Chapter 32
I couldn’t hide my astonishment after reading the contents.
“…So the temple has decided not to accept any written applications for guardianship for the time being?”
“Yes.”
“What… is this…?”
Until now, guardian registration had been done through written approval from the temple.
Of course, since the temple’s workload was already piled high, they couldn’t review every single document, so in practice, it had been almost like a system where you simply reported your application.
But the content of this letter felt a little off.
It stated that due to administrative difficulties, written submissions were currently impossible, and if I wanted to proceed, I would need to visit the temple in person.
It was absurd.
Something like this had never happened since the founding of the nation.
‘Isn’t this a little too transparent?’
Moreover, I hadn’t even sent the guardian documents yet.
And yet, the letter had been sent specifically to the Grand Duke’s residence…
‘They’re outright saying they won’t accept it.’
I was speechless, mouth agape, and Carlos asked,
“Has the Emperor found out?”
“…On my way, I met the First Prince. He seemed to be tracking me with the knights.”
Carlos tilted his head slightly.
Finally, the expression on his face said he understood.
“By now, the Emperor probably knows everything.”
“Yes. I expected that from the moment I met Vincent, that bastard—no, the Prince… the Emperor would hear about it eventually…”
I trailed off.
“I didn’t expect him to act on the guardian system so quickly.”
No doubt, Vincent had probably rushed back to the capital as soon as he returned, without even fixing his puffed-up face, to report directly to the Emperor.
Judging from his past behavior, it was highly likely that Vincent had brought up the guardian system first.
That guy’s mind worked strangely fast when it came to catching someone’s mistakes.
Though normally, he wasn’t all that clever.
“If a princess leaves the capital and places herself under the care of the Grand Duke, it’s a predictable situation. They wouldn’t need to think too hard to figure it out.”
Unlike me, gnashing my teeth in frustration, Carlos spoke as if it weren’t a big deal.
‘Well, it doesn’t really affect him directly.’
I folded the letter and let out a long sigh.
“Hmm… what should we do now?”
The temple had one branch in each cardinal direction of the continent. The closest temple to the Grand Duke’s territory was located on the eastern outskirts of the central continent.
So, in order to visit the temple, I would have to leave the Grand Duke’s territory, which was under extraterritorial protection, and step into the capital.
That was probably exactly the moment the Emperor was waiting for.
The royal family couldn’t enter the Grand Duke’s territory without proper cause.
But if I took even a single step outside the Grand Duke’s territory, there would be nothing the royal family could do.
Until the guardian documents written under Carlos’s name were approved at the temple, they could forcibly intervene for whatever reason.
‘If I’m not going to stick my head outside the Grand Duke’s territory for the next four years, this is something I’ll have to deal with at some point.’
Of course, I hadn’t expected it to happen right now.
I let out a deep sigh. Carlos, likewise, seemed to have no alternative, pressing his tired eyes with his fingers repeatedly.
“Let’s try to find a way first. We don’t necessarily have to go to the capital.”
“But the next closest temple after the capital is in the east, right? If we can’t do it here, it would take at least three days by carriage.”
The eastern region was most heavily influenced by magic.
Even a healthy Grand Duke would not be able to endure such a trip.
Perhaps if I were twice as healthy, it might be possible.
‘Before that, I’d probably be dragged to the Emperor anyway.’
I shook my head, thinking about my poor physical condition.
Carlos lifted his hand from his temple and looked at me obliquely.
“Do you have any other options, Your Highness?”
“Well, nothing comes to mind right now.”
“Then it’s better not to argue pointlessly.”
Who was he kidding? Worrying about me like that…
I sealed my lips tightly. Now that I think about it, both Carlos and Damian had the same knack for making others awkward.
“Anyway, I called you to let you know. I planned to deal with the guardianship matters after your return, but it seems the plan will change a little.”
“Can’t be helped.”
I answered calmly. As someone said, if you stop complaining pointlessly and wait, a good solution will probably come up.
Of course, it wasn’t really my concern.
“Why do you have that expression?”
