PAMF 12

Chapter 12

A Special Gift

The next morning.

It was a morning with the sky clear and blue, and clouds spread out just enough to be pleasing.

Today, Jeff appeared again with the physician.

The elderly physician, with black hair and a white cap, carefully examined my legs while helping me sit up on the bed in front of Jeff.

“How is Her Highness’s condition? Could it be broken?”

Jeff asked anxiously, twisting his body and clenching his hands, clearly unsettled.

“I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

I reassured him that I had recovered.

‘Goodness, he’s so dramatic,’ I thought.

Suddenly, yesterday’s events came to mind.

‘Because of Jeff’s fuss, I got overtreated yesterday.’

It had been so frustrating, I thought I might die of impatience.

‘I never want to go through that again. Absolutely not!’

I smiled outwardly and looked at Jeff.

“My brave daughter!”

Jeff’s eyes sparkled with emotion.

“Do not worry, Your Majesty.”

Meanwhile, the physician, having waited until the conversation ended, rose from his seat and reported.

“I applied the ointment thoroughly. It will heal completely in a day.”

I shook my legs lightly back and forth and turned my head.

‘Is that the ointment I applied earlier?’

I noticed a small box placed on the bedside table.

‘It looks expensive.’

With gold plating on the surface and intricate designs, I guessed its price must be astronomical.

“It’s fortunate it will heal without scarring. Make sure Her Highness is carefully watched.”

Jeff, once again the dignified emperor, spoke seriously.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The physician smiled gently and added a few words.

“As per your command, I used an ointment made from Dragon’s Breath today. It’s effective and, in fact, only three of these exist in the world.”

The physician emphasized the point by holding up three fingers, which made me gasp.

‘Dr-Dragon’s Breath?’

I had assumed it was just an expensive, rare ointment, but now I felt as if lightning had struck my head.

‘The dragons have been gone from the surface for over 500 years… and he used that precious thing?’

I looked at Jeff in disbelief, and he was making a heart shape with his arms as if proud of himself.

‘Jeff, you little…!’

My head spun.

‘He must know that Dragon’s Breath can even revive the dead!’

It felt wasteful that such a valuable substance was casually applied to a minor injury.

‘Did he do it knowing it was overkill? Is this guy really crazy?’

I opened my mouth in shock.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Your Majesty, Sir Cain has arrived.”

“Show him in.”

Soon, the door creaked open, and a gray-haired servant informed Jeff.

“An alchemist named Milarton requests an audience with Your Majesty. What shall we do?”

Jeff rested his chin on one hand and said:

“Milarton, huh. Better to see him in my office than the audience hall.”

“Then I will bring him to your office promptly.”

“Then I’ll go immediately as well.”

Jeff nodded energetically and began preparing to leave.

‘Alchemists are wanderers, not affiliated with any group, right?’

Listening quietly to the conversation, I wondered.

“Why did the alchemist come?”

I tilted my head and asked.

“He came on your father’s request. I’ll explain more when I return.”

“Okay.”

Before I could say more, Jeff quickly approached, kneeling on one knee to meet my eye level.

“Our daughter, don’t cry even if you miss Daddy.”

He kissed my forehead and then approached the attending maids.

‘I’m not crying!’

Who said I was going to cry? Irritated, I rubbed the spot where Jeff had kissed me with the back of my hand.

‘How long do I have to endure his antics?’

Am I going to get used to this?

“Do not let Dazling come near the office. Understood?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Later, I noticed Jeff and the maids whispering quietly, though their voices were too low for me to hear clearly.

“Dazling.”

After finishing, Jeff turned toward me.

“Daddy, I’ll be back.”

Blowing heart-shaped petals, he winked with one eye, and a shiver ran through me. My whole body felt prickly.

Thud!

After Jeff left, the maids approached.

“Your Highness, shall we play the Dallang dance, which is popular in the empire today?”

One maid shook a rattle enthusiastically.

“Shall I read you a storybook?”

Another suggested an intellectual activity.

“Hmm~.”

I listened and thought for a moment.

‘I’m more curious about why Jeff summoned the alchemist than these trivial games.’

Pretending to consider what game to play, I planned how to get even a small clue.

“Let’s go see the azaleas blooming beautifully in the central garden!”

