After Serdin left, Delight thought about the favor he had asked for and smiled slyly.
“I want to be recognized in the imperial palace, including in official positions.”
He had coldly judged how to change his situation within the limits that Delight would reasonably accept.
“Quite bold.”
Was he trying to make his presence known?
While his efforts were commendable, his presence next to Ollia was irritating.
Delight frowned and looked at Zaire.
“How is the on-site investigation?”
Although it seemed that the incident ended with an apology from the children, the final investigation results were still pending.
“Following His Majesty’s orders, I examined the scene closely. We did find some small stones, as the noble children had mentioned.”
“Really?”
“However, unlike what they claimed, the stones were very small. Even if these were the stones they mentioned, they wouldn’t have posed much danger.”
“As expected, they exaggerated.”
“To make such a fuss over tiny stones. They should be learning martial arts, but it seems they haven’t been training properly.”
Zaire showed the stones he had collected just in case. They were small, about the size of a thumb’s nail, yet the children had exaggerated them to be the size of fists.
“Wait, stones…”
However, Delight couldn’t laugh it off as Zaire did.
Delight’s head moved reflexively.
It was a familiar situation his body remembered.
Delight had experienced something similar in his childhood.
His master used to tease him that way.
Small stones that didn’t cause much damage even when hit. However, if magic was involved, they could be quite threatening.
When Delight rebelled against his master as a child, the master would invariably pick up small stones.
Why is that memory surfacing now?
Delight’s lower eyelid twitched slightly.
“Was there anyone there who knew how to use magic?”
Delight asked just in case.
“No, there wasn’t.”
“Is that so.”
It was an expected answer. Casting a spell to throw stones isn’t difficult. However, throwing them accurately and skillfully requires considerable expertise.
Moreover, despite being hit by such small stones, the children were quite injured.
If anyone had such talent, the Ministry of Magic would have already been keeping a close eye on them, regardless of their mana levels.
“Should we investigate further?”
“No, instead, focus more on the counterfeit mana stones from last time…”
Delight continued to give instructions regarding another issue in response to Zaire’s question.
It had nothing to do with his master in the first place.
It was just an old memory that had resurfaced and caught his attention.
Delight dismissed the lingering thoughts like a regret.
***
Hmm. Good. Fine.
Even when shaking the legs back and forth, they felt strong. The touch of the ground was stable and not painful at all.
Now, it feels like I can run as much as I want!
I couldn’t express how frustrated I’ve been. Finally, I was about to move freely…!
Suddenly, Monia blocked my path, lifted me up, and placed me back on the bed.
“If you’re bored, shall I bring you a new toy? Or how about a doll?”
I don’t like any of those. Toys aren’t fun for me.
“Look at this. If you throw it like this, it flies.”
When I turned my head away with a bored expression, Monia brought a new toy.
Diligently, she threw the bird-shaped toy far away. The toy spun in the air for a short distance before slowly falling.
This kind of toy didn’t exist before.
It seemed like it would fly longer if thrown where there’s wind.
Seeing my interest, Monia threw the new toy several times.
But that only entertained me for a short while.
‘Hmm, I’m still frustrated.’
Monia didn’t return to her room even at night but instead set up a simple bed under mine. It was currently impossible to move without being noticed.
If I tried to move even a little.
“Princess, what’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable?”
Ah, no, it’s not that…
“I’ll do it for you. Please don’t move.”
Monia rushed over to help.
“……….”
Everything was taken care of without me doing anything. Since my injury, Monia had become even more overprotective.
When I turned my head, my eyes met Monia’s, who was always watching me.
She never changed, no matter the moment!
In the distant past, when I really needed protection, there were a few adults who sympathized with me occasionally, but there was no one to protect me.
So it felt strange to see someone constantly worried that I might get hurt if they took their eyes off me.
Children usually hurt themselves just by tripping over their own feet.
‘I’ve never experienced such overprotection.’
Although it was unfamiliar, the affection showered on me wasn’t entirely uncomfortable.
It felt like my heart was being tickled, like a feather brushing against my nose.
‘But I can’t just stay like this forever.’
No matter where I went or what I did, even if it sometimes seemed dangerous or suspicious, I needed someone who would silently follow my lead.
‘But where would I find such a person?’
As I sighed inwardly, something suddenly came to mind.
There was such a person.
“I’ll do everything you want, Princess. Doesn’t that sound more fun and convenient?”
Serdin’s words echoed in my ears.
‘I can’t stop thinking about it.’
I have to check.
‘Let’s meet Serdin again.’
I decided, feeling my legs lighten a bit more.
***
A few hours later, palace attendants came and moved various items into Serdin’s residence.
Starting with blankets that weren’t season-appropriate, various pieces of furniture were brought in, and paintings were hung on the empty walls.
Before long, the once desolate room was filled with things.
Even the old creaky table was replaced.
“His Majesty has instructed to ensure your stay is comfortable. If there is anything more you need, please do not hesitate to ask.”
Over the past two years, many things had changed overnight that were previously neglected.
“This is more than enough. Thank you.”
Hugo bowed politely.
In truth, Serdin hadn’t paid any attention while the room was being filled with things.
It was only after a long time, when the bustling servants had all left, that Hugo approached Serdin and spoke.
“Areas near the princess’s quarters and other places you might encounter have been designated as prohibited zones.”
The emperor had drawn a strict line to prevent Serdin from approaching Violyana.
Decorating the prince’s room nicely was also a warning not to leave it.
“They said that just being in the prohibited areas would be considered a crime. So you really mustn’t go there, no matter what happens.”
“…………”
“Prince…!”
Hugo’s desperate voice clung to Serdin.
“I understand. I was prepared for this.”
Serdin was calm, not disheartened at all.
“They wouldn’t look favorably upon me, an enemy prince.”
It would have been stranger if they had accepted him from the start.
Serdin recalled his conversation with the emperor.
“I also want to be recognized and live well here.”
“Recognized?”
“I know I’m a hostage and an abandoned prince. I probably won’t ever return home, so at least I want to be acknowledged as someone who belongs here.”
“………”
Delight had granted Serdin the favor he asked for, but with a condition.
Not to approach the princess.
However, Serdin had no intention of giving up on approaching the princess with just this warning.
If he were to give up, he wouldn’t have started.
Serdin wasn’t disappointed at all. This was just the beginning.
As long as he stayed here, there would be plenty of opportunities.
Moreover, this incident ensured the princess would remember him.
That in itself was an achievement.
For now, it would be wise to stay quiet and observe the situation.
“Hugo, I’m going for a walk.”
“Prince, you’re not planning to visit the princess, are you? You have to promise you won’t meet her!”
“……I’ll be back.”
Leaving behind a worried Hugo, Serdin stepped out.
Recently, he had been going on walks often.
He needed time alone to organize his thoughts and could also overhear the gossip of servants and maids during his walks.
Currently, that was the only way to gather information in the palace.
Serdin had just started his walk when he saw something that made him stop.
On his usual walking path.
The princess was there.
Hugo’s worried voice, warning him not to approach the princess, echoed in his mind.
‘But since I didn’t seek her out first, it’s okay, right?’
She had entered the area where he usually walked first.
Without hesitation, Serdin approached the princess.