“What do you mean?”
“You look like you’re displeased.”
“No, not at all.”
At my coy response, Carlos’s face turned slightly displeased.
I quietly avoided his gaze, took something from my pocket, and held it out.
“Here. Take this.”
It was the artifact Damian had given me just before we arrived at the Grand Duke’s residence. Since I hadn’t used it at all, I could feel Carlos’s magical energy trembling from inside it.
Carlos tilted his head.
“What’s this?”
“I haven’t used any magic with it. You can just take it back as is.”
One of Carlos’s eyebrows rose.
Rather than displeasure, his expression said more like, ‘What is this weird behavior?’
“I told you, I want the Grand Duke to stay as healthy as possible. At least until I become an adult, nothing should go wrong.”
I spoke clearly and firmly.
“So from now on, unless it’s absolutely necessary, please conserve your magic. I’ll still deliver the purification stones every week, so I think I have the right to give this little advice, right?”
“What?”
Carlos blinked in disbelief. I handed him the artifact firmly anyway.
“And before you worry about someone else’s sleeping arrangements, take care of the Grand Duke first. Those dark circles under his eyes look like they’re reaching his chin.”
Having faced so many dangers, I guess my guts had grown a little bolder?
After meeting the Master of the Mage Tower once, I felt confident enough to speak to Carlos like this.
I rattled off all my words, even if his eyes were icy, and then boldly took a step back.
“If you come up with a good solution for the guardianship, please let me know. That’s all for now.”
I turned and left his office.
‘Phew, I managed to say everything without dozing off this time.’
It felt refreshing.
On my way back to my room, I ran into Mia carrying a tray.
“Oh, Your Highness! Perfect timing.”
“Mia? What’s that?”
“Warm milk and some snacks. You must be hungry after your long trip, so I brought them to you.”
Looking at the tray, I saw a steaming cup of milk and a few small cookies.
“This is perfect to have right now. Come on.”
Mia hurried me into the room. Even after being seated at the table by her, I blinked in confusion for a while.
I didn’t know how to react—no one had ever treated me this way.
At the royal palace, no one had ever cared for me like this.
The maids only brought what was necessary for their duties, and I thought that was normal.
It took me a while to mutter a faint, hesitant thanks.
“…Thank you.”
“Oh, it’s nothing at all.”
Mia’s bright smile somehow tickled my heart.
“But Your Highness, you don’t look well. Is something wrong?”
“…No, just a little tired.”
I couldn’t say that my mind was preoccupied with temple issues.
“Oh, right. You must be tired after your travels. This old lady asked something unnecessary again, didn’t she?”
Mia fussed over making my bed.
“Then go to sleep early. I’ll prepare something especially delicious for you tomorrow morning. You like fruit, right? Fresh fruit will arrive in the morning.”
“Mm.”
“Eat your snacks thoroughly, and get a good night’s sleep. Understand?”
After reminding me several times, she quietly left the room.
I watched her retreating back.
‘…This feels strange.’
I held the cookie tightly in my hand.
Before my regression, I didn’t know how precious such small kindnesses were.
Back then, if someone was kind, I would assume they had an ulterior motive. At the royal palace, it was normal. If I received something, I had to give something in return.
But here, things were a little different.
Although Carlos and Damian still looked at me with some reluctance, at least, unlike the Emperor, they didn’t use their kindness as a tool to demand something in return.
I fiddled with the cookie for a while, then took a bite. The butter and cocoa powder blended perfectly, giving a crispy and savory taste.
This time, I held the mug with both hands and took a sip of milk.
The warm, sweet flavor slid down my throat.
‘…This is delicious.’
It seemed even better than the fancy desserts at the royal palace.
I didn’t know why.
It just felt that way.
I suddenly looked out the window.
The sun had completely set.
The moon shone brightly.
Even though the temple issue and the guardianship matter were still looming ahead, strangely, everything seemed peaceful.
I gazed at it for a while before quietly slipping into bed.
The moment I closed my eyes, sleep overtook me.
