I Raised My Younger Sister Beautifully

Chapter 9

Fletta said, smoothing her hair with an even more embarrassed look. However, compared to the past, she was clearly conveying her words. 

On the contrary, Cezanne was a little surprised and pleased at Fletta’s timid words.

“Are you that happy?”

Fletta nodded her head vigorously.

“Fletta is happy.”

“Fletta.”

“Yes?”

“If you’re happy with that, I’ll call you often. It’s a pretty name.” 

Fletta kept staring at the dazzling person in front of her. Then, she answered with a big smile.

“Princess Cezanne’s name is prettier!”

“Really? Thank you, Fletta.”

Cezanne’s chest suddenly became warm. Why didn’t she notice such a cute and delicate child?

‘I’ll love you now, Fletta.’

Did she read her mind?

Fletta, who approached Cezanne, held Cezanne’s hand tightly with her small hand. Cezanne also held Fletta’s hand.

At that moment, a small warmth spread within them in silence.

* * * 

Before she knew it, Cezanne’s latest daily routine began by hearing reports from Mel about Fletta and giving orders.

“What does Fletta like to eat?”

“She eats all the food given to her.”

“That’s right. I’ve never seen Fletta leave food on her plate.”

“Maybe… It’s because she hasn’t had a lot of good food before. She’s a lot smaller than peers her age.” 

“That’s why I’m worried. Even though she’s 9 years old, she only looks like 6 years old… Sooner or later, call the doctor to see if there is any problem with Fletta’s growth.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Speaking of which, I’d better have another chef in my palace to take care of Fletta’s nutrition.”

“Oh, an exclusive chef?”

“Yes.”

“But the Princess doesn’t even have an exclusive chef yet…”

Mel asked if it was a little too much, but Cezanne’s answer was clear.

“I’m not very interested in eating, but that’s not the case with Fletta. I want to let her eat to her heart’s content. Whenever Fletta wants.”

“Yes… I think I understand what you mean, Princess. Miss Fletta will become much healthier if you do so.”

“Yes. Also, I’m going to spend some time with Fletta today.”

“Then how about going on a picnic to the Imperial Palace’s Lake Garden?”

Cezanne opened her eyes wide at Mel’s suggestion.

“That would be nice. Then get ready. I need to go to the Institute of Magic and the swordsmanship training grounds.”

“Yes, today is your magic class and swordsmanship training. I’ll see you later. Is it okay if Asha takes you there instead today?”

“I’ve given you a few orders. I’m aware that Mel is busy.”

“Yes, thank you for your understanding, Princess.”

It was true that Mel’s work increased significantly after Fletta came to the palace.

Cezanne hurried to get dressed and headed straight to the Institute of Magic.

It was mostly an outdoor class, but today was a rare theory class. It was about a thick book of witchcraft, but Cezanne already knew it because she had already learned it once.

Thanks to that, the class ended very early, and Maxian, who tied his long purple hair tightly, said with a look of futility.

Unlike other strict and boring class teachers, Maxian was quite gentle, so Cezanne was comfortable with him.

“How thorough are you in your preparation? You already memorized everything, 2nd Princess?”

“If your student does well, it would be nice to just praise them.”

“If you’re too smart, it takes the fun out of teaching.”

“…More than that, Lord Maxian. I need to ask you something.”

“Yes.”

“I’m looking for books or materials about the power of darkness, but the library doesn’t seem to have any. By any chance, do you know anything?”

“Yes?”

Maxian doubted his ears. The book about the power of darkness was one of the forbidden books.

“Why are you looking for that?”

“Are you talking back to the Imperial Princess now?”

Cezanne smiled and asked jokingly, but Maxian, as usual, did not laugh at all.

“Alright, I just want to know personally. I wonder what the power of darkness is that everyone is so afraid of.”

At Cezanne’s words, Maxian asked, narrowing his brow.

“…The book is currently banned and is not available to the public.”

“Are you aware of the existence of the book?”

“…I’ve only heard of it somewhere, but I’m not sure if it exists. I don’t know more than that.”

Looking at his expression, it seemed like he really didn’t know.

“…I apologize for my rudeness, Princess, but it’s not a good idea to keep that child who’s rumored to have the power of darkness…”

But Cezanne was adamant as she said the following words. The green eyes that became clearer were firm.

“No, I won’t hear any more. I’ve already made my decision, and she’s not born with the power of darkness. She’s just a delicate, little child.”

“…Yes, I won’t say anything more about it.”

Maxian said bitterly. She knew what he was worried about, but Cezanne didn’t want to abandon her, even if Fletta had the power of darkness.

