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Chapter 62
The Princess Only Deals with the Genuine
When I said that, Lina’s eyes widened.
“You said it’s an event where we can see the treasures in the treasury in person, so I got interested too. Even if it’s just menial work, that’s fine!”
“What do you mean by menial work? I can’t let you do something like that.”
I smiled lightly and added,
“Honestly, the treasures are one thing, but it’s also a chance to see you conduct the event so wonderfully. I want to celebrate it with you, as your friend.”
Lina’s cheeks turned rosy.
“I actually wanted to invite you too, but I hesitated because I thought you might be busy with the shop…”
After mumbling for a bit, Lina came closer and sat down.
“But it’s okay, right? Then I’ll send you an official invitation this time. With my invitation, you’ll be able to see the treasures up close.”
“Really? Thank you!”
“But you don’t need to help with anything! Just enjoy yourself at the pre-event party and the main event. Take it easy and watch. Got it?”
Perfect!
‘It’s much better than being on staff. It’s a chance to monitor Crodel up close!’
“Yes, then I’ll just go ‘watch’ comfortably.”
“Good!”
Whether she knew my thoughts or not, Lina smiled brightly.
“Ahem.”
Seeing Ailun clearing his throat outside the door, I realized it was time to leave.
But I pretended not to hear him.
I had one more question to ask.
Maybe it was just my imagination, but it seemed like Lina was also pretending not to hear.
“Lina. About the pendant you inherited from your mother… why does Marquis Crodel want it so badly? What’s his ultimate goal?”
This question had always bothered me.
I knew it was a family treasure and a sacred relic, but why was Crodel so obsessed with this pendant in particular?
‘The treasury of the Empress’s family must have many other precious treasures. So why is he fixated on the pendant?’
I whispered, and Lina lowered her voice too.
“This pendant is the symbol of the family head.”
“The symbol of the family head?”
“Yes. You have to possess it to be recognized as the head of the family. That’s why my uncle is after it.”
Crodel’s motive became clear immediately.
However, there was still an unresolved question.
“But since you’ve already inherited it, doesn’t that make you the head of the family? Can taking the pendant really change that?”
“That’s… I’m not officially the head yet.”
When I tilted my head in confusion, Lina continued quietly, “This is a secret.”
“To be recognized as the head of my mother’s family—the Etewirn family—you need two things: the pendant and the seal. Usually, both are inherited from the predecessor.”
Lina lowered her eyes.
“My mother, who was both the Empress and the previous family head, only left me the pendant. She said, ‘I hope this will be your guide and key.’”
She spoke softly.
“……She must have thought I wasn’t fit to be the family head.”
Lina’s shoulders slumped.
After a moment of silence, I cautiously asked,
“Do you know where the seal is?”
“I don’t. Maybe my uncle has it. He inherited the title and is temporarily acting as the head of the family.”
Lina muttered, clicking her nails together.
“I don’t really know what my mother’s family was like. I’ve never even been to the Etewirn Marquisate.”
Taking a deep breath, she looked sad.
“My uncle blocked the information, I only received royal education as a princess, and my mother was very ill… we couldn’t talk much.”
“Lina…”
“And what if… what if I’m being stubborn? What if I’m wrong?”
Tears welled up in Lina’s green eyes.
“What if my mother’s heirlooms weren’t meant for me? ……What if she thought I wasn’t fit to inherit just because I’m a direct descendant, and I’m being greedy?”
Just as the tears were about to fall, I took her hand.
“No. They were meant for you, Lina.”
“……How do you know that?”
“Usually, the more precious the item, the more you entrust it to someone you can trust.”
I pointed at myself playfully, then held her hand firmly and whispered,
“The Empress trusted you, Lina. She believed you would protect it. You’ve done well so far, and you’ll continue to do so. I guarantee that. You know I have a good eye, right?”
The moisture in Lina’s eyes slowly cleared as she looked at me in a daze.
“……Thank you. It’s strange, but being with you makes me feel at ease.”
“I have a bit of a talent for that.”
I said jokingly, and Lina smiled.
I could comfort her because I’d had a similar experience—trying to protect a necklace I inherited from my grandfather in my past life.
‘I had no one to comfort me before, but at least I can comfort Lina.’
Now, about the seal…
‘It seems Crodel might have intercepted it somewhere.’
If the Empress was giving it, she wouldn’t just give the pendant, right?
Just then, I noticed Ailun moving outside the door.
Looking at the clock, it was much later than expected. I got up discreetly.
“Well then, I’ll be going, Lina! I had a wonderful time today. And this is nothing special, but thank you for inviting me.”
I hurriedly took out a gift I had brought from the attic.
“Dried flowers… nothing special? They’re really pretty.”
They were my grandfather’s dried flowers.
I was glad she liked them and turned to leave.
“Wait!”
I had the door half-open when Lina called me back.
When I turned, she held out her hand, her face slightly flushed.
“Here. I promised to give you storage fees, remember? One gold, just as promised.”
In Lina’s hand was a single gold coin.
Yes, it was one gold, but…
“This is a commemorative coin for the Emperor’s birthday?! Only a hundred exist in the world with His Majesty’s signature!”
“Well, I don’t think so. Look closely. I just picked it up from the room.”
“Even looking closely, it’s a commemorative coin! It’s worth at least five million gold…!”
“Ah, I shouldn’t have told you to look closely. I forgot you’re an appraisal expert, Elisha.”
“This is far too much! It’s not even the amount we agreed on!”
“You didn’t specify the exact one gold, did you?”
Lina, silencing me, smiled and tucked the coin into my bag.
Then she said,
“Thank you. For everything.”
And hugged me tightly.
“Let’s meet again, Elisha.”
Is this okay? Isn’t Ailun going to kick me for daring to touch the princess?
As I hesitated in awkward posture, Lina smiled sweetly.
“Yes, see you next time, Lina!”
“Yeah. Sir Ailun, please see my friend off properly.”
I left the palace in a daze.
After passing through the maze and boarding the carriage, I checked the commemorative coin.
‘Oh, there’s a note stuck to the back of the coin.’
I’ll contact you through Sir Ailun. If you have anything to tell me, just tell Sir Ailun.
It even included a number, probably Ailun’s direct line.
‘Looks like Ailun is definitely on Lina’s side. Good.’
As I thought this, I felt a sharp gaze.
Ailun was staring right at me.
Literally, piercing through me.
‘So the problem was the hug…!’
But I didn’t hug first!
The princess hugged me!
Feeling unjust, I hurried down as soon as we arrived at the pawnshop.
“Then take care, Sir Knight!”
But Ailun followed me into the pawnshop.
Then he just silently stared at me.
No matter how much protecting the princess is your job, this is giving me too much pressure.
I opened my mouth with a slightly sulky tone.
“Alright, from now on, I’ll make sure to carefully avoid touching the princess…”
But what came out of Ailun’s mouth was nothing like I expected.
“I apologize.”
And he continued,
“I thought now would be the right time to apologize for what I’ve delayed. Once again, I am truly sorry.”
Ailun bowed his head.
“I misunderstood you all this time. I accused you without basis, assuming you had other motives, even though I was ordered to, and treated you with prejudice… I also caused you harm.”
“Well, um, that’s—”
“As the commander of the paladin order, and as Ailun Hugo Radeian personally, I will fulfill both material and mental obligations to you.”
It was a very proper, clear, and concise apology, but I had a bad feeling about it.
So…
“You mean, fulfilling your obligations…?”
“Yes. I will take responsibility for you.”
“Whaaaat?!”
Way over the top, this guy!
