TSHF 15

Chapter 15.

I enjoyed the sunlight filtering through the leaves as I led Agatha to the left side of the tree.

“Look at this! Isn’t it cool?”

“Ah…”

On the left side of the tree was a hollow depression.

It had naturally formed as the tree grew, large enough for one or two people to sit comfortably.

“This is my secret hideout.”

“Hideout?”

“Yep! Whenever I felt tired or overwhelmed, I would come here!”

Even before the Emperor gifted me that greenhouse, this tree had been my one true resting place—a private refuge where I could find peace.

When I was upset or distressed, I would secretly come here to calm myself.

Remembering those times, I sat down in the hollow of the tree.

“Tada~! Like this!”

I naturally patted the spot next to me.

“Agatha, come sit here too.”

“M-me? How could I…”

“It’s okay, come on~.”

Agatha hesitated for a moment before gently setting down the flowerpot she had been holding.

Then she sat beside me.

“Now, just follow me. Relax your body like this.”

“Yes.”

“Close your eyes.”

As I leaned my back against the tree trunk to demonstrate, I heard the rustling as Agatha followed suit.

“And now… enjoy the peace.”

“Yes, Princess.”

Contrary to my words, I opened my eyes.

Then, straightening my back, I looked to the side and saw Agatha sitting obediently with her eyes closed, leaning against the tree.

Her expression looked much more relaxed than before.

I gazed at her with a blank expression.

‘Has she finally let her guard down a bit?’

At that moment, spirits suddenly popped into the air, grumbling at me.

[Master~! Why’d you show this place to her~?]

[Hmm! Indeed, Master. I do not like this.]

[Wahh! This is where we first met, remember?! I don’t like this either, Master!]

‘Hush, everyone.’

Just as they said, this was the precious place where I had first met the spirits.

But because of that, I could lend it—just briefly—to Agatha, who was clearly at her limit emotionally.

‘She’s going to leave the palace for good anyway.’

This place would just be a stepping stone to build a connection.

Didn’t I say it before? I’ll use anything for my goals.

‘Even my memories.’

So let’s just give in a little—for now.

When I gently coaxed them, the spirits eventually nodded and relented.

Then, brightening my expression, I asked cheerfully,

“How is it? Feeling a little better?”

“…Yes, Princess.”

Agatha slowly opened her eyes and whispered softly,

“Just like you said… I feel really at peace.”

“Then I’ll lend this place to you!”

“To me?”

Agatha blinked and looked at me.

I nodded enthusiastically.

“Yep! I think you need it more than I do! Only you and I know about this spot! So if you’re ever feeling down, you can come and rest here!”

Agatha’s face was instantly overwhelmed with emotion.

Her lips parted slightly, and then she spoke in a choked voice.

“I-I’m just a mere maid… Why are you being so kind to me…?”

“Oh, Agatha, come on! You’re my person now!”

I naturally took her hands and held them tightly.

Then I met her gaze.

“Looking after my people is my duty as royalty! Taking care of you is the least I can do!”

Saying that, I smiled the sweetest smile I could manage.

No one had ever been able to resist this smile.

Sure enough, Agatha couldn’t take her eyes off me.

Seizing the opportunity, I asked again.

“So, Agatha… if something’s bothering you, won’t you tell me?”

“Ah…”

From her tiny voice, I could feel it.

In that moment, Agatha’s wariness melted away—like sugar dissolving in warm tea.

“This isn’t… it’s not my story, but… my friend’s story.”

Agatha began slowly, glancing at me for a reaction.

I nodded gently, encouraging her to continue.

Then Agatha spoke a little more clearly.

“Princess… what do you think about love between people of different social status?”

‘There it is.’

I smiled inwardly at the word I had been waiting for.

Of course, on the surface, I tilted my head innocently.

“A difference in social status?”

Agatha quickly added a disclaimer.

“It’s absolutely not about me! It’s about my friend!”

“Is that what’s been bothering you lately?”

“…Yes!”

“You must be really close to that friend.”

Of course. Because that “friend” is herself.

I crossed my arms and pretended to ponder.

“Love between different social classes, huh…”

I murmured, then casually shrugged.

“I’ve seen that a few times in society. Surprisingly, it happens more often than you’d think.”

“R-really?”

“Yeah! But they never seem to end happily.”

Agatha’s face darkened at my words.

“T-they don’t?”

