showed his usual bright smile, while Elaila wore a gentle expression. Soon, as the textbook was opened, Elaila launched into a detailed explanation. Initially, the content was familiar, so I could concentrate easily.

However, I soon felt a persistent gaze and couldn’t keep my eyes on the book.

Unable to resist, I turned my head to see that the classroom door, which had been closed, was now open.

‘What are they doing?’

Jeff and Hecate peeked through, watching me.

Coming to the classroom during administrative hours? My mind filled with question marks.

“Excuse me…”

Elaila, seeing them so openly, could not help but notice their presence.

“How did you two come here?”

Addressing Jeff and Hecate with slightly strict eyes, she questioned them.

“We came because we thought it was impressive that the princess was attending class…”
“We wanted to observe.”

They answered confidently. The two, showing expressions that cared for no one but me, seemed surrounded by a faint sparkling aura of light.

“We’ll just watch quietly.”

Jeff hurriedly added, worried Elaila might ask them to leave.

“Absolutely not.”

Elaila was firm.

With eyes tightly shut and voice resolute, her stance conveyed unwavering authority.

“Your Highness would be unable to concentrate otherwise.”

Right, right. She was correct. I nodded inwardly in agreement.

“As your teacher, I must provide proper instruction.”

Elaila even pointed a finger for emphasis.

“Moreover, Your Highness is destined to become the emperor of this country, isn’t that so?”

Hearing her words, I was reminded of a fact I had momentarily forgotten. I am the sole heir, the only successor.

Thus, if no other heirs appear and time passes, I will naturally inherit the throne.

‘Creepy thought…’

Suddenly imagining the exhausting life of an emperor repeating someday sent a chill down my spine.

“Since you have entrusted me with this class, please follow my instructions.”

Meanwhile, Jeff and Hecate had no choice but to step back, looking deflated as they trudged away.

‘She really is sharp.’

At least, the noisy ones were gone.

‘Elaila’s cool-headedness hasn’t changed over time.’

I watched her prepare to continue the lesson.

‘My judgment is impeccable.’

Indeed, she was worthy of being a former aide. I smirked inwardly.

“Since this is the first lesson, let’s start lightly with history.”

Soon moving to a new topic, Elaila’s eyes shone brightly with intelligence.

“Trying to learn too much at once is difficult, so let’s start with the foundation myth of the kingdom.”

I lifted my eyes from the book to look at Elaila.

‘Foundation myths get more exaggerated over generations.’

How that connects to history, I couldn’t fathom. I groaned inwardly.

“Foundation myths… aren’t they fascinating?”

Meanwhile, Sasha smiled knowingly and chuckled softly.

‘Is it because he’s young?’

He seemed to enjoy it more than I did, which was surprising.

‘He actually enjoys that.’

Seeing him smile so broadly confirmed it.

“Long ago…”

Elaila began reading the myth from the textbook.

“Nothing existed in this world.”

Her calm voice enunciated each sentence carefully.

“The first humans planted seeds in the void, which grew into vast forests and nature.”

I listened, wondering how much this version had changed over time.

“Using nature as their foundation, humanity advanced endlessly. Among them, the bravest became the leader.”

Boring. I gradually lost interest.

“Interestingly, the leader was born from an egg and created the ‘new humans’ from his own ribs. Our ancestors were these ‘new humans.’”

Not interesting at all. I let Elaila’s words wash over me as I drifted into daydreams.

“The new humans were intelligent and eventually built a vast kingdom.”

“Indeed fascinating, though myths differ by region.”

Just as I was relieved the story was ending, Sasha folded his arms and spoke.

“Oh, I see. Do you know other myths, Your Highness?”

Elaila looked surprised, apparently not expecting Sasha to interject.

“Yes, of course.”

Sasha, with a proud expression, tapped the desk with his index finger.

“It’s a myth mostly forgotten by history.”

He lowered his eyes slightly, speaking in a calm tone.

“In ancient times, the first creation was a vast, dark space: the universe.”

I noticed this was a unique twist and perked up.

“The universe was created by a god. The god also created a colossal being to manage it.”

A colossal being? A ripple of curiosity went through me.

“The colossal being moved according to the god’s will, and through that process, nature was born, allowing many creatures to inhabit the earth.”

Images of birds flying over blue waters and lush forests flashed through my mind.

“Humans appeared on earth then. But they were not the first humans created by the god. The humans who settled on earth lived in groups, forming kingdoms.”

Why specify they weren’t the first humans? My attention sharpened.

“Humans received abundant love from the god and could advance endlessly. The leader among them passed prosperity to their descendants.”

Sasha spoke fluently until the end.

“And the colossal being was eventually forgotten. Even the god forgot it.”

Sasha exhaled and placed his hands neatly on the stand.

“That’s all I know.”

With a faint smile, Sasha awaited our reaction.

‘Different from any myth I’ve heard over centuries.’

I reflected on all the myths I had known.

“Oral transmission adds new elements over generations.”

Yet the myth Sasha told didn’t match any I had heard, despite living for centuries and listening to many versions.

‘But the essence is the same.’

Even if the details change, the seed remains unchanged.

“This is the first time I’ve heard this myth. It’s like a fairy tale.”

Why does someone his age know so much? I watched Sasha quietly, while Elaila seemed very interested in the new story.

“If given the chance, I’d like to look up relevant books.”

“Coincidentally, our family has books recording myths.”

“I’ll visit someday.”

Just the two of them seemed excited.

‘Really now.’

I felt slightly left out by their private conversation.

“Now, shall we learn about the empire’s history instead?”

Whether they liked it or not, the history lesson continued.

“Our empire was actually once a kingdom.”

So boring. I closed my eyes.

‘Soon we’ll get the story of the kingdom’s founding and Ulrika suppressing the rebels.’

All predictable.

‘Boring because I already know it.’

Contrary to my earlier resolve to show off my intelligence, I wriggled in discomfort.

Still, I answered Elaila’s questions diligently and felt pride when she praised my knowledge.

Step, step.

Finally, walking out into the hallway after class, I felt relief.

“How was class?”

“Not bad.”

Sasha stayed by my side instead of leaving immediately.

“Honestly, I was surprised every time Your Highness answered Baron Barsha’s questions so well.”

“Well, I know it already.”

Why the fuss? I replied bluntly, eyes forward.

“Really? I felt as if you lived in that era yourself.”

“Y-Yeah.”

Ah, that kid. Suddenly hitting with a compliment out of nowhere.

‘She’s right, so I can’t deny it.’

Embarrassed, I spoke less, and Sasha didn’t say anything further.

“Oh! They’re here!”
“It’s Princess!”

When we arrived at the pavilion we were to meet at, I saw Ronowe, Veris, and Carlyle playing with flowers in their hair.

‘They changed clothes? When did they change?’

Watching the kids in their fresh outfits, Ronowe ran toward me and bumped her head on my chin.

“Good afternoon, Princess, Master Sasha.”

Tears welled up slightly, but no one noticed, and I didn’t want to show weakness over such a minor pain.

“Princess, what shall we play today?”

“What should we do?”

As usual, their eyes sparkled with expectation and excitement, energy overflowing from their two pairs of red eyes.

“Well….”

Honestly, I hadn’t thought much, so no proper answer came to mind.

“Your Highness, how about this?”

A maid eagerly approached and handed me a scroll.