The Empire’s Only Princess

Chapter 56

***

Nanuk, who squinted his eyes, sounded doubtful.

“Come to think of it, you didn’t give an explanation earlier as well. Was it really an assassin who was aiming for Rosiane?”

“Is this true, brother?”

Eryte hesitated in the continuous interrogation.

My mouth won’t move because of my pride, but I’m worried that I’ll be constantly harassed if I don’t talk.

“Tell the truth as it is.”

Feeling Erdos’ patience gradually decreasing, Nanuk urged him in a cold tone.

“Oh, come on brother! Did you already forget what happened a while ago?”

“Oh, please!”

At Leav’s angry cry, Eryte raised his voice. Eryte shouted, glaring fiercely at Leav, whose mouth slightly moved at the absurd situation. [Leav was about to say sth again]

“I’m organizing [my thoughts], so just wait!”

Truthfully, there was nothing to organize, but Eryte still couldn’t help but hesitate. He hurriedly put his brain to work.

‘What should I do? What do I do…..!’

Tell the truth? Lie? But will lies work on these people?

Eryte shook his head violently. I’ll definitely get caught! I’d rather just say it with my own mouth!

‘Yeah, as long as Rosiane doesn’t know. It’s obvious that she’ll blame herself if she finds out that she left me with this kind of wound even as a mistake.’

I can never say it in front of Rosiane, but won’t it be fine as long as these people keep their mouths shut?

Eryte secretly lowered his body after a moment of thought.

“Everyone, you have to keep it a secret from Rosiane.”

“Of course.”

Erdos had no intention of telling his daughter such a dangerous situation in the first place. Eryte continued only after meticulously receiving everyone’s promises.

“So, Rosiane—.”

“Yes, what about Rosiane?”

“As expected, was it an assassin that was attached to sister?”

“My goodness, Brother. Why are you saying that just now?”

Eryte shook his head firmly as he saw his family raising their voices gradually. His expression clearly showed he was having difficulty.

“No, it was—.”

“Where’s the assassin now?”

“Did you take care of it properly?”

I don’t know if they want me to say it or not. It was enough to stimulate Eryte’s patience, which had been running out in the first place, as they kept on interrupting whenever he opened his mouth.

He eventually stood up, hitting the table strongly.

“No, I’m saying it’s because of Rosiane!”

“What did you say?”

There was no one in the room who would believe that Rosiane, who came in while opening the office door, did not hear the shout.

* * *

The room was quiet enough that even the clattering sound of the teacup violently scratched the ears. I quietly lowered my and fell into deep thought.

“I, towards Eryte..”

I hurt him…..? It was to protect my body and to protect the lady.

But as a result, my inexperience caused Eryte to get hurt.

“Hey, Rosiane. This brother is really okay…… L-look at this! It’s clean!”

Eryte violently took off his shoes and socks and pushed his bare feet unto me. The wound on that white skin remained like an afterimage, so I couldn’t take my eyes off.

“….I’m really sorry, Eryte.”

“N, no. I’m really okay…..”

I looked at Eryte who jumped up and walked in bare feet, as if to somehow show that he was well.

Eryte, who was beating around the bush with a painful look, looked over it, saying he was okay and at that moment, his lips trembled.

I hurt Eryte. Is there a guarantee that this won’t happen again? Hurting the people I love?

If I really have as much mana as the world says, wouldn’t my indolence someday become poison and come back?

[world= the prophecy about her or just society, here ‘come back’ means sth like come back to bite her]

* * *

I’m scared. I knew that holding the title of Princess of Esteria had a special meaning, but what if it was true that this specialness was not just empty talk?

I felt it even more, realizing that Eryte was injured due to my magic today.

If I really have the power to unify the central continent, shouldn’t I prioritize my life as a princess over my life as myself?

Even if I have to push myself a little harder and torment myself. Like my father or Nanuk, who had been living for the emperor’s seat, slightly leaving their own selves behind.

“Rosiane.”

My trembling little hands were covered with warm hands. No matter how much you are a beloved daughter and younger sister, they won’t let it pass with just small words because a member of the Imperial family was injured.

I looked at my dad who was holding my hand tightly, a little nervous.

“Do you understand now?”

“……Pardon?”

Did I miss anything because I was lost in thought? When I asked back about the odd conversation, my father’s eyes folded finely and playfully.

“The reason why you have to listen well during magic classes.”

“What do you….”

“Maybe you don’t feel it now, but you have more dormant mana than anyone else. As you are still young, it’s only natural that your control is poor when handling a large amount.”

“That’s right, Rosiane. I heard that brother Nanuk also attacked father who was observing his first class.”

