WCMP 45

chapter 45

Generally, children of noble families make friends through their mothers’ social connections.

Or, they build relationships through siblings or other relatives.

But as far as I knew, the Duke was an only child, and the Duchess was a foreigner with no close relatives.

Rieli, too, had grown up isolated. After the Duchess died when she was young, and the Duke gradually lost his mind, the few families they had been in contact with eventually drifted away. Rieli ended up completely alone.

So, if I wanted to help Ammon make friends, the best way was to debut in high society, build connections, and invite the children—or younger siblings—of those families.

‘When I debut in the social scene, the first step is to target families with children around Ammon’s age.’

Lost in these thoughts while spending time with Ammon, the afternoon came, and I ended up chatting with Eva and Sevani in my room.

Ammon would have been in class, and the Duke hadn’t returned yet, so the three of us sat around, exchanging idle gossip.

It was a quiet, peaceful day, and I fell asleep feeling happy, closing my eyes with contentment.

“Miss, His Grace the Archduke has arrived!”

“Already? Ah, time flies.”

Time always seemed to pass quickly when I was enjoying a moment of leisure. A few days of this would make it feel even more fleeting, I guessed.

And if this calm, simple routine repeated too often, it would inevitably become boring.

‘Then I’d better go meet the little burst of energy for this peaceful day!’

Today was Ammon’s first lesson, and I planned to take that as an excuse to greet Arban.

I hurried to the training grounds.

From afar, a figure with an impressive stature immediately caught my eye. Without hesitation, I headed straight toward him.

As I got closer, Ammon, who had been hidden behind Arban, peeked out as well.

That serious expression! So cute, I could die!

Ammon didn’t seem to notice me approaching. The two of them were talking, and his usually cheerful face was unusually blank. Even so, to my eyes, he looked utterly adorable.

I quickened my pace, intending just to greet him, when I noticed some familiar faces waiting nearby and stopped.

“Sir Adel…? Sir Rix?”

I muttered in surprise, and both of their heads snapped toward me instantly.

As if on cue, they moved in unison. I just blinked, and their eyes widened as they recognized me.

Arban, who had probably been watching without me realizing, now had his gaze fixed on me as well.

As everyone’s eyes turned my way, Ammon finally noticed something was off, and his lips parted slightly.

Seeing that, I snapped out of my daze and hurried closer to them.

I wanted to greet Sir Seirin and Sir Rix, but it wouldn’t be polite to speak first when the Archduke was present.

‘I may not always follow etiquette, but I should at least observe the basics.’

Originally, I had come to see Arban, but seeing such familiar faces naturally drew my attention.

I exchanged greetings with Seirin and Rix while steadily moving toward Arban.

When I reached him, I spoke immediately.

“I should have come earlier… I hope I’m not interrupting your lesson.”

“Not at all. How could that be an interruption?”

As Arban replied lightly, Ammon spoke beside him.

“Sister, what brings you here?”

He looked up at me with round, bright eyes, like a little squirrel.

His brown hair and chubby cheeks made him even more endearing.

Ammon, when with others, always used formal speech like it was their first meeting. Back then, it had felt stiff, but now… completely smitten as I was, his mannerisms were just irresistibly cute.

“I came to greet you on your first lesson. It wouldn’t be proper to ask a favor from a distinguished person without showing my face.”

Not a complete lie, but my true feelings were elsewhere, so I just smiled. Though even that intention had been slightly warped by Seirin and Rix’s presence…

“I’ll leave now so as not to disturb you further. But Your Grace, if it’s not too much trouble, may I borrow Sir Adel and Sir Rix until you leave?”

Both were knights, so they had likely come under the guise of escorting him.

But after encountering multiple monster packs in the Eset Mountains, I realized Arban’s escorts were mostly for show.

‘Now I know firsthand why he’s called the Empire’s greatest swordsman.’

Thanks to that, I could ask Arban without guilt.

