Why, how, and what led to this?
‘What is even happening right now?’
Etern stood blankly, like someone exhausted, staring at the entrance to the princess’s quarters where attendants came and went.
Ziggkart had somehow managed to gain Emperor Wintier’s permission with unbelievable ease.
No, it wasn’t so much that the Emperor had granted permission easily—it was more that Etern hadn’t been quick enough to come up with an excuse to refuse him.
‘So this is what it feels like to be so flustered you can’t even find words.’
When Ziggkart claimed that a sunny, well-ventilated room was best for preparing the medicine, Etern thought it was the kind of statement even a three-year-old passing by would scoff at.
Such a place wasn’t just ideal for medicine—it could also be the perfect environment for creating poison!
She had never imagined her father would so readily agree to such an obvious remark.
[What do you think, Etern?]
‘How could I possibly say no to that?!’
It wasn’t just any issue—it was a matter of whether her mother would wake up or not. She couldn’t justify refusing over something trivial.
‘Ha…’
Under the Emperor’s orders, the attendants moved swiftly and efficiently, as if someone held a blade to their backs.
“Your Highness.”
A familiar voice called out from behind her. It was Dora. With a sparkle in her eyes, Etern nearly clung to Dora’s skirt as she looked up at her with a desperate expression.
“Did you bring him? You did, right?”
“Of course, Your Highness. You gave the order, so naturally, I brought him.”
“Thank goodness!”
At that moment, a visibly nervous soldier strode toward Dora and Etern. Seeing him, Etern’s face lit up with a radiant smile.
The soldier paused for a moment, seemingly startled by her smile, then knelt on one knee and saluted.
“Lance Tash, at your service, Your Highness.”
“Oh, there’s no need to kneel! Stand up, quickly.”
It was the same soldier Etern had noticed before—the one who had risked his life in front of the Emperor to shield her.
‘I managed to secure Lance in exchange for allowing Ziggkart to stay in my quarters! I’m so glad Father agreed so easily.’
Etern reached out to take Lance’s hand and help him up, but he firmly shook his head, kneeling even lower instead.
“I cannot look down upon Your Highness.”
“You can’t possibly kneel every time you see me.”
“It doesn’t matter, Your Highness. For someone as insignificant as me, being allowed to serve the princess is more than enough. Even if you ordered me to walk into a fire, I would gladly do so.”
“That’s not necessary!”
Waving her hands frantically like the child she was, Etern couldn’t help but smile internally.
‘This is great. Having someone strong on my side means I don’t have to be afraid of anything.’
Clearing her throat softly, Etern put her hands behind her back and observed Lance with a calm demeanor. His clear, bright eyes gave her a sense of reassurance.
“Thank you for pledging your loyalty, Lance. As long as you fulfill your duties faithfully, you won’t have to worry about anything in the future. That’s a promise.”
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
“Now, for your first task…”
Etern glanced purposefully toward Ziggkart’s temporary quarters, where the attendants were busily coming and going, then leaned closer to Lance.
“You know the Young Lord will be staying in the princess’s quarters, right?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I’m aware.”
“Good. Your first task is to guard him while he’s here.”
At those words, Lance’s face instantly clouded with disappointment.
“I thought my duty was to assist and protect you, Your Highness…”
Etern, flustered, quickly shook her head. It was obvious that Lance had misunderstood, thinking he’d only been brought in temporarily for this specific task.
“No, Lance. Helping me is protecting me! Just because the Young Lord will eventually leave doesn’t mean I’ll send you away. Do you understand what I mean?”
Lance’s face brightened at once. Though he maintained a polite expression out of respect for the princess, the relief on his face was obvious.
Etern appreciated this transparency. Having someone by her side whose emotions she could easily read was a source of comfort.
“I understand, Your Highness. I’ll do my best.”
“Good. And if the Young Lord asks you anything, says something unusual, or tries to go anywhere alone without me…”
“……”
“Tell me everything. Got it?”
A realization flashed through Lance’s mind. He understood what the young princess was truly asking of him.
Protect and serve him—but also watch him closely. It was clear that Etern’s primary concern was keeping a watchful eye on Ziggkart.
“I understand, Your Highness.”
At Lance’s reply, Etern smiled brightly—a smile as refreshing and soft as a dew-laden geranium petal.
“Thank you. I’m counting on you.”
“I’ll do my utmost.”
With that, Lance stood, briefly reporting to his superior before returning to his post.
Dora, who had been watching, gave Etern a worried look.
“Your Highness, are you sure about this?”
“Hmm? What do you mean, Dora?”
“I looked into it, and it seems this Lance Tash hasn’t been in the palace guard for long. Wouldn’t it be safer to choose someone more experienced?”
“No, Lance is trustworthy. You don’t need to worry about that—I guarantee it, Dora.”
Dora hesitated, as if she wanted to say more, but in the end, she simply smiled.
“If you say so, Your Highness, then I trust your judgment.”
Though she didn’t express it, Dora had noticed how the young princess had grown to display a surprising level of insight and maturity beyond her years.
‘Even the Emperor has changed. There’s no way the princess acts impulsively without careful thought. It’s impossible.’
While the palace maids marveled at how Etern’s charm had melted the Emperor’s cold, iron-clad demeanor, Dora thought differently.
No one could pinpoint exactly when Etern had changed, but it was clear that something monumental had shifted.
‘If only Her Majesty the Empress would wake up, and the Princess could finally live peacefully as a child… Oh, Velis, God of Mercy, if you grant this, I could die without regrets.’
Dora clutched her chest as though a heavy weight had been lifted. But before she could fully savor the relief, the troublesome Young Lord appeared in the hallway.
“Ah, Your Highness, Princess.”
His crimson eyes sparkled brightly, and they were fixed on Dora. For a moment, she was startled by the thought that Ziggkart’s appearance resembled Etern’s, then quickly dismissed it, chastising herself for such an absurd notion.
“Oh, yes… Young Lord.”
Etern, who had been sneaking a glance over her shoulder, tilted her head and gave an awkward smile. Inside, however, she was screaming, ‘Please don’t talk to me! Please don’t talk to me!’
Ziggkart spoke.
“I have a favor to ask of Your Highness. Would that be alright?”
His gaze shifted deliberately to Dora, standing behind Etern. It was an intentional gesture, and Etern knew it all too well.
‘He’s trying to get rid of Dora. But what kind of favor could he possibly have?’
“Go ahead and ask.”
Ziggkart looked straight into Etern’s eyes and flashed a sly smile.
“I’ve noticed how vast the Sidernell Imperial Palace is. It’s quite overwhelming. If it’s not too much trouble, could Your Highness guide me around?”