Bernique added with his head leaning against my shoulder, and I looked at Nanuk with wide eyes.

“Brother Nanuk as well?”

Instead of Nanuk, who was somehow shy and sneakily avoided eye contact, I heard my father’s voice.

“There’s no one who is skilled from the start.”

“That’s why, don’t be so down, Rosiane!”

It was as if the worries that shrouded my head just now had been dispersed by Eryte’s bright smile.

“If you’re really sorry, you can play with me properly next time!”

“This is what happened thanks to your pranks, yet there’s no sign of you reflecting.”

When I heard his exhausted voice, it seemed that my father had half given up on Eryte.

“Okay? Promise me! Next time, when I want to, play with me no matter what, okay?!”

“…Yes, okay.”

Eryte’s expression looked satisfied only after promising with our fingers, making a copy and then signing it.

Somehow, all the worries that had been pushed back just now felt useless.

Yeah, everyone is caring for me like, it will be a nuisance to sulk any longer. I can just work harder so that this kind of thing doesn’t happen again.

“Also, about calling me brother from now on…..”

Oh, right, there’s still that. Perhaps he noticed that I was looking at him very nervously, a mischievous smile rose at the sides of Eryte’s mouth.

“You were so cool today, so I’ll let it pass with you calling me that sometimes.”

“Phew…. I mean, thank you, Eryte.”

I decided to change the subject quickly before the fickle Eryte changes his mind.

“Oh right, Lady Freiselben will still be waiting in front of the door. Dad, I have something to tell you for a moment before you call her. Is that okay?”

“Alright. Now, everyone, you may leave.”

“Pardon? What……”

As if bewildered, Nanuk asked back. I also became speechless and looked at my dad. I didn’t mean anything grandiose like asking to empty the room.

However, my dad just swung his hands lightly as if he had no intention of listening. How can he be so indifferent like chasing away a fly…..!

“Rosiane, I’ll be waiting in your room.”

Silence quickly settled in the room as those who were grumbling at the sudden command left their seats after saying goodbye with their hands.

“Now, speak comfortably.”

My dad changed my cold teacup and prompted me to talk. I opened my mouth after a short deep breath.

“What happened with Lady Freiselben is entirely my fault. Even though I knew the ground was weak because of its location, I approached her and the cliff we were standing on collapsed.”

I exaggerated a little because I was afraid that Lady Freiselben would be branded as a mastermind because she fell with me.

“That’s why, there’s nothing to ask Lady Freiselben about today’s events. However….”

“However?”

“I hope you can hear her out about another incident.”

The truth about what Baron Freiselben was trying to do using his own daughter.

“In the Empire, child abuse is a serious crime. Am I right?”

Truthfully, what happens in a household is something an Emperor cannot be involved in. However, it was difficult for me to tell the truth as it is.

It’s quite hard to believe it, and if they press me how I came to know about it, I would have nothing to say.

That’s why I had to make a good excuse from my perspective as much as possible, to be able to ask my dad.

“Of course.”

“If so, then please understand Lady Freiselben’s situation and pain.”

As if it was completely unexpected, my father tilted his head. His hand slowly stroked the area near his chin. It was a sign that he was thinking about what I meant with my words.

“……There’s a fresh scar on the back of Lady Freiselben’s hand. It’s not just the back of her hand. I’m sure the part covered by her dress…”

Not forgetting to say more, I shut my mouth. How can I explain in words the pain she must have felt?

Fortunately, dad didn’t seem to need any more words. Since I think he noticed what I meant.

“Alright, I’ll do as you say.”

I opened my eyes wide and looked up at my dad at the answer that was softer than expected. No matter what it was, I didn’t expect to hear him agree so easily.

“Really? Is that true?”

That’s why, a question popped out before I knew it.

“Of course. Rosiane, who am I?”

“Uh….. dad?”

Dad looked at me with a somewhat triumphant expression. Somehow, that face resembled Eryte.

My dad opened his mouth again, as it seems that my answer wasn’t the one he wanted.

“Before that. Who am I?”

“Ah, His Majesty the Emperor…..?”

Only then did I understand my dad’s intention. As soon as the correct answer flowed out of my mouth, my father’s jewel-like eyes glowed.

“That’s right. I, the Emperor, will definitely take care of it.”

Dad said as he carefully hugged me. Will it be okay……? Yeah, good things are good.

I wrapped my arms around my dad’s neck and leaned my body comfortably. Somehow, I was very tired, both mentally and physically.

“Thank you, dad.”

The handling of this matter is outside the limit of what I can do, so I just hope that all the details will be revealed in the upcoming royal investigation.