PAMF 13

Chapter 13

A Beam Comes Out of Its Beak

“What could be inside the giant box?”

I just peeked at the gift box, and Jeff urged me to open it quickly.

“Shall our little lady open it?”

Why does he have to sparkle his eyes like that for no reason? I grumbled to myself.

“Remember asking why the alchemist came to the royal palace earlier? What’s inside this box was made by alchemy.”

Jeff set me down on the floor and placed the gift box in front of me.

“It was commissioned a long time ago, but it was only just completed.”

He nudged me slightly, as if eager for me to check the contents immediately.

‘Creating something with alchemy… indeed, a prodigy I raised.’

I strode toward the box, loosened the ribbon without hesitation, and lifted the lid.

Inside was a cute duck plushie.

It had a soft, round design that gave it a cozy, comforting look.

‘What is this?’

I had expected something extraordinary. Seeing a simple plushie was utterly disappointing.

I couldn’t understand why it took so long for something so ordinary, my head filled with question marks.

“Cute, isn’t it? From today on, this little duck friend will always stay by your side.”

Jeff smiled with that patented “doting father” look and continued.

“Though it looks like an ordinary duck plush, this little friend has…”

He suddenly grew serious, his expression shifting from gentle to intense.

“In fact, it has a very special ability!”

A special ability? I stared at the duck plushie, mumbling under my breath.

‘I expected something impressive since it was made by an alchemist… but this is just a toy, isn’t it?’

No matter how I looked at it, it seemed completely ordinary.

“I wish I could always stay by our daughter’s side~.”

As I continued staring at the plushie, Jeff pretended to look melancholic.

“Sometimes I’m so busy with state affairs that I just can’t~.”

Clenching both hands, his face soon showed earnest concern.

“If anything happens and Daddy isn’t around, you must always go with your trusty duck friend. Got it?”

His eyes sparkled with innocence as he made the serious request.

‘So it’s not a toy—it’s for self-defense.’

Seeing Jeff like this, I wondered if I really needed to worry about my safety. After all, even if I were to die now, life would begin again.

“Now, sprinkle this powder and give it a name, and it will recognize you as its master.”

While briefly lost in a dark thought, Jeff handed me a tiny, ornate pouch.

The pouch, embroidered with leaves and flowers, was tied securely with a golden string and a red ribbon.

‘Alchemy makes things complicated, huh.’

I followed the instructions without thinking too much. I swallowed hard as I watched the golden powder being absorbed into the plushie’s body—it made me nervous.

“…Poppy?”

Finally deciding on a name, I spoke the two syllables, and the duck plushie changed.

Flash!

Magical runes appeared behind the duck, and a dazzling rainbow light enveloped the space before vanishing.

“Quack!”

The previously simple plushie, Poppy, now became a living, breathing toy.

“Ugh, so noisy… is it an alarm clock?”

It screamed so loudly that my eardrums hurt, making me irritated.

“Ooooh~?”

Unconsciously, I touched its body and was surprised.

‘What? It feels nice.’

It felt like touching moist, delicate flower petals.

‘This kid would make a great pillow.’

I kept fiddling with Poppy.

“Haha, does our little lady like it?”

Jeff laughed loudly, clearly pleased.

“Oh! I forgot to tell you.”

He stood up, smiling gently.

“If you’re in danger, press its belly, and a beam will shoot out from its beak—zap!”

I looked at Poppy again, doubtful.

“….”

“Quack?”

It didn’t look like it could possibly attack anyone.

‘Awesome.’

But now, imagining a beam shooting from Poppy’s tiny beak to electrocute an enemy was unavoidable.

“Only use it in emergencies—it’s too dangerous to play with.”

“Yes.”

This guy… I liked him. Very much.

“I was going to record my voice in it too… but I didn’t, since my feelings aren’t in this plushie.”

I answered briefly, and Jeff, hand over his chest, got all sentimental.

“But if Darling ever wants to hear my voice, just press Daddy’s cheek.”

Then he winked and pointed to his cheek with a finger, puckering his lips like a fish.

