Huh? What?
The head tilted left, then right.
After shaking the head several times and rubbing the eyes furiously, the person in front remained the same.
Why are you here?
The person greeting me nonchalantly was none other than Serdin.
What is going on?
As I stared intently, Monia stepped in to introduce Serdin.
“From today, Prince Serdin will be spending time as the princess’s playmate.”
Really?
Reflexively, my eyes widened as I alternated my gaze between Monia and Serdin.
“From now on, after lessons, Prince Serdin will come here to play with the princess.”
Serdin had become my playmate.
It was only yesterday in the education center that I mentioned Serdin’s name. I was naturally thinking about how to console Delight when I met him today.
But instead of Delight, Serdin appeared.
Delight’s reaction yesterday was so harsh that I thought I wouldn’t see Serdin’s face for a while. But here he was in front of me just a day later.
You really managed it?
I was secretly hoping for this, but I was curious about how Delight allowed it.
Why hasn’t Delight shown up?
Could it be that Delight doesn’t want to see me anymore?
He’s always been so touchy and narrow-minded!
He’s been like that since childhood.
Once he sulked, he wouldn’t make eye contact and avoided me. One time, he even snuck out at night to sleep alone in the mountains and almost got bitten by a viper.
Even after nearly dying, he just clammed up when he saw me, causing a massive headache.
Finally, he softened only after I pampered him while taking care of him.
‘What if he’s really sulking like back then?’
Delight grumbling was routine, but him sulking seriously was rare. And it was always tough to cheer him up.
Groaning, I scratched my head in thought.
Before I knew it, Serdin had seated himself across from me and greeted me.
“Hello?”
“Hi.”
I had a feeling this was going to be a headache, but I’d deal with it later. For now, I raised my hand and waved back.
“Take care of me.”
“Sure, I will.”
Serdin smiled gently, promising sincerely.
“I’ve lived longer than you, so as an older brother, I’ll teach you everything.”
Serdin spoke confidently and reassuringly.
Every time our eyes met, his softened gaze lingered.
Seeing his crescent-shaped smile repeatedly made me suspicious.
Is he trying to charm me with his looks?
Hmph. As if that would work. I flipped my hair. My standards are high.
Besides, no matter how cute this kid’s smile was, it wouldn’t sway my heart.
Whether he knew my feelings or not, Serdin was smiling brightly, seemingly pleased.
It seemed he felt a sense of accomplishment as things were going his way.
Serdin had no idea that I was actually using his plan to my advantage.
Watching Serdin, who believed everything was going according to his plan and that I was just a naive child, made me feel a bit sorry for him.
Without realizing it, I looked away for a moment.
In the end, I wouldn’t be completely controlled by his plans. Still, for now, I would go along with it a bit.
Serdin continued to smile at me. It was a bit overwhelming, but it was better than crying or getting angry.
“Ha-.”
For now, I decided to smile along with him.
While spending time with Serdin:
“Since we’re playmates now, can I call you Ollia instead of Princess?”
“Yes, go ahead!”
By now, I was more accustomed to being called Ollia than by my full name, Violyana.
When I readily agreed, Serdin smiled and immediately changed his way of addressing me.
“Alright, Ollia.”
“Then you can call me by a nickname too.”
“Huh?”
As soon as I allowed him to call me by a nickname, what was this?
Serdin’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“Just ‘Tire’. That should be enough.”
“That’s a pity. I thought if I asked, you’d call me by a nickname too.”
“A nickname and a name are different.”
“Then what about the Emperor?”
“Huh?”
“Wouldn’t you like to call the Emperor by a nickname too?”
“Well.”
I was at a loss for words.
After all, I was Delight’s daughter.
So naturally, the title I should use was ‘Dad’.
Calling him ‘Your Majesty’ felt strange and was something I hadn’t considered.
“Why don’t you try making up a nickname if calling him by his name or ‘Dad’ is too difficult?”
“…………?”
“If the princess makes a unique nickname for him, he might like it.”
“What are you talking about? That’s absurd…”
I was about to dismiss it as nonsense but then hesitated.
It actually seemed like a plausible idea.
***
“Princess, it’s time to wash up and go to bed.”
By the time Serdin left, Monia came to pick me up and spoke.
“Huh? Princess, are you feeling uncomfortable? Your lips are pouting.”
Seeing my cheeks puffed up in displeasure, Monia tilted her head in confusion.
Of course, I was displeased.
Seeing Serdin as a playmate made me think Delight had shown great understanding and generosity.
But Delight, who would normally visit at least three times a day, hadn’t shown up once today.
As a result, I kept looking toward the door since the afternoon.
‘That’s why I can’t lie quietly in bed!’
I slapped the blanket. There was no way I could fall asleep like this!
He must be sulking.
Even though he’s pretending not to be, he might be making a fuss alone.
Whenever Delight sulked in the past, it nearly drove me mad several times.
‘Honestly, I can’t blame him for feeling hurt. He has a reason to sulk.’
I had been deliberately avoiding calling him ‘Dad’ by pretending I couldn’t say it.
But it wasn’t because I disliked him!
‘I can’t keep enduring this, so I need to find a solution.’
If it weren’t for the ‘Dad’ part, everything else was manageable. Yeah, like a nickname.
I couldn’t bring myself to call him ‘Dad’, but there were other titles I could use for Delight.
‘What would be good? A title that suits Delight…’
It seemed best to shorten Delight’s name.
While thinking of a nickname, I sighed.
Stupid Delight
“……Dida.”
“What?”
“Dida. Dida!”
Dida sounds good.
It’s like calling Delight a fool and Dad at the same time.
Let’s go with this!
So when should I… I could wait until Delight comes to call him that.
But since I decided to say it, there’s no need to delay it even for a day.
This narrow-minded disciple, if you don’t come, I’ll go to you!
So, I came myself!
My destination was the Emperor’s bedroom, where Delight would be by now.
Surely, he wouldn’t send me away if I came in person?
I was certain he wouldn’t, but the unexpected became reality.
…I was kicked out.
The moment I appeared in front of Delight’s bedroom, Zaire and the attendants blocked my path, flustered.
Were they really blocking me? I couldn’t believe it, but I was indeed being sent away.
Wow, this…
A subtle anger started to rise.
Never did I imagine being sent away by Delight.
When I turned the corner of the hallway and saw Zaire, I had a strange feeling.
The moment our eyes met, Zaire’s expression changed as if he was seeing an unwelcome guest.
With a stiff face and furrowed brow, he stood like a wall trying to send me back.
“You cannot meet His Majesty now. Monia, take the Princess back.”
Zaire gave a firm order with no room for reconsideration.
“…………”
Monia, too, seemed taken aback by the stern rejection, not expecting such an atmosphere.
She had actually been pleased when she realized I was heading to the Emperor’s bedroom, as she had been worried about Delight not visiting.
She probably hoped this would improve our relationship. So, she looked confused by Zaire’s reaction.
But as a palace worker, she had to follow orders.
“Princess, let’s come back later. For now, let’s return with me.”
Monia forced a gentle smile and reached out to me.
Slap.
I firmly rejected Monia’s hand.
I had no intention of going back. The more firmly Zaire stood against me, the more suspicious it became.
Why are they blocking me?
Even if Delight was mad at me, it didn’t make sense for them to prevent me from seeing him.
There must be another reason they were stopping me.
Plus, there was a strange tension in the hallway.
And a wizard was present, which was unusual unless something special was happening.
Hmm. What should I do?
I had to check for myself.
Thinking briefly and acting swiftly.
