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Chapter – 44
The reason we were talking about the Wunen tree was that the Montas tree business had fallen through.
We needed to find another business to replace the Montas tree venture.
Which meant…
“Montas tree… Menroni can heal it!”
If we no longer needed to look for a substitute for the Montas tree business, the problem would solve itself, right?
“Will that power work on living things too?”
“Yes. It works on small animals and plants. Humans… hmm.”
“Alright. I understand.”
The duke casually replied and lightly stroked my head.
“Your Highness, you’re going to heal the tree?”
Those who had been silently listening to our conversation gently asked.
I nodded vigorously and answered.
“Yes! Menroni can heal it.”
“…Is that really true?”
“Menroni doesn’t lie.”
Whether my power worked on plants had already been tested thoroughly before I returned.
The attendants whispered among themselves at my words.
“Come to think of it, the princess does have the ability…”
“Yeah, but I think they said there was some problem with that power.”
“There are rumors that she’s a mutant. I don’t even know if she can use it properly.”
Seeing all of them whispering with wide eyes, it was clear they didn’t believe me.
The one who looked the least convinced was, as usual, Count Selten.
“Are you truly saying that Your Highness can heal the Montas tree?”
“Yes.”
“Phew… then can you show us right now?”
Right now?
I widened my eyes in surprise, and he nodded, continuing.
“Yes. If we trust only Your Highness’s words and get the timing of the Wunen tree contract wrong, the loss could be significant.”
The count glanced at the duke and the previous duke before adding his excuse.
“Could it be difficult for you?”
Difficult?
“Not difficult at all.”
Besides, this was an opportunity.
“I can do it right now!”
A chance to show my worth in front of the previous duke and the attendants.
The attendants’ meeting was suspended.
Instead of continuing the meeting, they, along with the duke, headed to the ‘Montas Greenhouse’ located in the western forest of the ducal residence.
“Damn that brat…”
Count Selten ground his teeth in frustration.
As soon as we arrived at the greenhouse, people began sighing.
“…Ugh.”
“Oh my.”
“Haah.”
All the small trees lined up in the greenhouse were dying.
In contrast, Count Selten’s mood improved.
‘How could that brat possibly fix this?’
At this point, the brat would probably already be discouraged by the dire sight…
“Shall we start right now?”
…What?
That confidence…?
It was Count Selten who started to panic instead.
A creeping sense of unease began to settle over him.
“Are you really sure, Marshmallow?”
“Yes. Totally possible. But I can’t fix everything in one day…”
I glanced around at the trees and held up two fingers.
“This much? That’s enough, right?”
“Of course. That’s more than enough.”
I smiled and stood before the nearest tree.
‘Ugh… a little nervous.’
In a way, this was the first time I would be using my power in front of people since entering Panteibe.
Of course, I had practiced in front of the staff of the ducal residence, but this was different.
‘Just do it well.’
I took a deep breath and extended both hands forward.
Soon, a strange light shimmered from my fingertips, forming patterns.
After a moment, the tree in front of me began to turn green and come back to life.
“This can’t be.”
“It’s… really alive?”
“My goodness!”
Hearing the exclamations behind me, my lips twitched in amusement.
Once the tree was fully revived, I retracted my hands and proudly puffed out my chest.
‘Everyone saw that!’
The most impressive display of a four-year-old in the empire.
Even Count Selten, wide-eyed, kept muttering, “How is this…?”
But that was only for a moment.
“Wait, Your Grace. Something is strange.”
“What is?”
“Isn’t Panteibe originally a family that uses dark powers? Then why is Your Highness’s power different?”
Count Selten, pale, glared at me as he spoke. His open questioning caused the surrounding nobles to murmur.
I flinched slightly.
‘Tch… sharp.’
But I had expected this to happen eventually.
When I entered Panteibe, the duke told me I didn’t need to hide my power.
I could use my ability freely.
So I knew a situation like this would eventually arise.
In times like this…
“Ah, Abadi!”
The duke had told me to hide behind him.
Then he would handle the situation himself.
I ran to him, and he lifted me skillfully, saying:
“What do you care if my daughter is special? Any complaints?”
Not long after, the meeting was adjourned.
The meeting ended with the previous duke’s scolding.
“This meeting is a total mess! All the reports you brought are useless. Especially you, Count Selten!”
“Y-Yes?”
“Stop wasting time nitpicking and focus on your duties. How long have you held the title, yet why did you raise taxes on your lands? All that extra budget is spent only on your family’s luxuries. Decorating uselessly won’t help. You’re incompetent!”
“Y-Yes, s-sorry-.”
“Also, you didn’t even check the Wunen tree properly. You just assumed it was fine and tried to push it through. Tch, tch! Being greedy and foolish is dangerous… worse than a four-year-old!”
“Sniff… I’m sorry, s-sorry, s-sorry.”
Count Selten, the target of the scolding, even cried.
Earlier he was annoying, but seeing a grown man cry made me feel a little pity.
So I ran over and gave him a handkerchief…
“Th-thank you. Sniff… Princess, you’re so kind… sniff.”
With a deeply moved expression, he repeated “thank you” and “sorry” several times before leaving.
‘Of course. People open their hearts to those who help them in hard times.’
Having settled even the count who openly challenged me, I felt relieved.
Hehe, Menroni. Another problem solved.
‘Then, now all that’s left is…’
I ran to the previous duke.
“Please!”
“Ah! Don’t run! What if you fall?”
“Yes!”
I slowed down and walked quickly as he approached.
“Ahem. What is it that you call me for?”
“I-I just wanted to thank you for supporting me earlier, Menroni.”
I smiled as I spoke, and the previous duke flinched.
Ahem!
He coughed loudly and turned his head sharply.
“Hmph. I wasn’t supporting you, I was telling the truth. That you solved Panteibe’s problem, and that others are incompetent, is true.”
“But still… thank you.”
“…Hmm.”
He gave me a steady glare and a sigh at my repeated thanks.
‘What’s with him?’
Just as I tilted my head in confusion,
“Marshmallow!”
“Y-Yes!”
I nearly jumped out of my skin.
“Do you have any wish?”
“Huh?”
At my dumbfounded response, he shouted:
“I said your wish! When you accomplish something, you deserve a reward that matches its value. So tell me, what do you wish for?”
Blinking at the unexpected offer of reward, I thought:
‘A reward…’
I couldn’t pass up such a chance.
“Um… what I wish for is…”
“Whatever it is, speak. I am not stingy.”
I closed my eyes tightly and pondered.
A reward… a reward.