‘No way I’m pressing that!’

Creepy. I shivered in disgust.

“Daddy loves our daughter very much. Grow up safely, just like now.”

As he spoke, he reached out and patted my head.

“Does Darling have anything to say to Daddy?”

He leaned close, expectant.

“….”

What do you want me to say? I glared at him.

“It must be so good you’re speechless!”

Not really. Jeff placed one hand on his forehead, shedding tears of emotion.

‘Here we go again…’

I ignored him and kept patting Poppy.

A self-defense plush… If I’d known something like this existed, life would’ve been much easier.

I pulled Poppy’s beak and pressed its cheeks firmly.

“I’m glad I could give you your gift in a spare moment. My schedule is packed otherwise.”

Jeff, looking satisfied, returned to his busy schedule.

‘He’s been working hard. Since I got something, I can give this too.’

I had nothing else to give, so I decided to give Jeff the completed artwork I had just finished.

“Daddy, I have something for you too.”

I asked a maid behind me for the drawing.

‘Should I hang it in the reception room? Everyone will love it.’

I proudly handed my masterpiece to Jeff.

“A drawing of Daddy?”

Jeff covered his mouth with his free hand as he received it.

“Yes. It will be very valuable someday.”

“I’ll declare it a national treasure immediately!”

Jeff smiled brightly, like he had discovered a priceless treasure.

“Truly touching.”

“It’s suffocating.”

He suddenly hugged me, and I almost died trying to push him away.

“Tonight, we’ll have lots of food Darling likes.”

Finally letting go, he suggested we eat together later.

“Your Highness, I shall see you shortly.”

Jeff promised to hurry, while Essian, quietly observing, gave a polite bow.

Click.

“Phew~.”

Only after Jeff disappeared did I feel some relief.

“We should rest and return now.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll guide you to your room.”

Fatigue hit me, and I hurried to my room. The maid helped me wash and change into my nightgown immediately.

Plop.

I collapsed onto the bed, clutching Poppy.

‘I tire strangely easily.’

I lay face down, kneading Poppy in every direction.

‘Is a princess’s body naturally weak?’

I thought of the time in my past life facing an assassin.

‘As royalty, there will always be assassination threats. It was the same in my past life.’

I pretended to sleep lightly, feeling the assassin approach.

The masked assassin drew his sword quickly, but my reflexes were faster.

‘Where did it go…?’

‘What are you looking for? If it’s your life…’

I suddenly reappeared from behind, surprising the assassin, and I hit him forcefully.

‘Until I become an adult, this plush will protect me.’

I remembered Poppy’s attack ability.

‘I don’t know how useful it will be, but it should be enough to protect my fragile body.’

Both the emperor and the princess risk their lives, so I couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘I wonder how long I’ll survive this time?’

The forgotten danger now felt real.

‘Can I ever find peace in this life?’

I squeezed Poppy’s cheek and let go. Poppy, scared, ran to the corner of the bed.

Wheeee—!

‘That’s… a mosquito?’

Leaving the window open earlier had invited an unwelcome guest. I frowned at the mosquito.

“Quack!!!”

Perhaps because I reacted strongly, Poppy ran back and made a noise in front of me.

A few hours later, the emperor’s office was still filled with rustling sounds.

“Just a little longer, and it’ll be done.”

Perhaps eager to see the princess, His Majesty focused entirely on his duties.

“Your Majesty, it’s almost mealtime. Shall we bring the princess?”

I checked the time and asked how to proceed.

“Already that late? Prepare the princess’s meal first. I will come shortly.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Indeed, His Majesty treats the only princess with extreme care. I bowed and quickly set off, my steps speeding with excitement.

Passing the long black-and-white hallway, I finally arrived at the Bowelian Castle where Her Highness stayed.

“His Majesty wishes to see the princess…”

At the bedroom door, the maid and I exchanged smiles, just as I was about to relay His Majesty’s message.

Crack!

A loud noise erupted from inside.

“Huh?”

I paused, puzzled by the sound of electricity.

ZZZZZ—!!

Soon, a massive explosion shook the air.