“Of course.”

“Thank you!”

I smiled at Arban, and left a word of encouragement for Ammon before departing.

I could have stayed to chat, but that would have distracted both Arban and Ammon.

I led Seirin and Rix back to my room’s parlor.

We maintained a quiet silence until we left the training grounds, but as soon as we stepped out, our chatter burst forth like a dam breaking.

“I never imagined we’d part ways so suddenly from the Princess!”

“Honestly, I was caught off guard too. I worried we might not see you again…”

As Rix babbled, Seirin chimed in.

The more I spoke with them, the guiltier I felt.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to leave like that. There were just some circumstances.”

Lowering my head slightly, my voice soft, they seemed to think I was upset.

“No! We weren’t seeking an apology,” Seirin waved frantically.

“Yes! We were just sad to see you go, so you don’t need to apologize, Princess,” Rix added, matching her enthusiasm.

“Really?” I asked, glancing between them.

“Of course!”

“Definitely, Princess!”

Their earnest reactions were so cute I had to stifle a laugh.

“Then let’s have some snacks and chat.”

Hearing their positive responses, I smiled.

Seirin and Rix brightened and started talking again, and together, we happily walked onward.

When we entered my room with the two knights, Eva and Sevani’s eyes went wide in surprise, then flushed with excitement.

Perhaps because it was the first time I brought guests, they rushed off eagerly to prepare refreshments.

While they were busy, I began chatting in the parlor.

I told them about how we had suddenly left the mountains, parted from Arban, and encountered a pack of monsters.

And how, when the knights arrived at the Archduke’s residence in the capital, they had been astonished to see Arban already there.

As I happened to glance downward, I spotted a familiar object at Seirin’s feet.

A basket!

I hadn’t noticed what they were holding earlier. The moment I realized, anxiety flared.

Once you recognize something, it’s hard to look away.

I was about to ask Seirin about the basket when there was a soft knock.

“Miss, the refreshments are here.”

“Oh, come in.”

While Eva and Sevani arranged the tea, I couldn’t stop staring at the basket.

Finally, when the children stepped back, Seirin handed me the basket she had placed at her feet with a knowing smile.

“Curious about what this is? You kept staring.”

For some reason, Seirin’s expression seemed meaningful as she passed me the basket.

‘Well… since she gave it, I’ll take it.’

If my guess was right, it contained something I couldn’t check here.

“This was entrusted to the Princess by His Grace. He instructed us not to open it, so we don’t know what’s inside either…”

As Seirin lifted a teacup and spoke, I nervously lifted the basket lid and reached in.

‘As expected…!’

Familiar scales greeted my hand, and I felt a strange, smooth rubbing, almost like it was brushing against my face.

I gently stroked what I presumed to be Yullen’s head and withdrew my hand.

Suddenly, I jumped to my feet.

Seirin, still drinking tea, and Rix, mid-bite of cake, turned to look at me.

“I… I’ll just step out for a moment. Sorry, I’ll keep this in my room and be back soon. You two enjoy yourselves.”

“Yes, take your time, Princess.”

“Of course, Princess.”

I offered a strained smile, and they let me leave, though their curious gazes lingered on the basket.

If it were me, I’d have asked immediately. But perhaps following Arban’s orders, they didn’t pry, which gave me some relief.

‘I need to figure out how to explain Yullen…’

I hurried to the dress room, locked the door, placed the basket on the table, and opened it. Yullen immediately popped out, grumbling.

“Hey, shouldn’t you have recognized me as soon as you saw the basket?”

“I didn’t even notice the basket while talking to the knights! But why are you here?”

I asked out of curiosity.

“Wait… am I not supposed to come here? Aren’t you happy to see me? They seemed so glad!”

Yullen seemed upset that I didn’t appear delighted.

“Of course I am! Naturally I’m happy.”

I was just surprised—I hadn’t expected to see him again after only two days.