She’d rather find a way to stop it.

‘I will never let that happen.’ 

While swinging the sword at the training grounds, Cezanne thought about Fletta.

So far, Fletta was a good and delicate child, and nothing happened yet. Cezanne, who swallowed anxiously, bit her red lips.

It would never happen like the dream before her regression. Cezanne struggled to cast a spell on herself and moved to the garden where she had promised to have a picnic with Fletta.

‘Let’s think about good things before meeting Fletta. I just want to make you smile.’

Cezanne thought, leaving the training grounds with a maid.

* * * 

“Miss Fletta, don’t go too deep. It’s dangerous.”

“Yes!” 

Mel’s anxious voice could be heard in the background, but Fletta felt so happy. The time scheduled for her picnic with the Imperial Princess was approaching.

– Fletta, let’s go on a picnic today.

– Picnic?

– Yes. Let’s go and play around the garden, and get some fresh air. Do you want to, Fletta?

– Playing… I like it!

– Yes, Fletta is still a child, so you have to run and play a lot.

She patted Fletta’s head as she said those words. As expected, the Princess was kind.

The fresh, sunny air made her heart flutter. In a little while, the Princess would finish her swordsmanship practice, and as she thought of her coming, her steps quickened.

Today, she was going outside of the Princess Palace. Fletta was inflated with anticipation. Mel also told her that the lake garden was a beautiful hidden place among the many gardens of the Imperial Palace.

She said that if the weather was nice, she could even ride a boat.

“Picnic~ It’s a picnic.”

Fletta was humming without realizing it, looking for pretty flowers to give to Cezanne.

It was because of the story of a four-leaf clover that the Princess told her last night. It was said that good luck will come if one finds a four-leaf clover with heart-shaped leaves.

‘Where is it?’

Fletta squatted on the grass, her eyes wide open, looking for a four-leaf clover. But no matter how hard she looked, she could only find a three-leaf clover. Fletta’s expression darkened.

“It’s not here either.”

However, there were many clovers blooming in the garden, so if she looked carefully, she might find one.

‘I really want to find it. If I find it, I will give it to Princess Cezanne!’

As she wandered frantically, looking for Clover, Mel and the maids suddenly moved away, but Fletta couldn’t stop here.

‘Let’s look for it a little more.’

Besides, a few steps further into the forest, it was all clover grass. Fletta plowed through the clover grass with her small hands.

*Click-Clack.

*sound of footsteps

Crunch.

Fletta looked into the clover field for a long time, unaware that someone was approaching.

When a large shadow fell on the back of her head, Fletta looked up in surprise.

“Hic!” 

Fletta’s low vision couldn’t see him fully in a glance.

He was a very tall man.

Although he had a cool impression, Fletta almost fell back in shock at the moment due to his *severed appearance. It was a sight that resembled statues placed throughout the Imperial Palace.

*Fletta could only see half of his body since he’s very tall and she’s short

‘…I was really surprised.’

Although it was only for a fleeting moment, the eyes she met were red before turning back into gray.

“I’m sorry if I surprised you, little princess. It seems you’ve been looking for this for a while…”

“……”

Fletta opened her eyes wide without saying a word.

The man lowered himself and looked at Fletta. It seemed like he did it so that Fletta wouldn’t get scared.

But Fletta was still scared at the sharp impression and intimidating appearance of the strange man.

‘I’m scared.’

As if reading Fletta’s mind, the expressionless man had a slight smile-like expression on his face. But even that still looked scary to Fletta.

He quietly extended his palm and opened it. A pretty four-leaf clover was sitting on top.

“Oh, a four-leaf clover!”

Fletta looked up at him with wide eyes. The man held out a four-leaf clover.

“Take it. It seems like the princess needs it more than me.”

“Oh…t, thank you! But I’m not a princess.”

Fletta bowed her head. There was no longer fear nor anxiety in her clear, large, black eyes. The man’s eyes were slightly bent because he seemed to be relieved.

‘The princess is Princess Cezanne… But who is this?’

The man in front of her did not have the hair color of the Imperial family of Erantos. It was neither blond nor silver, but pitch black. It was the same color as hers.

But he was wearing very luxurious clothes.

Then, a low-pitched voice rang out.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Grand Duke Kylia von Darian of the Duchy of Srakan. If you’re not a princess, may I ask the young lady to introduce herself?”

A blunt but polite attitude, and manners that somehow showed grace. Fletta opened her squirrel-like black eyes, and soon opened her lips.

“…Yes? I, I’m not even a lady.”

Fletta looked rather troubled as she didn’t know how to introduce herself. At that moment, the savior appeared.

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