The garden was right outside the office, so I could see something and smiled, clapping my hands.

“?”

But the maids hesitated.

“Eh? The garden?”

Why were they trying to stop me? They came up with various excuses to divert my attention.

“How about building blocks inside?”

“Yes! There are terrifying giant bees around the central garden!”

What’s going on?

‘They don’t want me near the office.’

Something suspicious arose. There must be something I wasn’t supposed to see.

“Look at this, Your Highness!”

Soon, they began performing tricks, and their diligence made me decide to ignore it.

“Then take me to a scenic spot where I can paint.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Heh, they’re clearly relieved. I clicked my tongue inwardly.

Clatter.

Soon, in the palace indoor garden.

“By the way, Your Highness, you are already three years old.”

I watched as the maids brought and arranged the canvas, paints, and brushes. Sitting in a small armchair, I gently swung my feet and stared at the sky.

“Indeed. It feels like only yesterday you were crawling around.”

“It’s been three years already.”

In front of a flamboyantly blooming rose garden, the maids spoke softly, and I couldn’t hear a word.

‘As long as they’re not talking about me…’

In my previous life, I could hear everything, but this reincarnated body was ordinary.

‘Back as the emperor, hearing every whisper was stressful… this is much better.’

I fiddled with a toy while the maids prepared the painting tools.

“I hope Your Highness continues to stay safe until news of the war reaches us.”

“Of course. Now we just wait for the day the Grand General returns.”

Though I couldn’t hear everything due to distance, I observed their actions closely.

“I still don’t know how we managed to escort Your Highness from there to the imperial palace.”

Hurry up and prepare! I thought impatiently.

“Indeed. Three years ago… the air was full of a fishy scent, and it was raining.”

The two maids were reminiscing, and I forcibly looked away so they wouldn’t notice me eavesdropping.

“Yes. We helped the Grand General give birth and ran to the palace with all our strength. Considering Your Highness caught a cold from the rain, it’s still frightening to recall.”

“The doctor said we should have been mentally prepared for the worst, but Your Highness survived miraculously. How fortunate.”

“And now that we have the medicine you were looking for, we don’t have to worry like before if Your Highness falls ill.”

Patience snapped. I got out of the chair and approached the maids.

“I’m excited to see what picture Your Highness will draw.”

The maids guided me to the canvas.

‘Shall I start?’

I stepped on the luxurious white cushion chair, dipped my brush in paint, and began.

‘I’m not at my best today.’

Focusing intently, I left colorful paint marks on my face, completed the painting, and tossed the brush aside.

“Done!”

I proudly showed the painting to the maids.

“Guess what this is! Whoever gets it right gets a prize.”

The painting depicted Jeff standing on a green meadow with a rainbow behind him.

“Is it a rock?”

“No.”

“A flower?”

“No.”

“Is it the tree spirit from a storybook?”

“No.”

“Mashed potatoes from breakfast?”

“No, you don’t know art.”

The maids gave up with disappointed faces, and I shook my head.

‘Did even the gods I faced feel this way?’

I recalled long ago, exchanging endless questions and answers with the divine.

“Ah! Is it His Majesty, the Emperor?”

“How could you say such impiety…!”

“Yes, right! That’s the answer!”

Miranda was surprised, but seeing me smile, she said nothing further.

“You know a thing or two about art. Next, I’ll make you my model.”

I told Miranda she would be in my next painting.

“Your Highness, someone seeks you.”

Just as I was catching my breath, a maid arrived.

“Why?”

“I was only ordered to bring Your Highness to the office immediately.”

“Fine, let’s go now.”

I clicked my tongue, annoyed at having to move again after getting lost in art.

“Your Majesty, I’ve brought Her Highness.”

Soon, we arrived at a room near Jeff’s office.

“Our daughter is here!”

Jeff approached, happy to see me.

“One kiss first~.”

He took me from the maids and kissed me, and I froze instantly. Terrifying.

“When you’re walking properly, I have a gift for you.”

“What is it?”

Forget that; gifts cannot be resisted.

“Look here!”

Jeff picked me up with one hand and pointed with the other.

“This is only for you, Dazling.”

Where he pointed was a gift box decorated with red ribbons, pearls, and gold lace.