“Usually the one of lower status struggles more. Then they break up. Hmm… and those who do manage to get married…”

Trailing off on purpose, Agatha leaned in closer, waiting for the rest.

I sighed and shook my head.

“In the end, the one with higher status ends up having a lover on the side.”

“Even after swearing marriage before Dalia?”

“Well, nobles aren’t particularly devout believers in Dalia.”

Even though the Church of Dalia was powerful, it had little influence in our empire.

To the royal family, who considered themselves descendants of dragons, “gods” weren’t exactly welcome.

‘Still, it’s not like we actively suppress them.’

Instead, the royal family claimed that the dragon-blooded Lorhnord were the rightful rulers of the empire.

Since the gods did not intervene directly in the world, Lorhnord—descendants of dragons—were meant to lead in their place.

‘And the nobles, rather than pledging loyalty to an invisible god, chose to serve the royalty they could see.’

History and education had taught them this:

That while there may be proof of the gods’ existence, they don’t actually get involved in the world.

No matter how desperately you pray, the gods don’t answer.

‘So siding with those in unshakable power was the logical choice.’

On the other hand, the commoners loved the gods.

The Church of Dalia had been doing charitable work in their name for a long time, and those living hard lives needed someone to rely on.

The Church carefully looked after even the most neglected corners of the empire.

‘Which is why, even if the nobles didn’t like them, they let the Church be.’

Because for the commoners, it was one of the few places to breathe.

This was one of the key differences between the nobility and the common people.

“You’ve been working in the palace for a while now, so you know, right? Technically we’re a monogamous society, but it’s common for nobles to have lovers.”

“But still…”

Agatha looked completely shaken, unable to close her mouth.

‘She must’ve already known this. But hearing it from someone else hits different, I guess.’

I whispered firmly,

“I don’t know who your friend is, but tell them not to walk such a difficult path. The scales will never balance when the weights are so different.”

“…”

“That’s my advice!”

I quickly raised my voice and gave a cheerful smile.

Then I stood up and dusted the grass off my skirt and gardening apron.

“So? Was my advice helpful?!”

“…”

“Agatha?”

“Ah, y-yes!”

Agatha answered a beat too late, lost in thought.

“Yes. Thank you so much for listening to my story.”

“Hehe. Then does that mean I’ll get to see you smiling more often now?”

“…Of course.”

Agatha forced her lips into a smile.

“Because it’s all over now.”

That small whisper held everything she felt.

Disappointment, relief, a touch of sorrow.

She was trying to let go of her relationship with Gobard.

‘Though I doubt it’ll go so smoothly.’

In the original story, after Agatha discovered Gobard’s identity, she went through constant inner turmoil.

And each time, Gobard would whisper sweet nothings to pull her back.

‘And Agatha would always give in and choose him again.’

Right now, I’d shaken her on purpose, even if it felt a bit forced due to time constraints. But a few sweet words from Gobard and she’d be torn again.

‘A woman who becomes endlessly foolish in the face of love.’

Knowing all that, I still smiled sweetly.

‘Because all I need… is the moment of conflict you two will create.’

Agatha, how do you see me now?

As your savior? The kind princess who’s nice to everyone?

I’m sure you believe in the perfect illusion I’ve built.

‘But someday, when you learn the whole truth… it’s okay if you hate me.’

And I hope you come to realize:

That this palace is filled with people like me.

‘People who lie and manipulate more naturally than they breathe.’

Suddenly, a voice from the corner of my conscience whispered.

Is it really okay to manipulate an innocent Agatha like this for my own goals?

I forcefully ignored it.

I’d already decided I’d use anything at my disposal—and hesitation was a luxury I couldn’t afford.

“We’ve rested enough. Let’s head back!”

“Yes!”

Agatha, unaware of my true thoughts, smiled brightly.

She looked far more at ease than when we first met.

*

“I want to finish the conversation we couldn’t last time.”

I sealed the invitation envelope with a wax seal, the card containing only a simple phrase and a time.

Watching me, Brillint smiled faintly.

“You’re sending it to His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“Yep!”

“…It’s been a long time since you invited him.”

At her quiet words, I paused for a moment and stared at the invitation.

“You’re right… It’s taken me a long time to send this.”

When I was younger, I used to invite Gobard often.

But after the Empress died, I couldn’t even send him a single letter.

‘Because my nanny blocked me.’

—Rumors are everywhere that your maternal family, the Count of Miban, was involved in the Empress’s death.

A voice I had buried deep in my heart surfaced on its own.